A/N -
This is a robot AU...
There's some slightly triggering things in here like bullying and a brief mention on alcoholism, just a warning!
---------------

Rollan's PoV -

It was late at night and I had been working all day but I refused to give up. I was making a robot, I needed one to take with me to school which was only a few days away, nothing quite like waiting till the last minute. I was a junior in high school so being bullied was a big deal for me and sadly a big reality for me too. Over the summer a new trend hit Erdas, robots, everyone had a robot, well nearly everyone who could afford a bot. Sadly I could not afford a robot but I was good with mechanics and could build my own, I knew if I didn't have a robot with me on the first day of school I would be made fun of for being poor or not in the loop of things. I knew my bot may not be as perfect as other students but it was the best I could do and at least I would have a bot, maybe they wouldn't make fun of me then.

So here I was, working on my bot late into the night when I really should have been sleeping. I had the main body of the bot laid out on my bed and the littlest pieces were scattered around my room. I tinkered with his chest for awhile but I must have fallen asleep. I woke laying next to my bot with my head on his chest, with a blush I hurriedly sat up. It's not like anyone had seen me or like my bot was activated yet but still... I had to admit, I kinda did feel safe with my head on my bot's chest, after all, I was building my robot to keep me safe from school's bullies.

I shook myself awake and kept working, chugging coffee when needed. Lightning flashed outside, it was very close, probably on top of my roof. I felt the vibrations in the air from it. I was finally finished with my robot!

He lay peacefully on my bed. I didn't know what to call him yet, maybe he could name himself. I admired my work, which felt wrong to basically be checking my robot out but whatever. He was tall and had handsome southern Nilonian skin, his hair was black and a tad fluffy, perhaps from the added electricity. He was perfect, I had made him just the way I wanted. I may or may not have added all the features I found most attractive in guys. Awkwardly, I walked over to him and felt around for his power button on his lower back. I found it and hurriedly clicked, he came to life immediately. It must have seemed like I was hugging him, because he gently wrapped his arms around me. "You're Rollan, right?" he asked.

I smiled and cuddled into the hug, he might have been metal but he was warm. "Yeah, I'm Rollan, how did you know, I didn't program you to already recognized me?" I looked at him puzzled.

He shrugged, "I know a lot of things," was all he said.

"Like what?" I smiled.

"Like the eighth root of 9, how to hotwire a car, what day the second Monday in January in the year 1709 fell on," the robot laughed, "nah, I'm joking, but I do know how to help you with your math homework."

"What's your name?" I asked next.

"Don't you get to name me?" he shrugged.

"You don't have a name you like more than any other?" I asked.

"Just one, how about Karmo?" Karmo smiled back at me shyly.

"Karmo," I tried his name out, "that sounds perfect!"

I realized I was practically sitting in Karmo's lap and I quickly scrambled away. "You seem way more human-like than any other robot I've ever seen?" I stated in the form of a question.

Karmo shrugged, "I think it was the lightning, probably."

I nodded, it was nice having Karmo around even if I just 'met' him. He gave me someone to talk to and he looked to be pretty compassionate too, he seemed to care about me already. Most importantly, he was my bot and now I wouldn't have the bullies at school making fun of me for how poor I was. Karmo may have not been made out of the most expensive metals but he had more character than any other robot I had ever seen. "You look tired," Karmo stated with a concerned glance at me.

"I am tired," I sighed and started to clear some spare parts off my bed and floor.

"Then go to sleep..." Karmo replied.

It was a very tempting offer, I placed my tools in a box along with extra bits of wires and gears. Then I stretched and sat down next to Karmo. "I'll have to shut you off in that case," I wrapped my arms around Karmo again and felt around for his power off button.

I pressed what I thought was the right button and Karmo closed his eyes and fell limp in my arms. I laid him down on my bed, resting his head on a pillow, and gently pulled the covers over him. I swear I seen his mouth twitch into a smile. I dug around in my dresser and found a pair of pajamas, slipping off my clothes I changed into my more comfortable pjs. Then I crawled into bed next to Karmo. Just as I closed my eyes, "You know I wasn't asleep, right..."

My face turned cherry red, "What the hell, Karmo!"

"What," he shrugged, "you're pretty hot, I wasn't gonna miss the chance to see you in your boxers," Karmo smirked and chuckled to himself.

I was secretly flattered but only half pretending to be angry with him I wrapped my arms around him again till this time for sure I found his power off button. It was almost creepy how the life seemed to drain from him in an instant. I fell asleep moments later.

     Once again I woke to find myself curled up next to Karmo with my head on his chest. I was glad he was powered off. I basically had to climb over him to get out of bed. I stretched and went to get ready for the day.

     I jumped a little seeing Karmo laying on my bed, I totally wasn't use to having a robot yet. I wondered where the other kids at school put their robot while they were powered off. Surly they didn't sleep in the same bed with them. Maybe I should make Karmo sleep on the floor or the living room couch, that would be less awkward. Regardless I sat next to him and propped him into a sitting position while I searched for his power button.

     That was another thing I definitely needed to do, find Karmo a proper outfit to wear. He was taller than me but maybe he could wear some of my clothes I hadn't 'grown into yet', he currently was shirtless with an old pair of my jeans on.

     I found his button and he instantly came back to life. "Oh, good morning, Rollan," Karmo greeted me.

      I smiled, "Morning."

     Only two more days till school starts, maybe I should tell Karmo about the bullies and warn him. Who knows, maybe with him being associated with me won't be the easiest thing in the world for him to deal with, I kinda felt bad. "Are you still mad at me?" Karmo questioned a little shyly.

     The events of last night played back through my head. Did I expect Karmo to notify me that he was in fact not asleep in the middle of me changing clothes, no that would have made things more awkward. I pictured myself hurriedly turning his power off while dressed in only boxers, I basically had to climb into his lap to reach the button, okay, I definitely did not want to do that while only wearing boxers. I ended with, "No, I guess I'm not angry with you anymore," I flashed a small smile.

    "Thanks, Rollan," Karmo looked away embarrassedly.

     "Let's go find you some real clothes to wear," I stated as I dragged him out my room door and into the walk in closet.

    The floor was littered with clothes and half the hangers were broken, not to mention a mouse was currently decaying somewhere in the wall, just imagining that smell for a moment. I was a fairly organized person, not to be confused with clean, while my things might be in their proper place they still might be caked with two inches of dust. My mom was the one to thank for all the clutter, though to be fair, women did seem to have more clothes than most men so that is more things to keep track of. I found my way to my tiny section of the closet, shoved to the back by all of mom's thrift store finds. Karmo followed close behind me. I pulled down a few of my longer jeans and t-shirts and shoved them into Karmo's arms. "Go try these on and see which fit," I stated as I still rummaged through my clothes.

     "Where do I try these on at?" Karmo asked.

     "The bathroom, of course," I replied as if he were stupid till I remembered Karmo had never seen the rest of my house before, he didn't actually know where the bathroom was, "oh, sorry, I'll show you," I ended awkwardly.

     We climbed out of the closet and I was actually glad that mom wasn't home for once, she probably would have made a gay joke without even taking the time to think that perhaps he own son was gay and was kinda hurt by them kind of jokes. Then for the first time, I wondered what mom would think of Karmo. I didn't think it was necessary for me to ask her permission before building a robot but now I thought differently, it would be like instantly finding out she had another son but more metallic. I hoped she would treat Karmo like another son and not like some object. It was obvious Karmo had feelings like any other human, though I wasn't so sure that was a normal robot trait.

     I showed Karmo the bathroom and he walked inside to try on the clothes I had found. I settled down on the couch while waiting on him. Finally, Karmo opened the door and fake modeled for me, being slightly over dramatic. "Your such an idiot but at least you're a good looking idiot now," I joked.

     I made Karmo a section in the closet next to mine, there wasn't too many clothes of mine that fit him well since I was quite a bit shorter than him and he was slightly skinnier than me. The rest of the day I spent showing him around town. It wasn't until later that night when we were both dressed in pajamas and laying next to each other in bed that I decided to tell him about the bullies. Karmo seemed really concerned and held me close to his chest while tears started to form in my eyes. At least school would be better now that I had Karmo, not only for me no longer getting bullied for not having a robot but I knew Karmo would be there for me when the bullies did attack. That night when I powered him off I didn't carry him to the floor or the couch like I had planed on, instead I happily curled up next to him with my head on his chest. I quickly feel asleep after that.

     I awoke to my alarm with the dread that this was the last day of summer vacation. I didn't wait till I was dressed and ready for the day to power on Karmo. He wouldn't care that my hair looked like a rat's nest. "Oh, good morning," he greeted me seemingly surprised that I had woken him even when I myself wasn't fully awake.

     I mumbled a good morning though in my early morning grogginess it probably sounded like a foreign language. The room was spinning, I'm definitely not a morning person, so I planted my face in Karmo's shoulders trying to right myself. Karmo's breathing hitched a little as I did this, I guess he hadn't expected that affection but he was obviously pleased by it. He gently ran his fingers through my hair as I nuzzled into his neck. "I wasn't expecting that from you, Rollan," Karmo started truthfully.

     "I'm tired," was all I mumbled.

     We sat like that for a long time. Even after the room, or rather my brain, had steadied itself and my eyes adjusted to the light I still sat there in Karmo's lap with my face nuzzled into his neck. I mostly didn't want to moved because I liked the feeling of his fingers gently playing with my hair. Finally, the hunger in my stomach and the temptation of breakfast got me moving. I quickly got ready for the day and then raced to the kitchen to make myself some breakfast. I was surprised to see that Karmo had already made me some waffles. I wanted to kiss him, I loved him so much at that moments but I settled for giving him a sideways hug and hurrying to the table to eat.

     Karmo left me to change into his clothes and then he sat next to me awkwardly glancing up at me from time to time as he sat with his head resting in his arms on the table. "Thanks again for breakfast," I smiled at him after I had finished my waffles.

    "No problem," Karmo replied and I wondered if it was weird for him to watch me eat since he couldn't do that himself.

     I quickly washed my plate, "What do you want to do now?" I asked Karmo, "This is my last day before school starts tomorrow."

     He shrugged, "Whatever you want to do."

We spent the day going through school supplies and making a last minute stop to the local Staples. Should I get Karmo any school supplies? It's not like he would be doing any homework or need any textbooks but maybe it would help him fit in, somehow. I decided against the idea, I couldn't afford to buy another book bag and some notebooks, if he needed anything then we could share.

     A little before nightfall that night, mom finally made it home. Her work kept her away from the house a lot which was just another reason why Karmo was so important for me, after weeks at a time of being without someone to talk to it got lonely. Karmo and I met her in the garage, "Mom!" I ran up to her and gave her a hug, most boys my age didn't miss their mom as much as me but most boys my age didn't have their mother constantly away either, she hugged me back and I finally broke away, "Mom, this is Karmo, I made him while you were away, hopefully you don't mind."

      I rejoined Karmo from where he stood by the door as I waited for mom's reply. "That's great, honey, maybe you won't be so lonely while I'm gone if you have a robot," mom replied as she carried some groceries into the house, Karmo and I followed her.

     "Karmo's much more than a robot, he acts just like any human," I tried out my best smile and exchanged worried glances with Karmo.

     Mom was treating Karmo like an object instead of a new son like I had hoped for. "I'm sure he's great, especially if you made him," mom seemed to shrug off what I'd said, "I'm going to bed now, I'm exhausted, I'll see you in the morning."

     I gave her a quick hug, slightly disappointed she was going to bed already, I had hoped we could visit. Karmo stood by me seemingly not knowing wether he should give mom a goodnight hug or not. Regardless, she walked right past him and wondered into her room. I sighed and led Karmo to my own room. "Well that went well," I tried to joke after I shut the door.

     "It's okay to be disappointed," Karmo replied as he sat on my bed.

      I guess I took those words to heart, I slid down the wall till I had melted down to the floor. Tears stained my eyes like the smell of wine stained mom's breath. After work she had a bad habit of going to taverns and looking for another husband. I didn't want a new dad and I desperately wanted a mom who cared. A mom who cared enough to not spend her rare free time in bars but instead with me. Karmo slid down the wall till he sat next to me. Like the night before he held me to his chest while I cried. He patted my back gently and lovingly. I guess I fell asleep and Karmo must have carried me back to bed. I woke to find myself cuddled into Karmo's chest with his brown eyes staring at me and his long arms wrapped protectively around me. "Morning," Karmo smiled.

     Today would be my first day of school for my junior year. I sighed and mumbled into Karmo's chest before I sat up. Karmo for once seemed tired too, was that even possible. Then I remembered I hadn't powered him off last night, that probably wasn't healthy for him. "I'm going to give your gears a small break while I get ready for school, I'll wake you before I leave," with that I fumbled around on his back feeling for the right button as I listened to Karmo complaining that he was fine and didn't need to rest.

     He fell limp in my arms. I brushed some hair out of his closed eyes, before I knew what I was doing I pressed my lips to his. I felt a slight tingle run up my spine, was that love or Karmo's extra electricity? Regardless it felt weird to be kissing Karmo while he was powered off. Then I caught myself, I hadn't thought it was weird to be kissing Karmo but instead I had though it was weird to be kissing Karmo only while he was powered off.

     Then an idea ran through my head, I pressed his power button and Karmo jolted awake, still in my arms. I kept one finger on the button. Then I quickly pressed my lips to Karmo's before he had time to ask anything. The tingle ran up my spine again as Karmo kissed back. He seemed incredibly surprised, I allowed for a few more moments of this till I pulled away from him. Just as Karmo was about to say something I powered him off again. As he fell asleep his face was a mask of triumph and love. I smiled at this, he really did care for me, probably more than anyone else in the world. Regardless, it was kinda fun to play with him like that, teasing him with our first kiss together. I hurriedly got ready for school.

     Now dressed in proper clothes I woke Karmo. "What the hell?!" were the first words he said after I woke him.

     I chuckled a little and pulled him to his feet before practically jumping into his arms. He did his best to hold me but we both fell back onto the bed. "You're in a good mood today," Karmo smirked.

     I really was feeling better, even though I had cried myself to sleep last night and school started today, I still felt happier than I had in a long time. Karmo probably had every reason to do with my good mood. "You could make me happier," I smirked and puckered my lips.

     Instead of his lips meeting mine I felt a small nip on my earlobe. He ruffled my hair and pushed me back to my feet. "Nice try lover boy but this is payback for teasing me earlier," Karmo smirked and shoved my book bag at me before practically dragging me to the car.

     I drove us both to school and the joy from Karmo's teasing lasted the whole ride till I reached the parking lot. Then I felt the dread of school and its bullying hit me. Karmo squeeze my hand as I sat waiting till the last possible moment to go inside. Karmo basically dragged me out of the car. When we entered there was a swarm of students and their robots hurrying to their classes. Most robots carried their owners heavy book bags, gym bags, binders, etc. Their owners were practically dragging them down the hall as if they were their personal slaves. I looked back to see Karmo carrying my book bag and a few books. "Let me carry something," I stated trying to sound casual.

     "Don't worry, you're not like them," Karmo replied as if he read my mind.

     "Well don't give me the chance to be like them," I complained till Karmo finally passed me a few books, it wasn't much but it made me feel less terrible.

     My book carrying didn't last long, a few steps later they were shoved out of my hands as I was pinned to the wall and a fist was raised to give me a back eye. The bully struggled as Karmo plied him off me. "Oh, so you got a bot to look out for you, weakling..." one of my oldest bullies said, his name was Gar.

     With that he stormed off and I hugged Karmo quickly before I hurriedly picked up my books. With that we ran to class and just made it through the door as the bell rang. In almost every class, Karmo had to sit in the back of the class with all the other student's robots. Every once in awhile I would glance back to find him looking self conscious while trying to take notes and concentrate on what the teacher was saying, probably just to keep his mind busy. I felt kinda bad for him, he wasn't like the other robots who chatted with one another or made paper airplanes or something. Throughout the day all the classes were like this. I got bullied a little but Karmo would always stand up for me. When the final bell rang we both hurried out the school doors, happy that the first day was over. "So, what did you think of school?" I asked Karmo.

     "It was odd, you seem like a different kind of person than the other students and I don't think I fit in well with the other bots," Karmo shrugged.

     "Thanks for helping me with the bullies," I stated as we walked to the car.

     "No problem, I'll always be here for you, Rollan," with that Karmo twined our fingers together so we were holding hands.
--------------