Mike had also learned from hard experience that he wasn't so good at getting along with other carbon-based life forms. Silicon-based, though, he was good with. AIs. And now, Sandy. His arms tightened just a little, tongue tracing his lower lip.

This was just what he needed. Someone who liked him as he was, not as he used to be. Someone who took him for exactly face value, because that... That was all he had. Face value was what he was. And to have that known...

He'd miss it when it was gone. He'd miss it so much.

"Mmm..."