Scene 9 - The Park

It's been a couple days since Azra's cute little stunt, but something about her always kept Hiram wanting to come back. She was different, and he liked that. As promised, they would meet up for lunch together at the park close to Cyberlife. Hiram was first to arrive at the bench they were supposed to meet at. With him was his normal case, where all of his written articles and soon to be written articles were kept and now that his arm has healed up a bit more, he was able to bring a rucksack along with him. In his rucksack was a water bottle, some medication, break and a favourite book of his, 'Hamlet'. He sat himself down on one end of the bench and leaned back, taking a deep breath of fresh air. This never gets old.

Azra was walking along the path that lead to where they had arranged to meet. On one shoulder she had her bag, which only contained a notebook she would use for drawing. In her other hand, she was carrying a loaf of bread. She spotted Hiram reading on the bench, and sat next to him.

Ahh he's reading. Hamlet. That's an old one, right?

"Hamlet. Interesting choice. I don't really read the classics to be honest, I prefer the more modern stuff"

Hiram had his really nerdy reading glasses and quickly pulled it off his face, hiding it between the pages of his book as he looked up at her. "Ah yeah, most of my taste of books comes from my dad, since he's a writer and obviously thought of the classics as gold." He chuckled. He noticed the loaf of bread in her hand and smirked. "These ducks will end up being obese before the end of the day."

Azra chuckled.

"Good thing they aren't just for the ducks then! I like to feed the birds first"

She opened the packet of bread and took a few slices, before getting up from the bench and moving to sit on the grass. She then looked up and whistled, mimicking the perfect bird whistle. The nearby birds flocked towards her and sat on her hand, arm's, legs and feet. She chuckled. "Greedy today aren't you!"

She began feeding the birds one by one, petting each one as they went. Lastly, a black bird came up to her, which was missing one leg.

"Ah, Jimmy! I knew I was forgetting someone. How have you been sweetheart? The other birds haven't been bullying you, have they?"

Hiram found it so entertaining to watch Azra have a conversation with each bird she comes across. He actually finds it quite adorable, and somewhat peculiar. He got up from the bench and took his belongings with him before sitting opposite her on the grass. He found it embarrassing to wear his glasses for some reason. Actually, he knew why, he got made fun of about it when he was younger, though he knew he should put those days behind him. God I look weird, fuck it, it's now or never. He grabbed his glasses from between the pages and stuck them on his face before flicking through the pages, finding the page he was reading.

Placing her favourite bird on her shoulder, Azra turned to look at Hiram. She noticed he had put his glasses back on and was reading again.

He looks so cute with his glasses on. Do I tell him that? He almost looks like that Potter boy from that book series I was told read a while back. Lucky for me, reading a book takes about a minute.

"Has anyone ever told you that you look like Harry Potter when you have glasses on? I think you look cute!"

Hiram lifted his head up, and slowly but surely, he felt his cheeks flushed in embarrassment. "U-uh.. oh.. I.. um.. Yeah, I mean, yes a couple did.." He stuttered, feeling slightly inept about receiving compliments about his glasses. He couldn't help but notice the bird on her shoulder chirping happily to itself. "Cute little guy.. Or girl.. Or it? I don't know at this point anymore." He chuckled. Hiram dug his hands down his bag and pulled out a slice of bread. Ripping a small bit from the slice, he hovered it in front of the bird and watched it peck onto it curiously. "Yeah it's food dumb dumb, eat it."

Arza chuckled.

"That's Jimmy, he's a bit shy and a bit stupid. I found him in a bin one day, some of the kids had been messing with him. I'm not sure what bit his foot off, but he seems to be ok with it" She turned to the bird. "It's ok Jimmy, you can take the food. He's a nice human"

Lookers-on could've sworn that the bird had nodded, and he ate the food that was being offered to him. He pecked at Hiram's hand as a sign of thank you, and pecked Azra's nose before flying off. Azra waved the bird off. She laid back onto the grass, letting out a sigh as she closed her eyes.

"Isn't nature amazing?"

Hiram watched the bird fly off towards the sky, catching the wind under his wings. Azra's voice captured his attention once again. He couldn't help but focus on her and nothing but her. It was as if everything was blurred and foggy, except her. Although her words was heard by him, he couldn't help but replying to her, but with context only he could know. "It's.. actually beautiful." He uttered under his breath.

Azra smiled to herself.

I'm so glad he likes animals.

"Oh, before I forget, we need to feed the ducks next! The pond is just down the path, on the right!" S

he bounced up, grabbing Hiram by the hand and hauling him up as well. She grabbed the packet of bread she had on the floor and dragged Hiram over to the pond.

"Look Hiram! Look at how many ducks there are!"

Hiram crouched down and observed the ducks in the pond waddling around among each other. He even spotted a couple ducklings. "Awe, there's a couple swimming around here. You better get to feeding, they look like they're starving." He chuckled, gesturing her to feed the ducks.

Azra dropped her bag on the floor and walked to the ponds edge, reaching for some bread in the bread bag. Unbeknownst to the pair, a teenager had snuck behind Azra.

/Teenager/ FUCK ANDROIDS He said, pushing her into the water. He sped off, giggling as he ran away.

Azra was flung into the water. Little did she know, the pond was deep. Instead of rising straight to the surface, she started to sink, as her leg was caught on a plant. Warning signs flashed between her eyes.

What do I do? I don't want to die like this. I can't pull my foot free!

She froze for a few seconds, and then calmed down.

Wait- it's okay. I just need to backup my memories and it will be fine-

Without hesitation, Hiram quickly stripped his top off his torso, throwing it on the grass before plunging into the water. The water was so green, he could barely see anything in front of him. But for a moment he noticed something moving underwater. Azra?! He thought as he dived deeper into the pond. He found her struggling to set herself free from an underwater plant. He quickly got to her and grabbed her foot, pulling it out from it's grasp before carrying her to the surface. Hiram inhaled deeply as his head popped out from the water as did Azra, whom he was concerned about as she wan android. He dragged onto the grass as he panted. "Ah, fuck fuck fuck.." He swore before collapsing on the grass beside her. "Y-you okay?" He questioned in concern.

Azra did not immediately respond.

Does he have this thing for saving people? Like he could have just left me, my consciousness is backed up anyway.

Taking a deep breath, she sat up and looked over at Hiram. He looked exhausted, and drenched to the bone.

Humans get pneumonia. I should call an ambulance.

And with that, she mentally called an ambulance. It would be arriving in approximately 5 minutes. She looked around for the culprit, but there was no one around. Looking back at Hiram, she realised he was shirtless. She blushed.

He… he works out I guess?

Azra was confused.

Why do I feel so hot? What feeling is this?

Azra locked eyes with Hiram again.

"Thank you for saving me. Again"

She shifted a bit closer to Hiram, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry I keep putting you in these situations"

She took a second to look into his deep brown eyes, and she realised how close she was to him. She could feel him breathing onto her neck.

Is it bad that I really want to kiss him right now? Should I just go for it, and blame it on my androidness if he doesn't like it?

She leaned closer into him, and their lips connected, sending a tingle down her spine. She closed her eyes as she kissed him, and radiated in his warmth. They were interrupted by an EMT coughing.

Hiram closed his eyes for a moment as he felt their lips touched. She's so warm. He thought to himself, how he wished this moment could last longer. His hand reached behind her head as they embraced their kiss, but the coughs of a stranger interfered with their kiss. He looked up and saw the EMT guy awkwardly looking away, though needed to catch their attention for obvious reasons. "U-uh.." He stuttered after pulling away from the kiss.

Azra blushed, and jumped off of Hiram.

"Oh uh, I think this human is in need of medical attention. He was in the lake for quite some time!"

The EMT nodded, and began working on Hiram, dragging him away to an awaiting ambulance. Azra picked up their stuff, and as she picked up Hiram's shirt she couldn't help but sniff it.

It smells like him.

Azra made a split second decision and stuffed the shirt into her bag. I

'm sure he has plenty of other shirts at home.

She picked up his blazer, briefcase and book, and walked towards the ambulance to give Hiram his stuff back. Minus the shirt.

As Hiram sat on the edge of the back of the ambulance and ruffled his hair with the towel given by the EMT. He looked up and saw Azra approaching him with his stuff. "You life saver, carrying all of my stuff, just for me, how sweet." He said in a cheek way. He stretched his arms up momentarily to pull his muscles, thinking about how this situation is just solid proof of how beneficial working out was back then.

Azra smiled, and couldn't help but glance while he was stretching.

I wish androids could have muscles like that. But then again, we probably wouldn't look as good as humans do.

Azra checked the time, and realised she only had five minutes before her lunch break was up. She placed Hiram's stuff next to him in the ambulance. Mentally, she sent a note to Hiram's boss, describing what had happened and that it was her fault, and not to blame him for being late when he got back into the office.

"Uhm, we only have five minutes of lunch break left. I've sent a note to your boss to tell him why you will be late. I best be off! Thank you again for saving me!"

Hiram glanced at Azra as she spoke to him, reminding him as well about their lunch break. He felt a little down that she was about leave him with the EMT, but he didn't want her to get in trouble, even if her best friend was her in charge of her. "Yeah thanks. And y'know, I'm gonna start charging you if I keep having to save you..." He chuckled. Though, before he could let her leave, he grabbed her hand and pulled her towards him, letting their lips meet each other again for the second time. He pulled away and smiled as he wrapped the towel around his body. "Now shoo~"

He- He kissed me again? Is this my lucky day?

Flushing, Azra blew him a kiss as she bounced away, her hair and skirt swishing with her as she turned around. As she walked back to where she worked, she had the sudden realisation that her uniform was drenched.

Shit. Shit. Shit. That means… everyone could see… everything!

She quickened her pace back, and ran through the doors of cyberlife, barging past Lila in order to get to the changing rooms.

That was so embarrassing, ahhhh!