A/N: Android antics and warm fuzzies ho! Also I swear I don't have anything against "Titanic." ^^;

[Written on and off between 5-14-19 to 4-8-20]

"Up and Around"

Chapter Two: Taking It in Stride

"I don't understand," Arthur said, his eyes locked on the movie playing on the large screen before him.

Aurora leaned closer to him in the darkness, her chair squeaking a bit. "What?"

"Why does Rose not simply move over on the door to make way for Jack? Is she perhaps heavier than she looks?"

The woman sitting next to him snickered. "It's an old disaster movie, Arthur. If Jack survived, there wouldn't be nearly as much dramatic impact in the story."

"I see," he said, his tone implying that he still didn't quite grasp the concept. Arthur then hit upon the perfect improvement. "But in that case, wouldn't both of them dying further deepen the tragedy?"

The only other person in the room gasped quietly. "You take that back, you monster!"

Arthur turned to look at Jim, the light from the screen revealing he had tears streaming down his face. "How can you complain about this cinematic masterpiece?"

"Oh, come on," Aurora said. "It's trite and you know it."

Jim sniffled, wiping at his cheek with the back of his hand. "It's called a tearjerker and it does its job well."

"For you perhaps," she replied with a smirk before moving closer to Jim, leaving Arthur sitting in his own row. "You love the sappiest stuff, but I suppose it helps offset my horror obsession."

She glanced at Arthur over her shoulder. "What do you enjoy watching the most, Arthur?"

Since Arthur had joined them, they had watched a large number of films on evenings the couple had dubbed movie nights, touching upon every available genre from action to documentaries.

The ship's collection of films was vast. Even if they watched a dozen movies a day, Jim and Aurora would still have entertainment left unseen far after their lives had come to a natural end.

"Musicals," he said, only half paying attention to the film now, their melodrama proceedings quite lost on him. "I very much enjoy the visuals and sounds. It's all quite…animated."

While not true to real life, Arthur sometimes wished such things could be possible. Extended emotion was difficult for him, singing even less so. He simply wasn't designed for it.

"We'll have to watch one soon then."

Arthur was touched by Aurora's consideration, though it was unnecessary. "There's no need to cater to my whims when I am perfectly capable of viewing them on my own."

He had already gone through a substantial amount of educational films about every facet of the human condition in an effort to better understand the upgraded emotions Jim had tweaked within him.

She shook her head, reaching out for Jim's hand as Aurora surveyed Arthur. "No, musicals shouldn't be an individual experience. The music, the sets, the actors, you should share those things with other people."

"If it were a live stage production, perhaps," Arthur conceded with a small nod. "Films are inherently different. Amusing to watch but artificial in comparison."

The corners of her mouth downturned a little, Aurora seeming to silently chew the matter over. "Let's try it next time and see which is better, all right?" she suggested, looking mischievous.

"An experiment? I look forward to it."

She smiled, starting to turn back to the screen. "Good."

"Man, what a waste," Jim commented upon seeing the last few shots of the movie. "Her kids could have sold that necklace for a bundle."

"Are you admitting the movie has a flaw?" Aurora asked jokingly.

Jim sat up in his seat, quick to come to the film's defense. "No." He stopped, almost wilting underneath Aurora's piercing stare, finally letting out a sigh. "Okay, maybe."

"That's what I thought."

"Arthur!"

Said android was on his way back from the bridge, finding himself quickly drawn to Jim's exclamation. He rushed to the virtual entertainment center, the panoramic view of a faceless crowd from the game Dance Party encompassing the walls of the room.

"What is this?" Jim asked, motioning to the high score sheet floating on the wall to the right. Every single slot was taken up with the initials ART. "Is this you?"

Arthur nodded. "Dancing is very helpful physical therapy for my legs."

It'd been two years since he'd gotten them. Working together, he and Jim had actually improved on their design. Now a layer of synthetic skin covered them and his feet had been reworked to a smaller and more natural size.

If there had been other people awake and about the ship, they might not have even known what Arthur was upon first meeting him.

The exasperated expression of Jim's eased, Arthur slowly realizing that he might have been mad all his previous high scores had been wiped out of existence.

"I'm sorry if I overstepped my bounds," Arthur said, Jim quick to step up and touch his shoulder briefly.

"It's fine, I just didn't know this kind of thing would be something you'd be interested in," Jim explained. "I guess I'll have to watch my gaming back from now on, huh?"

Arthur tilted his head. "Must we compete?"

Jim smirked. "We're men, aren't we? That's half the fun." He elbowed Arthur in the side gently. "You want give it a go and see if I can't knock your name off the board?"

The fact Jim had included Arthur in the same category as himself was novel, though as he stretched and bounced in place Jim didn't seem to be aware of the compliment he'd unknowingly paid Arthur.

"Very well, Jim," Arthur replied, taking off his jacket and putting it against the far wall where it wouldn't get in the way. "I graciously accept your challenge."

A half-hour later…

"What's going on here?" Aurora asked, sticking her head into the room as techno music blared loudly. She quickly stepped inside, lingering near the wall as she surveyed the scene in front of her.

Noting her presence, Arthur slowed down his coordinated movements, the song he'd been dancing to coming to an end. "It was a competition."

"Really?"

Beside him stood Jim who had his hands resting on his knees, panting wildly with sweat on his brow. It took a minute before he could draw in a full breath, Jim pointed at Arthur.

"Do not challenge him no matter what. Guy's a freakin' animal!" Jim flopped down to the floor on his back. "I'm going to die."

Arthur knelt down beside him in alarm. "What hurts the most, Jim? You must tell me so I can administer the appropriate first-aid."

Trading a look with Aurora, Jim pressed a hand to his chest, saying dramatically, "Only my pride."

Arthur took in Jim's clear joking matter and the stifled laughter from Aurora behind him. Ah, sarcasm. Humor was something Arthur hadn't studied much, finding it a very complex subject which was highly subjective.

Standing up, relieved Jim was all right, Arthur headed to the far wall to retrieve his jacket. "I'm sure you will find a way to live until it replenishes itself."

As he put it back on, Jim sat up on the floor. "Seriously, Arthur, it was a lot of fun. You're a great dancer. I don't think I'll be able to beat your high scores on this game anytime soon."

Only one of his hairs was out of place from the spontaneous bout of exercise, Arthur quick to smooth it back where it belonged. "I too found it very enjoyable."

He smiled at Jim who responded in kind, Arthur glad he'd been able to have such a bonding experience with the man.

Aurora cleared her throat a few seconds later from her position leaning against the wall. "Well, now I feel left out. You boys are downright heartwarming."

"If you wish to disregard Jim's warnings, I am always up for another dance-off," Arthur offered generously, aware there was much of the game he had left unexplored.

She shook her head. "I'll pass for now, but I'll definitely take you up on it in the future."

Arthur inclined his head respectfully towards Aurora who walked past him to go help Jim up from the floor.

"Where does it hurt, you big baby?" she said playfully while Jim groaned under his breath as he got to his feet.

"Everywhere," he replied, pressing closer to Aurora. "Kiss it better?"

Bright airy laughter suffused the air, Aurora throwing back her head for a moment. "Don't push it, buster."

"Please, Aurora?"

For the first time as Arthur left the room, granting them their privacy, he felt the stirrings of something it took a while for him to identity. New emotions were hard.

Jealousy.

Loneliness.

Jim and Aurora were a matched pair. True, they had had their difficulties in reaching the current status of their relationship, but when one fell, the other would always be there to catch them, whether physically or emotionally.

Arthur had only had his mind for company. Any other androids on the ship were as limited in their function as he had been before. Even if he found another of his kind he wished to befriend, they would find the concept of forming a close bond utterly alien and understandably fall back on their core programming.

Unless…

The idea gestated inside Arthur's mind for a time before he put it on the back burner after running through each and every possible scenario.

No, it was best to ask Jim for a companion once Arthur fully understood what it was to be human.

As he was now, trying to explain such a thing to another android would be a daunting task Arthur would likely fail at, and that was simply not an option.

"Is it ready?" Jim asked him from the door of the kitchen, Arthur standing before a counter where a frosted cake rested with a few candles in the middle of it.

In short order, Arthur lit them and grabbed the edges of the serving platter. "Yes, now it is."

Jim took a place at Arthur's side with his small handful of plates and silverware. Together they walked out to the cafeteria where Aurora sat at one of the tables, her patient expression quickly giving way to sheer delight.

"Happy birthday, Aurora."

She eyed the cake as Jim placed it in front of her. It was a little lopsided on one side, some of the frosting overly thick in places. "You made it from scratch? How did you manage that?"

Jim motioned to Arthur with a grin. "He sweet-talked the service machine it to give him each individual ingredient and we went from there."

"Jim is a surprisingly competent baker."

"You're going to make me blush, Arthur," Jim said quietly, putting down the plates and silverware on the table.

Arthur motioned to the candles upon the cake. "Is it not customary to make a wish as you blow them out?"

Momentarily closing her eyes, Aurora blew a breath outward, snuffing the candles out in one go. "What flavor is it?"

Jim handed her the knife with a raised eyebrow. "Find out."

She sliced into its dark interior, smiling at the sight. "Chocolate," Aurora breathed. "My favorite." She looked to Jim for a moment. "You remembered."

"Of course."

Aurora dished out two servings, Arthur not able to partake of the dessert himself. One small advantage about his android status was that he was beyond bodily needs such as hunger and thirst. It was a matter he was at peace with since having another mouth to feed would have strained the ship's resources further.

"I wish you could try this, Arthur," Aurora said after placing a forkful into her mouth and eating it. "It's so rich and moist."

Sitting beside her Jim gave a thumbs up, already halfway through his own slice of cake. Clearly he had no complaints.

"I'm very glad you like it." He waited until they had finished and put aside their plates before Arthur returned to the kitchen and grabbed a long white cylinder from a countertop.

Jim's eyes lit up as Arthur came back with the item, taking it when he offered to Jim. "Aurora."

She glanced at him in expectation, Jim's hands slightly shaking as he popped up the top of the cylinder. "About a year and a half ago, Arthur and I started a project together."

Arthur helped Jim hold the blueprints down on the table, Aurora taking a moment to survey them, her eyes gradually widening in understanding.

"There's a rec room down in the bowels of the ship that's been turned into a virtual forest. We have enough wood to start building."

A tear suddenly dripped down Aurora's cheek. "W-Where?"

"I was thinking on the concourse," Jim replied smoothly. "It being a central location and all."

"This is amazing," she gushed, throwing her arms around Jim and squeezing tightly. "I don't know how you two have managed to keep it a secret."

Aurora let Jim go just as fast and about threw herself over the table to embrace Arthur as well. "You're amazing," Aurora whispered against his ear. "I couldn't ask for a better gift."

"Well, Jim helped," Arthur responded, pulling away from Aurora as she returned to her seat. "I merely assisted him in engineering a further supply of trees."

"You did more than that," Jim said. "This guy made sure they were in prime health the whole time. I found out I have no green thumb whatsoever."

Aurora looked back down at the blueprints, fingering the structure outlined in the center of them with a pleased smile. "Can we start tomorrow?"

"Of course."

In a matter of months, the basic framework of the cabin was completed. Perhaps it was just Arthur's pride talking, but he thought they'd done a marvelous job with the project thus far.

It was no easy feat cutting down and carving trees into their desired shapes. The early humans on Earth must have been extraordinarily driven in their bid to provide shelter for themselves, their mate, and any progeny.

As the building progressed, Arthur took it upon him to survey each new addition as it was put into place. A sort of self-appointed safety inspector.

One afternoon, Arthur approached a dark curtain blocking off the start of a newly constructed room. Abruptly, Jim stepped in front of him, blocking his path.

"I need your help outside," Jim said hurriedly, trying to tug Arthur away from the area rather unsuccessfully.

Narrowing his brow, Arthur frowned, his curiosity well piqued. "But this room isn't in the blueprints."

Jim leaned towards him, placing an arm over his shoulder and tugging Arthur close. "It's called a surprise and I don't want Aurora to know about it. I don't need you accidentally blabbing like last time."

Instantly contrite, Arthur straightened, stepping away from Jim. "I have apologized for that oversight. At the time, I sincerely thought that revealing how you agonized over waking her up would be seen as a romantic gesture."

"It's fine," Jim reassured him. "In a way, your slip-up worked out well for everyone. Anyway, I need you to promise me something."

Arthur nodded, resolving to do his best to keep Jim's secret this time. "Keep away from here and anytime you see Aurora close by, find an excuse to take her to another part of the ship. Can you do that for me?"

"Yes, Jim." It would be a pleasant task, Arthur finding Aurora a great conversationalist and someone he enjoyed spending time with anyway.

"Thanks, buddy."

A few months later…

"Arthur, close your eyes."

"Why?" he asked, putting his head to the side in interest. They were standing in the concourse, Aurora and Jim having requested he accompany them elsewhere.

Aurora approached Arthur from behind, putting her hands over his eyes. Her voice sounded against the back of his right ear. "Arthur, do you still trust us?"

There was no thought involved. "Of course."

"Then please close your eyes."

He did as they asked of him and Aurora removed her hands. Someone grabbed his arm and Arthur slowly walked in the direction he was guided. He could hear a door open and the creak of wooden floorboards underneath his feet.

They had clearly entered the cabin.

"Here good?" Aurora asked, clearly addressing Jim.

"Perfect," he replied warmly. "Okay, Arthur, you can look now."

Arthur opened his eyes, glancing around his surroundings. As far as he could discern, it was another bedroom, only just finished.

Scratching at his head, Jim bit off a chuckle. "Aurora and I have been working on this by ourselves while you were otherwise occupied."

"I don't understand," Arthur said, trying to understand why they had wanted him here. "Wasn't this for Aurora?" An idea sparked in his mind and he quickly turned to face Aurora. "Unless you two have changed your mind about children?"

Aurora firmly shook her head. "No, Arthur." She walked forward and took one of his hands in her own, looking up at him. "It's for you."

"I mean, we know you don't sleep, but our home wouldn't be complete without a place for you," Jim added.

Aurora smiled at Arthur. "You're family after all."

For the longest time, Arthur could only stand there, trying to process a near-violent reaction inside him. His eyes hurt and he blinked fiercely, thinking some dust had gotten into them somehow.

Then Arthur realized that the warmth growing in his chest was familiar, flashing back to when he had been granted him the gift of mobility. It was a stronger feeling this time, more than mere appreciation. Arthur struggled to find a name for it but had it in a few seconds.

Happiness.

Arthur was happy.

It also marked the first occasion he had ever been rendered speechless.

Her fingers tightening around Arthur's hand, Aurora inched closer to him. "Arthur, are you okay?"

He smiled as he tugged Aurora nearer, then shifted towards Jim, motioning for his hand. Raising a brow, Jim came forward, starting in surprise when he was pulled up against Arthur's chest. He did the same with Aurora, being careful to not squeeze her too tightly.

"I'm absolutely fine."

Arthur wished he could properly convey how much the pair's kindness meant to him. "If my designers had had more foresight, there would be tears on my cheeks right now."

Aurora made a soft sound, her voice cracking slightly. "Oh, Arthur."

"Maybe with the next upgrade," Jim said with a laugh, laying a hand on his back.

Arthur could only hope.