WX-78 never liked humans. Even if he was friends with everyone in the group, he didn't really see any worth in the relationships. They were all still fleshies and he was superior… Well, to a point in regards to Wickerbottom. He didn't dare say he was more powerful than her. That was a death wish.
Though there was only one among the fleshies he did like spending some time with. It confused him though and he was trying all he could to understand it. The fleshie in question…
"WX! WX!"
WX-78 looked to the source of the voice, seeing Webber running up to him, hiding something behind his back.
WX-78 was resting under a tree and had been cloud watching. He had been doing chores but he wanted to take a break.
"YES?" He asked, tilting his head. "WHAT IS IT WEBBER?"
Webber giggled, bouncing in place a little.
"You have to close your eyes first."
"I DO NOT HAVE EYES. I HAVE OPTICS."
"Can you see with optics?"
"YES?"
"Then they're eyes!" Webber gave a smile. "Now, close them!"
WX shook his head before doing as told.
"THEY ARE OFFLINE."
"Perfect!" Webber checked to be sure before putting something around WX-78's neck. "Okay, open them!"
WX-78 opened his optics, looking down at his neck, seeing he now had a necklace made of flowers around his neck.
"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS ADORNMENT MADE OF ORGANIC MATTER?"
Webber giggled again.
"You always call things the funniest names. It's a flower necklace! Wendy and Abi showed me how to make one so I wanted to make one for you. They told me if you make one you should give it to someone as a way of showing you care for them and well, you've been really nice to me lately and well, I thought you could use some love since you don't really talk to anyone else in the camp."
WX was surprised to say the least. He didn't think what he had been doing was all that special. He blinked twice before touching the necklace.
"... THANK YOU, WEBBER."
"Hehee, you're welcome! Everyone deserves a present!"
"I SUPPOSE."
"I think so!" Webber grinned. "You can be really nice once you're done being grumpy. You should be happier more. You're more fun when you are. I mean, I understand you're so different from everyone because you're metal but look at me, I'm a monster and I can still be around others like I was one of them. I mean, I view us as the same despite being different. I guess that might be because we have that in common. We're not exactly human."
"YOU ARE HUMAN THOUGH." WX-78 hesitated a bit before placing his hand on Webber's head, smoothing the fur on his head down. "YOU ARE MERELY STUCK TO THE ARACHNID."
Webber nuzzled his hand.
"Yeah… I can't wait to be myself again. For now, just the monster kid."
"INCORRECT. YOU ARE WEBBER. DO NOT LABEL YOURSELF AS MONSTER KID. YOU ARE MORE THAN THAT."
Webber smiled, a touched look coming to his eyes.
"Thank you, WX!"
WX-78 didn't know why he felt… relieved seeing the look in Webber's eyes. It was true he was fond of the boy more so than the other fleshies. But this… he mused if this was similar to how the other fleshlings viewed the children in the group.
"YOU ARE WELCOME. DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE INFERIOR REFER TO YOU AS A MONSTER CHILD. ESPECIALLY HIGGSBURY."
"Oh, he would never!" Webber giggled. "We're practically family him and me since Ms. Wickerbottom took me in. Just yesterday, I asked him what would that make us since I was adopted into the family. He said either brothers or cousins but he said I could pick which one felt best and well, I decided Cousin Wilson sounded cooler than brother. I mean, having an older brother would be awesome but I see Wilson more like a cousin than anything else."
"NOT EVEN AS THE TWO FLESHLING GIRLS REFER TO HIM AS FATHER?"
"Wendy and Abi? They always refer to him as Papa since he took them in. They do have their real father but Wilson's basically filling in for him since he isn't around anymore. I don't view them as family as much though." Webber rubbed the back of his neck. "They're more like close friends. Especially Wendy."
"NO. I MEAN YOU DO NOT VIEW HIGGSBURY AS A PARENTAL UNIT?"
"Oh, I misunderstood ya. No. I mean, he's way older than me and could be my dad but honestly, I'm waiting till I can find my father. He's gotta be out there somewhere. The only real person I refer to as some kind of parent is but even that's grandparent."
"GOOD. DO NOT FORGET THAT."
Webber tilted his head.
"I won't… but… why would that concern you?"
WX-78 paused for a moment to think on this.
THE UNUSUALLY INTELLIGENT FLESHBAG ACTS PROTECTIVE OF THE YOUNGER ONES. HOWEVER, WHY DO I CARE IF HE VIEWS HIM AS A PARENTAL UNIT OR NOT?
… THIS COULD NOT BE… ENVY COULD IT?
"WX?"
"I JUST THINK YOUR FATHER WOULD NOT WANT TO FEEL HE HAS BEEN REPLACED." WX-78 said, practically blurted.
Webber chuckled.
"I think my dad would understand if someone else took me in if he couldn't take care of me anymore. Wendy and Abi may view Wilson as their dad now but the thing is he doesn't replace their real dad. They just made room for Wilson in their hearts next to the love for their father. Least, that's how Wendy told me."
"I SEE." He nodded. "THAT MAKES… SOME SENSE OF YOU FLESHIES AND YOUR CULTURE."
"You're silly." Webber poked WX-78 on the face plate where his nose would be if he had one. "My dad was the same way too."
WX-78 ruffled the fur on his head in return. "I AM NOT AS YOU WOULD REFER TO "SILLY" I AM A HIGHLY INTELLIGENT-"
"Automaton who is merely tolerating our existence with the exception of the queen. Yeah, heard it all before." Webber giggled. "Silly. Like I said."
WX-78 swore some of his circuits might have fried for a moment at Webber's response.
… WHY DO I FEEL THIS SENSE OF… PRIDE FOR HIM REPEATING THAT SO PERFECTLY?
"Well, I'll let you get back to cloud watching, I know you enjoy it. I'm gonna see if I can make something for Wendy." He ran off, waving to him. "Bye, WX-78!"
The robot waved back.
"... Goodbye, Webber."