Chapter Text
Gabriel once again was cleaning his apartment on a Saturday like he didn’t have 20 assignments due on Monday, in the rooms around all you could hear was his steps barely above his crude singing barely harmonizing with the song playing in his phone.
Knock knock
Someone was at the door which startled Gabriel making him halt everything he was doing before, after opening the door he saw a smaller model of robot adoring a blue shell with another identical one with the color red. Two machines on his doorstep basically mocking him.
“Hello I am Version one abbreviated as V1 and this is V2 my ‘sibling’, we have been sorted into this campus apartment by the councilors, their recommendation.”
the blue one started before gesturing slightly to be let in.
“Could you also please help us with these bags its a lot”
V2 added
Gabriel helped the machines faithfully, after all he was the student lead 4.0 gpa and councils right hand man. But he wondered. He knew that the machine race has recently started appearing more and more, not only that it was becoming common to see machines attending school and colleges to at least be able to commit to their lifetime work ahead of them. And the rumours that humanity’s population dwindled everyday for no reason.. such questions only plague the mind better not to overwhelm yourself when you have new roommates around he reminded himself.
Between bags Gabriel took in he saw glances of what they were bringing in.
Medical things which is weird because he thought this was the law wing not the medical studies quarter.
The machines saw that the angel stopped to examine the packs of blood and other equipment that belonged to them so they had to explain what this was for.
“So you’ve heard of machines right well we are a kind that takes in a different type of fuel.. we use blood not electricity or clean energy something about easier police clean up and that.” V1 tried explaining hastily
Mhm V2 replied, arms crossed.
“Uhuh.. alright well I’m guessing you’ll be sleeping in these two rooms?” Gabriel said, pointing to the two empty rooms beside his.
“Seems like it. See you later, dove. we got things to do and you are halfway done cleaning.”
The blue shelled machine said smugly before Skedaddled to its room before the angel realised what it called him.
To say he was shook by it was an understatement.
***
Later after he was finished cleaning and the machines finally finished packing it came to 'cooking’ dinner.
“Soo..” Gabriel started “I’m guessing you will drink blood to say.. Eat right? So you won't touch my food then.”
“Unless it has blood in it “ the machines said in unison. sounding almost uncanny.
“Alrighttt.. Well, I'm gonna order takeout because I got things to do that are due on Monday and making food is not top priority.” the angel replied while leaving to go to his room while scrolling on a food delivery app for something to eat.
Then his phone pinged with a message from the “council” , the head group he was the favourite of. They have texted him in the group chat.
“We sent you two of our new criminology majors that are the newer group overtaking the last of humanity. We want you to keep them in check and to see what they are up to.”
“Anything that doesn't follow the school rule-code must be reported to us unless you want to lose that scholarship of yours?”
The chats basically read. This was a chokehold for Gabriel because he really only was able to attend this school to become a crime investigator/police officer because the council pulled some strings for him because he was unable to pay for the tuition of his classes, not to mention equipment and books.
Basically he owed his life to them now and orders were orders no denying it or he would have to pay more than we could make at this point.
So he replied with a really simple message that was neutral yet confirmed his ‘mission’ .
While passed as notes filled Gabriel’s desk, wall and floor like they were life saving treatment equations. Then a knock jolted him from the trance of work, lifting his head up and towards the door he saw the smaller model ‘V1’ standing in his doorway holding what looked like his dinner.
“They left this like an hour ago, dummy.” It started before waking up to him and almost handing him the cold food “keep your ears peeled out next time. We don’t know who might steal such a fine-“ it took a look inside the container of food “pfft Chinese takeout. Seemed you would get something fancier to eat considering your image”
After it finished the sentence it giggled robotically before leaving him to his food and work affairs.
“See ya” it added before disappearing.
Gabriel tried paying that comment no mind he really did but he couldn’t get on with his work.
Midnight came and went Gabriel was fighting the piles of assignments he graciously left for himself to drown in. He really didn’t like doing this but he wanted to be in the field so it’s his problem now.
***
The Vee series had an internal clock, pretty Basic stuff but it was force coded to wake them at an early hour. Not for V2, she somehow turned it off and with no amount of investigation would she share said information.
V1 woke up looking around their surroundings only meeting moving boxes and an empty desk. What a pleasure not having assignments yet they thought. With that a thought bloomed in its processor- how was Gabriel doing on his work? Did he finish or did he give up? Better to check than sit and wait like an idiot.
Floorboards creaked underneath its metal feet as they crept through the hallway towards Gabriel’s room where silence was living a peaceful life.
There he was the student council No1 now surrounded by a rogue army of police work and theoretical assignments for detective work. And v2 thought this guy was pristine. Thoughts like this reminded it that this was their new roommate and that they would have to take care of each other to live through this ‘hell’. What a predicament.
V1 looked around trying to find something to use for a cover for Gabriel and then it saw the neatly folded blanket atop the dresser beside the doorway. They noted that the color adored by said cloth was similar to the ones that the angel was wearing. Probably a coincidence.
Before they fully left the room Gabriel awoke slightly still groggy because who wouldn't be if you slept barely half a night?
“Huhh..? Who goes there??” The angel asked barely above a whisper voice sounding almost like an engine running on overdrive. Making the machine turn back to face him.
“No one and you should sleep normally, this won't help you. It's gonna do worse to your body.” V1 replied snarkily while turning back to leave before it heard Gabriel mutter something about waking him at noon.
They were really curious about what happens when organic beings don't sleep after all machines were made to learn so a little extra knowledge that might help in the future policing others might need some knowledge about this type of thing too.
So it looked it up. Thankfully machines had their own mini computer where they could look into an archive of anything and everything.
A while passed and V1 had a list of things that happen after specific amounts of time without sleep:
24h+:fatigue, irritability, poor concentration, and impaired cognitive function
48h+:Effects worsen, potentially leading to microsleep episodes (brief, involuntary moments of sleep), delusions, and paranoia.
72h+:Hallucinations become more frequent and complex. Speech may become slurred, and balance can be affected. You may also experience symptoms similar to acute psychosis.
NOTE: Organic beings get angry if you suddenly wake them without purpose or if they wake unnaturally as not on their own. Commit this action at your risk.
Hours passed as V1 was fascinated by the anatomy of organic beings, humans and others. So in fact they didn’t realise that it was almost time to wake the angel once more. Its notes pinged at them before it did so:
“Organic beings require sustenance such as:-“
Blablabla V1 didn’t read that boring stuff
It went to the small kitchen to see what to make for the sleeping angel a few rooms over.
V2 woke up meanwhile wanting to see what her counterpart was up to because it wasn’t in its room tinkering with whatever it found.
“What are you up to this time?” She asked half amused half worried V1 would burn the kitchen down.
“Food” it replied fixated on its task
“We consume blood.” V2 replied dumbfounded
“For Gabriel he helped us with our things. Also I heard organic beings need things like this similarly to us” v1 replied
“Uhuh yea sure.. don’t burn the apartment down” the red machine repeated once more.
“I won’t.” The blue machine replied with a look of annoyance.
The pancake on the stove burnt, making smoke creep from it and fill the room.
“Dumbass” v2 said, grabbing the fire extinguisher that was standing near the entrance to the kitchen.
“It's your fault!” V1 said jumping from away from the mess on the stove.
Then Gabriel barged into the room looking like he just saw god reincarnated. His helm signaled great concern even though it didn’t change.
“WHAT IS GOING ON WHY IS THERE SMOKE?” he yelled out his posture showing great concern.
“V1 burnt what seems to be pancakes.” V2 replied, shrugging after putting out the burning mess left on the pan.
“Still her fault she distracted me” V1 added with a ‘huff’ of annoyance.
A silence rang as Gabriel was trying to understand how this happened.
“And why were you making food you drink blood no?” The angel straightened his posture, tilting slightly to the right with curiosity.
Silence followed painfully taking V1 out painfully as they were trying to explain it like they didn’t do that while talking to V2.
Then v2 like a wingman replied for them
“It’s a thank you for helping us carry our things inside”
V1 nodded in agreement. Finally a thing they actually agreed on.
“Uhuh sure..” Gabriel said he was still suspicious but he wouldn’t say no to food that he didn’t have to make.
“Thanks I guess” he added before going to his room to eat the ‘repayment’ for helping the machines.
“I’m out good luck with cleaning” v2 said then it tried leaving before she was pulled back by its wing blade by V1
“Hell no come back here this thing burned because of you you are helping” The other machine replied which made the earlier one groan in annoyance.
“Buut you burnt itttt” she said, crossing her arms which didn't do anything about being dragged back into the kitchen now filled with smoke and the smell of burnt food.
“Clean the foam, I will dispose of the burnt things.” V1 said before handing cleaning supplies to V2 and going off to the side to clean the other things beside them.
***
Much to V2’s moaning about the fact she hates doing things V1 is responsible for the kitchen looked great when Gabriel came back to clean the dishes he used for breakfast.
“You work fast..” the angel remarked surprised while glancing at the kitchen he used to scrub to perfection for it only to look like a disaster and look brand new. Breathtaking sight that someone was able to do that.
***
The rest of the day went as expected. The machines unpacked Gabriel took care of his things to do and had a little too much fun singing along to his music while hanging out in his room. And it was heard by literally everyone else on the floor. The walls were paper thin after all. It went something like this. Between the shuffles he made around his small room his cable headphones following him with all the twirls around him
“Seeing you tonight! It’s a bad idea right?”
Each repeat getting progressively louder and more purposeful like he was having too much fun listening to the songs on his playlist.
“Seeing You Tonight!! It's A Bad Idea Right?”
Yet it sounded like he was the main vocalist of the band with how he focused on the words.
“SEEING YOU TONIGHT!!! IT'S A BAD IDEA RIGHT?”
the climax of the song coming closer with each word that spilled with said performance. And someone looming ever so closer towards his room with more and more annoyance from the unwelcomed performance.
“SEEING YOU TONIGHT!!!!- then the door swung open v1 being the person who slammed it in the wall and before Gabriel could compose himself they started their reprimand.
“What are you a lead singer in a band? Keep it down I can barely hear the drama I’m watching. With headphones! Keep your band practice to yourself.”
Gabriel felt his ‘face’ flush with pink and whatever else taking on a similar hue. A silence ringed before he answered quietly, more embarrassed by his appearance and music taste than ever.
“… Whatever…” he replied thinking it’s probably fine.
“Also you were crying about something important you have in the morning tomorrow and it’s almost tomorrow so do whatever with that you want I guess”
V1’s built in reminder system made it catalog anything that might be important to others in a small calendar of events which would help with the whole crime investigations and policing or so. Right now it was making it become a living breathing reminder or things that didn’t matter.
And they hated that.
***
The digital clock on Gabriel's shelf started to roll out its alarm waking him to another boring Monday morning, another student council meeting and a crime history midterm no soul asked for. His outfit that he picked out the day before was waiting for him like always so there wouldn't be any mishaps during his routine which somehow took him almost an hour to complete.
To his curiosity about how the machines ‘slept’ after all he was their roommate for a few weeks now and he didn’t get an explanation how they went about those things . So he crept into v1’s room, for two reasons mainly. 1. It was closer. 2. He didn't know what v2 the later model could do if he crept into her room.
The Vee model was laying motionlessly on the already provided bed. like a corpse in a coffin. As he got closer to examine the machine its optic unexpectedly snapped open temporarily blinding him and making him back off before hearing it speak.
“Didn’t know you were such a stalker.” They started in a teasing tone still in their usual robotic way. “If you wanted to take a closer look at me you could have always asked” it added as it swiftly got up to look at the angel before it.
Then out of the blue Gabriel’s phone rang.
“Give me a second Vee. I don’t know who could be calling this early” the angel excused himself outside of the room guaranteeing his safety for a short while longer.
He picked it up. It was the council but why so early?
“Gabriel, how are the robots doing?”
The eldest councilor asked coldly
“Normal. haven’t caused any harm yet, why ask?”
He answered curiously
“Don't question us unless you want to lose that scholarship of yours.”
Another scolded Gabriel
“O-of course council you know I wouldn’t”
The Angel stammered out worried about his future once more.
“Good. Now the meeting is in a bit , don't be late. We have lots to discuss before the midterms.” A third councilor said before hanging up on Gabriel.
… silence followed before V1 knocked at its own door from inside wanting to get out.
“Oh uhm sorry for blocking you” Gabriel said hastily before shuffling back a few steps.
“We’ve been roommates for a while now and you still act like we might attack you any minute. Yet we got comfortable with you quickly huh?” The machine chuckled at the idea. “Anyway I was gonna thank you for waking me. I totally forgot to set my alarm for today.” they added before leaving the room.
Gabriel took a quick glance toward them as they left before realizing that he was going to be late for the meeting with the council if he didn’t leave in around half an hour
So without a second thought he started rushing around getting ready twice as fast as he normally would, knocking V1 around accidentally and then quickly apologising afterwards.
The council wouldn’t like that at all.
But he was in such a rush he forgot his bag with all the supplies he needed for the exams he also had that day. So like the good roommate V1 was they took the bag and followed Gabriel to give his things back.
The council room was pretty far out. At least to the machines knowledge extent and the fact it took a while to at least catch up to Gabriel.
But after a while it heard a door slam and a muffled yell from the angel mentioned before. Facing the doors they looked like a normal classroom yet their soundproofing was but of a better quality than any other, taking initiative v1 walked up to hand back the lost belongings before it heard its model number and its siblings number from behind the door. They were discussing something about them, and it didn't seem pretty from the fast someone sounded uncomfortable. At least that is what it heard from the muffled sounds inside so to learn more like the nosey machine they were they came closer and what it heard shook them hard.
“So.. Gabriel how are they?” someone asked coldly.
“They are fine. Just like I said before, why are you calling me here right before midterms? There are more important things at this time, no?” Gabriel answered.
“Dont get snarky with us we hold your future and as far as we and you know. We own you.” another warned, sounding like venom was coursing through said words.
V1 even behind the door shivered after hearing those words.
„Now before you have to leave we have a mission for you Gabriel.” The first councilor started
After unrecognizable murmurs V1 made out the mission objective:
“Gabriel. Make everyone see what blasphemous creatures all machines are. Ruin them like they ruined humanity and the world around us.”
No.. it can’t be v1 thought after hearing those words. It couldn’t be that could it? Gabriel wouldn’t do that would he??? but he always was so royal towards the council he was in.. those thoughts circled in the machines processor before it heard the angel answer. But I didn't know it was after a slight hesitation.
“Y-yes council.”
There was no way. No way in hell or wherever the fuck they were that the person that lived with them. The person who seemed like the best roommate to have would secretly loathe them and partake in a mission that would leave their kind in shambles.
V1 didn’t have a lot of time before the meeting ended. and they had to scramble so that no one knew that they secretly listened in on their plan which would end up poorly for the already disliked machine.
So run like it was being chased by the devil himself it did, forgetting the bag altogether just like Gabriel before.
As Gabriel left the meeting he saw his bag laying next to the door waiting for him as if he left it there.
But he didn't
Someone listened in on the meeting.
Someone knows what is supposed to happen.
And he had to stop it.