Robot Boyfriend: Ares (rough draft)

You’re still getting used to things, it was a pretty big move, and this new job is much more different than you expected. Hephaestus Academy is huge, and the mech shop you work in is like a giant mall. The building it’s two stories and open in the center. You have a workshop on the second floor completely dedicated to soldering and tight repair work. You see a lot of students day to day, but mostly your skills have been used on emergency calls. 

You enjoy your job, you enjoyed moving away from your old one, but this place is filled to the brim with people. Heroes, teachers, employees, all sorts of staff, and professional heroes. It’s enough to make your head spin. Luckily, when you’re in your own personal workshop, you don’t have to deal with people as much.

Your co-worker, Heidi, in the shop next to you operates a 3D printer to make replacement parts, and the two of you have formed a pretty good friendship. She’s the one who has shown you around the campus, helped you navigate, and so far has been the only person to your new apartment. You often have lunch with her when you can.

“Ares should be coming back any day now,” she says off handedly one day.

You stop from taking a bite of your food and give her a pinched look. “Who?”

Heidi glances back to you and gasps. “Oh that’s right, he went on a mission before you came.” She leans forward a bit on the table. “He’s a pro hero, also a teacher here at the academy. He runs the Robot Wellness and Being courses.”

“I thought that was Mina’s class?” You say confused.

“Mina helped start it, but it was Ares’s passion project. He’s one of the few robots on staff who still takes on pro hero work. Most of the others have retired or solely focus on teaching.”

You furrow your brow a bit. “Is there a reason for that?”

“Stigma,” she answers bluntly. “Even if Hephaestus is one of the most famous and loved heroes in the game, there is a bias against robot heroes, people feel like that can’t trust them. So, some robots get tired of that, and the academy has allowed them to teach students and hopefully end that.”

“I don’t really keep up with the hero business,” you admit. “This is my first time really being immersed in it. I usually never really paid attention.”

“It’s not something most people are aware of. I wasn’t until I started working closely with them here.” Heidi takes a sip of her drink then sighs. “Ares keeps going at it because he feels if he stops fighting, then he proves them all right.” She leans in close to whisper. “He was made by Dr. Lightening, Hepheastus’ arch enemy, to be the perfect match for Hephaestus and bringing him down.”

I’m a bit surprised. “Then why is he working here?”

Heidi has a spark in her eye when she talks about these things. You’ve noticed she constantly flirts with some of your robot coworkers and is often seen hanging out with them. She’s admitted to be a robot fangirl when she was a teenager.

“I’m not sure of the details, but I think when Dr. Lightening tried to dismantle Ares after failing so many times, Ares turned on him and went to Hephaestus for help. He and Ares consider each other brothers now.”

“But don’t people think he’s just trying to still do what he was made to do? Oh-” You realize it as soon as you say it, that is exactly why Ares continues to be a pro hero.

Heidi nods her head and gets a solemn look. “There are those who still see him as a villain and a creation of Dr. Lightning. He has to continually earn his place.”

“That’s tough,” you remark. You fear it sounds a bit cold, but you have a hard time working up the emotion over it. 

You’re pretty tired, having to move for this job was blessing, as you were growing exhausted where you had been. You had gone there after college, you were excited and optimistic about your first big job. But over time you were looked over, stepped on, used so your co-workers could move ahead. You were a vaulting horse to them, and over time it wore you down. You closed yourself off and kept yourself distant from anyone. Heidi was a special case, but that was because she reminded you of your little sister.

A few days later as you’re coming into work you see someone new in the mech shop. He’s well over ten feet tall. It’s not often you get to feel like the petite one in a room, only when home visiting family. Having this tall drink of water around makes you feel kind of okay with your tall stature. He’s cherry red and gold all over. His chest is barreled and his shoulders are exceptionally broad. On shoulder is spiked and flated out while the chest plate bunches and rises up like a cowl on the other shoulder. His biceps are gold cord and metal whore his forearms bulk out into massive red cannons with floating black fingers. His head looks like a Greecian war helmet that comes down in sharp jagged angles around the face and a sharp red blade jutting from the top. The dark ‘Y’ like shape are the front shows only a set of glowing red eyes. 

He turns as you walk in and his eyes flicker. “You must be the new soldering specialist I’ve been hearing about.” He extends his hand down to you. “I’m Ares.”

You feel a slightly excited pulse as you take his hand, or well, one of his fingers. There’s something exciting, even romantic about his design. Everything looks sharp and angular about him, but it all works together to create a dramatic and elegant figure.

“I saw some of your work on one of my students,” Ares replies.

You grow a bit excited, thinking he about to compliment your work.

“It was shoddy at best,” he remarks.

Your heart drops like a stone down into your stomach.

Ares tilts his had down towards you. “I understand there is a grace period for getting used to things around here, but you cannot doddle with it! You need to learn fast! You’re the specialist, no doubt you’ve already seen some professionals in need of proper care. I hope to god you didn’t treat them the way you did my student.”

You’re too shocked and ashamed to speak.

“I expect better here,” Ares hisses before he turns and walks away from you.

You scowl after him. Typical, you think, that’s always what you come to expect from people. It figures someone with the name ‘Ares’ would behave in such a way. You sweep this under the rug, for now, and go on to work. 

With Ares’ return there is a new, heavy presence in the shop. He is there often with his students, and he sometimes oversees when professional heroes are brought in for repairs or maintenance. 

One day, you’re working with Heidi on a student who had taken some armor damage. The two of you were piecing things back together as well as making new armor. Ares was there, talking to his student throughout all of it. His words were kind and gentle, and for a moment you believed his callous words the day before him being protective.

“Watch what you’re doing!” Ares suddenly snaps at Heidi. 

“Sorry, sir,” Heidi says apologetically. 

Ares’ eyes flash brighter. “Sorry won’t cut it if you make a mistake.”

“She said she was sorry!” You bark back at him. “We’re not working on you anyways, we’re trying to accommodate your student. So either be grateful or back off.”

Ares turns his gaze upon you. “The student is exactly who I am worried for. We hire the best here so I expect the very best.”

“It’s hard enough to work knowing that, but it’s even harder when we have someone breathing down our necks. I know you heroes types get off on being watched all the time, but some of us prefer to work in private.”

“Oh-” The student gasp then quickly looks away to Heidi.

Ares scoffs. “Who are you? Where the hell did you come from?”

“The ass of the last person you stepped on my toes.” You weren’t sure it made sense, but something about Ares made you not care. 

“Careful now,” Ares snarls. “There is a child present.”

“And they need my help, so if you don’t mind.” You turn back to working on the student, which Heidi seems grateful for. 

That afternoon as you’re packing up your equipment there is a shadow in your doorway. Ares is standing there, letting himself in as you slam the drawer of your toolbox closed. 

“I’m done for the day. If you want to tell me I’m doing a shit job, wait until tomorrow so I’m on the clock for it.” You take your hair down from the pony tail and scratch the back of your neck. 

“I’m warning you,” he starts. “Next time you want to pop off to me, do not do it in front of my students.”

“Fine,” you agree. “But you could have said that then rather than now. Because by now, I was willing to let bygones be bygones. Bringing it up again only makes me remember how aggravating it was.”

“I had been told you were a dream to work with. How badly did you have to lie during your interview?” Ares asks.

You scowl up at him. “Like you are any better? Just because you’re pretty to look at doesn’t mean your caramel filled. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a frozen burrito waiting on me at home.”

Ares scoffs as you walk past him. “Well you certainly aren’t caramel filled either.”

You stop and turn to look back at him. “Excuse me?”

He suddenly goes stuff and quiet.

You narrow your eyes on him then roll your eyes. “Doesn’t matter. I guess I”ll be seeing you tomorrow,” you huff. 

“Let’s hope it’s better,” Ares grumbles before walking away as well.

“It sucks he’s hot,” you think to yourself. “But I suppose there are plenty of good looking assholes in the sea.”

It’s not until a few days later you cross paths with Ares again. This time, he’s the one on the repair table. Some of his fingers had gotten injured during a test, and it was your job to piece them back together. 

“Listen, let’s keep chatting to a minimum,” you start off. “I’ll ask you questions, you answer. Sound good?”

Ares grumbles something under his breath. “Fine by me.”

“Good.” You tie up your hair and sit down beside him, lining up your equipment on the work table. “Before I begin, do you feel any discomfort or any urgency?”

“No,” he huffs. “Just the need to get out of here.”

“Then we’re on the same page.” I put on my protective goggles. “Just say banana if anything hurts.” I get to work and things are fine. We’re both quiet while I work. I do notice though, as I fix the wiring in his hand that the sum of his parts feels rather lazy and slapped together. It’s surprising it has lasted so long.

“I’m surprised the wiring in your fingers is so simple,” you remark. “You would have thought Dr. Lightning would have gone all out.”

Ares slightly tilts his head towards me then sighs. “So you noticed?”

“Not to be rude, it’s what’s on the inside that counts.” I then shake my head. “You’d think.” I stop for a moment and stretch my fingers. “I could probably build a better set from scrap than what I am seeing here.” I give his one repaired finger a coat of oil and let it sink into the joints.

Ares’ eyes go dim, I can barely seeing them glowing within the helm. “He made certain parts to be disposable. It was something else he took greater care in when constructing me.”

“What? Like a bomb?”

Ares’ silence is telling.

“Ah-” I sort of sink back in my seat. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s still inside, but it’s been disabled,” he grumbles. “Something Hepheastus did for me even when we were still enemies.”

You focus on his hands as you piece back together his next finger. “So you really weren’t made with any thought other than Dr. Lightning pressing a detonate button? That’s rough buddy.”

Ares chuckles and shakes his head. “That is pretty much the sums of it.” He relaxes back on the table as I get to work. “I thought I was made for something, but I was really only made in a rustrated effort like some cartoon hijink.”

“Have you ever worked as an intern?” You ask to help him save face.  “It’s about the same. You do all the work, every moment of it, and yet you’re the disposable one.”

It’s quiet again for a long moment and then Ares flinches and I move the soldering iron away from his hand. “Banana?” I ask.

Ares huffs. “A little one.”

I smooth oil over the surface again and let it sit for a moment.

“I’m sorry I snapped at you the day before,” he grumbles. “There’s no excuse. I shouldn’t have talked to a coworker like that. But I’m the first line of defense for my students, and I get very protective of them.”

“Thank you.”

Ares turns his head back in your direction. “And?”

You arch your brows. “What do you mean and?”

Ares’ eyes flicker a bit brighter. “Don’t you feel like you should owe me some sort of apology?”

You look back down at your work. “Not particularly, but if it helps things quiet down, I’m sorry I smarted off to you in front of your student.”

Ares growls. “That will do, I suppose.”

It’s silent again, and for a while you’re tossing ideas around about what to say.

“I meant it when I said I could build you a better hand,” you finally say. “One that is stronger and has better wiring, so maybe there won’t be a delay in your reflex timing.”

“How long would it take?” He asks.

“Not sure.” You turn off the soldering iron and remove the goggles. “I would need specs and to really get intimate with your wrist. But I could probably have a mockup in a week then something solid in a month, depending on how regular work goes.”

Ares sits up and flexes his freshly repaired hand. “Let me think about it.”

“I get it, new hand, deal with me. It’s a complicated decision.” You stand up and stretch your back and arms. “You know where to find me when you make up your mind.”

“It’s not that,” he says gently. “It’s just that-” He goes quiet and rises from the work table. “Never mind. It’s none of your concern.” He turns to you. “Thank you. It’s very obvious you are the best at what you do. I’m sure what happened before was a fluke.”

You’re not sure how to respond. “Aww, you can be nice.”

His eyes flash. “Have a good day then.”

After that, the two of you are more civil to one another when you have to work together. Over time, the two of you go from respectful silence to warm greetings. You find yourself strangely smiling at him as time goes on. 

“That’s new,” Heidi whispers one day.

You huff and cup your cheek. “It looks weird doesn’t it?”

“If someone didn’t know you they might find you warm,” Heidi replies. “What’s going on? I thought you two couldn’t stand one another.”

“I don’t know, I think I must be coming down with something.” You grumble. 

“Sure, let’s go with that,” Heidi teases. 

Eventually, Ares goes on a mission again. For the first few days everything is fine, but after a week you begin to get worried. You’re not sure why you feel so concerned and keep thinking about him, all you know is that it’s hard to shake this feeling of dread.

Then, one day, you get an emergency call in the dead of night. You’re woken from a sound sleep and are asked to come in immediately. Ares was severely injured on assignment and needs repairs immediately or his life could be in danger. 

Going in, you’ve never seen the mech shop in such chaos before. Ares is unconscious in the emergency wing, already he’s being worked upon. You see that he has taken damage to  his back, and his left arm and shoulder are beyond repair, he will need new ones built.

Right away you get to work, having to nearly sit inside his chest to do so. You feel like you’ve been working for days, but it’s merely been a few hours. Finally, he becomes stable, and you’re able to rest, but you want to keep working. 

You start working with Heidi and a few others to rebuild his arm and shoulder. You decide as well to rebuild his right hand in the process. He remains in the emergency wing of the mech shop for a few days, unconscious while he recuperates. 

One day while you’re working in his room, attaching a few new wires for his arm, his head turns. 

“I wake up and the first thing I see is you?” He sighs.

You’re shocked but relieved all at once. “Sorry about that. But they hired only the best to deal with you.”

“Were you sacred?” He asks.

“This is the first time I ever had to deal with one of my coworkers dying. I sat in your chest.” You poke the fully repaired and replaced chest plate. “I quite literally held your heart in my hands. Don’t fucking do it again.”

His eyes are dim but they sparkle a little brighter. “That was you?”

“For seven solid hours it was.” You snip off the excess wire. “Now, I’m finally building those new hands.”

He sighs and shakes his head. “I don’t know what happened.”

“You don’t need to. Don’t think about it.”

“I can’t help it,” he whispers. “It just...it makes my decision so much harder on me.”

You look up at him with a frown. “Decision?”

“You can’t speak of this to anyone,” he whispers. “I don’t even know what I’m thinking.” He lifts his right arm and flexes his fingers. “I’ve been considering going into retirement.”

“Hmm,” you nod.

“That’s it?” He snaps. “That’s all you can muster to say?”

“Who am I to say anything?” You scoff. “This is your decision. I don’t know your reasons or desire for it, all I know about you is that you’re an asshole.”

Ares chuckles. “You’re so kind, you know just exactly what to say.” He sighs heavily. “I keep fighting and fighting and I’ve lost track of what for.”

“For good?” You shrug. 

“I used to,” he murmurs. “But lately I keep feeling as though I only do it for myself, and what’s the point in that? Heroes are supposed to be about the people they protect.”

“Well, you did used to be a bad guy right? Haven’t you always just been doing this to prove you’re a good guy now?”

Ares goes quiet.

“Look, I’m just some asshole, I never gave two shits about this hero business. But if you’re tired that doesn’t mean you’re giving up, it just means you’re tired.”

“That sounds too nice coming from you.”

“I know.” You plop down beside him to clean up your work. “So I’m going to jab you with a soldering iron for a while.”

“Much better.” His voice sounds surprisingly sweet.

You and Heidi eventually craft his new arm and shoulder after about a month and a half. Until then he had been mainly teaching and taking no new missions. He comes in to your shop have it attached.

“How does it feel?” You ask when it’s done. “I have some exercise I want you to do just so you can get used to this new equipment. Also, if you end up liking that new hand, Heidi and I are already beginning the process of making a right one.”

“It feels surprisingly light,” he remarks. 

“Heidi’s work. She used a material that’s stronger and more resilient than the scrap heap Dr. Lightning must have used before.” I take his hand and bend each finger back and forth. “Any discomfort?”

“Your hands-” He murmurs. “They feel...warm.”

“You have temperature gauges and touch sensory now,” you reply. “Should make things a lot easier for you.” You smile up at him. “My own touch.”

“I like it,” he whispers.

“You deserve better. You’re not a weapon anymore, Ares.” Your face burns and you turn away. “Anyways-” You clear your throat. “I’ll message you those exercises. Try to do them twice a day if possible.”

Ares’ hand rests on your shoulder. “Thank you, so much.”

AS you turn to look up at him his hand cups your cheek. You flinch at it, unused to being touched, but so desperately needing it. “Hey, what’s this about?” You scoff.

“Your skin-” He whispers. “It’s soft.” His thumb brushes over your lips. “This is...strange.”

“Yeah, it is.” You push his hand away. 

“Your cheeks are red,” he remarks. 

You scowl up at him then quickly look away. “Be careful from now on, okay? That’s some of my best work in that arm. I’d hate for you to go out galavanting again only to get it ripped off by some kaiju or evil scientist.”

Ares’ laugh is soft and barely there. “You think I’m going to galavant again?”

“I think you’re going to worry about your students,” you answer. “You aren’t going to sit still while they’re out there.”

Ares sighs. “I suppose you’re right.” He then taps his finger to your lps. “Thanks again for this. I owe you.”

You place your hand over your lips and watch in a state of awe as Ares walks out of the room. You’re not sure what that touch meant, but he’s obviously enjoying the new sensors in his hands.

There comes an evening where you’re working late. The day has been grinding on and busy work kept showing up, so you weren’t able to finish your end of month paper work. You’ve stayed late, especially since your new neighbor has what sounds like fifty kids in their apartment. As you go through the stack of paperwork, there is a knock at the door.

Lifting your head you see Ares standing in the doorway. “Oh its you,” you yawn. “Still here?”

“What about you?” He asks. “Everyone else in the mech shop is gone save for the emergency wing. What are you doing here?”

You scratch your temple, glancing back to the seemingly insurmountable stack of papers before you. “Busy work.”

Ares stands over you then crouches down and takes a seat on the repair table. “That’s rough, buddy.”

You smile to yourself at his joke. “What about you?”

He shrugs. “I always like to make sure everyone gets home.” He glances out the door while the lights start flickering off. “I wanted to check and make sure you were okay before I left.”

You stretch in your chair and lean back. “Today was supposed to be a paperwork day, but life had other plans for me. If I don’t get it turned in by tomorrow, I’ll be in trouble.”

Ares tilts his head to the side. “I can always put in a good word for you.”

“Nah, it’s fine. I’ll push through it.” You place your hand on his arm. “How is this treating you?”

“It’s amazing. I wouldn’t mind you redoing the entire right arm as well.” He flexes his arm then moves it so your hand falls into his. “I still can’t get over how warm you feel.”

Your cheeks burn as he says this. You slowly start to pull your hand away but he holds it. There is a rumbling in your chest and you swallow down the lump in your throat. You glance up to his face, meeting the glow of his eyes.

“I can always work with Heidi again to upgrade you,” you say quietly. You roll your chair closer to him. “We can uhm-” you tuck your hair behind your ear then place it upon his right arm. “Considering this is your more dominant arm, we can strengthen it with better armor and outfit it with special weaponry.” Your hands slides along his shoulder then down upon his chest. “And here we can put another heat sensor, that way, you’ll be able to tell if you overheat.” Your hand trails down further to his waist. “And this whole mesh area we can outfit with a uhm-” You gulp again as your heart refuses to give up. “We can outfit it with a special, more durable skin. It’ll be soft to touch and much more protective to your core.”

Glancing up, you notice his eyes are wholly on you. Your mouth goes a little dry and you quickly pull away. “If there are any other special attachments you would want, let me know and I could always draw up plans.”

“That all sounds amazing. I would love to work more closely with you on such a thing. I think it’s about time I upgraded, even if I am going to take a break for a while.”

“You are?” You gasp.

He nods. “I’m tired.”

You smile softly at him. “Well, I should get back to this paperwork.”

“Yeah, of course. I won’t keep you then.” Ares murmurs. He stands but hesitates in the doorway. “Thank you again, for taking care of me.”

You turn before he leaves and jumps up from your chair. You’re not sure why you jumped so suddenly, but there is a feeling in your chest you can’t ignore. “Would you mind walking me to get some food?” You say suddenly. 

Ares nods. “I’d love to.”

This begins a small ritual for you and Ares. Over the next few days, you end up walking home with him. You’ll sometimes stop and get food, or you’ll end up chatting with him the entire time. But for some reason, he’s always there when you leave for the day.

Finally, one day, you pop the question. “Would you like to come inside?” You ask.

Ares nods. “Sure, if you’ll have me.”

He ducks as he comes through the front door and sits down on the floor so his head isn’t hitting the ceiling. You feel nervous all of a sudden, but you’re more happy that Ares is there with you.

“I was curious to know what your home would be like,” Ares remarks. “Have you not finished unpacking?”

“No,” you huff. “I’ve been taking my time.” You sit down beside him with a beer and sigh as you relax. “I’ve not really felt like it.”

Ares touches your cheek, brushing your hair from your face. As his fingertips brush passed your lips, you lick them. Ares flinches then places his thumb against your lips again. “What was that?”

“I was a bit curious to see if you’d notice,” you chuckle shyly. “Sorry.”

“No, do it again.” Ares whispers.

You set your beer aside and part your lips, letting his finger press to your tongue. Ares pulls you in closer, placing you into his lap. His fingers brush against your skin, touching you all over. You whimper softly, not having been held or touched like this in so long. You take hold of his hand, guiding it where to touch you.

“I want to touch more,” Ares whispers into your ear. “I want to feel all of you.”

You nod your head, unable to speak while your mind swims. You let Ares strip away your clothes until your naked on his lap. His hands roam your body, squeezing your waist, cupping your breasts, all the while your mind has turned to static.

Ares moves his fingers down below, rubbing two between your thighs. You whimper loudly, grabbing hold of his shoulders of balance. Ares moans too, his arm shivering as he touches you.

“It’s so hot here, so wet.” His voice is a low, sensual moan. “It makes me excited.” He dips a finger inside and his whole body tenses. “It feels so good.”

You cry out like a squeaky toy. Embarrassed you hide your face against his neck. “It does,” you moan. “I think...I think your sensors might be turned on too strong.”

Ares’ thick fingers pushes deep inside you, going deep then pulling out. His moans flood your mind while his fingers control your senses. 

“I can’t get over how wet it is,” he groans. “I want to make you feel more.”

You whimper against his neck. “Ares. I’ll come.”

His finger moves faster, hitting deep then pulling all the way out. He adds  another inside, stretching you so that all you can make are animal noises of pleasure. You eventually shudder and stop breathing. Your whole body twitches and inside you convulse around his fingers. Ares snarls, leaving his fingers inside until we slouch against his body.

“You were surprisingly good at that,” you pant as you catch your breath.

“I’ve had lovers before,” he groans. “Just never...never felt it before.” He smooths his hand down your back and supports you as you relax. “I know an upgrade I want next, but only if you’ll be the one to test run it with me.”

You smile shyly towards him. “Your fingers not enough?”

Ares dips down and taps his forehead to yours. “They’ll do, but I still owe you, and I owe you a lot of love.”

“Okay,” you place your palms on his face. “I think I can whip something up for you.”