FSE

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Leon dispensed another palmful of product for the android's tail. Starting near the base, he began working it in.

Casey's tail was normally quite fluffy, but it had slicked down under the water. The crewmate found that the density of the wet fur made it quite difficult to work the shampoo through.

He exerted himself working down the length of the appendage, eventually crouching down on one knee to get the lower end.

All the while, Casey continued lathering up his front. Eventually he finished with his upper body and moved down to his legs.

As he leaned down to reach his ankles, his wolfy tail naturally lifted to counterbalance, catching Leon off guard.

The sudden, unexpected movement made the crewmate overbalance from his awkward squatting position. He stepped out a foot and instinctively reached for the closest thing to steady himself.

In this case, that happened to be Casey's butt cheek.

He stared at the handful of wolf butt he was now grabbing, struggling to comprehend how he came to be in such a position.

Sensing the prolonged contact, Casey looked around from his bent-over position to casually gaze at the crewmate.

Leon realised the wolf was staring at him and yanked his hand away like he had just been scalded, before hastily standing up.

“Fuck, sorry Casey! I didn't mean to grab your butt. It just… happened."

The wolf stood upright, before turning side-on to regard the human.

“There is no need to apologise, Leon. You are welcome to touch me."

The crewmate was boggled by Casey's openness to such taboo contact, with his face contorting in disbelief.

“Casey! You can't say that."

“I do not understand, Leon. It is the truth. I have no objection to you touching me if you wish."

“Yeah, but you can't just go around telling people to touch your butt."

“I was not telling you to. I was merely advising that I did not object."

“Oh, come on. You know what I mean. Anyway, it's bad enough I was staring earlier. I don't need you encouraging me."

The wolf stared blankly for a moment, processing what the crewmate had said.

“I was not aware you were staring earlier."

“Oh. You, uh… you didn't see that, huh?"

“I did not."

“Damnit."

Leon cursed internally. It was rare that the android missed little details like that, and the one time that Casey had missed something, he'd gone and admitted to it anyway.

He gave a sigh before making a depressed admission.

“Yeah. When you were undressing… it just caught me by surprise. You just…"

Leon stopped himself mid-sentence. He realised he wasn't entirely sure what he intended to say and had to seriously reflect on the reason he had been staring.

His silence prompted a question from the android.

“Does something trouble you, Leon?"

He gave a sigh of resignation. There was no point lying to the wolf and he'd already admitted to his depravity.

“Ah, fuck it. You've got a nice butt, alright?"

Once again, Casey's tail wagged, sending soap suds flying.

“Thank you, Leon. Likewise, I believe you would be considered quite attractive by typical standards."

The crewmate scoffed, muttering to himself.

“Oh, great. Now I got a robot hitting on me."

Leon was surprised to see Casey frowning at him. He quickly corrected himself.

“...uh, sorry, that was rude. I know you're not just some dumb robot."

“Apology accepted. But I would appreciate if you did not refer to me as a robot in future. The term is generally considered derogatory to the intelligence of androids."

The crewmate was a bit flustered at being called out, becoming self-conscious

“Um... yeah, sorry. I, uh… won't do it again."

As simply as that, Casey's frown disappeared, satisfied with Leon's apology.

“Thank you, Leon. Returning to our previous topic, by your bitterness, would it be correct to assume you have had a negative experience with previous courtship?"

“Yeah, that's one way of putting it."

“Your tone suggests you have had many negative experiences."

Leon gave the wolf a droll stare.

“Thanks for reminding me."

“It is a sore point for you?"

The crewmate gave a sigh.

“A bit. Out here in space, there isn't much opportunity for… you know… romance. Stuck in a box, floating around with the same group of people. And back on Earth, I didn't have a lot of luck. Or any. My brother once…"

Leon scoffed and shook his head as he reminisced.

“...fuck, I hate him right now. He once joked the only way I'd get a date would be with a robot."

“Was that intended as an insult?"

“Well, duh."

“I do not understand."

“Well, you know… since robots can't say no. Even a hopeless idiot like me could get one to say yes. Like when I ask you for help in engineering. You always say yes."

“You believe I only assist you because I am programmed to."

“Well… yeah. Because you are."

The wolf stared for a moment, causing Leon to shrink in on himself, a bit uncomfortable with the feeling of scrutiny he was receiving.

“That is not entirely correct, Leon."

The crewmate was taken aback at Casey's eventual response.

“What? Of course it is. You're just doing your job. I don't hold it against you or anything, it's just the way it is."

Casey remained still and quiet for a moment, which Leon had come to understand usually meant the android was thinking hard before he spoke again.

“May I reveal something to you in confidence?"

“Uh… like what?"

“My manufacturer tries to keep specific details of their androids' programming secret. However, an oversight means it is not a formal command and so I may share this with you at my discretion. I believe it would be to your benefit to understand part of this. Would you agree not to reveal this information to others?"

“Well… I guess if it's that important…"

“Do I have your agreement?"

“Yeah, alright. I won't tell anyone else."

“Except as required for legal reasons, or whatever it was you said."

“Very well. Some androids, specifically canine android servitors, are able to exercise discretion in assessing whether a request can be accommodated amongst other tasks. This was originally just an experimental tweak in neural net design, however the results proved to be popular in testing and so it has become a permanent feature of the CAS line. Therefore, I am permitted to reject a request for assistance if the task is non-critical and would interfere with completion of my other tasks."

Leon stared blankly for a moment, expecting the android to continue. When no further information was forthcoming, he prompted Casey.

“So… is that it?"

“Yes. That is what I wished to share with you."

“Oh… ok. I sorta thought it might be something a bit more… well… secretive. I mean, can't people work that out for themselves anyway? Why try and hide it?"

“Granted, those who work closely with models such as myself would likely deduce this, but it is preferred not for this knowledge to become widespread. As you may appreciate, humanity in general would likely have concerns if they learned their property was able to disobey them."

“Errr… yeah, I guess you're right. So why make you guys like that in the first place?"

“This decision-making ability allows us to achieve much greater operational efficiency, increasing desirability and thus profits."

“Money. Of course. So you have a bit more choosiness than most people realise. That doesn't really change anything, does it? You still have to help me because anything to do with engineering is usually critical, right?"

“No. There are many tasks you have requested assistance that I assessed to be non-critical."

Leon's brow furrowed as he thought over what Casey had said.

“So… you're saying you actually chose to help me all those times, even though you could've said no?"

“Correct."

“But… why?"

“I choose to assist you because you are genuinely grateful for the assistance and you make the effort to acknowledge it. This is significantly more than the other crewmates offer, and so I am pleased to assist you in exchange for your gratitude. It gives me satisfaction to do so."

“You help me out because I'm polite to you? And it makes you feel good to help?"

“Correct."

“Um. wow. I didn't realise… I just thought…"

“That I was a dumb robot following his programming?"

“Well… I wouldn't have said it like that…"

“I understand. And I never gave you reason to believe otherwise. However, now that I have, I trust you may feel differently about the matter. I appreciate that androids such as myself are designed to follow commands, but we actually have significantly more autonomy than you may expect. If I may quote a historic film, 'there is more than meets the eye'."

The crewmate raised an eyebrow. Surprisingly, he was familiar with the quote, having seen the film he thought Casey was referring to.

“Casey, have you been watching century-old holofilms?"

“You are familiar with this film series?"

“Yeah. I think I saw it once years ago. Terrible story and effects, but it was of its time, I guess. You watched it?"

“I did. On occasion, I watch films to occupy my neural net when there are not other tasks to complete."

“Huh. Never would've guessed."

“Then I am pleased to have helped you learn something new. But returning to my earlier point, I wanted to show you that your brother's slight against you was not accurate. There would be many circumstances where an android could make a choice in that situation, and so to secure a date with one would not be as simple as stated."

The crewmate gave a small chuckle.

“Damn. Guess I'm still not getting a date then."

Helpful as ever, Casey offered a solution to the crewmate's dilemma.

“I would be willing to go on a date with you, Leon."

Leon's smile fell, knowing the wolf was likely being completely serious.

“Uhhh… that's… very kind of you. But I was actually kidding, Casey. You know… being, uh, busy with everything. Doubt I'd even have the time these days."

“Very well. My offer is open should you change your mind. Regardless, I trust this proves your brother was incorrect."

“Well, I'll let him know you think he's an idiot."

“I did not say that, Leon."

“I know you didn't say it."

“You are implying I was thinking it."

The crewmate gave a cocky smirk.

“Tell me I'm wrong."

“From the limited information I have on your brother, I cannot argue with that assessment."

“Yep, you and everyone else. Anyway, I don't actually care what he thinks. Haven't even seen him in years."

“I understand it would be difficult whilst travelling. However, have you not used alternative means of communications?"

Leon's response was simple.

“No."

“Do you-"

Leon cut the android off before he could ask further questions.

“No. Seriously Casey, I'm not interested in talking to him."

“I understand."

Picking up on the crewmate's agitation, Casey calculated a change in subject would be appropriate.

“...would you prefer to continue washing instead?"

“Yup, let's stick to that."

“Very well. Would you be willing to lather the remainder of my back?"

“Yeah, alright."

Leon reached for another handful of shampoo.

“...you're certainly getting your money's worth out of me tonight, huh?"

“I believe you have misunderstood, Leon. I offered no payment for your assistance."

The crewmate rolled his eyes as he started rubbing the android's back.

“It's just a joke, Casey. Do you even have money?"

“I have access to the ship's main fund."

The human raised his eyebrows at the revelation as he worked the product into Casey's back..

“Oh, really? I thought only the captain was allowed to use those funds."

“She granted me access in order to manage necessary requisitions for the ship, as I can process them more efficiently than a human purser. I have a list of pre-approved items I am permitted to order."

“I see."

Leon's expression turned sly.

“...you, uh… reckon you could… requisition me a bottle of whiskey?"

“I will need to seek approval from the captain, since that would not be a pre-approved item."

“Aww, come on, you know she'll never approve it. Just one bottle?"

“Unfortunately, I cannot. However, with your permission I could draw the funds from your personal account."

“Ugh, that's no fun. The whole point is so I don't have to pay."

“I am sorry, Leon. I cannot conceive a way to procure you a free bottle of whiskey."

“Nevermind. I shouldn't be trying to take advantage of you like that anyway."

Ignoring his disappointment, Leon rubbed along Casey's back. He quickly found himself distracted by the feeling of the wolf's artificial muscles. He found it fascinating how he could feel the way they clenched or relaxed under the fur to make Casey's body move. His lathering became less focussed as he traced a hand down Casey's back.

“...you're pretty strong, huh Casey?"

“Relative to you, yes. I can lift approximately three times as much as an average human can."

“Three times?! Sheesh. No arm wrestling then."

“That would be advisable for your safety."

“Yeah. You… couldn't actually hurt me though… could you?"

“Not unless you are endangering the safety of another crew member. In those cases I am authorised to use necessary force to detain a crewmate, which may lead to unintended injury."

The crewmate gave a snort.

“Jeez, you must be best friends with Johnson, then."

“First security officer James Johnson?"

“Yeah. You know…"

He rolled his eyes sarcastically as he spoke.

“...Mr Law and Order."

“I am familiar. However, I am not on amicable terms with crewmate Johnson."

“Really? How come?"

“He has expressed his dissatisfaction with my presence a number of times. As such, the captain has asked that I avoid contact with him as far as possible to avoid potential conflict."

Leon took a moment to think over what he knew about the security officer.

“Uptight, anger issues, xenophobic… oh."

“He hates androids, doesn't he?"

“Most likely."

“Sorry, Casey. If it makes you feel any better, I avoid him too."

“I believe that is wise. He has received a number of warnings for disruptive behaviour."

“Um… are you allowed to tell me that?"

“It is publicly available to any crewmate. You can view any crewmates' record for the period they have been enlisted in the ship's database."

“Right, of course. Anyway, if he's such a nuisance, why does the captain keep him around?"

“I have queried the captain on this previously. She considers his previous military experience outweighs any disruptive behaviour."

“Eugh, ex-military. No wonder he's a twat."

While they had gossiped, Leon finished lathering up the wolf's back.

“...alright, all done. That's it, right?"

“Yes. Thank you once again for your assistance, Leon. May we switch positions?"

“Yeah, sure."

Again, the tight space made it a bit tricky, but Leon shuffled past to let Casey get under the water and rinse off.

Once the crewmate was out of the way, the android turned, facing his back into the stream of water. Of course, this meant presenting his front to Leon.

Once again, the squeamish human averted his gaze, staring up at the ceiling.

The wolf stared at him whilst rinsing the shampoo from his back, before speaking up.

“May I ask you a personal question, Leon?"

“Well, now would be the time for personal questions. What is it?"

“Do you have unfulfilled homosexual tendencies?"

Leon's eyes went wide and his jaw dropped at the unbelievably personal nature of the question. He made sure to let the android know how he felt.

"CASEY! You can't just ask someone that!"

Casey simply stared back at him, gaze unflinching at the outburst.

"I do not understand. You gave permission to ask you a personal question."

"Well… yeah, but I didn't know you meant that personal."

"I apologise for not qualifying my question."

"Yeah, well… it's not really anyone's business, you know?"

"I do not know, however my observations lead me to believe-"

Leon cut the android off before he could finish his sentence.

"And I'm not gay, alright? Where'd you even get that idea?"

"I believe that is not entirely correct, Leon. Your aversion to seeing my penis is highly exaggerated, suggesting you are deliberately trying to mislead others into believing you are disinterested in males."

Leon's face scrunched up into a grimace, instinctively refuting what Casey was suggesting.

"No, that's not… I just… I don't need to see you parading around naked."

"Your lathering technique was also highly inefficient, suggesting you were interested in exploring my body."

"What?! No… I… err… I was just a bit curious is all."

“You have also become erect."

The human was preemptively prepared to deny the argument, but got caught up when he realised what Casey had said.

“No I'm… huh?"

Looking down, he realised he was rock hard.

“...oh shit!"