Chapter 1: Warmth

The lunch bell rings in the speakers, you stretched your arms and your legs as you pull back from your table. You nodded and waved at your co-workers as they threw you a thumbs up, some giggling as they chat with their friends after finishing their shift.

Hannah: Good job everyone, let's continue with the rest of the projects later, we might get that early vacation we always wanted!

They all agreed as they stood up groaning from sitting hours on end typing away on their computer. You walk down the hallway on the usual route you take to the cafeteria near the Engineering Department, walking down that hallway you caught wind of two people exiting one of the Engineering Departments' rooms.

Person 1: Don't take too long alright? You need to eat too!

Person 2: I'll just get him his usual snack when he doesn't go to the cafeteria.

The duo walks away talking about their projects. Curiosity gets the best of you and you sneak up to the door and took a peak.

Hannah: Hm? Is someone working overtime?

As you peek into the room you see a young man fiddling with some large mechanical contraption. You took awe in the sight of their work, audibly gasping as you inspected from the door.

Hannah: Woah… That's huge…

(Young Man, script guide): Hm?

Hannah: O-oh, sorry did I disturb you?

Hanna to herself: Was I too loud? I thought I just whispered just now.

(Young Man, Script Guide): No, not really, who are you..?

Hannah: Oh um.. I'm Hannah! Nice to meet you!

(Young Man, Script Guide): I see, do you need any help with something?

Hannah (Frantic): Ah- No no- I was just passing by and I saw the door was open and I was just curious and I kinda wanna see what you guys are up to-

(Young Man, Script Guide) [Chuckles]: It's fine, if you want to take a look you could've just asked you know?

Hannah (Relieved): Oh.. If you say so then- Pardon the intrusion.

You step inside the room the young man is in, he continues to fiddle with some contraptions, taking a glance at you from time to time as you explore the large room filled with a variety of machinery, some were incomplete mechanical hands larger than a car, or parts that look like covers for something huge.

Hannah (In Awe): Dude… These are awesome! Did you guys make these yourselves?

(Young Man, Script Guide): It took a while to test them but yeah, we did.

Hannah: I.. Wow these are really cool I'm speechless!

(Young Man, Script Guide): So what department do you work in?

Hannah: I work by the archive department, took me a while to bug my dad to put me there, but he gave in anyways.

(Young Man, Script Guide): Wait, your dad is the Administrator?

Hannah: Yep! My dad is Administrator Glenn, is there something wrong?

The young man looks at you with wide eyes, he did not expect to be talking to the Administrator's daughter so casually, neither did he realize that he'd be talking to the daughter at all.

(Young Man, Script Guide): No, nothing really, it just took me by surprise that I'm conversing with my employer's daughter

Hannah (giggling): Oh please, I'm no one special, just some girl who loves to read about specifications on machinery is all, just like you are!

(Young Man, Script Guide) Is that so? Well you wouldn't have bugged the Administrator that much to put you into archives.

Hannah (Teasingly): Well duh~! What brought you to making machines like this?

(Young Man, Script Guide): It's just an obsession I suppose, I loved tinkering with things when I was just a wee child. It was just a matter of time before I move onto prosthetics, armour and the such.

Hannah (Curiously): Oh? Did your parents teach you or something?

(Young Man, Script Guide): No, they didn't really. Me and my sister were often abused by them… It wasn't pleasant, living with two tyrants.

Hannah (Solemnly): Oh… I'm sorry about that… I didn't know..

(Young Man, Script Guide): It's nothing much really, I'm here now because I worked hard to get here without them. It feels great just achieving this much without their help.

Hannah (Relieved): I'm glad it's not bothering you as much, it must be hard to go through all of that pain, sorry for bringing it up again.

(Young Man, Script Guide): I told you, it's fine really you didn't bring something bad up.

Hannah (A bit sad): Are you really sure I didn't..?

(Young Man, Script Guide): Yeah I'm sure, don't worry

He pats you softly, you were taken aback by it letting out an audible squeak as he gave you head pats.

Hannah (Surprised and Liking The Head Pats): Hnngggg~ Your headpats are nice..

Hannah (In a Whisper): I wish you'd do it more for me…

(Young Man, Script Guide): I could if you'd ask for it

Hannah (Flustered): What?! What's it with you and your hearing! Your ears are too good you know that?

(Young Man, Script Guide): I suppose so, I guess my friends got used to it fast because they never really mention it

You pout as u glare at him, he emanates a ray of softness despite his build. His hands were notably soft and delicate as he pats you.

Hannah (softly): *You hold his hand and caress it* For an engineer, I was expecting your hands to be rough and tense but… It's warm and soft...

(Young Man, Script Guide): Is that so?

Hannah (softly): Yeah, it's really soft, it's comforting actually. Your girlfriend is really lucky to have you huh?

(Young Man, Script Guide) [A bit deflective]: Not really, I don't have a girlfriend

Hannah (Surprised) What?! With such a soft and comfortable warmth and just overall sweet demeanor?! You don't have a girlfriend??

(Young Man, Script Guide) [A bit deflective]: I had a few, they left me anyways. I don't really know what I did wrong to deserve that but I just accepted that I won't get a proper relationship, so I stopped looking

Hannah (Annoyed): What?? Why did they leave you?! You're such a nice lovely guy! Smart and good looking too! I don't understand why they'd leave you??

(Young Man, Script Guide): I don't know either, I'd tell you to ask them but, I'd rather you not ask them literally considering your character

Hannah (Teased): Heyyyyy! I'm not like that at all you know?!

(Young Man, Script Guide): Yeah right~ That's what you're character tells me

Hannah (Teasingly): You're awfully a tease you know that?

(Young Man, Script Guide): I guess I am, you like it don't you~?

Hannah (Blushing): Stopppp ittttt!

Hannah pouts as the young man chuckles, giving you head pats again.

Hannah (Pouting and Playful): I'm starting to not like u anymore hmph!

(Young Man, Script Guide): Do you now? You seem to not want me to stop head patting you

Hannah (Pouting): Shut up hmph!

(Young Man, Script Guide): Still want the head pats?

Hannah (Blushing): Yes please…

There was a moment of silence between the two of you, enjoying the headpats, your thoughts slip through as he keeps patting.

Hannah (Thinking aloud): I still don't understand why they left you, you're such a nice guy you know.,? For you to even make it to this company, you poured your soul into your work, you don't seem to be the kind of guy to neglect their needs… I just don't understand it…

The young man is silent, he slowly slides his hand from your head to your cheek, he closes his distance to yours, tension increases, your face now flush in red, slowly, you close your eyes, expecting the warm touch of his lips… But was instead met with cheek squeezes.

Hannah (Annoyed): HEYY! NO FAIR!

The young man laughs as he pats you more, he couldn't stop laughing, holding his stomach as he pinches your cheeks again.

(Young Man, Script Guide): I'm sorry… I'm sorry about that whooo..

Hannah (Pouting): Mmmmmmphh!

You smile a bit, a fleeting warmth covers your chest as you watch him smile. A thought comes across your mind as you fell into a track of deep thought, you were snapped out of it when he pats you again, however, you feel as if there's something else tied with it.

(Young Man, Script Guide): I appreciate the thought… But it's fine, I might've just done something wrong to annoy them both… You don't have to worry about that okay? That's for me to think about

Hannah (Concerned): Eh? Are you sure? I know it's not my place to think about it, but don't you think that's unfair? I know you know that!

The young man doesn't answer, but instead, he gives a solemn smile, it looks happy, but the sadness has seeped so much, you knew that he isn't alright, that he knows the truth yet he admits his fault for them. It's not right, he needs to know he's not in the wrong here.

Hannah (Still Concerned): Come on… Hey.. look at me

Hannah (Affectionately): Hey.. I know we just met today, but you really ought to know that you aren't at fault alright? My dad didn't put me into being archivist- Well, after showing him what I'm capable of- For nothing alright? I can see what's wrong in a glance, I would know if you're lying or not.. But it's not those either is it?

He fell silent as he looks deep into your eyes, it wasn't brightly lit, neither is it sparkling, it was dead and emotionless.

Hannah (Affectionately): You've already accepted fault without even looking at yourself. You're such a great guy, you're fun to be around with! And I'm saying these on our very first interaction! You can't find ten or more people like you! You're special, really really special, I don't want you to think otherwise. Look at everything you've done so far, revel in it! You took the pain and marched off without hesitation…

A sliver of light shone within his eyes, he looks at her affectionately, though chains rattled and he reeled himself back.

Hannah (Concerned): Hey.. Are you alright?

The young man nods, speechless.

Hannah (Concerned): Are you sure? Your shaking a bit..

(Young Man, Script Guide): Yeah I'm alright… Thanks I… Hmm…

Hannah (Affectionately): I'll be here for you okay? You've found yourself someone who finally cares, asides from your friends of course… But.. I'm willing to give my time to you if you need it…

(Young Man, Script Guide): Nothing's going to stop you I guess, I see why we have such an abundance of data in the archives. It's because we have you, such a bright archivist… Quite persistent as well..

Hannah (Jokingly): Yes I'm really persistent~

Hannah (In Her Thoughts): Persistent in taking care of you too…

(Young Man, Script Guide): Thanks.. I needed that… I really appreciate you saying those to me, I.. didn't think I need them that badly..

Hannah (Smiling): It's nothing~ I'm glad I took a peek in the Engineering Department, or else I wouldn't have met such a great guy like you!

The young man smiles, a genuine smile you notice, it seems like had just lit up from the inside, a wave of warmth emanated from and before long he glances on the wall behind him.

Hannah (Confused): Hmm?

(Young Man, Script Guide): Hey, Hannah, don't you have to go already? It's already five minutes after lunch time-

Hannah (Frantic): SHIT I FORGOT ABOUT THAT! I GOTTA GO-

You now frantically look for the exit and bolted straight through the doors, you went back in for a quick second to tell the young man something.

Hannah (Winded): Can we meet tomorrow?! After work?!

The young man smiled and chuckled, before nodding.

(Young Man, Script Guide) Sure! I'll wait for you!

Hannah (Happy, Still Winded): Alright! See you tomorrow~! Byeeee~!

You exit the again, bolting through the hallways to your office. Your footsteps leave the Engineering Department's room, slowly fading into an echo.