A Heart in the Machine (Serial Designation V x Reader)

The next morning, the house was already stirring when you awoke. The low hum of machinery echoed through the walls, familiar and comforting. Even in the early hours, the house never truly fell silent. The furnace, deep in the bowels of the estate, had a rhythm of its own, a constant presence that, over time, had come to feel like a second heartbeat.

You had barely finished your breakfast when you heard the soft, deliberate footsteps of V passing by the kitchen. She was already busy with her usual chores—polishing surfaces, organizing, and making sure everything was in its place. Her movements were precise, almost robotic, but there was something different about her today. The way she moved felt... softer. You couldn't help but notice the subtle change.

She caught your eye as she entered the room, and for a brief moment, you both stood in silence, the space between you filled with the quiet sounds of the house. V didn't say anything at first, but you could feel her gaze linger on you, just a little longer than usual.

"Good morning," you said, trying to keep the tone casual, though a slight warmth crept into your voice.

"Good morning, Technician," she replied, her voice steady, though there was something in her tone—something that made you think she wasn't just repeating the words like she always did.

You watched her for a moment as she continued with her work, her movements graceful and practiced. There was something calming about the way she moved, something almost... human. It made the house feel a little less cold, the quiet corners a little less lonely.

The silence between you wasn't uncomfortable, just... different. There was a stillness that seemed to hang in the air, like a quiet promise, waiting to be spoken.

N's voice echoed from the hallway, breaking the silence. "Everything running smoothly in here?" he asked, his cheerful tone carrying through the walls as he appeared in the doorway.

"Everything's fine," you said, smiling at him.

N gave a quick nod, looking between you and V. "Good to hear. Well, if anything comes up, I'll be in the workshop. Just give me a shout."

"Got it," you said, and N disappeared down the hallway, his footsteps quickly fading.

As the room fell quiet again, you found yourself looking back at V, watching her continue her work. She seemed absorbed in it, her focus unwavering. But there was a subtle shift in the way she carried herself today, a quietness to her that you hadn't noticed before. She wasn't distant, exactly—just more... reserved.

You cleared your throat, feeling the need to fill the space. "How's the cleaning going?"

She glanced over, her expression neutral, but her eyes softened just a little. "It's going well. Everything's in order."

For a moment, you both stood there, the quiet of the house wrapping around you. It wasn't uncomfortable, but it felt different than before. You couldn't pinpoint why. Perhaps it was just the shift in the air, the way the two of you seemed to occupy the same space a little longer, a little more naturally.

"You know," you began, "you do a good job around here. It's... impressive."

V paused, her gaze flickering toward you, and for a moment, there was a flicker in her expression, something almost like surprise. She didn't say anything, but the slight shift in her posture was enough of an answer.

You smiled, not pushing for more but glad to offer a simple compliment. As you turned to leave the room, you couldn't shake the feeling that today felt different—not in any big way, but in the small, unspoken moments. The connection between you was still quiet, still new—but somehow, it felt like it was beginning to shift, just a little bit.