“Right! Hey, no further explanation necessary, ok? We're cool. You don't need to defend yourself.”

“Sorry! Sorry! I don't know why I asked that. I'm just... A very private person I suppose. Sorry- I shouldn't laugh. But your face! Thank you for *not* peeking, I do appreciate it.”

“Why else would you be following me? Why else would you be here? I'm not stupid. Don't test my patience.”

Absolutely not.

She also steps forward, looking up at him with an intense, unblinking stare.

“What do you want from me?”

That would be bad.

Her eyes widen in sudden apprehension, stepping back, arms crossing her chest.

“Have you looked through me?”

Is someone hiding? From her?

Who'd be so stupid?

“I don't take kindly to being stalked. Step out and face me and we can talk. This is your one and only warning.”

“Not a fan of having to clean blood off the floor, no.”

Is someone hiding? From her?

Who'd be so stupid?

“I guess... I guess I spaced out.”

She frowns as if she doesn't quite believe it herself.

“Lucky for both of us I didn't hit you.”

She whirls around sharply as if to catch him, but decides to keep her hands to herself, for now.

“Hell of a mutation. Good for you. I'll be going now.”

How the—? This defied all logic. She stepped back sharply, blinking rapidly. Whatever she'd been expecting, it hadn't been this.

“How... Are you doing that?”

“Then I'll have to be very quiet. And strike when your guard is down.

Doesn't that feel invasive? Hearing everything? Seeing through us?”

“Oh? You think getting you back will be hard? I guess we'll see about that, won't we?”

Tiny little smirk, nothing too sinister.

Her scowl intensifies, hands forming fists at her sides. She yanks open the door and lunges for him.

Let's try that again.

“Yeah, probably not. But uh, it's fine, no hard feelings, or whatever people say. I will just have to get you back, won't I?”

It sounds like a threat when she puts it like that.

“That's good enough, thanks. Sorry, I'm a little touchy about stuff like that. I promise I'm not angry.”

Wiping her cheek with her sleeve. Good as new.

“No, it's fine! It's fine! Let's not make a big deal out of it, this is already awkward enough for both of us...”

“Ew! Your thumb is so damp! Oh, forget it, I'll just... Do it myself in the bath later. It's fine! It's fine.”

It's not fine.

Holding still.

“Better do a good job then. Then we're square.”

M3GAN did nothing wrong.

Tilting her head slightly.

“Super.” an attempt at a joke, along with an attempt at a smile.

“Hmm. Fine. I can see your intentions weren't hostile. I'll try not to take it too personally. Just... Don't do it again. And help me get this off my face.”

squinting.

What's it... For? A party?

What are *you* wearing?

Sounds perfect for formulating various disguises. I'll let you know when I'm ready to buy.

Cozy.