robot. || Luke Hemmings

twenty-four.

When Luke arrived home, his heart felt heavy with anticipation. His family had been visiting him throughout his recovery, but this was different. Today wasn't just a visit—today, Luke was finally returning home, physically and emotionally a little more put together, but still uncertain about what the future held. The door to the mansion opened slowly, and as soon as Luke stepped inside, the familiar weight of everything he had left behind seemed to crash back in.

He didn't even have time to process everything. His family was already there, waiting. The moment they saw him, there was no hesitation. His parents, Liz and Andrew, and his brothers Ben and Jack, were up and surrounding him in an instant. They enveloped him in a tight, suffocating embrace, and it felt like they were holding him together in a way that he had never known before.

"I'm so sorry, Luke," Liz's voice cracked as she held him. "We should have been there for you. All those years, and we... we weren't. We weren't there when you needed us the most. But we're here now. We'll be here for you, no matter what. I promise."

Andrew echoed the sentiment, his voice thick with emotion. "I don't know how we let it get this far and I'm sorry for that. We're gonna be better. You're not alone anymore."

Luke didn't say anything at first, his arms tight around them as if he were afraid they might disappear. He didn't need to speak. He just stood there, letting the wave of guilt, hurt, and a strange sense of comfort wash over him. It was overwhelming in the best and worst way.

Ben and Jack stood there, slightly awkward but clearly emotional. Ben, the older of the two, clapped a hand on Luke's back. "We should've reached out more, man. We should've been more there for you. I get it now. I really do."

Jack nodded, his expression pained. "I didn't know what to say, but that's not an excuse. I'm sorry, Luke. We'll do better."

Luke swallowed hard, the lump in his throat making it hard to speak. Finally, he muttered, "I... I know. It's okay."

But even as his family continued to comfort him, Luke couldn't help but glance toward the other side of the room, where Leana stood—silent, unmoving. She was just watching them, as if she were still unsure of her place. She was there. She had been with him through all the chaos, all the mess, and yet in this moment, Luke wasn't sure what to do with her. How did he even begin to make sense of their relationship now?

Leana didn't say anything. She just stood back, respectfully giving Luke and his family the space they needed. She knew this moment wasn't about her. She had already made the choice for herself to let them have their time—without needing to be asked to do so. She silently slipped out of the room, her footsteps barely audible as she retreated to her room.

Luke's gaze followed her, a strange, complicated knot of feelings rising within him. He had acknowledged her in the interview, but that didn't change the fact that there was still so much left unsaid between them. She wasn't the real Leana. He knew that. But she had become something more—something complicated, something he had never expected.

His family continued their embrace, their voices filled with more apologies and reassurances. But Luke couldn't stop thinking about the woman in the other room—what role she now played in his life, how much he owed her, and what he was supposed to do with her now that he had finally come home.

The family settled down, and after some time, they sat in the living room, chatting more about their experiences while Luke was away. The subject turned inevitably to Leana, and the family couldn't help but talk about how much she had meant to them during the time they spent together.

"She really helped us understand you, Luke," Liz said softly, wiping away a tear. "I know she's not the real Leana, but she was there. She spoke about you with so much love, so much care. It was like she understood you better than anyone else."

Andrew nodded, still shaken by how much Leana had done for their family. "She's not just a machine, Luke. She's... she's something else. She really cares. You can see it in her eyes, in the way she talks about you. Despite everything you've put her through, she's still there. Still caring for you."

Ben's eyes softened as he spoke. "I'm not gonna lie, it was a little weird at first. But she's really become part of the family. She's been there for you when no one else was. I mean, I get it now. She's more than just technology. It's... it's like she has a soul of her own, in a way."

Jack nodded thoughtfully. "I thought it was just creepy, at first. But spending time with her? She's been a better person for you than any of us have. That's hard to swallow."

Luke sat there, digesting it all. He had known that Leana had cared for him, even in a way that wasn't fully human. But hearing it from his family, hearing their admiration for her, made it all the more real.

"So what's next, Luke?" Liz asked gently, breaking the silence. "What do you want to do? You've been through hell. We know it's going to be a long road, but we're here for you."

Luke looked at his family, at the people who had finally started to see him for who he was—the broken man trying to rebuild himself. But his mind drifted back to Leana, still in her room, still silent, still waiting for answers.

"I'm not sure yet," Luke admitted. "But I know I have to figure out what to do with her. She... she's not just a replacement. She's her own person now, in a way. And I don't know what I'm supposed to do with that. With her."

The family was quiet for a moment, understanding that Luke had to make the decision for himself. The bond between him and Leana, robotic or not, was more complex than anything they could understand.

"Whatever you choose, Luke," Andrew said softly, "we're here for you. You're not alone in this."

Luke nodded, feeling the weight of his family's support. It wasn't a perfect solution, but it was a start. And as for Leana, the question of what to do with her still lingered in the air, unspoken but understood. Luke was the only one who could answer it.

As the evening wore on, Luke sat with his family, sharing stories and memories, all the while knowing that the most important decision of his life was still ahead. And whatever path he chose, it was one he had to walk alone.