The Love Algorithm

Chapter 2: Proximity

Est started his day earlier than usual.

He liked getting to the lab before sunrise—before the world woke up and brought noise with it. But today, as he pushed open the glass doors, light was already flooding the room.

And someone had gotten there before him.

William.

He was curled up on the couch near the kitchenette, legs tucked underneath him, sipping coffee like he owned the place. His camera sat on the table, perfectly positioned to film a time-lapse of Est's desk.

"Morning!" William said cheerfully.

Est stopped. "...How did you get in?"

"I made friends with your intern. Santa gave me the backup keycard. Said I had a 'friendly face.'"

Est frowned. "That's a security issue."

William took another sip.

Est sighed and walked over to his desk. "You're not supposed to touch the equipment."

"I'm not! I'm just observing. Like you do. Isn't that science?"

Est didn't answer. He sat down and woke up his monitors. Instantly, the screens filled with data—neural network graphs, pattern clusters, emotion-detection algorithms in progress.

William sat quietly, watching him. Not interrupting—just... curious.

After a few quiet minutes, William finally asked, "So what exactly are you trying to find with this love algorithm? Like, soulmates?"

Est didn't look up. "No. Soulmates aren't real. I'm studying patterns—things like shared values, how people communicate, how they handle emotions."

William tilted his head. "So... chemistry doesn't matter?"

"It does. But it's the most unpredictable part. It fades fast. Long-term compatibility is easier to measure."

William gave a low whistle. "Romantic."

"I'm not trying to be romantic. I'm focused on results."

William stood and walked over, eyes scanning Est's graphs. "You wanna know what I think?"

"I don't," Est said. "And honestly, it's unlikely I'll care."

William laughed. "I think you're scared."

Est froze.

"You're scared of things you can't control," William said, more softly now. "Scared that maybe love isn't something you can solve with numbers."

Est narrowed his eyes. "That sounds like projection. Maybe you're the one who's scared."

"Could be," William said with a small smile. It wasn't teasing this time. Just thoughtful. "But I still let myself fall for people. Even if it hurts. That's what makes it worth it."

For a while, the only sounds in the room were the low hum of the fan and the ticking clock on the wall—something Est usually ignored.

But not today.

Then William clapped his hands once, lightly. "Anyway! I brought donuts. Want one?"

"No."

"Cool. I brought two dozen."

He walked over to the kitchenette, his hoodie bouncing behind him like he was in a good mood no one could ruin.

Later that afternoon, Est pulled up the biometric logs from the day. Something was off—again. Spikes in his heart rate. Drops in focus.

Variable: William.

He highlighted it in red.

Not a warning.

Just... something unusual.

An anomaly.

One he couldn't stop watching.