The Experiment (Data x reader)

Anger

While your students rifled through their bags, you noticed Data raising his hand, and you hurried back to his desk. "What's wrong, Data?"

"I would like a copy of the play as well, y/n."

"Oh... don't you have it in your memory banks?" you asked, confused.

"Affirmative, but as part of my ongoing mission to achieve humanity, I have found that the use of traditional paper products is an emphasis of yours. As you are the human I have chosen to emulate, I-"

"Yes, of course, Data, hold on," you said, amused, and retrieved the book for him before returning to the front of the room. The rest of your students sat attentively, waiting for you to begin. "We spoke last week about Shakespeare's theme of deceiving appearances," you began. Out of the corner of your eye, you saw Data focusing very closely on the book in front of him, and you couldn't help but smile. "Can anyone list any other themes they found in last night's reading?"

You received several answers, all correct but somewhat vague: "love" for instance, or "egotism", or "commitment". It wasn't... quite what you were looking for. You were about to try to steer the conversation back on track when you noticed Data raising his hand.

"Mr. Data?" you acknowledged, curious to hear what he had to say.

"One of Shakespeare's most common themes, and indeed, the theme that seems to dominate this play, is the complicated nature of family when confronted with the difficulties of marriage. For example, the strain in the relationship between Beatrice and her uncle; the complex rivalry between Don Pedro and Don John; and, perhaps most significant of all, the death wish that Hero's own father has for her while under the misconception that she has been unfaithful to her fiancé." Finishing his speech, Data leaned back in his seat, obviously satisfied with his response.

"Oh! Miss y/l/n!" One of your students raised their hand. "You could also connect that with Leonato and Antonio, correct?"

Thus, the class was launched into a rich discussion on Shakespearean family rivalries caused by marriage, one that you couldn't have set up better yourself. It was an active class, with several of your students volunteering answers and perspectives throughout your lecture. By the time that class was over, you had covered your material in such depth that it quite honestly blew you away. As your class left for the day, you noticed Data was still very much absorbed in the book, marking sections with his pen occasionally.

"I'm sorry about Brian," you said gently once you and Data were alone.

Data looked up, apparently taken aback. "I cannot take offence from his comments. I am an android. I cannot feel offence."

"Yes, of course," you said, settling yourself in the desk next to his. "Was attending the lecture helpful, then?"

"I believe so, y/n. You have demonstrated methods that keep your students attentive, methods that I would not have practiced or even considered." Data closed his notebook, pausing briefly. "After attending quite a few lessons throughout the course of my existence, I believe I can safely say that yours was the most skillfully executed and the most passionately taught."

It was a very kind thing to say, but compliments flustered you, so you changed the subject quickly. "What other lessons have you gone to?" you asked.

"I once endeavored to take violin lessons from a human," Data said thoughtfully, tilting his head again. "I abandoned the lesson within five minutes once I calculated that I would learn twenty thousand five hundred and eighty-six times more efficiently on my own."