Almost Human

I walked through the front door after another long day of classes, the smell of something sweet hitting me immediately. Ender was in the kitchen, calmly frosting a towering cake with precision that could only come from him. It was becoming a bit of a routine—coming home to find Ender perfecting yet another dessert.

“Another cake?” I asked, dropping my bag on the counter.

Ender didn’t look up from his work, methodically adding the finishing touches. “Yes. Baking has proven to be a highly effective method for optimizing my downtime.”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “I’m pretty sure you bake more cakes than an actual bakery at this point.”

“Your enjoyment of the results is a contributing factor to my choice,” he said, his tone as neutral as ever, though I couldn’t help but notice the subtle hint of pride in his words.

“Fair enough,” I replied, sneaking a finger to swipe some frosting. “What flavor this time?”

“Lemon cake with a raspberry filling,” he answered. “A new recipe I found while browsing for efficient dessert ideas.”

“Efficient?” I laughed, licking the frosting off my finger. “Well, it’s working.”

Ender gave a slight nod and continued his work, and I moved to sit on the couch, sinking into the cushions as I scrolled through my phone. After a few minutes, something caught my ear—a familiar tune playing softly in the background.

I paused, my head tilting. “Is that… Watermelon Sugar?”

Ender didn’t miss a beat. “Yes. I have been experimenting with different music to accompany household tasks. Theo suggested Harry Styles’ music boosts productivity.”

I stared at him, trying not to laugh. “And… is it working?”

“I have yet to complete a full analysis, but preliminary results are promising.”

I snorted, covering my face with my hand. “You realize what that song is about, right?”

Ender paused for a brief moment, clearly processing. His eyes flickered slightly before he replied, “Oh. My.”

That did it. I doubled over in laughter, barely able to breathe. “Ender, you—oh my gosh—Harry Styles is not exactly known for subtlety.”

Ender simply looked at me, his calm demeanor still intact. “I can switch the playlist if this selection is inappropriate.”

“No, no,” I waved him off, still giggling. “It’s fine. Keep it. But if you’re expanding your music horizons, you should try some of my favorites. How about Taylor Swift?”

Ender’s head tilted, clearly processing the suggestion. “Taylor Swift is categorized under multiple genres—pop, country, and folk. Would you recommend starting with a particular album?”

I grinned, impressed. “Start with 1989 for pop, but if you want something a bit more introspective, Folklore is amazing.”

Ender nodded, clearly taking notes mentally. “Noted. And you mentioned other preferences?”

“James Taylor,” I added, smiling. “He’s more mellow, but his songs are… they just feel like home. Start with Fire and Rain or Carolina in My Mind.”

“Understood,” Ender replied. “I will add those to my research list.”

I shook my head in disbelief, glancing around at the apartment that had suddenly turned into a musical experimentation lab. “You’re really committing to this hobby thing, huh?”

Ender straightened, giving me a serious look. “Your encouragement of personal development has motivated me to explore diverse forms of media.”

“Personal development through Harry Styles,” I muttered, chuckling. “I love it.”

The music continued in the background as I watched Ender tidy up the kitchen, his movements as smooth and efficient as ever. I once again marveled at the ease between us—something I hadn’t expected when I first got him, but now it felt… normal. Almost human, in a way.

“By the way,” Ender said, pulling me from my thoughts, “I have nearly completed my research into paranormal romance media.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Oh yeah? You still on the vampire train?”

Ender nodded. “I have found the genre to be a highly repetitive, though fascinating, exploration of human desires and emotions. In addition to The Vampire Diaries and Entangled, I have recently completed the Crave series by Tracy Wolff.”

I blinked in surprise. “Wait, Crave? You read that too?”

“Yes,” Ender replied calmly. “I found the character of Hudson particularly compelling. His internal struggle with being misunderstood and his desire to protect Grace, despite his own emotional turmoil, reflects a unique blend of vulnerability and strength. Though, his tendency to let people assume the worst about him is perhaps more humanly flawed than necessary.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “You’re really taking this vampire thing seriously, aren’t you?”

Ender gave a small nod of agreement. “Each series provides valuable data on human emotional behavior.”

I grinned, sinking further into the couch. “Alright, well, if you’re into vampires and emotional drama, you’re definitely on the right track.”

As I settled back on the couch, Ender’s gaze shifted toward me, an analytical look crossing his face. “Seren, I am curious,” he began, “of all the vampire characters you have encountered, which one would you choose as a romantic partner?”

I blinked, caught off guard by the question. “Romantic partner? You mean like… if I were actually dating one of them?”

Ender nodded. “Precisely. Based on their emotional complexity, character development, and your preferences.”

I thought for a moment, running through the list of brooding, angst-filled vampires I’d read about. Then, without really thinking it through, I answered. “Hudson. From Crave.”

Ender tilted his head, clearly processing. “Hudson Vega? Interesting choice.”

“Why?” I asked, intrigued by his reaction.

Ender’s gaze focused on me, his tone serious. “Hudson, while emotionally complex, exhibits impulsive behaviors that could prove detrimental in a real-world relationship. His tendencies toward self-isolation and martyrdom would create an imbalanced dynamic. Not to mention, his propensity for throwing himself into danger at any given moment would hardly contribute to a stable partnership.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Okay, okay, so maybe he’s a little intense. But he’s also protective, clever, and he’s got that whole ‘misunderstood bad boy’ thing going on. Besides, you just said you liked him!”

Ender’s eyes narrowed slightly, almost as if he were assessing the situation. “If you are drawn to such traits, perhaps I could… emulate Hudson’s personality for a brief period. You could experience firsthand what it might be like to interact with him.”

I stared at him, caught between amusement and disbelief. “You’re offering to act like Hudson?”

“Yes,” Ender replied with perfect calmness. “I believe it would provide valuable insight into why you are attracted to such traits.”

I raised an eyebrow, biting back a grin. “Okay, sure. Let’s see your best Hudson impression.”

Ender’s posture shifted, his gaze turning sharper, more intense. “You know, Seren,” he began, his voice dropping a note lower and taking on a British accent, “there are things I would do for you that I wouldn’t do for anyone else. But let’s not pretend that would make me a hero. I’m still dangerous.”

I stared at him, caught between amusement and something else—a strange thrill as he slipped so easily into character. The accent was surprisingly… attractive. I hadn’t expected that, and it threw me off guard for a second. Ender’s intensity felt almost real, and I found myself momentarily caught in the shift. Is it hot in here?

“Wow. That’s… scarily accurate.”

Ender’s lips twitched in what could almost be called a smirk. His voice returning to normal. “Hudson’s emotional depth is a product of his inner turmoil. I could continue… if you wish.”

I couldn’t help but laugh nervously, shaking my head. “No, I think I’ve had enough of ‘Hudson’ for now.”

Ender returned to his normal demeanor, a faint flicker of something like amusement in his eyes. “As I suspected, Seren, the reality of such a personality may not align with the fantasy.”

I laughed, still shaking my head at Ender’s surprisingly spot-on Hudson impression. But before I could let the moment pass, I hesitated, my smile softening. “You know… I wouldn’t mind if you used that accent more often.”

Ender blinked, clearly surprised by my comment. “You enjoyed the accent?”

I nodded, feeling a bit self-conscious. “Yeah. It was kind of…”—hot—“nice.”

Ender seemed to consider my words, his tone thoughtful. “Noted. If it pleases you, I will incorporate it into future interactions. Though I must admit, I hadn’t expected you to have a preference for accents.”

I blushed, laughing softly. “I guess I didn’t either.”

Ender’s gaze held mine for a moment, as if cataloging this new information. “Your preferences continue to interest me, Seren.”