Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Prologue -

  Many centuries ago when the world was more organic, when there were more trees then roads and the sky had not been tainted by pollution. In what is now Mexico but was once called Anahuac lived a brave warrior named Popocatepetl. He was one of the bravest men across turtle island , many swooned  for the handsome warrior but Popocatepetl had eyes for only one. Iztaccihuatl, she was the embodiment of the word beauty. The daughter of the Aztec chief had stolen Popocatepetl's heart and he had stolen hers too. Some may say their love was greater than that of the sun and moon. The two lovers long to be married so Popocatepetl asked the chief for his daughter's hand in marriage.

  The chief admired the strength and courage of the warrior, but still didn't believe he was good enough for his daughter. He was however willing to take a chance on him. He told popocatepetl that if he fought in the upcoming battle and was victorious he would be welcomed back in a great celebration and may marry his daughter. Popocatepetl accepted, greatly determined to bring back victory and his heart for Iztaccihuatl. Unfortunately this tale does not end on a happy ending, One day a rival of Popocatepetl who was jealous of the couple told Princess Iztaccihuatl that Popocatepetl had died in combat. Crushed and overwhelmed by sadness, the princess decided to end her life and died not knowing that it was a lie. After a long lengthy battle Popocatepetl arrived back ready to marry his lover. But upon arrival rather than being met with celebration he was met with sad news. The chief shared that while he was gone Iztaccihuati had sadly passed away. Unable to cope with the loss of his love, Popocatepetl wandered the streets of the village with feelings of guilt not being able to say goodbye to his beautiful princess.

  Until one day he came up with an idea to honor his love and to assure she would never be forgotten. He set out to find the perfect place to bury Iztaccihuatl, he traveled long and far until reaching the summit where he laid her down on a great mountain. He knelt down to the body of what was once a beautiful princess. Now a lifeless corpse and watched over her, never leaving her side. Eventually he himself died of sorrow. Touched by their love the gods covered them in snow and transformed them to two beautiful volcanos to forever remain side by side.

Many Many years later-

  On a hot summer day, In the quiet suburbs of (your city/town) there was a quiet house Owned by a newly college graduate and single woman named (your name). They've only lived in the house for 4 years but have never felt more at home. On this particular day Y/n was trying to calm her nerves and prepare herself for tomorrow. Tomorrow will be her first day at her new job. But it wasn't just a job. No, she'll be the new customer sales representative for the top megacorporations in all of the world known as Valdivian. All thanks to the help of her best friend Sam who got her the job. Y/n was a hard worker and many former employers can vouch how great of a team member she was. But no matter how many times she starts over, the first day of a new job is always nerve wracking especially for such a big and important company.

  As she was pacing back and forth in the living room doing breathing exercises, she couldn't ignore the blasting summer heat in the house. She could feel herself being baked alive. Y/n walks to the stair case and heads towards the thermostat turning on the AC. Making her way back to the living room she looks up at the grate on the wall just above the tv. Seconds later she can feel that refreshing breeze hit, closing her eyes to really take it all in. The cold breeze soon caused the shape of her nerves to transform a feeling of uneasiness to that of relaxation.

  “ Everything is going to be okay.” Taking one last deep breath as she tells herself that there is nothing to fear. Y/n walks away and heads  upstairs to the bathroom and prepares a bath for herself.

  But what she doesn’t see-what she can’t see-is a mysterious figure just on the other side of the vent watching her as she walks away. To the naked eye it appears as any other ordinary air vent. However if you somehow acquired special lenses that are a secret government weapon; you could get a glimpse of something entirely else or more specifically someone else. He remains hidden behind the air vent grate watching you in awe.

  “ Another successful day of keeping you cool, my beauty.” Knowing he helped bring y/n a tiny moment of peace fills him with satisfaction. 

  Ever since you moved into the house he was drawn to you almost instantly. He can’t quite put his finger on why. He’s asked himself this question more times than he can count. All he can really say is he feels drawn to you;From the sound of your laugh to the sight of you curling up in the evening light. To the gentle trail of your footsteps on hardwood floors. He was under your spell. From that day on it was his duty to always make sure you’re always warm or cool and experience only the utmost pleasurable service from him. He thinks of himself as your humble servant and you as a beautiful princess that has control over him. Some may find this concerning but to him he would serve you for the rest of your life, it’s practically his purpose. He meets you upstairs in your bedroom ready to end the day.

   As you dry your hair, you take one look at yourself in the mirror and smile at your reflection trying to boost your confidence for tomorrow.

 " You got this Y/n, YOU are great, YOU are smart, and most importantly YOU are the greatest god damn customer service representative, Sam wouldn't have recommended you for this job if you didn't have what it takes!" You look at yourself and point at the mirror really trying to emphasize your confidence.

  Though you struggle to fully believe it, it still makes you feel good about yourself. You made your way to your bed pulling the blanket over your body feeling the warmth of the polyester fabric. Your head hits the soft pillows and begin to feel your eyes get heavier and heavier until all you see is darkness.

Your air vent observes from the wall in front of the bed as you are in a world of slumber. Smiling to himself he can’t help but imagine what it would feel like to cuddle you. How the warmth of your body would feel against his as you drape your arms around him and how he would never let you go. But atlas this is merely a dream, a fantasy for him. You were a human and he was a HVAC system. Even if by some magic miracle you can talk to him, it’s not like you would return the feelings especially if you saw what he actually looks like. In the end all he has are his nightly dreams and that will have to do.

The next morning ~

  You wake up early and prepare yourself a cup of ( tea or coffee of your choice) and head to your office. You turn on your computer and wait for it to load. As you wait you take a peek at your bulletin board on the wall. You look at the couple of sticky notes stuck on there. There're only three notes that contain simple but difficult aims : to find love, make friends, and possibly make enemies.

  You put them up after graduation wanting to manifest new relationships in your fresh adult life. You had friends back in high school but lost touch after college. You did try to befriend people but you were really focused on your studies during those four years so you never really had time to go out. You didn’t have enemies-except for one bully from high school, but they're in jail now. Who would have seen that coming? Still, an enemy could bring some drama into your life. As for love, you're not opposed to the idea of love but you never had the best of luck.

  The sound of your computer interrupts your thoughts.You quickly notice your computer has finished loading and go to one of the saved browsers on your screen. You land on the messaging board between you and the chief executive officer David Most. He welcomes you to the team and praises your application for having the least amount of spelling mistakes.

  After that you received a message from Tom your manager or 'leadership principle guidance associate'. His approach to you is very casual or at least he is trying to be. He starts by giving you the run down on your position and what to expect. Not long after chatting with him you get a message from your best friend Sam. She gives you advice for the job and wishes you the best of luck. You switch to another browser that contains a list of customers and their problems. You start with an older woman needing a refund for an old sewing machine, next you help transfer someone to your manager, than you refund someone who somehow popped their couch in their kitchen and a gentleman who noticed his order was short a couple paper clips he even counted every single paper clip to make sure he received the amount promised to him, lastly you help out a science teacher and even learned a lot about cobalt.

  After you finish with your customers you see a message notification from David. You click on his message to see an announcement that the company will be pursuing more artificial help and that your position and many others will be cut. You were shocked to say the least you had just started and not even an hour in your already Fired. Well, not technically fired yet. The way Tom worded it was since they couldn't fire you without cause that puts you in labor limbo. You sigh in defeat feeling utterly hopeless.

  Your friend Sam hears the sudden news and offers her support to you. She then tells you to move to thiscord and continue talking there. When you logged in you received a message from a user by the name tinfoilhat. At first you think it's Sam  but you get this weird feeling in your gut telling you something is off.

You hesitantly replied to his message. He's an anonymous hacker who for some reason chose you of all people to send a very secretive and special package. You couldn't tell if this was a prank or if he is being serious. Within seconds you hear glass break and head to the front door there on the floor you see a package resembling a present. You can’t help but think why me? You open up the present and find a pair of glasses.

 " This is what was so secretive?" You pick up the glasses and examine them. What could possibly be so special about these sunglasses?  You swear you might have seen them on Shein. With nothing really else to lose you put them on, you honestly look pretty good in them.

You were about to take them off when suddenly a young looking woman appeared out of nowhere. Her hair is pink with yellow highlights that reach past her shoulders to her waist, she is wearing a cropped white blazer over a hot pink bralette and a skirt made white, pink, and yellow hearts, most noticeably she appears to wear the same glasses you have on.

 " Hey there !" She greets you. You were a little freaked out and couldn't say anything but manage to give a small and confused wave.

 " Your life is about to change! Hope you're ready?" She is surprisingly very chipper for someone who just showed up in your house.

  " Woah woah woah, hold on who are you? And how did you get into my house?" You step back a little frightened by this stranger. You look over your shoulder hoping to find a nearby weapon in case she tries something funny. She giggles, finding your confusion adorable. She approaches you more carefully and slowly not wanting to scare you more.

  " Don't be scared I'm here to help you out!" She smiles and it does help you feel at ease.

  " I'm a pair of dateviator glasses- my name is Skylar Specs." She reaches her hand out for you to shake. You shake her hand and relax your body but not fully letting your guard down. You were really confused about this, was she the glasses herself how is that possible?

  " My lenses have special properties: they allow you to 'Directly Acknowledge a Thing's Existence' or DATE!" She gets a little excited when she mentions that word. You're slowly starting to understand. She tells you how the dateviators work. In short, when you wear them you can see the 'soul' of an object and talk to them like a person. You didn't realize objects could have souls, makes you think of all the possible furnishings and appliances you've destroyed in the past...

  " I have a feeling, just a silly old little feeling, just a grimpy gromby feeling in my lil tum-tum. That it'll help make your life a little no a LOT bit more richer! And maybe find some love! Love that is allll around you." She sings the last part. Was she implying you to try and date your household objects? You couldn’t even flirt with actual people. Your relationships never even lasted more than a couple months and your last ex was a piece of shit. Still you're not entirely opposed to the idea but if you can't even date a fork in the garbage disposal then you're the problem. Any way she has you test the dateviators out on your front door. When you activate them you're startled a bit by the magic beams that shoot out. You see a tall man with a really good physique and dark brunette hair wearing a soldier uniform in a pose that resembles a bouncer. Admittedly you did find him hot.

  " No funny business. I don't want to see those spectacles being used for something untoward." You never thought you would ever hear your door speak to you or be British.

  " Hey Dorian! Trust me, This is going to go super well!" Skylar reassured Dorian that no harm will be done with this new power of yours. You start to learn the rules of these spectacles. You can only talk to an object once per day, you learn about specs points, and the different relationships routes you can take. Skylar introduces you to a couple more dateables as she calls them. You meet Phonecia your phone, Maggie the magnifying glass, and Betty your bed. After a long weird day you call it a night and head into bed. You couldn't sleep so fast as you had a ton on your mind. You thought of Dorian's friendship speech and it wouldn't be so bad to just befriend everyone but then you think of the possibility of dating and that doesn't sound bad either. You feel yourself getting tired and drift off to sleep ready to continue this new journey tomorrow.

   As you are sleeping all of your furniture and appliances meet up in your living room. There's an older looking woman with white hair and is wearing an outfit that has the same texture as your ceiling. When her presence was known the whole room was silent waiting for her to make an announcement. She stands tall and proud as if she was the mayor of the house.

  " Good evening everyone, I know we are all excited about the humans' new discovery of talking to us. I'd first like to introduce Miss Skylar Specs." She gestures to Skylar to come up with her. Skylar smiles and waves at the crowd.

  " Thank you mayor Celia, it is a pleasure meeting all of you! I know you all might have some questions so please raise your hand and I will answer them the best I can!" One by one Skylar picks a hand and calls on them and answers their question. However one person is hiding in the walls away from the crowd listening closely.

  " Can it really be true? Can the human now speak to everyone?" The mysterious vent from earlier couldn't believe what he was hearing. If it's true he'll be able to talk to you and tell you how he feels. He feels excited at first but that excitement quickly turns to anxiousness. What would he say ? What would he do? How can he talk to you? What if you want to see him? 

  A little voice in his head taunts him: 

 “ Do you really think she would want to talk to you?” 

“She would run for the hills if she saw your face.” 

  He feels his chest tighten as panic starts to creep in. He didn’t expect this to happen at all and so soon. He breathes in and out trying to calm down. He just needs to make a plan and hopefully all will be good and nothing goes wrong. He still wants to meet you badly. He hopes you don't pick him first tomorrow.

Chapter Text

Y/n dream ~

  Up on the highest platform of the aztec empire in Tlaxcala, there resides a room with a wide window in stead of a wall facing the palace courtyard and garden. The room of princess Iztaccíhuatl . She looks beyond the great courtyard thinking of her lover hoping he comes back from war victorious. As she was loss in her head a sudden knock at her door interrupted her.

  "Come in" she invites in the mysterious guest, expecting one of her servants. To her surprise she sees a man she does not recognize but he appears to be wearing one of their empires warrior uniform. While looking at him a sharp knot started to form in her stomach if he is here and not in battle there could only be one reason.

  "Huey cihuatlatoani, I come bearing you sad news..." the pain in her stomach began to escalate and tears soon start to well up in her eyes.

  "no.. no no no no nooo" shaking her head aggressively. She fell to her knees hitting the floor with silents weeps only she could hear.

  "I am so sorry but popocatépetl .... did not make it, he died in battle" Hearing this solidified her greatest fear. Her soft weeps soon turned to shrikes of agony the whole kingdom could hear. Tears soon resembled those of a waterfall. The stranger left her room with a wicked grin across his face. As the princess continues to cry the sharp pain from her stomach traveled to her heart causing an excruciating painful feeling. This type of pain was nothing compared to even the deepest wound on the human body. Wanting this pain to stop princess Iztaccíhuatl looked around her room hoping to find something.  

  Her eyes stumbled upon a sharp blade. Her shakey hands grab it with a steady but weak grip, not caring about the consequences she lunged to the pain in her chest feeling relieved the pain stopped but also suddenly felt her world go dark. Her body collapsed as she bled out the last thing she could hear where the screams of her servants...

End of dream sequence ~

  Y/n shot up from her bed breathing heavily in a pool of her own sweat and a small but sharp sting in her chest. She quickly gets up and goes into her bathroom to find Advil or something to ease the pain.

  "God I swear it gets worse and worse." Y/n has had this dream since she was a child but can never find anything about its meaning. Even asking her grandma/abuela about it but was told she would grow out of it. After finding some medicine y/n also started rubbing vapor rub on her chest to help ease the pain. She starts on the left side of her chest where her scare is. This scar appeared when she was born and left many doctors confused on how it appeared, it wasn't the usual birth mark it felt and looked eerily similar to an actual scar. Specifically one from a deep cut. It's almost impossible to come into the world with such scarring. 

  After starting her morning y/n put on the dateviators and Skylar appears again. You jump a little, even though you fully expected to see her you still haven't gotten use to her just popping up. 

  "Good morning! Are you ready to start getting to know everyone around here better?" she seems very chipper this early in the morning. You wonder to yourself if she and others sleep like humans or if there's another magical explanation that only makes sense in a dating simulator, You shrug that question off and nod.

  "Yeah I think so..."

  "Maybe finally find some love? " Skylar shines you a smile and a bit of an eyebrow wiggle. You blush but also cringe a little at the thought of that. You seriously cannot be that desperate that you would have to date a piece of furniture.

  "Um why am I doing this?" You replied to Skylar

  "Glad you asked!" she exclaimed.

  "I was sent to you for a reason a well .... mysterious reason.." ah yes you remember now.

  "Right... from the 'tinfoilhat' hacker" you respond.

  "Exactly, Since there's no one else here you could ask about it I'd recommend doing the only thing you can do and.. DATE!" man she really wants you to get laid. Maybe dating won't be so bad. You really have nothing else to loose. You already lost your job, you don't have a lot of friends, and you really haven't been on a date in a long while. Worse comes to worse if things don't work out with something you could always sell them on mugnovel market place. 

  "Okay sounds like a plan but where should I start?" you ask Skylar this question since everything seems so overwhelming it wouldn't be a bad idea to start somewhere.

  "I would suggest following up with Maggie next, As a detective she'd have some good places to start."

  "But really there's no going wrong here. Talk to anyone you want, in any order you want you're basically in a big huge sandbox open for you to play in! Except instead of sand it's your house, and instead of a box it's also your house." Skylar finishes. You smile slightly nervous but excited to see what lies ahead on this new life adventure

  "Okay I'm ready..." you say in excitement.

  And so your morning begins with Maggie the magnifying glass. It seems the she is starting or trying to start a new case of a mysterious love letter sent by dorian last night. But the letter was not signed with a name but rather a monogram. This catches your interest so you offer your help to Maggie to find more clues. Maggie excitedly accepts your help. 

  "First of all, the paper the note was written on was somewhat interesting." you listen to the clues Maggie. continues to list off.

  "Second, although the letter wasn't signed, it did have a single initial on it."

  "Finally, I think dorian might have a clue for us." Not much details but its defiantly a good starting point.

  "I have it here.. semi transparent and very thin" Maggie hands you the odd letter and you begin to exam it up close It's definitely not ordinary paper. You try cutting it with scissors, it defiantly cuts normally. Next you and Maggie tried burning a corner, DEFINITELY FLAMMABLE.  Then you got an idea to taste it. You and Maggie take a piece of the paper and tasted it.

  "How interesting! It's edible, and tastes slightly starchy." You take your small piece and put it in your mouth. You let your taste buds take their time and really understand the odd taste. It almost has the taste of rice. Lastly you guys dipped a corner of the paper in water causing it to dissolve. After testing the paper you ask Maggie to see the monogram and it seems to be a stylized M possibly being the first initial. Maggie had mentioned that dorian might have couple clues so you ask to chat with him

  "Well, when I first opened the letter, I caught the faintest whiff of what I think was truffle. Strange, no?" Dorian gives you the last clue.

  "Indeed thanks for your help Dorian."  After getting all the clues Maggie has came up with four possible suspects named Penelope, Mitchell Lynn, Mateo manta, and Freddy yeti. Names of things you have yet to meet. You start with eliminating the names that don't start with an M. You are left with Mateo and Mitchell. This is where things get a little difficult since you haven't met either of them yet. Then you noticed a pattern with everyone you have met. Mostly everyones name starts with the same letter as what they are, Dorian the door, Maggie the magnifying glass, and Betty the bed. You know that manta is a type of blanket and why would a blanket leave so many food based clues. You finally pieced everything together and tell Maggie your answer.

  "I don't know a Mitchell, but it's gotta be him !" Maggie agrees, all clues pointing to him finally being able to close the case. That was definitely fun and Maggie honestly is really cool and fun to hangout with. But you don't really see her more than a friend. While you have your dateviators on you noticed on the upper right hand corner that you have three hearts left for today you decide to use the remains hearts to meet new objects.

  You meet Mateo manta the blanket who you remember hearing about when you were with Maggie. He appears with white soft hair with a small swoop, tan skin, and dresses in cozy pajama like clothes with the same pattern as his blanket form. It appears he's looking for someone named Davi. You go up to ask him if he needs help. At first he felt hesitant feeling bad putting his responsibility on you but you reassure him its no problem at all. After meeting Mateo he asks you to talk to phonecia to spread the word of Davi you agree to talk to her tomorrow. After chatting with Mateo you make your way to the laundry room closet and activate the dateviators on your vacuum. He's definitely a handsome fellow though his clothes seem to be some sort of plastic armor and he wears an expression of concentration for holding his breath? He lets out his breathe and introduces himself as Hoove. You chat up a conversation with him getting to know him a bit more he seems nice and you'd like to get to know him more.

  As the night has made it's way you have one heart left. You walk around trying to decide who to end the night with. You can't decide for until you hear an odd sound coming from your AC vent. You activate the dateviators to see for yourself. You feel a cool breeze tickle the back of your neck knowing someone is definitely here but you can't seem to find anyone. You hear a sudden gasp coming from the vent. All you see is a pair of Brown eyes and a pair of hands. It doesn't seem like they are happy.

  "NO.. I ...why are you here? what are you doing?" he asks you.

  "Sorry did I scare you?" You felt bad for scaring the guy.

  "YES, you scared me" he shouts.

  "Don't you know who you are? What you are to me?" He whispers the last part to himself.

  You were confused, You assumed he made that noise on purpose to get your attention but that was apparently not the case. You honestly didn't mean to intrude or scare the guy.

  "I'm scared the way one is frightened when coming face to face with a divine force..." You are trying to listen to him but can't help but notice his voice. It sounds soft and smooth you could compare it to the texture of coco butter. 

  "Not now,Not here, Not yet! Please, Please, I'm not ready...not like this." Hearing the panic in his voice you start to back yourself away to give him space.

  "I've dreamed of this, of meeting you, finally...And now the moment is here, I...I just can't. Not yet." He looks to you.

  "I'll be ready when you come back." Before he disappeared.

  "Okay.. don't know what that was about but definitely staying clear from that guy..." You were left really really confused from that interaction, he said he's been waiting to meet you but isn't ready maybe its best to just give him his space. You take the dateviators off and head back upstair to your room. You strip not before making a barrier incase someone is watching you, and put on your pjs and plugging in your phone to charge ready to end the day. You feel your body drifting off still feeling a little guilty from your last interaction but you hope tomorrow will be better. 

  As you sleep away in another deep transmit you don't hear the commotion going on in the attic.

  "Oh my god oh my god oh my god" the mysterious AC vent figure from earlier seems to be freaking out even more than before as he vents (no pun intended) to his friend. They communicate through the vents with his friend in one room while he was in the attic. The friend resembles that of a fan. Her dark black kinky hair takes the shape of fan blades she still has the grill on that is decorated in pink ribbons she also appears to wear stickers all over herself, She seems very chipper and animated but in the right amount to comfort her dear friend.

  "Hey I'm sure it wasn't that bad, AT LEAST YOU GOT TO TALK TO THEM !" she tries conceal her excitement and reassures him.

  "No.. IT WAS WORSE" he's pacing back and forth in the attic as his hands running through his hair.

  "SO MUCH WORSE, I just freaked out and snapped and... this was our first interaction and I BLEW IT, she probably thinks I'm weird and hates me" he sighs feeling defeated.

  "She does not hate you, sure you might have freaked her out but she'll come around and come back" the happy fan trying to cheer him up.

  "She's such an amiable and friendly human! Even though I haven't met her yet, From my years of watching and admiring her I can tell she's not the type to turn away from someone just from one awkward encounter!!" the way this fan describes you is that of an obsessed fan and their idol. After hearing that he seems hopeful.

  "You think so? "

  "I know so I wouldn't have a fan club dedicated to her if I didn't think she was AMAZING!" She squeals as she talks about you. He smiles and agrees.

  "She is pretty great" He smiles and agrees.

  "Yes, and when you're ready I know she is going to absolutely love you" the vent blushes hoping his fan friend is right.

  "I hope so, thanks for listening Fantina."

  "Anytime my friend!"

  He sits and thinks a bit to himself. He really never expected this day to come and it just happened so fast he really wasn't prepared for you to talk to him so soon. Even though he messed up this time he is determined to make it up to you. He can't let you slip away he wants to, no NEEDS to finally talk to you. "Tomorrow will be a better day" he says to himself as he shuts off for the day. 

Chapter Text

  As the sun begins to rise sun beams enter your bed room through the window indicating it's morning now. You reach for your phone unplugging it seeing its fully charge, along side your charger you pick up the dateviators and place them on your face. You make your way to your closet searching for an outfit to start the day until you remembered you have no reason to dress up and can't leave the house.  You opt to wear your pajamas instead and head towards your bathroom to finish up your morning routine. As you're getting ready the air vent waits for you, hoping to be the first object of the day.

  He acknowledges that he might have frighten you yesterday and didn't mean to come off so hostile, he just became overwhelmed and nervous but he really wants to apologize and make it up to you. His eyes immediately land on you as you step out of the bathroom. To his surprise you completely miss him and head downstairs instead. He gives you the benefit of the doubt thinking you might not have seen him and makes his way downstairs. But when he arrives, he sees you already chatting with Mateo.  He decides to sit and wait until it's his turn. Minutes turned to hours and before he knows it, it's already night.  He begins to feel impatient and disappointed that you've avoided him all day. It's almost the end of the day and you have one heart left to chat.

  " Finally this is my chance." He eagerly waits for you gripping the grates with all his strength. His eyes widen as you turn around to go upstairs.

  " No problem I'll just meet her upstairs." He hurry makes his way upstairs. He torn going to your room or the gym. He picks the gym room and waits.

  You make your way upstairs debating to either go to your bed room or your gym. You take a second to decide. Meanwhile the air vent is growing restless by the second. Finally you made up your mind and head into the gym room. You look around trying to see anything that catches your eye. You see in the corner of the room that peaks your interest.

  " Yes yes please come to me." The HVAC system is practically begging on his knees for you. Each step you take is a beat in his heart. Finally start to activate the dateviators and aim for.... The fan.

  " Damn it." He sighs and makes his way back to the attic feeling defeated.

  The next day you went to talk to Fantina excited to be an honored guest at her fan club. You hear Fantina let out an excited little shriek as she sees that you have arrived.

  "AHHAHA YOU CAME! " She's even more excited than she was yesterday, which you didn't even know was possible. Fantina is just buzzing with excitement when she presents you an exclusive fan meet-up welcome gift.

  " You got me a gift? " They didn't have to but you very much appreciated the sentiment.

  " OF COURSE! You're the guest of honor today the fan club just wanted to express our immense and profound appreciation that you'd take the time out of your busy schedule to come and visit with us!" Fantina expressing intense enthusiasm for your acceptance for your gift. 

  You truly feel thankful and appreciative for such support. Fantina hands you a portrait made of pasta.  Not really what you expected but you very much appreciate and adore the creativity. You might have arrived a little too early since no one else is here yet.

   " Hey small question is the rest of the fan club coming soon? " You ask just out of curiosity.

  " Oh! Well actually this is the fan club!" Fantina responded.

  Very exclusive you thought to yourself but you honestly don't mind it. Fantina tells you the story of what had happened, in the beginning the club was founded by two people Fantina and some guy named Gary. They shared the job of organizing the meet ups but due to creative differences on a certain project they parted ways and Fantina became the sole leader.

  " You're disappointed aren't you." Fantina looks crushed thinking she has disappointed you.

  " No not all." You quickly reassure her that you are not disappointed and really grateful for everything she has done. You really didn't feel disappointed at all but Fantina felt otherwise.

  " I set up this big expectation and what did I deliver? " She really feels like she let you down. You reassures her that you very much appreciate everything she has done the gift, the club everything plus you had an excuse not to do laundry today.

  " I really do appreciate everything you have done." You place a hand on her back comforting her. She's surprised to know that you appreciate the rigatoni but feels better.

  " Thank you, it makes me happy to know you appreciate everything. Please let me make it up to you! "

  " If you'd be willing to give me one more chance and come to the next meet-up. I'd love to unveil that project I mentioned earlier." She offers her sincerest apologies again for getting your hopes up promises it'll be so worth it tomorrow. You accept her offer excited to see this project. You're about to leave when Fantina remembered something.

   " Wait before you go I want to ask a big favor ! " She shouts stopping you in your tracks. You turn your head to listen to this favor.

   " You see, my friend has been kinda going through something and having a rough time. I was hoping if you could go talk to him? I know meeting you could cheer him up! " 

  You are surprised at the request but its the least you could do for her after everything she has done.

  " Sure who's your friend? " You ask.

  " He's actually the HVAC system but you can just talk to him through the vents around the house! " Fantina instructed.

  You were taken aback at who she was talking about, the last time you talked to him it didn't really go so well. You were hesitant but agreed to help him out.

  " Thanks so much he will really appreciate this."  Fantina thanked you a ton and went back to doing her own thing.

  You head downstairs to meet up with Fantinas friend. Admittedly you feel a little anxious about this. The last thing you wanted was to upset him again so you decide to just stall a bit longer. You chatted with your tv who went by the name Telly. They are very interesting. Very animated, like all the tv personalities combined into one but honestly you liked it. During this interaction you can sense someone was watching but not in a stalkers sense but just the sense someone was waiting for you. You shake it off and continue talking to Telly.

  From the living room wall the figure in the vent is waiting with anticipation for your approach. But soon enough he starts to feel inpatient.

  " This is taking forever... I need to get their attention somehow " He tries to think of a way to get you to notice him. His eyes land on a framed picture hanging on the wall near by and got an idea. He starts to blow out air lightly causing the picture to sway. You look over to the wall for a second thinking you saw something move, but when you check again nothing happened. Shrugging it off you wrapping up your conversation.

  "Damn it so close" feeling irritated he tries to blow more air. The picture started swaying a bit faster but still didn't get your attention. Growing more inpatient he finally uses all his strength to blow all the air he can but not enough to freeze the house. Finally the picture to fall off the wall and on to the ground. Still oblivious you finished up with Telly and said goodbye. Suddenly you hear the sound of broken glass. You look around to locate where that sound came from. You see a framed portrait on the ground with a shattered glaze and pieces on the ground. You went to clean up the pieces and unintentionally eyed the grate. Taking a deep breath you activate your dateviators.

  Just as the first time you can only see his eyes and hands. He couldn't believe that his plan worked. Despite rehearsing for this moment and building up his courage all he could say was...

  " What do you think? " He appears to be more confident but deep down he was freaking out feeling a bit embarrassed from asking that.

  " I'm sorry what? " You were confused what did he mean by asking you that. This has only been your second time meeting and the first one didn't go so well you asked him to clarify his question.

  " Sorry It was the first thing that popped into my head... I was trying to ask what do you think of me as in how I appear." He sounds more gentle and amiable. All you see are his eyes and hands. Looking at his eyes something felt odd. Not in a bad way but something about these pair of eyes seem so familiar to you. Of course you understand everyone has known you for years but this time is different. You don't know why you feel this way never even met the guy till now.

  " You won't come out of there and let me see you? " You want to see what's pass the grate maybe looking at his face could jog your memory.

  " No, this is for the best." Without hesitation he declines to show himself. He clears his throat and properly introduces himself.

  " Hello, I am Hector Valentino Airnesto Condicionado, at your service. " HVAC what a coincidence you thought to yourself.

  " I also would like to apologize for my hostility last time we met, I wasn't really expecting you to approach me so soon." 

  " And hello to you too! I also completely understand, I didn't mean to startle you and I also apologize for that. It's nice to see or hear you I guess." His voice stands out to you the most aside from his eyes. It was soothing as morning fresh air but gave you the tiniest chills and goose bumps. Could him being an air conditioner be the cause of that?  You couldn't tell if he spoke like this naturally or forced himself to sound like this. Either way you were deeply mesmerized by Hector.

  " Yes! To hear me. I would wish you to understand, and if not understand then at least believe me when I say that hearing me is the most pleasurable way to meet for both of us." The way Hector spoke was that of a novelist. Each sentence having a purpose and though you weren't the biggest literature fanatic you still understood everything clearly. 

  " Seeing me..well, it's not a compliment to me...and it would be a great disappointment for you."  You couldn't understand why he wants to hide away, surely someone with such a gifted voice would want to show off to the world.

  " My greatest wish is to give you pleasure." You can't help but blush at his statement. Technically that is true. 

  " Tell me. How much do you think about me? " Hector asks. You try to think of answer for that. Before any of this you never really thought of your furniture or HVAC system. They were just everyday objects you've either found or that came with the house. You never thought of them as you would friends or family, thinking about what they were up too or how they were feeling. Hector continues before you could respond.

  " Now, yes I understand that our meeting in this way is so very new. For both of us. I truly never expected to be able to speak to you this way, face to grate."

  " That makes two of us. " You couldn't help yourself to joke a bit lighten up the mood. Fortunately Hector admires your sense of humor and chuckles. 

  " I have accustomed myself to the seemingly unavoidable reality that you would always be human and I would just be..this. "

  " But even as this, I have dreamed. And I would know... how much do you think about me? " You take a second and think. Hector has always cooled you down especially in recent years with global warming increasing. He also can keep you warm in the winter. Quite frankly every time you leave or come back to the house he is the first thing you go to and adjust.  If we are being honest you wouldn't want to live in a world without an HVAC system. One of mans greatest creations. You finally have your answer.

  " A lot are you kidding I love me some AC." Hector perks up at  your response his eyes looking at you with joy. Maybe it's your eyes playing tricks on you but you can almost see the faints bit of hearts coming through the grate.

  " Ah, and do you, I have noticed, I so look forward to you coming home on those hot summer days, the look on your face when you feel the first blast of chilled air upon opening the door." Hectors looks back on all the fond memories of cooling you down. He prides himself being able to satisfy you. 

  " Oh yeah. As soon as I get cooled down I feel better about life." You weren't exaggerating you really do feel better every time.

  " Yes. And when it is cold outside, and you walk in and you can slowly warm up and remove your coat, your hat... you can begin to get comfortable and relax into the evening ahead of you."

  " Hm. sounds like you're a fan of relaxing, too." Looking into Hectors eyes you feel your heart thump against your chest. Something about Hector has filled you with such a feeling of lust. Could it be brown adoring eyes or the smoothness of his voice. Either way you were under his spell. You continue to listen to Hector as he describes in detail how he it brings him join being able to bring you so much pleasure. 

  " I don't relax for myself. I... I can't. But for you, there is almost nothing I wouldn't do to help you relax. To watch the play of warm and cool across your skin." Hector continues on. 

  " I'm ahead of myself, I just never thought I would get to say this, and to say it to you. Let me explain..." You quietly listen to Hector as he tells you everything. 

  " You are the prime feature of my thoughts. Whatever power courses through me I turn to your pleasure. Whatever warmth or coolness I possess, I direct in full to your comfort. I wanted to meet you here, through the grates, because I wanted you to hear my voice. I want you to hear the melodies and resonance I create through these ducts and know that it is all and only another gift it honors me to offer you. I watch the play of air over your skin, and I feel deep joy that I have the air to give you. I adjust my own temperature and my intensity until I see the flush of contentment spread across your face, and then, then, I rest in contentment of my own. I never thought I'd be able to say this, and in a way you could truly understand...And now I have. My god..now I have." Hector beams with joy feeling accomplished. He had practice this conversation for hours trying to find the right words and now all that hard work has payed off. 

  " This is so hot." You meant to keep that to yourself but accidentally said it out loud. You look down in embarrassment hoping hector didn't catch that.

  " Hot no I would say I'm set to more of a temperate zone right now..." And he's funny talk about jackpot. You giggle at his response. The both of you can sense the passion that is in the air.You had crushes before but non of them have ever made you feel this way. You continue to talk for a while until he ask for a boon

  " Say nothing. Take this knowledge with you and promise me you'll ponder it. That you'll ponder me." You were left speechless from this overwhelming ecstatic feeling.  All could do was simply nod promising to think of him. And with that he leaves you utterly mesmerized by that interaction.

  You remember the broken picture frame and head into the closet for a broom and dust pain. Sweeping up the broken shards of glass and throwing them away. You return to the living room with a new picture frame. Fortunately it wasn't a picture of family or anything but it still had sentimental value to you. This picture was passed down to you from your grandma, it was an art piece of an aztec story of these two lovers popocatépetl and iztaccíhuatl. The picture shows iztaccíhuatl lying down on the top of the mountain with popocatépetl mourning her death besides her. You transfer the portrait to the new frame and hang it back up on to the wall. You stare at the portrait for a bit remembering the story your grandma/abuela would tell you of the two lovers and though sad you still love the idea of such a powerful and beautiful love resulting in a creation of a beautiful land mark. After cleaning up you head back upstairs smiling and heart still beating from that passionate moment you just experienced hoping to see hector again tomorrow. 

 Back in the attic hector was jumping with joy, so proud of himself for finally talking to you properly.

  " I DID IT I DID IT I DID IT! I owe Fantina a big favor for this." Hector soon gets ready for bed but not before he takes a peek at you in your bed " Until tomorrow mi vida." Placing a small kiss on his side of the grate hoping one day he could kiss you before heading back.

Chapter Text

   ~ Dream 

  You're standing in the middle of your living room its darker then usual there's no sky but only the faintest bit of light you think you're alone until you hear a familiar voice.

  " Of all the dreams I'd held of how this moment might've unfolded..." You feel a pair of hand on your shoulders but you aren't spooked by them but rather comforted by them. You also notice you are bare naked but you don't mind it . " That you would be attracted to me too, was surely the most fantastical." you can't see his face even if you tried you can only look forward but you know its hector. As he continues to talk you feel his hand slowly moving from your shoulder to your chest " I wonder how I knew it was you, What was the sensation that told me...you were IT."  You feel his hands gently kneading your breast. His hands felt soft but his fingers a bit cold however as he rubs your nipples between his thumb and index finger it stimulates such a euphoric feeling to your nether region. You bit your lip holding in your moans.

  " When you push my buttons, when you move my temperature setting up or down.." You can sense his face right next to yours, whispering in your ear. His hands travels from your breast to your thigh. " Can you understand what that does to me." You can only reply with a slight moan as you feel his left hand slithering to your inner thigh, close to your core but not close enough. " Telling me what to do and I am powerless to do otherwise.." You feel your entrance warming up and getting wetter the more he talks. Soon your legs begin to shake caused by his touch. " To know that I'm giving you precisely the thing you want fulfills me."

  " As soon as I fulfill your command, your desire, I become the one with the power." He finally places two fingers on your clit slowly rubbing it in a circle. You can no longer hold in your moans , letting them escape from your mouth.

  " You ask for chill, I watch the goosebumps play over your skin." He advances from your clit to your inner lips moving up and down along your walls feeling your moisture continuing to teasing you. " you ask for warmth, and I can almost feel you basking as the tensions of the moments that came before just melt away." As he talks you grow inpatient. You want to feel... no... you NEED to feel him inside of you. Finally he inserts his fingers into your pussy. You are overwhelmed with the sensation as his fingers go in and out hitting a really good spot you couldn't reach yourself. Your moans grow louder, letting him know how great he's doing. Its a little difficult for you to keep your balance but Hector holds you up. " Sometimes I even take it upon myself to shift my temperature and my intensity all on my own."

  Hector speed up and you soon feel yourself about to cum. With in seconds you moan the highest note possible and feel your damn breaking down releasing a great flood...

~End of dream 

  You open your eyes slowly seeing the sun light on the bed room walls indicating it's morning. But you don't feel exhausted, instead you feel almost refresh which is very unusual. Then again you didn't have that nightmare. You reach over to the night stand on the right and unplug your phone. Seeing that it's fully charged you then put on the dateviators ready to start the day. You look around but accidently aim the dateviators to the bed summoning Betty.

   " Well, well, well, someone looks rejuvenated today!" Betty greats you pointing out the change in your morning demeanor.

   " Thanks, I actually had a good night sleep for once." You flash back to your dream last night. You could still feel his hands on your body. Just thinking about it gets you worked up.

   " I can tell, you were tossing and turning all night long. But differently. " You snap back into reality as you hear Betty words.

  " Uh...What do you mean? " Betty couldn't possibly know that you had a sex dream...Can she?  Blush creeps up on your face. Quickly you try to set a poker face denying the truth. " I don't know what you're talking about..." 

  " It's okay dear, sex dreams are completely natural."  Even with Bettys reassurance you still feel embarrassed about it. Especially because you now know your bed has a conscience. You're curious on how Betty even knows that you had a sex dream. 

  " How did you even know..." You ask. 

  " Well, normally when you toss and turn its as if you're trying to escape. Like you're scared. But this time it felt like you wanted more, you were more at ease. Plus you were moaning." And with that your face turns completely red. Betty notices your face expression mixed with embarrassment and guilt. 

  " Don't be embarrassed... I'd love to hear all about it." Betty reassures you again that she is use to it and its completely natural. She sits on the bed her hand patting next to her directing you to sit. You sit next to her hesitant to share with her. You look around making sure the coast was clear you especially made sure he wasn't around. You tell Betty every dirty detail. The setting in the living room, the touch, and the voice but you withheld who's voice it was.

  " Wow a faceless figure sounds sexy, I know I've had a couple of those before." Betty is intrigued by your sexy dream.

  " It was honestly so hot I never really had a dream like that before."

  " You never had a sex dream? " Betty asked.

  " No, I have but this one was different..." Betty was confused but listened. 

  " It was different in a way that it didn't feel like just sex..." You try to think on how to explain your feeling. " It felt familiar ...  it felt right like I was with the right person." 

  " Ooh, a feeling familiarity but not knowing with who. I like it." Betty mused.

  You nod and form a small smile. Just thinking about it gives you butterflies. You flop on your bed looking up at the ceiling. You never really had this type of conversation with anyone. It's kind of fun to talk about this with another girl. As you're finishing up your conversation with Betty. Hector was chatting with Fantina in the next room over.

  " Thanks again for helping me Fantina I really appreciate it." Hector said with heart felt gratitude to his fan friend.

  " Anytime, Hector! I mean isn't y/n LITERALLY THE BEST ? I knew she'd lift your spirits up! " Fantina beamed with joy happy to have helped. Hector smiled something warm flickered in his usually composed expression.

  " Yeah...she really is." He looks down at the floor reminiscing about your interaction with him yesterday a slight blush dawned upon his face. Fantina watched him for a moment , a smile forming as she sees how lost in thought Hector is.

  " You know, I've noticed something about you lately, Hector." Fantina observed. 

  " What do you mean? " Confused by Fantinas statement. 

  " Come on you are in LOVE with y/n." Hectors eyes widened by that word.

  " Wait-what that's a pretty big assumption, do I admire her sure but I don't know about love..." Hector stutters while becoming a blushing mess. Fantina gives a knowing smirk.

  " Now I'm not saying I don't love her-because, hello president of her fan club here-but you? You are in L-O-V-E LOVE!!!" Fantina exclaimed. Hectors face turns pure red hiding in his steel turtle neck.

  " Uh-huh yep its definitely love." Fantina leans in with a Smaug look.

  Hector tries to object but can't think of a rebuttal. He ponders for a bit thinking of that word. Could he really be in love with you? You guys had only just started properly talking. Its impossible to fall in love that fast. Sure even before you had the dateviators your guys interaction were pretty intimate at least on his end but it couldn't be love. Fantina sees the conflicted look on Hectors face.

  " Can I ask you something? Aside from how amazing Y/n is, what about Y/n drew you in? " Fantina gently prompted. Hector thinks back to the day it all started.

  " Well, back when Y/n had newly moved in. She had just finished bringing in the last box. I could tell she was really exhausted by sweat on her forehead and her cheeks flushed from the outside sun. She walked over to the thermostat and turned on air conditioner. Then she turned to face me and that's when something changed..." Hector paused for a minute remembering that day as if it was yesterday. " I've provided warmth and cold for countless people over the years of this house. I've served quietly, efficiently, and never really thinking about it. But the minute she touched that dial and turned the air on...it felt like something inside me switched on.  When that cool air washed over her and I saw the instant relief - how she closed her eyes and smiled..." Hector let out a quiet breath " Something in the way she looked at me. Specifically her eyes looked so familiar. It just felt right. I don't know how to explain it, but it was like I'd known her before. It stupid I know." Hector shakes his head in disbelief feeling a little ridiculous. 

  "Awww! Hector that so romantic! It almost sounds like you guys were past lovers or something!" Fantina lets out a little squeal.  Hector chuckled rubbing the back of his neck " Heh... maybe in another life we were."

   The day was passing by fast, after meeting new dateables you had one heart left. You think for a minute on who to use it on. That is until your gaze meets the AC grate saving the best for last. You walk towards Hector aiming the dateviators to summon him.

  " Here you are." Hector greets you. Though you may not see it but behind the vents he is smiling ear to ear beaming with joy. "You keep coming back, it is somewhat of a surprise to me." You couldn't stay away from him even if you wanted to. Ever since meeting Hector its felt like he has this gravitational pull - subtle, constant, impossible to ignore.

  " How could I stay away from such a fine poet like yourself." You tease, you can hear the softest hitch in his breath he is definitely blushing. You wish you could see his reaction but atlas the barrier wall that is the vent is preventing you from seeing him. That's when the realization hit, how is it that you have yet to see his face, he hasn't even offered to show you once. You certainly can't just talk to him through the vent forever he has to show you eventually and hopefully soon. Hector interrupts your train of thoughts when he says something that catches you off guard.

  " Somehow it feels wrong. Like I'm going to lose it." You blink thrown off by the sudden shift in tone.

  " What do you mean by that hector? " You ask.

  " Surely, if you're lucky enough to get the thing you've always wanted, you cannot be lucky enough to keep it." You have a somewhat understanding of what Hector means but what's confusing is where this is coming from.

  " That's kind of a dark world-view don't you think? " Did something happen to cause such a sudden change in tone? Did you say or do something? Hector was not like this yesterday.

  " Does that not make sense for me? Grates and duct work, shadows. I can speak to you only from the darkness. I am always alone." Hector said in bitterness. " Can you not see that my world view would consequently be somewhat limited? "

  " Maybe... but you have Fantina and you have me? " You tread carefully.  He sighs, you can sense a softer shift in attitude. He knows you're right or at least wants to belive you. " And we can we meet somewhere else. No reason to only be talking like this right?" You ask gently.

  " There is nowhere else." Hector says flatly. You were about to give up when you remembered something.

  " Well, what about the attic? " you suggested. 

  " NO! Oh good god." Hector instantly refuses. You blink as his reaction startles you. You're starting to get fed up with him. Why does he refuse to show himself.  Hectors signs.

  " I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap I'm just afraid... Afraid of what you might think if you saw me." Hector looks ashamed. Something in you softens, now it all makes sense. You understand how Hector feels you've always been self-conscious of the birth mark on your chest hell back in high school and college you would refuse to sleep with anyone in fear of what they might think.

  " So you are in the attic." You say quietly. Hector doesn't deny it this time.

  " You're right. I am in the attic. The real me is in the attic." He continues with a shaky breath" But we have something here. We could have something real. It would break my heart to know all that could be lost in a single moment of laughing, or pointing, or even a disappointed cast to those beautiful eyes of yours." You really feel bad for hector, he wasn't hiding because he doesn't trust you its because he doesn't want to get hurt. You understand but you could never hurt him like that." I can't bear it. I won't. Come back to me here. Only here, do you understand? "

   "Alright, I understand. I won't pressure you into something you are not ready for. But hector... please know that I would never hurt or laugh at you. I know how you feel and I could never look at you with nothing but care. So when you're ready I'll wait for you." You look into Hectors eyes showing him that you're serious. 

" I'm going now. And where I go, is only for me." Hector leaves you alone. He heads back to the attic thinking of what you said. Could he trust you?  You walk away feeling despondent. Not exactly how you wanted this conversation to go. You hear the sound of a notification coming from your phone. You check to see who its from and much to your pleasure it's a message from your best friend Sam.

Sam: Heyyy how's unemployment going

You: I wouldn't call it unemployment its more of limbo.

Sam: Than how's limbo going?

  You are hesitant to tell Sam what's really been going on but you've know Sam for years and she can always keep a secret if you ask. 

you: It's definitely going, but the weirdest thing happened.

Sam: What happened???

You: If I tell you, you promise to keep it a secret.

Sam: My lips are sealed.

 You: I got these magic glasses that turn my furniture into hot people. 

Sam: I'm sorry WHAT???? Is this like one of your anime stories or something???

you: No I'm serious I like go on dates with these beings!!!

Sam: HA suuure any of these beings peak your interest ?

you: Well...

Sam: WAIT WHAT !!!

you: Okay there's this one guy. 

Sam: Lol okay what is he your bed? toilet? 

You: HVAC system... 

Sam: Ah of course.

You: I'm serious, he is so poetic and charming and I don't know why but I just have this strange feeling about him. 

Sam: Good or bad strange? 

You: Good, definitely good. 

Sam: What do you mean? 

you: Have you ever felt like you knew someone you never met. 

Sam: Can't say that I have. Is it like deja vu? 

You: Yeah something like that. Anyways, he's really is amazing but there's one problem. He won't let me see his face.

Sam: Wait how do you even talk to him?

you: I have to talk to him through the grate all I can really see are his eyes and hands.

Sam: Okay your either really high or just stretching the joke out!!!

you: I'm serious I don't know what to do. He also just snapped at me for even suggesting we meet somewhere else:((((((

Sam: Ok, ok, ok, just give him time he'll eventually open up just be patient with him.  You seem to really like him and I'm sure he'll come around again. I don't know what exactly happened but if you feel bad maybe apologize. 

You:  Your right. Thanks Sam you're the best. 

Sam: I know I am lol ;)

You: Can I ask you something else? 

Sam: Shoot away. 

  You think about what you're about to ask. Although Sam can judge sometimes she still cares and validates your feelings. 

You: Is it possible to idk be in love with someone you just met. NOT THAT I AM IN LOVE, just curious what you might think. 

Sam: It's not impossible if you know you know!!

You: Thanks again Sam good night !!!

  You get ready for bed and slip into the covers. You think about what Sam said and the possibility of love. You've never really been in love before and you don't want to mess it up. You don't think about it too much as you feel yourself falling asleep, you'll continue this tomorrow morning. 

Chapter Text

Dream segment ~

  The sun descended and the sky turns to an array of blues, purples, and orange as dusk is setting upon an aztec village. With the sun setting the village fills the narrow road with the beaming lights of torches all around as the air is thick with grief and sorrow. News has spread that the beloved jewel of the kingdom princess Iztaccíhuatl has died. While everyone in the kingdom mourned, Popocatépetl had finally returned home. He strode through the streets expecting a great celebration for his victorious win but was instead met with an uneasy feeling in his stomach. He can sense something wasn't right but couldn't figure out what.

    He decided to make his way to the palace for answers. That's when he saw a horrific scene, all the servants crowd around outside of Izta's chambers crying and whispering. As he steps closer to inspect the scene he sees Iztaccíhuatl dead body in bed with the emperor and empress by her side. Popocatépetl froze, he couldn't believe his eyes, it had to be a dream how could she be dead? What happened? How? Why? With all these questions swarming his head he steps back to leave trying to keep his composure together.

  "What a shame.." That's when he heard a familiar irritating voice "You won the war and yet... you can't even have your reward" That voice belong to none other than Xiuhpa. Popocatépetl and Xiuhpa have been rivals since birth always competing with one another and were certainly did not get along.

Popocatépetl glared up at Xiuhpa normally he would have a comeback for his insults but in this moment he was not in a great state of mind. "I beg you Xiuhpa I've suffered enough today"  . Xiuhpa just crossed his arms and smirked with satisfaction.

He makes his way closer to the grieving hero "you weren't even there for her" he continues to taunt him " what kind of warrior can't even protect the woman he claims to love?" Popocatépetl knew better than to listen to this nonsense. But in his sate of vulnerability he count ignore the comments. Xiuhpas words were sharper than any spear he held, they cut deeper than any weapon could.

  He tried holding back his tears but was slowly losing his grip. Without saying any other word Popocatépetl fled the palace making sure he was not seen by anyone else. He ran fast and far until he found himself near a stream. Deep down he knew it wasn't his fault. However Xiuhpas words kept replaying in his mind over and over. Popocatépetl looks down at the stream looking at his own reflection, what once was the bravest, fiercest, strongest warrior of the land was nothing more than a weak coward. Just looking at himself fills him with disgust and self hatred

  "You dare call yourself a warrior" he said looking at his reflection. He threw a rock in anger at the stream causing a big splash. No longer able to hold back he finally lets out a mighty cry, a cry so loud it would be compared to the roar of a jaguar. He looks back down noticing the moons reflection and the light that comes with, casting a glimmer on the water. Popocatépetls stare leaves the stream and up to the moon as he takes a deep breath.  

  "I'm sorry my love I should have been there for you why couldn't I just prove to your father some other way." He sees now how he wasn't even worthy of her hand in the first place. All of a sudden Popocatépetl got idea, to redeem himself for his lost love he will travel far and wide in search for the perfect tomb " I promise my princess I will not stop until your burial is as beautiful as you are". And with that Popocatépetl heads back into the palace ready to start the lengthy journey.

End of dream segment ~ 

   Hector opens his eyes, his vision is a little blurry and he can feel tears down his cheeks from his eyes. He blinks trying to refocus his vision and fully wake up. As he regains his vision he takes in the surroundings of the wooden interior in the attic and just the slightest bit of light from outside. He gets up and stretches out his steel and aluminum body ready to start the day.

  "Still same old dream I guess" Hector has had this dream for as long as he could remember but could never know what it means or why he always wakes up with tears. The dream use to only show up periodically but when you moved it the dream started to show up almost every night. He brushes it off as he has other matters on his mind.

  Hector couldn't stop thinking about how your guys last conversation had ended, specifically what you said " I know how you feel and I could never look at you with nothing but care. So when you're ready I'll wait for you." Those words stuck with him all night. Deep down he knows he has to show you, but what if you change your mind once you see him. He has been enamored with you for years and if you were to laugh at him that would break his heart. On the other hand you really don't seem to be the type to judge anyones appearance and it is your right to know who you have been talking to. There has to be a solution that would satisfy both parties. Hector brainstormed for a while. Until

  "That's it! I could just give her a slightly edited picture of myself, its still scary but she'll at least  know what I kinda look like and depending on her reaction I'll know if I can trust her!" Hector smiles at himself proud of his idea.

  He makes way to the office making sure you aren't there and opens the door and sees your computer Mac scouring the internet. It doesn't seem like they noticed Hector walk in."Hello Mac ?" Hector greets softly but loud enough to make Mac notice him. 

  Mac looks up from their screens excited to see Hector "Hector hey! Haven't seen you much around !" Mac is a wheel chair user accompanied by a pet mouse with black short hair and multicolored glasses and tattoos of binary codes, their attire includes a black short-sleeved button up with a pattern that resembles a keyboard, underneath the button up is a black shirt with two rainbow disc aligned vertically, for their bottoms black pants scrunched up at the knee, and finally they are rocking a pair of usb doc martins.

  Hector smiles shyly back "Yeah in the flesh...um I actually wanted to ask you something...a bit of a favor.." Hector stutters a bit nervous to ask.

"Of course what can I help you with ?" Mac was curious to know what could possibly drag Hector out of his vent space.

 "I w-was wondering if um you could help me...take my picture.."Hector gulps a little embarrassed to reveal his favor. Mac is surprised to hear such a request. For as long as they can remember Hector hates getting his picture taken

 "Uh yeah sure is that all?" Mac suspected that there might be more to this request.

  Hectors breaths in and out calming his nerves " Actually I would also like some help editing it please". His face flushes in red a little embarrassed for asking.

  Mac understood now " Could I ask why you need a picture of yourself?" They raise up one eyebrow intrigued with the reasoning for this. 

  "I want to give it to Y/n, we've been talking... a lot and things are getting serious and she wants to see what I look like... and I don't really want to let her see me , the real me but I also validate her feelings I'm just scared of what she might think of when she learns how hideous I am" Hector expression changes and is visibly clear that he feels shameful. Part of him feels bad having to lie a little about his appearance but ultimately he just wants you to love him. Mac feels bad and understands where Hector is coming from but wishes Hector could see himself the way everyone else does.

  "Aw Hector your not-" Suddenly Mac was interrupted by someone.

  "HAYYY BETCHES" All of a sudden a flamboyant personification of light comes into the room. They have natural bleached blond hair with what appears to be a ring light behind their head, along with a black and light yellow crop top using light bulbs as sleeves, it also appears that their torso is covered in LED lights making their way to their shorts as their leg braces shines light on top even their shows are glowing.

  "Hi lux…" Mac greeted in annoyance. 

  "Did I hear someone needed help with editing a photo??"  Lux asked. Lux wasn't necessarily bad but they did definitely have that influencer spoiled attitude with a pinch of mean girls vibe.

 "Yes but-" Mac gets interrupted again this time by Hector.

 "Wait you can help me ?" Hector looked at Lux with hope in his eyes.

 "Uh yeah I'm a pretty big I.N.F.L.U.N.C.E.R its basically my second nature" Lux gives a cocky smile flaunting their craftsmanship. Hector was a little hesitant but he is going to need all the help he could get

 "All right Lux could you help me?" Lux eyes widen and happily agrees to help.

  Lux pulls out their phone snapping a picture of Hectors face. The sudden camera flash catches Hector off guard as he blinks trying to regain his sight.

 "Oh hon YIKES... I mean what do you think?" Lux shows Hector his picture. 

 "Hideous..."  Hector looks at himself feeling the pit in his combustion chamber just seeing that picture fills him with utter disgust. Hector looks away not wanting to see it anymore.

 "Great Mac set up the abode shop!!!" Lux said gleefully ready to start this project. Mac reluctantly sets up the software. Lux uploads Hectors picture and sets up all the possible tools

  "Ok Hector tell me, What are your biggest insecurities" Lux looks over to awaiting his request. Hector starts to list off everything wrong with himself.

  "Well I don't like how round my face is."

  "Great Mac try sharping his edges" Lux commands. Mac rolls their eyes as they start to sharpen Hectors jaw line and cheeks.

  "I also don't really like how uneven my facial hair is" Hector touches his patchy chin always wishing for it to grow evenly. Mac and Lux fixes his facial hair making more even and a bit thicker.

   "My hair could also use some work maybe a bit longer?" Hector continues on. Mac makes Hectors hair longer on one side and shorting the other along with shaping his curls to appear more "neatly". Lux and Mac look at their finished work but not before lux can add a final touch

  " Hold on it just needs one last thing." Lux adds a simple filter that adds some highlight and blush finally finishing it off and printing it out.

  "And Done! How is it? Amazing right!" Handing the photo to hector. He looks at it stunned and amazed with the work he almost didn't recognize himself.

  "It's perfect thank you guys so much!" Hector and Lux leaves the office room. Mac feel guilty not being able to talk Hector out of this but is hopeful that maybe you will be able to slap some sense into him.

  While Hector was learning the art of photoshop you were making your way around the house meeting and befriending new dateables. Though you couldn't stop thinking about you and Hectors last conversation. You felt a little guilty for making Hector feel pressured into showing himself. You decided to go and apologize to him. You walk upstairs into your bed room and activate the dateviators on the vent above your closets summing Hector.

  "Y/n I'm so glad to see you!" Hector greets you warmly , he's been anticipating for your arrival.

  "I'm happy to see you too !" you smile at him relieved he wasn't angry. You noticed he has something in his hands but can't make out what it is.

  "I have been thinking about our last encounter and your feelings of wanting to see me are valid so I have found a picture of myself to show you."  

  You were surprised to hear that, he was finally willing to show you a picture of himself. Hector slips the picture through the grate, it slowly falls to your way but you have no troubles catching it.  With the picture in your hands you were eager to see him. Slowly turned the picture to reveal ... a heavily edited photograph of you assume his face?

  "This is my appearance. You can tell why I did not want to show it to you... I apologize for.... my appearance."  He must take you for boo boo the fool because this is so clearly photoshopped. You have a keen eye for this stuff thanks to your use of tuneface back in middle school. You look at Hector then back to the picture a couple times cementing your conclusion. Without a doubt this is not real so you ask Hector.

  "Is this a face filter?" 

"No no no no no. My filters are full of dust!" You admit that was funny but then got serious again.

  "Hector be honest..." He tries to ignore your question.

  "It was.. difficult enough to get this. The lighting in the attic is not the best." Hector doesn't make eye contact deep down he feels bad for lying. 

  You sigh just accepting it. If he really does look like this he really is handsome but you positive this isn't the real him. You don't want to hurt his feelings by looking disappointed so you decide to prematurely end this interaction before he suspects something is wrong.

  "Well you look good really, sorry to cut this short I need to turn in for the night."

  "Is something wrong?" Hector wasn't expecting that kind of reaction he was sure you would be happy to see this. He could tell from your expression that you were disappointed. He started to panic of the possibility of you not thinking he's good looking enough even with an edited photo.

   "No no I just ... " you sigh hesitant to finish your sentence in fear of starting an argument.

  "I just wanted to come and apologize to you for yesterday. I really didn't mean to make you feel pressured into something you are not comfortable with." You continued "If you really never want to show yourself to me then I respect your boundaries." You look into his eyes with genuine remorse. Hector was stunned to hear this , you apologizing for his personal problems? You didn't even care for the picture. Hearing you apologize honestly made him feel shitty.

  "Well, I will see you tomorrow then" you turn to walk away that's when Hector reaches out calling for you.

  "WAIT! WAIT! Please don't leave... it is a filter... actually it's very heavily edited." Hector sighs ashamed in himself, he doesn't want to loose you over his personal issues its time he grows a pair and face this head on.

  "I'm sorry for not being truthful with you" You turn back around to listen to hector. He sounded really was sorry.

   "Actually I've been thinking a lot as well and..." you look back up at the two eyes in the grate.

  "About what?" you ask.

  "About courage and I've been playing and replaying our last conversation in my mind.. and all I can feel now is shame!" You were taken aback by that word.

  "Whoa shame? Why do you feel that way? Is it my fault?" Your eyes widen concerned for Hector you hope that you didn't cause him to feel that way. Hectors notices the worried look on your face.

  "No absolutely not, It's because of how much I said!" Hector reassures you that it wasn't your fault, it's all on him. You can tell there's something else bother him something deeper.

  "Ugh, I was so frightened and I'm ashamed to have been frightened to the point I gave you a fake picture..." You don't say anything but continue to just listen to Hector.

  "And I'm ashamed now that you know that you have seen that part of me!" He continues " I feel as though I want to crawl more deeply into my own ductwork and hide my eyes" He looks away from you in embarrassment.

  You reach out and held his hand understanding he's in a venerable state. His eyes look back at yours he can see how sympathetic you are it makes his heart skip a beat. You not going to judge him and you really care for him. He finally realizes he can trust you. He takes a deep breath and continues to hold your hand.

  "If there is no way to make the shame go away, then I will just have to make the reason for the shame to go away. If I cannot treat the symptom, I must treat the disease. And I'm wondering...will you help me?"

  "Yes of course" Without any hesitation you agree. Hector is relived to hear this answer.

  "Splendid here is what I need. I do not let myself be seen. I become quite frightened... I have even been known to become aggressive if I am seen at all, but most especially without my permission. This has been my way for longer than I care to admit." Hector avoids eye contact again and his hands start to fidgeting a bit. 

  "Do you know why you feel this way?" you ask usually there tends to be a backstory or some type of explanation for causing such self hatred maybe a bad memory?

  "I wish I had something of more substance to back it up. It feels strange to wish that something had happened to me to make me feel the way I do... kinda feels like I was "born with it". You nod making it apparent you are listening to him and taking in every word.

  "I love being what I am. I am a complex system of ducts and vents that brings air, literal life, to the home of the person I love. But for such a miraculous function, I have always wished that I looked more the part. Do you understand what I mean?" You actually did, You understood perfectly how he felt. 

 "I do actually, Your self conscious about the way you look." Hector smiles relieved to know that you truly do understand

  "Yes! I do not think the that the way I look, is enough. I wish I were better. I wish I were more. Maybe just... maybe just I-I wish I were... Ahem, I wish I were different." You hear Hectors voice begins to crack, you rub his hand trying to comfort him and spoke up.

 "I know exactly how you feel Hector" Hectors eyes widen what could a beautiful person like yourself be self conscious about

 "I have this really weird birthmark on my chest and for years I never let anyone see it to the point that...it has honestly stopped me from... you know being ... intimate" You face turns red in embarrassment you originally planned to take that to the grave but Hector needed you. He looks at you with pure amazement the courage you have to share that makes him feel better this gives him the courage to do something he never thought he could do.

 "I don't want to have my fear be the dominant force in my decision making anymore. I just... I don't think it's a way to thrive. I want more than my fear." Hector takes a deep breathe, using all his courage to finally tell you something you'd never thought you would hear.

  "So I have to confront the fear and the only way I can think of to do that is to... let you see me the real me. So I am inviting you to the attic." You couldn't believe it was he serious is he really letting you see him.

  "Hector do you mean it?" Making sure he wasn't lying again. 

  "Yes I want you to come up, and I want to meet you, and I want you to see me...and we'll just have to see if the fear can hold out when I've decided to be brave." You were proud of Hector for taking this big step. You accept his invitation.

  "Yes! I'm in thank you for the invitation!" Your smile beams with joy and excitement. Seeing you excited makes Hectors heart beat fast with utter love especially if its because your excited for him. He doesn't know if he will regret this decision later on but for now he is proud of himself and can't wait to properly meet you.

  "Wonderful! Oh god. Now I am nervous!"

  "So am I! But you got this I believe in you" You place a small kiss on his hand causing him to be a blushing mess.

  "I will see you soon" Hector leaves for the night preparing himself for tomorrow.

  As for yourself you head into bed but couldn't sleep you were just too excited. But if you sleep now the day will come sooner. You close your eyes to help you fall asleep faster. You dream of the turn out tomorrow, you honestly didn't have any expectations for Hectors appearance you know that you will love him no matter what. You successfully drift off to sleep ready for the morning.