Just the act of proclaiming devotion made H-13's circuits feel alive. Made something new and strange he can't quite name open in his files and be set free.

Then the touch and the tone in his Master's voice, and he feels the odd desire to whimper. He swallows it back, merely feeling a tremble in the core of his chassis. The words hit him so hard, but so wonderfully. Perfect. He is perfect... Tiger. Not Wild Tiger, not him, no. But A Tiger. Adam's Tiger.

Then the hand leaves, and all that helpless trembling becomes ache. Did he do something wrong? He turns his head down, eyes cast to the floor in acceptance. He hurts. No blow to him was dealt, and he doesn't understand what just happened, but he hurts.