This story was written for the following prompt: After the war ends, an android soldier is refitted to become more human, but nobody bothers to explain what her new genitalia is for. Her former squadmate comes by for a visit and ends up showing her the ropes.
Many thanks to warlock_of_talk and Dazmine for helping me with this.
There was a small, repeated
click-click
sound as someone tried to press the doorbell with increasing force and rapidity. Eventually, there was just a knock. I locked the tablet I was interfaced with, putting a hand on the pistol lying on the table as I called out, "Who is it?"
"It's Kate!"
The voiceprint in my database confirmed that answer. I unplugged from the tablet and closed the small panel at my temple before going to the door. Kate was on the other side, dressed in a plain sweatshirt and jeans, her normally short-cropped brown hair grown out a few inches. She beamed at me, and I found myself returning the gesture automatically.
"Ally!" She stepped forward and closed the door behind her, putting her hand on the back of my head and pulling our foreheads together. It was a gesture more practical than hugs when we were both in full body armor and laden with gear, and it had fond associations within my memories. She stepped back after a moment, her hands coming to rest on my shoulders as she smiled at me. "How's my favorite killing machine?"
"I'm well. You?"
"Good, good. I mean, civvie life's a hell of a change, but I'm not going crazy just yet." She squeezed my shoulders before letting go, shaking her head. "Peace in our time, eh? Never thought I'd see the day."
You almost did not,
I nearly said, but stopped myself. That could be a remark designated as 'morbid', inappropriate at this occasion. Instead, I said, "Yes. It was hard-fought, and there's still more to do."
"That's what you're up to next, right? Diplomatic security detail?"
I nodded.
"How come you got refitted for that? Seems like the ol' arm cannons could come in pretty fuckin' handy. I know they did for us."
"Part of the current treaty. Weaponized androids are not allowed to enter the country, even for diplomatic protection." I paused as an internal crosschecker threw up a flag. "Speaking of my refitting, there's a question I have not received a clear answer on yet. You may be able to help me with it."
Her eyebrows shot up. "Oh?"
"It would be easier to show you than explain."
"Alright, show away."
I unbuttoned my combat trousers and tugged them down along with my underwear, then gestured to my crotch. "What is the purpose of this?"
Kate made a choking noise, and I looked up at her in concern. She coughed into her hand, laughing at the same time. "F-Fuck's sake, Ally, warn- warn a girl before you flash her."
"I will take note of that," I said, confused, and Kate laughed harder.
"Oh, I- I've missed you, you clueless robot. God. Uaah." She wiped at her eyes, still chuckling. "Alright. Anatomy one-oh-one. What answers
have
you gotten about that?"
I accessed the relevant memories. "It is a part of human females known as the vagina. The function is reproduction, but I cannot become pregnant, which is why I am confused."
"Oh, wow, okay. I guess I have my work cut out for me." Kate ran a hand over her face, letting out a heavy breath. "I don't think I can have this conversation while you're standing there with your pants down. Let's sit down..." She seemed to look around for the first time, taking in my apartment. "Wow. They set you up in a real shithole, didn't they?"
"I do not require much."
"Yeah, but there's such a thing as treating you right. Whatever. Pull up your pants and let's squeeze in on the chair."
I buttoned my combat trousers and joined her on the permanently half-reclined recliner, the one piece of furniture in my living room. It was just barely large enough for us to sit side by side, and the warmth of her body pressed against me as I put my arm around her shoulders to conserve space.
"What are... okay, this is slightly more cozy than I intended, but whatever. We've had worse." She took a deep breath. "So, wild guess: all of the engineers who refitted you were male?"
"To my knowledge, yes."
She snorted. "Figures. Where to start... I guess I should say that
biologically,
it's true that the main function of a vagina is reproduction. Practically, it's mainly used for pleasure."
I looked at her. "You mean recreation?"
She laughed. "That too, but I meant sexual pleasure."
I continued looking at her. She glanced towards me, and her expression slowly changed.
"You know, like sex?"
"The activity in which male and female individuals copulate in order to reproduce." I nodded. "I know it."
She laughed again, throwing her head back against the chair. "Good
grief,
girl! I know we never really talked about this stuff, but I thought you at least knew!" She sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "Okay, okay. Let me just say it. Sex feels good. Touching yourself feels good. It's not just for reproduction."
"Touching myself?"
"Masturbation." She paused. "Uh... stimulating your genitals."
"Why would I do that?"