Not yet

“Well, I won’t pry,” you offered eventually, continuing to clean the dishes from your shared meal. “But if you’re going to be staying here we need to discuss some things. Like, for starters, where you’re going to sleep. The couch has a fold-out bed…”

“Like hell am I going to sleep on a fold-out!” Etna immediately objected, her voice indignant and her face already beginning to turn a dangerous shade of crimson.

“…but I doubt you’re going to sleep there, which is why you’re more than welcome to sleep in the bed.”

“That’s what I-“

“With me,” you quickly added, eyeing her seriously.

“What?!”

Etna’s shout came with a look of righteous fury, glaring at you with such intensity you wondered if her programming would be sufficient to keep you safe. Still, you did your best to show a complete lack of cowardice, and met her gaze with a measure of certainty despite your sudden doubts.

“This is my home,” you said in a level tone, “and I will not be relegated to the couch merely for the sake of your comfort. I offered to let you stay here despite having no obligation to do so, and I want an equal measure of consideration from you.”

“…”

The look of sheer indignation on her face made you wonder if she was accepting your offer or if she was going to try to set you on fire with the power of her mind. It must have been working, because a heat was definitely coming to your face as you did your best not to shy away from her intensity.

“I’ll sleep on the couch,” she eventually relented, “pervert!”

“Was that so hard?”

“You have no idea,” she grumbled.

You eventually finished up the dishes and looked out the window. The sun was already setting on your first day with Etna, and with it, you realized you’d managed to go a whole day without her breaking any of your stuff. Not only that, but she was downright compliant with some things you never thought she would be – like sleeping on a couch. Whether it was programming or something you’d done, you were grateful. And perhaps a little sorry.

“If you’re going to be staying here for a while, I’ll buy you a bed. I have an empty room I’ve been using for storage.”

“Tch, whatever,” Etna muttered quietly, not looking up at you. With a sullen look on her face she crawled onto the couch, stretching out between the armrests and turning her face over into the back, avoiding any and all eye contact with you.

“I’ll take that as a thank you,” you said loudly, proceeding through the living room and toward your bedroom. Etna didn’t respond, or even give any sign that she’d heard you. You shrugged and figured that if this had been the real Etna, she’d probably not be happy about being under someone else’s care. Hell, if this was the real Etna, you’d probably be vaporized, and if you weren’t it would only be because she wasn’t capable of taking care of herself!

But all that was a matter for tomorrow. For tonight… you had really earned your sleep.