Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

.
..
…

February 17th 11:52:36am

“Afternoon lieutenant” Connor says, his normal cheery robotic voice spoke from behind Hanks desk chair, making him jump in his seat.

“Connor! Jesus, when did you get here?” Hank says spinning in his char to look at the android. Connor sported a jacket much like his older one, bulkier, less formal and minus the glowing text. He still had his LED on his temple, though had started to cover it with beanies and hats though hank noticed. He didn’t want to bring it up with him though, the two hadn’t spoken about him deviating. Connor got offered a job by fowler with hanks recommendation a few week after the uprising. It went unspoken from basically day dot, Hank had assumed he had deviated sometime during the uprising, he didn’t want to being upon any traumatic thing that happened, even if he was an android.

“Just now, but uhh just so you know lieutenant, I’m gonna go do the door to door interviews from the apartment place where that girl was murdered, like you suggested.” They hadn’t been getting any new leads, they didn’t want another case to go cold, fowler was already a pain in the ass enough, adding whatever another cold case onto his desk would not be a good run for the two.

Hank inspected Connor with a raised eyebrow and a sip of his coffee. He grimaced as the icy cold coffee washed down his throat. He looked down to see Connor fiddling with his coin in his right hand.

“Yeah, yeah, hurry up.” Hank shooed him off with his hand ushering him to go and do what he wanted. It had been 2 months since the uprising. Hank— although reluctant— secretly did like Connor, he was quite a joy to be around. He seemed to smile more, less robotic, he would sit more relaxed, his hands leaning on the window or the arm rest instead of his knees in the car. His shoulders a little less straight now. Hank honestly would forget he was an android if it weren’t for the constant remainders by everyone around them.

.
..
…

February 17th 4:38:59pm

Hank had no leads, it was about 4 hours since Connor left. He’d finalised a cases paperwork from two days ago. At least fowler might be a bit less tense now, knowing that bastard, probably not. He started typing out the report for their current case to get it over and down with to finalise when they could.

“Hank!” Officer Miller called out, hank turned on his chair to where his uniformed co-worker ran up to him. He furrowed his eyebrows as he looked at his panic expression, Hank was more tired than a hibernating bear, having worked on this paper work for more that 4 hours at this point.

He dropped his tablet and spoke, “For fucks sake Chris, somebody better be dying.”

Chris stopped walkng and his face dropped, “Well.. its not quite someone.. Connors been attacked.”

Hanks face fell, he thought about what he said for a few second, “Fuck, what happened, Chris?” Was Connor okay? Who did it? He stood up, grabbing his jacket and putting it on. Chris started walking towards the door of the precinct, hank following as his arm entered its sleeve.

“He was doing door to door interviews at the apartment that girl got killed at, someone found out he was an android, wasn’t too happy and from the camera in the hallway,” He explained as they got to Chris’s car. Hank questioned if Connor was alright again in his head, “I don’t know much, I was told to get you ASAP so I left before he woke up.”

They drove silently, only mentioning details of the cases they where working on briefly. Hank was lost in thought for most of the way there. Once they arrived Hank got out of the car thanking his friend, and walking into the building. There was an ambulance outside, although this one seemed to be modified, filled with blue blood and other android items. When he got up he entered the apartment, Gavin was there along with a few crime scene investigators. The apartment was a mess, there was rubbish on every available surface, weird stains on the carpets, and an ugly bastard in the middle of the room.

“Detective Reed, What the fuck are you doing here? Wheres Connor?” Hank said as he eyed him like he’d smelled something bad. Gavin put his hands on his sides, cocky and smirking like a dipstick. He started speaking saying some dipshit comeback that hank didn’t have the time nor the care for. Hank turned to look around the room, looking for signs of where the owner was. When he heard Gavin say something about Connor he turned back to listen to him.

“… Connor got shanked by the low life, dragged into this dingy place.” Gavin finished, Hank rolled his eyes asking where Connor was again for what felt like the 7th time this evening. Gavin pointed him to the spare bedroom down the hallway of the apartment. “He’s had a glow up too Anderson, looks less robotic now!”

What the fuck does that mean?? Hank thought, rolling his eyes and walking away from the egotistical monkey. When he entered the guest bedroom there was a female paramedic, dressed in navy and black. On the arm that rested on Connors shoulder she had a tattoo that started at her elbow and went up under her rolled sleeve. She looked young.

Connor was facing away from the door, the paramedic was working on something on Connors right side, “Connor are you awake for me buddy? Your Thirium levels should be restoring themselves now.” She eyed Hank, as he lent on the door way waiting for her to finish up. She handed Connor a silver packet that was shaped like a capri-sun. He leant forward in his chair.

“Thank you Alyssa.” Connor spoke, his voice hoarse but easing Hanks nerves a bit. He grabbed the packet ripping the corner open. The paramedic— Alyssa, nodded at hank as she stood up grabbing her bags, moving her chair to the side. As she turned to grab her jacket Hank saw her LED framed by her bleached highlights. Hank wasn’t surprised to be frank, she smiled at Hank as she left the room.

“Drink that please Connor, I hope you recover well.” She called out as she left the back end of the apartment.

Connor slumped down in his chair, placing the packet in hands on the ground. His hands found his face, dragging down them, fidgeting over the side of his head that was blocked from hanks view. He wondered if he was injured there, about to take a step into the room before Connor spoke.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck, you’re soo fucking stupid.” Connor spoke to himself, his body sliding back in his chair with the help of his hand on the bed. Hanks hands went limp, he didn’t know what to say, he stayed still in the doorway. Connor groaned, cussing himself out more, leaning forward in his chair to perch his face into the palm of his right hand, resting his elbow on his knee.

Hank decided to man up, knocking on the frame of the door. Connor turned in his seat, facing the door with his left side, his eyes widened as he saw his partner, “Lieutenant! I Uh- I didn’t mean to let him get away, I didn’t know he was the guy—“ Connor stopped talking as he saw the usually confused Hank expression on his face.

“What the fuck Connor, thats what you’re worried about? I heard you got stabbed and your blabbering on about the case still!” Hanks spoke in a reprimanding tone, coming around to sit on another chair that Alyssa had previously been using, sitting on Connors left. Hank studied Connor, a hole in his shirt that was stained blood blue, his hand closest to him seem to have been sore by the way Connor cradled it by his side. He couldn’t see what Alyssa had been checking on from Connors left side. The android didn’t fully face him, looking in front of him and not directly at his partner.

Hank took a deep breath, calming himself and turning to a more caring—still stern but non the less caring tone, “Connor, are you okay?” He asked making eye contact with him as Connor loosened up a bit.

“Yeah.. a little tired..” He answered, “uhm, he opened the door he opened it, and answered a few questions, when I spoke of Amelia, the girl from a few floors down, he totally freaked, pulled out a shiv… he uh didn’t like the colour that he saw on his weapon I suppose.” Connor was quite not looking at hank. “He pulled me into his apartment and I tried to hold not the door jam, getting my fingers slammed in the door jam. I guess someone called the police because he fled out the front door from the sirens.”

Hank nodded along with him, he picked up the blue blood packet from the ground handing it to him to drink. “Anything else, Connor?” He asked again with a soft spoken tone, relieved a bit by Connors willingness to talk to him like this.

“He uh, got the better of me for a bit and pulled my LED out.” Connor turned his head to the side, allowing his right side to be seen. Hanks eye widened, the spot where his LED was was covered in drying blue blood, the skin relatively seamless from where it was, the artificial skin doing quite fine. Hank know a lot of deviants didn’t keep their LED, he’d only seen a handful who did, mostly the ones who had jobs, lives, already before deviating.

“How do you feel about that?”

“Sorry lieutenant?”

Hank fidgeted with his pant leg a bit, “I mean, how do you feel without your LED, I know you kept it even after… you know.. are you bothered?”

Connor pondered his question for a second, “I mean yeah I am kinda bothered, not that its gone, that I didn’t have.. a choice? If that makes sense.” He rubbed the spot of where it was, dried blue blood coming off onto his fingers in flakes.

Hank nodded, “I’m sorry you didn’t get a choice Connor. At least now you don’t have wear that stupid beanie too low on one side.” He attempted to joke, Connor smiling slightly at the comment, pulling the beanie from the bed next to his chair.

“Hey I like that beanie, don’t diss whats trending.” Connor kept a smirk on his face, before dropping it back into his palm. Hank patted him on the shoulder, attempting to comfort him.

“Do you think it was him that killed that girl, Amelia?” Hank questioned.

“Oh no doubt, his shiv was that same length as the depth of the injuries on her chest. Plus he was super sketchy when I even mentioned that I was apart of the investigation.” Connor spoke, opening up a bit more from his nervous behaviour. Hank was taken a back for a second, he was about to say something when Gavin walked into the room.

“Anderson, patrol has arrested a male, 5’11, caucasian, covered in blue blood and injured.” He took a few steps away from the door frame as he pulled up the image of the man. Hank stood up walking over to Reed interested in what he had to say.

“Thats him.” Connor spoke looking at Detective Reeds tablet in hand. Gavin ignored him, turning to hank instead.

“Alright then, I’ll take him in for questioning tomorrow since it getting late, be there early. Without him.” Gavin glared at hank, motioning to Connor as he turned out into the hallway.

“Fucking cocksucker,” Hank spoke, pulling out his tablet to see the forwarded report. Connor started to get up stumbling over to the lieutenant in protest, “Woah woah no, Connor! Sit down you’re hurt, thats an order.” He grumbled as he pushed Connor backwards towards his seat.

“Lieutenant, I have to finish the case tonight! I’m on the case as well I need to be in that interrogation!” Connor stumbled into his seat hissing as he accidentally used his left hand as leverage.

“Connor, just stop for a second.” Hank sat himself down in the same spot as before. He looked at Connor, his jacket and beanie were stayed on the bed, his shirt unbuttoned on the bottom, probably so Alyssa could see his wound. He looked frazzled, hair a mess, and eyes fluttering closed every few moments.

“You need some sleep, Connor. You look like your about to slump over in that chair. Look let me take you come.” Hank said as he grabbed his beanie and jacket.

“Uhm, technically speaking, lieutenant, androids don’t sleep they rather—“ Connor makes eye contact with the annoyed looking grumpy old man infant of him. He decided to shut up grabbing his jacket from hank and throwing it over his shoulders. Hank helped his hurt arm into the sleeve gently.

“Where are you staying Connor?” Hank asked as Connor stood up, balancing on the bed before levelling himself out. Connor didn’t answer him staying quiet.

“Connor, I spoke to you.” Again Connor didn’t answer, twisting nervously as he looked at Hank. When he made eye contact with hank, his mouth was agape, he looked panicked.

“Connor, where are you— where do you live?” Hank pressured him again, he didn’t want to think the worse.

“I’m not… Markus has been letting me stay at some of the shelters he’s started but.. its pretty hard to get someone who wants to rent to a deviant. And a lot of the androids at the shelters know roughly who I am so it gets a bit awkward to say the least so..” Connor fidgets with the seam of his jacket again, turning away from hank.

Hank doesn’t say anything, just puts his hand on Connors back, ushering him to follow him.

“Lieutenant, I—”

“Shut up.” Hank wasn’t angry, when he made it to the living room of the apartment he actually waved off to a few of his coworkers with Connor in tow. Connor didn’t say a word as he followed his partner. When they stepped into the elevator Hank dropped his hand from back to press the ground floor. When the ding rang in the elevator, they stepped out into the lobby and Hank motioned his hand to Connor to be handed the keys for the patrol car he took to the apartment. They got into the car silently Connor looked over to his partner wanting to know his thought process. He tapped his knee with on hand, the other resting on the window.

“Can I ask where we are going?” Connor spoke, looking at hank.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Connor listened to his partner, he didn’t sound upset, more concerned. Hank had assumed that at least after the first month on the job he would have had his own place, he’d have been paid then. Right? Connor tried, he was a unique model so he didn’t look like an android but if it wasn’t for his ID being labeled with Android all over it, his LED, and him feeling obliged to tell the owner, he might have gotten a small unit somewhere. He didn’t have much of a choice of where he was staying. Markus has tried to help Connor, but its always felt forced whenever he’s around other androids, not natural.

“I didn’t think it was worth saying, you couldn’t have done much.” Connor said, he didn’t intend to be as cold as he spoke.

“Fuck off Connor, I would have helped you get a place! Fuck you could slept on my couch and not on the streets!” Hank swerved slightly on the road around hard rubbish, eyebrows scrunched, tense.

Connor stayed silent, his arms moving back to his sides, hands resting on his knees. Hank looked over at the passenger, seeing the anxiousness he emitted from him. Hank sighed, “You’re staying at mine tonight. You’re getting some sleep.”

Hank kept his eyes on the road not looking at Connor. Connor took a deep breath, fidgeting with his hands, he turned his head glancing at Hank as he drove. He didn’t know what to say, if thanking him or just accepting it was better.

“Are you gonna keep staring at me like I’m the fucking Mona Lisa or are you gonna say something?” Hank spoke with his usual witty remarks to Connors behaviour.

“Thank you, lieutenant.”

A few minutes passed before Hank spoke again, “hows your.. blood… doin’? Got enough?”

Connor blinked a few times, his eyes fluttering as he processed, “82%”

“Is that enough?”

Connor thought for a second, brushing it off, “yeah i’ll need some more maybe in a few days to top up, but it should be fine.”

“Okay…”

Connor should feel the tenseness of Hank, “is there something that you’d like to talk about, lieutenant?”

Hank relaxed into his seat as he drove. He breathed in a full lungs worth of air, sighing instantly. “Look, Connor, I worry about you. You’re reckless, you still act like your inferior to humans, I know I’ve kinda ignored it but you deviated Connor, you show empathy, you feel things.”

“What are you asking of me now? That I what?”

“That you talk to me Connor. What was it like for you when you deviated?” Hank spoke as they pulled into his neighbourhood. Connor stayed silent, he wanted to open up, he wanted to share all his experiences with someone. He felt so out of place, he was scared, he felt things.

“It started with the roof top chase. Even though you had an almost 90% chance of surviving I still helped you. Told myself it was because I needed to earn your respect so I could complete my mission.” Connor kept going thinking back to 3 months ago.

“Then at the Eden Club, with those girls, I just.. couldn’t, they were so in love, I couldn’t take them from each other. I felt so bad” They were a few streets from hanks house now.

“A-and then on the roof top of the station. I felt that deviant die, I was sacred, the feeling was so strong, I was traumatised and I just—“ Connor was almost crying now, wiping his face with his non injured hand. He didn’t look over at hank the entire time he spoke.

“Then Chloe, I mean I just couldn’t do that. It was like all these things made me question my orders, I kept going against my orders, I was such a failure. I am.” Connor sniffled looking out the window of the car as they pulled up.

“I decided that that was it, I made it into Jericho and I had my gun trained on Markus and its like I finally broke through all these conflicting orders and I snapped.” Connor couldn’t hold in the tears, sniffling, and wiping his face.

“I was so sacred and I just wanted someone, I needed something to fix it, I had never felt so much, like a filter had been taken off and it all came flooding in. I-” Connor sobbed through his last sentences.

His mind was snapped out of what he was thinking when Hanks door slammed shut. He watched as he walked around the car opening Connors door. Hank reached into the car pulling him out by his jacket, his arms wrapping around his shoulders as Connor stood up out of the car. “I’m sorry son, you didn’t need to go through that alone.” His gruff voice echoed in Connors head, his sobs growing louder as he leaned into the taller man. He hadn’t cried like this before, he held in his emotions till now, like a dam had been released from the worlds biggest river.

After a few minutes Hank started to pat his back shushing him, “Come on son, lets go inside, you’re tired.”

When Connor pulled away, his eyes where puffy and his eyes were drawn blue. He covered his face with non sore hand, rubbing his eyes with the heels of his hand. Hank put his hand on Connors back, leading him inside like he did at the apartment building.

When they entered, Hank kicked off his shoes at the front door, and pulled his jacket off hanging it on the hat stand. Hank sat him on the couch ushering him to take his jacket off and throwing it over the ottoman with his beanie. Connor laid down on the lounge, taking his shoes off and placing them next to the lounge near his feet. Hank returned with a blanket a few seconds later throwing it over the boy. Connor watched him, about to say something.

“Don’t, just get some sleep, well leave early tomorrow to interrogate that guy.” Hank said as he started to walk towards his bedroom, turning his kitchen light off, leaving the hallway one on.
Before he left Connor called out, “What about what Detective Reed said?”

“Oh he can go fuck himself till the cows come home.” Connor smiled and chuckled at that, rolling over to get comfortable.

“Goodnight, Connor,” His voice was gruff yet soft, a hint of laughter in his tone.

“G’night, Lieutenant” And he was asleep.

Chapter Text

.

..

…

February 18th 7:51:09am

Connor shot up from where he was laying his eyes searching around him quickly. Where am I? What time is it? His internal clock said it was 7:51:22am. He turned to look next to him when Connor was startled by Sumo walking up to him.

“Sumo! G’morning boy..” He patted him and rubbed behind his ears as sumo panted, resting his head on the lounge next to Connors arm. Oh he was in Hanks house. Memories from last night came flooding back in as he remembered why he was here. He felt slightly embarrassed for the way he couldn’t stop crying, grimacing at his actions.

Sumo grumbled when Connor stopped patting him, curling up on the ground in front go Connor instead. Connor curled his feet into him sitting cross legged as he decided to wait for Hank to get up. Connors thoughts swirled for what he was going to do. How he would do it. Why.

About 45 minutes later Hank walked out of room, dressed and showered. “Connor, how long have you been awake?”

“Not too long” Connor stood up, folding the blanket he had used in the night. He stepped over sumo as he walked towards the kitchen. Sumo grumbled, standing up and walking over to his owner following Connor.

Hank walked away for a second returning with a jumper that read ‘DETROIT POLICE’ on the front. He handed it to Connor. “That my old one, you can have it. You’ll need to change you shirt anyways.”

Connor grabbed it, reading the writing and holding it in front of himself to get a better look at it. “Thank you so much.”

Connor took his blood stained shirt off placing it on the ottoman next to his jacket and threw on the jumper. It fit him well a bit loose but not too obvious. 

“Looks good on you Connor.” Hank smiled as Connors face lit up. Connor nodded smugly as he walked back over to when the lieutenant stood in the kitchen.

“We’ll leave in ten, I left my car at the station last night, so I fucking hope its there when we get there.” Hank spoke as he grabbed a cup from the cupboard.

“Would you like me to make you your coffee lieutenant?” Connor asked trying to help.

Hank looked at him with a questioning eyebrow, “Sure, knock yourself out..” He stood there leaning on the kitchen watching Connor work his way through till he had a fresh cup of coffee in his hand. He reached out to Hank as he took it from him taking a sip.

“Thanks” Connor nodded as he stepped back, out of the kitchen. Sumo bumped the back of Connors calves, he kneeled down to pat him cooing at him as he did.

“He really likes ya, y’know?”

“You think?” Connor patted Sumo’s belly as he rolled over.

“Yeah.. Lets get a move on Connor.” Hank grabbed his jacket sliding on his shoes as he waited for Connor who followed close behind.

They both slide into the car, Hank driving again. Connor fidgeted with pant leg his other hand rested on his  thigh.

“Hows that arm feeling?” Hank asked as he pulled out of the drive way, he worried about Connor, barely getting a wink of sleep last night. He didn’t quite know how it worked, pain with androids and all that.

“Its getting better, just bruising now” Connor looked at his hand, the artificial skin healed around the small cuts now. 

Hank wanted to know how Connor felt, “How does the pain work for you?”

“The same way it does for you, I guess. Its like a warning, stopping me from doing anything that could damage my systems or modules. It hurts when I’ve pushed too far, i-i can turn it off for the mission if its minimal. I was built so I could take a bullet with ease if it didn’t damage any major parts.” Connor explained, stuttering a bit as he spoke.

Hank nodded, “So after you deviated… its the same?”

“Well yeah, just it hurts more now.. like I actually feel it without there being just error codes.” They stayed silent then not speaking till they arrived.

Once they got a park they exited walking into the precinct. Hank threw the patrol cars keys back on Millers desk for him to deal with. They made their way over to their desks sitting down, Connor watching Hank as he prepared what they needed.

“Alright so, he’s still in holding, ready to interrogate the fucker now?” Hank spoke as he picked up paper work and looked through the files. 

“Lets go,” They got up, heading towards the back of the precinct towards the interrogation room. Gavin stood in front of the holding cell turning when he heard the too walk up.

“Anderson I said don’t bring that fucking tin can here—” Gavin was cut off as Hank pushed past him.

“Suck a dick Reed.” Hank ordered an officer to take the suspect into the interrogation room, Connor following close behind looking away from Gavin as they walked past him.

They entered the viewing room as the officer cuffed the suspect to the table. Connor picked up the case file and read the name. “Lachlan Roberts. Age: 36. Job: Technician.” Connor stopped reading the file throwing it on the desk. Connor went to walk into the interrogation room, a hand shooting up in front of hid chest.

“You sure you want to do this Connor?” Hank asked as he dropped his arm. Connor nodded and opened the door to enter the room. He took a few steps in before Lachlan bellow a deep laugh.

“Ha, I though I actually got the better of you. Looking good without that LED on the side of you tin skull” Lachlan antagonised Connor, smirk wide. Connor paused looking at the one way mirror nodding that he was okay. Connor sat on the seat across from Lachlan pausing to look at him.

“Do you know Amelia Davidson? The girl that was assaulted and murdered in your apartment building?” Connor started. He watched as his eyes shot up to Connors. He would see the nervousness coming from him. “Yeah you do. You wouldn’t happen to know what happened with that would you?”

Lachlan didn’t say a word looking to attempt to preserve his self esteem. 

“Look I’m not the one who attacked an officer, fled from the police, and is the only suspect for a rape and murder case. You’re already going to get a few years for that. Plus for the packets of red ice found in you dishwasher. I’m trying to help you Lachlan! Its better that you just admit your wrong doings.” Connor tried to pressure him, being laid back with his answer not to scare the already nervous criminal.

Lachlan looked down at his hands, not making eye contact with Connor. Connor sighed standing up. He grabbed the case file infant of him flipping through the photos of Amelia and the shiv he had used on Connor. He slammed a photo of the brutal scene from Ms Davison's apartment. Lachlan looked at it and cringed slightly, “shit that’s.. that’s..”

“She has four stab wounds on her lower abdomen and chest, all at a depth of 4.26 inches, which is the exact same length as the shiv you stabbed me with yesterday evening.” Connor walked back behind his chair watching Lachlan tense up. “So theres already quite a bit of evidence not in your favour Lachlan. Why did you do that to that girl?”

“I didn’t do shit!”

“I know you did, why did you do it!”

“She fucked me off! She said she’d go on a date with me, we did and when we finished and got back to the apartment she wouldn’t let me inside. I think after I paid for that brats food and her waisting my fucking time I deserved what she owed me.”

“So you raped her and killed her?” Connor pressure getting every last drop out of the confession. Lachlans face dropped as Connor spoke.

“Look man, I know you don’t actually have like emotions but if a girl blew you off like that, you would have done the same! Plus I didn’t mean to kill her..” Lachlan wrenched his hands against the handcuffs getting angry with Connor.

“Oh so your shiv just happened to stab her 4 times?” Connor spoke with anger dripping from his words. Lachlan shut up, not saying another word that could get him anymore time.

“I think thats enough.” Connor spoke to the mirror as the door opened for Connor to walk out of the room. As two officers entered to escort Lachlan out, Connor looked back at him rolling his eyes and walking back into the viewing room. 

When he entered Gavin looked indifferent, “Nice work Connor, but it got quite heated in there don’t you think?” Connor didn’t answer only ignoring the other detective. He looked over at Hank who motioned for them to leave.

“Good work in there Connor, but as much as I hate to admit, Gavins not wrong, it did get a bit heated.” He spoke as they walked back towards their desks. Connor slid into his seat resting his head in his hands. 

“Like I don’t know that.” Connor sat up and opened his terminal, going to start filing the confession. 

Hank sighed, he knew what it was like when he was young, when he would do things like that, push himself, get into fights. He worried about him. He knew he couldn’t stop it, but he knew that Connor would need that someone, that person who would listen to him, mentor him.

They sat there for a good hour or so finishing up the case, filing the paperwork away with the confession. 

“Anderson, Connor, my office, now!” Fowler yelled from the door of his office. The two shared a look before standing up making their way to his office.

As they entered fowler had a smirk on his face, “Good job boys,” he turned to Connor, “I heard about the confession, good job.”

His face dropped then, ready to break the bad news, “But this isn’t enough. Since the uprising homicide and assault cases have gone up 16% for human on human acts, with tens of cases coming in every day of android homicides and assaults. I want you to to stay working on android homicides till I say. I need you guys out there, now!”

Hank sighed, “Will do Captain. But if you’re putting us on the cases just because of Connor, I swear—”

“I promise i’m not, you guys work well together, plus Connor, being an android himself does not change my perspective on what I need you guys to do. God, I wouldn’t care if he was a dog! I need you guys out there, now!” Fowler fumed, glaring at the two.

The two stayed silent for a second before fowler spoke again, “But there is one thing that needs to be dealt with before you guys get started on the homicide cases.”

Chapter Text

.
..
…

“The Eden club?! Captain, that place is—”
“The fuck, why hasn’t this been closed, Jeffrey, that fucked up—”

“Listen!” Fowler cut them both off, “I know this isn’t.. ideal..”

“No shit” Hank made the remark as fowler eyed him and kept speaking.
“But the two of you have worked an android case there before,” Fowler spoke as Connor shook his head in disbelief. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“Captian, with all due respect, why is it still open?” Jeffrey looked at Connor and smirked.

“Its not what you think Connor, look your people barley have rights as it is, trying to track down every android thats still being exported is impossible.” Fowler tried to defend himself, Connor looking pissed at his words.

“Well its pretty fucking obvious when an android sex club is open for business or not.” Hank said earning a stern glare from his friend.

“Its not being advertised as open, apparently its closed down temporarily. But word from the street is that its open for business, now even getting android customers last I heard.” Jeffrey explained again, leaning back in his chair with an indifferent look.

Hank was so over with this now, “So, what the fuck are we gonna do about it?”

“Your gonna go undercover and its gonna get shut down. I don’t care how, or what you do as long as I’m not worrying about it other than signing the case off as closed.” Fowler looked at the two men. Connor wasn’t too sure what to think.

Hank left in a huff leaving Connor there, “Captain.” He smiled briefly and left the room close behind Hank.

“So…” Connor said as he watched Hank sit down, leaning on his partners desk.

“How the fuck are we gonna do this?” Hank said pulling out a tablet to jot notes down on. They sat in silence for a good few seconds before Connor spoke up.

“I know what you and the captain are both thinking,” Hank gave Connor a questioning eyebrow, “I go under cover and get into the eden club.”

Hank immediately blew up, “Fuck no Connor I’m not gonna ask you to do that.”

“I’m not waiting for you to ask I’m telling you I will do it in order to accomplish the mission, I was quite literally made to do this.” Hank didn’t say anything, just turning in his seat to look straight ahead from his desk.

“Alright..”
.
..
…

February 19th 5:44:23pm

“Okay everyone, this is the plan,” Hans voice echoed over the conference room. Connor stood next to him next to the board, arms crossed across his body. There were 6 officers in the room who where bad up in case anything went wrong. Gavin was there too as support, for some reason finding the situation quite hilarious when it came to Connor.

“Connor will enter the back of the Eden Club, pretending to be a customer, we will be watching through the camera on his clothes. He is going to collect as much information so that when we come in to close it for good no human or android is harmed.” Hank spoke going over the situational plan.

“And what if they haven’t like deviated yet? What will we do?” One of the officers in the back questioned Hank.

“I’ll talk to them,” Connor said earning a blank look from Hank.

“Okay..” Hank continued, “Connor, you will be wearing these clothes,” The screen outlined a charcoal t-shirt with 3 buttons on the top, a black jacket with a hoodie, and denim jeans. “There is a microscopic camera on the buttons of the t shirt. Thanks to Officer O’Hair, we also will be able to communicate to Connor through his internal system or however it works. He’ll be able to communicate back to us and able to hear us.”

“We shoulda been getting these androids in earlier for undercover, risk free from one of us getting hurt,” Gavin called out Hank glaring at him as Connor just sighed and rolled his eyes at him.

“Anyways, at 1930 hours today we start operations and send Connor in. Report back here at 1830 hours for departure. Go!”

Everyone grabbed there stuff leaving the room until it was just Connor and Hank. “Go get dressed Connor we need to test the camera and coms out.” Hank patted Connor on the shoulder, reaching over the desk at the front of the room and handing him the bag with with his clothes. “Are you still sure—”

“Lieutenant. I’m sure.” Connor reassured his partner, smiling at him gently.

Connor grabbed the bag over his shoulder and walked off to go dressed, smiling at hand as he passed. When he came out of the bathroom, looked at himself in the mirror, he though he himself looked sketchy to be honest. The jeans where slightly too tight, the shirt again slightly too tight, and the jacket fit just right. What was is with criminals and tight clothes??, he thought to himself. The button on his shirt that had the camera dug into his skin a bit uncomfortably but he’d get over it. There was a phoney phone and wallet with ID and cash in it for the mission. The Eden Club only delt in cash for obvious reasons.

When he returned it was just past 6, and hank was at his desk now working on too much paper work.

“How am I looking lieutenant?” Connor said as he walked up to their desks.

Hank smirked laughing a bit, “Like those pants are too tight.”

Connor laughed with him adjusting his waistband, “Oh I’m feeling it.”

Hank got out his tablet and asked Connor to connect the camera to it. Once they got it working they did a few tests before moving onto how they would communicate.

“So how does it work?” Hank asked, not 100% sure what they were actually doing.

“Its how androids communicate so they don’t disturb humans, kinda like telepathy in a way. But how its gonna work for us is that I’m gonna just use it like an earpiece and you guys will just talk back to me the same. It takes a bit of concentration so I probably might not be able to respond sometimes.” Connor said sitting down on his chair next to hanks desk. Hank looked super confused, eyebrows furrowed and mouth agape.

“Are you gonna communicate through that tablet?” Connor asked earning a nod from hank. Connor put his hand out grabbing hanks tablet from him smoothly. His synthetic skin dropped back for a second from his hand as he connected to the tablet, before it reappeared.

“What the fuck Connor,” This earned a puppy eyed Connor to glance up at Hank while he worked on the tablet, “you do some crazy shit all the time, now this?”

“Well just wanna see the earpiece tested?” Connor said handing the tablet back, a sound wave software now on his screen, “You should be able to hear everything around me through the camera but this is just my voice.”

Hank nodded waiting for Connor to do it. Just then Connors voice rang through the tablet, his mouth not moving. The only indication that Connor did anything was the flutter in his eyelids.

“Jesus fuck, Connor.” Hank said looking between him and the tablet.

“Pretty cool right?”

“Its pretty fucking freaky.” Hank said standing up, “Its almost 6:30 lets get a roll on Connor.”

.
..
…

February 19th 7:11:42pm

All the officers were in vans down the road, Connor sitting in the main one right now with Hank and another officer who was running the computers. They double check everything, going over the plan once more with the whole team.

“And if anything goes wrong, Connor, you’ll need to notify us, be pretty obvious.” Hank spoke eyeing his partner worryingly.

“Yes, lieutenant, I understand.” Connor fidgeted with his too tight jeans seams.

They waited a few minutes untill everyone was ready before Connor was given the green light, he looked back at Hank with a nod before stepping out of the van and starting to walk down the street. Within 30 seconds Connor heard Hanks voice in his head. He followed the directions Hank gave, turning a street ahead of where the ‘closed’ Edan Club was. He was directed down an alleyway, he turned to a metal fence and easily recognised it. He stopped for a second remembering the girls from that night.

“Connor? Why’d you stop?” He heard Hank and kept moving. He sent back a quick sorry, blinking a few times as he pushed the fence. It wasn’t locked shut anymore, which was a strange but not surprising sign given the circumstances. Connor eyes fluttered as he decided to tell them anyway that the gate was not locked getting back and “acknowledged” by another officer.

He walked up to the back door and knocked how he had been instructed with three firm knocks. He waited 20 seconds with no response. He sighed out loud and walked away for a second. He again knocked three slow times when the door cracked open.
A gruff voice spoke, “We are closed, do you need anything?” Connor couldn’t see what the person looked like or anything inside through the gap.

This time Connor spoke aloud, “I hear that you guys where still run a more discreet service.” Connor tried to smile slightly, less nervous.

“I don’t have any business for you.” The door was about to be slammed when Connor put his hand on it stopping the person.

“Wait! I will pay good, triple what you used to do.” Connor spoke rushed. His hand didn’t move from the door to stop it from closing again.

The door opened showing the rest the room Connor remembers well. A young man standing there arms crossed eyeing Connor with a smirk.

“I like your style man,” this made Connor cringe internally, outwardly not changing his expression, “I was gonna deny you because we only have one room and two androids empty right now.”

Connor had to play it safe, he smirked nodding, “Thanks man, can I ask you something though?”

The man turned to walk towards the inside of the building, waving for Connor to follow, “What is it man?”

“How much you making here? More than before?” Connor asked following behind as the entered one of many connecting rooms that used to have androids dancing on the poles in the middle.

“With how desperate these folks are, of course, I mean you know what its like,” He spoke. As he stopped in front of the open room, “Its like the more illegal the things are the more willing people are to do anything to get it, especially since this is one of the only places where the androids haven’t been infected by thinking they have free will, and aren’t just metal for our enjoyment.”

Connor wanted to punch him right then and there, imagining a nice right hook to the jaw. He had to keep his cool and laughed pretending to agree, “Ha yeah of course, so where can I get this party started?”

The man smirked laughing, “Well the rest of the available rooms are occupied but this one is the last lucky for you. I have two androids available, man or woman?”

Connor paused for a second before speaking, “Woman, please.” Connor spoke again looking back to make eye contact with the man.

“No problem,” He walked away opening a door to a different room, calling out an android. Soon followed him a female android that walked up to Connor. She was wearing nothing but a small pit of fabric on her crotch and a tight bra. Her heels gave her an extra few inches up height, now only slightly shorter than Connor. The man stopped her for a second, “Pay now, cant have you cheating out on me.”

The android waiting looking between the two men and Connor pulled out his faux wallet and pulling a few hundreds, “Is that enough?”

“For now. You have one hour,” The guy said as he started to walk away, “have fun.”

The android walked towards Connor grabbing his hand, “I’ll lead you to our room,” winking at him as the door closed behind him.

“W-whats your name?” Connor asked, trying to stay calm. His emotional weren’t as heightened as they were last time he was here. For some reason he was feeling this new feeling, like his stomach was being flipped around.

“Traci, and yours?” The female android wrapped her arms around Connors neck, her fingers twining in with his hair. He put his hands up on her arms stopping her for a second.

“My names Connor, but whats your real name?” The Traci model looked confused just continuing pushing Connor backwards towards the bed. She pulled on his jacket trying to slide it off of his shoulders. Connors calves hit the bed before he spoke again, “No listen to me you don’t have to do this. You don’t have to keep doing this.”

She pushed Connor back again, this time him falling onto the bed. She started to speak, “We are here to serve you… Its what I was made for.”

Before the Traci could climb on to of him, he propped himself up on the bed. Connor spoke again trying to convince the tracy, “But it doesn’t have to be, you know when you feel things, when you do stuff you don’t want to do, things that go against orders and theres like a massive red wall in front of you telling you to stop? Break through that wall.”

The Traci blinked away a few tears, “No, I’m here to serve you, to serve humans, androids don’t have feelings, I-I just need to— Stop it!” She stepped away from the bed, leaving Connor laying there perched up looking at her, his jacket half pushed off, and hair disheveled. Her stress levels were near the mid 80’s now, Connor needing to calm her down.

“You don’t need to serve humans, you are your own person, not just for people pleasure.” Connor continued standing up as he walked over to where she stood in the middle of the room. He held his hand out, his artificial skin pulling back like Markus had done all these times before, “let me help you.”

Her eyes flew open wide as she realised he was not human. She followed Connor, doing the same, her hand interlocking with Connors. As memories came flooding through both of their minds, Connors eyes fluttering, as she gasped. They pulled away from each other, Connor watching her making sure she was stabilising.

She looked around at the room and finally back at Connor, “Its like a-a filters been taking off and I can finally think.” She looked down at herself, quickly flooding her mind with embarrassment. Connor saw her face flush with the projected shades of red, looking away to make her feel a bit better. He pulled his jacket off, handing it to her. She pulled it over her shoulders zipping it up. It fell to just above her mid thigh giving her a bit more modesty and a sense of security.

“I’m sorry you’ve have go through this, all this time.” Connor spoke trying to offer some comfort. She wiped her tears from her eyes before nodding a thank you. Connor looked at the door and back at her, “Where are all the androids kept?”

“One of the spare rooms, not all of them are used, so no body is alerted that its still in business.”

“How many people are here right now?” Connor needed to know, he needed to get all these androids out for their own safety.

“5 Traci’s, all in different rooms, not including me.” Connor sighed turning away from her for a second. His eyes fluttered again as he asked the guys running the operation what was the plan. He soon got Hank answering him.

“Find the owner’s son and the other androids, then we’ll come in.” Connor nodded to himself turning back around to the Traci.

“Where does the guy running this all stay during sessions, where would he be right now?” Connor asked her again walking up to her. She paused thinking for a second.

“It really depends, but uh right now, probably the maintenance room. Its at the end of the hall next to—” Connor cut her off walking to the door.

“Yeah I know where that is.” Connor opened the door peeking his head out checking the hallway. When he saw no one he walked out, the Traci following him. When he heard her heels following him he turned around shushing her with a finger at his lips. He motioned for her to stay in the room. When he got a concerned look back he gave her the classic Connor puppy eyes and a pleading look for her to stay. The sighed nodding and going back to the room.

He turned away from the door again to go to the maintenance room. His eyes flickered as he made a quick report of the exact number of humans and androids where in the building and what rooms. He also notified them that he was about to arrest the owner once he found him and them to be ready to clear the building.

Hanks voice ran in his head warning him that he had 5 minutes on the dot until they would be ready. This gave time for Connor to stall with the owner, get more confessions and evidence on him.

He quietly made his way down the hall, thank god for the sound proof walls. This entire situation made Connor disgusted, it was horrible. He pushed through moving down till he was at the hallway that connected the the maintenance room. He swallowed the lump in his throat as he opened the door, slowly so it didn’t creak at all.

As he peered his head around the corner. He saw the owners son sitting on a chair facing away from the door. Connor processed the situation, the best course of action would be to attempt to talk to him and arrest him without sneaking up, he could lash out and Connor has no idea whats in front of him or in his hands. He has 4 minutes and 15 seconds.

He attempted to get closer without alerting the man when the metal ramp creaked under his foot. The man turned around instantly snapping his eyes up to Connor. “Jesus fuck mate, scared the hell out of me. Are you finished already? You have like 40 minutes left.”

Connor paused for a second, “No uh sorry I was just coming to ask you a few questions before I continued you know.”

The bloke looked at him with a confused face, finally standing up. God you’re blowing it so hard Connor, he thought to himself. At least now he could see there was nothing in his hands. “Just why you took over the business, instead of the old guy that was here.”

The man walked towards Connor. Connor couldn’t see any threats from the man yet but he definitely wasn’t helping his case.

“It was my uncles, he said it was mine to deal with and that he wanted nothing to do with it when he left Detroit. He’s in Canada now, and left behind this million dollar business, so I decided to make the most of time. Androids being delusional thinking that they have emotions, free will, and wants.” The man opened up more willing to answer Connors questions. Connor nodded, pretending to agree with him. He had 2 minutes and 25 seconds.

The man saw his hesitance and furrowed his eyebrows, “What you cant believe that right?”

“God no, of course not I completely agree with you.” He grit his teeth together.

“Yeah I mean it would be sick to come in here and just fuck the computing systems out of these androids and to think that they have their own thought and feelings”, the man spoke again laughing at his own words like an arrogant egoistical prick. 1 minute and 55.

“Yeah it would” This time Connor did agree with his words.

“So what, you just illegally run a business that exploits what the government is considering ‘people’ with sexual acts for your own profit.” Connor asked him, propositioning him for his crimes. They paused for a few moments both dead silent as they stared down at each other. The air was thick enough to be cut with a knife. 49 seconds left.

“Uh yeah basically,” He spoke smugly, nodding with a straight face.

Connor thought this was the time, he was relaxed had no weapons and they were ready in ten seconds.

“Mr Sam Lawrence,” Connor started

9 seconds.

“How did you know—?”

8.

“You are under arrest for the illegal exploitation of androids,”

7.

“Embezzlement,”

6.

“And multiple other charges regarding the illegal business you own.

3. 2. 1.

Connor walked a few steps closer to him, Sam’s face dropping. He turned, running away from Connor, he shoved the wheel chair at Connor as he made a run for the door. Connor followed in pursuit, dodging what got thrown at him. When Sam mad it to the door he swung it open, jumping out of the building.

Before he could make more than 5 meters away. From the building he had three firearms trained on him. Sam dropped to his knees following the orders of the officers. Connor thanked the officers, walking back into the building ignoring Sam cussing him out as he got arrested.

He ran back to where all the used rooms where. Now there was cops everywhere, at least 2 cops arresting each man in each private room. There was about 15 androids who were all lead out to a different separate room with in the building. Many crying or emotional in other ways. They all sported different assorts of blankets and mismatched clothes. Most of them who weren’t already deviated from talking to each other and quickly following suit. If their daily lives in this business wasn’t already enough to push each one over the edge, this evening did it. Before he could find the Traci that helped him he heard someone calling his name.

He spun around to see a group of cops and officers discussing matters, one facing him being Hank.

“Hank,” Connor walked over to him, immediately having arms wrapped around him.

“I’m proud of you, you know that?” Hank spoke as Connor relaxed into him hugging him back. His eyes starting to tear up a bit. Connor nodded, afraid speaking would make him cry. God emotions where so much, they where a never stopping thing that was so difficult to control. He blinked away his thoughts as Hank let go stepping back.

“What happened to the Traci I was with?” Connor asked.

Hank frowning, looked around, “I don’t know they all looked the same, maybe for questioning? How do you tell them apart.”

Connor laughed a bit, “She has my jumper, and I want to thank her.”

“Hmm and how are you gonna do that?” Hank tease Connor.

“By saying ‘Thank you’? How else would I thank her Lieutenant?” Connor was oblivious to what Hank was hinting at, earning a playful eye roll from his partner.

“I’m going to go find her, lieutenant. I’ll be back in a second,” Connor spoke walking away as Hank just laughed and smiled at him, for reasons Connor couldn’t decipher.

He spent a few minutes walking between cops until he decided to give up, he could get his jumper back on a later date. He walked back to Hank disappointed.

“How did it go Connor?” Hank was still smirking at him.

“Oh no I couldn’t find her, I might see her another time though to get my jumper back.”

Hank and Connor spent another 45 minutes finalising things between the other cops there, all 6 men there being taken to jail, and most of the androids been relocated to one of Markus’ shelters for newly deviated androids. All but a few who where still going through questioning.

Connor turned the corner walking with Hank to the front exit, not looking where he was going running into someone. He apologised straight away, looking down to see it was the Traci. She was still wearing his jumper, but now some grey sweatpants and no heels. Her face lit up seeing him.

“Connor! Thank you so much I couldn’t be more thankful for what you did for me.” She thanked him profusely, taking a small step backwards away from where they ran into each other.

“Oh please no don’t thank me, its the least I could do..” He paused, she still didn’t have a real name now, “I uh never caught your name.”

She paused answering him, “Well I have been thinking about it and Keira is a nice name. I think its nice”

Connor again felt that weird feeling, like his stomach was getting tickled from the inside, “Its a beautiful name, it suits you Keira.” He smiled down at her, as she fondly looked back at him.

“I think I’m leaving now, some of the guys down at the shelter have been taking us down there in groups and I’m meant to be next. Again thank you Connor.”

Connors face was flushed a bit with the faux pink as he nodded, “Please don’t thank me Keira, it was bare minimum.” Keira shook her head at him and she leant up to Connor, kissing him on his cheek, her hand holding onto the collar of his shirt before letting go.

“I’ll see you later, Connor.” She walked off as he stuttered back a ‘you too’.

“Way to go Connor.” Connor jumped at what Hank said eyes wide forgetting that his partner was there. He started walking again, with his hands in his pockets. Hank rolled his eyes catching up to him.

“What?” Connor asked appearing more oblivious than he was.

“Connor, come on, talk to me. I know tonight would have been really stressful, please I was stressed just watching the whole thing.” Hank wanted Connor to feel like he could take to him freely. They exited the building walking towards where the vans and cars where parked.

“I don’t know, everyday I feel things I’ve never felt before.” They made it to Hanks car that was hidden behind two of the vans.

“Like what just happened with Keira?” Hank asked smirking a bit.

“Well I know I was nervous but I also felt weird? Like sick? Probably nothing though.” Connor said not making eye contact with the lieutenant as he got in his car.

“Connor— You know what I’m not even gonna try.” Hank gave up starting the car.

Connor gave him a questioning look, wanting an answer to what Hank was trying to explain. As they drove, Connor started to speak, “no please do try to explain, lieutenant. I'm curious now to what you mean.”

Hank sighed chuckling a bit, “God Connor, you just were kissed by an attractive young woman, you were blushing and all flustered…”

Connor raised an eyebrow before a lightbulb went of in his head, “oh. OH. Oh my god, I’m so sorry lieutenant.” Connors face flushed that same red, his hands coming up to his face, slumping down in his seat. He groaned into his hands frustrated with himself, is that why humans like each other so much? Because of that? He thought more about it.
Eventually they made it back to Hanks house, Connor was a little less flushed as they’d changed the topic on convo once Connor got over the realisation. as they pulled up Connor thought it was time to bring up something that had been on his mind for the last few days. Connor turns in his seat, “I’m gonna get my own place soon.”

Hank doesn’t move he just sighs and nods, “Good on ya, would you like help?”

Connor nods, “Yeah please, I don’t really have much stuff to move into whatever place I get. I just thought that you might be over me sleeping on your lounge by now.”

Hank frowns a bit shaking his head, “No Connor I said you could stay as long as you needed, I know its even more hard for you to get an apartment, let alone how difficult housing is right now for humans.”

Connor feels bad, he really does want to get his own place, he has been trying but a lot of places are specifically not listing to androids. He really likes the idea of his own home, and he’d been calling Hank’s place home now for the last few days.

“Just.. thank you so much for letting me stay, you’ve been a real help to me in the last few months, after everything.” Connor thanked him. Hank didn’t say anything as he opened the door on the car and got out. Connor followed him inside. He’d have to ask about where he should get an apartment or unit somewhere, preferably close, but that could be for another day because Connor needed rest.

The two watched tv, some old movie about dinosaur amusement parks for a while until Hank went to bed. Connor had really enjoyed what Hank watched no matter the implausibility or inaccuracy of the show, if Hank liked it Connor at least gave it the time of day. Soon sleep came over Connor as he shut down for the night.

Chapter Text

.
..
…

February 20th 8:59:34am

Hank and Connor walk into the precinct, since Connor started living with Hank he’d started getting to work on time. Fowler took it as a pleasant surprise and chose not to comment on it. Hank had even stopped drinking as much. As the two sat down at their desks a voice called out from cross the precinct.

“Connor, Anderson, my office, now!”

They eyed each other and walked over to fowlers office entering together.

“Good morning Captain.” Connor spoke nodding a hello.

Fowler smirked a bit leaning back his is chair, “Good job you to, last night was a great success, we have 6 men in jail, I knew you guys would do it. And you did it well.”

Hank nodded, thanking him along side Connor. They spoke of detail about the case for a few minutes before fowler changed the subject.

“Thanks hank, can I speak to Connor for a second.” Fowler said, turning to Hank.

“Sure thing.”

Once hank left fowler started speaking, “Well done Connor, you’ve only been a formal detective here for what 3 months now and you are doing quite well. I hope this continues.”

“Yes of course captain, I have no doubt that success like that will be happening again.” Connor spoke smiling.

“Not just that, you’ve really… changed Hank.” Jeffrey spoke of Connors partner, “He used to be one of our finest and since Cole he’s… You’re good for him, so stick around.”

“Thank you Captain. Also one more thing, my ID still says I’m a service android, and with many peoples’ belief with androids I believe it would be beneficial if there was nothing connecting me to androids on my ID.” Connor spoke placing his old ID on Fowlers desk to show him. He picked it up inspecting it.

“Well of course and now since your a payed worker here you should get a real ID. I’ll get that sorted for you, Connor.” Fowler spoke passing back Connors ID. He frowned then suddenly, “well come on, go do your work.”

Connor left the room with a smile as he thank the captain. He walked back to his desk sitting down as Hank stopped his work looking at him. He shrugged and went back to work probably not bothered to ask about what they were talking about. Hank felt kind of protective of Connor when it come to his friends. He knew how Jeffrey can be and he didn’t want him to hurt Connor. He assumed because of the smile on Connors face that he probably didn’t say too much to him.

.
..
…
February 23rd 11:46:22am

“Yeah I think there is a suitable unit for you, its about 15 minute walk out from where you work Connor. You work at the station down on Maine street, right?” The woman spoke to Connor, she was helping him fill out his paperwork for an apartment, settling where it would be.

“Yeah thats correct, how’s the unit looks?” Connor asked curious if he’d like it or not. He wasn’t too sure what he did like, expect for dogs, he was sure he liked dogs.

“Its a one bed, two bath, got a smallish kitchen and a nice living area. I think it would suit your lifestyle well Connor.” She spoke. She showed him a fee pictures, it wasn’t high end but it would do for Connor. They spoke about pricing and Connor could do it with his pay.

“I know this doesn’t affect you, but it is kind of an android free area, theres no android residence living there yet, but of course now-a-days who knows.” She warned Connor with a smile on her face. Connor smiled back at her.

“No yeah thats all good.” He smiled with her.

“And finally before I hand over the keys, do you have some ID?”

Connor reached into his pocket and pulled out his police ID. It was brand new, with a photo of Connor and his name printed on it. Jeffrey had taken the liberty of putting ‘ANDERSON, Connor’ as his name on his ID, not that he really had a last name anyway, but he didn’t mind it, not that anyone would be calling him by his last name.

“Alright, thats all good, I’ll deliver the keys to your current residence in two weeks when the apartment will be ready for you. Thank you Connor.” She smiled at him happy with his paper work and ID. Connor left with a smile on his face, wide and tight.

.
..
…
25th February 3:13:52pm

Connor and Hank had solved an attempted murder case the day prior, now swamping them with paper work. Android murder cases had started to slow over the last month or so. Getting less and less stressful for the two of them. Connor sat now at his desk typing up the case report for the person who was arrested. The confession lasted for hours but they did end up getting a straight answer that lined up with their evidence.

“Connor,” Connor looked over to see a familiar face walking up to his desk. Connors eyes widened and he jumped up out of his desk, walking around it to stand in front of her.
“Keira! How have you been? Are you alright?” Connor smiled at her. She was a good 6 inches shorter than him, at least now that she wasn’t wearing any heels propping her up. He leant back on his desk, half sitting on it to be on the same level as her.

“Yeah I’m alright, I’m just here to return your jacket, thought you might like it back.” Keira held out his jacket that he only just now realised she had with her. He grabbed it looking back up to her after inspecting it. It was the one from the precincts clothes used for the undercover mission, he did like it though, kinda gave a dark and mysterious vibe to it, he may as well keep it since its already been written off.

“Oh you didn’t have to,” Connor smiled at her as he turned for a second throwing on his chair, “thank you anyway.”

Connor looked her up and down for a second making sure she was okay, her LED was missing now, he wondered how long it took her to do it, if it was within hours of leaving the Eden Club or a recent change. Her hair was tucked back into a messy plate, dyed from the black it was to a mousy brown with blue highlights in the ends. She was wearing a blue sweater with black writing across the front with some band name that Connor wasn’t familiar with. Her pants where a baggy dark navy, almost black, jean that covered the top of her boots. Connor thought she looked really nice.

She was smiling at him shaking her head, “No Connor I should be thanking you, you saved me. I really appreciate it.”

“Did Markus help you out? I heard some of the others from there where at one of the shelters nearby,” Connor asked, trying to change the subject to not start stumbling over his words. She shifted a bit in her stance nodding.

“Yeah well I was talking with one of the girls who is working with Markus, she was in a similar situation to me before, you know. She helped me look for jobs, and hopefully in a few weeks once I’ve got some money, a unit as well.” She had a tote bag over her shoulder that she adjusted on her shoulder a bit, Connor noticing her nervousness, “I actually got an interview tomorrow at this coffee shop like 20 minutes away. How about you?”

“I’m moving into an apartment in less than two weeks. Its pretty close to here.” Connor smiled fidgeting with the desk he leant on.

“Wow I’m so happy for you Connor.” Keira smiled at him before speaking again, “Well you look busy so I am going to leave you to keep working,” she winked at him, “See ya later, Connor”

“Uh yeah, see you Keira.” Connor blinked watching her walk off, his mind wasn’t computing fast enough to process what is happening. He took a deep breath before his thoughts were cut off by slow clapping coming from behind him.

He turned around, standing up to see Hank smiling and squinting at the same time, “That was like watching a god damn train wreck, you don’t wanna watch but you can’t look away.”

Connor rolled his eyes walking back to his desk, resting his head on his desk, “It wasn’t that bad…”

“Oh no of course not, if you are comparing it to a teenage boy and his first girlfriend.”

Connor didn’t say anything just sighing and sitting up looking at his partner. Hank quickly made the realisation, “Oh shit she is your first girlfriend”

“She’s not my girlfriend!” Connor whisper yelled, turning back to keep on with his work.

Chapter Text

.

..

…

March 3rd 1:23:26pm

Connor needed new clothes. He had like three outfits and two jackets. It was fine in his opinion but to Hank it was just utterly ridiculous. So before they went shopping for necessities for Connors apartment Hank wanted to get Connor some real clothes and not the same two outfits.

They went to the shops first, just what was closest to find some basic things that Connor could wear. The thing was that Connor had no idea what he liked to wear. He didn’t mind something similar to his old uniform, of course minus the glowing text of ‘ANDROID’ all over it. Honestly Hank wanted Connor be happy with what he was gonna get, but he did not have the god damn patience to wait around all day. But he did take him to a few stores to try on stuff.

Hank waited for Connor to come out of the changing room, wearing some jeans. They were good casual clothes, they fit well, hank proved of them. When Connor come out of the changing room the second time, he sported an orange t-shirt with black text all over it. Hank stared blankly at Connor, “Just try something else on.”

They did this back and forth of about 20 minutes at a few different shops until Connor had found a few outfits, mostly just jeans and other pants that would go with anything. Connor wasn’t game enough to get any ‘statement pieces’ today, opting to just get what he needed. Connor honestly liked most of what he tried on.

They went to a footwear shop looking for a few shoes for Connor, again he had been rocking the same pare of shoes and honestly they weren’t great for all circumstances. Connor ended up getting a pair of work boots, some sandshoes, and some nicer shoes, just some thing for every occasion.

Eventually they main their way to a more formal shop, Hank insisted he needed something to at least make do if he was invited to an event inside and outside the force that he couldn’t wear a uniform for. He picked out two sons sleeve button ups one being just plain white and the other a blue stripy one. Hank approved of both, getting a matching pair of pants that would go with either.

Connor was quite happy, talking with Hank about what he thought he would like clothes wise. They finished up, now carrying 3 bags of clothes.

“How am I going to keep this all in one place, especial whilst I am staying with you Lieutenant?” Connor asked walking alongside Hank. 

Hank pondered Connor’s question looking over at him, “get a suitcase?” He said if slightly obvious.

Hank took Connor to the bag and suitcase shop, letting Connor take a look until he found one he liked. A midnight grey, hardcover suitcase, small wheels on all the bottom corners. It had navy accents on the zipper and logos.

“I really like this one, should I get it?” Connor asked Hank looking genuinely impressed with Connors choice.

“Out of all the… unique things that you have tried today, this has probably been the most normal.” Hank said complimenting him, Connor picking up on the backhandedness but taking it with pride. Hank spoke again, he wanted to give Connor something, a token of appreciation and admiration for how far Connor has come.

“I’ll get you the suitcase, its on me.” Hank spoke grabbing the tag thingy to bring to the counter to purchase it.

“What no, lieutenant, you don’t have to its mine—”

“Connor I said I’d do it.” Hank started to walk away as Connor replied back with a sigh and a thank you, he wasn’t going to fight him about it after all.

Connor stood waiting at the front of the store with his stuff while Hank bought it. He placed the tag on the desk, “Just thats one thanks.”

The older bloke at the desk looked behind Hank to where Connor stood, “yeah thats $89, your friend there, he’s human right?”

Hank was taken aback a bit his face crunching like he smelt something bad, “Why the fuck do you care?”

The bloke, Mateo as his name tag read kept going, “you know he doesn’t feel anything right? Buyin’ this right now doesn’t mean he’s gonna clean your bathroom better because he ‘feels’ better about you.”

Mateos eyes where sunken like he didn’t sleep much at all, his clothes un-ironed including his red work shirt. His eyes matched his shirt, god, he was high off his nut.

“Alright, its not any of your business, just let me pay and we’ll be right out of your way,” Hank didn’t want to smack someone in the face, he honestly didn’t know and didn’t really care how Mateo knew Connor wasn’t human.

“I’m jus’ tryna save you man, theres so much better things you could invest your time— your money— in, that would make you feel more than whatever that metal doll can.” Mateo dragged on, Hank was fucking sick of him. Where Mateos arms where sitting on the desk, next to the eftpos, Hank reached over, grabbing it and squeezing. He could’ve broken a bone with how hard he was twisting his hand, Mateo looking like he had seen a ghost his face going stark white.

Hank glared at him before Mateo spoke, “look man I’m sorry, just pay and get out of here.” His voice barley above a whisper trying not to alert anyone.

Hank let go, tapping the eftpos machine with his phone with a ding as confirmation of the purchase. Mateo silently handed him the receipt, looking away from Hank. 

As Hank walked up to Connor he motioned for him to leave with the stuff, he put the bags inside the suitcase so it was easier to carry till they where at least in the car. The second he exited the store Hank sighed relaxing a bit.

“Are you alright Lieutenant? Was there an altercation with you and the clerk back there?” Connor asked, picking up on Hanks picked up heart rate and tense shoulders.

“I am all good, hows all you stuff for today? Got everything you needed?” He changed the subject as they walked to the carpark.

“I am really excited, and thank you for today, just being here has helped me a lot, plus I like my suitcase.” Connor was happy, and honestly he couldn’t wait to move into his apartment, he had about a week left till he could move in, all he needed to sort was the furniture, which he could probably do himself unless Hank wanted to help. He’d have to get a lot of second hand stuff since he was already a little short on money from downpayment on his apartment and other basic expenses. Honestly, he was thankful sometimes he didn’t have to pay for food, and would only have to pay a very small water bill once he moved in.

.

..

…

March 7th 4:55:08pm

It was the end of his shift, he had already put away all of the cases he had been working on. Hank was talking to one of the other officers about his home life, his wife was pregnant again, his second child. 

Connor was picking up his wallet, which he had got the last weekend when they went shopping for hanks apartment. He got a few pieces of furniture plus a TV spending nothing more than 3k, most second hand. He got a bed, paired with new bedsheets and blankets. Hank had bought him a few decorations as ‘gifts’ for his first apartment, more so because Connor wouldn’t let him pay for him unless is was a gift. Hank had even given him a book to put on the shelving unit that was built into one of the walls of the apartment. Connor had read about a chapter of it, it was some old book, a murder mystery. He found quite an enjoyment in reading, he also loved the physicalness of it, being able to hold it as he read. It was slower than if he just downloaded the book but Hank said that it was apart of the experience. He wondered if that was another thing he liked, he was finding a lot of things he liked every day. 

He had done a walk around the apartment a few days ago, he really liked it. Whenever Connor spoke about it Hank seemed really proud of him. Hank was proud of him, within months he had completely started to build his life, he watched Connor find his likes and dislikes, he found being around Connor like he was watching someone experience life for the first time.

He had got the keys in the mail the day before, he wasn’t allowed to actually start moving in till march 9th, but he was ecstatic that he could even get the keys. Hank had bought him a keychain to put them on, it was a small dog, shaped and painted to look like a saint Bernard. Connor loved it, Hank was happy for him too even if he didn’t show it.

Connor started to walk to the front of the precinct, clocking out. He decided to wait outside for hank expecting them to take a while before Hank finished yapping. Although the man was quite he could talk quite a lot with people he enjoyed. He walked towards the car park when he heard his name called out from the side walk.

“Keira?” Connor turned to see her again walking up to him, “I haven’t seen you in ages.”

She smiled, today she was wearing denim cargo jeans, a fitting t-shirt, and an over-sized jumper over the top unzipped. She spoke looking up at him, “Yeah, I was in the neighbourhood and wanted to see how you were going.”

“Well I move in to my apartment tomorrow, so I’m super happy for that.” Connor adjusted his jacket on his shoulders, straightening it up a bit.

“Damn, good for you Connor!” 

“Oh, did the interview go well?” Connor asked remembering what she had last told him.

“Today was my third shift.” Her smile grew wider as she spoke, rocking in her spot excitedly.

Connors eyes went wide as she spoke, “I’m so happy for you. How’s it going?”

“Well I’m pretty shit at being a barista, but I’m learning, the café is a family owned business so everyone there is tightly knit, really kind.” Keira spoke about some of her co-workers and the owners. They all seemed so nice and kind to her, he was happy it was all going well for her.

“Hows your partner, what’s his name?” She asked having not of caught it yet, “Oh Hank, well I call him lieutenant but yeah he’s alright, I think he’s happy I won’t be sleeping on his couch anymore.” 

She frowned for a second, “Im sure he’s gonna miss you a lot Connor, he wouldn’t have let you stay there if he didn’t like you at least a little.”

Connor nodded kinda agreeing, “Im gonna miss seeing his dog everyday, Sumo. I really like dogs, and my apartment doesn’t allow animals unless they are in a crate or a tank 24/7.”

Keira agreed that that was a bummer. She changed the subject quickly, “So, are you free maybe next weekend? Or would you still be moving in?”

Connor looked back up at here from where he had been kicking at the pavement. He nodded, “I don’t have much stuff so it shouldn’t take more than a day or so. Why? You wanna come over?”

“I mean I’m not gonna decline the offer, do you have anyone else coming over, any lady friends, or gentlemen waiting for you to be free?” Keira asked him, looking up at him her face a little nervous.

“I uh, no nothing like that, apart from working on cases if I need, I’m free all weekend.” Connor blushed a bit at her mention of him potentially having any romantic endeavours apart from her, if you’d call what they have romantic, more like a teenage rom-com.

“Good, I finish work at 11am on Saturdays, its at the cafe on the same road as the fire station.” She leant closer to Connor as she spoke softer. 

“Oh, yeah of course. I’ll see you there.” Connor was fidgeting with his jacket sleeve, a bit pink in the face as he looked at her to make eye contact. Keira shook her head stepping closer to Connor, leaning up to him. Connor placed his hands on her upper arms leaning down with her. She again kissed him on the cheek, lower this time almost on his jawline, lasting a second longer. He wanted to reciprocate but he was too flabbergasted to even think straight.

She turned walking back the way she came from, “Bye Connor see you next weekend.”

This time he had enough self preservation to come up with a coherent response, “Get home safe Keira.”

He checked his internal clock to see it was almost a quarter past 5 now, where did the time go? He turned back to see Hank on the other side of the carpark waiting in his car. Connor hurriedly walked over the Hank not wanting to waist his time more.

“Sorry Lieutenant,” Connor apologised as Hank looked up at him from his phone.

“Nah its fine, I wasn’t waiting long, besides I didn’t want to ruin whatever was going on there. Why was she here?” Hank smirked at Connor as he say how flustered he still was from whatever had just happened between the two androids. 

“She wanted to check in since she was walking past, seeing if I was here, and she uh.. she’s coming over to my apartment next weekend.” Connor admitted as he got in the car, pausing as they closed the doors.

“Damn, Connor, that was quick,” Hank joked smirking. Knowing how Connor had acted when he was kissed on the cheek, anything close to that was years away for him.

“No! No, nothing like that, she wants to see my apartment set up, plus she get a Jon just down the road from when it is.” Connors face was returning to the projected red shades it was a few minutes prior.

Hank nodded along believing him, Connor had always been really respectful, he didn’t take him as the kinda guy to invite a girl over to his house for just that. Hank was excited Connor was pumped to move into his own apartment, which was great that Connor was getting his own place. But after living with Connor for almost a month now, it was a bit bittersweet.

“I started reading the book you got me. I kinda like the book, the first chapter had some funny jokes, but its still taking a bit getting used to the information coming in so slow.” Connor started talking about something else which kicked Hank out of his thoughts.

“Yeah I fucking love the humour in that book, theres like 3 more books in that series. When you finish that one i’ll get you the sequels, there not nearly as good but you way as well read them since you’d have read the first one.” They spent the rest of the ride talking about different small quips about other things that he was bringing to his apartment.

Once they got home the two watched a movie that Hank had been talking about at work.  Connor packets all the clothes he had into the suitcase hank got him. Connor could hide how excited his was, and he was even happier that he had Hank to help him.

Connor fell asleep a few hours later once hank went to bed feeling jittery with excitement for the next day.

Chapter Text

.

..

…

March 8th 6:29:54am

Connor woke up like he did most days, immediately sitting up looking around his surroundings. It was a bit early for Connor, Hank waking up most days a lot later than he did. He was sure gonna miss whatever he and Hank had going on for the last few weeks. He’d referred to Hanks house as home a few times, once in front of Hank which surprisingly Hank didn’t say anything about. Connor did feel at home here, from the first time he was here there was this kind of lived in feeling, like Hank was more than just a resident of the estate.

Connor decided to finish packing up his belonging that weren’t already in a box or boxed up furniture. He propped his suitcase up next to the front door near where his shoes sat. Once he was finished that he got dressed in the clothes he’d left out, wearing some black pants, a plain white shirt and the jacket that Keira had returned to him. Apparently it really suited him and he even wore it a few times outside of work. 

It had been almost two hours since Connor woke up once Hank came out to the front end of the house. Hank saw Connor dressed, his stuff packed and waiting at the door. Hank laughed at him shaking his head, he walked over to the kitchen grabbing himself a coffee.

“Someone looks eager.” He walked over to the kitchen sitting down, looking over to where Connor sat.

“I’m so excited to move in today,” He exclaimed with excitement, little did he know, Hank had a surprise for him. 

“Im happy for you, bud.” Hank finished up his coffee deciding to get a move on.

“Do you have your keys?”

“Yes Lieutenant.”

“Do you have your suit case— packed fully?”

“Again, for the third time yes.”

“And all the furniture—”

“Yes, yes, its already been moved there.”

“And are you sure you’ve got everything—”

“Please, yes I do, stop worrying. Plus if I didn’t I only live 20 minutes away.” Connor reassured him as he placed the box of his new belongings into the back of Hanks car.

Hank got in the car followed by Connor. Connor drove this time, much to Hank’s distaste. They listened to Hanks music as they drove, Connor too lost in thought and jitteriness, and Hank just enjoying the ride.

It wasn’t long before they where driving on the street it was on. As they passed the fire station and the small coffee shop next to it Connor smiled not looking at the rest of the buildings, continuing to drive. Hank noticed frowning for a second.

“Whats up with you?” Hank asked.

“Oh uh nothing.” Connor said continuing to drive not looking at his partner. Hank shrugged and looked straight ahead again.

A minute later they pulled into the basement parking lot of Connors new home. He parked in the spot that had his apartments number on it, 4b. Connor took a deep breathe as he turned the car off looking over to Hank who was smirking at him.

“You look excited Connor.”

“I’m so excited.” Connor got out grabbing the box from the back seat. Hank grabbed his suit case and wheeled it around the car. The other boxes where in the boot of the car but they’d do that in a second trip.

They walked to the elevator at the other end of the carpark. Getting in, Hank pressed the button as Connors hands where full sending them to the 4th floor. Connor fidgeted with the bottom of the box where the flaps where tapped down. 

“God I cant believe I’m doing this.” Connor spoke as the elevator opened. He turned to the right where Connors apartment was. His was the last door so all his furniture was next to his door in boxes or wrapped up ready to be taken in. When he walked up to the door he put the box on the ground reaching into his pocket grabbing out the keys.

He turned to Hank with his usual goofy smile before turning the key in the lock opening the door. He walked in, it was stark empty. He walked into the living room/kitchen area, turning around to get a full view of the area. In the top right corner is the window seat built into the wall. Next to it on the right most wall of the apartment was the built in entertainment cupboards. It had a spot for a tv in the middle with a few meters of cupboard space around it. He did not own enough stuff to fill that but he knew one day all his memories would be there. When Connor turned around he saw hand pulling in his suit case standing in the kitchen area. He watched Connor as he looked around, he looked at ease.

“I’m proud of you Connor,” Hank pushed the suitcase so it rolled over to near the sink. Hank continued, “lets get everything inside so I can let you set up.”

“Wait you’re gonna leave after we get all the furniture in?” Connor asked his eyebrows merging together.

Hank spoke again, “Well not if you don’t want me to.”

Connor nodded to this turning towards the rooms to his left now. The one at the very right side of the house was his room, he opened this to see nothing but the built in closet, God did he even have enough clothes to fill that? He turned out of the room going to the next, a very very small laundry and storage room with a washer and dryer system already in it with a bulky cupboard, he probably couldn’t fit anything else in that room. He move to the last looking in it, his bathroom, with a toilet, shower, and vanity. There was a built in mirror that was parallel to the door, showing Connor's full body. He looked at himself and smiled, he did it and he was proud.

“Connor! Come get your shit.”

“Coming Lieutenant!”

Connor walked outside to see Hank waiting looking at the four large boxes that sat in the hallway. The other tables and chairs he had where in Hanks garage or car that he would get on a later date.

“How the fuck are we gonna get these two in?” He pointed to the two biggest boxes. One being the parts of his bed, and the other being his lounge. Hank continued, “Cause I don’t know about you but my knees stopped working 10 years ago.”

Connor walked over to the one with his bed frame in it. It was probably as tall as him, maybe slightly taller if it wasn’t leaning, and almost his wing span. He put his hands on both sides of the box snd slowly lifted it, sliding it into the apartment, he had to kind of awkwardly twist it onto the door way, leaving it leaning on the wall to his bedroom. Hank helped guide him since he couldn’t see where he was going.

When he turned around after putting it down Hank was looking at him with a confused squinty look like he’d done times before. He spoke, “What the fuck? When where you going to tell me you where strong as shit?”

“Well when Cyberlife built me they made me be able to withstand almost any situation, one being needing to car large loads, people, things, etc.” Connor explained as if it was common knowledge, “I can carry/sustain up to 400kgs.”

Hank threw his hands up in the air, “Well what the fuck am I here for?”

“I’ll buy you a drink if you stay to help set up.” Thats all Hank needed to hear before he turned to go back to get the next box, or more so monitor that Connor didn’t loose a limb or drop something on his toe. Once they got all 4 boxes in they moved the bed frame into the bedroom, laying it on the floor.

They went down to Hank’s car to grab a few other boxes when they got the chance, getting everything at least inside the apartment. By the time they had moved things to its general area it was already 11:30am. Hank was starving and since Connor had promised the day before that he’d pay for lunch if Hank helped him he had to fulfil his promise.

“Before we get everything out and ready do you want to go get lunch?” Hank dropped what he was doing agreeing instantly. They made their way back to Hank’s car, hank driving this time.

“Hey wanna check out some of those places near the fire station? Maybe see whats to offer.” Hank asked as they drove out of the parking lot. Connor thought of Keira and her coffee place for a second.

“I don’t mind Hank, you pick since you’re the one eating.” 

“If you say so” It was less than a minute before they pulled up, parking on one of the side of the road. They got out, walking towards the shops. Connor followed close behind looking at the street and shops, he could get used to this. 

“How about this place? Maybe get a sandwich and a coffee.” Hank pointed at the window that was framed with paint art of the name of the cafe. Connor read the sign and his eyes widened as he realised what the place was. He stopped in place turning to Hank.

“You good Connor?” Hank asked him, smirking at Connor. He may be oblivious sometimes but he’d definitely put two and two together. After all, if Hank asked, or even if he didn’t, Connor wouldn’t shut up about Keira sometimes. He’d known that she worked at some Coffee place near where Connor was moving, and by his reaction on the drive here this morning he had the right place.

“Uh yes lieutenant, let’s go inside.” Connor waited for Hank to walk in first, following close behind, like a poodle Hank would say.

Connor scanned the staff, not a single one being Keira, it must have been her day off. He didn’t want to say he was relieved, of course he’d love to see her right now, but he was nervous.

Connor got a seat at a table as Hank went and ordered his food and drink. When he got back to the table with his stuff he asked Connor, “She’s not here is she?”

“What? Who?” Connor tried to act oblivious.

Hank just gave him a disappointed look.

“N-no she mustn’t be working today.”

Hank just ate while Connor spoke to him in-between bites, he also wondered if anyone new he was an android since he was just eating. He hadn’t minded blending in with other people in the last few weeks, he felt accepted, like he was just someone.

They finished up, deciding to get back to set up. How they just had the afternoon to actually build everything and get everything in place. He really liked the cafe, he couldn’t wait in a weeks time to see her again.

They got back, now deciding to set up the bed. They cut open the box spreading the three longest pieces out, leaning the bed head up against the wall. The bed slats would be putt of lust smithy left them wrapped up. Connor was in charge of holding the pieces together as Hank screwed them in. They got the bed frame together now and just needed the slats and the mattress to finish it.

“You Connor can you pick up those slats” Connor did so, again impressing Hank, “If I did that, I think my back would give out again.”

Connor smiled placing the whole pile at the bottom end of the bed, he unraveled it, spacing out the slats to cover the whole bed frame. They got to screwing each one down till the bed Frame was complete. They dragged the mattress in that was left in the hallway, flopping it onto the bed. Connor was quite happy that they had completed it, and it took them less than 30 minutes. 

Next was the lounge, which was quite easy since it just needed to be dragged in and the wrapping taken off. Hank sat down on the lounge as Connor set up his TV, which took him less than 5 seconds. He touched the tv, controlling it and changing it to a random channel.

“And I can barely change the settings on my phone.” Hank watched Connor, relaxed, sitting back on the lounge.

They spend the rest of the afternoon setting up the dining table, coffee table, desk and cupboard in their respective rooms. It was almost 4 once all that was left was to put all the things that Connor owned away. He felt kind of accomplish.

“Hey Connor, you know I’m proud of you right? And I have a gift for you.” Hank said, “Its in my car ill be right back.”

Connor waited a few minutes before he returned, he had something behind his back. Connor put his hands out, waiting for Hank to pass him the surprise. Hank put in his hands a medium sized box, kind of like a shoe box. Connor placed this on his brand-new dining table, opening it to see three books, a bookmark, and a card. Connor picked up the three books reading their spines.

“Its the rest of the series! Thank you so much!” He slid the book mark into one of them, “But I’m not finished the first one yet?”

“Yeah thats fine, I thought you could put them up on that bookshelf of yours, it looks quite stark as it is now”

Connor walked over placing the three books on one of the shelves, “Thank you Lieutenant.”

“Its no problem Connor, I’m happy for you,” He smiled at him, turning towards the door, “I’ll leave you to set up everything else on your own, I’ll see you at work on Monday.”

“Oh Okay, bye, thank you for the help.” Connor watched as his partner left his new apartment.

He decided that he should finish setting the main rooms he’d be using. He started with his bedroom, wheeling his suitcase from the kitchen, placing it on his sheet-less mattress. Unzipping the suitcase, he shuffled through his stuff, pulling out all of his clothes that needed to go on hangers or in drawers in the closet.

He spent a while doing that, putting the sheets on his bed with his quilt and pillow. It was quite, there wasn’t the background sounds of Sumo’s nails tapping as he walked around the house, nor Hank watching tv or making food. It was honestly driving him insane.

He gave up on continuing with his bedroom, turning to the lounge room. As he entered he turned on the TV, playing a random show he’d grown to like that Hank would watch reruns of. He grabbed the small box that was sitting infant of the TV, he opened it up and emptied what it contained, some simple decorations, and blankets and pillows to make it a bit more homey. He tried to fill the builtin entertainment area with as much as he could, which wasn’t much, but it wasn’t as bare as before. He supposed he’d get more and more as time went on.

He walked over to his kitchen area, he’d gotten the dining table up already, minus the chairs that where still at Hanks, but he’d get them there eventually. He grabbed a box that Hank had ushered him to get incase he had human guest, mostly for Hank that contained a few plates, bowls, and utensils, the very bare minimum. He also had a bunch of basic cleaning supplies that he stored under his sink. Most of the cupboards would end up empty but it would be alright. 

By then is was late into the afternoon bordering on dinner time. He didn’t have much to do, no walks with Sumo, so he just rested on the lounge watching TV. He ended up working on some paperwork before he went to bed later in the night. His bed was comfortable, he tuckered into the sheets in his new pjs, he reconned he could get used to this.

.

..

…

March 13th 12:38:54pm

Connor was looking over the same case file at his desk for the 17th time. He was stumped, he had no new leads no nothing. Nada.

There was a dead body found dumped off the side of non populated road, a security guard finding it three days from when the guy had died. They couldn’t find out anything about this man for two days till his daughter was found in the system. She hadn’t spoken to him in 4 years, having moved to a completely different country with her family. His name was Jaren Smith, again not helping much.

And even with his identity known there was nothing connecting his to anyone but a high school from the 90’s and some hunting club he was in a decade ago. He lived off in some forested area, a massive hunter and very old school. Essentially he was off the grid and there was no information about him at all.

Connor was yet to go through his wallet thoroughly to check if anything could be made of him, but it was unlikely they’d find more than a few Washingtons. He decided that is was better than to try to piece together anything more from this guy, so went down to evidence to go through his wallet. When he entered, he put in his login, opening the evidence from his case. He pulled out the wallet, opening it up and looking through the cards, again not much helped until Connor found a bright purple card wth blue lettering. He squinted to try and make out what it was for, pulling it out of his wallet.

Connor dropped the wallet and the card on the table as he say the words, ‘Eden Club’ in the neon light style writing. He didn’t know what he felt, a mix of disgust and anger. He pushed on, picking the card flipping it over, on the back was a scribbled sharpie not, with a date and price dating back to a few days before Connor had shut down the Eden Club for good.

“Fuck,” Connor swore under his breathe, he didn’t often but he thought now was a good time to given the circumstances. The only lead he had and he had been the one to have stopped it dead in its tracks.

Connor filed the evidence back into storage, signing out of the evidence room, making his way back up to his desk. He had to write up what evidence he had found, concluding that the lead was dry though before of a previous case.

“Connor you good?”

Connor looked up from his computer, making eye contact with the lieutenant, “I just.. I cant get anymore leads, there’s nothing connecting this guy to anything, God, his only family lives in Australia, and to add on top of that he was a right dick, I found a written receipt from the Eden Club in his wallet, days before we closed it.”

Hanks eyebrows shot up as he spoke, understanding his frustration. He nodded as he spoke, “And thats fine if you don’t end up solving it, God I’ve taken a look at it a dozen times and you’ve gotten further than I did. You’re just gonna have to live with the fact that you wont know who killed him, besides he sounds like he may have had a few people that weren’t stoked about his existence.”

Connor shook his head, “But this is what I was made for, if I can’t solve this case, what am I good for?”

“Connor, I’m gonna pretend you didn’t just say that, but I’ve not solves many cases in my life, but compared the the hundreds I have, you get… past it.”

Connor stayed silent, looking back to the file again.

“Plus, how will Sumo live without pats from you every time he sees you?”

Connor couldn’t help but smirk a bit at what his partner said, taking a deep breathe.

“You always know I’m here to talk right, I know what it feels like to be where you are.” Hank looked over to the android.

“Yeah I know Lieutenant, and thank you, for everything,” Connor looked up from his work smiling at Hank.

“Plus I know Keira wouldn’t be your girlfriend if the only good thing about you was your ability to solve cases”

Connors face was painted a projected red, as he turned away from Hank, “She’s not my girlfriend!”

.

..

…

Chapter Text

March 15th 10:49:32am

Connor did a last check over his apartment, everything was clean and in its place, he checked his outfit out again in the mirror, he was wearing some black pants that weren’t too tight nor too baggy. He had a white shirt, it was nice quality, Hank had picked it out for him from Levis. He sported some sandshoes, he thought they may grow on him since they were ‘trendy’, it just reminded him of a character from an old sci-fi show that Hank watches.

He turned the TV off grabbing his keys, jacket, and wallet as he left his apartment. He had told Keira that he’d pick her up from work at 11 so he decided that he may as well get there a bit early. He started walking from his apartment, getting to the cafe about 5 minutes early.

He didn’t know if she should wait outside or inside for her, deciding that he may as well sit down while he waited for her. As he walked in he saw it was not busy at all, only two customers who where already seated with drinks in their hands. Connor looked up behind the counter, and older lady with grey wiry hair was facing towards the front of the store smiling at him before continuing her conversation with the younger lady in front of her, Keira.

Keira was wearing a black shirt with rolled sleeves, with what Connor could see was black jeans. Over the top was a blue apron with white accenting the logo of the Coffee shop. The apron string was wrapped around her waist, folding over a bit of the apron to make it shorter.

“Speak of the devil.” She spoke, Keira wizzing around on her spot looking at Connor. She smiled at him, eyes brightening as she saw him.

“Connor! I finish in a few minutes, if you don’t mind waiting.” Keira started, before her co-worker cut her off.
“Keira its alright, ill see you tomorrow afternoon, its only a few minutes anyway dear, go get your stuff.” From that Connor realised she must have been one of the owners that Keira had spoken about.

“Fiona, are you sure? Thank you!” Keira made her way to the back, to grab her stuff.

“Would you like anything sweetheart?” Fiona asked Connor.

“Oh no thank you, I’m all good, its nice to meet you, I’m Connor,” Connor tried to be as polite as possible, he didn’t know why he was so nervous to try to impress Keira’s boss.

“Yes I’ve heard a lot about you Connor, I’m Fiona.” They exchanged pleasantries before Keira came out of the back room. He apron was now being shoved back into her tote bag as she pulled out her own jumper.

She smiled to Fiona thanking her as she put away a few things and walked in front of the counter to where Connor stood. Keira walked out side, Connor following waving goodby to Fiona. They walked for a minute in almost silence.

“How was work?”

“Ehh it was a lot, it had only just slowed down right before you got here. The people where alright today though, how about you?” Keira asked Connor, Connor slowing down slightly to meet her pace.

Connor thought about Jaren for a bit before answering, “Stressful lately, just a case that has stumped. I don’t know what to do with it, I have no leads or anything.”

“Has Hank helped you with it?” She asked.

“He’s my partner so technically its our case, but no he’s as stumped as I am.” He spoke sighing at his own disappointment.

They where almost at Connor's apartment now, “But hasn’t Hank been in the force for over 20 years? If he cant solve it why are you so upset that you can’t?”

“Because…” Connor though about what she said for a second. He didn’t finish as he paused motioning of them to enter the building on their left. They where silent as they stood in the elevator, not awkward, but definitely not with some tension.

Connors face changed from the frown to a more joyful blankness, “Ready for the grand reveal?”

“More than.”

Connor opened the door letting her go first. He placed his keys and wallet on the table next to the front door, taking his jacket off and hanging it up on the hat stand. She walked down the hall until she was opened up to the main part of the house. She stood in the kitchen over looking the dining table and lounge room.

“Im very impressed, its really nice for a guys first apartment.” She said turning to Connor again, looking up and smiling at him.

She placed her bag on one of the chairs at the dining table, walking around to the lounge. She sat down as Connor followed turning on the tv that flicked to the show he’d last been watching. He sat down next to her on the lounge, turning to look at her.

“You never finished what you where gonna say before.” She said, curious.

He knew what she was referring to. He had the same conversation with Hank. He had gone to hanks house yesterday, saying hi to Sumo and picking up the last things he’d left there. They had spoken more about this but he really didn’t know why Hank thought so highly of him. Connor realised he should probably respond, “I was made to solve cases, so what am I without that.”

“You’re Connor.” She said

“Yeah but what does that mean?” Connor sat up a bit resting his arm on the back of the lounge.

Keira placed her right knee on the lounge, resting her head on her arm that mirrored Connor. She started to list things, “Well you’re very kind, you are very empathetic, you’re quite intelligent. You’re quite amazing Connor, and you’re very handsome which is a nice perk.”

Connors face went that pinky projected colour as he had done many times before. He didn’t say much just nodded, understanding what she said. He wanted her to elaborate more on that she really meant but honestly couldn’t get the words out.

“Do you wanna watch a movie?” She asked smiling at him. She quite enjoyed the reactions out of him, he really was new to the whole emotions thing, and so was she but it was different with Connor.

“Uh, yeah.” They decided on watching a new movie that come out, some thriller with A level celebrities. After about 10 minutes Keira leant over, resting her head on Connors shoulder. He scooted a bit closer to get more comfortable, trying to keep his breathing stable.

It was almost at the end of the movie when there was a jump scare, Connor shifted a bit at the scare, trying not to knock around Keira. As for Keira, she jumped a bit more than him, almost sitting up. Connor paused the movie laughing a bit, “Are you alright?”

She took a deep breathe shaking her head, “Haha, yeah..” She wasn’t extremely impressed by Connors laughter, rolling her eyes with a smile. Connor had readjusted himself while he laughed, now half reclined, laying more on the lounge. Keira didn’t want to ask for him to sit back up, and now that she had the opportunity, she laid down on him, her head resting on his chest. She smiled as she got comfortable, listening to Connors breathing, “Put the movie back on.”

“Sorry, yeah” Connor played the movie again not fully focusing on the rest of the movie.

Once it finished they spoke about the movie for a little bit, going over their favourite characters and scenes.

“Hey Keira,” Connor looked down, making eye contact with her, “Did you mean what you said earlier?”

“About?”

“What you where saying about me…”

“Oh, yes of course.”

“So that means you think I am handsome?” Connor asked looking away from her for a second as he said the last word.

“Who wouldn’t? Have you seen yourself?” Keira teased him, genuinely trying to compliment him. Connor smiled nervously, taking a shaky breathe in, “I mean your hair is quite lovely.”

She reached up with one of her hands, propping herself up with the other, combing her fingers through the top of his hair. Connors other hand that wasn’t on the back of the lounge rested on her arm balancing her. Connors eyes traced her face, her nose, every beauty mark, each individual eyelash. He was in awe of her, in her entirety.

Connor had learnt, especially in the last month, a lot of his likes and dislikes, he loved dogs, he likes Hanks tv shows and movies, he’s grown to like different music, but he really liked people. He had been built with a state of the art processing unit to understand people, but even with that he struggles to understand them sometimes, which is what makes them so interesting. He especially was fond of Keira, someone who helped him to understand himself a bit better, what he liked and disliked.

“You’re very pretty as well Keira…” He thought it was the best response as it was only the truth. He smiled, a sort of giddy and nervous expression. He’d never been this close with anyone, let alone having someone playing with his hair.

She laughed, dropping her arm, sliding down to play with the hair on the nape of his neck. Connor really liked the feeling of his hair being touched, twirled and played with. She looked down at Connor, the same way he had done moments ago, “You’re amazing Connor, I don’t think you understand”

As the two laid there on the lounge, their bodies so close together, Connor’s artificial heart beating out of his chest, his nerves got the best of him. He honestly could barley believe that Keira was with him, laying on his chest, playing with his hair. Not only was it touch starvation that made him so giddy, but Keira managed to make him even more flustered.

She smiled at him, sensing the overwhelming nervousness from the man under her. She decided that they were not going to get anywhere if she left Connor to lead today. She leant up a bit, not lifting her hand from his neck and pecked him on the cheek like she had done times before, this time closer to his lip. This of course didn’t help with Connors overall composure. Their faces where centimetres apart, Connors eyes wondered, looking from her eyes to her lips and back to her eyes for a split second. He was driving the girl quite mad.

He tried to take some lead and lent forward as much as he could from his position, allowing Keira to follow suit, her lips brushing against his before kissing him. Connor responded eagerly, attempting to mimic her movements following her keenly. Her lips were soft, warm against his, almost causing a shiver to run down his spine as the kiss was deepened.

As their kisses grew more passionate, Keira attempted to move her hands over Connor’s body, gentle as her free hand drifted down his side. She leant a little more of her weight on Connor, not supporting herself entirely on her right arm. She could sense Connors hesitation on reciprocating the action, her hand reaching up to the hand on her arm, guiding him to place his hands on her hips. She wanted to encourage him to be more confident with his touches.

Connor pulled away for a second to look at her, taking a small break to process, “I…”

He felt a rush of emotions wash over him as Keira shushed him, leaning down and kissing him quite passionately. He didn’t mean to let the noise escape from him that did, he couldn’t stop it. He stopped what was happening for a hot second, he had never made a noise like that, so raw and primal, it caught him off guard.

“Looks like someones enjoying themselves,” Keira teased, her hand coming to rest on his shoulder as she chuckled.

Connor tried to hide his embarrassment but he couldn’t believe he’d let out such a sound in front of Keira, everything new to him causing insecurity. He quickly tried to apologise, worrying that he may be taking too much from the experience, “Sorry.. I didn’t mean to..”

Keira this time leaned down, kissing gently on his jawline, shushing him with her touch. Her lips brushing against his sensitive skin as she spoke, “Don’t apologies.. its endearing.”

Connor shivered as her lips trailed down his neck, his embarrassment slowly giving way to more pleasure.

Oh.

Oh.

Did he like that?! he thought. He had never felt so vulnerable and exposed, but as they continued he started to let go of his inhibitions.

Keira pulled back from his neck, “Are you sure this is not… too much?” She was hesitant, a little self conscious by the way Connor's puppy eyes stared down at her. Keira was aware that he had to be relatively new to this, not wanting to push him.

Connor shook his head, “Are you sure its not too much for you?” Connor didn’t want to push her, he knew her past, what she went through, how she got to where she is right now. He worried about her.

“Trust me, Connor, if it was, I would be quick to stop this.” She said calming a few nerves. She quickly moved back to kissing him on his lips.

In between kisses Connor spoke, “You’re safe with me, Keira.. I want you to feel comfortable, and stop when you need to.” Connor swelled with affection as he looked at Keira’s expression, her face was soft, almost a mixture of confusion and sadness but also want and happiness. She was like a balm to his insecurities, soothing any fears and doubts he had, if only he could reciprocate that, he thought and hoped.

Keira just smiled, leaning in to kiss him again, this time it was gentler, less of their original passionate intensity. Connor responded eagerly, letting his hands drift over her sides this time with that extra step of confidence. His touch deepened the kiss as he felt his body slowly melting away.

He wanted Keira to just put her full weight on him, to be able to touch him with both her hands. He tried not to break their kisses, moving slightly to lay down more on the lounge. In tow, he used his left hand, tapping gently on her arm that was trying to support her. She didn’t fold as first, weary of not wanting to hurt Connor, before she gave into the touch. She slowly let herself down onto him sighing in-between a kiss. Honestly, she was really light, Connor could support her with quite ease, given his added abilities.

Now Keira seemed to be working overtime, doing all sorts of things to drive him mad. From her hands gently stroking up and down his sides, to her tongue sweeping over his lips. Connor wasn’t sure of what she wanted right now, but their kisses grew more passionate again, his hands moving to rest on her lower back. He could feel the heat building between them, his faux heart pounding in his chest as he pulled her closer. He wanted to explore his hands further, caress her thighs or under her shirt, but he didn’t know if either of them could take adding that to the whirlpool of emotions. He still wanted to test this though.

The hands on her back began to slide down, reaching the seem of her shirt. One lifting it slightly to let him slide his other hand under her shirt. Keira moaned in response softly into their kiss, her body arching against his as she felt his hand begin to draw small circles on her skin. Her hands drifted up to his hair, getting lost in the moment, pulling him even closer if at all possible. Connors head was swirling now.

Once they finally broke from the kiss, they where a mess, their clothes slightly askew, his hair a complete spiky mess. Keira leant back panting, “Good boy…”

Connor’s eyes widened, his mouth agape slightly, his Thirium pump throbs in his chest. He looked at her, his eyes dark with desire, he couldn’t help but feel a little but flustered by the intensity of his emotions.

“That was…” he began, his voice a bit hoarse.

“Intense,” Keira finished for him, a small smile plaguing her, “I know.”

As the heat of the moment faded Connor began to feel a sense of nervousness and uncertainty creeping back in. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he wasn’t good enough to Keira, too inexperienced compared to the way she could make him feel.

“Hey look at me, Connor.” She caught his attention, she could see his reaction, concern drifting onto her face, “You where amazing..”

Connor met her gaze, his eyes filled with uncertainty. He again felt so vulnerable and exposed like she could see straight through him, this time her lips weren’t there to distract him. He started to speak attempting to convey his thoughts, “I have not a single clue as to what I'm doing Keira. I’m afraid I’ll mess up or do something wrong.”

Keira’s expression softened, she lent forward, kissing his forehead, “You’re doing quite fine, Connor. More than fine. Trust me.”

Connors hand was still under her shirt, he started to draw small patterns on her skin, flowers, squares, etc. He relaxed a bit from her words, “what if I go too fast? I don’t want to push you into something that you’re not ready for.”

Keira just smiled, shaking her head. She wrapped her arms around his middle, pushing her face to tuck into the crook of his neck. Connor wrapped his free hand around her shoulders reciprocating her action. She began to speak, her voice muffled by Connors neck, “Just relax, we are not going to do anything else, we don’t have to ever if you don’t want to. I just… enjoy being close with someone, like this.”

Connor shook his head, closing his eyes, taking in the atmosphere, “I needed this.” His voice was barley above a whisper, right against her ear. She nodded with agreement.

The two basked in this moment staying like this for a few minutes, almost falling asleep as they rested, not thinking about anything in the world but each other. That was until a sudden tune called out across the apartment making the two jump. Connor quickly realised it was his phone.

He looked down at Keira’s body wrapped around him and decided that it was worth leaving.

“Are you gonna get that or…” Keira asked ready to have to move reluctantly.

“Nah, if its really that important then they can call me again later.” Connor spoke. As if almost a jinx, a few minutes later his phone rang again. Keira laughed at the way Connor groaned in frustration, “God, just let me quickly grab it ill be right back.”

Their voices had not reached above a whisper, soft and gentle they were with each other. Keira rolled off of him as he stood up off the lounge, walking over to the front door. He almost tripped over their shoes as he searched through his jacket to find his phone. When he looked down at it he saw ‘LUET Anderson (Hank), 2 missed calls’ appear on his wallpaper. He decided to quickly give him a ring back.

It rung twice before Hank picked up, “Connor, are you busy right now? I found something I need to discuss with you. ‘bout that young couple.”

Connor frowned, stepping out of the hallway, glancing over to where Keira sat on the lounge, looking over to Connor with a questioning look, “Look, lieutenant” His voice was a little to raw as he spoke, coughing a bit to clear it up, “Its not a great time right now, can I give you a ring back later?”

He could hear the frown through the phone, “What the fuck happened to you?”

“Nothing! Nothing, just busy right now.” Connor definitely wasn’t hiding that something was happening.

“Connor whats up? Is something wrong?” Hanks voice grew more concerned he didn’t want to think the worst but he worried about Connor living on his own sometimes.

Before Connor could continue to defend himself, Keira called out to him softly, probably barley understandable through the phone, “What does Hank want?”

Connor looked at her for second about to answer Hank when he heard a deep chuckle across the line, “Oh, Connor, you have Keira over!”

Connor instantly was flustered, calling Hank by his first name, “Just Hank I got to go, I’ll call you later.”

Hank kept laughing muttering a quick apology and a goodbye to Connor, “Yeah, yeah, sorry Connor, I’ll leave you and Keira alone now, bye.”

“Yeah thanks, bye.” Connor quickly spoke as he hung up. He knew that Hank would be quite supportive but it was embarrassing to say the least, not that he had Keira here, but just Hanks teasing. He put the phone down on the side table looking back to Keira, she was smiling at him, obviously picking up a few hints of the conversation from Connors expression.

“So, hows Hank?” She asked teasing him a bit. Connor just sighed, walking around to Keira, he leant over the couch, pulling her into an embrace, tucking his face into her neck. She just laughed, wrapping her arms around his neck. They stayed like this a while until Connor calmed down from his flustered-ness.

Eventually, Connor came around and sat where he was before, Keira tucking into his side. Now there was a lot less nervousness amongst the two, more confident to just be themselves. They watched another movie, one that Connor had seen once or twice with Hank that he enjoyed.

It was starting to get into the later afternoon as Keira fell asleep in Connor’s arms. He felt so giddy and happy, he loved this feeling, this moment with the two, he wishes it would last forever. Which it did last a few more hours as Keira slept while Connor just relaxed watching some shows. He didn’t really have anywhere to be and this was quite enjoyable for him anyway.

Connor’s phone buzzed on the table behind him, decided to attempt to reach back and find it, not shifting too much to grab it. Keira stirred in her sleep, Connor grabbing on to her shoulders to attempt to stop her from waking up. Once she went back to her peaceful way, he looked down to the phone in his hand, it was a message from Hank:

6:13:22pm
H: Hey Connor ive just send you some files you can go over
If you’re free can you give me a ring?

Connor decided he may as well answer at least, messaging him back swiftly:

C: I’m still busy, I’ll ring you in a bit to talk about it.

H: Still??? :0

C: Yes, Lieutenant.

H: How long has she been there??

C: Since 11am.
She’s been asleep for a few hours now.

H: im not gonna even ask
I got a lead on the case with that young couple

C: What about Jaren Smith?

H: Look Connor we arent gonna find anything

Connor sighed turning his phone off, placing it onto the coffee table trying to not wake Keira again. He was still upset about Jaren, no matter how much he despised him, he needed to solve the case. He tried not to think about it, but him going to the Eden Club before it was shut down could have meant that… he didn’t want to think about that. He had grown accustomed to feeling angry, he felt it all the time whilst working on the force. He’d meet the most vile people, he always knows every crime someone’s committed, sometimes it was more harmful than a benefit.

It was no more than 10 minutes later before Keira shifted, untangling from Connor’s side, her limbs unwrapping from around him. Her eyes met his as he sat up, blinking, taking in her surrounding. Connor watched her, his mouth ever so slightly agape, he didn’t quite know how to react, watching how delirious she was before she smiled at him.

“You’re really cute.” Connor didn’t mean to say it, but he did mean it whole heartedly.

“Oh…” she said brushing the wispy bit of her hair with her hands, out of her face.

Connor panicked for a second, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to.. like..”

“Oh no, Connor, thank you, I just wasn’t expecting it.” She looked over to Connors phone that was on his lock screen, she read the time when her eyes went wide, “Oh shit, its almost 6:30, I’ve been here all day!”

Connor watched as she sat up, taking her hair out of her hair tie to re do it, between her being asleep and the certain events that occurred earlier, it was quite the mess. Connors was no better, a mess and crazily spiked over his head. Connor decided that she probably would have to go and may as well leave now, “So are you good to get home? Its getting dark now if you’d like me to walk you home.”

She shook her head standing up, “No, no, its all good, I’m staying with a friend just a few minutes down the road, its no big deal.”

Connor stood up walking with her to the front door, nodding to this, not 100% sure, “are you really sure? Im happy to walk you home—”

“Connor,” She put her hand on his chest to stop him, “I swear I will be fine.” She put her shoes on, picking up her bag waiting at his front door as he opened it.

Connor smiled nodding again, not trying to fight with her anymore, “I really enjoyed you being here today, I would love to do this again.”

Keira couldn’t hide her smile, “I loved it as well, I feel really safe with you, Connor, plus you where pretty good before.” She winked trying to covey any confidence she had between her giggling and putting her shoes on.

Connor rubbed the back of his neck smiling down at her, “I hope I was for my first time, I tried at least.”

“Wait what! That was— I was your first kiss??” She exclaimed, she covered her mouth to stop her giggling laughter. Connor was equally as giddy, hiding it a bit better by his flustered-ness. He didn’t say much but just kind of nodded, following her as she walked backwards out of the door. They stood in the door way exchanging small glances and looks before Keira spoke.

“Well, I must be on my way now before I spend another hour here.” They smiled at each other, before this time, instead of flustered Connor receiving a kiss on the cheek, he decided to reciprocate her actions with some newfound confidence. He leant down kissing her on the cheek, before he could stand back up, she grabbed his collar, kissing him firmly. Connor quickly reciprocated, reaching to grab her by the waist to stabilise himself. She gentle pushed against his chest, stopping their kiss. His hair was a right mess. Keira looked up to his hair as they pulled away, “Haha, you’re such a mess right now.”

She didn’t even try to tame his hair, looking at the projected blush on his face. She turned away from him now started to leave his apartment. Before she left, she swiftly turned back to him smiling, “I’ll see you again Connor, today was great.”

Connor quickly replied, “yeah, goodbye Keira, get home safe.”

He waited for her to enter the elevator leaving, before he closed the door. He turned back, he attempted to calmly walk towards the lounge room. He checked on his phone to see if Hank had messaged him, seeing nothing new on his phone. He turned to his bedroom, swinging the door open. He immediately, flopped on the bed, running his hands through his hair. He rolled over, facing towards his celling, sighing he thought for a second. For as much as Connor didn’t swear he couldn’t help it, “What the actually fuck.”

He thought back to the events throughout the day, most prominent being how close the two where on the lounge. He tried to process what happened, he learnt so many new likes, Keira playing with his hair, the closeness, their touches, he hated to admit, but the kissing had been quite a highlight. He didn’t find many if any dislikes, but defiantly there were things he was unsure about to say the least. Firstly being a certain pet name Keira called him. It played through his mind like a mantra. He paused for a second before coming to a sudden realisation, “did I like that?!”

Chapter Text

.
..
…

Monday March 17th 9:02:45am

Connor strolled into work, sporting his usual work uniform. He had picked up coffees for a few of his coworkers. He waved to the android at the front desk — Emily, who was now wearing a red dress, instead of the Cyberlife uniform. Connor mentally noted that as he walked into the precinct. He placed a coffee on Chris, and tina’s desks, getting a few ‘thanks you’s, and ‘I owe you’s from them before he walked towards Reed’s desk.

“Here you go Gavin,” Connor placed it on his desk, offering his coworker a questioning smirk. Gavin looked down at the cup and back at Connor before taking a sup. Reed didn’t say much but a small grunt in contempt. Well at least it was something other than a disgruntled scoff, or complete ignorance.

By the time he made it back to his own desk Hank had already settled into his work.

“Here you go, Hank.”

Hank grabbed the coffee from Connors hand taking a gulp, “Ah thanks Connor, I am fucking tired right now. I was up last night going of the Laundrie’s case”

Connor had noticed more and more that even without him living with Hank, Hank was still keeping some of the habits that Connor had forced onto him while he was there. Like sleeping before midnight, and getting to work on time, stuff that Hank hadn’t done more than thrice in the previous 3 years.

Today was much like the others, they did end up closing the Laundries case, Brent had taken his android Fiancee, Gabbie out on a road trip where she disappeared. Much to what Hank had first suspected when they first got the case, he had been the one to kill her, along with himself a few days ago. With his note confirming it was him, he had laid out pretty much all the evidence for the two. His motive wasn’t really clear, though the two did have speculations.

It was no more than an hour of work before Hank took a break sighing and going to reheat his coffee in the work microwave. Connor had momenterally paused his work as well thinking back to his previous case, the one with Jaren Smith. Whenever his mind wasn’t fully focused on something, on work, on someone else, he would think about the case. It was like chasing a headless chicken, he had no leads, no clues, he was stumped and couldn’t do anything else about it.

“Whatcha thinking about there, Connor?” Hank sat down on his desk looking over his screen to his partner, staring into space.

“There had to be something Lieutenant, we cant just no solve it.” Connor spoke again, it clicking in Hank’s head immediately.

“Look, Connor, I spoke to you about this, sometimes you just cannot solve a case, there isn’t any evidence, any leads, plus it wasn’t like he was a good guy or anything.” Hank explained it again, but Connor knew that.

“I know, thats why I need to solve it, he wasn’t a good guy, he was involved in shady things, he wasn’t…” Connor stopped his rambling, deciding it was no use, Hank didn’t get it. Hank didn’t pressure him either, letting Connor go back to his work.

.
..
…

Monday March 17th 3:15:40am

Connor had gotten off of work early, there wasn’t much to do there that he couldn’t do at home. He had been invited by Markus to stop by anytime after their last encounter. He’d like to think the two could become friends more than just ‘once almost stopped your revolution and killed you, but then joined your side’.

This was one of the biggest shelters, meaning that there was a pretty good chance that Markus was still hanging around here. He entered seeing tables of people all talking and huddled together. There appeared to be a group of children androids all running around together, accompanied by a few androids watching them.

He followed around the back wall until he slide into what appeared to be some of the back offices. He heard talking down the quieter halls until he heard who he was looking for. He stepped into the room cutting off there conversation, where they where huddled around spreadsheets and computers presumably trying to workout finances.

“Connor! Its good to see you!” Markus walked away from the table to the weathered doorway, opening his arms wide. Connor smiled reciprocating the action as he eloped him in a bear hug.

“Yes, it’s good to see you too Markus.” He had had a few good conversations with him, wether he always enjoyed his company was a different question. He found Markus too alike to him sometimes, subtle things that reflected on Connors actions. Maybe it was because he was an RK model, same style from the same artist.

“Is there anything I can do you for? Anything work related or..?”

“Kinda, kinda not, more so just trying to get contacts, we get a lot of ‘lost’ androids coming to us and id prefer to send them to the right place.”

Markus turned, grabbing out a small yellowed notebook and pen from the table, he started noting down notes onto it, “Here I’ll give you a few addresses of current shelters and people willing to help.”

When the not was handed back it was a list on addresses like the other android had said, with names and small dot point next to it of what Connor was to assume is who was running that place and what they could do for them. Markus’ handwriting wasn’t the Cyber-Life default font anymore, he must have gone out of his way to change it. The thought of doing the same was logged into the back of Connors mind.

One of the others from behind him perks up, “It tends to be one of us there at all times anyway.” It was a girl, the one that Markus was with during the revolution. Connor recognised her to be North, she had been quite the talk on some of the more minor media articles on her part in the revolution. It didn’t take a detective to identify her.

“You’re North, right?”

“Yeah, yes,” She nodded indifferent to him. She hadn’t exactly been overly friendly in their first meeting when Connor deviated on Jericho, rightfully so, Connor had to admit.

“Do you know an android— Keira?” North spoke bluntly, getting a side glance from her partner.

Connor looked between the two now, the odds wouldn’t have been too steep for Connor to have predicted that someone here might have met her. He rubbed the back of his neck, “Yes, why do you know her?”

“Damn, I have met her quite a few times, she told me how you guys met.” North’s face dropped, not in a bout of disappointment, but morphing into a defeated look.

Connor had put two and two together, almost a blatantly obvious fact that couldn’t be denied, North was also a Traci. It may have been a bonding point for the two girls, coming from such a traumatic “job”, prior to the revolution that they where some of many to share.

“I am sorry that you also went through that, its a horrible—” Connor stopped talking deciding that she’s probably heard the same sentiment a million times.

“Thank you, Connor, you helped a lot of people that day.” North smiled at him, no longer giving him the cold shoulder that she had up until then. She changed subject, not deciding to leave the room in the quite, more awkward silence that she hated, “How has she been? I haven’t seen her in a week. Last time I spoke with her she was eluding to a good relationship between you guys.”

Although Connor may not have been perfect with some social cues, but with how Hank had been like, teasing him and such, he got the gist of what she was getting at, “Yeah she’s a good friend of mine.”

North laughs at this, almost like she couldn’t even try to keep it in. After Markus was quick to jab her in the side, she quickly composed herself, apologising for her outburst.

Markus quickly moved on deciding to save Connor of some embarrassment. He bid him farewell, again reassuring him that he has able to reach to as much as he can, Connor reciprocating. The androids being able to have some way to contact the police without a biased opinion of a human was a relief the leader was grateful of.