Predecessor (Connor x Reader)

13 - On The Run

Silence lingers between you all. Connor's eyes flicker between you and Hank, a silent question in them. But there's something else too—a hint of relief, like he's grateful the storm is passing, that it's all over. Hank is the first to break the silence, his disbelief apparent. "Oh... fuck. Really? Are you sure about that?"

You clench your jaw, the lie sharp and cold on your tongue. "Positive."

"Shit," Hank mutters under his breath, rubbing his hand over his face. "Guess that's that, then."

Tina looks over at you and sighs. "I really thought there was more to it too."

"Yeah." Chris leans against the desk, his face a mixture of relief and confusion. "Well... you know... I trust your judgment. Guess that's a wrap on this case, then."

"Yeah..." You force the words out. "Guess so."

Connor leans forward slightly, his voice soft. "You did your best, and you still accomplished a lot, more than most people could have done." His words feel genuine, but there's something almost too perfect about them, like he's trying to tie off a bow on a messy situation. "I think it's best we move forward from here. But I admire your strength and courage."

His attempt at comfort stings more than it soothes. You know he means well. He's just scared. Scared of what CyberLife might do to him or to you if you dig too deep. Scared. Only deviants feel fear, and he insists that he isn't one. He wears his indifference like a shield, yet you see through it. He acts like he couldn't be further removed from the truth.

Even though the praise feels like an accusation—like he's reminding you that the case is over, that it's time to move on, you can't help but feel a slight smile tug at your lips. Something about his voice, soft and sincere, shakes you more than it should. It's not like you're not used to praise, but from Connor? It's hard to ignore when it comes from him.

Hank grunts, rubbing his jaw. "Well, if that's the end of it, I guess we can move on too."

You nod, but something inside you doesn't feel ready to move on. There's still a tightness in your chest, like a chord pulled too taut. You want to shake it off, but it sticks with you, the feeling of unfinished business.

But before you can spiral too much further into your thoughts, the soft clatter of footsteps breaks your concentration. Sophia, an android officer approaches, her expression neutral. "Sorry to disturb you, but there's a man in the lobby requesting to give a statement about an assault involving an android," she says.

You glance at Hank and Connor, and Hank shrugs and gestures to the door. "Send him in," he says, his tone as casual as ever.

You give a quick nod to Sophia, who walks back towards the door. You turn toward Tina and Chris. "We can talk more about this later if you want," you say.

"Not much more to say about it really..." Chris says. "Maybe it would be better to move on to other topics."

"Hey, how about we go out later and distract each other from how horrifying everything is?" Tina asks.

You chuckle. "Yeah, that sounds like a good idea."

"Great!" Chris grins. "Catch you later!" he says, pulling his chair back to his desk as Tina leaves to get back to work with him.

As the door slides open, the man who steps inside immediately catches your attention. Greasy, middle-aged, with his face scrunched into what seems like a permanent frown, eyes squinting as if the world's constant load is too much for him to bear.

He looks rough—dirty, almost defeated, but there's a lurking intensity in his gaze. His jacket is worn and creased, the kind of outerwear someone wears for utility rather than style, and there are stains on his shirt and a bandage taped to his forehead.