Deviant Behavior (Connor x Reader)

Firewall Proxy

"Oh, come on."  You rolled your eyes and held your arms out, "Are we really gonna do this right now?"

"Yeah, we are."

You didn't need this.  Didn't want to deal with it.  Just wanted to pack up, go home, and handle the clusterfuck of emotions later.

"It just happened.  Alright?"

His forehead dove into his palm, and he dragged it down his face.

"Things are complicated for him enough without you running around making it worse."

Your mouth twisted, "Excuse me?"

"Don't make me repeat myself."

"You think I wanted this?" You jumped out of your seat, jabbing at him with another pointed finger, "You think I asked for any of this?"

"Sit down, people are staring-"

"I don't fucking care!" You pressed your hands on his desk, "If you think for a second that I don't drown myself in guilt every goddamn day-"

He stood, towering over you, "I said...Sit.  Down."

His lips curled with each word – every syllable ending like if you didn't listen, they'd take form and he'd use them against you as lethal weapons.

Your hands balled into fists, and you did as you were told.

"That's not what I meant."

"Yeah, well that's what it sounded like."

He groaned under his breath, "Fuckin' feels like I'm talking to younger-me sometimes, you know that?"

"You were the youngest Lieutenant in DPD history.  I'll take that chance."

His glare narrowed, and he shook his head as he looked away.

"You helped pull me from the brink after Cole died." His eyes switched back to you, "All I'm tryin' to do is make sure you don't go diving headfirst."

Your body relaxed, but you had a tough time hiding the shock that smoothed the features on your face.

"I won't, Hank.  I'm good." A dark smile pinned your lips to the side, "I'm better than I have been in a long time."

His brows creased.  He opened his mouth to speak.  You cut him off.

"I became a cop because I got tired of watching my back.  All day, all night – like I had footsteps in my shadow.  Like if I stopped running to catch my breath for one second, they'd get me."

"'They,' being CyberLife?"

"Yeah, them...and all the other fuckheads who wanted me 'silenced,' permanently." You growled, "And now, I have more than just a few people watching my back. I found a family.  Friends.  But more importantly, I found a purpose."

He smirked, "To 'deliver your message,' right?"

"...Really?  You're going to quote my ex-husband?"

"Nah," He waved you off, "You're more like a carrier pigeon than a raven."

"Yeah, well...When this bird spreads her wings," You laughed under your breath, "Whether or not they'll be soaring through friendly skies will be up to them."

"Hmph." His shoulders bounced in a grunt, the smile fading away, "All this android shit...Birds in their own fucking cage..." He frowned, "What if we're fighting against people who just wanna be free?"