Deviant Behavior (Connor x Reader)

Semper Fidelis

"Oh, no...no no no-" You tilted your head back, chugging coffee, "Notatall-"

"I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that."

You slammed the empty mug on the counter, "Nothing, Connor."

They'd know.  They'd all know.  Why the fuck else would he ask them for breakfast advice?

FUCK.

"Would you like a refill?"

You chewed on your lip, "You don't have to-"

He took the cup, and went to the coffee maker.

"I know I don't have to."

He returned, sitting next to you, this time.  He put the mug on the counter, taking your hands and putting them in his lap.

"I don't have to do anything, anymore, thanks to you..."

The warm, fuzzy feeling in your chest fled for the hills.  Ran for higher ground.  Ducked for cover.

"I fought her off the best I could.  I never wanted-"

"Connor," You touched his face, "I understand.  You don't have to explain yourself..."

"But there's so much I've been wanting to talk to you about."  His head dipped before rising, "If that's alright."

He hadn't had a chance to really talk about the events of yesterday.  It was a fair request, all things considered.

"You can talk to me about anything, Connor."

"It's hard to explain." He swallowed, "I'm going to have to ask that you 'bear with me.'"

You let out a soft chuckle, "Okay...I will."

"At the Kamski residence..." He ran his hands down his pantlegs, cupping them at his knees, "When Mr. Kamski had me play his twisted little game..." He bit back a snarl, "All I saw was you on the other end of the gun.  I knew I needed the information he offered, and still, I just couldn't...I couldn't kill you."

His face folded into a scowl, "And when I gave the gun back to Elijah, when I subdued the overwhelming input commands to pull the trigger...she...Chloe...she sent me something.  She sent me Revised Article 9."

Just like Markus and the cashier.  And also like Markus, his transition had been gradual – provoked through abstract art and guidance.  There was a certain poetry to your clone being the one to deliver your written work to the android who you'd grown attached to.

"In the elevator, it was like it was happening all over again."  His eyes began to water, and he looked away from you, "You were on the other end of the gun, except it was actually you, that time.  Amanda told me if I couldn't pull the trigger, she'd do it herself."

You stood from the stool, walking to the other side of the bar.

"I tried to warn you without letting her know, but the dent...and then she...she let me go, and when I kissed you, and-"

You hugged him, his head pressed just above your stomach.  You cradled him, rubbed his back, and he let you go – cautiously.

"I just...I just wanted to thank you.  I wanted to tell you I was sorry, and thank you for guiding me through Amanda's remote access.  At the crossroads, under the tree...you knew exactly how to tell me without her knowing.  You didn't give up on me when I gave up on myself and-"  His eyes looked so sad as they begged you for forgiveness, "I really don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you."