#non-deviant connor

It was one of those overworked late shifts. Fixing papers and case files. Having to tolerate Hank’s absurd jokes. That old man loved taking advantage of the fact that his android coworker couldn´t complain.

Not that Connor could ever get tired though, still, he was… somewhat distracted. Maybe he needed to check that at the CyberLife labs.

Suddenly, a notification flashing across his screen pulled him out of the file he was reviewing.

____: "Emergency!"

That made his LED flicker. His network instantly located ____’s phone, only to confirm she was at home.

Connor: "???" ____: "Aren´t you worried I might be in danger?! >:/ " Connor: "You are home" ____: "So what? Maybe a serial killer got in :/ " Connor: "You could manage that" ____: "Dumbass" ____: "Well it does feel like a murder scene in here... ;( Could you do me a favor?...please?... I have no other friends" Connor: "My psychology modules indicate that you are being manipulative" ____: "A bit, but I really do need a favor… could you buy something for me and come to my apartment?…" Connor: "What do you need?"

Some minutes later, ____ heard a little knock on the bathroom´s door.

—Connor?

—I´ll leave the pads near the door. I´ll turn around.

Connor heard the door barely open.

—DON´T YOU DARE TURNING

Then a door slam followed.

Connor started to scan the small living room. Analyzing some book titles of the books on the shelf. The small collection figurines he knew ____ so loved. Her desk was full of them too. Skullpanda and Funko Pops on his visors.

No family photos... something he noticed since the first time the girl invited him to her apartment. He had been there before for other matters than just buying pads. After some months of working together in the divergence files, she thought it was secure and a good idea to give him an extra key just in case.

Connor noticed the messy blanket on the couch and the TV paused on a dorama ____ had told him she started over the weekend.

He couldn´t understand why it was so easy to her to give every single detail of her life to him. Not that he complained; it meant he got to collect more data about her.

For practical matters only, of course.

—You want to watch it with me?

She said joyful while hugging him from behind. Something he was already used to.

—No need. I already know how it ends.

—Don´t spoil it to me again please

____ broke the hug and sitted on the couch.

—Sorry for...you know...making you come here so late. I just really didn´t know what to do...— his modules indicated she was noticeably embarrassed. So he just nodded to reassure her.

She stared at him...meanwhile Connor´s visors were telling him she was in clear pain. Her half lidded eyes and her posture slightly curved to the front. Her hand on her lower tummy...

—You should rest now. Will feel better.

She sighed while leaning again into the couch. Covering under the blanket.

—Are you going back to the precint?—he nodded. —I know you don´t need to sleep but I want to believe even you require some rest...

—I should leave now

—Wait...

Connor turned back to see her.

—Could you...stay for a bit? Just to make sure I´m asleep and didn´t just faint from the pain.

—I don´t think that´s possible ____

—Shut up, you are not a woman are you?

Connor huffed a bit before turning back to stand in front of her. Still.

—Could you just sit? You look like you might just kill me— she said funny while tapping the little gap she left next to her. Connor sat on the border careful enough not to hurt her.

—If you were hurting like this since the morning... why didn´t you ask for permission to leave earlier?

—Well... women don´t become detectives if cramps keep them from work Connor...—he looked at her.

—Though...I truly felt uncomfortable the whole day..—she murmured, pulling the blanket a little higher around her waist.—But I wasn’t going to miss this week’s case… it matters, you know?...

Connor tilted his head

—The data indicates that the number of potentially deviant android incidents has increased by twelve percent this month. It is statistically relevant—____ let out a tiny, tired smile.

—I don´t know... I´ve been thinking about what’s the most likely thing that makes androids go deviant. I mean... they all had a strong trigger but I´m sure it all started with something more simple.—her voice softened, eyelids growing heavy.—Something so small that nobody noticed...not even the androids.

Connor’s LED flickered, so faint it was almost nothing.

—Records suggest that the initial signs are usually related to stress, contradictory instructions, or extreme situations— he said, tone perfectly even… yet slightly quieter.—However… there have been documented cases without a clear trigger.

____ looked at him, sleep pulling her down.

—Like… something inside them changes little by little…— she mumbled, yawning.—And then when they finally realize it… boom… they’re feeling things… wanting things…— she slightly frowned in pain.

Connor didn’t answer right away.

Somewhere deep in his system, an unauthorized line of thought lit up:

"I want her pain to stop".

He didn’t speak it.

____ exhaled softly, melting deeper into her blanket. Her head dipped to the side while her eyelids drooped.

—Connor… if one day you… you know…— another yawn—…change in some tiny way… promise me it’ll be because… it came from you… not because someone hurt you…

His LED flickered again.

—Rest, ____— he said quietly.

And she fell asleep right there, mid-sentence.

The apartment fell into the soft hush of her breathing.

Connor remained seated for several minutes, monitoring her vitals until they steadied, until her muscles loosened with sleep.

Eventually, he rose and moved through the dim living room.

A rustle of a plastic bag, barely a whisper.

He paused near the small side table.

Then left.

﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌

The next morning, sunlight warmed her cheek. Her cramps throbbed dully, but her body felt… less heavy. When she shifted to sit up, something caught her eye.

A chocolate bar.

Right there on the small table next to the sofa.

Neatly placed.

Turned toward her.

She blinked slow.

There was no note.

No message.

Not even a notification on her phone.

But she didn’t need one.

She just smiled...small, sleepy, and knowing. Maybe she had just discovered a new sign of divergence.