#simarcon

(Something short for Valentine's day, I meant to post this yesterday but forgot oops)

—

Connor was having the time of his life, sitting in a cafe with Markus and Simon. The three of them were spending Valentine's day together, as friends, because none of them had a date.

They had both offered after he had mentioned in passing that he was sad he'd never been on a date, and while the proposition had presumably been on a platonic basis how could he resist such an offer from his two crushes?

Especially when Markus insisted they provided the full date experience, including holding hands.

 Markus is stroking his palm across the table, recounting a story about some androids who were helping decorate New Jericho and had spilt paint all over the floor, while Simon has his other hand and is staring at Markus adoringly.

Connor finds himself wishing it could be like this all the time, he can't remember the last time he felt this at peace and content.

"So that's why the floor looks like a...unique piece of art?" Simon laughs.

"Well, we didn't have the budget to redo the floor now did we?"

"You could turn that into a project. We could decorate the walls." Connor suggests.

"That's a great idea." Markus brightens. "It could encourage some androids to become artists."

"Maybe, or it could just be for fun. You know, that thing you need to try more often?"

Markus pouts. "Hey, I'm having fun right now." "Me too." Connor smiles.

"I think it was funny, choosing a cafe." Simon taps Connor's fingers gently and when they lock eyes, he winks.

"It was the first thing I could think of, it seems silly now." Connor admits, flushing.

"I like the atmosphere, it's cute. I don't know how to judge when it ends though, since we can't eat." The cafe did offer thirium, which they had ordered so they wouldn't be a nuisance

"I don't think it was a bad choice." Simon clarifies. "There's someone over there glaring daggers at us, I'm glad we're pissing them off."

"North will be so proud of you."

"Sci, you just solved our problem. We'll stay here and be lovey-dovey until the glarer leaves."

"Their food hasn't even arrived yet."

"I don't mind; as long as you don't."

 They ended up staying for another forty minutes, enjoying each other's company the entire time. They left all holding hands in case the asshole was nearby, Connor walking them back to Markus and Simon's shared apartment at New Jericho.

"Stay and watch a movie." Markus says at the doorframe.

"Is it really a date without cuddling?" Simon calls from the couch, already setting something up on the tv.

"I think that depends on the people, but...I certainly would enjoy it." Connor steps in, and Markus puts his hand on his back as they walk over to sit down.

They end up watching a really crappy romcon. Markus boos when the badly written main woman gets with the even worsely written main man, Simon complains about it being too straight and Connor simply shakes his head.

"Lily deserved better writing, and she would have been better off getting with her best friend."

Markus nods solemnly. "Emily was more romantic than...Brian? Tedd? Whatever his name was, could ever dream of being."

Over the course of the movie they have gotten closer on the sofa. Connor squished in the middle with Markus' arm thrown over his shoulder and Simon's legs across his lap. It feels incredibly domestic.

"I think..." Connor begins, feeling bold. "There's something missing from this date."

"There's no refunds, I'm afraid." Markus jokes.

"No, I think he's right."

"Ah, we forgot to kiss at the door."

"Oh." Connor's thirium pump kicks up a beat. "Would I be correct in thinking this date is no longer platonic?"

"I think we were kidding ourselves with ever believing it was."

"Yeah, a platonic friend date is a nice idea, but I don't think it works when everyone involved is pretty gay for each other." Markus chuckles, then turns his head to the side and kisses Connor's cheek.

Simon reaches out a hand to grasp Markus', using that to leverage himself more against Connor's side and press his lips against his led.

Connor's eyes flutter shut, as he simply enjoys the moment. Markus cups his cheek to give him a full kiss on the lips, then breaks it to lean over and kiss Simon.

who flirts more?:

Markus. He likes to tease them with pick-up lines and using cutesy pet names, he's just an overall romantic sap.

-

do they feel they see each other enough, or do they have activities that take too much of their time?:

So I actually hc Connor as not going back to the dpd post game so he actually has quite a lot of free time, until he starts helping the Jericho leaders (another hc, that markus, simon, north and josh co lead bc its not realistic or healthy for that responsibility to be entirely on Markus' shoulders.). so evidentally they see each a lot, occasionally they may have to go their separate ways for Important political reasons but generally, yeah

-

how do they make up after a fight?:

Depends what the fight is about, if it's something petty then they usually just ignore each other for a little while and then get over it pretty quickly

If it's something more serious, like Markus refusing to go into rest mode for long periods of time, Connor putting himself in danger for the others, or Simon neglecting his own emotional issues to focus on Connor & Markus, then there might be a big argument.

Sometimes they end up needing a mediator, usually Josh bc he can't stand his friends being so tense.

Communication is something they get better at with time, something Connor struggles with the most bc if a argument drags out too long Connor tends to just go nonverbal, he gets very overwhelmed by intense negative options and doesn't really know how to handle his anger well

They do always end up talking it out, if they just ignore the bigger problems it'll just stew resentment and none of them want that, and they all learn to make compromises

how did they first kiss?:

Connor sadly mentions he's never been on a date, Markus and Simon offer to take him on one together (Just As Friends, of course.)

They all end up having a really good time, Simon mentions about how it's a shame they're only going to do this once

Markus is like Well...it wouldn't have to be once, If we were actually,,, dating,,,,

Connor thinks that's a very good point...and then points out he's never been kissed either

Simon: well we can't exactly let your first date end without a kiss, can we?

Markus: seems we either kiss to end the date or it just goes on forever

Connor: I am amicable to both

And then they all ended up making out (Yeah I suck at writing kissing lol)

-

How did they start living together? do they move?:

Simon and Markus were already living together in an apartment before any relationship started. Connor had been coming over to theirs once in a while and it just increased slowly over time until once they all did get together he was staying over most nights, took a while for Markus and Simon to straight up ask him if he wants to move in bc they know change is difficult for him. He says yes but it's hard adjusting so once in a while he still stays over at Hank's house.

I think eventually in the future they would move into Carl's house but that implies something I am not going to think about

-

how do they choose the place?do they have roommates?:

It's an apartment inside New Jericho (which is reconverted abandoned office building), it was chosen out of necessity.

I think it could get pretty crowded with roommates lol. North & Josh are their neighbours tho

-

do they get married (or equivalent)?: hopefully polyam marriage would be legal at this point? If not they would deffo have an equivalent.

Markus buys them matching rings for Valentine's day and Connor is the first to point out:....these kinda look like engagement rings...

Simon: I think they ARE engagement rings

Markus, who somehow had no idea:..That would explain the price

-

do they act different in public and at home?:

Simon is just a bit more reserved in public, he's the sensible one. hand holding? Good. But no we're not going to make out in this very public gallery full of people Connor what are you thinking????? No Markus it's not a good idea don't encourage him?? He compromises and gives them both a kiss on the cheek.

Connor has absolutely no shame, if he wants to kiss he'll ask for it even if it's at a inappropriate time. When the jericrew(including connor) are in long meetings it takes all of Connor's willpower not to lean against or play with the hands of one of his bfs, he knows it's very important and he can be very professional it's just very frustrating and he's very fidgety

Markus is a gusher, when in public talking to anyone if he can find the opportunity he will gush over his partners. If someone brings them up he can go from very calm and polite to talking very animatedly very quickly, he even dedicates a painting that ends up getting shown in a local art gallery to them. He also absolutely uses pet names for them all the time (and eventually they all get into a habit of doing so)

-

big spoon/little spoon?:

Sorry the first one got super long so this ended up being over 1k words lol (also sorry I can't put this under a cut on mobile afshfkglgl)

how did the relationship start?:

ok there's so many interesting ways it could go so I'm gonna base this on the fic I started to write but never finished lol;

Connor has a Very Big Crush on Markus and really wants advice on what to do, he feels a bit too embarrassed to talk to hank about it so he decides to talk to one of the Jericho gang and happens to come across Simon first

simon knows that markus has got a big crush on connor too (and also simon but he doesn't realise it) so he decides to play matchmaker (despite having feelings for markus too, as he's convinced they're unrequited, I sorta hc that as simon was a family unit android he used to have unrequited feelings for a regular visitor of the family he cared for, maybe a oldest son of the family who would stop by occasionally with a warm smile and simon ended up fully deviating by confessing to him, it didn't go well so simon tends to think the worst for himself)

connor isn't convinced that markus likes him back (turns out calculating the odds when it comes to emotions is very difficult and untrustworthy) so to prove it to him simon suggests an idea, that they start hanging out together at jericho more and if connor is okay with it get cosy together to make markus jealous, connor agrees he's still convinced it won't work but he wouldn't mind getting to know simon more and some affection from a cute boy would be nice

So they do just that, it starts off with them just hanging out more and whispering converstions that don't really require whispering and markus occasionally glances at them strangely but doesn't say anything

They amp it up slowly, lingering touches, holding hands, and then just full on cuddling and it surprises them both how easy it becomes for them

Except simon fucked up bc markus isn't really the obviously jealous type, instead he just starts to look sad but he still smiles warmly at them both whenever they talk to him. markus is honestly kinda confused bc when he looks at them together he feels a weird whirlwind of emotions, something like jealously but instead of being jealous of either them in particular he just feels like he wants to be a part of it.

connor is really worried about how sad markus seems to he decides to call it off with simon, simon conflictedly agrees (he doesn't wanna see markus sad either but he also doesn't wanna stop being touchy feely with connor--oh no)

except that just makes everything worse bc now All of them are miserable, they're all pining after each other and don't know what to do

meanwhile josh and north are watching this all from the sidelines, north is furious; she likes connor she really does she considers him a close friend now but markus has a special place in her heart and she knows simon's past so she can't help but feel protective over them and maybe lightly threaten connor to sort something out, while josh tries to keep her calm and offers sage advice of Just Talk It Out Together, miscommunication blows a lot of things out of proportion guys

Connor eventually ends up explaining the whole situation to hank who is flabbergasted because he had no idea of the complicated situation the kid had gotten himself into, he's not got much in the way of advice but he does give him a much needed hug

Makrus and Simon individually at a time talk to North and Josh

Markus: I feel like I somehow ruined things for them, they seemed really happy together I guess they could tell how it made me feel and maybe it made them uncomfortable ):

North: look I love you but, you're an idiot and they both have feelings for you

-

Simon: I was just trying to help connor and make markus happy, but I've messed it all up with my feelings

Josh: SERIOUSLY JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER??? please you're giving me anxiety.

They're all hopeless but surprisingly connor is the first one to actually do the logical thing and seeks out markus and simon so they can talk, he holds his composure for five seconds before blurting his and simon's plan to markus

markus: wait you like me???

connor: I'm in lov-i mean, yes.

simon: since we're getting it out there *sighs* I've kind of fallen for you connor

markus:...I love both of you

connor: whAT

simon: also, I fell for you too markus a long time ago--wait what

markus: seeing you two together...just made me want to join you

connor: I guess it would be a good idea to mention that I think I've developed feelings for simon too?

markus: so if we all mutually like each other...what's the problem?

simon: uh

connor: *rapid blinking* I...don't know?

markus: all this time we've been miserable when we could have just? All been together

then simon bursts out laughing, markus and connor joining in with giggles and they decide up to make up for lost time by cuddling together.

do they have pets?: yup. connor adopts a dog (maybe a terrier? They're very investigative) to be friends with sumo,

markus has a snake because snakes are cool and woefully misunderstood

and simon adopts a cat who he names siconkus (simon: it's the merging of our names, connor came up with it and I thought it'd be perfect

markus: it just sounds /weird/ and why that order?

connor: because I like to be in the middle when we snuggle

markus: *melting*

simon: because you're the shortest- connor: no-)

what habits of the other drives them crazy?:

markus and connor work too much and it frustrates simon to high heaven, he does his part of course but he knows not to push himself but apparently his two wonderful partners do not (simon forces them to take breaks once he learns their limits)

connor is a bit more sensitive to sound since he was developed as an android for law enforcement, he basically has SPD, so so as much as he loves markus and simon sometimes they're just TOO loud, sometimes simon will shout to someone across the room while next to connor without thinking, and sometimes markus makes a bit too much ruckus when hes painting or hits the wrong note on his piano by mistake and it just. stresses connor out. They both do their best to minimise this as much as possible and have backup stim toys with them at all times in case connor loses the one he has, and connor starts carrying earplugs in case it gets too much, but it's still bound to happen sometimes.

markus gets fed up with simon and connor's occasional bickering, it's almost always good natured and sometimes they end it themselves by making out, but sometimes they don't and it always seems to happen when markus is riight in the middle of watching a program

markus: can't you two shhh for five seconds

simon: make us

connor: I second that

markus: *rolls eyes but gives them both a quick kiss* now you both have to kiss and make up too

who steals the blankets?: connor because he likes feeling snuggly and he tends to to wrap it around himself in weird ways, and while it's a little annoying markus and simon aren't put out too much by it since they don't have to worry about freezing in the night so they both just wrap around connor to get cosy

who remembers things?: simon. markus is good at remembering important political things and connor is very good at remembering important case related stuff but they're both very bad at remembering everything else, such as before mentioned, forgetting to take breaks, and simon makes schedules for them