System_err0r | Detroit Become Human (Connor x Hank)

Chapter 10: Now_playing_take_my_breath_away.mp3

Part 2: the_moon_can_still_be_jealous_of_the_stars 

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The crowd was buzzing with excitement and energy as the latest game was transmitted at Jimmy's. Hank and Connor sat side-by-side at the bar, Hank watching the game and nursing his third beer while Connor watched Hank and the other people in turn. Only occasionally glancing at the game when the crowd grew particularly excited or displeased.

He was sampling Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, trying and failing once more to understand the strong emotions that accompanied those sports games. The players being heavily emotionally invested, Connor could understand. But the brawls and fights that sometimes erupted in bars or streets over games and teams? Connor didn't understand.

He had asked Hank about it, but the man had just shrugged and advised, "Humans are fuckin' weird and stupid, it's hopeless to try and understand us half the time."

It frustrated Connor that he couldn't comprehend it on anything else but a theoretical level. He wanted to understand, if just to understand Hank's passion for the sport or at least the team and his joy when his team achieved victory.

Connor took another sip of the Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, comparing it to various other brands he had already sampled on the occasions he had gone out drinking with Hank. Although he couldn't taste the flavours properly he still liked some better than others. Connor preferred beer that fizzed a bit more in the mouth as he found the sensation against his tongue interesting.

He toyed idly with the label that had half peeled off and turned his head left to look at where Hank was sitting, facing away from Connor at the moment, watching the game with rapt attention.

Hank's cheeks were slightly flushed from the alcohol – two drinks too many for optimal attractiveness according to studies, but Connor wasn't sure if he would agree – and the temperature in the bar, crowded as it was. His gaze was trained on the screen, tension visible in his face and posture as the opposing team got close to scoring a goal.

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Connor wanted to reach over and touch the flush spilling over his cheek, to feel the heat beneath his fingertips.

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But they were in public and Hank would not be pleased.

It wasn't that Hank was embarrassed about people finding out that not only was his partner male but also an android. It was partly for their own safety, the aftermath of the rebellion still not having quieted completely. It was for their workplace. Their colleagues and boss finding out would lead to complications, complaints about relationships at the workplace and attract the interest and wrath of people like Gavin. Hank might be alienated like Connor often was and he didn't want that.

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Of course, their colleagues knew they were friends and lived together. But that and them also sharing a bed were two very different things, with the second evoking much more unpredictable reactions.

But understanding the reason and logic did not mean Connor liked it. There was nothing he could do though.

Connor frowned at his line of thought and instead tried to shift his attention elsewhere. Observing the crowd seemed like a viable option. Most were watching the screen, but there were some, like Connor, who did not have much interest in it.