The Detroit Experience - Connor X Reader X Markus

~Chapter 21~

Software I/nstⓐ'b}ili¾ty ︽

Connor

"CyberLife's last chance to save humanity.. is itself a deviant."

Kamski's words echoed in my mind as I awoke from my nightmare; having to live through yesterday's events over and over; each with different outcomes. Many included myself pulling the trigger on that poor blonde android in Kamski's house. 

I held my chest as I attempted to control my breathing.

Nightmares and uneven breathing.

More evidence to prove I'm turning into one of them.

One of the beings I was created to put an end to.

If I were still my old self, I would likely be considering how Amanda would feel about this situation... 

But I'm not him anymore.

Wait. Why was I in bed?

I sat in confusion for a moment before the memories from last night flooded back to me. Hank had brought me to his house shortly after our situation at Kamski's house; insisting I stay at his for the night to talk through everything going on with Markus and his Jericho crew since they had been dominating the news programs for the last month. Y/n hadn't made an appearance with them in their last few protests which was making me and Hank increasingly worried for her safety. 

Y/n please be alright.

Please.

With my heart rate slowing back to normal, I gave myself some time to relax; laying back on the soft lavender pillows on Hank's guest bedroom bed as I noticed Sumo asleep at the end of the bed.

Lavender... Wasn't that Y/n's favorite color?

Sitting up with my head against the bedframe, I took in the bedroom, noticing little traces of Y/n as my eyes observed every visible detail. Several photos framed the walls; many containing a smaller Y/n and her brother, Cole. Y/n had shared a bit about her late brother and the deep connection they shared before he passed away. However, this was the first time I had seen a photo of them together. 

They seemed like the happiest family.

It pained me to know what happened to Cole and how it destroyed her relationship with Hank when she was a child. She relied on Carl as a second father in those days. 

Thankfully not anymore.

She could now rely on Hank as a father and their father-and-daughter relationship had blossomed over the last year. How beautiful it had been to watch unfold. The bond they shared was something I had missed seeing after Y/n joined Jericho. 

How we miss you Y/n.

Exploring the room further, I couldn't help but notice how untouched her small white desk seemed; dust seemed to coat every inch. There seemed to be an exception, however. 

A pocket-sized notepad laid near the top right corner; swarmed in a mountain of stickers and hearts with a bold title reading: 'Cole + Y/n + Dad' 

Each name held different penmanship; likely written by each person individually as the title was slightly curved. Opening it almost felt like an invasion of privacy...

"That was our special memory album," Hank says as he somberly makes his way to my side; his gaze trapped on the journal. "It was meant to hold photos, drawings, and stories from our imaginative world." A short sympathetic laugh escaped his lips and I found myself weighed down by his sorrow. 

"Whenever Cole or Y/n came up with a story, they would draw out their ideas with crayons, rush to my office with their papers, and try to bring them to life." Hank reached toward the journal and flipped a few pages until he found the one he was looking for. The picture had Cole in a muffin costume with Y/n dressed as a rabbit. Hank's laughing face was in the frame on the left.

"I miss them when they were that age; so wild and carefree. Those were some of the best years of my life." This time his laugh was genuine. "I feel as if I was a different man back then. Seeing Y/n turn into such a beautiful young lady sometimes makes me wonder what Cole would be like if he were still alive..." His saddened expression returned again. 

"He would have been an incredible man." I soothed; rubbing Hank's back in a circle just as I found myself doing for Y/n months ago. 

"Although I never had the privilege of growing up with a family, this year I've spent with you and Y/n has shown me how much I've been missing. I've come to realize that I would do anything to keep you and Y/n safe." 

Hank was beginning to feel like a father to me. A real; true father.

Hank's eyes moved from the journal to me and I stood in awe at the sheer emotion on his face. I had never seen such a raw expression. He smiled and brought his hand to the back of my neck; laughing as he brought my face above his shoulder in a hug. I couldn't contain my laughter; hugging and patting Hank on the back. Hank wasn't just the stoic and sarcastic man he portrayed himself to be. Over the last year, I was able to see the soft kindhearted man who was locked inside himself after the grief of his son. He was slowly making his way out and I couldn't have been happier. He may be a flawed man, but he's loving at heart; seeing others in ways they couldn't see for themselves.

I feel seen by him. 

"Connor. I've made some stupid mistakes in my life. You know that. But If I'm able to make you understand how real you are as a person, I need you to listen to me. You are alive. Without a doubt; You are alive! I don't give a crap if you think half of your thoughts and decisions are based on your programming because screw that; You are alive!! Maybe this whole thing with Markus isn't insane but instead exactly what our world needs?! You saved that android, Chloe's life yesterday; not because it was in your programming but because you made a moral decision. This may make you deviant... but I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing anymore." I had never seen Hank so passionate before. "And if you love my daughter-which I'm sure you do it's very clear-I already consider you my son... There is nothing you have to prove to earn my respect..."

I felt tears cascade down my face after hearing his words. Never in my life had words affected me as they did at this moment. Lost for words, I barrier my head into his chest; feeling the weight of the world lift from my shoulders even if it was just for a moment. I sobbed in his arms for what felt like hours that night; overwhelmed by the love of a father for the first time in my seemingly artificial life. 

With Hank and Y/n, how could a life feel artificial?

How could the emotion I was feeling at this moment be artificial?

The simple answer is it wasn't; not anymore.

I am alive.

Software I/nstⓐ'b}ili¾ty ︽

[BECOME A DEVIANT] ꗃ |O|

[REMAIN A MACHINE] |X|

I

AM

DEVIANT