unwavering emotions | simarkus

Chapter Two

     November 8th, roughly eight thirty. Three hours after Jericho first infiltrated Statford Tower. Tonight Markus decided that with or without Simon he had to continue the fight for freedom - the rest of Jericho and Androids all over America were still counting on him - so North would accompany him in raiding five CyberLife stores around the city in just a few hours. However his thoughts were still occupied by his absent friend.

     Markus slouched against the same rust caked wall he'd stood by an hour or so ago. It was the exterior wall of Jericho and it extended hundreds of feet into the air, making him feel small. The confinement of Jericho made him anxious for some reason. Maybe it was because being cooped inside without Simon's friendly gaze from across the room every so often made him feel even more guilty about being forced to leave him to fend for himself.

     North had tried to reassure and comfort Markus again and although he put on a rather convincing ruse, pretending to calm down and agree with her, she saw through his guise. That's why he was back outside, the cold air failing to chill his metal body.

     As he sat there looking up to the dim stars, dulled by the city's bright lights, he thought he could hear something. It was a bit distant so he couldn't be sure, but it matched his memory and database of sounds associated with snow moving. Surely it was nothing, but Markus was too on edge to not investigate.

     The noise got closer and Markus scanned again, this time feeling a presence. A dark figure seemed to be limping toward Jericho somewhat in the distance. From the shadowy silhouette Markus gathered that it was humanoid, holding itself awkwardly. He registered it as a human or Android. It was more likely an Android who heard of Jericho, so he boldly called out to them, his voice unwavering. It was too dark to make out exact movements, but the person seemed to have an inelegant limp and crossed arms. There was no reply, but the sounds got louder so Markus approached with caution. He pushed himself off of the metal, glancing around again to find the figure he'd seen moments ago. It wasn't long until he caught up to the figure.

     "Simon...?"

     There was a moment of silence as Markus slowly recognized the Android. He was a PL600 model no doubt; he bore the same light blue eyes and thin lips and wore the same worker disguise he'd worn during the Stratford Tower infiltration. It was him. The two Androids took a moment to process that they were reunited before Markus grabbed Simon, holding him in a tight hug. He buried his face in Simon's neck, arms laced around his lower back. Simon's arms were limp at his sides out of shock.

     "I thought I'd never see you again," Markus breathed. He awkwardly pulled away from him to see Simon weakly smiling at him. "I... I was scared I'd lost you," he added.

     "Me too," Simon replied. His eyebrows suddenly knitted together and he bit his lip. "I was scared, Markus..."

     A huge weight lifted from Markus's shoulders as he stood inches away from Simon, yearning to hug him again. He's safe. Now all Markus needed to do was get his slightly trembling figure to Lucy and quick. He didn't know Androids could tremble; it wasn't because of the cold but perhaps a system error causing a sort of malfunction. The supplies the team had recently gathered were still large in numbers so Markus tried not to worry about Simon any longer, however his frailness was showing with the lack of blue in his face. Instinctively, Markus stood at Simon's level and slung his friend's arm over his own shoulder and began walking him back to Jericho.

     "I know, but you're gonna be alright..." Markus promised. "I'm so sorry."

     "Don't blame yourself," Simon murmured. He slurred his words a bit, worrying Markus who honestly had no idea how Simon had survived without getting caught - the guards surely would have checked the roof right after the three made their getaway, so how did he hide from them and above all, how did he get out of Stratford Tower? Also, how did he get back to Jericho without bleeding out or getting caught on the way there?

     Simon said nothing for a few more minutes, looking worn out from the blood loss and tremors that ran through his injured body. The trip back into Jericho was quick but felt long. It took a moment for Markus to realize that Simon had closed his eyes and pressed his forehead against the artificial warmth of his shoulder, trusting him to lead him back to the refuge. As the two entered Jericho, Markus decided against making a scene over Simon's return. He first located Lucy and rushed over to her for her to examine Simon's condition.

     "Set him down here," the woman instructed after looking him over, pointing to a slightly dirty but manageable hospital bed. "I'll take care of him from here."

     "Can I stay?" Markus asked, his lips pursing as he carefully helped the injured man down. He almost didn't want to let go; Simon's warmth was so soothing.

     "Don't you have important things to be doing?" Lucy asked honestly. She could sense the connection between the two however and allowed it, shown by a curt nod afterward. Plus, he'd shot a passive-aggressive "this is an important thing" look at her. Markus pulled up a rusty folding chair next to Simon's bed as Lucy readied an IV with a thirium pack and began inspecting the bullet wound on his leg.

     "Markus?" Simon asked.

     "Yes?"

     "Please... Don't leave me again," Simon pleaded out of Lucy's earshot in no higher than a whisper. The words struck Markus like a train. He felt a pang of sadness roll through him - the guilt from before returned and washed over him.

     "I promise you Simon, I will never leave you again," Markus replied with an entirely serious tone. Simon adverted his eyes and gave a tiny nod mostly to himself, looking relieved.

     "Thank you."

     The two fell silent again as Simon began to stabilize with the help of Lucy. Despite Markus's responsibilities he couldn't bear to leave Simon alone after Lucy finished the necessary procedures. Even knowing it wasn't what Simon had meant, he definitely couldn't leave him alone after promising he never would again. The silence was between awkward and comfortable. Markus didn't want to strain Simon and try to talk to him if he was still readjusting but he was curious.

     "How did you get out of the tower?" Markus spoke finally and raised an eyebrow.

     Simon, who had already been watching Markus from under half-lidded eyes, nodded. "When you guys left me... I hid in one of the boxes for a few hours... Some police came by but they didn't find me. The Android with them almost did but his partner made him leave before he got a good lead and after that I evaded the guards through the tower."

     Markus blinked in awe. "I'm amazed you got through the tower without being seen."

     "I thought I was gonna die with every step I took," Simon admitted a bit humorously, yet his tone was edged with fear.

     "You're safe now," Markus replied in a gentle voice.

     "I almost got lost on the way here," Simon added. "My navigational systems are damaged... I assume Lucy will fix them."

     "I'm just glad you could make it back," Markus realized the extreme luck involved with the entire situation as he spoke. It was truly incredible how everything was playing out - it gave him hope for the success of the raid he'd planned that was to take place in just a few hours. Simon fell quiet again, basking in Markus's presence. "I have to go soon," Markus murmured after ten minutes or so of Simon recovering slowly. "I'm going downtown to raid five CyberLife stores with North."

     "Can I come?"

     "Are you joking? You're just now getting the blue back in your face!" A small smile tugged at Markus's lips. Simon seemed to pout for a moment, looking genuinely disappointed.

     "I want to help."

     Markus shook his head. "No, you're staying here where you'll be safe and have time to recover. Recovering is how you'll help." Simon didn't oppose Markus' worrisome reply and so he waited a moment before sighing. "I suppose I should go." He didn't want to leave Simon like this even knowing he'd be fine. Losing sight of him for a second time sounded awful, even if it was temporary.

     "Hey, wait," Simon called out a bit nervously. He grabbed Markus's hand for a moment and looked him in the eyes. "Be careful, okay?"

     Markus looked down at the hand Simon had grabbed, a light blue blush clear on his face. He placed his hand on top of Simon's and nodded. "I will, don't worry."