Christmas in July (D:BH Connor x Markus)

Chapter Three - Things got a bit more interesting, I think...

Thanks so much for viewing the second chapter more than the first guys! You're the best. Dunno how that happened, but I think it's great. Anyways, as a not so subtle way to promote my other thingamabob that maybe you guys would like to see: an art book that has (as of now) two views. Bad idea? Probably. If you still want to see that however, then go on ahead and mosey over there. But I just wanna reiterate this one more time...
thanks.
AND!
Guys, gals, robots and attack helicopters alike! We already hit #9 in Markus x Connor. I don't even know what to say, like...oh goodness. This was a fun little thing I started way back but procrastinated on publishing until recently, and already it's jumped up the ranks like that? Oh my goodness. Well, I mean, there's only so much Markus x Connor content out there, but STILL! Wasn't expecting that. So I hereby declare I shan't procrastinate any longer and bring forth the next chapter for you wonderful people. Or aliens. That works.

Anyways, back to the story.

Connor couldn't help but feel unsettled after their departure. It was an excitable, curious emotion indeed. Many attempts to calm himself wasn't enough to quell the odd tension, so all he could do was pretend it didn't exist and simply focus on something else.

Though he was following Markus, Connor kept his distance. Otherwise, he would surely notice how much the "machine's" legs were trembling. Connor brushed a stray hair back into place, finally drifting away into the world of his mind. The instability in his fluctuating software was climbing skyward, causing more anxious thoughts to come to light.

'What if I'm already a deviant? What if I become deviant? What's going to happen then?' A frown found its way onto his face. '...would becoming deviant really be so bad?'

Nervously, Connor stole a glance at Markus, who was a small distance away. Apparently, he had been so wrapped up in his thoughts that his walk had slowed considerably. After a moment had slipped away, Connor checked himself and resumed staring at the ground. 'Don't be creepy. That's not how to make friends...'

Yet he caught himself sneaking another look at the taller male. He was just so dominant. His beautiful mismatched eyes, the emotion they conveyed as they gazed into Connor's...And the wit expressed in his language, the creativity poured into his paintings...though he was deviant, Markus was so admirable. A small, starstruck smile began to tug at his lips, but Connor noticed it in time. He returned his gaze to the ground once again, blue beginning to color his cheeks. 'What's wrong with me today...?'

He hurried his pace to catch up, and that's when Markus's eyes met Connor's. "What were you doing? This is an outing together, remember?" He sighed, but a small chuckle followed it as he noticed Connor's warming face.

"Is there something wrong?" He inquired, trying to hold back a smile. However, Connor already knew that he found his embarrassment comedic, but didn't voice his knowledge of it. Only when two frantic pigeons slammed into Connor's face did the pair make a sound.

The sudden collision instigated a flurry of feathers to interrupt their peaceful walk, one somehow finding its way done Connor's throat. As he shooed the birds away, he coughed it out again, sighing as the pigeons fluttered about. They settled on the ground, chirping and flapping their wings, before their presumed owner shouted "rA9! Blizzy!"

Two pairs of eyes snapped up to view a young android rushing towards them, his cap pulled down so low his eyes were hardly visible. His torn jacket partially concealed a gray colored t-shirt. He finally halted his sprint to squat to his pigeons' level. Gently, he cradled them in his arms, as if they were tiny children, before meeting Connor's confused gaze.

He only held it for a moment, passing it to Markus before saying anything. Once he did, a light brown pigeon hopped onto his shoulder, while the other one, a beautiful white colored bird, snuggled deeper into his arms. "I-I'm really sorry. I wanted them to get a bit of fresh air, since I had already let out Lulu and the others, but Blizzy apparently had something else in mind." He stroked Blizzy's beautiful white feathers, pulling his cap down slightly lower to avoid looking at Markus or Connor in the eyes. Connor shrugged, rather indifferent to the situation, though he was the one who was practically attacked by the two pigeons. He was more fixated on the brown bird's name: rA9. This was obviously a deviant, and his software reacted badly to it. However, he refused to voice his disapproval of deviancy. So, Markus spoke for him.

"I think he's okay with it. Just be a little more careful with your birds, alright?" He responded, already beginning to check Connor for wounds. His clothes were slightly mangled, but no other part of him had been influenced by the surprise attack. Connor, however, brushed it off, stating with an bashful tone in his voice, "S-stop it, I'm alright. You needn't do such a thing, I am perfectly fine..." Connor's disregarding of anything somehow managed to be polite, eloquent, firm, and aggressive all at once. The absolute mad man.

"Anyways, I believe that I am, for the most part, unharmed. Don't spare another thought of it." Even though he had accepted his amends, pigeon boy continued to apologize. Connor glanced over at Markus, giving him a look of confusion and annoyance. Markus sighed, telepathically communicating the words "Just bear with me for now."

Connor nodded in response, glancing about to evade eye contact. Finally,  pigeon boy turned to Markus, confusion morphing into gratitude...?

"Wait...Markus? That's you, right? Thanks so much for trying to help us. I...just felt that you should be thanked for doing so much." For the first time since his pigeons had flown off, the deviant smiled. But afterwards, he checked himself and quietly excused himself. Apparently he had gotten the hint and hurried away.

Now, they were alone again. Where were we? Ah, yes. Connor panicking.

But when he opened his mouth to say something, Blizzy was back for more. But instead of clawing at his jacket, it settled neatly on his shoulder. The suddenness of the white pigeon's return was so inexplicable that Connor simply closed his mouth and stood there, silently staring at Markus as if he were asking for help.

Taking initiative, Markus brushed the bird off of Connor's shoulder. It fluttered around them for a moment before returning to its owner.

Connor sighed, murmuring a quiet "Thank you" before bestowing all his attention to his shuffling feet. Was he embarrassed?

Connor wasn't sure of it himself.

For a reason unknown to him, a small smile began to spread across his face. And following right afterward, a tiny chuckle slipped from his lips. It was most certainly held back, since he wasn't so comfortable allowing such an ugly sound to spill out of him, but...

Markus had no problem returning the favor.

Woohoo, finally I'm posting this. I love you all, kisses and hugs. I'm sorry for the delay, but I just kept on finding things to distract myself with. HOWEVER! This gap between chapters will hopefully be evaded when dealing with other chapters. Thanks for your patience.

Word count turns out to be 1249 words.