Deviant Behavior (Connor x Reader)

Part V: Public Enemy

November 9th, 2038
PM 12:20:58

A binder housing Revised Article 9 slammed against the wall.  The spine tore only an inch, its pages fluttering as it fell to the floor.

"Is this what you call a solution?"

You lowered your head, shoulders tense and fists curled along either side of your waist.

"Of course, it is.  This is all you ever bring me."  Elijah sucked his teeth, shaking his head, "Diluted ideas without any structure, all mounted on a floating foundation."

It'd been a few months of the shouting.  The condescending laughs, smirks – complete disregard.  Your marriage had been on a downslope, you weren't naïve to that.  His temper, though...it'd gotten worse since the first android's street date had been announced.

"You'd understand it better if you read it." Your teeth scraped the words off a silent tongue.

You'd had enough.

His lips peeled back.  His cheeks lifted.  His hands latched on his hips, and he shifted his weight, looking at the floor.  You heard the sound before he made it, and the hairs on the back of your neck had already sharpened.

"Tch..." His glasses flashed from the city's lights bleeding in through the windowed wall, "I barely have time to come see you, much less read a fiction novel."

He stalked towards you, footsteps bounding throughout the apartment without much furniture to absorb the sound.

"You can never just be happy, can you?"

You took a step back.

"You got tired of the constant traveling," He held his arms out, "So I designed this complex and gave you the best view in the house." They slapped against his sides as he paused, "And still, you continue to try and undermine the very empire I've built for us."

Your brows furrowed.  Your jaw locked.  Your tongue curled behind rows of teeth that hid the feintest objection.  Your eyes screwed shut as he touched your cheek, your back hitting the window; the only light source in the dark living room.

"I understand you're worried." He guided your chin towards him, his wintery eyes freezing you in place, "And I love your hyperactive mind."  He petted your head, landing his palm on your shoulder, "But Amanda and I have ensured that these machines will never...ever, achieve sentiency during their lifespan."

Hearing her name made you sick.  The fact that his warm touch on your skin made you miss him, the real him, made you sick.  There were so many times you wanted to hate him.  Wanted to run.  Wanted everything to stop and leave him behind with the rest of this life and end it forever...but hope kept that bullet away.  Hope for a brighter future after all of CyberLife's dealings were said and done.

"I hope you're right." You choked, "Because if you aren't, I won't be there to clean up your mess."

He hesitated, anger contorting his face.  But then he reeled it in and smiled; huffing through his nose and running a thumb over your cheekbone.  He let out a deep-chested sigh as he folded his glasses, setting them on a stack of boxes.

"You know what else I love about you?" His fingertips ghosted across yours, fumbling and thieving through another pocket of your soul that still loved him, "That fire."

Your hips twisted in his hands, and your own pressed against a shuddering pane of the sliding glass door. His palms slid up your sides, around to your chest, squeezing before they traced your arms and tangled your fingers in his.  His figure met the curve of your back as he brushed himself against you.