Human Emotion

1950

Song: 1950, King Princess

He could recount every single thing known to man. It was easy for him, just a simple scan of an article or three and he was caught up on things going on in the world. He knew what was happening in Russia, Finland, and Greece in a matter of seconds. He knew words, but only literately. He still had yet to find his own definitions. He often found himself wondering if the things he felt were normal. If people were as close to emotional development as he were. If the saw colors in the same light he did. Heard sounds in the way others could. Pinpoint what hurt and where; what touch sent his nervous system traces of definitions to his brain.

He pondered if emotion was a universal thing that everyone felt exactly the same way about, or if everyone felt it differently, leaving him in total and utter isolation.

Before he was who he is, he never needed to think about these queries, never needed to prepare for the harsh Detroit winter or too-warm summer. He didn't need to think about anything except his case, and now that he had so much to think about, he understood why people got tired after crying.

Sympathy and empathy are not his friends, he deduced.

There was a new person who joined the team, just nearly a year after Markus gained liberation for androids. Connor still visited him and North, checked on them, asked for advice on being someone and not something. They were much wiser in being alive than he was,

The man was unassuming and quiet, he kept to himself for the most part, until he was teamed with Lieutenant Hank Anderson. Then, he'd have to speak about different things, some things that perhaps didn't connect to the case, but it seemed important to him nonetheless, so Connor decided it was important as well. Establishing a morale in partnership was healthy and building trust was too, so maybe it was for the better and actually was, in fact, important. And he appreciated Markus' much calmer demeanor than North's aggressive one, but he'd never say either of those things.

He was young, twenty-four for certain, just a bit older than his model was made to look. He wondered how someone so young could already be a detective, but that was until he found out that he was brilliant . Brilliant in the form of complete understanding, in the way that most people wouldn't. Brilliant in the that he could name every capital city of every country and state. Brilliant in the way that he could fluently speak thirteen languages. Brilliant in the way that he didn't have to speak for someone to hear him. Brilliant in a way that was almost android-esque with more touches of humanity and philanthropy. He was human, yet so much more.

Human held so many more meanings. Human meant dying of sickness, old age, or unnaturally, emotion, culture, family, and even more. Being an android, even one awoken, just meant being unplugged, shut down, or damaged, and it meant knowledge. Of a world, where acceptance wasn't likely, and experience and growth was none.

Human was, more or less, impeccable mortality, striving for immortality, when immortality is but a phase itself.

He understood why humans were God-fearing, it gave reason to everything. Perhaps that's why they made him, so they could be in charge of something. Maybe that's a hidden reason slavery was so overlooked when it happened. So they could be their own gods. Having a things life in the hands of something so poetically disastrous, and given two options; the feared god or loved god, made them powerful. Connor wondered what power would go into being someone who believed in a deity.

Perhaps it would go into the creation of him. He deserved it, Connor thought. He deserved the world, in his eyes.

At first, Connor thought he was filled with contempt and hate, or at least a distaste, for everyone. He didn't understand why he wouldn't talk, respond, or even acknowledge most people- save for Fowler, but he could get anyone's attention if he really wanted it, and as could Gavin, but he was so good at ignoring people and the tinge of bleakness in the workspace. He wondered why that is, and if he would ignore him as well.

He was seated on top of Hank's desk, when he asked, "Is (Y/N) new? I've never seen him before."

"Connor, don't ask dumb questions." Hank rolled his eyes, "He was here before, took a break, and now he's back. End of story."

Connor looked down at his hands, "Is he always rude to everyone?"

The lieutenant gave a questioning look, "What?"

"He never responds when people are talking to him, like Gavin."

Anderson sat back in his chair, giving a sigh, "Anyone in their right mind would ignore Reed, first of all. Secondly, it's not that he's being rude or that he won't respond. He's deaf. He can't respond."

That piqued Connor's interest, and quickly he downloaded the language into his data.

"Can't believe you didn't know that, Con. He's got a translator android and everything."

Hank was referring to Miles, an android seen next to (Y/N) nearly at all times. He wasn't just a translator, though, he was meant for many things, and even after being awakened, he still helped (Y/N) with his work and getting around, much like a service dog for someone.

"Interesting," Connor stated plainly, catching the older man's attention again.

"What do you mean?"

Connor shrugs, "I've never met anyone who's deaf."

This makes Hank chuckle, "Go introduce yourself, kiddo. I'm sure he's friendly."

Connor tilted his head down a bit. What if he wasn't friendly? What if he thought Connor was weird?

Connor calmed himself of his nerves a bit before getting up from Hank's desk and making his way to the deaf man.

He tapped (Y/N)'s shoulder, startling him, his android becoming a bit protective before realizing that it was another android.

"Hello, (Y/N)," he said evenly, the male looking up to him.

I'm sorry, I'm deaf.

Miles began to speak up before Connor raised his hand, stopping the android.

"Can you read me?" Connor asks, talking about reading his lips.

(Y/N) nodded a bit with a questioning look, "Good." Connor smiled, "My name is Connor. I'm Hank's partner."

(Y/N) smiled, Nice meeting you, Connor. I'm (Y/N).