Inhuman Connections - Taekook DBH AU (cover by Raichiax)

Se (3)

NJ

It was November 5th. The time was 9:38 AM. Kim Namjoon walked through a park full of orange and yellow scenery. Leaves were scattered on the ground and everything around him practically shouted that it was 'Pumpkin Spice Latte Season.'

There were other androids in the park, along with their human counterparts. There were androids sweeping the leaves. A girl with light brown hair and freckles wearing a blue and pink raincoat ran past Namjoon and into the arms of another android. He turned to gaze at them for a second, then turned back and continued on his way.

Throughout the park, there were benches and lampposts and large trees littered along the pathway. There was a playground at one end of the park.

Sitting at the bench nearest him was an elderly man with his android standing at his side. "Would you like to go home now?" she asked. "Yes, Rika," the man started. "Yes, I think thats enough for one day." "Here, let me help you." the android named Rika insisted. "Oh. Oh, thank you, dear." She helped the elderly man off to the bench, and they went on their way.

Namjoon kept on the path leading him through the park. The words 'GO TO BELLINI PAINTS SHOP' digitally appeared in front of him.

As he reaches the end of the park and returned to the main road, he came to a halt at a crosswalk and gazed at his surroundings while waiting for it to turn green. He was greeted with busy streets, pedestrians all over, construction working androids, and electric cars and digital projectors and screens. There were food stands and android parking stations, that were more commonly known as the small area's at a bus stop that had a single street light, bench, and the whole thing was encased by a single glass wall.

Namjoon proceeded to walk along the crosswalk as soon as it turned green, and crossed the street into a shopping district.

When he got there, a particular group of people caught his eye. They were protesting about androids, saying how they lost their jobs because their old jobs were given to androids. Talking about how they have families to feed, but are unable to because androids have stolen their previous occupations. Claiming that androids were here to serve. Not to replace.

Namjoon thought nothing of it and continued down the shopping district. He passed numerous people, though not a single android. That explains why almost all the android parking spaces were filled.

Deep into the shopping district, Namjoon reached the Bellini Paints shop. He walked through the door and saw nothing put rainbow filled shelves, decorative ceiling lamps, different types of paper and art supplies, and art books all over. In front of him was an android standing behind a clerks desk.

He walked forward and planted himself in front of the desk. There was a small rectangular screen that appeared to be somewhat carved into the desk, in a way. There was a telegram planted on it as well that said, "BELLINI PAINTS." It gave one the options to order, or make a selection.

Namjoon hovered his hand over the screen and the word 'CONNECT' digitally appeared, floating above his hand in tiny letters. The skin on his hand quickly faded following a glowing blue line that moved from his fingertips to his wrists, and showed the white interior of his hand. Shiny, white... plastic.

'Is that really all we are..? Plastic..? Of course we are...' Namjoon's head became cloudy with heavy thoughts. It's not every day that you look at your hand and think that you're nothing but recycled material.

'We really are just a bunch of machines. Here to serve humans... right?'

...

'No... no, that's-' "Identification verified."
A voice cut through Namjoon's thoughts as he snapped back to reality. He quickly removed his hand from the screen and attempted to avoid making eye contact with the android in front of him.

The android reached underneath the desk and retrieved a package. He placed it on the desk and said, "Here's your order, number 847. That'll be $63.99. Please confirm payment." With every word the android nodded his head. He did the same thing every time he pronounced two to three syllables of the numbers he spoke.

Both Namjoon's and the androids' LED ring flickered yellow, then quickly back to blue. "Payment confirmed." Namjoon said. "Transaction complete."

Namjoon grabbed the package and turned to leave the shop. He gave the android shopkeeper one final glance before closing the door behind him.

As he walked down the shopping district the same way he came, the words, 'TAKE BUS HOME' digitally appeared in front of him.

As he walked towards the bus stop, he neared the protestors shouting, "What do we want? Banned androids! When do we want it? Now!"

Unfortunately, Namjoon made the mistake of getting to close. To reach the bus stop he could taken the long way round, but unfortunately, he chose to go right in front of the protestors.

A guy with a man bun and beard walked up to him and said, "Where the fuck do you think going, tin can? Hm?" he had on a black shirt, which was underneath a black sweater, which was underneath a gray jacket. He held a megaphone in one hand. Namjoon tried stepping around him, but with every step, came the man blocking his way. "Hey guys, check it out. We got one of those tin cans here." As soon as the man said this, all the protestors created a circle around him and Namjoon. Namjoon looked around at all the people, wondering how he could get out this situation.

Out of nowhere, a random woman shoved him to the ground, causing him to drop his package. "Look at this little motherfucker." she said. "You steal our jobs, but you can't even stand up." the people around them were yelling things like, "Yeah! Yeah! Grab him!" and, "Get him down!"

Namjoon kept his composure and attempted to stand, until the man with the megaphone shoved his foot into Namjoon's ribcage, causing him to fall to the ground once more. People were shouting, "Get that bum!" and, "Yeah, take that!" and, "Take it!"

People were calling him a job stealer, saying he deserved a beating. The megaphoned man then grabbed him and said, "You ain't going anywhere. We're gonna fuck your bitch ass up."
Namjoon did nothing but stand there and look the man in dead in his eyes. He knew that in a time like this, keeping your cool is crucial for survival as an android.

A man then came out no where and started shoving people off to the side. "Alright, that's enough. Leave it alone." he said. It was a police officer. "Let us teach this bastard a lesson." the megaphoned man commanded, rather than asking in a nonchalant tone. Namjoon furrowed his brows and narrowed his eyes, his LED flashing yellow. The officer took one glance at Namjoon and said to the man, "You damage it, I'm gonna have have to fine you." the man looked at the officer, then let go of Namjoon with a shoving motion. He scoffed and said to the officer, "They're gonna take your job next, and we'll see how you like it."

"Let's go, get moving." the officer said to Namjoon as he directed him towards the bus stop. The protestors went back to shouting as Namjoon left the area. He stood on top of a blue platform that was slightly elevated as he waited for the bus.

When the bus arrived, the doors opened revealing a compartment at the back of the bus for androids. Namjoon stepped in, and the bus drove off. Namjoon gazed around the bus and out the windows at the scenery Seoul had to offer. It never crossed his mind until now that he seemed to act more human-like than most androids. Considering every other android in the back of the next to him was completely still, and had nothing but a blank stare on their faces.

He decided not to think too much, and simply wait until the bus reached his stop.