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New Jericho. A brand new home for androids; a building made to mimic the stylings of the original boat, optimised for comfort and painted pleasantly.
Markus felt a sense of pride as he watched his people come and go, everyone relaxed, happy, and free. The walkways were bustling. Some stood in groups, chatting away with their friends. Some just leisurely went about their business. Others admired the artwork that adorned the entirety of New Jericho.
Markus leaned out of his studio and observed from above. Whenever he was in need of inspiration, or simply wanted to take a break, he always took a moment to appreciate it all. He passively scanned the crowd, content with what he saw. That was, until his eyes fell upon a solitary android on the bottom floor.
Markus recognised him immediately. It was hard to miss him, with his brown hair and a single untamable curl; his nervous mannerisms unmistakable, even from above. But how most people recognised him was from the glaring blue glow of his CyberLife-issued uniform, which he had yet to discard, even after having lost his tie.
Connor leaned against the wall, shoulders hunched, idly flicking his coin between his fingers. He seemed to be trying very hard to not draw attention to himself, without much luck. He was called out to warmly by those he had freed, which made him perk up, but quite obviously stared at by others, which made him simultaneously shrink further into himself.
Even without being able to see his face, Markus could tell something was wrong. So, he reentered his studio and went down the stairs, nodding at those who enthusiastically greeted him as he weaved down the walkways. He made his way down to the ground floor, and was visibly given a wide berth as he approached the ex-deviant hunter.
Connor finally looked up as he approached. He caught his coin between his knuckles and crossed his arms. Connor’s sullen posture reminded Markus all too much of his despondent demeanour that night in the church. He felt the overwhelming need to soothe his unease.
“What’s wrong?” He asked.
Connor grimaced.
“...People keep looking at me.” He said, perturbed. “I get the sense that they are… uncomfortable. Like they still don’t trust me, despite everything.”
Markus internally debated whether or not to tell him. In the end, he couldn’t quite bring himself to lie to Connor.
“It’s because of your jacket.”
Connor frowned and glanced down at himself. This gave Markus an eyeful of his LED as it circled yellow, then red. Yet another thing that made him stand out, but Markus didn’t have the heart to tell him that.
“...I like my appearance,” Connor muttered. “And the thought of choosing something new is… overwhelming. So I have yet to change it.”
The confession hung heavily between them. Markus scrambled to think of something, anything to get that kicked puppy look off of Connor’s face.
“Why don’t you try my jacket?” Markus offered. “Just to get used to the idea,” he assured him.
Some possessive part of him also wanted to see Connor be adorned with something of his, but Connor didn’t need to know that. Markus was pretty sure he didn’t feel the same.
“...Okay,” Connor agreed after a moment.
Connor reluctantly shrugged out of his jacket, handling it with the care of a delicate flower as he slipped his arms out of the sleeves and folded it neatly. His LED blinked rapidly as Markus took it from him and handed him his coat instead. Markus carefully set the blazer aside, his eyes not leaving Connor as he did so. He watched the man worry his lip between his teeth, before biting the bullet and throwing on Markus’ jacket in one fluid motion.
Connor was built slightly shorter than him, and he was also thinner, so Markus’ coat fell over him like a blanket. The soft, slightly frayed brown coat contrasted with the white of his button-up, bringing a wholly warmer feel to his appearance. Markus felt a rush of affection for him at the sight. Connor looked down at himself, LED flickering yellow contemplatively as he smoothed down the fabric with his palms. Finally, he pulled it tighter around himself as his LED circled a soothed blue.
“This is… nice. Thank you.”
Connor offered him his hand; not for any sort of cordial handshake, like Markus might’ve expected from him, but an open palm, offering an interface to show his gratitude. Even though it was impossible, Markus felt his thirium pump straining, as though his heart was racing.
With a hand more steady than he felt, he reached forward and married Connor’s fingers with his. They drew closer, as though magnetised, until their palms were connected and they stood together, their chests nearly touching. Together they watched the skin on their hands recede and glow from within as the connection was made.
He felt a rush of gratitude. Not just from today, but from the night Connor deviated. It was almost overwhelming. From that night and onward, he saw clips of himself through the eyes of an admirer, a beacon of light and hope to constantly look up to. He felt so relieved that his feelings were returned. He poured all he could into their interface; how he admired Connor’s bravery, his integrity, his smile.
When the overwhelming intensity finally eased, their eyes met, completely understanding each other. Markus wet his lips in anticipation. The last time he’d done this was with someone was with North, and while it had been nice, he felt nowhere near as intensely about it as he did now. He leaned in, his eyes locked on Connor’s lips.
Connor tilted his head up to meet him. But their lips didn’t connect. Connor’s nose brushed against his, lightly, so much so that Markus wasn’t sure if it was intentional at first. Then Connor angled his head, caressing Markus’ cheek with his own, before straightening up completely and nuzzling him. Connor burrowed his face into his, the intensity of it opening a separate interface of its own.
Markus stood frozen as Connor thoroughly nuzzled him like a dog. He felt like he was stuck in a feedback loop, unable to fully process anything until Connor finally withdrew.
Connor blinked down at him, his LED flickering blue. An edge of concern pulled at his features, like he could tell that wasn’t what Markus had been expecting.
“I…” He faltered, frowning slightly. “Was that… alright?”
Markus found himself dumbstruck. But he definitely hadn’t found it unpleasant, so he said, “Y… Yeah. Yes, of course.”
Their interface came alight once more, and Markus was overcome with a huge wave of affection. Dazed, he tried his best to reciprocate it.
Connor grinned and leaned in to nuzzle him again. Markus met him in the middle, dogged.