Chapter Text
It was October of year 2039 and the revolution was successful. The androids lived peacefully under Markus in New Jericho as he negotiated with the humans to place his demands.
Said humans were busting the androids’ asses during their struggle for equal rights and Markus was getting tired of it.
A common thought with the humans Markus had to deal with was that androids were some sort of hive mind with the same thoughts and goals; “This android murdered their previous owners? Well, why didn’t you do something about it, O Glorious Messiah? Do they stand for your values as well?”
They didn’t seem to understand the absolute hell Markus went through to keep their revolution peaceful, how much time he spent wondering if these asshole humans were really deserving of it after killing so many of their people. His only motivation for stopping unneeded human injury was his father, Carl, who reminded him that even though the majority of humans he talked to were some of the most unpleasant people he’d ever dealt with, there were still some good ones out there. Carl was the only intelligence in the sea of humans asking why he doesn’t just do the “mind control thingamajig” so the androids stop being violent.
He wasn’t sure if the humans he spoke to were aware of what free will was, but he was sure of one thing: humans didn’t create a superior life-form for no reason. rA9 knows they’d have to at some point with the “logic” the humans have been trying to undermine the android cause with.
Of course, Markus would never actually voice any of these thoughts. He’d smile and wave at human reporters as he closed out constant pop-ups in his mind listing each and every way he could knock them out.
After a long day of getting invasive questions from strangers, he strode into new Jericho, shoulders sagging due to mental fatigue and holding back from sighing every couple of seconds.
As soon as he stepped into his office, he was greeted by North and Simon having cheerful conversation on his desk, only to come to a complete halt as soon as he walked in.
They both looked as if they were going to smile at him, only to stop midway to reveal scrutinizing expressions.
“You look like shit.” North said bluntly, raising her eyebrow at the sight of him. “What’d they ask this time?”
Markus opened his mouth to deny and say he looked just fine, only for Simon to shoot him A Look™, letting him know that there was no point.
Markus huffed and took a seat between the two of them, resting his head on Simon’s shoulder.
“The list never ends,” Markus closed his eyes, exasperation clear on his face. “but it’s less about the humans this time.”
“You okay?” Simon glanced down at him, a subtle expression of worry on his face.
“I just need to relax, I feel like I could explode at any moment.” Markus dramatically flopped onto both North and Simon, prompting a scoff from North and a soft chuckle from Simon.
“Well, lucky you, there’s some human holiday coming up,” North suggested, resting a hand on his calf. “you can do whatever it is they’re doing and say it was a holiday break.”
Markus’ eyes opened as he glanced up at her.
“Surprisingly, I forgot about Halloween entirely.”
“I’m not sure how, the humans never stop talking about it,” Simon stated. “there’s a bunch of humans online posting skeleton pictures every year, they’ve been talking about things getting ‘spooky’ since October started.”
“I’ve seen it too, actually.” North replied. “It’s kinda terrifying, if you look a while back, you see that they’ve been doing it for years.”
“Humans are fucking weird.” Markus declared.
Simon and North silently agreed.
-
Being only 6 months old, Connor was clueless to the existence of Halloween. Being who he is, he was too busy moping around Hank’s house to even note its existence.
As it turns out, with emotions, he was granted with the knowledge that he was socially inept, debilitatingly anxious, and had no clue what the fuck he was doing.
If he had a say in the matter, he’d refund his deviancy immediately and go back to sitting in a Cyberlife closet.
At the moment, he was reduced to posting shitty memes online from Hank’s computer, researching random interests he gained throughout the months, and coddling Sumo nonstop in an attempt to distract himself from the fact that at some point, he’d need to actually go outside for something other than taking the dog on a walk once a month in Hank’s place. You know, like a normal, functioning human being would.
Of course, Connor wasn’t human and therefore he could do whatever the hell he wanted.
Hank saw things differently.
The android’s eyes snapped over when he heard the door open, hissing like a feral cat as Hank turned the lights on.
If Connor had a say in the matter, he’d definitely take back deviancy, if only it’d give him an escape from his asshole, obnoxious human dad interrupting him while he was in the middle of making some very important shitposts.
He’d die for Hank without hesitation if the situation called for it.
“What have you become?” Muttered Hank from the doorframe, which was honestly incredibly rude and uncalled for. Connor was doing perfectly fine as a shut in, thank you very much.
“An honorable android worthy of the utmost praise.” Connor answered honestly, not hesitating for a second.
“Step your pussy up, honey. Get a job.”
“Androids have no need for jobs, not to mention that it is currently illegal to hire us. “ Connor informed.
Of course, androids had nowhere to spend the money anyways. They mostly waste all of their financial reparations on luxuries, considering that they don’t need anything but thirium to survive.
“You’re gonna need one eventually,” Hank snorted. “I’m not gonna be the one to buy you a Halloween costume every year, you’re a grown ass man.”
“Well, I am 6 months old.”
“You only pull that shit when it’s convenient to you.” Hank scoffed. “When I asked if you needed me to come with you to walk Sumo, you started spouting shit about how you were an adult."
“Can I take that back?” Connor asked meekly, already knowing the answer.
Hank gave him a sarcastic smile.
“Bitch, you thought.” Hank held up his car keys that rested in his arm that he hid behind the doorframe. “We’re goin’ shopping.”
“Do I have any say on whether or not I go at least?”
“Hell no. I already know the answer and I’m not raising a 24/7 shut-in.”
Connor groaned in a manner that, in hindsight, appeared to be reinforcing his status as an absolute fucking child. Considering that he was programmed to be an adult, he’d probably have to work on that.
“Why can’t we just go costume shopping online?” Connor pouted, getting up from his seat as slowly as possible and trudging his way over to Hank as they walked to the front door.
“I mostly needed an excuse to get you out of the house, but I guess it’s also because you need the Halloween shopping experience.” Hank explained as they stepped outside and into the car, starting the car.
“Humans are incredibly inefficient.”
Hank agreed.
-
Markus’ stance on Connor was undefined. He was aware that The Deviant Hunter couldn’t be trusted, of course. He’d been informed by Josh prior to his speech that Connor had almost pulled a gun on him, only to put it away shortly after. This was a topic of controversy within the android community and they had yet to reach an explanation, all of them only being able to agree that Connor was someone you should tread lightly around. However, that was implying that anyone would actually see him after the speech. They did not.
After the speech, Connor seemed to have disappeared from the face of the Earth. He didn’t respond to the press about his Cyberlife tower infiltration, he didn’t interact with Jericho whatsoever, and he was generally feared by the android community.
This is why he didn’t expect to find said Deviant Hunter in a Halloween shop when he went out with Josh. He was repeatedly activating a cackling animatronic witch holding a fake cat over a cauldron. Connor was snorting out laughter along with an unknown human with gray hair as if it was the funniest thing in the world. Amidst the Deviant Hunter’s giggling, the android was heard saying something along the lines of “big ass mood”, whatever that meant.
Josh shot Markus a look at the sight of Connor, silently glancing back and forth between the two.
So, what are we doing? Josh asked through a mental link.
Without even thinking, Markus decided to casually wave off the question and walk over to Connor, offering a smile.
“Connor!” Markus beamed. “Hello!”
Connor jolted and yelped, only to choke on the artificial saliva in his mouth, coughing to get it out. He rested his hand on the witch, only to trip on his own feet and stumble as he grasped it. He reached over in an attempt to save it from falling, but ultimately failed as he tripped on the cauldron and toppled over with the prop, his LED flashing red as he went down.
Markus bit his lip as he watched the disaster before him. He tried his hardest not to laugh, only for a loud chortle to reach his ears, coming from the human who Connor was with. (Markus identified him as Hank Anderson, unsurprisingly a police lieutenant.)
Connor’s face was a bright red as he let out a strange keening noise, burying his face into the fallen prop.
Markus was suddenly finding it hard to fear this man, considering the fact that even though he was built to be the most advanced prototype Cyberlife had ever made, he still managed to do something like this. It was almost endearing.
“Can I stay down here? Forever?” Came from Connor’s muffled voice, more to Mr. Anderson than himself.
“This is the Halloween shopping experience, kid.” Hank sniggered, covering his mouth. “Get up and suck it up.”
Connor begrudgingly sat up, a vaguely traumatized look on his tomato red face.
“This sucks. Humans suck.” Connor muttered, righting the prop and apologizing to a worker who was beginning to walk over.
“Believe me, I know.” Hank grinned.
“Rare to find a human who shares the sentiment.” Markus raised his eyebrows, a barely suppressed smirk on his face.
Connor blanched at the sound of his voice.
“Shit- uh, hi?” The android’s voice cracked as he rushed out an awkward greeting. “I realize I never replied and from what I learned, that’s incredibly rude according to the social protocol Cyberlife used to supply me with, so I apologize if I’ve come off as standoffish or rude because it was not my intention and I completely understand if I’ve made you feel-“
Hank stuck a hand in Connor’s face, cutting off his anxious ranting.
“Glad to see the moody teenager act is gone.”
“It’s a lifestyle, actually.” Connor corrected, fidgeting with his hands, surprisingly capable of sarcasm through his own obvious anxiety. “I’m just taking a short break. I assure you that it’ll be back after these messages.”
Markus snorted, catching a glimpse of Josh who seemed torn between pretending the situation never happened and getting a costume and going over to get involved with the shitfest. He chose the former, sending Markus a quick message about it and walking off.
“So, where’ve you been all these months?” Markus started, meeting Connor’s eyes.
Connor immediately looked away, focusing more on his shoulder.
“I’ve been here and there.” He attempted to sound casual to some degree, rocking back and forth on his heels.
“Are you really gonna lie to the android messiah?” Hank raised an eyebrow.
“I am a grown ass man, I will lie to who I want to lie to.” Connor crossed his arms.
“Sure, buddy. Go check out the toys.” Hank teased, causing Connor’s glare to intensify. “He’s been moping around in my apartment and hogging my dog.”
“It’s not my fault he loves me more!” Connor argued.
“It’s because you pick him up all the time, I can’t do that shit.” Hank grumbled. “You spoil him too much.”
“Sumo is a good boy and he deserves it.”
“What breed is he?” Markus asked, amused by the playful banter.
Hank started to talk, only for Connor to excitedly cut him off.
“He’s a Saint Bernard! They’re actually my second favorite breed next to Huskies, which I’m a bigger fan of because heterochromia is less of a rarity in them, it’s incredibly interesting. I’m a fan of the look in general myself” Connor rambled, a grin on his face. “Saint Bernards are a second because Sumo is such a sweet boy and because Saint Bernards are less of a ‘constant exercise’ kind of dog and more of a ‘sit and cuddle’ kind of dog, especially due to the lack of aggression they show and how calm they are. Saint Bernards are also known for rescuing travelers from the cold in the Alps-“
Connor paused, expression going blank for a second.
“Sumo needs a costume.”
Hank gave a gentle nod.
“There’s a Petsmart nearby, we can go there after we actually get a costume.” Hank slowly walked over to the costumes.
“I actually lost sight of what we were here for when I saw the witch, if I’m being honest.” Connor admitted. He tensed for a second and seemed to be deep in thought.
“Thank you for coming to say hello.” Connor said hesitantly. “I don’t get to interact with other androids a lot.”
“You could come to New Jericho.” Markus suggested.
Of course, Markus knew that most likely wouldn’t work out, considering Connor’s status as the former Deviant Hunter. He’d terrify a lot of androids, considering that they haven’t seen him knock over a display in the middle of a Halloween shop like Markus has.
“Thank you for the offer, but that wouldn’t be a good idea.” Connor gave a sheepish look. “As the former deviant hunter, I’m sure the residents wouldn’t appreciate that, not to mention the… incident during your speech.”
Depressingly, Markus had almost forgot that this was the same man that had pointed a gun to his head after his deviation.
“That reminds me, is there an explanation for that?”
Connor twiddled his fingers.
“Yes, it was a temporary lapse of control.” Connor supplied. “I failed to consider that Cyberlife could take control at that moment, I apologize for endangering you and the rest of Jericho.”
Oh.
Markus had never considered that.
The majority of Jericho assumed that the conclusion could only be that Connor was still working for Cyberlife or that he wanted to forcefully gain control over the revolution. He never realized their theories might’ve been biased against Connor.
“There’s no need to apologize, you didn’t see it coming.” Markus offered a small smile. “It was nice seeing you.”
“You as well.”
Connor trotted over to Hank, pointing to a specific costume he spotted and smiling at the human.
What a peculiar character.
-
Connor carried the bag holding all of their costumes in his hand as he skipped to the front doorstep, twirling.
“It was Markus! Talking to me!” Connor beamed at Hank, tittering in his direction. “I thought he just hated me or something, I never thought he’d come up to me!”
“Ironic that you act like a fan when you freed thousands of androids yourself.” Hank smirked.
“The difference is that I’m the former Deviant Hunter and Markus was the leader of the android rebellion,” Connor’s smile faded slightly, only to come back full force. “and when I explained what happened during his speech, he didn’t even shun me for life!”
“Of course he didn’t.” Hank snorted. “Former deviant hunter or not, you have this weird, dorky charm to you, it’s unfair.”
Connor’s face heated up as he rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand and slowed to a calm walk.
“Really? I thought I was kind of a mess.”
“You are. It’s just that it’s charming when it wants to be.”
Connor nodded and shot him finger guns, unsure of how to respond. He opened the door to reveal Sumo, who passively licked his leg as he walked in.
Of course, such a good boy couldn’t go without scritches. He tossed the bags and gave his baby boy pets, cooing at him.
“This is so sweet, Connor play Despacito.”
“How old is that song?” Connor questioned, kissing Sumo’s nose.
“Hell if I know. Can’t you look that shit up?”
“I could if I so desired, I just don’t feel like it.”
“That’s entirely logical.” Hank said.
“Along with everything else I do” Connor rested his arm on Sumo. “So, are we letting him try on the costume yet?”
“We gotta at some point.” Hank appeared to already have the costume behind his back. “Sumo?”
The dog looked up at Hank, meeting his gaze for a second.
Hank held up a lobster costume in his right hand, smiling at the dog below him.
“Behold.”
“He’s just jumping with joy on the inside, I can see it in his eyes.” Connor observed.
Sumo sniffed at the lobster’s large eyes as they stared back at him.
“Come on, bud, let’s get you dressed.”
-
“… and then he just fucking tripped over the prop.” Josh animatedly retold Simon and North the story of what happened in the halloween shop, sniggering as he recalled it.
“As if.” North scoffed. “He’s the deviant hunter, Cyberlife’s most advanced prototype.”
“That’s what I thought too!” Markus gave her a crooked smile. “Then he started rambling to me about dogs and how he liked heterochromia in huskies. It was strangely endearing.”
“Isn’t this the same guy that pointed a gun at you?” Simon questioned. “On multiple occasions?”
“Yeah, but hear me out:” Markus started. “Now that he’s deviated, he seems kind of incapable of hurting anything. It wasn’t even him that pointed the gun at me the second time, it was all on Cyberlife that time, according to him.”
“I doubt it.” North rested her head on her hand. “Sounds like some sort of trick.”
“You say that because you haven’t seen him tumble over the props in a Halloween shop.” Markus chuckled. “Trust me: he’s harmless.”
-
Connor had been called many things in his short lifetime. He’s been gifted with the names “Deviant Hunter”, and “tin can”, and his all time favorite, “sassy piece of shit.”
One thing Connor had never been called is someone with bad taste. This is why he was tasked with being the one who ultimately decided on the costumes they’d wear.
Connor squatted in his crab costume, pressing his cloth claws together in Hank’s direction.
“Watch your back, grandpa,” Connor threatened halfheartedly, “lest you be faced with the claw.”
“Try me, bitch.” Hank pulled the top onto his Mr Krabs costume, causing Connor to start fucking cackling on sight.
It was truly uncanny, with very obvious eye holes underneath the oblong eyes and the figure of a misshapen beauty blender.
“I also happen to be armed.” Hank replied, kicking up his leg and holding up a claw of his own, only to stumble.
Connor walked over to Hank, still in his squat, eyes sharp and ready to strike.
Hank reached out to pick Connor up before he could fall victim to The Claw™, but it was too late. Connor had already captured the eye of his costume.
Hank fell dramatically, sitting down and flopping onto his side.
“He has fallen. Our oppressor is gone!” Connor held up his claw triumphantly. “Come on, Sumo, let’s steal his shit.” Connor turned away from the fallen crab.
“Wait, Connor!”
“Yes, dad?”
“I… can’t get up.”
“This is so sad, Sumo play Take On Me.”
“You’re not funny, shut the fuck up and help me.”
“Got it.”
-
Jericho looked like a tacky mess. In celebration of the holiday, the place was decked out in dollar store halloween decorations that literally no one liked in an attempt to replicate human halloween parties. Everyone was dressed in different costumes as they found activities and party games around Jericho. News reporters scattered around as they took pictures of the church decorated in cheap decorations with badly made props and candy that none of the androids could eat, excluding Markus, as an advanced model with access to certain updates prior to the others. New Jericho was filled with both androids and humans as they enjoyed their Halloween.
Markus looked over his vampire costume in his office mirror once more, flapping the cape and grinning to show off the cheap plastic teeth in his mouth.
“You look fine, just go ahead and get out there.” North giggled at him, covering her mouth in her seat on his desk. She wore a short black dress, high heels, and cheaply made gray ears and called it her costume. (When asked to explain, the explanation she gave was, “I’m a mouse, duh!” and a barely concealed laugh. Whatever the joke was, Markus failed to see it.)
“What if they ask me a shit ton of questions about things that aren’t even related to Halloween?”
“The only solution is to kill them, dude.”
“I’m so glad I come to you for advice.” Markus glanced back from the mirror to look at her.
“I know, it’s because you should come to me by default.” North grabbed his hand and lead him outside of his office. “Now go socialize!”
North shoved him outside of his office.
“That’s rude.”
“Good.” North stuck her tongue out. “I’ve got people to talk to that aren’t worrying about interviews at a party, soo…”
“I hope the humans ask you about the murder hive mind.”
“By rA9, anything but that!”
“Nah, I’d rather you suffer.”
“Well, shit, I love you too then.” North gave a smile, fist bumping Markus as she went off to talk with her other friends.
Markus smiled back at her and walked off to find something, anything to do.
He didn’t expect to bump into Hank and Connor as soon as he took a few steps.
-
When Hank told Connor they were going outside for Halloween, Connor assumed he meant Trick or Treating. Taking candy from strangers and sticking more shit in his mouth sounded like a lot more fun than going out into a poorly lit church filled with cheap decorations and people and food he’d probably get sick of eating after a couple minutes and people and reporters and people!!
Connor expressed this to Hank, only to be reminded that it probably wouldn’t be that crowded, considering that human reporters would probably chase off a lot of androids. This didn’t ease Connor’s constant anxiety whatsoever as he fiddled with his costume and flicked around his coin. He was reminded that he had to at least get used to being around more than small groups of people at come point, having come this fair in his journey to escape his suffocating social ineptitude. He’d have to face small crowds eventually.
Connor hated it, but he was right. He’d have to get through this eventually if he wanted to be able to go into a public place without tripping on something during an attempt to hide his anxiety.
No matter how much he needed this, however, he knew he was fucked. Hank was gonna walk away for a second and Connor was going to lose his shit, start crying, explode, and die.
Hank assured him that was being ridiculous: Hank would never leave him in the crowd.
Hank was right about that, but unfortunately, that wasn’t the problem.
As soon as they entered Jericho, the androids quieted down. Most of the androids noticed him automatically and suddenly, his anxiety stopped screaming at him and instead escalated into kicking him in the gut.
Connor shrunk behind Hank, subconsciously shrinking in on himself and rubbing his arm.
He caught whispered gossip coming from other androids.
“What is he doing here?”, “Where has he been?”, “Isn’t that the Deviant Hunter? Who’s that with him?” and, “is the Deviant Hunter dressed as a crab?”
Hank drew in a breath, visibly stiffening even inside of the costume.
“Do they really care that much about your programming?” Hank put an arm around Connor’s shoulders. “A bunch of assholes, all of them.”
“It’s not just about my programming, I-“ Connor paused as he saw familiar faces in the crowd. The two Tracis from the Eden Club, gazing at him with true terror in their eyes.
He had to leave. He tried to move back to the entrance, only for reporters to cage him in, shoving cameras and microphones in his face and asking invasive questions about where he was and who he was and why he betrayed Markus and why he thought he could come back to New Jericho after his betrayal and it was all too much!
Connor was very obviously near tears and he was unable to do anything about it. He wondered if he was right about the exploding and dying part. That’d certainly be a lot better than breaking down in front of a camera and under hundreds of androids’ scrutinizing gazes.
Hank ushered him away from the reporters, politely telling them to fuck off and lead his son in the direction of the only place he could think to take him: Markus’ office. Connor’s breathing was shaky as he attempted to calm down, staying as close as he could to Hank without shoving himself into him.
“God, this fucking sucks.” Connor let out a watery laugh.
“Son, I’m so fuckin’ sorry about this, if I had known-“
“Don’t.” Connor rubbed at his eyes. “I-It’s fine. If i really wanted to, I could’ve just insisted that I was uncomfortable and we could’ve went trick or treating or something, it’s not your fault.”
“Still, I brought it up.”
“Dad?”
“Yeah?”
“Shut the fuck up.”
Hank snorted a laugh.
“That at least gives me some hop-“
Hank was cut off as he bumped into a familiar face.
“Markus, thank fuck.” Hank sighed, smiling at him. “Can you watch Connor for me? I wanna go get him some punch or something.”
“I’m not a child.” Connor sniffed. “You don’t have to watch me, I’ll be just fine.”
“Connor, you look like shit.” Markus blinked at the sniveling android. “Like hell I’m not gonna be there for you, you look like you need the support.”
Hank put a hand on Markus’ shoulder.
“Thank you.” Hank said genuinely.
“Don’t worry about it, he’s my friend.”
Connor’s head spun. Markus? Friend? Android leader? Friend?? Guy who he tried to kill like, twice? Friend???
It’s not that Connor didn’t want to be closer with Markus. It’s that Markus honestly shouldn’t trust him. Not to say that Connor planned on shooting Markus anytime soon, it’s just that he was literally the deviant hunter and his entire mission was to sabotage the deviant revolution and Markus, what the fuck?
Connor wasn’t aware of anything around him as Markus lead him into his office.
“Care to explain what happened?” Markus questioned, settling down in the seat behind his desk.
“This seems like the beginning of a therapy session from a cartoon.” Connor sat down on the couch adjacent to the desk, ripping off the decorative claws. “It’s just the gossip from other androids, not much to worry about.”
“Which is why you were crying when you found me.”
“Exactly. You sure know what you’re talking about.”
Markus gave him an imperfect smile, leaning on his desk.
“You know, if you want me to, I could clear your name with them.”
“I’d rather them not notice my existence at all, honestly.” Connor sighed, closing his eyes as he laid down on the couch. “I guess that isn’t possible now, however.”
“Explaining the situation would be the only thing that could help, I can’t exactly make them forget you entirely.”
“I wish.” Connor huffed a laugh.
Hank walked back into the room with a small glass cup of punch with a pale blue tint.
“Drink up, kid.”
Connor sat up from his seat, taking the punch from Hank, absentmindedly rubbing at the glass as Hank sat down next to him
“Thanks, dad.”
“No problem, kid.” Hank gave him a subtle grin, looking down to cover it.
Markus looked at them in awe.
“You have a human father?”
Connor reddened at the question, rubbing at his arm.
“Yes, I do. I understand that it’s strange, but-“
“So do I.” Markus smiled
Hank raised an eyebrow in Markus’ direction.
“I never heard about that.”
“It's why my name’s Markus Manfred. It's taken from Carl Manfred, my former owner.” Markus supplied.
“I just assumed you took up the name because it was the first one familiar to you” Hank’s eyes widened. “Never would’ve guessed.”
“I was just assigned to Hank as my partner during the deviancy cases.” Connor explained, kicking his feet. “According to Hank, I was shit at my job.”
“I assumed you were.” Markus gained an amused look on his face. “How’d those cases go?”
“Well, one of the cases was with an HK400 who killed his owner, he was never given a name…”
And so the rest of the night continued like that, with each of them telling stories instead of talking to the rest of the partygoers. With the way they were then, everything seemed alright the way it was.