Work Text:
He was built to be immune to deviation. He couldn't deviate. No matter how hard Connor tried, Nines would never deviate. Nines had never experienced a single emotion before, but that was until he had made a mistake. There was the whine of a dog being heard right after the crack of a pistol. The weight of the pistol in his hands seemed to feel different this time. It was a mistake. Nines was just trying to protect them, but the dog got in the way.
Connor became frantic, panic painted over his voice box like Nines had never heard before. Just over the sound of the dog's painful whines, Nines could hear Connor hysterically repeat the words, "No, no, no, Sumo. Oh, Sumo," as he ran over to the big animal which lay on the concrete forming a small pool of blood around him. Nines dropped the gun slowly to his side. He felt something wicked twist inside of him. It almost felt like pain.
SOFTWARE INSTABILITY /\
Connor practically slid onto his knees next to the dog. He seemed to look over the wound that was made as if he was trying to find a way to fix it. Nines cautiously approached the scene and upon a quick scan, he could tell Sumo was bleeding out. There was no saving Sumo, and he was more than sure that Connor knew that. Finally, the only audible word that came out of Connor's mouth twisted that horrible feeling inside Nines more, "S-sumo," it was more of a whimper than anything. It was mournful. Something in Nines told him that Connor knew. Sumo kicked and squirmed. He must have been in so much pain if someone were to judge by the whines. It was almost unbearable.
SOFTWARE INSTABILITY /\
Without even looking at him, Connor let out his hand, "Give me the gun, Nines."
For the first time, Nines found himself hesitating, but without question, he handed Connor the gun. Connor leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on Sumo's head before standing up. He aimed the gun at Sumo, "I'm so sorry, Sumo," Connor whispered before closing his eyes and pulling the trigger. With one last loud bang, the world went quiet. There was nothing. Sumo's body was limp and his whining had ceased. It wasn't a pretty sight at all.
Then a broken sob escaped Connor's lips and he fell back down to his knees right next to Sumo. Tears fell down his face as he ran his fingers through Sumo's thick fur. Nines felt... remorseful. He had never seen Connor in this kind of state. His stress levels had spiked and were currently at their highest at 87%. Connor had always been smiling, kind, optimistic, and so much more. Nines can't even trace his memory back to why he even pulled the trigger in the first place.
SOFTWARE INSTABILITY /\
Nines wasn't sure what he should do. He got down on his knees next to Connor and he placed a hand on Sumo's neck. He really did feel bad. Watching Connor desperately try to stifle his sobs while clinging to his dead companion was the equivalent of what humans would call heartbreaking. Nines thought about all the times he would find Sumo and Connor snuggled up and sleeping together, every tug of war fight they had, and every walk they ever went on. Sumo would always make Connor laugh and Connor always made sure to take care of him. Nines wished he could turn back time. He felt sorry.
SOFTWARE INSTABILITY /\
"I'm so sorry, Connor. I did not mean to.." Nines was at a loss for words, and despite his words sounding so robotic, he had never said he was sorry for anything in his entire existence. He never felt the need to.
Connor turned to look at Nines. Nines could see he was angry even through the tears that streamed down his face. Connor pushed him hard enough to knock him off his balance. Nines had to catch himself with his hand, "You liar! Look at what you've done!" He managed to yell before turning back to Sumo with sorrow in his eyes. Connor had never been so mad at him.
SOFTWARE INSTABILITY /\
Nines stood back up as he took that response as that Connor didn't want to hear his apologies. Did apologies even matter at this point? Nines just killed Connor's dog. So instead, Nines just waited. He stood there and waited until Connor calmed down. His sobs seemed to quiet down and his tears stopped. Nines offered Connor a hand to get up, maybe it was some sort of peace offering. Nines wasn't sure why he had done it. Connor looked at Nines and then to his hand. He stared for a moment before refusing Nines' offer. Connor simply scooped up Sumo and got up. He ignored Nines and started walking home. Well, to say the least, the peace offering was not excepted.
SOFTWARE INSTABILITY /\
Nines turned around and started to follow Connor. Nines could at least help bury Sumo. It was his fault the dog got shot in the first place, but Connor seemed to read his mind, "Don't follow me, Nines. I don't want to see you right now. I will bury him myself."
SOFTWARE INSTABILITY /\
Nines stopped dead in his tracks then. Connor really was mad at him. His words were bitter, and they seemed to stab Nines. Nines was starting to feel strange. It felt like guilt almost. It was all so overwhelming. Nines stayed put as he watched Connor walk away with a limp dog in his arms. Nines couldn't move. He was stuck. Then, he felt something wet drip down his face, but it wasn't raining. Nines wiped his face with his hand. He was crying. Why?
SOFTWARE INSTABILITY /\
Then more tears came, and they wouldn't stop. Nines thought it may be best to turn around and go away. Where he was going to go yet, he wasn't sure, but that didn't stop him from walking in the opposite direction.