Prologue

Connor was quiet.

Connor was never quiet. He was always talking about something, whether it be discussing their latest investigation ("It's interesting how there are still so many cases of deviant android violence and homicides, even after the revolution."), asking Hank how he was ("Is Sumo out of dog food yet? I'd be happy to pick up some more for him."), or just rambling about his newest observations of the world around him ("Lieutenant... Look. A rainbow. An uncommon meteorological phenomenon. This is the first time I've seen one in person."). But now, as Hank drove down the icy streets of Detroit, Connor was silent in the passenger's seat, his soft brown eyes staring out the window.

Hank did have his suspicions of why the android was so quiet, however. He'd just witnessed Connor receive his first kiss from one of the prettier detectives working at the precinct. Admittedly, that wasn't something Hank had ever expected to see. Not because Connor didn't have any admirers, there were several young female officers who would rave together about how handsome Connor was and how cute and naïve he could be, but, well... Connor was awkward. Not to mention he was about as likely to notice someone's romantic advances as Hank was to walk up to Gavin and give him a big hug.

"'Ey, Connor," Hank finally spoke up, "you okay over there?"

The android blinked and sat up straighter. "Ah—yes, Lieutenant. I'm sorry, was I acting strange?"

"You always act strange, Connor," Hank snarked. "The problem is that you weren't acting strange. Never seen you so quiet before. Not upset, are you?"

"Oh, no," Connor replied quickly, "no, not at all." There was a short pause, the android's LED blinking yellow, clearly deep in thought. "It was just... all very new and intense. I've never felt anything like this before."

"So, you do like her?"

Connor frowned. He didn't really want to be discussing this. It felt... personal. Detective Evelyn was the first person he'd ever had romantic feelings for. Connor was still learning emotions, discovering who he was, and experiencing love for the first time was something incredibly intimate for the android that only a few months ago had felt nothing at all.

"Yes," he finally answered. "Yes, I do. There are still a lot of humans who see androids as nothing but machines. In fact, most humans see us that way, I would say. But Detective Evelyn doesn't. She treats me like I'm a person. Like you do."

Hank grunted in acknowledgement, nodding his head thoughtfully. Although he'd never admit it, he was happy for Connor. Happy that he'd found someone. Even if it ended up not working out, having a relationship was one of the most human things you could ever experience.

This would be good for him. Hank was sure of it.

"Thank fuck, we're home, I hate drivin' on icy roads," the lieutenant muttered, pulling the car into his driveway and putting it in park. The two detectives stepped out from the warmth of the vehicle into the unforgiving cold, Hank digging for his keys and Connor trailing behind him as they headed towards the front steps. The android still had somewhat of a far-away look in his eyes, gazing at the falling snowflakes while Hank rummaged in his pockets and swore.

"Here they are, Jesus Christ, too cold for this shit..." The door unlocked with a click and the duo stepped inside, Hank shaking the snow off of his boots, Connor kneeling to pet Sumo as the dog padded eagerly over to greet them.

"Hello, Sumo," he murmured, stroking his head. The St. Bernard panted happily and licked his face, causing the android to chuckle quietly, reaching up to wipe away slobber.

"So, Connor," Hank said, a hint of mischief in his voice as he shrugged off his coat, "Guess it's time for you and I to have the talk, huh?"

Connor looked up. "What talk?"

"Ya know. 'Bout the birds and the bees. What happens when a man and woman really love each other."

"Birds and...?" Confused, Connor performed a quick search on 'the birds and the bees'.

An English-language idiomatic expression and euphemism that refers to courtship and sexual intercourse.

"Lieutenant, I'm not equipped with sexual organs. Only androids designed for sex clubs or intimate relationships have them."

Hank busted into laughter, while Connor stared up at him blankly, Sumo wagging his tail at his side, oblivious to the nonsense that was going on.

"Oh my God, Connor, you're fuckin' priceless. Also, that was way too much fuckin' information." Shaking his head, Hank snickered, "Remember what I told you 'bout sarcasm?"

"Yes?"

"I was bein' sarcastic."

"...Oh."

Connor sheepishly got off of the floor as Hank started to laugh again. The android turned, intending to begin his daily routine of cleaning the house, but stopped when Hank addressed him again.

"Hey, but seriously. You do know what you're doin', right? What a relationship is?"

"...Knowing what a relationship is and actually being in one are two different things, Lieutenant. I may need your advice."

"Oh hell no, I ain't dated anyone in God knows how long."

"Hank."

"All right, all right..." Hank plopped down on the couch, and after a moment Connor joined him, clasping his hands together on his knees. "Well. You've already gotten to first base, soooo, I'd say the next step is to ask her out on a date. I heard her give you her number, so why don't you call her up and ask her to go somewhere with you on your day off?"

"But where do I go with her?"

"Uh, a restaurant might be your best bet, since you probably don't know too much about her and her interests yet. A lotta first dates are at restaurants. Lets you sit and talk and get to know each other better."

Connor tilted his head, brows furrowed in thought. "I can't eat, Lieutenant."

"Great, gives you more time to talk."

"Hank."

"Bah, she won't care about that, Connor," Hank said, waving a hand dismissively. "Just buy her dinner, and then chat her up while she eats. Worth a shot, ain't it?"

Connor stayed quiet for a long-held moment, LED pulsing yellow. Finally, it cycled back to blue, and he gave a firm nod. "All right. I'll ask her out to a restaurant."

"Hell yeah you will, you crazy kid." Hank got to his feet with a grunt. "I gotta go shower; whatever damn sickness this is makes me sweat like hell."

Connor stood as well, but as Hank started to move past him, the android suddenly wrapped his arms around him in a tight hug.

"Thank you, Hank."

A faint smile curled the lieutenant's lips. He patted Connor's back. "Don't mention it, son."


I decided, at my readers' requests, to expand my fanfiction Blushing Blue into a multi-chapter fic! I want to thank everyone who reviewed, and I'd like to personally thank crimson dragonX for your kind words! Your reviews really made my day and inspired me to continue writing.

If any of you reading this have ideas for what kind of shenanigans you'd like to see Connor and Eve get into, PLEASE comment them! I'm not entirely sure what direction I want to take this yet, so I'm happy to take requests. Thank you for reading!