1. Belongs: The univers and characters of Detroit Become Human belong to Quantic Dreams and David Cage.

2. Rating: "T" in general, but might be "M" for cursed words, graphics contents such as violence, injuries or sexual scenes.

3. Summary: A month has passed since that one night on the couch with Gavin and Conrad. The topic is taboo for the human and prefers to keep his distance from the android, once again closing on himself. But a new android's murder bring them into the field, and they both discover that Django's case is getting more complicated. Despite the emotional storm, Conrad decides it's time to talk about the topic with Gavin, whether he likes it or not.

CHAPTER 18
" Unexpected Promise "

Things never go as planned in life, and Conrad was starting to come to terms with the idea over time and with the experience he gained. But he clearly hadn't been ready for this.

The thirium had evaporated for hours now, but he could still see it. This pool of invisible blue blood covered the living room parquet, seeped between the wooden planks, until it soaked the carpet next to it.

He walked slowly towards the body of the android lying on the ground, open orbs, black and blue, such were the optical units without the natural imitation of human eyes.

Her long, polar blond hair had captured the still wet thirium, giving it a bluish shade, like an iceberg.

"Why didn't you call me ..."

Conrad stared at the gutted body, cables and circuits exposed. She had been killed the same way Django had been, but the killer hadn't bothered to hide the murder weapon this time around. On the carpet, amid the geometric patterns, was the same kitchen knife that had been used a month earlier against the animal. There were no fingerprints on it either, which reminded Conrad of a detail he had missed during the first investigation.

She hadn't killed her dog, he was sure about that, she cared too much for her owner's animal, and she hadn't killed herself, she wanted too much of her own life to give up on it so brutally and violently.

Another android was involved, and there was a good chance Jela's murderer was the same as Django. After all, Jela had been threatened with the word Traitor. The killer had returned to finish his job. And Conrad had let that happen.

She hadn't even contacted him for help, although she had his contact details perfectly. Conrad didn't understand why.

He walked around the room, scanning every possible corner, looking for clues, or rather a particular clue, and he found it, in the hallway where Django had been killed. On the same wall, a word was written in thirium, which has now become invisible to humans.

We are in control.

But who was in control? The handwriting was the same, but he wouldn't have thought for a second that it was an android who had written it. The letters here were spaced randomly, the lines were jagged, almost shaky, and the sentence slanted towards the end. He would have thought of a human, but that detail was illogical. It was an android who had written, but forced himself to write that way. But why ?

"And shit ..."

Conrad snapped out of his thoughts at the curse and, most importantly, by recognizing that voice. He turned his head to his right and saw Gavin folding his arms at the hallway's entrance, his gaze juggling between him and the wall.

"What is so exciting about this wall? "

"It's exciting because a sentence is written with thirium here." Conrad said, pointing his finger at the wall. "But obviously you can't see it, that's why you can't work without me. "

"Do I have to remind you that I became a detective before you came around ?" Gavin gave an amused smile.

"And you need me to become a sergeant." Conrad looked at him out of the corner of his eyes. "Don't you want to know what is written? "

Obviously he wanted to know, but since they'd known each other, Gavin hated to admit that he absolutely needed Conrad, both pro and personal aspect. Although things were a bit ambiguous on the latter point, and Gavin still refused to take the matter seriously.

He moved closer to the wall, and stood next to the android, who was standing straight up like a stick, his arms behind his back. He hated to see him with that haughty air, so stuck, so machine-like. But that was the only way Conrad had found to avoid drawing other people's attention to themselves. Connor and Tina already knew too much, although neither Conrad nor Gavin had discussed with them what had happened that famous night.

With this indifference, Tina had assumed that nothing had happened, if not worse, that an argument or a misunderstanding had taken place. And Connor thought Conrad had just give up.

There had been no arguing, just denial, doubt, a demand for discretion, and a refusal to speak clearly about what had happened and what it really meant. At least, it was obviously about Gavin. Conrad had never doubted anything.

"What does that say? Let's finish quickly. "

"This investigation is far from straightforward Gavin." Conrad said, taking a few steps closer. "Did you see Jela was killed?" Gavin didn't answer, fully aware and still in shock. "And I'm sure she was killed by the same android that killed Django. "

"An android? "

"No fingerprints were found in the house, neither on the murder weapon, nor on the wall with the inscription. "

"Fuck ..." Gavin muttered, already fed up with this story. "Why didn't Fowler send Connor and Hank… They were with us the last time too. That pisses me off. "

"Connor and Hank are assigned to another case right now. It made sense that you and I would take care of the rest of this one. "

Gavin sighed, his arms still crossed over his chest, forming a barrier between him and the android. A month earlier, Gavin had asked Conrad to avoid talking about that famous night, wanting to focus on a purely professional relationship, although the detective was still struggling with his feelings, too stupid to open his eyes and realize that it was not a phase. They were obviously still working together, but something had broken in the android as a result. Their relationship hadn't really changed, Gavin still threw so many sarcasms at the android, and Conrad was having fun answering them. They pretended nothing had happened between them, but Conrad hid his pain under that sometimes expressionless, machine-like face. Because if their behaviour was indifferent in the workplace, it was different outside. And Conrad couldn't keep up with the detective's mood swings.

"So what does say your fucking sentence ? "

"We are in control," Conrad said concerned. "I can't seem to put things in order to make sense of it. "

"Yet it makes sense to me." Gavin moved closer and stared at the invisible message on the wall. "Cyberlife had given Jela a warning by killing her dog. Jela had to continue to fight against them, and they came to implement their threat. "

"Kamski denied any involvement during our interview two weeks ago. Why would Cyberlife do that? And why would they have used an android to do this? "

"Connor said Kamski was lying, but he couldn't have done anything about it. Then you wonder why they would do that?" Gavin looked at him surprised. "Wait, are you the most advanced android on the planet or not?" Conrad frowned, slightly offended. "Cyberlife wants us to understand that they still have control over their products and datas." He pursed his lips. "It's not in their best interests that humans learn that androids were programmed to become deviants, then repatriated, reformatted, or destroyed, so that humans feel safe again and redeem others." He pursed his lips. "Their goal is to sell again and again, and for that, they have to keep this data secret. "

"Are you questioning the authenticity of deviancy ? "

Gavin moaned, already feeling the conversation giving him a headache. He turned to face Conrad.

"Don't make me say what I didn't say, okay? You're deviant, yes, that's the reality, but it was Cyberlife that initially empowered you, or Kamski, or I don't remember what Connor told me. But you, they took you straight out deviant, and plus you're the only one they did that with, which is frankly weird now that I think about it ... "

Conrad narrowed his eyes, probing the detective to try to figure out where he was going. Gavin glanced at him, shook his head, then led the way out of the hall.

Conrad was thinking quickly. Gavin had scored a point with his remark. According to his data, he had been the last android released in production in 2038. And he was initially deviant. He knew he had been activated earlier, in December or end of November, but he had no memory of that time. The other androids subsequently sold were part of a new generation that supposedly couldn't deviate.

"So are you coming Terminator? I point out to you that we must work, and together, as you so clearly specified five minutes ago. And the sooner we get started, the sooner it will be over. "

"Working with you has never been a problem for me, because as far as I'm concerned, I'm okay with what's going on in my head, unlike you." Conrad said, looking into the detective's gaze, who looked away, avoiding the subject again. "But it's true that it's not very pleasant to put up with you when you're in bad faith, like now. So let's get it over with. "

Conrad walked on, deftly avoiding touching the human in his motion. Gavin bit his lip nervously, annoyed. He clenched his fists and followed in the android's footsteps. Hell he hated himself for being so stupid. He wanted to hit himself for being so stubborn and cowardly.

"Wait," Gavin said, catching up with Conrad. "Why using an android to kill and send messages?"

"You said it yourself," Conrad walked out of the house, and looked up into the night sky. "To show they are in control."

"If Kamski isn't involved in this, then what do we do? We're talking about Cyberlife there. Who are we talking to? Carter Ward is dead. "

" I do not know... "

Gavin raised his eyebrows, surprised at from the android's words.

" You what ? "

"I said I do not know," Conrad repeated, the yellow LED, frustrated that he couldn't get the pieces of the puzzle together. "I can't get anywhere. It's like I'm unable to solve this case." Conrad turned to him. "Something is outdated or damaged with me Gavin, and it only happens when it touches this case near or far. I had already felt that a month earlier, for the Django case. The others that I solved in the meantime were almost child's play, and now ...!" The diode turned red. "I am unable to reason correctly. I won't be able to work on this case. "

"Hey calm down. You are not incompetent, and I think you did very well on the Django case. We found Jela, we found out about the use of M.I.M.I.C, we found out about Cyberlife's involvement in the death of the dog and the two Walkers ... You were fine. You are not obsolete or damaged Conrad. You're just… " Gavin breathed in. "Disturbed by Jela's death ..."

Conrad closed his eyes, sighing long to cool his bio-components which had taken a few degrees in frustration and anger.

"You're probably right…" Conrad said with a tight jaw, reviewing his recordings of Jela, lying on the floor behind his cameras. "I told her to call me if something happened ... But she didn't ..."

"Maybe she didn't have time ..? "

"Gavin, it's not like grabbing a phone and typing a message. For androids, it's as quick as a thought. It's almost instantaneous. "

Gavin understood Conrad's concern better. Something was wrong. If she hadn't contacted Conrad, it was because she couldn't, or didn't want to.

"Anyway, there is nothing more that can be done right now here. I have analyzed the entire crime scene, and I will only be able to analyze Jela's memory when she would be repatriated to the police station." Conrad resumed his walk. "I will report back in the meantime. "

"You came straight from New Jericho tonight, right?" Conrad nodded. Gavin quickened to catch up with him. "So you came with a taxi. "

Conrad stopped walking, and glanced at Gavin, not understanding where he was going with all these mundane questions. Far enough from the house, down the street, and out of the ears and eyes of those in the yard, Gavin was biting his lip.

" I haven't eaten yet. Do you want to come with me ? "

Conrad's LED circled a confused yellow, his brow furrowed slightly. Gavin avoided contact or time away from work with him as much as possible, to avoid being confronted with his doubts and questioning. But tonight, Gavin was asking to spend a little time with him, outside of the professional setting. Obviously, Conrad wasn't about to refuse. All he wanted was some time with the detective, to be close to him, and hope that he could sort things out between them.

" Why not." Conrad nodded, the blue LED returning. "I think we both need to clear our heads for a bit. "

Gavin then drove them to the nearest Lebanese restaurant, having a sudden urge for falafels on the way. After settling in and ordering, Gavin sighed to relax, but as soon as he looked up to see Conrad, lost in thought, doubt resurfaced.

"We'll find out what happened, Conrad." Gavin said to reassure the android and clear his mind. "And you are perfectly capable of it, stop questioning yourself, trust yourself a little. "

"It's strange ..." Conrad started looking at him. "This sentence could be used in a whole other context and could be especially addressed to you. "

"You talk about that again ..." Gavin said, sighing and leaning back against the bench, "Now is not the time. "

"This is never the time with you. I'll end up blowing a fuse if you continue to be so stubborn." Conrad looked at him intently before mimicking the detective's voice. "And you are perfectly capable of it, stop questioning yourself, trust yourself a little. "

Gavin glared at him, but had to refrain from commenting when the waitress came to bring his order.

"Enjoy your meal, detective."

"Stop calling me that, we've talked about it before. "

"I too can be narrow-minded." Conrad replied sarcastically. "It's give and take. "

Conrad gave him a broad smile that sounded completely fake, and was meant to make Gavin uneasy. The latter began to eat, and changed the subject so as not to bounce back on the troublesome one.

"How's it going in New Jericho otherwise?"

"It's kinda boring." Android confessed with a sigh. "I finally met Markus last week. He's a very charismatic person, and I'm not surprised that many androids relied on him blindly during the Revolution. "

"Conrad falling in love, watch out." Gavin said wryly, hoping in his inner self that wasn't the case.

"I have plans with someone else, actually." Conrad looked at him and Gavin plunged his look back into his meal. "But otherwise ... When I'm overthere, I spend some time with Jocelyn too. She helps me to know who I am. "

"And who is Jocelyn?" Asked Gavin suddenly piqued with curiosity.

"A TA900. An android technician if you prefer. She helps me to better understand deviancy, and to know myself better too, about my features for example. "

"Hm hm ..." Gavin nodded, his mouth full. "And what did you learn about yourself? "

"That I have a nervous system in the polymer of my chassis, in that white and flexible part, you see?" Gavin nodded. "My synthetic skin is composed of thirium which solidifies in the air by the effect of oxidation, and which in contact with my frame, helps expand the sensitivity of my nerves. "

"So… do you really feel things when you touch them?" Conrad nodded. "So the pain too I presume? And the temperature? "

"Yes, and I have an endocrine system too, which means my physical as well as emotional reactions are triggered both by my programmings and by both hormones and synthetic proteins. In short, things that I have absolutely no control over that allow me to be more… human." Gavin looked at him suddenly fascinated.

"So basically… Are you having uncontrolled reactions caused by external factors?" Conrad raised his eyebrows, surprised that Gavin understood so well.

"Only in terms of sleep, mood, reproduction and sexual functions. "

"Oh ..." Gavin pouted, taking a bite out of his meal. "But still no hunger or growth ..."

"No, I don't have the necessary components for this." Conrad said with a tight smile. "But those weren't the only things I learned, I also knew I could interface with humans, but that you had… already noticed, I think. "

Gavin eyed him puzzled, a pout twisting his lips, already in deep thought.

"Isn't that supposed to be between android? "

"Indeed, but… To me, not only." Conrad leaned on the table and stretched his hand, palm up, between him and Gavin. His skin retracted, revealing his white chassis. " You want to try ? "

" No fucking way. "

"It's not like we've never done it, Gavin. "

Then Gavin remembered that famous day. This time he had observed Conrad's hand from all angles in front of the police station, feeling his emotions heightened tenfold. He just thought it was he who was overreacting, who was excited like a teenager. And that very night, on the sofa, he had this feeling of becoming one with him.

Gavin suddenly blushed, put down his fork and hid his face with his hands.

"Stop it, it was embarrassing, I don't want to do it again." He lied, still flushed with embarrassment.

"I know you're lying Gavin because I see it." Conrad said, his hand still open towards him. "And because there is something addicting about it. I know it. I felt it too, and all my programmins are glitching when I imagine us in symbiosis. "

"Shhht, shut up." Gavin hissed, teeth clenched and looking around. "Stop fucking saying stuff like that ..!"

"I'm only telling the truth Gavin…" Conrad looked at him almost tenderly. "And I ... I am not afraid of this truth ..."

Gavin bit his lip hesitantly, his leg bouncing discreetly under the table. His eyes juggled between the hand of the android and his face, then after a few more seconds of hesitation he sighed, shying away from her gaze.

"Fuck. "

Gavin clenched his jaw and, in a somewhat harsh gesture, placed his hand in Conrad's to snap them lightly. Conrad was surprised that the detective had finally allowed himself this gesture, and immediately, the android focused on conveying all the positive emotions he felt towards him. He didn't really have to force himself, just holding his hand would trigger his programmings and create software instabilities.

At this contact, Gavin felt like a release running through his body, loosening his stress-related tensions, lifting that weight on his chest that prevented him from breathing properly and extinguishing the anger that had been burning his being for days. His heart was pounding in his chest, ready to leap out of his body, but that exaggerated feeling was only the result of the combination of his beats and those of Conrad's heart. They were in symbiosis.

Slightly out of breath with those palpitations and the release that was running through him, he had to admit he felt excruciatingly good. Gavin looked up at the android, who was watching him. His eyes looked wet, as if ready to cry, and his eyebrows were furrowed slightly upwards, also overwhelmed by all those emotions bouncing through that contact.

"Please…" Conrad began half-word. "You know, as I do, that all of this… it's not a mistake…" His fingers tightened around his hand. "It's real ... And it's only about us Gavin ... We don't care about the others..."

"Y-You don't understand ..." Gavin said, looking away, blushing in turn, and his throat tight. "It's not the others the problem Conrad, nor you… I'm the fucking problem in the story…"

"I fully understand Gavin…" He entwined his fingers with his. "And I won't give up on you. Never ... can you hear me ..? Never. "

The last word echoed in the detective's head, and his face began to twist in the overwhelming emotion. Instinctively, his fingers tightened around the android's, and came to place his other fist against his mouth, feeling the tears about to fall.

Conrad had found his weakness. He knew Gavin was stepping back in because he was afraid of letting go and then being abandoned, hurting again. And there, he made him a promise to stay, to never give up on him. It was candid to let the idea rock, but Gavin was tired of life, of rejection, and the only person who wanted him well, he was pushing him away.

He breathed in hardly, closing his eyes painfully for a few seconds, letting a few tears trace wet furrows down his cheeks. He replanted his red eyes in the android's, all his programmings hanging, waiting for a reaction from the detective.

"Y-You promise me ..?" His heart thudded painfully in his chest, and his fingers clung desperately to Conrad's. "You promise me… not to give up on me ..? "

Conrad then let go of his hand, got up from the seat to walk around the table and sit next to Gavin. He hastened to hug him close, leaning his body against his to become one again, and slipping his fingers between the human's.

Gavin leaned back against Conrad's body, suddenly shaken by nervous sobs from the overflow of emotions and all those he had held back and forbidden himself to feel until then. Instinctively, he grabbed Conrad's white coat, plunging his face against his shoulder, trying to calm himself down. He didn't really care if the other restaurant patrons were looking at them.

Conrad kissed his head absently, eyes closed, in turn letting himself be overwhelmed by the mixture of distress and relief in his human. He felt a huge weight fly off his body by this relief, and for a moment he felt glad he was hanging on to Gavin, for fear of flying off because of the new lightness.

They needed this. They needed each other like never before.

"I promise you Gavin…" Conrad said, resting his head against his, closing his eyes again, smiling discreetly. " I promise you... "