November 8th, 2038
AM 01:45:05
The best part about starting your drinking session early is that you had plenty of time to sober up before bar close. It was an art you'd mastered – a careful algorithm that kept your career, and your dignity, safe. Sure, there'd been some hazy trips to the bathroom. Or conversations that you might have had. Strangers may have talked to you.
The in-betweens weren't usually what mattered.
But you'd overdone it a bit. You'd drank in Jimmy's company nearly all night long during the breaks of his order-taking; because, according to him, you needed someone to talk to that wasn't a cop, or close to the situation. An outside perspective.
He was the typical bartender that knew the city's darkest secrets while guests paid for truth serum that came in all shapes, colors, and sizes.
You were no different from them.
You latched on to a glass of water. The straw slipped through your teeth, jaw numb and your eyes dried.
"You're not a 'bad cop.'" Jimmy had his back to you, shutting down the drink station.
It was almost closing time. There was only you, him, and a guy way drunker than you in the corner.
"But I got-" You hiccuped your friend's name, "Killed. I don't wanna get Miller killed too."
"What happened there wasn't your fault, alright?" He huffed, "Androids always find a way to mess things up…'Daniel,' was no exception."
"Not…Not Connor-" Your face slid down your palm, "He doesn't-"
"Hate to break it to you, but Sherlock is part of the problem."
"Nu-uh-"
He took a drag of his cigarette, sitting down across from you, "Lemme ask you somethin.' why do you think I don't allow androids in this place?"
"'Cause you hate fun."
He said your last name, "I own a bar. You're way off."
You blinked, "Maybe…"
"You see all these people, coming in here and just trying to get their mind off life…Truth is, most of them lost their jobs. Know why? Androids took 'em. And I've got nothing against them. But it's my job to keep my customers happy. They don't appreciate having to sell their houses because CyberLife pumped out a new line of…I don't know – dockworkers, and put them out on their asses. Humans just weren't ready for androids. We saw new, shiny toys, and brought them to life without a game plan." He snapped his fingers, "Take Detective Reed, for example."
You cringed, "Yuck..."
"Hear me out," He puffed smoke in the air, "You can say what you want about the guy, but he's a Detective. He earned that promotion. Pretty damn good at his job, too, from what Hank tells me. So, how is it fair, that…What did you say his name was?"
"Con-"
"Right, Connor. How is it fair that Connor gets to stroll in and just stomp on all that college, career-advancement, training?"
"Ugghh-"
"Really, though. Think about it for a second. Put all your biased bullshit aside. Think."
"I have thought about it!" You slurred, "I saw the first goddamn android prototype-"
"Huh?" His interest peaked.
Your neck snaked back, "What?"
"You just said-"
You played back the conversation, your eyes glazing over, "I meant-"
Water, meet wrong tube. You went into a coughing fit.
"Don't go dying here, please…" He mumbled, "You okay?"
You cleared your throat, "Yeah-"
"Maybe that's enough android talk for tonight."
"No, I wanna keep…" You burped, "Going."
"Last thing I'll say is…I think it could work. You know, if they really cared about us. Our lives are so brief compared to theirs." He frowned, "And as far as I'm concerned? With everything going on in the world? They can have the whole goddamn planet, for all I care. Just let me serve my alcohol, and send robot buddies to do all the repairs and shit. They keep us happy, make college and work and all that optional – shit, they can do whatever they want. We gone and fucked up enough."
You gave him a blank stare. Hoped you didn't sound like him when you talked about Nietzsche. Asked yourself why you were still thinking about goddamn mother-fucking Nietzsche.
Or Connor, and how bad you wanted to-
"You're a mess." He smirked, his head shaking with a friendly grin on his face.
You grunted, "I know."
"Speaking of messes…" Jimmy rubbed his cigarette out, "I've gotta start shutting this place down. You alright for a few?"
"Yeah…" You yawned, rubbing your eyes, "I think I'll be good to drive soon."
"Uh…You're not getting your keys back until that water's gone, Officer."
You scoffed.
"You'll thank me tomorrow."
He flipped a towel over his shoulder, leaving for the back room. The doors swayed, their edges dancing with each other.
Your lips rasped as a deep sigh left your chest, blabbering along like the idiot behind you. The whispering. The chuckling. The stench of liquor. The slight breathing on your neck-
You whipped around, elbow out – shoving at someone's chest.
"Hey, whoa…" He held his hands up, "Easy, there…"
He was an unkept man, covered in tattered clothes and a layer of sweat. Definitely more drunk than you.
"I just wanna know what an officer of the law is doing by herself, all alone…"
"Minding her own damn business…Why don't you?"
"Is that an order?" He bit his lip, stumbling next to you, "Gonna read me my rights?"
"You have the right to remain silent…And you should." Your body went rigid.
Yeah, you were still buzzed. But a creep who made you feel threatened sure as fuck sobered you up more than any water that Jimmy's tap had to offer.
"That's the problem with all you fffff-" He sneezed, "Fucking cops-"
He buckled, his hand swiping along the counter and knocking over your cup. The water pooled around your hand, the ice stinging as it bounced over your skin.
You jumped from your seat. Grabbed your jacket. Shoved your pile of cash across the counter, away from the puddle.
"Fucking-"
Jimmy still had your keys.
"Where the fuck do you think you're goin'-" He reached out, hand curving around your hip, "I ain't done talkin' to you yet-"
He pulled you against his chest, reeking and damp. You pushed him, "Get the fuck off me-"
A door's chime came from behind you. You didn't look. Couldn't pull your eyes away from the person trying to hurt you.
The man tripped over the legs of a barstool, and the tumble that followed had Jimmy barreling back to his post, "What the fuck is going on?"
"This fucker put his hands on me." You pointed at him, taking a step backwards, "He-"
You hit something. Your breathing stopped. A cold feeling shot through your veins. A small whimper escaped your lips. Someone was behind you. That's when you turned around.
"Connor?"
He didn't look at you. His face was torn in half, somewhere between angry and lost. Two pages bookmarked in a story that told the tale of a troubled mind and feral bloodlust.
"Can't blame me for wanting that fine piece of ass." The man slurped in a string of drool.
The crease in Connor's brow deepened.
"This, is Officer," Your last name trailed the title, "And she is, indeed, one of DCPD's 'finest.' However, I suspect she has very little interest in engaging in any physical activities with you, other than a repeat arrest."
"You don't know me for shit. C'mon, Jimmy…get this bitch and her fuckin' android out of my face."
Jimmy reached under the counter, two slugs clicking in place.
He'd cocked a shotgun, laying it on the bar, "Time to call it a night, Kim."
The back of Connor's arm pressed against your stomach. You winced, and he moved you behind him.
"Kim Yo-Han, born on November 10th, 1999. Found guilty of domestic violence." His chin rocked to the side, "Is there a reason in particular why you show such disrespect for women?"
"Fuck you, asshole. Didn't you see the sign on the door? 'No androids allowed.'" Kim swiped his mouth, "So why don't you be a good lil' robot and fuck off?"
"Mr. Yo-Han, I must inform you that your belligerent behavior is a direct violation to the terms and conditions of your parole. I will be recommending a cease and desist-"
"You think I give a fuck? You think your fancy fuckin' speech can stop me from crushing you like an empty beer can?"
"No." Connor's fists tightened, "But, someone in your financial situation might find it difficult to cover the costs of repairs if you damage me." There was a taunt to his words, "For your information, I'm worth a small fortune."
"You smug mother-"
Connor blocked a fist in motion with his wrist, grabbing the back of Kim's neck. He yanked him around, shoving his head towards the bar.
"Connor-"
Kim's hands slammed against the counter, saving his face from being demolished. His back collided with Connor's chest in an angry charge, sending him stumbling; catching a table.
"NOT in here!" Jimmy yelled.
Kim turned around with a snarl, sniffing and cracking his neck. He looked behind him, grabbing an empty bottle from Jimmy's side of the counter.
"I'm gonna enjoy cutting you to pieces, you stupid fucking android." He broke it over a stool; the new, jagged edges becoming a makeshift weapon, "And then I'm gonna fuck your friend."
You looked to Jimmy, who now seemed amused by the fight. You took a step forward, dropping your jacket on the floor. You weren't about to listen to this guy run his mouth. You'd worked way too hard to protect this city for this kind of treatment.
"I'm afraid you'll find yourself in a state of disappointment, Mr. Yo-Han." Connor grabbed a pool cue that'd been leaning against the wall, "Your chance of success is highly improbable."
Kim stabbed at him wildly. Connor stepped to the side, his tie fluttering in line with the flaps of his jacket. Kim's head moved parallel to his stomach, almost tripping over his own momentum.
"I tried to warn you."
There was a dark grin on Connor's face as he looped the cue around his neck, barring the stick with the crooks of his elbows.
"You should've listened, Mr. Yo-Han."
You froze in place. Connor wrangled the drunken bastard, his feet kicking in the air as he left the ground. Kim's fingers curled around the thin piece of wood choking him while wet gurgles and crackling breaths left his mouth.
"Have you conceded?"
Kim elbowed him in the stomach – a pointless motion. Connor barely flinched.
"I'm afraid I can't release you until you've agreed to cooperate. Please, tap my arm if you agree to these terms."
His lip twitched as Kim spit on the underside of his chin. The line of his jaw tensed, and his already-perturbed demeanor turned downright hostile.
"Mr. Yo-Han, I regret to inform you that humans cannot survive without oxygen." His grip on the cue tightened, earning him more pathetic struggling from the assailant in his possession, "I'd advise an immediate reversal of your decision."
"Alright…" Jimmy looked at you, "Call it off. I'm not in the mood to file paperwork for this asshole."
You gulped, your voice shaky, "Connor…"
His features crinkled into pure rage, never leaving the paling face in his vice.
"Connor, please."
He found you, his dangerous stare making you uneasy. He watched you for a moment until his face smoothed, the LED on his temple shifting from red to yellow.
Connor begrudgingly dropped the man, tossing the pool cue aside. His fingers latched onto Kim's head, grabbing him by a fistful of matted hair. He began his march towards you, dragging his victim along.
He presented him as would a cat with a kill, jerking him between the two of you. He forced Kim upright while he secured an arm behind his back.
"Now…Apologize."
Kim breathed heavily, choking on his own saliva.
"F-fuck…y-you…"
Connor jostled him in place, his demand coming through clenched teeth, "DO it."
Kim began coughing, his eyes shut tight.
"I'm…I'm…"
"That's it." Connor growled, "Go on."
"…Sorry…"
Kim was thrown to the side, his stomach bending around the end of a table. He panted and groaned in pain, rolling off the edge and into a booth seat.
Connor rolled his shoulders, pulling the collar of his jacket straight, "Thank you for your compliance, Mr. Yo-Han." His hands slid up his tie, the knot tightening at his neck, "Please, do enjoy the rest of your evening."
You inhaled, swallowing nervously. You weren't sure if you should feel safe or terrified.
He knelt to retrieve your jacket, the corners of his eyes lifting in a smile as he held it out, "Would you like to leave?"
You accepted it, your eyelids fluttering as your focus turned to the floor, "S-sure…"
You started to wonder how much of his cute, gentle shell was a façade. Wondered which Connor was real – the ruthless protector, or the sweet caretaker. Or both? Was both possible?
"Yeah, leave me to clean this up…" Jimmy sighed at the man still hacking in the booth, "Oh and hey, police girl," He tossed you your keys, "You might need these."
They flipped in the air, your DCPD keychain swinging like a flail. You lifted your hand to catch them, but there was an interception.
The keys hit Connor's palm in a full stop, his fingers closing around them.
"Tonight's activities have pushed you past the legal limit of allowed blood-alcohol content while operating a vehicle." He looked down at you, a troubled smile haunting his features, "I'll drive."
You rolled your ankle, rubbing the back of your neck, "You…Know how to drive a manual?"
His eyes lifted to the ceiling, and he took a small bite at the inside of his cheek. His red LED flashed to blue, and his gaze returned to you.
"I do, now."
A/N: Beta'd by MjrGenMatt, ElegantN7, and now celestielle!
As a side note, I'd like to include that Kim Yo-Han was a canon NPC in the game!
Also, this fic is now officially translated by GloriaLAU and posted on the Chinese fic site, LOFTER! (Pop over to AO3 for the link)
