This is a fanfic which follows the Deviant Connor timeline (with the everybody lives ending/the happy ending) from the video game Detroit Become Human. Some things were changed/added to allow the fanfic to make more sense. Feedback is greatly appreciated! TW: Mentions/descriptions of self-harm. Please do not be afraid to reach out to someone if you're struggling!

November 1st, 2038

AM 8:32

"Hello Amanda."

"Ah, Connor. Thank you for coming. We have a few things to discuss today." Amanda stood on the steppingstones which paved the way to the centre of the Zen Garden, watching Connor intently as he made his way over to her. "As you know, android deviancy continues to increase in Detroit, which is a growing issue for the police. In a few days you will be dispatched to work with Lieutenant Hank Anderson on a case investigating this."

"Thank you for telling me this Amanda. I will do my best to ensure the investigation is a success." Replied Connor immediately, giving the lady a small, reassuring smile.

"You must ensure the success of this Connor. If you fail, I'm afraid we will have to replace and terminate you."

"I understand. Although may I ask who this Lieutenant Anderson is so that I know what to expect?

Amanda paused to think for a moment before saying, "Well, I don't know much but he is apparently quite a character albeit rather...difficult at times. However, you must not let this interfere with your mission."

Connor nodded his head, thanked Amanda for her response and was about to leave when she added, "Oh, and speaking of the lieutenant, we have reason to believe that any potential deaths may hinder his involvement in the investigation." Connor's focus sharpened, his eyebrows furrowed, and he tilted his head in confusion.

"I know that your missions so far have not been fatal, but I think you remember that the hostage situation with the deviant Daniel back in August was nearly a failure. It could of resulted in your death, and we can't have something like that happen again. Therefore, Cyberlife has developed a way for you to feel and remember physical pain on par to a human, should you be unlucky or incompetent enough to encounter it. It should act as a deterrent for failure."

"I won't fail, Amanda."

Amanda's opinion of Connor (Up)

She gave him a curt nod before strolling towards the centre to prune her roses and mull over their conversation, leaving Connor exit the graphic interface.

Detroit Police Station

AM 8:40

The station teemed with life as Connor came back to reality again. From where he was positioned at one of the android stations, his eyes could watch citizens file reports, Captain Fowler periodically glace at the activities of the office and at one point he even noticed a hungover looking detective stroll into the office, shoot him and the other androids stationed a dirty look and show his middle finger to another detective, all while moving over to and settling at his desk.

As Connor ruminated over his conversation with Amanda, something told him that he should experiment with this supposed new feature that allowed him to feel physical pain so, making sure none of the officers would notice his departure, the android carefully slipped away to the restrooms.

When he arrived, the first thing Conner did was listen for any movement to confirm that no humans were present. When his privacy was ensured, he momentarily glanced in the mirror at his currently emotionless expression before taking off his Cyberlife issued jacket and rolling up his shirt sleeve to reveal the synthetic skin underneath. The deviant hunter increased the temperature in his left hand and positioned it on his right forearm to prove that Amanda was telling the truth. Sure enough, when Connor released his hand, he soon felt a throbbing pain and the skin had blushed red and angry. "That should serve as fair retribution for nearly failing the Daniel mission, I suppose." Connor thought. He repeated the action a few more times, deciding that the after the fourth burn he had done enough. It seemed he now had a new outlet and method of punishment, should he fail or come close to failing again.

Software Instability (Up)

Several patches of his arm screamed painfully for his attention although upon closer inspection he realised that they were only what humans would refer to as first degree burns. Out of the corner of his eye, the android noticed that the LED on his head was flashing a dangerous red so he quickly tugged his sleeve back down, pulled on his jacket and decided to make a beeline to the nearest Android Zone to be repaired in fear that the damages may impede any upcoming missions.

Trying to appear as calm as possible, Connor approached the android store's counter where a VB800 stood patiently.

"Hello." He said timidly.

"Welcome to Android Zone. How may I be of assistance today?" The VB800 answered.

"I have a minor injury in need of repair. It shouldn't take too long to fix."

"Please state your name, android model, the nature of the damage and your method of payment." Connor hesitated, pondering on what excuse to use. Not even a second later, he had one. "My name is Connor. I am a RK800. I have sustained multiple burns on my forearm due to…spilling a coffee cup that I was delivering to a human. My program also allows me to experience sensations like these in a realistic manner if that information is of any use to you. Cyberlife is currently covering all repair costs."

"Understood. Please, follow me to the repair room. This procedure will only take a few minutes."

In the repair room stood a human who Connor quickly identified as Dan due to his name tag. After Dan asked the android to repeat what the deviant hunter had told him, Connor showed him the burns and while the opinionless VB800 of course didn't question it, the human raised his eyebrows and frowned in a look of suspicion and distrust but didn't say anything.

After the repairs to his skin were completed, Dan asked, "Have you detected any signs of deviancy in your program in the past month?"

"No. I self-test regularly."

"Alright then. You should be good to go back to the police station." Connor thanked the pair and strolled out of the store back to the police station to become stationary until he was needed. With his last thought, he concluded that he would now just have to wait till November 5th to see what fate his new case and partner would lead him to...