The bachelor's party took place in July. The proceedings were on top of a building where a pool sat underneath the stars. Carl had apparently booked it for Markus after expressing his delight with the place. Carl had used it in the past for some other sort of gathering but for what Connor didn't know. Regardless, only four people were here. Connor, Simon, Josh,and Markus. Connor had been shocked to find the lack of people since Markus seemed to have a large friend circle. That thought alone made him consider how small North's party might be. How many people were there? Actually, asides from Simon and Josh, did North have any friends?

Four people. A giant pool.

Josh jumped in with his suit on.

Connor gets splashed since he's on the edge of the pool. He had been admiring the shimmering water when the water soaked his clothes.

Josh had given him an apologetic smile once he popped his head back to the surface.

"The water is warm?" Josh offered in consolation.

"I don't intend to swim," Connor said. His words mean nothing to the person standing behind him though. Two hands pushed him into the pool, effectively knocking Connor off the edge, and the detective has hardly any time to prepare before the water swallows him whole.

He heard muffled laughter.

Once he swam back to the surface, he saw the culprit clutching his stomach in his amusement. Markus.

"Was this truly necessary?" Connor wondered aloud.

"Yes," Markus said in between laughs, "you need to lighten up anyway."

"Lighten up?" Connor repeated.

"Yup. That's what I said, right?" Markus chuckled.

Connor lifted an eyebrow.

"Don't give me that," Markus said with a smile stretching across his face. Markus seemed ecstatic, energetic, and… happy. Even more so than usual. Perhaps it was because Markus was away from those who always looked for his guidance. He was always being hounded by other androids over progress reports and pleas for help. Markus worked hard and he never had the opportunity to take a break. Connor imagined that the only time Markus had anything related to a break was when he went back home to Carl.

Connor, in his mulling, failed to notice a new guest.

Markus made it aware to everyone when he greets, "Leo."

Connor blinked in his surprise. He knew who Leo was. He had known after he had scanned Carl Manfred and filed him in his head. Carl had a son named Leo and Leo was technically Markus' brother. The same brother that Markus had expressed having troubles with.

And now he was here.

At Markus' bachelor party.

Had Markus invited him?

Leo shuffled further onto the rooftop awkwardly. His posture showed that he wasn't comfortable with where he was. He most likely felt out of place. His eyes also darted everywhere, looking at everything except for Markus.

Markus wasn't having that.

The charismatic man took one long big step and swung an arm around Leo's shoulder.

Leo stiffens.

"Leo! I'm glad you came!" Markus beamed. He gestured toward the pool in a wide motion with his arm and introduced, "These are my friends. Josh and Connor. And over there-..." he points to the android lying across a beach chair, "That's Simon. Guys, this is Leo, my brother."

Everyone is silent.

Connor breaks the ice.

"Hello, Leo," he greets politely. "I have heard of you before from Markus."

Leo looked surprise.

"Y...You have?"

Connor nodded.

"Indeed," Connor said. He didn't plan on saying anymore than that. This was Markus' business and he didn't intend on telling Leo what Markus had told him that night outside in the alleyway.

"Leo," Markus' voice lowered into a serious tone. His brother stiffened underneath his hold. "As the only human here…" Markus' eyes narrowed, "you deserve to know that we can't be held accountable for our actions. If the police come at any time-..." Markus observed his brother's figure and then a smile breaks out onto his face. He retrieved his arm to give his brother a hard pat on the back which sends his brother tumbling forward a few steps. "I'm just messing around, you're fine."

Markus stayed by Leo's side for the remainder of the party. Perhaps it was simply to make him fit in and it reminded Connor of himself when he had first met Markus. Markus had gone out of his way to make Connor feel like he wasn't alone in this world. He made him feel like that he had friends he could count on… and that was one of the greatest gifts anyone had given to him.

Connor wished nothing but the best for Markus.

He deserved it.