Admiration
(A/N) Nessa, I want to apologize a thousand times over. I know this is extremely past its deadline, but I have been in a TERRIBLE mental state lately, which has also put me in a equally terrible writer’s block. However, I still really wanted to write this. I feel like I owe it to you. Fair warning, I haven’t written in a long time, so I hope this is okay. @writinginstability
Deviant!Connor (RK800) x Gender Neutral!Reader
Fluff
Word Count: 1433
•*•
Connor was slowly adapting to a new world where he was free. This new world was also adapting to him. Slowly, day by day, humans and androids were learning to coexist. Attacks on androids were steadily declining. Some people still continued in their hateful ways toward the androids, but the majority of the population seemed to not mind sharing Detroit with androids. The stares Connor used to get from people were more soft and kind, and some people even smiled at him on the street.
The one thing Connor couldn’t seem to adapt to was you.
The two of you met around three months ago. He had recently moved in with Hank, and was looking into taking up some new hobbies to pass the spare time he had. He decided to begin with reading, which was the reason he walked into the bookstore that day. The atmosphere was warm, welcoming, and quite pleasant to Connor. He glanced around the miles of bookshelves in front of him. They were so organized and easily accessible. And Connor had no idea where to start.
You, an employee at the shop, must’ve noticed his struggle, and made your way to him. You tapped his shoulder, and smiled.
“Hi, I couldn’t help but notice you look a bit lost. Are you looking for something in particular?” You greeted. You blushed when he turned and you realized how handsome he was.
Connor froze. Every social cue he had learned in his short deviancy escaped his memory. You were probably the most attractive being he’d ever seen. He stammered at first, and took a moment to collect his thoughts.
He finally said, “Yes. I’m looking for a new book to read, but I don’t know where to even begin...Do you have any recommendations?” He desperately wanted to learn more about you. Sure, he could’ve easily scanned you and find out your name, birthday, etc., but he felt that was too much like the machine version of him. Now that he was deviant, he could learn about you, as Hank would probably say, “the old-fashioned way.”
Your smile widened, “I do, actually. Here, follow me.” You grabbed his hand, and lead him through the aisles. Connor felt as though he may have been malfunctioning, but he knew that every system was operational in his body. He couldn’t help but notice how soft your hand was, and how it felt like a perfect fit in his. Yet, you didn’t seem to notice his nervousness; you were determined in your mission to find your book. Connor had no idea what he was feeling; this was completely new to him.
You finally turned in between two bookshelves, and let go of his hand. Connor frowned at the loss of contact, and watched as your eyes scanned the rows of books, your eyes squinted in concentration. Your face lit up when you found it, and you quickly pulled it from the shelf.
“Here it is!” You grinned, and began to gush about the book. Connor listened, but was paying attention to the way your eyes shined and how happy this made you.
You stopped your ramble, “I just realized I never introduced myself. I’m so sorry, I’m (Y/N).” You held out your hand that wasn’t holding the book.
Connor took your hand, and shook it gently, “Don’t apologize, I’ve enjoyed your help. I’m Connor.”
After buying the book, you decided to give him your number, so you guys could text about the book to see if he liked it.
Now, three months later, you and Connor talked frequently, and Connor would even go as far to say that you were friends. He visited you often at the bookshop when he knew it was your shift. Today was actually your birthday, and he was on his way to the shop to surprise you. He borrowed Hank’s car, and drove on a route that he was so familiar with now. He would’ve walked, but it was raining heavily, and Hank insisted that Connor drove. Connor began to think about you while he drove.
It was astounding to Connor; he knew every word of the English language, or any language, and yet he couldn’t find one to really describe what he was feeling for you.
At first, he thought it was admiration. You were a good friend, and he respected you. However, the increasing levels of serotonin and dopamine that began to produce in his body when he was around you told him that it was probably something more.
Perhaps it was infatuation. Just a normal, silly crush, Connor told himself. However, you punched a man that was yelling crude things at Connor one day. When he asked why you had done it, you said you cared about him too much for someone to talk to him that way. Connor had a feeling that this “crush” was not going away anytime soon.
Maybe it was love. He didn’t know much about love, but he knew that he cared about you deeply and was attracted to you. Connor slightly panicked. He was in love, and he had no idea what to do. Having no idea what to do was a feeling that seemed to evoke often when he was with you. Thankfully, he didn’t have much more time to think about it as he pulled into the book shop.
Much to his surprise, he saw you standing outside, soaking wet and on the phone. He quickly got out of the car, slightly stumbling as he pulled out an umbrella he found in the floorboards. He jogged his way to you, and held the umbrella over your head right as you were finishing your call.
You managed a smile, “Hey, Connor! Thanks for the umbrella; I didn’t know it was going to rain today. I didn’t expect to see you.” Connor’s visits at work were something you always looked forward to, and helped you get through the work day.
Connor grinned, “I wanted to surprise you for your birthday! I know it wasn’t ideal that you had to work today.”
You sighed, “I thought I had to work today, but my friend actually covered my shift today. Thing is, they forgot to tell me, and I showed up anyway. They don’t need me to work, but my ride left, and now I’m stuck.” You rubbed the back of your neck awkwardly, and chuckled.
Connor frowned for a moment, “I’m sorry, (Y/N).”
He smiled, remembering that he drove Hank’s car, “I could give you a ride, if you want. I usually walk here, but it was raining, so, you know.” He began to mutter the last bit.
You smiled, “Really, you’d do that?”
“Of course.” Connor would do anything for you, but he was too nervous to admit that out loud.
You pulled Connor into a hug, “Thank you so much! I promise I’ll make this up to you.”
He hugged back, chuckling, “No need to pay me back.” He pulled away, and you both climbed into Hank’s car and drove away from the book store.
After a drive that seemed too short in both Connor’s and your opinions, Connor pulled into your driveway. He led you to your door with the umbrella. The two of you stopped on your front porch, and stood in front of your door.
“Thank you, again, Connor.” You turned to him as he was closing the umbrella.
“It was my pleasure.” Connor smiled.
“I promise I’ll make it up to you. I know you said no, but I don’t care. I’ll buy you dinner sometime! Maybe tonight?”
Connor’s grin grew wider, “I’d like that, actually.”
You blushed, “Yeah, me too.”
You both stood awkwardly in front of the door. No one wanted the conversation to end, yet no one knew what to say. You sighed, and began to lean closer toward Connor.
He backed away slightly, “What are you doing, (Y/N)?”
“Would you just stand still for me?” You leaned up and kissed his cheek, madly blushing the entire time, “Thank you for the ride. I’ll see you for dinner tonight, okay?”
Connor froze, and managed to say a shaky, “Yes.”
You smiled, “Okay then, it’s a date. Bye!” You rushed inside, and closed the door before he could reply.
Connor stood in front of your door for a moment, before finding his way back to the car. He felt as though the grin on his face would be stuck there for the rest of the night. He couldn’t have been more thankful for the rain today.
•*•
