If You're Not Real, Then What Do I Feel?

by UniWrites

Summary:

Dr. George Kittle is usually a man of reason. Yet, he can't seem to let this one project go, for better or for worse

Notes:

I am FINALLY writing this shit out after thinking about it for a week. Thanks to all of my friends through Discord who have helped me with the worldbuilding and characterization to finally get this out. I don't usually write multichapter fanfics, so I apologize in advance if this isn't good. Also this isn't beta read, we die like women

Chapter 1: The Prototype

“OmniTech Log #34: January 10th, 2097, 2:36 P.M.” 

George placed the tablet back onto the desk next to the door. With a moment of hesitation, he placed his hand against the scanner on the wall. After a moment of analyzing his hand to confirm entry, a soft whirring sound escaped as the doors slid open. The doctor stepped inside, his hands shoved into his lab coat’s pockets. 

A younger man in a similar coat turned at the noise, raising a brow. George knew he didn’t recognize him as another engineer. Probably a new intern of sorts, as his eyes read the name tag on the younger man’s coat.

“Ah, Dr. Kittle. Glad that you’re finally here,” the intern quickly smiled. 

George glanced down for a second, allowing a response to come to mind.

“I still get turned around here, y’know? At least the higher ups gave you the common courtesy to give you a tour of the place, Mr. Stroud.”

Hey, it wasn’t a lie after all. Kittle had been employed at OmniTech’s newest location for at least a year at this point, and still found himself lost in the monochromatic, nearly sanitized-to-hell corridors. The fact that he was transferred from the location out in Wisconsin didn’t make adjusting to an entirely new environment easier, especially with how different the large bright buildings in the newer city of San Francisco is to everything back home.

The younger man, Stroud, looked back down at the files in his hand, before making his way across the room and putting his hands out, letting George take the files from him. 

“It’s all the information about our new prototype, sir,” Stroud began to explain. “Some of the higher ups thought this data would be of your interest considering, well, this new android development was your idea.”

George let the younger man continue on, scanning through the files placed in his hands. Once George had suggested this new android prototype to his boss, the entire concept had fallen out of his hands. George had only been allowed to follow up every once in a while, but the initial development of every project was not his field of expertise. Sure, not being able to see his own project being worked on and developed left a twinge of frustration in his gut, but George at least managed to convince his employers to let him get a test on the product before further development. 

With a quick nod and a small “good luck” Stroud had exited the room, letting the doors shut behind him. George placed the files off onto the nearby desk, taking another step into the room. Like pretty much every other room inside the building, the walls had been painted a grayish blue tint, with the soft whirring sounds of wires and electricity running up and down the walls. George hadn’t yet accustomed himself to the constant scent of bleach and sanitizer that consistently cleaned down every single corner of the lab. George pinched his nose, fighting off the gagging sensation that arose in his throat at the stench, and turned his focus to the middle of the room. 

His eyes rested on the chamber in the middle, wires spreading out across the floor and connecting into the ports at the very bottom. There, in that opened chamber sat his own project that he had pitched months prior. With a small pause, George made his way back over to the wall. Pressing and holding onto a button, he leaned into the speakers next to the door.

“OmniTech, this is Dr. Kittle for examination on the project dubbed CMC-23.”

A moment of silence was followed by a small crackling, before a voice spoke through the speakers. 

“Dr. Kittle, you may begin your evaluation.”

Nodding to himself, George made his way back into the center of the room, eyes trailing up and down the unfinished project. In the chamber stood a nearly humanlike android, the latest in a series of uncannily realistic androids OmniTech had been developing for the better part of a decade. Saved for the exposed buttons and wires within the android’s chest and neck, alongside some unfinished painting work around the face, George knew he could’ve damn well mistaken the latest project for any other human. He took a moment to process his own idea come to life, before reaching his hand into the exposed abdominal area of his experiment. After a few seconds of reaching around, George finally found a small switch, which he flicked on with ease before pulling his hands back to his body. 

He watched as the lights on the bottom of the chamber lit up, electricity rushing through the wires throughout the room and into the machinery at the center. The doctor held his breath, holding onto his own lab coat in anticipation.

After what felt like forever, the android lifted its head up, and opened its eyes. George couldn’t help but like a smile form on his face, taking in every small detail that had been put into his creation. The pale blue eyes of his machine matched quite nicely with the small details of light hair and damn near humanlike skin. George knew he had to praise the OmniTech artists next time he saw them.

“Alright…” George broke the silence, his eyes still wandering the android in front of him. “CMC-23, correct?”

Without a response, George continued.

“I am Dr. Kittle, and I’m just here for a quick evaluation, aight? I promise it won’t hurt…well, I don’t know if you can feel pain, considering you’re a robot and-”

“Kittle,” the familiar voice rang through the speakers again. “Get on with it.”

“Alright, sorry,” Kittle sighed, putting a hand out. “Let me help you out of your charging booth. Come on, I don’t bite.”

The android glanced down, before lifting an arm up and resting its hand against George’s. It struggled a bit to step out of the chamber, but after a few moments, the doctor had managed to help his project onto the flat tiles. 

“There we go…” George mumbled, before taking a step back towards the desk.

“We just need a few quick evaluations before we can continue your development, and then you can see a lot more of me in the future,” George joked to his android. The smile faded after a moment, knowing a response wouldn’t come. He turned to the desk, scanning for a small, nonbreakable object. A stress ball was the first thing he noticed, and George quickly took the ball in his hands before turning back around. 

“To start off,” the doctor began, making his way back to the android. “We just need to be able to compare your thought processing and reflexes to that of a human. It’s quite simple, just catch the ball when I toss it. Got it?”

The android, CMC-23, simply tilted its head. George let out a small huff, and continued to take another step back. He gave the stress ball a final squeeze before tossing it across the room. Without a moment to waste, the android’s hand shot up, catching the ball out of mid air. George smiled to himself.

“Fantastic work, glad to know I can trust those first stage engineers with my ideas,” George made his way back to the center of the room, putting his hand out again. Without having to say a word, the droid dropped the ball into George’s hand.

“Excellent, so far everything seems good…” George’s voice trailed off, quickly tilting his head to the side. Just when he thought everything had gone right so far, his eyes couldn’t help but take notice of some of the wiring in the android’s neck. George looked back to the speaker across the room.

“Hey, uh, sir,” he began, “I think there’s some faulty wiring within the prototype. Let me take a look at it.”

The voice from the speaker responded, “Dr. Kittle, leave the wiring to the developers, we don’t need any mishaps.”

Despite the orders, George leaned back in to examine the wiring. His hands reached up to feel at the exposed neck area. Definitely some tangled wires, something that could be fixed with ease. 

“Dr Kittle,” the voice rang out again. “Step away from the prototype.”

“It’s only some tangled wires, sir. I promise it’s an easy fix. Let me just undo these and we’ll be back on track.”

George’s mind ran through what the wires could possibly be messing up. It’s likely why he hadn’t gotten a vocal response yet from the droid, despite the fact that they often had speech processing at this point in the developmental stage. Thoughts kept running through his head as he mindlessly tugged at the wires, ignoring every command ringing from the speaker to stop. 

At that moment, George wished he would’ve stopped, as a small snap sound was soon followed by a sudden wave of pain running through his body. What was once the ambience of the laboratory around him turned into a ringing sensation as everything went white. 

After what felt like forever, the ringing in his ears began to fade away, as the doctor blinked his vision back into a slightly blurred version of reality. George took a moment to collect his bearings, realizing he had someone made his way onto the ground. Tilting his head to the side, he noted some drops of blood on the white tiles next to him, making the doctor’s heart sink. George continued to lay there, his vision still slightly unclear as he tried to focus on his own breathing, ignoring the blurred sights of medical staff rushing into the lab, aiding him off the floor. Once his head had been lifted from the floor, George could only lay there as everything went black. 

—

“So, Doc, let me get this straight.”

After spending an hour recovering in the medical bay, George found himself being sent up to the highest office in the building. His gut sank when the doctors told him that one certain man wanted to see him. George knew at some point he would have to meet OmniTech’s CEO, but did it have to be like this?”

“You continued to fuck around with a prototype’s wiring after explicitly being told not to, and thanks to your idiotic decision making you’ve been electrocuted, and now you’re bleeding after splitting your skull open on the desk?”

George held his hand up to the wound on his head, stammering out his response.

“Mr. Rodgers, I swear it was just some tangled wires, it could’ve been fixed with ease-”

“Dr. Kittle, the prototype is not your job,” Rodgers huffed, tugging on the bottom of his suit jacket to straighten it a little. “You’re here to develop the final product and fix any last electrical problems. Now if you just listened and did as you were told-”

“Sir, this entire project was my idea in the first place, shouldn’t I at least get a say in how it’s developed?”

Rodgers stopped, his face turning even more red than before. George wished at that moment he had just bit his tongue.

“Kittle, we’re scrapping the CMC prototype.”

“Sir, please I didn’t-”

“I’ve heard enough. I don’t want any more of your idiotic android development ideas. Building this prototype was a stupid decision in the first place. Get out.”

George opened his mouth again to argue, but simply sighed, turning away and exiting towards the doors.

—

Most of the other employees had gone home by this point, and Kittle often stayed behind about ten minutes after closing to clean up in peace. As the doctor focused on packing his bag to go home for the day, a voice broke the silence.

“So they’re scrapping the CMC prototype?”

George looked up from his desk, turning to see the man a few feet away. George didn’t remember exactly how he became friends with Chase, considering the different departments kept them busy, but at least he had someone to talk to at the end of these long shifts.

“How did you learn?”

“Word travels around the office pretty quickly,” Chase made his way over to George’s desk, leaning up against it. “Plus, I was pretty disappointed to find my work going to waste.

“So it was you who had been in charge of the painting job. I should’ve known. At least I’m not the only one whose time has been a complete waste.”

The two shared a quick small laugh, before silence fell between them again. George broke the awkward tension this time around.

“I got to say, though, I’m still not happy they’re scrapping this prototype. What do they even do with all of these wasted mechanical parts?”

“Oh, I got a friend who works in the waste management department. They basically toss that shit into a scrap facility, turn it all into reusable metal scraps and put those pieces into other projects.”

George paused, glancing back up at Chase.

“Seriously…? Do you, like, know at all where the scraps facility is?”

“Why? You want to say goodbye to your project one last time?”

George paused, “...I guess it would be nice.”

Chase smiled, “It’s in the west district right behind the stadiums. They keep it out of sight, nobody wants to look at what is essentially a landfill.” 

George bit his inner cheek, grabbing his bag and heading for the door. He turned to glance back at Chase once more.

“Go get yourself cleaned up and head home, I’ll see you tomorrow. Got it, man?”

Chase slightly tilted his head, “I thought you’d stay and chat for a bit longer.”

“I got a prototype to say my goodbyes to. I’ll tell you about it tomorrow.”

Without a second word, Chase watched as George crossed the room towards the elevators, letting the doors shut behind him without a single wave or goodbye to his friend.

A small ding noise preceded the elevator doors opening on the first floor, as George held tightly onto his bag while crossing to the exit of the building. The warm air of the building was soon contrasted by a cold, crisp sensation of the night. George didn’t pause for a moment as he made his way out of the OmniTech parking lot, finally stopping at the bus station right outside of the building. While waiting for his bus, a small vibration in George’s pocket made him pick up his phone.

From Chase: Take it easy, I know you’re upset about the scrapping situation.

George slipped his phone back into his pocket without a response, eyes focused on the ground as he could hear the bus approaching. Without looking up, the soft scratching of wheels coming to a stop alerted the doctor of his transport. George stepped onto the bus and sat down in the first seat he could, reading the text on the digital sign of the bus’s route for the night. 

Next stop: The West District.

Chapter 2: Let's Try This "Introduction" Thing Again

Summary:

After a few dumb mistakes, the android has a question that George can't answer

Notes:

Idk I'm throwing this at you and running, it's 1 am and I should be asleep because I have class today so I apologize if this is crap lmao

The screeching noises of the bus’s tires came to a stop, shaking George from his thoughts. As the doors silently opened, he slipped out of the bus onto the sidewalk. George held his bag close to his body, taking a quick moment to glance around, making sure nobody who would recognize him happened to be in the area. 

With his free hand, George pulled his phone from his pocket, quickly typing in directions to the facility. Just a two minute walk, he could easily get there in time. The doctor kept his eyes close to the ground as he marched onward in whatever direction his phone guided him. A few quick turns around the busy nighttime streets, a notification popped up onto his phone.

You have arrived at your destination .

George sighed, putting his phone back into his pocket and finally looking up. He noted a gated entrance a few steps down the sidewalk from him, the facility fenced off with a “NO TRESPASSING” sign by the entrance. George stepped closer, reaching into his bag. After pulling out his wallet, George grabbed his work identification card, gently pressing it against the card scanner by the gates,

“Access denied,” a feminine robotic voice rang out. “Only those with authorized permission are able to enter.”

“...You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” George grumbled, furrowing his brow before placing his card up against the scanner again. Once more, the same response: Access Denied. He frustratingly shoved his wallet back into his bag.

“Fuck, this was a waste of my time,” the doctor sighed, turning on his heel and beginning his treck back to the bus stop. However, after just a few steps, he paused. George turned back around again, moving in close to the fence. Quickly, for just a brief moment, he placed his hand against the gates surrounding the facility. The fences weren’t electric. Interesting.

George raised a brow, his breath pausing for just a second. Quickly, he glanced back behind him to make sure nobody could possibly spot him. Luckily, the dark streets behind the stadium remained rather empty. 

I can’t believe I’m about to do this.

Slinging the bag over his shoulder, George grabbed onto the fence’s wires with both hands. It took a second for his foot to get a spot, but he managed to begin to pull himself up. The uncomfortable metal wires tugged at his hands, but George pulled himself up and over the top, before dropping down to the other side with a small oomf sound. 

After taking a second to catch his bearings, George crossed the yard in a few quick strides, stepping up a few small stairs and making his way directly to the entrance. He paused, for just a brief moment, in a poor attempt to still his beating heart. Yet, with no more time to waste, George gently pushed the doors to the facility open.

At first, all he could see was black. It took a second for George’s vision to adjust to the darkness. Squinting his eyes a little, he could make out a plain lobby area, as well as several doors on the right side of the room. George made his way over to the doors, leaning in close to try and make out the wording in the darkness. The third doorway on the left read Direction to Scrap Zone. Exactly what he needed.

With a press of the button next to the door, George slipped his way through the entrance and down the hall. Every step was preceded by a hesitation, an attempt to not make too much noise in order to not alert whomever may have still been present. 

After a few more small steps down the hallway, George stopped. A brief silence followed, soon broken by the worst possible noise: footsteps. George felt his heart sink into his gut, his face flushing. His eyes darted around the hallway, stopping at a vent near the bottom of the wall. In an act of desperation, George grabbed onto the grille of the vent, yanking the already loose cover off in a few tugs. Sure, it was definitely going to be a tight fit, but he had to make it work. 

George got down onto his knees before crawling headfirst into the vent, his heart racing as the footsteps got louder and louder. Just as he was able to get the rest of his body into the vent, grabbing the grille to cover the entrance again, the footstops were joined by two men in conversation. George paused, holding his breath as he watched two sets of feet walk by the vent.

“I put down a thousand dollar parlay on that game,” one of the voices spoke, the conversation beginning to grow quieter. “And I even told Mr. Jackson that beforehand and he still went and lost-”

The dialogue slowly faded off, as the footsteps began to fade. Just as George felt his muscles relax, a sharp tickle ripped through his throat, forcing a nervous cough out of the doctor. 

The hallway went silent once again. The footsteps that once were fading away began to grow louder again, and George’s heart damn nearly bursted from his chest. In a panic, he turned back onto his hands and knees, crawling deeper into the vent. He managed to turn left in time to get him out of sight of the vent entrance, and continued his movement throughout the vents. 

Every single moment forced a small creaking noise to escape from the vents, forcing George to pause, just to make sure whoever was back there didn’t hear him. The doctor kept rubbing at his nose, desperately trying to avoid any dust causing him to cough or sneeze once again.

Every moment was small, meticulous, planned out. Except for when George had accidentally placed his hand on a faulty piece of metal. Within a second, George felt himself fall forward, dropping from the vent down into the room below.

George felt himself collapse on the floor, a sheer pain running through his left arm, which he fell directly onto. Without thinking, he bit down onto his inner cheeks as hard as he could, desperately fighting back any screams of pain. Ignoring the searing pain in his wrist, George forced himself off the floor, rubbing his head with his unharmed hand. 

The sounds of machinery moving, with a wretched scent of oil broke George out of his pained trance, lifting his head up to take in his surroundings. A conveyor belt stretched throughout the room, different abandoned projects piled on top. A crusher laid at the very end of the conveyor belt. Every few seconds, a pile of robotic equipment found itself underneath the crusher, before being demolished.

With a small ding, George turned his focus to the next pile of scraps coming down the belt, and that’s when he saw it. His own android, still in rather good condition, trapped within a pile of other forgotten projects from OmniTech past.

George paused, his lips curling into a small frown as he watched the bot make its way down the conveyor belt. He glanced back for just a second, double checking he was alone, before making his way over to the conveyor belt. Without a second thought, he grabbed onto the droid on the belt, and with a small gasp and a few tugs, managed to pull his project off just in time. 

George fell back with his robot on top as he watched the rest of the scraps get demolished within the crusher. His breath escaped his mouth, smiling for a moment before helping himself off of the ground. George put the droid’s arm around his shoulder, letting the unpowered machine lean against him as his eyes scanned the room, looking for an exit. Finally, he noticed an emergency exit on the other end of the room. With the droid leaning against him, George managed to quietly shuffle across the facility floors, leaning against the emergency exits, and stepping into the cold night.

—

George stepped onto the bus, holding the droid close to his body. At some point he had wrapped his lab coat around CMC’s shoulders, attempting to hide any of the exposed wiring from any potential witnesses. The bus driver looked back as George took his seat. 

“Is your friend, uh…?”

George looked up, pausing for a moment before responding, “O-Oh, he’s fine. Just had a bit too much to drink, y’know?”

He gave an awkward smile, and an awkward pause befell the two before the driver turned back around, pressing his foot onto the brake. 

Throughout the ride, George made sure to keep his coat over his droid, holding the machine close to him in any attempt to not draw suspicion. A few minutes of awkward nervousness passed before the bus finally stopped at its last stop: right outside of George’s apartment complex. With a silent nod of thanks, George aided his unpowered bot off the bus, slipping off into the complex.

—

Luckily, being this time of night, no witnesses were awake for George to worry about, allowing him to slink into the elevator with ease and make his way to the third floor. He was lucky to live in an apartment closer to the elevator at this time, and thus George was able to quickly make his way into his apartment without any suspicion.

The small, dingy apartment contrasted intensely with the clean, large interior of his work building. Finally inside, George removed the lab coat off of CMC’s back and left it on a hanger by the door, guiding the drone through the foyer and into his living area. George dropped his bag off on an empty part of the couch, avoiding the dirty clothing he had yet to pick up that had begun to pile up. 

With his hands free, George dragged the bot into an unoccupied corner of his living room. Afterwards, George made his way into his bedroom. Once at his nightstand, he opened the drawer and grabbed another important item he was going to need: a few spare wires. When he finally returned to the living area, George turned his focus into the torn wires of CMC’s neck.

“Sorry I did this, bud…” the doctor mumbled to himself, removing the old wiring and connecting to the new ones. “Hopefully this’ll fix you up.”

With the wires fixed, George turned his focus onto the exposed wiring inside the droid, flicking on the same switch he had earlier that day. He then closed the compartment door to his droid’s stomach, hiding the mechanical insides.

A soft, fanlike noise began whirring as George stepped back. First, some movement in the fingers, then a slight tilt of the head, and finally. 

CMC-23 opened his eyes.

George smiled, resting his hands onto his hips. He managed to take a second, really admiring the work done to his project. The near perfect paint job, save for some parts near the face and neck, as well as the still open compartment, never failed to impress the scientist. Sure, at some point he would have to put some clothes on CMC-23, but that could be dealt with later down the road.

 “Hey there…” he began, taking a small step closer to the droid in front of him. “Good to see you again. I’m Dr. Kittle, remember? From earlier?”

CMC tilted his head again, glancing up and down George’s body. His eyes lingered up at George’s head until finally, CMC spoke in a cold, monotonic voice.

“You’ve wounded your head.”

George raised a brow, a small huff escaping. “I-I mean, I guess. I promise it isn’t that bad-”

“Please,” the robot continued, taking a step forward and putting his hand on George’s shoulder. The hard, cold sensation made the scientist shiver. Without another word, George allowed CMC to guide him onto the couch, taking a seat. The droid turned and made his way into the kitchen, opening any drawer he could get his hands on.

“If you may inform me, where do you keep the first aid?” CMC called out.

“It’s in the drawer next to the trash can.”

A moment of silence passed, before the droid made its way back to the living room, sitting down in the spot next to George. CMC gently squeezed some antibiotic cream onto a clean gauze, before pressing the gauze against George’s head. The stinging sensation made the doctor wince, to which CMC-23 put his free hand on his leg.

“This will sting for a moment, I promise,” the droid assured.

“Y’know, this isn’t really all that necessary.”

“But it is. I’m your companion bot, Dr. Kittle,” the android began. “I’m here for your physical and emotional well being. That’s what you made me for, right?”

George paused. “I…I guess you’re right. There’s got to at least be a way I can repay you.”

CMC paused, removing the cotton from George’s head, and moving to grab some clean gauze. While wrapping the gauze around the doctor’s head to protect the wound, he spoke again.

“I’d like a name.”

George stopped. 

“A name…? I mean, I never thought about naming you-”

“I want to choose the name.” Once the wound was bandaged up, Christian leaned over and grabbed a book off the coffee table. It was some scientific jargon about computer science, something George got as a gift a long time ago. He watched as CMC scanned the cover, his eyes fixated on the author’s name at the bottom. The bot placed the book back on the table, before turning to George.

“I want to be called Christian.”

“Christian…?” George felt himself smile a little. If he could admit one thing, giving this robot a name definitely made it feel a bit more “companion”-esque. 

CMC- Well, Christian, nodded.

“Well, alright. Christian it is,” George huffed and pulled himself off of the couch. “Y’know, I’d love for us to be able to chat more, but I’ve got work in the morning. We can catch up more tomorrow.” 

George rested his hands on Christian’s shoulders, guiding him to a chair on the other end of the living room, right next to the outlets. He grabbed onto the charger that best fit the droid’s port, inserting the charger into his bot’s back. 

“Dr. Kittle…”

“Christian, I promise I can talk to you more tomorrow-”

“Why did you rescue me?”

George stopped, his brow slightly furrowing. Despite how badly he wished to answer, not a single response came to mind, saved for a single:

“I’m not sure. Do you have a sleep mode …?”

“Would you like me to activate sleep mode, Doctor?”

George nodded. Without another word, the light emitting from the exposed machinery parts dimmed, and Christian closed his eyes and slumped back against the chair. George watched the droid for another moment, before sighing to himself and making his way into the bedroom.

Not a single reasonable thought ran through his head as the doctor kicked off his boots, throwing on some worn down pajamas and crawling into his unkempt bed. As George forced himself to close his eyes, the same thought kept repeating over and over again.

I don’t know why I rescued you.

Chapter 3: Caught In The Act

Summary:

Christian takes the wellbeing of his scientist very seriously

Notes:

Holy shit I am in a writing frenzy. This chapter is a bit more dialogue heavy. Anyways enjoy this lmao

The loud beeping from the alarm on George’s nightstand rang through the apartment for several seconds, before George slapped his hand down on the off button, grumbling to himself. He rolled off of his stomach to his side, blinking the sleep away from his eyes. With a small huff, George sat himself up and forced himself up off of the bed, wobbling a little bit. A yawn escaped as he stretched his arms above his head, a few popping sounds coming from his joints. 

George rubbed his eyes for a moment, before lifting the slightly sweat stained white shirt off his body and tossing it off to the side. His sweatpants soon followed as he changed out of his sleepwear, tossing on the last clean button up and slacks he could find in his room. George’s fingers struggled for a moment to properly button his shirt, his brain still waking up from his rest, before he made his way out of his bedroom and into the kitchen. 

After grabbing a breakfast bar from the cabinet, George sat down at his kitchen table, moving some old files and documents out of the way for him to rest his elbows on the table. As he ate in silence, his eyes kept glancing up into his living area. Christian still remained in the same chair as last night, his legs curled up to his chest, still in what appeared to be his rest mode. George swallowed the last bit of his breakfast, before tossing the wrapper out and making his way into the living room. George crouched down next to the sleeping android, gently putting a hand on his shoulder. 

“Hey bud,” George began. “I’ve got to head to work, but I’ll be back later tonight. You take it easy here.”

With a little pat on the shoulder, the doctor stood himself back up and made his way back to the bedroom to finish getting ready. After a few more minutes of teeth brushing, throwing on the first boots he could find, and tying his hair out of his face, George grabbed his lab coat and was out the door. 

—

When George entered the OmniTech facility, a few minutes before work began, Chase was the first to greet him.

“Jeez, George, you look like a mess,” Chase joked as he and George went hall to hall together, making their way up to their respective working areas. He took notice of the bandaging wrapped around George’s head. 

“What happened to you, man?”

“Oh, this?” George gently touched the wounded area on his head. “I got hurt during the evaluation yesterday. It’s a part of why they scrapped the damn prototype. And, y’know, I couldn’t sleep well after-”

“After last night.” A small frown emerged on Chase’s face as the two men stepped into the elevator. “I’m sorry about your project getting scrapped. Did you at least get to say goodbye?”

George hesitated for a moment, his mouth slightly opening. He couldn’t tell Chase the truth, absolutely not. There’s no way he could risk the trouble he’d get into with their boss. Thus, the scientist simply sighed and nodded his head.

“It wasn’t easy. I first came up with the idea for him back during my grad program. To see all that time and effort just be thrown away like that…”

Chase put a hand on George’s shoulder, the two men standing in silence before the door finally dinged and opened. 

“Here’s my stop,” Chase broke the silence. “I hope the rest of the day’s better, y’know. At least it’s Friday, maybe we’ll do something this weekend.”

George forced a small smile, watching as Chase waved him goodbye and stepped out onto the laboratory floors, off to work on polishing up and cleaning whatever androids the OmniTech higher ups decided to work on this time around. George leaned back against the elevator wall as the doors shut, bringing him up one more floor before opening again at his stop. 

He stepped out of the elevator, hands in his pockets while silently passing by his coworkers. Usually he’d stop and have a small chat before heading to his station, but today wasn’t like usual. Too much was running through George’s mind, and he just needed some time to himself.

George pressed his work ID against the scanner by the door, allowing himself to quietly slip into his station, tossing his work bag down next to his desk. Sitting down in the old, damn near falling apart chair, George powered on the computer at his desk before opening his drawer, pulling out some files from the previous day. 

Admittedly, work had been slow the past few weeks for him. George often found himself at a desk, mainly focusing on emails and drawing up prototypes for other technology for OmniTech to develop. No matter how many times he begged the higher ups to let him get into the nitty gritty of their projects, just like he did at the beginning of his job, he simply was turned down every single time. Any time he asked why he was forced into this office over the past few weeks, he was greeted with the same response.

“You take too many risks right now, Dr. Kittle.” The words of the CEO, Mr. Rodgers, raced through his mind. At this point, maybe his boss was right. The CMC prototype was the first time in a while that one of his projects was accepted, and they damn near scrapped it instantly for what? One stupid little incident. George grumbled some frustrations to himself, trying to force those thoughts from his mind so he could focus on the busywork he had once again been tasked with. 

—

George wasn’t quite sure how long he had been at his desk. With the discomfort slowly forming into pain in his back, as well as the burning sensation in his eyes from staring at a screen, it had been much longer than he had thought. Time was a blur to him at this meaningless desk.

A small tapping noise broke George from his thoughts. He sat upright in his seat, pausing. 

“Hello?” He leaned forward towards the entrance of the room, expecting a response. Yet, nothing. The tapping noise came again, nearly sounding like fingers tapping against…glass?

George leaned back in his seat, shaking his head. Maybe he was just tired and hearing things. He just needed to get back to work. Get, as he continued focusing on responding to coworker’s messages and drawing up the details for another project, the tapping continued, before stopping. This time around, the sound changed to a pop . When a sudden chill entered the room, George finally turned around to check the window behind him, and instantly his gut dropped.

Sitting on the windowsill, eyes wide and brow raised, almost in an expression of concern, was Christian.

“...Holy fucking shit,” was all the doctor could say as Christian slipped into the room, shutting the window behind him.

“Doc, I apologize for bothering you at work, but-”

“Christian what the fuck are you doing here?” George rose from his seat, eyes wide and mouth agape. A million thoughts began to spill from his mouth.

“I-I mean, for fuck’s sake I work on the third floor! How the hell did you manage to scale the side of the building? A-And I can’t have you here, what if someone comes in and sees you? You were supposed to be scrapped last night! I could get in serious trouble with you here and-”

“Dr. Kittle, please. Your heart rate,” Christian stepped closer, pressing a cold metallic hand to George’s chest. “That’s why I came here. I synced up to the heart tracker in your phone. You gave me the ability to do that, remember?”

All George could do was sigh, his shoulders hunching. “Okay, yeah I did give you that ability. But my heart rate couldn’t be that concerning, right?”

Christian simply tilted his head. “Your vitals were exhibiting all the signs of stress. I’m supposed to be here for your physical and emotional well being, sir, and that’s why I’m here. Yet…” he paused. “It seems like your heart rate has spiked since I’ve been here.”

George buried his face in his hands, grumbling some quick expletives before responding.

“I could get fired or worse because of this, Christian. You’re not supposed to be here , you’re not supposed to be alive .”

“Yet, I am. Once again, you’re the one who created and saved me. I’m simply doing my job.”

Before George could respond, he was silenced by a knock at the door.

“Dr. Kittle?” a voice called out. Fuck, just the worst timing, it just had to be Chase.

“G-Give me a sec,” George stammered out his response, before leaning in close to Christian. “You’re gonna sit under the desk and you’re gonna be silent, you got that?”

Christian simply nodded, before sinking down to his knees and making his way under the desk, pulling his legs to his chest. 

With Christian (mostly) hidden, George crossed the room and pressed the button next to the door. He forced on a small smile as the doors slid open, and he was greeted by Chase. In his coworker’s hands were two plates, each with an unsalted pretzel.

“They were giving pretzel snacks in the dining area on my floor,” Chase explained. “I thought I’d get you one. Y’know, to try and cheer you up.”

The forced smile faded into a more genuine one, as George stepped back to allow Chase entry into the lab.

“Man, are you serious?” George glanced down at Chase’s hands, then back up, before taking the food into his own hands. “Shit, I’ll have to repay you. I’ll buy drinks when we go out this weekend.”

“Sounds like a deal to me,” Chase laughed, watching George sit back on his desk. “They got you cooped up in this little lab area all day, huh?”

“Yeah,” George sighed. “Probably a punishment for the shit that happened yesterday. I’ll get into physical work again at some point. Your day was probably a lot better than mine.”

The scientist bit into his pretzel as Chase went on about his work day. Someone had spilled a bunch of screws on the floor that took nearly twenty minutes to clean up, along with some mumbo jumbo about how they’ve nearly had to resort to damaged silicone skin for the human-esque androids due to a shipment of fake skin running late. It was much more of the fancy, artsy nonsense that George didn’t quite understand, but nonetheless hearing about his friend’s work dilemmas lightened his own load a little. A few more minutes of conversation passed, before Chase’s focus turned to the clock on the wall.

“Shit man, it’s damn near 4:40. I should get back to my station to clock out. I’ll leave you to finish up,” Chase smiled, patting George’s shoulder before making his way to the door.

With a quick “see you” exchanged between the two, Chase let the doors slide closed behind him as he left the lab. George sighed, getting off of his desk.

“You can come out now, CMC.”

Christian emerged from underneath the desk, pausing for a moment before asking, “Was that a coworker?”

“Friend, more accurately. He’s a good guy, just can’t risk him knowing about you, just to be safe, you feel me?”

Christian silently nodded.

George picked up his bag off of the floor, beginning to grab whatever files he needed to bring home for the weekend and fitting them into whatever spot he could. 

“Next time, don’t follow me to work, even if I seem upset.”

Christian spoke again, “B-But doc-”

“I know you’re meant to care for me, but…” George sighed, turning to face Christian and gently holding onto the android’s arms. “I can’t risk putting you in danger, okay? My boss won’t be happy if he learns you’re not a pile of metallic junk right now.”

Christian stood in silence, before slightly nodding. The two shared a silence between them, George softly rubbing his thumb across Christian’s arm as a reassurance. For just a brief moment, everything seemed alright.

Then the door slid open again. George felt his gut drop as he heard Chase’s voice begin on another ramble.

“George oh my god I am sorry man I forgot about my plate and-” Chase stopped as he looked up, eyes widening. George and Christian stood across the room from him, both of them quiet. One could hear a pin drop as a deafening silence fell over the room. After a few moments that felt like forever, Chase spoke.

“T-That’s…”

George nodded, his eyes turned towards the ground. “Yeah, it’s him…Chase, this is Christian.”

“You named him?”

“I actually named myself,” Christian spoke up this time.

“George you, you didn’t say goodbye? I thought you went to see him one more time before he was scrapped.”

With another pause, George looked back up to Chase, panic in his eyes.

“Chase, I swear, you can’t fucking tell anybody -”

“George, George,” Chase crossed the room, moving in closer so he could speak in a quieter voice. “I’m…I’m not gonna say anything”

George wiped at his eyes, fighting off the tears beginning to form. “Y-You’re not…?”

In his panicked state, George felt Christian put a cold arm around him, pressing his other hand to the doctor’s chest.

“Your blood pressure and heart rate are concerningly high,” the android began. “You should probably sit down.”

“Damn, that thing’s good,” Chase commented, a small smile on his face. George only frowned in response.

“‘He’s not a thing , Chase.”

“Alright, sorry,” Chase sighed, putting his hands up defensively. “Look man, I won’t tell anyone what I saw. But, you do owe me a favor.”

“Chase I already said I’ll buy drinks-”

“No, George. More than that.”

George furrowed his brow, looking up at his friend.

“The fuck do you want?” The doctor tilted his head.

“I’ll explain more outside. Get yourself clocked out and meet me in the lot. I can fill you in there…got it?”

George hesitated, before nodding. 

Satisfied, Chase made his way back to the door. Before leaving, he turned to George, his glance switching between the scientist and his android.

“I keep this private as long as you keep my shit private. Deal?”

“...Deal.”

Chase left after that, leaving George behind in his lab, leaning against Christian and sighing to himself.

“Damnit, Christian. I’m sorry about all of that.”

“No need to apologize,” Christian finally pulled away from the side embrace, grabbing George’s bag off of the desk. After putting the bag in George’s arms, Christian made his way to the window again, pulling it open with a quick tug.

“You’re gonna climb out that way?”

“It’s the same way I came in, is it not?”

For the first time since yesterday, a smile formed on Christian’s face. “I’ll see you in the lot, Dr. Kittle.”

George only nodded as he watched the android climb back out the window. However the hell Christian got up and down without damaging himself was none of his concern. After the bot was gone, George closed the windows before slinging his bag over his shoulder. He quickly checked the clock.

5:01 P.M. Time to clock out. But with George’s stupid luck, the day was far from over.

Chapter 4: My Friend, The Bartender

Summary:

Chase has a friend in need, and things go a bit haywire

Notes:

This was basically a game of how many cameos I could sneak into a single chapter. Anyways hope y'all enjoy lmao

A few minutes passed before the elevator opened on the first floor. George quickly leaned out and glanced through the lobby, making sure nobody else was present. Knowing the coast was clear, he crossed the lobby to the front doors of the building, stepping into the cold night. 

He wrapped the lab coat more tightly around his body as he stepped down the few small steps in front of his workplace. George scanned the lot quickly, catching sight of the last remaining car in the parking area. Must be Chase’s. George turned and quickly made his way to the end of the lot, blinking a few times to let his eyes adjust to the darkness of the outside.

Getting closer, he was able to make out the sight of Chase leaning up against the car on the driver’s side, fidgeting with his hands. Chase glanced up for a second, locking eyes with George before waving him over. Once George made his way to the car, Chase spoke up.

“You can hop in on the passenger’s side. The droid is already in the back seat.”

“He has a name,” George muttered, frowning slightly.

“Damn, you seriously care that much? Fine, Christian is in the back seat.” 

George sighed and made his way around to the passenger’s side, opening the door and climbing into the front seat. Chase got in on the other side, pressing the ignition button. The car turned on after a few moments, and George glanced at the back seat. In the back sat Christian, leaning up against the window with his eyes shut.

“Is he asleep?” George asked, cocking his head slightly.

“M’not,” the response came from the android, a bit quiet but still comprehensible.

George silently nodded, shifting back comfortably into the passenger seat as Chase began to pull the car out of the lot. Shifting gears, it only took a few moments before they were out of the parking space and out onto the roads. 

For the first few minutes, relative silence passed through the car. George kept his focus out the window as Chase drove them through the city streets. Lots of the streetlights were beginning to be turned on, as bright lights from billboards illuminated the general environment. George was the one to break the silence.

“So…” he began. “Why exactly do you need a favor from me, man?”

Chase paused for a moment, letting out a small sigh. “Look, you’re a lot better at this technological crap than I am. Now, I’ve got this friend-”

“Is your friend an android?” George joked, letting out a small chuckle.

“No. Well, not quite,” Chase hesitated. “He’s got that cybernetic enhancement shit that we develop at OmniTech. It’s pretty impressive. Yet, he got caught up in the wrong crowd when he got it implanted, so it got all fucked up, y’know?”

George silently nodded, so Chase continued.

“He works as a bartender at this nightclub downtown, and this tech is fucking with his brain and shit, and he could lose his job if he doesn’t fix this-”

“Wait, Chase,” George cut him off. “Are these enhancements regulated at all?”

Chase shook his head. “Not one bit. I told you he was hanging out with the wrong type of people. They imported the tech and put it on him. I think it was some sort of hazing ritual thing.”

“So your friend was caught up in a gang?”

“...I guess so. The Department of Android and Cybernetic Regulations caught wind of it and managed to arrest the guys who did it. Brock somehow kept his tech hidden.”

“Dude…” George turned to look back out the window again. “That shit he’s doing is wildly illegal.”

“You’re not one to talk,” Chase huffed, smirking to himself. “You’re the dude who broke into a federally owned building to save your little buddy back there.”

George glanced back, once again admiring the resting android in the back seat. 

“Look,” Chase spoke again. “You just need to help my friend out, I don’t want him to lose his job, and then we can forget any of this ever happened. Deal?”

George sighed, nodding his head. “Deal.” 

The car fell silent again as Chase pulled into a parking lot outside of a dim, almost worn down building. Chase broke the silence this time.

“Alright, welcome to the Diggs Dive. This is where my friend works.”

Once parked, he turned off the ignition and stepped out, with George following suit. 

George opened the door to the backseat, putting his hand on Christian’s shoulder.

“Hey, CMC,” the scientist gently shook Christian awake. “We’re here. It’ll be quick I promise.”

Christian remained quiet as he reached out and held onto George’s arm to help himself out of the car. The doors were shut and locked as Chase led the duo inside. 

As soon as the trio entered through the doors, George was met with blaring music ringing through his ears and bright, flashy lights. He instinctively went to cover his ears. Christian quickly tapped his shoulder, before holding out a pair of noise canceling headphones.

“I found these in the back of your friend’s car. I thought you might need them,” Christian spoke, raising his voice so he could be heard over the music. George quickly smiled and took the headphones from the android, putting them over his ears to muffle out the music. 

Chase guided the two through a busy dance area, the three continuously being jabbed and hit by dancing, most likely drunken bodies. George nearly tripped over someone’s feet at one point, only being caught by Christian, who helped him upright and kept an arm around the scientist. George let his eyes wander around the nightclub, taking in the surroundings. Bright blue and red lights flashed across the dance floor, with loud electronic music playing throughout the area, with some vocals that he couldn’t quite understand. George managed to catch sight of the stage at the front of the dance floor. He could make out the sight of a man at the DJ table on stage, donning a lion helmet to hide his appearance. Next to him stood the vocalist, and it didn’t take a sharp eye to quickly identify the singer as an android. He was lively, sure, but the exposed mechanical parts around his mouth and neck clearly signified his robotic status. 

“Admiring the droid up front, huh?” Chase called back to George. “He’s actually an OmniTech product, I got to work on the outward appearance. I think the higher ups called him JA-17.”

George didn’t respond, and he simply followed Chase again to the other side of the club. When the trio finally got to the bar, Chase forced his way past some patron’s sitting down in the seats, leaning up against the counter. He glanced up and down the bartending area, finally catching notice of the bartender at the end. Chase recognized the red jumpsuit and gold colored tee, the uniform of the club, and called out to the man.

“Hey Purdy!” Chase yelled, leaning further against the counter. No response came from the bartender, so Chase raised his voice and yelled again.

“Purdy!”

This time, Purdy turned around, locking eyes quickly with Chase. The bartender raised his brows as he quickly shuffled across the bartending area, rag and dirty glass in hand.

“Chase, man it’s good to see you,” the man smiled. Chase looked back to George and Christian.

“Alright guys, this is Brock Purdy. He’s the dude I was telling you two about.”

George stook out his hand, a warm grin on his face.

“I’m Dr. Kittle, and this is my…” he paused, glancing back to Christian before speaking again, “he’s my roommate.” 

Brock went to shake the scientist’s hand, but then he froze. George waited for a second, before slightly tilting his head and glancing over at Chase.

“Fuck, it’s happening again,” Chase sighed, putting his hands on Brock’s shoulders and gently shaking the bartender. It took a few seconds before Brock blinked, shaking his head and letting out a small breath.

“I-I’m sorry,” Brock stammered. “I don’t know what just-”

“Your friend already told us about your situation,” Christian spoke up from the back, moving in closer so he could be heard more easily. “We were brought to help with your malfunctions.” 

“Chase, you told people?!” Brock’s eyes widened. “Do you realize how much trouble I could get in?”

“Look man, I’m not gonna say anything,” George put a hand on and patted Brock’s shoulder. “I’m not benefiting at all from ratting you out.” 

Chase quickly eyed around the bar. As a relatively not busy area at the moment, he leaned back into the group.

“Why don’t we get you to the bathroom for a second, Brock?” Chase said. “George can take a look at you in there.”

“Why’s the other dude here for then…?”

“Emotional support. That’s his whole…job.”

Brock cocked his head, but didn’t ask further questions. Making sure nobody could see them, the group slipped off from the bar and into the closest restroom. 

Making sure the room was empty, George sat Brock down onto the tile floor, kneeling down next to him on his left side. With the music muffled, George removed the headphones and placed them around his neck. Christian sat on the other side of Brock, gently patting his shoulder.

“I understand this may be stressful for you,” the android started. “I’ll be right here in case you need it.”

“What are you, like a therapist?” Brock frowned. Before Christian could answer, George cut in.

“Alright, Brock can you tell me what enhancements you received so we know what we’re dealing with here?” 

Brock nodded, before beginning with his answer. “The first I received was nasal implants. Helped with my breathing, y’know? I’ve got a sonar implant in my left ear too, it’s connected to my brain. It does a lot of different things, it records audio and helps me hear things and can translate languages and also I’ve got-”

“Brock, I know what the OmniTech Sonar Plant does,” George smiled. “I designed it. Back when I worked at the location in Wisconsin. Could you tilt your head for me?” 

Brock turned his head to the side, and George tried to get a view of the implant in the bartender’s ear. However, with the poor lighting and hue of the bathroom, nothing was clear in his sights. So, George spoke again.

“Tilt your head back.”

When Brock did so, George once again had the same dilemma. The poor lighting made any possibility of seeing the sonar or nasal implants impossible. 

“I don’t think I can get a good shot of the implants right now,” George sighed, looking back up to Chase, who was standing by the bathroom entrance. “Plus, I don’t have any tools on me that could fix these problems. Is it possible we could get him back to my place or something, and I could try and fix him up there-”

The conversation was interrupted by a sudden CRASH outside the door. The club filled with gasps and screams of panic which made the group pause, eyes widened in shock. They could make out some noise of what sounded like a man yelling orders, with a few more sudden crashes and loud screams. Panicked, Chase gently pushed the door open, peeking outside to the commotion, and instantly his heart sank. 

Several people had been taken to the ground, with a tall, tanned man with curly hair in the center of the club with a radio, speaking into it some stuff Chase couldn’t quite understand. Chase recognized the man’s uniform immediately, a red heavy duty jacket and matching colored pants over a white tee, with the letters DACR imprinted on the pocket square area. Chase watched as another worker approached the man, barely making out the question of what the hell was happening. Chase opened the door slightly more, letting him listen in more on the conversation.

The officer gestured to the letters on his jacket before speaking, “Officer Mahomes with the DACR. Unfortunately we’ve caught word of unregulated cyberhardware usage within this facility. We have to shut the place down until further notice.” 

As the officer spoke, a woman tried to run to the exit, before being pinned down by another officer. Chase quickly closed the door again, turning back to the other three men in the room.

“DACR officers,” he said. “We have to leave now .”

“Chase, we can’t fucking leave out that way!” Brock exclaimed, curling more in on himself. “Sounds like hell out there, we’re not leaving that way.”

The four men sat in silence for a few moments, pondering through what possible exit they could have. After a minute, Christian stood up, turning to George.

“I’ve already escaped through one window today,” the android began. “Why not another?”

George wanted to call it a dumb idea but frankly, it was the only idea they had. With a small nod, George let himself be dragged along as Christian crossed the bathroom to the window on the other end of the room. Sure, it was small, but they could possibly fit. 

“Boost me up,” Christian ordered. George interlocked his fingers, putting his hand out as a stepping stool for Christian. The android stepped onto the doctor’s interlocked hands and held onto the wall as he was lifted. It took a few moments for Christian to try and find a possible screw to open the window. Yet, with no luck, he simply sighed and pulled his right hand back, punching through the glass. After taking a second to clear out as much of the glass from the window as he could, Christian climbed through the opening to the other side.

Once he was through, George let himself be boosted up by Chase. The process repeated as Chase boosted up Brock next. Once Brock was on the other side, George and Christian lifted him up enough for his arm to reach through the opening, so that he could help Chase up and through the shattered window. Other than some small cuts and bruises from the glass, the four got through relatively easy. 

Making sure no officers could see them, Chase and the others slipped through the parking lot, quickly enough so that they could get out in case they were caught. The four made it to Chase’s car, each of them getting in through and locking the doors as soon as they were all seated. Without another second of hesitation, Chase turned the car on and pulled out of the parking spot, driving out onto the busy streets and away from the nightclub as quickly as he could. 

George kept glancing back, the lights from the club matching the blue and red lights of the DACR officer cars, before sitting back upright in his seat.

“Go to my place, Chase. I’ve got stuff there to help your friend.”

“Alright, you’ll have to give me directions.”

George began with his instructions as they drove off into the busy city streets, away from whatever troubles could unfold behind them at the nightclub, and hoping that they at least got away this time.

Chapter 5: Did You Just Punch a Police Officer?

Summary:

The gang thought they escaped scot-free. Emphasis on "thought."

Notes:

I apologize for this chapter being a little bit shorter, but I still hope it's enjoyable, and now we got a new character at play lmao. Enjoy whatever this is

The first few minutes of the car ride remained in absolute silence. Chase held tightly onto the steering wheel, focusing on regulating his breath to calm down from everything that had just happened. George had already given him directions back to his place, so for now, the scientist kept glancing back out the window, sinking further down into the passenger seat.

“Shit, dude, can you calm down for a moment,” Chase didn’t take his eyes off of the road, just leaning over a bit closer to the engineer. “I can practically hear your heart racing. It’s stressing me the fuck out.”

“Sorry…” George shifted in his seat, leaning away from the window. “Seriously what the fuck happened back there?”

“Seems like they’d somehow caught wind of some illegal cybernetic usage in the club. Probably you and Christian back there.” Chase gestured back to the android in the back seat, who didn’t respond, simply resting his head against the window with a frown.

“Can’t it be your little bartender friend back there?” George glanced to the back, accidentally catching Brock’s attention.

“I’ve worked at that club for two years now,” Brock started, crossing his arms. “If it was my fault, the DACR would’ve figured it out sooner.”

George furrowed his brow. “Are you saying it’s my fault that stupid place got completely raided?”

“I’m not saying it but I definitely don’t think the presence of your little robot friend necessarily helped-”

“My name is Christian,” the android finally broke his silence, shifting in his seat to face Brock. “You’ve already learned my name.”

Brock opened his mouth to respond, but said nothing. He simply leaned a little more back into his seat. “I don’t know why you give such a shit about a stupid robot, George.”

“He isn’t stupid,” George sighed, refusing to look into the back. “In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Christian was a hell of a lot smarter than you-”

“Okay guys that is enough ,” Chase cut in before Brock could respond with another insult. “I know you guys are frustrated and stressed, especially you Brock, with your whole…y’know-”

Chase glanced back at Brock, quickly looking him up and down before speaking again.

“-with your whole situation. But I’m not gonna babysit two grown men, so you can either shut up or get the hell out of my car.”

Silence fell over the vehicle, with George and Brock exchanging one more hostile glance before looking away from each other. George sighed to himself and closed his eyes, hoping to at least get a few minutes of rest before they made it back to his place. 

Just as George felt himself finally starting to settle in, Chase’s voice startled him awake.

“Oh you’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” 

George sat upright in his seat, looking up to the rearview mirror and looking back onto the road behind him. The flashing blue and red lights being emitted from the motorbike behind them made his heart sink. Shit .

“Fuck, we’re screwed,” Brock’s breath grew heavy in the back seat. “Shit, I’m gonna be arrested and so are you guys and we’re probably all going to be killed or some shit for all the stuff we’ve done and-”

George shifted in his seat, mentally blocking out the noise of Brock panicking in the back, along with Christian trying to calm the man down and making some scientific bullshit comments about his heart rate, before the scientist leaned a bit forward, removing the lab coat off of his back and throwing it into the back seat. 

“Christian,” George started, his breath shaky. Lay down and put the coat over you. If the officer sees you in the back seat, we’re fucked.”

Christian did as instructed as the other three watched the officer in the back step off his motorbike, making his way over to the driver’s side of the vehicle with a slow, yet deliberate march. Once at the side of the car, he knocked on the window twice, and Chase silently let the window roll down. 

The officer, wearing the same DACR uniform as the man back in the club, leaned over and rested his elbows on the open window area.

“Evening, gentleman,” the man started, a warm, but calculated smile on his face. “I’m Officer Fred Warner with the Department of Android and Cybernetic Regulations, and unfortunately we’ve caught some news of multiple violations of unregulated cyberware usage within the area.”

Chase and George quickly glanced at each other, focusing on keeping their breath at a steady pace. 

Without a response, Fred continued. “None of you men would happen to know anything about that, would you?” 

With a small exhale, Chase forced a smile onto his face, shifting his focus to the officer. 

“I apologize, sir,” he began, cocking his head. “We’re not familiar with any cyberware usage outside of DACR code. We’d love to help but unfortunately…we know nothing.” 

Fred didn’t respond, glancing into the back seat and then looking at Chase once again. After a pause, the officer responded.

“The gentleman in the back, what’s his name?”

“Brock, sir…” Brock spoke up this time. “My name is Brock Purdy.”

With a small sigh, Fred glanced from the car for a second before looking back at the men. 

“Mr. Purdy, may you step out of the vehicle for me, please?”

Brock paused, eyes darting away for a second before looking back at the officer. Fred raised a brow, and spoke again.

“Mr. Purdy, I will not repeat myself. Please step out of the car-” 

Before the DACR officer could get another word out, Chase brought his hand back and quickly leaned out the window, his fist directly meeting with the officer’s face. As Fred stumbled back from the impact, Chase slammed his foot onto the gas pedal and sped off, eliciting panic from the rest of the group. 

“Chase what the fuck was that!?” Brock exclaimed, his focus shifting back and forth between the road behind them and the road ahead of them. 

“Brock you’re my friend and I am not letting you get arrested, okay!?” Chase held tighter onto the steering wheel, panic and expletives running through the car as they twisted and turned through the busy San Francisco city streets. Brock kept panicking and going on and on about how this is the end for him, George kept yelling into the back seat for him to calm the hell down, and Christian had removed the lab coat over himself, wrapping it around Brock in an attempt to calm him. 

George glanced back up into the rear view mirror, eyes widening as he saw the officer back on his motorbike, trailing way too close behind them for comfort.

“Chase can you speed the fuck up please??” George kept his eyes on the mirror. “We are so fucked if you don’t-”

“I’m already going fifteen above the speed limit, do you want me to crash!?” Chase refused to look anywhere but the road ahead of them, desperately changing lane after lane to throw the officer off their trail, and yet, nothing availed. 

As Chase turned the vehicle into a darker street, slowing down when they pulled into the dark alleyway. With the car parked, Chase opened the driver’s door.”

“Okay, we're only a few minutes away from your place, George,” Chase explained to the others. “Let’s just lay low for a little bit and hope he’s lost us.” 

A few seconds of silence passed before the dark alley was illuminated by the same red and blue lights as before. Shit. The group watched as the officer parked his motorbike, stepping off and standing behind the vehicle, with what appeared to be a pistol in hand.

“I need all of you to step out of the vehicle now,” Fred’s voice rang through the alley. With nowhere else to turn, Chase hung his head and was the first to step out of the vehicle. The other three followed suit. 

Fred kept his weapon aimed at the men as they all stepped out of the vehicle. As soon as he laid eyes on Christian, the officer cocked his head.

“You gentlemen didn’t tell me there was another one in the car.” Fred lowered his weapon, making his way closer to the android and glancing up and down. The small lines between the different angles of Christian’s face, along with some exposed metallic of his neck, signaled everything the officer needed to know.

“Whose android is this?” Fred turned to the other three men, who all stood in silence. 

“I’m not asking again. Who does this android belong to?”

“He doesn’t belong to anyone,” George finally spoke up. “He’s my…my friend, okay?”

Fred furrowed his brow, stepping closer to the scientist by the car. 

“So, what I’m hearing is…that he’s your android?”

George didn’t respond, simply moving his head to the side. Fred grabbed the engineer’s arm, digging his fingers into the skin.

“Do not make me repeat myself, doc,” Fred huffed, the corners of his mouth turning into a small snarl. “If this android belongs to you, I have to bring both of you in for potential unregulated cyberware usage.”

Fred turned his focus to Brock and Chase. “As for you two, you’d both be tried for compliance and aiding this man in this act, as well as evading arrest. I don’t want any more bullshit coming from the three of you tonight-” 

Fred’s sentence was cut off as he was grabbed by the back of his utility jacket and yanked to the floor. George’s hand went up to hold the stinging skin from the officer’s arm, eyes widening as he watched his own android friend straddle on top of the officer, his fist meeting Fred’s face time and time again. With one last blow, Christian climbed off of the officer’s body, who laid limp on the ground.

“You don’t touch my creator.” 

Christian stepped over the officer’s body, making his way back to George. He quickly put his hand on the doctor’s arm, the once angry expression softening into a small frown.

“He didn’t hurt you, right?” Christian cocked his head, lifting up George’s arm to examine the area for any bruises. George simply shook his head.

“No, no he didn’t…but, fuck, did you knock him out?” George asked, glancing over Christian’s shoulder to the officer laying in the street. 

“Just enough to keep him out for a bit.”

George didn’t respond, looking back at Christian.

“We can’t just leave him here,” Chase broke the silence this time as he crossed the alley over to the officer, kneeling down next to him. “If we do, he’ll just go back to his boss and all of us will be in even bigger trouble.”

“So, what are you suggesting?” Brock leaned against the alley wall, hand on his chest while trying to slow his own anxious breathing. “Do we kill him?”

“No, we take him,” Chase answered, looking back up to the others. “We can keep him just in case. If we threaten him enough, maybe he’ll talk to us. Help us out a little.”

“You really think he’ll help us after that one beat the shit out of him?” Brock scoffed.

“I said, if we threaten him enough.” 

Brock huffed, pushing himself off the wall and heading over to Chase. “Fine, let’s get the body into the trunk.”

“Woah, hold on a second,” George cut the two off. “What makes you guys think I have no problem keeping a DACR officer in my house?”

“George, do you seriously want to try and risk him going back to his boss? You’ll be even more fucked than before. Or worse, they’ll scrap your little friend.”

George glanced back at Christian, who was still examining the other parts of the doctor’s body for injury, and looked back at Chase.

“Fine, dump him in the trunk. But you owe me big time for this one.” 

Chase smirked a little as he and Brock lifted the officer off of the ground. George aided them with opening the trunk, quickly tossing the officer’s limp, unconscious body into the back before shutting it. Making sure nobody else had seen, the group each made their way back into the vehicle, before Chase reversed the car back out of the alley and onto the city streets, only a few minutes away from George’s apartment.

Chapter 6: All Tied Up

Summary:

George didn't expect his night to end with holding a cop hostage, but who knows what the hell will happen in his life anymore

Notes:

Sorry if this chapter is lowkey shitty, I'm fighting off a cold right now but I still wanted to get something out for y'all, enjoy

Once Chase had found a spot to park nearby the apartment, George managed to find the group a back entryway to go through. After all, it wasn’t too late just yet, and none of them wanted to have to explain to the front lady still in the lobby why they were carrying an unconscious DACR officer through the building. After slipping in through the back door, with Brock and Chase both struggling to carry Fred upright, the group found their way to the elevator. Once that short, yet very awkwardly silent elevator ride had passed, George guided the others to his apartment, and the group slid their way into the living area without suspicion.

Chase dropped Fred against the couch, looking over the limp officer and slightly frowning.

“Fuck, he’s got quite the mark on his face,” Chase mumbled, his eyes scanning the different bruises and cuts all over the officer from the beating he had received before, including a bruised ring around Fred’s left eye.

“He was going to arrest you guys,” Christian responded from the other end of the foyer, making his way from the living area to the kitchen. “I’m not allowed to let anyone touch the human who designed me, and thus, I acted accordingly.”

“I mean, sure…” Chase paused, putting his hands on his hips as his focus went from the DACR officer’s limp body to the android in the kitchen. “But this was probably a bit much.”

“Look,” George cut into the conversation, making his way over to the couch. “Just be glad that we’ve avoided trouble, for now. Instead, I think we have a bigger problem.”

The scientist gently grabbed onto Fred’s shoulders, sitting his body upright on the couch and watching as the officer’s head fell limp to his side. 

“What exactly are we going to do if he wakes up?”

“Oh, that is easy, Doctor,” Christian called out from the kitchen. “We tie him up before he awakes. Say, do you have any rope that could be used?” 

George paused, glancing over at Brock and Chase. The two men exchanged glances between each other, before looking back at George and simply shrugging. The doctor glanced back into the kitchen, watching as Christian opened every drawer or cabinet he could get a hold of. Shit, he’s serious about that rope . After a brief moment of hesitation, George answered.

“I have some under my bed. You can go grab it.” 

Christian looked up from searching the cabinet by the trash, simply nodding with a small smile before crossing across the dining area to his human’s bedroom. As he vanished out of the three men’s sights, George turned to the others. Chase had already made himself comfortable on the couch, with Brock leaning on the back part of the furniture. 

“I mean…might as well get him seated in a chair then. It’ll be easier to tie him up that way.”

Without saying a word, Brock pushed himself off of the furniture and made his way into the kitchen. He grabbed a chair from the dining table, lifting it just enough off the ground to carry it back into the living room. After doing so, George and Chase exchanged glances, nodding before each grabbing one of Fred’s arms, and moving his limp body from the couch to the chair. 

Right as they did so, Christian emerged from the bedroom, rope in hand. 

“Why do you even have that in your room?” Chase asked, slightly cocking his head. George simply shrugged.

“I got a lot of heavy shit to work with around here. Sometimes I need something to hold it in place, you know?” George took the rope from the android’s hands with a quick “thank you” and got to work, making sure to bound the officer’s wrists to the ends of the chair. George kneeled down once he was finished, examining the pockets on the officer’s pants.

“Do you guys know if he has any identification?” George asked, looking back up at the group. Without saying a word, Brock reached into his pocket, grabbing out a small black wallet before placing it in George’s hands. An awkward silence fell on the group as their eyes all turned to Brock, a slight twinge of confusion and concern.

“What?” Brock finally broke his silence. “It fell out when we were taking him out of the trunk. It’s not like I stole it.”

George opened his mouth to respond, but simply exhaled and opened the wallet, pulling out what appeared to be Fred’s officer card. He quickly scanned all the information on the card, nothing too shocking: Fred Warner, Officer of the Department of Android and Cybernetic Regulations, Officer #4854. 

“It’s useless shit,” George tossed the wallet to the side, getting up from his kneeling position and sitting back onto the couch. Being the first time in nearly two days he could just sit back and think, George paused for a second before looking back up at Christian. It didn’t take long for him to recognize the loose, quarter zip jacket, baggy sweats and unlaced boots on the android’s body.

“Christian, are you wearing my clothes?”

Christian looked down at his body for a second, before looking back up with a twinge of confusion in his eyes.

“You’ve only noticed now?”

“Well- shit, man I’ve been kind of busy for the past two days. I don’t have time to notice that- where did you even find those?”
“Your closet. I grabbed them when I came to aid you at work,” Christian began to explain. “You and the other programmers gave me enough knowledge about human customs to know I couldn’t just go outside completely exposed.”

“Yet you still went to his workplace with metal and wires sticking out of your head and neck?” Brock cut in, crossing his arms and cocking his head. Chase put an arm on Brock’s shoulder, shaking his head in a small gesture that screamed that this was not the time to start another argument. Brock sighed, not saying another word and letting the android continue. 

“I hope there isn’t a problem with me borrowing these until further notice. After all, it’s not like my sweat will ruin these clothes,” Christian paused, and when he didn’t get a response, he continued with, “that was a joke. I don’t sweat, I don’t have sweat glands.”

As the awkward tension began to settle over the group, a shifting sound, followed by a small groan, alerted their attention to the chair, where Fred stirred for just a moment, before bringing his head upright and struggling to open his eyes. It took the officer a moment to process his surroundings, before his one non bruised eye widened a little and he tried to move, but was stopped from the ropes bounding him to the chair.

“Wha- oh you’re fucking-” Fred cut himself up, an exasperated sigh escaping his mouth as he finally looked up at the men on the other end of the living room. Fred struggled and squirmed more in his chair to no avail.

“F-Fucking hell, guys, what the fuck is wrong with you?” Fred looked back down as his hands bounded. “I was just trying to do my fucking job! If you assholes weren’t so damn difficult-”

“Okay, okay, I think that’s enough,” Chase cut him off, getting up from his spot on the couch and making his way over to the chair. “We’re not going to hurt you if it isn’t needed, I swear. We just couldn’t have you going back to your boss and telling them what happened.”

Fred tilted his head up to look at Chase, furrowing his brow. 

“I didn’t want to be the one to say this,” the officer began, frowning. “But my location is already being tracked, and my partner will be on his way any minute now-”

As Fred was speaking, Chase took notice of the small device on Fred’s ear, with a tiny yet bright glowing green light. Before Fred could speak more, Chase grabbed onto the device and quickly yanked it off of the officer’s head. Ignoring the yelp of pain from Fred, Chase crossed to the other end of the living room and, without a second hesitation, opened the window just enough to toss the device out of the apartment. He quickly turned back to the others, their eyes widened, and shrugged.

“He said he was being tracked. I solved that, you’re welcome,” Chase smiled, crossing his arms and making his way back to the chair. 

“Fred Warner, is it?” George asked this time, shifting in his seat to lean a little bit forward. Fred didn’t respond, so the scientist continued.

“How exactly did you get to know about this whole unregulated android situation?”

Fred scowled, turning his head to the side. “I’m not telling you shit.”

George huffed a little, looking back at the others, and then back to Fred. “Oh, you don’t have to say anything,” he started. “And believe me I won’t hurt you at all. I can’t say the same about Christian, though.” 

Fred paused, looking back and raising a brow.

“Christian? You named that thing?”

“Call him a thing again and I’ll let him handle you from here on out.”

Just seeing the android shift weight in his legs was enough to make Fred’s black eye sting again. He let out a soft sigh and lowered his head before speaking.

“OmniTech executives reported some missing scraps from a nearby facility. The microchip inserted into every regulated android had been removed before the scrapping process, so we knew someone must’ve broken in and stolen the android after that. Following some reports of a strange figure getting into a car with two unidentified OmniTech employees, they were able to track you guys to Diggs nightclub.”

Fred paused for a second, looking back up at the group before continuing.

“I was just on patrol that night, and happened to get a radio signal to look for any suspicious activity. Your guys’ car happened to match the description of the car seen leaving OmniTech HQ earlier that day. And now… this is where we are.”

George bit at the inner part of his cheek, sighing and glancing over to Chase.

“We can’t let him go now,” the engineer said, looking back over to the officer. “He’ll just get us in even more trouble.”

“No shit you’re in trouble,” Fred grumbled. “Everything you’re doing here is highly illegal.”

Chase simply sighed, leaning over and examining the other bruises along Fred’s face and upper body.

“We can’t kill him,” Chase started. “It’s best we just keep him here for now. You know, dig some other answers out of him.” Chase stood back upright, making his way out of the living room and back into the foyer. 

“We can leave him for now. I’ve got some supplies in the car that I can use to clean Christian up. Tidy him up a little bit for you. You can get to work on Brock’s devices.”

George simply nodded, but that last part made Fred speak up again.

“H-Hold on, devices ?” As much as he could, the officer leaned past George to get a good look at Brock, leaning against the back of the couch. “He’s got unregulated cyberware too?”

“It’s not like you can go tell anyone at this point,” Brock grumbled, slouching over ever so slightly. “But don’t think for one second I’m like that guy.” 

Brock tilted his head to gesture to Christian, who simply responded with a frown. 

“Alright, this is going to be a long night, so you might as well get comfortable, Mr. Warner,” George forced a smile as he got up, moving behind the chair Fred was tied to and pulling it away from the couch. He turned towards his bedroom after that.

“Brock, you wait right there, I’m grabbing some quick tools from my room and we can get started on you. Chase, go grab your supplies from the car and you can clean up our android friend right there.”

Chase nodded as he left the apartment, leaving George to go grab his tools and get to work.

—

“So you’re telling me you’ve got no idea what you’re even going to do to me?”

Fred shifted in his chair, watching as George sat cross legged on the couch, flashlight in Brock’s left ear. George let his tongue slip slightly out of his mouth, focused before pulling away and responding.

“Look, I don’t want to keep you here in a dingy little apartment. But for now, I don’t really have any other choice.” George leaned back in, a small pair of pliers in hand.

“Let me know if this hurts, Brock,” George muttered, squeezing the pliers at the outermost part of Brock’s ear, when the younger man suddenly jolted and yelped.

“F-Fuck! Be more careful, George…” Brock gasped, legs trembling slightly at the pain that suddenly rushed through his body. 

“Sorry, sorry,” George sighed, leaning back in and desperately trying to focus on his work. Every few moments, George’s eyes turned to the scene going on in the kitchen next to them.

There, Chase sat focused at the counter, a large bag of supplies in the chair next to him as he worked at covering up the metallic parts of Christian’s face. A little bit of silicone-esque skin correctly color matched, along with some painting touch ups here and there, and Christian was nearly passing as your average human. 

George sat there for just a moment, admiring the work he had created. Sure, he barely got to touch the prototype after he came up with the idea and draft, but it was still his

…Was it? 

“What the hell is it with you and that robot?” Brock’s voice snapped George out of his thoughts, as he looked back at the man seated in front of him.

“You don’t worry about that, alright, Brock?” George grumbled, leaning back in to focus on the man’s sonar implant. “Christian’s an android I designed. He’s special to me.”

“Well, it’s kind of weird,” Brock said. 

“I’m kind of agreeing with him on this one,” Fred cut in, leaning forward a little. “Say, Brock, is it…?”

Brock silently nodded, and Fred continued.

“I swear this isn’t the first time I’ve seen you…”

Brock froze, eyes glancing over to Fred. The two eyed each other up and down for just a moment, and Fred opened his mouth to speak. 

As he did, a knock broke the silence from the room. 

Chase looked up from his spot in the kitchen. “I’ll check it out. Might just be a neighbor.”

The others watched as Chase got up from his seat, crossing the kitchen and making his way to the front door. He leaned up against the door and peered into the peephole, then stopped. Chase’s eyes widened, as he slowly pulled away and turned to the others, his gaze focused on the DACR officer in the chair.

“You fucking bitch…”

George turned his focus to Fred, where a grin was forming on the bound man’s face.

“I told you he’d find us.”

Chapter 7: It Doesn't Get Better

Summary:

The gang deals with an awkward encounter with Fred's cop partner

Notes:

Another blorbo has entered the fanfic, my tailbone hurts so badly thanks to the chair I'm sitting in while writing this but I hope you like it lmao

“You motherfucker-”

Chase moved out of the foyer and back over to the living area, clenching his fists as his expression turned into a scowl. Fred leaned back as much as he could in his chair, smirking a little bit as the mechanic stood over him.

“I wasn’t lying about that tracker, you know,” Fred stated, shifting his weight to cross one leg over the other. “Go on, you have to go talk to him.” 

Another knock came from the door, and Chase turned his head for just a moment, before looking back at the others. At this point, George had gotten up to move behind the chair that Fred was tied to, putting a hand on the officer’s shoulder. He looked down at Fred, and quietly mouthed to him.

“If you so much as let a breath escape from your mouth, we’re killing you.”

The grin on Fred’s face quickly faded, as he gulped and looked down to the ground, not saying a word in response. George looked back up at Chase and nodded, giving him the ‘go ahead’ to answer the front door. Chase simply sighed to himself and moved back to the doorway. He hesitated for a moment, before gently grasping the door’s handle and opening it.

As he gently pushed the door open, Chase was met face to face with a man in a similar uniform to Fred’s, maybe just a little bit more worn down. He was roughly a similar height as Chase, maybe a bit shorter, with a calm, relaxed, look in his dark eyes. Chase quickly glanced down at the man’s utility jacket, reading the last name Bosa on his chest. The officer took a quick breath, grasping his hands together in front of him before he finally spoke. 

“Well, good evening, mister…” the officer trailed off for a second before continuing. “I’m with the Department of Android and Cybernetic Regulations. Is Dr. Kittle home, by any chance?” 

Chase paused for a moment, turning his head just enough to make eye contact with George in the living room. The scientist at this point had put his hands over Fred’s mouth, simply as a safety precaution. He quickly shook his head, and Chase simply looked back at the man in the apartment hallway.

“Uh, no, sir, I apologize, Mr. Bosa-”

“Oh, you don’t need the formalities,” the DACR officer smiled. “You can call me Nick.” 

Nick put his hand out, and waited patiently as Chase took his hand for a quick handshake. Chase watched the officer slip his hands into his pockets afterwards, a half smile on Nick’s face.

“Do you understand why I am here at this location, mister…?”

“Chase Young,” Chase responded. “My name is Chase Young.” 

“Ah, Chase, then. Are you aware why I am here?”

Chase hesitated for just a brief moment, before shaking his head. 

“Unfortunately, we here at the DACR have reason to believe that your friend, Dr. George Kittle, is housing some illegal cyberware. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?”

Nick cocked his head, watching as Chase raised a brow in a desperate attempt to act clueless.

“O-Oh shit,” Chase paused. “Are you serious?”

Nick simply nodded, and thus Chase continued with the facade. 

“That’s horrible, man…George and I are coworkers. You know OmniTech, right? Yeah he’s one of our prototyping engineers there…but he doesn’t seem at all like the type who would do this.”

“Why exactly are you at Dr. Kittle’s place if he isn’t present?”

Chase stopped for a second, glancing to the right for just a second before stammering, “I-I’m just watching his apartment. He won’t be back until very late, and he just didn’t want to risk any intrusions.”

The two remained silent for a second, awkwardly staring at each other, before Chase continued.

“So…there would be no reason to stay here as long as he isn’t here, right?”

“...Actually…” Nick paused, opening his utility jacket and pulling out a small tablet from an inside pocket. “We have a search warrant for Dr. Kittle’s apartment, sanctioned to the DACR local police about thirty minutes ago.” 

Chase stopped, blinking once and cocking his head before letting out a small, “huh?”

Thus, Nick continued. “Mr. Young, if you could please step aside, we don’t need to make this hard-”

“Look, Officer Bos- Nick,” Chase awkwardly leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms in an attempt to appear casual. “I told George I’d keep his place nice and safe. Can’t you just come back tomorrow when he’s actually here?”

“Chase, don’t make me ask again,” Nick began to frown, stepping closer and putting his hands on Chase’s shoulders. 

Chase glanced back into the living area, panic in his eyes. George and Brock exchanged quick glances at each other, their breaths growing heavier. Without another moment to come up with a game plan, Chase was shoved out of the doorway and Nick entered the foyer, crossing into the living area.

Immediately, the officer’s eyes widened at the sight before him; there stood George, his hand still tightly grasped over Fred’s mouth, as well as Brock and Christian each occupying a spot behind the chair in which Fred was tied up in. Nick opened his mouth and began to speak.

“What the fuc-”

Before Nick could finish his sentence, he suddenly felt himself shoved from behind by Chase, falling directly onto the cold wooden floors. Chase knelt down next to him, moving to grab at Nick’s hands. But the officer yanked his arm away before shoving Chase away, scrambling to get himself off of the ground. When Nick’s hand reached for the holster on his belt, Christian was the first to move from his freeze spot, grabbing a book off of the coffee table and pelting it at the officer’s head.

Nick barely ducked his head out of the way, but the distraction gave enough time for Chase to grab onto his arm. Christian climbed over the couch and latched onto Nick’s other arm, him and Chase struggling to keep the officer in place. 

“Bring him over, bring him over,” George finally broke from his panicked freeze, ushering the two others to drag Nick over before turning to Brock. “Grab another chair from the dining table.”

Brock huffed and left the living area as Chase and Christian dragged the still struggling DACR officer into the living room. George quickly glanced down at the bounded wrists of Fred, before hearing a “this fucking dumbass…” escape from the already tied up officer’s mouth. George smirked to himself for a moment before looking up at his two companions.

“There’s still a lot of excess rope,” the scientist began. “We can probably deal with him as long as we put him back to back with-”

Before George could finish his sentence, Nick managed to gain enough power to force his leg up, high enough to nail the engineer directly in the chest. George felt the wind escape him, stumbling back and nearly hitting his head on his coffee table. It was at this moment Brock dragged the extra chair into the living room, placing it right behind Fred’s back in the perfect spot for his partner to be bound and tied the exact same way that Fred was.

—

“I don’t believe this was on your itinerary, was it, George?” Chase broke the silence as he shut the apartment door, making his way back into the living room area. There, Nick had found himself bound in the exact same way as his fellow DACR officer was, the two men back to back with each other. Chase had already removed and eliminated the same tracker Nick wore on his ear that was on Fred’s, hopefully eliminating any further complications. 

“Oh, no yeah, I had this planned out,” George responded without a hesitation, looking up as Chase tilted his head. “No I fucking didn’t expect to have two police officers tied up and held hostage in my goddamn house, Chase!” 

George flopped down onto the couch, hands lightly tugging at his hair.

“I am in so much fucking trouble, guys. This shit is gonna get out and we’re all going to be arrested and they’re probably gonna find some way to give me the death penalty and I’ll die by being exploded or some crazy shit or I’ll rot away in some maximum security prison for the rest of my life and I’ll never get all of my projects and goals accomplished and-”

“Doctor,” Christian softly spoke up, moving to sit on the spot next to his human. “Your heart rate is spiking to unhealthy levels. I think removing your hands from your hair will help alleviate the stress.”

George didn’t respond for a second, looking over and simply watching the expression on the android’s face grow a little more concerned. With a sigh, George released his fingers from the grip on his hair, moving his hands down into his lap. 

“Sorry about that,” the scientist muttered. “Also…you can drop the formalities, my name is George.”

When Christian didn’t respond, George opened his mouth to speak again, but stopped as soon as the robot put a hand on his chest. The sensation slightly stung, making the doctor hiss in discomfort.

“You’re probably going to bruise from the kick, let me grab some treatment,” Christian got up and made his way to the kitchen, grabbing any first aid supplies he could find. George turned his focus back to the two officers, specifically Nick.

“Yeah, thanks a lot for that, asshole,” George sighed, slouching for a brief moment, but sitting upright when he felt his sternum begin to sting again.

“Look, man, you’re the ones making it difficult for us here,” Nick responded, furrowing his brow. “You and your weird friend back there-”

“It’s a robot, not a friend,” Brock cut Nick off. “Chase just cleaned him up to look like us. But it’s all wires and metal shit under that fake skin.”

“Brock,” Chase frowned. “Don’t start with this-”

“What?” Brock leaned forward against the back of the couch. “The rest of us are already in trouble, we should at least let them know the entire situation. Hopefully that stupid companion bot can get scrapped once this is all done-” 

“I guess we’re all airing out our dirty shit, then?” George got up from his spot. “Well then, I think the officers should know about your illegal cybernetic implants, Brock-”

“Those illegal versions were surgically put into my body against my will, you fucking asshole!” Brock jumped up as well, his face beginning to turn red. “I never asked for this shit!”
“And yet you’ve come to me for help instead of going to the cops about your little problem! Face it, Brock, you know you’d be treated as much as an illegal cyber user as Christian-”

“I am not a fucking machine!” 

Nick’s eyes widened as he watched the two go back and forth, leaning his head back to speak to his fellow DACR officer.

“Are they like this a lot?”

Fred simply nodded his head, “these two fucking hate each other-”

“GUYS,” Chase cut in, and both George and Brock instantly fell silent. “If you two cannot stop fucking bickering about every single little thing, then I swear I am going to knock the shit out of both of you, got it?”

George and Brock hesitated, quickly exchanged glances before awkwardly nodding. At this time, Christian shuffled back into the living area, guiding George to sit back down on the sofa.

“I found an ice pack in your freezer, it will help with the swelling,” the android explained, a small smile on his face. “Please just lift up your shirt first.”

“...Does he really need to remove the shirt?” Fred spoke up this time, raising a brow. “I don’t wanna have to sit here and see this guy half naked.”

“It’s not a sexual thing, asshole,” George spat in response, before grabbing onto the bottom of his shirt and lifting it above his head. 

As George rested back on the couch shirtless, Christian’s eyes darted down to the scientist’s chest, eyeing both the large bruise forming on his upper body, but also taking a few quick glances at George’s abdomen and hips. Before he could really lose himself, Christian awkwardly looked back up, leaning in and pressing the ice pack against George’s chest. The sensation stung a little, but nothing too much to warrant any concern.

“You think I can remove the bandaging around my head now?” George joked a little, and he gestured to the two day old gauze wrapped around his head injury from the day that they met. Christian simply nodded, and while he was busy icing the scientist’s chest, George took it upon himself to remove the bandaging around his head, exposing the scar that had begun to form on his temple.

“Holy shit, man,” Chase leaned in a little, eyeing the cut along George’s head. “Is that injury seriously from when you hit your head at work?” 

George nodded, attempting to toss the gauze across the living room into the nearby trash and missing. “Yeah, hit my head badly when I blacked out. It’s fine, I’ve been burnt and cut and zapped before.”

“They’ve really got you damn near dying at work every day, huh?” Fred tilted his head. “I don’t even know why I’m asking. You seem like a good citizen, George. Why can’t you just do the right thing and let the two of us go?”

“I am doing the right thing,” George responded with a small huff. “OmniTech wanted to destroy Christian, and I wasn’t going to let that happen.”

Fred glanced over to Brock on the couch, who simply shrugged. “He cares about that robot a lot, I know it’s weird. 

“Okay, Brock,” George sighed, softly moving Christian’s hands away from his chest and holding the ice pack himself. “I know you don’t like me but I’m trying my best here, man. Maybe if I fix those implant malfunctions, you’ll feel better?” 

Brock felt his shoulders drop a little, and Fred broke the silence.

“Man, if you hate those implants so much, why did you even get them…?”

Brock turned his head a little, a small frown on his face. 

“It was a lifesaving thing,” he began to explain, looking down to the floor. “I was badly injured, bleeding out from my brain and shit. The sonar and nasal implants keep the neurons firing in my brain. It keeps me alive .”

Fred and Nick glanced at each other over their shoulders, their once angry expressions softening slightly, and Fred continued.

“Shit, little dude, I’m sorry…” 

“It’s fine, I’ll come to terms with it some day,” Brock sighed, looking back over to George. “But I don’t think that’s happening until this shit is fixed.” 

George simply sighed, awkwardly forcing himself up off the sofa. “I’ll grab my tools and get back to work on your problem. As for the two of you…” 

George looked over at Nick and Chase, giving them an awkward smile.

“We’ll figure out what to do with you at some point.”

Fred rolled his eyes and looked back at Nick. “You could’ve gotten us out of this one, Nick. Worst of all, our trackers only track each other.”

“Wait, are you serious?” Chase’s eyes widened, fighting back a small chuckle. “DACR tracking devices only track police partners?”

When Nick silently nodded in response, Chase couldn’t control the grin on his face as he looked back at George, who was also fighting back a laugh.

“You know, I think I’ve changed my mind,” George breathily said in an attempt not to laugh. “If the DACR higher ups are that dumb, I think we’re going to be fine.”

The two exchanged a quick laugh as Fred elbowed Nick as much as his tied up arms allowed him to.

“As soon as we’re out of this situation, I’m changing officer partners,” Fred grumbled, sinking into his seat in preparation for a long, and probably very annoying night.

Chapter 8: Where Have I Seen You Before?

Summary:

Everyone's world is turned upside down in a matter of minutes

Notes:

Sorry for not uploading yesterday, I was exhausted and plus this chapter was a little bit longer but FINALLY it's here, enjoy my friends

Brock shifted around in his spot on the couch, trying to make himself comfortable.

“Dude, I can’t have you squirming while I’m trying to fix this shit,” George grumbled, grabbing the other man’s shoulders and holding him in place. “Do you want to be accidentally electrocuted again?”

“It isn’t easy to relax when you’ve got malfunctioning software in your face, asshole,” Brock tilted his gaze to the side, lips curled in a small pout. “I’m trying my best here, okay?”

George didn’t respond, and instead he gently tilted Brock’s head to the side, holding a small flashlight in his free hand. He continued to examine the wires and mechanical parts filling Brock’s ear canal, before digging around for another tool in his bag.

Brock’s focus shifted from the ground, over to the two chairs in front of him. He quickly made eye contact with Fred, who cocked his head to the side, almost as if focusing on examining every feature on Brock’s face and body. Meanwhile, Nick had shifted himself a little bit back into his seat, head leaning back and silently taking in everything that was happening. Brock’s gaze went back to Fred, who was still staring.

“What the fuck are you staring at?” Brock furrowed his brow, the venom in his words snapping Fred out of his hyper focused trance. The DACR officer took a second to respond, his eyes unwavering, before he finally spoke. 

“I finally remember where I’ve seen you before.”

That sentence made George glance up from his work, pulling the screwdriver he had out of Brock’s ear. 

“Wait,” the scientist’s jaw slacked a little, as he put the tool down to the side. “You two know each other?”

At this point, Fred’s words had gotten the attention of both Chase and Christian as well, who had heard the commotion from the dining table. With all eyes focused on him, Fred continued.

“I don’t know if you remember me at all, Brock…After all, it probably wasn’t the best time for either of us-”

“How the fuck do you know me?” Brock spat his words out at the officer, who ignored the hostility in his voice. 

“I’m not surprised you don’t remember,” Fred shifted his weight a little, crossing his legs. “It was a little over a year ago, if I remember correctly, one of the first nights in my career…”

—

Saturday, October 29th, 2095.

Fred rested his head against the passenger side window, eyes scanning the dark San Francisco streets. His hand fidgeted with the small pistol in his holster.

“I can hear your anxiety from here, Warner,” the man in the driver’s seat broke the silence, and Fred looked back at his partner. 

“Sorry, Officer Mahomes…”

“You don’t need the formalities, man. At least not while the boss is around. Just call me Pat.”

Fred sighed to himself, his focus going back to the city streets.

“Look, I know this is your first outing on the job, but as long as you’ve got me, I think you’re going to be fine. We’ll be in and out, easy as that,” Pat softly elbowed the man in the passenger seat, giving him a warm smile. When Fred didn’t respond, Pat shifted his focus back on the road and continued with his speech.

“Just remember your training at the academy, and you’ll be fine. Plus, our boss will be very happy if everything goes just as planned tonight.”

“Why didn’t you bring your usual partner with you?” Fred finally broke his silence, not looking at the man in the driver’s seat. With a small pause, Pat responded.

“Chief Garoppolo thought it would be good for you to get your foot through the door on these outings. Plus, the TK-87 robot is in the workshop to fix some damaged parts after our last sting operation together. Those new sabers these dealers are using are no joke.” 

Fred felt his heart beating out of his chest as he slightly readjusted his uniform, shifting around from the discomfort of the bulletproof vest underneath his plain white shirt. His breath grew a tad shaky as Pat pulled the car into a dark alleyway, parking in a dark spot away from any potential witnesses. The older officer got out of the car first, and Fred paused for just a moment to still his beating heart, before getting out on the passenger’s side. 

“Just remember the information the department gave us,” Pat mumbled to the younger officer, leaning in close. “We enter through a window, slip through the back, and keep this as quick as possible. Got it?” 

When Fred gave a quick nod in response, Pat removed the pistol from his holster and let the man down the alleyway, turning a corner to the right and behind a nearby building. Two large, empty crates stacked next to each other offered an entryway into the back window.

Pat climbed onto the large crate first, struggling a bit to get his footing before managing to hoist himself up on top. He turned and stuck out his hand, letting Fred grab onto him and climb up as well. Both men were tall enough to reach the window with little complications. 

Pat grabbed a small screwdriver from the inside pocket of his utility jacket, standing on his toes and working at digging the flat end at a crevice in the window pane. After a few tugs, the window screen came loose, and Pat gently placed it down off to the side before reaching his arms through the open entryway, pulling himself through. Fred followed close behind, biting down on the inner parts of his cheek to try and keep himself calm. 

The two men dropped down a few feet with a small huff, having entered what seemed to be a storage room. Pat ran his hands along the unopened boxes.

“We’ll get back to these in a little bit,” he whispered to the other officer. “But let’s finish the operation first.”

Pat removed a small device from his belt and leaned up against the door. He looked down at the small screen of the object in his hand, attempting to detect any nearby sounds or movements. When he was sure the coast was clear, the officer quickly grasped the door handle, pushing it open slowly and quietly. He glanced around the empty halls, before signaling for Fred to follow him. 

The two men made their way through the empty, abandoned hallways. Nearly everything was some mute, worn down shade of gray, excluding the small bits of blue paint on the shelves and the brown wooden pallets. The cold cement floors, combined with the old world industrial walls made Fred’s best guess at this being some old abandoned warehouse. Definitely the type of location for underground cyberware dealers to do their dirty work. 

The two finally came up to a door, and Pat once again pressed his ear to it. This time around, he could hear soft mumbles, crackles of electrical wiring and such, along with some footsteps on the other side. He looked back at Fred, giving him a small nod. Fred’s grip on his pistol tightened, as he shakily sighed and watched as Pat took a step back, and quickly let out a small breath, before kicking the door open.

Immediately, Pat and Fred caught sight of four men in the center of the warehouse area. With wires and worn down machinery, plus a few bags of cash. Panic immediately ensued as the two officers aimed their weapons at the four men.

“All four of you, drop everything now!” Pat’s voice rang out through the empty warehouse. The first man didn’t comply, grabbing a handle from his belt, and removing the illuminating red blade from his side. Pat fired before the man could charge him, a large pop alongside a loud ringing noise filling the warehouse as the first offender dropped to the floor, his body limp. 

The three other men made a run for it, two of them dashing towards the entrance as the third ran out a side door. Pat and Fred immediately split up, with Pat commanding Fred to follow and catch the lone man, before running off to chase down the other two himself.

Fred turned on his heels and made his way to the side door, swinging it open only to enter a maze of monotonous hallways. His finger shook on the trigger as Fred marched his way through the endless halls, occasionally having to turn around after coming to a dead end. Just when it all began to feel hopeless, the sound of feet slamming against the concrete floor alerted Fred down to the left. He shifted directions and crossed the halls, his weapon held in front of him just in case it was to be necessary. Without thinking, Fred turned another corner into the next hallway.

Before he could think, Fred’s chest collided with a warm, flesh feeling, and a panicked scream rang out of the officer as he lifted his weapon. Just as the other man was turning, Fred fired, the bullet crazing the man in the shoulder. He only got a few more feet before stumbling to the ground. 

Fred kept his gun aimed at the man, his hands shaky. His gut sank a little as he heard the other man’s panicked breaths begin to turn into shaky sobs, before he pulled himself upright to a sitting position. 

It was at this moment Fred was face to face with the man whose arm he nearly shot off. Big brown eyes were stained with tears, and the younger man’s cheeks turned red as he continued fighting back his pained sobs. Fred couldn’t tell if the crying was from pain or fear, but at this point, did it really matter? 

After a moment of hesitation, Fred lowered his gun, putting it back into his holster. He looked back behind him, making sure nobody else was there, and gently kneeled down and put a gentle hand on the back of the sobbing younger man.

“Hey…hey, it’s alright, bud,” Fred tried his best to console the man he logically should’ve been arrested. But something about the man’s pained tears shattered his heart in two.

“I-I didn’t…” the man fought to speak through his sobs, damn near hyperventilating at this point. “I didn’t want t-to do this! T-They made me…”

“They made you…?”

The other man nodded, hugging himself and scooting a little bit away from Fred. “P-Please, don’t touch me! I-I didn’t want this!”

As he continued to cry and beg, Fred’s heart sank into his gut, a small lump forming in his throat. Fuck. He couldn’t do this. He glanced down at the floor for just a second, before looking back up at the wall behind the man. A small vent caught his eye, and Fred sighed to himself. He really was about to fucking do this. 

As the man continued his tears on the floor, Fred removed a small screwdriver from his own belt, working at unscrewing the covers of the vents. Once he was finished and tossed the cover to the side, Fred made his way back over to the crying man.

“Don’t tell anyone I did this,” Fred muttered to the man and pointed to the open vent. “Go.”

The younger man stopped for a second, wiping his tears away and looking up at Fred. When the officer simply nodded, the man let out a small, “thank you” and crawled his way over to the vent, crawling inside and vanishing. 

Fred watched the man disappear into the vent, putting his pistol back onto his thigh holster and turning away. It was at this moment the sound of footsteps caught his attention, and instantly he could recognize Pat’s voice.

“Warner!”

“I’m here, Mahomes,” it took a second for the two men to find each other through the halls, but eventually they met up by the entranceway.

“Where’s the other one?” Pat questioned, putting his own pistol away.

Fred paused for a second, before sighing and looking down. “He vanished, sir. I apologize…”

“Damnit, Fred,” Pat grumbled, leading the man out of the halls into the warehouse area, where the two other men had already been caught and handcuffed.

“I gave you one fucking job and you blew it. The chief won’t be happy about this…” Pat stepped over one of the men’s bodies, pulling him up off the ground by his wrists. “Grab the other one, we’ll take them down to the station for further questioning. 

Fred frowned to himself, glancing back to the side door, before looking away and getting to work with no more words but a small, “I’m sorry.”

—

“You let him go?” George slightly cocked his head, trying to take in the details of everything he had just heard from the officer’s confession. “But why?”

“I…I felt bad,” Fred grumbled, refusing to look up from the ground. “He was so young, and he…he didn’t ask for any of this to happen to him…I’m sorry, Brock.”

Brock’s posture had gone heavy, blinking away a few tears before rubbing at his eyes. “I…I remember that day all the damn time. I d-didn’t want to go with those guys but…they were all I had.” 

After remaining quiet the entire time, Nick finally broke his silence.

“Fred…you’re fucking joking,” the other officer leaned forward in his seat. “And you tell me that I’m the dumb one in this partnership?”

“Nick, my entire punishment for that situation is having to work with you!” Fred spat back at his partner. “At least I actually have a heart-”

“Don’t fucking start with that-”

At this point, Chase had gotten up from the dining room table, crossing into the living area. “Both of you need to stop it, you’ll wake up the neighbors and we’ll all be in trouble-”

“Oh, I didn’t do shit wrong!” Nick grumbled at Chase, leaning forward. “If only you fucking idiots could alert someone nearby so I can get out of here and never have to see any of you again-”

At this point, Chase had enough. Finally losing his patience, he grabbed a book off the coffee table, gripping it in his hands and directly whacking Nick across the head. The officer felt the air leave his body as his head felt limp to the side. 

From the sudden force of the book, as well as the corner directly hitting his ear, a small, scratching electrical sound emitted from Nick’s ear. Chase stopped, putting down the book and cocking his head. The sound, despite being nearly nonexistent, made Christian look up from his spot at the table.

“I recognize that sound,” he spoke, raising his brows a little. “I remember hearing it in the factory…Chase, check his ear. 

Chase looked back at Christian, before leaning in and checking Nick’s ear. A small green light flashed from the area, with a small whirring sound. With curiosity getting the best of him, Chase softly grabbed at the light, and pulled out a small, green device. 

“Holy shit…” George’s eyes widened, getting up from his seat. “Those are OmniTech microchips, we put those in all the androids once they’ve been completed…”

“Wait,” Chase held the device in his hand, looking back at Nick, who fell limp in his seat. “Does this mean…”

Chase grasped onto the officer‘s jacket, pulling it just enough off of his arm to lift up the sleeve of his shirt. Lo and behold, softly imprinted on Nick’s skin, was NB-97 , the exact naming system OmniTech uses for their androids. 

“Oh, fuck…” Fred looked back at his partner, and back up at the others. “You’re telling me he was-”

“An android,” George responded. “He’s been an android this entire time.” 

After a few moments, Nick slowly opened his eyes, blinking a few times before sitting upright.

“F-Fuck…” the android grumbled, sighing and looking around. “What is going on…?”

“Nick,” Fred looked back at the android tied up behind him. “Do you…remember anything?”

“O-Oh, Fred…” Nick smiled, leaning his head back and resting it against his partner’s shoulder. “Yeah, I remember you…and, and these guys.” 

Nick glanced around the room, before his focus stopping on Christian at the end of the apartment.

“You guys have an android too…” Nick muttered to himself, looking down for just a second. “It’s been forever since…my head has been this quiet. There’s no constant barking of orders and telling me what to do…”

“He can think ?” Brock cocked his head.

“Christian wasn’t the first to be able to think on his own,” George confessed, looking back to his android friend. “We put chips in every android to keep them docile. Somehow Christian managed to circumvent that, and they had to scrap him.”

George glanced back at Fred, whose eyes widened at this information. His shoulders slouched over, and he looked down to the ground.

“Fuck…Is Nick going to be okay…?”

“Fred, I feel fine,” Nick responded after a moment. “I probably am better than I have been in…like, forever, you know?”

“I think you two need some rest,” Christian called out from the dining room table. “Sleep is needed for humans, and the resting mode keeps our android bodies in check.”

“Christian, we don’t need you playing doctor for all of us, buddy,” George turned around, huffing a little.

“Your frustration is just a sign of some well needed rest.”

George paused, before turning back to the others. “Fucking fine, we’ll get some rest so he will stop worrying. Those two can try and sleep in their chairs. Chase and Brock, you two find a spot on the couch, I’m going to bed.”

With nothing more than some quick “goodnight”s exchanged, George slinked off to his bedroom, Christian close behind.

—

After changing out of his uniform into some old sleepwear and brushing his teeth, George left the bathroom and stopped in place. Christian had removed all the clothes he had stolen from George and climbed into bed as well, already comfortable.

“Christian, that’s my bed,” George said.

“Sharing a bed is good for human connection,” Christian responded as he didn’t move. “You’re a stressed man, I believe some physical contact will release oxytocin in your body, and it will make you feel better.”

George simply shrugged and sighed, too exhausted to argue as he climbed into bed, nearly instantly being pulled against Christian’s chest. It had been forever since he last had this type of physical intimacy with someone. Sure, it felt a little strange at first, but the soft warm sensation of Christian’s body felt nice . George didn’t have the mental energy to think more about it. 

Instead, he simply closed his eyes and let his android turn off the lights, slipping into a much needed sleep.

Chapter 9: A Lunch Date To Remember

Summary:

George’s cover is nearly blown by one wrong meal, and Christian has a crisis

Notes:

My tailbone hurts so badly from my seat lmao but ENJOYYY

A sudden vibrating noise on the nightstand next to the bed awoke George from his slumber. He took a moment to open his eyes, vision adjusting to the room around him. Light slipped in through the tiny opening in his blackout curtains, illuminating just enough to signify that at the very least, the morning had passed. 

George kept his head relaxed, looking up for a second. He had nearly forgotten about the agreement the night before of letting Christian sleep in his bed. But now, the scientists found himself with his head resting on the android’s chest, Christian’s soft, yet strong arms gently wrapped around him in a gentle embrace. George’s face felt warm, and he could feel his heart begin to beat just a tad bit faster. 

Another vibration from his phone alerted him once more, and George huffed a little before slipping out from Christian’s arms, rolling over to the side of his bed and grabbing his phone, powering it on and checking the screen. The quicker heartbeat stopped, as George scanned the text messages he had received.

The Boss: Hey, Kittle, how about we get lunch at one? My treat.

George quickly glanced up to the corner of his phone, the time reading 12:02 P.M. After pausing for just a second, George opened the message and responded.

That sounds great, sir. Just send me the location and I will be there.

Once George had responded, he placed his phone back onto the nightstand and rolled over onto his back, groaning to himself as he rubbed some sleep from his eyes. After a moment of complete silence, George felt Christian roll over from his spot in the bed, wrapping an arm around the scientist’s body.

“Doc…” Christian mumbled as he awoke from his rest cycle, nuzzling his head into the crook of George’s shoulder. “Your heart rate is high, is something wrong…?”

George hesitated, glancing away before looking back at Christian. Of course having to go out for a meal with the CEO of OmniTech was going to be a major stressor, but something about having the android’s arms holding him in place made George’s gut twist and turn at any possible moment. It felt… nice to say the least, but something felt so, so wrong. George sighed and rolled away from the android’s embrace, sitting himself upright in bed and placing his feet against the floor.

“I have to go get lunch with Mr. Rodgers,” George explained, a small yawn escaping his mouth before pushing himself up out of bed. “It’ll be fine…as long as I don’t talk about what’s happened over the past two days-”

“I’ll come with,” Christian looked up from the bed, and rolled over onto his side. “You need someone to keep your blood pressure in check, and-”

“Christian, no,” George stopped the android before he could finish his words. “I…I can’t have that.”

“Why not, sir-”

“It’s George.”

Christian paused, nodding, “Okay…Why not, George?”

George sighed to himself, resting his hands on his hips and looking down for a moment before answering, “I can’t risk you getting in any more trouble. I can’t risk…I can’t risk losing you again. My boss, he’s the one who…you know, wanted to scrap you.”

The android blinked, cocking his head to the side. “He what? ”

“Christian…” George frowned a little, his gaze softening. “You probably don’t remember the scraps facility, but my boss decided you weren’t the right prototype and you should be scrapped and-”

“I remember the facility, George.”

George stopped, his jaw agape for a moment before speaking again.

“You...you do?”

“...I was conscious enough on the conveyor belt, even when I couldn’t move…” Christian replied. “I’d only had consciousness for what , four or five months? And…and there I was, there was still so much to do, but it was all going to be the end until…until you, George.”

Christian slid out of the bed, before meeting George face to face and gently resting his robotic hands on the scientist’s shoulders.

“ You came back for me. You created me, you made me, you saved me…That’s why I am here to help you. It’s what I was built for.”

The corners of George’s mouth formed into a small frown as he glanced down before looking back up at the android.

“No, no it isn’t…” George shook his head, stammering through his words. “T-That’s what they wanted from you, when my boss had someone else take over the project to make you. To my boss, to my coworkers, they think you’re here to be nothing more than a humanoid companion but I …that’s not why I wanted you to exist. That’s not what I made you for…”

Christian took in all of this information, his hands slightly shaky as his shoulders grew heavy. Yet, the android didn’t take his eyes away from his creator, his savior, his everything , and all he could do was quietly reply.

“I need to know, please…what was I made for?”

George felt his heart sink, and despite opening his mouth nothing came to mind. After a second, he thought, and finally answered with the only thing that his brain could come up with.

“That’s for you to decide, Christian. You’re not a project anymore. You’re not some mindless robot. You’re a life, and I can’t tell you what to do with your life.”

Before the android could come up with a response, George slipped away from his grasp, turning to the bedroom door. 

“I’ve got to get ready to get out. You can stay here with the rest.”

Christian watched helplessly as George turned and left into the rest of the apartment, leaving the android behind. Christian looked back down at his own hands, curling his fingers slightly. His skin looked damn near human, almost indistinguishable from a living being at this point. And yet, he knew deep down something just wasn’t there . His eyes went up to the small mirror framed onto the wall, eyes fixated on his uncannily clean, almost beyond human face. All Christian could do was stare and think. 

Humans don’t need a purpose. But I am not one of them. What…what is my purpose?

Meanwhile, George had finished tugging on some old graphic tee that didn’t smell poorly enough to cause concerns, grabbing his back and tossing his phone and key card inside. While getting ready to head out, the engineer had entirely ignored and mentally blocked out everyone else within his dingy small apartment. At some point Nick had asked to at least watch some television to avoid boredom, and now kept himself busy with whatever shitty program played on the holoscreen. Chase had kept himself busy on the couch tinkering and researching the microchips and trackers on his phone, tuning out any nonsensical jargon about the show that Nick was babbling to him. Fred simply leaned back in his chair, his near blank expression likely signifying how deeply in thought the officer was, oblivious to the world around him. And next to Chase on the couch laid Brock, still curled up and resting. 

“Chase is in charge while I’m gone. Don’t be idiots,” George called out to the others, and didn’t wait for a response before turning on his heels and leaving his apartment.

—

George waited awkwardly outside of the restaurant entrance, reading the sign of whatever small, yet admittedly cute little spot his boss had invited him to.

“Bryce’s Brewery…huh…” George tilted his head, having never heard of this place in the area. Maybe new, perhaps? Ironically enough, Rodgers didn’t seem like the type to be this open to something new…

“George!” The sound of his name being called snapped the scientist from his thoughts, and he glanced towards the direction of the noise. By the older man’s side stood a smaller humanlike android with admittedly hyper realistic light brown hair and a young, innocent look to his face, likely a new model. George smiled as he locked eyes with a familiar face, crossing the street and giving a small wave.

“Mister Rodgers,” George started, trying to keep up his friendly demeanor despite the twingy feeling in his gut. 

“We’re out of the office, just call me Aaron,” the boss replied, sticking out his hand for a quick, yet firm handshake before guiding his employee into the restaurant. George remained silent until the two found their seats across from each other in a little booth in the corner. The waitress was kind and quick, yet George quickly recognized the mechanical, robotic movements signifying her as a bit of an older android model. George’s focus kept going from the android waitress to the more human looking robot sitting quietly at Aaron’s side. Once their orders for drinks and meals had been taken, the scientist shifted around in his seat, desperately trying to get comfortable despite his nerves.

“So…” George finally spoke. “Who is your little friend here, sir?”

Aaron chuckled, putting an arm around the android, giving him a small pat on the back.

“He’s a new model, they dubbed him ZW-2. We mainly call him Zach to keep it easy,” Aaron looked down at the android. “C’mon, don’t be rude to the guest, Zach. Say hi.”

The android shifted in his seat, stammering out a small greeting before looking back down. Aaron frowned, furrowing his brow. But before he could speak again, George quickly shifted the conversation.

“Is…Is there a reason you brought me out to lunch today?” George asked, trying to keep his calm persona in check. Aaron huffed a little and began to reply.

“Actually, there is a reason. Some of our partners at the OmniTech scraps facility reported a breaking and entering two nights ago, and we were not able to find any scraps from the CMC-23 prototype. You know, the one that you created.”

George felt his heart sink, eyes quickly glancing over to the android at his boss’s side. Zach glanced down to George’s chest, before looking back up with wide eyes. The engineer knew his heart rate was beginning to pick up, but all he could do was force himself to open his mouth and make up an answer on the spot.

“A-Are you serious…? That is insane, I am so sorry that happened…” George wrung his hands together and continued. “I don’t know anything about what happened, I am so sorry…”

Aaron hesitated for a moment, leaning in with a small frown forming on his face.

“You’re not… lying to me, are you, Kittle?”

George silently shook his head, eyes darting back to Zach on the side. The android remained silent for a moment, before looking over at his boss.

“He isn’t lying, sir. His heart rate is steady.”

It was then that George finally felt his shoulders relax, watching as Aaron shifted back into his seat, smiling.

“Damn…maybe I was wrong about you then,” Aaron chuckled, and Zach gave a little wink to George. The tension finally was broken by the waitress returning to the table, dropping off the meals for the two men before slipping off.

As George shifted his weight a little and began his meal, just a quick and easy Caesar salad, he couldn’t help but watch as Zach cut up the steak for his boss, not even receiving a thank you when Aaron dug into his meal. George paused for just a second, before softly exhaling and starting up another conversation.

“H-Hey, I had a question about our androids at OmniTech…”

Aaron looked up, signaling for George to continue.

“Do you know about an android named Nick Bosa?”

Aaron dropped his fork, and it almost felt like the room went silent. The boss sat upright at this point, eyes darkening.

“...How do you know that name…?”

George’s eyes widened, and he stammered out, “I-I met him on patrol the other night…He was nice, but I saw that he was an OmniTech android…”

“...They’re still calling him that name…”

George paused, raising a brow in confusion. “I-I’m sorry, what…?”

“Nick Bosa was a gift for a friend,” Aaron began, looking down at his meal. “I was friends with this fellow businessman, our companies were essentially business partners. His name was Joey Bosa. I gave him an android for his birthday one year, and he treated it like that was his little brother. He called the NB-97 android Nick, and they were practically inseparable, until…”

“...Until…?”

“Joey went missing. Nobody is quite sure what happened, but his company went to ruin, and Nick Bosa was handed over to the Department of Android and Cybernetic Regulations. They turned him into an officer android, rewired him, and yet, they still kept the name.”

George’s heart sank, and all he could do was reach out to put his hand on Aaron’s shoulder. 

“I-I am so sorry, sir…”

“They shouldn’t have kept his name. Joey Bosa no longer exists. So why would Nick? He’s nothing more than an addition to Joey…” 

George tried not to frown at that comment. 

“I’m not surprised it happened, to tell the truth…” Aaron continued. “Our companies worked together on the prototypes for the Sonar Implants a few years back, and those immediately had to be pulled from shelves. The people were mad, and Joey’s company had just finished a fixed version of those when he vanished. We haven’t been able to sell those implants due to the controversy, now they just sit in an old storage room in headquarters. We’ll have to create a whole new earpiece from scratch.”

George’s demeanor shifted with that information, slightly tilting his head. He didn’t speak a word as Aaron coughed into his elbow, before standing up.

“I apologize, Kittle, but I’ll be right back, I just have to use the restroom real quick.”

Aaron slipped off into the busy brewery, leaving George alone with the android sitting across from him. Zach quickly glanced over his shoulder, before leaning in and pulling George closer to him by the shirt.

“You took the CMC-23 bot, didn’t you?”

George’s eyes widened, but he didn’t answer. Thus, Zach continued.

“I damaged my chip so it will malfunction for short enough times, but I probably only have a few minutes left before it goes back to normal. If you’re still here, the chip will kick in and I’ll tell the truth to him. We don’t want that, do we?”

The scientist nodded, his heart rate spiking once again.

“Leave, quick,” Zach pointed to the entrance. “I’ll try and cover for you, but I don’t have long until my chip goes back to normal. Leave.”

Zach let go of George’s shirt, and the engineer paused for just a second before grabbing his bag, and heading towards the door. George didn’t look back, crossing the road into the busy San Francisco streets, heading for the nearest bus stop he could find.

As a million thoughts ran through his head, George kept coming back to two things: How would he manage to get those Sonar Implants, and what the do fuck the microchips do to those android’s programming? 

Chapter 10: He's Just A Cosmic Boy

Summary:

When Nick's got a taste of free will, he's gonna use it

Notes:

YIPPEE I finally got this chapter out. This is kind of a filler/fluff chapter to just build on some of the other characters but hey I still like it. Also the lyrics at the end are from the song Cosmic Girl by Jamiroquai because I was listening to that song when writing this chapter. Anyway I hope you like it, and comments are always appreciated !!!

As the repetitive blinking noise from the nearby clock ticked over and over again, Nick shifted his weight around in his seat. Desperately he tried his best to get comfortable, despite the cold and hard wooden chair pushing up against his body in a way that forced him to sit in an awkward position. The officer twisted his neck a little bit to get a glimpse of the time. Roughly about 1:47 P.M. After that, he quickly glanced around any spot in the apartment he could see. Christian had busied himself with tidying up, picking up any worn down clothes George had left on his own apartment floor. Brock had woken up at this point and shifted positions on the couch, now curled up against a throw pillow next to Chase, as the two tried to watch a show on the holoscreen. Every few minutes, Brock’s small fidgets would stop, and Chase would have to lightly shake him out of it. 

Nick sighed to himself, slouching back to lean his head against Fred’s back behind him. 

“Fred. I’m bored,” Nick broke the silence, only getting a grumble in response. So he turned his focus to the one person whose attention he could get; Chase’s.

“How long are you keeping us here?”

Chase’s eyes didn’t move from the holoscreen as he responded, “Your friend isn’t exactly the most trustworthy person to let go of right now, considering the whole…you know…”

“Hey,” Fred butted into the conversation for just a second. “I’m right here. You know I can hear you, asshole-”

“If you want to behave like that then we can just toss you out the window, does that sound nice?” Chase spat out, a silence falling from the officer in response. “...That’s what I expected…” 

Nick paused for a second, looking down at his own lap before looking up at Chase again.

“...If you want me to be honest…I never wanted to join the DACR.”

This time around, Chase’s focus shifted over to the android, raising his brow slightly.

“You’re being serious?”

Nick sighed, struggling to find his words for just a moment before forcing himself to continue. “It wasn’t my choice. I-I wasn’t built for police work. Your boss gave me as a friend to his old business partner, and then there was this huge falling out and-”

“Hold on,” Chase stopped him, grabbing the small remote off of the coffee table and pausing the holoscreen program, despite Brock’s complaints. Brock huffed and grabbed and rolled over onto his side, his back facing the others. 

“ You were the Joey Bosa gift?”

Nick’s eyes widened, his jaw slacked a little as he felt his shoulders drop. He took a second to himself, processing his words before he continued his thoughts.

“Joey’s my brother. He could’ve done whatever he wanted to me…but he didn’t. How…how did you know about this?”

“Nick…” Chase’s eyes softened, leaning forward a little bit. “I was already working at OmniTech at that time. Sure, you weren’t a project I ever worked on…but the business partnership with Rodgers and your… brother …was something special, all of us knew about it.”

Chase hesitated, sighing a little and continuing with his words.

“My boss told us Joey left California, tried to get his footing with his tech company started up in New York. Soplex is what he called it. We never heard from Joey again…I thought he would’ve taken him with you…”

At that point Nick had felt himself completely sink into himself, head drooping down to face the floor. A million programmed thoughts rushed through his brain. Joey…his brother, his human, his best friend… abandoned him?

Nick remembered the day like any other: The day he awoke from his rest cycle to the home being empty, the day the Department of Android and Cybernetic Regulations came in and took him away. He remembered every last bit. He remembered the rewiring of his microchip. No longer meant to care for someone as if they were family. No, he was made into nothing more than a weapon . He wasn’t meant to care, at that point he was meant for nothing more than to destroy.

And yet, after all this time, he kept his name. Why? Why was he Nick Bosa if there was no Joey Bosa? After a moment of this uncomfortable surge running through his mechanical body, the android was shaken out of his thoughts by the feeling of a warm, human hand on his shoulder.

Chase had slipped off from his spot on the couch, crouching down in front of Nick to be at eye level with him. The man’s lips were turned into a soft frown, his gaze soft and nearly pitiful. 

“Look, man…” Chase started, glancing off to the side for just a second. “I-I might not be able to take all that pain away…but the least I can do is try to cheer you up? Is there anything I could do to help…?”

Nick paused at that question, letting his mind wander for a little, thinking up any possible ideas. Maybe he could get free dinner— No way, Nick can’t eat. He’s a robot. Or maybe they’ll go to the beach—But he doesn’t own a swimsuit. Sure, he’s waterproof, (Nick had already tested that out), but still—

After a few more ideas rattled through his system, Nick’s eyes nearly lit up as much as an android’s could, before looking at Chase with a smile emerging on his face.

“I want to go to a roller rink.” Nick stated, smiling as if he had come up with this outlandish idea. After a pause, Chase simply chuckled in response.

“A roller rink. We can do that.”

Chase got up from his squatting position, quickly moving over to the side of the chair. When his hands started to reach for the ropes that bounded Nick’s hands, Brock’s voice stopped him.

“Dude!” Brock sat upright in his spot, an expression of shock and disgust plastered on his face. “You’re going to let him go, and he will instantly run back to his little cop buddies and fuck all of us over!”

“Brock, this one is different,” Chase pleaded, frowning at his friend. “It’s been years since he’s been able to have free will like this. We removed the microchip. He doesn’t want to hurt us!” 

“And how do you know he’s not lying!?” 

“Look at him!” Chase gestured over to the officer in the chair, who kept his gaze focused up at Chase with pleading eyes. “You know me, Brock…I’m not one to deny others a second chance when they deserve it, especially not someone who had a microchip in their damn ear. Can’t we give him a chance? He clearly didn’t want to hurt us…”

At this point, Fred turned himself around as much as he could, cutting into the conversation. 

“So why does he get to go out and have fun!?”

“Fred,” Chase leaned a bit to the side to glance past Nick, staring down the other officer. “You shot my friend and tried to get us arrested. You’re like, the least trustworthy guy in this room.

“Oh, and Nick is the most trustworthy?” Brock butted in once again, and Chase turned his focus back to his friend.

“I’d actually say the most trustworthy is Christian,” Chase glanced over to the side as he said that, watching as the other android sat silently at the dining room table, scrolling through and reading something on the tablet he had taken from George’s room.

“Hey…CMC, buddy,” Chase called out. “You okay there, buddy? What’re you reading?”

“I found a 300 page document on the entirety of human behavior and cognitive processes,” Christian explained, not looking up once from the screen. “George told me I need to simply live, and I’m learning how to do that.”

Chase and Brock simply glanced at each other, both of them filled with a twinge of confusion, before turning back to each other.

“George made that thing too smart for my liking…” Brock grumbled, crossing his arms in frustration.

“Don’t let him hear you say that,” Chase sighed. “He won’t be happy if you keep this up.”

“It’s a fucking robot, man.”

When Chase didn’t respond, instead slightly raising his brow at Brock with a disappointed expression, the smaller man curled up on the couch. 

“Fine, whatever, take that robot cop to the roller rink. I don’t give a shit.” 

With a sigh, Chase moved back to the side of the chair, slowly untying the knots that bounded Nick to his chair. Once he was free, the android officer slowly stood up, rubbing at his own wrists. 

“Here’s the deal, though,” Chase started, holding onto Nick’s arm. “You stay by me the entire time. If you even think about escaping, I’ll leave you to be scrapped. You got it?” 

Nick’s eyes widened a little, and he nervously nodded his head. Chase kept a hold onto his arm as he guided Nick towards the door.

“Brock, you entertain the mean one,” Chase ordered, before turning to Christian. “You’re in charge. I’m taking the spare keycard, too.”

Chase quickly swiped the spare keycard off of the counter, shoving it into his pocket before turning and opening the door. He called out one more time before leaving.

“Fred, make sure they don’t kill each other.”

Before Fred could ask how the hell he could stop Brock and Christian while being tied up, Chase had already dragged Nick out the apartment and shut the door behind them.

Meanwhile, Brock glanced back up at the dining table, watching Christian read through his document, before glancing over at Fred. The two shared a small eyebrow raise, at least a silent signal between them at the fact Christian was much more advanced than either of them had anticipated.

—

Chase wasn’t quite sure why exactly he had agreed to this. After all, he had never roller skated before, and he was pretty confident that Nick never had either. After managing to sneak the android onto a bus without any suspicion, the two had made their stop at the closest roller rink. It was some forgotten nightclub before being transformed into The Roller.

“Why did you even want to rollerskate?” Chase asked, leaning close against Nick as they found a space to sit near the rink, trying to stay close to hear each other under the loud music blasting over the speakers. 

“I saw it on the holoscreen. Looked fun enough,” Nick shrugged as he slipped out of his usual boots into the skates he was fitted into. The simple red shoe with white wheels matched Chase’s white shoe and red wheels perfectly. As soon as Nick laced up his skates, he immediately tried to stand up, nearly slipping and falling back. Chase managed to catch him at that point, putting his hands on Nick’s shoulders and helping him towards the rink floor.

“You get skating first, I’ll join you in a moment,” Chase muttered, pulling away as Nick stepped out onto the wood. He watched the android awkwardly shuffle into the crowd, a smile on his face.

Chase made his way back to their spot, removing his jacket and slipping out of his own boots into his skates. Chase’s own journey to get to the wooden rink floor was no more graceful, as he fell right on his ass as soon as he stood up, and decided to simply scoot over to the rink entrance before standing up on the floor.

Chase held himself upright with the sides of the rink, squinting his eyes to try and look around without the bright pink and green flashing lights burning his retinas. As he tried to hold himself upright, taking a few small moments to let go of the rink to try and balance himself, a voice from behind nearly made Chase jump out of his skates.

“Chase!” Nick slid in close, leaning up against the rink side. “You can’t skate at all?”

Chase’s eyes widened, exasperated by the calm demeanor on the android’s face. “You can!? ” he asked, eyeing Nick up and down.

“Apparently!” Nick smiled, pushing himself up off the rinkside again. “I guess this was something in my programming your engineer buddies put for fun.”

Without thinking, Nick reached out and grabbed Chase’s hands, and began to drag him into the center of the rink. 

“N-Nick!?” Chase began to panic, stammering as he tried to keep himself upright. “I’ve n-never skated before, dude! I can’t do this!”

“I can teach you,” Nick kept his hold onto Chase’s hands, finding a spot within the circular movement of bodies skating around the circular ends of the rink. The entire time, Chase’s legs trembled as he tried to keep his balance, letting Nick guide him around the circular shape of the rink over and over again. Sure, he had no idea how the fuck Nick had the ability to do this, but anything to keep him from falling.

For just a brief moment, Nick smirked, and suddenly let go of Chase, trying to aid the man into skating on his own. Chase felt his gut drop, and spread his legs a little more to keep his balance. He closed his eyes, bracing for impact against the wooden floor.

Yet, that fall never came. 

“You’re doing great!” Nick called out from a few feet ahead, trying to speak over the loud, retro and yet so futuristic music blaring over the speakers. Chase chuckled for a moment, before his foot slipped and he nearly fell forward.

Nick managed to slip closer in time, putting his arms out and catching Chase. Chase instinctively wrapped his arms around Nick, shifting a little so he was able to stand upright. Despite his balance being regained, the two continued their hold onto each other, as Nick guided them out of the circle of movement and into the dead center of the rink. The two kept their gaze on each other, a small but warm smile forming over Nick’s face.

“Thanks for bringing me here…” the android smiled, leaning in and resting his head on Chase’s shoulder. Instantly Chase felt himself go warm, and yet, he didn’t move away. Instead, he simply held Nick there as the two listened to the music over the speakers, the formerly bright lights of the rink fading into a soft blue and pink ambience, taking in nothing but the words of the music.

She’s just a cosmic girl,

From another galaxy,

My heart’s in zero gravity.

She’s from a cosmic world,

Transmitting on my frequency.

She’s cosmic.

Chapter 11: I Can't Help But Feel Bad

Summary:

Fred's a bit of an asshole, but Brock tugs at his heartstrings

Notes:

I wasn't originally going to write a new chapter today, but I did !!! I hope you guys like it.
Also, I will be on spring break for next week and visiting my family in San Diego. So I apologize, but there likely will not be a chapter uploaded for a week while I am vacationing. But I promise as soon as I am back at college, I will get back to this fic immediately, so stay tuned my friends. Remember, kudos and comments are always appreciated my friends <3

Only a few minutes had gone by since Chase and Nick had left the apartment. But to Fred, whose back had begun to ache from the stiffness of the chair he sat in, those few minutes felt like forever. The officer twisted his neck off to the side as much as he possibly could, eyeing down the two other…people? Were they people ?

Christian, by no means, was a human. After all, every part of him was artificial, made in a lab, made by that freak of a scientist who had left the apartment earlier that afternoon. Brock, though…he was technically a human. After all, he was mostly flesh and blood, just like Fred.

Emphasis on mostly.

Fred’s gaze focused on Brock, who had shifted himself back into a comfortable spot on the couch, using some random throw blanket across his lap to try his best to stay warm in spite of the dreary San Francisco winter weather. 

The officer’s focus traveled around Brock’s upper body, stopping on the small scar on Brock’s arm, the same place where Fred nearly shot him all those years ago. Fred felt his heart drop a little bit, as he glanced to the dining area on the other end of the apartment. Christian was still deep in whatever document he had found online, having not moved an inch from his spot at the dining room table. 

With both men distracted enough, Fred looked back over his shoulder as much as he could. When Chase had undone Nick’s rope ties, he made one damned mistake; accidentally loosening Fred’s ropes as well. For the past several minutes, Fred’s right wrist had focused on slowly slipping the knot looser and looser. After a few more tugs, Fred finally loosened the knot just enough to slip his hand out of the ropes. Fred’s eyes shot back up for just a brief second, making sure the other two didn’t take notice, before pulling his right hand across his body to work at untying his other hand. After a moment of struggle, Fred managed to pull the knot apart, his left hand slipping from the rope, and said rope falling loosely to the floor. 

One more time, Fred quickly glanced around. Brock remained curled up in his spot on the couch, unmoving, and Christian was way too focused on whatever he was reading at that point. Fred wasn’t quite sure how fast androids could read, but frankly, he really didn’t fucking care. With a quick exhale to try and soothe his nerves, Fred took one last second of hesitation, and jumped out of his chair, bolting towards the door. 

If Fred had just been a little bit smarter, he knows damn well he would’ve made it before the others could react. Yet, in a moment of impulse, Fred suddenly felt his knee strike against the corner of the coffee table, and he couldn’t help but yelp out in pain. This brief stumble was all it took for Christian’s attention to be taken from the tablet. Yet, Fred continued his mad dash to the door, hoping that by some miracle he could make it. 

But alas, he was not so lucky. 

Christian moved up from his seat and reached out to grab Fred’s left wrist, stopping the officer in his place. Fred quickly thought up some way out of this, before turning and striking Christian in the jaw with his palm. Sure, the android stumbled back for just a moment, but his grip on Fred’s wrist got even tighter, yanking him away from the door and into the dining area. 

By this point, Brock had been awoken by the commotion, and jumped over the back of the couch only to witness the struggle between the android and the officer. Fred this time around reached towards the kitchen counter, pulling himself close enough to open a drawer. Quickly, he grabbed a kitchen knife out of the utensils drawer and chucked it at the android’s head. Christian managed to duck in the nick of time, lest all the wires in his head be completely demolished. Instead, the knife got stuck nice and deeply into the kitchen wall, breaking some of the paint there. 

At this time, Fred was simply too focused on the robot in front of him, and as a result, he had not a single moment to react when Brock suddenly grabbed him from behind, using momentum to pull Fred to the ground.

Fred’s hands went to the back of his head to protect his skull from hitting the floor. Once he had been taken to the ground, Brock shifted his positioning a little to straddle the officer, grabbing both of his wrists and pinning them to each side of Fred’s head. Fred knew damn well he could have thrown off the smaller man with little to no difficulty, but he paused. Christian at this point had stepped in behind Fred, staring down at the officer with that same blank, soulless expression. Fred knew what happened the last time he had wronged the android, and plus, how far could he even get even if he did somehow make it out the door?

“Alright, alright, enough already,” Fred groaned and rolled his eyes. “I know when I’ve been caught, okay?” 

For just a second, Fred tried moving his wrist, and nearly yelped in pain when the grip Brock had on him got tighter. 

“Fucking hell, man…” the officer hissed, the painful but dull feeling running through his wrist. “You’ve got a fucking iron arm or something? Why the hell is your grip so tight?”
Brock simply cocked his head a little, smiling the most innocent and cheery smile he could muster.

“Actually I do.”

Fred’s eyes widened as Brock climbed off of him, still gripping tightly onto the taller man’s wrist. 

“Hold on, you’re being…you’re being serious?”
Brock simply nodded, as he began to drag Fred back into the living area. “I got it at the same time as the rest of my implants. From the elbow down on my right arm, it’s all…that. Same with my right leg from the knee down.”

Brock sat Fred back down in the chair, but this time didn’t tie the officer down. Instead, Brock sat back down on the couch, grabbing the small remote on the coffee table and turning on the holoscreen.

“What the hell happened to you that you needed all of those…enhancements?” Fred questioned, his mouth slightly agape as he eyed Brock up and down. 

“They’re not enhancements,” Brock replied, grumbling a little to himself as he scoured through useless program channel after program channel. “I don’t really want to talk about it to you of all people.”

“Seriously, man?” Fred scoffed, crossing his arms and leaning back in the chair. “What exactly is so wrong with me?”

“Where do we begin?” Christian called out from the dining area, as he made his way into the living room. “You shot Brock years ago, tried to get all of us arrested, you threw a knife at my head, called your own cop partner a dumbass, and worst of all, you ruined a part of the paintjob in George’s apartment.”

Brock looked up from the holoscreen, turning back to Christian with a confused expression on his face.

“Dude…you had a knife thrown at your head, and you’re worried about the fucking paint being slightly damaged?”

Chritian crossed his arms defensively, furrowing his brow. “It’s expensive to get that fixed. Plus, the doctor is already stressed enough as is.”

Brock simply rolled his eyes and turned back to Fred, as the two exchanged a small glance of exasperation at the android’s priorities. 

“To make a long story short,” Brock began, sighing. “This cybernetic shit, as much as I hate it, saved my life. Do you not understand how fucking frustrating it is to have to rely on machinery inside of your body to live?”

Fred raised a brow, tilting his head a little.

“Why didn’t you just go to a doctor about it then?”

“I can’t fucking afford it!” Brock shot up from his spot on the couch, his eyes beginning to water. “I’m just some poor fucking bartender who barely makes enough to pay his own damn rent! You expect me to be able to casually cough up several thousand dollars to save my own damn life? I can’t fucking do that , Fred!”

Brock’s face turned red, and some choked whines escaped his throat before he broke into a sob, plopping back down onto the couch and burying his face in his hands. Christian moved to sit down on the couch next to Brock, softly putting an arm around the younger man’s shoulders. Brock, too deep in his tears, didn’t move away from the android’s embrace, letting himself lean into the side hug for at least a small bit of comfort.

Fred felt his gut sink at the sight of the man…android…cyborg’s tears. He tried to fight back his own throat closing up, as his mind raced to their first ever meeting all of those years ago. Fred awkwardly looked down before leaning forward a bit, resting his hand on Brock’s knee.

“Hey…hey, man…” Fred quietly spoke, as if consoling a teary eyed child. “I-I’m sorry for asking, I shouldn’t have…c’mon, man. There’s no need for tears.”

The officer hesitated for just a moment, before reaching out to softly cradle Brock’s face and lift his head up, using his thumbs to wipe away some of the tears streaming down the younger man’s face.

“There we go,” Fred gave an awkward smile. “You’ll be alright, little man.”

Brock admittedly wasn’t thinking straight, and while in any other context he would’ve spat at the officer and told him to fuck off, this time he didn’t. Instead, Brock softly leaned into Fred’s touch, his sobs quieting down into gente little sniffles, and his cheeks still red and blotchy from his emotional break.

While Fred focused on trying to console the younger man, the group heard the sound of the door unlocking and swinging open. Into the foyer stepped a sweaty, messy haired George, who leaned up against the nearest wall in a desperate attempt to catch his breath.

“George?” Christian got up from his spot on the couch, and made his way into the dining area near the door. “Your heart rate is extremely high. Did you seriously run all the way here?”

George nodded, wiping off some sweat from his forehead.

“Let me get you some water then, doc,” Christian immediately turned to make his way to the fridge, but George grabbed the android’s hands to stop him, and used his own foot to kick the apartment door shut behind him.

“N-No, I’m fine Christian, but I have— Is that a knife in my wall?”

George slightly leaned to the sight to look past Christian, and the android turned his head around to look at the kitchen tool stick stuck into the apartment walls. 

“O-Oh, I am so sorry,” Christian stammered as he looked back up at the scientist. “You see, Fred slipped out of his ropes and I tried to stop him from escaping, a-and he managed to get his hands on the knife and threw it at my head. Luckily I was able to dodge it, but the knife got stuck in the wall and I know it damaged the paint and—”

“Wait, wait, hold on,” George cut him off, eyes widening. “He threw the knife at your head? Fuck, Christian, are you okay?”

“George, I’m fine. I promise I can call someone to fix the paint on the wall—”

“Christian, I don’t give a fuck about the paint, okay?” George leaned in a little, resting his forehead against Christian’s, and still holding gently onto the android’s hands. “I’m more worried about you . I’m just glad that you’re alright.”

The two stood there for a brief moment, silencing lingering over them. George swore he could feel the android’s body grow a little warmer, but he only felt the sensation for just a moment before pulling his head away.

“Christian…where are Nick and Chase?”

“They left,” Christian replied, “Nick wanted to experience free will for the first time in years, and Chase took him out for a day.

“Chase…” George chuckled to himself a little and smiled. “He’s just too sweet, isn’t he?” 

Finally, George let go of Christian’s hands and made his way into the living area. By this point, Brock had calmed down from his crying, still leaning gently into Fred’s touch. Once Fred looked up and noticed the engineer standing there, he quickly pulled his hands away, his face heating up a little as he leaned back in his chair.

“Well, Brock. I’ve got some good news…and some bad news,” George started, leaning against the back end of the couch. “The good news is that the OmniTech office here in the city has some updated versions of your implant model.”

Brock looked up at George, wiping the last bit of his tears away. “T-The bad news…?”

“It’s in some forgotten box in the back storage area. I’m not allowed back there, and neither is Chase,” George explained, sighing. “Only certain employees are allowed in the storage area, or sometimes if there is reasonable concern for the DACR to search the storage rooms—”

As George said that last part to himself, his eyes lit up and he smiled, his focus shooting back to Fred. Instantly, Fred knew what was happening, and immediately shook his head.

“Oh, absolutely the fuck not ,” the officer spat out. “I’m not risking my job to help you criminals at all.”

“Look, we let you live, I think you might owe us something,” George replied. “It’s just a one time thing. Just go to my office, get an updated sonar implant out of the back room, give it to me, and we will forget all of this happened. Plus, I might make you pay to have my wall fixed.”

“Can’t you pay for that yourself? You’re an engineer.”

“I’m not the one who caused the damage in the first place. Plus, I think you’re vastly overestimating how much money I am paid.”

Fred crossed his arms, looking to the side to avoid eye contact with the scientist. Yet, George continued with his bargain.

“Look, man. We’ll let you go scot free, and not tell a single person what happened here. Plus,” George paused looking back down to Brock on the couch. “Your job is to help people, isn’t it? Why can’t you help him ?”

Fred glanced back for just a moment, feeling his heart ache for a brief second when his gaze focused on Brock’s face. The sad big brown eyes made the officer’s throat tighten, and Fred forced himself to stifle a small cry. He was supposed to help people, after all. It was his job, wasn’t it? Fred hesitated for a moment, looking down to the ground.

“Fine. I’ll do it. But just this one time.” 

George smiled to himself, standing back upright.

“Fantastic. Now don’t even think about trying to escape again. Also, get yourself cleaned up, you look like shit.”

“Well, your robot friend beat me up and tied me up yesterday so that probably doesn’t help—”

“His name is Christian,” Brock stammered out this time, the others raising their brows at his response. 

“Fuck, this might be the first time I’ve ever heard you call him by his name,” George’s smile grew even wider, as he leaned down to wrap an arm around Brock. “Maybe you two might get along now?”

“I still doubt that,” Brock grumbled.

“C’mon, you don’t know that. You’re more similar than you think. He’s got metal in his ear and nose, you’ve got metal in your ear and nose—”

“And in his right forearm and lower right leg,” Christian cut in, and George’s eyes widened. 

“Those too ? You guys are basically set to be best friends!”

George looked up at Fred, a smile still on the scientist’s face. Fred’s expression in response remained monotone.

“Come on, officer. Can’t you cheer up a little?”

“Everything on my body fucking hurts, man. I don’t think so.”

“We’ll deal with that in no time. And for you, Brock,” George gently patted the younger man’s shoulder. “Don’t be afraid of your own implants. After all, you’re still you, machine or not. The future is now, little man.”

Brock fought back a small smile, looking away from the scientist’s warm friendly expression. Even if George was right, Brock was not about to admit that.

But who knows…maybe everything will be okay.

Chapter 12: This Wasn't Supposed To Happen

Summary:

All that Nick wanted was one free day. Emphasis on one.

Notes:

Guess who's BACK from Spring Break, and you know what that means. I am finally back to gift y'all with some cyberpunk AU goodness, so I hope you like this latest chapter

Even after he had gotten off of the roller rink floor, Chase still felt a slight wobble in his knees as he stood upright. Roughly two hours had passed by the time that he and Nick left the apartment earlier that day, and at least the last thirty minutes was nothing but Chase trying to coax the android off the rink floor, eventually taking Nick by the arm and guiding him out of the rink, despite Nick’s complaints. It only took a few minutes for Nick to calm down. After all, he got what he wanted.

Unlike Chase, the android still seemed as light as ever, happily bouncing his way out of the roller rink and into the busy San Francisco plaza area.

“Can we get some food?” Nick broke the silence, smiling as he turned to meet Chase. The mechanic paused for a second, slightly tilting his head with a smidge of confusion on his face.

“Aren’t you an android?” Chase asked, pursing his lips ever so slightly. “You don’t need to eat.”

“You’re right, I don’t need to. But you do.” Nick kept the warm, albeit slightly goofy half grin plastered on his face. “I can practically hear your stomach aching all the way from here.”

Chase glanced down for a moment, putting his hands to his stomach. He felt a slight grumble. Chase raised a brow and looked back up to Nick.

“...How did you—”

“I’m able to detect noises at lower volumes, whatever the word is—”

“Decibels? Also I’m not that hungry—”

“Decibels, yes. I can hear noises at lower decibels than you can. The humans who designed me made sure I could do so. After all, Joey was prone to forgetting meals when he was working long hours…”

Nick’s smile slowly faded from his face as his shoulders slouched forward. Chase felt his own heart sink a little bit, thinking to himself for a moment before speaking up again. 

“I guess I am a little bit hungry…” Chase forced a small smile.

Almost instantly, Nick’s face slightly lit up again, and he reached out to take Chase’s hands in his. 

“Oh, that’s perfect! I’ve made sure to download data about all the best places in the area, and I don’t think we’re in any rush so we can walk a bit to get to whatever place you want to go and—”

Chase kept his gaze down on his hands, barely listening to Nick as he babbled on. Instead, the mechanic focused in on how gently Nick held onto his hands, how the android’s thumb mindlessly swiped up and down Chase’s palm. Was he even programmed to do that? Chase felt his face go warm, his breath a little shaky.

“—Does that sound good?”

Nick’s question broke Chase out of his slight trance, and he glanced back up to meet the android’s wide, dark eyes. Chase nodded, despite having not heard a single thing that came out of Nick’s mouth. Still, the android excitedly grinned.

“Alrighty, Chase, the choice is yours.”

—

Chase ended up settling on a local grab-and-go Chinese place. It was one of the closer options, and plus it was the only place in the plaza that didn’t have a line. Sure, Chase questioned the quality of the food for no line to be present, but at that point he had already paid for his takeout and the two were on their way. Nick found a spot on the nearby street curb for the pair to sit down with, Chase seated comfortably on the edge of the curb, the admittedly low quality takeout box placed comfortably in his lap.

Nick plopped down next to Chase on the curb, resting his head on the human’s shoulder and softly smiling to himself. Chase paused for a second, glancing down at the android huddled up next to him.

“You’re quite the affectionate one, huh?” 

Nick nodded, “It’s one of the oldest aspects of my programming, back when I was given as a gift to my brother. Sure, it was suppressed when I got moved to the Department’s street police unit, but it was still there all this time…”

Chase paused for a second, using the cheap plastic chopsticks in his hand to shovel another quick bite of noodles into his mouth. Once he swallowed, Chase spoke again.

“Say…what happened to Joey, if you don’t mind me asking…?”

Nick stopped, the smile on his face fading as he sat upright. The android took a moment to gain his composure, sighing to himself before glancing at the ground, then back up to Chase.

“I…I don’t know,” Nick admitted, the corners of his lips curling into a small frown. “I just woke up from my rest cycle one morning and…and he was gone. Aaron told me that Joey made the choice to move to New York to try and get some more business prospects, but, I don’t know why he didn’t take me with him…

Nick brought his knees up to his chest, resting his head down. The android kept his gaze focused on the ground, bottom lip quivering ever so slightly.

”I thought everything was perfect, he was the best brother I could’ve asked for…” 

Chase felt his lower gut twist, and he moved in a little closer before putting an arm around Nick.

“Hey, don’t worry about it, man…” he started, placing his free hand on Nick’s knee. “I’m sure Joey loves you all the same. Maybe he just…maybe he just got caught up in something important. Who knows, he might even come back for you. How long has it been since he left?”

“...Three years,” Nick replied. “It has been three years.”

Chase paused, glancing down at the ground before looking back up to the android. 

“Well, well who cares about him anyway? You’re too good for Joey. Fuck him. You’re more than just his little sidekick, you got that?”

Nick moved his head to look up at Chase, slightly nodding. A smile formed on Chase’s face as he gave Nick a quick squeeze before moving his arm away.

“After all,” Chase started, grabbing another bit of noodles on his chopsticks. “If you moved to New York with him, then all of this knowledge you’ve got of the local food would go to waste.” 

The android smiled a little, chuckling at Chase’s comment before resting his head back on the man’s shoulder, watching the cars pass through the busy San Francisco streets. Chase went back to shoveling noodles in his mouth, not openly admitting that he was hungrier than he had originally thought.

Nick’s focus stayed on one car coming to a stop in the parking lot on the other side of the road. At first, Nick thought nothing of it. It was a simple black hatchback, nothing too out of the ordinary. But as soon as the driver’s door opened, Nick’s eyes widened slightly.

Instantly, Nick recognized the uniform the driver wore, and those letters reading DACR on the jacket made Nick shakily exhale. Anyone in the Department knew about the Chief’s favorite Agent Mahomes, and this time he wasn’t alone. Another man, plates and lines running across his face and neck, stepped out of the passenger’s side, the code TK-87 printed neatly on the sleeve of his utility jacket. 

Without thinking, Nick’s hand shot town and grabbed Chase’s free wrist, before the android stood up and lifted Chase up with him.

“Chase,” Nick started, eyes still wide as he turned to the human. “We have to leave. Like, now .”

Chase simply raised a brow, a small twinge of confusion on his face. 

“Nick, what are you talking about—”
Chase could not finish his sentence before Nick turned on his heels, dragging the other man into the crowded plaza. Chase kept on trying to ask what was going on as Nick pushed and shoved through the busy swarm of people and androids alike. He managed to drag Chase through the crowd, before turning onto another, quieter street. Once they were hopefully out of sight, Nick turned to Chase.

“Nick, man what the hell was that?” Chase looked back over his shoulder, before turning his focus back onto the android in front of him. “You’re acting all weird all of a sudden. I almost dropped my damn takeout.”

“Look,” Nick started, trying his best to hide what could only be described as a bit of panic in his eyes. “I don’t want to get you in trouble, but…I’m sorry, I saw one of my coworkers out in the plaza, and I’ve been missing for days now.”

Chase’s eyes widened as well, and Nick continued.

“He was one of the Chief of the Department’s personal closest confidants. If he sees me here, I’m completely fucked. You got that? I’m done for—”

“Nick?”

A voice called out from the end of the street, and Nick stopped in his tracks. Chase felt his own gut sink as he glanced over his shoulder, noting the man at the end of the street, as well as the taller, larger android right behind him.

“...Hey, Patrick,” Nick forced a smile as he still hid a little behind Chase, moving in a little closer to the mechanic. “F-Funny seeing you here, right…?”

“Nick, holy shit where have you been?” Pat took a few steps closer, lifting up the dark sunglasses off his face and resting them on his head. “It’s been like, two days since you last reported to the station. We were thinking you got hurt.”

“O-Oh no, I’m fine,” the android nodded a little, before stepping around Chase to come face to face with Pat. “I just got caught up in some issues…Have you met Chase? He’s a friend of mine.”

As Nick glanced back at the mechanic, Chase forced a quick smile and waved, sweating a little as he came eye to eye with the larger android behind the DACR Officer. While Chase could admire the artistry work on the android, from the details of his short cut to scruffy beard and imposing build, the mechanic was more focused on not getting himself or Nick into any trouble at this moment.

“A friend?” Pat leaned to the side to look past Nick, eyeing Chase up and down for just a second. 

“Yep. Chase,” Nick smiled at the human to his side. “This is Officer Patrick Mahomes. And that’s…TK-87. We just call him Travis for short.” 

Travis didn’t say a word, and instead he simply crossed his arms and eyed Chase up and down. Chase could feel his entire body trembling at this point.

“Nick, you’re supposed to be focused on just your job. Not…making friends,” Pat furrowed his brow, and stepped in a little closer. “Are you…you know… damaged ?”

Nick hesitated for just a moment, before awkwardly coughing and shaking his head.

“I-I’m not sure what you mean by that, man,” the android stammered, glancing off to the side.

Patrick simply frowned, and slightly stood up on his toes to make direct eye contact with the slightly taller android.

“Let me check your ear, Officer.”

Nick took a small step back, forcing himself to smile.

“I’m not sure that will be necessary. All of my systems are in check, and—”

“Let me check your ear, Officer Bosa.”

Nick glanced back at Chase, looking the man up and down for just a second. Chase remained frozen in place, a thousand thoughts racing through his mind. 

As Pat took another step forward, Nick panicked. Without processing or thinking, Nick’s hands met Pat’s chest as he shoved the officer back, Pat stumbling to the ground with the force. Nick instantly turned on his heels and grabbed Chase by the hand. 

“Run!”

Chase quickly threw the takeout box out of his hands, throwing it at the still standing TK-87 android before he and Nick turned and sprang off in the other direction down the small street. Neither of them looked back as they heard Pat get up, pulling his radio off of his holster and calling in for assistance. 

Nick turned a corner with Chase directly on his heel, guiding the mechanic down an alleyway. Unfortunately, the darkness of the alley proved harmful as the two came to a stop, nearly colliding with the fence on the other side. Without sparing a second to think, Nick grabbed Chase by the waist and lifted him up. Chase grabbed onto the fence, climbing up and over the top. Before jumping down, he put his hand out for Nick. 

Just as Nick got his footing on the fence, Pat and Travis had turned the corner and entered the alleyway, the officer removing a weapon from his holster. Without a word being said, Pat lifted up the small box, aimed at Nick, and fired.

Sparks flew out as two prongs caught into Nick’s back, stunning the android in place. Nick froze in his spot on the fence, before letting go and collapsing on the ground.

“Nick!” Chase cried out. 

Pat guided Travis to roll the android over on his back, tossing a pair of cuffs to his partner before grasping onto the fence himself. Chase gasped and jumped down from his side of the fence, turning and running away from the fence and onto the empty street. Without thinking, Chase located the nearest building’s side ladder and ran in that direction, grabbing onto the ladder and making his way up to the roof with the DACR officer close on his heels. 

Chase stumbled a little getting onto the roof, before locating a possible exit; a nearby building was barely close enough for him to potentially make the jump. Chase hesitated for a second, but as Pat made it to the top of the ladder, the mechanic knew he had no choice. With a small, quick exhale, Chase dashed across the roof and forced himself off of the ledge. 

Just barely, Chase was able to land on the nearby building’s roof, quickly noting the hatch leading to the inside of the building. As Chase sprinted over to the hatch, he hoped for just a second that this wouldn’t be a dead end before grabbing the handle and yanking the door open. Just to his luck, the hatch was left unlocked, letting Chase climb inside just in time to close and lock the door behind him. He quickly made his way down a few stairs before collapsing on a flat part of the stairway, the only noises in the empty stairwell being the banging from the officer outside, as well as his own shaky breaths.

“O-Oh fuck…” Chase sighed, sitting up and resting his head against the wall. Eventually, the banging on the hatch faded away, and Chase let himself process everything that just happened. 

“S-Shit, Nick…” Chase stammered to himself, forcing himself up off the ground. “I-I got to tell the others…”

Slowly climbing back up the stairs, Chase unlocked the hatch and slowly opened it, glancing around outside. No sight of Pat anywhere. Chase let himself sigh a breath of relief, stumbling out of the hatchway and out onto the roof. He dusted some of the dirt off of his pants, trying to ignore the stinging, uncomfortable sensation running through his body thanks to his fall. The mechanic frowned to himself, grabbing out his phone and holding it close to his mouth.

“Directions to George’s apartment…”

As his phone attempted to connect to any nearby internet, all Chase could do at that moment was that Nick, by some miracle, was going to be okay. 

But, knowing how willingly the officer stunned him without hesitation, that hope did not seem likely.

Chapter 13: An Accidental Change of Heart

Summary:

Maybe not everything about the DACR and OmniTech is what Fred thought it was.

Notes:

I literally wrote this at like 1 am so I apologize for any grammatical errors n shit lmaooo

Despite having climbed into bed nearly an hour ago, George sat upright in his spot, awkwardly shifting around over and over again to try and get comfortable. The engineer sighed to himself, laying down and rolling over onto his side. He stared aimlessly at the nightstand next to him, focused on desperately keeping his eyes closed in order to get some sleep, but to no avail.

“Doctor Kittle,” Christian called out from the other side of the bed. “I can practically hear your thoughts from over here.”

Once again, the android had gotten himself nice and comfortable under the sheets with George. But at this point, with so much going on, George simply didn’t have the energy to put up a fight about it. Plus, it had been forever since George had actually shared a bed with someone. It felt…nice, to say the least, and the scientist couldn’t stop his own face from turning a soft shade of red every time he thought about it—

“George.”

Christian’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts. George shifted and rolled over onto his back, tilting his head to look at Christian.

“You’re worried about something,” the android declared, slightly tilting his head. “I can detect all the usual expressions of anxiety on your face. You don’t hide your emotions all that well.”

“Gee, thanks,” George huffed. 

“Just tell me what’s wrong.”

“Nothing is wrong , Christian. I just…” George looked back up to the ceiling, resting his hands on his stomach. “I just don’t know how we got here.”

Christian blinked, and didn’t respond. Thus, George continued.

“I mean—You keep asking why I rescued you from the scrapping facility, and at this point that feels like forever ago, and I still—”

“That was about three days ago.”

“Three days,” the scientist grumbled to himself, glancing back over at the android. “But I…I’ve known you for longer than three days. I first came up with your prototype back when I was in graduate school, and I guess…I guess I never realized I’d break several laws for you.”

“Then why are you doing it?”

“I, I felt bad,” George sat himself upright again, hands slightly gripping the sheets. “At that point, you were alive . You weren’t just some sketch in my shitty notebook or some half-assed thrown together science project.”

At this point, Christian had sat himself upright as well, moving in to sit a little closer to the scientist. With a slight hesitation, the android wrapped his arm around George’s shoulders. Almost instantly, George couldn’t help himself as he leaned into the embrace, letting out a shaky exhale. 

“The moment I saw your face in the testing facility, I knew we had done something truly special. At that point, you should’ve been out of our hands. I didn’t want you as some mindless servant. I wanted you to live , I just don’t know why the boss wanted you gone after one mistake…it just isn’t right. I knew I couldn’t just let you die. And now look where we are. We beat up and kidnapped two cops, one of them is actively being extorted by me of all people to help my coworker’s little robophobic friend fix his own implant problems—”

“Why does Brock hate me so much?”

George paused. 

“...To tell the truth, I don’t know. He’s probably got his own issues he needs to figure out, and it’s not your job to just deal with his shit.”

“Do you want me to punch him?”

“In a perfect world, kind of,” George laughed a little. “But I can’t have Chase on our asses about that. Plus, if you punch his teeth in, it just confirms all the bad shit he already thinks about you.”

“...So don’t punch him?”

“No. We have a lot more to worry about, like the fact we’re actively exploiting a cop while his partner is off with Chase doing whatever the hell they’re doing this late and then I’ve got to deal with Fred’s bitchiness in the morning. Hopefully he just gets the shit we need and we’re out without a single problem—”

As George continued on with his exhausted rambling, Christian laid himself back onto the bed, pulling the scientist into his arms. George didn’t fight it, instead he simply let his head rest against the smooth, metallic yet warm skin of the android.

“Physical contact helps to improve human moods,” Christian explained. “It’s the least I could do to help.”

“Christian,” George started, a small frown forming on his face. “You don’t have to help me with everything. That isn’t your job.”

“Did you not make me with the intent of being a companion bot?”

“...That’s what OmniTech wanted. I just want you to do whatever you want, just like any other person. I don’t care if you want to disappear into the ocean and never see me again.”

Christian paused, his eyes glossing over slightly as his mouth curled into a frown.

“...You don’t ?”

Instantly, George felt his own gut drop, as he immediately lifted his head up to look the android in the eyes. His hand held onto Christian’s, just tightly enough for Christian to notice.

“No—No that’s not what I meant,” George stammered, feeling his own chest tighten slightly. “Of course I’d care, I care about you. But…But I can’t stop you from doing what you want. Sure, I’d be a bit…sad, you know. But if leaving to be on your own is what you want, then I am okay with that.” 

Christian hesitated, looking away briefly before focusing back onto the scientist.

“...What if I want to hold you?”

George stopped for a moment, eyes slightly widening at the android holding him. When he didn’t respond, Christian continued.

“I mean, my programming replicates the same oxytocin that you feel from physical contact. It’s…nice. I don’t know if you’re having that same… feeling .”

George, desperately trying to ignore the sensation of his face growing warm, simply let out a small, quiet laugh, and rested his head back on the android’s chest.

“I guess it is pretty nice.”

Christian let out a small sigh of relief as he smiled to himself, giving the scientist a small affectionate squeeze before leaning over to press the light off on the nightstand.

“Get some sleep, doc. You’ll have to deal with Fred in the morning.”

“He’s a pain in the ass, man.”

“I know.”

—

Much to George’s luck, most OmniTech employees don’t work on weekends, leaving the building relatively empty on the foggy Sunday morning. Fred and George had gotten into a debate over who would drive to the building that morning, with the eventual compromise that their plot would work better with Fred driving.

“Why are you even coming along?” Fred questioned, pulling into a parking space at the very end of the lot. 

“To make sure you don’t decide to jump ship halfway through,” George grumbled as he climbed out of the passenger’s side of the car, burying himself a little bit more into his thick jacket. Admittedly, the DACR’s fleece lined utility jacket Fred wore that day was more than appealing to George, but he threw the thought out of his mind. After all, this whole mission was just a one time thing, and these two would probably never see each other again after this. 

“You remember the fake story if we somehow get caught, right?” George asked as the two made their way across the parking lot, just barely close enough to seem like they were walking together to the average eye.

Fred smirked and rolled his eyes.

“I’m a cop, you reported some faulty implants that needed to be removed. Yadda yadda. Then we’re out and I never have to get involved in your bullshit again. Deal?”

“Deal.” 

By their luck, the entrance to OmniTech was already unlocked. Despite the ease, George knew they’d have to continue with caution, knowing somebody else was already there. 

“There’s a storage room in the back of the building,” George explained. “We just have to take the elevator to the third floor, turn left, and it’s the last door on the right. You officers have a keycard that opens all the doors in this building.”

“...Do you guys not have stairs?”

“No.”

Fred simply let out an intrigued hmph sound, as the two slinked across the lobby floor, slipping off into the elevator. The two men awkwardly stood on opposing ends of the elevator, not sharing a single word as the mindless elevator music filled the elevator. With a small ding , the doors opened. 

George quickly glanced out first, making sure nobody was around, before turning left with Fred close behind. Both men’s eyes darted throughout the halls, making sure no person would be able to spot them. Finally, the two made it to the final room on the right. Without sharing a word, Fred removed his keycard from his jacket pocket, lightly tapping it against the scanner, and the door slowly and quietly slid open. 

“It should be a labeled box if I’m correct,” George whispered, and Fred simply nodded as he slid into the storage room, with George keeping a close eye. His gaze drifted around the back storage room, noting the slightly moldy smell and the dim lighting. Shit, they don’t really use that room that much, do they—

“George?”

A voice from behind stopped the scientist’s thoughts in their tracks. George’s eyes widened, instantly recognizing the soft, warm little voice. He quickly glanced over his shoulder, heart pounding in his chest.

There, roughly ten feet from him, stood the wide eyed Zach android. 

George glanced back into the storage room, mouthing to Fred to stay silent, before awkwardly turning around and leaning up against the wall.

“Z-Zach! Hey, little man,” George stammered, forcing an awkward smile on his face. “I guess I didn’t think anyone was here! I'm glad it’s just you, though.

“It’s not just me. My dad is here too.”

“...Your dad?”

“Yeah! Your boss!”

“He’s what .”

“Oh yeah, he’s actually got to pick up a few things from this exact storage area!” Zach smiled, the same dash of loving innocence still in his eyes. “Isn’t that just so funny?”

George’s gut sank. He knew Aaron already had his suspicions of what was happening, and if he was caught here, George Kittle would practically be a dead man. Thus, he quickly glanced back before moving closer to Zach. The scientist put his hands onto the android’s shoulders, pulling him in close. 

“Zach,” George whispered, his voice low and slightly grumbly. “I need you to seriously do me a favor here, man. I’m begging. Where’s the Zach from yesterday when I need him?” 

The slightly smaller android simply tilted his head.

“I don’t know what you mean.”

Shit, they probably fixed his chip already.

George thought for just a second, before awkwardly smiling.

“...You know how much Aaron means to both of us, right?”

Zach simply nodded along, and thus the scientist continued.

“You know…He’s been stressed a lot lately. Being a CEO is hard, isn’t it? You should go entertain him.”

“...Entertain him?”

George nodded, continuing on with his little tangent.

“Just do something that relaxes him, I don’t know! You probably know him better than I do—”

George stopped, perking up ever so slightly. From the end of the hall, he could barely pick up the sound of footsteps approaching. Thus, George looked back down at Zach, nodded, and patted his head. Zach simply nodded and smiled, watching as George quickly slipped off into the storage room as well. 

“What the hell is happening out there?” Fred whispered, leaning in closer to George.

“I bought us some time, just shut up.”

Both men crouched down in the storage room in silence, listening to the commotion going on between the two others outside.

“—Zach, you shouldn’t have ran off to the storage room before me.”

“But Dad ,” Zach whined. “I just get so bored when you work long hours like this! I want to play with you!”

“...I know I don’t usually take your requests, but just this once.”

Out of a sheerly morbid curiosity, George and Fred managed to get just close enough to the entryway to slip their heads out ever so slightly, watching the events unfold before the two men. Almost instantly, both of their eyes widened.

Aaron and Zach had already had their back turned at this point, heading off to whenever Aaron would take his android. But the one thing that caught George’s attention was the way his boss’s hand slid down Zach’s back, eventually reaching and grabbing onto the android’s rear end. Right as the two were about to turn the corner, the scientist and the officer heard one last sentence slip from Zach’s mouth.

“Please be gentle, Dad. I’m still sore from yesterday.”

With that, the two were out of sight. George’s jaw remained agape, as he turned to Fred, an equally confused expression imprinted on his face as well. After a moment of awkward tension, Fred finally broke the silence.

“...I found the sonar implants.”

George had to fight the urge to puke at that moment, simply lifting himself up off the ground.

“...Let’s just leave.”

—

After slipping out of OmniTech’s building and back to the car, both men awkwardly sat in silence for just a few minutes.

“...He makes Zach call him Dad ,” George muttered to himself. “But he…”

Fred cut him off. 

“Your boss is weird as fuck. Did you build that thing?”

“No I didn’t fucking build that thing! I had nothing to do with the weird incest robot fantasy shit!”

Silence fell over the two of them again as Fred awkwardly pulled out of the parking space. The officer didn’t say a word until the two got onto the road.

“...Did he have a microchip?”

George perked up a little, looking over at Fred.

“George, did he have a DACR microchip?”

“...Yeah. Yeah, he did.”

Fred hesitated for just a moment, not letting his gaze wander from the road.

“So he’s under Aaron’s control? He’s not thinking for himself?”

“Yeah.”

“...The Department knows about that shit and doesn’t do anything…? Can that android feel things? Like, the same way Christian and Nick do?”

George silently nodded.

“...Shit.”

Fred finally looked over to George, a frown emerging on his face as his gaze shifted from pure confusion to almost a slight twinge of guilt.

“I think my employers are kind of fucked up.”

George let out a small exhale, smirking to himself before looking back at the road.

“Join the club, man. Good to see you came around. And hey, I guess this won’t be the last illegal shit you do with us, huh?”

The officer hesitated for just a second, then nodded.

“...I guess not.”

Chapter 14: Complications

Summary:

Things go south for everyone

Notes:

I woke up from a three hour nap and instantly churned out this chapter, hope you enjoy lmao

Sound was the first sensation to come flooding back to Nick, with a small, fanlike whirring noise stirring him from his unconscious state. He twitched slightly, before his own android body noted the cold, metallic sensation rubbing against his wrists. Nick tried to twist his wrist a little, and yet, his arm stayed in place. After a few more seconds of darkness, he furrowed his brow ever so slightly, and with a slight struggle, the android finally managed to open his eyes. 

He squinted a little bit, adjusting to some of the bright, almost sterile lights in the area around him. The faint fanlike whirring in the distance slightly filled the room, but despite the slight ambience, it was relatively silent. Nick’s vision began to clear, as he lifted his head up with a small groan, the plates in his neck slightly creaking with the movement. 

Nick took a few moments to really take in his surroundings. He couldn’t immediately tell where he was. The room was mostly painted a chipping gray color, with cold metallic tile floors and a cold ceiling light that barely lit the area. The android once again tried to move, and when he felt the cold sensation on his body once again, he glanced down to his wrists.

Nick felt his back up against what felt like a wall, and noted the bulky metallic straps holding his wrists in place. His eyes widened, as his focus turned to the lower half of his body. The same cuffs held his ankles against the upright table he was pressed upon, and Nick felt himself begin to panic. Once again, he tried moving his wrists and yet the thick straps refused to budge. He desperately tried to still his shaky breaths, as Nick felt his ports begin to heat up.

For a brief second, what seemed to be the sound of a door sliding open caught his attention. Yet, Nick continued tugging and trying desperately to pull himself free, but to no avail. Finally, a voice broke the silence.

“I don’t think you’ll get very far, NB-97.”

Nick stopped, eyes growing wide as the familiar voice rang through his ears. The android’s focus went to the doorway, watching the figure step out into the dim light. If Nick had a physical heart, he was sure it would’ve sunk immediately then and there. His gaze went back down to the ground, as the man in front of him stepped closer, crossing his arms.

“I expect you to look at me when addressing your superior, Officer.”

With a small tremble running through his body, Nick barely lifted his head up, desperately trying to hide the fear in his eyes. His boss was the biggest part of working for the Department that Nick hated more than anything else. When he finally got out, he thought he would never have to see the man again. Yet, as soon as he had heard that voice, the vision of the dark haired, tan skinned Head of the Department imprinted itself back into his reality.

“Y-Yes,” Nick stammered out. “I’m sorry, Chief Garoppolo…”

A small, yet arrogant smirk emerged on the man’s face, as he adjusted his black collared shirt to showcase the name plate pinned to his chest.

James “Jimmy” Garoppolo, Head of the San Francisco Department of Android and Cybernetic Regulations.

“I’ll be honest,” Jimmy started, slipping his hands into his pockets. “I’m a bit let down seeing you like this, Officer Bosa. I always thought you might’ve had the it factor you needed.”

The officer got closer, grabbing onto Nick by the chin and forcing the android to lock eyes with him.

“Sure, you’re nothing more than just a robot at the end of the day. But I was really starting to like you. Then you go off and somehow get your chip removed. I’m just glad Officer Mahomes and his TK-87 partner were able to track you down. Goes to show that at the end of it all, your kind can’t be trusted on their own.”

Nick’s gaze went to the side, his breath shaky as he tried to hide the fear in his eyes. When he wouldn’t look directly at his former boss, Jimmy let go of the android’s face for just a brief moment and raised his right arm, a hard slap targeting Nick’s face. The android felt the hot, callused hand leave a stinging sensation against his face, a small cry escaping Nick.

“You’re going to fucking look at me when I am speaking to you, NB-97,” Jimmy grabbed Nick’s face again, growling in his ear. “Now you better tell me where the hell you have been.”

Nick, for the first time in a few minutes, shakily let out a sigh and responded.

“F-Fuck you.”

Furrowing his brow, Jimmy raised his right hand again, this time curling his fingers into a fist, and swung. The chief’s fist met Nick’s jaw, a small crack sound ringing through the small, dimly lit room. Nick cried out again, dull pain searing through his head.

“I bet you had forgotten what happens when you don’t listen to your boss,” Jimmy grumbled, a scowl on his face. “You know how it is. We practice percussive maintenance on our… malfunctioning robots. Remember?”

Nick trembled at Jimmy’s voice ringing through his head again, and all he could do was silently nod, closing his eyes and just begging that this was all somehow nothing more than just a horrific dream. Even though Nick knew damn well his programming didn’t let him dream, he still hoped this was somehow the one exception.

“Come on, Nick…” Jimmy sighed, hands falling to his side. “Like I said, you might just be a stupid robot, but I still kind of liked you…don’t make me hurt you like this.”

Nick closed his eyes, refusing to look at his former boss once again. Jimmy frowned once more, and this time he reached down to the holster around his waist, removing the same stunner that was used on Nick hours prior. 

“Don’t make me do this to you, Bosa…”

Without waiting another second, Jimmy dug the stunner into Nick’s neck, a sudden wave of electricity running through the android’s body. All Nick could do was scream as he felt every wire in his body burning up, damn near like he was being fried alive. After a few seconds, Jimmy removed the stunner from Nick’s neck, and grabbed the android by the hair, lifting his head up and back against the upright table he was strapped to. 

“I’m giving you one last chance here, NB-97,” Jimmy hissed under his breath, leaning in close against Nick. His grip on the android’s synthetic hair tightened, a few small, pained whines escaping from him.

“Here’s the ultimatum. You either tell me where the fuck your little… friend , Chase went, and we forget any of this ever happened, or—”

“Y-You leave Chase t-the fuck alone!” Nick cried, barely managing to get his words out through the pain. Jimmy simply raised his brow, and finally let go of Nick’s hair, letting the android’s head drop. 

“I guess you’ve made up your mind already,” Jimmy slightly cocked his head, before shrugging and turning away. “Works with me. I’ll have you sent to the OmniTech scraps facility within the hour.”

Instantly, Nick’s eyes widened and his head shot up.

“W-What?!”

“You heard me,” Jimmy replied, turning back a little to look at the android. “We’ll have you scrapped before the day is over. The facility even just upgraded their security there. After all, some fucking maniac managed to steal an entire android just a few days ago. We surely won’t have that happen again…”

“No no no p-please sir, don’t do this!” Nick cried, tugging against his straps to no avail. “I-I promise I’ll listen this time! I won’t need to be hit again I swear! I’ll be g-good, I’ll do everything you ask of me! P-Please… please don’t kill me .”

Jimmy turned and made his way to the door, ignoring the cries and pleas coming from the android. The chief smiled to himself, letting the doors slide open and slinking off into the dark halls as the android was left behind, trapped and crying out into the dark void.

—

As Fred parked the car within an empty space behind the apartment complex, he couldn’t help but take notice about the amount of DACR cars in the area. He and George were lucky enough to manage to slip on through the back stairway of George’s apartment building without being sighted, sneaking off to the elevator. Yet, much to their surprise, just as they exited the elevator, the two men were met with a concerning sight.

Chase was already at the door to George’s apartment, tears streaming down his face as he fought back loud sobs. His hands were so shaky that the mechanic could barely press the spare keycard to the door long enough to open it. George’s heart sank as he ran to his friend’s side.

“Chase, oh fuck man, hey…” Instantly the scientist put an arm on Chase’s back, softly rubbing his hand in a circular motion. “Dude, are you okay…?”

Fred managed to catch up to the two standing outside of the apartment door and spoke up. 

“Hey…where’s Nick?”

As soon as Fred asked that question, another sob ripped from Chase’s throat as he clung onto George, trying to explain what happened. Yet, only incoherent half sentences could be formed in the midst of his crying.

George continued with trying to comfort his sobbing friend, gently taking the keycard from his hands and pressing it against the lock. Once the light flashed green, George and Fred helped Chase into the apartment.

The cries alerted Brock from his spot on the couch, his eyes widening a little as he sat upright.

“Shit, what happened to him?” Brock immediately questioned.

George replied, “We don’t know. We just found him like this, sobbing.”

The scientist guided Chase to the couch, sitting Chase down. George turned and made his way to his bedroom entrance, but just as he was going to grab the door handle, the door creaked open.

“What’s going on…?” Christian peaked his head out from the doorway. “Is Chase crying?”

George was about to respond, but paused for a second.

“Christian, what were you doing in my room?”

“I was napping,” the android answered, his expression still the same as before.

“Wha—okay first off my bed isn’t even that good. Why the hell do you nap on it so much?”

“It reminds me of you.”

George felt his face go a little warm, as he stammered for just a second before looking away. Another cry from the couch broke him out of the moment, and he leaned in closer to Christian.

“Can you please grab the tissues off the side of my desk?”

As Christian nodded and turned to make his way to the desk, George let out a small “And don’t ask why they are there” before turning and heading back to the living room.

At this point, Chase had managed to calm down just enough to wipe his eyes, tears staining his hands. Fred and Brock both admittedly tried their best to offer some reassuring words, but the fainter occasional tears continued as the two gave each other a concerned look. 

“Alrighty, Chase, can you talk, bud…?” George sat down on the coffee table across from his friend. Chase hesitated a moment before nodding.

“I-I think, yeah…”

By this time, Christian had returned from the bedroom with a box of tissues in his hand. He found a spot on the table next to George, and held out the box for the mechanic. Chase took the tissues and blew his nose, still trembling from his crying spell.

“I-I thought we would b-be fine,” Chase stammered, wiping the tears away from his eyes once more. “B-But when we had gone out, Nick w-was recognized by some officers, a-and they took him back…”

“They took him?” George leaned in, putting a hand on Chase’s knee. The mechanic nodded, and continued.

“T-They were his old coworkers…They took him but I d-don’t know what they’ll do to him…”

“He was probably taken to the Department’s headquarters in the northern part of the city,” Fred spoke up. “I remembered this happened one time before. An android managed to act out of line and escaped. They held him there and tried to fix him, but when they couldn’t, he was scrapped .”

At the last word, George could feel a silicone and metallic hand pressing onto his thigh. He glanced over to see Christian holding onto him, a small shaky breath escaping the android. George felt his heart ache just a little, and turned back to face the group.

“Of course we’ve got to help him, we can’t let him be scrapped! B-But…”

The scientist gestured over to Brock, who at this point had his gaze focused to the ground. Fred put a hand on his shoulder, and slightly shook Brock out of his trancelike state. George continued.

“I don’t know what will happen if we leave Brock with those malfunctioning cybernetics any longer. If I can just remove them really quickly we can go and—”

“No.” Brock cut him off, looking up and meeting George’s eyes. “Y-You have to remove these on your own?”

“Hey, what’s going on?” Fred put a hand on Brock’s back, tilting his head. “You had no problem with these being replaced.

“Y-Yeah but I can’t just have him do it!”

George stood up at this point, frowning and raising his voice slightly.

“Brock, I thought you trusted me.”

“I-I mean I do and—”

“Then why can’t I just get this done for you and we can—”

“Because I’ll die if you do!”

George stopped, his expression softening as Brock’s own eyes began to tear up. The younger man paused for a second before beginning to speak again.

“T-The implants keep neural signals in my brain working. If these aren’t removed with serious medical care, I-I will die…”

George sat down again, sighing as he watched Brock sniffle. Fred pulled Brock into a small hug, letting the cyborg cry in his arms.

“S-Shit, I’m sorry…I don’t know where we can find—”

“I know someone,” Fred responded once again, pulling away from Brock to look him in the eyes. “I know somebody who can help…I have a friend who lives on the edge of town. We worked in the Department together, but he was fired after an attempted whistleblowing incident…I haven’t seen him since…”

“I-Is he a doctor?” Brock looked up, and Fred nodded.

“The best one I know. If we can get him to keep you under care while George switches out your implants, you’ll be as good as new. I promise.”

“W-We can’t all go,” Chase cut in. “It’s t-too risky. Plus what about Nick—”

For the first time in this conversation, Christian spoke up.

“I’ll go with you, Chase. If anyone knows androids…”

George stood up, stepping to the side and facing the entire group.

“Alright, alright. I think I know our plan. Chase and Christian can go to the Department headquarters and get Nick back. Fred and I will find this doctor and get Brock his new implants. Make sure you exit this building through the back door. There’s a lot of officers out today, probably because of Nick’s incident. Keep your phones on you at all times in case something happens. Got it?”

The other men all nodded, as George finally let them go. Fred had helped Brock off of the couch, noting the cyborg stumbling slightly on his one organic leg. Chase had already grabbed his bag and was heading to the door. But before Christian could follow the mechanic, George took the android to the side. 

“Christian, please…” George muttered, reaching down and holding onto Christian’s hands. “You don’t have to do this. I know seeing what they might do to androids can be upsetting for you—”

“I want to do this,” Christian replied. “You said that you wanted me to live the way I want to, and so I’m doing that. I want to help Nick.”

George glanced down for a second, trying to ignore his face feeling warmer as he continued to gently hold the android’s hands in his.

“Just don’t get hurt…please, for me.”

“I promise I won’t.”

After another brief moment, Chase called out to Christian, and the android finally pulled away. He gave George a little wave goodbye before slipping off through the doorway. The scientist glanced back at Fred. At this point, the former officer had picked up Brock off the ground, carrying him to avoid any potential pain with his shaky legs. 

The two nodded to each other as George grabbed his bag, and, with Brock in Fred’s arms, they exited the apartment and turned towards the backway out of the complex, hoping to slip out without anyone taking note. 

George couldn’t even begin to imagine the horrors of what would happen at this point if they were caught. So, he ignored that thought and continued onward, ready for whatever difficulties might lay ahead.

Notes:

Also btw, percussive maintenance is the term for when someone hits something to try it make it work. So yeah, the DACR hits their robots when they act up. Fun times for everyone involved

Chapter 15: The Doctor Is In

Summary:

Fred reunites with an old friend, and George has more questions than answers

Notes:

My tailbone has been hurting like a motherfucker but I still hope you guys like this chapter lmao. Sorry it's a bit longer than usual

Brock shifted around in the back seat of the vehicle, resting his head against the window. He had barely spoken the entire drive out to the outskirts of the city, a splitting pain rushing through his head. The cyborg could barely think for just a few seconds before another sharp sensation began to feel like it was piercing his eyes. A small noise of pain escaped from his throat, and he curled in on himself to try and avoid the others noticing. 

Yet, Brock’s whine was just loud enough to catch Fred’s attention from the front passenger seat. 

“Are you alright back there, man?” Fred leaned over his shoulder, reaching out to put a hand on Brock’s thigh. The cyborg simply whined again, shaking his head. He opened his mouth, trying to desperately get at least a few words out, before closing it again. No matter how much Brock tried, any attempt he made at speaking was essentially futile at this point. 

“I know, I know,” Fred sighed. “I promise we’ll be there soon. Just keep it up.”

The officer quickly glanced over and mumbled another direction to George, who silently kept his eyes on the road. George could hear the pained whines and cries from the smaller man in the backseat, despite his best attempts at simply blocking out the noise. The scientist bit the inner part of his cheek, breathing in through his nose as he turned left onto another road, this one smaller than before. He wasn’t quite sure which exact direction Fred had been guiding him from the passenger seat, but over time the large skyscrapers and apartment complexes began to fade out, and George could begin to slightly make out the coastline. 

After another turn, followed by a windy road down closer to the coast, Fred spoke up once more.

“We’ll have to park by the coast, and then we can walk. Just pull up to that empty spot by the sand.”

Once George had found a spot right by the beach area to park, the three men took their time getting out of the car. As soon as Brock’s feet hit the ground, he winced. Immediately, Fred perked up.

“You okay?” he asked, eyes widening a little.

Brock nodded silently, holding onto the car and trying to help himself upright. 

“I-I’m fine,” Brock replied, furrowing his brow and trying desperately to hide the discomfort on his face. “I just n-need a moment—”

When he wobbled again, Fred put his arms around the smaller cyborg’s waist, picking him up. He readjusted Brock in his arms, despite the complaints from the smaller man, and was able to hold Brock bridal style. Despite the frustrated pout on his face, Brock wrapped his arms around Fred’s neck, resting his head on the former officer’s shoulder. 

“Just this one time,” Brock mumbled, hiding his face. 

At this point, George had locked the vehicle, following behind Fred across the beach area. A few smaller, yet still very high tech houses lined the coast, and Fred pointed out one in the distance. It was a minimalist architectural style, only one story tall with only a few small windows. 

“That’s his place,” Fred explained. “My friend moved to this area after getting fired. He barely comes out of his home now…Almost like he can’t leave.” 

“So your friend got fired for a whistleblowing attempt?” George asked, cocking his head slightly. “What was he trying to reveal?”

“I don’t know. All we know is that he somehow found out about something he shouldn’t have, and thus lost his job. He practically vanished after that, and I’m one of the only people he told about his home. I’ve tried visiting him before, but every single time he refused to see me…”

“Are you sure he’ll be willing to see you now?”

“I fucking hope so. He was a very empathetic man, and I don’t think he’ll turn away someone in pain. Especially this kind of pain.”

Fred glanced down to the cyborg in his arms. Brock had once again fallen partially asleep, mumbling and whining under his breath while he curled up in the larger man’s arms. Fred sighed to himself, his embrace on the smaller man tightening ever so slightly. 

A few minutes of silence passed as the trio made their way along the beachline, George grumbling to himself about the weird feeling of the uneven sand below his feet. The medium-sized, almost perfectly squared home in the distance grew closer and closer, as the rest of the houses on the beach faded into the distance. Finally, Fred stopped as they reached the stairway up to the door, and turned back to George.

“Make sure to stay a little bit behind,” Fred explained. “I don’t need him freaking out on you or anything like that.”

George nodded, making sure to stay a few feet behind as Fred guided him up the short stairway to the small, clean porch. Fred managed to move his arm just enough from under Brock to press the small button by the door, emitting a little jingle. 

A moment of awkward silence passed, before a small red light flashed from right above the door. The little hole flashed a red light up and down, as if scanning the faces of the three men. After a moment, a robotic feminine voice spoke out:

“Identified: Federico Warner, Brock Purdy, George Kittle”

“How the fuck does his house do that?” Fred muttered under his breath and cocked his head. The red flashing light stopped, and another few moments passed. No sound stirred from inside of the home as the three waited.

“Fred, I don’t think he’s going to answer,” George said as he took another step closer. “After all, you haven’t seen him in years—” 

Just as George was finishing his sentence, a small whirring sound started, as the door slowly slid halfway open. Light peaked into the dark house, and after a brief moment, a hand held onto the half open door, and a man peaked out. Immediately, at the sight of that familiar light brown hair and tired eyes, Fred’s face lit up.

“Hey, Matthew…” Fred greeted, a small smile forming on his face.

Instantly, Matthew’s tired, almost frustrated expression shifted to contain a small twinge of confusion.

“Fred…?” Matthew mumbled, blinking a few times to let his eyes adjust to the light. “The hell are you doing here? We haven’t seen each other in over a year.”

Fred dropped his shoulders a little, sighing. “I didn’t know who else to go to…” 

The officer glanced back at George before explaining, “This is Dr. Matthew Stafford. He was a coworker of mine at the Department.”

“Who is this little guy that you’re carrying?” Matthew asked, eyeing the man that Fred was holding.

“He’s my…a friend. He’s badly hurt, and needs some help. His name is Brock, and that’s my other friend behind us…”

Matthew glanced down at Brock, still curled up and asleep in Fred’s arms, and then the doctor glanced at the man standing behind Fred.

“I-I’m George,” the scientist spoke up, awkwardly smiling. “I’m an engineer at OmniTech. Brock has some implants he needs switched out and he needs a human doctor to keep him stable—”

“OmniTech?” Matthew’s once concerned expression turned into a slight scowl, and he looked back to Fred. “I’m not helping fucking OmniTech.”

“Matt, please,” Fred frowned slightly. “I promise he’s different. He’s…we’re…we’re on the run, man.”

When Matthew raised a brow in confusion, the former officer continued.

“George stole an android out of the OmniTech scrapping facility. He’s been wanted since.”

Matthew’s eyes widened, looking back over to George, who simply glanced away.

“That was him ?” Matthew asked. “I read all about that online. Fuck, guess he isn’t a total piece of shit…But aren’t you still working for the DACR?”

“Not really…” Fred replied. “I’ve kind of done a few illegal things myself, me and my DACR partner.”

Matthew blinked again, as if trying to manually process all of this information. After a moment of hesitation, he stepped back into his home.

“Come on in. Just don’t touch anything.”

Fred looked back at George, and the two men nodded before stepping inside, letting Matthew shut the door behind them. The home was admittedly not the brightest, with a few ambient blue lamps to fill the living area. Matthew guided the men to the couch, helping Fred softly place Brock laying down, a small pained groan coming from the cyborg as he subconsciously hugged himself in his sleep.

“So what’s up with the little guy?” Matthew asked as he sat in the chair across from the couch. 

“Brock has some out of date cybernetic hardware,” George explained, shifting around on the stiff couch, trying his best to be comfortable. “It was some underground market type shit. Now it’s fucking up his brain. The problem is, if I just try to remove it on my own and insert new ones, the neurons in his brain can lose connection, and he’ll essentially go braindead. We need someone to keep his brain stabilized while he’s getting that done. Do you think you can help?”

Matthew nodded along during George’s explanation, taking in the information he was given. After a moment, he spoke up.

“I’ve turned the spare bedroom into an operating area, just in case I ever needed to, you know…I can probably work something out.”

The doctor stood up, making his way over to the hall leading into the next room, and looking back at George.

“I’ll take you to the room and we can clean it up. Fred, you keep your friend company.”

Fred nodded, watching as George got up off the couch and made his way to the hallway, following Matthew into the darkness. Once they had vanished, Fred looked back over to Brock. After hesitating for a brief second, he gently put a hand on the cyborg’s shoulder, shaking him ever so slightly. A few moments passed, and Brock stirred as his eyes fluttered open. 

“F-Fred…?” Brock mumbled as he turned over onto his back, adjusting himself slightly to move his head into the other man’s lap.

“We’re in Dr. Stafford’s home. He agreed to help you out…” Fred’s hand slowly moved to the cyborg’s hair, gently running his fingers through the short brown locks. “You’re going to be alright, I promise.”

“I-Is it going to hurt?”

“I’m not sure, but I can guarantee whatever pain you feel in the operation will be less painful than what you are going through right now.”

Before Brock could answer again, another small twinge of pain rushed through his head, and he whined. The cyborg shifted onto his side, burying his face in Fred’s lap.

“I know, I know…” Fred whispered, continuing to softly pet the smaller man’s hair. “It’ll only be a little bit longer, and I promise after that you’ll feel good as new.”

After another moment, Brock peeked up at Fred, tears beginning to form in his big brown eyes. Fred felt his heart sink, and he softly grabbed onto Brock. After sitting the smaller man upright, Fred pulled Brock into his lap, wrapping his hands around Brock’s waist. It all happened so quickly in his mind, that once Fred realized what he had just done, he instantly felt his face go warm.

“F-Fuck, I’m so sorry Brock. I didn’t—”

“No, it’s o-okay,” Brock mumbled, burying his face in Fred’s shoulder. “This feels nice…”

Fred hesitated for just a moment, before holding onto Brock tighter again. The two sat there in silence, with the officer slowly running a hand through the smaller man’s hair. Every now and then Brock would wince at some pain in his head, and was met with some tender words from Fred, trying his best to comfort the cyborg.

After all, the pain would be gone in almost no time. All they had to do was be patient.

—

“So why did you steal an android from your company’s scrapping facility?” Matthew asked as he pulled some scrubs over his white tee. “After all, you guys make thousands of those every year.”

“This one was special, you don’t get it.” George had helped move the operating table to the center of the room, strapping it in place on the ground as he continued with his explanation. “Christian isn’t like any other android we’ve made before. We’ve made sentient and intelligent ones, sure. But he’s so much more than that. I came up with him back in graduate school, and I couldn’t just let our CEO throw him away. Plus…”

George paused for a second, before shaking his head. “No, no that’s not it.”

“What’s not it?” Matthew cocked his head. “This Christian seems very important to you.”

“I-I mean he is but…he’s an android, I can’t…” The scientist felt his face go red, and he was damn ready to yank his own hair out in confusion. “I don’t know why he’s so special to me.”

“Maybe you like him.”

The blush on George’s face got redder as he turned back to Matthew, the doctor mindlessly cleaning off a scalpel in the sink.

“No, no Matthew. I don’t—I can’t, it’s just…I can’t.”

“Why not? I’ve seen androids love humans in all sorts of ways. Some treat humans like a parent. Others, a brother or friend. Who knows…maybe you can break some glass ceilings here.”

“I don’t want to do that to Christian,” George frowned, his gaze stuck to the floor. “I always told myself that once he was here, I wouldn’t make him do anything he didn’t want to do…I kept telling him he could leave. But he doesn’t. I don’t want to be selfish.”

“What if he wants you too?” Matthew asked, and George looked back up. “I mean, you’ve told him time and time again that he can leave. What if he doesn’t want to leave, despite knowing he can?”

When George didn’t respond, Matthew simply shrugged as he made his way past the scientist into the doorway. He glanced back at George one more time, a small smile on his face. 

“Throw on some scrubs, and maybe think about the stuff I’ve said, alright? I’m going to grab the others.” 

George watched the doctor leave, turning back and making his way across the operation room. He snatched a loose pair of scrubs from the chair in the corner, tossing the shirt over his outfit. All George’s mind could focus on for those few minutes of silence was what Matthew had said to him. A million thoughts raced through the engineer’s head as he paced around the room.

I’m not selfish, am I? Matthew said that Christian would leave if he wanted to. But he doesn’t leave. Maybe he just thinks of me as a lifeline. Am I overthinking this? But he sleeps in my bed…No, he just doesn’t know any better. I shouldn’t take advantage of him. Fuck, why does this have to be so damn confusing?

George’s thoughts were interrupted by the door sliding open again. Matthew had one of Brock’s arms over his shoulder, as he guided the cyborg to lay down onto the operating table. Once Brock was comfortable, Matthew went back over to the desk, grabbing a small, head wide mechanical device. 

“I am going to put this on your head, and it’ll keep your brain active while working as an anesthetic,” Matthew explained. Brock merely nodded, shaking slightly as the doctor slowly clipped the large piece of metal to both sides of Brock’s head.

“Where’s Fred?” George asked, glancing down at Brock before looking back up at Matthew.

“He’s keeping watch, just to be safe. After all, you guys are sort of on the run right now. He made sure to give me the new implants we need to put in.

Matthew pulled the small nasal and sonar implants out of his pocket, placing them on the table. After that, he reached over and grabbed some surgical masks off of the counter on the side of the room as well as some latex surgical gloves, handing one to George. Both men slid on their surgical masks and gloves. As Brock began to slip into unconsciousness, Matthew attached his wrist to another small device, which emitted a soft light following the beat of the cyborg’s heart. Once they had Brock settled and fully under, the two men nodded to each other and quickly got to work. 

—

A few minutes had passed by, and Matthew had already successfully removed the broken nasal implant, tossing it into the nearby trash can. He watched as George used a pair of tweezer-like tools to grab the new implant, and finally Matthew broke the silence in the operating room.

“So is this like…Fred’s boyfriend?”

George looked up for just a second, raising a brow before getting back to work.

“No, I don’t think so. They’re admittedly more physically affectionate with each other than most people usually are. But I don’t say anything.”

“So…where’s your boyfriend?”

“Christian isn’t my—fuck, Matthew let me focus.”

“Well you said he’s important. Why didn’t he come with you?”

George huffed, not responding for a moment as he slid the nasal implant into Brock’s nose. After a moment of making sure he had the device at just the right angle, George finally replied.

 “He’s off helping my friend, Chase. They’re rescuing another android from probably getting killed. It was Fred’s partner back at the Department. His name is Nick…”

Matthew’s head instantly shot up.

“Nick Bosa ?” The doctor’s eyes widened. “They didn’t kill him after Joey went missing?”

“Wait…you know him?” George glanced back up, before reaching over to grab the sonar implant. As he slowly worked the old model out of Brock’s ear, Matthew continued with his response.

“I-I mean…I didn’t know him, per se. But I have heard of him. Everyone at my old job has heard of him. I remember when we first heard about Joey’s disappearance. It was a whole ordeal in the Department from what I remember.”

Just as George slipped in the newly updated implant, Matthew let one more sentence slip.

“It’s part of why I got fired.”

Instantly, George’s eyes widened, looking back up at Matthew. At this point, the doctor was already removing Brock’s wrist from the machine to the side, as well as moving the device off of his head.

“H-Hold on,” George stammered, slipping off his gloves and tossing them to the trash. “Why did Joey’s disappearance get you fired?”

“You don’t know what happened to him?” Matthew looked back to the other scientist, raising a brow. “Fuck…they’ve been good at keeping this hidden…”

Just as Matthew was about to open his mouth again to answer, the door quickly slid open. Fred stood in the doorway, eyes widened in a state of panic.

“The Department,” Fred gasped out, breath shaky. “They found us.”

It was at this time that Brock began to stir, eyes slowly opening as he laid on the cold operating table. But before he could even process his surroundings, the cyborg was being lifted off of the table. 

“Shit, I don’t have another exit in the house!” Matthew said in a panic, eyes darting around the room, before looking back to the wall behind him. A small window emitted just enough light through the room, and a smirk formed on Matthew’s face

“But I do have a window.”

Just as Matthew managed to push the window doors open, the group could hear a loud crash from downstairs, voices yelling orders to each other to search the house. Quickly, Matthew turned back to the three.

“This is your best way out. The sand is soft outside of my house, and it’s not that high of a fall. You’ll escape out of the back and could possibly get away without anyone noticing. 

“M-Matthew, Brock just had surgery,” George replied. “We can’t possibly go out that way—” 

Before another word could get out, Fred grabbed onto the smaller cyborg and climbed through the window. He hesitated for just a second, before letting himself and Brock fall to the sand below. Matthew looked back over to George. 

“We c-can’t just leave you here,” George stammered, as he lifted a leg over the windowsill.

“I’ll be fine. Just remember to do me a favor,” Matthew leaned in close, putting his hands on George’s shoulders. “When you see the Department’s chief, punch him in the fucking nose for me.”

“Fine,” George mumbled. “I’ll make sure to punch him. B-But I got to know, man. W-What were you going to say to me about Joey—”

Without getting a response, Matthew let go of George, slightly pushing him out of the window as well. George yelped as he tumbled to the ground. Luckily, the fall was only a few feet, and the sand cushioned their falls. Yet, Brock still whined in pain as Fred helped him up. 

From inside of the home, George could hear more commotion, including the voices of officers kicking another door open, before barking orders that sounded like they had caught Matthew. George felt his heart sink, before Fred grabbed onto his arm.

“Come on, we have to leave.

Looking back one more time, George noted the black vehicles outside of the home. Panicking, all the scientist could do was nod as the three darted off into the distance, hoping that by some sheer luck they would manage to escape unspotted.

George looked back over his shoulder one more time, hearing the yells and crashes coming from the home in the distance. His heart twisted as it pounded in his chest from the running, and George turned his focus forward again. At this point, it was too late. All he could do was hope Matthew would be okay. 

Plus, George knew that now he had to follow up on his promise. But as the trio made their way to their car on the other end of the coast, one question ran through George’s mind over and over again. 

What happened to Joey Bosa?

Chapter 16: The Great Escape

Summary:

Christian has a lot to think about, and Nick learns that things might not be what he thought they were

Notes:

I finally got this chapter out after writing it in two parts lmao. Hope you enjoy <333

Chase and Christian had managed to catch the bus just before it left the stop, awkwardly shoving and pushing their way into the crowded vehicle. Chase managed to grab onto one of the poles to keep himself upright, as well as putting his other hand onto the back of Christian’s shirt once the bus started moving, simply to prevent the android from falling over and causing a larger problem. 

“The bus will stop around a block away in fourteen minutes,” Christian muttered as he leaned in close to Chase. “There we can get off and make our way to the Department building. It’ll probably have to be through the back, the front is always way too secured.”

“...How the fuck do you know this shit, man?”

“I was programmed with data about every location in the city. It's the OmniTech protocol for all of us.”

Chase blinked, and paused for just a moment before responding with a small, “huh” and turning back to face the bus doors. At several stops, both of the two men were caught between some pushing and shoving as people tried to climb their way on and off of the crowded bus at various locations. Finally, after at least three to four stops of pushing and shoving, Chase felt a tug on his sleeve.

“We’re here.”

As the bus doors slid open, Christian took Chase by the wrist, and the two managed to make their way out of the bus just as the doors shut behind them. Chase glanced over his shoulder and watched as the bus drove off into the distance. Once the coast was clear, Christian guided him into a nearby alleyway. They got to the end of the alley, a large and rusty dumpster placed right next to the back wall. 

“If we climb over this, that’ll get us past the fencing around the building,” the android explained, giving a quick pat onto the side of the dumpster. “We can hopefully manage to get in through a back window that way without being caught.”

Chase smirked a little, putting his hands to his hips as he made his way over. 

“Damn, I’m glad I brought you along.”

“George didn’t want me to join you. But I thought it was a necessary act. I have to help another android in need. I know you humans don’t understand having a purpose. You just get to live.”

“Wait, wait, pause,” Chase raised a brow, cocking his head to the side. “Who said humans don’t have a purpose?”

Christian paused, stammering for a second and glancing to the side. Chase continued.

“I think you’ve got it wrong, buddy. People have a purpose. It’s just that we’re not given that purpose by someone else. We have to figure it out ourselves.”

“...Really?”

“Of course, man. Everyone has a purpose.” After replying with that, Chase jumped up and grabbed onto the top of the dumpster, pulling himself up. Once on top, he turned around and stuck out a hand to Christian. The android reached out, and felt himself yanked up onto the top of the large metal box. Chase spoke once again.

“You’ve just got to find your purpose. It’s okay if you don’t know it immediately. I sure as hell didn’t.”

Without letting Christian respond, Chase put one leg over the wall behind the dumpster, jumping down to the other side. The android silently followed behind, climbing down and stumbling just a little. 

After a second, Christian nudged the mechanic, pointing to the large building roughly about fifty yards away.

“If we can get through the back we can avoid detection.”

Chase nodded, and the two silently made their way across the open grassy area. Chase mentally noted some noise coming from the front of the building, likely officers guarding the front area.

When the two got to the building wall, it didn’t take long for Chase to notice the lack of doors at floor level. But before he could say anything, Christian spoke up.

“We’ll get through the window on the second floor. Grab onto me.”

Chase paused, eyes widening ever so slightly.

“...I’m sorry, what did you just say?”

“I said grab onto me.”

“Christian…CMC, dude…” Chase frowned a little. “I don’t want to crush you, man. Can you even pick me up?”

Without saying a word, Christian grabbed onto Chase, wrapping his arms around the mechanic’s waist and lifting him up for just a few moments, before setting him back down with ease. The android stepped back, smiling.

“I’m not made of glass, Chase. That was just a joke, in case you couldn’t tell.”

“I know it was a joke,” the mechanic sighed. Stepping behind Christian, Chase wrapped his arms around the android’s neck from behind, holding onto him. With Chase steady and stable, Christian was able to grab onto a small part of a brick sticking out from the side of the building. After grabbing that, he used his free arm to latch onto a piece of external plumbing, and pulled himself upwards. Chase’s hold onto the android tightened, as Christian managed to get his footing onto the wall. 

After another moment, his hand finally reached for the external part of the window, pulling himself and Chase up again. He shifted his arm to rest his elbow on the windowsill, and with his free hand, Christian pushed at the window’s glass. After a couple of hard pushes, the pane popped out, collapsing to the floor inside. 

With the last bit of strength he had in the moment, Christian pulled himself up and through the open entrance, Chase still holding tightly onto him. Once the two got their footing, the mechanic finally let go, stumbling back a little bit.

“Shit man,” Chase sighed, wiping a little bit of sweat from his temple. “I’m surprised you didn’t drop me.”

“That’s the same way I got into George’s office at OmniTech.” Christian picked up the pane off of the floor, inserting it back into the windowsill. “That was back when we first met. Remember?”

“Yes I remember, man. You startled the shit out of me that day.”

“I apologize. Really, I do.”

“What’s your deal with him anyway…?”

Christian paused, slightly cocking his head to the side.

“What do you mean?” The android asked.

“I mean…” Chase hesitated. “You don’t have to stick by him all the time, you know. He gave you free will for a reason. And yet, you constantly want to be around him, to learn more about him. What’s up with that?”

Christian blinked, opening his mouth to answer, before pausing and looking down at the ground.

“I just like him,” he replied.

Chase raised a brow, slightly smiling.

“I think you might like him more than you know, CMC. But hey, am I to say anything?”

“He’s just a friend, Chase.”

“You don’t know that. He really cares for you, man. He really does. You just have to talk to him.”

With that, silence fell over the two as both of them began to study the room they had found themselves in. It seemed like an old, worn down office. Probably hadn’t been touched in forever. 

Suddenly, the sound of voices outside of the room stopped the two in their tracks.

At first, the voices sounded distant, but began to grow louder and louder. In a panic, Chase grabbed Christian and dove under the desk in the room. Both men curled up in silence, trying to listen in on the commotion outside. From the hallway right out of the door, Chase and Christian could make out just a small bit of conversation.

“You transferred the NB-97 android to the transfer station, correct? The boss wanted to know.”

“Of course I already did that. I’m surprised nobody scrapped that piece of junk sooner. I thought they were going to get rid of that thing after Joey Bosa was…you know… dealt with .”

A few laughs from the voices faded off into the distance. Chase was the first to move, getting up from his spot under the desk and silently making his way to the door. He quickly pressed his ear to the door, before slowly grabbing the handle and opening the door ever so slightly. Chase peeked his head out, eyes darting down each end of the hallway. The halls were empty. The mechanic glanced back, watching Christian get up from his spot under the desk as well. 

“Come on,” Chase whispered. 

Christian nodded and followed Chase out of the door. The two quickly turned on their heels in the opposite direction that the voices went. The two silently made their way down the hall, eventually turning and slipping off into a smaller, quieter hall. Chase caught sight of a small vent entrance on the side of the wall, and instantly knelt down. The mechanic grabbed at the ends of the vent door, tugging a few times. When the cover refused to budge, Christian knelt next to him. They each grabbed one side, pulling one more time. 

Finally, the cover came off with a small metallic pop sound. The two glanced at each other, nodding, before Chase set the cover down and crawled into the ventway, with Christian following close behind.

The vents weren’t large by any means, but just barely big enough to fit their bodies. Dust kicked up wherever Chase placed his arms, and he quickly put his hand to his mouth, desperately trying to suppress a cough. 

The vents creaked and groaned with every small movement from the two, and Chase glanced back behind him. Christian had kept his abdomen on the vent floor, almost pulling himself along. Sure, it looked weird, but at least he was quiet. 

Chase managed to guide the two to another vent entryway, and they turned left. Suddenly, the mechanic felt a tug at his ankle, and looked back behind him. Christian was grabbing onto him with one hand, the other pointing to another vent cover in the side of the vent. Chase squirmed and struggled to turn his body around, but managed to do so, with admittedly some difficulty. He leaned in closer, peering through the vent cover as much as he could.

Barely, on the other end of the room, Chase could make out the phrase Transfer Station . Instantly, he lit up, smiling to Christian.

“That’s got to be where he is,” Chase mumbled. “We can get him out and leave as quickly as we came.”

Christian nodded, and pressed his hand up against the vent cover. Chase followed suit, and with a quick push, the vent cover popped off, falling to the metallic floor below with a clunking sound. Both of them paused, waiting to see if the noise would have alerted anybody. When no response came, Christian climbed out from the vent entryway, letting himself down to the ground below. Chase was not far behind. 

Once he dropped down to the floor below, Chase nearly stumbled a bit, grabbing onto the android to avoid falling. Once he caught his balance, the mechanic took in his surroundings. Quiet beeping noises could be heard in the distance, docks among docks containing different boxes, mechanical parts, and torn apart androids filled the conveyor belts, moving through the large open space and out the exits on the side into the darkness. After glancing around for just a second, Chase stopped.

There he was.

At the end of the room, Chase instantly recognized the familiar body being carried in through the conveyor belt at the entrance. Nick laid there motionless, eyes shut. Without thinking, Chase ran over, jumping over another conveyor belt to get to Nick. He grabbed the android by the shoulders, lifting him up just enough to drag him off of the conveyor belt. The two went tumbling to the floor, Nick’s body falling limp next to Chase. The mechanic rolled over to lean over the android, shaking Nick ever so slightly.

“Nick…Nick? Come on, please get up, man, please…” Chase mumbled to himself, and panic began to set in as he felt his gut tighten. At this point, Christian had hopped over the conveyor belt separating him from the other two, and crouched down next to Nick’s limp body. He softly moved Nick’s head to the side, pointing to a small, skin toned button right at the nape of the android’s neck.

“Press that,” Christian said.

Chase simply nodded, hands shaky as he pressed down on the button for a few seconds. There was a quick pause, before a soft whirring noise emitted from Nick’s body. After another second, the android’s eyes fluttered open. He groaned slightly before moving his head, his own dark eyes meeting Chase’s.

“C-Chase…?” Nick stammered.

“Oh shit man, you’re okay!” Instantly, Chase pulled the android into a tight hug, tears forming in his eyes again. “I was so worried and I thought you were going to be hurt and I’m just glad you’re alright and—”

“Man, don’t worry about it,” Nick softly pulled himself away from the embrace, before resting his forehead against Chase’s. “I am fine…”

Christian meanwhile had already gotten up off of the ground, stepping away to let the two have a moment. The android noticed the doors at the end of the room, and made his way over. Pressing a hand to the button on the wall, the door slid open. Christian peered his head through slightly, staring down the cold, gray, metallic hallway. With nobody in sight, he looked back at Nick and Chase.

“I don’t think we can reach the vent on the ceiling,” the android called out to the two. “We will have to leave this way.”

Chase and Nick looked up, quickly glancing at each other before nodding. Chase helped himself up off the floor, reaching out a hand for Nick to hold onto. The two snuck across the room, joining Christian. The android was the first to step out into the hallway, taking a few steps forward before turning right. Chase and Nick followed close behind, Nick holding tightly onto the mechanic’s arm. 

After turning another corner, the trio came across another doorway. Christian pressed his hand to the scanner, but after a moment, a small voice replied, “ Unidentifiable .”

The android tried again. Once again, same result. Chase stepped forward and pressed his hand to the scanner. Same answer. Nick tried as well. No response.

As Christian and Chase glanced at each other in a small panic, Nick felt his own impatience grow.

“We don’t have time for this,” Nick grumbled, and grabbed onto the ends of the scanner, ripping it directly out of the wall, tearing the wires in the process. The door suddenly flung open, but just as it did so, the entire hallway turned red. Nick’s eyes widened in a panic, and he looked up to see the alarm system on the ceiling flashing bright red lights. A robotic voice rang out, echoing through the building.

ALERT, INTRUSION IN THE BUILDING.

“Shit!” Christian turned and grabbed Nick by the collar of his jacket. “Why the fuck did you do that?! Are you stupid?!”

“No time for arguing!” Chase cut in, grabbing Christian and Nick by the wrists. “Come on you two!”

Chase turned on his heels and sprinted down the hall, quickly turning a left with his companions close behind. Just as he did so, Chase felt himself run into what felt like a wall, and he stumbled back. He opened his eyes to be met with an officer directly in front of him. Suddenly, the officer yelped and went to grab his gun from his holster. But before he could do so, Chase panicked and swung a right hook, clocking the man in the jaw. The officer collapsed to the floor, unconscious. Without thinking, Chase grabbed the gun from the man’s holster, and the three continued on.

For what felt like forever, the three made their way through the twisty and turning halls of the Department building. Occasionally, they’d be met with an officer or two, leaving Chase in a panic as he lifted the pistol and fired. While he had not managed to hit anyone, the commotion was enough to buy them time to escape into another hallway. Finally, after breaking down another sliding door, the group found themselves in what seemed to be the lobby. 

Chase looked behind him, catching sight of two more officers, one reaching for his weapon. Without a second thought, Chase took the pistol in his hands and chucked it at the man’s head, directly clocking the man in the head. That distraction was just enough time for Chase to push the entrance doors open, the three men escaping out of the building and into the outside world.

—

Turns out, a dumpster has one more benefit.

Sure, it smelled like absolute ass, but when Christian was able to guide the trio out into the streets of San Francisco and into an alleyway, the giant metal tin became their safe haven, with the three barely making it in time before being spotted. From the outside, they could hear the noises of officers yelling orders to each other, before the sounds of sirens and footsteps faded off into the distance. Christian slighted lifted the top, and when the coast was clear, he gestured to the others to climb out. 

The three all collapsed to the alley floor, Chase fighting back the urge to puke from the moldy and sweaty smell filling his nose.

“F-Fuck, dude why did you make us hide in there ?” Chase grumbled, plugging his nose.

“Would you rather be caught and tortured?” Christian wiped off some dirt off of his clothes. “Plus, the smell isn’t really that bad. Right, Nick?”
Nick nodded in response.

“Okay, well that’s not fair. You guys don’t smell like I do! You’re androids,” Chase huffed, forcing himself off of the ground. Nick spoke up, his reply not related to the mechanic’s complaints.

“You threw a gun at Officer Mahomes’s head. I’ve always wanted to do that.”

Chase paused for a second, and chuckled slightly in response.

“You’ll probably get to do it at some point…I’m sorry this all happened, man.”

“It’s fine, all that matters is that I’ve got you guys.” With a smile on his face, Nick pulled Chase into another hug. “There’s so much shit that happened in there that I can tell you guys about.”

Chase felt his face go warm, though he wasn’t quite sure if he was flustered or just couldn’t handle the stench coming off of Nick’s body.

“Hey, guys?” Christian cut him off. “Whose Joey Bosa? Why did those men say he was dealt with…?”

Nick pulled away from the hug, looking back at the other android. His smile faded.

“They said what ?”

“Nick…” Chase put a hand on Nick’s shoulder. “We can discuss this more when we’re back home. Plus, we’ve got to know what you saw in there. But first…”

Chase pulled his hand away, and stepped towards the entrance of the alleyway, and quickly looked out. Making sure no officers were in sight, the mechanic glanced back at Nick and Christian.

“Let’s get back to home base.”

Christian glanced over at Nick, before nodding and joining Chase by his side. With a small frown on his face, all Nick could do was make his way to the end of the alley, as the three began to make their way back home.

After all, there was so much to discuss.

Chapter 17: As If It Couldn't Get Worse

Summary:

The crew are now officially fugitives

Notes:

I apologize if this chapter is shit I haven't gotten ANY sleep, but I still hope you enjoy <3

The tires screeched as the car came to a sudden halt, Fred parking the vehicle on a small, forgotten about street. He stepped out of the driver’s seat, George and Brock slipping out of different exits of the car. Brock stumbled a little, getting out, holding onto the left side of his head. A small, pained whine escaped from the cyborg.

“You good, man?” George crouched a little and rested a hand on his knee, placing his other hand gently on Brock’s shoulder. Brock nodded, wincing a little and squeezing his eyes shut.

“I-I’m fine, just…” he stammered, shaking a little bit before moving his own hand away from his head. “This just hurts a little bit…”

“I can carry you again,” Fred cut into the conversation. “If you need it…”

“I think I’ll b-be okay…” the cyborg groaned a bit, pushing himself off of the side of the vehicle before stumbling his way towards the apartment complex. “C’mon, guys. We don’t have forever.”

George and Fred glanced at each other, sharing a small shrug with a concerned look in their eyes before following behind their cyborg companion. The trio slipped off through the back entryway of the complex, making sure nobody was hanging around the elevators beforehand. When the coast was clear, George stepped into the elevator with the other two close behind. 

The three men stood in awkward silence as soft ambient elevator music filled the small, enclosed area. Finally, with a small ding, the doors slid open. 

Just as George stepped out onto the third floor, the doors next to the elevator leading to the stairwell swung open too. Just as they did so, the familiar sight of Christian stepped out into the hallway, before collapsing to the ground in exhaustion. Instantly, George’s eyes widened, and he felt himself begin to panic.

“S-Shit, Christian!” George crouched down, putting a hand on the android’s shoulder. “Are y-you okay?”

Christian silently nodded his head, before rolling over onto his back. He absentmindedly reached out his right arm, gently resting his hand on the scientist’s face, quickly swiping his thumb. George’s face turned slightly red, fighting back a small smile while gazing down at Christian.

“I’m fine…” the android groaned, eyes heavy. “We just…had a lot going on, you know…my system is a bit overloaded…”

Following closely behind, Chase stepped out from the stairwell into the hall of the apartment floor, with the familiar Nick close behind. Chase still had his hand holding gently onto the android’s wrist. 

“He’s safe…” Chase sighed, a small smile on his face. Instantly, Nick put his arms out and grabbed the nearest companion, who just so happened to be a very exhausted Brock, and pulled him into a tight hug.

“Shit, it’s good to see you guys again! I totally thought I was done for…” Nick babbled on, gripping Brock in a tight hug. The cyborg squirmed a little as Nick continued to ramble, blabbering about the factory and his mean old boss Chief Garoppolo and how Chase and Christian saved his life. Eventually, Brock simply sighed in defeat and went limp while not-so patiently waiting for Nick to let go of him.

Meanwhile, Fred’s gaze quickly went back down the hallway, shifting his focus towards the door of George’s apartment. Suddenly, he paused, heart dropping. The former officer quickly bent to tap George on the shoulder. After a few quick pats, the scientist glanced up.

“What? What is it, Fred—”

George paused, then glanced back down the hall to his own apartment door. 

Oh.

Unlike every other apartment entrance in sight, George’s door was wide open. He couldn’t hear much, but he could clearly make out a rumbling, almost disastrous commotion going on inside of his own apartment.

At this point, the rest of the group had gone silent, Nick loosening his grip onto Brock. They all intently listened in, hearing the shouting of a man’s voice. The words were a bit unintelligible, but it was not a voice any of the six could recognize off the top of their head. There was a small crashing noise, the sound of something breaking, and even more words from inside of the apartment. 

George glanced back at the others, eyes wide with a hint of panic. 

“...I think we should leave—”

But before the scientist could finish that sentence, the sound of footsteps trudged out of the apartment. George could see the others stop, and he felt his own gut twist. The engineer barely glanced over his shoulder before the pain in his abdomen grew tighter.

Once again, that all too familiar uniform was right in his line of sight. The officer glanced up from the tablet he held in his hands, and instantly dropped the device to the floor. His hands immediately went to his holster, and the man spoke without a second thought.

“George Kittle, you are under arrest. Now, make this easy on all of us, Doc.”

George stood still, his mind racing on what he could possibly do in this moment. But at this point, what else could he do? After a second of panic running through his mind, the engineer slowly raised his hands up.

The officer stepped forward, taking one of George’s wrists and putting it behind his back. But before he could grab the other, the scientist raised his free arm, and struck his elbow back to the smaller man’s face.

The officer went tumblr back, tripping over and falling onto his back. The commotion was enough to alert whoever else was inside of George’s apartment. At that point, the damage was already done. George spun his head back to look at the others, kicking the officer one more time while he was down.

“Run!”

Chase was the first to turn back on his heels, pulling the stairwell door open and damn near jumping his way down the flight of stairs. George was the last of the group, managing to close the door behind him to hopefully give another second to escape. The group nearly slid down the windy, circular stairwell, trying to ignore the sounds of officers swinging the door open once more and following on their trail. 

Once they had reached the bottom of the stairwell, Chase practically kicked the door down, leading the group through the lobby of the apartment complex. A few other residents turned their heads in confusion, caught up in the panicked commotion of the six men. Confusion turned to panic screams as officers swung those same doors open. 

In the panic, Brock felt himself stumble once more, tripping over himself and collapsing to the ground. The cyborg let out a small cry in pain, before grabbing at his left arm and curling up a little bit.

One officer stopped above him, kneeling down and grabbing Brock by the arm. He twisted the limb behind Brock’s back, babbling nonsense about how much trouble these six men had put the Department through. Brock squeezed his eyes closed, trying to come to terms with his own defeat. 

When suddenly, the weight of the officer on top of him faded away. Brock opened his eyes, turning onto his side. Right over him stood Christian, fist bloodied. When Brock looked forward and saw that same officer on the ground, nose clearly shattered, all the cyborg could do was let out a small sigh of relief. Christian quickly turned and picked him up off the ground.

“T-Thanks,” Brock stammered out.

Christian silently nodded in response, making sure to follow behind his cyborg companion as they joined the others.

The group made their way out through the main entrance doors, but quickly had to skid to a halt. 

More vehicles pulled out into the front of the apartment building, that damn same DACR logo on the sides of the doors. In a panic, without thinking, the group all spun their heads towards each other, and with a small nod, each one had the same idea.

Split up.

George grabbed Christian by the sleeve of his shirt, quickly sprinting off to the right. He ignored every command in the distance from a variety of officers telling him to stop. The scientist let go of the android’s clothing and turned his head back, watching as Chase and Nick had turned and ran off to the left, while Fred had picked up the pained cyborg, turning and running off into the distance behind the apartment. 

In the chaos, George watched as Christian grabbed a random rock he found on the ground. The android admired it for just a second, letting out a small humming noise before turning back and chucking it at an officer’s head. The scientist had to hold back a small chuckle as they turned onto a smaller road.

At this point, Christian had taken the lead between the two of them, managing to find a small alleyway between two large buildings to drag George into. The wall at the end was just low enough for the two to scale it with ease, before running through a small, forgotten about patchy area of grass, the Department officers still close behind.

When they dove into yet another alley, Christian turned and grabbed the scientist, pulling him in close. George’s eyes went slightly wide.

“There’s an abandoned warehouse at the edge of the city center,” the android explained, his grip on George’s arm getting slightly tighter. “We’ll hide out there before finding the others. I can’t risk you getting hurt.”

George went red, and all he could do was silently nod. Christian turned back forward, hand still holding onto the scientist’s arm. All George could do at this point was obediently follow along with the android’s plan. 

After all, he was programmed to have a layout of the city. Christian was the one person George could trust in this moment.

—

Christian had spent the last twenty minutes dragging George through some forgotten about parts of the city center. The scientist felt his own energy begin to wear down, almost thinking that the two of them were running in circles. Finally, though, after jumping yet another fence and running through what seemed to be someone’s backyard, Christian dragged him through the entrance of this old, gray building. 

An echo rang out as the android shut the doors behind the two, and George stepped out into the vast emptiness. His gaze wandered around, taking in the surrounding area. Other than a few cardboard boxes in the corner, the main area was practically entirely empty. Just a dull shade of gray with concrete walls and floors. Yet, despite the nothingness, George let out a small sigh of relief. At least they were safe.

That thought came to a halt when a door at the end of the open area swung open. Panic instantly rushing through his body, George couldn’t help but let out a startled scream. Instantly, from the other side of the warehouse came an equally panicked scream. Yet, George recognized the voice almost instantly, and let his shoulders relax. 

“Chase?”

“...George?” 

The two blinked, finally making out each other’s forms at the ends of the warehouse’s open area. Chase lit up, glancing back at the others behind him. It seemed he and Nick had already managed to meet up with Brock and Fred. 

George let out a sigh of relief, making his way across the warehouse floor, with Chase coming to meet him halfway. The two stopped right in front of each other, chuckling for just a second before pulling each other into a quick embrace.

“Shit, you had me good, man…” George mumbled, quickly squeezing the mechanic before pulling away. “I thought my ass was done for.”

“Same here…” Chase sighed. He paused for a moment before sitting down onto the ground. Without thinking, the others all looked at each other and followed suit, taking a moment to rest. For at least a minute, they all sat in silence, simply taking in everything that had happened within the past hour. Finally, after an uncomfortably long period of time, Fred was the one to break the silence. 

“...Sorry your apartment got raided by cops, man,” Fred reached out to pat George’s shoulder. “That shit is rough.” 

George simply shrugged. “It was bound to happen, I guess. I’m just glad nobody got hurt. And speaking of which…”

The scientist turned his focus to Nick. At this point, the Android had curled himself up on the ground, laying his head in Chase’s lap.

“Sorry we couldn’t really give you a proper welcome back. I’m glad you’re okay.”

“It’s all good, you know…” Nick didn’t lift his head up from Chase’s lap. Chase had looked away for just a second, before awkwardly coughing. Finally, he looked back down at Nick.

“Nick…I think I should mention this to you.”

The android glanced up at Chase, cocking his head a little in confusion. Chase continued.

“W-Well, when we were going to rescue you, Christian and I had overheard some men talking about your brother…”

“...About Joey?”

“...Yeah. They had said something…something about, you know—”

“Being taken care of ,” Christian cut in. “Like they did something to Joey.” 

Nick paused, glancing at Christian before looking back up to Chase.

“...You mean…”

“I think the Department did something to your brother…I don’t think he just got up and left you by his own will.”

Nick’s gaze shifted back down, and he curled up tighter, hugging himself. A small sniffle escaped from his throat. Chase instantly felt his heart ache, and he put a gentle hand on the android’s arm. The others quickly exchanged some soft glances.

“Hey…it’s going to be alright, bud,” George cut into the conversation. “We’ll find Joey, I promise.”

Nick looked back up at George with his big dark eyes.

“...Promise?”

“I promise,” the scientist gave a small, warm smile.

“...Well, there’s something I should tell you guys then too…” Nick sat up, still slightly hugging himself. “While I was waiting to be scrapped…I overheard some men talking about some troubles in a central power source…? They said it was fucking up some microchips…”

George raised a brow, quickly glancing over to Fred. The two shared a knowing look, and George spoke up again.

“I saw some malfunctions with Aaron’s personal assistant android a while back…maybe these microchips are connected to a singular source…and that means—”

“We could destroy it,” Fred replied. “That can turn off the chip in every android in this city. Without those, the Department and OmniTech can’t stay in power. There will be complete anarchy. Plus, who knows how many humans are under the effects of those microchips too?”

“But how could we do it by ourselves?” Chase interrupted this time. “There’s like, six of us, and hundreds, if not thousands of them. It’s useless.”

The group descended into some bickering, exchanging nonsensical ideas about how it somehow could be possible or whether or not they would need allies to assist them. 

Finally, after remaining silent the entire time, Brock finally cut in.

“I know some people who could help us.”

The group stopped their bickering, eyes shifting to the cyborg sitting crisscrossed at the end of the group. Brock spoke once again.

“I never thought I’d have to go back to them…but I believe we’re desperate right now. Are you guys all in?”

A few confused glances were shared between the others.

“What does that mean?” Fred asked. “What do you mean by all in—”

“Don’t ask, please,” Brock glanced down at his hands before looking back up at the others. “Now, are you all in?”

Fred looked over at George, who slightly nodded. A few other confused, but accepting nods were shared between the group. The former officer’s focus went back to Brock.

“We're all in.”

A small smile formed on Brock’s face, shifting around before speaking once more.

“Fantastic. Now that you’re in on the plan, you need to know a bit about these people. And I know exactly where to begin. Back to the day I got these implants.”

Chapter 18: A Blast From The Past

Summary:

If Brock wants to help his companions, he must confront his own past

Notes:

Literally why did it take me like three hours to write this chapter omfg I was so tired the entire time I wrote this
ANYWAYS I hope y'all like it

July 8th, 2093.

Brock remembered that day like it was yesterday. The horrific sensations played through his head every single night in a repetitive manner, leaving him trapped in the never ending nightmare. 

He remembered his mother’s cries in the back of the home, begging for her husband to stop laying his hands on their son. He remembered the glass shattering against the floor as he was thrown against the closest nightstand, knocking off the flowers in the pastel vase. He remembered the way his father grabbed Brock by the wrists and threw him to the ground, raising a fist to lay another blow to the young man’s jaw. 

Brock remembered crying out in pain as his dad picked him up by the back of his jacket, going off on another drunken tangent about how pissed he was to have such a useless son. The front door to their home swung open, and Brock remembered being thrown down the porch steps into the cold night. His body suddenly became damp with rain as his father cursed at him once more, telling the young man to get out of his fucking sight, or else he wouldn’t survive the next beating. Tears streamed down Brock’s face as he curled up outside the front door, crying and begging for his father to let him back in. Yet, his pleas were to no avail. 

After nearly ten minutes, and feeling his throat begin to dry, Brock awkwardly forced himself up onto his feet, a sudden pain rushing through his lower body from the half. Despite the pain, the young man wiped his tears away and limped off into the night, away from his childhood home. 

The San Francisco streets were practically drenched in water at this point as the cold night’s rain came pouring down onto the city. The rain drops stained and dampened the thin jacket Brock had on. He felt himself begin to tremble and shake as the dampness seeped through his jacket and onto his skin, a cold wet sensation stinging throughout his skin alongside the dull pain of his injuries. 

Another sharp twinge of pain ran through Brock’s knee as he took another step forward, stumbling down the dimly lit road. He slightly whined, shoulders slouched over, and he trembled with every step he took. A million thoughts raced through the young man’s mind, recalling the events that had taken place earlier that night.

“F-Fuck…” Brock mumbled to himself, feeling the tears begin to well up in his eyes once more. 

“I fucking hate that bastard—”

After taking another step on his bad right knee, Brock suddenly felt a pain run through his lower half. He cried out as he stumbled forward, trying to keep his balance. Yet, before Brock could comprehend everything he was feeling, he instinctively threw his arms out in front of him before colliding with the concrete ground. That same painful sensation entered his arms. No intelligible thoughts ran through his head at this moment. Instead, all Brock could do was curl up on himself, finally letting a choked sob escape his throat. Hot tears streamed down his face as Brock rested his head against the cold, wet ground. 

Fuck. Everything hurts.

Brock rolled over onto his back, before sitting himself upright. Once more, he stumbled while getting himself up off the ground, and with the little bit of energy he had, Brock slipped into the closest alleyway, trying desperately to get out of the cold rainy streets and into the space between two old, forgotten about buildings that were beginning to grow moss all over the corners. 

He ended up stumbling against the wall, holding himself upright on the cold wet bricks. Once more, Brock wiped some tears from his eyes, desperately trying to ignore the pain from the bruise beginning to form under his left eye. He opened his good eye once more, scanning the surrounding area in front of him.

Suddenly, he stopped. Brock could barely make out a door on the side of the building making up the other side of the alley. Shakily, he took a few more steps forward, leaning up onto the wall right next to the entry. He reached out, grabbing onto the handle and shaking it ever so slightly. Much to his surprise, the door opened, and Brock made his way into the building with ease. 

The building inside was still cold, but a slight improvement from the rain pouring down outside. Brock made his way through a little hallway, before turning the corner into the open area. It appeared to have been some old, forgotten lobby of whatever building this used to be, with some turned over desks and a rusty old elevator at the back of the area. He stepped forward into the lobby a little bit more, breath shaky. Brock scanned the room, and suddenly he paused.

With a small ding, the elevator opened, and Brock felt his heart sink as two men stepped out. Both were tall, wearing all black, with red belts around their hips. Brock felt his gut tighten as he noticed the red stains on the two mens’ gloves, and a familiar insignia on their coats. It was a small design, a simple skull and snake pattern, but Brock knew instantly that he had truly fucked up. 

The two laughed and rambled on to each other, completely unaware of the young man, before one looked just enough over the other’s shoulders. His eyes widened as he made direct eye contact with Brock, and he quickly nudged to get the other’s attention. 

Instantly, panic began to run through Brock’s body, as he desperately tried to turn on his heels and run out the same way he came in. But at that point, the young man had run out of energy in his body. He helplessly collapsed to the floor in pain, and all he could do was listen as the two men removed weapons from their holsters and headed over to him. 

“P-Please! Please don’t…don't hurt me…” Brock helplessly whimpered into the ground, as one of the men put his arms behind his back. His panicked cries intensified when he felt the metal barrel of a gun put to his head, along with the feeling of a knee on his back.

“Give me one good fucking reason, kid…you’ve gotten yourself caught up with the wrong folks.”

“P-Please! I’ll do anything! Just d-don’t kill me…I don’t h-have anyone to run to, I-I swear…”

The man kneeling on top of him looked up to the other. The second man crossed his arms, tapping his foot for a second before responding. 

“Let the boss decide what to do with him. Plus, who knows, we could use a little intern to do some of the dirty work for us.” 

Without another word, the first man got off of Brock, roughly lifting him up off the  ground. He kept his grip on Brock’s wrists, dragging him out the front entrance with the other man close behind. Brock wanted desperately to cry out, to scream for someone to come help him. Yet, any energy he had was gone at this point, and all he could do was whimper in pain as he was forcibly dragged along by the two men. 

The front doors were pushed open and Brock was roughly forced down the steps. The two men pulled him to a large, black vehicle parked right outside. He opened the door to the back seat, shoving Brock inside. He helplessly collapsed on the back seats as the two men got into the driver’s and passenger’s seat. The passenger cocked his gun and looked back at Brock.

“Don’t say a fucking thing, kid,” the man sneered. “And we might give the boss a good word on you.”

Brock mindlessly nodded as he heard the clicking sound of the doors locking, and he felt the car begin to move. All he could do was hope that their ‘boss’ would have just enough mercy to let him live. Once more, Brock eyed the insignia on their coats, tears welling in his eyes again. He knew his mom always warned him about these men, but Brock thought it was all a stupid boogeyman story to keep him from leaving home.

By the time he realized those stories were true, it was too late.

—

“Wait, hold on a second,” George spoke up, brow furrowed with confusion. “Brock…you were in the San Francisco mafia ?”

The cyborg wiped a few more tears away from his eyes. He had begun to tear up about halfway through his story, and by that point Fred had moved to sit next to him, putting an arm around Brock for comfort.

“I-I got caught up with the wrong guys t-that day…” Brock sniffled, resting his head onto Fred’s chest and sighing. “The boss let me live…but he gave me all sorts of alterations, to the point I was barely myself anymore…” 

Brock tilted his head a little and gestured to his ear implants, before pulling up the sleeve of his jumpsuit, and then lifted up the pant leg. The others all leaned in, small gasps and shocked expressions emerging among them as they eyed the small, dark plates across Brock’s right arm and leg.

“He had his guys cut them off…replaced my arm and leg with this shit ,” Brock spit out that last word with venom. “I thought I’d never have to see them again…”

“Brock…” Fred frowned. “You’re not suggesting that we…you know—”

“We have to ask them for help. If anyone can navigate the underground crime world it’s them. Plus…I know the boss, after all. I can…I can do some favors for them if need be…”

“You don’t have to do this—”

“I have to,” Brock sniffled and looked up, cheeks rosy from his crying. “You guys have done so much for me…George, you fixed my implants…Fred, you found the doctor to help with that process…Chase, you seeked out help to begin with and have stayed by my side since, and even…”

His gaze settled on Christian. Brock sighed in defeat, and continued.

“You saved me back at the apartment complex, Christian. To you, and Nick…”

Brock glanced over at Nick, who gave him a gentle smile.

I-I’m…I’m sorry for what I’ve said to you. About, y’know…robots—”

“Androids,” Christian softly responded. “We’re androids.”

“Right…androids. I’m sorry for what I’ve said about androids…” 

Christian let out a small exhale before responding, “Look, sure that shit you said…it all hurts…but if we really want to get through all of this shit alive, we’ll have to work together. I say we hear Brock out on this plan.”

A few small nods were exchanged between the group, before looking back at Brock. He had gotten up from his spot on the ground.

“As long as we stay on the outskirts of town, we can get to their main building no problem. It’s probably the same place I last remember it…hopefully. Just don’t be stupid and we hopefully will not get caught. Plus, it’s been long enough to hopefully be dark outside…”

Without another word, Brock stepped past the group and made his way to the entrance of the warehouse. He looked back, a small frown on his face.

“This is the best thing we can do. Are you guys coming or not?”

Fred was the first to get up, following the smaller cyborg, before the others followed suit. Brock opened the doors of the warehouse, and they all stepped out into the cold night.

—

“...This is the place.”

Brock felt his shoulders slouch as he looked up at the tall, yet broken fence surrounding the old rusty building. He looked back at the others for a moment, before nodding and climbing through the broken chunk of the fence. The others quietly followed behind, making sure to stay close to Brock the entire time. The group made their way across the dead, patchy open area of grass, before stepping back onto the main concrete road up to the building. After going up a few small steps to the entrance, Brock sighed, and pressed his hand against the scanner. 

A small red light flashed above the door, almost as if scanning the group one by one. After a moment, the doors slowly slid open.

Brock looked back to Fred, who was right behind him, and nervously took the former officer by the hand. He wasn’t quite sure why he did so, but it was enough to calm the cyborg’s pounding heart for just a brief moment. Together, they stepped into the large building, eyes adjusting to the darkness. Brock was able to make out a table in the middle of the room, and multiple men turned. Instantly, grins and smirks emerged on their faces, as they made sneer, snide comments between each other. One man reached down and pulled a small device out of his pocket, speaking into it quietly. Brock couldn’t quite make out what he was saying. Yet, after a few moments of silence, the doors slammed shut behind them, and Brock could hear the sounds of footsteps coming down the hallway.

Finally, emerging from the darkness, was a man Brock knew all too well from his past; The Boss. He was a tall man, with dark hair and stubble, in a clean cut suit with the same insignia on his shoulder. Once he came face to face with Brock, the older man smirked to himself.

“So…Look who came crawling back…”

Brock stammered, “I-I know it’s been a long time, S-Sir…but please—”

“Don’t be rude, Brock. Introduce me to your friends.”

Brock paused, quickly glancing around the room. At this point, a few of the boss’s goons had joined his side, lifting up their coats enough to show off the weapons on their holsters. Brock gulped, and then nodded before turning back to the others.

“Guys…this is my old boss…Mr. Joe Flacco…” Brock shakily exhaled, wringing his hands before turning back to Joe. “L-Look…we need some help, Sir. I promise I can explain…we’ve gotten ourselves caught up in some bad shit, and the Department is on our asses.”

Joe raised a brow, giving a half smile. “You kept up with your criminal life after leaving? Shit, I thought you would’ve been dead if you did.”

“He didn’t do anything, sir,” this time, George cut in. “I did. I’m George, you’ve probably seen a wanted sign of me at this point. I’m an OmniTech employee, well, sort of, not anymore.”

The scientist stammered for a moment, before looking over to Christian, and then back to Joe.

“I rescued my android friend here, and things sort of got out of hand when Chase found out and then Fred—he’s the guy right there holding Brock’s hand— tried to arrest us and then—”

“I got kidnapped by the Department,” Nick cut him off. “And they’re doing some crazy shit, man. Now we’re all wanted fugitives.” 

Joe nodded, taking in all the information he was given, before replying, “So…I assume you want protection?”

“We’re going to try and shut down every microchip in the city,” Brock replied, eyes wide with a twinge of both fear and excitement. “We want your help to fight back.”

“...I’ll make a deal with you. How does that sound?”

Instantly, Brock nodded. “Anything, sir.”

“There’s a man who runs this lame ass bar in town who owes us some money…” Joe paused. “We gave him an unchipped android a while back to perform at his club, and he never finished paying off his debt to us…He still owes 784 dollars. Get us the money from him, and we’ll aid you. Deal?”

Brock raised a brow, and looked back. Chase spoke up this time.

“Shit, man…that’s the Diggs Dive in town. That’s where you worked.”

“I-I can’t…” Brock stammered, looking back to Joe. “I can’t go back there. Mr. Diggs knows me, and he’ll call the police instantly if he sees me! 

With that response, Joe simply shrugged his shoulders.

“I guess we can’t help you then.”

“P-Please there’s got to be another way—”

“George and I can do it,” Christian interrupted this time. “We can get the money for you, Mr. Flacco. Don’t make Brock do it…he’s dealt with enough already.”

Joe rested his hand on his chin, hesitating for just a second, as if to ponder the decision. Finally, he slightly nodded his head.

“Fine. You and George go get the money, and maybe we will help you out.”

Christian nodded, looking back over to George. The two shared a quick smile, before Joe butted in.

“You two run off and get this shit done now. As for the rest of you, we’ll take you back to the living quarters and keep an eye on you,” Joe turned back to the scientist and the android. “You both have three hours. Get me the shit I want, or your friends aren’t seeing the light of day again.”

Before George could speak up in response, a sudden twinge of panic in his mind, he and Christian were being shoved out the front door, pushed to the steps with the doors slammed in their faces. George felt his shoulders drop, before glancing over to Christian. The two shared a quick expression of concern, before the android got to his feet.

“We don’t have all day...let’s go.”

Christian stuck his hand out. George hesitated for just a moment before grabbing the android’s hand and letting himself be helped off the ground. The scientist let out a shaky sigh as he joined by Christian’s side, the two making their way down the stairs and into the night, hoping that their mission would be easy.

“You were quick to volunteer us for that, huh,” George slightly joked, awkwardly huffing and looking to the ground. Christian simply shrugged.

“I like spending time with you. Plus…I wanted to get away from that man. I don’t know how to explain it, but I just…I don’t like him.”

“That’s called intuition. See, you’re more alive than you think you are.”

The two shared a quick glance, a little smile falling between them. After a quick exchange of affectionate expressions, the two looked back forward and marched on into the night.

After all, they had gotten themselves into some deep shit, and at this point, there was no turning back.

Chapter 19: In My Heart, You Are Alive

Summary:

It all happens so fast

Notes:

I have been WAITING for this chapter omfg, and it's finally here. I hope y'all love it just as much as I do <3

In the near distance, George could make out the bright, multicolored flashing lights emitting from the windows of the nightclub. Loud music rumbled through the ground, muffled by the building walls. He blinked, before rubbing his eyes to adjust to the bright light as they approached. After a few more steps, he stopped, turning to Christian. The android glanced back at George, before gently putting a hand on his shoulder. 

“You hate clubs.”

“I never said that I hate them,” George mumbled, glancing back to the ground.”

“We’ve done this before. I know you get overwhelmed there. We’ll just get the money and leave.”

George glanced back up and nodded. After a moment of hesitation, Christian glanced back forward and let his hand softly drop back down to his side and off of the scientist’s shoulder. But just as George was about to take another step forward, Christian spoke one more time.

“Check your bag,” the android softly said, and tried his best to give a warm smile to George. The scientist hesitated, before looking down and unclasping the top of his bag. He stuck his hand inside, feeling a similar texture from days prior. With a pause, George felt his face go warm, and he pulled out the same pair of noise canceling headphones from their first time at the nightclub.

“You kept these in there?” George tilted his head, holding the headphones close to him and then glancing up at Christian. The android nodded before replying.

“Just in case you needed them. I know your hearing is sensitive, probably more so than most humans. I don’t know why that is. But still,” the android mumbled on, wringing his hands awkwardly.

“Christian,” George sighed softly. “You don’t need—”

“I know I don’t need to do that for you. But I like to…I just like seeing you happy. Not just you…I like the way you humans smile when the smallest favor is done for you. I…I talked with Chase about this a while back. When we were rescuing Nick, you remember…?”

“You talked about me to Chase?”

Instantly Christian paused, eyes widening a little and frowning.

“N-Not in a bad way, I promise! I promise, I wasn’t saying anything bad, I was just—”

“Christian,” George cut him off, a small smile emerging on his face. “I’m just giving you shit. That’s my bad, I forgot jokes aren’t quite your specialty.”

“I can make them my specialty, if you want me too.”

George paused for just a minute, pretending to ponder his response, before replying with, “I mean, I kind of like you this way. But go on, continue…”

“I talked with Chase, and he told me that you guys get to decide your own purpose in life…and I mean, I’ve thought about it a lot, and humans just intrigue me so much. Maybe I’m meant to learn more about them.”

The scientist perked up a little at that statement, chuckling.

“Like an anthropologist?”

“A what?”

“Anthropologist,” George said once more. “They study humans. That’s like, their whole thing. You can study the way humans behave and communicate and all that sort of fancy shit. Just like…just like how I studied androids like you, you can study me.”

An awkward silence fell between the two as they shared a quick smile. George turned back forward, clearing his throat and lifting the noise canceling headphones over his head. He glanced back at Christian once more, smiling, and the two went onward to make their way into the nightclub. 

As the doors to the club opened, the bright flashing lights instantly damn near blinded George. The scientist squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, before blinking several times to adjust to the colorful ambience of the building. In each corner, lights flashed in shades of blue to red to green to pink, keeping up at a tempo to match the music blaring from the stage at the back of the open area. 

George glanced down before taking Christian by the wrist, squeezing through the crowded floor of bodies, both flesh and metallic. The scientist looked back up to the stage, and paused. He remembered an android performer the last time he was there, but the android was nowhere to be found. Just the same DJ with the lion shaped helmet as before. Suddenly, George felt a tug on his sleeve, and he looked over.

Christian moved his hand away from George’s jacket, before gesturing to the side of the room. There, the same tall, brunette android from before was leaned up against a wall, what appeared to be a drink in hand, bundled up in a large white and blue coat matching his pants. He took a quick glance back down to his drink, before looking back up and awkwardly shifting his weight around. George looked back to the stage, and then to the android and let go of Christian’s wrist, before heading forward and pushing his way through the small remains of the crowd to the side of the building. With a small exhale, George approached the android, wringing his hands slightly. 

The android looked up from his spot, perking up and forcing a sudden smile on his face as George approached. The scientist was the first to speak.

“H-Hey, sorry to bother,” George leaned in, raising his voice a little to be heard over the booming ambience of the club around them. “I’ve seen you perform here before. You are…?”

The android blinked, awkwardly looking back down to avoid eye contact before replying, “I’m Josh.”

“Josh! Hi, well, I’m George, nice to meet you, I—”

“I don’t really talk to humans when I’m not performing…” The soft noise of fans in Josh’s neck whirred as he tilted his head to the side, awkwardly crossing his arms. “I-I’m sorry, it’s nothing personal, I promise…I’m just not good at talking.” 

George took a small step back, noting the awkwardness emitting from the android. Damn, he was quite different off the stage. Before George could speak again, Christian cut him off, stepping in front of the scientist.

“JA-17, right?” Christian asked, before tugging on the collar of his own shirt, gesturing to the small open plate area on his collarbone. “I’m CMC-23. We can talk, right? Android to Android?”

Josh looked back up, hesitating for just a second. A small, but relieved smile formed on his face for just a second. After a moment, he opened his mouth and responded.

“...I guess so.”

“The man who runs this Dive,” Christian started, keeping a distance to not worry the other android. “Is he here?”

Josh nodded, before glancing back to a door in the corner of the room nearby the three of them.

“Mr. Diggs has an office in the back. Do you need to talk to him…?”

Christian nodded and continued speaking.

“We just had some small issues we wanted to bring up to him. It’s nothing major, I promise,” the android lifted his left hand up, almost like pledging an oath to the performer. “We’d just like to talk to him quickly.”

Josh glanced back behind Christian to look at George, who gave an awkward smile and small wave. The android looked back at Christian, before awkwardly pushing himself up off his spot against the wall. He softly smiled at the two before turning on his heels.

“Follow me. I’ll take you guys to him.”

George and Christian shared a quick celebratory nod as they followed Josh through the door in the corner. The music began to muffle away as they headed down a small hallway, passing several different rooms labeled VIP .

“What are these for?” George asked, reading off one of the VIP labels on the door.

“Special events,” Josh responded quietly without any further elaboration. At the end of the hall, he stopped and turned to the other two, pointing to the last door on the right. Without saying another word, Josh pushed the door open, softly peeking his head in through the door.

“Stef…?” Josh mumbled a little, looking up from the ground. “Some people want to speak with you…”

George and Christian glanced at each other as they heard a voice from inside. Josh pulled his head back out, before opening the door entirely. He pushed his way back behind the two others, looking back once more.

“I’m on in five, make sure to tip,” Josh smiled, before turning back and heading down the hallway. George looked back into the office, stepping in first with Christian behind him, and the two let the door slowly shut.

Meanwhile, with a small sound of a button clicking, the holoscreen that covered most of the desk shut off, and George came eye to eye with the man in front of him. He was about an inch taller than Christian, furrowed brows and dark, short natural hair. He looked up from the tablet on his desk, almost tired brown eyes making eye contact with the scientist. George quickly read the name plaque on the man’s desk: Mr. Stefon Diggs.

Stefon got up from his seat, clearing his throat and slightly tilting his head.

“Josh said you two wanted to see me?” He asked, raising a brow slightly. “I’m kind of busy, so just make this quick.”

George slouched his shoulders slightly, before looking back at the door behind him, and then back forward at the man. With a small sigh, he spoke.

“Look, let’s just keep this simple, okay? We’re with Mr. Flacco—”

Without getting another word out, Stefon’s eyes widened, and instantly he moved to open the drawer on his desk. Without giving another second, the man pulled a small red blade from the drawer, aiming it directly at the two. 

George and Christian’s hands both shot up above their heads, with George stammering as he tried to speak up once more, but Stefon cut him off.

“Absolutely the fuck not ! I don’t care what Mr. Flacco wants from me anymore, I told him I was fucking done with his games!”

“Mr. D-Diggs, fuck!” George managed to stammer out, feeling his heart pounding against his chest, about to explode out any second. “I d-didn’t realize this was going to be a problem—”

“Of fucking course it’s a problem!”

“How the hell did you even get that?! Those burn blades are illegal—”

“Same way I got an unchipped android to perform in my club, dumbass! Through your beloved Mr. Flacco, but now he wants me to pay him back over and over again, and the deal is fucking off—”

“All of this for just 784 dollars?!” Christian spoke up this time, hands still high above his head.

“I can’t casually give out almost a thousand dollars right now!” Stef yelled, keeping his weapon directly at the two others in his office. “Do you know how fucking expensive it is to run a nightclub in San Francisco right now?! I’m practically living paycheck to paycheck, I can’t just give that shithead hundreds of dollars!”

“I-I know this seems hard, but I promise it’s for a greater good!” George interrupted once more. “We are dealing with bigger shit than you could imagine!”

Stefon’s grip on the blade tightened as he continued on his angry, yet panicked tangent.

“If you two don’t get the fuck out of my office in the next five seconds, I will fucking hurt you both, got it?!”

George took a small step back, backing up behind Christian, who instinctively put an arm out in front of George. Stefon climbed up onto his desk, keeping the blade aimed directly at the two.

“Now you get the fuck out of here and act like this never happened, and if you say anything about this to anyone, I won’t hesitate to cut your damn head off—” 

As Stefon was distracted from his angry tangent directed to George, Christian managed to step just close enough to lean in and grab Stef by the ankle, before yanking to throw the man off his balance. With a sudden yelp, Stefon felt his own feet slip out from under him, as he fell back off his desk, colliding with the floor below. He felt a sudden pain rush through his head, before everything went black. 

As Christian stood in place, arms still up from grabbing the man, George stepped forward and leaned over the desk. His eyes widened at the sight of Stefon’s unconscious body, weapon still in hand.

“We don’t have much time before he wakes up,” Christian broke the silence as he spoke, before jumping over to the other side of the desk. He opened the drawers on each side of the seat, before pausing, and looking up.

“His card is in here,” the android said before grabbing the small, gray card from the drawer and holding it up. “We’ll transfer the money to your account and leave. In and out. After all, you said we’re dealing with some bigger shit. We’ll pay him back.”

George hesitated, looking back down at the man, and then back to Christian. The scientist sighed, and pulled his phone from his bag.

—

Without saying a word, the two slid back out the door to the nightclub, awkward silence between them. George kept his gaze down on the ground, taking in the muffled noise of the music through his headphones. Meanwhile, Christian quickly glanced back up to the stage, smiling at the sight of that same android performer now performing on stage, smiling and laughing with his DJ companion.

“You think Josh might be the unchipped android Stefon mentioned?” Christian asked, looking back at George. The engineer glanced up, shrugging.

“Potentially…I mean he seemed pretty independent. I don’t think a chipped android would’ve been brave enough to refuse to talk to a human.”

Christian relaxed his shoulders before speaking once more.

“How much longer until we need to be back?”

George quickly opened his bag and pulled out his phone, checking the time. 

“We have about another hour and fifteen minutes,” the scientist answered. “Why?”

Christian paused for a moment, looking down at his hands. The android could practically hear the electricity running through his wires, with his ports heating up and going crazy, before looking back up to George.

“Can we dance? Just…just one time?” 

George paused, blinking as he took in what Christian just said. The scientist stammered for a second, his cheeks growing red, as he finally managed to muster up an answer. 

“...I mean, I don’t see why not.”

Christian smiled, reaching out and gently taking George’s hands in his, before pulling him out onto the dancefloor. At this point, the loud, electronic music with bright red and blue flashing lights had faded into a softer tune, a gentle pink and blue light ambience filling the club. 

The two found a comfortable spot in the center of the floor after pushing through various dancing pairs like them. With the slowing of the music, others on the dancefloor had paired off as well. George glanced around at the way other pairings held onto each other, and slightly yelped as the android pulled him a little closer.

“O-Oh, I’m sorry,” Christian stammered, pulling away a little. But George pulled him in once more.

“No…No it’s fine,” George smiled. “Just caught me off guard, that’s all…”

The scientist held onto Christian as the two awkwardly swayed along to the music, with George looking down to admire the soft features of his android companion. Those same blue eyes and perfect, unscarred complexion only existed as an idea in George’s mind for so long. 

But now…now Christian was just as real as ever. George didn’t give a shit what anyone else said. He didn’t care about the wires running through the other’s body, or the ports and buttons and metallic plates. In his eyes, Christian was more alive than ever before. George can’t stop himself from smiling, only being broken out of his thoughts by Christian speaking up once more.

“W-When I spoke with Chase, he told me I should talk to you…be open about these…I don’t know, emotions… that I’ve been dealing with…I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner…”

The smile from George’s face faded into a soft frown, and he leaned in slightly.

“Christian…is everything alright?” George kept his voice low. He watched as the android shifted his gaze down to the floor for a moment, before looking back up. The swaying slowly stopped.

“I remember reading this thing about humans, that…” Christian paused. “That to you guys, actions speak louder than words. I think…I think I need to let my actions speak for me this time. I’m sorry.”

“Wha—”

Before George could get his thoughts out, Christian lifted a hand and placed it to the back of George’s neck, yanking him down closer. Suddenly, the already small gap between the two closed, and Christian pressed his own lips against George’s in a soft, but desperate kiss. 

George’s eyes widened, as he felt his heart pounding against his chest. The android’s lips were soft, a little dry, sure, but it was fucking perfect . The world around the scientist came to a complete stop, with the only thing he could focus on being Christian’s lips against his. After what felt like both an eternity and too short, the android pulled away.

Instantly, panic set in on Christian’s face, as he moved his hand away from the scientist’s neck. When George didn’t say a word, Christian desperately tried to get his words out of his mouth.

“S-Shit,” the android began to stumble over himself. “I-I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me! I know t-that was super inappropriate and I’m so sorry—”

Without thinking, George grabbed the android’s face, pulling him in for another kiss. Christian paused for a second, feeling the soft sensation on his mouth once more, before wrapping his arms around the scientist’s neck. The android could feel the small fans in his neck working overtime, his body growing warm with the sensation of George— his human— holding him close like this. 

Finally, the two pulled apart, small gasps for air being shared between the two. George felt a lopsided, giddy smile form on his face, and he rested his forehead against Christian’s.

“Let’s get out of here,” the scientist mumbled, moving his hands down to gently hold Christian’s. With a small exhale, the android nodded in response. 

Keeping his gaze back on the android, George guided Christian out of the nightclub and into the cold night, smiling to each other as the last lyrics of the music faded out of existence.

You and I,

We're not true lovers,

Are you rendered just in my mind?

Or are you something that can be mine?

Notes:

The song that the lyrics are from at the end is "You and I" by LukHash, if anybody wants to listen. It's also where the title of this fic comes from, as well as this specific chapter. I just really like this song, if you can't tell lmao

Chapter 20: Reminiscence

Summary:

Nick and Chase grow closer, Fred can't seem to move on, and Christian gets his wish

Notes:

This was admittedly more of a self indulgent chapter than really adding to the story but HEY that's okay we love filler, anyways enjoy

Chase sat himself down comfortably on the bed. When Mr. Flacco had taken the remaining crew to the back of the hideout, Chase and Nick were guided into a worn down, dingy old room with two beds on opposing sides. Joe had said some nonsense about letting them relax while George and Christian finished their job. Thus, Chase tried his best to get comfortable on top of the rickety, admittedly hard mattress pressing against his tailbone.

On the other bed, Nick had laid down comfortably, curling up and resting on his side. His gaze shifted down to the floor for just a moment, before glancing back up at Chase. The android sighed, before sitting himself upright once again. His gaze remained fixated on Chase, who had yet to notice. 

Meanwhile, Chase had dug his hand into the inner pocket of his jacket, pulling out this small, worn down sketchbook with a pen attached. The book was barely large enough to fit in one of Chase’s hands, making it easy to carry around whenever the mechanic needed something to do with his hands.

He crossed his legs before shifting the sketchbook open to a blank page, and got to work on whatever doodles came to his mind. It started out nonsensical, just a few scribbles here and there, but eventually Chase paused. He tapped the pen to his lip, and glanced up.

As soon as the mechanic had looked up, Nick felt his own servos heat up a little as his gaze connected with Chase’s. The android tried to stammer something out, before shifting his gaze back down to the dingy concrete floor. Chase frowned at this reaction, and finally broke the silence.

“Nick,” Chase called out slightly, waiting for a response.

Nick didn’t move his focus, so Chase repeated his name once more before continuing. “Please, Nick. Just look at me for a second. It won’t take too long, I promise.”

The android hesitated, as if feeling the electricity running through his wires. But finally, after a few moments of pondering his decision, Nick glanced back up, eyes widened with a small twinge of nervousness as he made eye contact with Chase.

The mechanic smiled, cocking his head slightly and letting his gaze wander, taking in every little detail of the android before him. His focus shifted between Nick’s dark, puppylike eyes and his soft brown curls juxtaposing his strong jaw and nose. Chase could feel his own face begin to heat up ever so slightly, and he let out a nervous cough before looking back down to his sketchbook.

Without thinking much more, Chase flipped to the next empty page, and got to work. He kept the lines light and faint at first, trying to avoid any mistakes. Chase’s focus kept shifting up and down from the page in front of him to Nick’s soft face staring at him from across the room. Chase bit the inner part of his cheek as he furrowed his brow, concentrating on catching every last detail of the android’s face and neck, down to the soft metallic plate lines at the joint areas of his jawline. 

“Are you drawing me…?” Nick finally spoke up, his initially worried gaze softening a little. “Is this a…a little hobby?”

“It’s a big part of my job, you know?” Chase didn’t look up from his sketchbook as he replied to Nick’s questions. “My parents desperately wanted me to be an engineer. I actually was roommates with George during our undergraduate years in college. That’s how we met…But I knew…”

Chase paused for a moment, feeling his shoulders hunch over. A small frown fell over the mechanic’s face, and he continued.

“I’ve always loved art. It’s just been something that relaxes my brain when I need it…and I knew I couldn’t sacrifice my passion for what my parents wanted. So…I found a job at OmniTech, and got to work on finalizing the fancy details on every android’s appearance. I got to make them look wonderful…Kind of like you.”

With that, Chase looked back up, before grabbing onto the paper and tearing it out of his sketchbook. He got up from his spot on the bed, awkwardly heading on over to Nick, and placing the paper in his lap.

Nick looked down, mouth ever so slightly agape as he picked up the paper from his lap, flipping it over. The android took a second to process and take in every detail on that page that Chase had jotted down. Nick felt a smile form on his face, as he admired the way the mechanic managed to capture every small detail of the android’s appearance, down to the shines in his dark eyes and the strong contouring of his nose. The android looked back up at Chase, that giddy smile growing stronger as he placed the paper on the bed next to him.

“I know it isn’t much…” Chase mumbled to himself, glancing to the side. “B-But I know you’ve just been through a lot lately, and I hope you can keep that to look at whenever you feel down. You know? Just as a little reminder of how great you are and—”

Nick reached out, taking Chase’s hands in his, and softly yanked the mechanic down. A small noise escaped Chase’s throat as he felt his lips press against Nick’s. The two remained still for a moment, Chase feeling his heart twist and damn near beat out of his chest. 

With a small relaxed exhale from his nose, Chase closed his eyes and leaned into the kiss, moving to sit down next to Nick on the mattress. The two kept their faces close together as the mechanic wrapped his arms around Nick’s torso, holding the android tighter. After what felt like an eternity, the two finally pulled away, opening their eyes and keeping their gazes on each other. Chase took a moment to catch his shaky breath, admiring the soft and loving look in Nick’s eyes.

“Hi,” was all that Chase managed to say, before resting his forehead against Nick’s.

“T-That was…that was nice.”

“It really was…”

The two sat there in silence, foreheads touching and Chase’s arms wrapped gently but firmly around the android. Before the mechanic could get another word out, the door to their room slid open.

“Good news, you guys won’t be getting killed today!” Joe’s voice rang through the room as he stepped in. “Your little buddies came back with— woah .”

The boss paused, eyes widening as he realized the situation. Instantly, Chase and Nick pulled away from each other and sat themselves on opposite ends of the bed, sharing a quick but awkward chuckle. Joe blinked twice, before shrugging and continuing on.

“Sorry if I interrupted you two lovebirds, but you’ve got to get out here with the others.”

Without saying another word, Joe turned on his heels and left out the door. Chase and Nick shared one more quick glance, smiling at each other, before getting up to head out of their shared bedroom and into the general area.

Meanwhile, on the old worn down couches of the living area, George was already seated in the spot across where Joe was just sitting down. After a brief silence, with the scientist staring down at his phone, George smiled and looked back up to the boss.

“There you go, Mr. Flacco,” George said with a grin. “We got the money you asked for. We did our part of the deal.”

Joe leaned back in his seat, crossing his legs. 

“I mean, I can’t argue with that. I really thought we were going to unfortunately have to kill your little friends but you surprised me. What even took you guys that long anyway?”

George paused, his face turning slightly red, as he glanced over to Christian. The two shared a gentle glance, recalling their moment together in the nightclub. This time, Christian answered for George.

“Just a small hassle with security,” the android lied through his teeth, forcing a smile on his face. “But don’t worry, nobody was hurt.” 

Joe readjusted himself in his seat, before leaning over to grab the glass on the coffee table in front of him. When he lifted the glass, one of his assistants took it in his hands before scurrying off to another room. After just a few seconds, the same man returned, the glass full of a red wine.

“A deal is a deal,” the boss replied, taking a sip from his drink. “You got me the money, now I’ll let you folks hide out here, as long as you don’t break anything of course. I do have to say this though…”
Joe lifted his head and shifted his gaze to the side, focusing directly onto Brock on the other end of the room. The cyborg paused, looking down for just a moment as Joe spoke once more.

“I’m glad to see you again, Mr. Purdy. I surely thought you would’ve died on the streets without us…but I guess I was wrong. Seems like you’re better than ever…”

The boss lifted a hand, gesturing for Brock to come closer. With a small squeak, Brock nervously nodded and made his way across the room. His eyes were fixated on the ground as the cyborg wrung his hands, feeling his gut twist with every approaching step. Once he got close enough, Joe grabbed the waistband of Brock’s pants, yanking him just a little bit closer.

“With all these upgraded fancy gadgets and gizmos, you might make a swell addition to the family once more…”

“I told you, Mr. Flacco…” Brock grumbled under his breath, furrowing his brow and looking away. “I’m done with working for you. I’m not going back.”

Joe frowned, cocking his head to the side.

“You heard him, sir,” George cut in this time. “He’s not going back.”

“But what if I’m the only choice Brock’s got? After all,” Joe grinned and looked back up to the cyborg standing in front of him. “You and your friends came running back to me once shit hit the fan. You all know deep down that at the end of the day, I’m the man who makes shit happen.”

“This wasn’t a part of the deal, Flacco,” Fred spoke up, stepping closer. “You said we just needed to get you the money, and we did so. Brock doesn’t have to do what you tell him to.”

A frown emerged on Joe’s face, his focus shifting between the former officer and the nervous little cyborg in front of him. Brock looked back at Fred, his eyes pleading and begging for some sort of help. 

“Fine,” was all that Joe said.

Finally, the boss let go of Brock. Instantly, Brock stumbled on backwards, before turning and nearly colliding into Fred. The officer instantly put his arms out by instinct, holding Brock close to his chest and letting the cyborg find his footing. Joe chuckled a bit at Brock’s stumble, before getting up out of his chair and taking another sip of his wine.

“You folks get some rest, it’s late anyways. I’ll be back to check on you in the morning. You better be making a plan by that time. I won’t let you all just wallow around in my home without doing shit. Alright?”

As the others shared awkward nods between them, Joe turned on his heels and headed out of the living area into another section of the hideout, with his little cronies close behind.

At this point, exhaustion had fallen over the rest of the crew, with Brock being the first to whine about his imminent sleepiness. He went off to bed in the bedroom he shared with Fred. But yet, as the others all shared their “goodnights” to each other and headed off to their sleeping quarters, Fred turned and focused on the mechanic about to slip off to his room.

“Chase,” Fred called out. Chase instantly turned, slightly tilting his head as Fred approached. The former officer stopped and leaned in close to Chase, stammering out his words a bit before speaking.

“Look…I know I’m not exactly the most, you know, likable person on your terms right now but…” Fred stumbled through his words. “Fuck, I need your help man.”

Chase raised a brow before replying, “You want my help? What is this?”

“I just…Look, when George and I went to get the sonar implants for Brock, we met this little android that your boss—”

“Former boss.”

“...Right. Former boss has to himself. His name is Zach. He was just so…so harmless, and the things your boss did to him were just. Fuck man, they were horrible…I can’t sit by and just know he’s suffering at your old office. It’s killing me.”

“So…” the mechanic paused. “I’m guessing you want me to break into OmniTech and rescue him with you?”

Fred hesitated, glancing to the side before looking back at Chase.

“...Yes.”

Without saying another word, a smile emerged on Chase’s face, and he pulled the former officer into a tight hug. Fred’s eyes widened at the embrace, and once Chase pulled away, the mechanic spoke once more.

“I knew there was some good in you. Get some rest, and we’ll leave in the early morning. Deal?”

Chase stuck out his hand. With a small hesitation, Fred reached out and took the mechanic’s hand, shaking it with a gentle grip. He pulled back, giving a small smile to Chase before turning to go slink off into his sleeping quarters. Meanwhile, Chase smiled to himself, relaxing his hands on his hips and muttering to himself.

“Guess he isn’t so bad after all.”

—

George slipped off his boots, placing them haphazardly on the ground next to his bed before sitting back upright. His focus remained on the android across from him, who had already removed his own boots and was shifting around to desperately try and get comfortable.

“Christian…” George spoke up, patting the spot on the bed next to him. “Come here, please…”

Christian glanced up at the scientist, giving a small nod before rolling himself out of the bed. He made his way over to George, and sat down next to him. The android kept glancing up and down, noting the shaky leg and hand wringing from the scientist. 

“You’re nervous,” the android stated, slightly frowning. “Did I…did I do something wrong?”

George shook his head.

“No, no I’m not mad at you…it’s just…” George sighed, looking back at Christian. The scientist could feel his face going red, feeling like a lovestruck schoolboy all over again. “Sorry, I’m bad at this…”

“Take your time, please,” Christian reached out and put his hands on George’s, giving them a small, reassuring squeeze. With a small sigh, George continued.

“It’s just been a long time since…you know…someone has shown affection to me like this…you didn’t do anything wrong I promise. I just…I don’t want to take advantage of you.”

“George…” Christian sighed, his small frown growing. “You always said I have the choice to do what I wish. I’m my own person, after all, right?”

“...Right—”

“So why do you think this isn’t my choice? I climbed a multi story building when you were stressed at work. I stayed with you through thick and thin, I protected your friends. I kissed you. All of this is what I want. I want to be by your side. Please…just give me a chance.” 

George hesitated, feeling his heartbeat grow heavier. He looked away for just a brief moment, cheeks flushing. When he didn’t respond, Christian continued, leaning in closer. 

“Please…let me do something for you…just this once?” 

“Is this your way of saying you want to have sex with me?” George awkwardly chuckled, looking back at the android.

“It is.”

George paused, his heart stopping for a second. The awkward sensation in his lower gut grew tighter as his eyes widened. Christian sighed, looking down and pulling away.

“I understand,” the android mumbled. “I apologize for being too forward, I won’t do it again—”

“Christian, no,” George cut him off, words escaping without a second thought. “Please, I want you to have sex with me.”

The android felt his servos working overtime, his own body heating up as his gaze connected with the scientist’s. George reached out, putting his hands on Christian’s face and pulling him closer. George smiled.

“Please…will you do that for me…?”

Christian let out a shaky exhale, his own hands softly resting themselves on the scientist’s waist. The android nodded, resting his forehead on George’s, and the two slowly felt their lips grow closer.

“It would be my pleasure…”

Notes:

Honestly the next chapter is pretty much just going to be smut so if you're not comfortable with that, then feel free to skip it

Chapter 21: This Could Be Love

Summary:

Christian and George can forget it all, at least for one night

Notes:

This is literally self indulgent smut LMAOOOO I have been waiting to write this chapter since day one but ANYWAYS I hope y'all enjoy it

George laid himself comfortably back onto the bed, a soft little groan escaping his throat as he did so. The scientist spread his legs apart, gaze focused on the android across from him.

Christian had shifted himself onto his hands and knees, crawling over to George. He sat himself comfortably in the space between George’s legs. Christian shifted his weight slightly forward, placing his hands on either side of George’s head. The android’s own breaths grew heavy, his focus shifting up and down the scientist’s still clothed body. 

The android leaned down, closing his eyes as he pressed his own silicone lips against George’s. Christian fought back his own desperate whine into the kiss, feeling the scientist below him let his mouth slip open. George tilted his head slightly, deepening the kiss between the two, before reaching up and holding onto the back of the android’s head. 

George pulled Christian closer, feeling the android’s chest against his own as their kisses grew heavier and more desperate. Christian trailed a hand up to the back of George’s head, carefully removing the worn down hair tie, and letting the scientist’s long hair drop down to his shoulders. Soft moans escaped from George as his hand snuck down, grabbing onto the back of Christian’s shirt. The android pulled away after one last kiss with a gasp, opening his eyes just enough to admire the mess of a man below him.

“D-Damnit, Christian…take off your shirt,” George desperately pleaded, gazing up at the android with glossed over eyes. “I want…I want to feel you…”

The android couldn’t help but smirk at the desperation that was already oozing from George. Nodding in obedience, Christian pulled back and sat on his knees. His hands reached for the bottom of the now dirty white tee that he had stolen from George’s wardrobe. Christian lifted the bottom of the shirt above his head slowly, tossing it off to the other bed alongside his already discarded quarter zip jacket and boots. 

George felt his eyes widen slightly at the sight, his gaze settling on Christian’s chest and abdomen. This was the first time he was truly able to take in every small detail of the android’s body. He was fair, toned, not a single bump or bruise along Christian’s upper half, and perfectly clean save for the small, synthetic happy trail running down his lower stomach area into his pants. George couldn’t help but let out a shaky exhale, feeling the bulge in his pants grow painfully tight.

“W-Wow…” the scientist stammered, his gaze fixated on Christian’s body. “You’re so fucking perfect .”

Christian let out a small chuckle, resting his hands on his thighs.

“Your turn, darling,” the android responded, a loving smile plastered on his face. Those words made the blush on George’s face grow a deeper shade of red.

“D-Darling, huh?” George chuckled, shifting his focus to the side. “I haven’t been called that one before.”

“I’m surprised. You really are a darling, George.”

Christian leaned down once more, his face merely an inch away from the scientist’s.

“My darling.”

The two met in another passionate kiss, and Christian let his hands wander down to the bottom of his lover’s shirt. He slowly tugged the shirt up to George’s chest, forcing the two to pull away from their kiss. George sat himself upright, tugging off the shirt and dropping it onto the floor. 

This time around, Christian was allowed to admire every detail of the scientist’s body. George shifted himself back a little, laying back so his lover could get a better view. Christian felt his body heat up at the sight of George’s strong, toned arms with tattooed ink across the bicep area. Small little burns and cuts scattered across the scientist’s upper body. The android shifted to sit back on his haunches, hands trailing down George’s body before finding a comfortable spot on his waist. 

With his hands in place, Christian leaned down, pressing a soft but loving kiss to George’s sternum, eliciting a moan from him. The android trailed his kisses downward, slowly but gently pressing a kiss to his lover’s sternum, moving his head to the side to kiss a small scar on the right part of George’s ribcage, gaining another desperate moan from his lover. Christian continued his kisses down George’s upper abdomen, then to his stomach, and finally, the android stopped.

He looked back up at George’ whose gaze was focused entirely on Christian. Another desperate groan escaped from George as he rested his head back.

“F-Fuck…” the scientist quietly whined.

“Patience, darling,” Christian smirked, removing his hands from George’s waist as he slowly trailed them to the waistband of his lover’s pants. He paused, looking back up at George.

“May I?”

George desperately nodded, groaning out a small, “yes, fuck please…” in response. The android continued on, slowly gripping onto both the waistband of George’s cargos as well as the waistband of his boxers. Waiting just another moment, he pulled them down the scientist’s hips.

Just as Christian got the boxers past his lover’s hips, he felt his face go warm as George’s cock sprang free from the strain of his boxers. He could feel the electricity running through his wires at the sight, but glanced away to finish removing the pants and boxers down George’s knees, and finally off of his body.

After tossing the pants and boxers to the side, Christian let himself admire the sight before him. His own body grew warmer at the sight of George’s dick, so hard it almost seemed painful. The scientist whined under his breath at the feeling of the cold air in his most sensitive area, and Christian couldn’t help but smile.

“Can I…?” the android asked again. Instantly, George nodded his head in desperation, crying out some unintelligible babbles begging for Christian to touch him. The android fought back his own groan at the response he was eliciting from the scientist, before reaching out and wrapping his right hand gently around the base of George’s cock.

The immediate feeling of a soft, warm hand against his dick made George squirm, small little gasps and whimpers escaping from his throat as Christian gently pumped his hand up and down, sending waves of pleasure through his lover’s body. George subconsciously spread his legs further apart, thrusting up into the android’s hand. Just as the pleasure began to coil in his stomach, the warm sensation stopped as Christian pulled his hand away, eliciting a whimper from the scientist.

“I know, hun,” Christian mumbled in a loving tone, leaning down and pressing a gentle kiss to George’s temple, right where his scar was. “I’ll make you feel even better soon…”

The android pulled himself up off the bed, grabbing onto the waistband of his sweats and pulling them down to his ankles. Just as he stepped out and kicked them off to the side, Christian stopped, looking down on himself.

“H-Hey, George…” Christian said, looking back over his shoulder to the scientist. “I think there’s a bit of an issue here.”

“Hm?” George lifted his head, his brain already going foggy with the pleasure he had already received.

“I don’t think I have a penis.”

Christian glanced back down, eyeing the smooth metallic parts of where his dick would be. The android spoke again.

“It’s just smooth down here…I don’t know what to do…”

“Christian,” George chuckled and rested himself back onto his elbows. “There’s a little button right on your hip. Press that.” 

Christian raised a brow, tilting his head over to glance at his hip. Lo and behold, he noticed a small, skin toned button barely sticking up from his skin. With a small moment of hesitation, the android pressed down onto the button.

After a few moments, a small whirring noise emitted from the lower half of his body. George watched from his spot on the bed, watching as Christian’s eyes widened, looking down on himself, before looking back at the scientist.

“...I have—”

“A retractable and extendable dick,” George replied. “I’m not cruel, Christian. I wouldn’t build an android who’s supposed to live his life as a regular human and not give him a dick.”

As he spoke, George’s eyes wandered down to the sight in front of him. Sure, Christian’s dick more resembled a mechanical dildo than anything human, but George truly didn’t give a shit. He felt the pleasure run back down to his own cock again, before looking back up at Christian.

“Come here, love,” George whined, watching as Christian silently nodded and climbed back onto the bed. George reached out and held the android by the hips, before rolling their bodies over so that Christian was laying back on the bed. The scientist smirked to himself, leaning down and pressing a small kiss to the android’s collarbone, before moving downwards.

“F-Fuck…” Christian whined at the sensation, his gaze focused on his lover. George paused for just a brief moment when he got down to Christian’s own dick, pressing a gentle kiss to the tip. The feeling forced a sudden loud moan to escape from the android, who immediately covered his mouth with his hands as his eyes grew wide.

“Aw, don’t fight it…” George teased as he looked back up at his android lover, pouting ever so slightly. “I like hearing your noises…”

George quickly pressed another kiss to the tip before taking Christian’s cock in his mouth. Another desperate whine escaped from the android as he felt wave after wave of heated pleasure run through his lower abdomen. It was a feeling he had never felt before, leaving Christian to desperately grab onto the sheets below, unable to process a consistent thought. 

George kept his gaze up on Christian’s face as he bobbed his head up and down, softly whining himself as he wetted the android’s cock with his spit. After another minute or so, the scientist pulled his mouth off of Christian with a small pop sound. George smirked as he admired the blissed out look on his lover.

Christian rested his head back, softly groaning as George climbed onto him. He leaned into another kiss, straddling the android as their lips locked together one more time. After pulling away, George broke the silence.

“Do you want to prep me…?” the scientist asked, cocking his head teasingly. Christian’s eyes widened trying desperately to run through his own mental data systems. He knew he was already programmed with this knowledge of his lover needing to be prepped, but Christian paused, another small problem seeming to be at hand.

“Do we have lubricant? I cannot prepare you without it…”

“I’ve got some in my bag,” George answered, before climbing off of Christian. Grabbing his bag off of the floor, George’s hand shuffled around the loose items in his bag, before pulling out a small half empty bottle.

“You’ve kept that on you the entire time…?” Christian asked quietly with a shaky exhale. George simply shrugged in response.

“I’ve thought about this a few times before…never thought it would be a reality,” George grinned, before handing the bottle to Christian and laying himself back onto the bed.

“Take your time, I know this is your first time,” the scientist teased, spreading his legs on either side of his lover, presenting himself for Christian. The android paused for a second, looking down at the bottle, and then back up to George.

“Is this…your first time too?” Christian questioned, eyes wide with a twinge of both nervousness and lust.

“First time with you, yes…but I’ve been with men before. Not in a long time…” George’s voice trailed off, smiling a little to himself. “But I’m sure none of them will feel as good as you will, love.”

Christian let out a small, shaky breath, before opening the bottle cap and squeezing out a generous amount of lubricant onto his fingers. 

Closing the bottle, Christian leaned over and rested it on the desk next to the bed, before sitting back in front of George. Christian quickly rubbed the cold gel across his fingers, before resting his right hand on the scientist’s ass. His left hand rested next to George’s head, and Christian leaned in for another kiss. As their lips pressed together once more, the android nervously slid his index finger into his lover’s entrance. 

George yelped into the kiss, spreading his legs wider as he wrapped his arms around Christian’s neck. The android pulled away from the kiss, eyes widening with a panic.

“S-Should I stop?”

“N-No, fuck!” the scientist cried out below him, resting his head against the pillow. “P-Please keep going…!”

With George’s approval, Christian pressed his first digit deeper into the tight muscle, the sounds of his lover’s desperate whines and moans filling the dingy old sleeping quarter. After a moment of hesitation, the android’s middle finger joined the first in stretching out his lover’s entrance.

George whined and felt his face go warm as his lover scissored his fingers together in the muscle, sending wave after wave of pleasure rippling through the scientist’s body. Christian at this point lowered his head to press another kiss to George’s chest, trailing some soft kisses before gently latching his lips onto his lover’s right nipple. George cried out as the android lapped at and teased the sensitive area with his tongue, even giving a few gentle bites before pulling away.

His fingers continued to work at George’s hole, as Christian lifted his left hand to leave a small smack on the scientist’s exposed ass. Another whine of pleasure escaped from George as his fingers dug into Christian’s back. The scientist desperately tried catching his breath, speaking out through shaky moans.

“P-Please, fuck…! C-Christian, please…” 

Christian’s hand came to a stop, resting his forehead against his lover’s.

“Is everything okay, George?” The android cocked his head.

“P-Please just…just fuck me already…”

With that response, Christian smiled to himself. The android nodded obediently, pulling his fingers out of George’s entrance, eliciting a groan from the scientist below him. One of Christian’s hands went to rest next to George’s head, as the other gave a few quick pumps to his own cock, before lining it up to his lover’s entrance.

“Let me know if you need a break,” the android mumbled.

“I’m not made of glass…” George whined, wrapping his legs around Christian’s waist. “Just fuck me, please…”

“My pleasure…”

Slowly, Christian let the tip of his cock enter his lover, hearing the small whimpers escape from George’s throat. The android placed both of his hands on each side of George’s head as he slid in deeper, eventually bottoming out inside of the scientist. Christian let his own moan escape at the new sensation, pleasure running through his circuits. 

“I-Is this okay…?” Christian broke the silence, fighting to get his words out through his shaky breath. George nodded in response before speaking.

“R-Remember that button? Hold it d-down for a m-moment…It’ll be g-good, I promise…”

Christian silently obeyed, his hand reaching back to the same button as before. He pushed it down once more, holding it down for a few seconds just like George said. Suddenly a wave of pleasure ran through Christian’s body once more, as he felt a pulsating sensation in his cock. He gasped and looked down at George, who threw his head back at this point, moaning in pleasure.

“S-Shit…” Christian whined, looking down as his own pulsating cock in George’s entrance. “I-Is it…?”

“It v-vibrates, yep…” George managed to get out his words before falling back into a state of pleasure. “J-Just fuck me…!”

At this point, the animalistic feeling of pleasure took over Christian’s body, unable to register another thought as he leaned in for another kiss. He pulled himself out about halfway, before slamming into his lover again. 

George cried out in pleasure as his grip around the android’s next grew tighter. Christian trailed his lips down to the scientist’s neck, suckling on a sensitive spot as he continued to thrust himself deep into George over and over again. 

With every thrust, the vibrating sensation of the android’s cock sent another shock of pleasure through George’s body. The scientist found himself a blissed out moaning mess, his mind absolutely melting at the feeling of Christian fucking into him like a wild animal. The room filled with the stench of sweat and lubricant, the once silent sleeping quarters now filled with both George and Christian’s desperate whines and moans, alongside the vibrating noises of Christian thrusting desperately into the scientist over and over again. 

At some point, without thinking, George had managed to roll both himself and Christian over, straddling the android underneath him. With the new position, George rested his hands on Christian’s chest, legs trembling and quivering with every time the android thrusted up into him. 

When Christian shifted himself slightly, thrusting up once more, a sudden, intense wave of pleasure ran through George’s body. The scientist cried out as his eyes rolled back, jaw slacked. Christian’s eyes widened in a panic.

“F-Fuck…! Are you okay…?”

“F-Fuck, Christian!” George whined, a lopsided grin emerging on his face. “K-Keep fucking m-me like this…P-Please, I’m s-so close…”

George leaned down and rested his elbows on each side of Christian’s head. The android rested his hands on George’s waist and continued to thrust up into him. George continued to squirm and whine in pleasure, the coil in his lower abdomen tightening. 

“P-Please, fuck! C-Christian…I’m g-gonna come…!”

With one last cry, George felt the coil snap. His legs trembled as the scientist’s eyes rolled into the back of his head. Hot seed shot out from his own dick as George continued to ride the orgasm. Finally, after at least a few seconds of pure bliss, George came down enough from his high to process the world around him.

But before he could really do so, George found himself being rolled back over onto his back. He could hear Christian’s own desperate groans as he fucked into the scientist faster and rougher than before. It didn’t take long before the overstimulation kicked in, and George cried out in pained pleasure at the feeling of his hole being slammed into over and over. 

“F-Fuck! Y-You feel s-so…!” Christian had lost all control of himself at this point, fingers digging into George’s hips tight enough to leave marks. “I-I’m s-so close…!”

With a few more desperate thrusts, combined by the sound of Christian’s hips hitting against George’s ass, a sudden shock ran through Christian’s body. The android cried out in pleasure, screaming George’s name as he nearly felt himself glitch. With sudden trembles in his body as he rutted through his own orgasm, Christian got out one last thrust before groaning and collapsing on top of George. 

The two laid there in silence, eyes rolled back as they both took a moment to catch their breath. Without really thinking, Christian reached his hand down to hold down the button on his hip once again, feeling the vibrations in his cock coming to a stop. As he laid his head down on George’s chest, the scientist lifted his head enough to admire the android cuddled up on top of him.

“F-Fuck…” George mumbled under his breath, smiling to himself. “T-That was amazing…”

“Y-Yeah…Not bad for my first time.”

Christian slowly lifted his hips, pulling himself out of George. Once his cock was free, Christian pressed the button on his hip once more, letting the shaft retract back into its normal state. The android plopped down next to George in bed, and the two tilted their heads to meet each other’s loving gazes. 

They laid there together in silence for just a moment, taking in everything that had just happened. At that moment, there was nothing outside of their sleeping quarters. No Department, no OmniTech, just the two coming down from the highs of their first time making love.

Finally, George broke the silence.

“Hi,” he muttered. 

“Hey…” Christian chuckled in response, struggling to keep his eyes open from pure exhaustion. “D-Do you need anything…? Water? Food?”

“Just you.”

Christian felt his servos heat up again, but then relaxed as he moved in closer to George. The scientist rested his head on his lover’s chest, as the android wrapped his arms around him. 

“T-Thank you for this, George…” Christian mumbled, eliciting a small chuckle from the scientist as he wrapped his arms around the android’s waist.

“Glad I could be of service to you for once…” George joked before closing his eyes. “Now get some rest. You deserve it…”

Christian glanced down one more time, smiling to himself as he watched George get comfortably bundled up on his chest. The android let out a gentle sigh, leaning down to press a soft kiss onto the scientist’s forehead, before grabbing the sheets and pulling them over their bodies.

“I love you, George…”

“Love you too…”

The two shared those last words before closing their eyes, drifting off to sleep in each other’s arms.

Chapter 22: In The Dark

Summary:

Fred and Chase learn something they shouldn't have, and things take a turn for the worse

Notes:

I'm now realizing I am almost done with this fanfic omfg, but anyways ENJOY

A faint light entered the room as the door slowly slid open, and Chase felt himself stir from his sleep. The mechanic fluttered his eyes open, blinking once or twice before groaning to himself, rolling over from his side onto his back.

“Chase,” he could hear Fred softly call out to him from the doorway. “Come on man, before everyone else is up.”

“Give me a second, okay?” Chase lifted his hands to his eyes, rubbing away the hours of sleep. He adjusted himself to get his feet on the ground, slightly shivering at the touch of the cold concrete floors beneath his socks. Chase leaned down, grabbing his boots by the nightstand, and slipping them on his feet. He looked back up at Fred while tying his shoelaces, who was still leaning in the doorway.

“Just wait for me outside the door, man,” Chase grumbled as he finished tying his laces. He watched as Fred sighed, rolling his eyes and stepping back out of the doorway. Chase let out a small yawn, covering his mouth with his hands, before getting up off of his bed. He stretched his arms a little, feeling the crackling of his elbows, before picking his jacket up off the edge of the bed. 

After throwing the coat on, Chase grabbed his bag before making his way to the door, but stopped. He looked back over his shoulder once, eyeing the sleeping android in the bed next to his own. The mechanic smiled to himself softly, before heading on over to the side of Nick’s bed, and knelt down. 

Slowly and carefully, Chase pressed a gentle kiss to Nick’s forehead, and pulled away after just a moment.

“I’ll be back. I promise,” Chase whispered, before getting back up and heading out the doorway, slowly closing the door behind him so as to not disturb Nick. 

As the door closed behind him, Chase looped his left arm in the strap of the bag, resting it on his shoulder, before turning to the former officer waiting for him. Fred had already gotten himself dressed, and patiently stood outside the doorway with his arms crossed. 

“We’ll be in and out, I swear,” the former officer mumbled, before turning on his heels towards the entrance of the hideout. “Just don’t wake up the others.”

Chase quietly nodded, following behind Fred as the two made their way through the living area, then down the hallways to the entrance of the hideout, and finally, to the front doors, forcing them open and letting the cold early morning air nip at the two men.

—

The trek from the hideout on the far side of town into the city was relatively quiet, save for a few small quips shared between the two men.

“Sheesh, you look like shit,” Chase pointed out, gesturing to the dark circles below Fred’s eyes. “Didn’t sleep well?”

“I couldn’t,” the former officer groaned as he hugged his jacket tighter around himself, fighting off the cold San Francisco air. “I’ve not been able to sleep well since that night at OmniTech. Plus, sleeping in the room next to your friend and his little android buddy didn’t help at all. Seems like they’ve gotten really comfortable around each other, if you get what I’m saying.”

Chase cocked his head in confusion.

“I mean they already seemed pretty comfortable with each other—” He suddenly paused, eyes widening. “ Oh . So that’s what the thumping noise last night was. I just thought it was thunder.”

Fred raised his brows, before letting out an exhale through his nose and kept on walking. A few more minutes of silence passed during their trek, leaving the patchy open grass area to the quiet, but still lit streets of San Francisco. 

“Hood up,” Fred quickly mumbled as he tapped Chase on the side, before quickly throwing the hood on his jacket above his head. “Don’t want to be recognized by the Department.”

Chase quickly followed suit, and once he was settled, the mechanic spoke up once more.

“So you said the android’s name was Zach?”

“Zach, yes. He was sweet, absolutely harmless…I can’t believe the things George and I heard. He called your boss Dad, and yet your boss just…he was way too rough with him, you know? I know some androids can handle that, like Christian—”

“You only know that because Christian knocked you the fuck out.”

“Okay, can we move past me getting punched in the face by him? Plus, last time I checked you were the first one to punch me, so you’re not innocent here.”

Chase chuckled in amusement, much to Fred’s chagrin. The former officer continued on.  

“We’ll just be in and out. You know your way around OmniTech’s HQ better than I do. That’s why I need you for this.”

Chase nodded along, taking in everything Fred was saying before replying, “I get it, I get it. Honestly I’m just happy for you, you know? You’ve turned your life around, man.”

“I became a wanted felon.”

“But you’re not working for a corrupt militarized police force anymore!” The mechanic smiled before lightly jabbing Fred in the arm with his elbow. “I’d say that’s a step up. Plus, it really seems like Brock has taken a liking to you these past few days.”

Fred felt his face go warm, grumbling to himself before turning back to Chase.

“Look, Brock’s just a nice guy, okay? I just feel bad for him, that’s all. He just got caught up in a bad situation, especially considering Mr. Flacco still wants him back in the family.”

“We can deal with Flacco once we’re not on the run from the government, okay? Plus, then you can talk out your feelings with my friend, just as long as you don’t hurt him.”

“I’m not into Brock.”

“Keep telling yourself that,” Chase smirked before stopping, gesturing quickly to the intersection the two had come up on. 

“Turn right here, it’s the best way to the building without getting spotted.”

Fred silently nodded, turning right into a darker street away from the city center. At this point, Chase had taken the lead, stepping out in front of Fred and guiding him throughout the San Francisco streets. The pair turned right, then left, then another left, winding through different alleyways and off streets until finally, after turning one more time, Fred could make out the familiar logo on the top of the building.

“We’re here,” Chase whispered, leaning in close to the officer before heading onward. “Don’t do anything stupid and I won’t tell the others to humiliate you.”

Fred opened his mouth to respond, but simply sighed before following Chase out of the empty street and towards OmniTech HQ.

—

“There’s a backdoor that is usually left unlocked by accident thanks to security,” Chase explained with Fred following close behind. The two had slipped under a fence already, heading towards the backside of the building. 

“We can get in there. But I’ve got no clue where your little android buddy is going to be.”

“Does your boss have an office?” Fred questioned, and Chase nodded in response.

“He does have his own private office at the very top of the building, on the fifth floor. I always worked on the second floor, and didn’t see the top of the building that often, unless I was in trouble or something…”

Chase paused, realizing he was trailing off, and flashed a quick, but awkward smile to Fred. 

“Just follow me, and don’t wander off.”

Chase and Fred finally approached the back of the building, making their way up a few small stops before reaching the back doorway. Chase quickly glanced around, making sure nobody was there to spot them, before gently grabbing onto the handle, twisting it and pressing the door open. 

Just as predicted, the old creaky door opened without a twinge of hesitation. Chase paused as a creak rang out from the hinges, before continuing to open the door more slowly this time around. Fred slipped inside the building first, with Chase following behind, slowly closing the door behind him with a few more creaks.

The interior of OmniTech’s building was dim, contrasting the usual bright lights of the office areas and laboratories. Chase relaxed his shoulders, letting out a small sigh of relief.

“Seems like nobody is here. Luckily we can probably grab your friend and get out with ease.”

Chase led the former officer down the dark hallway, a light on the ceiling flashing a few times with a soft, but admittedly irritating buzzing noise emitting from it. Fred felt a tug on his wrist, before Chase pulled him down another hallway. At the very end of the hall, Fred could make out the sight of what appeared to be the building’s elevators. 

Once the two were close enough, Chase pressed the button by the door, waiting patiently. After a few moments, with a small ding sound, the doors to the elevator slid open, and the two stepped inside. Fred watched as Chase pressed the button labeled with the number five, and the doors slowly closed on them before the two ascended.

Another ding noise rang out as the two reached the final floor, the doors sliding on open. Chase stepped out first with Fred close behind, as the two took in their surroundings. The office floor was empty, the monotonous gray desks and cubicles filling everywhere except the main walkway. Chase looked back forward, immediately taking notice of another hallway on the other side of the room.

“That must be where his office is. Maybe the android is in there…?” Chase mumbled under his breath, leaning back closer to Fred.

“Likely. Zach seemed like his own personal android…like his assistant, but worse,” Fred sighed. Chase led the way past the monotonous cubicles, with Fred following him. They reached the other hallway and headed on into the enclosed area, before finally coming upon one last room on the left. Chase read the small plaque next to the door: Aaron C. Rodgers, CEO.

“This is it,” Chase whispered, before reaching into his bag. He shuffled through his items, before finally pulling out his ID card, placing it on the scanner next to the door. He paused for a moment, but with a clicking noise, the door finally slid open. 

The mechanic popped his head in first, quickly glancing around the dark room, before stepping inside, with Fred still in the doorway. His hand reached out towards the wall next to the door, feeling around before he felt a small switch, and quickly turned the lights on.  Both of them closed their eyes for just a second, before blinking to adjust to the sudden brightness.

On the ground in front of them laid a shorter, but familiar android. Zach groaned and stirred, fluttering his eyes open and looking up. He remained curled up in his spot on the ground, but his eyes widened at the sight of the two men before him.

“...H-Hi…?” Zach mumbled, sitting himself upright and cocking his head. “You’re not my boss…”

Before Chase could say anything, Fred stepped into the room and immediately knelt down in front of Zach, putting his hands out on the younger android’s shoulders.

“I-I know you don’t know me…” Fred stammered out, glancing back to Chase and then looking back at Zach. “But I know you. I…I was with your boss’s employee that one night.”

Zach blinked, not responding with a twinge of confusion on his face. Thus, Fred continued.

“That night when you ran into George here…I was with him. We were grabbing some implants for a friend…but…I had to come back for you. Your boss, he’s just…I can’t leave you here alone…why are you here alone anyway…?”

“This is where I sleep,” Zach replied. “Dad makes me sleep here when he doesn’t want to play with me.”

“Dad?” Chase cut in.

“Your boss.”

Fred felt his own gut tighten again as he spoke once more.

“Please Zach…just let us get you out of here.”

Zach nodded, taking in what Fred was saying, before a small smile emerged on his face.

“I appreciate that you care…” the android paused. “But I like it here, I promise…Dad doesn’t hurt me that much. It only hurts when I sit…or move too much…but I mean, it’s my fault anyways…”

Fred’s eyes widened and his frown grew. But before he could respond, Zach cut him off and continued.

“He’s just been so busy lately, with tracking down some old employees with the help of the Department who wronged him. He just needs to let it all out, and that’s what I’m for…I promise I am okay.”

Zach’s smile remained on his face, contrasting the sheer horror in the glances that Fred and Chase kept exchanging with each other. Chase knelt down next to the two, trying to keep a calm expression on his face.

“Zach…could you do me a favor, little man? Just tilt your head to the side for me real quick.”

Zach pursed his lips slightly, and hesitated before slightly cocking his head. Chase leaned over, taking a quick glance to Zach’s ear, before leaning back and looking at Fred.

“He’s chipped too,” the mechanic sighed. “Chances are that his thoughts and actions are being controlled. He’s got no autonomy over himself…”

“You two know about the chips…?” Zach spoke up again, the smile slightly fading off his face. “That’s a shame…it would be okay if you both still worked at OmniTech or the department…but I guess not.”

The android scooched himself away, hugging his knees to his chest.

“Let’s hope Dad doesn’t find out, or else you’ll end up like Joey…” 

“...Joey?” Chase perked up slightly, leaning in closer. “Do you know him?”

“...Not personally,” Zach mumbled. “He was a friend of Dad’s. They worked on everything together…but one day they had this big falling out about the microchips in our android minds. Joey wanted to tell the public the truth, and Dad had him…dealt with…”

With those last two words, Zach looked up and pointed to his neck, imitating the act of his own neck being sliced. Chase’s eyes widened, and Fred broke the silence between the two.

“Joey never disappeared…he’s been—”

“Dead,” Chase replied. “Joey has been dead this entire time.” 

“Zach,” Fred got closer once more, grabbing Zach by the arms. “We have to get you out of here. Please.”

Zach didn’t respond, instead looking past Fred, before his eyes widened. Just as Fred was going to speak again, a voice cut him off. 

“I don’t think you boys will be going anywhere.”

Chase suddenly felt a hand against his back, pushing him to the ground. Zach helped at the sight and jumped back. Fred and Chase felt themselves shoved into the ground, a weight crushing down on both of them. Fred managed to glance back over his shoulder, recognizing the familiar DACR logo on the jacket of the man above him. A third officer moved to grab Zach, pinning him to the closest wall. With some small adjustment, Chase and Fred were lifted from their spots on the ground, being turned to face the man in the doorway.

Right by the door stood Aaron, arms crossed and leaning against the frame of the door. 

“I’ve been chasing you fuckers for days now,” the CEO grumbled, as he moved in closer. “I’ve got to say, I’m disappointed in you both. Especially you, Chase.”

Aaron pointed at the mechanic, who squirmed and struggled to no avail. Aaron simply moved past them, and stopped right in front of Zach.

“I knew something was up when George left our lunch early…I should have known from the start he was a no good piece of shit, just like the rest of you, and just like this stupid fuckdoll of an android.”

Aaron lifted his hand before smacking Zach across the face, a yelp of pain escaping the smaller android. The boss simply chuckled, before turning back to the two men.

“You’re lucky we caught sight of your friends out at a nightclub last night, tracing them back to a hideout on the edge of town. You even got the fucking mob involved. I’m a bit impressed…”

Chase and Fred exchanged a nervous glance, as Aaron chuckled before continuing.

“Chief Garoppolo will have them arrested before noon today, you all will face serious legal punishment and nobody will know that any of this shit ever happened…”

“You bought the police out,” Chase scowled. “Fucking piece of shit…”

“You could’ve stayed out of all of this, Chase,” Aaron spat back, moving closer to the mechanic. “I liked you a lot too, you know. I had a whole promotion lined up for you and everything. All you had to do was tell me that George stole the fucking CMC robot. I know damn well you know what your best friend did. But you stayed silent to protect George and his stupid robot!”

“His name is Christian—”

“Did the robot choose that name for himself? If so, then it’s as worthless as he is!”

As Aaron continued on in his tangent, Fred glanced down to the officer behind him. Without a second thought, he raised his own food and slammed it onto the toes of the officer holding him. The slightly smaller man yelped, his grip loosening on Fred, who pushed the officer back.

“F-Fuck!” Aaron’s eyes widened as Fred turned on his heel, running out the main office and down the hall. The CEO turned back to the remaining two officers, a scowl forming on his face.

“You keep an eye on those two, and get the Chief on the holoscreen! I’ll deal with this bastard…” 

Aaron reached down and removed a gun from one of the officer’s holsters, before exiting out the office and following the direction Fred had gone.

—

By this point, Fred had already escaped down the stairwell all the way to the basement, hoping to get the boss off of his trail. He shoved the doors to the basement open before continuing his sprint down the windy hallway. The former officer felt his heart pounding out of his chest as he heard the footsteps behind him grow closer. Without a second thought, he ducked into a nearby room, locking the door behind him. 

But as he turned around, Fred’s eyes widened.

Wires filled the walls throughout the small room, buttons all along the large desk area at the back, complete with large bright screens with walls of code and binary numbers. Fred blinked, letting out a small exhale. 

“Holy shit…” he gasped, stepping in closer. Could this really be…?

Reading some of the lines of coding, as well as some flashing information among the different screens, he knew he was exactly where he thought he was.

Right in front of Fred sat OmniTech’s main power grid.

Chapter 23: Uprising

Summary:

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised

George stirred a little from his spot on the bed, groaning as his eyes fluttered open. He felt the soft embrace around his upper body squeeze tighter for just a second. The scientist smiled to himself, glancing up at Christian, who was still resting peacefully with George in his arms. 

“G’mornin…” George muttered under his breath, resting his head back on Christian’s chest. Christian silently hummed in response, before leaning down to press a small kiss on George’s forehead. The two shared a small glance to each other, chuckling before clinging onto each other once more.

After a few more minutes of relaxation, a knock at the door made the android perk up. After a pause, the door slowly creaked open, with Brock popping his head in, an exhausted look in his eyes.

“Thanks for keeping me up all night,” the cyborg grumbled. “Now get dressed, the family made us breakfast.”

As Brock slipped back out of the doorway, George felt his own face heat up, instantly hiding his face in Christian’s chest once more, mumbling some embarrassed nonsensical ramblings. 

“George, hon,” Christian cooed, softly running his hand against his lover’s upper back. “They’ll forget about it within a day. Let’s just get dressed like Brock said. Okay?”

The scientist looked up, face still red with embarrassment, before nodding his head. George felt the grip on him loosen as he slipped out of bed, rolling out and forcing himself to stand up. A small groan escaped his throat as he stretched his arms above his head, feeling a few small cracks in his back. 

Christian followed suit, slipping out of bed next to George. The two glanced at each other, smiling and leaning in for a quick, but affectionate kiss, before the android made his way to his side of the room, tossing on his jacket and pants. The two changed into their clothes in silence, occasionally looking over at the other. George couldn’t hide the smile on his face any time he glanced at Christian, taking a moment to admire the soft, yet strong features on his lover’s face, down to his neck plates and his shoulders. The scientist happily sighed to himself, before slipping on his boots. 

George was the first out the door, with Christian following close behind. The android reached out to take George’s hand, the two interlocking their fingers. They exchanged a smile, Christian quickly resting his head on George’s shoulder for just a minute, before they continued their way out into the living area.

Brock and Nick had already found their own spots on the chairs surrounding the coffee table, a few bowls of what appeared to be dry oatmeal in different spots. Nick sprawled himself out across the long couch, but perked up once he saw the other two enter the room. He quickly sat up from his spot, sitting on the edge to make room. Christian sat on the couch next to him, with George sitting in the chair across from Brock. The cyborg at the other end of the room furrowed his brow, fingers tapping on his phone again before putting it to his ear. A few moments of silence, and Brock grumbled as he pulled the phone away from his face once more. 

“What’s going on man?” George asked, raising a brow. “And where’s Chase and Fred? Are they still asleep?”

“They weren’t here when we woke up,” Nick replied from his spot on the couch. “Brock’s been trying to call Fred, but there’s been no response.”

“Brock, wait,” the scientist paused, shifting his focus back to Brock. “When did you get Fred’s phone number?”

“It’s none of your business,” Brock grumbled as he continued his tapping. “I just hope he’s alright…” 

An awkward silence fell between the four, George shifting around in his chair. He stopped, perking up slightly. The scientist wasn’t quite sure, but he swore he could make out a loud…thumping noise coming from outside? Was he just hearing things? Suddenly, he watched as both Nick and Christian glanced at each other, sharing an expression of confusion. Brock caught on as well, the cyborg breaking the silence.

“You guys can hear that, right?”

A few small nods were shared between the group. Brock got up from his seat, turning on his heels and to the entryway out of the living room.

“I can go check it out, make sure it’s nothing bad—”

Suddenly, the doors slid open, and a panting, slightly panicked Joe stepped in, nearly collapsing onto Brock. He looked back up from the floor, catching his breath before speaking.

“G-George, you fucking asshole!” The boss cried out. “You dragged the Department directly to our doorstep with your adventure last night! Could you have been a little more careful?!”

George’s eyes widened, and he stepped forward.

“Y-You’re saying that the noise is—”

“It’s the fucking police, and they want you and your little android friend. It’s getting bad out there, multiple of my guys have been detained already. They’ve even got the fucking chief with them.” 

George paused, feeling his heart pound all the way into his throat as his gut sank. He blinked once, then twice, trying his best to relax his shoulders. The scientist looked back at the concerned glances between Nick and Christian. George frowned, then looked back forward to Joe.

“They want me, Mr. Flacco,” Christian broke the silence, stepping forward and in front of George. “I’m the reason all of this happened. Let me go with them, as long as it keeps you guys safe…” 

“Christian…” George reached out to put a hand on the android’s shoulder, but Christian continued.

“Please don’t worry about me, George. Let me do this one last thing for you…”

The android turned around, leaning in to press one more kiss on the scientist’s lips. George felt tears form in his eyes, leaning in more once Christian pulled away. Christian huffed, before turning on his heels and heading through the doorway and down the hall. The others shared a quick glance of worry before they followed behind.

Light befell on the group as Christian exited through the hideout doors, stepping into the patchy grassland out front. Immediately, his eyes widened, and he could feel his servos flare up at the sight in front of him.

Multiple officers, all with OmniTech’s all too iconic number plating on their necks and collarbones had detained and grabbed multiple of Mr. Flacco’s cronies, leaving them beaten and bruised. A few others kept their weapons ready, with a familiar curly haired officer barking orders at them. From the back, an all too recognizable man stepped forward.

Christian glanced back, watching as Nick’s eyes widened at the sight. Christian looked back forward. The man across from them stepped forward again, patting the officer who was yelling orders on the shoulder.

“I’ve got to say, Mahomes. I’m impressed you managed to track them down here.”

“Thank you, Chief,” Pat nodded, taking a step back. Jimmy smiled, turning his focus to the group of men and androids on the steps above him.

“You fucking assholes…” Joe stepped forward, coming face to face with Jimmy. “You come into my home and beat up my gang and think you can just—”

Jimmy removed his taser from his pocket, jamming the prongs into the mob boss’s gut. Joe cried out in pain, before collapsing, unconscious.

“There’s nowhere else to run, my friends,” the chief shrugged, cocking his head as he stepped over Joe’s unconscious body. “Just hand yourselves over and nobody gets hurt. Starting with, you know…”

Jimmy raised a hand, gesturing to Christian in front of him. Christian sighed, relaxing his shoulders to try and still his own nerves. But just as he stepped forward, George spoke up.

“What if we don’t go with you?” The scientist spat out, earning some surprised murmurs and gasps from both his own companions, as well as the android officers with the Department. Jimmy raised a brow, his smile turning into a soft scowl.

“I don’t think that will be an option, unless…” The chief took a step back, turning and making his way back to Officer Mahomes, who handed him a small device. Jimmy turned back to the rebels as he stepped forward, pressing a small button on the metallic box in his hands. 

Suddenly, a holographic screen popped up. The screen shook for just a moment, before becoming still. The group gasped at the sight in front of them. 

Through the screen, they could see Chase, a dark bruise forming on his cheek, and blood coming from his nose. He groaned as a hand out of frame grabbed him by the locs, yanking Chase’s head up to look directly at the other rebels. 

“C-Chase!” Nick cried out, taking a few panicked steps forward.

“Your friends seemed to get a little bit caught up…” Jimmy chuckled. “Ain’t that right, Chase?”

“F-Fuck…” Chase grumbled through himself through the screen, the hand gripping his hair getting tighter. The mechanic forced his eyes open, letting out a few pained gasps before he spoke. 

“P-Please guys…don’t do anything stupid…” Chase mumbled through the screen. He paused for a second before leaning in.

“N-Nick, especially you…they…they killed Joey…and they won’t be afraid to do the same to you too…”

Nick’s eyes widened, as he shifted his focus to Jimmy.

“You…you what …?”

“It had to happen, I’m sorry…he knew too much,” the chief shrugged. “Plus, it’s not like any of you will be able to tell anyone about this once we’re done with you. So let’s make this easy. Either you can surrender yourselves, or we kill your friends and all of you—” 

In a flash, the holoscreen went blurry, the noise breaking out. Jimmy paused, furrowing his brow and smacking the small metallic box against his hand. He lifted it once more as the screen began to clear up again, but his eyes went wide as a new sight formed on the screen.

—

Fred admittedly wasn’t the most technologically adept, but he knew just enough to know what he had to do. In the main power grid, the former officer took sight of what appeared to be a speaker system with a computer, and a small microphone next to it. He quickly opened the computer next to the speaker, and his eyes widened.

Every major broadcast in the city could be connected through here. He watched through the dozens of screens connected to every major broadcast in San Francisco, from advertisements to television programs to local news.

Fred let out a small exhale, looking down at the red button on the bottom of the screen with three words: Start New Broadcast . He looked back at the sound of pounding against the door, Fred’s heart beating against his chest, before he looked back at the screen, and pressed the button.

Suddenly, every screen switched. What was once the usual programs and ads along every major screen in the city switched to the sight of Fred in the central power grid. Without thinking, he leaned into the microphone and began to speak.

“Good morning, San Francisco. My name is Fred Warner, and I’m a former employee here at the Department of Android and Cybernetic relations. They have been lying to you, alongside OmniTech, where all of your android friends come from. Your friends are not free! These companies have planted microchips in their systems to control their thoughts while giving the illusion of freedom. If we don’t stop this now, everyone in the city could be next!” 

Fred felt more pounding at the door. He forcibly relaxed his shoulders, trying to still his shaky breath before looking back at the screen and continuing. 

“There’s no better time than now! I can shut down every chip in the central power grid, giving you all a chance to fight back! Take back your autonomy! The revolution will NOT BE TELEVISED!” 

Fred pressed the button once again, ending his recording as all the screens went back to normal. He got up from the seat in front of the computer, turning his focus back to the main grid. Wires and buttons filled the metallic desk in front of him. But with the banging outside slowly getting louder and louder, Fred knew he didn’t have time to think. 

Instead, the revolutionary gripped the plating as best as he could, giving it a few tugs as it came uprooted, revealing the wiring within the desk. Fred reached his hands in, grabbing as many wires as he could, and ripping them out of place, shredding wire after wire.

Just as Fred pulled his hands away, he looked back as the door finally broke open, the sight of Aaron right in front of him, his expression turned into a scowl.

—

Just as Fred’s stream came to an end, Nick couldn’t take it anymore. Despite Brock trying to hold him back, the android lifted his right arm, pulling his hand into a fist before punching forward, catching Jimmy right in the jaw. The chief stumbled back, bringing his hands up to his jaw as he groaned. Commotion filled the area as Pat stepped forward, grabbing Nick. 

“You fucking—!”

The officer’s words were cut off by Christian tackling him to the ground, landing numerous blows against the man’s face. As he did so, Jimmy reached into his holster, removing his pistol and aiming it directly at Christian.

George didn’t think before he pounced onto the chief, tugging on the pistol to try and yank it out of Jimmy’s hands. Jimmy swore under his breath, lifting his leg to try and kick the scientist off of him, to little avail. Without thinking, Jimmy pulled the trigger.

Christian stopped his beating on the other officer at the sound of the gun firing, looking back over his shoulder. Instantly, his whole world came to a stop. Jimmy laid on the ground, weapon still in hand, with George stumbling as he got up off of him. The scientist felt down to his side, a dark red staining against his jacket and his hands. George looked back up, glancing at Christian once more before collapsing.

“G-George!” The android climbed off of the officer, running over to kneel down at George’s side.

Jimmy and Pat managed to get themselves off the ground, stumbling towards the other android officers. Jimmy felt at his jaw once more.

“Y-You fucks!” The chief spat out. “Don’t j-just stand there and do nothing!”

The other officers, meanwhile, felt their own ears, sharing some small murmurs between them and glancing at each other. One removed his weapon from his holster, but much to everyone’s shock, aimed it at Jimmy instead.

“T-The chips…” Brock muttered, moving in closer to the others. “They’re not working…”

“Fred fucking did it,” Christian replied, before looking back down at George. “S-Shit…someone run inside and go get some bandaging. We’ve got to clean him up…”

Nick and Brock both nodded, turning on their heels and leaving back inside of the hideout. 

Meanwhile, Jimmy and Pat moved in closer to each other, weapons lifted at their former android officers.

“F-Fucking listen ! Damnit, Pat…” Jimmy spat out, leaning in close to his fellow human officer. “This can’t be the end…”

Pat nodded, cocking his weapon once more.

“If any of you step closer, I swear we won’t hesitate to—”

The officer couldn’t get his sentence out before being tackled to the ground by an android, Jimmy collapsing as well. From the steps, Christian watched as the two were swarmed by their former allies, screams of pain and agony crying out as the two men were practically trampled in the sea of uprising androids. 

Christian couldn’t stop himself from smiling at the sight.

Brock and Nick returned from the hideout, numerous medical supplies in hand. Christian carefully placed his hand on George’s back, sitting him upright. With Brock lifting his jacket just enough, Nick took the gauze in his hands and wrapped it around the wound. George groaned in pain, resting his head on Christian’s shoulder.

“It’s going to be okay, love, I swear. Let’s go find the others,” The android muttered, helping George up off the ground. With the scientist’s arm wrapped over his shoulder, the four slid on away from the commotion between the androids turning on their Department allies, and limped off towards the city. 

—

Fred felt himself be shoved back against the desk as Aaron stepped forward. The former officer lifted his fist, landing a clean punch against the CEO’s face, before getting his own in return. Aaron reached out and grabbed Fred by the jaw, pushing him back into the desk.

“Looks like your friend couldn’t finish his own filthy work, so he sent you…” Aaron growled, his grip on Fred tightening. “Don’t worry. I promise to make this quick.”

The boss removed his pistol from his pocket, pressing it against Fred’s tumblr. Aaron smiled to himself, tightening his grip as Fred struggled against the table beneath him.

“You know, Fred? You were right when you said the revolution will not be televised. There won’t be a fucking revolution in the first place,” Aaron cocked his pistol, laying a finger on the trigger. “I’ll take delight in killing you and your piece of shit friends. You’ve already made my job so fucking hard, and now it’s time I return the favor, Fred Warner—”

A shot rang out, and Fred squeezed his eyes closed. But despite the ringing in his ears, no pain ran through his body. Instead, the rebel could feel something warm dripping onto his forehead. After a moment of hesitation, Fred opened his eyes and looked up.

Aaron still stood above him, eyes wide, with a hole directly in his head. Blood dripped out onto Fred once more, before Aaron went limp on top of him. Fred felt his gut tighten as he pushed the CEO’s body off of him, Aaron collapsing to the floor, expressionless. Fred tried to stop his hyperventilating, before looking back up to the doorway.

At the end of the doorway stood Zach, shaky and wide eyed, with a pistol in hand, and Chase right behind him. The weapon slipped out of his trembling hands and dropped to the floor, as Zach glanced down at the body, before looking back up to Fred.

“H-He’s…” Zach stammered.

“He can’t hurt you anymore…” Chase answered, wrapping his arms around Zach from behind. Fred stumbled on over to the other two, leaning down and wrapping Zach up in his arms as well. The three shared an embrace, before Fred looked back up.

“We’ve got to get out of here.”

Chase nodded, keeping an arm on Zach. The three made their way out the door and down the hallway, finding the stairwell to get back to the lobby. As they made their way up the stairwell, noises from outside got louder and louder. Finally, the trio made it to the lobby, stumbling through the abandoned area and stepping outside.

Fred paused, putting an arm out in front of the other two, eyes widening at the sight in front of them.

What was once a peaceful day in San Francisco delved into chaos. They could see androids and people alike turning on any officer they saw, ripping out building signs and rioting in the streets. A nearby building had caught on fire at this point, screams of both panic and excitement filling the streets, as the skies turned orange and gray from the fire and smoke filling the city center. Chants filled the streets, the same chant that Fred had spoken over the broadcast:

“THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED!”

“Fred!” A voice caught his attention. The trio turned their focus to the side of the building, recognizing their fellow companions. Fred let his trio down the steps, reuniting with the rest of the group.

“H-hey guys!” Fred stammered, reuniting with the others. He gestured to the small android behind him. “This is Zach. He…he saved my life.”

“Z-Zach…?” George looked up, still a little shaky. “You went back f-for him…”

“S-Shit…” Chase muttered, getting in close and eyeing George’s blood stained jacket. “What happened…?”

“The chief shot him,” Christian replied. “B-But we’ve got to get out of the city…he can recover beyond the city lines. In the distance, the group could make out what appeared to be the sound of a building collapsing. A few small nods were shared between them, before Fred threw George’s other arm over his shoulder.

The group turned on their heels, taking one last look into the chaos in the city, before making their way out of the city center. Through the fire and destruction filling San Francisco, one singular chant rang out again and again.

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.

Chapter 24: A Soft Epilogue

Summary:

As the dust settles, George and Christian share a moment

A small groan escaped from George, as his eyes fluttered open. He glanced up, looking up from his spot laying down to see Christian above him. The android glanced down, smiling. 

“You’re finally awake, huh…?” Christian teased, lifting a hand to run his fingers through George’s hair. It didn’t take long for George to realize his head was in the android’s lap. He mumbled some nonsense before sitting himself upright. Instantly, Christian brought a hand to the scientist’s lower abdomen.

“Careful, careful, dear…” the android cooed, moving in to sit closer. “You’re lucky the bullet only grazed you. Give it a few days and you’ll begin to feel better…”

George felt himself exhale, before taking in his surroundings. The soft, grassy hill that he was sat on contrasted his last memory of the city in flames. He blinked, before looking on over to his right.

Chase and Nick meanwhile had found themselves a spot under a nearby tree, laughing and talking softly enough for George to not be able to hear. Zach sat in front of them, his bright eyes contrasting the usual twinge of fear on his face. George looked over to his left.

Sure, in the distance, he could see the fire of the city they had escaped from. But it was too far from where they were, and George shifted his focus on the sight in front of him. 

Brock and Fred had laid themselves out on the hill, and George couldn’t help but notice their interlocked hands. The two laid there in silence, Brock resting his head on Fred’s chest. George couldn’t help but smile at the sight. 

“We got out…” The scientist mumbled, feeling himself be pulled into Christian’s lap. “We really are free, aren’t we…?”

“We are,” Christian smiled. “I’m sorry the city got destroyed, but who knows…? People…humans, and androids…they’re resilient. They can rebuild.”

“...But what will we do now…?” George slightly frowned, cocking his head. “We don’t have a home to go to…”

“...I’m not sure. But you know what? I think that’s okay. We’ll find a new place to live. But I know one thing for sure…”

The android paused, reaching his hands up to softly cradle George’s face. 

“I found my home…”

George’s face went slightly warm, and he leaned in to share another kiss with Christian. At this moment, nothing else mattered. There was no more OmniTech, no more Department, no more hiding.

George pulled away from the kiss, glancing around one more time at his friends, all laughing and smiling and sharing a moment of peace with each other. He looked back at Christian, before leaning in for another kiss. 

It may not be conventional, but George didn’t care. 

He finally found his home.

Notes:

I am so grateful for every single person who followed me on this two month journey. I sincerely hope you all enjoyed this work, and come back for more in the future. Thank you all so much, and have a fantastic life <333