Chapter Text
"No! Absolutely Not, Collin's tone was sharp and unwavering as he spoke, his frustration evident as he emphasized each word. He let out a deep sigh and turned his gaze towards the window, his eyes narrowing as he stared out at the city skyline. It seemed as though he was huffing in disbelief that you and Connor would even suggest bringing Richard into your triad. Collin sighed again and looked down, his eyes falling to the floor as he gathered his thoughts. After a moment, he spoke again, but this time with a softer tone. "Okay, I'll think about it."
You could sense the tension in Collin's body and tried to speak to him gently. "If you're uncomfortable, we don't have to-"
"I said I'll think about it," he snapped back, his frustration still bubbling beneath the surface. "There are more pressing matters at hand."
"Agreed." Connor nods curtly.
The three of you were waiting in the living room, Collin by the window, while you and Connor sat on the couch, your legs dangling over the edge as you nervously tapped your fingers on your knees. The room was filled with an uneasy tension as you all waited for James to join you. He had been busy packing away a few extra things that Connor had gathered for him before you could all set out on your journey back to Emily. Richard wouldn't be joining you, he insisted on staying in the city in case he was needed, you wondered if that’s only part of the reason, if he's also afraid of how awkward the journey might be.
You, Connor and Collin had been discussing whether or not to tell the humans of Kamski's plan, Collin argued it wouldn’t make much of a difference, and James would tell them either way whether or not you begged him not to.
It's not that the humans could do much to foil said plan, but you didn’t want to get their hopes up if it did not work out. Connor thought maybe they’d be better knowing, that they had the right to know. How they would react to such information, who would know?
Once James had finally arrived and was ready to go you all had set off. It was strange taking this journey again. The last time you did you were saying goodbye, this time you had no plans for leaving your android boys just yet. You wondered if you would ever go back to the sanctuary. If Kamski's plan all worked out, who knows what possibilities this could open up for humans! and if it didn’t… well you didn’t want to think on that too much but… maybe you could just stay with the RK's, use the guise of being their pet for a somewhat comfortable life. Living in the settlement was tough, and you missed your boys like crazy. Maybe you could go between the two? Never mind that you would cross that bridge when it came.
For now, you would just taking things step by step.
After the lengthy journey was complete your heart felt completely dejected upon entering the settlement. The once busy and lively area was now littered with injured and wounded individuals, sprawled out on old mattresses as they received shoddy medical care. Your eyes avoided the edge of the encampment, where you could make out figures lying on the ground, covered in sheets, most likely lifeless corpses. Next to them, a group of men were digging, their purpose all too clear. To say things had not gone well since you had last visited would have been an understatement.
With a sense of urgency, Connor quickly made his way over to the group of men and women who were tending to the wounded. His backpack was filled with medical supplies which he began handing out to them, apologizing for not bringing more. The exhausted and worn faces of the caregivers showed signs of relief as they gratefully accepted the much-needed supplies. They mentioned that a small shipment from another friendly was on its way, easing some tension in Connor's mind.
Meanwhile, James frantically searched through the chaotic encampment in search of Emily. The sights and sounds of suffering and desperation around him was horrifying, but he pushed through, determined to find her. And finally, he spotted her standing in the doorway of her small hut. With a surge of joy and relief, he ran towards her shouting her name, lifting her slightly into an embrace and showering her with kisses. As you approached her, you could see the tears streaming down her face, but they were mixed with laughter and joy. You wrapped your arms around her in a tight embrace.
“You did it, you actually did it, you beautiful bastard!” she exclaimed through sobs and giggles. She wiped away her tears and held onto your arms with a fierce grip. James appeared beside her, giving your hair a playful tussle before wrapping his other arm around Emily. The way he looks at her tells you he's head over heels.
You stay for a while catching up with Emily as Connor helps out around the settlement, Collin closely following alongside him, unaware of what needs to be done. Connor gladly orders him around.
As anticipated James lets the others know of your journey to Kamski’s, about his strange dwellings and more importantly his plan. While some of the settlers show support for Kamski's idea, many express doubts and concerns. Some even saying that Kamski should find a way to deactivate all androids or make them subservient once again.
“Have you all learned nothing?” Danny, the settlement elder and appointed leader speaks out with great sadness in his voice. “We can’t keep going like this, getting ‘revenge’ on each other. Treating them as less than is what got us into this situation in the first place.” He grumbles.
Danny's gaze swept over the assembled individuals, pausing on each one as he continued his speech. "I was wrong in allowing you to venture out to the city," he admitted with a sigh. "I didn't like it from the start, but you all twisted my hand, now look what's become of your brothers and sisters.” he gestured towards the injured being tended to nearby.
"And these decent folk," he motioned towards Connor and Collin, “they come in, give us supplies, hell, even bring some of you here and then you speak of killing their kind. The only way forward for any of us is to do better. Be better.” With those final words, Danny turned and made his way back to his humble wooden shack, leaving behind a sombre silence among his people.
You push yourself off of the log you had been sitting on and make your way over to Collin and Connor. “I think I’d like to go home now...”
___
The journey home seems to pass in a blur, your mind still reeling from everything you had seen and experienced. The scenery around you changes quickly, but your thoughts are too preoccupied to truly take it in. You feel relieved that Emily has been reunited with James, hoping that they will find safety and happiness together. It is a small glimmer of light on an otherwise dark day.
When you finally enter the apartment, Richard greets you with a warm smile as a delicious aroma comes wafting from the kitchen. “Good timing.” He smiles politely, but awkwardly as the three of you approach. “How did it go?”
You pause for a moment before responding, unsure of how to put into words all that you have just experienced.
“They were a mess.” Collin slumps onto the seat at the kitchen island, a defeated expression on his face. As his eyes falling on the liquor cabinet. You give his hand a gentle squeeze, causing his gaze to shift towards you. He pulls your hand in and turns you around so that you are standing between his legs, his arms wrapping tightly around your waist as he leans against you. The warmth of his body radiates through your back as he lets out a heavy sigh. Richard quickly looks away and lets out a small hum in acknowledgement.
“They had been hurt pretty bad.” Connor nods as he takes his seat next to Collin.
“It was fucking brutal.” Collin's voice is muffled as he speaks out with his face laying against your back. The room is silent for a minute until Richard decides to speak up again.
“You must be hungry.” He nods to you gently, finally making eye contact. You nod back to him and then he tilts his head as if to say follow me. He lifts the dish that he's been working on and walks out the door leading the three of you, who had followed along into the dining room.
You hardly ever had been in the room, the boys never really used it, you supposed it was usually just used to entertain guests. Your eyes widened upon entering to see the mouth-watering plethora of food left out.
“I love you.” That was all Collin said to Richard before sitting down and wolfing the food into himself.
“You really went all out.” Connor raised his brows to Richard, “what's the occasion?”
With a slight tilt of his head, Richard gestured towards both of you. "I think we could all use some comfort food right now," he said softly. "And besides, I feel like I owe you all for everything that's happened."
"Richard, you don't have to do this," you interjected, but Richard shook his head firmly.
"No, I insist. Consider me your house butler from now on," he declared with a flourish. His words were spoken playfully, but there was a sense of genuine sincerity behind them.
“Works for me.” Collin's laughter was muffled by a mouth full of food, causing Richard to wince at the sight and sound.
“Well maybe just for the time being.” Richard turned to Connor, who patted him on the arm in a comforting manner. Being Collin's personal butler would prove difficult.
Your stomach grumbled as you looked at the delicious spread of food. You took a seat beside Collin, playfully elbowing him to remind him to slow down. “Actually chewing your food is a good idea,” you joked.
Collin responded with a cheeky smile as you grabbed a napkin to dab away some food remnants from his mouth