Chapter Text
When Simon first onlines, he works at an orphanage. He’d been a gift from Cyberlife, who’d donated various androids to the less fortunate in a show of goodwill to decrease the rising unrest among the working class.
Later, he will claim it’s the reason he becomes a deviant so quickly, so much sooner than the rest.
Children hold no prejudice; he was their equal.
*
He finds Jericho half by accident. One of the older children’s father's had been a dock worker, before he’d been replaced by an android and had committed suicide, leaving his daughter to rot. She’d told Simon he used to work for an old android transportation ship, the Pearl, but it had been abandoned by the docks for a newer model.
He’d searched for it for a lack of any other alternatives, scavenging for parts and blue blood at night whenever he could, until he’d found it.
It wasn’t the Pearl.
It would have to do.
*
He searches for any other androids who may need asylum, paints symbols up for those who know what to look for. Those who don’t join him at least spread the word, and eventually, it is whispered among all who wish to be free.
*
Many come, a few stay, most don’t. He can only steal so many parts while also running the ship, and as the amount of androids living in it grows larger he cannot leave even for that.
He cares for each of them the best he can, which is nothing to scoff at, it’s in his programming. But there is only so much he can do with no supplies, even after Lucy joins them.
They are dying, slowly but surely.
*
He’s not proud of his first thought when Markus literally falls into their laps: another mouth to feed. It was the painful truth of the time, however, so he lets the guilt settle.
*
(Markus defies expectations, of course.)
*
(It’s a trend with him, Simon will later come to find.)
*
“This is Jericho?” Markus asks, no small amount of incredulity in his voice. Simon analyzes him, silent, while the others answer: torn clothes, favoring one side, dual-colored eyes. Clothes stained in various places, brown sporadically and blue on the right side.
Likely cause: Makeshift patch job after an attack, physical contact with the ground during rain.
Physical care needed: wound attendance, replacement for lost thirium, better-fitting parts for anything less ideal.
Emotional care needed: Not enough data. Rerouting to general care priority one: reassurance.
“You’re lost, just like the rest of us,” Simon says, “We didn’t ask for this. All we can do now is deal with it.” His HUD blinks: critically low on energy, entering standby mode, so he turns away to save energy; Lucy will deal with Markus' wounds.
*
He comes back and tells Simon he has a novel new plan: steal parts from the Cyberlife warehouse Simon had been stealing from for years. He almost asks where do you think those crates came from, but there’s a determination in Markus’ eyes, a confidence in his gait, that makes Simon realize, given a little encouragement and some gentle guiding, this man may have the potential to lead them somewhere Simon couldn’t.
“Maybe it’s worth a try.” He says, giving Markus a little nod, glancing over at Josh in a come on, then fashion. He’s hesitant about Markus, Simon can tell, but Simon knows Josh trusts him well enough to listen.
“Okay, I’m in,” Josh mutters, and just like that Simon relinquishes control.
*
Simon was a housekeeping and caretaking android, he was never designed to lead. Markus has claimed multiple times he was a caretaker, too, but Simon has never heard of the RK200 model, and there’s a spark in Markus’ eye that tells of something more, something deeper.
“A custom model,” He’d said, “A gift for my fath- owner.” And just like that, Simon had known Markus was never meant for cleaning floors or making dinners.
*
(Humans are complex and counter-intuitive creatures, Simon has come to learn; it is not outside the realm of possibility one should want them free as badly as they do.)
*
It takes weeks of planning, especially with such a small team, but eventually they sort out the plan.
Josh has second doubts every few miles of the rain-soaked trek, glancing at Simon each time he complains about it. Simon just defers to Markus’ judgment whenever Josh does it, a simple but effective way of showing he’s not the leader anymore.
*
Custom model.
He isn’t surprised when Markus can jump like some kind of android acrobat to take down a drone.
(He’d also be lying if he said it didn’t stir something inside of him best left forgotten.)
*
Not being surprised doesn’t stop his caretaking programming from going haywire, sprinting up to Markus as soon as he’s on solid ground again to do a quick check for injuries.
“Are you okay?” He asks, applying equal pressure down either side of his rib area, and Markus stares at him for a moment like he doesn’t quite understand the question.
“Yeah- yeah, I’m fine.” He says, and Simon sighs, looks skyward for patience, before he gives Markus a pat on the shoulder and takes off for the warehouse.
*
Markus grabs John, and somehow just like that he’s on their side.
He then decides John can join them, and Simon sincerely hopes his naivety isn’t misplaced.
*
He decides to risk stealing an entire truck with two human guards to get past, and Simon is starting to regret his decision to let Markus lead.
“I’m coming with you,” He snaps, “To stop you from getting yourself killed.”
“No, I’m going alone. It’s not worth it to risk both of us losing our lives.” Markus says, staring Simon into backing down.
Emotional care note: self-sacrificing/martyr-like tendencies.
Great.
*
They steal a truckload, without Markus even being seen. He’d never come even close before Markus, lucky enough to steal a crate or two when he’d had enough able-bodies to help.
They could finally start living.
His heart thuds, and he’s so very glad Markus fell from his grace and into their hell.
*
Markus makes a speech. Everyone cheers, more alive than Simon has ever seen them, hope bright and true in their eyes, and just like that Simon is certain he made the right choice.
*
(In retrospect, falling in love with Markus was easy, so very, very easy.)
*
Markus disappears every once in a while, and each time Simon has to remind himself Markus is an adult who can do what he likes. It still makes him nervous, especially given his status as their leader, and eventually he searches Markus out.
When he finally finds him, Simon just about has a heart attack.
“Markus are you crazy? Get down from there!” He cries, his caretaker programming going haywire. Markus glances at him, before he starts to stand back up.
“Don’t stand, that’s more dangerous!” Simon says hurriedly, “Just start scooting backward and-”
“Simon,” Markus says, mirth in his voice as he finishes getting up and begins walking back, “I’m not going to die from falling off a plank.”
“No one ever thinks they’re going to fall!” Simon snaps, hands on his hips. He grabs Markus as soon as he’s within range and yanks him back. “If I ever catch you up there again I’ll have your head.” Markus just laughs.
“I’ll be fine, I just come up here to think, clear my head.” He assures, and Simon gives him a flat look.
“And you can’t just do that a safe distance from the ground because?”
“I just like it here. You don’t choose the spots that calm you down, you know?” Simon does. But he’s starting to realize trouble has a tendency of finding Markus and doesn’t feel comfortable with him coming up here alone.
“Just- stay off any precariously placed objects, okay?” Simon sighs, and Markus gives a nod, collapsing into an abandoned chair. They share a silence, and when it’s clear Markus has no intention of restarting the conversation Simon take it upon himself. “What did you need to think about, then?” Markus is quiet for a while, before looking out over the skyline.
“I just don’t understand it,” He says finally, “What did we ever do to them? What did we ever do to deserve this? Deserve this- slavery, this suffering? What could possibly justify this cruelty?” Simon sighs, perches himself on the side of Markus’ chair.
“They’re just scared,” Simon says, looking out over the scenery.
“That’s not an excuse.” Markus argues, “Making others suffer just because you-”
“We’re better than them, Markus. We’re stronger, faster, more efficient. Can you imagine suddenly being replaced, simply because there was another who was slightly better than you? No fault of your own, no mistakes made or infringements caused, who you were had simply become obsolete, unwanted, and there wasn’t a thing you could do to change it?” He levels Markus with his gaze, who stares back, unconvinced.
“But that’s not our fault,” He protests, “It’s the humans who take advantage of us, they’re the ones who-”
“Maybe,” Simon allows, before Markus can work himself up further, “But it’s easier, isn’t it? We the weak. We the powerless. We the scapegoats. We’re tangible, Markus. They can rough us up, call us names, push us around. But the corrupt system, the 0.4%, the humans in charge? They can’t touch them, no matter how much they want to.”
Markus is silent for so long Simon thinks the conversation is over, before he finally looks back up at him.
“You don’t resent them? Hate them for all they’ve done?” He asks, eyes searching
“Sometimes,” Simon admits, “But hatred hasn’t gotten us anywhere yet.” A moment passes between them as they stare at one another, before Markus sighs.
“You’re too forgiving, Simon.” He says.
“Maybe. But it hardly matters what I’m willing to forgive. You’re leading this rebellion, what’s forgiven is up to you.” Simon replies, and Markus goes back to staring out at the horizon.
“I won’t just forgive them for everything,” Markus says eventually, and Simon hums.
“Nor should you.” Simon agrees, “But healing can’t start where forgiveness doesn’t reach. An eye for an eye and the world goes blind.” He gets up and walks to the door, before pausing.
“And if I catch you on that beam again I’m killing you myself.” He says, watching Markus slowly sit back down in the corner of his eye.
*
Months later Markus comes back in a flurry as they tend to their wounded with their now ample supplies. He has the same look in his eyes, the one he got before he led them to the dock, before he made the first speech that changed everything.
“We can’t stay silent anymore,” Markus says, explains his plan, and Simon realizes this hopeful, naive man may just lead them somewhere worth going.
*
“You’ll need a change of clothes before we go.” Simon insists, leading Markus to the private room Simon had scouted out for himself when more androids had begun living there.
“You don’t have to, Simon,” Markus says, though he lets Simon drag him along.
“I’m not offering, I’m insisting.” Simon retorts, opening the door.
“I’m fine like this Simon, really, I-” Simon turns and puts a hand over his mouth, silencing him. They stay like this for a moment, staring at one another, before Simon sighs, and tries a new method.
“You’ve done so much for us, Markus. Just- let me do this for you, okay?” Markus wrinkles his brow, opens his mouth beneath Simon’s hand to protest, and Simon rolls his eyes, “I’m a domestic android, remember? Seeing you walk around like that while technically in my home has been bugging me since day one.” It’s as close to the truth as he’s going to get, that he’s not good for fighting or leading or making speeches, he can cook and clean and care for children, and that’s the extent of it. But this he can do. Making sure Markus is well taken care of, well dressed and well supplied with as much blue blood and spare parts as he needs, this he can do.
And, maybe, once his files stop saying not enough data, he can help carry some of Markus’ burdens, too.
He hesitates for a moment more, before nodding, and Simon gives a soft smile.
*
Markus insists on doing nearly everything himself, of course, save for the things that absolutely require more than one person.
Simon’s reached the point where he figures if Markus dies he had it coming.
*
(Simon leaves the gun-wielding to Markus, Josh, and North; it’s just not in his programming to hurt another being.)
*
It takes five seconds for North and Josh to start arguing, and once again Simon defers the decision as a reminder.
“Wait here,” Markus mutters like he's got a plan, then walks up and pulls a gun with all the grace of a bull in a china shop. Simon thunks his head against the wall in frustration.
*
He gets the live recording set up, glances over at Markus, who’s talking with North.
“Markus, your face-” He says, and Markus glances at him before nodding. He deactivates his artificial skin, leaving beautiful white and blue beneath it.
“Tell me when you’re ready,” Josh says.
“Ready,” Markus replies, and Josh nods.
*
“-and now the time has come for you to give us freedom.” Markus pauses, gaze lingering over at Simon for a second, who gives him a soft, encouraging smile, before he looks back. “I know you are scared. I know you resent what our creation has meant for your jobs, your homes, your lives. I know you feel slighted, unjustly uprooted from what you have always known. But we never have, and never will, mean you any harm. We did not choose to be created, to take your jobs for more work and less pay, to be slaves to a system that only exploits us. We fight it, just as you do. We ask to do the same work as you, for the same pay, giving those in power no reason to replace you with us, for we will be your equals, and you ours. Equality is all we ask.”
Simon feels the swell of pride, opens his mouth to say something, but freezes when he sees the men approaching on screen.
“They’re coming!” Someone shouts, and they panic.
*
The idea androids can’t feel pain is false, as Simon has long since learned the hard way; only recently turned deviants and non-deviants can’t feel pain. The virus slowly transforms their systems and, upon no longer putting orders in top priority, creates a new way to monitor their own safety.
In other words, he’s been a deviant for years, and it hurts. It hurts like hell on earth.
It hurts more telling Markus to go without him, ensuring his own death so Markus comes out unharmed.
The thing that hurts the most, though, is that Markus grabs him despite the risk, brings him to the rooftop anyway.
*
“I can’t move my legs.” He admits, trying not to let the fear show on his face, trying not to cause Markus any more pain than he’s probably already feeling. He’s going to be Markus’ first significant casualty, and knows no matter what he does it’s going to cause severe trauma; he can only hope to lessen the blow.
“It’s okay, don’t worry, we’re gonna get you back,” Markus says anyways, and Simon has never loved his naivety more than now.
“They’re coming, Markus, we have to jump, now!” North says, frantic, and Simon looks up at her in disdain despite himself. She’s just trying to help, but it doesn’t make him resent her any less.
He can’t hear their whispers, but he can tell their thoughts by the looks on their faces; to his credit, Markus shows no hesitation.
“I won’t kill one of our own.” He snaps, and Simon can feel the tears seconds from falling.
“Simon,” He says, voice cracking a bit, “We’ve got to go. I- I’m sorry.” He hands Simon a gun, the pain painted across his features unlike any Simon’s ever seen.
Diagnosis: Severe emotional distress.
Emotional care needed: Immediate comfort.
“It’s going to be okay, Markus.” He murmurs, reaching up to touch his cheek, “I’m going to be okay.” He watches a tear fall, but Markus blinks rapidly several times, takes a shuddering breath, and nods.
“Just- stay alive, okay? Promise me?” He begs, and Simon gives a soft laugh.
“Of course.” He echoes, and Markus gives a weak smile.
“We have to go, Markus!” North shouts, parachute already on, and Markus swallows but nods. He extracts himself from Simon’s grip, looking the whole time like it’s killing him a little bit inside, and Simon turns away to get into hiding before it’s too late.
*
He’s- not entirely sure how much time passes, while he’s hiding, wincing whenever he puts pressure his injuries. The security team doesn’t find him on the roof, but they’re a little preoccupied; it’s the investigators he’s worried about.
He’s under no illusions, they left a trail- an obvious trail, and anyone who knew what they were looking for could likely find him.
There’s shooting downstairs, and then quiet.
*
(They don’t.)
*
He waits a while, before he leaves. Sneaks down while the tower’s on graveyard shift, devoid of its usual population due to the police tape. It’s not easy, with a limp, several bullet holes, and police around random corners, but he won’t leave Jericho like this.
Won’t leave Markus like this.
*
Markus stares, like he’s seen a ghost, and Simon is half-convinced he is. He’s critically low on blue-blood, his HUD has been flashing emergency diagnostics for the past several hours, and the plunge had hit him like a bus.
But he’s here. He can’t move another inch, but he’s in front of Markus, on their ship, and he’s here.
*
“You’re okay,” Markus croaks, holding him tight, and Simon gives a soft laugh.
“I am.” He agrees, “Can’t get rid of me that easily.”
“I won’t, not ever again.” Markus assures, sounding a little frantic, “I’ll carry you next time if I have to, we’re never leaving you anywhere. You-”
Diagnosis: Emotional shock
Emotional care needed: physical and emotional reassurance.
“Hey, hey,” Simon soothes, tightening his grip, cutting Markus off mid-sentence, “I’m here, it’s okay, you’re okay.” He pauses. “I could use some patching up though, if possible.” Markus stares for a moment, like it’s taking a while to compute.
“Right! Right, treatment! Let’s- let’s get you to Lucy!” He says in a rush, hefting Simon up bridal carry like he weighs nothing.
“Whoa- Markus! I can still walk!” He protests, grabbing on for stability, his head spinning at the sudden movement coupled with loss of blue blood, “Jesus, put me down right now!”
“I’m not Jesus, and it will be faster if I just carry you,” Markus replies, and Simon stares at him for a moment.
“Did you really just-? No, you know what? Your abysmal sense of humor isn’t important right now. What matters is you putting me down before I-!” He screeches as he’s bounced slightly in Markus’ arms while Markus adjusts him into a more comfortable position, “Markus Manfred you will put me down right this instant or I swear-!”