Chapter Text
It all started with a news report about Cyberlife's expansion into reproduction and cloning.
Connor and Hank are resting on the couch after a long day at work. Sumo lays under Hank's feet, acting like a foot rest for his owner, while the couple watch the local news. This has become a ritual for the two when they're home in time for the news whether it's at five in the afternoon or eleven at night. Whether it's discussing the weather, a local shooting or missing person, or local politics, it's a time for the two to discuss what their thoughts are on subjects whether it leads to arguments or not (Their most recent argument about the news was whether androids should be paid the same as humans because Hank still has some anti-android views despite the two now being a couple).
As the news shows the weather report for the week, Hank makes the comment, “God, it's fucking hot already.”
“Well, it is June. Summer is starting.” Connor points out.
“You are right... but I don't like it. Crime goes up when it gets hot,” Hank explains before turning to Connor and saying, “You can come over here... I wouldn't mind cuddling with you. Don't be shy, Connor.”
Connor smiles at that and scoots closer so he can rest his head on Hank's shoulder and Hank can wrap an arm around Connor. Connor always waits for Hank to suggest they cuddle first because he worries about making Hank uncomfortable even after several months of dating. It's not normal to Hank that Connor acts so shy about contact but lets him do what he wants, only suggesting contact occasionally until Connor is okay with asking for contact himself.
The news report shifts to breaking news and the two listen in, “Just in, Cyberlife is looking for deviant androids to participate in their new reproduction and cloning program. The organization has been on hiatus since androids gained sentience but now they're offering to work with deviants for their new ventures. Cyberlife is looking for one hundred androids to volunteer to be rebuilt to be able to clone and carry a pregnancy to term. The technology is new but all androids who volunteer will be able to keep their children once they're born...”
“That's a stupid idea,” Hank voices his opinion, “Cloning already has dangerous consequences and now they want to make it mainstream? That's bullshit.”
Connor stays quiet because he's thinking about it. What if he could have a child with Hank? He and Hank still aren't as comfortable with each other as they could but Connor has thought about wanting a child after hearing Hank's stories about his son Cole before he died. He won't push but... he might get the upgrade behind Hank's back just in case they ever want a child.
As if he read Connor's mind, “You're not actually thinking about getting that upgrade, are you?”
Connor side eyes him and asks, “And if I am, what would you say?”
“...” Hank seems blindsided by that answer for a moment but says, “I... I wouldn't tell you no. Do you really want a child?”
Connor almost bites his lip as he admits, “Yes, I want to have a child. Would you want one with me?”
Hank runs a hand through his hair and says, “God, we barely started dating a few months ago but... I would raise a child with you if you wanted that bad enough.”
“Really?” Connor is honestly surprised. He expected Hank to call him ridiculous and the conversation to be over.
“Really... If you want to volunteer for the program, I will help you with whatever you need.”
Connor feels relief and joy at that, giving Hank's cheek a kiss before saying, “Thank you.”
“For what?” Hank asks, a little surprised by the kiss.
“For agreeing to raise a child with me.”
Hank sputters, “I'll give it a shot but don't get your hopes up...”
The two settle down once the news continues past the report for Cyberlife needing volunteers and they cuddle until dinner time. While making dinner for Hank, Connor imagines what it's like a to be a parent. He knows he has no idea what it's like but he can't help but imagine because the idea excites him from the tales that Hank has told him about parenting.
…
“Are you sure about this, Connor?” Hank asks. The two are in the car in the parking lot of Cyberlife laboratories and testing centers. It's not far from the main facility where Connor was built and has the same resources to build androids.
Looking out the window at the tall building, Connor answers, “I'll find out when I get the consultation. I was one of the first fifty to sign up so they're supposed to give me a gift just for showing interest.”
Hank sighs and his hands tighten on the steering wheel as he asks him, “Could you please call me as soon as you can? I'm going to wait in the car until you call. If you're going to get the upgrade, I want to know in case you want me there with you.”
Connor finds the offering from Hank very sweet. Hank normally is fine with Connor doing everything on his own no matter what but seeing Hank actually worry a bit warms Connor from the inside. Connor offers Hank a hand to hold and assures him, “I'll be okay. I'll call you.”
Hank holds his hand until it's almost time for Connor's appointment with the consultant. When the two finally have to separate, Connor doesn't miss the worried look on Hank's face as he turns back his head while walking to the building. When Hank is out of sight, Connor composes himself and prepares himself for the appointment.
The building is very similar to Cyberlife's main headquarters with armed security and everything. The color of the interior painting is more cream colored than the original headquarters to feel more comforting. At the desk, a female android types away on a keyboard. Connor approaches the desk and announces to her, “I'm here for an appointment.”
“Your name?”
“Connor Anderson,” Connor proudly has been using Hank's last name for things ever since deviants had to register last names for themselves and Hank gave him permission to do so.
She finds his appointment scheduled and notes, “You're just in time. Dr. Jameson is waiting for you on floor 36 in waiting room 45. Please make your way to your appointment, Mr. Anderson.”
Connor nods and is escorted to the elevator by security. They press for floor 36, labeled the consultations department. In the building, there's a construction and engineering department, laboratories, maternity ward, general research department, and cloning area among other things before they reach Connor's floor. The guards let him walk to room 45 by himself.
As soon as he enters room 45, he sees the consultant, Dr. Jameson, at the desk. She has brown hair and soft eyes. She looks up and smiles at Connor, greeting, “Welcome. You're here for information about the conception project?”
“Yes,” Connor pulls out the paperwork they sent him to fill out from the inside of his jacket. The paperwork was a bunch of questions about why he wanted a child and his general attitude towards children as well as his career and personal life. Connor filled out the paperwork as honestly as he could and hands it to her before saying, “Right here.”
Dr. Jameson reads over the paperwork for about ten minutes, enough to make Connor nervous until she hums and nods at whatever she read. She files the paperwork in her desk and says, “Your intentions seem good. You're not doing this for money. You genuinely like children and your model year is compatible with the upgrade. Have a seat.”
Connor sits in the chair that's on his end of the desk and watches her carefully. She cuts right to the chase, getting a couple pamphlets from her desk to hand to Connor before beginning her speech about the procedure, “This upgrade is rough on all androids, Connor. You will be fitted with an artificial womb, a digestive tract from your mouth to waste excretion to be able to feed a growing child and parenting-related programming that will give you feelings in your programming that you have never experienced before,” She gives him a serious look, “Are you following?”
Connor bites his lip, not having considered how much work would go into the upgrade, and answers, “Yes... So, you're saying I'll be built to be more human and support human life?”
“Good, you are following along,” She smirks and asks, “Are you prepared to have to take bathroom breaks, eat at a regular schedule, experience power emotions related to child safety, report for regular appointments here at the Cyberlife facility and regularly monitor your physical movement for nine months if not longer?”
Connor thinks on it for a moment, a bit scared of the idea of it but if Hank can do it then he can too, and says, “I'll do it.”
She then continues on, “Alright, you will be fitted with everything you need to be able to make informed decisions about your child. We will upload a pregnancy and parenting guide to your software that will be able to answer all questions you may have about the process. For the most part, like any new parent, you will be on your own to discover what we couldn't really cover in the guide. Are you okay with that?”
“Yes, my partner has raised a child before so I can always ask him for advice.” Connor puts on a display of false confidence when he's actually starting to get cold feet. He's nervous, having never put as much thought into the reality of parenting. He's only had Hank's tales about Cole to go off of so he's only heard the good rather than the bad and ugly. Hell, he knows nothing about pregnancy or about caring for an infant in the womb so he's almost biting his synthetic nails.
She doesn't comment on the nervousness she notices about him and finishes with, “The upgrade will take five days to completely build into you. Are you sure you want to go through with this? If you are, we can get started today.”
“... I need to call my partner.”
She nods and says, “Go ahead, you can speak in the hallway.”
Connor is quick to get up and go into the hallway, dialing Hank on his cellphone. The longer it takes for Hank to pick up, the more anxious Connor becomes. Eventually, Hank picks up and sounds as if he just woke up from a nap, “Mmm, Connor?”
“I finished with the consultation,” Connor blurts out. Hank doesn't respond for a couple moments so Connor continues by asking, “Hank... You'd help me if I had any problems during the pregnancy, right?”
Hank seems to clear his throat and assure, “Of course, babe. I'm gonna be by your side whether you get the upgrade or not... Are you going to get it? How long will it take?” Hank seems nervous himself about the upgrade.
“... Five days. I'm guessing they have to deactivate me to be able to add the components they want to add and I'm really terrified. Hank, if they deactivate me, will you please check up on me to make sure they don't try to wipe my memory or anything like that?” Connor knows he's panicking. A deviant's worst fear is death, whether it be from shutdown or a memory wipe, and Connor needs Hank's support to be able to go through with this. Maybe this is all a mistake and Connor is a fool for even considering this route for a child.
“Whoa, slow down. You're going to be okay,” Hank reassures over the phone, “They're not going to erase your memory, Connor. It's against the law to do that to deviants now. Cyberlife has been following the law. I will make sure myself that they don't do that to you if I have to.”
When Connor doesn't respond to that, Hank continues, “... You're doing this so there's a chance we can have a child. Even if it doesn't work, we... we can try adoption. But, it's worth a shot, right?”
Connor mulls that over for a moment before nodding to himself and answering, “Okay.”
Hank sighs and says, “Want me to be there when they turn you off?”
Connor's LED turns red for a moment considering that and balls a hand into a fist but says, “Sure, if you're okay with seeing me become dead.”
Hank makes a sound like he wants to argue but realizes that Connor is being serious and sighs, “Okay... I can live through that because I know they'll turn you back on once it's over. I'm getting out of the car now and coming inside. Love you.”
Connor knows the conversation is over and says, “Love you, too. Please hurry.” The line hangs up and Connor calms himself before going back to tell the doctor he's ready to get started. Knowing Hank is going to support him gives him a little bit of comfort and the courage to step into the unknown.
Dr. Jameson smiles and, having must of heard their conversation, assures, “You'll be alright, Mr. Anderson. Whatever you choose, we will accommodate you. We understand you must have fears regarding the upgrade.”
“I'll do it once my partner is here to see me be... shut down.” Connor says.
Dr. Jameson sighs and confirms, “Yes, you will have to be shutdown but you will be unharmed and good as new when you wake. I promise you that. And yes, your partner may be there to accompany you.”
Seeing that the doctor is trying to reassure Connor, he puts on a fake smile and asks, “Lead me wherever I need to be.”
…
Connor is laying on the table in the engineering department, awaiting to be shutdown so they can start construction on him. He analyzes the room to find that it's very similar to where he was built years ago. The only difference is that the walls are painted a soft sea breeze blue and the ceiling has patterns that are meant to be calming to both humans and deviants. Connor will admit that the sight does make the room more cheery when he's facing five days of android death.
Dr. Jameson introduced him to Dr. Eight, the senior engineer of the department, before he was laid down on the table. Dr. Eight was a smiling old man with the hands of a skilled craftsmen. Connor immediately trusts him because he reminds Connor of the man that first turned his systems on when he was first created, almost like a father or creator. Dr. Eight assured him he wouldn't shut him down until Hank arrived.
When Hank arrives, he looks as uneasy as Connor. The first thing he says is, “This place feels fucking weird... Are you okay?”
Connor nods and says, “Yes, now that you're here.”
Dr. Eight appears again and cheerfully says, “Oh, I see the boyfriend is here. We can begin now.”
Hank is immediately stand-offish and gives him a dirty look but Dr. Eight doesn't seem bothered as he orders, “Please hold Connor's hand, comfort him.”
Hank grumbles about being told what to do but obeys, holding Connor's hand and Connor gives it a squeeze back. Hank can't help a small smile when Connor does that.
Dr. Eight sits on a stool and starts to move Connor's clothes out of the way to look for something, saying, “Connor, I want you to count back from twenty. If you have to start over from the beginning, that's okay. Start now.”
Connor tries to focus on the task, staring at Hank while he does it, “Twenty, nineteen, eighteen...” Dr. Eight pushes a hidden switch only a professional regarding androids can find, “Seventeen... sixteen, fifteen, f-fourteen...” Systems shutting down. “Thir-teen... T-t-twelve... Ele...ven.”
Connor can't finish counting numbers, the last thing he sees before his systems completely shut down is Hank's concerned face and hears a frantic, “C-Connor?!”
…
“Connor? Connor!?”
Hank's voice is the first thing that Connor hears once his auditory receptors are back online. His vision soon returns when he opens his eyes but he doesn't answer Hank yet because his systems are doing a diagnostic to check what has changed.
New systems detected. Conception receptical operational and ready to receive cells for cloning. New Task: Receive cells for cloning from Hank. No sustenance detected to support new growth. Artificial digestive system functional. New Task: Find suitable sustenance to support growth.
Once he has the two new tasks, he tries to sit up and analyze where he is. He's... different than when he first arrived in the engineering room but he can't really explain how. For some reason, his systems are telling him to kiss Hank. Not just because he's relieved that he was turned on again and can see the love of his life again but because his new reproductive system has a strong urge to steal cells from Hank in order to fulfill the new task his programming is asking of him. To have a child.
“Hank...” Connor cautiously smiles as he says that. He's wary of these new systems that are now part of him.
Hank looks relieved and hugs him before saying, “I've been worried for days. I'm so glad you're back,” Hank lets go and continues to inform, “Dr. Eight told me how your new systems work already... I'm not kissing you until we get home at least from what he's told me. Well, at least not with tongue...” As he sees Connor look more and more confused he runs a hand through his hair and finishes with, “Dr. Eight with explain this shit. Don't ask me.”
Speaking of him, Dr. Eight walks in and smiles before greeting, “Hello, you two. I see Connor is awake.”
Connor lets Dr. Eight examine him while Hank watches with his arms crossed. Connor's systems react how they're supposed to as the examination goes through and Dr. Eight gives a satisfied nod. That's when Dr. Eight starts explaining his new systems to him. Connor learns that his feelings to reproduce will get stronger as the days go on but it's normal to want to kiss his partner spontaneously in order to collect cells. As the doctor laughs at it, Connor and Hank share a look that confirms one thing; Both of them are going to go crazy not being able to kiss each other until they're both ready for a child.
Another explanation that makes both Connor and Hank cringe is Dr. Eight emphasizing how important it is that Connor start using his new digestive tract and start regularly discarding waste from said use. Basically, both men are cringing because Connor is being told to eat and shit on a regular schedule from now on in order not to fuck up his brand new systems. Connor reluctantly agrees but he's still nervous to try eating when he never had to before and the idea of using the toilet is never a thought he's had before either. Doesn't help that Dr. Eight made a joke that an experienced human like Hank could teach him if he needed it.
Connor's question is, “How will I know when I'm pregnant after I collect the cells?”
“Well...” Dr. Eight gets serious and says, “This is why I want you to get into a habit of eating and bowel movements. In order for life to grow, it needs nourishment. You won't know until the cells grow to the third week that your censors will inform you of your pregnancy. If there's no nourishment, the cells won't grow. You don't need to worry about hormones or anything since those have been built into you but you will need to make sure you're eating and not over-exerting yourself. You understand, right?”
“Yes...” Connor answers.
“Anymore questions? I told you everything I told your partner earlier.” Dr. Eight says.
“No, thank you,” Connor gingerly stands and can feel the shift of his new systems as he does that. He now notices that he can feel the waste systems between his legs and it feels weird knowing they're there. However, he's able to walk just fine and he's ready to go home with Hank.
Dr. Eight has him sign something and releases him with Hank to go home once he agrees to check-in in a month and a half to make sure the new system is working (Dr. Eight says he doesn't need to get pregnant by then, just take care of his new systems just in case). He and Hank don't speak the whole car ride because they have enough to talk about when they get home.
…
Like a small child, the whole first week is Connor basically teaching himself to eat and use the bathroom. Connor learns that his body has already programmed what foods are nutritious and will support a pregnancy better so those foods immediately become his favorites (Especially peanut butter. Once Connor first tried it, Hank had to watch in awe as Connor started to eat the whole jar with a spoon).
However, no matter how good the food tastes, Connor immediately regrets it a few hours later once he has to use the bathroom. Connor is grateful that Hank gives him privacy regarding the... issue because he hates using the bathroom. It just feels... odd. He understands that the food has to go somewhere but the action in itself feels really weird.
The only part Connor likes about the process is washing his hands (Hank immediately scolded him like a child when he didn't wash his hands after the first time he tried the bathroom experience). The action of washing his hands is calming because of the song Hank taught him to sing in his mind while he washes his hands to make sure they're clean. Even if most of the experience is unpleasant, Hank managed to give him one part of it he can calm himself with.
After that first week, Connor is in a rhythm enough that he can return to work without any embarrassing incidents. His co-workers couldn't help but stare at him when they see him eating food with Hank at lunch break. In fact, Connor has the face Gavin made when he first saw Connor eating a sandwich ingrained into his memory for his own amusement.
It's during that lunch break that Hank finally brings up what he's been meaning to ask Connor about, “So... You really want to have a baby with me still?”
Connor stops half-way through his sandwich to give Hank his attention and sighs, “Yes... But I'm terrified, if I'm honest. It's all... new. You get where I'm getting at?”
Hank licks his lip and answers, “Yeah. I get it. I'm scared, too,” He gives an intense look, “However, I'm a little excited to be a dad again. If you're still on board, I'll be there to help you all the way through.”
With a small smile, Connor is glad Hank is on the same page after a week of him getting his shit together (literally, if he thinks about it), he says, “Good... Will you kiss me now?”
Hank doesn't respond other than getting up and walking around the table to lean down and give Connor a deep kiss. Connor is surprised at first but relaxes into it and wraps his arms around Hank's shoulders and closes his eyes. Connor needed this. He missed kissing Hank just because he was worried if Hank really was on board with having a child but he finally gets satisfaction when he programming tells him “Cells collected” with one swipe of Hank's inner cheek with his tongue and Hank is left panting from how long the kiss was.
Both of their attention is caught when Gavin comes in the break room and comments, “You two are gross,” Luckily, Gavin leaves after he puts his leftover lunch in the fridge and leaves.
Hank ignores Gavin and asks Connor, “Was... that all you needed to do?”
Connor nods and says, “Yes, my tongue collected cells off your cheek... now we wait.”
“Yeah, now we wait.” Hank agrees before they're called by their boss to go out on another case.
…
The next few weeks are the same cycle of Connor getting used to his new functions, working with Hank on cases and anxiously awaiting his programming to tell him he's pregnant.
His new schedule of needing to use the restroom at a specific time every day (because Connor also has a very regular schedule of eating whether it be a full meal or a quick protein bar) has been inconvenient during two cases where he was needed to analyze evidence and he had to leave the crime scene for that. Hank doesn't mind accommodating Connor, knowing he himself has left a crime scene to take a piss in the past, but Connor almost feels bad when his new functions interfering with his work. To make matters worse, he has to be more careful with analyzing blood and thirium with his mouth sensors because his digestive tract might accidentally swallow the contents and harm whatever might be growing inside him. It's irritating to him but his instincts to protect cells growing inside him are stronger.
It happens when he's in the middle of analyzing a room of a crime scene. A prompt comes up in his systems that notifies him, “Third week of growth reached. Fetus is stable.”
Connor is stunned by the prompt. That confirms it; he's pregnant.
He wants to tell Hank right then but hears movement above them and is distracted by the task at hand. They're in an abandoned house in a neighborhood ravaged by red ice addiction. The call to the police department was originally a domestic violence complaint between a deviant and a human but by the time the police arrived it became a homicide case. From what Connor knows, the two has a fight that ended ugly when the deviant took a cast-iron pan off the kitchen wall and beat the human man to death. The deviant was nowhere to be found... nobody was supposed to be in the house but they had yet to check upstairs.
While Hank is distracted marking off evidence, Connor sneaks upstairs to investigate. The stairs do not creak so that's a good thing. Connor cautiously looks down the hallway the the top of the stairs before listening closely with his advanced hearing. He can hear the sound of a pencil on paper in one of the rooms down the way and knows that's the room he's going to check first.
When Connor gets to the room, he forces the door open. The android immediately stops writing in their journal on the desk and stares at Connor in horror. There's blood all over the android from beating the man's head in but they seem shaky as they were writing something in their notebook. Connor tries to be soothing as he speaks to them, “... You must be the one who caused the scene downstairs.”
The android doesn't hesitant and attacks him, grabbing Connor by the arms quicker than he can react and shoves him to the ground. Connor falls hard, falling face down without being able to stop his face from slamming onto the floor. Connor is dazed, his programming doing a lightning fast diagnostic, “Systems briefly disrupted, checking status of fetus...”
Connor has a surreal moment when he realizes he's not just himself that he needs to worry about. He needs to protect his child. He could have put his child in danger by confronting the suspect and his senses are in overdrive. Quickly, he rolls to avoid a blow from the deviant's kick and finds himself against a wall.
Staring up at the deviant who has a crazed look in their eyes and clearly has something else wrong with their programming besides deviancy, Connor has to brace himself for another kick aimed for his stomach. He braces for impact... but it never comes.
The deviant stops mid-act when they hear Hank downstairs yell, “What the fuck is going on up there?!”
It gives Connor enough time to kick out and knock the android down, allowing him to get up and call to Hank, “The suspect is up here! Hurry!” The android tries to get up and attack Connor again but Connor is faster this time, pinning the android to the ground using his whole body until Hank runs up the stairs to help him handcuff the suspect.
Connor hears in his mind, “Suspect apprehended. Fetus is in stable condition despite vigorous movement detected.” Crinkling his nose at the terminology his programming is using, he runs a prompt to change it to something more pleasing.
“Phrasing changed. Child is in stable condition.”
Feeling a little better in his systems terminology, Connor can now focus on the fact that Hank needs help taking the suspect to the police car. The suspect does try to kick and scream but Hank mostly manages them so Connor is protected from the flailing. The other officers outside are surprised to see the suspect has been apprehended once they get outside but help as well.
Connor almost zones out after the suspect is in the back of the car. His systems are in overdrive with thoughts because his child could have have been hurt. What would he have done if he lost the child so easily? How would he explain it to Hank? What... is his going to do from now on? Part of him is excited to be a parent but he can't keep working for the safety of his child-
“Connor? Connor! Are you listening?” They're in the front seats of the police car now, ready to take the deviant to the station for questioning. Connor realizes Hank is speaking to him and turns towards him as he says, “Jesus, what has you so distracted?”
Connor collects himself and says, “Hank, there's something we need to discuss once we get to the station.”
“... Why not now?”
Connor sighs and points out, “We have a suspect that can hear our conversation.”
“It can't be that bad-”
Connor finally can't take it anymore and blurts out, “I'm pregnant.”
Silence. Hank just stares at him for a moment before he has a sobering look on his face, realizing why Connor wanted to talk in private. Connor adds, “The suspect almost hurt the baby in the struggle... We need to talk to Fowler about this because I can't work on cases anymore...”
Hank grips the steering wheel and assures, “We'll talk to him, hun... I should have had you ask for paternity leave sooner. Like when you got the upgrade...”
…
After a long conversation with Jeffery Fowler, explaining to him exactly the upgrade that Connor received and their efforts to start a family, Fowler ended up reluctantly agreeing to give Connor paternity leave. It's unpaid because of Connor being an android, which frustrates Hank, but Connor doesn't have to report for work until a couple weeks after the child is born.
They're home now and Connor immediately lays on the couch and softly rubs his stomach in thought. So, this is how the next nine months are going to be? He's going to be bored out of his mind not being able to go to work and Hank will miss him on the job but it's all for a child, right?
“Sustenance required soon.” His systems remind him and Connor sighs. It will be worth it in the end. At least, that's what Connor tells himself.