Deviant Behavior (Connor x Reader)

Software Instability Detected

You didn't know what to say.  The wheel spun in his shallow grip until his hand closed around it.

"I went to your apartment building." His features fell flat, "The ST300 receptionist informed me that you hadn't returned, and that I was permitted to enter your home, regardless."

"Why didn't you?  I told you that you could..."

"I..." His brows tensed and relaxed in a sequential order, "I was worried, about you."

"Connor," You smiled, "You don't need to worry about me.  Jimmy and I could've taken that guy down, no problem."

His hand tightened around the wheel, "I didn't like the way that man was speaking to you...Like you were..."

His eyes darted to the side as he cursed under his breath.

"Hey," You put your hand over his, resting on the shifter, "I'm okay now, thanks to your spectacle, back there." You chuckled, "It's over.  Just try and let it go."

His LED flashed red.  The tires squealed as the wheel spun to the side, and your seatbelt snapped in place.  Your back bounced against your seat, which did nothing for the creeping pain.

"Ow, fuck-"

He threw the car in park and cranked the emergency brake; pulled over on the side of the road.  You were breathing rapidly, heart pounding – hands braced against the edge of your dashboard.

"Connor, what the-"

His head jerked back and forth, his fingertips digging into his skull like he was trying to pry something out.

"I let it go-" His voice cracked, a small squeak breaking the last word, "I let themgo-"

The red light as flashing sporadically, an angry eye blinking at you in a new form of warning.

"Connor," You placed your hand on his shoulder, and he jumped away, bumping into the door's interior.

"Connor, come back to me." You twisted in your seat, leaning towards him, "You're okay.  You hear me?  You're okay-"

A new sheen took to his cheeks as he pried his eyes open.  His pupils shook, distant and lost and-

"Hey," You ducked in front of him, and his trembling stare found you under a twitching eyelid, "It's me," You repeated your first name, "Remember?"

He was shaking so hard you worried pieces of him would start flying off.

His lips quivered, but his sight never left you.  The flashing red went quiet, and the yellow light returned.

"That's it, there you go..." You gave him a sad smile, your hand curving around the back of his head, "See?  You're okay."

You swallowed as his hands lowered, and he studied them as if he'd committed a horrible crime.

"I..."

"Shh..." You petted him softly, "Just relax."

He turned to you in a rapid motion, the tip of his nose brushing against yours, "I can't."

The deep contours around his mouth – held in place by his sharp jaw.  The way his eyes held a certain longing, how is brow was slanted into sadness...He'd never been so close to you, before.  But this...all of this...

This was heart-breaking.

You remembered how Jimmy pulled you back from your despair, just by offering a listening ear.