A/N: I'm sorry, I didn't like North's character much because she doesn't change. She's always looking to violence. Her relationship with Markus is incredibly forced, so, let's fix that horrible flaw. Shall we?

.............

North was distant. Markus could understand why. With the revolution turning out successful and tension no longer running high, the bright spark he shared with her was gone. It was a heat of the moment romance.

He loved her, but not in a romantic way. When everything settled, Markus saw different versions of love. Kara, Luther and Alice were a familial love, like the one he shared with Carl.

Hank and Connor were another familial love, friends to a point where they were family, looking out for each other.

Then there were the two Tracis who were a romantic love, laughing at jokes they shared, smiling just being with each other, not feeling the need to go against everything the other said.

The way Markus loved North... it was only as family. He realized that, and from her distance, it seemed that she realized it too.

The entirety of the revolution had seen the couple in love, but now...

Markus decided to talk to North, and he caught her talking to Simon and Josh, gesturing to Connor, talking about something that happened at Connor's workplace.

"North." The android paused, turning to face Markus, and an instinctive false smile spread to her face.

"What can I do for you Markus?" She asked kindly, walking up to him, putting her hands on his chest.

Markus already could tell they were both ready for this, "I have to tel you something, but words aren't..."

North already held her hand up, and Markus joined her hand, their synthetic skin peeling away to reveal their plastic hands, and through the connection that they held, both seemed to express the strong desire to end the already deteriorating relationship.

North was the first to move from the bond, a slight hint of regret, but overall, relieved. She looked up at Markus, "yore right. I just... even though it's mutual, I'm gonna need some space." North walled past him, and left the room.

"Markus, did you and North have a fight?" Josh questioned.

He shook his head, "no, we just broke up."

"What? You two seemed so... how ca-"

Connor reacted differently, "You two do seem to be completely opposite of each other, not in a good way either. Eventually you would've grown to the each other from such a disagreeable arrangement. Breaking up is probably for the best."

"What happened?" Josh pressed.

"After everything died down," Markus started, "I began to realize North and I only became a couple because of the situation. Tensions drop and suddenly, anything we felt was no longer real."

Josh nodded in understanding. Nine of the three seemed to notice how quiet Simon was, suddenly fiddling with his fingers, his programming going haywire, creating scenarios he could never wish to actually happen.

Connor did notice after Josh and Markus continued to talk. He saw the small signals that he was taught to recognize. Simon, with a soft smile on his face, cheeks tinged slightly blue, eyes focused on Markus, was absolutely smitten, as Hank would say.

Simon's gaze met Connor's and the smitten gaze vanished, a silent request appearing in his eyes. Connor smiled and turned away, showing Simon he had no intention to tell Markus.

"If you excuse me Markus, I should be getting home before the Lieutenant decided to drive to every bar in town."

"Keep him sober."

Connor laughed, "I'm working on it." He went to leave, he turned to Simon, "you know, you should talk more. Don't let these two keep the spotlight." And Connor left, heading back home.

Markus and the others watched Connor leave, the Android walking with his head held high as he left.

"Good to see he's become more..."

"Pure boy?" Simon said, joking.

"That boy isn't pure," Markus scoffed.

Simon nodded, "he just seems that way."

"Well, i suppose he could be. Somehow."

Josh looked between the pair, not seeing anywhere he could interject himself, "I'm going to go check on some of the newer androids who joined us."

"Alright," Markus nodded, "we'll join you soon. Be sure to see that each new android is properly checked."

"Will do." Josh left as well, leaving Markus and Simon alone.

"Hey Markus?"

"Yes Simon?"

"If you," Simon looked at him, their eyes sharing a very strong gaze, "if you ever need someone to talk to, about anything. I'd be happy to listen."

"I'm glad. You're the only one who has always supported me, no matter what decision I make."

Simon grinned, a small tint of blue reaching his cheeks, "Well, that's because you were trying to fight for the best of us. I couldn't be mad at you for trying to help."

"Thank you."

"We should all be thanking you! Because of you we're able to be free! No longer slaves!"

Markus smiled, a soft one. It was subtle, but the warm glow in his eyes showed how happy Simon's words made him.

So warm...

Pure...

Kind...

"Have we ever connected?"

Simon was slightly taken aback, "not that I can think of."

Markus' smile didn't falter as he reached a hand out to Simon, and Simon walked forward, gently connecting his and Markus' hands, their skin pulling away.

Simon forced his romantic thoughts away, but did let his affection show. He deeply cared about Markus, and wanted Markus to know he would always support him.

Markus saw Simon's past, saw almost everything, feeling raw emotion being directed towards him. the warm feelings Simon had spread throughout his body like a virus, giving him a sense of comfort, and longing.

Everything about Simon, it seemed to right. These new feelings Markus got, transferred to Simon, who's face was covered with blue, flustered as his hold on memories seemed to break, allowing Markus to see Simon's pure love for him.

Love that, in his thirium pumping heart, he returned.

Yet, it was too fast, both knew that.

Markus pulled away, looking at Simon warmly, happily, pulling the android into a tight hug. Simon gingerly hugged back, happy in the embrace.

It was unspoken, what they felt, what they wanted to do, all of that.

A promise.

Soon.

So while they both felt they needed time, especially for Markus, to think about their feelings and make sure they weren't spired by the heat of the moment.

Still, the bright smiled they held for each other weren't going to fade.

...........

A/N: pure boy. My purest boy. Simon my child.

Anyways, hope you enjoyed!