...........*...........

You had always wondered what he looked like, I mean really  looked like. Past the layer of liquid skin which bared such an uncanny likeness to that of a real human that you sometimes even forgot that it was indeed synthetic. 

But, synthetic it was. It wasn't real. The outer layer was just a veil to conceal what was truly underneath; a machine. 

Inside there were biocomponent's, circuits, Thirium, wires, processors, units, and metal. Inside, laid an Android. And, you had always been curious to see Connor for who he really was, not the appearance he cloaked himself in. 

Even though you had been with the Negotiator for a long time now you had never seen him for who he truly was, and you wanted to. To you it felt like he was always evading showing himself, and you understood why. 

Connor had always been one of the most advanced Prototypes to ever stem from CyberLife, and he was created to look the way he did. As a handsome, charming man. And, it was in his basic Programming to remain as human like as possible in order to built up trust in others, and formulate a harmonious environment. 

He was built to look the part of a welcoming, benevolent, and affable male who could be anything he needed to be at any precise moment. From domineering and aggressive to friendly and trustworthy when the situation demanded it. 

Like a chameleon shifting it's colors to suit it's habitat Connor was designed to be adaptable at any given moment. That was his speciality, but after he became a Deviant you were the first person who got to see him. Really  see him for who he truly was, and it was a beautiful sight. 

Watching a once indifferent, ever processing, never real Android become something more, and form a personality for himself was so nice to look at. Like a baby experiencing everything for the first time; that's how Connor acted for a while until he eventually grew into the being you fell in love with. 

Watching him blossom, his opinions flourish, and his own individuality sprout up like flowers in Springtime was something spectacular, and you marveled in every new day that he expanded more, and more of his identity. 

An identity he could claim for himself, and not just a built in module in his System. 

Connor came to be a sympathetic man with a heart of gold, and unyielding morals. Slightly awkward, socially inept, even humorous when it came to sassing Hank... He was sensitive, blunt, emotional, afraid of death, and undoubtedly loyal. 

And, you loved him dearly... But, you still were curious as to what he truly looked like. 

Though you had obviously seen what Androids looked like beneath their layer of synthetic skin; everyone nowadays had, you still wanted to see him.

You wanted to see the man you loved without him being shrouded in a façade that was manufactured to mimic humans. Because that's what it was; a façade. At least to you. 

Androids were made to be a perfect carbon copy of humans as that was what was deemed most "appealing"  to the public.  

People thought the porcelain white plastic bodies were too disturbing in an everyday scenario, and you hated that. That Androids couldn't just be themselves, how they were built, because it was too appalling apparently.

And, more than anything you didn't want Connor to feel like he had to cover up around you. More than anything you wanted him to be himself, and to see him for who he truly was. 

..........*..........

So, that night you waited around in your shared apartment for him to come home. Which usually took a while since Detective work ran late, and most times Connor would wind up shuffling on inside once you had already fallen asleep. 

But, tonight was different. Tonight you were determined to uncover him. 

So, as the evenings sky drifted in, the pale moonshine flooding into the windows of your living room, you stayed seated on the couch. 

Your body cocooned in a fleece blanket, a box of Chinese take-out near you; the bamboo chopsticks stuck into the remains of your Lo Mein. 

You were flipping through the channels of your TV, the Detroit news sprawled out across the screen, and in the blue effulgence you cracked a smile, seeing some footage of a crime scene that Connor and Hank had been called out to investigate earlier. 

The News Anchor was talking about the gruesome crime involving Red Ice, but you didn't concern yourself with her words. Instead you focused on the footage from the scene, the sight of Connor making your heartbeat flip even though it was a previously aired recording. 

You slunked down more into the cushions of your couch, and continued to impatiently wait around for your boyfriends arrival; Detroit's skyline prevalent in your line of sight as you stared longingly outside, silently wishing for him to be home soon. 

...........*...........

As the hours of nightfall drew thin, the moon continuing to rise, your exhaustion was beginning to show itself as your head bobbed, and as your eyes began to slink shut on their own. 

But, soon enough before your sleepiness could win out, you heard the door clicking open; the security code having been typed in. 

There in the shadows of the entry was Connor, his Android jacket casting a blueish glow all around him. 

As he himself never tired it was sometimes hard to believe, by human standards anyway, that he had just came from a grueling 12 hour shift at the station. He never looked the part of someone who had the unfortunate job of laboriously solving the incessant crimes that went on in the city of Detroit. 

He looked the same as always, ever clean and composed. Not a single thread out of place in his uniform, his tie perfectly straight. The only quirk being the little tuft of brunette hair that fell over his forehead. An individual feature that you happened to enjoy. 

With ease the Negotiator made his way over to you, his own face now brightly-lit from the TV screen. 

"You shouldn't stay awake for me."  He spoke, his smooth voice laced with concern. Your well-being his top priority. 

"I know, but I wanted to." You answered, repositioning yourself on the couch in order to swipe the last egg roll. 

"You shouldn't eat that." You heard Connor lecture as he took a seat beside you, and you could plainly see his LED blinking. He was calculating the amount of calories, cholesterol, and saturated fats that were inside of it. All the facts he had at his constant disposal sometimes like rain on your parade. 

"Please, no details,"  You halted, raising your hand up in protest. "If you could eat you would understand why people take risks in order to eat truly delicious food." 

Connor did as you wished, and fell silent. He meant well, but he knew that he didn't have the right to tell you how to live. He merely wanted you to be healthy, and happy. 

So, he just took to settling back into the cozy cushions of the couch while you curled up beside him. Your body snuggling against his as you munched on your last egg roll. 

...........*...........

After a lull of calm where you just watched TV like usual, and he made a report to CyberLife it then came time to go to bed. (Well, for you to go to bed anyway.)

So, while in the bathroom brushing your teeth you thought about your desire yet again. The distant thought nagging at your brain, and had been for the past few hours. 

You were gonna do it, you were going to ask him. 

Stepping out into the bedroom you saw Connor waiting for you, his coffee hued eyes so sincere, and you worried that what you were about to ask him would make him upset. 

But, curiosity killed the cat, they say. 

"Connor?" 

"Yes?" 

"Is it alright if I ask you something personal?" 

"Sure, if you'd like."  He replied, unaware of the bomb you felt you were about to drop. 

"Is it alright if I... See you without your skin?" 

To be honest your query had surprised the Android. As that part of him was something he wanted to keep hidden from you. 

Connor never wanted you to see him as a machine, as a model that could be mass produced. Forever he could be rebooted into another form, and another, and another... There had been so many Connor's before he met you, and that is why ever since you stepped into his life he had grown to actually be afraid of dying. 

Never again did he want to die and come back, never again did he want to be rebooted into another Connor model because to him, it was so different now... 

He wanted to keep the form that he first met you in, the one you had touched, and kissed... The body he felt belonged  to you, and that is why he wanted to seem as human as possible. 

If he revealed himself to you as you wanted would you then start seeing him simply as RK800, and no longer your boyfriend? 

Would his body then no longer be like a human males, and instead be like a mannequin to you? 

You could see the hesitancy blaze across Connor's expression as his brows knit together. He looked so doubtful, and in a way insecure? You hadn't seen that side of him before, but you knew immediately that it was like looking at a sad puppy. 

"I know it's a lot to ask, and I won't force you if you're too uncomfortable to do it,"  You began to reassure. "It's just that you've see me when I've been at my most vulnerable. Without makeup, severely sick, having a bad day..." 

"I don't want you to think of me as a machine."  Connor disclosed, looking so unsure, and you merely smiled. 

"I could never think of you as a machine, Connor. To me you'll always be the man I fell in love with."  You assured, your words honeyed, dripping with sincerity. 

With that Connor's expression softened as you strolled over. 

You took his black tie in your hands, and carefully loosened it. Letting the strand of silky fabric cascade to the floor before you continued. 

You unbuttoned his crisp white shirt, your eyes interlocked with his all the while, and he let you slip off his Android jacket. 

Once fully unclothed Connor brought his fingers up to his LED, and gently tapped the blinking yellow indicator, allowing for his liquid skin to be stripped away. 

His humanness peeled off slowly, revealing the pristine white underneath, and you watched as even his synthetic brown hair vanished. The one remaining thing his deep mocha hued eyes, the eyes you fell in love with. 

You weren't frightened in the least, instead in awe. He looked beautiful, and his eyes retained the same liveliness to them. 

He was now bathed in pure white, the color of snow. His form basic, and plastic. Completely bare to you. 

His face was outlined by a few sections of gray, and you could see his Serial Number printed above his brow bone. 

Gently with the tips of your fingers you traced over the number, his  number. "313 248 317- 51" and then you kissed the spot where his Model was stamped. 

Your lips pressing sweetly against the "RK800". 

You could feel his Thirium pump beating rapidly, and it made your mouth tug upwards into a grin. To you, it was his heartbeat, and you could tell that he was nervous. 

"You know being vulnerable is one of the most human things you can feel, Connor."  You told him, noticing that he was fixated on you. Analyzing the intimacy that was occurring between you two, and how you were being so affectionate with him. 

Connor had probably never showed any other human his entire Android form before, and you were grateful to be the first. 

"Aren't you scared?"  You heard Connor utter, his LED blinking a warning shade of red for a split second, and you knew why. 

He was feeling afraid, the fear of you seeing him differently washing over him, invading his Processors. 

"Of course not."  You spoke up, your hands timidly roaming over his smooth plastic chest, your gaze locking with his once more. 

In the pallid gleam of moonlight you continued to touch him, your fingers ghosting over each piece of his Android frame. 

"You are alive, Connor, and this form of yours won't ever change that."  You consoled, and you saw the outline of his white lips etch into a smile before he let himself touch you back. 

His porcelain hand caressing your cheek, his other finding it's way to the small of your back, pulling you closer to him. 

"Thank you for letting me see you."  You said before you were pulled into a tender, passionate kiss. 

His outer human skin reappearing, along with his locks of brown hair which you were quick to run your fingers through again. 

To Connor that was what he loved most about you. 

Your acceptance... 

That even in his Android form, all plastic and bare, you saw him as himself. Nothing more, nothing less. 

To you his wasn't the Negotiator, the Android sent by CyberLife, a machine designed to accomplish a mission... 

In your eyes nothing could deteriorate him from being anything other than the man you loved... A living being that loved you back, more than you could ever know.