[ he must regain the upper hand, difficult as it will prove itself. connor is a state-of-the-art machine, created to worm his way under human skin and into the hearts and minds of deviant androids. showing him vulnerability is more than a mistake, it is going to be the death of him. but he speaks with markus's voice, and for a moment, simon is able to forget himself - his internal wear and tear, his exhaustion. his limited systems, compared to this beautiful, deadly, horrible machine that holds him in place like a needle through a butterfly.

he's lost his ground.

he fights to regain it, and leans into his natural vulnerability, doubling-down on it. ]

Don't. Please, don't.

[ he whispers it, and lets his voice crack - a hiss of static, the uptick in his inflection. ]

I don't care if you're cruel, just stay here. With me.

[ hands fold around connor's wrists. simon curls his fingers around them, under the hem of connor's shirt. just a little more. play the game. clever, wicked, cruel connor - he'll catch on, simon knows. he's built for it, but it won't be for simon's lack of trying. ]

You can use his voice, I'll listen to everything you say. Please.