My Heart
[2039, A year, 8 months and 3 days after the battle of Detroit]
It was snowing quite heavily in Detroit, the ambient muffled wind noises could make anyone sleep, android or human. It was quieter than it had ever been before—like the city was holding its breath, waiting for something. Simon sat in a small greenhouse, surrounded by overgrowing hellebore and winter jasmine. It reminded him of back when he used to care for them. The mother loved jasmine. It was his routine every day. He could still remember them. Deeply engraved into his system.
[...Objectives…]
- [ water the plants]
- [ wake the kids ]
- [ make breakfast ]
- [ serve breakfast ] …
The list goes longer. He watches the snow drift lazily from the clouds to the roof of the greenhouse, hugging his knees. He watered them today. Cleaned the house, despite Josh’s comment on how he doesn’t need to do that anymore. He’s not quite sure on what to do now that androids have settled down. He remembers the fear back at the boat. Hiding just to…stay alive. There had been a time when freedom was just a dream. Now, Markus won the freedom for androids. Simon’s not sure how to spend all this time on his hands. He knows Marcus is spending his time indoors, probably painting with North. As for Josh...He does his own thing.
Simon isn’t quite sure where he stands with Markus. When he first came to seek solace inside that old rusted cargo boat, he finally felt safe. Free. It was long forgotten by the humans, a place for refugees. Androids like him. He remembers cleaning that place up suitable enough for androids to live in, and soon, androids followed his graffiti. Most of them showed up wounded. Those rusted cyberlife containers stashed away in a few cargo crates saved them. Until they ran out. He remembers the fear that spread around Jericho. Some shut down close to their loved ones, others died alone. North and Josh joined sometime later. They managed to snag a few bottles, but it wasn’t enough. Then Markus showed up, like the dawn after a storm...giving them a reason to hope again. But hope was a fragile thing. Even now, it felt like a far-off memory. He stared out the window at the snow, mind wandering. Markus had found solace, a home, warmth with North, who, if Simon were honest, still wore the scars of their past battles like badges of honor. Josh buried himself in books—escapism, he supposed. What did Simon do now, though? There was no war left to fight, and every day felt like the same one repeating. He hadn’t even realized how much time had passed since the battle until the faint reminders of its aftermath started showing up in his thoughts again—
‘Simon…?’
Markus gently nudges Simon, which slightly startles him a bit.
‘Were you in rest mode?’ Markus smiled softly at him. He had a thin layer of snow covering his casual black, long-sleeved sweatshirt.
‘Oh–Are you here for the Marigold pigments? It’s by that seed cabinet–’ Simon replied quickly, scrambling to stand. He almost tripped over a chair, but caught himself in time. Already off the floor and making a beeline towards the cabinet.
Markus took hold of Simon’s arm, pulling him back slightly. For a moment, Simon froze, surprised by the sudden unfamiliar intimacy. Markus loosened his grip almost immediately after, not to hurt Simon.‘No, No, Simon, I’m not here for that. I was…’ Markus frantically explained, his voice trailing off to find the right words. ‘...Wondering what your favourite plants are in this green house you’ve built.’ Markus looked at him with this sheepish look on his face, like a child lying to a parent.
Simon was still for a split second before bursting into a quiet fit of giggles. He muffled them with the back of his hand, the cold wind coming through the open glass door making his cheeks feel warm. Perhaps it wasn’t the wind. Markus still hasn’t let go of the other android’s hand. It didn’t take long for the blonde android to calm down.
‘It’s winter…hellebore and winter jasmine have their reasons to be here. Not all plants grow in this weather, you know.’
Markus smiled softly, but Simon could see a weight pressing down on him. The anniversary was coming up—the one he shared with North.
‘Don’t tell me you’re unsure about what to get her?’ Simon asked. Even his tone was softer, to ease his friend. Markus was still. He slowly blinked, hesitated. 'It’s... complicated,' he said finally, his voice strained. 'You know, I don’t think she ever really—'
Simon smiled faintly, cutting him off. 'She’s going to get you paints, isn’t she?' he teased. 'I’m sure it’s what she’s planning. You could paint her something. Maybe a portrait of her with red chrysanthemums, or you could paint the flowers.'
He could see Markus thinking.
'She loves you. Don't overthink it.' Simon pulled his hand away from Markus’s grasp, but not too harshly. He made his way to the door and shut it tight then another small corner of his greenhouse and started fumbling around. Markus let out a breath, but there was something about it that didn’t seem like relief. He remained silent for a long moment, just staring at the floor. Simon chuckled, a tiny smile spread across his face as he picked up a small weathered-looking book, but gingerly set it aside on the edge.
‘She... spent more time with you before I came to Jericho.’ His voice so quiet Simon almost didn’t hear it.
Simon paused. He thought for a while. ‘Don't dwell on the past too much. Before you arrived, she liked her hair in a ponytail. After, she liked her hair down. Tastes change over time,’ Simon said softly. He stepped away from the cabinet, stepping closer to Markus, careful not to crowd him. 'She's with you now.' The weathered book fell down, but they didn't notice.
'Is there anything else?' Simon asked, his voice lighter, softer. They were standing so close, yet they both felt so...far away. It was the same distance that had always been there but now felt even more unbearable with unspoken words lingering in the air.
Markus seemed to snap out of his thoughts, his eyes flickered. “I... never mind,” he said, a quick smile pulling at his lips, though it was forced. “Thank you for the ideas. I’ll figure it out.”
Before Simon could respond, Markus turned and left, his footsteps fading. The greenhouse door shut behind him, leaving Simon in the silence once more. The windows were closed, his heater was on. Yet he still felt cold. He reached down for a weathered book that had fallen to the floor earlier, its pages yellowed with age. He closed it carefully in his hands, tucking it close to his chest. His thirium pump felt strangely heavy as he sat down, and unconsciously enters rest mode.
ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁ᶻ ᶻ
A child stumbles in the thick snow. It was snowing quite heavily now, with a fog so heavy she couldn’t see six inches in front of her. She has to continue. She doesn’t know how far she’s gone, or how far those things are behind her. The cold seeped into her bones, but she couldn’t stop...her hands were numb. Snot repeatedly runs down her nose. She sniffs, and waddles forward. Her winter coat made it hard to walk forward, the sting of melting snow on her skin was all she could feel as she pushed forward, stumbling over rocks and debris. Ahead, through the fog, a silhouette emerged—a greenhouse. She wasn’t sure how she found it, but it felt like something important. She pulled open the door, holding it just long enough to make sure nothing followed her inside, before she slipped in quickly. The warmth hit her immediately, and she gasped, shedding her layers of wet clothing, her breath heavy in her chest.
Teacher said it was a house for plants. I could be safe. Inside, there were flowers—bright yellow ones, their fragrance sweet and comforting. And then she saw him. An android, sitting perfectly still among the flowers. She couldn’t help but stare at the android. Its skin was pale, almost translucent in the dim light, and its hair the color of sunlight. She had seen androids before—workers at the Lab, serving humans—but this one seemed different. This one looked almost... human.
Pretty… she thought. Those yellow flowers and those perfect olive green leaves matched with the android’s hair. She picked some flowers and wove them into a small crown, placing it gently on the android’s head. Her fingers brushed a hard leather material. He seemed to be sleeping…with a book in his arms. She reached for the book, careful not to wake the android. She opened it gently. Teacher taught her to be careful with another person’s belongings. Its pages were filled with sketches of plants and handwritten notes. The android with a family—a mother, a father, and two children showing off their toothy grins.
Before long, her eyelids felt heavy. After all, she’s just a child. The child nodded asleep, curling beside it and resting her head on the android’s arm.