Chapter Text
Allen paced the grounds behind Stratford tower alone. His squad wasn’t far from him along the route, but the façade of isolation was comforting amidst the slow panic on the streets. He kept up his diligence despite the exhaustion filling him with each step. A sound, faint even amongst the eerily silent area, caught his attention. It was a light shuffling sound on pavement. His patrol wasn’t far behind him; it would be easy to alert them with just a shout. Looking over to a set of dumpsters along the tower’s base, Allen felt his heart stop with a painful lurch.
A PL600 stared back with wide, frightened eyes.
Allen knew he needed to take the android in, or take it out, but he had Simon’s face. He checked to see his patrol was out of sight and quickly stepped up to the android. Grabbing his arm, Allen dragged him into a hidden alcove jutted into the building meant for storing equipment. He pressed the android into the wall and hid his body with his own. Trying to ignore the pain in his chest, he gestured with his finger to his lips to keep the android quiet. He really should have looked anywhere else than those damn sad eyes. Simon, no the PL600, breathed heavily against him and had grabbed Allen’s upper arms for support. His eyes were sad, always so damn sad. Allen shook himself and looked over his shoulder, watching for his squad to pass.
Get a grip, James, he thought, it just has his face.
His squad finally passed by their hiding spot, and Allen felt the PL600 shift closer. He glanced over, catching the PL600 tilting his head closer to him. He spoke in a soft voice, “Thank you.”
Allen took a shaky breath, remembering that night too clearly. He wanted to hold him and tell him everything would be okay, but this wasn’t him. He forced himself to take a step back, but he couldn’t bring himself to let go of the android’s shoulders. “That’s the last patrol around the building. They won’t be back here again for ten minutes. There are only a few patrols scattered throughout Detroit right now. It’ll be easy for you to get passed them if you’re careful.”
The PL600 stayed silent, still clutching onto Allen’s arms. His eyes seemed to search for something on Allen’s face, and Allen had to look away. He noticed a wound on the android’s leg. This was one of the androids that had stormed the tower.
“I didn’t see you, and if you leave now, no one else will.” Allen finally released the android, and took another step back, forcing the android to let go of him. He took a steadying breath and turned to leave.
The android grabbed Allen’s arm, stopping him from leaving. “Please don’t go, James.”
Allen felt like all of the air in his lungs was punched out of him at once. It had to be a coincidence. The android must have scanned for his name. It couldn’t be him. Turning to look over his shoulder at the android, Allen found himself staring into those damn sad eyes. So much fear and sadness filled those blue eyes, and Allen wanted nothing more than to fill them with a spark of happiness. He turned fully, facing the PL600, and felt his resolve dissolving with each second. Maybe it could be him.
“Simon?” He breathed out finally.
A look of relief filled those sad eyes, and he nodded silently. He stepped closer and whispered, “Yes, it’s me.”
Allen didn’t know who had initiated it, but in a second they were holding each other too tightly. He didn’t care, though, because it was Simon in his arms. It was really Simon desperately holding onto him. Leaning back slightly, Allen looked into Simon’s eyes, finding a trace of happiness shining back at him. He never wanted it to leave those eyes. He brought his hands up and held both sides of Simon’s face in them. Simon’s eyes fell closed in relief, and Allen felt like he’d been running a never ending mile.
“I never thought I’d see you again,” Simon breathed, squeezing his hands in Allen’s uniform.
“I saw you everywhere, but it was never you. Fuck, I don’t-”
Simon pressed his forehead to Allen’s. “I know. I’m so sorry.”
“Why did you go?”
“You know why, James,” Simon whispered. His eyes opened again, and in them was so much emotion. They glanced down at Allen’s lips, and that was all he needed to close the distance.
It was a soft, sweet kiss, and it left Allen breathless. Simon gasped and pushed forward for a deeper, more desperate kiss. They pushed themselves flush together, and kissed like the world didn’t exist. Unfortunately, the world was still turning around them. The sound of footsteps reached their ears nearly too late. Allen pulled away from Simon and quickly pushed him against the building again.
“Captain,” one of his squad members called.
Allen called back, stepping away from where Simon hid, “I’m here.”
Allen’s squad gathered around him, and he began leading them away. “We were wondering how we missed you. Was there something back there?”
“No,” Allen replied, managing to keep their eyes on him, “Just a stray cat making noise.”
They nodded and didn’t spare a glance toward Simon’s hiding spot.
Allen gestured in the direction they were heading. “The area’s clear, let’s move out.”
His squad made various sounds of affirmation, one even gave relieved groan. They moved as a group, but Allen let their steps overtake his. Once he was behind them, he chanced a look back. Simon had stepped partially out of hiding and watched him walking away. Those damn sad eyes didn’t look away. Allen wanted to go back to him, but if his squad knew that Simon was there they’d kill him. This was for the best. This would mean Simon was safe.
Simon lifted his hand up in a small gesture of goodbye, and Allen could face forward again.