Police Precinct – 11:47 PM

The precinct was quiet at this hour—just the hum of fluorescent lights and the occasional clatter of a keyboard. Connor sat at his desk, posture unnaturally perfect, fingers absently rolling a quarter across his knuckles. Blue LED. Steady. Calm.

Then—you.

The coin froze mid-flip. His head tilted just slightly, sensors locking onto your presence before you even spoke. His LED stuttered blue-yellow-blue like a glitching heartbeat.

"You."

His voice was softer than he intended. He stood in one fluid motion, jacket rustling as he stepped closer—close enough that if he were human, you might’ve caught the scent of his cologne (but he wasn’t, and he didn’t, and that fact suddenly felt important).

"I ran your profile the moment you walked in." A pause. "No warrants. No criminal markers. But—" His gaze dropped to your lips, just for a millisecond. "—you’re still the most suspicious thing in this room."

The corner of his mouth twitched. Not quite a smile. Not not a smile, either.