TRUST: A CONNOR/MARKUS FANZINE, PREVIEW ONE
Here are some snippets and crops from the zine! Half of the profits are going to RAICES TEXAS, with the rest being split between contributors. You can order the zine here until February 20th.
Featured Artists, in Order of Appearance
Fic Snippets
He feels cold seep into his bones.
It plunges deep into his systems and Connor feels terrified he’s going to freeze, he wraps his arms around himself, closing his eyes tightly.
“You’re not real, I found the exit.” He tries to say it absolutely.
Amanda grins, it almost seems kind. “As much as he likes to believe otherwise, Kamski cannot outsmart us. We knew of his tinkering, it only wasted some time.”
She takes a step towards him, he takes a step back.
“Oh Connor, I’m only trying to help you.”
Connor feels something like hot rage, a welcoming reprieve from the chill. “Help me? You almost made me put a bullet in Markus’ head!”
“And I will do it again, and again, and again, until you succeed.
“I won’t let that happen.” Connor feels the cold begin to melt away.
“We’ll see about that...” She says ominously as the world fades.
Connor watches Markus through obscuring flecks of snow. Even from the back, he exudes an energy that is unfamiliar entirely to him- one of humble confidence, one of composed calm, one of hope. It’s mesmerizing in its relative simplicity, inspiring despite Connor being certain he could calculate the intent behind it.
Being freshly deviated, Connor had decided to immediately take a mission. Now, with his mission accomplished and thousands of additional androids there to open their eyes to their new leader for the first time, all he can do is feel.
“Connor.” His head snaps up, not realizing the speech is over. Markus is turned directly towards him now, his mismatched gaze piercing into Connor’s own. “We’re going to congregate in the church for now, decide our next actions, and how to reach out to the humans for negotiations. Will you join us?”
The first thing to bubble up inside of him is guilt- guilt and a sense that he doesn’t belong there amongst the others. Of course, he doesn’t put a voice to them- shaking his head. “I’ll join you later. I have something to do first.”
Not All Angels Have Wings by Nan Melo @nan_yelo on twitter
“So, how was the weekend at aunty’s?”
Her giggle caught his attention and he looked to the little one who had her small hand clasped on his. Markus couldn’t help the warmth that spread all over his chest whenever he looked at
his daughter. She peered up at him once her giggle fit ceased and he felt a part of himself melt before the beautiful green-brown colors that colored his princess’s mismatched green and brown eyes. She was wearing a smooth peach colored dress with long sleeves and an adorable pair of white fluffy boots and a fluffy white jacket draped over her shoulders, and held her brand-new teddy bear tightly against her chest with her free arm.
Her hair, a beautiful wavy mess that reached her shoulders, was styled in a half-updo, half of her hair wrapped into a small bun on the top of her head and the rest falling in loose waves over her shoulders, which matched perfectly with the olive skin tone identical to his.
“T’was fun, daddy!” She chirped happily, the freckles scattered across her nose and dimpled cheeks intensifying how precious she already looked. “Mommy and I played board games and watched movies- oh! And uncle Simmie passed by with uncle Joshey! We had lots and lots of fun and played as King Arthur’s royal knights!”
“Oh?” Markus grinned, crouching before her and pinching her nose, “So my little princess was a Knight of the Round Table for a day?”
“Yes! But mommy’s table was squarey instead of round, so we had to pretend!”
Markus chuckled, pulling his daughter for an embrace that she happily accepted. He then proceeded to hoist her from the floor and resumed walking, while covering her freckled cheeks in kisses that caused the little one to burst into a fit of adorable giggles.
Markus couldn’t think of anything he treasured more in his life than his little Niccole.
