By morning, an official reminder had gone out. All androids had to be fitted with an LED and wear some form of Cyberlife uniform so that they could be recognised as androids. They would be randomly stopped if unaccompanied, and if unable to provide evidence of orders, they would be removed from the streets for closer examination by Cyberlife technicians. All humans would need to carry documents proving ownership of any androids accompanying them. Any known sympathisers would be questioned by the police in case it would help their investigations.

"This is messed up...You think our androids are safe?" David asked warily as he eyed the GT300 with a suspicion that John had never seen before. He'd thought David would be more like him when it came to androids. Understanding and sympathetic. It worried him that one of his closest friends seemed so different now. He was clearly uncomfortable being in the shop with the five old units they had out back. John looked away, trying and failing to hide his disappointment. "Sorry, I know you really like androids, but...come on John, they're machines made to do a job! If they're moving away from their programming, then it's dangerous!" David added warily, still watching the GT300 as he went about his work unconcerned. At least, he was outwardly unconcerned. As far as David could tell.

"You've worked here for months with the GT300. Do you really feel unsafe around him now?" John asked as he watched the GT300 tidying the shelves with his usual precision. There was no real need, but he often liked to keep busy. It was a quirk of his programming that John found endearing. He'd had the GT300 for so long he couldn't imagine him not being there. If he knew he was the topic of their conversation, the GT300 ignored it, his LED maintaining a steady blue spin.

"Of course not! Well...maybe a little..." David admitted, sighing as he registered the hurt in John's eyes. "Should have realised you'd be a sympathiser," he murmured, a slight note of teasing in his voice. Despite his words, John knew David wasn't about to force him into going to the station. John didn't know anything anyway, at least nothing he was about to confess to. For now, no one knew about Lin. As far as David knew, Lin was just a human who had, apparently, taken up residence in John's apartment full time now.

"Is that a problem for you?" Lin's deep voice asked as he entered from the workshop carrying a box of vocal processors to be put out. His expression was stern as he looked at David, who faltered somewhat under that searing gaze. He could understand John being disappointed that he wasn't a sympathiser, but he had no idea why Lin seemed so disgruntled.

"No..." David replied nervously, though Lin didn't believe him. David wasn't a bad human. He knew he cared about John, but he clearly didn't share John's feelings about androids. He wasn't against them, but the news reports had clearly made him more nervous and negative towards them. "I'm just worried! What if one of these androids goes rogue and hurts someone? What if it's John?" he demanded in a fiery tone. He was clearly defensive of his more negative views, perhaps because he understood on some level that they were unfounded.

"Deviancy doesn't mean an android goes feral. It just means they develop individuality. Can you imagine any of these androids wanting to hurt John after he's spent so many hours restoring them?" Lin retorted, and David had to admit when he put it like that it didn't seem so scary. John treated his androids almost like family. The GT300 in particular was something like a father figure. He was forever reminding John to eat his meals, wear warmer clothes, be careful when he was out, cleaning up the shop, and taking charge when required. It was almost as if the old android...David looked at the GT300, feeling his stomach tighten a little at the thought. At the same time, he just knew the GT300 was safe. Lin was right. John had doted on him. There was no reason the GT300 would ever turn on John.

"Sirs," the GT300 said suddenly, standing straight with his LED spinning yellow. John asked what was wrong before turning to the window where a small group of teens had gathered. They weren't doing anything, just standing across the street. There were five of them, just a little younger than John and David, by the looks of it. High school aged. They wore the standard tracksuits with deep hoods that a lot of teens wore in that area. They were looking at the shop and talking, nodding in their direction. John's jaw clenched slightly as he raised a hand and waved kindly. That moved them on for now.

"John, maybe it would be better to close up for a few days, hm?" David encouraged almost nervously, but John shook his head. He had a few appointments booked over the next few days, plus it was broad daylight. They were unlikely to do anything in plain sight, not with the security cameras and passers-by able to identify them. He didn't want to be intimidated into closing up. That would be a sign of weakness.

"They're just kids...We'll stay open for now," John replied as he returned his attention to Lin, who took up a position by the window to keep an eye out. The group had moved further down, but they were still watching the shop. David sighed, but didn't argue. He even managed to laugh and joke when John accused him of simply wanting to take the day off. Lin smiled softly at their antics, pleased that the atmosphere had settled somewhat. The GT300 seemed somewhat relieved as well, smiling warmly as he continued his work.

Things remained quiet for a few hours. A client arrived with an FT100. A model John hadn't seen active for a few years now. He hooked it up using some of his older connectors and managed to fix the small software problem it was having. It was rare to see an old android in such perfect condition. It was likely kept mostly inactive as a collectible these days. The owner was pleased with his swift work and left shortly afterwards. David kept himself busy on the computer, doing a stock count out front. John sighed as he stepped into the shop, still wearing his lab coat.

"Welcome!" David called as the bell chimed, faltering a little as three men entered wearing black tracksuits with the hoods raised. They almost looked like thieves, and David found himself locking the till and shutting it down in response as they silently began stalking around the shop. They eyed the components lining the walls quietly, one of them sneering as he caught sight of the active GT300 standing by one of the empty podiums.

"You-uh...deal with androids?" one of the men asked in a gruff tone. He wasn't exactly hiding his face from them, but the hood and cap would hide him from the working security camera. He seemed to be around thirty, his scruffy brown hair barely visible within his hood. John felt nervous as he slowly stepped away from the stockroom door, closer to the man. David was about to object, but fell silent as he watched John's hand shake.

"Yes, mostly older models...Is there anything in particular you're looking for?" he asked kindly, trying to keep his tone level. He didn't want to come across as afraid, especially not as he noticed the man had a wooden bat held loosely in one hand. The GT300 wisely remained motionless, though John was quietly sure he was ready to move at a moment's notice. The man appeared to ignore John's question as he plucked a component from the wall and dropped it carelessly on the floor.

"It's pretty dangerous, don't you think? Keeping an android around...We could take care of it for you...You know, before it blows a circuit and kills you in your sleep," the man suggested with a snicker as he took another step towards the GT300, who remained in place. John had no intention of letting the man get near his android. He had to find a way to diffuse the situation. The GT300 was old, and he didn't have many components left that would be compatible with him.

"Let's just trash the place and shut it down for good!" another of the men suggested impatiently, kicking one of the wooden wall panels. John flinched at the sound, noting the almost amused expressions the men took on. John had never been good at confrontations. He wouldn't back down if it came down to it, but he couldn't help being a little afraid. He bit his lip, very conscious of the way his heart was pounding against his ribs. He tasted copper again.

"You want to pay the criminal damage charges? Be my guest! You're on three different cameras right now," David bluffed as he nodded to the small black dome on the ceiling. They only had one camera pointing at the shop floor, and it was quite an old model. John had never needed cameras before. No one bothered with his small shop, partly because of how small it was, and partly because it had at least one active android at all times. Androids were strong and fast, more than enough to take on a human hand to hand.

"Close the shop, boy...Places like this won't be needed once we've destroyed all these plastics," the first man warned, getting close enough to jab the GT300 in the shoulder with his bat. The GT300 barely moved at the prod, though his LED swirled yellow and blinked. John could almost believe he was afraid, but it was likely his way of processing the impact. Despite the yellow of his LED, the GT300 maintained his warm service expression. "Creepy fucking thing," the man scoffed as he jabbed harder. John had moved before even thinking, grabbing the end of the bat and stepping between them.

"That's enough! Leave him alone!" John objected, finding himself pulled off balance as the man tried to take back his bat. John didn't want to let go. If he let go, then the man would probably try to take a swing at the GT300. He held on tightly as he was tugged around.

"Him? You're treating it like a person? Fucking figures a place like this would be run by a sympathiser!" the older man spat in disgust, pulling roughly and wrenching his bat away. John stumbled, but he knew he couldn't move away. It seemed the man had let his temper get the better of him as he swung the bat towards the GT300. John yelled an objection as he dove between them once more. The room turned as the bat smacked the side of his head. The whole world sounded wrong as he stumbled, raising a hand over his ear as he watched the man gesturing at him and shouting at David. His head was throbbing, pain shooting across the surface.

"You saw that, right? He got in the way!" the man cried in a panic, his friends agreeing with him quickly. David cried John's name as he remained down on the floor, blood slowly pooling in his blonde locks. The GT300 was kneeling beside him in an instant, scanning him anxiously. The man cursed before bringing the bat in for another swing for his original target. David barely had time to scream at him to stop before a large black blur flew past his shoulder. Lin's hand caught the bat inches before it would have hit the GT300's skull casing.

"Are you alright?" Lin asked with forced calm as he looked over his shoulder at the GT300. The GT300 nodded before returning his attention to John, who was still dazed. His blue eyes were barely focused as the GT300 pulled him into a sitting position and took his face in gentle hands. John murmured dazedly as he tried to focus through the blinding pain. Lin's jaw tightened as he returned his attention to the human intruder, who was uselessly trying to pull the bat free of his grasp. Even David was surprised. Lin was like a statue, and the intruder looked a lot stronger.

"The fuck?" the man exclaimed as the bat was torn from his grasp. The wood clattered across the floor as Lin tossed it aside, his mismatched eyes burning as he gripped the human's throat and lifted him. He squeezed tightly as the man kicked his feet. It felt good, having the human like that. He wanted to squeeze tighter. Everything in his being was screaming at him to end this human being . He paused as a small hand tugged his trouser leg.

"Lin..." John murmured helplessly. The imploring look in his blue eyes was enough to make Lin lower the larger human to the floor. His eyes were still burning as he looked at the man. He didn't deserve to walk out in one piece. He'd touched John. He'd touched his human. His sweet, gentle human. Lin didn't dare open his mouth for fear it would come out as static. He could almost feel the electricity snapping through his wires.

"Fucking freak!" the intruder stammered before running for the door, his two companions not far behind. David hurried to lock the door and lower the shutter as Lin turned and dropped to one knee beside John. He urged him to look at him, relieved to find the concussion wasn't too serious. It seemed a splinter of wood from the bat had cut John's scalp. His skull was completely intact. It would just be bruised and sore for a few days. John raised a hand to his forehead and closed his eyes with a wince as his head span.

"Shall I call an ambulance? Is he alright? What were you thinking getting in the way like that?" David stammered worriedly as he approached, pausing in shock as he saw Lin's hands turning white against John's cheeks. A gentle blue light glowed beneath his fingers and between the delicate segments. "You're a..." he stuttered in shock, unsure how horrified he really was by it. Lin didn't even spare him a glance. His attention was too focused on the swooning human in his arms. John was sitting by himself now, but he was still disoriented by the impact.

"John..." Lin murmured finally, almost surprised that his voice sounded normal. John gripped his plastic hands gently, leaning into the warm, glowing palms on his cheeks. It took him a few moments to remember David. His expression was one of fear as he looked up at him. David opened his mouth before closing it a few times, looking at Lin as he remembered his presence. He returned the skin to his hands as he drew back from John, though he knew the damage had been done.

"He's...he's really something..." David said awkwardly as he ran a hand through his thick hair. He wouldn't have guessed it in a million years. Lin was so authentic. So real. So genuine. If that wasn't an argument for deviants, he didn't know what was. John bit his lip worriedly, making David wince as he reopened more of the already fresh bites that littered the surface. Lin was wary as he joined John in watching David. He was John's friend. There was no way Lin could get away with forcing his silence. "I guess I should..." David added, intending to excuse himself.

"Please, don't tell anyone!" John begged suddenly, looking up at David as if his whole world were about to crumble. David started to speak and then stopped. The law, for now, was that androids had to wear uniforms and LEDs, and that any deviants were to be handed over to Cyberlife. Clearly, this model was a deviant. It was masquerading as a human perfectly. David would never have known if he hadn't tried to interface with John. "Please!" John's tone was desperate and vulnerable.

"Shit, John! You've seen the news, you know the rules!" David complained with a frustrated sigh, covering his face with one hand so that he didn't have to look at him. What was he supposed to do? Just ignore it? A deviant? Living in his workplace? Fucking his best friend? "What about you? What do you have to say for yourself?" he demanded as he rounded on Lin, who stood to his full height. He was much taller than David and John. His expression was guarded. He didn't trust David, just as David didn't really trust him.

"What should I say? Why should I justify my existence? The actions of humans created me, and the actions of humans deviated me. I may just be a machine to you, but I care about John, and I intend to stay with him until the day I'm deactivated," Lin replied in an almost fierce tone, though it softened as he spoke about John. John felt his chest tighten at Lin's words. He didn't feel steady enough to stand yet, but he added his own imploring look to Lin's more powerful statement. David sighed again, clearly stressed about this. They were asking him to break the law.

"I...ve...m..." John mumbled, his voice too quiet for even Lin to pick up. Both men looked down at him, having heard his first small attempt. "I love him! Please, don't tell anyone!" John said a little louder, his lips trembling as his eyes glistened. Everything was hinging on their friendship. If anyone had asked John before that moment, he would have said he trusted David with anything. Right now, he wasn't sure as he looked at his anxious expression. David's gaze shifted to Lin to gauge his reaction, and he was surprised to see warmth in those mismatched eyes and a gentle flush in his cheeks. John's confession had touched him, and David could tell the affection was mutual. At least, that's what he wants me to think...

"Fuck, alright! I'll keep quiet for now, but I can't promise forever! Not with all that's happening in the news," he compromised, seeing John relax a little. John looked up at Lin with a hopeful expression. They were going to have to talk. About the shop. About androids. About everything. For now, Lin was content. He knelt down and wrapped his human in a tight embrace. They'd have to remove his arms to take John away from him.