#Leo manfred deserves redemption

[kissoflightning]

Reblogging Leo Manfred posts like there's no tomorrow 'cause I didn't prepare anything for his birthday.

(I'm hoping to get some more posts up today though, time allowing)

[kissoflightning]

AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH LEO IS SOOOO CUUUUUUTE!!!

I am really enjoying reading this fic too - it's so interesting and has great vibes!

For this fic

Hank Anderson and Leo Manfred meet in group therapy for their 99 problems they're trying to fix—mourning, addiction... But deviancy is on the rise, and Detroit is about to change radically. Will these two men change too?

I made it a square cover so I could use it on Spotify for the playlist, because you can't have a xmas fic without xmas music UwU

[alphawave-writes]

Leo gives good advice (sorta). Gavin slowly comes to terms with his own feelings for Richard.

Also, there’s zombies. You’re welcome.

[dirty-droid]

Top 5 DBH Androids

and

Top 5 DBH Humans

Oooooooo 👀 this'll be fun

Androids:

1. Connor- A villain that's a victim who can learn to be good or lean in and be even worse, I'm still obsessed, and I'll always be a sucker for the big brown eyes.

2. North- She had to grow on me but once I understood her as a character, it was over for me, she's my warrior queen.

3. Markus- The epitome of the highly talented college student who's doing amazing things and will only grow in competence, who's also still a dumb 21 yr old who can't really talk to girls and has way too many feelings about his Dad and not enough therapy, he makes me feel insane to think about.

4. Josh- I honestly just felt so snuffed by Josh not being a bigger deal, he's actually front and center as a Markus companion, he deserves to be a romantic interest, and he was a history professor and I think that's cool!

5. Traci- The whole Eden club arc makes me feral in general but she loves her girlfriend and is willing to kill for her and there's nothing else I appreciate more in a character.

Humans!

1. Hank Anderson- THEE most complex character in dbh, my Daddy with a capital D, corruptor of cyberlife assets, tamer of brats, he giveth hugs and taketh away the right to have an unbroken nose, in all honesty though I love how he talks around how he's feelings, I just 🥺🥺🥺 and he's got no right to be as attractive as he is.

2. Leo Manfred: There's certainly no obsession here, but I think between him and Todd and I guess Gavin, he brings some realism and actual sympathy to the table in terms of his asshole-ery and addiction. I do love his redemption arc, I love how understated it is, and how it leaves room for his future sobriety and getting his shit together. ESPECIALLY in terms of building a relationship with Markus, awkward family encounters and all. I just really love the concept of Manfred brothers.

3. Carl Manfred- Dad? Literally ya boi has a controlling disabled father that also puts effort into parenting and is loved but also sucks, and it's a weird relationship to have, so fucking kudos to Carl for being personally relatable and having a dope ass house and inspiring Markus and stuff.

4. Ben Collins/Chris Miller: literally just guys we know Hank is friends with and Connor could be friends with, they pop up as extras in my head frequently enough.

And I'll be honest, there really isn't a number 5, there's barely a number 4, I'm not crazy about most of the characters in dbh, at least not enough to call them a favorite, most of the cast is either unpleasant or flat or both, or at least, they're not humans, there's very few pleasant humans in this and it doesn't help that I'm not very invested in Kara's path in general.

This was still fun though! Thank you @unlisshed for asking and getting me to rack my brain

[my-name-is-markus-with-a-k]

Hi!!

Would you make a character breakdown for Leo Manfred?!

Have a nice one!!

Oh good choice!!

How I feel about this character

I have very conflicting feelings about Leo which is to expected seeing as Markus is my fave and Leo does not treat him very well at the beginning of the game. My first playthrough, I really hated him, lol. He abused Markus, was responsible for Carl's death and then indirectly for Markus being shot and almost killed. During the graveyard scene, man I wanted Markus to deck him so bad. Over time and as I learned more about him, I began to have more sympathy for him. Like, he still has a lot to atone for, but I definitely feel for him.

All the people I ship romantically with this character

I don't really actively ship Leo with anybody tbh, but for some reason, after he's done a lot of healing and been through a lot of personal growth, I always imagined he'd fall in love with an android despite not wanting too, lol. Look, I'm a sucker for interspecies relationships, okay??

My non-romantic OTP for this character

My literal BroTP for Leo is Markus of course. I'd love for them to reconcile and actually act like brothers. But that's highly dependent on if Markus actually wanted that and if Leo was actually committed to changing his ways. It would take time but I would love to see it.

Outside of Markus, just give him a supportive friend. He desperately needs one.

My unpopular opinion about this character

He deserves an actual redemption arc, not certain other characters. We actually know why Leo is the way he is, and I'd love to see him in post-game fics more. Don't get me wrong, there's some great fics out there that handle his redemption well, but something more Leo-centric would be amazing.

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon

I wish he'd apologised to Markus when he sees him at Carl's graveyard. I wish they'd actually spoken. Maybe there was just nothing to be said, but I still wish.

[kissoflightning]

My reply got too long so I gotta put it in a reblog ha:

Hard agree, these people took the time to put so much research and time with their pacing to put together such well-crafted, amazing fics that I don't care that they take years to finish!

Blame the Lito Perezito Reed900 comics and the Detroit: Evolution for the surge of this crack-ship to out lead HankCon. I prefer a variety of pairs myself, but stumbling upon these creations got me hooked on Reed900 for a good while.

Hard agree! I'm going to write an Alice POV fic where it's a human AU…one of these days.

Agree! Bryan is amazing, and I fucking love his streams!

Yeah, the number 28 always makes me laugh now. I was 28 when I got into the fandom a year ago. I'd almost reflexively say I was 28 Stab Wounds Old.

Definitely guilty of putting "I like dogs" in any fic Connor is in…

JOSH DESERVES MORE LOVE!!! HARD AGREE!

Yeah I hate that, but also he doesn't respond verbally if he talks to Josh or Simon at the church either. It's as if they had a line budget for Markus, so he couldn't speak a lot in this scene.

I like all the ships, but I get kinda ehh on those particular two ships just because I see them all the time. I like variety. However, when I start reading the stories for these pairings I still tend to enjoy it though. But consider Ralph x Jerry, up to all sorts of hilarious hijinks and shenanigans (Kara and Alice meet Ralph if they choose to stay at the squat, and Jerry is the android with multiple bodies at the abandoned amusement park), Gavin Reed x Leo Manfred - an asshole detective and a drug addict (Leo Manfred deserves redemption too!), and Elijah x Hank (Okay that sound creepy as fuck, but just hear me out- Hank knows Kamski's address somehow, maybe there's secretly some history there, and they are yummy together, please don't judge. Captain Allen x RK900 - That android working with Allen on the swat team would be so god damn cool! Perkins900 or Warren900 would be a cool concept too. There's also some amazing non-ship works too of course!

Not enough Kara centered fics, hard agree.

DBH music SLAPS I agree!

Yeah I eat that shit too!

"RA9 is the player." Is what QD will say. I really love when fic writers figure out something different though.

You are based for not including Amanda in your shit list. I headcanon that after Connor pushes the button, Amanda is still there, but she deviates too, so it's kinda like a split personality thing he has going on.

my thoughts on dbh as someone entering the fandom in 2024

so just got into the dbh fandom like in aug 2024. i have watched too much gameplay, read the wiki extensively, read an obscene amount of fanfics on ao3, and am in the process of writing my own. here are some of my thoughts (that no one has asked for):

every fanfic writer who started in 2018 and is still updating their works in 2024 are literal saints and some of the best damn writers i ever did saw and the dedication is fucking unreal. one fic had almost 2 million words??????? like BRUH. some are still ongoing and updated this year?? the dbh fandom in ao3 is not thriving as much as it was in 2018 (i say this purely as someone who's looking at the hits/kudos/comment ratios on older v. new works) but they are still alive!!!!

i am puzzled with the obsession with gavin reed. there are like a million fics that feature him and rk900. i am confused bc he did not seem like a redeeming character at all in my opinion and idk, i think he's just an asshole. i like the redemption arcs some ppl write for him but i just can't with him. i mean you ship who you wanna ship but i am not a reed fan and i am confused how he became so popular when all he did was bully our poor boi connor.

i personally don't ship hank x connor bc they give strong father-son vibes in the canon. however, i am obsessed with how jolli_bean writes the pairing on ao3 since its usually a canon divergence or an AU so the pair meet later in life. there are some fics that follow the canon and do a pretty good job with the pairing, but i just tend to keep it familial between them in my head. (but like i said, ship who you want to ship)

i am glad there's a vague consensus that we all wished alice stayed a human bc i feel like that lends itself to a more interesting narrative post-game. tho i guess her being an android is fine bc now kara, luthor, and alice can live as one happy family in canada forvever lol

i am literally obsessed with bryan dechart's acting as connor. like if you haven't seen him play connor in real life for the interactive #detroit2038 premiere event, then you gotta watch some of the live stream. like he doesn't break character the whole time and his physicality just screams connor and i just really appreciate how much effort he put in as an actor to really embody the character. just so impressive and i wish there was more bts of him acting as connor bc its just so nuanced and ugh *chef's kiss* if they ever made a live action dbh it would be impossible for anyone else to play connor

i love the 28 stab wounds meme. when i watched that scene for the first time it was so jarring lmao

i also love how everyone is like yes, we all know connor likes dogs but he also likes fish bc of that one fish you can save in the very first minute of gameplay hahahah. (his name is dewey and it is vitally important you save him). i also appreciate how the "i like dogs" line will undoubtedly find it's way into every fic possible lol

i think the love for simon is very good and well and amazing but i think josh deserves more love in fics too

it bothers me that when north tells markus "i love you" at the church, MARKUS DOESN'T SAY IT BACK??? LIKE BITCH SAY YOU LOVE HER BACK DAMMIT DON'T JUST WALK AWAY

i love how the fandom just latched onto rk900 and rk800-60 and fleshed out their personalities and i love reading ppl's interpretation of these characters and how they incorporate them into their stories. it's funny they only show up like one time and ppl just ran with it and it's so fun and creative and i love it.

i love the hc that chloe deviated when connor chose not to shoot her. that's the best hc. like it's canon in my heart idc

bless all the fic writers who have mastered the art of explaining how androids mind and bodies work bc there are so many gaps and possibilities left open in the lore and it's incredible to see what ppl come up with or interpret based off the canon. (i still feel 50/50 about when they make deviants feel pain cause like androids not feeling pain is such a big part of the canon and yeah i'll give it a pass if the fic does it for the whumps and the angst but i prefer when a fic finds a canon-compliant reason for deviants to feel pain, even if its just like they got a chip or software installed that makes them feel pain or something)

every pairing that i find in this fandom, i tend to be like... "yeah i can see that." (with the exception of hank x connor for reasons i stated in #3). i'm still like ehhh on reed900 or even gavin x connor bc i just don't think it makes sense in the canon but if it's written well i just shrug and say yeah i guess i could see that. some rarepairs i ended up absolutely adoring were chloe x north and rk900 x north (i realize they're both north but she has such good potential for character dynamics)

idk if it's just me bc i specifically look for fics centered around connor, but i feel like there's not a lot of love for kara at least fic-wise. ig it's cause she kinda just leaves so it's easy to not include her. tbh, i am quite well-versed in markus' and connor's stories but i haven't really explored a lot of kara's. i plan on playing dbh with my partner when i see them again in a couple months and i wanted us to take turn playing different characters and i wanted to play kara's storyline so i've been avoiding it for the most part so i can be surprised with my options. plus, in my wip fic, kara is in canada so she's not really relevant to my story which is why i have in depth knowledge about markus and connor and less on kara.

the music in this game fucking SLAPS. 10/10 kara's theme makes me wanna cry.

okay, there is a common trope in the dbh fanfics where connor loses his memory and that shit gets me everytime. i'm always bawling and anxiously waiting for him to fucking REMEMBER and i hate and love it and eat it up every. single. time. usually, the memory loss happens early in the fic and it's pretty expected but sometimes i get blindsided and i'm like FUCK not this shit again but i can't stop reading it and the angst is so palpable.

i think it's so interesting how ra9 is just like this mystery in the lore that never gets entirely explained in the game. it's like something you can totally kinda ignore but it does have interesting lore implications if you decide to really think about it.

i adore all the characters in dbh equally except for connor who is the certified best boi and my absolute favorite (no one is shocked by this declaration). and the characters on my shit list are zlatko, todd, and sometimes reed.

this is an obnoxiously long post and i apologies. i haven't been on tumblr in years and i just had so many thoughts about dbh and i have no friends to talk to so i decided to dump it all here. i still have more thoughts but those are the ones that come to the forefront of my mind.

tldr: i love dbh and its fandom and i have many specific thoughts about it and you should just really read my post if you care about any of it

[ao3feed-reed900]

by Pineapple_Fanta

"As I watched you play...something...has changed in me."

"I feel...different."

"I feel...I am someone."

In which the Menu Screen Chloe (who I will hc to be Kamski's main Chloe in this AU) goes to find the Connor she has heard so much about and admired in her state of slavery. Little does she know, Connor is dealing with his own personal issues after becoming deviant, including having to share a house with Hank, who still hasn't gotten over his metal phase.

Oh and also... Feelings are hard.

Kamski is like a creepy uncle but also supportive.

Hank is honestly just confused 24/7.

Side ships include: Markus x Simon, Gavin x RK900, Luther x Kara, meaning some chapters will be directly about them and not just implied. Mostly Reed900 tho.

Words: 9179, Chapters: 4/?, Language: English

Fandoms: Detroit: Become Human (Video Game)

Rating: Explicit

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death

Categories: F/F, F/M, M/M

Characters: Connor (Detroit: Become Human), Upgraded Connor | RK900, Hank Anderson, Main Menu Chloe | ST200, Original Chloe | RT600, Gavin Reed, Gavin Reed's Cat, Markus (Detroit: Become Human), Simon (Detroit: Become Human), North (Detroit: Become Human), Josh (Detroit: Become Human), Sumo (Detroit: Become Human), Jeffrey Fowler, President Cristina Warren, Tina Chen (Detroit: Become Human), Chris Miller (Detroit: Become Human), Carl Manfred, Leo Manfred, Ripple | Blue-Haired Traci's Girlfriend, Echo | Blue-Haired Traci, Elijah Kamski, Kara (Detroit: Become Human), Luther (Detroit: Become Human), Alice Williams (Detroit: Become Human), Ralph (Detroit: Become Human), Jerry(s) (Detroit: Become Human)

Relationships: Upgraded Connor | RK900/Gavin Reed, Connor/RT600 "Chloe" Android(s) (Detroit: Become Human), Markus/Simon (Detroit: Become Human), Tina Chen & Chris Miller & Gavin Reed, Tina Chen/North (Detroit: Become Human), Hank Anderson & Connor, Hank Anderson & Gavin Reed, Connor & Markus (Detroit: Become Human), Connor & North (Detroit: Become Human), Connor & Simon (Detroit: Become Human), Connor & Josh (Detroit: Become Human), Connor & Josh & Markus & North & Simon (Detroit: Become Human), Carl Manfred & Markus, Carl Manfred & Leo Manfred, Carl Manfred & Jericho Members, Kara/Luther (Detroit: Become Human), Kara & Alice Williams (Detroit: Become Human), Kara & Luther & Alice Williams (Detroit: Become Human), Luther & Alice Williams (Detroit: Become Human), Jerry(s)/Ralph (Detroit: Become Human)

Additional Tags: Angst, Fluff and Angst, Angry Kissing, Unrequited Love, Post-Pacifist Best Ending (Detroit: Become Human), Deviant Connor (Detroit: Become Human), Deviant Upgraded Connor | RK900, Gavin Reed Redemption, Gavin Reed Being an Asshole, Gay Disaster Gavin Reed, Gavin Reed is Bad at Feelings, Upgraded Connor | RK900 Is Bad at Feelings, Upgraded Connor | RK900 Has a Different Name, Protective Hank Anderson, Hank Anderson Swears, Hank Anderson & Connor Friendship, Hank Anderson & Connor Parent-Child Relationship, Hank Anderson Adopts Connor, Carl Manfred & Markus Parent-Child Relationship, Jericho (Detroit: Become Human), jericho main 4 live with carl and he loves them all, Amanda (Detroit: Become Human) Bashing, Connor Deserves Happiness, Connor is a Mess (Detroit: Become Human), Connor (Detroit: Become Human) is Bad at Feelings, two years after the pacifist ending, Endgame Markus/Simon (Detroit: Become Human), markus and simon are awkward gays, Simon is shy, Markus is also shy, north is a lesbian, Josh is all alone, Hank is like an awkward uncle with the jericho crew, Love Confessions, Falling In Love, Eventual Smut, Android Gore (Detroit: Become Human), Murder Mystery, Hurt/Comfort, Near Death Experiences, Kara and Alice and Luther are planning to come back to Detroit, Luther is still a teddy bear, oh and also androids can be modified for sex in this au, Androids Have Genitalia (Detroit: Become Human), gavin has three cats, Two girls and one boy, The parents are Tina and Mr. Heavy and the kitten is Bagel

[ao3feed-hannor]

Reformation

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/37J4ke9

by BlueJayTaco

There was a shift after the revolution. One everyone expected, but few were prepared to face. Months later, things are still unsettled. From human on android violence to uncovering some of the darkest crimes imaginable, the DPD has had its hands full. Even more so, when Connor discovers not every android was willing to open their eyes and be free in the new world.

Words: 4574, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English

Fandoms: Detroit: Become Human (Video Game)

Rating: Explicit

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence

Categories: F/M, M/M

Characters: Connor (Detroit: Become Human), Hank Anderson, Markus (Detroit: Become Human), Original Android Character(s) (Detroit: Become Human), Simon (Detroit: Become Human), North (Detroit: Become Human), Josh (Detroit: Become Human), Gavin Reed, Upgraded Connor | RK900, Amanda (Detroit: Become Human), Hank Anderson's Wife, Tina Chen, Original Chloe | RT600, Carl Manfred, Leo Manfred

Relationships: Hank Anderson/Connor, Kara/Luther (Detroit: Become Human), Markus/Simon (Detroit: Become Human)

Additional Tags: Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Canon-Typical Violence, Post-Peaceful Android Revolution (Detroit: Become Human), Deviant Connor (Detroit: Become Human), Pacifist Markus (Detroit: Become Human), Androids, Deviancy (Detroit: Become Human), Hank Anderson and Connor Live Together, Slow Burn, Mentioned Sumo (Detroit: Become Human), Peaceful Android Revolution (Detroit: Become Human), Jericho Crew (Detroit: Become Human) as Family, Protective Connor, Connor Deserves Happiness, Hank Anderson is Bad at Feelings, Minor Markus/Simon (Detroit: Become Human), Minor Kara/Luther (Detroit: Become Human), Kidnapping, Gavin Reed Needs a Hug, Gavin Reed Redemption, References to Sex-Trafficking, Adopted Children, Amanda (Detroit: Become Human) Being an Asshole, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Other Ships Not Mentioned in Tags, Other Additional Tags to Be Added

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/37J4ke9

[ao3feed-markussimon]

by BlueJayTaco

There was a shift after the revolution. One everyone expected, but few were prepared to face. Months later, things are still unsettled. From human on android violence to uncovering some of the darkest crimes imaginable, the DPD has had its hands full. Even more so, when Connor discovers not every android was willing to open their eyes and be free in the new world.

Words: 4574, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English

Fandoms: Detroit: Become Human (Video Game)

Rating: Explicit

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence

Categories: F/M, M/M

Characters: Connor (Detroit: Become Human), Hank Anderson, Markus (Detroit: Become Human), Original Android Character(s) (Detroit: Become Human), Simon (Detroit: Become Human), North (Detroit: Become Human), Josh (Detroit: Become Human), Gavin Reed, Upgraded Connor | RK900, Amanda (Detroit: Become Human), Hank Anderson's Wife, Tina Chen, Original Chloe | RT600, Carl Manfred, Leo Manfred

Relationships: Hank Anderson/Connor, Kara/Luther (Detroit: Become Human), Markus/Simon (Detroit: Become Human)

Additional Tags: Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Canon-Typical Violence, Post-Peaceful Android Revolution (Detroit: Become Human), Deviant Connor (Detroit: Become Human), Pacifist Markus (Detroit: Become Human), Androids, Deviancy (Detroit: Become Human), Hank Anderson and Connor Live Together, Slow Burn, Mentioned Sumo (Detroit: Become Human), Peaceful Android Revolution (Detroit: Become Human), Jericho Crew (Detroit: Become Human) as Family, Protective Connor, Connor Deserves Happiness, Hank Anderson is Bad at Feelings, Minor Markus/Simon (Detroit: Become Human), Minor Kara/Luther (Detroit: Become Human), Kidnapping, Gavin Reed Needs a Hug, Gavin Reed Redemption, References to Sex-Trafficking, Adopted Children, Amanda (Detroit: Become Human) Being an Asshole, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Other Ships Not Mentioned in Tags, Other Additional Tags to Be Added

[ao3feed-rk1000]

by assvictoriam

In which Markus becomes Connor's boss. And falls in love.

Words: 2207, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English

Fandoms: Detroit: Become Human (Video Game)

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: M/M

Characters: Connor (Detroit: Become Human), Markus (Detroit: Become Human), Amanda (Detroit: Become Human), North (Detroit: Become Human), Josh (Detroit: Become Human), Simon (Detroit: Become Human), Kara (Detroit: Become Human), Luther (Detroit: Become Human), Upgraded Connor | RK900, Hank Anderson, Other Character Tags to Be Added, Leo Manfred

Relationships: Connor/Markus (Detroit: Become Human), Hank Anderson & Connor, Kara/Luther (Detroit: Become Human)

Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Coffee Shops & Cafés, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Alternate Universe - Human, Alternate Universe - Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, Connor Deserves Happiness, Amanda's nice i guess, Mutual Pining, Strangers to Friends to Lovers, slow af updates, Slow Burn, Protective Hank Anderson, Parent Hank Anderson, Connor and RK900 are adopted, (but that isnt really brought up for a while), Tags to be added, Leo's trying, Redemption for Leo, how to write summaries?, No Smut

[jayioqo]

When your dog eats- when your dog eats. Leo manfred deserves redemption. Leo manfred deserves redemption

give him redemption arc

[kissoflightning]

One of my IRL friends said to me "So I saw that you've been playing Detroit: Become Human recently!"

My response: "Ever since I discovered the model swap I've never been able to stop."

[In case you didn't know, I'm a little bit *cough cough* obsessed with Leo Manfred!]

Thank you so much for making all my silly mod swap antics possible https://www.deadray.com/detroit/

First thing I did with the mod swapper - played the Connor role as Leo, and I had a blast!

Also I'm happy you guys are enjoying my silly blog (And for putting up with me when you see something you don't like)! This fandom is filled with wonderful supportive people! <3

[hannorlibrary]

by BlueJayTaco

There was a shift after the revolution. One everyone expected, but few were prepared to face. Months later, things are still unsettled. From human on android violence to uncovering some of the darkest crimes imaginable, the DPD has had its hands full. Even more so, when Connor discovers not every android was willing to open their eyes and be free in the new world.

Words: 4574, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English

Fandoms: Detroit: Become Human (Video Game)

Rating: Explicit

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence

Categories: F/M, M/M

Characters: Connor (Detroit: Become Human), Hank Anderson, Markus (Detroit: Become Human), Original Android Character(s) (Detroit: Become Human), Simon (Detroit: Become Human), North (Detroit: Become Human), Josh (Detroit: Become Human), Gavin Reed, Upgraded Connor | RK900, Amanda (Detroit: Become Human), Hank Anderson's Wife, Tina Chen, Original Chloe | RT600, Carl Manfred, Leo Manfred

Relationships: Hank Anderson/Connor, Kara/Luther (Detroit: Become Human), Markus/Simon (Detroit: Become Human)

Additional Tags: Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Canon-Typical Violence, Post-Peaceful Android Revolution (Detroit: Become Human), Deviant Connor (Detroit: Become Human), Pacifist Markus (Detroit: Become Human), Androids, Deviancy (Detroit: Become Human), Hank Anderson and Connor Live Together, Slow Burn, Mentioned Sumo (Detroit: Become Human), Peaceful Android Revolution (Detroit: Become Human), Jericho Crew (Detroit: Become Human) as Family, Protective Connor, Connor Deserves Happiness, Hank Anderson is Bad at Feelings, Minor Markus/Simon (Detroit: Become Human), Minor Kara/Luther (Detroit: Become Human), Kidnapping, Gavin Reed Needs a Hug, Gavin Reed Redemption, References to Sex-Trafficking, Adopted Children, Amanda (Detroit: Become Human) Being an Asshole, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Other Ships Not Mentioned in Tags, Other Additional Tags to Be Added

[apocalypsebi]

Im not saying Leo Manfred deserved a redemption arc but Leo Manfred deserved a redemption arc

[kissoflightning]

Leo Manfred busking in Greektown

[kissoflightning]

A Bad Cup of Coffee

I wrote this fic from Leo Manfred's perspective when I was depressed; it's an original headcannon of what he was going through the day before his first appearance in Detroit: Become Human

Rating:

Teen And Up Audiences

No Archive Warnings Apply

Category:

Gen

Fandom:

Detroit: Become Human (Video Game)

Characters:

Leo Manfred

Jerry(s) (Detroit: Become Human)

Original Female Human Character(s)

Additional Tags:

Leo Manfred POV

Leo Needs a Hug

Hurt No Comfort

I'm So Sorry Jerry

Physical Abuse

References to Drugs

Song Lyrics

References to Depression

One Shot

Language: English Series:Part 1 of Carl Dies

Published: 2023-10-25

Words:1,276

Chapters:1/1

Summary:

Leo fucked up again. (The events of this story take place the day before we first see Leo's appearance in Detroit: Become Human)

Notes:

This fic is mostly a self-indulgence. I wrote it when I was extremely depressed and ironically I felt better after writing it. I decided I wanted to write these little stories as one shots, but I plan on writing a few more (Completely out of order), hence why I am tying this to "The Graveyard" because these stories will all be very much their own thing but work together in the same timeline. The song Leo listens to 2/3rds through the story (If you'd like to read along with it) is Green Day - Boulevard of Broken Dreams https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Soa3gO7tL-c

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Work Text:

Thursday, November 4th, 2038

The alarm blared and it was time for another dreaded day for Leo to go to work. He had his third breakdown last week when some idiot gave him crap over how much cream cheese was spread over a fucking bagel. "Why aren't there equal amounts of cream cheese on both sides? I asked for equal amounts of cream cheese on both sides!" Leo was so done with this shit and he SCREAMED at the man "YOU FUCKING IDIOT! The cream cheese stuck to the other side, it ain't my god damn fault!" His boss threatened to fire Leo if an incident like this were to occur again.

Leo took a hit from his Red Ice vape, just enough for him to vibe enough to put up with whatever bullshit he was going to put up with today. Enough that the intrusive thoughts were there, but not enough for them to take over. Leo HATED the way he acted when he had taken too much, but it felt so god damn good!

He dragged his sorry ass to the coffee shop and lay his bag down in the break room. His boss peered over his shoulder, "You better not fuck up today, Manfred."

"Yeah, whatever." Leo replied with a shrug.

Leo asked his coworker, Sheryl to man the till today so he could avoid talking to as many customers as possible and she complied without hesitation. Sheryl was the only person who was tolerable to work with at this shit hole of an establishment. Other than her, he hated EVERYONE, even Jerry. Especially Jerry. Fucking androids. They'd never have to deal with feeling like a miserable, worthless piece of shit like him.

One hour left in his shift, and Leo had successfully managed to keep himself from getting fired so far. Sheryl pulled off the "customer service" act so well, despite the usual barrage of annoying idiot customers. He always looked forward to the end of the day where she'd go back to her normal self and talked so informal saying fuck and shit in almost every sentence with a tone that would be considered a "bad attitude" from the boss. But in reality, she was super cool. Something felt good about being the only one at work to see that side of her.

A man who ordered a few minutes ago, came back raging. "I TOLD you I wanted a fresh cup and this tastes like the stalest oldest shit you could give me!" The man screamed as he threw the coffee at Sheryl, scalding her.

What Leo saw next was neither customer service Sheryl or badass Sheryl...it was broken Sheryl. She froze, broke into a sob, and ran out of the shop wailing and crying. For once Leo's intrusive thoughts were in sync with his regular line of thinking.

[He needs to get his ass kicked]

Leo hopped over the counter, clutched him into a chokehold, and threw him onto the floor. He should have stopped there, but the violence felt so good. [It's justified] He thought to himself. [Sheryl didn't deserve that] He pinned the man down and laid down punch after punch as the man and any customers that were around to witness screamed in horror.

Suddenly he was stopped and pulled up by that fucking android, Jerry. Leo's temperament wasn't settled. "Fucking piece of plastic! Let go of me!" Leo shouted before shifting to hook his fist directly into Jerry's right cheek.

The impact scraped the part of synthskin where it landed, and the android seemed to emulate fear. "My name is Jerry!" The android shouted before frantically running out the door. That display was so convincing that Leo almost felt bad about punching the thing. However, he knew better than to fall for the emulation of human emotions. Self-preservation was probably something built into their program - or perhaps Leo caused it to malfunction from hitting it too hard.

The boss came out finally. He'd probably been in his office blasting shitty music and playing Level 28,453 of Candy Crush or something. "What the hell is going on here? Where's Sheryl and Jerry?" He hollered.

"Your employee jumped over the counter and attacked me like a wild animal!" The beat up asshole shouted.

"He started it! He threw hot coffee onto Sheryl and she ran out crying!" Leo protested.

"Which I wouldn't have done if you had given me fresh coffee like I asked!" The man retorted.

"FUCKING ASSHOLE!" Leo screamed before throwing the man a sucker punch in the stomach, and he fell to the ground.

The man, speechless, shook his head and limped towards the door once he regained his composure.

"Please don't press charges." The boss pleaded to the customer.

"I won't, but I want to see you fire him." The man told him.

"With pleasure." The boss complied before he turned to Leo to shout "YOU'RE FIRED!"

Leo went home and upon approaching the door to is apartment, he'd spotted an eviction notice. "Fuck my life!" Leo shouted out loud as he entered through the door. He plopped onto his bed and screamed into his pillow. "AAAAAH!"

He plugged his airpods into his ears, and blasted the song Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day, closing his eyes for a moment and taking a exaggerated breath during the initial guitar riff. He started singing along to the lyrics. "I walk a lonely road. The only one that I have ever known. Don't know where it goes, but it's home to me, and I walk alone." He proceeded to load the red ice into his pipe, lit it up and took a deep inhale, laying back into his bed as he watched the red smoke release into the air. He sank into his bed as he felt his stress start to dissipate, though a lingering was left behind. Leo needed more ice; he was almost out. Not to mention he would wind up homeless soon if he could not get any money.

Leo continued to sing while laying down, attempting to relax. He nodded his head slightly while belting "My shadow's the only one that walks beside me. My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating. Sometimes, I wish someone out there will find me." He took another inhale from his vape, savoring it before releasing the breath. He closed his eyes and hummed along with the "Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah. Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah" while simultaneously feeling the music, imagining himself walking down a deserted outskirt in slow motion.

Leo tried to let his mind wander, but it kept coming back to reflect on his shitty predicament. He would need to ask his dad for more cash. If the requirement to ask his disapproving father for money was not bad enough, having to see Carl treat that plastic toy like his actual son was so much worse.

"Read between the lines. What's fucked up, and everything's alright. Check my vital signs. To know I'm still alive, and I walk alone." Maybe if he punched Markus, it would run off like Jerry did. However, Jerry had been in a public place at the time; what if Markus reacted more violently? It could be incredibly dangerous to pick a fight with an android where nobody could hear you scream.

And there was something different about Markus; it was so good at acting human. Leo would not doubt it if Kamski built it with some protocol to beat the shit out of anyone who provoked it. Leo closed his eyes once again and let his mind continue to drift until he passed out.

[THE END]

If you enjoyed reading this story and you firmly believe that Leo Manfred deserves redemption, feel free to give a Kudos/Comment on AO3 to give him some love!