Chapter One
Silence
Desk duty! They fucking put him on desk duty! For an entire month! Fowler claimed it was because he was worried for Gavin's health after he got shot and the whole warehouse beating. Gavin was also sure that it was under Richard's fucking suggestion that he get put on desk duty. Much like the break he was forced to take, Fowler tried to put him on desk duty for two months. Two months! Gavin would've fucking lost it if that was the case. He managed to persuade the man down to only one month. But still, one month was still too long! He was going stir crazy! Fucking Richard could go off and do whatever the hell it wanted with the cases while Gavin had to sit with his thumb up his ass! It was frustrating! It pissed him off.
Still, it gave him plenty of time to catch up on his paperwork. Which he was on point with now. As soon as something came across his desk, he read and reviewed it in record's time. He was surprisingly efficient when he had no other choice! But because he had no choice but to sit on his ass all day and do paperwork, he got a little creative when it came to keeping himself entertained. Mostly by listening to music with his wireless headphones. Normally that wouldn't be allowed but it was that or Gavin would be throwing temper tantrums every time someone stopped at his desk because they needed something. It allowed him to just get into a grooze, a zone if you would, to get his work done without incident. That and the painkillers he was on helped out a lot. He was a lot more mellow when he was taking them. His gun shot wound and bruised ribbed thanked the doctors every day that he had to take them. Otherwise he'd just be pissy and in pain. Which was never a good combination.
They were so effective in fact, that Tina had made a point on picking on him because of it one lunch break. Since he was stuck inside the precinct day in and day out, it gave them plenty of time to talk and just be friends. Tina was probably one of the few people that could put up with Gavin on a normal basis. Mainly because she was as snappy and temperamental as he was. They butted heads a lot but in the end, it was like a big game to them. They knew not to take the other one too seriously and so they remained good friends.
But regardless, she had called Gavin's painkillers 'magic pills' and tried to swipe one from him. He immediately rejected, 'go get your own bitch,' she called him a greedy bastard and they laughed about it. It was nice, fun even, to be able to hang out with her like this. They used to hang out quite a bit before Gavin hit Detective. Then they're schedules just didn't line up and next thing they knew, it had been months since they last actually got to hang out and talk. Break room talk didn't really count. Like apparently she and her girlfriend got engaged. Like how the fuck did he miss that!? He really was going to have to make it up to her for missing out on that.
Gavin was currently jamming out to his music, fingers tapping along with the beat while his other hand twirled a pencil between his thumb and forefinger. He had a little bit of down time, since he had to wait for confirmation from the responding officer regarding the current paperwork he was working on. He had almost forgotten he was at work when someone tapped him on the shoulder. Gavin jumped like a cat that got sprayed with a squirt bottle. He dropped his pencil, it falling onto the floor under his desk. He pushed his headphones from over his ears to rest around his neck, glancing over his shoulder for a quick second to see Connor standing there. "Fucking 'A' Connor," He grumbled as he moved under his desk to get his pencil. "Do you enjoy sneaking up on people? Mainly me?" He grabbed his utensil.
"Sorry Detective, but you have a guest." Did he hear that right?
"What?" Gavin misjudged the edge of his desk as he tried to stand up, banging the back of his head against it. He let out a loud groan as he cradled his head, dropping the pencil once more. "Fucking ow – why? Phck." Why was this his life? When had it dissolved to this? Him smacking his head against his fucking desk while trying to get something as stupid as a pencil? If he didn't know any better, he could've sworn he heard chuckling from behind him. Who the fuck was laughing at him? It had to be the music that was still playing from his headphones. Yeah, that was it.
He snagged the pencil once again, placing both hands on the edge of the desk to make sure his head was clear as he stood up. Pencil back on the desk, discarded haphazardly, he rubbed the back of his head that still ached as he turned to face Connor. Who was not alone, as he said. But the only issue was that Gavin didn't know the person that was standing next to him. Well, he did. He just didn't know the man personally. Android actually. If he was remembering correctly, it was the leader of the peaceful android revolution. Why the fuck was he there to see someone like Gavin? Fuck what was his name again? Matthew? Morgan? Something with an 'M.'
"Hello Detective Reed," he said, holding his hand out for Gavin to shake. He did. "My name is Markus." That's what it was!
"Uh, hi." Way to go Gavin, real fucking smooth. Markus pulled back his hand after shaking Gavin's a few times. Now that he was up close and personal with the revolutionary leader, Gavin couldn't help but notice just how unbelievably attractive the android was. His mismatching eyes were stunning, his own dancing between the two because he didn't know which one to focus on. The android's smile was warm and friendly. Almost like Connor's. Only, Markus' had this sort of alluring charm to it. Gavin almost couldn't help but return a smile. Almost. He didn't though, mainly because he was more concerned as to why Markus was there to see him. "Is there a reason you're here to see me?" He asked bluntly, because he was never one for beating around the bush.
"I'm just here to thank you personally for your recommendation to Connor," He gestured to Connor, who stood there idly. Gavin couldn't help but purse his lips together, mainly because he had absolutely no fucking clue what Markus was talking about. He was a bit friendlier to Connor as of late. Nothing too big, he just stopped snapping at him whenever the android came over to him. It's not like they were buddies or friends. Gavin just tolerated his presence a little better than before. After nearly a year of dealing with the android, it was about time. Connor was here to stay, whether Gavin liked it or not.
But still, his interactions with Connor were few and far in between. He tried to remember an instance between the two that might explain what Markus was talking about. He was drawing a blank. And his expression must've shown it too because Markus chuckled a bit at him. Not that he minded, the android's voice was soothing to the ears. His chuckle even more so. He felt his body heat up a little bit from embarrassment. He thought it was embarrassment anyway.
"Forgive me for being so broad. I'm mainly referring to insisting that androids are given a livable wage." Oh that. Wait…that's what this was about? That was over a month ago! He had honestly just mentioned it to Connor in passing. He didn't think the android took him seriously!
His eyes quickly danced over to Connor, who nodded at him slightly with a soft smile on his face. Did this guy ever stop smiling? Why was he so chipper all the time anyway? He looked back to Markus, giving him a hesitant shrug. "Uh…you're welcome?" He wasn't sure how to respond to a situation like this. He crossed his arms and leaned back against his desk, trying to appear casual. Honestly he was nervous and feeling awkward as fuck. "I honestly didn't think you would take me seriously Connor," he admitted easily. Connor just shrugged easily at him.
"Well I'm glad that he did. After showing me just how bad it was for some of our people, I couldn't help but agree with him." 'Showing him,' did Connor take him to Diamond Dust or something. Realization slammed into him like a bus, his face starting to heat up with embarrassment. He was certain of it this time. Connor exchanged the data that Richard took from their conversation with Jenna and shared it with Markus. Did that include what he did to help Jenna out? Oh dear god, he was going to strangle that android!
Gavin let out a nervous and uneasy laugh as he looked away from Markus, rubbing the back of his head absently. "Yeah well, don't mention it," he mumbled. God this was awkward.
"Have you finished that report yet, Detective?" Richard asked from behind him. Thank god! Gavin immediately looked over his shoulder to the android, tapping his desk with his finger.
"Just gotta wait for Chris to respond," he answered. His relationship with Richard was…strained to say the least. Ever since Richard saved him from a gun shot to the head, Gavin had been keeping his distance from the android. He would only really interact with it if he had to. Simply put, Gavin had this fearful respect for the machine now. He tried not to piss it off too much so that Richard wouldn't some day snap at him. So he wasn't as mouthy to it as he was when they first started working together. That, of course, didn't stop him from mouthing out entirely. He would do so if he felt that Richard was being particularly dense about something. Or just really irritated him to the point that he couldn't bite back his tongue. But other than that, he was very cautious around the thing. He didn't want to give Richard a reason to snap him in half like a toothpick or something. And it could do it too. Easily.
"Richard!" Markus greeted happily. "How've you been?"
Richard nodded its head as it took its seat at the desk. "Fine, Markus. Thank you."
Markus turned his beautiful eyes back to Gavin. "Well I'll let you get back to work. I just felt that I should come thank you. I really appreciate you bringing this to my attention," he offered his hand for Gavin to shake again.
Gavin took it again after standing up straight, nodding his head. He couldn't help but marvel over the skin contrast between the two of them. What had prompted Cyberlife to make Markus look the way he did? Did they have to make all their androids look like super models? He was just so pleasing to the eye. Whoever designed Markus sure deserved that paycheck.
Nope, stop those thoughts right now. Nope, no, no no. No. Gavin released Markus' hand finally. Connor started a casual conversation with him as he escorted the leader out of the building. Gavin sat down in his chair but he couldn't help but cast a glance at Markus' retreating form as he left. The fuck was wrong with him?
"Detective," Richard said suddenly. Gavin jumped, snapping his eye forward to look at his partner. "I have another file for you to review until you hear back from Chris." It was staring at him with an intense stare. Gavin merely nodded his head, turning back to his computer as he slid the headphones back over his ears.
Software Instability ^^^
Gavin had been taken off of desk duty. Fucking finally! It was nothing big, the first case he worked in a month. But it was something! And he was happy with it. For the most part. Okay, he wasn't really happy about it, but he was happy to finally be allowed to work the field again. Fowler had given him and Richard something 'easy' so Gavin could slip back into a routine. He knew the captain was still worried about Gavin's wound, which was why he was willing to bite down his pride and take anything the man would give him. His side was still tender, and he felt a jolt of pain whenever he pulled or twisted at that side too much but other than that, he was as good as new. If new was scratched and scarred the fuck up. Just another one to add to the collection of Gavin's body. It was no wonder he couldn't get a girlfriend. Boyfriend. Whatever. At this point, he wasn't going to be picky. He'd fuck a bush if it showed interest. That's how bad it had gotten.
Okay, maybe that was an exaggeration. The thought still remained.
The case was a simple break in and robbery. The two officers found themselves in one of the few apartment districts that was reserved strictly for androids. Mainly because the buildings were considered unsuitable for humans. Markus had purchased the plots of land and paid for the buildings to be fixed up to be livable again. For androids this time. Which was odd to him but whatever. He hadn't really been able to check out and explore these neighborhoods yet. Not that he would want to; he was just curious.
But not matter, the android couple – still weird to him – were at work when the break in happened. Nobody had seen anything but luckily the building had video surveillance for them to review. A few things were stolen, mostly the blue blood that was kept in the refrigerator for the androids – another weird thing, androids using fridges. That instantly put it on the radar for being linked to red ice dealers. Plus the fact that Richard had found traces of latex residue on some surfaces. Meaning human involvement. Unless androids were trying to throw them off of their tail, it was most likely humans.
They were leaving the building, waiting for the elevator in the hallway as Gavin's eyes roamed the interior. It was rather nice. Hell, it was better than the building that he lived in was. Mostly because his building was built before all of the fancy electronics were made. Still, it really said something when some androids lived better than he did. That irritated him slightly.
"You've been awfully quiet today, Detective," Richard commented once the elevator arrived at their current floor, dinging open for them.
Gavin didn't respond, just stepped inside and pressed the button for the ground floor. They began their descent.
"In fact, you've been uncharacteristically quiet ever since you came back from your medical leave."
Again, Gavin didn't say anything. He just stared at he digital panel that told them what floor they were passing. He started to idly tap his fingers against his thigh as he waited.
"Not that I'm complaining about the reduction in hostility and back talk. It's just that I can't help but wonder why, Detective."
Gavin shifted a little, leaning most of his weight on the leg that was furthest away from Richard. He could practically feel the android's eyes boring into the side of his skull. He looked away from the panel and stared up at the android instead. Gavin's brows furrowed as he met that intense gaze, not willing to back down from a challenge.
Software Instability ^^^
The doors opened suddenly and Gavin moved to walk out of the elevator. Only for Richard to grab his arm and pull him back. Gavin was about to snap at the android when he realized that people were entering the elevator. Well other androids. His gaze jumped to the panel, they were on the second floor. He had almost gotten off on the wrong floor. Great. Way to go Gavin.
He tugged his arm free of Richard's hold, crossing his arms over his chest as he started to tap his foot. Could this elevator go any slower? Richard stood beside him, hands behind its back with its gaze straight ahead. Ever the image of professionalism. They arrived at the floor and walked out of the building in silence.
Thank you for reading chapter one of Red Blood, Red Ice. We will now embark on the adventure that is part two of my whole series! I hope you guys enjoy it! Let me know what you think in the comments. Any and all feedback helps feed my muse and lets me know that you guys like what I'm doing!
Does Gavin have a crush on Markus? Yes, yes he does. I couldn't get the thought of him having the hots for the android leader out of my head so it happened. You're welcome.
Is Gavin giving Richard the silent treatment? Yes, yes he is. Poor boi doesn't know what to do with him.
Also, I would like to ask some questions regarding my universe because I can't make up my mind when it comes to these topics. 1. Markus and North or Markus and Simon? 2. Should Connor and Hank be in a relationship or should they just remain like a father/son thing? I'm not sure for either of these because I don't really have a preference either way. Let me know. It's gonna be a poll so whichever side gets the most votes is what happens. Yay! Audience inclusion!
If you'd like to keep up with updates and my progress, check out my tumblr: pennameab
See you in the next chapter!