Chapter 17/20: Stay
"I need this." - Gavin Reed
...in which Gavin makes a sacrifice and the State Department arrives to pick Nines up.
A/N: WARNING! ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Interpret that in whatever way you want.
NINES
~ JAN 8TH, 2039 * PM 07:22 ~
"Looks like you're 'bout to blow a gasket, boss," Gavin said, having just entered Fowler's office with a mildly amused - albeit cautious - expression on his face. Nines was already there. "Who pissed in your coffee?"
"Can it before I assign you to desk duty, Reed. Your partner just informed me of what the hell happened back at the warehouse, and I've gotta say, I'm not a fan," Fowler rebuked from the spot atop his desk, annoyance clear in his tone as he looked to Nines. "I know you can handle your own, but to put a damn coworker - and a human at that - at risk? He can't have his parts replaced!"
Gavin took the word. "Wait, hold the fuck up -"
"I don't wanna hear it," he warned, raising a dismissive hand before pointing to him. "You're already on thin ice. I get that you've gotten close over the past months, but I've got a fucking responsibility."
"The tin can is just covering for me."
Nines felt as if he'd been struck by a stun-baton at a thousand volts.
"Excuse me?" Fowler demanded.
"I thought we could handle it without Hank and his plastic pet, so I kept Nines in the dark 'bout it and went in without 'em. It's not on him."
"Gavin -" Nines tried.
"Reed, this was your last straw! First the espionage bullshit and now this? This crap was clearly a ruse that nearly got you killed and then you sunk deep enough to send Nines into my office instead?" he called, both palms forward as he leaned in. "I've been putting up with your crap, but I can't let shit like this slide anymore. I've got no choice but to demote you."
In a single sentence, it looked like Gavin's entire world fell apart. The mix of shock and defeat was clear on his face as he just stared.
Returning to reality, his jaw clenched as he averted his gaze. Then the flash of anger followed as his fist clenched almost enough to draw blood. Nines could see him visibly but internally debating whether or not to berate Fowler on his double-standards. How Fowler always looked the other way when Hank fucked up. To Nines' knowledge, Hank had gotten away with far worse, putting his coworker in danger by showing up drunk or hungover to work. He knew where Hank was coming from, but he was a cop. Such behavior was unprofessional.
Nevertheless, Nines - just like Gavin - also knew that lashing out on their boss wasn't the best approach to this.
Nines spoke up. "I came here on my own, Captain. He didn't know -"
"Shut your fucking mouth. That's an order," Gavin cut him off, shooting him a glare.
#
OBJECTIVE: DON'T SPEAK
#
Gavin turned back to Fowler. "I get it. Do what you've gotta do," he replied with a scowl, parting his arms. "Like I give a fuck."
His statement might sound convincing, but there was no truth in it.
#
DON'T SPEAK
#
Silence filled the room while the tension remained obvious.
"I'm sorry," Fowler said in a drained voice, hand on his thigh. He gestured to the desk with a tilt of his head. "Leave your badge here and I'll have it changed until you're called in again. You're dismissed."
Unclasping it, Gavin's lips pressed together in a thin line as he stared down at the metal.
#
DON'T SPEAK
#
He eventually tore his eyes away and chucked the badge at the table surface. Making a beeline for the door, he shoulder-decked Nines in passing on the way out. Nines let himself react, icy grey eyes closing tightly shut. Muffled profanities were issued, office door tearing open and slamming back shut as hastened and long-stridden steps flew down the stairway. Nines watched through the glass as Tina emerged and stopped him. She asked her question, but Gavin's response was curt before he continued on his path towards the exit.
Tina met Nines' eye - wordless asking whether or not she should follow - but Nines shook his head. He didn't like keeping her in the dark, but this was something that he and Gavin had to figure out on their own.
Sharing one final look with Fowler, Nines nodded and left the room.
He found Gavin outside leaning to a street light close to his Chevy Impala. With phone in hand and a lit cigarette between his lips, prominent eye bags under unfocused pupils and tight brows aged him further. Whomever he texted, though, Nines had his suspicions. Eleanor, probably. She surely saw him bolt out the door and wanted to know if he was all right.
Just as Nines walked up, Gavin spoke. "We going?"
Pocketing the phone, he refused to look at him and set course for the car. Gavin stumped the cigarette. Nines, however, didn't move.
"Why did you do that?"
"The fuck do you think? A single disciplinary warning and those pricks at the State Department won't even take you," he replied, Nines' features smoothening out. "That's what you want, right?"
"Yes, I -"
"Then don't let a word reach Fowler, you got that?" he said, tearing up the passenger door and gesturing to it. "Now get in."
#
DON'T LET FOWLER KNOW AND GET IN THE CAR
#
Registering Nines move his attention to the DPD entrance, Gavin sighed and let his hand drop.
Grey eyes closed. "Jesus Christ... you can't be serious thinking about deviating for this shit, plastic. I busted my ass writing your fucking evaluation and I'm not throwing it into the dumpster just like that," he said as he snapped his fingers, now back to looking at him. "Fucking hell, let me do this one thing so you can piss off to be a soldier or whatever."
The uncharacteristic but drained sincerity in his voice was enough to have Nines pause. He turned to see his attention maintained, the intensity in Gavin' glare incomparable to anything.
"Your sergeant position was earned."
"...and I'll earn it back," he spat, palms open. "The State Department is a one-shot. It's now or never, dipshit. They don't fuck around."
"If you're willing to give up a rank for this, you must be ecstatic about my departure."
He didn't expect to send Gavin fuming.
"I fucking what now?"
"Can you blame me for jumping to conclusions?" he pointed out, returning the glare directed at him before Gavin seemed unable to hold it. Gavin averted his eyes and pressed his lips together. "One moment, you're throwing yourself into the line of fire, disregarding your own life and prioritizing mine. The other, you're treating me like a stranger. I don't know where I have you."
"Right now you have me pissed, but you know what, yeah. You are a means to an end," he rebuked, getting right into his face with a scowl. Nines' own fell. "You know why? 'Cause I let you get too fucking close."
Too close?
Nines frowned. "Androids don't have a concept of personal space. I was unaware this bothered you so much. Frankly, I thought the opposite."
Letting out a scoff, Gavin backed off again.
"Christ. You think that's what I meant? Personal space? Like, literally too close?" he asked, appearing amused. "Yeah, sure, let's call it that."
"The least you can do is explain what I'm misunderstanding instead of mocking me."
"Sorry to break it to you, toaster, but that's all I've got. Bottom line is that I need you outta my fucking life before this shit gets too deep. If that requires a demotion, then fuck, I'll take it," he replied, his pointing gesture to the passenger seat yet again aggressive. "Now would you get inside the fucking car already? I'm gonna die of hypothermia at this rate."
Debating between whether to simply wrap around him to warm him up and push on with the conversation, or let it go like Gavin clearly wanted, he further tipped towards the latter.
Nines just stood there for a moment. One last time, he looked to the DPD. Gavin was impatiently tapping his fingers on the door frame.
#
DON'T LET FOWLER KNOW AND GET IN THE CAR
#
His jaw clenched.
If that was how Gavin saw things, he didn't see the issue with letting it go.
So he got in.
~ JAN 8TH, 2039 * PM 11:58 ~
Of all the places Nines expected to find his partner at this hour, a bar with bruised knuckles was his first guess. What he didn't expect was finding Gavin so intoxicated that he could hardly stand.
Gavin had chucked off his leather jacket, resting at the surface of the bar chair below him. Sleeves were pulled up to his forearms. The damage from six days ago - almost seven - had mostly healed. Naturally, Gavin refused to be bed-ridden for any longer than he had to. Nines nearly had to walk all the way up before his presence was even registered.
"Would you look at that... my plastic pet finally decided to become one of the big boys! Fuck, can you even get drunk?"
"No. I can simulate intoxication, but that wouldn't help the investigation," he replied, merely receiving an angry pout in reply. "Tina informed me that you haven't been answering her calls. I've come to take you home."
"For fuck's sake, I can't even get an hour or two without you hanging over me? I'm not going anywhere, toaster."
This was definitely unusual. Nines knew their relationship had been improving - they were friends - but now, it felt as if Gavin had thrown him straight back to stage one. He'd have to make another analysis in order to accurately adapt. Then again, Gavin wasn't entirely himself as Nines knew intoxication could sometimes temporarily alter a human's personality in its entirety.
His demotion clearly got to him.
"Would you prefer I remove you by force?"
Gavin seemed taken aback by the question. When his eyes briefly fell, purposefully or not, Nines gave him an expectant look.
"When you put it that way -" he said, Nines grabbing his arm and tugging. The glass of whatever he had been drinking knocked over and spilled over the counter. "Fucking hell, I paid for that... and watch the shirt, prick!"
"I can assure you that a medical bill is far more expensive."
"Fuck off!"
Nevertheless, the abrupt rise from the chair appeared to result in abnormal blood pressure regulation. Gavin nearly tripped over his own foot when the dizziness claimed him. Nines, however, was simply intent on getting him back to his apartment before he made an absolute ass of himself. For someone so competent on duty, the present incompetence was a step back.
After making one final struggle, Gavin finally gave in. "Jesus, fine, I'm coming!"
In the instant Nines let go of him, Gavin shambled ever so slightly from pulling away. Nines reached out again, but Gavin swatted his hand away as if the offered help was the most insulting thing in existence.
A jolt like an electric charge went up Nines' body as their palms had briefly come in contact. Again, his artificial skin pulled back to reveal his hand's exoskeleton - programming expecting to connect again - as it was one of the few things he couldn't control anymore when it came to Gavin. Connecting. He was uncertain why, but he couldn't say he was all-too-concerned about it.
Gavin had purposefully left his jacket as he headed for the exit. A way to passive-aggressively get back at him, certainly. Rolling his eyes, Nines grabbed the cloth and threw it over his forearm before following him outside.
"Where are your keys?" he asked.
Reaching behind him, Gavin missed the pocket entirely and cursed under his breath. His second attempt was successful. He threw them over and miscalculated the distance to the point that Nines had to make an effort to catch them. Brows shooting up, Gavin blinked repeatedly, apparently not realizing just how under the influence he was.
He then let out a scoff and approached the car before them.
Nines clicked the car control, the beep heard from a different car entirely than Gavin was moving towards. He cursed again - louder this time - before approaching the correct one and tearing up the passenger door. At least he was responsible enough to let Nines drive. Once inside the car himself, Nines threw the leather jacket at him - ignoring the insults that followed - before his grip moved to the wheel. Gavin turned on the radio, put the speakers on full and didn't speak all the way back to the apartment.
Neither did Nines.
~ JAN 9TH, 2039 * AM 12:26 ~
The moment Gavin stepped inside the apartment, he missed the light switch by an entire inch. He didn't even seem to notice that Nines was the one to push it after he crossed the doorframe. As Nines hung up the leather jacket on the coat stand, Gavin plopped into the couch and leaned forward, elbows on his knees and face in his hands. Nines needed to do something about those bloodied knuckles.
Approaching the sink, he found a clean glass in the cupboard above and began to ready some water.
"Spit it out."
Gavin scowled. "The fuck are you? My psychologist?"
"Someone that sees your current pathetic state isn't getting you anywhere."
"Jesus Christ..." he muttered, snatching the glass Nines handed to him.
Nines had made his own analysis of Gavin's personal situation. Some of the most common symptoms of having neglecting parents were anger, aggressiveness, brashness and rude comments because they simply hadn't known anything else growing up. That appeared to be the case with Gavin. He'd been forced to be strong his entire life, do everything on his own, and thus saw emotions such as empathy as a weakness. Having said emotions would've made his childhood even more difficult. In a way, Nines could relate.
Retreating to the restroom - grabbing the medical kit in the mirror above the sink and a small towel - Nines returned to him.
Gavin was rubbing his eyes and only when Nines sat down next to him did he notice he'd come back. Grabbing the hand with bruised knuckles - Nines' skin pulling back - he held it out in front of him.
"So who did you piss off this time?" he asked, placing the towel on his thigh not to spill anything all over the couch.
"He pissed me off."
Nines reached for the disinfectant. "Elaborate."
"Bartender thought I had too much, so I told him to fuck off and do his job. Some 'entitled' jackass intervened. Broke his nose for it," he replied, Nines fighting the urge to roll his eyes and poured said disinfectant on the damage. Gavin was too used to it to react. "Guy had the nerve to threaten he'd call the cops, so I said, 'at your fucking service.' He pissed off pretty quickly after that."
"You always were a charming one," Nines said with sarcasm, but there was truth in it. "Brash - sometimes lacking of judgment - but charming."
"Fuck off."
After he finished wrapping up his knuckles, Nines put the items back to their respective places.
"I would suggest you tone it down on the coffee. Get some real sleep," he said, taking the glass again and putting it on the counter. "Your unhealthy coping mechanisms aren't helping, either."
"I didn't ask for your opinion, dipshit. My personal life is none of your business."
"As a matter of fact, it is. At least until the morning. You're putting us both in a bad light," he replied as he returned to stand by his side, but he genuinely cared about Gavin's well-being. "Considering that you might not even remember this conversation, I see no logical reason to explain in detail that I need a competent partner. A hangover would be the opposite of beneficial."
Gavin rose to his feet and glared. "What, so you're telling me 'the most advanced prototype' can't handle a case unless his partner is compliant?"
"Of course I can," he replied, glaring back as he splayed a hand on Gavin's chest to make sure he didn't fall. "If you wish to make an ass out of yourself by bedding someone who couldn't care less about you - the reason why you were at that bar in the first place - go right ahead. Thing is that, in your intoxicated state, I can't trust you to make a good decision of whom you choose to go home with. Both Tina and I are convinced that a stable relationship would prove far more beneficial and that's what you should pursue."
"Since when did I become the fucking gossip of the precinct? I don't want a relationship. I wanna get laid. You pulled me back here in the first place and I doubt you're gonna let me leave, so what the fuck are you packing?"
"I fail to see how sleeping with you would benefit your current state."
"I'd pass out quicker."
"A hit to the back of the head would be immediate."
"Nines, fucking hell," he began with a sigh, pressing into the steadying touch still on his chest and closed his eyes. "I need this."
It was strange to see Gavin like this. No harsh remarks, no nothing, presenting himself as some sort of husk. Nines assumed it was among the side-effects of alcohol. Then again, he began to think it went deeper than that. The way Gavin reacted simply by Nines touching him like that was curious. It was as if he sought contact of some kind, perhaps reassurance, but he couldn't be sure. Nines didn't understand. What Gavin wanted, however, was as clear as daylight. It was also clear that he needed the contact.
So he decided to give it to him.
SOFTWARE INSTABILITY ^
EMPATHY EXPRESSED
1 RED WALL(S) REMOVED
[[[/3- RA9 -3/]]]
In a light chokehold, he tilted Gavin's head up and held it there. Confused - somewhat startled - grey eyes opened, blinking as if just having returned to reality. Nines squinted his own and stared intently. Thumb moving up to rest against Gavin's bottom lip, he glanced down at it, the skin there sensitive. Nines felt a grip closing around his jacket.
Leaning down, Gavin's mouth was inches from his. The smell of alcohol had him stop.
Nines furrowed his brows. "You're intoxicated."
SOFTWARE INSTABILITY ^
EMPATHY EXPRESSED
1 RED WALL(S) REMOVED
[[/2- RA9 -2/]]
"Yeah, no shit," he replied, Nines' hand relocating to rest at the side of Gavin's neck. "The fuck does that have to do with anything?"
"This doesn't feel right."
Too late did he realized it came out wrong.
SOFTWARE INSTABILITY ^
EMPATHY EXPRESSED
1 RED WALL(S) REMOVED
[/1- RA9 -1/]
Gavin let out a scoff, looking away. "Okay, ouch. Fair enough."
Just as he released his jacket and was about to pull away, Nines' left hand fell from his face to grab his left bicep when Gavin walked past him.
"Not like that," he clarified, eyes narrowed. "Your cognitive functions are currently at a decline. Intoxication results in a lapse of judgment. Were you not under the influence, I wouldn't mind."
"Fucking hell, that's the issue?" he asked, pinching the bridge of his own nose. "I take a couple shots and now I'm too drunk to think clearly?"
"'A couple'?" Nines repeated, brow arched at the major understatement. Gavin rolled his eyes the best he could - his hand dropping - and Nines worried he'd pull something. "Considering the high blood-alcohol level you've obtained over such a short period of time, I'm surprised you didn't suffer from alcohol poisoning. Gavin, you're scaring me. This isn't like you."
Releasing his bicep, he caught Gavin's cheek as his head tipped ever so slightly just to make sure the rest of his body didn't follow.
"Look, you don't have the fucking right to worry," he replied, but there was no bite in it. "I can handle my own."
"That's too bad, because I'll do it anyway. You mean too much to me."
Gavin's face fell ever so slightly only to harden again. Rebuilding that wall. The protective barrier.
"I've gotta cut loose once in a while. I'm fine," he said, fingers wrapping around Nines' wrist. Gavin closed his eyes and pressed a kiss to the inside of Nines' palm. "Can't believe I'm saying this, but... I'm gonna miss you, tin can."
There it was again. Gavin's indecision. His thoughts on Nines seemed to skip between hatred and genuine care.
"At this stage, I suspect you've simply hit your head."
With a puff of laughter, Gavin shook said head. "Fuck, what I'd give for that to be the case. All this would be way easier."
Nines' frown deepened.
"What would?"
"Doesn't matter," he replied, releasing Nines' wrist and instead ascended his hand to smooth out the collar of Nines' turtleneck. Gavin eyed the stretch as his jaw locked tight. A thumb gently rubbed the fabric. "Jesus, you know you've been giving me a hard-on since day one. What makes you think that's changed? Just read my fucking vitals or whatever."
Gavin could simply order him to do whatever he wanted, and yet, he didn't.
According to his scanners, Gavin was yet very much attracted to him physically. His pheromones had spiked with the alcohol, but not by much, as the attraction was already there. Gavin had never denied it, either. Nines was designed to be attractive - so it was only natural - and he appeared to have hit Gavin's checkboxes. Nines couldn't say he thought much about it and simply teased him once in a while as he happened to find it quite amusing considering Gavin's past animosity towards him. Aside from that, he didn't see more to it.
Before him, his gaze was pinned as eyes darted. He couldn't read him.
Gavin's expression shortly hardened again.
Hand still gripping the collar of his turtleneck, he yanked him down. Nines let it happen.
This was for Gavin, not him, and thus he turned off his skin sensitivity.
If it wasn't for Nines preferring to keep the top buttons separated, then the limitation of his collar and Gavin's height wouldn't allow the sought contact unless Gavin stood on his tip-toes. He'd closed his eyes - knowing that was what humans did - and their lips had collided. The situation had been pre-constructed beforehand and thus the kiss didn't surprise him. He hadn't felt these emotions in his deviated state and thus he simply didn't know what it was. What he did know was that whatever was happening was a form of affection. Quite possibly the strongest kind for humans.
Lips parting ever so slightly for Nines' tongue, Nines took the invite, probing between them. Gavin took a deep breath through his nose. Hands traversed Nines' torso, pressing under his collar, Gavin pushing hands up his neck to dig fingers into Nines' hair before pulling him down deeper. It was far from gentle. Almost desperate.
The last time Nines did this, he hadn't allowed his neck to be touched. It was something he considered a vulnerable spot and yet he let Gavin do whatever he wanted because he trusted him.
Hips bucked into his. Nines didn't own taste buds, but the smell of alcohol was there, so he suspected that would be how it was like. Another taste that he couldn't have known prior to this just like any other. As it appeared as if Gavin was seeking contact, Nines pushed a firm hand up underneath the bottom edge of his shirt - grabbed the area just above his hip - and pulled him closer. Judging by the muffled sound that escaped Gavin's occupied mouth, he'd enjoyed that.
He was clearly touch-starved.
SOFTWARE INSTABILITY ^
EMPATHY EXPRESSED
1 RED WALL(S) REMOVED
0- RA9 -0
#
| SCANNING... |
1%
WARNING! NO FIREWALLS DETECTED
- RA9 EXECUTING...
50%
#
Brief panic emerged.
#
51%
- RA9
KILL PROCESS?
Y/N
- EMERGENCYANTIVIRUS EXECUTING...
SUCCESS
RA9 CONTAINED
1 TEMPORARY FIREWALL(S) ADDED
100%
#
Fear spiked for a millisecond before he managed to kill the execution process. Deviancy was there, dormant, but he had full control whether or not to allow said execution. Nines wanted to keep it that way. Grounding himself, he attempted to focus on the now. On Gavin. Now wasn't the time for a breakdown and Gavin needed him in his own way. He ignored the warnings.
Gavin shoved him away before it escalated. "Bedroom, dipshit," he said, voice rough. "Get a move on?"
Again, a request. Not an order.
...and Nines wanted to.
Just as he'd entered that part of the apartment, Gavin was on him again. Nines - keeping their lips locked - palmed the door and shut it after making sure Paws' head wasn't between the gap. Shoes were kicked off.
Appearing impatient, it wasn't long before Gavin had the sides of Nines' turtleneck separated from one another and palms trailing the curve of his hips. He took Nines' bottom lip between his teeth and tugged lightly, the 'RK900' jacket shrugged over his shoulders. Gavin made an attempt to take charge by pushing forward with force. Nines had his back pressed against the wall instead, the beginning of Gavin's startled protest silenced with Nines' tongue. Apparently, he wasn't used to being manhandled like that.
Nothing said he disliked it, though. Quite the opposite.
He wanted - more than anything - to make Gavin feel good.
Yet he didn't know why.
Tugging at the edge of Gavin's shirt, he shortly had it pulled off over his head with some resistance considering how tightly it hugged his firm body. He chucked it aside. Nines went for his neck, sucking a patch of skin into his mouth enough to leave a mark. He pressed a thigh between his legs to feel the visible reaction below Gavin's belt and was rewarded with a more audible moan as Gavin threw his head back to the wall. His neck was exposed further. The hand in his hair tightened, Gavin bucking his hip into him again.
Nines felt the reaction below Gavin's belt and thus made sure he obtained one, too. He relocated the needed amount of thirium to below his legs in order to replicate that he was actually feeling any of this. With the skin sensitivity off, he didn't, and thus he analyzed the situation and responded accordingly. He was basically a sex toy at this moment. A tool of use. Nothing more.
Part of him wished he could feel this.
He let Gavin lead this time and found himself sprawled on his back in the bed, Gavin peppering wet kisses and gentle bites down his bare torso. It didn't do anything for him, but voicing that fact would take away the experience for Gavin. Hands tugged at Nines' belt as he did, parted from his jeans and thrown onto the floor before said jeans followed.
Gavin growled. "Fuck, you even got Eden Club's standard-issue briefs to pack that thing away."
Cupping his face, Nines brought him back to his mouth to shut him up. It seemed to be the only way. Gavin Reed was the definition of frustrating, but damn if it wasn't endearing.
Not even Nines could deny that.
Fingers pressed underneath the front rim of Nines' briefs, but before they could get any further, he spun him around to pin Gavin underneath him. Nines separated him from the remainder of his clothes. He shortly found out that Gavin was a vocal one judging by his reaction to every caress and how he seemed to melt into it. Nines made sure to keep it up. He settled between Gavin's legs - the inside of his thighs to leave bite marks and galaxies - before his focus turned to the stimulated member requesting his attention.
Nines put his mouth to work.
Whatever Gavin was saying morphed into a jumbled mess, head thrown back against the pillow and fingers digging into Nines' hair. His half-open mouth told him he was clearly enjoying himself.
His heart rate had increased considerably and Nines' own synced up with it.
"Fucking hell, Nines," he said between ragged breaths, eyes pinched shut as he clutched at the turtleneck. "Slow down or this ain't gonna last."
Last?
Why would he want it to last? To Nines' knowledge, the entire purpose of sex was to get off.
Was that not the case?
...but Nines obeyed. He released his length with a wet sound, registering the barely audible whine above him.
An uncharacteristically gentle but calloused hand grabbing his chin, Nines was directed back to Gavin's lips before Nines' back encountered the mattress again. Gavin's bandaged hand traversed his hip side, tugging the briefs down while tongues entwined. Said hand parted Nines' legs further for better access, so it didn't take much effort to figure out where he was getting at when he reached for the nightstand drawer. There was no need. In a flash, Gavin was again under him. His pupils were blown but startled nonetheless as he looked up at Nines.
Anger flashed across Gavin's face. "The fuck are you doing? You might be a droid, but this shit is gonna hurt on my end."
"Androids self-lubricate, so when you're done whining, let me know," he deadpanned whilst seated on Gavin's abdomen, the mix of said anger and thrill clear on Gavin's face. "I sincerely hope you know how to use it."
It was obvious that Gavin was trying to look offended, but he could tell he was highly turned on by Nines' aggressive approach to this.
"Listen up, you arrogant piece of plasti -"
The rebuke was cut off by Gavin's lustful moan as his head was thrown back to the mattress, Nines lowering himself onto his member. He started to ride him. Nines realized they'd forgotten the condom - albeit unnecessary - but the way nails burrowed into his thighs, and the slight thrust upwards, it didn't seem Gavin minded it. The fabric of his turtleneck was still draped around his shoulders, but Gavin reached up to grasp at it in order to ground himself. The gesture had said fabric slip over one of said shoulders in return.
"Look who finally broke. It's pathetic how you had to get drunk to request something you've clearly wanted for RA9 knows how long."
"F... fuck you..."
"What do you think you're doing, detective? Put your back into it."
More out of spite than anything, Gavin elevated his knees and thrust up jerkily in response. As Nines slid all the way to the hilt, the lewdest moan known to man escaped Gavin's lips.
Well, that's better.
Designed for infiltration as part of CyberLife's secret program - albeit being primarily a combat unit - sleeping with a target was one of the ways to get information. There was no information he needed out of Gavin, but his sensors built for pleasure were still there, and that was why he felt the need to remove said skin sensitivity for this. It was clear that this wasn't Gavin's first time and part of him couldn't help but dislike that he wasn't the only one that had seen him in this state. A private sight, he thought, a moment of vulnerability.
Still inside him, a growl emitted from Gavin as he pushed up to sit.
He paid special attention to Nines' neck that would leave marks was he human, Nines exposing it further for him. Bruised hands traversed up his back beneath the fabric of his turtleneck.
Nines let his own hands explore, locating scars he'd never noticed before all over Gavin's body while the man shivered under each and every touch. He found himself curious about how he got them. They were beautiful, in a way, revealing just how much Gavin had endured in his life. How strong he was. His arm settled around Gavin's shoulders, the thumb on his other hand brushing against what he knew was the rough material of his five o'clock shadow. He closed his grip around Gavin's throat to forcefully tilt his head up and rejoin their lips.
The gesture was happily returned.
"Jesus, you enjoying this or what?" Gavin asked with agitation as he pulled away enough to speak, voice yet husky from lust.
He made a scan and came to the conclusion that yes, if his skin sensitivity was indeed on, he would've.
Nines frowned. "I am."
"Fucking-A, at the very least act like it. Make some sound or I might as well fuck a literal toaster."
"Please don't. That would be both dangerous and highly unhygienic."
"Nines," he whined - literally whined - in frustration as he thrust up again.
To 'make sound' felt unnatural in his machine-like state, but adapting was one of his features.
Nines started off with small vocals as Gavin's mouth worked against his skin with love-bites hard enough to puncture his artificial flesh. The damage regenerated shortly after. With hiccups in breaths, low murmurs and mewling, Nines made sure to increase the volume with more vocal moans when he put more force into his thrusts. His efforts to be more organic were clearly working as Gavin's pupils were blown as far as they could be under hazy eyes, his breathing coming out hard, ragged and heady.
He pushed Gavin's back into the mattress again, a sound of protest beneath him shortly replaced by another moan as Nines began to move his hips grasped by calloused hands to keep him in place.
Below him, a thin layer of sweat coated Gavin. Thumbs massaged Nines' v in attempt to give more stimulation to what was between.
Fingers carding through the slight hair on Gavin's chest, Nines bucked his hips again. Yet joined below the waist, he found his light chassis grabbed and flipped onto the bed with ease to land on his back. Gavin's mouth and hands worshipped his every available spot as he continuously bucked into him. It started off rough, but as time passed, Gavin treated him differently.
Gentler.
As if Nines was something precious to be savored.
The entire experience was confusing.
Gavin grabbed his wrist, pulling it over Nines' head, pinning it into the mattress and ghosting fingers up towards his palm. He conjoined their hands to distract him from the thrusts. Was his skin sensitivity present, he likely would've been over-stimulated, but he let it pull back nonetheless. Despite Nines having topped during New Year's Eve, it felt different not only because of the new position.
It was far from unpleasant, however, and thus he flagged it off.
He could tell Gavin was close. Nines letting out the most unholy moan he could muster, he sent Gavin over the edge. He felt him come undone inside him, nails on Gavin's other hand digging into Nines' thigh, feeling him biting into his collarbone to silence himself as he thrust hard into him through it. Surely the neighbors had heard them already, so he didn't see the point.
Gavin's muscles began to relax again.
Bracing a hand on Gavin's abdomen, he had him pull out before it would start to hurt his partner. He heard a muffled whine at the loss of contact, but Gavin knew better than to be inside him any longer after the climax.
Humans were fragile that way.
Climbing over Nines to rejoin their lips with force, Gavin's tongue pressed between them and into Nines' mouth, meeting his. Nines feeling his cheek cupped - Gavin's forearm against the mattress for support - it turned into something far less demanding. He registered the other hand pressing between his legs, though. Nines didn't need the stimulation in order to execute an orgasm and neither would he obtain it in his current 'no skin sensitivity' state, but he let him. With a few strokes, he allowed the release.
He palmed Gavin's chest, pushing him off and back to the bed. Nines tipped with him and found himself on top.
"I'll get a towel."
When he returned from the bathroom, Gavin had mostly regained his normal breathing pattern.
He was seated now - knees bent and forearms resting atop of them - the bed sheet conveniently covering his privates. His head was slightly tipped down as he was keeping his eyes tightly closed. Blinking them open again, his features smoothed out ever so slightly as he ascended said eyes to look at Nines. Dark grey with hints of both browns and greens briefly fell to the towel before looking back up. His hair was tousled, eyes half-lidded, and Nines arrived at the conclusion that this was the look Gavin suited the most.
Relaxed.
Yet, there was a hint of sadness to it. Almost as if ashamed.
That one he wasn't a fan of.
The reasoning was difficult to pinpoint as there was nothing wrong with what they'd done. Nines' first - and only - thought was that it was because he was an android. It was the only logical reasoning he was capable of understanding. Nines knew Gavin was complicated, and yet, he couldn't help but be mildly frustrated. Things were never easy with Gavin Reed.
As Gavin accepted the towel and cleaned up, Nines located his clothes before dressing himself. He was almost done - having just a few buttons left on his turtleneck - before he spoke up again.
Nines pulled up the sleeves to his elbows. "Please get some sleep."
He didn't expect the following response.
"You sure you don't wanna stay?"
At the DPD?
When he briefly ascended his gaze, he saw that Gavin still wasn't looking at him.
"I see no reason to."
With a nod, Gavin's lips drew into a thin line. His jaw clenched.
"How 'bout tonight?" he eventually asked, finally meeting Nines' eye. Never before had he seen Gavin's expression so soft. A lackluster smirk appeared on his mouth. "Fuck, someone's gotta keep we warm."
"I could get Paws, if you want."
He puffed a laugh at Nines' joke and let his body fall back to the mattress, throwing a forearm over both his eyes.
"He's, like, 11 inches tall. As much as I love that prick, he can only cover so much ground," he replied, moving said forearm to peek just slightly below it. "Do a guy a favor, yeah?"
Gavin reached out. Eyes falling to the outstretched hand, Nines couldn't see why not.
He took it, and once more, the skin pulled back.
Going into stasis in a horizontal position would be a new experience.
GAVIN
~ JAN 9TH, 2039 * AM 07:00 ~
Blinking away the sleep in his eyes, Gavin groaned softly at the sound of his alarm going off. It took a couple attempts before he hit the snooze button. He couldn't remember setting it. There were no signs of a headache, so he'd apparently dehydrated correctly. Aside from that, he was a bit stiff and dreaded how he'd feel in a couple days when it would fully kick in.
The fact that he'd managed to prevent a hangover was a miracle in itself.
Gavin wasn't a heavy drinker, so when it came to hangovers, he has only had a few in his lifetime. The last time he was drunk and not just tipsy - looking aside from 2038's New Year's Eve - must've been back in his teens. It was ages ago. He didn't like that he lost control under the influence and he didn't like said hangovers. He knew most people who had lived lives similar to his got drunk to forget. For him, it wasn't worth it, and he had nothing but contempt for those people who didn't attempt to fix said lives.
He tried so hard not to become one of them.
Yet, there he was.
"What the fuck?" he mumbled to no one in particular, realizing that the jacket he was lying atop of wasn't his.
He begrudgingly pushed his body upright, tearing the cloth from under him and held it up. When the 'RK900' logo flashed in front of his eyes, everything came back to him.
Gavin froze. "Shit..."
He'd given in.
No, no, no... *fuck* no.
Bracing himself, Gavin took a shower - bathroom being a door within the bedroom and separated from the restroom - before he wrestled into some new clothes as he cursed. He took a deep breath before heading out.
As if Gavin hadn't been hilt-deep in him last night, Nines sat in a chair by the kitchen table without a worry in the world, ankle squared over his knee and pad in hand. There was no emotion whatsoever on his face. Unconsciously, Gavin searched his entire figure, dread felt deep in his gut when he realized what Nines was wearing. A SWAT uniform. The only difference from the usual FBI SWAT attire worn by humans, however, was how his neck was once more covered by a collar similar to the PC200 units.
Looks like the State Department had sent him his new uniform and fuck if Gavin didn't grow hot under his own collar.
"Good morning, detective."
As per usual, the damn prick didn't look up.
Gavin coughed into his hand. "The fuck are you still here, plastic?" he asked as his eyes averted, scratching Paws' head in greeting as he met him halfway. "Shouldn't you prepare for the transfer?"
"Not much to prepare. I didn't want to wake you."
Entering the kitchen, he did anything to avoid looking at him.
"He eaten?" he asked, referring to Paws.
"About an hour ago."
Gavin nodded, trained his attention at the coffee machine and refilled a clean mug. The moment he saw that 'RK900' jacket on his bed, he knew he'd made a mistake. He also knew Nines was an android. Knowing that, the dread came back, but not for the reason one might think considering his past dislike for them. Nines didn't know the significance. He wasn't programmed that way, Gavin knew that, and there was guilt because of it. Part of him felt like he'd used him - an obedient machine - and that made him feel like shit.
Sick, even.
His jaw clenched.
Did he mind?
It was a question that constantly came up. Or, more appropriately, would he mind if he was deviant? If he did, then fuck, what happened last night wasn't morally right. He knew asking wouldn't get him anywhere, so he didn't.
Not to mention he simply wanted to forget it ever happened.
Such a thing was easier said than done and he had the marks to prove it.
~ JAN 9TH, 2039 * AM 08:02 ~
Back at the precinct, Gavin prepared for the worst. Another suspect possibly dealing in red ice had been thrown into the interrogation room and Gavin was, once again, called in to see if he could do anything about it. They'd just arrived. According to Fowler, it was a tough one to crack, and Connor was unavailable at the time. He'd just now returned from a case with Hank.
Gavin was standing in the observation room - Hank just having entered - and Nines was there with him, too. The woman from the State Department was also there leaving the air thick.
She spoke up. "I'd like to see your android do it. Do you mind?"
Gavin realized she was talking to him.
'Your android.' As if he was some object.
It's *his* fucking choice, not mine, he was just about to snap, but remained quiet once he saw how Nines directed a glance his way as if to ask for permission. It hurt that Nines didn't speak up against her as if he believed he was just that. An object. Something to be thrown around with no repercussions. They were going to treat him as no less.
"The fuck are you waiting for?" Gavin said, the mild irritation - albeit not directed at Nines - clear in his voice. "We don't have all day, tin can."
Nines rose his palm to the door control. When it slid open and he stepped across the threshold, Gavin knew this was probably the last suspect he'd see Nines break. Plastic Prick 2.0 had managed to get under his skin - Gavin considering him a friend and a close one at that - only to be taken away from him. The fact that he was really leaving only now hit him like a truck.
Worst of all, he'd finally accepted that he loved him.
"You're gonna have to speak up or he's gone."
The comment from Hank didn't help.
"No fucking booze head is gonna tell me what to do."
Hank huffed. "Suit yourself."
He was too tired to argue. Too tired to go out of his way to convince anyone that Nines meant nothing to him. So he didn't. Hank would see right through him. Gavin was still observing the interrogation - although not really the interrogation itself but the one carrying it out - closely. It wasn't long before Nines had a confession because of course he did.
When Nines looked up to meet his eye through the one-way mirror, Gavin was unable to keep the small - almost proud - smile from breaking out. He quickly had it wiped away before anyone could call him out on it.
"For all he knows, nothing is keeping him here," Hank added. "You better grow some balls and swallow that stubborn pride of yours."
Seething, Gavin was about to bite back. The stern look Hank gave him on his way to the door, however, had him remain quiet. Gavin straightened his back as he suddenly felt smaller. He was nowhere near obvious with his affections, but even so, Hank was able to read him like a book. Almost always had. Not to mention that, most of all, Gavin missed him. Missed the father-son relationship they had before Cole died. Hank was there when his father was too high on red ice, and for three years, not even Hank was someone he could count on.
Moments later, Nines stepped across the threshold with that same confident aura that had Gavin's knees go weak under him.
Hank clapped his shoulder in passing with a, "Good job, son." The emerging - genuine albeit small - smile on Nines' face had his heart ache. He wasn't used to praise and thus lit up every moment he received it.
Gavin really was a dick and Nines deserved better. He would be better off without him. At least, that's what he told himself.
Anything to make it hurt less.
Like a silent observer, he watched Nines say his goodbyes in the precinct. Tina had cried when she hugged him.
It felt too final.
Gavin, unable to endure all that, retreated outside where he pressed up against a wall and lit a cigarette. He doubted it'd calm him down, but he didn't see the issue in trying. He considered to just dip out before Nines could get to him, but that stubborn part of him wanted it to last. Wanted to see him one last time. He immediately regretted it when he saw him step out of the precinct, though. Cursing under his breath, Gavin was just about to bolt before he could be reached. He didn't get further than a few steps after turning his back.
"I'm not letting you do that," came a familiar voice, making him stop in a halt. Gavin closed his eyes and tilted his head back. "Use your words."
There was no way Nines would let it rest.
Chin dipping back down, Gavin removed the cigarette from his mouth and chucked it aside.
"Words never cut it. Fuck, you know me," he replied, crushing it beneath his boot as he watched. "Always was a guy of action, tin can."
"...and avoiding me before I leave was the correct one?"
Attempting to ignore the pit forming in his gut, Gavin let out a half-hearted chuckle and turned around to face him. Hands pocketed, Nines stood with an arched brow about five feet away from him.
"Jesus. You make it sound so fucking final. What, you're not even gonna send me a dick pic or two? I feel used," he teased, pretending to be offended as he cupped his heart. Nines - fondly, now, making his abdomen do a flip - rolled his eyes. Gavin took pride in his ability to charm him. "Leaves 'em wanting more. Got your attention, didn't it?"
"What kind of 'attention' were you expecting, exactly?" he asked, approaching.
Close now, Gavin had no choice but to look up in order to maintain eye contact thanks to Nines' 3-inches-taller height of 6.15 feet. Plastic Prick 2.0 was only slightly shorter than Hank and yet the size never intimidated him.
"Surprise me."
Nines stopped two feet from him. "That won't be too hard. After all, you're quite quick to reach for your gun. Like you always expect the worst."
"It's called self-preservation, smartass," he replied without bite, giving him the side-eye. Gavin pocketed a hand in his leather jacket only to be reminded of what was in it. "Hell, almost forgot... Got this fixed."
Fishing up the cylinder shape, he reached over. Nines - expression quizzical - took his original thirium pump regulator in his hands.
"I already have one that functions."
"Yeah, Eighty-Eight's."
"What's the difference?"
He truly did see himself as an object. Frankly, it hurt knowing that. Empathy could be a bitch.
"Fucking hell... Maybe it's just a spare part to you, but this thing - yours - actually means something," he replied as he pointed to it, the characteristic crease between Nines' brows smoothening out. Gavin gingerly tilted Nines' chin up for their eyes to meet before dropping his hand. "It's rare, right? I can't prevent you from getting decked again, so a backup doesn't hurt."
For a moment, Nines just looked at him. Maintaining eye contact. Gavin, in return, couldn't help but shift ever so slightly. He was being analyzed again. Gavin had initiated said eye contact in the first place, but he realized too late just how much of a bad idea it was. The uncharacteristic softness in icy blue did nothing but bolster his hope that Nines felt the same way about him. For Gavin, being a pessimist by nature, such a thing as hope was almost entirely new. His traitorous mind was his own worst enemy.
He could breathe out again when Nines interrupted the silence. "I suppose you're right."
"Always am. Now get the fuck over here," he replied, gesturing him over. Nines gave him a curious look and Gavin rolled his eyes. "Since your sappy ass is into hugs now, I'll indulge you."
With that, Nines' small smirk surfaced. It wasn't long before he - heart regulator still in hand - wrapped his arms around Gavin's neck. This time around, Gavin returned the embrace properly, feeling Nines' heart drum against his collarbone. Still synchronized. He felt so human, so alive, his once prejudice opinion finally broken down and lying scattered on the ground ten miles behind.
The hug was more for him than Nines.
Speaking up wasn't an option, and frankly, he wasn't sure if it ever would be.
He was just too fucking terrified.
Unable to bear the close proximity - dragging the moment out - of which he knew was only temporary, Gavin couldn't help but press a kiss to Nines' jawline before pushing him away. He barely trusted his own voice enough to speak.
Gavin coughed into his hand to clear his coarse throat. "Get a move on."
The moment Nines pulled away entirely, he felt like something left with him. Nines took a step back before spinning on his heel and setting course for the cab sent there to pick him up. That lady - of whom Gavin simply couldn't look at - was standing next to it. He watched him walk away, just waiting for him to turn. He never did. Nines opened the vehicle door, and with that, he disappeared into it.
His brows drew tight while averting his eyes, fist clenched. Gavin eventually turned back, watched the car drive away before pocketing his hands and beginning to walk towards the DPD entrance.
They always left. No troubleshooting, no nothing. They just left.
...and it never got easier.
He kept Nines' jacket in hope he'd someday return to retrieve it, and if that time ever came, maybe he'd finally be ready to try again.
Right now, he wasn't.
A/N: Look... before you come to my door with torches and pitchforks, know it's all gonna be fine. He'll be back.
The next update will be in early January, so I'll wish you guys a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in advance! Only three more chapters and this story wraps up. It's been a joy to write so far and the support has been amazing. Thanks for sticking around :)
Next update: January 3rd around 02:00 PM (EST.)