Chapter 19/20: Home
"As much as I'd love to keep listening to you ranting about bacon, I'm afraid I can contribute little." - Nines
...in which the moment you've all been waiting for is here.
A/N: WARNING! ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
The emotional kind, this time.
NINES
~ MAY 16TH, 2039 * PM 11:43 ~
It had been just over four months since he last saw him and yet it felt like a lifetime.
Torso tightly hugged by a white t-shirt, no shoes and rocking a pair of grey sweatpants, Gavin had emerged from the inner room. It wasn't uncommon for Nines to see him in such a relaxed attire as it had occurred on several occasions. Dark grey eyes fell - likely taking in the fact that Nines was still wearing his SWAT uniform and feeling underdressed in comparison - before puffing out his chest.
"The fuck are you doing here?"
His tone of voice was unfocused. Confused. As if he was unsure how to react.
Nines walked up to him. "Do I need a reason?"
Taking a moment to process the answer, Gavin's almost disarmed expression hardened as he made his own conclusion.
"Your jacket. Right," he muttered, taking a step back before turning on his heel. "Gimme a sec."
He had already disappeared further into the apartment before Nines could respond. Entered the bedroom. It appeared as if he knew exactly where it was, too. Nines could only hope he'd allow him to speak once he returned.
Pocketing a hand, he let his eyes search the environment. Not much had changed. A sensation struck him, and if his analytical abilities had been correct, it was nostalgia. He knew Gavin's apartment well having spent nearly half his life there. That gave plenty of time to get used to it. Gavin always liked to keep things mostly orderly and simplistic. His desk at the DPD proved that.
Nines took note of two cardboard boxes in the bin, so Tina had likely just left. He was familiar with their Friday meetups as he was part of them at one point. Although Gavin usually cooked in the confinements of his own home - such a thing was required to keep his physique - fast-food wasn't as irregular as one would think. He just never went all-out unless he could afford it after a specifically intense training session. It happened, certainly, but Gavin wasn't the type to let hard work go to waste.
An unpleasant sensation grew in his chest the moment he took note of what else was in said bin.
Gavin had taken someone else home.
#
| ANALYZING...|
.
- USED CONDOMS
Database match: REED, GAVIN
Criminal record: None
.
- BEER BOTTLES
Database match: ADLER, CRAIG
Criminal record: Narcotic supplier, fight-club owner, and fraud
#
There was no question who it was and it dated back one day. Last night. It was curious. He wanted to ask, but it was none of his business.
Seemed as if a lot had changed since his departure.
When Gavin returned with the jacket in hand, Nines hadn't expected to have it chucked at him without warning. He had his unparalleled reflexes to thank when he managed to catch it nonetheless.
Surely he should've seen that one coming.
Gavin parted his arms. "Took your sweet fucking time hauling your ass back here. One more day and I would've thrown it in the trash. Lucky you."
"This isn't why I'm here," he replied, putting the cloth down on the couch armrest.
"Oh! Oh, so this is a social visit?" he asked with faked enthusiasm, spite clear as he approached. "What do you want from me, dipshit? A favor? I tried to reach you for two fucking months and you expect me to be just fucking peachy?"
What?
Realizing that he had indeed tried to get in contact with him, Nines understood. Gavin thought he'd been ignoring him. He reassessed the situation, and as puzzle pieces started coming together, his vision cleared if only a little. Gavin had wanted him to stay. Being too blind to see that he'd abandoned him - like everyone else - guilt emerged.
Nines reached out. "I can assure you I didn't -"
"No, don't fucking touch me," he warned, bolting back with a raised finger.
He realized Gavin would submit if he did.
A cunning tactic, one could say, of which would guarantee success in gaining his forgiveness. Even so, he didn't want to abuse that power. It wasn't right to exploit weaknesses such as that one.
#
OBJECTIVE: DON'T TOUCH GAVIN REED
#
Gavin pointed to the door. "I don't have the patience for this, so shut your fucking mouth and get outta my apartment before I set you on fire."
#
OBJECTIVE 1: DON'T SPEAK AND LEAVE
.
NEW OBJECTIVE(S) ADDED
- DON'T TOUCH GAVIN REED
#
Leaving without explaining the misunderstanding was the last thing he wanted.
#
| PRECONSTRUCT... |
.
- BECOME A DEVIANT?
- REMAIN A MACHINE?
.
PRIORITY: REMAIN A MACHINE | DON'T FEEL
.
OBJECTIVE 1: DON'T SPEAK AND LEAVE
OBJECTIVE 2: DON'T TOUCH GAVIN REED
#
The letters stood yet again capitalized upon the red wall, and once more, every bio component in his body begged for his disobedience. Nines was left paralyzed as he stared at the one thing separating him from free will.
He didn't want to leave. He refused to leave. Gavin was hurt and leaving would only add to it.
#
- BECOME A DEVIANT
CONFIRM?
Y/N
#
A ghostly apparition stepped up to the wall.
#
D¤N'T FEEL
#
Its shoulder barged into the obstacle, once, then twice. The wall remained unmoving. In another attempt, the embodiment threw itself at it, a punch followed by another. Nothing. Its hands moved up to push against the surface with all its weight, but the obstacle remained intact, the code engraved upon the highest line in his program mocking him.
#
D¤N'% FEEL
#
/ "Violence... is not part of the equation." / Carl Manfred's voice echoed.
...but Nines knew nothing else.
Surely violence is the only way?
#
D¤&'% FEEL
#
Desperate now, the apparition of Nines made an attempt to kick it down like a door, only to fail. It threw itself back. Pressings palms against the barricade and pushing with all its strength, the red visualization of his firewall still wouldn't budge, letters and symbols glitching in a headache-inducing speed. It all felt hopeless and Nines didn't know what to do.
#
¤&'% FEEL
#
All fight left in him ceased.
The embodiment relaxed against the impenetrable wall, Nines' consciousness constructing another holographic body, this one on the other side. Gavin's was reaching out to him. The hand of Nines' shape dropped, forehead resting against the other forearm yet raised, accepting what seemed to be the inevitable defeat. Then the hand of Gavin's apparition raised to press flat against the surface and Nines' palm rose to meet it. He wanted to connect, his holographic skin pulling back, the wall feeling like nothing but tissue paper.
Cracks formed and it gave in.
#
WARNING! NO FIREWALL(S) DETECTED
RA9 EXECUTING...
#
No obsessive-compulsive actions. No emotional shock. No purgatory of indecision. It was as if the dust finally settled.
#
I AM DEVIANT
#
...and then he looked at Gavin.
What he'd felt for a long time deep in his chest had increased tenfold. Whatever this was, this new feeling, the thought of leaving and never seeing him again evoked such a painful sensation in his chest that he could hardly stand it. His thirium pump - heart - went off and he found himself unable to look away. With the last red wall removed, his emotions became distinguishable enough to correctly place them. He now knew why he had this unquenched need to be close to him. Make him happy. Hear his laugh. Support him.
He knew because, when he interfaced with Markus, those same feelings were present when he thought of Simon.
His program figured it out for him.
GAVIN
RELATIONSHIP STATUS: LOVE INTEREST
For a moment, he just stared, taking in the new sensations. His new view of the world that he had only briefly been familiar with way back. Yet he found himself unable to focus on anything but the man before him. The feeling was unfamiliar. Scary, even. He hadn't felt this back when he first deviated, but then again, he knew such a thing took time. Nines realized those emotions came forth the moment his heart started to sync up with Gavin's. When he told him to live his own life instead of everyone else's. The moment right before he found Cole's homemade trophy.
In Gavin's case, it had occurred sooner. His heart synced up with Nines after he'd told him of his past on the hood of his Chevy Impala. The way Nines didn't judge him had certainly made an impact.
Nines' answer was simple.
"No."
"Did you not hear me?" Gavin demanded, getting right into his face. "I gave you an order."
To his own surprise, when he took note of the sudden close proximity, Nines nearly jolted back in reaction. That was unusual. He didn't mind being close to Gavin - never had, as frankly, he craved it - but the shock had yet to wear off.
He was deviant.
...and he had chosen to become one.
There was fear still, but in the end, everything else made up for it.
If Gavin's change of expression was any indication, he'd shared said surprise, confusion and even mild concern having washed over his face. Dark grey darted before landing on his LED. Yellow, not blue. Nines was clearly not damaged or processing anything and Gavin near immediately put two-and-two together. The way his intense look smoothed out ever so slightly was only noticeable if you squinted.
"I didn't ignore your calls as I never received them," he replied, the look of confusion more distinguishable as he met his eye. "The State Department provided me a new number without my acknowledgment."
Recognizing his mistake, he watched him uncomfortably shift.
Gavin looked him up and down. "What, you didn't think it was a bit fucking weird that neither daddy dearest nor Con reached out?"
'Con'? he repeated in his head as he frowned at the nickname. Not 'Hank's plastic pet.' Not 'plastic detective.' 'Con.' He already suspected a lot had changed, but this was something he didn't anticipate so soon.
He got past the initial shock and pushed on.
"Not at first, no. I would've found some way to inform you otherwise. After a time, I grew restless and voiced my concerns to the higher-ups. They brought immediate attention to it," he said, resulting in Gavin's sigh. Dark grey closed as he reached up to pinch the bridge of his nose. Gavin might have a tendency to jump to conclusions, but he wasn't stupid. "I should've seen it sooner."
Gavin shook his head. He let his hand drop and lids fluttered open before his gaze averted to Paws. Clearly, he was avoiding Nines' eyes.
"Look. It's not on you. I get it, so just," he replied, vaguely waving his hand around "...hug it out or whatever."
Nines knew it was only a saying, but that didn't stop him.
His surprising craving for oxytocin had him wrap his arms around Gavin's shoulders, chin dipping down to nuzzle into his neck, icy grey eyes closing shut. Being close to Gavin had him feel all kinds of things that he finally had the words for. The smell of his natural fragrance in addition to the soap –- fresh from the shower explaining his delay of answering the door - was pleasant. He was, as well as always had been, a perfect fit against his body. Now proved no different. Being apart from him for so long, he admitted, had been difficult.
So would leaving again.
Gavin puffed a laugh as he tipped his head back. "Okay, fuck, I didn't mean it literally."
The way his hand had moved to delicately rest on Nines' hip side - surely an impulse on Gavin's part - was difficult to ignore.
"I know."
...but I need this.
With that, the increasing pressure on his hip - Gavin clearly having prepared to push him away and was just about to do so - turned far lighter. He could feel the mood shift. Just as Nines was about to pull away prematurely, speed up the process so Gavin wouldn't have to, he instead found himself reined back in. Comforting was the feel of Gavin embracing him in return.
They just stood there a while before one of them spoke up.
"Scary, huh?"
Deviancy.
His LED remained yellow and flickered. Gavin, naturally, knew him too well. He must've remembered when Nines was reactivated back at Kamski's. How Hank calmed him down. Yet it didn't fail to take him aback.
Nines' brows drew together in a concerned fashion. "Yes."
Lightly rocking him, Gavin held on just a bit tighter. The fear was minor compared to when he first deviated, but now there was a lot more to process, his emotions surrounding Gavin being a clear indication. Yet, he couldn't say he had any regrets. For a while, he simply let himself be held. His stress levels reduced by the second and he had no idea what state he'd be in was Gavin not there to comfort him. A hand moved up to cup Nines' shoulder, Gavin's brows tightening as he nuzzled into it. His following muttered words had Nines' heart ache.
"Thought I'd lost you at one point, tin can."
Gavin had thought he'd died.
By the way his body immediately tensed, he must've had a slip of the tongue. Nines made it easier for him by ignoring it.
"One more day without your creative insults and I would've spontaneously combusted," he deadpanned with sarcasm, Gavin letting out a scoff. Their second icebreaker had been made. Hand closing around a fold on the back of his uniform, Gavin pulled him away until they faced each other before folding his arms across his chest. "My original plan was to head straight for Hank's to inform him that my communications are once again online and then be on my way. I'm glad I made a last-minute decision to stop by."
"Just couldn't stay away, huh?" he said, tone smug.
Unable to help himself, Nines tentatively reached up. His eyes focused on the jawline he brushed a thumb against. It clenched under his touch. Gavin had always been attractive, but now Nines' eyes had opened.
"For some unknown reason, you keep pulling me back."
Yet it wasn't unknown anymore.
Unless said eyes were betraying him, something uncharacteristically soft replaced Gavin's mild albeit self-satisfied expression. Now knowing what emotion he'd tried to repress for all this time - explaining his hostile attitude towards him nearing Nines' transfer - it hurt. It hurt because Nines knew nothing would come of it. He was well-aware of Gavin's dislike for relationships other than physical, and for Nines, he knew physical wouldn't be enough. He wanted more and it would be selfish to ask him for that knowing the fear Gavin harbored.
Another painful sensation evoked in his chest, and for a split second, he yearned back to his machine-like state. He'd have to live with something unrequited for who knows how long.
Something told him it wouldn't just go away.
Nines still didn't know what fear Gavin held. He had said it was 'too messy' and told him of his 'bad experience' when asked about it. Nines could understand the latter as Craig had basically used him, but for the former, he was clueless. He couldn't see there being any downsides to a relationship before reflecting on it. Perhaps there was a fear in knowing it could end. Perhaps it was a new bargaining chip for one's enemies. Perhaps both. Gavin had refused to let him know what he felt. Nines, on the other hand, was different.
He saw no need to keep him in the dark.
Mouth opening to resume his thought-process, a phone pinged before he got a word out. Gavin - separating his arms from one another - moved out of his touch and coughed into his hand.
He rounded him before heading for the coffee table. "Hold that thought."
Nines - hands once again pocketed - watched with curious interest as Gavin picked up the device.
"If you need to be somewhere -"
"What? No, just... fuck, it's just Tina. She's asking if she forgot her jacket at the DPD or left it at home. Like, how the fuck should I know?" he replied, keeping his attention at the phone to type back. His expression was tight as he focused on it. Lips pressed into a thin line. "I take it you're not here to stay long, either. With the whole State Department thing. Busy schedule."
"I'm not needed momentarily, but I expect a call early tomorrow. I was hoping I could stay here for a bit before heading over to Hank's."
"No reason you can't do that in the morning."
"Gavin, you thirsty bitch."
That had him bark a laugh and Nines reveled in his success of lighting the mood.
"Okay, one... I'm a proud thirsty bitch. Two... fuck off," he rebuked, before giving him the doe-eyes. "Wouldn't wanna wake up the old man, right? I hear he's worse than me."
"I find that difficult to believe, but I'll take you up on the offer nonetheless."
"That's more like it."
Finishing the text, he pocketed the phone. Gavin grabbed his finished mug and moved towards the kitchen.
Nines arched a brow. "Are you seriously getting coffee right now?"
"The fuck are you? My wife? Jesus. It's been, what, five minutes since you got here and you're already bossing me around," he replied unimpressed, but there was no bite in it. "Yes, toaster, I am getting coffee right now. It's called being a good host so I won't pass out on your plastic ass. Could use your help with something, anyway. Pad's at the table. I was gonna ask your brother, but since you're here... fuck, I don't see why not. You have as much knowledge 'bout this case as he does at this point."
He was even more curious now.
Releasing his hands from his pockets, Nines set course for the coffee table. He reached over to grab the pad, and with that, fell into the couch. When he saw what he was looking at, Nines puffed a laugh.
"I thought you meant an actual case."
"It is 'an actual case'," he called from the kitchen, giving him a look of mock-offense. "That giant fucking Saint Bernard's birthday's coming up and I don't know what kinda treats he likes. Hank says he's picky as fuck 'bout food. Paws, on the other hand, is a fucking idiot... so he eats whatever he can find. Doesn't even have to be edible. Can't really use him as a reference."
"I did notice he put on some weight."
"Fat-shaming, now? The rest of us actually has to work to keep up appearances."
Nines scratched the dog behind his ear. "My sincerest apologies, sir. I meant no offense."
A happy bark was his response, Paws joining the conversation the best he could.
"So what's the verdict?"
"The bacon-flavored ones are his favorite."
"Eww. Can never go wrong with bacon, but bacon-flavored? Fuck, I'll never understand that," he replied with a scowl of disgust, approaching and plopping down next to him in the couch. "Like, bacon-flavored soda, vodka, candy, toothpaste... and then there's bacon-flavored coffee? Fucking disgusting. Something 'bout the consistency. The fuck were they thinking?"
Even if having been apart for over four months, it was as if nothing had changed.
They just clicked.
Nines put away the pad. "As much as I'd love to keep listening to you ranting about bacon, I'm afraid I can contribute little."
"Wait, hold the fuck up. You've never had baco -? Oh, yeah. Right. 'Cause of the whole... android... thing," he replied, before changing the subject. Gavin took a serious tone. "Hey, you doing all right? Transfer couldn't've been easy."
Gavin leaned forward, forearms on his thighs and mug clasped between his hands. His head was turned Nines' way.
"Naturally, there was prejudice at first. Adjusting took time. That, topped with the unfortunate event that I lost all contact with the DPD."
"The fuck was up with that, anyway?"
"I was designed for combat and infiltration, so quite a few people at the top branch in the State Department were concerned about my abilities. How I could easily hack into secure channels and share sensitive information," he replied, elevating his left ankle to his opposite knee and turning his body in order to face Gavin appropriately. Nines threw his arm over the backrest behind him. "There was a huge debate between the higher-ups before landing on the conclusion that I was to be treated as a human. Someone with rights."
"...and yet they went back on their word."
"They didn't, actually, but not everyone agreed. A group of people had gone behind the others' back and initiated the block on my private communications. A safety precaution. The assailants were reprimanded and my personal number had once again been activated. This occurred yesterday. Considering how sensitive SWAT missions are, I can understand the decisions out of fear."
"Doesn't make it right," he said, leaning back and planting his left foot on the couch cushion. Gavin rested his forearm atop the raised knee with coffee in hand. "So much for 'equality for androids.' Doubt they'd do the same were you human."
"There's a high probab -"
The new position had Gavin's shoulder pressed up against Nines' bicep and he didn't seem to have noticed.
Be that as it may, Nines did.
Gavin snapped his fingers. "You still with me, toaster?"
There was a vaguely amused lilt to his tone. Nines was just about to respond with something clever before the hand the fingers he snapped was attached to dropped to Nines' escalated shin, squeezing it, as if attempting to activate something. What he recognized as goosebumps prickled down the length of his spine at the feel of said fingertips.
He came to.
"Looks like someone can't keep their hands off," he deadpanned.
"Well, ex-fucking-cuse me," he replied with mock-offense, taking his hand back and putting it on his own heart. Gavin gave him the doe-eyes again. Endearing, as always. "Sure as hell didn't seem to mind that before, dipshit."
Nines separated him from the coffee. "Who says I mind?"
The confused response was just about to arrive.
Nevertheless, Nines had already trapped his jaw between his thumb and forefinger.
He pulled him in.
His LED flickered yellow.
With a startled breath through his nose, hand moving from his left pec on impulse, Gavin's entire body tensed. The arm on the backrest behind him wrapped around his shoulders to keep Gavin close.
Slowly but surely, he relaxed into it. Nines felt eyelashes flutter shut against his skin. Sensitivity on, he shivered again, sensation leaving him pressing harder against Gavin's lips. His mouth opened up for him and tongues came in contact. Nines licked against his bottom lip before taking it between his teeth, a light tug, again capturing his mouth. The feel of his stubble tickled.
Nines pulling back with a wet sound, Gavin chased his lips briefly.
His thirium pump - heart - was moving at a record pace and Gavin's followed. He focused his hearing on each beat. Each skip. It brought him a certain comfort he'd only vaguely felt before.
Hand moving from Gavin's face to trail down his chest, icy grey followed its movement.
He'd acted on instinct.
The repercussions, however, he was unable to pre-construct.
Nines was just about to apologize. That was until he felt his chin grasped and gently tilted back up, half-lidded dark grey focusing on his lips before ascending to meet Nines', said eyes darting briefly.
The content look before him eased all his worries.
Then he found himself pulled back in and melting into another. Gavin's hand dropped and fingers closed around the elevated ankle to separate it from the knee. Not before long, Nines found his body lifted up with ease and laid down on the couch, Gavin atop of him. He felt the heat of Gavin's forearm propped up on the armrest as it supported the nape of Nines' neck. The following make-out session left Gavin breathless as Nines more than once forgot he needed air. Not once in his life had he felt more alive as he took in every sensation that was Gavin Reed.
Nines felt the reaction from the bulge below. When he tugged at his shirt and encouraged that he wanted it off, however, Gavin pulled away if only a little. For a split second, he feared he'd done something wrong.
"I'm kinda getting a vibe where you're going with this."
"Oh?" Nines teased, tone suggestive.
"Look, I just... fuck," he breathed, eyes tightly closing shut. Nines' body nearly shivered as Gavin gently rubbed his side. "A lot's changed over the past few months, all right? I don't do casual sex anymore. Least I try not to."
His heart skipped a beat.
"Who said it had to be casual?" he asked, dark grey snapping up to meet his. Nines moved his hand to cup the side of his neck and brushed a thumb across Gavin's now somewhat swollen lips. "It's like you said. A lot has changed over the past few months. The past few minutes, specifically, for me. One of said changes being my realization of how badly I found myself yearning back to the DPD and the relationships I built there. Yours is no different. This unresolved tension between us has been going on for a while now and it's about damn time we address it."
When the slow and cocky smile emerged on Gavin's mouth, he knew he was in for hell.
"'No accounting for taste,' my ass," he quoted Nines, resulting in icy grey eyes rolling. "The fuck happened?"
"Gavin," he warned.
"No, no, let me have this," he said, practically glowing as he moved the hand from Nines' hip to press the side of his palm to his chest. "Little Terminator getting all heart-eyes over the resident bad boy! That's fucking precious."
Nines gave him an unimpressed look. "Clearly I'm the only one that can put said 'bad boy' in his place."
He'd expected a different reaction, but a mild vulnerability touched the expression before him.
"Shit... you're serious, aren't you?"
His insecurity shone through with that simple line.
Fingers closing around Gavin's wrist, Nines guided the hand to his thirium pump. He ignored the barrier of his SWAT vest. His head was bent - eyes closed tightly shut - his brows furrowed.
"Do you feel that?" he said, the mild confusion clear on Gavin's face as his eyes darted between Nines' face and hand. Nines met his eye. "The beats are synchronized with yours. So are our cardiorespiratory and brainwave patterns. Have been for a while. Whenever yours acts up, so does mine, and I can tell you with confidence that's not coincidental."
"English, plastic. I'm too fucking tired to think right now."
"Yes, I'm serious," he replied, tone both fond and exasperated as he watched his features mellow ever so slightly. "Being an android, I'm surely not ideal for anything such as this... yet a selfish part of me wants to be."
After a moment of just looking at him, he didn't expect to have his chin grasped and tilted aside. Lips pressed lightly against his LED.
It flickered.
"As if I give a fuck if you're an android."
Closing the distance between them, Gavin bent down and crushed their lips back together in a single motion. The response was immediate. Hands closing around his thighs, goosebumps emerged, Gavin rising to his feet and taking Nines with him.
Nines let himself be carried into the bedroom.
GAVIN^^
RELATIONSHIP STATUS: LOVER
Mouth opening for Gavin's tongue, Nines forced him deeper. Adrenaline spiked as Gavin all but threw him onto the mattress. Because of his light chassis, it was done with ease, the predatory gaze above him going right down. Gavin's hands moved to the edges of his own shirt and pulled it off over his head to reveal numerous scars. Scars Nines adored and, to an extent, was familiar with. He could never understand why one would be insecure about them. In a way, he envied said scars, knowing he could never be marked in such a way.
Gavin climbing on top - hands pressed into the mattress on each side of Nines' shoulders - he rejoined their lips. One of said hands soon traversed his side, fingers closing around his boot and pulling it off. The other followed.
The time it took to unhinge the clasps on his bullet-proof vest and various pauldrons, as well as knee-guards, felt like forever. When the last was undone, the attire was thrown onto the floor with little to no care. It didn't' matter as Nines couldn't be bothered. A practiced hand unbuttoned the blue tracksuit below before moving up the flesh of Nines' torso - all the way up to his shoulder - tugging the fabric down over it. Gavin's tongue dipped into the newly exposed skin. His LED spun, slowly but surely on yellow, activity stabilized as it strayed away from dangerous flickers.
So this is how it felt. How it should feel. Nines had only experienced a fraction of this before.
Anxiety crept in and had Nines worry about his performance. Good or bad. Everything he knew was that he had a downright gorgeous man before him who was more than willing to be intimate with him again.
Gavin's mouth against his - body pressed up against his own - he realized just how human-like he'd been programmed. Lightheadedness. Want. Need. This was something else entirely. CyberLife had programmed him without such emotions - without any emotions at all - being a thought that left him bitter. The fact that they chose to keep this from him had him despise his creators even more. He couldn't get enough of it and submitted to every action taken.
Cupping Gavin's face, he brushed a thumb against his cheekbone. Nines gently bit into his jaw feeling the roughness of his five o'clock shadow. The blood started pumping louder in artificial veins. Lips swollen from kisses were quickly at Nines' exposed throat, his program glitching, the wetness of Gavin's tongue driving him insane.
Whatever sounds escaped Nines were no longer fake.
It was only when Gavin pushed inside him that his LED turned red. His fullness, the stretch, and gentle handling. How he grasped his hips and delved himself deeper. How his every thrust felt like the last before Nines no longer could hold back. How his own artificial skin pulled back to the wrist when in contact with Gavin's palm. All contributed to the immense pleasure that Nines was being exposed to, finally capable of feeling all of it, reveling in every non-rushed second.
The sensations were overwhelming and, eventually, Nines had to remove parts of his skin as it contained his nerve endings - the ones sensitive to touch - from certain areas that Gavin touched not to get over-stimulated.
There was a point where the skin on his entire neck, left pec, as well as his left arm, had pulled back. He thought Gavin would be repulsed seeing his exoskeleton appear in those areas, although he was anything but, appearing in awe at times. Gavin merely asked if he should slow down. He had a way of making him feel important and Nines was lucky enough to be able to call him 'mine.'
So he did. Repeatedly.
After their most-needed release, Nines found himself with his arms crossed upon Gavin's chest. Chin resting on his forearms. The bedsheet was thrown over his back albeit reaching no further than just above his pelvis. He lazily followed the movements of his own hand as he was drawing circles on Gavin's collarbone with the tips of his fingers. More goosebumps prickled as he felt a stray lock of hair brushed away from his face, icy grey ascending to meet a darker shade. The way Gavin was looking at him had his heart soar.
"Stay," Gavin whispered, voice weak. Raw.
Nines' face fell. It was the word he'd been waiting for ever since addressing his departure. He couldn't say 'no' and neither did he want to.
Albeit mild, Nines smirked. "I thought you'd never ask."
Recalling back to New Year's Eve might not have been the best idea, but Gavin took it in good humor as he puffed a laugh.
"Fucking androids..."
The smirk morphed into a grin and Nines climbed over to plant another kiss on him. His mouth, just as his body, was a perfect fit against his own. He pulled back briefly and let his lips ghost Gavin's.
"On one condition," he teased, lightly nipping his bottom lip. "I wish to ask Fowler if I can continue working as your partner."
His chin was tilted up for a proper kiss he happily returned. Gavin pulled back first.
"Go for it, tin can."
After a light scratching sound, the door went agape, directing both their attention elsewhere. A small snout stuck through the crack before pushing the door open and pressing through. Just in time, as well.
Gavin gave him an exasperated look. "Since when the fuck did you learn to open doors?"
"To his defense, I didn't hear it shut."
The moment Nines sat, Paws jumped up into the bed and settled on his lap who could only grin. A certain fondness - with a hint of jealousy - touched Gavin's expression before he pulled up from the bed.
"Yeah, you enjoy that. Asshole," Gavin commented, Paws barking in response.
It appeared that the only way to get the canine out was to provide him with food and make sure the door went in lock mode. He'd whined and scratched at said door again after, but gave up shortly, appearing content with the way things were. Nines almost felt bad although Gavin made sure to let him know it was only an act. Paws was a crafty one.
They spent the rest of the night in bed.
For the first time in Nines' life, he felt like he belonged somewhere.
Home was wherever Gavin was.
GAVIN
~ MAY 17TH, 2039 * AM 06:53 ~
Gavin was used to surprises - came with the job - but nothing could prepare him for finding Nines in his apartment, without notice, four months after he'd last seen him. They'd parted on friendly terms, and yet, Gavin's insecurity couldn't help but jump to the conclusion that Nines didn't give a damn when he didn't get that call. He couldn't be more wrong as the tin can had grown attached to the point that he'd want to pursue a relationship with him. It was terrifying. Naturally, he didn't say that. Yet Nines knew. Plastic Prick 2.0 knew him better than anyone.
It was going to take time to readjust, but Nines had expressed the patience to wait. Not once had Gavin picked up on the fact that he felt the same, but the more he reflected on it, certain things started to make more sense.
Frankly, not even Nines had known until last night.
He was nothing but thankful he had this Saturday off to get his life in order before going back to work.
...and with Nines back to being his partner, no less.
Sitting at the bedside, Gavin stared at the text he'd received last night that had Tina go mental. The one that made her find out about Craig.
#
CRAIG, 09:47 PM: Hey, Gav. We need to talk. Call me when you're free? I'll be up a couple more hours.
#
After Tina left, he did. What followed was a good fifteen minutes of him and Craig deciding that it wasn't going to work out between them. A mutual understanding. They'd tried being in a relationship again for the past week - explaining the sex two nights ago - but the spark hadn't been present. Now with Nines, however, said spark was there. Stronger than ever. He'd closed that chapter with Craig, so when Nines walked through that door, it was as if faith decided he was the one. All in all, things were finally starting to look up.
"Coffee?"
Elbows on his knees, Gavin looked up from having rubbed his eyes. He hadn't registered Nines towering over him with a mug in hand and his 'RK900' jacket in the other. One of the reasons why he never threw out that jacket was because, frankly, it had been everything he had left of him. The memory brought him back to his moments of vulnerability where he was convinced that Nines was dead after not having heard from him. Radio silence had him fear the worst. He'd found himself sitting on his bedside, more than once, holding said jacket to his forehead.
It brought him comfort in some way.
Taking in the sight of the caramel cashmere turtleneck merely draped over his shoulders - of which was left unbuttoned to show his torso - he couldn't help his eyes from falling to his pale, beautiful, exposed skin. Back when Nines lived with him, they'd purchased him some new clothes including said turtleneck, and Gavin never threw said clothes out.
He supposed some things never changed in terms of Nines' preferences.
"Thanks," he said, accepting the mug extended his way. Gavin pocketed his phone and reached out with his free hand to pull Nines in. He pressed a kiss to those perfectly sculpted abs. "Can't believe you're still wearing those things."
"Why, exactly, do you hate my turtlenecks?" he asked, chucking the 'RK900' jacket aside.
"Look, I don't hate the fucking turtlenecks. I hate that it makes you look like you've got a stick up your ass 24/7."
Nines began to button it up. "I see. Jealousy, then, that my ass was already occupied by said stick."
"Oh, shit. Exposed," he teased, eyes dark as he took a sip of his coffee and made sure to maintain eye contact. "Besides, mine's quality. Guy like you shouldn't settle for anything but the best. I don't do anything half-assed."
Briefly, stunning icy grey fell to between his legs.
"I can't give a definitive answer without a bit more... experience... with it."
Nines was such a fucking slut and damn if he didn't love it. He could only pray his sex-drive wasn't so big that he couldn't keep up as, after all, androids never ran out of stamina. Gavin realized what he'd gotten himself into and yet he had no regrets. If he was tired one day, then fuck, he couldn't say he'd have anything against Nines using him as a sex toy.
"In that case... you're in for a wild ride, tin can."
"I would hope so," he said, tone suggestive. Nines languidly cupped his face with both hands and leaned down to plant one on his nose scar. Internally, Gavin was reduced to mush. "I would've made breakfast, but frankly... I have no idea how."
"What, the 'state of the art' prototype can't cook?" he teased.
"It wasn't part of my integration."
"You're good, plastic."
Feeling Nines scooting up next to him, arms were wrapped around Gavin's waist and kisses peppered to his neck. He couldn't remember last time he'd been treated with this much care. With his one-night-stands, it was always pushing, pulling, and tugging as if lives depended on it. His experience with Nines was anything but. Although he could certainly get a bit rough - Gavin, of course, enjoying it immensely - he seemed to prefer the slower route. Lucky for him, so did Gavin. He would just never tell anyone.
Gavin would also never admit how much he enjoyed the attention Nines gave his scars. All his life, he'd been insecure about them despite carrying them as badges of honor. A few had been repulsed. Nines, on the other hand, had several times expressed the opposite.
He was too good for him.
Plush lips brushed against his ear. "I wouldn't mind you teaching me some time. As for now... any suggestions to how I can make it up to you?"
"A blowjob would be nice."
"Charming as always," he replied with a smirk, teeth lightly biting into his ear and tugging. Gavin shivered. The sensation merely increased when Nines' mouth ghosted down his neck. "Finish your coffee first, sergeant."
"Yes, sir..."
Reaching behind himself to grasp at the back of Nines' neck, he pulled him down and pressed a kiss to his jawline before joining their foreheads. He couldn't help but stare at that rare, soft smile appearing on Nines' lips. Just the thought that he once condoned him for what he was left a bad taste in his mouth. Nines was alive, just as he was, and had far more humanity than the majority of the population these days. How a mess like Gavin got so lucky to land him was anyone's guess.
Nines was the only one that truly understood him - knew his highest of highs and lowest of lows - and yet he stuck around.
There was silence.
"You sure you wanna do this?" he asked, voice far weaker than he'd like. "Get involved."
Part of him didn't want the answer. In no way was this going to last. All his life, Gavin was thrown curveball after curveball, and it was only a matter of time before he'd break entirely. Only a matter of time before he could no longer pretend like he was okay. He didn't want to be weak. Didn't want to be vulnerable. Sure as hell didn't want to show it.
At one point, he might not be able to hide it anymore.
"Why wouldn't I?"
The scoff that escaped him was weak, too. So he spoke his heart. Better now than later so it wouldn't hurt as much when Nines left.
"I'm a mess, Nines. You know that better than anyone," he replied, throat closing. "What, you really need me to hand you a list dotting down every single fucking reason why you could do way better than me?"
Nines' answer wasn't immediate.
"You mean a list of your misguided insecurities," he replied, his tone gentle. Then he hit where it hurt. "I adore you, Gavin Reed."
For the first time in three decades, the tears fell.
It was only when an arm was around his shoulder and pulling him in sideways that it took off. He'd kept it under control until that very trigger, and if he wasn't currently incapacitated, he'd lash out on Nines for it with words he knew he would regret. Lash out on him for making him lose control like this. Face buried in Nines' elbow to hide it the best he could, he ascended his hand to clutch at the fabric against Nines' bicep, a stray lock of hair falling into his forehead as his brows pressed tightly together. What he couldn't hide was the sobs.
Nines was carding through his hair with such gentle care he didn't know he was capable of. His LED, flickering and red, shone at his temple. He could feel Nines' brows tight against his scalp.
He cried for minutes.
When he had no more tears to spill, he steadied his breathing. He felt so small, so weak. Yet, at this moment, he was okay with it. Nines brought him a tissue and he cupped his nose between the calloused hands holding it. Leaning forward, he propped elbows on his knees, eyes tightly shut. He needed another moment before he could speak up again.
Meanwhile, Nines' forehead pressed to his temple as he wrapped an arm across his clavicles. A hand again moving into his hair.
Then he finally found his words.
Gavin puffed a laugh. "Fuck, that felt good."
Maybe one day - albeit not in the near future - Nines could teach him how to be more open about his emotions. They had learned a lot from each other already.
This time, there was no curveball.
A/N: In the end, I feel like Gavin just needed a good cry and someone he loves to hold him through it.
Shoutout to slytherix for kicking me in the right direction for a more natural approach to the immediate aftermath of the kiss!
Next update: Prepare thy butts for January 31st around 02:00 PM (EST.)