Chapter Twenty-Four – Interrupted Cycle

Nines' eyes opened as he registered the noise, LED flashing yellow as he processed the interruption to his cycle. He'd set his systems to go into a light form of stasis. One that would allow him to wake up at the first sign of sound or movement. He focused in on the quiet moans that had drawn him from his rest. Gavin…He thought, blinking various notifications away. They were all warnings of updates left half finished, but he could complete those later. For now it sounded like his human was in distress.

He climbed out of his bed, leaving Gavin's old jacket neatly folded on his pillow. He was only wearing a pair of black sweatpants. He'd gradually found that he liked the feeling of the cotton sheets against his back and chest, so he'd stopped wearing shirts to sleep. As an added bonus this also allowed heat to pass through without getting trapped, so he was at less risk of overheating, not that he suffered much risk from that anyway. He had an extremely advanced cooling system.

The hall was deserted, Gavin's distress not loud enough to draw Lynx away from his evening prowl downstairs, or perhaps the feline was accustomed to the noise. The grey carpet was soft and giving beneath his bare feet, the android not making a sound as he moved towards Gavin's closed door. As he drew nearer he could hear the sound of sheets rustling alongside the small moans of distress. A yellow haze blinked in the darkness as Nines' LED flashed brightly in the dim hallway. No one else had entered the house, Lynx would have detected an intruder, as would Nines. So what was wrong with his human?

Nines pushed the door open and stepped inside, walking quickly across the thick carpet as he saw Reed tossing restlessly beneath the sheets, almost fighting the thick material. The android wasted no time in reaching the bed, resting one knee on the edge as he leaned down to grip Reed's upper arms. His skin was hot and damp beneath the long sleeved top he was wearing. Nines gripped harder and shook lightly.

"Mm...Nn…" Gavin moaned, his brow pinching in objection, jerking his head this way and that. Nines lifted him a little higher, but shaking wasn't waking him. He was worried as Gavin became more restless, actively fighting against the android's hold. Worried about the human hurting himself Nines drew him closer, tucking his head securely against his shoulder as he held him securely. "No! St-stop!" The human whimpered, the pitiful sound making Nines' thirium freeze. He held on tighter, one hand reaching up to grip Gavin's soft brown locks securely, stopping the thrashing. He let out small hushing sounds and nuzzled against Gavin's cheek and neck. "Nines?" Gavin choked suddenly.

Are you alright? I couldn't wake you, what happened? Do you need anything? I can bring you some water, do you want some water? Nines asked in a rush, the human reaching out quickly to stop Nines' hands from rambling further. His heart was still pounding, his skin was still damp, but Nines looked more shaken than he was. Maybe that wasn't so surprising. He'd likely never been around a sleeping human before, let alone one having a nightmare. He probably didn't know that this could happen sometimes, especially when people had jobs like theirs.

"Nines! Nines! Nines! I'm alright…I just had a nightmare. I'm fine, see? I'm alright." Gavin replied in a breathless but soothing tone, still holding the android's wrists with shaking hands. He gripped tighter, trying to reassure himself the android was still there, still safe. He shifted closer to the strong body without realising, running a hand over his damp face.

You seemed…afraid. Nines pressed gently, clear blue eyes offering a safe harbour. The android seemed a little less anxious now that Reed had calmed down and he'd voiced his gentle assurances. The android edged closer without even thinking about it, until Reed's clothed shoulder was brushing his own bare chest.

"I was thinking about the case…and of-fucking-course I fell asleep." Reed grumbled in response, though he seemed reluctant to share more details. Nines scanned his partner, being subtle so as not to upset him. His vitals were slowly levelling out, but he still seemed shaken. "You don't need to fuss, I'm good." He added as he brought his knees up and leaned back on the headboard. He took a few deep breaths, green eyes looking up to the textured white ceiling. He spent a few seconds tracing the old swirls with his eyes. So fucking nineties. He didn't even know who designed this shit. The house was almost new, but someone had decided on old textured ceilings for the bedrooms.

Would you like some water? Nines asked, heading down to the kitchen as Reed nodded his tired agreement. It was more an excuse to get Nines to leave so that he could compose himself. Compose himself and chase away the image of the crowbar smashing the RK900's skull, dark figures hitting him again and again. Reed had tried to help, tried to get in the way, and he'd taken a few hits himself, but that didn't stop Nines' casing from shattering. He still remembered the splatters of blue and the dripping from his mouth and eyes. He shuddered lightly.

"Thanks." Reed murmured as the android returned and handed him a glass of cold water. He drank quietly, part of him relieved as the android once again took up his place on the edge of his bed. His body was turned towards him, his legs crossed neatly. He looked somewhat elegant, his back straight and shoulders strong. He was twisted just enough towards Reed to give him a nice view of his sculpted torso. "Were you sleeping?" The human asked as he nodded to Nines' state of undress.

I do not sleep as such, but I was in a light form of stasis. He confirmed, noting the way Reed's eyes lingered on his padded pecs and toned abs. He'd been designed with the gentle outline of a six pack, and a gentle sloping V below. His nipples were a couple shades darker than his pale skin tone, and reacted to the cool air as a human's would. I have a few updates to complete. Nines added as he reviewed all the items that were unfinished. Nothing hugely important, but his systems would lag slightly if they were left incomplete.

"Sorry…You can go back to bed. I'll be fine." Gavin assured as he settled himself in for a long night. He doubted he would be sleeping again as he downed the water, enjoying the cooling sensation that ran down his throat and coiled through his insides. The room still felt a little hot, his top a little damp on his skin.

I'd like to remain here. Nines confessed, watching the human shift uncomfortably. Once in stasis I will not move or react to my surroundings. I won't bother you. The android assured, misunderstanding Gavin's reluctance. Despite his own feelings he found it hard to say no to the android, particularly when he considered a few minutes earlier he'd seen his skull getting smashed. A crack had opened right down the middle of his forehead, and down between his eyes, blue seeping out in a small trickle at first before turning into a steady river.

"Sure. You can stay." Reed replied stiffly as he tapped the bed beside him. Despite having a large bed Reed tended to sleep only on one side of it, the side nearest to the door. Maybe it was the police officer, ready for anything, side of him that made him more comfortable there. He kept a firearm under his pillow, ready for any intruders. He was surprised he hadn't noticed Nines enter his room, but then he'd been in pretty deep. He shivered. Too fucking deep.

Would you like to climb beneath the covers? Nines asked softly as he noticed the human's shiver. Reed shook his head in response, but watched as Nines slipped beneath the duvet beside him. He shifted a little to get comfortable, at least Gavin assumed so since he couldn't think of any other reason for him to squirm like that. Wake me if you need me. The android added, waiting for Reed's nod before closing his eyes. His LED flickered between blue and yellow before making slow yellow circles.

Gavin sat for a while just watching Nines sleep, at least that's what he was calling it. He guessed the yellow meant he was updating. It was peaceful. Not the same as the sharp bright flickers when he was agitated. Reed hadn't noticed how long the android's eyelashes were until right then. They curled up and just brushed his pale cheeks. His eyebrows were neatly curved and not too bushy. His skin was pale and perfectly flawless besides the carefully placed moles and freckles. He could just see the slightest crease in his cheek where his dimple sat when he smiled. It was a nice smile, less bright than Connor's, more reserved, but no less alluring. Fuck, don't think about it.

Reed shuffled lower on the bed until he was lying down, slipping beneath the covers. He was on his back, staring up at the ceiling. It was weird, being in his bed and feeling the dip of another body beside him. He turned his head and looked at Nines from the side. He looked peaceful, if a little stiff. This wasn't how the android usually slept. Is he pretending to make me more comfortable? Reed wondered as he turned on his side, feeling warmth seeping across to him. He hadn't realised Nines would give off actual body heat. He closed his eyes, swearing it would only be for a few moments.