Chapter Twenty-Six - Temptation

Are you sure you're alright? Nines asked for the tenth time that evening. Reed gave him a withering look as he sat across from him at the breakfast bar, stabbing some pasta onto his fork. So, he had a headache. It wasn't a big deal, and it certainly didn't have anything to do with his eyes. Probably. More than likely. I understand that your vision has improved, but. The android paused as Reed held up a hand demanding that he stop.

"Nines. I was blinded, and now I can see. Yes, I'm alright." The human insisted, though technically it was a half-truth. It would be more accurate to say he had most of his vision back. He could see Nines and follow his hands when he focused, but everything still looked murky and green. He was hoping that after a full night of rest that would sort itself out though. It had been around eleven hours since the attack, and he'd been resting for most of that. Resting better than he had in years, not that he'd admit that to anybody.

Very well…I'm pleased you're alright. The android admitted, knowing from the slight hike in Reed's heartbeat that he was thankful. He laid a hand on Reed's elbow, drawing his gaze up. I am sorry. As your partner I'm supposed to protect you, but I wasn't there. He added, blue eyes blinking as Reed's hand batted his head lightly. It may have hurt a human, but as an android Nines couldn't feel pain, it was merely an impact on his skull plating. Despite the sharpness it had been partly affection that had spurred it.

"One, you're my partner not my bodyguard. Two, you're supposed to help on our cases, not act like a babysitter. Three, we had no reason to think the note was malicious so you didn't have to be there. It's not your fault…and it's not my fault. It was just a freak incident. Shit happens." Reed replied firmly, pausing to fork more pasta into his mouth. The android processed Reed's words, and of course they made sense, but they didn't get rid of the ball of guilt that sat in his chest. He was the most advanced android ever created. Surely he should have had some sort of preconstruction available. "You've done more than enough, taking care of me and shit…I'd be alone if it weren't for you." The human continued in a quieter tone.

I don't believe that…You have friends at the precinct. Nines insisted, watching as Reed scoffed.

"Barely, and none that I'd want to come here and…Just accept the praise dipshit." He replied with a huff, watching Nines try not to seem too pleased with himself. Sure, he knew he had Tina and Chris, and in a pinch there was Fowler, Hank and Connor, but he didn't like to be vulnerable around them. He didn't like to seem weak. He even cringed inwardly as he remembered the way he'd clung to Hank, shaking and vulnerable. "Did you hear from Connor?" Reed asked finally as he continued to eat.

I did. Unfortunately it is as we feared. Avery's previous owners have had no contact with her since the revolution. I also checked your emails. We have the requested CCTV footage. After leaving her home two nights ago, at around six, she headed towards the city centre. I have sent in requests to the surrounding areas for further footage to aid in our search. Nines replied, noting Reed's tick of annoyance at the admission he'd hacked his email account. The android decided not to focus on it. It was purely for work purposes, and he hadn't skimmed any other sensitive emails. Not that Reed had any sensitive emails in his work account. It was all case related correspondence. Which Nines hadn't looked through.

"Good idea…I'll have a look at the footage tomorrow." The human decided, knowing Fowler would have his head if he pushed himself that night. He didn't have enough focus to watch a bright screen anyway. Nines nodded his agreement. He would allow his human to view the footage tomorrow provided his eyes had sufficiently healed. If not he would need to find a way to convince Gavin to take it easy and let him do the heavy work for the day.

Are you sure you're not in any pain? Nines checked curiously, taking the opportunity to get closer. Reed shook his head as he lowered his fork and pushed the bowl away. He didn't notice how close Nines was leaning until he looked up and they almost butted heads.

"No, I-Shit! Nines, back up a little." He stammered, surprised as Nines' hands reached up and gently cupped his cheeks. The android's hands were warm and soft, they felt so real. It was easy to forget the android was a refined killing machine, designed for both detective work and combat. The android was so close their lips were barely an inch apart, soft breath whispering across his lips. Nines' thumb traced his cheek, drifting higher to gently tug the skin around his eyes. "What are you doing?" Reed asked, knowing the machine was up to something.

I am taking a deep scan of your eyes, checking for damage. Nines replied as he drew back enough to use his hands. He'd returned in seconds, standing closer than before. Reed couldn't help it as his eyes dropped to those perfect lips, which remained in a relaxed line, pale and pink. His hand snapped out as he felt Nines lean closer. The android was literally standing between his legs, their torsos barely an inch apart as Nines' face drew nearer, filling his vision. Absolutely not!

"I think that's enough scanning…I'm fine." Reed insisted, ignoring the thud in his chest as he pushed the android back gently. Nines cleared the island and cleaned up, ignoring Reed's objections that he could do it. He was reminded that he could barely see, and told to remain where he was. The rest of the night was quiet. Reed opted to lounge on the sofa, where Lynx decided to join him, enjoying the gentle fingers stroking through his fur as he stretched along the human's body. Nines opted to try reading. Slowly. Like a human. Connor had suggested it was a pleasant way to pass the time. Nines did not see the appeal. He understood humans often used imagination to construct the story in their minds, a little like a pre-construction, but it wasn't a skill he could mimic. It seemed Connor had had a certain amount of success, however he had a different social module, a slightly more refined one.

He continued to scan the words slowly, forming them in his mind rather than allowing his eyes to absorb the whole page. Every so often he would steal glances at his human. Gavin was lying peacefully, still awake but resting his eyes, his fingers lightly carding through the thick fur of his android feline. The feline itself was content, eyes closed as it purred loudly. The sight made Nines feel strange. Strange and unpleasant. He didn't dislike the feline. He didn't dislike Gavin. The sight of them together though, it made him feel something he was unfamiliar with.

Gavin's hand gradually slowed, but it never left the feline's back. He looked peaceful and content as he lay there, Lynx's ears flicking occasionally as he lounged with his eyes closed. Nines scanned his human's vitals. His heartrate had slowed, his breathing steady, brainwaves ticking over gently. He was sleeping. Not a deep sleep yet, but well on his way. The feline's ears twitched again as it noticed the lack of attention. It seemed content to remain in place, perhaps reluctant to rouse Gavin from his sleep.

Nines returned his gaze to the page before him, reading slowly word by word. Surely there was something more worthwhile he could be doing. He could be reviewing their case, looking for missing connections. He could call Connor and liaise with him on their various cases. He could be thinking about the food he'd make for Gavin in the morning. He could be monitoring Gavin's vitals. He could be scanning Gavin's face and committing each detail to memory. His LED circled yellow at the thought and he snapped the book shut.

He moved silently as he laid the book on the edge of the coffee table and walked across the wooden floor to stand behind the sofa. The feline vaguely opened its eyes to acknowledge Nines' presence, but made no further movement before closing them once more. Nines stood at rest, hands clasped neatly behind his back as he gazed down at Gavin's sleeping face. His skin was a little darker than Nines' and slightly more worn. He had the vaguest lines appearing at the edge of his eyes, and across his forehead. Multiple scars littered his face, all likely from the same attack. If he had to guess Nines would say it had been shattered glass. Some of the small nicks wouldn't even be visible to the naked eye, for a human at least. Gavin's stubble was a dark brown, like his hair, and it seemed he was lucky. He had no silver running through his facial hair yet. His eyebrows were a little bushy, but still neat, curving almost delicately over his closed eyes. His eyelashes weren't overly long, not like his own, but they were pleasing to the android.

He reached down slowly, resting one hand on the back of the sofa as he leaned closer. He touched Gavin's cheek, stroking down his stubble. It felt so silky and smooth when stroking down, but as he brought his fingers up it was prickly and rough against his artificial skin. His synthetic skin drew back at the sensation, allowing him to take in more data. He liked the sensation very much. He stroked with his palm a few more times before raising higher, over his soft cheek and up to his eyebrows. They were smooth, not prickly at all. The hair on his head was different again, silky and fluffy. His thirium pump jumped as Gavin moved in his sleep, turning his face further into Nines' touch.

Gavin was in a deep sleep now, his eyelids fluttering as he began dreaming. He was peaceful for now, but Nines remembered the night before. Perhaps it would be prudent to remain close tonight…He thought, unsure how Gavin would feel waking up afraid and slightly blinded. With his mind made up the android stepped around the sofa. He first roused the feline with a light stroke to its head, encouraging it down from the sofa. Lynx was a good feline. He was elegant and light on his paws as he climbed down. Nines then leaned down and gathered the sleeping human in his arms like a bride.

He was so light in Nines' arms. The RK900 had been designed with the ability to carry quite a high capacity, so Gavin was no more trouble than an average sized baby would be to a healthy male human. The android held him securely, his legs drooped over one arm and his back supported with the other. Gavin's head rolled forward to rest on Nines' shoulder, hair brushing his neck. It may have tickled a human, but Nines didn't have that sensation in his repertoire. That didn't mean he didn't like the sensation though.

It was easy for him to walk upstairs, turning his body so as not to knock Gavin's legs on the wall as he went. He walked up the hall and used his foot to toe open Gavin's bedroom door, which hadn't been shut properly earlier. He was silent as he deposited Gavin on the bed and returned to the living area to turn off the lights and ensure Lynx was set for the evening. He poured out a thirium food pouch before sliding his hand through the feline's silken pelt. It purred and wove through his long legs before prowling its way to the kitchen. A fine feline…

Nines decided to stop by his room and change into his sweat pants. He removed his turtleneck and left it neatly over the edge of his bed, ready for the next day. Since he didn't sweat he didn't need to change his clothing as often as a human would. He returned to Gavin, wondering if he should help the human out of his working clothes. Reed hadn't changed earlier, perfectly happy to wear his jeans and long sleeved top, but it didn't look comfortable for sleeping in. The human hadn't moved, still lying on his back as Nines had left him.

He started with the top, thinking that may be the easiest item to remove. He was gentle as he edged the woollen material up Gavin's torso, his eyes raking across each faded scars he revealed. There were numerous white or pink lines from knives, a couple slightly deeper stab wounds, and a few red circles from bullets, as well as an angry burn mark. His human had certainly gone through a lot in his short thirty six years. He idly wondered how many of these injuries had been caused by Reed's hot temper. He was often impetuous. Gavin complained in his sleep as Nines eased the top over his head and down his arms.

The android couldn't resist running his hand down Gavin's pale torso, passing his fingers over the slightly textured scars as he found them. The little hair he had on his chest was soft and downy, another new texture on the canvas of Gavin's body. Reed made a small noise as deft fingers reached the waist of his jeans. He shifted in his sleep, one arm raising to rest above his head while the other rested low on his own hip. Nines slowly popped the metal button before sliding down the zipper of his pants. He tugged the waist wider, blinking as Gavin let out a shuddering breath. It sent something through Nines. Something warm, hot even. It settled in the pit of his stomach and that feeling only increased as he looked down at Reed's open pants.

His boxers were tight beneath, not hiding his generous bulge from view. He wasn't fully hard, but his human had certainly shown interest as his body was explored. Nines began tugging the bootcut jeans down Gavin's well-formed legs. They weren't short, but they weren't long like his own. They were quite perfect. Strong thighs led down to well-formed calves. He had a couple more bullet wounds in his thighs, and one in his calf, along with a couple red lines. He had some soft curls on his legs, more than he had on his chest and arms. Nines assumed the human either waxed or shaved on occasion. He didn't know why. The hair was soft and downy, it felt nice. Nines wanted to stroke it again.

The bulge in Gavin's boxers twitched at the attention. The sight sent another jolt through Nines' system, heat pooling. He felt his own artificial member filling out and drew back. He couldn't go any further. He distracted himself, putting aside Gavin's clothing before laying down on the bed beside his human. Gavin seemed less agitated now, lying peacefully as he dreamed. Nines dragged up the duvet and settled it over Gavin's lightly muscled form, opting to lie on his side and observe the human's vitals a little longer before starting his stasis cycle.