Chapter Forty-Five – The Prep Phase

Gavin stirred, groaning as he shuffled further into the warm embrace. He could feel bare flesh moulding against his own, but it was different to usual. It was warm, but there wasn't the damp hotness that came with human skin. The stickiness was caused by Gavin alone. A hand snaked across his hip, caressing the jutting bone and sliding around to cup his rump. Gavin bit his lip as the hand squeezed and urged him closer, his leg automatically raising to hook over a familiar slim waist.

"Good morning Gavin." Nines greeted in a purposely soft voice. He didn't want to break the moment, thinking that softness would stop the human from rousing all the way. Gavin was willing to go with it for now. He didn't want to get up either. Here was nice. Here was easy. Here he didn't have to think about what happened last night and why it had been a bad idea. Was it really that bad? Nines said he'd thought about it and he wanted it…"Your thoughts are loud." His partner complained as he turned their bodies so that Gavin was on his back.

"Sorry, force of habit." Gavin huffed sleepily as he finally opened his eyes, almost wishing he hadn't. It was too fucking early to be looking up at such a bright expression. The android had happiness on his face that almost mirrored Connor's when Anderson praised him. Maybe not quite that simpering…Reed corrected internally, reading a marked amount of heat in that steady blue gaze. He almost seemed to be testing the waters as he leaned down to capture Gavin's lips. They were both pleasantly surprised to find him so willing. The crashing sense of guilt didn't come. The foreboding didn't prickle his senses. For once it just felt good.

"Perhaps I can persuade you to break that habit." Nines murmured as he drew back, the rock of his hips pressing his solid erection against Gavin's bare thigh, something sticky slicking his skin. The mere suggestion made Gavin's length stir, his body feeling soft and pliant. He accepted the deep kiss as Nines returned to his lips, his own arms reaching up to snake around the android as he repositioned his legs. He spread himself open, Nines humming in contentment as he settled himself between his willing thighs.

"The fuck are you looking at Toaster?" Gavin grumbled self-consciously as Nines propped himself up and raked his eyes over his human's dishevelled face and toned chest. He looked like he'd found the most beautiful painting, or the most exquisite sculpture. People didn't look at Gavin Reed like that. He wasn't made for such soft expressions of want. He wasn't sweet and loveable. As if reading his unpleasant thoughts Nines' hand reached up and caressed his warm cheek, stroking down the silky stubble like he was something precious.

"I'm looking at my human." Nines replied without shame or apology. He enjoyed the way the possessive tone made Gavin's skin flush slightly, and his length twitched to life. "I want to see you every morning." He added in an almost dreamy tone, closing his eyes as he kissed Gavin's lips. Gavin was almost melting at the sweetness of his partner. Fuck, he deserved better than Gavin could give. After thirty six years with few meaningful encounters at all Gavin just wasn't sure he even had the capacity to give Nines anything like the soft romance he probably imagined.

"Has anyone ever told you you have terrible fucking taste." Gavin teased in his usual self-deprecating tone. He scoffed lightly as Nines gave him an almost pouty look of disapproval. He didn't know what the fuck the android saw in him. He knew he had his good points of course. His work ethic, his dedication to the force, and his treatment of victims and vulnerable people in general. That didn't mean he'd be a good romantic partner. He'd never done the whole flowers and chocolates thing, or the going to dinner thing, or the going to the movies thing. Christ, have I ever even been on a single date?

"I have the best taste…I was designed that way." Nines excused dismissively, peppering tiny kisses along Reed's collarbone to the fresh wound on his shoulder. Gavin shuddered as the android's tongue flicked out to lather and tease the injury. It was perfectly sealed now, but tender. The layer of fresh skin was still thin. Too much pressure would breach the surface. He flattened his tongue and stroked affectionately before nipping and kissing his human's neck. It was strange to Gavin, being treated like this. The android was so careful, even tender, with his weaker human body.

Gavin watched, his body feeling weak and obedient to his partner's whims, as Nines pushed himself up and repositioned his legs. A soft sound broke free as their lengths pressed together. Nines lowered himself, claiming Gavin's lips once more as he rocked their hips together, the friction teasing their rising members against each other. It wasn't a position that would get them off, but it was enough to encourage the human to full hardness. Nines almost whined as Gavin's arms pulled him closer, a hand fisting in his brunette locks as he opened his mouth and got lost in a battle of tongues and teeth.

"I don't think I." Gavin was cut off as Nines' lips sealed his mouth. He forgot what he was going to object to anyway, especially as a large hand slid down his waist. He was surprised as the hand didn't reach back to prepare his entrance. Instead it snaked between their bodies to caress and grip both their lengths together.

"I'm aware you'll be sensitive this morning, don't worry." Nines assured softly, the tenderness of his voice sending a new wave of feeling through Gavin's chest. It was a flood of warmth that clenched in his chest like a vice. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. On the rare nights he woke up beside someone they either left in an awkward rush or fucked him into the mattress once more for good measure, the lingering pain of the night before be damned. "You too." The android encouraged as he tugged one of Gavin's hands to join his own.

"Fuck, Nines…" Gavin murmured, his voice almost a whisper as the strange new feeling continued to linger. It burned each time he looked at Nines' face, his expression a picture of need and adoration that Gavin didn't know how to accept or respond to. Nines whined into their grip, their hands and lengths entwined almost tenderly. Nines took the lead, thrusting his hips into their grasp, the movement pulling Gavin's shaft along with him. Gavin followed the android's lead with smaller thrusts, both of them content with a slow and lazy pace.

At some point Nines drew back from their lingering kisses, breathing in slow breaths that matched Gavin's. Somewhere along the line he linked the fingers of their free hands, squeezing needily as he recorded Gavin's expression. It was one he'd never seen. Full of need and affection, and something deeper that Nines couldn't define. Whatever it was it was something Nines knew was reflected in his own eyes. He shuddered as it all became too much. He was ready to release, but again he waited, gripping their lengths together tighter to entice his human over the edge. He moaned as he watched Gavin's mouth fall open in a needy whine, warm fluid pooling between them.

Their breaths were heavy as their bodies relaxed. Nines propped himself up on his arms, enjoying the fucked out look of contentment on Gavin's face. He didn't care about the mess, resting his pelvis against his partner's, feeling the warm sticky fluid slick between them. He was also aware of their limp members, still pressed together but neither stirring to life. Nines had switched off the appropriate subroutine while Gavin was just too tired for now. The human slowly roused from his lax state, green eyes slowly coming to life once more.

"We should shower." Gavin murmured finally, not relishing the idea of the thick fluids between them drying out and gluing them together. He knew that wasn't how it would work, but the thought still made him cringe. It wasn't the idea of being stuck, that really was impossible, it was the idea of the hair on his pelvis being pulled out like he was being waxed. Nines whined, whined like a child who didn't want to get ready for school. It was a sound that tugged on Gavin's heartstrings and made him huff out a fond chuckle. "If I say you can come with me, will you let me up?" He teased, blue eyes peering down at him warmly.

"That seems acceptable." Nines admitted sweetly as he pushed himself up, cool air hitting the white smears on their stomachs. They stumbled their way to the bathroom, hot water soon washing away their morning sins. It didn't take long for those large hands to return, the human's lips quirking as long fingers teased over his hipbones. His tall lithe body swiftly followed, pressing in beneath the spray. He leaned down, lips assaulting Gavin's neck and shoulder.

"Get cleaned up." Gavin ordered as he turned in Nines' arms, slapping a soapy sponge against the android's chest. Nines took the sponge obediently, circling it slowly over his pecs. He watched with a certain amount of smugness as Gavin's eyes followed its path further down. He couldn't help watching, appreciating each inch of perfect hairless skin, covering perfect mounds of synthetic muscle. "You're gorgeous, you know that?" He murmured, eyes still appreciating the android's pale body. He paused when he felt one of Nines' hands slip around the back of his neck.

"Thank you…" Nines murmured before sealing Gavin's lips with his own in a slow lingering kiss. It was innocent enough to make Gavin's stomach flutter, dazed blue eyes greeting him as he looked up. What the fuck did I do to deserve this? He wondered as Nines hummed lightly in contentment. He didn't even move back. He leaned in and nuzzled, butting Gavin's head like a cat. He could even trick himself into believing he was purring.

The shower took a lot longer than it should have due to the constant kisses and caresses, teasing fingers and lingering touches. It was a wonder that Gavin didn't get hard again. Somehow Nines managed to keep his touches innocent enough to not stir the human's desire. That didn't mean Gavin didn't want him though. He responded in kind to every touch and kiss, and even went further sometimes. He washed Nines' hair, warning him to close his blue orbs even though the shampoo would have no effect on android eyes. Nines liked that, feeling Gavin's fingers toying with his scalp beneath the spray. He did the same for his human, relishing in the groans of approval that it wrought.

By the time they got downstairs it was already heading towards ten o'clock, and he knew Elijah was trying not to show how impatient he was. Gavin knew because he was exactly the same, restless and brimming with energy. He acted the way Gavin did when he had a new case but was unable to start because he needed to wait for lab reports or warrants or some other inconvenient thing. Despite his impatience he didn't jump on them straight away. He was a good host, and insisted that Gavin sit and have breakfast first.

"I see you slept better this time." The older human teased meaningfully, Gavin pausing with a spoon of cereal half way to his mouth. The look Elijah sent him was absolutely dripping with sarcasm. He knew exactly what they'd been doing, but Gavin had no idea how. He didn't think they'd been that loud, and Elijah had been in the basement most of the night anyway. At least he'd seemed to have had that intention. "Red's a nice colour on you." The older man added with a chuckle as he tapped his own neck. Gavin felt himself flush as he felt around his neck, but he didn't feel any telling pain. He checked using his phone's camera, quietly cursing as he saw a red bruise-like mark on his neck. It was low enough that his jacket would cover it. He'd just need to make sure he kept it on at work for the next few days.

"Sorry, I didn't realise it would leave such a…clear mark." Nines apologised as he reached out and caressed the area, something burning in his blue eyes. He liked it. He liked that he had marked his human. It was like he'd laid a claim, and other people would see it and recognise that Gavin was not available. It seemed the expression showed on his face because Gavin's green eyes ducked almost submissively. Gavin didn't reply, though he did give a small shrug as he busied himself with breakfast.

Once he was finished they left the dining area, one of the Chloes hurrying in to clean up as they left. Elijah led the way down to his basement lab, where the mechanical spider stood ominously. They wouldn't be using that today though. Today Elijah had Nines undress and lie on the sleek white work bench. Gavin looked away politely as his partner undressed, though Nines quietly pointed out it was nothing he hadn't seen before. It was as Nines sat down that things became awkward.

"I want to start by examining your casing…You've had a lot of repair work done, and I want to make sure it's up to my standards." Elijah stated, the android hesitating as he glanced across at Gavin. Although the human had seen the skin peel away from his face and neck a couple days ago it felt different to remove his skin entirely. He would be naked before Gavin, truly naked, for the first time. He didn't feel ashamed of it, but he was apprehensive. He knew Gavin's history with androids, and this would be the first time he was confronted with the reality of it. The reality that Nines was an android. A machine. A completely artificial being.

"Hey, I'm right here." Gavin encouraged gently, misunderstanding the reason for Nines' apprehension. Elijah at least seemed to understand a little, giving him some space and time to perhaps say something to Gavin. The younger human seemed to pick up on it, sighing as he reached out and took one of the hands resting elegantly on Nines' bare knee. "Spit it out Toaster. What's up?" He asked in a slightly firmer tone.

"I believe you may find it…unsettling." Nines admitted, Gavin tilting his head questioningly in response. "You have yet to be faced with the full reality of my true appearance." Nines elaborated, the human nodding his agreement. It was a plus that he at least kept hold of Nines' hand. The human sighed lightly as he leaned on the edge of the table.

"Look, I know I'm not a saint when it comes to android relations. I'm a fucking asshole, always have been, but this is different. I don't give a fuck what you have under your skin Nines. You caught me regardless." He assured, the android giving him a vulnerable little smile as he steeled himself. He was hesitant as he raised a hand to his LED and pressed, inputting the silent order for the artificial skin to deactivate. Gavin jerked, his green eyes wide in surprised as he watched the blue glow chase away the flesh on his skin. It was almost like water trickling away, revealing endless plains of smooth white plastic beneath.

The shell lacked the definition of a human body. The defined abs and pelvis were made by the synthetic flesh, and without them there was much less definition, though the gentle slopes of his stomach and waistline were still there. It was just smooth, flat and shiny. Everything was put together like an intricate jigsaw, fine black lines marking out where the pieces slotted together. A few of the seams had a pale blue glow from the machinery beneath, especially the fine circle in his sternum where his power core was safely nestled. Gavin shifted his attention to the hand that was now gripping his like a vice.

"Fuck Nines…" Gavin breathed as he looked down, the android loosening his grip to allow Gavin to examine the delicate appendage. It was all delicate white segments, perfectly joined together with a gentle blue glow at the seams. Nines' bare head dropped at Gavin's words, expecting a reproach of some sort. Gavin raised his head, green eyes roving over a face that was familiar but different. He could see the contours of Nines' face, exactly where they usually were. His hair was gone, leaving a shiny white dome in its place. Nines' blue eyes were thick with worry as he avoided looking at him. Black seams showed Gavin where all the sections of his partner's face joined. "You're beautiful…so fucking beautiful." He added, hesitant to touch Nines' face.

"Isn't he? As I said, a marvel of modern technology." Elijah piped up as he gestured Nines to lie back. Nines would have blushed if he'd still had his skin. His LED flashed yellow as he settled down, keeping a gentle hold on Gavin's hand. "I'll need you to go into stasis for a while. I'll be removing parts for a closer examination." Kamski instructed, letting Gavin soothe the android with gentle touches. Gavin wasn't going anywhere, and Kamski had no intention of hurting him. It was safe. That didn't stop his hesitation as he gave Gavin a final nervous look.

"Go ahead and sleep. I'll be here." The human assured before Nines' blue eyes closed. As soon as Nines' LED settled to a steadily pulsing yellow Elijah got to work. Gavin released his hold on Nines' hand and stepped away to watch from a distance as his brother worked. He pulled off his chest casing and took it to another bench, where he looked at it under a large magnifying glass. He clicked his tongue in disapproval, drawing Gavin closer.

"Something wrong?" He asked nervously as he hovered a few feet away, not wanting to get in the way.

"I suppose they did a good patch job under the circumstances, but I was right to take a look at it myself…Not to worry. This is why I wanted a look in the first place." Elijah assured as he gathered some tools and a sheet of solid looking plastic, or it could have been metal. Gavin wasn't sure, and Elijah didn't enlighten him. He tugged on a welding mask and gloves and set to work. This was a side of the scientist he hadn't expected to see. He knew Elijah had invented the androids and worked on their internal workings, and he even knew he'd made Chloe all by himself, but it was different to watch. This was heavy grimy work, the kind of work old men used to refer to as a manly man's work. Elijah looked and dressed like a prissy playboy of sophistication, not the type he'd expect to be elbow deep in oil and plastic.

Since Elijah was busy Gavin crept closer to the table, part of him unsure he really wanted to look, but the other part finding it irresistible. He'd never seen the inside of an android before, not like this anyway. It was somewhat unsettling, seeing the bright power core sitting in its encased chamber, and the heart-like thirium pump beating slowly. There were other bits. Blue filled tubing, thin metal wires, other fleshy looking fake organs used for God knows what. It was intricate, and confusing. It didn't gross him out though, which was unexpected.

"Amazing, isn't it?" Elijah said as he returned to the opened body. He wasn't even wearing gloves as he reached inside, laughing as Gavin began to stammer out an objection. "Don't worry, he can't catch anything, and my hands are clean and sterilised in any case." He assured, blue staining his pale skin as he rooted around in the open cavity. I take it back. That is pretty gross. Gavin thought, his stomach lurching as Elijah lifted one of the fake organs.

"What is that?" Gavin asked, more disgust than he liked creeping into his tone. I'm sure Nines would think the same if he were standing here looking into my open torso though. He thought, though perhaps disgust was too strong. He'd probably be overly analytical and curious.

"It's his stomach…It can process both thirium and biological matter, but it needs to be flushed through if that's the case." Elijah replied in an instructing tone. He smiled as he carefully placed it back inside, knowing he could get Gavin involved with his next instruction. "Here, open your hands right here." He urged, waiting for his reluctant younger brother to cup his hands as if he were about to drink some water.

"Hey, wait!" Gavin objected, too late as he suddenly found Nines' beating heart sitting in his hands. He instantly panicked. What the fuck? What the fuck do I do? I can't just drop it! He thought worriedly, wide green eyes looking up at Elijah as he smirked and reached in beneath, some sort of tool in his hand. He was relieved the older man wasn't just doing this for kicks. He'd go mad if that were the case. Holding the beating heart of his partner was very fucking low on his wish list.

"You already know that's his thirium pump, but perhaps it would interest you to know that for androids it is exactly the same as a human heart, with all the same connotations." Elijah explained as he continued to work, like a mechanic instructing a less experienced trainee. Gavin couldn't get over it. It was warm and wet, and pulsed steadily in his hands. "Androids are like us…Their emotions are formed up here, in their artificial brain, but when they actually feel an emotion it all comes from down here, in their chest cavity…Isn't that fascinating? We made them so much like us that they actually feel the way we do, right in their hearts…" Kamski continued in an almost dreamy tone as he watched the pulsing organ in Gavin's hand.

"I'm holding his heart right now. I get it. Can you get the fuck on with it?" Gavin stammered nervously, worried he was going to squash it or damage it somehow. Elijah chuckled as he finished up whatever he was doing and lifted the organ back into place. He did it gently, but so quickly and clinically. He'd clearly done it many times before.

"Don't worry, it's not as delicate as it looks." He assured as he continued, doing the same with the power core. He was almost carefree as he twisted and plucked the cylinder out. He then pressed it into Gavin's unwilling thirium stained hands. "Now this is more important. This is his power core. It's one of the most important parts in his body…You remove this while he's in full power mode and he'll be dead in two minutes. Powered down like he is now he has five." Elijah instructed, watching his brother getting overcome with a real look of horror. He looked at the delicate cylinder in his hands like it was a bomb that was about to explode.

"Fucking put it back! Shit!" He urged, panicking as Elijah steadied his hands firmly, levelling him with a serious look. The cylinder looked like glass shrouded in a metal cage with an electric blue light shining in the middle. It looked strong but also fragile, like Nines himself. It was a little slippery, covered in thirium from where it had been ensconced safely within Nines' body.

"Gavin, this is important. An android cannot survive without their power core unless they're hooked up to a direct power source, so remember…Two minutes if he's active, five minutes if he's inactive, and you can't let it get damaged. His sternum is his most vulnerable point." The older man warned seriously, watching as Gavin nodded wordlessly. He seemed shaken as he watched his brother take the component and slot it back into place. "His casing is bulletproof of course, but I wouldn't want to depend on that." Kamski added in a more conversational tone. Gavin swallowed as he looked at the thirium on his hands, the oily slickness making him feel sick.

He could just about make out Elijah talking, but it seemed further away than it should have been. He just couldn't stop staring at the blue on his hands. He was covered in blood. Nines' blood. He'd held Nines' beating heart in his hands. He'd literally had his partner's life in his hands. There was blue on his hands. Oily, greasy, warm, blue. The skin on his arms was prickling. He felt hot. Sick. He heard Elijah again, blinking as he tried to focus on it. It was like it was through water. Water. Blue. He felt sick.

"Alright-alright…Breathe Gavin…Breathe." Elijah's voice soothed with an almost worried edge as a towel covered his stained hands. Gavin gasped as his brother's hands clapped on his cheeks a couple times, sharp enough to give him a jolt. He didn't realise he was shaking at first, not until Elijah gripped his arms and edged him towards a low stool. "That's it…Here, have some wipes." The mechanic added gently as he grabbed a pack of wet wipes.

"Thanks." Gavin mumbled shakily as he grabbed a wipe and tried to clean his hands. He could still feel the oil. "Nines! Is he…" He trailed off questioningly as he looked at the table, where the android was still lying. If it weren't for the fact he was wide open he would have said he looked peaceful. It was hard to look peaceful with your chest cavity exposed though.

"He's fine, it's all fine…Why don't you go to the living room? Lie down for a while…" Elijah suggested, unsurprised as Gavin shook his head. He'd promised Nines he wouldn't leave. He grabbed another wipe. The oil still felt slick on his skin. "Alright, just…rest your head on the bench for a while." The older human instructed as he stroked Gavin's shoulder. It sounded like a good idea. Gavin was still feeling pretty sick, and he could still hear what was going on around him. He also trusted Elijah not to do anything creepy. With that decided he rested his good arm on the wooden surface before closing his eyes and leaning his forehead down.