Chapter Forty-Six – Open Up
"Gavin." A quiet voice murmured in his ear as a gentle hand squeezed his shoulder. It was a voice he knew. A voice he'd been waiting for. His green eyes snapped open and he pushed himself up before his brain was really working. Firm hands were already on his shoulders by the time he'd turned around on his stool, stopping him from toppling. He blinked the dazed feeling away as he finally focused on the tall android.
"Nines! You're alright." Gavin murmured in relief as he looked his partner up and down. He'd redressed and activated his synthetic skin before waking Gavin. He looked fine. Not a hair out of place. It was hard to think that the android he'd seen opened up on the table and his partner were the same person. He'd literally held his beating heart in his shaking hands. The memory was almost enough to make his head spin again.
"Of course! In fact he's better than alright." Elijah piped up from across the room, where he was wiping down the bench with what smelled like bleach. Nines was about to speak when he looked down at Gavin and paused. His LED span yellow as he looked at his human's hands. Gavin followed his gaze and saw nothing, but he could still feel it. The oily feeling still coated his hands. Nines could still see the thirium. He remembered that much about the Connor series.
"Elijah mentioned you had a turn of sorts..." Nines said in a troubled tone as he examined Gavin's slightly pale face.
"Uh…I guess…I'm not sure." Gavin replied awkwardly, increasingly conscious of the thirium on his skin. It wasn't blue anymore, but it was there. He didn't like it. The feeling was making his skin crawl. Nines' LED flashed yellow again as he read Gavin's vitals. He was raising his own stress levels. "I think I need a shower." The human decided abruptly. There was no reason for him to stay in the lab covered in invisible thirium, not now that Nines was alright.
"Good idea, you two go relax for a while. I'll finish up here and then have Chloe start dinner." Elijah piped up almost dismissively, quietly thinking it best that Gavin get out of the confined space. He wouldn't start to feel better until he cleaned up anyway. Gavin was at least steadier on his feet now that he was more awake. Nines remained close as he followed Gavin up to their bedroom. There wasn't even a question about whether Nines was going in with him. For one thing, Nines also felt dirty from having his body handled. For another, he was the one who could see the thirium that stained Gavin's hands, wrists and shirt. Finally, he could tell Gavin had suffered some form of mild trauma and had no intention of leaving his side until it had passed.
Their shower wasn't filled with the innocent touches from before. This time it was strictly professional. Nines washed his own body while Gavin did the same, but Nines then checked his work. Gavin didn't understand at first, but he soon caught on as Nines rubbed soap between his fingers and across certain patches of his hands and wrists. He was also meticulous while looking at his own pale flesh, making sure no stray thirium had been left behind.
Gavin finally felt clean afterwards, and tugged on his night clothes once more. Once he had changed he headed to the sofa, surprised as Nines swept him up in his arms and laid him down gently. He was taking up the whole sofa, head resting on one plush armrest while his feet touched the other. Nines sat on the edge of the large cushion beside him, also dressed in his lounge clothes. It was good to see him on one piece. So fucking good. No more blue, no more oil.
"Something happened to upset you." Nines stated, the lack of a question leaving the human little choice but to silently agree.
"I guess it was harder than I thought…seeing you opened up like that." Gavin admitted sheepishly, though to be fair he'd been coping pretty well until Elijah pulled that shit with his power core. What the fuck had he been thinking? How was it alright to take out Nines' life source and just hand it to him? He wasn't even a qualified mechanic. He could have broken it or fucked it up somehow. Elijah had literally trusted him with Nines' life, and that wasn't his to give.
"But there's more to it than that…" The android encouraged. He understood that Gavin would likely find his internal workings distasteful. To a human they would seem utterly unnatural. Only engineers like Kamski and other Cyberlife employees would be able to appreciate the intricacy of his internal workings. Despite this, he was certain that the sight alone wouldn't produce this sort of reaction.
"Eli let me help a little…had me hold some parts for him." Gavin agreed, looking almost guilty, as if he'd broken some form of promise or trust. It truly didn't bother the android though. He had given permission for Kamski to touch him, and even though he hadn't said it out loud the consent for Gavin to do the same was implied. Gavin was the last registered owner he'd had before he'd deviated. He was also the human he adored most. He wanted Gavin to touch him.
"I hope that wasn't too troubling for you…I don't mind that you touched me, but I wouldn't want to make you uncomfortable." Nines replied in explanation. Gavin shook his head. It wasn't the touching exactly, though it had been pretty weird. It was mostly the context that he couldn't deal with. It hadn't just been any biocomponent. It had been Nines' beating heart. It hadn't just been a power core component, it had been the single most important part of Nines' body.
"I was more worried about fucking something up…They were pretty major parts." He added humbly. Nines didn't know, but he could guess at least one of the parts Gavin had touched. It was difficult, holding someone's life in your hands. It is something he had to deal with every day. Each time he handled a suspect or touched Gavin he had to be controlled and measure out his strength. He couldn't just mindlessly grab a human. That could cause serious injury.
"Elijah was there. He wouldn't have allowed that, and if the worst had happened then your brother would have fixed it." Nines assured, and Gavin nodded his agreement. Elijah was good like that. Gavin could tell. He had the same focus Gavin did on a case. When he was focused there was nothing that could distract him, and when he was on a job he was unstoppable. He'd worked on Nines relentlessly, for hours. Gavin may have slept, but he could still tell that hours had passed since he'd put his head down. "He is an excellent engineer." The android complimented.
"I take it he did a good job then." Gavin murmured as he turned on his side, looking up at his partner curiously. Although Nines didn't know the exact details of what had happened he did understand a few things. There were minor imperfections that had been flagged in his system for weeks. These were now gone. His limbs had a new ease of movement. His tracker was active and strong, and he had a backup tracker ready to go. He'd also been fitted with a more advanced form of communications device.
"Internally I can confirm his work is excellent, however I have yet to test his external work." Nines admitted almost suggestively. Gavin huffed out a small laugh as he waited for the android to continue. "Perhaps you could assist me…I believe I should first ensure that my body still feels the same." He added as he got to his knees on the sofa. Gavin looked up, unsure on Nines' plan until the android clambered over to lie behind him, spooning him on the large sofa. The human smiled as he felt his partner shuffle down into the cushions, lying slightly higher so that he could look down at Gavin.
"You're right, even an expert's work needs to be thoroughly tested." Gavin agreed as he settled down and eased back, moulding his body against Nines'. Their legs slotted together, bent at the knees. Gavin's rump was nestled securely into Nines' pelvis. His smaller shoulder leaned into his chest. He was firm but giving beneath the light pressure. An arm snaked over Gavin's hip and looped around his waist, fingers teasing the bare skin along his waistline. "I'll need a while to fully assess the situation." The human added as he settled, one arm curling beneath his head as he closed his eyes.
"Very well Detective Reed. I shall await your report." Nines replied with a small breath of amusement. Gavin kept his smirk as he settled down, enjoying the quiet blackness behind his eyes. They hadn't turned on the TV or any music, so the room was hollow and quiet. All Gavin could hear was the general hum of nothingness and the small sounds of his own heartbeat and breathing, as well as a few small brushes of fabric as Nines continued to stroke his skin.
He didn't sleep for long. He dropped off for maybe an hour. An hour in which he swore he could feel Nines' fingers exploring his abs and pelvis the whole time. An hour in which warmth seeped through each part of his body that was in contact with Nines. An hour in which he could feel the constant steady rise and fall of the android's chest, somehow too uniform to be natural. Nines didn't stir at all, besides the searching fingers. He'd cut down unnecessary movement so that he didn't accidentally wake Gavin.
The shock of handling Nines' innards had retreated now, chased away by both the shower and the nap in Nines' arms. The oily feeling was long gone, as was the shock of blue on his skin. The touch on his stomach became firmer as Nines realised his human was rousing. Gavin took in a slightly deeper breath, letting it out as a tired sigh as he leaned back to look over his shoulder. He wasn't surprised to find Nines' owlish blue eyes watching him. The android didn't require sleep, and even if he did he'd been sleeping for most of the day. But then with all the changes maybe he feels more tired than usual…
"Did you rest well?" Nines asked sweetly, raising his arm to allow Gavin to turn over and face him. Their legs tangled in the process, slipping between each other to save space. It felt nice. It felt even nicer as he leaned into Nines' chest, able to feel the plush pecs through his cotton top. He didn't have a problem with seeing the android's sleek casing, but it wasn't as comforting as his synthetic coating.
"Mm…Eli gets a pass." Gavin replied as he nuzzled the android's chest. Nines hummed his agreement, his fingers now exploring the exposed skin of Gavin's back. "Do you feel alright? I know you said it's sort of routine for you to have parts exchanged, but does it really not make you sore or tired?" The human asked curiously, knowing that any human would need extensive physiotherapy for that sort of procedure.
"Androids don't experience pain the way you do…I also have sufficient power reserves, so my systems are currently running within parameters. I was apprehensive before, but now that the work is complete I feel fine…better than fine." Nines replied assuringly, and it was true. He'd never felt better. He couldn't confirm it, but he felt that he was now likely in better condition than the later model RK900s. Their creator had improved his software and fully repaired his hardware to the highest standard.
"Good…I'm glad you're alright." The human murmured, the android smiling softly as he felt Gavin snuffling against his chest, looking for a unique scent that would define him. Unfortunately Nines was well aware he had no such scent. A human's scent came from their unique levels of sweat and skin oils. No two were the same, all subtly different. Nines' fragrance came from his thirium, which was largely scentless. He would smell like a mixture of thirium and bathing products, a smell that could be shared by any number of androids. This was apparently of little concern to Gavin. He let out a contented sigh as he found whatever it was he'd been looking for against his chest. My thirium pump…He realised, quietly amazed as he watched Gavin's head tilt enough so that he could listen to the steady thump. His green eyes flicked up as he noticed an increase in pace.
"We should go downstairs…Elijah will be waiting." Nines said softly, though his blue eyes certainly didn't reflect it. He watched as Gavin's body stiffened against his own, his legs straightening as his back arched and his hands reached above his head. A long strained sound escaped his lips as he stretched, the sound both annoyed and satisfied at the same time. Nines enjoyed the way he almost melted as his hand pressed firmly into the curved arch of his spine.
"Alright…I'm up…" Gavin insisted, still using his stretching voice as he continued leaning into Nines' touch. Nines slowly turned so that Gavin naturally ended up on his back, not that he noticed. He was too busy leaning and arching and stretching. Nines almost regretted suggesting they go downstairs, especially as Gavin opened his green eyes and looked up at him with lazy contentment. He felt relieved. Gavin's uncertainty had retreated for now. Nines had no doubt it was in there, waiting to rear its ugly head and ruin the closeness they had at some point. His human was a complicated being. "Don't look at me like that." Gavin grumbled finally, green eyes darting away.
"Like what?" Nines asked quietly as he leaned down to nuzzle his human's cheek.
"Like…" Like I fucking mean something…Gavin concluded in his head, his expression probably betraying some of his thoughts. Nines' expression became a little more uncertain, but no less infatuated. Before he could make any further objections Nines swooped in and sealed his lips as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Rewind two months and this was the last thing Gavin would ever have expected to happen. He'd barely made peace with Connor at that point, never mind contemplated that he'd end up sleeping with an android. Somehow it being Connor's little brother made it even weirder to think about.
Nines gave him a final look, a warm expression filled with firm assurance. A response that said, but you do mean something to me. The android moved first, pressing a kiss to Gavin's temple before getting to his feet and running his fingers through his perfect glossy locks. They hadn't even fallen out of place, naturally drying into their usual style. Gavin knew androids could change their hair style. He'd seen a few models with different colours and cuts, but Nines and Connor had never cared to. It may have had something to do with the limited number of their production. It was unlikely they'd ever cross paths with another of their model, so they'd never felt the need to change. Gavin wouldn't want him to change either.
Once Gavin had been to the bathroom and woken himself up a little more they headed downstairs, neither of them bothering with shoes despite the cold marble flooring. Gavin's thick socks were enough of a barrier, and Nines didn't feel the cold. Gavin also discovered as he reached the ground floor that downstairs had underfloor heating. The stone was warm, even hot. Damn, that shit's expensive…Right, eccentric billionaire, no surprise there.
"Ah, there you are. Feeling better?" Elijah asked with a somewhat forced edge of casualness. They'd just entered the living area, where Kamski sat alone at the bar. The Chloes had returned at some point, but were clearly elsewhere in the house. Elijah had changed at some point, into an expensive looking white linen shirt and dark grey slacks. He wore shiny black loafers that would probably click loudly on the marble floors. He was nursing a tumbler of amber liquid, likely whiskey if he and Gavin had the same taste in alcohol.
"Yeah, uh…thanks." Gavin replied, feeling awkward as he examined his brother. The older man had been concerned, though he was skilled at hiding it. Gavin only knew because he had some tells, especially the way his green eyes looked at Gavin a little too keenly, examining every inch of him. Gavin wasn't used to it, having people worry about him. A few months back he doubted anyone besides Tina would have cared if he'd been killed in the line of duty. Okay, maybe Fowler would've been pissed…Who the fuck would he dump all the overtime on? He mused, quietly marvelling at how things had changed. Connor would care now. Anderson would notice. Nines would be sad. Even Elijah would feel some sort of loss.
"No, it was my fault…I'm not good at reading people, and I was being insensitive." Elijah apologised sincerely. Gavin knew he was being sincere because the older man's expression was soft and open, slightly worried even. Looking back it was probably true. It was pretty insensitive to put a beating heart into someone's hands, and the other stuff. Before the revolution it would have grossed Gavin out, but he didn't think it would have caused a panic attack. He'd been scared because it was Nines' heart. Nines who looked at him like he meant something. Nines who'd always looked to him for help and advice. Nines who he liked way more than he should, or would ever admit.
"It's fine…You actually taught me a few things, so it was a good idea." Gavin replied as he hopped onto one of the stools. He wasn't sure he'd ever forget Elijah's words about the power core. It had been so warm in his hands, all oily and covered in blue, but it shone like a star anyway. Even now the little supernova would be beaming brightly in Nines' chest cavity. It had hummed too. Quietly. Like vibrating insect wings. He'd even felt the slight vibrations as he'd held it. Nines' most fragile part. The most vital part. One of the few things he couldn't live without.
"I could teach you more if you'd like." Kamski offered with an almost hopeful edge. It was something else for them to bond over, and something else to encourage human interaction. Even Gavin Reed didn't think it was healthy to lock yourself away with only androids for company, even if the Chloes were deviant now.
"Sure, but maybe not by opening up my partner this time." Gavin compromised with a joking tone, though it wouldn't have bothered Nines. The idea of Gavin touching his inner components didn't upset him, in fact it made him feel something quite different. It wasn't exactly desire, but it was similar. If Gavin had to touch any android he'd like it to be him. It seemed somehow intimate, even though technicians did it all the time.
"We can look at his schematics if you like." Elijah offered, Gavin giving a nervous laugh in response.
"You're not planning on making another one, are you?" He checked, surprised as he felt a firm chest press into his back at the suggestion. Nines' hands rested on his lower back, fingers gently tugging his waistline in an almost insecure manner. Does he think I meant…Gavin didn't want to risk looking with Elijah in the room. Elijah laughed at the idea as he sipped his whiskey.
"I wish! You know I can't build a pre-existing model. It's against the law…Though I could always improve upon the RK900 and make a new one, so long as it isn't deviant upon activation." He added thoughtfully, the tug becoming a little more insistent at that. Elijah looked across at his brother, eyebrow raising as he looked a little higher. "I'll go and check on Chloe in the kitchen. Help yourself to a drink." He added as he waved at the bar. Gavin sighed in relief as he turned to finally look up at his partner's face. Blank. Blank with a yellow LED.
"Don't think up dumb shit. I mean it." Gavin grumbled as he reached up and prodded the yellow circle, frowning as it turned red. "What did I just say?" He chided, watching Nines' blue eyes drop like a scolded child. He also looked like he'd been wronged, as if he hadn't deserved it. Gavin ducked his head to get into Nines' line of sight, his expression coaxing an explanation.
"Would you like a new RK model? Do you want to build a new android with your brother to…replace me?" Nines asked in a level tone, just a hint of insecurity seeping through. Gavin sighed deeply before tapping his partner's head with his knuckles, the contact firm but not enough to hurt. As an android it wouldn't hurt anyway. Blue eyes blinked up at him, wary of his answer, but somewhat comforted by the unimpressed scowl on his face.
"Nines, you better listen real fucking close because I am not saying this shit again. You are irreplaceable. Even if I had every other RK900 lined up offering themselves on a fucking platter I wouldn't look twice, and I'm even less interested in making a whole new model. I don't like you because you're an RK900. You're Nines, and there's only one Nines, so get that fucking straight." He ordered, prodding Nines in the shoulder as he spoke to get the point across. Gavin watched the yellow LED. It flickered between blue and yellow, but still refused to settle. Nines seemed touched, but somehow unconvinced. Of course he is. He spent the first few weeks of his existence being treated like a fucking gun range target, and then got told he was garbage by his own brothers…"Fuck, come here." Gavin sighed as he grabbed the front of Nines' dark T-shirt and pulled him down to kiss his lips. So what if he was in the middle of Elijah's living room? So what if the mechanic could re-enter at any moment? Some conversations needed more than words.
"Thank you." Nines murmured as he drew back, his blue eyes telling Gavin how deep that thank you went. It was to thank him for seeing him when no one else had. For thinking he was worth saving when no one else did. For protecting him where he'd only been abused before. For seeing him as an individual and not just one of a series. For knowing he was a machine but still seeing him as a person.
"We still have a few minutes…Here, I brought the schematics." Elijah announced as he re-entered with a large electronic tablet. Gavin brushed past Nines and circled behind the bar to grab a drink. He picked a Russian branded vodka he didn't recognise and topped it up with a can of coke from the fridge, much to Elijah's distaste. He shrugged as he returned and leaned over the pad beside his brother.
It was such a maze. There were multiple outlines of Nines' body showing the wires, tubing and components within, but it was impossible to read. Even looking inside Nines' open cavity hadn't revealed how truly complex he was. Hell, even the human body never seemed as complicated as this shit! He thought as he followed the maze of wires. Along with his amazement came a deep sense of worry. If something happened to Nines on the job then he wouldn't even know where to start with fixing it. Good thing I have an expert sitting right here.
"So, tell me about androids." Gavin said as he shifted his gaze to his brother, who was more than happy to oblige as he held his tumbler in one hand and pointed at the diagram with the other.