Gavin sighed as he stumbled tiredly into the bathroom, eyes stinging with sleep as he locked the door. Despite being tired, he was finding it hard to actually sleep. Something that Nines had noticed more than once since they'd gone to bed at midnight. Maybe he wouldn't have found it so hard to fucking sleep if he wasn't so hung up on what had happened earlier. They'd left the house and walked into the forest. Nines' blue eyes had been wide with an almost awestruck air, his LED blinking yellow as they'd walked. He'd almost taken delight in the way his feet had crunched the undisturbed blanket of white.

The forest had been strange and new to Nines. It was closed in, especially with the snow helping to dampen the sound. It was so enclosed and foreign, misleading his sensors and dimming his audio input. He'd seemed to enjoy himself somewhat, taking in the different plant life and pointing out what few animals he could see skittering about. They'd both paused to spy on a couple of grey squirrels dancing through the branches. Nines had wanted to get more information about the species, but without his link to the internet, all he could do was record everything to run searches later.

It was a new experience, not having the answers at his fingertips. Gavin could tell he wasn't enjoying it. Nines had looked a little put out, frustrated by his lack of knowledge. On the plus side, this had given Gavin the chance to take the lead for a change. Having been hiking in similar areas before, he'd been able to educate him a little, giving him the names of a few of the plants and telling him about the fruits and flowers that spring would bring. He could also name some of the birds and insects they came across, few as they were in the cold weather. It had been nice.

They'd finally reached a break in the thick trees, high on a hillside overlooking the small town they'd stopped at a day or so before. It was probably about an hour away on foot. Gavin had been surprised that there was no sign of Detroit on the horizon. Maybe they were on the wrong side of the hills, or maybe they'd driven further than he'd originally thought. Either way, he'd been surprised not to see any sign of the city. Not even Cyberlife Tower, which he knew was visible for miles on a good day, even across the river and up in the hills of Canada.

The open field had been an undisturbed sea of white, which they'd slowly crossed, leaving footprints in the thick blanket. Gavin had thrown the first snowball, teasing Nines about how he'd been taken off guard as he'd watched the white flakes turn to water in his dark hair. Nines had retaliated, of course. They'd dodged through the field, pelting each other with snow until Gavin had finally slipped and fallen. Nines had appeared above him, looking somewhat smug as Gavin had shivered. He could feel the cold seeping through his jeans and down his bare neck. Nines had offered him a hand up, surprised as Gavin had pulled him down, sweeping his legs out in the process.

Gavin had laughed heartily as Nines had looked down at him with a certain level of incredulity, unable to understand why he would pull him down when it was so wet and cold for him already. Nines was unable to feel the cold, so the dampness seeping through his clothing didn't particularly bother him. It was enough for Gavin just to see him looking so taken aback. Nines had murmured something about Gavin's body temperature and the fact that he'd get sick if they didn't get him warmed up soon. It was only then that Gavin had realised how close they were. Nines was holding himself above him, looking down with an expression laced with something like affection.

He'd wrapped his arms around Nines' neck on impulse and allowed him to lift him to his feet. Nines had almost chided him about the white flakes in his hair, gentle fingers caressing his scalp and flicking the snow free. They'd both paused after that. Gavin's eyes had dropped to Nines' lips before flicking back up to his silvery blue eyes. It would be so phcking easy to just lean closer and-The hand in his hair had tightened, drawing him in as Nines' other arm had looped around his waist. Gavin had tilted his head in anticipation, trembling as he'd felt Nines' warm breath ghost across his lips.

Gavin sighed as he remembered pushing Nines back, his heart pounding in a way it never had for anyone else. He shivered at the memory, feeling bad all over again at the confusion in Nines' eyes. He was an android. Undeviated at that. He probably didn't understand. Gavin didn't even understand. Who the phck are you trying to kid? You understand perfectly, moron! He let out a helpless huff as he washed his hands, splashing his face for good measure. He took in his slightly pale skin in the mirror, noting the dark rings beneath his eyes. They'd been a common feature for the past couple of years, though Nines had been doing his best to get rid of them.

He was a relentless nursemaid. He'd keep a constant eye on his vitals throughout the day and make sure he got what he needed. Food, water, an extra sweater, an outlet for his pent up frustration. He'd make sure he slept, whether by himself or with assistance. He'd studied up on where to touch his body to calm him, often zoning in on the back of his neck with a gentle squeeze. He knew how to comfort, fingers gently stroking through his hair. He'd constantly fret, and he wasn't afraid to tell Gavin when to listen or when to stop.

Gavin still didn't get it. He didn't get why Nines seemed so invested in his wellbeing. Sure, they were partners, but Nines went above and beyond the expectations of that role. Not that it was unusual. He'd do the same for Nines. He sighed as he splashed his face again, trying hard not to think about all the things he'd like to do for Nines. He could almost hear Aaron's voice in the back of his mind, prompting him to make a confession he was in no way prepared to admit. Nines deserves better than my sorry ass.

He headed back slowly, pausing as Pipsqueak hopped on the back of the sofa with a small meow. He whispered gentle assurances as he stroked his silver fur, leaving him as he hopped back down onto the cushion he'd been curled up on. The fire was low, but the small flames were more than enough to make it through the next few hours when Nines would get out of bed. Once he reached the bedroom, he climbed onto the bed and settled beside Nines. He remained propped on one arm, looking down at the peacefully sleeping android. He knew Nines didn't call it sleeping, but it sure as hell looked like sleeping.

Nines' LED was spinning in lazy blue circles, suggesting that he was relaxed. At ease. Sometimes, he knew the small ring would spin yellow, usually when he had updates to install during his cycle. Without his internet connection, Nines had nothing to do besides rest and wait for his cycle to end. His eyelashes were so fucking long. They brushed his freckled cheeks as he lay there peacefully, his chest rising and falling in steady synthesised breaths. He didn't need to breathe, but he'd done it for so long he simply never thought to turn the ability off. Gavin wondered how much power that small function used. Probably not much. Nines didn't move while sleeping. He simply lay on his back with his face tilted towards the ceiling. His lips rested together in a lax expression, neither frowning nor smiling. They looked so pale in the darkness. Gavin couldn't help remembering how soft they'd felt against his own.

He bit his own lip as he continued to watch Nines sleeping. When the phck did you become so much more than my pain-in-the-ass android partner? He couldn't stop his hand from reaching out. His fingers brushed Nines' cheek. It was so fucking smooth, with that freshly shaven softness. He licked his lips subconsciously, his gaze dropping to Nines' perfectly sculpted mouth more than once. Why the fuck had Cyberlife made him look so damned kissable? His movement was almost subconscious, his weight gradually tipping closer to his unaware partner. He froze as he realised what he was doing. Seriously? In his sleep? Back the phck up, asshole! He stopped himself before he could lean in properly.

"Holy phck!" he cursed, jerking back further as Nines' silvery eyes snapped open in the darkness. He huffed softly as Nines stared up at him with an almost smug air. "How long have you been awake?" Gavin asked almost accusingly as he watched Nines' LED blink blue a few times as if amused before returning to its lazy spin. Nines turned on his side as Gavin lowered himself to his arm once more. There was something relaxed about Nines as he settled with one arm beneath the pillow, his dark hair slightly out of place on the plush surface.

"Since you left the bathroom," Nines replied softly, enjoying the way Gavin balked at the news. For one thing, he'd done his best to be quiet so as not to disturb Nines. For another, he now knew he'd been caught in the act. "Your hand…" Nines murmured, almost looking sleepy as he nuzzled into the pillow. Gavin wasn't sure whether he genuinely felt some form of sleepy contentment or if it was a show for his benefit.

"W-what?" Gavin stammered, trying to push down the embarrassment he felt at the memory of Nines' eyes snapping open. He'd closed them again now, face partly buried in the plush pillow.

"Your hand…It felt…nice," Nines settled on, his eyes slitting open almost meaningfully. When Gavin didn't get the hint, he nudged his head a little closer. He blinked a couple times as Gavin looked down at him, not quite fluttering his eyelashes, but as close as a stoic male android could get. Gavin snorted softly, wondering if he'd taken tips from Connor on getting what he wanted. Gavin obliged, softly working his fingers through Nines' perfect locks. His hair was thick and soft, and the flesh beneath felt so real. Without his steadily pulsing LED there would be no way of knowing he was an android. "Take a picture, Rump Steak. It'll last longer," Nines teased, his lips quirking without even opening his eyes.

Gavin made a camera clicking sound with his tongue before shoving Nines' head further into the pillow. Fuck, it was hard to believe that the android he'd met at Cyberlife Tower, the one that had roughed him up, was the same one now lounging in bed with him. When the pod had first opened at Cyberlife Tower, the machine had been soulless and utterly relentless. He'd tossed Gavin around like a rag-doll, impossibly strong and fully intending to take him out. Nines was softer now, a certain gentleness working into his quirked lips. His eyes were the most different. Pools that had once been filled with the blank intimidation that security androids had were now overflowing with softness and mirth. He'd never imagined that first day that he'd end up this close to the RK900. Close and wanting. He averted his eyes and pushed down the feeling. Nines wasn't a deviant. He wasn't about to put his feelings on him and have him mistake his desire as some sort of order. The last thing he needed was Nines offering him intimacy as some form of stress relief because he thought the affection would make him feel better.

"You should rest more, Detective," Nines interrupted softly, blue eyes scanning him and noting his fatigue. Gavin didn't need to ask to know he'd done it. Nines was always scanning him. Phcking android…He nodded his agreement and lowered himself to the pillow. It brought their faces level, both half buried in soft flannel pillows. Nines hummed softly as he tugged the duvet higher, his arm looping over Gavin's waist as he pretty much tucked him in. Gavin huffed as Nines continued to tug and pat the duvet until he was satisfied that Gavin was warm and covered.

"Are you going to tell me a bedtime story, too?" Gavin teased as he hunkered down in the bed. Nines shared his soft expression as he moved closer. Gavin wasn't expecting a hand to slide up and caress his back, a sudden jerk dragging him into a firm embrace. "What the phck are you doing?" he stammered, unsure it was a good idea to be this close to Nines. Their bodies were flush together at this point, though with their height difference Gavin found his head tucked securely against Nines' chest. It was his lower half that worried him. It wouldn't take much from Nines to encourage a physical reaction, not with his thigh so fucking close to his crotch.

"I have noticed that the vibrations of my power core often have quite a calming effect on your stress levels." The arms holding him remained firm. One hand had reached up to caress his scalp while the other rested on his lower back, rubbing gentle circles through his shirt. It was far too fucking intimate. Gavin was about to squirm free when his ear picked it up. Nines was right. There was that familiar gentle buzzing hum you could only hear if you pressed your ear right up against an android's chest. Along with the light hum was the steady thump of Nines' thirium pump. A gentle one-two beat that worked in tandem with the soft hum to keep Nines alive. Suddenly, squirming free didn't feel like such a good idea. Gavin relaxed slowly, subconsciously nuzzling closer. His green eyes opened briefly as he heard an uptick in Nines' thirium beats. Almost as if Nines had noticed, his arms tightened, soothing Gavin back into a lazy, relaxed state. He barely noticed the gentle press of lips in his hair as he fell asleep.