1. Belongs: The univers and characters of Detroit Become Human belong to Quantic Dreams and David Cage.

2. Rating: "T" in general, but might be "M" for cursed words, graphics contents such as violence, injuries or sexual scenes.

3. Summary: Gavin stops by Jimmy John's for a bite before heading back to work, but it turns out that it's exactly the spot a junkie is targeting for a heist. Gavin intervenes quickly and sets off in pursuit of the man before finally coming face to face with Midnight who, too, had decided to intervene.


CHAPTER 2
« Crossroads »

- April 16th, 2039, 9:18 PM, Jimmy John's -

Gavin parked his car not far from Jimmy John's and got out of it, lighting a cigarette. He blew out the smoke as he looked up at the distinct crescent moon in the dark sky and sighed as he walked towards the restaurant.

Captain Fowler had forced him to return home after writing his report on the intervention at Lisa Deckart's the day before. He had protested, saying he was perfectly fine with continuing to work, but Gavin had bumped into the glass door out of the captain's office, having suddenly forgotten it existed. Fowler sighed in exasperation and ordered the detective to go home for a few hours to rest.

So Gavin got home around ten and had slept for three straight hours, which was a miracle for him. He would work at ten o'clock, which gave him time to eat something before returning to the police station.

Gavin stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray outside, walked into the restaurant and approached the counter. He took a seat on a stool and greeted the waitress from a distance who had just waved to him.

"Good evening, detective." She said, approaching him with a hand towel in her hands, smiling. " As usual ? "

"Yes please, and an extra coffee too, thank you. "

The young woman nodded and grabbed something to note down before heading to the kitchen. Gavin settled himself a little more comfortably on the stool and looked up at the screen streaming the evening News. The waitress came over to serve him his coffee while he waited, but Gavin kept his eyes on the television.

It was a report about Midnight. The journalist was on Hart Plaza talking, followed by various montage on the vigilante who had managed to be photographed or briefly filmed during his interventions.

"Since last December, the mysterious vigilante we call Midnight has helped the city of Detroit as well as the DPD on numerous occasions. The young man, whose identity we still don't know, seems to watch over the city only at night and protects its inhabitants from delinquency and anarchy, both human and cybernetic, which has taken hold since the androids uprising from November 2038. We estimate Midnight to be a man in his thirties, very well trained in close combat, self-defense, and also very skillful in his fighting style. According to our experts, our vigilante would have a military record or at least in connection with the police to have such techniques and capabilities. He would also be very comfortable with technology, as he reportedly possesses many gadgets to track down criminals and neutralize them, and also others for getting around the city. Many say that Midnight is to Detroit what Batman is to Gotham. While some are suspicious of him, public opinion is still very positive about him. Since his inception, things seem minimally under control. We all hope Midnight stays safe and continues to team up with the DPD for the safety of all of us. "

Gavin let out a snort, shaking his head. The waitress approached him to give him his order.

"Is it true that you work with Midnight?" She asked, glancing briefly at the screen as well.

"To tell the truth, we don't work with him. We never asked him anything actually, he is the one who acts, who warns us that a crime or an incident is being committed, and he leaves the criminals like gifts under the tree on Christmas Eve." He took a sip of his coffee. "To be honest, I've never seen him in person. He always disappears before we get to the scene. "

"It's rather a shame ..." she said with a tight smile. "I would have liked to meet him. Besides being mysterious and protecting us, he looks quite handsome. "

"He looks, yes." Gavin smirked confirming. "But who knows, so much without his mask is something trivial or worse."

"I wonder how he makes his mask glow like that… Doesn't that blind him? "

"I'll ask him when I see him, and I'll keep you posted."

Gavin let out a small laugh and the waitress rolled her eyes amused. She left him alone as she went to attend to other customers, and Gavin began to eat while watching the other reports appearing on the screen.

As he was about to finish his meal, something suddenly caught his attention. The young woman had tensed behind the counter, her eyes riveted on the entrance behind his back. Gavin frowned and turned his head slightly to see what seemed to petrify the waitress.

A man, wearing a cap and mask, was pointing a gun in their direction. The detective put his cutlery down on the counter and slowly turned to the individual who looked confused and unstable.

"Nobody moves ! Or I kill him !" The man said, pointing Gavin with the end of his gun. "Now you're giving me the content of your cashier ! "

The young woman was paralysed, and it was then that Gavin realized that there was hardly anyone in the restaurant now. Gavin turned slightly to the counter, but the man shouted at him not to move.

Gavin stiffened then. He wanted to turn discreetly to grab his gun from the inside of his jacket, but the man was far too nervous to attempt anything. Gavin then gently raised his hands to show them while looking the man in the eye. They were bloodshoted, and the man was wheezing. He was definitely under the influence of Red Ice.

"Now you're giving me the fucking money!" He said, addressing the waitress again. " Quick ! "

The man glanced over his shoulder briefly as he saw the headlights of the cars pass by the store front, lest the police would arrive, and Gavin took advantage of the brief moment of distraction. He snapped out of the front of the weapon while grabbing the barrel with one hand to point it at the ceiling. The shot didn't come but Gavin lowered the weapon down, fingers gripping the slide firmly while punching the man in the throat with his other hand, forcing him to bow. Still holding the gun, Gavin slammed his foot through the man's legs with a thumb wrench to finally disarm him. He finally stepped back, taking the weapon in his hands, pointing it at the man who was still bent in pain.

"DPD ! Hands where I can see them ! "

But the man, suddenly panicked, rushed to the door to escape despite being kicked in the private parts.

" Shit.. ! "

He removed the magazine from the revolver, stuck it in his pocket, and set off after the man, the gun in his hands. On the sidewalk, he looked around in which direction the man had gone, and saw him to his right, a few yards away. He grabbed his phone and dialed Chris's number as he ran off after the man.

"Gavin?" Chris said on the phone.

"Attempted armed robbery at Jimmy John's on 3rd Avenue, New Center! Quick ! "

And he hung up, running as fast as he could to catch up with the man. But Gavin suddenly stopped when a black, silent motorbike sped past him, rushing straight at the man about thirty yards away. It was Midnight.

Gavin's heart was pounding from the running and the adrenaline rush, but now was added the excitement and trepidation of finally meeting the vigilante.

Midnight screeched the tires of his motorbike as he suddenly cut the way from the other man and ejected himself from the vehicle in an aerial stunt before landing on his own feet. He punched his fist hard into the air so the man hit his arm full force, and the latter fell to the ground, completely stunned.

Gavin resumed his run towards them and stopped a few yards away, pointing the gun at them.

"DPD, don't fucking move ! "

Midnight slowly looked up at him, gazing into Gavin's bright eyes. The vigilante tilted his head slightly to the side, a smirk.

"This gun is unloaded, Detective Reed. "

Gavin felt his blood shot at the vigilante's voice. It was the first time he had heard it and it had sent a rush of adrenaline through his body. And how the hell could he know his name for fuck sake ?

Gavin frowned, biting his tongue to stay focused. He had to keep his composure. He finally lowered his gun and cursed.

" Shit." He took a step forward but Midnight didn't move. "Why are you doing this?"

"Catching criminals?" Midnight asked, glancing at the unconscious man on the floor. "For the same reasons as you, I presume. "

"Justice isn't done that way Midnight." Gavin slipped his hand inside his jacket to pull out his service weapon and point it at the vigilante. "You are just as illegal as the people you arrest. "

" Oh yes ?" Midnight broke the few space between him and the detective and pressed his forehead to Gavin's barrel. "Why don't you shoot then ? Why do I still have my hands free? "

He raised his wrists to eye level to show that he wasn't wearing handcuffs. Midnight was so close that Gavin could feel his breath crash into his fingers holding the gun. He could see a few moles on his right cheek, just below his mask, another under his lower lip, and more here and there on his forehead. His lips were parted but a slight smile began to stretch the corners of his lips, challenging him. Gavin was starting to linger too long on his mouth when Midnight spoke again.

"You're hesitating, detective ..." Said Midnight's voice, bringing Gavin back to the real world. "It's because you maybe don't want to stop me that much. "

Gavin began to hear the police car sirens and gazed into Midnight's glowing eyes. He pursed his lips and finally lowered his gun.

"Get the fuck outta here. "

"You know..." Midnight said, walking over to his motorbike before picking it up and riding it. "I could have very well disarmed you and neutralized you too. "

"Why didn't you do it in this case?" Gavin said with a raised eyebrow. "To give me the choice? To test me? "

Midnight activated his motorbike and rode slowly until he was up to Gavin. The vigilante looked him up and down and then gave a mischievous smile.

"I wanted to see if I could trust you. "

"It's only a postponement, don't make me change my mind. "

"Oh I sure hope our paths will cross again, indeed. Our little cat-and-mouse game is way too much fun to stop now…" Midnight almost smiled enthusiastically. "Good evening, Detective Reed. "

He winked at him, making the light in his eye blinking briefly, and ride down the road, disappearing into traffic. Gavin pursed his lips and clenched his fists in frustration. He had him just in front of him and he hadn't done anything. Nothing. He hadn't done his duty as a policeman, and he had deliberately let him go. And why ? Just to be able to see him again? Because he liked him?

Gavin shook his head. No, it was different. This man had something good about him despite his illegal activity. He was fearless, was brave - or maybe he was just stupid - but beyond that sassyness, he had this flame deep inside him that seemed to be fueled by hope. He too longed for a better world, dreamed of a city where order was restored, of being able to live free and safe again.

That was what Gavin had joined law enforcement for. For a safer and better world. He couldn't blame Midnight for wanting it too. Who knows, if Gavin hadn't been a detective, maybe he'd be the one wearing the mask.

Gavin was suddenly brought back to reality when he heard the downed man moaning as he came back to himself. Gavin dropped to one knee and released his handcuffs to cuff the man's hands behind his back. Just then a police car arrived in front of the Jimmy John's and pulled up to the sidewalk.

"You have the right to be silent," Gavin said, grabbing the man by the arm to pull him up. "And whatever you say can be used or turned against you in court." He forced him to walk towards the car Chris had just gotten out of. "You have the right to see a lawyer, and if you don't have one, one will be appointed automatically. "

"Holy shit ..! "

Chris opened the back door for him as Gavin forced the man inside. Once the door was slammed, Gavin huffed loudly, running his hands over his face.

"What happened ?" Chris asked, looking at the man through the window.

"Long, stupid story ..." Gavin sighed. "Take him back to the police station, I'll go back to the restaurant to collect the testimonies. I'll join you then. "

" Okay. "

Chris got back into the car and drove off. Gavin walked over to Jimmy John's and knocked on the glass door when he noticed it was locked. The young woman was sitting on a chair and had promptly raised her head when she heard the knocks on the door. She sighed in relief as she recognized the detective and stood up, her legs still shaking, to open the door for him.

"D-Detective Reed ..."

" You are fine ?" He asked as he walked in and noticed that the other two customers had remained clinging to each other at the back of the restaurant. "We were able to catch the man who tried to hold you up. "

"Oh thank God…" she sighed before sitting down in the chair again. "Thank you very much, detective ... It would have been different if you hadn't been here ..."

"Definitely yes." He settled into a chair in front of her. "I will have to take your testimony for my report on the incident ..."

" Yes of course. "

The young woman lent him something to write on and gave her point of view on the situation of the incident and the detective's intervention. Being an actor and a spectator was much different, as Gavin had been quick to disarm the man and run after him, the young waitress had put her few customers to safety in her restaurant by locking it down. Gavin went interrogate the other two customers at the back of the restaurant, then after fifteen minutes came back to the waitress.

" Thank you. I'm sorry that happened here. "

"So am I," she said with a small smile, trying a little humor. "I hope you come back anyway ..."

"I hope it doesn't happen twice in the same place, but that's not going to stop me from coming back, no." Gavin smirked before putting his hand gently on the young woman's forearm. "I advise you to close for tonight and go carefully home to rest. The emotional rush can be very tiring ... How do you get home? "

"My husband comes to pick me up when I work in the evening. I'll call him right away. "

" Good idea." Gavin said giving a polite smile and stepped back. "Sorry for the events. Everyone be careful. Good night. "

Everyone nodded and Gavin came out of the restaurant. He sighed and lit a cigarette before blowing the smoke skyward, his eyes riveted on the moon.

He turned his head to the right, looking at where he had interacted with Midnight, then to the left, in the direction he had gone. Gavin wondered where he had been, did he went home? Had he followed up with another crime call? Or had he just gone to watch over the city for the next mischief?

Gavin won't know tonight, and he made his way to the parking lot further away where his car was. He leaned against the hood for a few minutes to finish his cigarette, lost in the conversation he had with the vigilante. He frowned as he thought of Midnight's last words.

"Shit…" He slowly closed his eyes, letting out a chuckle before pinching the bridge of his nose. "He was fucking flirting with me, motherfucker ..! "

How could Gavin not notice that on the moment ? He had been openly gay since he was fourteen, he had some kind of radar for who was gay and who was interested, but yet he hadn't seen anything happen with Midnight. Or was it because he was having back thoughts ? That he took his wishes for reality ? Gavin's dirty mind was clearly no secret to anyone. He had certainly gotten carried away with the excitement of the meeting.

He finished his cigarette and got in his car to go back to the police station. There, he explained to Chris and Captain Fowler what had happened at the restaurant, and also the vigilante's unexpected intervention.

Gavin also went to question the thief in order to find out the exact motive for his actions, but the man was far too stoned to answer anything coherent. Then coming from a Red Ice junkie, the motive was obvious: he needed money to buy more drugs. Gavin had just found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Well, not really, luckily he had been there, in which case there might have been some injuries.

The man was put back to the cell and Gavin returned to his desk to write his report, and build up the file with the testimonies and the interrogation results.

Having been assigned paperwork as a result of the events, Gavin tackled other unresolved business cases to keep himself busy until the end of his shift at two in the morning. Fortunately for him, every night wasn't so hectic. Between the night before at Lisa Deckart's and tonight at Jimmy John's, Gavin had clearly had his dose of adrenaline and action for the week.

The only positive thing he took away from the evening was his meeting with Midnight. He had seen him close, and they had spoken to each other. And the more Gavin thought about it, the stronger his obsession with the vigilante grew. This time it was no longer a question of having to stop him, no. It was a lively infatuation for the young man, something emotional and physical. He couldn't help but think of his lips, his voice, the moles that dotted his face. He also wondered what color his eyes might be, or what his entire face looked like without his mask. He had to admit it, Midnight could only be attractive despite the top of his face that was hidden. Everything about him made Gavin vibrate from the inside out.

He looked like a teenager. Tina will laugh at him for sure.