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 joins Tina and Chris at their favorite bar as on trio's member's every day off. Gavin discovers, not without embarrassment, that the waiter android has a crush on him. But things turn badly at the end of the evening, and Gavin finds himself in the middle of a brawl in the rain in an alley, in the middle of the night.
CHAPTER 4
« Playing The Hero »
- April 22, 2039, 9:41 p.m., Black Spot -
The advantage of working at the DPD was being able to park in any parking lot at any police station in town, so Gavin had parked at the one near Hart Plaza on the Detroit River. Tina and Chris had met him at 10pm at the Black Spot, a downtown pub that the three of them loved, especially at the end of a busy day or on off days for a drink together.
Tonight it was Gavin's turn to have a day off, and he wasn't going to prive himself. So he was on the sidewalk outside the pub, smoking his cigarette, his eyes wandering over passers-by, cars and motorcyclists.
Whenever he saw a motorbike go by, he looked to see if it was him, if it was Midnight. He knew all the more that the vigilante was starting to make his rounds in this time, and that there was a potential chance of crossing him. Every evening, whether he was at home, at the police station or elsewhere, he gazed out the windows in the hopes of seeing the vigilante's glowing eyes streak through the streets.
He hadn't seen him since the Aaron Thomson case in the Old Districts. At least not in person, because the day after their last meeting, Gavin learned that a fire had broken out the day before in town and that Midnight had intervened to help the firefighters by rescuing the people trapped in the building. The vigilante hadn't spoken to the fire department or the press, and just vanished into the night. Some videos could have been filmed during his intervention by witnesses, but nothing more.
Midnight had played the hero that night, and Gavin had felt a certain pride in the vigilante. He didn't know anything about him, but knowing that he was probably the only one who had had so much contact with him, it filled him with hope and pride. He liked to think he was privileged, that there was something special between them. After all, Midnight seemed to flirt with him the previous times, but why? He didn't know him.
Unless he knows him in real life? Gavin shook his head. Impossible, he was far too good at his job, he would have noticed something and would have guessed.
It was still a mystery, but in the end, it wasn't that disturbing. That would make things worse, and Gavin found it entertaining.
He inhaled the smoke of his cigarette as he watched a couple walking past him hand in hand. Sometimes he just wanted to roll his eyes so sickening he found it, but sometimes he felt a pain in his heart, and he envied them. Tonight was more of the second option, and he sighed, biting his lip as he stared at the floor.
He was suddenly brought to his senses when he felt a drop fall on the top of his head, and he looked up at the sky already dark with the night, and certainly clouded over.
It started to rain then and Gavin stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray before heading back to the pub. There was something comforting and familiar to the smell of the decor wood and the beer, and the feeling of blues faded away.
Gavin was surprised to recognize, in the background music, a song he hadn't heard in years. Aphelion from Scandroid, an electronic band who had rocked much of his teenage years. Now that he heard the song again, listened to the lyrics, he blushed as he took a seat at a table for four in the back of the room.
He had dreamed of the vigilante before, imagining his heat in the night, when they had never even scratched the surface. He had been within reach a few times though, and they had stayed way too far apart for Gavin's liking. He hadn't looked for a serious relationship for a long time, because at his age it was difficult to find someone, especially with his job. But ever since he had developed a certain fascination with Midnight, when he saw him, both on television and in real life, his heart missed a few beats, making the blood pulsate up to his ears and causing him a few hot flashes. With no Midnight in his line of sight, Gavin felt like lost in the middle of a freezing winter, only doing what was necessary to not collapse in the snow and fall asleep in the cold. But despite this feeling of inaccessibility, of distance from the vigilante, Gavin felt himself flare up whenever he saw him or heard his voice. And it was true that when he was physically in his presence, he couldn't focus on anything other than him and his glowing eyes. Those glowing eyes as cold as ice that the song was about, and so many other lyrics, reminded him of Midnight.
He was, in a way, his Aphelion.
Gavin gently shook his head, feeling ridiculous for thinking over and over again about Midnight and bringing everything back to Midnight every time. Luckily he managed to behave when he was at work or around his friends, in which case everyone would tell him he was obsessed with the vigilante. And they sure wouldn't be wrong, except that Gavin was no longer twenty, and frolic or having crushes was no longer his age. He had no time to waste with one-sided loves or impossible relationships.
He was brought back to reality when an android from the pub approached him, a friendly smile on his lips.
"Good evening Detective Reed!" He said happily. "Are you waiting for Officer Chen and Miller?" "
"Like always Jack," Gavin smirked as he slumped further against the bench seat. "And they still don't pay you?"
Jack pursed his lips in an embarrassed little smile as he glanced around a few times. Deviants were free to leave their owners, to go wherever they wanted, but when it came to work, it was still special. Those who wanted to take care of and contribute to the proper functioning of society were not paid. Jack was one of those androids there. He was employed here before he became a deviant, but once free he had wanted to stay and continue to see the customers, some of whom he considered friends. But Jack still wasn't paid for his work and services, and Gavin found that abject.
Gavin didn't like androids because they obeyed without asking anything, but today they were free, and considered living beings. They had the right to work and to be paid for it. But no, if they wanted to continue living normally, they had to do, what the bosses called, volunteer work. Gavin simply called it exploitation.
"Things will be done little by little," Jack said, shrugging his shoulders. "Markus has already succeeded in giving us the right to own property." Gavin looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "We have the right to own an animal, for example, objects, or even have money on us. "
"Where does the money come from if you don't get paid?" Gavin said crossing his arms. "I don't want to deal with bank robberies by androids. "
"Obviously ..." he smirked amusedly. "I'm hopeful things will change ... But I won't leave this place. The customers and the staff are the only people I know ... "
Gavin wanted to add that he might just meet other people outside the pub but the Android was called out by the boss behind the counter, gesturing for him to join him. Jack apologized, embarrassed, and walked back to the counter. At that moment, Gavin saw Tina and Chris enter the bar, and they motioned to him as they joined him.
"Well, you're late!" Gavin commented, letting one arm rest on the back of the bench.
"Sorry, but it's raining outside!" Tina pointed to the pub entrance with her thumb. "We went as fast as we could without getting soaked. "
Chris and Tina then took a seat around the table, Tina taking a seat next to Gavin and Chris in front of them. At that moment, Jack came back to them and asked them what they wanted to drink. They settled for one beer each for the time being, and the android headed back to the counter.
"I'll only take one tonight," Tina said, removing her jacket. "I promised Vicky to be careful. "
"Aah ... I would never get used to the idea that you are in a relationship with this ST300 ..." Gavin said with a raised eyebrow.
"Her name is Vicky." She said, looking him straight in the eye. "It's okay if you don't get used to it Gavin, the most important is that it suits me and that it suits Vicky too. "
"Yes yes, of course I'm not saying the opposite, really. I respect your choice and hers, I just have a hard time getting into my head that you are in... "
" Oh ?" Tina raised an eyebrow. "Would that be-"
" No ! I'm not jealous, or anything." He said, crossing his arms. " I am happy for you. "
"But…" Chris leaned on the table to look at Gavin. "You're the only one of the three of us to be single, so you envy us."
" No. "
Gavin glared at him and Jack walked over to their table to give them their drinks.
"Hey Jack," Tina turned to the android. " Do you have someone in your life ? "
Gavin smashed his best friend's foot under the table and the latter jumped at the attack before giving the detective a murderous look. She turned to the android who had frowned and tilted his head slightly to the side.
"On a sentimental and emotional level?" Jack asked, knowing the subject from his programs and the various conversations he had had with his customers.
" Yes that's it. A lover, boy or girl, or enby too, duh "
"No, I've never had an opportunity or an attraction for anyone." But his gaze rested briefly on Gavin before returning to focus on Tina. " Why ? "
"Gavin is single. "
The concerned eyes widened in surprise before turning more frankly, stiff as a robot, to Tina. Gavin hastened to regain some composure before addressing Jack.
"Uh yeah but I'm not interested in androids. "
"There's no difference people say." Chris took a sip of his beer. "Sarah Person has been with an android for a few months, and he wasn't originally designed for sex or romantic relationships, yet they do everything the same. "
Gavin frowned in confusion, not daring to ask anyone the question to quench his curiosity. So androids, even those not designed for emotional or sexual relationships, had functional private parts?
"Isn't it Jack?" Chris asked the android.
"Uh ..." The android's cheeks took on a slight bluish tint, making his blue eyes brighter. " Yes, it's true. All the androids are equipped with the necessary. Whether it was initially a gardener, a janitor, a traci or… a waiter ... " He gave Gavin a brief glance again before looking at Chris again. " Just in case."
"Fucking Cyberlife ..." Gavin commented half-word. "But that doesn't change the fact that I'm not interested in androids. "
Chris and Tina sighed in annoyance at the same time as Jack looked away, wondering why he was still at their table discussing a rather embarrassing topic.
Gavin hurriedly pulled out a bill to pay for the drinks and handed it to the android. It was their tradition, whoever was off duty paid for the round.
"You can keep the change Jack." Gavin said with a small smile.
"But…" Jack looked at the bill and looked up at the human. " It's way too much... "
"And ?" He shrugged. "You have the right to keep it, you told me. Use it to pay you something that can make you happy?"
The android pursed his lips, but a smile formed nonetheless. He nodded and thanked Gavin, letting his gaze drag on the human a little longer before returning to the counter.
"Okay." Tina said, turning to Gavin. " First of all." She smashed her friend's foot under the table and Gavin jumped as he hastily removed his foot.
"Fuck that hurts ! "
"It was for revenge. Then, Gavin, are you blind or what?" Gavin frowned, cheeks still red with anger from Tina's attack. "Did you see how Jack looks at you? He's falling for you! "
"It's an android. "
"Rooooh so what? You just gave him a hell of a tip, you just keep the embers burning there ..! "
" She's right." Chris added with a raised eyebrow.
" I.. !" Gavin caught his face between his hands a few seconds before lowering them and huffing. "I wanted to be nice to Jack! I'm not interested in androids. He may be very handsome, but that ... is not my thing. "
"You're just too difficult." Chris said shaking his head.
"Nah, he's just in love with someone else. "
Gavin rolled his eyes so hard that he gave himself a headache. He puffed out his cheeks for a breath but blocked his breath, just looking like an annoyed pufferfish. He finally let it go and grabbed his beer to drink, under Chris's wide eyes.
"Are you in love with someone ? "
" No !" Gavin said in annoyance, putting his glass down. "Well-" He closed his eyes, pursing his lips. "I'm interested in someone, but obviously there's little chance that it's mutual. Even if… if he seems to play on it sometimes. "
"Wait what?" Tina said, quickly turning her head towards Gavin. "You didn't tell me about that! "
"What do you want me to tell you?" Gavin said with a hasty shrug. "We only saw each other twice, and both times I got winks, and smirks! To me he's flirting with me! But he doesn't know me, and I don't know him. Other than wanting a one night stand, I don't see what else he could want. "
"You don't know him and yet you seem to want more than just a one night stand." Tina pointed out.
"I've known he exists for five months and I see him in the newspapers or on television. He only saw me twice. "
"What do you know? If so, has he been watching you for a long time too? "
Gavin pouted as he bit his lower lip. He had asked himself that question before. After all, the vigilante already knew his name, and he was often the one he contacted to prevent incidents, when it was in its division. Maybe he had spotted him for a while, too ..? It wasn't impossible.
"Wait, but who are you talking about?" Chris asked, putting his glass down, confused that he didn't understand anything.
"From Midnight." Tina smirked, amused by the sudden blush on Gavin's face, who looked away. "He's only had eyes for him for several months ..! "
"For… For the guy who thinks he's Batman?"
"Everyone is falling for him, okay ! I'm not the only one ! Men or women, this guy could have them all. He's hot, bad ass, and he thinks he's a vigilante. Don't be shocked ..! "
"Honestly, I think you'd have a lot better luck with Jack than with Midnight. He doesn't especially have a stable life doing what he does, and we don't know who he is. If we were ever to find out, his practices are illegal, we would have to stop him. "
" I know ! "
Gavin was already getting tired of discussing about the vigilante with them. That was why he didn't tell Tina too much about it anymore. His growing obsession was doing him a disservice, and there was no way his friends would laugh at him and remind him of the harsh reality of things.
Gavin was alone and will be alone. He will never find anyone who matches him. He had passed the opportunity ten years ago to find someone, now he had to go on with his single life at vitam eneram.
He liked Jack, but Jack was an android. And even though he supposedly had the necessary and the emotions that went with it, Gavin was blocking on it. He could have a one night stand with him maybe, but not a long lasting relationship.
He took his beer silently, ignoring his friends who seemed to apologize for making fun of him or embarrassing him with all the fuss, and took a few sips of his drink, eyes dragging across the back of the room, more precisely on the platinum-haired android behind the counter washing glasses.
Maybe he should try? He hadn't been in a relationship for over three months now. He was starting to really consider the idea.
"Ah damn," Chris said looking at his phone. "Mary has some issues with Damian, I have to go home. "
"Hmm .." Gavin said thoughtfully, his eyes still on the android.
Tina followed her friend's gaze, raised her eyebrows and looked at Chris, a smirk.
"I have to go too then," she said, getting up from the seat along with Chris. "You have to drop me off at the police station since I'm working tonight." "
" What ?" Gavin said coming to himself. " You're leaving already ? "
"Mary needs me for Damian, and since I took Tina with me, I have to take her back to the station, she's working tonight. "
"Oh…" He shrugged. "Okay, whatever. We'll do it again when Tina is off next time. "
"Yep!" She put on her jacket. "Have fun tonight ..!"
She gave him a wide smile with a wink and walked out with Chris from the pub. Gavin was dumb for a few seconds, before focusing again on the android, which was now out of sight.
He stayed for a good fifteen minutes alone, drinking his beer and raging inwardly about what to do and not to do. He certainly suspected that things weren't going to work out with Jack, in the long run of course. For one night he had his chances, but he didn't want to break the heart of the android. Gavin wouldn't be his first try, when Jack, as far as he knew about him, had never even kissed anyone. And Gavin knew all too well that the first few times are the most important and that it is easy to bond.
Gavin didn't want bonding. He wasn't really sure what he wanted anymore.
Still not seeing the android return, he figured that maybe that was a sign and he had to stop there. He then got up from his seat, and walked towards the exit. The rain was still falling, and he finally stayed a few seconds under the pub porch.
His life was frankly a mess. The more he thought about it, the more ridiculous it was to keep pushing himself. He lived in a shitty town with androids claiming freedom through violence, with stupid humans taking advantage of the chaos to destroy, steal and worse if possible, his job was dangerous, he could be killed easily, could lose his job because of androids, his schedule prevented him from having a healthy lifestyle or a family, not even a fucking animal.
He sighed, closing his eyes, then pulled his pack of cigarettes out of his jacket. He lit one, brought it to his lips, and inhaled gently, letting his head getting deliciously numb. He closed his eyes again to enjoy the sensation, but then opened them again, hearing the thunder rumbling above his head.
"Shitty weather ..."
He silently continued to smoke his cigarette when he heard something again. But this time it wasn't thunder but a metallic sound coming from his right, as if someone had hit a barrel.
Puzzled, Gavin crushed his cigarette in the ashtray and walked over to the edge of the porch, facing the curtain of rain. He finally heard heckling, and then he pulled his hood over his head as he crossed the threshold of the rain. In a matter of seconds he was soaked to the bone, but he continued walking towards the alley by the pub. At the corner, he stuck his head gently to peek down the side street, and was surprised to see Jack on the ground, on all fours, with two men standing beside him, one with a knife and the other giving him a violent kick in the ribs.
Gavin's blood only swirled around, and even though he didn't have his gun, he made his way down the alley. He grabbed the man with the knife by the shoulders, and pulled him powerfully back away from Jack before slamming him hard against the wall. The man, startled, struggled and attacked back with the knife which Gavin narrowly dodged, stepping back. But the other man, who had hit Jack, had hurriedly turned to the commotion, and had in turn pulled Gavin back by grabbing his jacket, sending the detective waltzing two yards away, falling face down to the ground, his face scratched by the asphalt.
"F-Fuck ..."
Gavin looked up at Jack who was looking at him sorry and worried, blue blood dripping from his nose and mouth. Gavin whispered to him to run away and go back inside the pub, and Jack did so, terrified. The two men watched the android flee. They didn't really care about Android, what they wanted was to have a little fun. But now that they had a human on their hands, they had to shut him up.
Gavin tried to get up quickly, but the taller attacker kicked him in the side, momentarily taking his breath away and falling back against the asphalt. Gavin tried to breathe, but the pain and the rain didn't help.
The one with the knife came over to him, crouched over his back and pulled his head back by gripping his hair.
"Who is he, eh?" He laughed, watching Gavin's scratched face from a low angle, drowning him in the rain. "Are you taking yourself for a hero while saving a tin can? They're just fucking robots!" He placed his knife against his throat. "It was definitely worth helping him out, right?"
Gavin raised his right hand to grip the man's wrist, using all his strength to push the knife away from his throat and keep it from nicking it. He'd gotten into bad shape a number of times, but now there was no one there, and he was isolated in an alley. If Jack hadn't told anyone, he could only count on himself.
But despite the rain falling in his eyes and the dark night, he saw a humanoid silhouette fall from the sky straight towards them, silently. The individual landed squarely on the shoulders of the tallest attacker, encircling his neck with his long legs before performing a back flip, dragging the man into the movement and brutally crushing him face down on the wet ground. The black figure straightened up, ran towards them, and jumped up, brandishing his fist as if ready to shoot an arrow. The man above Gavin received the hard punch in the face, causing him to flip over the detective violently, hitting his head with his knee in the process. A sharp pain spread throughout his head, and he was temporarily stunned, his ear banging against the ground in shock. He felt the taste of blood into his mouth, and when he managed to weakly open his eyes, he saw two orbs of light in the darkness. His ears buzzed more and more as the individual moved closer. Then he sank into nothingness.
