1. Belongs: The universe 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 learns from Midnight who is responsible for the deviants murders. The detective wonders how the vigilante can know so many confidential things and ends up learning the truth: Midnight should have been his partner.


CHAPTER 9
« Partners. »

- May 02, 2039, 9:07 PM, Detroit River Walk. -

Midnight hadn't said anything more when he got into the car but had suggested that Gavin move to a quieter, and a little more isolated place so that they could chat. Gavin hadn't wanted to budge initially, suspicious at first, but it was unwarranted. If Midnight had wanted to hurt him, he would have done it on other occasions. So he started the car, dropping his hideout outside Bagley Elementary School on the way to the Detroit River Walk.

Gavin parked his car near the park. Night had fallen by this time and there was no living soul. He turned off the engine but didn't get out of the car. He turned his head to face Midnight, who seemed absorbed in the night scenery through the windshield and the view of the River.

"Can I know what's going on now?" Gavin said annoyed without raising his voice.

"I know you are investigating the deviant murderer." Midnight said calmly, still looking out. "And the League of Robophobes isn't involved in this story, I wanted to save you a waste of time."

"And how do you know he's not one of them hm? "

Midnight finally turned his head towards the detective, fixing his icy gaze on Gavin's a little greener. The latter tried to keep that determinate look and annoyance on his face, but inside he was shaking at the thought of being alone with the vigilante again.

They were in an isolated place, with no cameras to spy on them, alone in his car. It could almost have been a date, in another life, or a parallel universe.

But Gavin focused again on the case and why Midnight was with him in his car. He now knew the murderer wasn't human, but he wanted to hear the vigilante's version to see if he was as good as he could sound.

"It wasn't a human who killed these androids." He said looking at him. "Given I hadn't been available during the first murders, I had to… consult your notes on the case. And indeed, a human cannot shoot so precisely and leave no trace behind. "

"So the murderer is an android, isn't he? "

" Yes." He said looking at the River again. "And… I… I know who it is. But I can't locate him. He blurs his tracks, he knows exactly what he is doing. "

Gavin opened his mouth a crack in amazement and settled back properly to be fully turned towards the vigilante.

"You fucking should have started there!" He said suddenly more familiarly. " Who is it? "

"You wouldn't believe me. "

"I don't care if I don't believe you! I want a name! "

Midnight looked at him again, inhaling. He really didn't need to exaggerate it, although it helped cool him off, he had to continue to make the human believe he was one too.

"It's ... It's an RK800. "

Gavin looked at him silently, searching for the slightest hint of a lie in his eyes, but he could only read seriousness and concern. He started to laugh nervously as he leaned back against his door, his right leg folded under him.

"So okay, that could be totally Connor because he was indeed the famoso deviant hunter, but you're not up to date on your info, Night. Connor has been dead for a long time." Gavin said, crossing his arms over his chest while shaking his head. "This coward did everything to carry out his mission, to the point of forcing a colleague to commit suicide, in the end deliberately throwing himself from the roof of a building, not killing Markus, and never coming back from the dead. Connor is dead, and Anderson shot himself in the head because of him."

Midnight stared silently at the detective, learning new information regarding the reason for Lt. Hank Anderson's death. He knew Connor had remained a machine, and the RK800's lack of empathy or too many deaths had caused a critical reaction in humans, causing him to revive a trauma that had driven him to end his life.

But it wasn't him who was outdated. It was Detective Reed.

"Do you think Connor 58 was the last one?" Midnight said, tilting his head slightly. "58 fell from the roof to escape Captain Allen, and that was indeed his last vessel. But 59 was virtually deactivated by the Artificial Intelligence which managed the RK800s. Cyberlife, in the process, destroyed 59's vessel which never received AI from Connor, but ... Cyberlife hadn't trusted Connor for a while due to some software instabilities, so they had re-implanted an old backup of Connor in the latest model, the 60, in case Connor 58 becomes deviant and has the brilliant idea to go to Cyberlife to free the other androids. "

"But 58 never deviated, and 59 having been destroyed, only the 60 was left, is that it ..? "

"Markus went instead of 58 to free the other androids from the Cyberlife warehouse. Due to the dirty bomb and the panic in the city, Connor 60 received no orders, and remained inactive in the Experimental sector." Midnight pouted, frowning. "I don't yet know why 60 decided five months after the revolution to go hunting again… because there is no one left to give him orders… and as far as I know… he isn't deviant... "

Gavin watched the vigilante gently lean forward as he raised a hand to rest his fingers against his lips in deep thought. He was… kinda sexy like that, he had to admit.

Gavin inhaled heavily, forcing himself to blink to focus again. How could Midnight know so much about Connor, what happened in Cyberlife and 60?

"How can you know all this?" He asked suspiciously, narrowing his eyes. "Officially, Connor stopped at 58. I've never heard of 59 or 60."

"RK projects are classified as experimental and confidential, it is normal that the public is not aware of all their activities. Technically…" he paused hesitantly. "There was even an improved version that was planned to succeed the RK800, but with the Revolution… They only made one working model. "

"An RK900?" Gavin ventured. "Something even worse than Connor ? "

"This ..." Midnight couldn't control the look of dismay that twisted his face. "That's not the point. This version never took over anyway." He breathed in and focused on the case again and looked at Reed. "But we have to stay focused on the fact that, yes, it is the RK800-60 that is responsible for the killings of deviants. And he doesn't call himself Connor, but Collin. "

"Wow wait, shit Night, how do you- Ok wait." He closed his eyes while pinching the bridge of his nose, then exhaled for a long breathe before sitting up. "You have a lot of information about my business that I myself don't have." Midnight looked at him intently then nodded.

" Indeed. "

"I have something to offer you," Gavin said before considering how to tell him that. "The idea came from me initially, and my Captain permitted me. So I'm going, to be frank with you. "

The vigilante tilted his head slightly to the side. Gavin was struck by the slight movement that reminded him excruciatingly of Connor's when the latter had been arrogant before going into the Archive Room.

" Yes ? "

"The two of us could work together to solve this case, and more. Harnessing whatever abilities you have with mine would maximize our chances of getting Detroit back on track. "

"Do you want to team up with me? I thought you were a loner."

"I'm a loner because not many people can stand me," he sneered. "And because having a partner can also be a distraction and give a lot of responsibility."

"I don't understand. Why would you want to team up with me then?"

"Because you know how to be independent and responsible." He frowned. "Well, I guess, but anyway, your methods work and you knew how to apply them on your own. So you know how to manage yourself in more or less extreme situations. I do too, so it's more of a collaboration between two independent people rather than a real team. "

"I'm not sure I clearly understand your reasoning, Detective, but… what I do know is that this town needs a cop like you, someone like me, and Collin needs to be arrested. So... "

Midnight reached out his hand to him, his gaze fixed on Gavin's. The latter raised his eyebrows surprised by the vigilante's silent response but ended up with a smile.

He shook his hand to seal their deal. He had to admit that his reasoning didn't really make sense to him either, but he couldn't tell Midnight that he dreamed of teaming up with him, spending time with him, and doing the right thing. His job and the vigilante were, as shamefully as he had to admit, the only things that mattered to him.

He knew that working with him would reinforce this obsession and that it was inevitable not to get attached to him.

It was even already too late.

"Deal concluded then," Gavin said, letting go of his hand.

" Yes. "

"Before you engage in anything, you will first need to interview with my Captain so he knows who he's dealing with." The vigilante nodded. "And sorry I cursed or called you Night. I can- "

"No worries, it doesn't bother me and you can call me Night if you wish." He smiles despite himself. "But I would keep calling you Detective Reed. Not having a first name to give you for my part, it will be fairer."

" Alright.. ! "

Gavin settled back in his seat and sighed. He turned his head to the vigilante and couldn't help but smile. The latter looked at him, and a smile began to stretch his lips so thin and probably so soft too, but a growl echoed in the car.

Gavin's eyes widened.

"It was you, I believe." Midnight said, pursing his lips so as not to smile too much.

"Oh uh… yeah… I'm hungry, sorry. "

Midnight looked away to look through the windshield again, but he didn't really smile. Hell, just like that Gavin wanted to grab his head and kiss him.

Gavin shook his and started the car.

"Where do I drop you off?" Gavin asked as he started to exit the parking lot. "Do you have your motorbike to school maybe?"

"My motorbike is autonomous or remotely controllable, it will find me."

"That's fucking cool! I want one too.. ! "

"You can give it a try if you want Detective," Midnight said, glancing at the human who preferred to focus on the road rather than staring at him peony red. "But in the meantime, you should go get something to eat. Can I invite you? "

"Invite me? Why? "

"Let's just say this is my way of apologizing for manhandling three nights ago in the parking lot at Central DPD."

Gavin flushed even redder at the thought of what had happened. Midnight had slammed him against his car, hands behind his back. He cleared his throat and stayed focused on the road.

"Look um, yeah, why not, if you want to. I'm not picky, I thought I could take something quick at Wendy's drive. "

"If that's okay with you, that's fine with me."

"Whatever." He turned to the right at the crossroads, then glanced briefly at the vigilante staring out his window. " Thank you... "

Midnight smirked at the window, but still looked down left without looking at the detective. It was a start. But the most surprising was this collaboration. Midnight hadn't expected it at all, and it exceeded all his expectations.

He hoped that Reed didn't know he was an android, let alone an RK900, something that was worse than Connor.

Ten minutes later on the road, Gavin drove into the restaurant to order. He started to get angry with the vigilante when he realized when the vigilante was unwilling to order anything, and embarrassment seized his cheeks.

Midnight offered him his meal as planned and he pulled into the parking lot, in a less crowded area. He turned off the engine and started to get out of his meal.

"You got me, it's not fair. I'll repay you for that."

"No need. I have a very specific diet, so you better avoid racking your brains too much about it. "

"Are you a vegetarian?" "

" No. "

" Vegan ?" Gavin asked with a raised eyebrow.

"A mix of that and allergies." He lied to defend himself.

"Huh-" Gavin started laughing. "No wonder you get frustrated and run your nerves over those poor thugs in the street ..! If I too couldn't eat burgers or had forty allergies, I would do the same ..! "

Midnight smiles without realizing it. He had made the detective laugh. He liked his laugh.

"What if we tried to get to know a little more since we're going to work together, what do you think about it? "

"Yes, it can be important to know us a minimum." Midnight said with his hands flat on the kevlar bottom of his suit. "But my life is not very interesting. "

"Huh, are you kidding?" Gavin said, eating at the same time. "You're a fucking vigilante, you kick the bad guys' asses, you're super trained and I'm sure you look nicer under your mask and your mysterious looks." He almost swallowed askance when he realized what he had just said. "Hmm! I mean you can find a lot more boring. Like me. "

Midnight turned his head to the human next to him, seeming to hide in his food as he ate. Did Detective Reed just pay him a compliment ..?

|| … SOFTWARE INSTABILITY

He quickly dismissed the notification appearing in the corner of his vision. He didn't quite understand why he kept getting notifications of software instabilities. He was deviant, obviously, he was emotionally unstable at times. And more often than not, that was when the detective was involved.

Like the time he saw and identified him for the first time as his must-have-been partner and his referent human. The time he almost got caught in a scene of an attempted burglary by the very human next to him, or when he had finally spoken to him for the first time in front of Jimmy Johns. When he still thought about him when he didn't see him, or when he saw the detective in distress in the alley. When he had undressed him at home and healed him. When he had understood that the human was seeing someone else or even that -

"Okay okay, I'm starting, hmmm…" Gavin kept chewing his food while thinking for a few seconds. He swallowed and glanced at the vigilante. "What made you decide to become a vigilante? "

"I saw three people about to be assaulted. I didn't think about it and rushed in to help them. I really realized my abilities then, that I could put them to good use to help others. And seeing the gratitude on their faces… It was worth all the gold in the world. And seeing the fear and failure of the attackers was extremely satisfying. "

Gavin let out a small laugh before nodding as he continued to eat.

"Those are two things we have in common then. Victims saved and happy to be alive or to see things straightened out, and see the motherfuckers of murderers, thieves, and rapists just paralyzed by the idea that they are being fucked up." He swallowed and turned his head to Midnight. "Glad to know that I'm not the only guy who takes pleasure in seeing bad guys being kicked."

"No one pays me for what I do, that's one of the motivations that keep me going." The vigilante smiled, turning his head towards him.

"What about the costume and the mask?" Gavin said with a raised eyebrow.

"I saw a Nightwing poster." Gavin chuckled. "I found it classy, and I needed to protect my identity. "

"I was sure you were inspired by him! There are too many similarities!" He continued to laugh softly. "But actually, it looks great on you, I have to admit." He calmed down a bit to drink his zero coke. "I was in love with Nightwing when I was a teenager." He smiles while rolling his eyes. "I even cosplayed him."

"I'm sure the costume looked great on you, Detective."

Gavin hid his face as he leaned forward to stuff all the garbage into the paper bag. He remembered that famous convention where he was cosplayed as a Nightwing and was accompanied by his then-boyfriend. He was disguised as a RedHood. Suffice it to say, they both had a great time in the bathroom that day.

"It was…" He sighed. " Long time ago." He turned his head to the vigilante, resuming his seriousness a little. "You know that to meet Fowler, my Captain, you will have to come and see him during day time. "

"I don't sleep during the day if that was what you were wondering. "

"And are you going to show up in broad daylight with your costume on?"

"I don't see why I would be without. The goal is that my real identity is not known and that I stay protected. With regular clothes, I couldn't move so easily and they won't protect me enough. "

"People might suddenly see you during the day, you know that?"

"I'm not a vampire," Gavin snorted. Midnight smirked. "Acting at night allowed me to keep an eye on you during the day. The police have always been understaffed at night, that's why I chose this schedule. "

Gavin bit his lip nervously before putting down his drink and turning frankly to Midnight, a question burning his lips for days now.

"Night ..?" The latter looked at him slightly confused by the nickname and tone of uncertainty in the detective's voice. "Why… why do you watch over me during the day ..? "

He owed him the truth. It was suspicious to watch someone like he was doing with the detective, and if he wanted their relationship, their cooperation to go well, he had to give him an answer that would make him trust the vigilante. For that, he had to tell the truth.

He inhaled to cool himself down slowly while passing his tongue mechanically over his lips. He lifted his head, pulling his hair back properly to finally turn his attention to the human, who was watching him, waiting for an answer.

"In January… I saw you for the first time." He started nervously, the yellow LED under the mask. "I was… sort of new to Detroit…" He had to give a reason, even if it was a lie. "I had been transferred here to work as a detective at the DPD ..."

" Really ?" He said surprised. "What division? "

"The third…" He watched Gavin's eyes light up in amazement. " Yours. I even knew already…" He pursed his lips. "I already knew the name of my partner. But with the revolution, none of that happened. I ended up here, and ... eventually, the transfer didn't take place. "

"Don't… tell me Anderson was ..?"

"No, it wasn't Hank Anderson." Midnight said, fixing his gaze on Gavin's. "It was you. You should have been my partner. I didn't know anyone in Detroit, no one…" He sighed, now looking at the ground. "It's stupid but… you were… my only reference, the only person to hang on to… Because… I was alone. I had no one except your name and your face when I finally saw you in January. "

Gavin's mouth was open slightly, still in shock at what he had heard. Midnight should have been his partner? He was completely unaware that the General Department was planning to assign someone to him. Had Fowler been aware of this?

Fuck. In another life, they might have actually met differently. They could have worked together. They could have…

He pursed his lips as he watched the vigilante, lost in thought, his eyes riveted on his clenched fists on his knees. Midnight was alone… He spent his time helping others, doing all this at night, and watching over him during the day discreetly because he was the only familiar face in the whole town. Gavin was the vigilante's lifeline, and he had never suspected it in the past few months.

Finally, Gavin and Midnight had more in common than they thought. Gavin thought he had no connection, no affinity, no chance of meeting Midnight in person, and now he was with him, in his car, seeing each other for the third? Fourth time ? He no longer knew. But he knew that the man next to him should have been his partner, the person he should have spent the most time with, trust his life, watch over his own. Be there for each other no matter what. This was how it was having a partner. Gavin couldn't keep them because he was afraid of becoming attached, of feeling responsible and therefore guilty if anything happened to them ...

It was close at hand now… And strangely, Gavin felt deep inside that he wanted to be Midnight's partner. He was ready to take on this responsibility.

"That's why I'm watching over you ..." Midnight resumed almost in a low voice. "I don't…" He bit his lip to keep from saying too much, but his pump ached too much. "I only have you ..."

|| … SOFTWARE INSTABILITY

Gavin leaned over to gently grab his hands and lightly squeeze them in his. Midnight looked up at him, troubled and at the same time moved to feel some compassion and comfort. He had never experienced this kind of situation. He was helping others, but he… no one had already helped him.

His eyes started to cloud despite himself.

"Hey… Shhht… If… If you cry, I'll cry too…" Gavin said in a low voice, his hands still wrapped around his though gloved on. "Now it's over, okay ..? You are no longer alone. We're gonna work together, and… and both look out for each other, okay ..? "

"Okay ..." Midnight said, nodding slowly while in turn tightening his fingers over the detectives. "We are partners ..? "

Gavin smiled. It was genuine, although slightly parasitized by small spasms of emotions. He nodded, his eyes locked on the vigilante's.

"We're partners …"