[x] Frost [x]
"The hell is this?" the detective asks, taking the offered plastic card. It's got the Starbucks logo on it.
"Well if you don't want a gift I'll take it back." he sasses.
"I never said that!" Gavin exclaims, holding the card closer to avoid such a fate. "Just wondering why."
"You saved my life and weren't an utter prick about it. That deserves a thank you."
Gavin finally looks up from the gift card to face him. "Thanks. I guess." An awkward pause. As he begins to leave Gavin calls out, "Don't think free coffee makes us even!"
He simply sighs and sits on the edge of Connor's desk as usual.
"It's impressive that you still try given how much he dislikes us."
"Ain't worth it, kid." the Lieutenant comments.
He glances the Lieutenant's way and glares. "I will determine what missions are worth it."
The Lieutenant throws his hands up in defeat. "Alright, fine. Just don't get pissy when you get rejected. You can do better."
"Rejected? I never asked him out."
The Lieutenant's shrug and expression indicate the man thinks he knows more than the android. He turns back to Connor who simply looks lost. At least someone is on his side.
With a determined glance back at Gavin's desk and a quick pre-construction he comes up with a plan and executes it.
A slide off Connor's desk. Determined strides across the bullpen. A dramatic flop into the chair of the unoccupied desk across from Gavin's. Chair leaned back. Arms crossed. Feet up on the desk. A smirk at the detective.
"The fuck are you doing?"
"I adapt to those I work with."
"You work with those idiots," A frustrated jab toward the Lieutenant and Connor. "not me."
"Perhaps that could change."
"Why are you so fuckin' determined to make my life hell?" Gavin slumps deeper into his chair.
"I'm not."
"Then what the fuck are you doing‽"
He pauses for 4.32 seconds before removing his feet from the desk and sitting up straight, arms at his sides. "I am still learning the difference between adapting to others and having friends. I've been told I need more of the latter."
"Fuck."
"My social circle may be small but you can consider this a formal invitation. Since you apparently need one to interact pleasantly with anyone besides Officer Chen."
"Hey don't diss Tina!" Oh look he's finally up and out of his chair. Nice to see he can be protective.
"That was a remark on your character, not her terrible taste in friends, which apparently I share or I wouldn't be here attempting this."
Gavin is silent for a beat, standing there pondering, judging by his expression. Then he leaves his desk to come to the one now being borrowed. "You seriously think I'd want to be friends with you?" A poke in the chest just enough to push him back a bit.
Like when they met. His... Connor's first day at the station. "Stay outta my way. Got it?"
He crosses his arms in turn and smirks. "Of course. You were quite friendly last time we worked together. Or did you forget about me being an android? I seriously doubt that as you were desperately trying to fix me. And we both need more people in our lives. Isn't it rather fitting that those everyone dubs as assholes befriend each other?"
During the resultant stare-down he watches Gavin clench his fists several times, as if debating the merits of violence in the bullpen. It wouldn't be the first time.
Finally after an entire minute of tense silence Gavin backs down and returns to his desk. Apparently not worth the likely reprimand from the Captain this time. "I don't need to make friends with an android." he mutters upon sitting down and pulling out his phone. The terminal has been repaired. Why does he still use the small phone screen?
He ignores that Gavin is clearly done with this conversation and heads over to the man's desk anyway, sitting on it like he does Connor's. "We could benefit each other. You treat me right. I appreciate that. I am an asset and you used me well. I may be more suited to deskwork but that stakeout was not a complete bust. We could start as partners and work our way up to friends."
Gavin glances up at him and quirks a brow but says nothing.
So he continues, "I will let you take all the credit. I know you prioritize your career. That's why you hate androids. You are worried if they take your job you will have nothing left."
The raised brow lowers into the oncoming glare. He ignores it.
"And we grew closer on that stakeout, despite neither of us following up on the possibilities. A machine does not need friends but I am coming to appreciate what they provide. So I propose to… I know there's a phrase for this… I propose to defrost the ice queen by asking to be reassigned to you or work with you part-time. It will benefit us both."
Maybe that did the trick? As Gavin is now just gaping at him.
He grins, as usual coming off rather maliciously, and adds, "That phrase isn't quite right here. You're more like lava; heated and destructive but capable of good things." And then he gets up and leaves, heading back to Connor's desk.
After a moment anyone left in the bullpen can hear Gavin's confused, "What in the fucking hell just happened‽"
"I agree." Connor chimes in, turning to look up at his brother. "What was your plan?"
"To thaw a frosty relationship. I believe he will warm up to me in time. We work quite well together. I'd like to see that pan out."
The Lieutenant chuckles. "You certainly have a way with him, kid. Next time rile him up a bit more for me would ya? It'd be a nice Christmas present to have Reed suspended."
He glances the Lieutenant's way, a ghost of a smile. "I don't mind toying with him but that goes a bit far. Though it's interesting to see him lose his composure. There's a lot to analyze." And his expression shifts more toward confusion. "I'd like to clarify your earlier comment about rejection. What made you think I was interested in him that way?"
The Lieutenant coughs and ignores him, trying hard to seem interested in his terminal. By flipping back and forth between two files. The charade isn't working.
"Lieutenant?"
A quiet groan. "Whaddya want me to say? You talk his kind of shit and you're both cold bastards. Figures he'd be your type. Was only saying you can do better."
He tilts his head, confused, and seconds later turns to Connor. "Your opinion?"
Connor mirrors his confused gesture. "I'd prefer not to get involved in anything to do with Detective Reed. Though if you think you can handle him feel free."
Hm. He hadn't considered the possibility.
Their relationship is on rocky ground. Still leaning towards frosty. But if he can change that…
He is winter.
Perhaps a lava flow can bring forth spring.