~/– Dance –\~

Sidestep, duck, spin, shoot. Back to back in perfect harmony. Dodge, spin, duck, shoot. It's almost like a dance. Bang, bang, "Two-o-clock!", "On your left!" One might think they'd practiced for years. "Four-thirty!", "I see 'em!", bang, bang. One would be forgiven for thinking thus. Sidestep, dodge, "That only counts as one!" It's a simple matter of prediction. Dodge, spin, "I will always have better aim." It's always just been prediction. Sidestep, duck, spin, shoot. "Fucking hell!"

.

FINAL SCORE

GAV: 340

COL: 582

.

But it has to be more. None of his pre-constructions veered anywhere close to this direction. He's walking an unknown path here, variables scrambled beyond saving. When the game exits he returns the lightgun to the stand, pulls off the VR headset, and looks over at his partner. Gavin seems rather pissed about the score discrepancy, even with his eyes obscured by the visor. He does pull it off soon after, returning it to the stand. The lightgun remains in his hand as a crumpled expression is trained on him. "Another reason I fucking hate androids; you cheat."

"I told you when we started that I'm not hacking the game. I'm simply better than you."

"Well then you got it all memorized or some shit! You said you played with, what's-her-face, South?"

"North." he corrects, narrowing his eyes. "And the levels are randomized."

Gavin scowls but after several seconds it becomes clear that it's not real anger. Or at least, not directed outwards.

He steps closer and puts a hand on the man's arm. "Don't beat yourself up because my aim is better in a video game."

Gavin shrugs him off. "Yeah, yeah, it's not real life, it's just a game."

"Exactly! A game where I kicked your ass on level one." His favored malicious grin earns him a glare that would stop the Lieutenant cold. But he's not afraid of Gavin. He's seen the detective's soft side, learned things the man has never told anyone else. They've grown close with a shared attitude toward the world, even if neither dares press beyond.

Maybe it's time he do so.

"Best two outta three."

This could be that step. "Challenge accepted."

.

Spin, dodge, a shot over his partner's shoulder. Back to back and around they go, clearing out all enemies. Sidestep, duck, his partner saves him. They move in perfect sync. Dodge, spin, shoot. They turn to face each other and continue the dance, aiming over each other's shoulders. Around and around, clearing the field. Duck, pull them down, shoot. Sidestep, shoot.

Take the hit for them.

"Fucking shit!"

.

FINAL SCORE

GAV: 651

COL: 778

.

"What are you complaining about?" he asks, electing to leave the headset on and speak to Gavin's avatar. "We did much better this round."

Said avatar aims their gun at him and he can feel the lightgun dig into his torso. "You still keep scraping ahead! How in the hell—"

"I die for you and you're still pissed at me."

The gun lowers and the avatar vanishes. Gavin must have removed the headset so he does the same. The slouch is as familiar as the staring into the distance. He knows Gavin isn't actually watching the kids across the way on the latest Super Smash Brothers. A hand is waved before his partner's face. "Did I break you?"

A quick shake of his head and Gavin turns back to face him, brows furrowed. Yet he can tell there is more than frustration present here. "Why'd you take the hit? I could've dodged!"

"Your reaction time would not have sufficed."

"You could've let me try! You knew a death meant game-over!"

"I refuse to let you die if I can prevent it."

The silence is awkward. He knows he is bringing logic from reality into a video game. He knows it's unnecessary. Gavin doesn't comment though. Just the ghost of a smile and a familiar sigh. "Fuckin' Toaster gettin' all sentimental on me."

"I apologize. I won't risk my life for you again."

"That's not what I said, you dumbass. Quit fucking with me!"

"But you're so fuckable."

The instant red and coiled rage is worth the comment. He puts the headset and lightgun down, cackles, sees his HUD provide an escape objective upon realization that a fight will damage the equipment, and makes a break for the kids across the way. Gavin may be an utter asshole but he won't try anything around children.

"Oh, mister you came over! That's great!" One of the kids comments, putting his controller down and looking up at him with glee.

He quirks a brow. "How so?"

"Well I wanted to play the zombie game but my friends are too scared." The other three kids still playing Smash look his way as though the kid just tattled on them, one girl sticks her tongue out, and they start the match without their friend. The kid ignores it and continues, "I was gonna come over and ask but I didn't wanna interrupt and your boyfriend seems grumpy."

His LED flashes red for a split second.

Boyfriend?

Before he can answer Gavin stomps his way over. And notices the children. Gaze focuses on the one not playing. "Hey, kid. The talkin' toaster bothering you?"

The kid pouts. "That's not nice!" And turns to him instead of Gavin. "No wonder you left him at the game. Are you gonna break up?"

Gavin's face goes red again and he holds back a laugh at the sight, but there is no rage in the detective's posture this time. Just confusion when he gets asked, "Did you tell him we're dating?" Oh he can work with this.

"I didn't mention anything, Gav." he says with a smirk. Use Tina's nickname for extra points. "He's a smart kid who saw the argument."

A frustrated sigh but no denial and the red tint remains. Progress? Does he actually want that kind of progress? Gavin's words shut down said thought process. "Look kid, if he's not bothering you why aren't you playing with your friends?"

"I wanna play the zombie game and they're all scaredy-cats. Can I join you guys?"

"Sure, why not?" Who knew the detective has a soft spot for children? Is it because the man is so childish himself? Then again he's seen him argue vehemently with kids at the station. Perhaps it's only for well-behaved children or those with similar attitudes… Gavin glances his way and asks, "You cool with a third player?"

It's something of a surprise. And if he's honest so is the child is treating him like a human. His Cyberlife jacket and LED make it blatantly obvious he's not yet they don't seem to care. Perhaps he should lessen the amount of resistance he expects in public areas. With a nod he acquiesces. "I suppose we can accommodate another team member."

"Thanks!" the child shouts, excitedly rushing over to the VR station.

He and Gavin follow suit to find the boy already tugging the headset over his eyes. "What's your name, kid?" Gavin asks.

"I'm Ethan! Where did you guys get so good at shooters?"

Gavin puts on his best smug grin. "We're cops."

"Cool!"

Once they've all got their equipment on Gavin leans close enough to whisper to him, "Protect the asset or I'll decommission your plastic ass. Got it?"

This wasn't at all how he predicted the outing would go. A small part of him is frustrated at the human child for interfering but vanishes quickly. That is his own fault. A larger percentage is glad of the opportunity to study new sides to his potential partner. An even larger percentage is simply excited to be having fun. It's a novel concept that he can enjoy himself. Even more that he'll allow himself to revel in the feeling. Then again he was built with guns in mind. It's no wonder this game feels so right.

Perhaps even more than when he played with North.

"Understood, detective." he whispers back and starts the round.

It's a far clumsier dance with an asset to protect. Sidestep, cover, shoot. But not once does the kid die. Duck, spin, cover, shoot. Sometimes Gavin guides the kid's aim. Dodge, cover, shoot. Sometimes he gives the android orders. Sidestep, spin, cover, shoot. Back to back as a triangle they move. Spin, duck, cover, shoot. Then facing each other with the kid in the middle. Spin, cover, shoot.

It only ends when one of them gets shot.

When Gavin takes the hit for him.

.

FINAL SCORE:

GAV: 776

COL: 891

ETN: 435

.

"You give me shit for being a sentimental martyr yet here you are doing the same." he smirks.

Surprisingly, Gavin smirks back. "Yeah well you're not half-bad, Toaster."

From below a young voice interjects, "You're not supposed to insult him!"

The adults look down and finding another opportunity to fuck with his favorite detective he takes it and tells Ethan, "It's not an insult. That's how he shows his love. Someday you'll understand."

Ethan's determined expression is rather amusing. "Okay then. When I do I'll come by the police station and tell you!"

"You do that." he replies with a smirk. "Have a good afternoon."

With a wave and a, "Bye!" Ethan runs off, leaving just him and a silent Gavin.

Silent, red-tinted face, clenched fists, furrowed brow, all signs point to the earlier incident repeating. "I take it back." Gavin says flatly. "You are a plastic prick."

He can't hold back the laugh this time. "And? You cannot deny how well we work together. You also make an excellent partner." Perhaps he does want this kind of progress? He takes up a lightgun in one hand, wraps the other around Gavin's waist and twirls them around, aiming the lightgun at various games in the distance while keeping close enough to Gavin's face to quietly ask, "Same time next week?"

A sudden absence in his arm and a lightgun in his chest. Gavin's angry scowl. He offers a smile. The scowl slowly shifts to fond exasperation. "Anderson is right; fucking androids."

"That doesn't answer my question, Detective Reed." He hasn't used the man's formal title in quite some time. Hopefully this will elicit a proper response?

"You're a fucking piece of work aren't you?" A pause. Gavin puts the lightgun back. "Fine."

A positive! And that's all it takes. Yes. He wants this. It's an unusual sort of electricicty humming along his wires. Unusual but comfortable. Almost like the buzz of Amanda's pride, of being given orders, of accomplishing a mission. It's the electric buzz of something right, but warmer than usual. The heat he's learned to associate with North. The warmth of pleasant company. The combination is interesting and he hopes to feel it often in the future. So he too returns the lightgun to its proper place, tossing Gavin a teasing smile. "Does that mean you enjoyed yourself?"

"Don't push your luck, Toaster."