"Oh?" Travis' head turned from the android to the disturbed detective. "I didn't know the walkin' toaster was your little errand boy," he scoffed, "Did you have to order him to fuck you too?"
"You shut your fucking mouth," RK900 stressed the second-to-last word. The machine shut his eyes and drew his brows together as his breathing became more distinct. He felt a new, more violent type of emotion surge through his circuits. He opened his eyes and shot the ex-cop a vicious look. For the first time ever, Richard knew what it meant to feel angry.
Gavin's eyes shot open as the last set of tears rolled down his burning cheeks. The brunette opened his mouth but nothing came out. He was tired, dizzy and drenched in sweat.
RK900 glanced at his perturbed partner. "All will be well, detective," the android reassured in a stern cadence. "I will dispose of this vermin," he grit his teeth before starting to unzip his white jacket.
Travis raised a brow, "Do you know who you're fucking talking to, you piece of shit?" he growled.
Richard softly chuckled, "Don't flatter yourself," he slid the jacket off his arms, "You have nothing to flaunt," he hissed through pressed teeth, "You don't qualify to roam amongst the living."
"The fuck?" Travis retracted his head, bewildered by the android's behavior, "You must got some sort of death wish or something, boy," he eyed the android with knit brows. "And put your damn jacket back on. You ain't welcome here, no need to get all comfortable," he sniggered.
"Oh," Richard smiled, "I simply took it off so I wouldn't soil it."
"With?" the ex-cop asked, upper lip raised.
The machine lowered his lids, "Your blood. I don't mind getting it on my long sleeve," he gestured, "It'll be less noticeable on black clothing anyway."
The brunette watched his partner with mouth slightly open. All this time, Richard gave off a cordial and suave aura. He was so used to the typically affectionate and determined personality of the machine that the detective had forgotten Richard could also feel other emotions like rage or fury. Gavin was familiar with RK900's brutality as he came to remember their initial meeting in the storage room two months ago but since then, the android had remained level-headed…up until now. Knowing that he was the cause of sparking such anger in his partner—that Richard cared that much for him—nearly made the detective's heart explode.
Travis' eyes rounded in shock, "What did you say?" he squinted his eyes. "You think you scare me?" he furrowed his brows, "You think I won't fuckin' destroy you?" he asked with clenched fists.
"Richard, j-just go," Gavin pleaded breathily, "He's fucking insa—"
"I will never leave you," the machine interrupted, his fiery gaze shifting from the ex-cop to the light-headed brunette.
The detective's breath hitched. He arched his brows before glancing at his partner with sorrowful eyes. He would never forgive himself if something were to happen to Richard.
"Aw," Travis interlaced his fingers, "How cute," he mocked in a sardonic tone, "Whatta true knight in shining armor."
Richard tilted his head a bit before letting out a small laugh. "You know," the android glanced up at Travis, "An intriguing feature that newer RK models possess is that our hands double as defibrillators when medical assistance is needed," he turned his hands face-up to show his counterpart. RK900 cocked a brow, "You do know what a defibrillator is, don't you?"
The ex-cop scoffed, "Where the fuck're you goin' with this?" Travis asked, a hint of nervousness apparent in tone.
"Ah," Richard nodded as he took a step forward, "I see you're a straight-to-the-point type of fellow," he smiled, LED stabilizing at a dangerous red. "I'll cut to the chase then," he glared at the ex-cop with ferocious eyes, "I'm going to force you into cardiac arrest, then resuscitate you just so I can kill you all over again."
Travis' eyes widened as a singular drop of sweat rolled off his brow before his jaw tightened. "You think that little threat intimidates me?" the tall man forced a laugh, "I ain't afraid of no goddamn android," he gnashed his teeth.
"Frankly," Richard calmly rolled up his sleeves, "I don't give a shit what you think," he loosened his tie. "All I know is that I won't be using calculations, derivations or any sort of pre-constructive features I have to deliver you to your Maker," the android rolled his shoulders, "I'm just going to beat you into oblivion the old-fashioned way."
The ex-cop let out a shaky breath. As much as he hated to admit it, he found RK900 to be incredibly frightening. In reality, Travis had never faced an android as threatening as Richard. Billions of thoughts circulated through the ex-cop's mind as he tried to discern the best set of actions to take. His eyes quickly darted to the quivering detective then back to the machine, a big grin sprouting on his face. He then booked it behind the brunette and used one hand to grip Gavin's hair, forcefully tilting his head back, and placed the other on his neck.
The detective sharply inhaled as Travis applied pressure.
The android froze in place while the brunette's breathing became erratic. Gavin's pained expression made Richard's thirium boil. "How dare you touch him," he snarled. "How dare you lay a singular finger on my partner," the machine crinkled his nose and snapped his brows together, "How dare you even look in his direction, you insolent little weasel!" he began approaching the hefty man.
"Take another step and I'll snap his neck!" Travis squeezed down on Gavin's throat, eliciting sounds of discomfort from the detective.
Richard gnashed his teeth, "All you're doing is adding more wood to your funeral pyre."
"Yeah?" Travis raised a brow as he tried to hide just how terrified he was by the android, "You ain't gonna kill me," he expressed in an anxious tone.
"You're right," RK900 sneered, "I'm not going to kill you. I'm going to fucking slaughter you," he tilted his head to the side, "Though I'm having a hard time deciding how I want to execute it," Richard brought a hand to his chin. "Should I shock you into cardiac arrest or gut you like a pig?" he leered at the ex-cop. "Do you happen to have a preference?" the machine smirked.
Travis remained silent for a moment as he analyzed the daunting android before lowering his lids. "You wanna know why I went to prison?" he asked with a grin.
"I already know why," Richard bitterly spat. "You sexually assaulted Detective Reed three years ago and nearly killed two androids at the Eden Club around the same time," the machine stated with narrowed eyes, "And today is Judgement Day, Officer Shepard."
"Oh please," the ex-cop sniggered, "Those two robot twinks at that sex club were just upset because I gave it to 'em rough," he shrugged, "Not my fault they were too weak to handle me." Travis then stared down at Gavin before sliding the hand he had on the brunette's neck up to his cheek, causing the detective to grimace in disgust.
Richard clenched his fists as wrath consumed his being.
"Now this one," the ex-cop smirked, "This one was special."
The android's eyes shot open as Travis' comment sent the machine down a spiraling staircase of fury. Something snapped in RK900 and all the reserve he had remaining went up in flames. Richard noticed the revolver placed on the dinner table to his right. It would've been too merciful to shoot the hefty man in the head, but Richard had another plan in mind. He avoided glancing at it so Travis wouldn't realize his intentions.
Before the ex-cop knew it, Richard had grabbed the gun and chucked it straight at him. The revolver hit Travis directly on his forehead which caused the hefty man to let go of Gavin and cradle his head to cope with the stinging pain.
The android bolted towards Travis with rage-filled eyes, the lightning speed of the machine sparking fear in the ex-cop. RK900 lunged with such ferocity and force that Travis had almost no time to react.
Before the hefty man realized, Richard had a hand pressed against his throat. He blinked a few times while attempting to reach for the android's hand as he registered he was suspended in the air, his feet dangling inches off the floor. He grunted as he struggled to get out of the machine's grasp.
"Perhaps I should rip off that beloved cock of yours you can't seem to shut up about," Richard drilled his nails into his counterpart's throat causing Travis to squeal, "Maybe then you'll come to know your place."
Gavin remained mute, his eyes wide with all kinds of emotions. His head was aching and his back straining as a result of being cuffed to the chair. The brunette was breathing heavily, his recovery time reduced to a snail's pace due to emotional shock. He was staring at Richard, scanning the android's feral features while internally pleading for all this to end.
"L-let go, you fuck!" Travis squirmed before clawing at Richard's hand.
"Let go?" RK900 laughed, "Oh but we've only just begun," he stressed with vengeful eyes before slamming the ex-cop against the wall.
The hefty man gazed at the android with a horrified expression as he felt Richard's hand squeezing down on his windpipe.
"What's the matter, officer?" the machine's eyes darted up and down his counterpart's terrified features, "Where did that ample amount of masculinity vanish off to?" he hissed while scraping Travis further up the wall.
"I—I can't b-breathe," the ex-cop's eyes began to water, "P-please," he begged as tears began streaming down his face.
The brunette looked at Richard as worry began to settle in his stomach. As much as he loved watching Travis get what he deserved, he felt that his partner's personality was at stake—that murdering someone…being eaten up by such vehement anger would twist RK900's mind permanently.
"That's right," Richard glanced at the crying man, "Beg for mercy!" he shouted before using his free hand to grip Travis' groin.
The ex-cop let out an agonizing yell as he trying to kick out of the machine's hold.
"Go on," the android rammed his counterpart against the wall again, "Beg for it!" he repeated, eyes blazing with hatred.
"F-For fucks sake," Travis fought back tears, "Stop, you fucki—AH!" he screamed while writhing beneath the machine.
"Keep whining, vile swine," RK900 sneered, "I won't grant you the privilege of dying quickly."
"Richard," Gavin stomped on the ground to draw the machine's attention, "Stop," he voiced in a hushed tone.
"Don't be silly. Your fever is getting to you," the android snickered as he watched Travis' face turn red, "He needs to die."
"You're not thinking straight," the brunette expressed with pleading eyes, "I'm begging you, don't do this," he shook his head, "Not you."
Richard slowly turned his head to stare at his partner, "Gavin, he needs to pay for what he's done to you," he resentfully expressed as he tightened his grip on Travis' neck.
"Look at yourself!" the detective shouted, "I can't even recognize you!" he continued, voice straining in the process. "Please, Richard, I—"
Gavin paused as a prominent shade of red dominated his cheeks. "I…c-care about you," he let out a breath, "For fucks sake, I care about you," he reiterated.
The android's eyes widened before he creased his brow. "After all he's done to you," he gnashed his teeth, "After all you've been through," he gazed at Gavin in desperation, "You're just going to let him live?"
The detective took a moment to answer. "Yeah," he stated, eyes locked on the machine, "He will rot in prison," his glance shifted to Travis, "He'll rot in a fucking cell where he belongs."
"But I have him!" RK900 began breathing heavily, "He's right here!" his arms began to tremble while his LED remained locked on red.
"Richard," Gavin stared at the android, "Please don't. I can't afford to lose you too," he stated with a sorrowful expression.
Just then, several pairs of hurried footsteps emanated from the hallway. Gavin groggily turned his head towards the entrance while Richard peered over his shoulder, still restraining Travis against the wall.
"DPD! Hands where I can see 'em!" Tina shouted as she got to the apartment. Behind Officer Chen were Officer Chris Miller and Connor. Tina's eyes rounded as she saw Gavin constrained to a chair and Richard holding Travis by the throat. Connor quickly glanced at the ground, noting the groceries and medication riddling the area near the entrance.
Tina lowered her weapon as revelation dawned on her face. "Chris, Connor," she motioned with her head, "Handle Richard," she ordered, "I'll get Gavin."
RK800 and Officer Miller approached Richard as they tried to calm him down.
Officer Chen quickly scuttled over to the detective. "Don't worry," she reassured, "I'll get you out of this in just a second."
Gavin let out a sigh of relief, "Thank God you came when you did, Tina," he expressed with tired eyes. "Thank God," he repeated in a hushed tone.
"Where's the key, Gav?" the young lady asked with kind eyes.
"In my front pocket," he gestured with his chin.
"Richard," Connor placed a hand on his successor's back, "Everything is alright," he looked to RK900 with a warm smile, "Just put Officer Shepard down and we'll handle it from there."
Richard shut his eyes and furrowed his brows, "You don't understand," he shook his head, "I have him."
"Richard, please," Connor insisted, "We'll handle this."
After a brief moment of silence, RK900 hesitantly let go of Travis, allowing the ex-cop to drop to his knees. The hefty man immediately gasped for air as he began vigorously coughing.
Gavin's cuffs hit the floor with a loud clank as Tina helped the brunette up to his feet. "Are you alright?" she asked with a concerned cadence.
"I'll be fine," Gavin coughed into his elbow, "Just gimme a second to breathe," he motioned with a hand.
"Okay, just try and relax, yeah?" Tina nodded before glancing at Chris, "Hey, everything good?"
Chris gave a thumbs up before taking out a pair of handcuffs and reading Travis his Miranda rights.
Connor heard the light sound of scratching coming from behind the bathroom door. He scurried down the hallway and opened the door only to see Cleopatra staring back up at him with big, beautiful eyes. The android smiled, "Go on," he encouraged the feline to exit the washroom.
"You can't be fucking serious," the ex-cop brought a hand to his neck as he massaged around his collarbone. "Arrest that crazy fuck!" he pointed to Richard, "Not me!" he shouted at Officer Miller.
"Yeah, yeah," Chris dismissed, "Show me your hands, Travis," the officer demanded, "Before I get really pissed," he grabbed the ex-cop's wrists.
"I can't fuckin' believe this," the hefty man scoffed, "Y'all are all seriously fucked up arrestin' me," he shook his head, "I'm on your goddamn side!" he yelled in desperation.
"Fuck off," Tina spat, "We know what you are," she eyed Travis, "You're anything but one of us."
Tina shifted her gaze to Gavin who was slowly making his way to Richard.
"Hey," the brunette whispered as he cradled his arms.
RK900 remained frozen, LED still stuck on a crimson hue.
Gavin leaned closer to the android before drawing his brows together. "Tin can," he grazed the android's hand.
Richard still refused to talk, his eyes fixated on the floor as if in a trance.
The detective shifted his weight from one foot to the other, "Say something, damn it," he pleaded with remorseful eyes.
The machine lifted his arms and wrapped them around the brunette, squeezing Gavin tightly.
The detective's eyes widened as blush began to creep up on his face.
"I should have come earlier," Richard further pressed into his partner, "I should have been here sooner," his voice trembled.
Gavin lowered his lids before bringing his hands behind the android to complete the hug. "He didn't do anything," the brunette reassured, "You came before he had the chance to do anything to me." The brunette dug his nails into RK900's dress shirt "Thank you," he smeared his face into the machine's shoulder.
"Disgusting," Travis rolled his eyes, "Is this what it's come to?" he asked in an acerbic manner.
Connor lifted the ex-cop to his feet while Tina tromped towards the hefty man and pistol-whipped him across the face, tearing open a big gash on the hefty man's right cheek.
Travis grunted in pain. "You fuckin' bitch," he hissed, eyes gleaming with anger.
"Shut the fuck up," Tina ordered with a vicious expression. She turned towards RK900 and Gavin, "We're takin' him to central station for questioning," she looked to the brunette, "Laila called it in, by the way."
Gavin raised his brows, "Laila?"
"Yep," Tina nodded, "Said she knew somethin' was up so she called the police as soon as she heard your door get kicked in."
Gavin sighed as he lowered his head. "Thanks, guys," he expressed with a faded smile.
Suddenly, Chris, Gavin and Tina's intercoms went off. "Central, this is dispatch; we have a one-eighty-seven at the Eden Club. Manager's in a state of shock. Said a male android's been murdered in one of the rooms n' found the word "Rage" written on the wall near the body," the voice on the intercom expressed in a monotone voice.
Gavin's eyes snapped open before he looked to RK900. He then grabbed his intercom, "Dispatch, this is Detective Reed," the brunette glanced at his partner with a hopeful smirk, "Richard and I are headed there right now."