Richard sat patiently on the living room sofa staring at the coffee table while gently stroking Cleopatra's head. The android took the liberty of stopping by next door to pick up the feline from Laila while he waited for his counterpart to finish showering. RK900 glanced down at the cat, "How're you feeling? Better than last night I assume?" he asked in a hushed tone. "You certainly put up a very good fight against Travis yesterday," he shrugged, "Or so the detective says."
Cleopatra remained quiet with her eyes closed, purring intently.
"I will take your silence as a yes, then," Richard smiled warmly before his hand glided down Cleo's soft fur. Just as the android began to relax, the bathroom door opened with a click. The machine's eyes drifted from the feline to the door down the hall where a freshly bathed Gavin appeared.
The detective walked down the hallway towards the living room with nothing but a pair of boxers. He approached the android with furrowed brows and red cheeks as his hands trailed down his lower back.
Richard eyed the detective with a suggestive smirk, "Hello, Gavin," he picked up Cleo and placed her on the ground, "I went ahead and retrieved Cleopatra from your neighbor," he glanced at the irked officer, "I hope you don't mind."
"You—," the brunet looked away, clearly embarrassed, "You bastard…you really didn't hold back earlier, huh?" Gavin asked while rubbing his waist.
The android let out a hushed laugh before slowly getting up from the couch, "I apologize, detective," he stated with a raspy voice, "Perhaps I was a bit too rough with you," he approached the officer with a sensual smile, "Forgive me."
"F-fucker," Gavin mumbled under his breath, his heart rate creeping up as the android inched closer.
Richard placed a hand on the officer's hip and pressed into the brunet causing him to let out a small yelp. RK900 moved closer, his nose touching the tip of Gavin's before proceeding to lick the officer's lips, demanding entry into his mouth.
The detective was weak to the android's touch and easily succumbed, allowing Richard to slip tongue into the officer's maw. The brunet closed his eyes and brought his hands around his partner's neck. He moaned into the kiss as he felt the android's tongue slide up the roof of his mouth. Gavin quickly pulled away, "We can't," he pleaded, "If you keep going—" he crinkled his nose, "I'll lose my mind."
RK900 let out an exhilarated huff, "I can't help myself. You're so…," he traced the brunet's jawline, "So appetizing." As the android leaned in to kiss his counterpart, Cleopatra mewed from the kitchen counter. Both men stopped to look at the cat who stared back at the pair with big, beautiful eyes.
Gavin let out a breath before regaining his senses, "I'm gonna go get dressed," he expressed before turning around toward his bedroom.
"Do you perhaps require assistance?" Richard asked with a cheeky grin.
"Perverted machine," Gavin grumbled, cheeks blazing as he made his way to his room.
"Are you sure it's a good idea to be going about this alone, detective?" RK900 glanced at his partner while buckling his seatbelt.
"I don't want anyone else getting involved in this," the brunet stated with knit brows, "I fuckin' wish you didn't have to get dragged into this mess," he sighed before revving the car's engine.
Richard's eyes rounded before he lowered his lids, "Gavin," he shook his head, "Why must you continue to feel the need to shoulder the world's burdens all on your own?" the android crossed his arms over his chest. "We're partners," he leaned closer to the brunet, "We're lovers," he caressed the detective's arm, "I'm not letting you take on anything alone."
Gavin averted his counterpart's stare, the tips of his ears burning as a result of the android's words. "Stop it with the sweet crap," he whispered, "I'm gonna get a fucking toothache," he murmured.
"I implore you to start trusting me," the android sternly expressed with icy blue eyes. "I want you to understand that you can rely on me, Gavin," RK900 squeezed his partner's hand.
"I—" the brunet glanced at the android before hesitantly opening his mouth, "Jesus, alright, alright, I get it already," he squirmed out of the android's grip. "I trust you, okay?" he shifted gears to pull away from the curb and into the street. "Now would you fuckin' quit it with the sappy shit, please?" he mumbled, evidently overwhelmed by Richard's endearment.
Richard smiled warmly at his counterpart, "My apologies, detective."
About twenty minutes into the drive, the android glanced at the serious-looking brunet. "Remind me why we're going to central station again," RK900 raised a brow.
Gavin sighed, "I already told you, tin can," he turned to stare at Richard, "I want to look through the DPD archives to try and find more information about John." He gnashed his teeth, "I just—," he squinted his eyes, "I just wanna see what made him resort to murdering androids," Gavin looked to his partner, "Hating and killing are two very different things."
"But one may lead to the other," Richard eyed the distraught officer.
The detective momentarily shut his eyes in disappointment before looking back to the road, "I know," he stated, feeling defeated.
After another ten minutes of sitting through traffic, the pair finally made it to the station. Gavin swerved into the parking lot and pulled into his usual spot near the DPD entrance. "Okay," the detective groaned as he stepped out of his vehicle, "This'll only take a coupla minutes," he stretched his shoulder, "After this, I say we figure out a plan for Kamski's ball," he gestured.
"I agree," Richard nodded as he got out of the car and walked over to his partner. "I think it'd be wise to devise various strategies regarding the detainment of Sergeant Miller during the event. I know it may be difficult but we should remain professional no matter the cost," he explained with caution, "I will go ahead and memorize the layout of Mr. Kamski's mansion."
"Let's just get what we came here for," Gavin started toward the DPD's doors, "Then we'll talk plans."
The men walked into the station with hushed footsteps so as to not draw unnecessary attention to themselves. The brunet quickly scanned the office before freezing in place, his eyes widening in the process.
Richard stopped behind his counterpart, "What is it, Gavin?" he asked before following his partner's gaze. The machine's eyes rounded as he caught sight of the Sergeant who was busy conversing with the Captain.
"The fuck?" the detective whispered, "Why's he here?" he asked, fear evident in tone.
"I haven't got a clue as to why he'd be at the station. Regardless, just try to act natural, detective," Richard advised. "Remember, he doesn't know what we know. Act as if all is well," he spoke into the officer's ear.
"They're right on the path to my fuckin' workspace," the officer drew his brows together.
"It's alright, just relax and pretend we're none the wiser," the android reassured from behind.
"R-right," Gavin let out a breath before beginning to walk over to his desk.
As the pair approached, Miller noticed the brunet and stopped mid-sentence to let out a hearty chuckle. "There he is," John expressed with the kindest of eyes, "We were just talking about you, Gav" the older officer smiled as he spread his arms for an embrace.
"Hey, John," the detective hugged his confidant before motioning to the Captain. "Fowler," the brunet nodded.
"Reed," the higher ranking officer reciprocated the greeting. "I see you're getting along pretty well with RK900," he gestured to the machine with a delighted expression, "I gotta say, I'm impressed," he raised his shoulders.
Richard curled the ends of his mouth into a small smile as his eyes shifted from a happy Fowler to a slightly embarrassed Gavin.
"Y-yeah," the detective rubbed the back of his neck, unable to hide the awkwardness in his voice.
"Well," Fowler clapped his hands together, "I have other matters that require my attention," he began, "I'll let you three catch up…and Gavin," he pointed to the detective, "I expect a full report about last night's Eden Club incident by tomorrow morning, got it?" he cocked a brow.
The brunet snuffed out the desire to bark back at his superior and instead nodded, "Yes, sir."
"Excellent," Fowler smiled, "I'll be seein' you gentlemen later then," he waved before venturing down the hall toward his office.
"My God," John brought a hand to his mouth, "Getting along with an android and treating Fowler with respect?" he crossed his arms and let out a sigh, "You really have changed."
"Knock it off," Gavin nudged the older cop's shoulder, "I'm lookin' to get a raise," he glanced at Richard, "Nothin' more than that."
Miller's eyes went from the detective to the stoic android, "Right," he stated in an unconvinced tone.
"W-what're you doing here anyway, John?" the brunet tried changing the subject, "It's funny, I'm seeing you more at the DPD now than before you were retired."
"Most of my friends still work," he shrugged, "Plus, I like comin' here," he smirked, "Makes me feel all nostalgic."
"Oh, shut up," Gavin rolled his eyes, "As if you've been gone for that long."
Miller let out a small laugh before glancing at the detective. "Listen kid," he scratched at his nose, "About yesterday," he looked at the younger officer. "I'm—uh—I'm real sorry for what I said at the bar. I didn't mean to step on your toes and I know I crossed some lines that I shouldn't have," he sighed, "I just want you to know I truly am sorry for all the things I said to you," he expressed in an apologetic tone.
Gavin stared at his former mentor with mouth ajar as if about to say something. The brunet didn't know how to respond. A part of him so desperately wanted to forgive John for everything because the Sergeant meant so much to him, but another, wiser side knew better. "It's alright, John," the detective smiled, "I wasn't feeling well yesterday," he motioned with hands, "You were right actually, my fever really did get the best of me," Gavin forced a chuckle, "I didn't know what the fuck I was talking about."
Miller gazed at the nervous detective before looking to the mute android. "Do you remember what I told you?" he looked back to the younger officer, "I told you to stay away from a certain someone," he scolded.
Gavin withdrew his head, startled by John's words.
The Sergeant noticed his subordinate's hesitation. "Heh," he licked his lower lip, "What was that about lookin' to get a raise?" John eyed his ex-partner.
The detective flinched as the retired cop leaned in closer.
The android's jaw tightened as he fought the urge to draw the brunet toward him.
"You were always such a terrible liar," John whispered to the detective before slowly moving away from the tense pair. "I'll be seeing you soon," he peered over his shoulder, "Cadet."
Gavin and Richard watched as Miller exited the police station. The android then turned to look at his distressed counterpart. "Gavin," RK900 grazed the detective's hand, "Before y—"
"H-he knows," the brunet stated in a shaken tone, "He saw right through me," the detective continued to stare into nothingness.
"Let's not spiral into madness just yet" the android gestured, "Even if he knows, there's still a very high probability that he'll be going to the ball," he tried to calm his partner down. "Think about it, detective. John really has nothing to lose by going. I believe he knows you better than anyone," the machine continued, "I believe he knows you won't be bringing backup."
Gavin's gaze shifted to the android.
"We can still do this. Let's just be smart about it," Richard shot a hopeful look at his partner.
"Reggie. I need Reggie right-fucking-now," Gavin expressed with worry as he ran over to his desk.
Confused but loyal, RK900 followed his counterpart. "I don't see how contacting Reggie would be of any benefi—"
"Sh!" the detective shushed the machine while he looked to his terminal for guidance. "Reginald Sanders, there you are," Gavin pointed to a phone number he pulled from the Michigan E-Phonebook Database.
"I'm fairly certain this is illegal," the android knit his brows.
"Oh, can it," he dismissed the machine as he dialed the number on his cellphone and brought the phone to his ear.
Richard watched the brunet, puzzled as to where the officer was going with all this.
"Ah! Reggie?" Gavin perked up, "Yes, yes, it's Gavin. Listen I need your help," he pleaded to the blond.
"My help? With what?" the man asked in a slightly worried tone.
"Richard and I know who murdered Garrett and we know where he's going next but we can't get in without you," Gavin quickly explained.
"W-wait," Reggie's voice cracked, "You know who killed Garrett?"
"Yes, we know who the murderer is but listen to me Reggie, we can't catch this guy without your help, do you understand?"
"Whatever you need, I'll do it."
Gavin glanced at Richard with a smirk, "I need you to get us tickets to Kamski's ball."
There was a small pause. "Done," the blond expressed sternly, "I'll get your address through Eli and I'll have the tickets sent to you by tomorrow morning."
"No, no. There's no need to get Eli involved in this. I'll just text you my address," the brunet explained.
"You do know that he'll recognize you the moment he sees you at the event, right?"
Gavin sighed, "Richard and I will try to blend in with the crowd."
"Oh, that reminds me," the blond snapped his fingers, "Do you two have suits for the event?"
The brunet raised a brow, "Suits?"
"It's a ball, Gavin. You wear suits at a ball."
"Uh…" the officer looked at the android, "Yeah we don't have those."
"Alright, alright. I suppose I have to do everything for the both of you," Reggie mumbled. The sounds of papers shifting around could be heard through the phone. "Ah, here it is," the blond whispered to himself. "Okay, go pay the suit maker a visit. Shoot me a text and I'll send you the address."
"The…suit maker? What does that mean?" Gavin shrugged.
"It's the name of a tailor shop, doofus. You're gonna want to speak with a blonde android by the name of Julia. Tell her I sent you and she'll get you and Richard set up."
"Oh," the brunet let out a sigh of relief, "Thanks, Reggie. I owe you one," the detective expressed with gratitude, "And I promise you we're gonna catch the fucker who killed Garrett and make him pay."
There was more silence on Reggie's end. "C-could you tell me his name?"
The detective froze. Gavin arched his brows as he truly wanted to tell the blond but as an officer, he was bound by the law to remain quiet until after the investigation was over. "I…I can't, Reggie. I'm sorry. I can't say anything until after we arrest and get a confession from our suspect."
"Oh," the blond let out a shaky breath, "I see, right, that makes sense."
"I'm sorry," Gavin expressed with sympathy.
"Promise to spit on his face for me," Reggie bitterly stated.
"You got it," the brunet nodded.
"I'll see you at the ball, Detective Reed. Say hello to Richard for me," the blond stated in a hushed voice before hanging up.
Gavin shoved his phone in his pant pocket before turning to look at his partner with a hopeful smile, "Time to crash a party in style, Richie."