A/N: Aw man, this fic is coming to a close! The next chapter will be the last and I find myself stumbling over what to say. It's been such a pleasure working on this fic. Thank you for all your support throughout this work.

I plan on ending this on a spicy and fluffy note!

Much love, big hugs 3

Richard entered the apartment with a relieved look in his eyes. The android peered over his shoulder to glance at a dazed yet elated detective who seemed preoccupied with his own thoughts.

They had just returned from Travis' hearing and Gavin was still processing all the information from the trail.

"How are you feeling?" RK900 asked before closing the door behind the brunet.

The shorter man took a few seconds to piece together a sentence. For lack of a better vocabulary, Gavin nodded. "I…I actually feel really good, tin can," his eyes locked with his counterpart's. "I haven't felt this good in…" he lowered his head then sighed, "It's been a long time."

Richard approached his partner, "Is it because of Shepard's sentence?" he cocked a brow as he gestured Gavin to come closer. "If you ask me, I would've preferred they give him a lethal injection," he shrugged while tenderly removing the detective's coat, "But life in prison for attempted rape and murder is something, I suppose."

Gavin softly chuckled, "Yeah, his sentence has a ton to do with how I'm feeling," he paused before furrowing his brows, "But I guess I'm happy for a lot of reasons," he smirked while making his way to the living room.

"Oh?" the android followed from behind, listening intently to his colleague.

The brunet's walking slowed until he eventually stopped in place.

RK900 leaned over to analyze the detective's thoughtful features. "Gavin," the android snapped the officer out of his contemplative trance.

"Sorry," the brunet huffed, "I'm just trying to figure out a way to say what's on my mind," he plopped himself on the couch.

Richard tilted his head to the side as he took a seat next to his partner.

"So much has happened in these last two weeks," the officer interlaced his fingers behind his neck, "I know it doesn't make much sense but I'm happy that Ryan's okay."

The android nodded, "I understand; he's your father after all."

The brunet shook his head, "It's not that." He took a few seconds to himself, "I don't think I'll ever be able to forgive him for what he put my mom through…but," he knit his brows, "Ever since he woke up from surgery, he's been calling me every day."

Richard softened his expression, "You never told me this, Gavin."

"I never answer his calls," the officer clarified, "But he still leaves messages," he felt a small smirk creep up on him, "And they're all…kinda nice. I'd be lying if I said it didn't feel good hearing 'sorry' come out of the guy's mouth."

RK900 pressed a hand against the sofa, "I'm happy to hear that your father wants to reconcile with you. Though I know it'd be hard for you to accept his apology, I still recommend calling him and speaking to him directly. Explain how you feel," he warmly advised, "Perhaps he really is sorry for what he's done. All those years in solitude surely gave him time to think about his actions."

Gavin picked at one of his cuticles, "Whether he's sorry or not, it doesn't fucking matter," he ripped skin off the side of his nail before his finger began to bleed. He brought his thumb to his mouth to stop the blood flow.

"Hey," Richard gripped the detective's hand and moved it away from his lips. "Please stop that," the android arched his brows, "Your finger could get infected," he kissed his partner's knuckles which in turn, caused the brunet's heart rate to slowly climb.

Gavin let out a long huff, "I guess you're right though," he finally admitted, "I'll give him a call. Oh!" revelation hit the detective, "That reminds me. Eli called earlier," he glanced at the machine. "He was a lot less pissed than last time."

"Well, I feel he had the right to be upset previously," Richard explained, "He called the night of Miller's death asking why he just got questioned by officers and why they discovered a man on his roof."

"You got a point," Gavin chuckled before he caught sight of Cleopatra who was leisurely listening in on the conversation.

"May I ask why he called?"

"Didn't answer."

RK900 shot a displeased look at the detective, "Gavin, you can't just—"

"He left a message though. Said he wanted to talk more about what I've been up to lately."

The android's eyes rounded, taken aback by his counterpart's words. "That's good news," he curled the corner of his mouth into a smile, "It seems your father and brother both want to reestablish family ties."

Gavin remained quiet for several seconds. "I don't know if I can ever do that," he whispered under his breath.

"You should at least hear them out," the android suggested, "I'm not saying you have to forgive them for what they've done to you and your mother," he corrected himself, "But, I do believe you should listen to what they have to say."

"Yeah, yeah," the detective motioned with a hand, "I'll call them."

Richard drew his brows together, "I feel there's more behind why you're feeling content. What else is on your mind, detective?" he leaned closer to his partner.

Gavin glanced at the machine then looked down at his feet. There was a brief pause before he opened his mouth, "I guess I'm just really relieved that the department's treating me the same after all that's happened," he stared at the floor with a humbled expression.

The machine was surprised by the officer's statement.

"I murdered someone," Gavin confessed, "I murdered someone the department looked up to…that I looked up to," he stated with a distressed tone. "Then, I had to tell them about me and Kamski," the detective seemed uncomfortable, "I'm just—" he quickly bit his lower lip to prevent it from quivering, "—I'm really fucking happy," he choked up as a singular tear escaped his eye.

Richard lowered his lids before bringing a hand to the detective's face to wipe at the tear. "That tells you something, doesn't it?" the android asked with a soft cadence.

The detective looked at his counterpart with perplexed features.

"It means they see you for who you are, Gavin," the machine said with kind eyes. "It means they see you not as a killer or as Elijah's brother," he grazed his thumb over the brunet's cheekbone, "But as you…as a brilliant, hardworking, diligent officer. They see you as strong, loyal and brave…as someone who despite faced with hard choices, made the right decisions, no matter how emotionally draining or difficult."

Gavin arched his brows as he fought back more tears while listening to the machine. He sniffled, "You really are as cheesy as they come," his cheeks were pink.

The machine let out a soft laugh, "Perhaps my human relations program needs some improvement," he rubbed the back of his neck.

The detective giggled as he rubbed at his eyes.

A few seconds passed before Gavin noticed something missing on the android. He creased a brow as he brought a hand to Richard's chin and tilted the android's head to the right. "Hey," the brunet traced RK900's temple, "Where's your LED?"

"Oh," Richard smirked, "I removed it—"

"What?" Gavin's eyes widened, "When'd you go and do that?"

The android shot a confused look at the detective. "Some days ago," he brushed off.

The brunet scoffed, as if offended, "What the hell, Rich?" he lifted his shoulders, "Why didn't you tell me?"

The machine repositioned himself to fully face his partner, "I didn't think it was too important."

"Ignoring the fact that I didn't notice up until now," Gavin mumbled, "And how I kinda, sorta feel like an asshole about it," he scratched at his cheek before staring at the machine, "Doesn't removing the LED have some symbolic meaning or something?" he vaguely gestured. "Like a big 'fuck you' to CyberLife, right?" he stuck his middle fingers out.

"I suppose for most that's probably the main source of motivation," he chuckled before folding his arms over his broad chest, "But I had my own reasons for removing it."

Before Gavin had the chance to open his mouth, his cell phone went off. He reached into his pocket and flipped the phone over, the blue screen illuminating the brunet's features. "Hm," he had his mouth set in a hardline, "It's Fowler," he glanced at the android.

Richard motioned the detective to answer, "The Captain wouldn't call on our break if it wasn't something urgent."

Gavin rolled his eyes before picking up the call, "Hello?"

"Look, I know I said I wouldn't bother you for a coupla weeks," Fowler began, "But I really need you to come to the station, Reed. It's—uh—it's important."

The brunet remained quiet for a second as he tried to think of a response. "Is everything alright?" he sounded concerned.

"Yeah, everything's fine," the Captain reassured, "Just come to the station, will you?"

Gavin rubbed at his nose, "Fine, fine," he straightened himself out, "I'll be there in 30," he hung up the phone.

"What's the problem?" RK900's gaze followed his partner's movement.

"Dunno," the detective shook his head, "He just wants us at the station," he drew his upper lip in between his teeth. He paused before looking to his feet, "Watch, he's gonna fire me."

Richard arched his brows, "He is not going to fire you, Gavin." The machine pushed off the sofa and walked over to his partner, "That's just your insecurities talking, not you."

The officer's eyes darted up and down the android. It took him a few moments to snap out of whatever daze he was in, "Yeah, well," he blinked a couple times, "We'll see what he wants."

It took the pair roughly twenty minutes to reach central station. Traffic was a little lighter than expected and the officer seemed to have lady luck on his side as he barely ran into any red lights. Gavin turned into the DPD parking lot, his bumper hitting the curb before he drove the car and stopped at his usual spot.

The brunet opened his door and placed a foot on the pavement while slowly getting off his seat with a groan. "Alright," he stretched his back, "Let's see what all this's about," he let his arms fall to his sides as he waited for his counterpart to join him.

The men quickly made their way to the station doors. They were met by a happy Fowler upon entering the station. The Captain motioned the two to follow him to his office.

"Okay," the higher ranking officer sighed before planting himself in his armchair, "Take a seat, gentlemen," he insisted as he scooted closer to his desk.

After exchanging brief glances of confusion, the pair did as advised and sat in the chairs facing the Captain's workspace.

The officers were silent—the only audible sounds were of the Captain sifting through his drawers in search of something. The unbearable awkwardness prompted Gavin to clear his throat, "Fowler," he began, "What's going on?" he asked with raised brows.

"Well," the older officer started, "I've been thinkin'," he leaned on the soles of his feet as he opened a drawer to his right. "You're stubborn," he shuffled through some papers, "Idiotic," he squinted his eyes, "Hot-headed."

The detective knit his brows as he glared at his superior, "Look, if all you called me in here for was to get shat on, then I—"

"But," Fowler interjected while placing a box on his desk, "I wouldn't want it any other way," he opened the lid to reveal a silver medallion. "It took guts to do what you did. I know it wasn't easy, Gavin," the Captain acknowledged, "The department's fortunate to have such a strong cop in its ranks."

Gavin's facial expression changed to one of utter shock.

"Congratulations on your promotion, Sergeant Reed."

Richard's eyes rounded before glancing at his bewildered colleague with an overjoyed smile. He was beyond happy for his partner.

Gavin was at a loss for words. His gaze went from the Captain to the medal then back to the Captain again. "What about Richard?" he blatantly asked.

RK900 retracted his head, completely startled.

"What about him?" Fowler pressed his elbows on his desk.

"Well, where's his promotion?"

The Captain stared at his subordinate for a few seconds before sighing. "We don't have promotions for androids," he stated as he handed the medallion to Gavin.

The brunet looked at the medal before tilting it to the side to further examine it. He grazed its intricate design then opened his mouth. "Mh," he shook his head, "Shame," he said while placing it back on the desk.

Richard looked at his partner in surprise. "Gavin," he whispered, "It's fine. Take it, please," the android implored, "You deserve this."

"And so do you," the brunet demanded.

"Don't be so stubborn," RK900 said with a light shake of his head, "Go on," he gestured to the medallion.

Gavin chuckled, "Old habits die hard, I guess," he expressed as he got up from his chair. "Come on," he motioned, "Let's get outta here."

Fowler watched as Gavin stood from his seat. He dragged the corners of his mouth into a defeated frown, "Wait," he brought up a hand to stop the pair from leaving.

The brunet peered over his shoulder to stare at his superior.

The Captain remained quiet momentarily before scratching at his forehead. "You win," he shrugged, "Guess we're gonna have to start promotin' androids now too," he gestured.

Richard raised his brows, completely taken off guard by the Captain's statement.

"Congrats, Richard," Fowler nodded as he sorted through his desk drawers for another silver medal, "On being the first android in Detroit to ever claim the title of Sergeant."

Both officers left the Captain's office with shiny new additions to their uniforms. Gavin had never seen Richard so happy.

"It was nice of the Captain to return your mother's locket to you despite it being evidence in Miller's case," RK900 stated as he opened the door to the apartment, "He's a considerate man once you get to know him a bit."

"Yeah," the brunet nodded, "He's alright," he smirked at the android.

"Gavin," Richard looked at the officer with a humbled expression, "Thank you for what you did back at the station."

"Ah," the sergeant waved a hand, "Don't go thanking me for that," he shook his head, "I want folks to get used to the idea of treatin' you like a person."

The room suddenly got quiet. Noticing the blaring silence, Gavin turned to face a blushing Richard—something he'd never seen in the four months of being with the android.

The brunet's eyes snapped open as his cheeks flushed in return, "Y-you're blushing. It's blue," the sergeant smiled, absolutely captivated by his partner's adorable features.

RK900 jolted up, "What?" he brought a hand to his face, completely embarrassed, "I wasn't aware androids could flush like that of humans."

"It's really fucking cute," Gavin giggled.

The machine glanced at his partner with a happy expression, "Thank you, Sergeant Reed."

"Ew," the brunet cringed, "Don't call me that," he motioned with a hand, "Sounds way too formal."

"My apologies," Richard smiled, feeling jubilant. "Oh!" he pressed his hands on Gavin's shoulders, "Please take a seat in the living room, I have something for you."

"What? Where'd that come from all of a sudden?" the flustered brunet watched as RK900 sprinted to the bedroom. Gavin cupped his hands near his mouth to project his voice, "You know how I feel about surprises! I don't need any gifts!"

After being met by more silence, the officer gave up with a prolonged sigh. He dragged his heels against the floor as he made his way to the living room. There the sergeant sat for several minutes, bouncing his leg up and down while Cleopatra eyed him from her bed.

Gavin's gaze shifted to meet that of Cleo's. "I swear if it's another i-Pod mini—," he whispered to the cat before his train of thought was stifled by the android's approaching footsteps.

"You know how I feel about presents and stuff, right?" the brunet huffed while crossing his arms over his chest, "You don't have to keep buying me shit."

Richard inched closer to his counterpart with his arms behind his back. He then took a deep breath and got on one knee.

Gavin's eyes immediately shot open as a bright shade of red spread across his cheeks like wildfire. The tips of his ears rapidly began heating up.

RK900 revealed a small box he was hiding and opened it with a smile. "Old habits," he softly began, "They die hard, I suppose."

There was an excruciatingly long period of stillness from both android and human.

Richard examined the slight changes in his partner's facial expression as he tried to suppress the growing sense of worry stemming from within. The silence was proving difficult to bear.

Gavin peered at the ring before looking to the android. He opened his mouth but no words would come.

RK900 smiled as he gently removed the ring from the box to better showcase it to his lover. "Recall how I mentioned I had my own reasons for breaking off my LED," he pressed his free hand on Gavin's thigh, "Well," he eyed the ring, "I used it to forge your wedding band. That way, you'll always have a part of me with you."

The brunet's heart was racing. He felt like he was going to faint from excitement. He couldn't believe this was actually happening.

"I understand if you need some time to think this over," Richard nodded, "It's a big decision and I completely—"

"I'm not good with words," the officer interrupted as he slowly took the ring from the android, "I have a hard time expressing how I feel," he slipped the band on his ring finger. "I may not be able to use words to explain well," Gavin admitted while unzipping his jacket, "But maybe I can give you my answer using my body," he stated through lidded eyes.