A week or so passed, much as Nines had expected. Gavin had insisted on returning to his apartment the next day, likely concerned he was expecting too much of Elijah and Chloe. They'd both insisted he was welcome to stay as long as he liked, but Gavin didn't want to impose. Once at his apartment, he'd tried to shoo Nines away, insisting that he was fine and that he could take care of himself. That had quickly proved to be untrue, even with Nines there to redirect his attention.
Gavin was no longer sleeping unless physically coerced or passing out from exhaustion. He'd tried to combat the fatigue with coffee, but Nines had removed the ground beans from his reach and prioritised Fowler's orders to care for Gavin above his own wishes for the time being. That meant he could refuse Gavin's demands to make excessive amounts of coffee, and he was more than strong enough to physically remove him from the kitchen area. He wasn't eating anywhere near enough. He simply didn't feel the desire to eat. It seemed this was a common sign of grief, but Nines did sometimes coax him into eating a little here and there. Nines had also confiscated his nicotine supplies after seeing him attaching three patches at a time to his skin in lieu of having access to cigarettes. His moods went up and down. He was angrily yelling or quietly sobbing at any given moment, unless he was in one of the lengthy periods of numbness and silence that came in between.
Nines had kept his superiors and Dr Marr updated on Gavin's daily habits and condition. For now, Dr Marr assured him it was more or less normal for someone with Gavin's history and issues. She'd also warned him to expect pushback and emotional withdrawal over the next few days. Nines hadn't understood what she'd meant at first, but after the first two days it had started. The warning should have prepared him, but his internal systems weren't designed to process emotions. He couldn't help feeling…hurt. — Upset? Sad? Angry? Abused? Inferior? Damaged? —
It had started with small things. Gavin had stopped looking him directly in the eye. He'd responded less when he spoke, unless it was a direct question. Then he'd griped at him about being too friendly and told him not to use his first name again. The banter they'd slowly built up over the past few months quickly dried up. Old phrases that had once been laced with affection had started creeping out in harsher, more biting tones. Terminator, Tin Can, trash can, plastic prick, phcking android. Don't act like you're a real person when you're not! You're just a phcking machine designed to take orders, and you can't even do that right! The words were cruel. Hurtful. They made Nines' LED spin red even as his face betrayed nothing. Whenever Gavin noticed, he'd curse and storm off into another room. They hadn't come to physical blows yet, but he'd noticed his fist shaking on occasion as if thinking about it.
Despite not directly confiding in his brother, Connor had picked up on something. Perhaps it was the way that Nines' tone had reverted to something more machine-like, or that his vocal patterns had returned to the clipped Cyberlife standard. It could have been that he was more emotionally withdrawn and only answered direct questions on the case or Reed's health. Whatever the case, Connor knew something was wrong, and he had the feeling that it was linked to Reed. He'd gently suggested checking in, but Nines had refused, knowing the mood Reed would be in. He didn't want to upset him further or put Connor in the line of fire as a new target.
Reed had withdrawn from contact with everyone. He'd refused calls from Tina, Hank, Connor and Fowler. He was ignoring his text messages. He wasn't reading any personal emails, though he still monitored any case related mail. The only person he didn't lash out at was Elijah, who was keeping a respectable distance and only checking in vaguely every couple of days. Nines would have liked it to be more often, but perhaps it was better this way, considering Reed's increasingly sour temper. It was probably a promising sign that he wanted to protect his brother from his self-destructive behaviour at least.
"Do you have to follow me around like a phcking guard dog?" Reed snapped as they entered the bullpen. Nines was still looming at his back as they walked through the tight space. A few officers nodded small greetings, though none wanted to impede the all too familiar storm they could see coming. Nines opened his mouth to respond when Reed rounded on him. "You know what, don't phcking answer that! Don't say another phcking word! Just sit in your chair, put your hands on the desk, don't touch anything, and wait for my orders like a good phcking robot, alright?" he barked, scoffing at the spinning red of Nines' LED. Nines' mouth immediately closed, and he sat obediently in his chair. His hands rested on the desk just as Reed had ordered, blue eyes looking down as if he'd been parked. His jaw tightened as he heard Reed scoff once more about phcking androids before he stalked off to Dr Marr's office.
"Take a seat, Gavin," Marr invited calmly, unsurprised by Reed's current state. She'd predicted this reaction. Reed was used to internalising his issues and blaming himself. He probably saw his return to isolation as the least he deserved. He'd failed his previous work partner, and now he'd failed his romantic partner. Reed stomped to the sofa and slumped down with folded arms. Confrontational. He was angry. Understandably so. "This must all be quite a shock," Marr began sensitively.
"Sure, so phcking shocking that my own personal serial killer comes back just as I'm getting my shit together," Reed scoffed sarcastically in response. Sharp brown eyes picked him apart as he crossed his legs and leaned back on the sofa. He was bitter. His old scars hadn't even healed and fresh ones had been ripped wide open. "This never would have phcking happened if Fowler hadn't sent me down here…You think it's a phcking coincidence that fucker came back just as I was-" Reed cut off with a sharp breath of frustration. Marr softened a little as she slipped her glasses off and fixed Reed with a knowing look.
"Gavin, what you feel right now is perfectly understandable and reasonable. What happened isn't fair, and it isn't right. The Hickory Killer came back at just the right time to knock you down. You're probably right. He likely did time it that way. There would have been no point in coming back if you hadn't made any progress, but giving in and letting him win won't help you or anyone else. The progress you've made here is important. It's important enough to have brought the Hickory Killer out of hiding. That's how you know you've been doing the right thing," she added assuringly, watching Reed's jaw tighten. That didn't help.
What good was it having done the right thing? It had still gotten someone killed. An android. It got an android killed. Busted up. Reed corrected, feeling his chest tighten at the very thought. It was just an android. An android who'd always bit his lip with that stupid fucking look on his face. An android who'd treated him better than any human partner he'd ever had. An android who'd read him like a book on their first meeting. Confident. Smug. Smart. Charming. Flirty. Funny. Far too fucking kind to have deserved the ending he got. He was an android for Christ's sake! He should have outlived me by at least five phcking decades!
"Doing the right thing just got someone killed…That price is too phcking steep!" Reed snapped, unsure exactly where to go from there. Clearly, it was going to take him more than one simple session to sort it out. Marr did her best anyway, trying to coax him into talking about things. She didn't want to push too much. It was his first session back. He was fragile. It would take time. He was raw. He was hurt. He was lost. They'd made very little progress by the end of the session and Reed soon stalked back to his desk, shoulder-checking Connor roughly as they passed in the bullpen.
Connor almost stumbled to a halt, his LED flashing yellow as he watched Reed prowl to his desk and flop down in his chair. It was almost like the revolution had never happened. The slight sneer he wore, the cold look in his eyes as he regarded Nines. Nines had remained obediently in his seat, eyes down, his hands flat against his desk. He'd refused to interface with Connor or respond in any way. With Hank currently out of the office, there was little that Connor could do about it, but his thirium almost boiled as he watched Reed slump back in his chair and crossed his legs.
"Get me a coffee, dipshit," he ordered, something almost cruel in his gaze as he watched Nines stand from his seat and obediently complete his task. Connor eyed the corridor, huffing almost thoughtfully before eyeing Fowler's office. He gripped his coin tightly as he hurried up the steps. Nines returned with a perfectly prepared coffee in hand and left it on Reed's desk before standing smartly with his hands behind his back, awaiting further instructions. "Kneel," Reed ordered as he lounged back in his chair, watching with a scoff as Nines obeyed and fell elegantly to one knee before him.
"Detective?" Nines said questioningly, feeling almost nervous about the way Reed was acting.
"I could ask you to do anything right now and you'd just phcking do it…" he almost sighed, watching Nines' LED as it span red. Nines did not like the sound of that. It made him feel…uneasy. — Anxious? Worried? Wary? — What would Reed want him to kneel for? His silvery eyes dropped to Reed's flies in apprehension, unsure he would be that cruel. "As if I'd let a Roomba like you near that…Tie my shoe," he settled on eventually, watching Nines' blue eyes close almost in relief as he gently set Reed's foot on his thigh. His hands almost froze as he saw him reach out and pluck the small cactus plant from his desk.
The cheerful little plant had grown quite a bit since he'd received it. It hadn't flowered yet, but Nines was confident that it would if he maintained his care regime. The green colour had improved, the small spikey oblong standing tall and proud. If his studies were correct, and he was ninety-eight percent certain that they were, then the small flowers would be yellow. He kept his expression blank as he watched Reed regarding the small plant, turning the pink pot this way and that. His thirium pump's pace had increased. He didn't like it. What was Reed thinking about? What was he planning?
"You've taken really good care of this dumb phcking plant…An android with its own cactus," he almost scoffed, frowning as he noticed that the pot had been doodled on with a black marker in Cyberlife Sans. "What the phck is this?" Reed demanded with a scowl as he turned the pot and showed Nines. Nines dropped his gaze evasively. However, he had no choice but to answer. He didn't look at Reed, opting to complete the task he'd been assigned instead. He tugged the laces tighter as he steeled himself.
"I named my plant," Nines confessed stiffly as he looped the rough strings together, not glancing up to take in Reed's almost horror struck expression. His own name had been neatly written, along with a small cartoon version of himself. It was an Asian style drawing. A design he remembered well from the academy. Tina had always drawn doodles all over the margins in her notebook. Her Chibi Gavin had been a regular feature. His jaw tightened as he replaced the pot with surprising gentleness, trying to push down the unwelcome flutter in his stomach.
"Phck, go and sit down," he huffed restlessly as he got to his feet, something unpleasant settling in the pit of his stomach. Nines' LED returned to yellow as he did as asked, but his eyes followed as Reed stormed off down the hall. He hit the changing room doors hard, tossing his jacket anywhere as he marched through to the gym. There were a couple of guys sparring as he arrived, but one look at Reed's mood sent them scurrying for the exit. Phcking androids! Acting like real phcking people! Reed thought as he laid into the first swinging bag he came to. He barely registered the sound of the door opening. Just a pile of plastic and a bunch of phcking wires! He winced as his knuckles began to sting and ache with the force of his angry punches, the skin of his knuckles tearing.
"If you're going to bully someone, why don't you try picking on someone who can actually fight back?" Connor challenged, warm hazel eyes regarding him calmly as Reed rounded on him. Reed almost scoffed as he shoved the swinging bag away and squared up to Connor's slim form. Connor maintained his superior height, looking down unintimidated as Reed stared up resentfully. He tilted his head with a familiar, almost cruel expression. Connor could feel Reed's warm breath on his collar as he leaned closer as if sharing a secret.
"Can't bully something that isn't alive, plastic," Reed retorted gruffly, disappointed as Connor gave no reaction to the jibe. Connor waited, knowing that Reed was working himself up. He wanted Connor to lose his temper. He wanted him to stoop to his level. "What? Not going to argue, Tin Can?" Reed mocked with a huff, shoving his shoulders roughly. Connor accepted the pushback, but made no move yet. That just pissed Reed off more. "Phcking plastic asshole!" he snapped as he finally took the first swing. It was hard and fast, and would likely have doubled over a human on contact.
Connor's movements were smooth and flawless. He deflected the blow as if it were nothing. Reed looked resentful as he was shrugged off. He tightened his jaw and took another harder swing. Connor caught it gently before releasing the fist unharmed. He stepped back as Reed launched himself again. Each deflection was gentle. Each movement was precise and calculated. Each toss was carefully executed to keep Reed safe from harm. He was treating him like something fragile. Something broken.
"I'm not a piece of glass, you phcking phck!" Reed snapped with a red-faced scowl. His voice was raw as he continued to rage and strike out at Connor. Connor would deflect and avoid each strike, knowing Reed would hurt himself if he landed his fist too firmly on his plating. "Fight back! Just hit me back, you stupid phcking phck!" Reed demanded, but Connor continued to lead the dance around him. Reed growled in frustration as he continued swinging and diving. He ended up on his back and side again and again, always getting up and fighting back. He was so angry. So frustrated. Why isn't this asshole giving me what I want? he raged internally as Connor dodged a kick and pushed him back with his usual gentleness.
"Gavin! Hey! It's okay…it's-okay…" Connor soothed as he caught Gavin in his arms and tucked him against his chest. Gavin had finally collapsed to his knees, his eyes red rimmed as he struggled and wailed in Connor's arms. "Stop, it's okay, shh…" Connor continued as desperate hands pushed and struck at his arms and back. He kept Gavin secured against his chest, levelling his own breathing and rubbing his spine in comforting circles. Gavin fought hard to keep it together before finally choking a sob into his shoulder.
"You phcking useless tin can asshole!" Gavin cried resentfully, fists still pounding Connor's back weakly.
"I know what you're trying to do, Gavin, and it won't work," Connor warned in a low tone, feeling Gavin stiffen in his arms like a child who'd been caught misbehaving. Connor sighed sympathetically as he leaned closer to Gavin's ear. "I know you think you can keep us safe by pushing us away like this, but you're wrong. We're strongest when we work together. We're friends and colleagues and we support each other…We've all come too far to let it fall apart now, Gavin…We can only get through this if we do it together…Tina, Hank, Nines…we all want to help you through this," Connor murmured, feeling Gavin shake his head insistently. Connor continued to hold him, unsure how long it had been. His hazel eyes closed in relief as he slowly felt a shaking hand bunch in his jacket to pull him closer.
"H-h-he k-he-killed Aaron!" Gavin wheezed through a sniffle, his shoulders quivering.
"I know…I know…" Connor assured, noting the steady drop in Gavin's stress level. The crying was doing him some good, it seemed.
"We were only-sleeping-together! He didn't-even-w-we didn't…He thought we were dating! He only killed Aaron because he was phcking me!" Gavin sobbed as Connor continued to agree and reassure him. He also continued to assure Gavin that the people who cared about him wouldn't just go away because he was a little mean. Gavin resented him for that. Connor didn't care. Gavin had finally accepted their friendship after months of pushback and hostility. After all the work he'd put into their relationship, he wasn't about to let a ghost from Gavin's past ruin it.
"Shall I call Nines for you?" Connor suggested eventually, feeling Gavin stiffen in his arms at the suggestion. "He's your partner…You know you owe him an apology," Connor encouraged gently, not adding that he'd been particularly cruel to Nines because he clearly cared about him the most. He knew Nines was already aware of Gavin's trauma and would forgive him readily without asking, but he also knew that Gavin wanted to apologise. He just hated admitting it. Connor sent the summons once he felt a small nod against his shoulder, soothing Gavin further as the trembles set in. He was suffering the aftershocks of their fight, as well as raised caffeine levels and moderate hunger.
"Detective," Nines greeted formally as he strode smartly across the wooden court to stand beside the pair huddled on the floor. His LED span yellow as he took in his partner's distress and his closeness to Connor. He remained rigid, waiting for Gavin's orders like a good machine.
"Gavin…" Gavin mumbled in a small voice as he sniffled. He slowly drew back from Connor's shoulder enough to wipe his damp face. His skin was flushed and wet from crying. His green eyes glittered in the artificial lighting, unable to even look at Nines as he hung his head in shame. His stress levels had lowered somewhat. His mood was now worn and mournful rather than heated and resentful. As usual, Connor had managed to calm him down. Nines tried to quash his own budding feelings of inferiority. Connor had known Gavin for longer. It made sense that he would be able to calm him.
"Gavin," Nines agreed in a far warmer tone than before. His LED was still spinning yellow as he watched Gavin reach out a feeble hand to tug on his dark pant leg. Gavin's fingers were shaking as he gripped the rough material. He was apprehensive. Afraid of rejection. His green eyes looked down at the floor before he set his jaw and turned his face up.
"Nines, I'm phcking sorry," he forced out before a fresh wave of sobbing started. Nines didn't quite recall dropping to his knees, but he soon registered that he had Gavin tucked snugly beneath his chin as Connor sat back on his hands with a warm expression. Nines tightened his hold as he felt Gavin's arms lock around him, hands desperately gripping the back of his jacket and pulling him closer. Nines' large hands soothed him softly as he sobbed and mumbled nonsense.
"It's alright…I understand," Nines assured softly. His eyes closed in relief as his LED finally settled on blue for the first time in over a week.