"What drew you to Toaster though?" Connor asked curiously as they ate lunch. Well, Reed ate lunch. The three androids watched. Perkins had released Colin for a couple of hours, once again retreating to FBI headquarters with the excuse of paperwork. Connor had chosen a place in the Plaza for Reed to order, settling on one of those healthy eating places he was so fond of. Reed had let Nines pick his food, finding himself with a ham sandwich and a side salad. Connor was a real fan of the vinaigrette. He would occasionally dip a fork into the pale liquid before licking it clean. It was sharp and sour. He liked it a lot.
"What do you mean? Look at him, it's obvious!" Reed retorted with a huff as he looked across at Colin, who was instantly shy and jumpy under the scrutiny. He looked between his brothers, just as mystified as they were. "You're Tin Can because…well, you're the first. The original trash can. Terminator speaks for itself, and now…Toaster," Reed added, enjoying the way Nines straightened in his seat almost pridefully at the compliment to his physique. His imposing nature was often his biggest asset.
"But he does not have the function of a toaster," Nines said with a frown as he examined Colin.
"Oh, come on! He's shy and awkward, and he jumps…like bread in a toaster," Reed replied as if it were obvious, watching Nines tilt his head curiously. It wasn't an association he'd made, but it was true that Colin was very shy in temperament and easily spooked. He'd jumped more than once when Reed had made physical contact with him. Connor was still stewing somewhat over the original trash can remark, though he understood it. Tin Can had always been what Reed called him, though he'd occasionally slipped in a plastic prick if he'd been feeling particularly vindictive. As if making his point, Reed reached his leg across beneath the table and touched Colin's foot. Colin jumped in his seat, thirium pump stuttering in surprise. "See?" Reed added, chuckling as Nines elbowed him a little harder than necessary.
"Sorry," Colin apologised timidly. Reed sent him an affectionate wink across the table, which was really more of a blink. Connor smirked almost smugly at the look, quietly wondering how Reed had never learned to wink properly. It was one of the childlike qualities that Nines liked most about Reed, and it was quite rare to see it.
"No need to apologise, Toaster. You're just shy…It's cute," Reed insisted, swearing he could see a vaguely pink tone reach Colin's cheeks as he quietly stammered uncertainly. He had heard animals described as cute, as well as children and young women. Rarely did it apply to adult males. Nines took on a somewhat stiff attitude, which wasn't missed by Connor. Connor gave him a warm look of reassurance. He was quite certain that Reed had only said it to be kind.
"Wow, Colin's cute and I'm just a trash can…harsh," Connor retorted lightly as he licked his fork.
"You know you're cute, you puppy eyed phck," Reed snorted as he knocked Connor's knee beneath the table, Connor chuckling his own agreement. Reed had pulled him up more than once about his big hazel eyes. Apparently, it was now illegal for him to make certain facial expressions in order to get what he wanted. It was a complaint that Hank also raised regularly. Nines was hesitant to ask about himself. Could one be considered both cute and a terminator? He wasn't even sure why he felt it so important to gain such recognition from his partner. "Don't worry, you're beautiful too," Reed added, almost as if he'd noticed his negative train of thought.
"I am?" Nines queried uncertainly, though he was well aware that he'd been designed with pleasing features. They all had. It seemed to be a general rule. Why would humans wish to buy unattractive products? Even the plain household models had been slightly above average in human terms.
"Sure, the dark and dangerous vibe really does it for you," Reed insisted, which was another thing Nines had heard more than once. He sort of understood the concept of a tall, dark, and handsome stranger. Apparently he fitted that description to a T. The female staff at the precinct had said it more than once in their whispered conversations. He had become nervous after looking up some of the things they had wanted him to do to them. They weren't thoughts becoming of co-workers who respected each other. He would have felt singled out, only they'd voiced varied and similar desires regarding Connor, Miller, Reed, and some of the other younger male staff. A few of them even coveted the attention of Lieutenant Anderson, who seemed somewhat aware as he offered them a sly wink on occasion as he passed by. It always pleased them greatly when he did so. Miller and Connor both largely ignored such gossip, while Reed seemed totally oblivious.
"But am I cute?" Nines asked curiously, his head tilting almost in confusion.
"Sometimes you're phcking adorable," Reed confirmed with a huff, the warmth in his dirty green eyes sending a stutter through Nines' thirium pump that made his LED spin yellow. He was uncertain why, but that made him feel…happy. — Content? Desired? Warm? — He was unsure how to define it. It was a positive sensation, like a rush or swell in his chest cavity. Reed also seemed to be in a good mood as he finished eating, pulling his phone out with a frown as it rang. It wasn't a saved tone, so he looked at the caller ID. Forensics? "Reed," he greeted cautiously.
"Detective Reed, I'm sorry to call like this. I know you're not on duty, but this isn't actually work related…Well, it is, but it isn't," Haley's voice greeted nervously, filled with apprehension. This clearly wasn't a call she'd wanted to make. Probably drew the short straw, so to speak. He could just imagine her and Brad playing some sort of game to decide who'd have to disturb his day and risk his wrath. Nines tilted his head curiously, making no secret of his own confusion as he listened in. They had no active cases pending since Hank and Connor had taken over their workload for the time being. It was, therefore, unexpected for forensics to contact Reed.
"That sounds…complicated. What is it if it's not case related?" Reed asked anxiously as he fiddled with the silver handle of his fork. It was smooth and cool between his fingertips. He looked up as Connor swore quietly, hazel eyes darting to Nines almost in warning as his LED flashed yellow. Nines looked apprehensive now as he turned his head to face Reed. It almost felt like a warning. Did they just look something up? What the phck happened?
"Well, you see…we've finished processing the remains of Mr Hughes, so we're contacting his next of kin and…uh…" Haley trailed off awkwardly. A lump settled in Gavin's throat at the mention of Aaron and his remains. The room. The clocks. The thirium. The eyes. The hands. The feet. The thirium pump. The slick oil on his face. He almost forgot he was on the phone as he struggled to take in a breath. His eyes closed as he felt a cool hand on his neck. Nines…He met his steady gaze as Haley continued to ramble. "After looking into his records, it seems he didn't have anybody listed until a few weeks ago when he…Detective Reed, you're Mr Hughes' emergency contact. I'm calling because his body is ready for release," she concluded finally, waiting in anxious silence as she allowed Gavin to process the comment.
"Wha…H-he what?" Gavin stammered in disbelief.
"Mr Hughes registered you as his emergency contact and next of kin," Haley confirmed in a more definite tone. Gavin looked around the table at the three androids, watching as Connor nodded his confirmation. That was the information he'd looked up as soon as he'd realised Haley had called. Gavin let Nines take the phone from his stunned grasp. His deep tone calmly assured Haley that they would contact her with instructions in due course. Gavin just sat. He'd never been in this position before. Is this…some kind of phcking joke?
"I'll be more than happy to help in any way I can," Connor offered kindly from across the table, his hazel eyes sympathetic as he watched Gavin's mind trying to catch up. Gavin was suddenly restless in the small enclosed space of the diner. It felt like the walls were closing in. He could almost feel the pressure squeezing him. This wasn't right. It wasn't right. There had to be some sort of mistake. He let out a shaky murmur as he slowly got to his feet.
"I-I-think…I think I need some air," he excused as he grabbed his jacket. He stumbled to the door and out into the street. He suddenly didn't know where he was. Was he even on the planet anymore? It certainly didn't feel like it. He almost couldn't stay upright as his head span with a foggy lightness that clouded his vision. He wouldn't have stayed on his feet if not for the strong hand that seized his upper arm and steadied him, tugging him away from the curb. "Phck-too-crowded!" he cursed as he felt his eyes starting to burn. He still couldn't see. He rubbed his face as he dragged in a deep breath.
"Come this way," Nines instructed calmly as he kept one arm around Gavin's waist and walked him across the street. Gavin didn't recognise it at first, but as they walked further, he became aware of lazily flowing water and the squawking sound of seagulls. They were near a park by the river, where he could see the bridge running all the way across to Canada. Nines took him right up to the railing and leaned him there with one hand, rubbing circles on his shoulders to soothe him. Gavin took a few breaths, clearing his vision and grounding himself.
"What the phck, Nines?" Gavin questioned vulnerably. He didn't agree to this shit. How could someone just do this to him? Why would Aaron have done such a thing? "We weren't even dating! Why the phck?" he trailed off, suddenly feeling even worse. They hadn't been dating, and yet of everyone that Aaron had ever met, he'd chosen Gavin. What the phck was his life like, that the only family he had was a random fuck buddy who barely gave him the time of day? He thought about that stupid, dopey smile. The way he'd bitten his lip and looked down at him with those big blue eyes. The way he'd purred his name. The way he'd lounged in the doorway and watched him all the way to the elevator. The way he'd turned up at the end of his shift and just walked in like he belonged there. To me, it was just a random fuck, but what if it was different for him? Did he catch feelings? Why the phck didn't he say anything?
"Perhaps he viewed you as a reliable friend…It is a duty I would entrust to few others," Nines confessed quietly, Gavin's eyes shifting to him almost warily. Nines' gaze softened as he shook his head quietly. No, Gavin wasn't his emergency contact. Of course not. He had Hank and Connor for that. It made sense. Aaron didn't have a brother or a father…He didn't have any work friends he'd trust with this? There wasn't a single person he had in his life before me? No other androids at Jericho? Gavin wondered in disbelief. Surely there had to have been someone. Aaron was smart, funny, playful, suave, charming. There had to be someone else who knew him the way he did. Someone else who'd miss him the way he deserved to be missed.
"Phck, Nines…what am I supposed to do with this shit? I can't arrange a phcking funeral! I hardly even knew the guy! I haven't even arranged a human funeral! What the phck am I supposed to do with an android?" he demanded worriedly. He couldn't even think about the sort of things Aaron liked to do right at that moment. He didn't know his friends, or if he even had any real friends. He didn't even know if Aaron had a preference for the type of ceremony, if androids had ceremonies. Did androids get buried? He was pretty fucking sure cremation was out of the question, what with them being made of metal and plastic. Should I recycle him? Phck! What do I do?
"Connor and I will assist you," Nines replied quickly, knowing he could at least give guidance on the disposal process. It wasn't exactly something they liked to talk about, but there were various options available. Perhaps Mr Hughes had made a will of sorts. They would need to look through his apartment and computer to see if he had a record of such things. Gavin nodded his thanks as he remained leaning on the railing, green eyes distant as he thought about everything. Fuck, he wasn't ready for this shit.
"What should I do first?" Gavin asked worriedly, knowing he couldn't just pick up the body. He'd need somewhere for it to go. Haley hadn't mentioned when it had to be done, but he guessed it would have to be fairly quick. Turnover was pretty fast in the morgue. They had more victims coming in all the time, so they'd need the extra space. At the same time, he was pretty sure it wasn't a one day thing. He could probably swing it for three or four days if he really needed to.
"We should visit his home and see if he has any contact information for a lawyer. He may have completed a will or some form of documentation. If he has not, then we will probably need to contact one ourselves to assist in dealing with Mr Hughes' property and finances," Nines supplied helpfully. Alright, so visiting the apartment was first. That was fine. That was a goal. A small step in the right direction. Gavin shivered. He hadn't been in Aaron's apartment since their last Friday night together. He'd set aside that weekend to spend with Nines and Elijah. At some point over those two days, the Hickory Killer had taken Aaron and-Gavin closed his eyes as he felt Nines' hand on his neck, leaning his head down and shuddering as he squeezed. And nothing. Nines is right, it's not your fault. You couldn't have predicted this. If he hadn't been taken over the weekend, it could have happened any other day of the week.
"Alright…Thanks Nines," Gavin murmured as he pushed himself up. Nines nodded politely as they stepped away from the railing to head back to the diner. They didn't want to worry Connor and Colin with their absence.