Gavin rolled over. His body was heavy as he leaned over the side of the bed and gagged. Hard. His whole body trembled. His skin was clammy despite the chill that cut him to the core. He heaved again, not even trying to resist as the bile rose in his throat. His eyes streamed, blurring his vision as he emptied his stomach onto the faded carpet. He choked, sobbing a little as Pipsqueak mewled his distress. He was going crazy. He jumped onto the bed, ran into the living room and back, jumped on the bed again, and knocked Fuzzball onto the floor with a soft bump. He seemed more freaked out than Gavin, who was still coughing up bile.
Gavin's green eyes were still blurred as he slumped down, half hanging off the bed. His body felt so heavy as he hung limp. He was mostly on the bed with his head and part of his chest lolling over the edge. He let out a small choke every so often. He continued to drool acid onto the slowly spreading puddle of vomit. He felt so out of it that the smell didn't even reach him. He sort of felt like he was floating. In mind and body. He couldn't keep a single thought in his head as he stared blearily at the stained carpet. He flinched a little as he felt sharp claws drag across his bare shoulder. He blinked. Tears dripped on the floor. Small teeth dug into the soft flesh of his upper arm. A small whimper escaped his lips, but he didn't move.
Pipsqueak continued to run around the apartment like crazy. Gavin continued to stare blankly at the messed up carpet. He didn't move again. He wasn't even aware of the noise. Pictures were knocked down. A glass smashed on the kitchen tiles. His phone was thrown from the bedside table, and the pile of files stacked on the coffee table was hit so hard the papers scattered. Pipsqueak's running around soon had the pages crumpled and spread across the whole room. Gavin's eyes were slowly crusting from being open and unfocused.
It was over an hour later that Pipsqueak scurried into the living room, meowing loudly as he heard familiar footfalls approaching the outer door. Nines barely had the chance to step inside before he was upon him, jumping and howling as he clawed at his jeans. Nines didn't even need the offered interface to know something was wrong, though he accepted as he scooped the feline into his arms. He tried to offer some comfort and assurance as he was assaulted by Pipsqueak's alarm and distress. The primitive AI was unable to be more specific. Nines scratched his tufted ears and neck in a soothing motion as he took in the chaos.
"Gavin?" Nines called nervously, his thirium pump thumping against his chest plate. The living room was a mess. Papers were scattered everywhere and various items had been knocked over. Pipsqueak's tail flicked as he struggled from Nines' arms. Nines released obligingly and watched the silver ball of fluff race into the bedroom as if leading the way. "Gavin!" Nines cried in alarm as he followed. His thirium pump stuttered to a halt as he looked at the vacant human. He scanned his vitals, finding them so low he could barely read them. He'd only seen Gavin like this once, shortly after Aaron's death. "Can you hear me?" Nines asked softly as he crouched down beside the bed.
Gavin wasn't moving at all. Drool and vomit was drying on his lips and chin where he was hanging limp above the floor. If it wasn't for the slow breaths, he would have thought him dead. His skin was pale and slightly cold. He had injuries. Bleeding cuts and small punctures on his upper arm and shoulder blade. They'd been made by small claws and teeth. Pipsqueak had likely been trying to shock him into a more wakeful state. Nines reached out and rested his hand on the back of Gavin's neck, squeezing in his usual manner. He closed his eyes in relief when Gavin's green eyes moved. He didn't blink. He wasn't even sure that he'd focused, but the movement of the iris surely meant he had some level of awareness.
"I'm here…You're safe…You can come back now, Gavin," Nines soothed, moving his hand up to card through Gavin's soft hair. He seemed to breathe a little deeper. Nines briefly examined the bedroom. The sheets were twisted and discarded. Gavin's skin was cool and clammy. He was still vaguely trembling. He picked up Gavin's phone from where it had tumbled onto the floor. It has been lucky enough to miss the slowly drying puddle of vomit. "I'm going to take you to the shower," Nines murmured as he rose to his feet.
Gavin made no objection, physical or otherwise, as Nines eased his body up. He was a dead weight as Nines gathered him in his arms and strode into the bathroom. It would be tight with both of them in the small shower. He at least didn't have to strip him of clothing. Gavin must have showered shortly before bed and decided not to dress. Gavin had no strength, or at least he had no will to move, so Nines kept a tight hold on him as he entered the shower and turned on the water. He was holding Gavin with one arm around his waist, head leaning limp on his shoulder. He heard a sharp gasp by his ear as the ice-cold water rained down upon them. Nines hushed him softly as he changed the water dial to hot and waited for it to warm.
He hadn't bothered to strip his own clothing. It was more important to take care of Gavin. His outfit was soon soaked through and weighed down his large form, though it didn't really affect him at all. He continued to hold Gavin close, stroking his hair and working circles down his spine. His voice seemed to help, so he continued to murmur gentle assurances he was safe, that he was there and no one would hurt him. It seemed to help as Gavin gradually remembered he had legs. He caught his feet beneath himself and stood, though he clung to Nines for support and shivered despite the heat of the water.
"Nines?" he murmured eventually, almost as if waking from a dream without a clue how he'd gotten to the shower. Nines drew back slowly to examine his face. His skin was a deeper shade of pink than before and his green eyes were alert, though a little haunted. "Phck, I'm glad you're here," he sighed out as he returned his face to Nines' shoulder and pressed closer. Nines gave him the physical comfort he required. He didn't release his hold until Gavin eased himself back.
"Can you wash yourself? I'll help clean up the bedroom." Nines stepped out of the small cubicle as Gavin nodded. He stripped off and borrowed a towel, considering himself lucky he kept most of his clothing stored there. He pulled on fresh jeans and a black turtleneck before stripping down the bed and heading into the kitchen. While the first cycle was running, he grabbed a cloth and a bucket of water with some carpet cleaner. He started by wiping up as much vomit from the floor as possible, scrubbing with just water to leave a smeared stain. Before he changed the water, he sprayed a thick layer of cleaner over the patch. He cleansed the bucket and sink before returning to scrub again.
"What happened?" Gavin asked groggily as he stepped out of the bathroom with a towel secured around his slim waist. Nines scanned him again from his place on the floor. He was much better. His vitals were gradually levelling out. He wasn't shivering anymore. It seemed the shower had done the trick. Nines returned his attention to the carpet, pleased to find that the stain seemed to have come out with his thorough scrubbing.
"You don't remember?" Gavin shook his head as he looked through the drawers for some boxers, gently replacing the white bear on the bed as he did so. Once he'd tugged on the boxers, he dropped the towel and shifted to the wardrobe to choose some clothes for the day. "You vomited…When I arrived, you were in a catatonic state," Nines added softly, watching Gavin nod his agreement. He didn't remember it at all, but he knew the feeling. Whenever he got like that, he felt horrible afterwards. Disoriented. Unstable. Tired. He was still a little dizzy as he grabbed some jeans and a long-sleeved top.
"I remember having a nightmare…bad one." Reed wasn't sure he wanted to unpack it just yet. He knew it wasn't real. He knew he hadn't really been touched, but at the same time, he'd felt it. He could still remember the sticky, oily feeling on his chest. The sharp edge of the table digging into his hips and bruising his skin. The clothed body leaning low over his back, pressing him into the surface. Their hips jerking with each deafening tick of the clocks. Gavin shivered as he shut the wardrobe door a little too quickly. He flinched at the loud bang it made.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Nines asked softly, noting the jump in Gavin's vitals as he shook his head. "Very well…Get dressed and I'll find something for you to eat," he added amiably, watching Gavin nod his agreement. Gavin tugged on his clothes quickly while Nines hung the wet washing out on the small balcony and started a second load. He was unsurprised to find Gavin hovering behind him when he finished. He was still a little paler than he'd like. "Let's go out and eat…I think the air would do you good." Gavin ran his hands over his face.
"Yeah…Phck, we need to get to work! What time is it? Must be late. Fowler's going to have my ass!" Gavin sighed as he looked around his apartment, almost like he'd lost or was looking for something. He was agitated, hovering on the edge of another panic attack. Nines crossed the small space to rest his hands on Gavin's shoulders. Their closeness calmed him somewhat. It pleased Nines he had such an effect. Gavin felt stupid as he dropped his gaze. It was just a phcking dream! This isn't the first time I've had a phcking dream!
"Gavin…You have suffered a major traumatic episode. You shouldn't work today. I've already alerted Captain Fowler, and he agrees." Nines noted the way Gavin's green eyes pinched at the reminder. He knew Gavin hated being treated like he was helpless, but he needed this. He couldn't work in his current state. He was still so nervous and jittery. Judging by the state he'd found him in, Nines wasn't sure he wanted to know what had happened in Gavin's nightmare. "Perhaps if you feel better this afternoon, we can return to work." Gavin always made more progress when he had a goal in mind. He nodded wordlessly as he ran a hand through his thick hair. He rested his hands on his hips a few moments later as he looked at his feet.
"Alright…Alright, let's get out of here for a bit," he sighed eventually as he headed off to toe his shoes on. Nines followed, reminding him of all the things he'd need to make sure he picked them up. Wallet. It was in his old pants from the night before. Phone. It had been forgotten on his bedside table. Keys. They were in the kitchen. They'd been knocked to the back of the counter beside the toaster since the night before. Once he had everything, he opened the door and stepped into the hall. Nines followed and held up both a thick sweater and his leather jacket. It was cold out. It had snowed the day before. If the weather patterns remained consistent with the past few years, it would likely snow intermittently until late February. The ploughs and salt trucks were already out in force.
Nines drove, knowing that Gavin wasn't in the right headspace for it. The fresh air perked him up a little as they stepped onto the street. The freshness brought a healthy red flush to his cheeks. Nines parked at the Plaza and took them back to the small coffee shop they'd visited with Chloe and Connor. The cosy atmosphere had seemed to please Gavin last time. Nines bought him a coffee and a sticky cinnamon bun. The sugar would help to lift his mood, and coffee always made him feel better. He even made it a large. Gavin held the mug in his hands and breathed in the familiar scent, green eyes closed in contentment.
"You really know how to treat a guy," Gavin murmured in a teasing tone, though there was a large amount of gratitude underneath it. Nines had bought himself a thirium laced coffee, keeping it plain. He didn't mind the bitterness of it and the strength of flavour was appealing. It seemed that, while his brothers liked sweet things, he preferred savoury. That's not so say he didn't like sweet things. He enjoyed ice cream and other desserts, but if given a choice, he'd likely choose the slightly more tart or bitter options.
"I know how to treat you," Nines corrected almost intimately, watching Gavin's lips quirk at the admission. There were few other humans that Nines would make such an effort for. There were few others he even knew well enough to guess at what would please them. He knew Gavin inside out and backwards. When he was stressed or afraid, then a firm grip on the back of his neck would calm him. If he was restless, then he either needed food or coffee. When he was frustrated or angry, he would either fight or hurt himself. He had self-destructive tendencies that could often be diverted by giving him a new target for his rage and focus. He was impulsive and needed to be watched closely to ensure he didn't run blindly into trouble. He could be curt and rude with suspects and co-workers alike. Occasionally, he may feel bad afterwards, but more often than not, his feelings were justified. If left to his own devices, he would often overwork himself, getting focused on a single task and continuing without consideration for his own wellbeing. At these times, he needed to be stopped and made to rest. Nines knew which foods and drinks would please him most, and could match them to his moods. In this instance, the sugar would improve his low mood while the caffeine from the coffee would perk him up and lessen his cravings.
"You know how to bribe me," Gavin retorted as he leaned on the table with something fond lingering in his green eyes. Nines reached out and ran his fingers through Gavin's tousled hair, partly to tidy it and partly because he knew that Gavin enjoyed the contact. Predictably, Gavin's eyes closed for a moment as he leaned into the long fingers that teased his scalp. This was another thing that Gavin liked. It would calm him. Make him feel safe and secure. It was also a good way to distract him when he was too deep in his thoughts or buried in work. "See? Blatant bribery," Gavin hummed as he raised the plastic knife and fork he'd been given. He hated getting his hands sticky.
"Bribery for what purpose?" Nines asked curiously as he drew back to let Gavin eat. He scanned him, noting he was more relaxed now. The quiet cosy setting, the mug of frothy coffee, the warm sticky bun, and the gentle tactile contact had had the intended effect. Gavin's stress levels were back to normal now. Nines was relieved. He'd thought his thirium pump was going to stall when he'd seen him lying there that morning. Part of him was eager to know what had caused it, but Gavin didn't seem ready to share just yet.
"Good behaviour. If not that, then what?" he retorted gently before taking a bite of his sticky treat.
"To keep you in good health, of course. I am used to working with you, Detective. It would be inconvenient to break in a new human at this point." Nines sipped his own coffee, allowing his foot to find Gavin's under the table. He rested his instep alongside Gavin's and pressed their shoes together. Gavin made no move to push him away. He didn't even seem to have noticed. Nines would have continued to think that if not for the increase in pressure against his own shoe as Gavin nudged back. The contact was nice. It was comfortable.
"How about we look around the shops a little after this? Christmas is coming up, and this will be your first one." Gavin looked up as Nines nodded his agreement. It would be his first Christmas while active. Connor had seen one Christmas before, but the revolution had only just concluded at that point and the event had passed largely unmarked by both sides. Christmas wasn't exactly important to androids, but it was such a large holiday for humans that their enthusiasm for the festivities would likely brush off. It was early December, but already lights had been strung in the streets. Tinsel was currently being hung in many stores, cafes, and restaurants, and humans were buying artificial trees.
"Do you decorate your home for the holidays?" Gavin shook his head in response. He hadn't done that sort of thing since he was a kid. He'd never seen the point of doing it for himself, and with a cat in the house, it didn't seem like a good idea. Pipsqueak was an android cat, but still a cat. He would climb things, chew and claw things, knock things over. If he put a tree up, it would likely be on the floor within a couple of hours. It wasn't a big deal.
"No, I never saw the point. Wouldn't be a good idea with Pips around anyway," he replied, watching Nines nod his agreement. He had noted and tidied the disarray in the living room and kitchen. There had been a reason behind the chaos, but he could understand Gavin's concern about electrical lighting and such. An electric shock would likely overload Pipsqueak's processors, causing major damage. Perhaps a small desk tree would be an acceptable risk…
"What do you usually do for the holiday?" Nines asked curiously, watching Gavin shrug. When he was a kid, he'd wait up as late as possible for his mum to come home so they could open presents and eat together. She'd always done her best to be home on Christmas Day, but that had changed in later years. By the end, Gavin hadn't even been home. He'd been too busy doing drug runs for the local gangs or whatever. After he'd cleaned up and joined the academy, it had been different. After that, he'd always volunteered for the Christmas shift so that others could be at home with their families. Sometimes he'd done a half day so he could visit Jack and spoil his goddaughter rotten for a few hours. After Jack's death, he'd taken to just working through the holiday, though he'd make sure he gave Tina a gift and spent an hour or so with her. Sometimes she'd even be working alongside him.
"Not much. I usually volunteer to work the Christmas shift. I don't have kids, so there's no reason for me to take the day off, you know?" Gavin replied between mouthfuls, Nines nodding his agreement. If Gavin worked, then he would also work. He was curious about the holiday, but participation wasn't a requirement. Perhaps he could arrange some small form of celebration with Gavin to mark the occasion. "I get this one will be a big deal for you though…You should take the day off, spend time with your brothers." Gavin was pretty sure Hank was going to go all out to make sure Connor experienced the holiday properly this time.
"What about your brother?" Nines was certain that Elijah would like to see Gavin if the holiday was so important. Gavin faltered at that. He hadn't thought about it. This would be the first Christmas in years where he actually had family. People who'd likely want to see him. He could just imagine Chloe's face if he didn't visit. Maybe I could work the shift and see him after? Or before? I should check the schedule with Fowler and talk to Eli and see when we can meet up…It would be pretty shitty not to see him over the holiday. He didn't want to deprive his co-workers either. They relied on people like him working to get the day off with their kids. Miller's wife would go into labour sometime soon, so he'd also likely be off this year, too.
"I'll look into it," Gavin replied thoughtfully, making a note on his phone so he didn't forget. "A lot of people decorate their desks, too…Think you'd like to do that?" He waited as Nines took an elegant sip of his coffee. Nines' desk was still quite sparse, so this would be a good opportunity to cheer it up. Gavin the Cactus still maintained pride of place, but there was little else on the faded surface. At Nines' nod, they slowly got ready to leave. The Plaza was a little quiet for a Saturday, but Gavin wasn't about to complain.
They spent a while going from shop to shop, looking at various knickknacks and gift options. Gavin talked through the different choices with Nines, giving him an idea of what sort of things were appropriate. He bought various items. He picked out gifts for Hank, his brothers, Niles, Chloe, and Elijah. He was unsure what he should buy for Gavin, and Gavin himself wasn't exactly the best to ask. Gavin seemed to do a little shopping of his own, too. They took their time browsing decorations, Nines' LED spinning yellow as he touched and examined the shiny objects.
"Huh, look at this!" Gavin called in amusement as he picked up a small desk tree, which had a Cyberlife symbol on the white pot. Gavin turned on the plant curiously, watching Nines blink in surprise before the tree lit up and flickered between blue and yellow, perfectly matching his LED. "That's so phcking cool! It's like mood lighting! The colours match your little, circle thingy." Gavin was apparently quite delighted with the small find. Nines was unsure how he felt about his mood being on display like that, but he was pleased that it seemed to please Gavin so much. It only stood around twenty inches tall, so it wouldn't be too noticeable. Nines bought the tree with the intention of putting it on Gavin's desk.