Nines turned over. It was early morning. Five thirty-three, to be precise. Gavin had slept soundly the night before, and he was still sleeping. Perhaps it was the knowledge that he was safe, or the comfort of having his partner close. Either way, Nines was relieved that he'd gotten a long, undisturbed rest. He'd gone into stasis himself, setting his cycle to end either when Gavin began showing signs of distress or after eight hours. It had barely been three in the afternoon by the time they'd gone to bed the day before. Gavin had been exhausted after their long journey, made longer by various detours to shake any potential followers.

Nines was currently resting comfortably on his side, head cushioned on a plump pillow as he allowed his ethereal blue eyes to rove over Gavin's muscular form. The fire had warmed the house the night before and Gavin had stripped his shirt before climbing beneath the covers. He'd kicked the duvet off in the night, bare plains of flesh greeting Nines' gaze. His sweatpants were resting low on his hips, revealing the defined V that disappeared into his tight boxers. He wouldn't touch him. His scans indicated that Gavin was hovering on the edge of a fresh sleep cycle. Any movement would likely rouse him to full wakefulness.

Gavin sighed and hummed in his sleep, rolling onto his back. His face looked much younger while he was sleeping. Since he'd gotten a good amount of rest, the dark circles beneath his eyes seemed a little lighter. The lack of windows in the loft area meant the room was still dark. Dawn barely breaking outside. The darkness didn't affect Nines, who simply adjusted his eyes. He'd seen it before, of course, but it still stirred him to examine the scarring across Gavin's torso. Faded cuts and slashes from knife fights. A few faded circles from bullet wounds. Some were pale white while others were a deep pink, indicating they were fresher. The knife wound near his throat was the freshest. The memory of it still made Nines' thirium pump stutter. Just a little further along the flesh and it would have sliced an artery. Gavin would have bled out in seconds. His brunette locks were fluffed and mussed from sleeping, odd strands hanging down over his closed eyes.

Nines scanned him again, letting out a light hum of contentment as he read Gavin's vitals slipping down into a fresh sleep cycle. Provided there was no outward stimulation, Gavin would remain sleeping for the next ninety minutes or so. Nines took the opportunity to puzzle over his feelings for the rash, hot headed human. It was getting harder to maintain a professional distance. He didn't understand it entirely, but he knew he felt a strong desire to have Gavin in some capacity. He contemplated what that meant as he watched the rise and fall of Gavin's bare chest. Hardly any hair coated the pale surface.

He blinked as Gavin turned on his side and his hand flopped down to slap Nines' face. It would have been painful if he were human. His lips quirked in quiet amusement as he lifted the limp wrist and cradled the warm hand in his own. If he didn't know better, he would have thought Gavin was awake and that he'd done it on purpose to chide him for his thoughts. Gavin's vitals were humming the way they usually did when he was sleeping peacefully. Nines very much enjoyed this new angle and the way Gavin's face was half buried in his pillow. He remembered Gavin's words to him at Cyberlife Tower so long ago. Take a picture, dipshit, it'll last longer! He smiled as he blinked slowly, adding the image to the not-so-modest collection he'd saved so far. He wondered if it was unusual to have a folder of pictures dedicated to a single being. He'd noticed that Gavin had one for Pipsqueak, and Tina had one for her own feline, Snuffles, but Gavin is not a pet…

Gavin shifted again, a sigh escaping his dry lips as he shuffled closer to Nines. Ah, my heat output. Gavin raised a leg and hooked it possessively over his thigh, his head nuzzling into his chest comfortably. Nines was hesitant, wondering if it would be taking advantage to embrace him. Gavin clearly desired physical contact on some level. He was chasing Nines' warmth instinctively. Surely it wouldn't be so bad to wrap an arm around him. Another contented hum escaped his lips as he stroked over Gavin's covered hip and up across the exposed plains of pink flesh. He enjoyed the sensation on his sensors. Smooth skin. Occasionally interrupted by rough patches of scar tissue. His thirium pump jumped as he felt Gavin return his embrace, hot breath seeping through his black T-shirt.

Nines liked this very much. He liked the heat of Gavin's body against his own slightly cooler form. He liked the feeling of their mutual embrace. He liked Gavin's warm breath on his skin. He liked the feeling of Gavin's bare flesh against his fingertips. He liked it when he nuzzled closer, brunette locks tickling his chin. He liked that he could breathe in Gavin's scent, which was no longer tainted by cigarettes. It was musky with a light cologne from his bathing products. The same products Nines would often use himself.

He reflected that it would be sensible to use this extra time to do something productive, however he found himself reluctant to part with the human in his arms. He was enjoying the way his fingers traced circles on the soft flesh, occasionally following the faded scars. Was this what humans called a guilty pleasure? Perhaps he should feel guilty. Did this count as harassment? Gavin was unaware of his ministrations. Was it wrong to hold him in this manner? He didn't think Gavin would mind. He had embraced him many times recently. What would he say if I asked his permission? Nines bit his lip almost nervously as he considered. How would he feel if Gavin refused? Would he refuse?

Gavin hummed in his sleep, his hips rocking closer so that he was pressed snugly against Nines' thigh. Nines' LED span yellow as he felt Gavin's hardened length prodding his upper thigh. It wasn't entirely unexpected. Gavin was flesh and blood. It was a common phenomenon in human males. A simple biological function. It was a function that Nines himself shared, though his own component was inactive. He'd decided to keep it that way after experiencing his first release in the showers. Enjoyable — Pleasurable? Stimulating? — as it had been, Nines had decided that it had also been rather unexpected — Worrying? Concerning? — and perhaps even a little creepy. He'd stroked himself to completion right beside Gavin's unsuspecting form in the showers while preconstructing him bowed openly before him. He was unsure how to process the incident. He shuffled back a little. It felt inappropriate to allow the intimate contact, even though Gavin was the one physically instigating it in his sleep. Gavin hummed his disapproval before rolling away, leaving Nines feeling almost abandoned. The temperature had certainly lowered with the loss of Gavin's body heat.

With Gavin no longer clinging to him, Nines had little reason to remain in bed. He felt somewhat disappointed — Frustrated? Saddened? — at the realisation as he dragged himself from the covers and quietly crept downstairs. He was greeted by Pipsqueak weaving between his legs, tail perked and flicking as he padded along to the kitchen with him. Nines cooed quietly as he refilled the cat bowls and turned his attention to the fire. He'd set it roaring before bed, hoping it would still be warm that morning. He'd calculated accurately. There were enough glowing embers that he could simply add a new log to the cinders. He did so quickly, scraping some of the old ash into a small metal bucket to be removed. The ashes would smother the flames if he left them.

These tasks were small and barely took him any time at all. He looked around, scanning the tidy room. Gavin had cleaned up the previous day. Extra food had been boxed and added to the fridge. There were a few items on the drainer, which he dutifully returned to the cupboards, but there was little else to do. He calculated that Gavin still had approximately an hour of his cycle left. He decided to shower and get it out of the way to leave the room free for Gavin when he awoke. He dressed in a snug chocolate turtleneck and jeans, his hair drying quickly as he bustled around the kitchen, considering what Gavin would like for breakfast.

The house was stocked as he'd requested. Before setting off the day before, Nines had sent a list to Colin requesting the house be stocked and ready. Colin had passed on the message, and Nines was satisfied that everything was in order. They'd even included the decaffeinated coffee he'd requested. He hadn't tried it on Gavin yet, but he had read good things in his research. He was pleased to find a real coffee machine provided. He filled it with the granules and setting the cycle. He then prepared his usual fluffy pancakes with bacon and maple syrup. Gavin had always seemed especially pleased with this breakfast item. Nines took extra care, ensuring the bacon was crisp and not too greasy.

"Morning…" Gavin grumbled tiredly as he appeared at the bottom of the stairs while Nines was plating up. His chest felt somehow full as he looked at Gavin's sleepy form. He almost walked into the sofa on his quest to find the kitchen in the unfamiliar room. Nines greeted him warmly, taking his elbow and safely leading him to the small breakfast bar on the edge of the kitchen. The chairs were tall and made of wood to match the homely theme of the cabin. "You made me coffee?" Gavin murmured in surprise, knowing how much Nines disliked his caffeine habit.

"I did," Nines confirmed in an almost guarded tone as he poured out a cup and set it before him almost anxiously. If Gavin enjoyed the beverage, it would be a positive sign. He could then begin to serve him decaf exclusively. He watched as Gavin took a sip, his green eyes sharpening as he looked at the cup, almost as if it had offended him. Nines almost sighed in defeat. He wasn't sure if the coffee truly tasted bad or just a little weaker without the caffeine. Either way, Gavin seemed to have noticed.

"This is decaf," he stated with certainty as he held up the mug. Nines nodded his agreement as he watched Gavin set the mug down and pull his pancakes closer.

"It is…I had hoped the flavour would please you enough that you may swap to it on a more permanent basis." Nines did his best to keep the disappointment from his tone. Gavin scoffed at that. As if he wouldn't notice. He'd been drinking strong coffee for over twenty years. There's no way that shit would slip by him. Having said that, the coffee wasn't too bad. It didn't sate his cravings, but the flavour was alright. It's a little weak though…

"Can't say I'd drink it all the time, but it's not so bad as a substitute," Gavin admitted as he took another sip. It was just a little waterier than his usual brew. He wouldn't say he liked it, but fuck, he'd drink it if it made Nines happy. He was finding there wasn't much he wouldn't do to please him these days. I couldn't have gotten through half the shit I did recently without him…On that note, Gavin turned his thoughts towards their plans for the day. Nines had agreed to help him rebuild the Hickory Killer case from the ground up. The meant going into everything, old and new, to see if anything stood out. He was starting to feel anxious already.

"Why don't you shower?" Nines suggested gently, giving Gavin some time and space to compose himself. It was lucky that Nines had already downloaded everything about the Hickory Killer cases. He didn't currently have access to the DPD database because of the signal jammers they'd brought. They had plenty of paper and some pens, which Nines had found in a drawer. They didn't have a notice board, so they'd have to make do with scattering the papers across the walls with tape. Technically, this was probably a bad idea. Gavin wasn't working the case for a reason, but if they managed to get a lead that helped Colin and Perkins, it would mean getting out of witness protection sooner.

"You ready?" Gavin asked with a deep breath as he sat on the sofa. Nines nodded as he waited for him to begin. They went through the cases one by one, starting with the first. Gavin and Jack had been called out like any other day, and that's how they'd treated it. A man had been hung in the clock tower down town. They'd figured out pretty damned quickly that he hadn't done it himself. There was no way for him to have tied the rope and hoisted himself up alone, and there wasn't a chair or box he could have used to get the extra height necessary. There had also been a recording on an old cassette tape, which forensics had found later, along with a small block of hickory in his pocket. That body hadn't been too bad. The killer hadn't tortured him or fucked around the way he had with the later victims. The kill had been clean. It wasn't his first time killing, but he hadn't settled on what he liked yet.

The second kill had been a little bolder. More public. The woman suspended in the park had clearly been slashed up with a knife beforehand; the cuts varying from shallow to deep. It was the deeper ones that had made her bleed out. She'd still been alive when she'd been strung up like an angel. They'd puzzled over the cuts. The shallow ones had suggested uncertainty while the deeper ones showed more confidence. They'd considered there being multiple killers, but it just felt too personal for two people. They'd settled on one person growing in confidence, but as time wore on and more bodies had piled up, Gavin had reconsidered. Rather than showing hesitancy, he thought the shallow cuts had likely been made while toying with the victim. Inflicting pain first. The deeper ones had been for the sole purpose of making the victim slowly bleed out. Sick phck probably stood and watched the whole thing.

The third had been the worst by far, but he didn't need to go through the details. Thank god. Nines remembered it from his research for the copycat case. Gavin still remembered stepping onto the dirt with perfect clarity. Seeing blood smears and chewed up bones with odd lumps of muscle left behind in small strewn blobs. He'd just about had a heart attack when the first dog had growled and charged. He'd pulled the trigger instinctively. They'd had to take out every dog single. All of them still angry and half starved. It wasn't fair, getting animals involved. That was the first time he'd felt it. The prickle that ran down his neck. The moment he'd seen the last dog fall, he'd known. Someone had been watching. His eyes had darted around, but the place had looked empty.

When the fourth body dropped, he knew he'd been right. With the fourth body, the victim torn apart by hacked android bears, he'd found the first note. It had been accompanied by pictures of him at the previous scene, green eyes searching the stands. There had been more pictures of him. Crouching with Jack. Examining the dogs. Directing forensics. A lot of focus on him. Very little on Jack. He wasn't sure how he'd known which of them was in charge, but somehow he'd latched onto him right from the start. The thought of it made him sick.

The fifth victim had been stung to death by bees. He'd clearly dumped her by the hives and worked up the swarm somehow. The woman had tried to run, but she'd barely gotten two feet before the bees had swarmed in and stung her repeatedly. Her skin had been patchy and red, her expression one of fear and agony. The bees had calmed since the attack. They hadn't paid the detectives any mind as they'd examined the scene. The keepers had been out seeing to the hives and ensuring the bees were comfortable. The keepers hadn't found any reason for them to have swarmed, so perhaps the killer had cleaned up after himself. It was possible he'd deliberately attacked the hive with the queen inside, forcing the bees to defend themselves.

The sixth victim had been found at a small Chinese market. It was unusual, but something about it had sent a shiver through him as he'd walked the familiar streets of China Town. Tina's mother owned a restaurant around there and regularly shopped for supplies, live chickens being one of them. He'd watched her cooking once, twisting the head clean off before gutting and plucking it right in front of him. The sixth victim had been dumped in a beat up old clock. She'd been pecked at by birds and six chicken heads had been forced down her throat. The coroner had said the woman had still been alive at that point. It had certainly been more up close and personal than last time. It had also felt too close to home. Gavin had checked in with Tina that her mother hadn't noticed anyone following her around, and he'd also nagged Tina about being on guard.

"And number seven?" Nines asked as he fixed the details of body number six on the wall above the fire. Gavin sighed as he crossed his legs on the sofa, glad he'd stayed in sweats since they were lounging inside that day. It would have been cosy if not for the wall of death before them and the fact that they were adding to it little by little. Nines returned his full attention to Gavin, scanning him as he took up the pad once more. He'd likely need a break soon. He was starting to push his stress levels.

"It was a girl from the local cat shelter…I'd helped out there once or twice…You know I love cats. I thought of getting a real one once, back when I still had Jack around…before I started working every hour under the sun…Her name was Cindy Owens. I didn't know her that well. Just a face I used to see in passing. We guessed she'd been grabbed one night after work and…" Gavin trailed off uncomfortably. Nines waited patiently as he considered the importance of this woman. It was someone Gavin had known directly. It was unlikely to have been a coincidence. Perhaps it had been a possessive act. The killer could have misunderstood the reason for Gavin's visits to the shelter, thinking he was perhaps interested in Cindy Owens romantically rather than the cats. "He did something to her…Gave her some drug that left her completely immobile, but still aware. He cut her up a little and then dumped her in this alley that was just…full of rats. I'd never seen so many of the fuckers in one place before. They'd picked her apart pretty good by the time we got there…That's part of the reason we didn't know which exact drug he'd used…There wasn't much left to test…" Gavin trailed off with a shudder.

"Do you remember the verse?" Gavin nodded with a sigh.

"Hickory Dickory Dock, The cat ran round the clock, The clock struck seven, She wanted to get 'em, Hickory Dickory Dock, Tick-tock-tick-tock-tick-tock." He couldn't stop himself from singing the tune. It was burned into his memory permanently from months of intense study. They'd wondered why this rhyme? They still had no answer. It was likely something from their killer's childhood that had stuck. Something must have happened to this fucker to make him like that…Shit, what if his story isn't so different from mine? Only where I got myself out of trouble, he didn't…It was something entirely possible, but Gavin's childhood hadn't been inherently bad. In his earlier years, his grandparents had doted on him. In his later years, his mother had tried her best, even if she hadn't been around that much.

"Interesting…The verse of the poem would suggest the cat hunting the rats, but his chosen method of murder involved the rats making the kill…" Nines wasn't sure what that pointed to at the moment. It could be significant. The hunter becoming the hunted. A metaphor for Gavin perhaps? He had become a target in the end. Even now, the killer was stalking him. It could also be important that these two kills had held some personal significance to Gavin. He'd worried about the possible connection to Tina's family with one and had been a direct acquaintance of the other.

"Yeah, we thought the same back then…We guessed Cindy represented the cat since she worked at the shelter, but the rats threw us a little." Gavin's legs twitched restlessly. He was starting to find it difficult to sit still in that chair. He wanted to be out there doing something about this fucker, but he was helpless. Side-lined. Benched. Worse than that, he couldn't even do his fucking job. He wasn't helping anyone just sitting in a cabin in the ass-end of nowhere. Nines fixed the latest paper to their makeshift board before turning to Gavin with a soft look in his silvery eyes.

"We should take a break…Perhaps a walk in the forest would ease your mind for a while." He knew it would do Gavin some good to get out and use his restless legs. Gavin shifted his gaze to the window with a small glare, eyeing the sea of white outside. It wasn't that he didn't like the snow, but he wasn't a huge fan of the cold. Or wet. Especially since the dampness would seep through his jeans and soak his socks. "I'll add more wood to the fire so it'll be warm once we return," Nines compromised as he noticed Gavin's reluctance.

"You're really that determined to freeze my ass off?" Gavin teased as he returned his gaze to Nines, who stood by the fire with one arm on the mantelpiece. His blue eyes shifted to the window, where he could see an undisturbed layer of snow outside. It had snowed more overnight, covering their tracks from the day before. The car also had a thick blanket laid over the roof and bonnet.

"I'm interested in anything to do with your ass," Nines retorted offhandedly, Gavin's head snapping towards him in disbelief. Nines hadn't looked at him yet, apparently still distracted by the outside world. He wasn't even sure he realised the effect of his teasing. Gavin was pretty sure he was teasing. "I have never been in a forest before…" Nines added thoughtfully as he shifted his gaze towards Gavin, who faltered a little. He didn't go to the mountains or forests often himself, but he'd gone hiking more than once. It was something he remembered speaking to Nines about. Nines had stated that he had no reason to go hiking. Guess he sort of does now…

"First time for everything…" Gavin sighed as he pushed himself to his feet. He wasn't about to go out there in his cosy sweatpants, even if they were warm and comfortable. "Give me a sec to change," he added as he hurried up the staircase and grabbed his clothes from the day before. There was no point in putting on fresh clothes. They were only going to get wrecked by the snow. He could shove them straight in the wash once they got back, hop in the shower, and then return to his cosy lounge wear. Maybe I'll even be able to have a real coffee as compensation for this.