Reed sighed as he finally opened the front door, running a welcoming hand through Lynx's fur as he left it open for Nines. Dealing with families was always rough. Some had reacted with disbelief, some had been crushed, and others had been hostile. Everyone dealt with it differently. They'd all had one thing in common though. That fucking radio show. He couldn't stand the accusing looks he'd gotten. The probing questions. Why did it take so long to identify the body? I don't want to go into detail, but all the victims have been difficult to identify. Not even a serial number? I'm afraid we can only get information as fast as our forensic experts can find it. Why haven't you made any arrests yet? I'm afraid we have very little information to go on besides what you can provide us with at this time. You want me to do your job for you? If we can trace your husband's last movements, we may be able to find a link to the other victims. Be honest, you're just going to wait until the news dies down, then drop it, right? Not at all. I fully intend to complete this investigation. I've heard about officers like you, android hater. I'm sorry, but as you can see, my partner is an android. I really am taking this seriously.

Would you like me to make dinner, Detective? Nines asked as he stepped in front of him with a worried and sympathetic air. Reed shrugged out of his white hoodie and tossed it somewhere. Probably on the floor. He didn't look. He rubbed his hands over his face with a worn sigh. He felt like total shit. It felt like he hadn't done enough. Like it was never enough. He looked up as Nines waved in front of his face and repeated the question with smooth hand movements.

"I'm just tired…I'll take a shower and turn in," he decided with a stretch, pausing as he walked straight into a firm chest. A firm chest that didn't really carry a scent. It wasn't surprising really. Androids didn't sweat, and they were synthetic. They carried the scent of the places they spent the most time. Right now, Nines smelled like him, having been in his car and now his house. There was an underlying smoky undertone where he'd smoked a cigarette next to him a few hours ago. Shit, he should be more considerate with that. Nines probably didn't want the smell of stale smoke clinging to his uniform.

You haven't eaten since this morning. Nines gave a concerned twitch of his brow. Reed paused as he realised he was right. After clocking in, they'd spent pretty much the whole day travelling around interviewing the friends and families. He just hadn't had time to stop and eat. Still, it wasn't the end of the world. He'd gone a lot longer without food before, and he really wasn't that hungry. He was even feeling a little nauseous. He sighed as he rested a hand on Nines' upper arm, intending to ease him out of the way.

"I'll survive." He was surprised that he couldn't move him. He pushed a little harder, but Nines didn't want to be moved. He was like a statue. Not even his arm moved as he pushed it. "Will you move?" He sighed in annoyance, watching Nines' brow pinch. Technically, it hadn't been an order, so he'd managed to avoid obeying the request. Reed almost rolled his eyes. The one time it would actually help for him to take it as an order…

Please let me cook something, even something small. Nines' sharp eyes softened with worry. Reed sighed, suddenly realising how close they were standing. They were barely a foot apart. Nines' freckles were the same as Connor's, and he had the same dimple in his right cheek. Even his imperfections are perfect. He knew he'd look even more attractive if he smiled. He'd have a nice smile. He was sure of it. Way cuter than Connor's.

"Fine, do what you want," Reed sighed finally, stepping aside and waving to the kitchen. Nines gave him the smallest of smiles as he headed to the kitchen. "I'm still taking a shower." Reed dragged himself upstairs to his room. He didn't catch the response. A heavy feeling had settled in his chest, dragging down to the pit of his stomach. Maybe it was the weight of responsibility. Phck, I haven't felt it this bad in years. This was the first big case linked to android homicides. They got regular singular cases, but he had six bodies now. Six! There were families demanding answers. Families that didn't trust him to get those answers. The problem was, he couldn't blame them. I was an android hater. Half a year ago I would have tossed this case in the trash.

He left a trail of discarded clothing across his bedroom until he was in the tiled bathing pit, deciding to turn on the shower rather than fill the bath. He didn't feel like soaking, and Nines would expect him downstairs in a while. At least I'm not working on this alone anymore. The one saving grace he had. It was better that he was working with an android. The families trusted Nines' word when he assured them they would try their best. Good thing they don't know he's only been doing this for a day. They wouldn't have had that faith if they knew. They certainly wouldn't trust him if they knew he'd only partially deviated.

Reed closed his eyes as he turned his face up into the hot spray, letting out a small hum as it ran over his tight shoulders. He felt the coil in his torso loosen ever so slightly. This wasn't the first difficult case he'd worked. Sure, it was a little different when the victims were androids, but they'd made a little progress. They had victim names, families, friends, co-workers, and they were partway towards reconstructing the victims' final hours. That's a job for tomorrow. Switch off, come on…Just stop thinking…Reed sighed. Information just kept buzzing around in his skull. Two of the victims had worked in the same area. One of the victims had stopped at the same coffee shop where one of the others worked weekends. He shook his head. Overthinking it wouldn't do any good.

He grabbed the body wash, determined to just focus on what he was doing. Gel. Sponge. Lather. Lather. Rinse. Shampoo. Lather. Rinse. He sighed as he thought of one of the victims working maintenance in a park downtown, even after the revolution. Maybe he'd been taken from the park. Parks were always a popular kidnapping location. No cameras. Lower foot traffic at night. Stop it! Come on! Give me a phcking break! He shut off the water and wrapped himself in a towel. There are offices near that park…It could be the park…

He stumbled through to his bedroom, shucking off the towel and using it to dry his hair. I should check the addresses again, and the workplaces…See how close they come to each other…Do many of their paths cross? A mall they all use? A street? A park? He paused, still rubbing his hair with the towel. He was so distracted that he didn't even notice the light knock on the door, but he did hear as the door opened and a static breath sounded behind him. He almost jumped out of his skin as he looked over his shoulder and froze, green meeting blue.

I'm sorry! Nines' face muscles were slack, and he found himself unable to look away. The LED at his temple whirled red before dropping to yellow and staying there. Reed felt his brain completely stall as they just stared at each other. He hadn't even covered up. His towel was resting over one shoulder as he used the end to dry his hair. He finally breathed again and remembered, dropping the towel to his waist in a flail.

"Jesus! Nines! Phck me! Give a guy some warning!" he stammered in embarrassment as he tightened his grip on the towel around his waist. He watched Nines' silvery eyes shoot wide, and he could have sworn his cheeks flushed a deeper shade of pink. They probably did. This was one of those awkward, fucking embarrassing encounters. What is this? A phcking rom com?

I did knock, but when you didn't answer, I thought you were still in the bathroom. I was going to tell you that your dinner is ready. Reed noticed he had yet to turn his eyes away, despite his innocent protests. He wasn't even sure if he'd blinked. He knew androids could blink. He'd seen them do it. His hand twitched on his towel as his chest made an increasingly familiar thump. Not a phcking chance!

"Do you mind?"

I'm sorry. Nines finally blinked his sharp blue eyes. I have never seen a naked human before. He couldn't help thinking how different they were. Androids looked human, but they were slightly too perfect and a little more solid. Reed was clearly fit and healthy, but there was a supple softness to his skin and muscles, particularly over his stomach, hips, and rump. Especially the rump. Unlike androids, Reed's body also had some hair. Not too much, but there were dark curls on his arms and legs, and a small trail running down from his navel to his crotch. His crotch was also a little different to most androids.

"Nines…a little privacy, if you don't phcking mind?" Reed said in a slightly exasperated tone as he gestured between them and to his towel.

Of course…I'll be downstairs. Reed waited until he'd heard Nines retreat down the hall before he finally dropped the damp towel. Phck. He looked down, raising his eyes to the ceiling with a low sigh as he noticed his half hard shaft. I am not getting off on getting eye-fucked by a phcking machine! He quietly considered returning to the bathroom to douse himself in cold water. He settled for taking a few breaths and ignoring the problem, tucking himself into the waist of his boxers and slipping on some black sweats and a worn band t-shirt.

He noticed Nines' soft blue eyes rove over him as he walked down the stairs, his spine prickling at the attention. It was a delicious sensation. One he hadn't felt in some time. Shit, I need to get laid…Maybe I should text Tina and set up a night out this week…He knew he'd probably regret it as soon as he reached the club. The noise and crowds always got to him, almost like he was over sensitised. It was always too much, but somehow not enough. He'd still manage to drink and dance. In fact, the alcohol usually loosened him up. He just needed to find someone to grind up against, take them to the bathroom or the alley outside. Hell, if it was a good night, he might even bring them home, at least he usually would.

"Smells good," he said as he approached the counter, where a bowl sat filled with pasta. He hummed as he took a bite. It was incredibly simple, making use of the tinned food in his cupboard. It was tuna, sweetcorn, mayonnaise, and some black pepper. It wasn't something he would have thought to make himself, but it was good for a quick snack and filling due to the pasta. Nines had also filled a glass of cold water for him.

Do you like it? He seemed eager for approval. Reed climbed up on one of the stools at the bar, and Nines sat beside him. His white jacket had been discarded, leaving him in a black turtleneck that was far tighter than it had any right to be. It clung to him like a second skin, leaving nothing to the imagination. He had a long neck, ending in a delicately curved chin with the barest cleft, much like Connor.

"Yeah, it's pretty good…Nice. Simple," Reed added as he forked more into his mouth. Nines seemed pleased with the assessment as he tore open a packet of thirium. It was from the fridge and looked like a foil blood pack. He'd never actually seen an android drink thirium. It wasn't really anything special. It was like a kid sucking a Capri-Sun. "Thanks…You don't have to do this, though," he added between ravenous bites.

I am your android…It is in my best interests to keep you healthy. Nines had replied without a shred of hesitation or unease. Reed frowned as he looked at him. Maybe he should be flattered at being so high on someone else's list of priorities for a change, but it just got to him. He wasn't exactly angry, but he was irked by it. He didn't want Nines to think of him like that. This wasn't a pet and owner relationship or something weird like that.

"You're not my android! You're not some piece of luggage, you're a…a being! A whole person!" Reed snapped a little more harshly than he'd intended. He wouldn't have given a damn a few months ago. Hell, a few months ago he probably would have just ordered him to take a hike and left it at that. He may even have done worse than that. Filled his time with menial tasks. Given him a kick every so often to remind him who was in charge. Sent him into dangerous situations on purpose.

As an un-deviated android, I am still considered a possession, Detective. Nines watched Reed's jaw tighten in disapproval. He didn't like it. A few months ago it wouldn't have bothered him. Androids had been useful household appliances. Job stealing computers, and nothing more. Now, it just felt wrong to think that he owned an android. He'd spent too much time with Connor to think of androids as just mechanical tools.

"And what are you planning to do at the end of these two weeks if I decide I don't want you hanging around? Are you just going to give yourself to the next human who comes along?" Reed found that the answer bothered him a lot more than he'd care to admit. Nines suddenly seemed very vulnerable, despite the firmness of his jaw and the strength of his cheekbones. Reed could tell he hadn't thought about that either. He almost closed his eyes and sighed.

It is my hope that I won't need to find out. He avoided eye contact with Reed as he signed. This…is fucked up. On so many levels. What would you even call this? Hero worship? Transference? The suspension bridge effect? I'm sure he only wants me to own him because I'm the one who found him…He wasn't blind to the lingering gaze or the way Nines was sitting slightly closer than was socially acceptable. It was also probably telling that he was letting him get away with it.

"I can't guarantee anything…" Reed murmured quietly, trying not to give him false hope. It didn't sit well with him. He couldn't blame Nines for wanting someone or something to cling to, and sure, it made sense that he'd want it to be him. He was the one who'd found him. It just probably wasn't healthy for it to be him. I really need to talk to Connor about this shit.

I have faith that I will meet your expectations. It looked like a lot of that confidence was forced. Reed huffed and smirked. He couldn't shoot him down when he looked so fucking hopeful. It was damned cute, even if he did look like a murderbot.

"Shut up and go to bed, Nines," Reed ordered with a huff, going so far as to shove his head lightly. Nines looked like he was about to say something in objection before his protocols kicked in and recognised the order. "Don't worry, I'll be heading up as soon as I finish this and give Lynx a refuel," Reed assured, watching Nines get to his feet and tuck in his stool with a nod.

Good night, Detective…Sleep well. Reed waved in response as he finished his pasta. It was suddenly a little colder and emptier without Nines close by. He shrugged the feeling off. It wouldn't do to get used to having him in his space all the time. This would only be temporary. For a few days. A couple of weeks at most. He went and grabbed his phone from his hoodie pocket and brought up Connor's details.

Hey, Tin Can. I need to talk to you about Nines. Meet up tomorrow morning in the break room? He left his phone on the counter as he washed up his bowl and glass, then grabbed Lynx's bowl and filled it with a small packet of thirium based cat food. Even before the revolution, android animals had been given food-like supplements. Humans preferred it that way. They liked to pretend the animals were real. Lynx heard the scrape of the bowl and prowled over from his place on the living room rug.

Nines? Is that the name chosen by the RK900? Connor replied curiously, the phone buzzing on the breakfast bar. Reed took up his phone and slumped on the sofa for a few minutes.

Not exactly. He couldn't think of one, so I've been using it as a placeholder. Anyway, meet me tomorrow, alright? Things are getting a little weird. He was almost surprised by Connor's lack of questions. Maybe he'd noticed it already. Connor was really observant, after all. With his plan set, Reed finally headed up to bed. He found himself pausing briefly outside Nines' door. He was half tempted to put his head in and check on him. He's a machine, not a baby! Reed sighed inwardly before continuing on to his own room.