Gavin stirred, groaning as he shuffled further into the warm embrace. Bare flesh pressed against his own, but something felt different. It was warm, but there wasn't the damp hotness that came with human flesh. The stickiness was caused by him alone. A creeping hand snaked across his hip, caressing the jutting bone and sliding around to cup his ass almost possessively. Gavin bit his lip as the hand squeezed and urged him closer. His leg automatically rose to hook over a familiar slim waist, resting so perfectly it was almost like it had been made for him.
"Good morning, Gavin." Nines kept his voice soft. He didn't want to break the moment, thinking that gentleness would stop Gavin from rousing all the way. Gavin was willing to go with it for now. He didn't want to get up either. Here was nice. Here was easy. Here he didn't have to think about what happened last night and why it had been a bad idea. Was it really that bad? Nines said he'd thought about it and he wanted it…"Your thoughts are deafening," Nines complained as he turned their bodies so that Gavin was on his back.
"Sorry, force of habit," he huffed sleepily as he finally opened his eyes. He almost wished he hadn't. It was too fucking early to be looking up at such a bright expression. Nines had happiness on his face that almost mirrored Connor whenever Hank praised him. Maybe not quite that simpering…Gavin could see a marked amount of heat in that steady blue gaze. He almost seemed to be testing the waters as he leaned down to capture his lips. They were both pleasantly surprised to find him so willing. The crashing sense of guilt didn't come. The foreboding didn't prickle his senses. For once, it just felt…good. Really good.
"Perhaps I can persuade you to break that habit." The rock of his hips pressed his solid cock against Gavin's bare thigh. Something sticky slicked his skin. The mere suggestion made Gavin's cock stir. His body felt soft and pliant beneath Nines' touch as he accepted another deep kiss. His own arms reached up to snake around Nines' neck as he repositioned his legs, spreading himself wide. Nines hummed in contentment as he settled himself between those willing thighs.
"The phck are you looking at, Toaster?" Gavin grumbled self-consciously as Nines propped himself up and raked his silvery eyes over his dishevelled face and toned chest. He looked like he'd found the most beautiful painting, or the most exquisite sculpture. People didn't look at Gavin Reed like that. He wasn't made for such soft expressions of want. He wasn't sweet and loveable. As if reading his unpleasant thoughts, Nines' hand reached up and caressed his warm cheek, stroking down the silky stubble like he was something precious.
"I'm looking at my human." He enjoyed the way his possessive tone made Gavin's skin flush and his cock twitch. "I want to see you like this every morning," he added in an almost dreamy tone, closing the distance to kiss Gavin's lips. Gavin was almost melting at the sweetness of his words. Fuck, he deserved better than he could give. After thirty-six years with few meaningful encounters, Gavin wasn't sure he even had the capacity to give Nines anything like the soft romance he probably imagined.
"Has anyone ever told you that you have terrible phcking taste?" Gavin teased in his usual self-deprecating tone. Nines gave him an almost pouty look of disapproval, making him scoff. He didn't know what the fuck he saw in him. He knew he had his good points, of course. His work ethic and dedication to the force. His treatment of victims and vulnerable people. That didn't mean he'd make a good romantic partner. He'd never done the whole flowers and chocolates thing, or the going to dinner thing, or the going to the movies thing. Christ, have I ever even been on a single date? Probably not, if you didn't count meeting up in clubs and getting shitfaced.
"I have the best taste…I was designed that way," Nines excused dismissively, peppering tiny kisses along Gavin's collarbone to the fresh wound on his shoulder. Gavin shuddered as Nines' tongue flicked out to lather and tease the injury. It was perfectly sealed now, but tender. The layer of fresh skin was still thin. Too much pressure would breach the surface. He flattened his tongue and stroked affectionately before nipping and kissing his neck. It was strange to Gavin, being treated like this. Nines was so careful, even tender, with his weaker human body.
Gavin watched as Nines pushed himself up and repositioned his legs. His body felt weak and obedient to his gentle whims. A soft sound broke free as their cocks rubbed together. Nines lowered himself, claiming his lips once more as he rocked his hips. The gentle friction teased their growing shafts together. It wasn't a position that would get him off, but it was enough to encourage him to full hardness. Nines almost whined as Gavin's arms pulled him closer. A hand fisted in his brunette locks as he opened his mouth and got lost in a battle of teeth and tongues.
"I don't think I-" Gavin was cut off as Nines' lips sealed his mouth. He forgot what he was going to object to anyway, especially as a large hand slid down his waist. He was surprised as the hand didn't reach back to prepare his entrance. Instead, it snaked between their bodies to caress and grip both shafts together.
"I'm aware you'll be sensitive this morning. Don't worry." The tenderness in his voice sent a new wave of feelings through Gavin's chest. It was a flood of warmth that clenched like a vice. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. On the rare mornings he woke up beside someone, they either left in an awkward rush or fucked him into the mattress once more for good measure, the lingering pain of the night before be damned. "You too," Nines encouraged as he tugged one of Gavin's hands to join his own.
"Phck, Nines…" Gavin's voice was almost a whisper as the strange new feeling continued to linger. It burned each time he looked at Nines' face. His expression was a picture of need and adoration that Gavin didn't know how to accept or respond to. Nines whined into their joined grasp. Their fingers and cocks entwined almost tenderly. Nines took the lead, thrusting his hips into their grip. The movement pulled and rubbed Gavin's shaft along his own. Gavin followed his lead with smaller thrusts, both content with the slow, lazy pace.
At some point, Nines drew back from their lingering kisses, breathing slow breaths that matched Gavin's. Somewhere along the line he linked the fingers of their free hands, squeezing needily as he recorded Gavin's expression. It was one he'd never seen. Full of need and affection, and something deeper that he couldn't define. Whatever it was, it was something he knew was reflected in his own eyes. It all became too much as he shuddered. He was ready to release, but he waited. He gripped their cocks tighter to entice his human over the edge. Moaning, he watched Gavin's mouth fall open with a needy whine as warm fluid spurted between them.
Their breaths were heavy as their bodies relaxed. Nines propped himself up on his arms, enjoying the fucked out look of contentment on Gavin's face. Careless of the mess, he rested his pelvis against him, warm sticky fluid slick between them. He was also aware of their limp cocks. They were still pressed together, but neither stirred to life. Nines had switched off the subroutine while Gavin was too tired for now. Gavin slowly roused from his lax state, green eyes coming to life once more.
"We should shower." He didn't relish the idea of the thick fluids drying out between them and sticking them together. He knew that wasn't how it worked, but the thought still made him cringe. It wasn't the idea of being stuck. That really was impossible. It was the idea of the hair on his pelvis being pulled out like he was being waxed. Nines whined. He whined like a child who didn't want to get ready for school. It was a sound that tugged on Gavin's heartstrings and made him huff out a fond chuckle. "If I say you can come with me, will you let me up?" Blue eyes stared down at him warmly.
"That seems acceptable," Nines admitted sweetly as he pushed himself up, cool air hitting the white smears on their stomachs. They stumbled their way to the bathroom and hot water soon washed away their morning sins. It didn't take long for those large hands to return. Gavin's lips quirked as long fingers teased over his hipbones. Nines' tall, lithe body swiftly followed, pressing in beneath the spray. He leaned down, lips assaulting Gavin's neck and shoulder.
"Get cleaned up!" Gavin ordered as he turned in Nines' arms to slap a soapy sponge against his chest. Nines took the sponge obediently, circling it slowly over his pecs. He watched with a certain amount of smugness as Gavin's eyes followed its path further down. He couldn't help watching, appreciating each inch of perfect hairless skin, covering perfect mounds of synthetic muscle. "You're gorgeous, you know that?" Gavin murmured, still appreciating his pale body. He paused when he felt one of Nines' hands slip around the back of his neck.
"Thank you…" Nines sealed his lips in a slow, lingering kiss. It was innocent enough to make Gavin's stomach flutter. Dazed, silvery eyes greeted him as he looked up. What the phck did I do to deserve this? Nines hummed in contentment. He didn't even move back. He leaned in and nuzzled, butting Gavin's head like a cat. Gavin could even trick himself into believing he was purring.
The shower took a lot longer than it should have due to the constant kisses and caresses, teasing fingers and lingering touches. It was a wonder that Gavin didn't get hard again. Somehow Nines managed to keep his touches innocent enough to not stir his desire. That didn't mean Gavin didn't want him though. He responded in kind to every touch and kiss, and even went further sometimes. He washed Nines' hair, warning him to close his eyes even though the shampoo would have no effect on his optical units. Nines liked that, feeling Gavin's fingers toying with his scalp beneath the spray. He did the same for him, relishing the little groans of approval it wrought.
By the time they got downstairs, it was already heading towards ten o'clock, and Gavin knew Elijah was trying not to show how impatient he was. He knew because he was exactly the same. Restless and brimming with energy. It was the way he acted when he had a new case but couldn't start because he needed to wait for lab reports or warrants or some other inconvenient thing. Despite his impatience, he didn't jump on them straight away. He was a good enough host to insist that Gavin sit and have breakfast first.
"I see you slept better this time." Elijah wore a knowing smirk as Gavin paused with a spoon of cereal halfway to his mouth. The look he sent him was absolutely dripping with smugness. He knew exactly what they'd been doing, but Gavin had no idea how. He didn't think they'd been that loud, and Elijah had been in the basement most of the night anyway. At least, he'd seemed to have that intention the night before. "Red is a nice colour on you," Elijah added with a chuckle as he tapped his own neck. Gavin felt himself flush as he felt around his collar, but there was no telling pain. He checked using his phone's camera, quietly cursing as he saw a red bruise-like mark on his neck. It was low enough that his jacket would cover it. He'd just need to make sure he kept it on at work for the next few days.
"Sorry, I didn't realise it would leave such a…clear mark," Nines apologised as he reached out and caressed the area. Something burned in his blue eyes at the tantalising sight. He liked it. He liked that he had marked his human. It was like he'd laid a claim, and other people would see it and recognise that Gavin was not available. It seemed the expression showed on his face because Gavin's green eyes ducked almost submissively. Gavin didn't reply, though he did give a small shrug as he busied himself with breakfast.
Once he was finished, they left the dining area and one of the Chloe androids hurried in to clean up. Elijah led the way down to his basement lab, where the mechanical spider rig stood looming ominously at the edge of the room. They wouldn't be using that today. Today Elijah had Nines undress and lie on the sleek white work bench. Gavin looked away politely as he undressed, though Nines quietly pointed out that it was nothing he hadn't seen before. It was as Nines sat down that things became awkward.
"I want to start by examining your casing…You've had a lot of repair work done, and I want to make sure it's up to my standards." Nines hesitated as he glanced across at Gavin. Although he had seen the skin peel away from his face and neck a couple of days ago, it felt different to remove his skin completely. He would be naked before Gavin, truly naked, for the first time. He didn't feel ashamed of it, but he was apprehensive. Gavin's history with androids was well known, and this would be the first time he was confronted with the reality of it. The reality that he really was an android. A machine. A completely artificial being.
"Hey, I'm right here," Gavin encouraged gently, misunderstanding the reason for his apprehension. Elijah at least seemed to understand a little, giving him some space and time to perhaps say something. Gavin finally seemed to pick up on it, sighing as he reached out and took the hand resting elegantly on Nines' bare knee. "Spit it out, Toaster. What's up?"
"I believe you may find it…unsettling." Gavin tilted his head questioningly in response. "You have yet to be faced with the full reality of my true appearance," Nines elaborated vulnerably as his eyes darted up to Gavin's face. Gavin nodded his agreement. It was true. This would be his first time seeing Nines without skin. Nines considered it a plus that he'd at least kept hold of his hand. Gavin let out a gentle sigh as he leaned on the edge of the table.
"Look, I know I'm not a saint when it comes to android relations. I'm a phcking asshole. Always have been, but this is different. I don't give a phck what you have under your skin, Nines. You caught me regardless." Nines gave him a vulnerable little smile as he steeled himself. He was still hesitant as he raised a hand to his LED and pressed, inputting the silent order for the artificial skin to deactivate. Gavin balked, green eyes wide in surprised as he watched the blue glow chase away the human-looking flesh. It was almost like water trickling away, revealing the endless plains of smooth white plastic beneath.
The shiny shell lacked the definition of a human body. The defined abs and pelvis were made of synthetic flesh, and without them there was much less detail, though the gentle slopes of his stomach and waistline remained. It was just smooth, flat, and shiny. Everything was put together like an intricate jigsaw, with fine black lines marking out where the pieces slotted together. A few of the seams had a pale blue glow peeking through from the machinery beneath, especially the fine circle in his sternum where his power core was safely nestled. Gavin shifted his attention to the hand that was now gripping him like a vice.
"Phck, Nines…" Gavin breathed as he looked down. Nines loosened his grip to allow Gavin to examine the delicate appendage. It was all elegant white segments, perfectly joined with a gentle blue glow at the seams. Nines' bare head dropped at Gavin's words, expecting a reproach of some sort. Gavin raised his head, green eyes roving over a face that was familiar but different. He could see the contours of Nines' face exactly where they should be. His hair was gone, leaving a shiny white dome in its place. Nines' silvery eyes were thick with worry as he avoided looking at him. Black seams showed Gavin where all the sections of his partner's face joined. "You're beautiful…so phcking beautiful." He was hesitant to touch his face, almost worried it would break.
"Isn't he? As I said, a marvel of modern technology!" Elijah piped up as he gestured for Nines to lie back. Nines would have blushed if he'd still had his skin. His LED flashed yellow as he settled down, keeping a gentle hold on Gavin's hand. "I need you to go into stasis for a while. I'll be removing parts for a closer examination." Elijah let Gavin soothe Nines with gentle touches. He wasn't going anywhere, and Elijah had no intention of hurting him. He was safe. That didn't stop his hesitation as he gave Gavin a final nervous look.
"Go ahead and sleep. I'll be right here." With that reassurance, Nines' blue eyes closed. As soon as his LED settled to a steadily pulsing blue, Elijah got to work. Gavin released Nines' hand and stepped away to watch from a distance as Elijah worked. He pulled off the chest casing and took it to another bench, where he looked at it under a large magnifying glass. Gavin was drawn closer as he clicked his tongue in disapproval.
"Something wrong?" Gavin asked nervously as he hovered a few feet away. He didn't want to get in the way.
"I suppose they did a good patch job under the circumstances, but I was right to look at it myself…Not to worry. This is why I wanted to look in the first place." Elijah gathered some tools and a sheet of solid looking plastic, or it could have been metal. Gavin wasn't sure, and Elijah didn't enlighten him. He tugged on a welding mask and gloves and set to work. This was a side of him Gavin hadn't expected to see. He knew Elijah had invented androids and worked on their internal systems, and he even knew he'd made Chloe by himself from scratch, but it was different to actually watch him work. This was heavy, grimy work. The work old men used to refer to as a manly man's work. Elijah looked and dressed like a prissy playboy of sophistication, not the type he'd expect to be elbow deep in oil and plastic, with sparks flying from a welder.
Since Elijah was busy, Gavin crept closer to the table. Part of him was unsure he really wanted to look, but the other part found it irresistible. He'd never seen inside an android before. Not like this anyway. It was somewhat unsettling, seeing the bright power core sitting in its encased chamber, and the heart-like thirium pump beating slowly. There were other bits. Blue filled tubing, thin metal wires, other fleshy looking fake organs used for God knows what. It was intricate and confusing. It didn't really gross him out, though, which was unexpected.
"Amazing, isn't it?" Elijah said as he returned to the open torso. He wasn't even wearing gloves as he reached inside. He laughed as Gavin began to stammer out an objection. "Don't worry, he can't catch anything, and in any case, my hands are clean and sterilised." Blue stained his pale skin as he rooted around in the open cavity. I take it back. That is pretty gross. Gavin's stomach lurched as Elijah lifted one of the fake organs.
"What's that?" More disgust than he'd like crept into his tone. I'm sure Nines would think the same if he were standing here looking into my open torso though. Perhaps disgust was too strong a word. He'd probably be overly analytical and curious.
"It's his stomach…It can process both thirium and a limited amount of biological matter, but it needs to be flushed through if that's the case." Elijah smiled as he carefully placed it back inside, knowing he could get Gavin involved with his next instruction. "Hey, open your hands right here." He waited for Gavin to reluctantly cup his hands as if he were about to drink water from a fountain.
"Hey, wait!" His frantic objection came far too late as he suddenly found Nines' beating heart sitting in his hands. He instantly panicked. What the phck? What the phck do I do? I can't just drop it! Wide green eyes looked up at Elijah reproachfully as he smirked and reached in beneath with some sort of tool. Gavin was relieved he wasn't just doing this for kicks. He'd go mad if that were the case. Holding the beating heart of his partner was very fucking low on his bucket list.
"You already know that's his thirium pump, but perhaps it would interest you to know that for androids it is exactly the same as a human heart, with all the same connotations." Elijah continued to work like a mechanic instructing a less experienced trainee. Gavin couldn't get over it. It was warm and wet, pulsing steadily in his hands. It felt so soft and delicate. His hands actually trembled at the thought of dropping it. "Androids are like us…Their emotions are formed up here, in their artificial brains, but when they actually feel an emotion, it comes from here, in their chest cavity…Isn't that fascinating? We made them so much like us they actually feel the way we do, right in their hearts…" Elijah continued in an almost dreamy tone as he watched the pulsing organ in Gavin's hand.
"I'm holding his heart right now! I get it! Can you get the phck on with it, please?" Gavin stammered nervously, worried he was going to squash or damage it somehow. Elijah chuckled as he finished up whatever he was doing and lifted the organ back into place. He did it gently, but so quickly and clinically. He'd clearly done it many times before.
"Don't worry, it's not as delicate as it looks," he assured as he continued, doing the same with the power core. He was almost carefree as he twisted and plucked the cylinder out. He then pressed it into Gavin's unwilling, thirium stained hands. "Now this is more important. This is his power core. It's one of the most important parts in his body…You remove this while he's in full power mode, and he'll be dead in two minutes. Powered down as he is now, he has five." Elijah watched as Gavin was overcome with a real look of horror. He looked at the delicate cylinder in his hands like it was a bomb that was about to explode.
"Phcking-put it back! Shit!" He panicked as Elijah steadied his hands firmly, levelling him with a serious look. The cylinder looked like glass shrouded in a metal cage, with an electric blue light shining in the middle. It looked strong but somehow fragile, like Nines himself. It was a little slippery, covered in thirium from where it had been safely ensconced within his body.
"Gavin, this is important. An android cannot survive without their power core unless they're hooked up to a direct power source, so remember…Two minutes if he's active, five minutes if he's inactive, and you can't let it get damaged. His sternum is his most vulnerable point." Gavin nodded wordlessly, numb with the knowledge of what he had in his hands. He seemed shaken as he watched Elijah take the component and slot it back into place. "His casing is bulletproof, of course, but I wouldn't want to depend solely on that." Gavin swallowed as he looked at the thirium on his hands. The oily slickness made him feel sick.
Although Elijah was talking, his voice sounded far away. He just couldn't stop staring at the blue coating his hands. He was covered in blood. Nines' blood. He'd held Nines' beating heart in his hands. He'd literally had his life in his hands. There was blue on his hands. Oily, greasy, warm blue. The skin on his arms was prickling. He felt hot. Sick. He heard Elijah speaking again, blinking as he tried to focus. It was like it was coming through water. Water. Blue. He felt sick.
"Alright-alright…Breathe Gavin…Breathe." Elijah dropped a towel over his stained hands as he soothed in a calming tone. Gavin gasped as Elijah's hands clapped on his cheeks sharp enough to give him a jolt. He didn't realise he was shaking at first. Not until Elijah gripped his arms and edged him towards a low stool. "That's it…Here, have some wipes," he added gently as he grabbed a pack of wet wipes.
"Thanks," Gavin mumbled shakily as he grabbed a wipe and tried to clean his hands. He could still feel the oil. "Nines! Is he…" He trailed off questioningly as he looked at the table, where Nines was still motionless. If it weren't for the fact he was wide open, he would have said he looked peaceful. It was hard to look peaceful with your chest cavity exposed though.
"He's fine. It's all fine…Why don't you go to the living room? Lie down for a while…" Elijah was unsurprised as Gavin shook his head. He'd promised Nines he wouldn't leave. He grabbed another wipe. The oil still felt slick on his skin. "Alright then, just…rest your head on the bench for a while." That sounded like a good idea to Gavin as Elijah patted his shoulder. He still felt pretty sick, and he could still hear what was going on around him. He also trusted Elijah not to do anything creepy. With that decided, he rested his good arm on the wooden surface before closing his eyes and laying his head down.