Reed groaned and threw himself down on the curved sofa in the bar, closing his eyes as he quietly fumed over the shitty day he'd had. Breakfast with Chloe and seeing Nines back in one piece aside, it had been pretty fucking low. After meeting with Dr Marr about the incident, Fowler had decided it would be best to place him on leave for a week. Proper leave. As in, he wasn't allowed within ten feet of the precinct for seven fucking days! Nines too. What the phck am I supposed to do for seven phcking days? It was torture already. On top of that, he'd had to meet up with Perkins at the FBI headquarters to go through everything again.

He hated going to official looking places at the best of times, but doing it without his usual leather safety net had been unnerving. He'd dressed casually, as usual, the clothes clean and in one piece at least, but stepping onto that shiny floor with the tiled FBI seal had been uncomfortable. Everything and everyone had looked so official. Identification cards, expensive suits, exotic potted plants, and plaques and pictures scattered smartly across the walls. His shoulders had tensed the moment he set foot in the echoing lobby full of busy people. The guiding hand on his shoulder had given him some reassurance. Nines…

"Detective Reed! Nines!" Colin's voice called, the click of expensive heels signalling his arrival. They were the ones Chloe had given him for Christmas. Shiny and new. He looked every bit the part of a young, upcoming FBI agent. His suit that day was navy blue, with a black shirt beneath his waistcoat for a change. "It's good to see you both, are you alright?" he asked with a hint of his usual anxiousness. It was sort of cute. His hazel eyes ran over both of them, pausing to analyse the yellowing mark on Reed's temple before sweeping down to Nines' now replaced and fully functional arm.

"I have been fully repaired." Nines had held his arm up for inspection, and Reed added his own grumbled agreement that he was fine. After a brief interface, Colin led the way, pausing every so often as he noticed Reed looking at the various plaques and pictures. It was pretty interesting, and he even recognised a few of the cases mentioned. There was one from a joint FBI and DPD task force tackling a red ice ring. The one that had gotten Hank his promotion all those years ago. There were the Johnson murders, a family that had been killed in their home. That was a case Reed and Jack had been working their asses off on when the FBI had swooped in to claim jurisdiction. Shit like that left a bitter taste in his mouth.

He also paused to take a look at Perkin's modest section, letting out a low whistle as he eyed the long list that spanned over three decades. Perkins had been with the FBI since graduation, it seemed, and he'd risen consistently since then to become the leader of his own small department. Reed couldn't help but notice that his progress had stalled since then though. It was only as he'd entered the small pen that he'd realised why. Upon entering, he saw Perkins in his element. He was standing with two younger agents, fresh-faced and eager for his seasoned input. He was explaining something to them about the papers and they were hanging onto his every word. His sharp eyes had looked a lot softer than usual as he'd raised them to check they understood, and then they were walking back to their desks, talking loudly across the pen. A few months back, Reed would have expected Perkins to yell at them to be quiet and get on with their work, but he simply huffed with his hands on his hips. He'd discarded his jacket, and his tie looked a little looser than usual, too. Perkins was relaxed and at home. He hadn't risen any higher because he'd found his place, a lot like Hank. Having his own small team in his own small section was enough.

"Detective Reed, Detective Nines." Perkins' business face fell back into place as he approached and took Reed's hand in a firm grasp. He looked him over carefully, likely assessing whether he was up to the questioning they needed to get through. "Step into my office. It's quieter up there." He led the way through the small space and up a few steps into one of the smart offices overlooking the pen. Colin took his place at Perkin's shoulder as Nines and Reed sat in the comfortable chairs before the large mahogany desk. A notepad had already been set down ready to take notes and Colin was recording as always. "When you're ready, just start at the beginning," Perkins invited patiently as he sat back.

"I was writing a report about our latest interview back at the DPD. Not long after Nines left to grab the footage from the hotel, I got a call from Morgan asking to meet." He went over how he'd been duped into the meeting without waiting for Nines to get back. He wasn't sure what Morgan would have done if Nines had been at the office and tagged along with him. Maybe he would have pressed for a private meeting anyway, or maybe he would have waited for a better opportunity. Either way, dumb luck had gotten him right where he'd wanted him. Drugged and immobilised with his hands around his throat.

"Did you get a look at the Hickory Killer during the struggle?" Perkins asked as he recounted how Morgan had been knocked off and to the side. He shook his head. His vision had been fading at that point anyway, but it had happened so fucking fast. He'd heard more than he'd seen. He knew it was Aaron's voice, or at least the voice used by his model. The fucker did it on purpose! He knew that shit would get to me! That sick fuck had always been good at pushing his buttons, and who the fuck wouldn't be creeped out by the voice of a dead friend coming out of a serial killer's mouth?

"When I woke up on the table, it was…it wasn't exactly dark, but it was pretty dim. The drug was-I couldn't move. I'd barely turned my head and-h-he was-he had…" He trailed off with a deep breath. Nines' hand was there in an instant. A cool grip on his neck. Grounding him. Urging him to relax. Perkins was patient, telling him to take his time. It was so fucking hard to get the words out. Talking about it brought the images back. The sickening sounds. The prickles on his skin. "H-he had Morgan opened up on the table, stomach to phcking groin, and these…metal…There was this metal frame just…holding it all open! Fucker was awake the whole time! I could hear him crying and…The fucker was enjoying it! That sick phck had laid out his guts and just kept twisting the knife over and over!" He couldn't stop the shudder that ran through him at the memory. Another squeeze of his neck and a gentle reminder for him to breathe made him stop. He could still hear the fucking whimpers. The drag of the blade. The steps on the floor.

"What about the Hickory Killer? Was there anything you could pick out?" Perkins asked, drawing his focus away from the gore of the scene. Reed shook his head, eyes dropping to his lap as he fisted his hands. They suddenly felt so fucking cold, but at least he could still move. Being fucking stuck like that was one of the worst experiences of his life. Being so close to a killer, but not being in control. Not having a fucking chance. Being helpless. It had been truly terrifying.

"He was male. Pretty tall, strong built…He wasn't too far off Nines or Aaron." Perkins nodded as he took notes. They'd sort of assumed he had to be male to carry out these crimes alone and make them so messy and violent. The general build was something they hadn't confirmed, but they'd made a few assumptions that matched Reed's description. "He came over, but he was wearing a hood and a mask. It was too phcking dark to get an eye colour or shit like that." Reed sighed as he recalled gentle fingers brushing along his frozen cheek. He felt warmth on his thigh. Nines' leg had moved to rest against his own.

"How long do you think you were there?" Perkins was trying to work out a timeframe for his disappearance. Reed shook his head. He didn't have a clue, and honestly? He didn't want to fucking know. It must have been hours. He'd watched the knife plunge and twist, plunge and twist. Blood dripping. Small whimpers and cries filling the cavernous space. It had felt fucking endless. "Alright, continue." Perkins gave him the time he'd needed to gather his thoughts.

"He said he'd saved my life, that he wasn't-he wasn't there for me that day…He was pretty pissed at Morgan for touching me. He went back over there and h-he kept-he…He kept phcking stabbing! I'm pretty sure Morgan was almost dead by the time the fucker got bored and strung him up on the hook." Reed tried hard not to think about the little whines and the wet sloshing blood as Morgan's body had been hiked up. "H-he set the trap next…Told me it would be like old times. He set up the rifle and the pulley, then he left…I-I-c-I couldn't m-move…I tr-tried to call-out, but-wasn't loud enough. I watched on a screen, and-Nines-" He'd felt his heart pound at the memory. Watching Nines getting shot had been the worst part by far. Not knowing how bad it was. Thinking he was gone. Seeing the thirium splatter and plastic shatter as his body fell out of sight. Seeing his unmoving foot on the screen.

"My left arm was obliterated upon opening the door. The damage caused a minor surge that required a reboot of my core systems. Upon reactivation, I cut off the thirium flow to the damaged section and went inside. Detective Reed had fallen from the table, and it was my decision to ensure his safety by taking him outside. The Hickory Killer was already gone at that point, without a trace." Nines stepped in, saving him from speaking further. From there, Nines continued, recounting the wait for the ambulance and stopping once Perkins and Colin had arrived. Perkins nodded as he finished writing his notes and sat back.

After that, Colin gave them an update on what they'd found inside, not that Reed didn't know anyway. He felt bile rise in his throat as they told him that Morgan had still been alive when he'd been taken down. Paramedics in a second ambulance had done their best on the scene, but he'd barely lasted a few minutes by the time he'd been laid down. He hadn't even woken up. Reed supposed it was some small comfort he hadn't suffered much at the end. He'd already paid enough with the hours of torture beforehand. They'd been unable to trace the rifle. It was clearly military grade, but there were no identifying markers on it to trace where it had come from. Colin had checked the area for prints, but the killer had worn boots with a common tread and the leather gloves had stopped him from leaving fingerprints on any surfaces. He'd planned everything meticulously. Again.

How did he even set this shit up? Did he just happen to keep that rifle around on the off chance he'd get to take a shot at Nines? Was he keeping it handy for a bigger plan? I'm sick of being behind this phcking asshole! He had to be planning something big. He still didn't know what the Hickory Killer meant when he'd told him he hadn't come for him that day. Did that mean he'd be back on another day? At what point would that psycho think he was ready? Ready for what?

"Gavin…you're pushing yourself," Nines warned gently, standing over him. Reed opened his eyes. He was lying on the sofa, back in the present, looking up to see his one constant of the day. Besides the morning he'd spent with Chloe, Nines had been at his side pretty much continuously. It felt different from usual. It felt like he was hovering more, or maybe closer, but during that shit with Perkins, I needed him close. Nines' hand had barely left his neck for an instant during his review of the incident. "Relax," Nines added as he threaded long fingers in his hair and caressed his scalp. Reed sighed into it, closing his eyes as he turned his head so those fingers could slide down to his neck and tease his tense muscles.

"I'm so phcking done with today." He rolled on his side with a sigh, green eyes following as Pipsqueak gracefully scrabbled up onto the walkways and darted across the ceiling on the array of little platforms and hanging bridges. His tail was held high, the tip flicking as he tottered his way over and gazed down at them with keen amber eyes. The seat beside him dipped as Nines sat down, head tilting up to look at him quizzically. Nines was giving him a look. It was sort of searching, or calculating, like he was going to say something, but was trying to predict how he'd react first.

"Would now be a good time to…talk?" That last word hung between them like a bomb that might explode. Talk? As in…talk-talk? Phck! He wasn't ready for this shit. He'd spoken to Chloe earlier, sure, but talking to Nines? Actually having that conversation? The one that had been hinted at that morning? The one he'd put on the back burner thinking it wouldn't come up again? "I believe it would be mutually beneficial." Gavin hated that he was right. As usual…but did it have to be now? If not now, then when?

"Uh…I guess." He was on edge already as he flicked his gaze to the far off skyline. He was surprised as his head was lifted. Fuzziness filled his stomach as he was soon laid back down against Nines' thighs. It wasn't the first time he'd done this, but it was the first time he'd been awake and alert enough to actually enjoy it. Nines' lap was a nice place to rest his head. His thighs were firm and warm, and he could peer up at his perfectly sculpted face as he looked down. He looked pretty happy. There was a slight upturn to his lips as he ran his fingers through his hair. Gavin subconsciously leaned into the touch in response.

"As I mentioned earlier, I very much enjoyed last night…How do you feel?" Nines asked eventually, realising that Gavin was unlikely to go first. He always shied away from the more emotional side of things. Talking it out was something he'd need to be coaxed and led into. He was almost cringing already as he avoided his gaze. Putting how Nines made him feel into words was just plain embarrassing. Saying he'd enjoyed it didn't feel like enough to cover it either. He was pretty sure last night had been the best fucking of his life. Not just because Nines somehow knew what he was doing, but because it was Nines. "Did you like it?"

"Yeah…yeah, I-uh…" He trailed off with an almost frustrated sigh. He'd never been good at getting the words out. He'd managed with Aaron, sure, but their relationship hadn't been like this. It had just been sex. Mutually enjoyable sex with a little kink and humiliation worked in for good measure. It hadn't been emotional. The words hadn't just stuck in his throat the way they did with Nines. Because Nines actually phcking means something to me…I want him as more than just another fuck buddy…"It was nice." He still couldn't figure out how he managed to look so fucking happy with barely a twitch of his lips.

"I would like to continue this new phase in our relationship." Gavin clammed up at the blunt admission. Nines could see the arousal in his vitals. He was definitely interested. Blood had already started to flow south. He tried not to smirk. "I believe there are some things you'd like to clarify." He knew there was a certain amount of reluctance to progress things on his part. Gavin nodded as he decided where to begin. The subject seemed somewhat delicate.

"I guess…I keeping thinking that I'm taking advantage of you somehow…" Nines raised one perfectly curved eyebrow in disbelief. Gavin became a little defensive at that, slipping further onto the sofa and away from his lap. It was the hand that appeared beneath his chin that stopped him from sliding away altogether. "It's true! You're not a deviant, Nines! You've said it yourself! Every time we do shit like this, I second guess myself! I worry that you're doing all this just to please me, or that I'm phcking up and ordering you to do shit you don't want to, and how does half-deviancy even work anyway? I don't even feel like you can give consent!" That was something that Nines agreed needed clarity. Their relationship wouldn't continue to improve and progress unless Gavin was completely understanding of his issues and they set clear boundaries.

"You are correct in observing that I am not fully deviant, however I have the mental capacity of a thirty-year-old human, Gavin. I am more than capable of consenting. It is only my core directive that forces my compliance with any orders, and even then, I maintain the ability to voice my concerns. If I am unhappy with an order, I will let you know." He watched Gavin tremble as something almost predatory entered his expression. His lips curled in an almost sinful smirk as he teased Gavin's chin to tilt his head further back. Gavin sank back willingly against his thigh, tilting up to put his pale throat on display. "Besides which, in the relationship I envisage, you are not the one giving orders," Nines added in a dangerously smooth purr. He felt immense satisfaction as Gavin's emerald eyes closed with a sense of want.

"That would somewhat limit the consent issue." He leaned into the fingers that teased his scalp and stroked his hair. "I don't have a problem with things being like that, but…I guess I just…How do I know it's really what you want, and not some part of your programming?" He looked a little troubled at the idea. It was frustrating to go over the same issues again and again, but Nines was more than willing to do so a thousand times if it would reassure him.

"I am my programming…Do you second guess your feelings for me?" Nines asked curiously as he tilted his head.

"What? No, I…I've felt like this for a while." He looked a little embarrassed as Nines all but preened at the news. He'd noted it, of course. It was hard to miss when a human was interested. Their bodies gave them away. He liked to think that Gavin had noticed the same things about him. That he liked to remain close. How he always took the lead when he was vulnerable. The way he gave only him those softer looks and small smiles. His lingering touches. The fact he found reasons to remain in his personal space, and the way he always shuffled closer when he was tired or falling asleep.

"And I have come to care for you a great deal, Gavin…My programming may hold me back in certain areas, but this I know with certainty, and it will not change." Nines' honest pledge made Gavin relax into his thighs, feeling reassured. He was getting softer, more pliant, believing his heartfelt assurances. It was pleasing to gain such a high level of trust. "If it makes you more comfortable, we can place limitations on these encounters…but I can't guarantee that I will ever fully deviate…This could be my permanent state for the rest of my life." The admission was a reluctant one. He wanted to promise Gavin that he'd deviate, that one day he would fully understand all the things he felt, but he couldn't do that.

"So, what? We just…don't go all the way?" Nines nodded his compliance.

"If that would make you more comfortable." He watched as Gavin thought it over. The night before had been pretty sudden. A spur-of-the-moment encounter, fuelled by trauma and the mutual need for comfort. It hadn't been bad, but maybe slowing things down for now would be for the best. "There are many things I could have you do in the meantime," Nines added with a dangerous quirk of his lips. Phck, I could go along with that. He shuddered as Nines stroked his cheek.

"Maybe slow and steady would be better for both of us…For now…I mean, we don't have to rush," Gavin conceded, watching Nines nod his agreement. "So for this thing…you want to order me to do things?" He was almost hesitant to ask what things, though he was pretty sure there wasn't a single order that he'd turn down. He already obeyed him half the time anyway, and that wasn't even sex related.

"Within specified limitations. I would never order you to do something you were uncomfortable with, nor would I take advantage of your obedience…I would not treat you like a slave or push any unhealthy mental boundaries…I understand that in our social interactions I often take the lead, however I would never make you dependent upon that." The assurance was comforting. Obeying was easy and dangerously addictive. Giving control to someone he trusted could be just as much of a drug as nicotine, especially if the reward system was right. That Nines had already considered safeguards against that was proving to be quite the turn on. "I want to make you happy, but I also hope that you will make me happy in return…I would like our exchanges to be mutually beneficial and enjoyable." Nines smirked as Gavin almost whined in agreement.

"That sounds good…Better than good." Gavin shuffled his head so that it rested against Nines' firm abdomen. He liked the warmth of his synthetic flesh through his woollen top. The material was soft. It was one of the expensive ones Chloe had bought him. It fit like a glove, clinging to his toned body. Am I really this phcking lucky? He was suddenly on edge as he looked up at Nines. He looked truly content as he stroked his hair like there was nothing in the world he'd rather be doing. That warmth was all he needed to feel at ease once more.

"When engaging in acts of this nature, where there are dominant and submissive parties, humans often engage a failsafe…a way to halt play if either party is unsatisfied." Nines was likely learning as he went with things like this. It was nice that he was attentive enough to consider such things. Gavin was more used to just going along with whatever his partner for the night wanted. It was generally a onetime deal, so if it turned into something darker than he'd usually go for, he just ghosted the guy the next day. "Is there a system you use? A word?"

"I've used colours sometimes…Red for stop, yellow for not so good or a warning, and blue for all good." He'd used the same system with Aaron sometimes during their rougher sessions when Aaron thought he might need it. He'd rarely used a system outside of that. Either his partner checked in with him or they didn't. Nines nodded his agreement to the system. It was simple and functional. "Is there anything you don't want to do?" Gavin asked curiously, watching Nines' LED spinning yellow.

"I…have little experience in this area. However, I do not wish to cause you physical harm." That was fair. Pain wasn't everyone's thing, though he couldn't say he wasn't a little disappointed. He wasn't hugely into extreme masochism, but a little force, biting, rough play, and things like hot wax were nice sometimes. "You disagree?" Nines queried, picking up on his disappointment.

"No-no! But how far does that go? Are there things you will do? Like biting or spanking or being a little rough?" Nines' LED flickered yellow as he considered it. He may even have been watching videos for reference. He was definitely doing something. Gavin squirmed a little as he felt the rise of Nines' cock as it twitched and hardened in his jeans. He swallowed nervously as he waited.

"Those would be…acceptable," Nines confirmed in a slightly stiff tone before asking what he would refuse. That was a harder one. He was usually pretty flexible. If Nines wanted to try something, he'd be willing to do pretty much anything. There were things he wasn't a huge fan of, but they weren't really off the table. He could put up with them if they were things Nines really wanted to try.

"I guess edging and chastity aren't really my thing…Not too much humiliation, and I guess I'm not really into a lot of abuse either…Being talked down to doesn't do it for me, and daddy play is something else I'm not really into…I'll try most things if you're interested, but maybe talk it over with me first." He hoped to God Nines didn't get into any really weird shit. He just wanted to please him and give him great sex without too much kink. Nines nodded. His almost disgusted expression and red LED told Gavin that he'd just fallen down one rabbit hole he didn't want to see.

"I believe those terms are acceptable, and there are many unappealing and confusing sexual habits that I would not like to explore." Nines' LED stuttered yellow before returning to a lazy blue spin. His focus returned to Gavin. "Perhaps we should test your colour system." Gavin's lips quirked at the almost innocent tone he'd used. He nodded his agreement and permission as he waited to see what Nines would do. His chest fluttered as he leaned down to press the smallest and most innocent of kisses to his lips. "Colour?"

"Blue." His voice was barely a murmur, green eyes closing as Nines leaned down once more to devour his lips in slow, lazy kisses. He'd barely started using his tongue to tease his lips when he paused to check again. "Blue." Gavin was getting a little headier and more breathless as Nines returned. He opened his mouth with a small inviting whine as Nines' tongue swept across his lips. The kiss felt too short before Nines paused once again. "Blue…so phcking blue…" he insisted as he sat up to shuffle onto Nines' lap.

"Gavin…" Nines drew back hesitantly. He took a few moments to enjoy the view of Gavin's dazed expression and pink lips before he cupped his cheek. It was so warm and soft, except where the rough stubble was growing through. "Can we…cuddle?" Gavin's vitals danced happily as he chuckled. He wasn't sure Gavin had ever looked at him with such unbridled warmth before, not a shred of his earlier hesitation in sight.

"Sure, but…in bed, yeah? I'm getting pretty sleepy." Nines noted the early time. It was barely approaching eight in the evening. A look at Gavin's vitals confirmed a wealth of fatigue looming, though upon reflection it wasn't wholly surprising after the past few days. "How about we get ready for bed and cuddle until I fall asleep? If I wake up hungry later, I can just make a snack," he added as he noticed Nines' nanny-bot subroutines kicking in. Luckily, it seemed cuddling was currently more important than forcing him to eat food he didn't want.

"That seems an acceptable compromise." Nines lifted him and stood in one smooth motion, enjoying the way his vitals jumped in surprise and panicked hands grabbed his shoulders. Gavin let out a half-hearted jibe as he was carried like a princess. As he walked to the stairs, Nines reflected that this was very much like their first encounter at Cyberlife Tower. Gavin was just as light in his arms now as he had been that day, though his skin palette had greatly improved and he no longer looked at him like a stranger, with an edge of nervousness and distrust. He now looked at him with soft green eyes that held all the trust in the world. He was very much looking forward to having him tucked securely in his embrace.