"Thanks…" Gavin mumbled quietly as he accepted the bowl from Chloe. He was peaceful now. Calmer, though still subdued. They were in his room, huddled on the sofa. Just the three of them. Tiny hadn't left his side for an instant, and he hadn't allowed Gavin to leave his. Once Gavin had finally drawn back to get ready for his shower, Tiny had hopped down and coiled his tail around his ankle. The only time he'd removed it was to let him kick his jeans and boxers off. Gavin had accepted the touch without question. The almost desperate affection, the silent plea for him not to leave, had worked to ground him. He'd made placating Tiny his new focus.
By showering, Gavin had given Tiny a full view of his extensive injuries. It wasn't just his face that had been injured. Tiny had recorded a series of bruises across his torso, especially around his abs. Someone had punched, kicked, or kneed him on a regular basis. Some injuries were old and faded, in a mixture of yellow and green. Others were new, overlapping the old in shades of blue and purple. There were handprints on his arms. One, on his biceps, suggested Gavin had been grabbed in passing, perhaps while walking away from an altercation. Two on his forearms had clearly come from someone pinning him down from above. There were dark finger marks on his hips and thighs. Not even his back had escaped. There was a long, thin line across his lower back as if he'd fallen or been held against something. Possibly a counter.
Gavin had showered, and then he'd crouched down to bathe Tiny as well. Tiny trilled happily for the first time in weeks as Gavin massaged his small scalp, teased his tailbone, and scrubbed him clean with gentle hands. After the shower, Tiny escorted him to the bedroom like a guard. His tail gripped his ankle the whole time, tightening ever so slightly as they passed the closed door. Gavin's expression pinched guiltily at that. In all the time he'd been gone, he hadn't realised how badly it had affected Tiny. There was an almost insecure air about him that hadn't been there before. He was skittish and uneasy, constantly glancing up as if he might disappear.
"Phck, I'm sorry…I'm not going anywhere, alright?" Tiny accepted his word. Gavin had never lied. He'd refused to talk, or made things seem less serious than they were, but he'd never been truly dishonest. Tiny chittered and loosened his grip enough for Gavin to dress, and then Chloe arrived. Somehow, she always knew what Gavin needed. She was the same with Elijah. Right now, Elijah needed space and Gavin needed a shoulder. She'd brought a small rolling trolley with a bowl, a tub of ice cream, three glasses, and an assortment of expensive looking bottles.
Gavin dipped his spoon in his ice cream before slowly raising it to his lips. He hummed as he closed his eyes and leaned back, savouring the taste. Rum and raisin. His favourite. It went especially well with the double shot of rum he was drinking. He couldn't even read the name on the bottle, but it was Elijah's, so he knew it was strong and expensive. Tiny clambered up to perch on his knee and leaned down to lick the edge of his bowl. Gavin huffed as he drew back with a disgusted expression, poking his tongue out and chittering in objection.
"It's human food! Of course, it tastes bad to you!" Gavin teased as he prodded Tiny's small nose. Tiny's blue irises followed the fingertip all the way, making him go cross-eyed. He blinked at the small prod before chittering again. While Gavin had rum to drink, Chloe had brought thirium to share with Tiny. Gavin wasn't sure whether it was a special thirium or if they were just drinking it out of tumblers to keep him company, but he sort of appreciated it. It was weird and lonely to drink by yourself. If he was going to drown his sorrows, he'd rather do it with another person. Chloe smiled as she topped him off with another two full measures.
Tiny didn't understand why Gavin liked the strange liquid at first. It had an extremely high alcohol content. Perhaps it tasted good to Gavin, though his wrinkled nose as he swallowed suggested otherwise. Why else would he drink it? Chloe seemed content to let him drink, though, so he wasn't too worried. He trusted Chloe to know best. She was older and wiser. He eventually began to understand the appeal of the liquid. It was making Gavin dozy and loosening his tongue. They watched an old movie, during which Gavin drank a quarter of the bottle, and by the end he was ready to answer Chloe's question.
"Gavin, what happened tonight?" Her question had been delivered gently and unexpectedly, taking him off guard enough to prompt an answer. He paused as he raised his glass, instantly lowering it to his knee and staring at it. The brief smiles caused by the old romantic comedy disappeared as he ground his teeth in thought. He swallowed thickly. Tiny could see it was difficult. He seemed to be in a constant battle with himself not to cry.
"I-I don't know…H-h-he j-just…He got angry…I was there." That was a poor justification for the hurt inflicted. Tiny didn't understand. This boyfriend had seemed like such a good thing at first. Gavin had been happy. Why would such a cherished and valued person harm another? Why had Gavin allowed such harm to take place? Would it not have been better to leave? Why had he stayed? Why did he value this boyfriend so much? "W-we-I-I-w-we were fine! I was good! I took all my vacation time like he asked! I was good! I did as he said! I was at his house the whole time, and I did everything he asked! But I still fucked up and made him angry!" Tiny clicked and grunted his confused agreement. He didn't understand what it meant to be good, but he was sure Gavin had been well behaved. Gavin was always kind and attentive. He'd always played with him, and let him sleep in his bed.
"You didn't do anything wrong, Gavin…His anger issues aren't your fault," Chloe assured gently, though Gavin's expression clearly doubted her words. Tiny didn't understand. He would make Elijah angry sometimes, but Elijah had never done anything besides threaten to return him to stasis. A threat that was more of a running joke these days. If Elijah showed such patience and restraint, why not this other human? What had Gavin done to make him so angry? "I'm so glad you're here, and you're safe…" Chloe added sympathetically as she stroked his stubbled cheek. The hairs were shorter than usual. It made them feel rougher. Tiny liked it better when they were longer, when they were almost soft instead of scratchy.
"Thanks…Sorry…" he added in a small voice, accepting the hug that Chloe pulled him into. She let him cry and gave him an extra measure of rum. He drank it and sat on the sofa, sleepily listening to the television as Chloe put on another movie. Chloe almost seemed relieved as he fell asleep. She took the empty glass from his limp hand and hefted him like a child, even though he was much larger than she was. Gavin remained asleep as she placed him on the bed and tugged the heavy covers over his body. Tiny chittered as he scrambled onto the duvet to stand watch. Chloe's LED glowed yellow as she stepped back with a tired sigh, stroking down the covers neatly.
I really hope he doesn't go back…She said it through her internal line. Tiny's LED span yellow as he received the call. He tilted his head, blue and black eyes wide and disbelieving as he looked up at her. She was biting her lip worriedly as she took in the faded marks. She'd bound his neck and wrist earlier. The bite had stopped bleeding, but it was still an open wound that needed protection. His wrist, though not broken, had been swollen and sore, so the bandage offered the joint some support. Tiny dug his claws into the sheets and raised his hackles at the suggestion.
Why would Gavin go back? He can't go back! Tiny wasn't used to voicing his thoughts like this. He would generally share his feelings and experiences with Chloe and chitter away in his own unique language, but he desperately wanted answers to these questions. Chloe looked sympathetic as she nodded her agreement and support. She didn't want Gavin to go back either, but he was a human adult. It was his choice.
Humans are complicated…They don't always do what's in their best interests. They can be extremely irrational, especially when it comes to love. She seemed to speak from experience, perhaps thinking of Elijah. She'd been by his side for many years. Tiny was unsure whether they had always been intimate, but they had certainly been intimate since his activation. She had also watched over Gavin during that time. Perhaps this was a regular habit of his.
What is love? Tiny asked curiously as he lowered his tail and tilted his head. Chloe let out a soft laugh as she petted his small head.
It's that warm, happy feeling you experience each time Gavin comes over. Tiny blinked. Gavin felt that feeling for the one he called boyfriend? Why would he feel happy when it led to such pain? Love is irrational sometimes, and confusing. Chloe was wise. Tiny nodded his agreement as he looked at Gavin's sleeping form, still lying on his back with one arm beneath his head. He was wearing soft flannel pyjamas again. It was getting warmer now, but the flannel seemed comforting with its softness. Tiny didn't want Gavin to leave. If he left, he may disappear again. This boyfriend would hurt him again. He would not allow it! Gavin would stay.
Chloe and Tiny both looked back towards the small seating area as there was a low buzz on the small coffee table. Gavin's phone. Chloe's brow furrowed slightly. There were few people who were likely to contact him at this time of night. It could be his friend, Tina Chen, or work asking him to pick up a case, or it could be his boyfriend. Chloe knew which was more likely. It seemed Tiny did as well. He hissed and arched his mechanical spine, spiked ridges stiffening along his back and tail. He hopped down and skittered across to the table to see. His click of disgust told Chloe who'd texted.
Gav, baby, I'm so sorry! Please, can we talk? I just want to hear your voice and know you're okay. Tiny's LED and joints glowed red as he interfaced with the device and saw the message. He wanted to talk to Gavin? What could they possibly have to talk about? Why would Gavin want to talk to him? Why was he concerned about Gavin's welfare? Judging by the depth of the bruising on his neck, he'd almost asphyxiated him! Gavin could have died! Baby, call me back. I need you to call me back. The second message wasn't quite as affectionate or apologetic as the first. It was almost demanding. He also hadn't waited for a response. He'd expected an immediate reply. An obedient reply. Tiny blinked as the phone buzzed with an incoming call. Davey was the name that popped up.
The phck do you want? Tiny demanded, synthesising Gavin's voice in a low grumble. He didn't want this boyfriend to get the wrong idea. Gavin definitely wouldn't be going back to him. He heard a soft sigh of something akin to relief on the other end and almost scoffed at the sound. What was this Davey so relieved about? Surely not Gavin's welfare.
"Baby, I'm so sorry! Are you okay? God, I never thought it would get this far. I'm done with it, Gav, I'm done. I swear this time. I will never, never, hit you like that again." Davey sounded sincere and worried. Perhaps some of that was genuine. Perhaps he hadn't meant to choke Gavin to death. Maybe he'd only meant to scare him. Maybe he was genuinely worried because Gavin really might not want to go back to him. Tiny blinked at Chloe. He'd never had a conversation like this before, and he was behind in context. Done with what? What had they argued about before the fight? What had caused it to turn deadly?
That's what you always phcking say! Tiny snapped in response, making sure Gavin's voice sounded raw and distressed. The way it had sounded during his arguments with Elijah. The way it sounded when it was rough and raw from hours of crying. He wanted this Davey to know what he'd done. To understand the hurt he'd inflicted. He hoped he felt guilty, that he regretted what he'd done.
"Please, Gav…You know I lose control sometimes…I've been trying to do better. You know I have! If you hadn't said that you were going back to work soon, we probably wouldn't have even argued!" Tiny was indignant. He was trying to blame the attack on Gavin? He wanted Gavin to feel bad because he would return to work soon? What had he expected? That's he'd quit and stay home forever?
Ex-phcking-cuse me? Are you seriously telling me I was asking for it right now? Tiny clicked out loud. He would have screeched if it wouldn't risk either blowing his cover or waking Gavin. He glanced across at the bed. Gavin had turned on his side and tugged a pillow down to cuddle against his chest. That would likely have hurt if he was awake. His chest had suffered major bruising. There was likely bruising internally, too.
"No, Gav! Of course not, baby! How could you think that?" Davey was very good at worming his way out of blame. "I just think we would have been okay if we hadn't talked about that…Where are you right now? Are you at your brother's place?" Tiny couldn't believe he'd dared to ask! Surely Gavin wouldn't tell him. That would mean he'd turn up. He'd come and try to talk in person. To offer excuses. To convince him to come back. Tiny blinked. He would come to the mansion. He would come to the mansion alone. Tiny's LED and seams glowed yellow as his eyes softened in anticipation.
Yeah…I'm at Eli's place. Why do you care? He didn't want to seem too eager. Things would go more smoothly if Davey believed he'd convinced Gavin somehow. Tiny heard an almost strained silence on the other end. It seemed Davey was unhappy with this turn of events. Of course. He'd need to get by Elijah if he came to the mansion. He was likely aware that Elijah wasn't as malleable as Gavin.
"I want to see you, baby…Please, I know it was bad this time. I know we went too far, but baby, I can't do this without you…I'd rather slit my own throat than lose you because of this!" He was laying it on thick. Tiny knew that would have gotten Gavin's attention. There was no way he'd ignore a veiled threat of suicide, even if it was unlikely. Tiny held back the growl in his throat.
Phck, don't do anything stupid!
"…So you'll see me?" Davey sounded hopeful, but somehow confident at the same time. He knew what his threat would do to Gavin. He knew Gavin wouldn't turn him down.
Alright, I'll see you…but just to talk.