Gavin was feeling pretty good about things a few days later. Things with his own case may have been a little slow, but all of his guidance meetings so far had worked out great. Pennington and Pearson were getting on like a house on fire. Jones and Randal were slowly coming together. Tina was pretty happy with her own recruit, Kalvin, and Miller was patiently teaching Martins how to deal with trauma victims. As for Ralph and Collins, things had gone better than he could have hoped for. It turns out they were bonding over gardening. Barely a day after pairing up and settling Ralph in at his new desk, Gavin entered the bullpen to hear a loud exclamation of "Succulent!" coming from their workspace.

He quirked a brow and snuck a little closer to find Ralph cradling a small brown pot with a shiny blue ribbon around it. Collins was sitting at his desk with a kind smile as he watched Ralph gushing over the small plant. Gavin huffed in amusement as he watched Ralph excitedly reeling off every fact he knew about the small plant he was holding. Collins nodded his agreement and voiced a few care tips that he used for his own plants. Ralph had been excited to hear about Collins' garden and was touched to learn that the small plant in his hands was one that Collins had grown himself. As a maintenance android, Ralph still had a lot of his older programs installed. That included plant care for many common garden species.

Gavin was currently enjoying one of those rare days off while Nines had gone to the precinct to network with Connor on something. That left him alone for the day. He would have gone to work himself, only Nines had lectured him about how humans required rest periods and insisted he stay home. Before he could work himself up to fight about it, his phone had buzzed with a call from Chloe. He'd all but glared at Nines as she excitedly told him she'd heard he had the day off and demanded he spend it with her. Nines had openly smirked as he'd grumbled out an agreement, so there he was. Waiting in the middle of the Plaza for Chloe to appear.

"Gavin!" She looked really pretty. She was wearing a light cotton dress with thin shoulder straps. It was white, but there were little blue flowers all over it, and her head was covered by a pretty straw hat with a wide rim to protect her delicate skin. Not that it actually needs protection. It's not like androids burn. She was also wearing those lace sandals he'd helped her pick out, with a matching white bag slung over one shoulder for her purse and keys. She greeted him as usual, with a kiss on each cheek, before looping her arm through his and leaning against him as they walked.

"Hey, how are things at the office?" he asked as they ambled through the square towards the mall. It seemed to be a silent agreement that they'd start at their usual coffee shop. Nines must have picked up on it too, since that morning he'd brought him a tall glass of cold water rather than his usual coffee. Chloe was happy to update him on Cyberlife business. The initial design phase for teenage models was complete. They'd included the artificial stomach components as a courtesy since they'd likely become commonplace once they hit the market, along with genital components. It had taken a lot of back and forth, but in the end, they'd decided that it wouldn't be fair to deny them the experience that their peers would go through.

Gavin nabbed their usual window table, and Chloe insisted on buying this time. She bought him a large mocha with cream on top, along with a slice of chocolate cake. For herself, she settled on her usual thirium latte and a lemon cake with swirly yellow icing. As soon as she sat down, she nagged him for another painting session. He couldn't exactly turn her down. Nines had enjoyed the session towards the end, and their pictures were still unfinished. He wasn't sure when they'd have time, but they should have a day off together pretty soon, and he was sure Nines wouldn't have any objections. Chloe beamed at the news.

They stayed in the café for a couple of hours before she led the way out and suggested the bookstore. She'd recently started reading a new romance series about a human who fell in love with an android, and she hadn't been able to put it down. She needed the next volume. Gavin was almost surprised, but maybe it was only a matter of time before things like that became commonplace. He almost scoffed at the cover. Romance novels were always like that. A human man with his shirt hanging off one shoulder looking longingly at a dainty, but somehow alluring, female android, who stared out of the cover as she bit her lip and leaned back in his muscular arms with a yellow LED. It reminded him of the books he used to find when his mum had still been around. She'd kept them tucked away, but eight-year-old Gavin Reed had been quite adept at finding things he wasn't supposed to. He still remembered her face the first time she'd caught him frowning at the cover of one.

Leaving Chloe with her romance novels for a while, he sauntered over to the crime section, taking his time as he scanned the spines. Occasionally, he plucked one down for a closer look at the cover or to read the blurb on the back. Maybe Nines would like this one…He knew Nines was an avid reader. He'd spent many evenings kneeling on the floor at Nines' feet with his lips around his cock while he sat back reading a thick book. Gavin felt himself twitch at the memory of his own lazy contentment and the feeling of Nines' long fingers carding through his hair. Sometimes Nines wouldn't even order him to service him. Having him curled up naked beside him with his head in his lap, sleeping or watching the TV, was enough. He liked those times. He liked it most when it was quiet, the silence only broken by the steady flip of paper as Nines turned a page. It was almost surprising how popular paperbacks were, even after all this time. There were electronic versions available, but people still loved the feel and smell of paper.

"Did you find something?" He almost jumped out of his skin as Chloe appeared at his shoulder with an impish smile. His heart raced as he glared at her, still holding the crime novel he'd picked out for Nines. He was pretty sure he'd seen him reading another book by the same author not too long ago. The cover was pretty grim. A bloodied knife driven through a red-stained note of some sort with a broken locket lying open beside it. It read like some sort of psycho-stalker saga in the blurb. The series' usual detective set out to help a man who thought he was going to be killed by his ex-girlfriend. Not exactly a murder-mystery, but Nines wasn't set on any certain genre.

"Yeah, I think I'll get this." Once they'd bought their books, he followed Chloe up another street. They spent their time browsing knickknack shops, some of them aimed at androids. There were little toys, lights, and musical items that could be synchronised to their LEDs or responded to their moods. He was tempted by some of the light-up items, but he was pretty sure Nines would kill him. Once a year with the little synchronised Christmas tree was quite enough. He sort of missed his tree though. The desk felt lonely without it.

"If you wanted to keep track of Nines' mood, there's an app for that, you know," Chloe said as she watched him prodding a little light-up ball with a small pout. It was quite a cute expression. She'd even snapped a photo to send to Nines. He didn't respond, but she was pretty sure it would end up in his private collection. Gavin gave her a small frown as he turned away from the small dancing sunflowers that were programmed to respond to noise.

"There's an app to stalk your android?" His scoff suggested he didn't believe her, but Chloe didn't think it was that unbelievable.

"This coming from the man who allows his android boyfriend access to his GPS and keeps a tracker strapped to his wrist?" Chloe teased as she nodded towards his watch. Touche…He couldn't exactly argue the point. Sure, maybe it was a little weird. It wasn't like it hurt him though, and it made Nines feel better knowing where he was and how he was feeling. Nines had actually linked to his computer to show him what the tracker allowed him to see once. It had been weird, seeing the little blip with his name and bio on a simple map of their apartment, along with his heart rate, blood pressure, skin temperature, and other stuff he didn't even know how to read.

"Yeah, but that's different." Chloe didn't think so. She also didn't think Nines would object to it. Turnabout was fair play. Gavin let her take his phone to download the app. All it needed was for him to input Nines' serial number and an alert would be sent to request a connection. He input the number and sent the request, watching the little Cyberlife circle spinning yellow on the black background as it waited for permission. There was a blip and a few more yellow circles until it shifted to a steady blue.

"See? He accepted!" Gavin hummed curiously as he checked out the app while Chloe watched over his shoulder. The Cyberlife circle took up the middle of the screen, spinning a gentle blue and listing Nines' stress level and physical condition. His stress was holding at a steady twenty-three percent, using minimum processing power, and he was in peak physical condition. He was pretty happy, from what he could tell. He squinted as he caught sight of something. Are you phcking kidding me?

"There's an emoji setting!" he exclaimed in delight as he pressed the button to bring up a flood of customisation options. There was a standard yellow circle version, or he could design one to look however he wanted. He chuckled quietly as he began searching through and clicking options. He could change the head shape to something more realistic, change the skin colour, alter the eyes, and even add hair. It was almost like a real cartoon character by the time he finished. Oh! I didn't set the name! He changed the serial number display to show Nines instead.

"That's so cute!" Chloe cooed over his shoulder as she looked at the screen, where there was now a small icon of Nines' head smiling back with little pink cheeks and blinking blue eyes. The little head jumped as the expression changed to something a little more embarrassed and indignant, stress jumping by one percent. Gavin could only guess Chloe had sent him a picture of the little emoji head. He blinked as a little speech bubble popped up.

Gavin, remove this immediately!

"How do I reply?" Gavin asked eagerly as he looked over his shoulder with a grin. Chloe hummed as she looked at the options. She'd never actually used a chat function like that before. It must have been updated to include a messaging option. The small bubble changed.

I can hear you perfectly well. Gavin huffed as he looked at the little camera circle on the front of his phone. Figures he can connect like that. His green eyes were still dancing with mirth as he looked back at the little head as if it were actually Nines. In a way, it sort of was. Nines was using the camera to look at him, the same way he was using the microphone to hear him.

"No, Emoji-Nines stays," Gavin replied with a small smirk, snorting as the little emoji took on an angry pout and little frown marks appeared. It's so phcking cute! His expression dropped as the app suddenly blinked out. The icon had even disappeared from his home screen. He was surprised to find how much that bothered him. It was just an app. Nothing to get hurt over. It wasn't like Nines had dumped him or anything. Apparently, Nines sensed his dip in his mood. The app re-opened and the little emoji was still there, looking embarrassed and apologetic.

Don't show my brothers. He could agree to that one small concession. He agreed and followed Chloe as she led the way out into the street. Nines was still busy at work, so he shut the app for the moment and put his phone away.

"Is there anything you need today?" Gavin asked as they headed up the street, but Chloe shook her head. She was quite happy just window shopping. They walked around a little more, trying free samples at the food market, looking at sunglasses, trying on hats, and browsing second-hand trinkets until late afternoon. Chloe smiled warmly as they returned to the square to part ways. Gavin accepted her usual kisses and a tight hug before watching her walk off. He waved as she turned back at the door of the mall, waving goodbye before disappearing inside. Gavin lingered a few moments before turning away to head across the street to the hotel.

Ice trickled down his spine. He froze. What the phck? Green eyes darted around the square as the hairs on the back of his neck prickled. Am I being watched? He looked around again, swallowing as he felt his adrenaline kick in. He couldn't figure out what had set him off. No one really stood out. The people wandering back and forth seemed pretty normal. Groups of kids. Mums with prams. Old ladies. Businessmen in suits. Even a couple of dog walkers. He jumped as his phone buzzed.

What's wrong? Your heart rate is elevated. He was touched, if not a little disturbed, that Nines was so perceptive. Sighing, he tried to shake it off, giving the square a final, searching look as he hurried through the most crowded part. He weaved his way through the crowd and headed across the street to the hotel's entrance. It was probably just a little paranoia. The feeling eased once he was in the lobby anyway. He paused by the elevator, looking down at his phone as he waited for the doors to open.

It's nothing. Just got the weird feeling I was being watched. In the hotel now. He sent the reply as the doors opened and stepped inside. Pressing for the top floor made him feel better. No one else could use the elevator without permission. The security in the penthouse was impenetrable, and Nines was directly linked to it. He felt even better once he had the door locked and Pipsqueak was weaving between his feet, following him into the kitchen. Pipsqueak mewled insistently as he watched him reach up and open the food cupboard. Gavin hushed him a few times as he poured out the sachet, ruffling his silver fur as he put the bowl down and leaned on the counter rubbing his face. It was just a feeling. Just the feeling of unknown eyes watching him. I'm taking a shower.

A shower was the only thing he could think of to distract himself. It had the added bonus of getting him away from the glass windows that surrounded him everywhere else. He messaged Nines to let him know he was fine now and was taking a shower. In his bedroom, he dragged the heavy curtains across, blocking out the world outside. Leaving the bedroom door open a crack in case Pipsqueak wanted to come in, he shut himself in the bathroom. He was soon humming in contentment beneath the warm spray. This had definitely been one of his better ideas. The water soothed his tired muscles, and the heat in the air helped him calm down. By the time he was out and dressed, he actually felt a lot better.

He pulled the curtains open again, looking out at the buzzing city. It was late afternoon, but it wouldn't go dark for a few hours yet. The days had really stretched. It probably wouldn't be fully dark until after nine o'clock. Down in the kitchen, he poured himself a tall glass of water and leaned against the counter as he drank. Nines would probably be home in a couple of hours. Maybe he should do something. Put on his collar. Lay the new book out. Stretch himself across the sofa and wait patiently. He looked down as his phone buzzed across the counter. He didn't remember putting it down, but he'd been a little distracted by Pipsqueak on the way in. Chloe? He frowned as he put the phone to his ear.

"G-Gavin?" Her voice was so quiet and shaky. He was immediately alert.

"Chloe, are you alright?" He turned away from the security cameras instinctively, hiding his vulnerability as he leaned on the counter. Chloe's breath was quivering. He'd never heard her, or any other android, make that sort of noise. He frowned as he listened to the small whimper in her throat. It sounds like she's…in pain? "Chloe, where are you?" He kept his voice slow and clear, hoping that she'd focus on the question.

"S-scared, Gavin-I'm-scared! I-I don't know where I am! I-don't-know-where-I-am!" He could hear little scuffles in the background. It sounded like she was struggling. Is she tied up somewhere? It was pretty strange. Usually, he couldn't hear anything when Chloe or Nines called. The line went directly to their heads, so he could usually only hear their voices when they spoke to him internally. Right now, it seemed like she was sharing everything. "G-Gavin! He's going to-" A scream was wrenched from her lips. He was moving before he even thought, grabbing the keys from Aaron's shrine and heading to the elevator. His skin prickled as he heard a gentle hushing, and Chloe's voice quieted down to pathetic whimpers.

"Hello Gavin. I have another game for you."