Gavin stretched lazily as he opened his eyes, smiling as a strong arm coiled across his bare waist to keep him down. Groaning and sighing, he turned on his side and nuzzled into the naked chest that greeted him. He clung to Nines as the arm on his waist tightened and a hand laced in his hair to turn his face up. Green eyes barely blinked open as gentle lips caressed his own, creeping tendrils kissing along the delicate skin to tease them open. Gavin huffed softly as he opened up at the almost tickling sensation, deepening the kiss as their tongues danced.

"Good morning," Nines greeted as he drew back and bumped his forehead.

"Morning...Did the snow stop?" He was eager to know, but not so eager that he was going to leave the warmth of the bed. The room itself wasn't cold, not the with heating on, but it wasn't as warm as the bed. Soft flannel caressed his naked skin from where they'd fallen the night before. He almost felt bad for being so lazy. After enjoying the jacuzzi for far too long, Nines had carried him to bed. He didn't know the exact time, but he knew it was before five o'clock. Despite being in bed, they hadn't done anything. They'd both felt lazy and sated from their earlier intimacy, and Gavin was tired from the drive. They'd huddled beneath the flannel duvet, shrouded in warmth and enjoying the tender press of flesh, lost in their own thoughts and occasionally having murmured conversations.

On a normal day, Gavin would have been at work. Even at home, he would have been on his computer looking up details or conducting research, or they would have been talking through whatever case they were working on to figure things out. He might have cooked dinner or watched a movie, or read a book. To lie in bed for hours on end, not being productive, was almost unheard of. He felt both guilty and mischievous, as if he'd done something naughty. His body was certainly thanking him for it now. He felt rested for the first time in weeks. His contentment was interrupted by a deep, guttural growl. Rested and phcking starving!

"It seems you are ready for breakfast," Nines murmured as he pressed a kiss against his forehead and tried to shuffle back. He tried; however, Gavin wasn't ready for him to leave just yet and clung tightly to his neck. "Gavin, you're hungry," Nines chuckled as he followed the insistent pull and buried his face in his shoulder, turning his face to gently kiss his way up and down his neck. Gavin hummed and wriggled closer, pressing his own kisses across Nines' skin.

"Hungry for you." Nines huffed softly as he drew back, enjoying the roguish smirk on Gavin's lips. That wasn't wholly true. Though he was often insatiable, his scans revealed that Gavin was actually quite relaxed that morning. His cock remained limp throughout their brief intimacy, suggesting he was still quite satisfied from the night before. With that in mind, Nines pressed a final chaste kiss against his lips and pushed himself up.

"You are an insatiable menace." Gavin couldn't argue with that, and proved the point further as he chased his lips, getting in a few more kisses before he finally escaped. "A hungry, insatiable menace," Nines added as his stomach rumbled a second time. Gavin almost whined in objection as he allowed Nines to pull him up and watched him stand. He rubbed his face tiredly, yawning as he enjoyed the sight of Nines' firm ass in his pyjama pants as he went in search of something to wear. The material was loose, sitting low on his hips and giving him a nice view of the dimples near his tailbone. Considering all the hardware underneath, it was a detail Gavin was surprised to see included. Nines settled on the complimentary robes they'd found the night before. One large black one that just about fit his wider shoulders and a smaller white one that had clearly been intended for a woman. Despite the smaller size, it was quite comfortable as Gavin slipped it on.

"Oh, it stopped snowing," Nines said as he opened the curtains in the living room. Gavin hummed tiredly, having forgotten his earlier question. He winced as light flooded the front room and curled up on the enormous sofa as Nines lit the fire again. He huffed fondly as he checked on Gavin with the top set of eyes, noting the way he buried his face in a small cushion to hide from the weak grey light. The sun was still hidden behind the clouds, but the sky had at least brightened to where the clouds were light and fluffy rather than dark and weeping snow.

Getting to his feet, Nines kept one set of eyes on Gavin at all times, which was easy considering the open nature of the lower floor. He bustled about the kitchen, taking advantage of the stocked fridge and cupboards to make Gavin a bowl of warm porridge with a side of sliced banana. He knew better than to put the banana inside the large bowl. Gavin hated it when the banana went soft and warm, so he put the banana in a small side bowl, and the porridge in a much larger one. Instead of coffee, he poured out a tall orange juice, thinking it would go better with the hot porridge to cool Gavin's mouth between bites. He was proven right as Gavin took one spoonful of porridge and immediately grabbed the juice to cool his burning tongue.

"Since it stopped snowing, do you want to head into the forest later?" Gavin asked, feeling a little more awake since he'd started eating. Nines weighed up the suggestion. It was still freezing outside, and that wasn't an exaggeration. Winters were truly bitter in these parts, and the risk of hyperthermia with prolonged exposure was high. However, limited exposure meant limited risks, and Gavin was clearly itching to get out of the lodge. He wasn't the type to spend much time indoors sitting around, even if he had slept most of yesterday away. There was a certain eagerness in Gavin's twinkling green eyes as he watched from the corner of his eye.

"Very well, however we should not travel far from the lodge. The temperature is less than optimal." Gavin huffed at the concern. He could agree to that. They didn't need to go deep to give Nines the chance to stretch his legs. With that in mind, he quickly finished his breakfast and went to pull on his clothes from the day before. They were only going to get wet from the snow, and with his limited wardrobe, it made more sense to save his new clothes for later when they came back inside. Gavin bundled up in his jacket, but Nines left his behind. He didn't feel the cold.

They set off down the front steps before heading to the back of the house and across the open blanket of snow towards the trees. The silence was troubling. The snow brought with it an eerie silence, muffling Nines' sensors. Even the forest seemed quieter than it should. The leaves barely rustled, and the only real sound was the crunch of their feet in the snow. It was an interesting yet somewhat pleasant sensation on his feet. He could feel the snow packed tight with each step, leaving deep prints in the surface.

Gavin kept his hands in his pockets and tried to pretend he wasn't freezing his ass off as they walked. Each breath fogged the air in a big white cloud. It didn't take long for the icy breeze to bite his nose and ears, and his toes started to feel numb not long after. Despite that, he wanted to stay out. This was his gift for Nines. The chance to cut loose and be free. Unfortunately, Nines wasn't taking the hint. He was walking beside him as he always did, shoulders and spine rigid, with his hands behind his back. His eyes were the busiest part. All six darted this way and that as his LED span yellow, examining the trees and following any insects or animals he found.

"Well?" Gavin prompted after a while. They'd walked a short way into the trees, and there was no one else around for miles. It was perfectly safe.

"Well, what?" Nines seemed genuinely confused as they stopped. Gavin's teeth were already chattering, hands shoved deep in his pockets as he shifted from foot to foot. It really was too cold for him to tarry. They should continue this walk and get it over with so he could return to the house and swaddle himself in a warm blanket. Despite clearly feeling cold, Gavin was in no rush to return.

"I booked this place so that you could unwind, too. Go ahead and change." Nines' eyes blinked one set at a time, as if he didn't entirely understand the request. Gavin wasn't in danger. They weren't on a mission. He didn't require cleaning or maintenance. There was no reason for him to activate the Lovecraft Protocol. It wasn't something he did lightly, even at Gavin's request. What justification did he have for it at this time? Then again, who was there to stop him? Elijah might be notified of its use, but would he follow up on it? What could he possibly do in response? His programming wasn't as rigid as it once was, especially where Gavin was concerned. "Come on! You hate being all bunched up and shit! You must feel like...like an origami fan with no room to open!" That was a rather simplistic way of putting it, but not entirely inaccurate. He had many internal panels that slipped and folded together in his human form, making him shorter and slimmer.

"But...there is no reason for me to change form at this time."

"Phck the reason! Do you want to?" All six eyes blinked again as Nines thought it over. Did he want to change? He was perfectly fine in human form. It didn't hurt, and it wasn't uncomfortable per se. Despite that, there was something extremely liberating about being his other self, the way he was designed to be. He was stronger, faster, more resilient. There was something of a thrill that came with such power.

"I...I suppose I do." What harm would it do? There were no other humans around to notice. With that in mind, and Gavin's smug nod, he began stripping. "I'd shred the clothes if I kept them on," he excused to Gavin's stunned stare. That actually made a lot of sense, considering how much larger he'd seemed in the warehouse and shower. Nines neatly draped the items over a low-hanging branch and left his shoes at the base before backing away. Gavin stumbled a little as the transformation began, gripping the bark as his back hit the trunk of a tree.

There was something horrifyingly beautiful about watching Nines change. His skin disappeared first, trickling away in a trail of blue light chased by black matte casing. Segments slipped apart almost silently, making his arms bigger, his legs longer, and his body wider. Blades sprouted down his spine and along his forearms, with sharp spikes on the elbows. His feet and hands became clawed, and he was soon on all fours prowling like a tiger. He didn't have a tail, but with those six tentacle whips emerging from his back and sides, he didn't need one. Gavin felt a lot more nervous than he thought he should as Nines stalked a little closer and visibly trembled as one long tentacle coiled around his ankle and slowly slid higher to caress his thigh.

Are you alright, Gavin? Gavin swallowed hard and nodded as that tentacle slipped higher and stroked along his back to settle around his waist. He wasn't scared exactly, but his body was certainly having a reaction to the sheer size and power of Nines' new form. He felt like prey. Every fibre of his being screamed at him not to move, and his heart fluttered like a bird. Nines seemed to garner something of this, eyes creasing in amusement as he leaned closer. His jaws had unhinged, letting his tongue unfurl to its true two foot length, tiny tendrils creeping up to tease Gavin's stubbled jaw and stunned lips. Green eyes fluttered, breath escaping in a sigh as his lips were kissed and sucked, more tendrils creeping between his parted lips to tease his tongue.

Gavin's reactions had always been rather curious where his more dangerous form was concerned. Even during their first disagreement, when he'd bitten his face, his reaction had been unlikely. The danger and sheer power he exuded had gone straight to his cock. At the mall, it had happened again as he bit his shoulder and licked his neck in search of comfort. After the horror of the warehouse, when he had thought Gavin would fear him, he'd knelt on the bed hard and trembling as he'd applied the numbing agent to his abused entrance. He'd accepted and come to love his more monstrous qualities, including the sound of his voice box when his jaw unhinged.

"I forgot how...big you are like this." Perhaps scary or imposing would have been better words, but he didn't want Nines to think he was scared, even though that was partially true. He knew Nines wouldn't hurt him, of course. He wasn't a monster, even though he looked like one. Even monster seemed too strong a word, but there really wasn't another description that fit. To anyone else, he would be considered a monster, and treated as such. A mechanical purr rumbled in Nines' throat, sending vibrations through the window of his neck panel, where Gavin could see rows and rows of sharp teeth lining his throat. He closed his eyes with a sigh as the tentacle on his back stroked higher, sharp spikes rubbing gently between his shoulder blades. Gavin held still, knowing how much concentration Nines had to put in so that he didn't shred the surface.

He had to be careful, too. As he slipped his arms around Nines' neck, he had to be mindful of the blades running down his spine. When he hugged him, he needed to angle himself so he avoided his open mouth and sharp teeth. If he ran his hands down his arms, he had to remember the elbow spikes and forearm blades. Nines' hands were now clawed, so he needed to stay still as he stroked and teased his skin. Gavin littered kisses across Nines' cheek and shoulder, bumping his forehead gently and watching his luminous eyes blink up and down. They were creased with happiness, which would seem menacing to anyone else.

"How fast do you think you can run like this?" Gavin asked as he drew back and watched Nines stand to his full height, which had to be around seven feet, if not a little more. An almost mechanical chuckle rumbled in his throat as he uncoiled his tentacles and returned to all fours. He was powerful, like a big cat, poised and ready to pounce. Gavin blinked as he noticed the pale blue light that lined some of the large plates, glowing softly to match his spinning LED, showing he was relaxed and at ease.

In my human form, I can run in excess of forty miles per hour. In this form, I can double that speed for short bursts, much like a cheetah. Running so fast probably burned through a lot of thirium, so it made sense that it would be a limited time deal. With the whipping tentacles on his back, it probably wasn't necessary most of the time. He'd seen how long those things could grow, and how fast they snapped out to grab or slash their chosen prey. He shuddered as he remembered how they could rip and tear their targets like a child pulling limbs off a doll.

"You need to give me a head start then," Gavin said as he left the tree and ran a few paces away. Nines tilted his head curiously.

Give you a head start to-He stopped mid-question, blinking in surprise as something cold hit his forehead and all but exploded. White particles dripped down his cheeks and into his lower eyes. His top eyes were wide, blinking in surprise as his LED turned yellow. It was cold and wet. Snow. From the loud chuckle and crunching footsteps, he knew Gavin was the guilty party. A second ball of snow sailed through the air, turning to powder as a thin tentacle whipped through it, making it fall like snow. He wasn't sure if Gavin noticed as he continued running, making his escape through the trees.

Anticipation swirled in the pit of Nines' stomach as he settled on all fours, ready to give chase. All six eyes widened and focused, zooming through the trees to fix on Gavin's retreating back, crosshairs marking him as his target. Gavin wasn't a fool. He knew those eyes were on him as he ducked back and forth between the trees; however, they both knew it was a futile attempt to escape. All six tentacles lowered, coiling against his back so he didn't lose speed. Artificial muscles tightened, ready to spring. He focused on Gavin, letting his prey fill his senses. His quickened heartbeat, the blood rushing through his veins thick with adrenaline, the panting of his breath as it clouded the air, the sound of his stumbling steps crunching the snow. His legs were pumping at full speed, taking the chase seriously as he tried to put some distance between them. It was sweet how much effort he was putting in, although he knew it was futile.

After giving him a full two-minute head start, Nines pounced. His back legs pushed, sending him flying through the snow with loud crunches, kicking up flurries as he went. The moment he was within earshot, he could see Gavin's heart leap into overdrive, fuelled by a mixture of excitement and anticipation. How would Nines catch him? Would he be rough? Would it hurt? Was he still in control, or had he lost himself to something more carnal? Despite the edge of fear fluttering in his chest, Gavin trusted Nines implicitly. He'd never play such a dangerous game if he thought he'd really lose control and hurt him. Nines' feet left the ground as he leapt against a tree and jumped, reaching out with his tentacles to grab Gavin as he landed and haul him off his feet.

Gavin yelled in surprise as he was wrapped by two strong tentacles, both holding his waist securely and lifting as Nines landed on all fours and skidded to a stop. He lowered Gavin to the ground, laying him with his back against the snow and prowling over him. His LED was yellow as he scanned him for injury. Despite being plucked from the ground mid-run, he was unharmed. It had winded him a little, but the worst that would be left behind was a few minor bruises. Gavin didn't move as he lay beneath him, panting for breath and grinning with exhilaration. Nines' brow furrowed, unimpressed, as a cloud of snow hit the side of his face.

Careful Gavin...His eyes thinned somewhat as he leaned lower, LED spinning yellow in warning. Gavin's body warmed at the low, growling tone, cock twitching in anticipation.

"Or what? Are you finally going to put me in my place?" Nines growled low in his throat at the challenge. That only seemed to increase Gavin's arousal. Nines lowered his larger body, uncoiling the tentacles and caging his smaller body against the ground. Gavin's breath was hot against his bare casing as he started up, pupils blown wide with want. "Oh, phck..." His breath shuddered, hips rocking as he felt the familiar prod of Nines' solid cock against his own, only it felt a little different. Bigger. He would have been on his knees in an instant if Nines let him move. Unfortunately, his larger body was pinning him down, and those clawed hands soon gripped his wrists to stop him from touching.

No, Gavin. It would require extensive training for your body to withstand the girth of my genital component in this form. Gavin whined softly as he squirmed against him. He'd accept a cock in either form at this point. He'd been denied for months! Nines seemed to garner something of his thoughts as he chuckled and drew back. He knelt above him, letting him watch as the spikes and tentacles retracted, panels sliding and locking until he'd returned to human form. His jaw hinged, lips coming together, cheeks sealing to hide his sharp teeth from view. The moment his grip loosened, Gavin was on his knees, arms locking around his neck to pull him down into a searing kiss.

"Phck, you're such a phcking tease!" he complained between kisses, moaning and whining as he shuffled higher, climbing to straddle Nines' large thighs. Naked thighs. It was a little weird to see him kneeling naked in the snow, but there was something strangely beautiful about it. Nines gripped his ass and stood in one smooth motion, greedily accepting the proffered kisses as he leaned him against the nearest tree and let him feel the solid cock between them. Gavin shivered in the cold, eagerly rocking and squirming. He would have stripped off and taken it despite the snow, however, he knew Nines would never allow that.

"We must return to the lodge immediately." It was difficult to resist stripping him off right there and having his way with his ass. He would have if not for the dangerously low temperature and the risk of negative side effects. Gavin was shivering despite his eagerness, teeth chattering a little as Nines drew back. He nodded despite the hard cock in his pants telling him otherwise. Nines was right. He'd literally freeze his dick off if he took his clothes off in this weather, and the snow on his jeans had already soaked through to numb his ass. Maybe in the summer...He filed that thought away as Nines leaned down and claimed his lips once more before lowering him to his feet.