The journey to Nines' apartment was a long and meandering one, and for a while there was a chance they wouldn't make it back at all. The only reason they persisted was that Nines knew it would be impossible for Gavin to keep it up in the below freezing temperatures, and he would find their lovemaking less than pleasant. That didn't mean they didn't stop along the way. On the contrary, it seemed impossible for them to keep their hands off each other. Gavin brought them to a stop every few steps to wrap his arms around his neck and pull him into a heated kiss. In the end, Nines decided it would be faster to simply pick him up and carry him. Gavin didn't put up a fight. Wrapping his arms around his neck, he held on like a koala and claimed his lips at any given opportunity.
Nines lived in a pretty fancy apartment block not too far from Admiral Park. In fact, in order to get home, he took Gavin on a walk through the park, often pausing along the railing by the river to press him against it and seal his wanton lips. After about thirty minutes of fumbling alongside the railing, Nines carried Gavin out of the park and back into the streets until they came to the shiny new building. It had a fancy marble fronting, and each apartment had enormous windows and balconies with gold railings. It was hard for Gavin to believe a detective's wage could pay for somewhere like this, but he was still paying off student loans and hospital bills. A never ending, ever mounting sea of debt. His brother would pay for it, of course, but he didn't like to treat him like a secondary bank account.
"You live here?" Gavin exclaimed as they stopped outside. Nines smiled in amusement as he watched Gavin staring up at the twelve storey block with a sense of awe. It was almost like he'd never seen an apartment block before, though perhaps that was a little cruel. This was a new-build, so it looked a lot newer and fancier than many others in the area. It would also be considered expensive to many people, however, it was more than affordable on a detective's salary.
"I do." Nines led the way with a nod and used his palm to swipe through the main door. Beyond the heavy glass was a shiny foyer with a security guard, who waved Nines through with a polite greeting. Gavin's mouth almost fell open as he hurried along at Nines' side, waiting impatiently for the lift. Nines' lips quirked as he pretended to ignore Gavin's impatience, which only eased once they were inside the spacious, mirrored lift and on their way to the top floor.
"You have a phcking security guard?"
"Well, no. He isn't my guard; he simply monitors the building." Gavin scowled and folded his arms. Nines knew exactly what he meant; he was just being a facetious prick! Having visited Gavin's apartment many times to pick him up, Nines knew he lived in a fairly rundown part of town. The apartment was a shoebox compared to his. The bedroom was in its own dingy little space that could just about fit a double bed, built-in closets, and a set of drawers, and there was a small bathroom with a shower, toilet, and sink, but the living room and kitchen were jammed into one cramped space. There was a small shelf along the window that served as a breakfast bar, and that was the closest thing to a table that would fit in the space. There was enough room for a sofa, TV, and coffee table, but not much more than that. It was tight, but Gavin said he didn't need much space. He spent most of his time at work. With such sorry living conditions, Nines couldn't blame him. If not for his cat, Gavin probably wouldn't go home at all.
He didn't always need to go home anyway. His cat was an ex-stray, and still freely roamed the city as he pleased. He could go off for days on end sometimes, and though Gavin worried, he let it be. Cocoa Bean wasn't built for the pampered house cat life. He put up with it for a few days at a time, but the great outdoors soon called him back. After a week of yowling, scratching the windows, peeing on the floor, and trying to escape every time he went out, Gavin gave in and let him go. He'd thought he might not see him again when he didn't come back the first time, but then he woke up two days later and found him curled up outside his bedroom window.
"Does he take your mail, too?" Gavin had meant it to be sarcastic, but Nines nodded.
"Sometimes, if it's too big for the mailbox." Nines tried not to smirk too much at the unimpressed look on Gavin's face. If he missed the mail, Gavin had to go all the way to the big depot on the edge of town to pick it up. He was a little jealous that Nines had such convenience, not to mention the extra security. An outer door that locked, a guard downstairs, and lifts that required a key fob to move. Gavin had no such barriers to the outside. Anyone could walk into his building and climb the stairs to his apartment, which had caused a few sleepless nights during past cases. Cases before Nines. How could he be scared now with a terminator watching his back?
Once they were on the twelfth floor, Nines led him along to the second door on the left. There were only eight apartments on that floor, and Nines had one of the corner ones that overlooked the river. He didn't even bother to turn on the lights as they stepped inside. There was little need with the curtains open, giving them a panoramic view of the glittering lights of Canada and Admiral Bridge. A small sound of awe fled Gavin's lips as he removed his jacket and left it over the back of Nines' sofa. Beside the window, Nines had set up two small stools by a thick wooden ledge to take advantage of the view, like a small bar. Gavin slid onto one of the stools like he belonged there, which pleased Nines immensely as he went to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water and another of thirium.
This was something he'd never expected during their first week. The thought of Gavin Reed coming to his apartment would have churned his stomach back then. Stress had eaten him from the inside daily, causing a few minor glitches whenever Gavin opened his mouth. He hesitated to label it hate, but they certainly hadn't liked each other. Griping, arguing, even fighting sometimes. He could still remember how easily he'd slammed Gavin's smaller body against the brickwork of the DPD, both of them snarling as Gavin dared him to go further. The heat that had flared in his chest then was vaguely reminiscent of what he felt now. Oh...Sexual arousal. Had he felt it even then? Was that why their fights had been so...passionate?
"The view up here is amazing!" Nines knew, of course. He'd lived there for months, but he acknowledged it just the same. Gavin was most pleasing when he was enchanted, green eyes wide in wonderment as he looked across the river. He accepted the cold bottle with thanks, quietly enjoying the glittering lights as he drank. As Gavin watched the city, Nines took his time admiring him. The scar across his nose was less visible in the dim light, but it was still there. A perfect imperfection. His hair was windswept from the walk over, and he barely moved as Nines reached out to finger through it. "Hey, look! Fireworks!" There were indeed fireworks. Not content with letting them off only at midnight, it seemed many people were having their own casual celebrations along the river.
"I imagine it will be like this for the next two or three days." That seemed to be the way of things when there were celebrations to be had. Gavin nodded absently, eyes still fixed on the glittering flowers that bloomed above the distant city. Red, gold, green, and silver lit the sky, a shower of sparkles that faded as they fell. Nines licked his lips, feeling nervous as he set his bottle aside and got to his feet. There was little reason for him to be nervous. They'd already kissed multiple times on the way back, but there was still some level of hesitancy as he stepped in beside Gavin and gently cupped his cheeks. He barely had time to part his lips before Nines had sealed them with a gentle kiss, working their lips slowly and holding him in place. Gavin offered no resistance, eyes fluttering as he sighed into it.
They broke apart with a start as a loud mewl sounded from Nines' feet. Gavin sighed in something akin to shocked relief as he looked down and found the fluffiest white cat he had ever seen staring up at him with eyes that almost matched Nines' silvery blues. Nines' LED span yellow as he followed Gavin's gaze and sighed at the interruption, but it was worth it to hear the sweet sound of awe that fled Gavin's lips. The cat, apparently oblivious to ruining the mood, rested its paws on Nines' knee and clawed for attention. Nines didn't hesitate as he lifted the cat in his arms, revealing a swirling blue LED on its temple.
"I didn't know you had a cat! It's an android?" Gavin held his hand out and waited for some sign of encouragement from the cat. Nines watched curiously as the cat's LED span yellow and it leaned across to analyse Gavin's fingers. Apparently finding nothing malicious, the cat nudged closer and let Gavin tickle its chin with gentle fingers. Feeling a mechanical purr rumble in the cat's chest, Nines smiled and stepped a little closer to let Gavin hold it. Gavin eagerly accepted, softly cooing and clicking his tongue, accepting the eager nuzzles against his chest.
"She is. Sixty gave her to me as a housewarming gift so I wouldn't get lonely. I call her Snowflake." Gavin didn't need to ask why. Her glossy fur was pure white, but looking at Nines' waistcoat, he could tell she didn't malt. A real cat would have left fluff all over the black and blue material, but since she was an android, Snowflake didn't shed at all. Another thing that gave her away was the lack of reaction to the distant cracks and flickering light. Gavin was pretty sure Cocoa Bean would be huddled under the covers of his bed with all the noise. That's what usually happened. Snowflake was undeniably adorable with her soft pink nose and matching toe beans, and she barely used her claws at all as she kneaded Gavin's chest, something Nines was taking as a personal affront. She especially seemed to like his stubble as she rubbed her face and chin along it, much to Gavin's delight.
"Suits her. God, she's phcking adorable!" It almost seemed like Snowflake understood as her purrs increased and her tail flicked.
"You're adorable." Gavin froze at the compliment, cheeks colouring as he tried to ignore the way Nines was looking at him. It was perhaps an odd choice of compliment for a man, but it was impossible not to say it with Gavin looking as he did. His expression was soft and warm, lips pulled in a gentle smile as he teased Snowflake's fur. His glittering eyes had been lidded a few seconds ago, but the compliment had made them widen in surprise and discomfort. Gavin had never been good at accepting compliments, and it showed in the way his body tensed and his lips thinned with awkwardness. "I mean it."
Snowflake hopped to the floor with a trill as Nines stepped closer and Gavin's hand clapped over his mouth to stop him from talking. Nines smiled, huffing gently against the warm palm touching his lips. There was something freeing about voicing such thoughts out loud and seeing the effect they had on Gavin. He'd harboured many such thoughts over the past few months, but set them aside as inconsequential. Simple observations of fact. Feelings he never would have considered at the start. Things that were unconnected to how he actually felt. He knew differently now. Those idle thoughts meant everything when it came to how he felt about Gavin.
"Don't say shit like that! It's embarrassing!" Perhaps that was part of the allure of saying it. Reaching up, Nines gently gripped Gavin's wrist, holding his hand in place as he leaned in and kissed his palm. The sensation sent tingles shooting across Gavin's skin, heart stuttering as he made to pull away only to find Nines keeping him in place. His cock twitched as Nines stepped closer, towering over him as he continued kissing his palm with half-lidded eyes. Licking his lips, Gavin looked from their joined hands to Nines' eyes, which were now watching him like a predator about to pounce.
Some moments needed no words, and this was one of them. Peeling Gavin's hand away, Nines leaned in to seal his lips instead. Again, Gavin accepted without question. His chin lifted as Nines stepped even closer, hands returning to his stubbled cheeks to stroke and tease the prickly skin. A gentle whine slipped Gavin's lips as he moved to grip his shirt, undoubtedly leaving wrinkles in his waistcoat. Nines gently stroked his chin, leading him to stand and stumble away from the window towards the bedroom door. He paused as he opened the door and drew back, giving Gavin a clear choice. He could enter the room or not.