#(tina and hank are only mentioned)

[peskellence]

Shot In The Dark

Pairing: RK900/Gavin Reed

Tags: M/M, New Years Party, Mutual Pining, Workplace Romance, Humour, Fluff, First Kiss

AO3 Link

Summary: Exhausted from watching her best friend continually torture himself, Tina reminds Gavin that you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take—and that three years of hopeless pining is long enough. The question is: will Gavin finally do something about the unspoken tension between himself and his partner? And just what, if anything, could possibly go wrong in the process?

[NYE fic taking place post pacifist ending]

Word Count: 5.6K

Tag List: @sweeteatercat @wedonthaveawhile @gho-stychan @tentoriumcerebelli @negative-citadel @faxaway @moriahadi424 @unicorn4genocide @cptjh-arts

"This is getting sad now." 

Gavin shuffled on the balls of his feet, grip tight on the half-drained glass he was absently swilling. 

Laughter and chatter swirled around the crowded hall, the buzz of voices merging into a single, deafening drone. Flashing lights from the dance floor caught against streamers above, casting dizzying reflections onto the drink Tina had provided.  

It was obnoxious, disorienting—and did absolutely nothing to ease his foul mood.

In addition to the strobes, his own expression was reflected in the liquor—a downtrodden visage defined by a scowling mouth and tired eyes. The warm amber liquid was brought to his lips, and the image drained away.

"It's not sad," he challenged, wiping his mouth with the back of his sleeve. "I'm just waiting for the right moment."

"You've been waiting for the right moment since Hank's retirement." Tina scoffed, taking a more conservative sip from her glass. With lips still poised on the rim, her brows raised before she added in a mumbled, sing-song lilt, "And then there was the Christmas party…"

The mere mention of the function inspired a visceral response. Gavin tensed, stomach flipping like someone was playing jump rope with his intestines.

A flood of unwelcome memories charged him. 

The echoes of bad karaoke. Streaks of red spilt across the front of a pristine white button-down.

The long, angry yelp—followed by hellish silence—as he clumsily tried to orient the mistletoe between himself and his partner. Only to discover it was holly and that he had managed to poke Officer Person in the eye with it.

He dismissed the nightmarish blooper reel with a firm shake of his head, choosing happiness over further analysis. "Let's not talk about the Christmas party."

Tina snorted. "Look, all I'm saying is that our ‘Single at 40’ pact is dangerously close to expiring. At least for you, my geriatric friend."

"Respect your elders, wench."

"As enchanting as our lavender marriage might have been," she began in a low, mocking simper, "there's a very good chance that I’m getting hitched for real..."

The woman gestured to the nearby bar, specifically at an ST300 standing by the register. It was impossible to hear her over the persistent noise humming through the room, but she appeared to be engaged in a conversation with the bartender. Judging by his exuberant nods and smarmy grin, he was deeply satisfied with the arrangement.

"My stunning future bride," Tina wistfully announced, her airy voice trailing into a sigh.

"You've been dating for six weeks," Gavin reminded.

"True love doesn’t run on a schedule. Your heart is cold and black; I wouldn’t expect you to understand."

"I think I'm going to be sick." Gavin clutched his stomach in pantomimed nausea, although this didn't dismiss the more tangible unease present. His own attention had wandered, locking squarely onto his partner.

He had his back turned to him, facing Connor. The two androids existed as mirror images, wearing matching versions of the same hand-knit sweater. These items had undoubtedly been produced as part of some misguided Christmas crafts project—with their plus one, who was currently skulking his way around the buffet table, crammed into the same garish red.

The woollen fibres looked itchy and lumpy, mis-stitched in several places. Gavin would have deemed the whole display sickening if Nines hadn't still managed to look mind-bendingly fantastic.

As though feeling the weight of his stare, the android glanced over his shoulder. Their eyes met briefly—a fleeting moment charged with something unspoken. His lips twitched upward, almost imperceptibly, before he turned back to his conversation.

"—For God's sake." Gavin's hopeless pining was interrupted by a firm jab to the ribcage. "At this rate, you’ll be spending the rest of your days writing poems about his jawline. Just shoot your shot. Seriously, what have you got to lose?"

"Everything," he hissed sharply, rubbing at the dull ache now pulsing in his sternum. "I have everything to lose. He's my partner—and best friend."

"You wound me, Gav."

"Fine. One of my best friends," he begrudgingly corrected. A lingering droplet still remained at the bottom of his glass, which he dutifully swept onto his tongue.

"I just don't want to make things weird. If he's—you know—not into it."

Tina made a long, heaving noise, pressing a hand to her mouth—an act of vengeance for his mockery of her own display of sentiment.

"You sound like a teenager—

Come on, the guy is disgustingly into you. You can see the longing stares from space. It's like the Great Wall Of China but with gay pining."

"You can't see the Great Wall Of China from space. It's a myth."

"Go. Now." Tina clapped him on the back, firmly pushing forward. "Shoot your shot before Janey the Intern beats you to it. I can smell her loins burning from here."

A rush of panic hit the detective. 

He thought of Janey, her dimpled smile and impossibly long, shapely legs. She was a lovely girl. Every time she propped herself against Nines' desk and fluttered her thick, dark eyelashes, Gavin wanted to throw her out of a window.

"Okay, okay, fine, I will, just—" His gaze dropped back to his thoroughly drained glass, a flimsy excuse beginning to form. "Need a refill."

He scurried his way through the jabbering masses, pressed between swaying bodies as he narrowly avoided spilt drinks. Half-hearted apologies were muttered, completely inaudible over the harsh din of laughter.

If he was going to consider fronting the plastic underwear model he called his partner, he needed another drink. Badly. A whiskey to steel his gut, settle frayed nerves, and preemptively dull the sting of rejection—should it come to that.

When he approached the bar, he was met with a much frostier reception than the previous customer. The bartender was a short, bulky man with sagging jowls and a prominent gut scarcely concealed beneath a stained apron. His beady eyes narrowed, looking the younger man up and down before he spoke in a sharp, gravelly tone that reeked of impatience:

"Yeah? What can I getcha?"

As the question was asked, Gavin was struck with two simultaneous revelations. The first was that a single whiskey wasn't going to cut it. At all. The second was that he’d left his wallet at home—meaning he had 25¢ and a breath mint to his name.

This limited his drink options.

His mind attempted to churn out a solution to the current dilemma. Gaze flitting across the bar, he scanned for anything useful before settling on a lipstick-stained tumbler.

He recalled a trick his dad favoured, passed down as a sagely nugget of wisdom: Chris Reed's foolproof strategy for securing a drink after draining your bank account.

"Hey, buddy. Rough night?" The process began as he propped an elbow on the bar, tutting in feigned sympathy. "You sound pretty beat."

The bartender ignored him, grabbing a beer stein from the counter in order to wipe it ‘clean.’ It broke its tacky seal on the wood with an unpleasant squelch. 

Gavin swiped the tumbler before it could also be removed. He then reached into his pocket, palming the coin briefly before slipping it under the dimpled base.

"I have an idea to spice things up." He spoke with a grin, exuding as much charm as was feasibly possible. "If I can get this coin out from under this glass without touching either, the next drink is on the house."

The barman arched an eyebrow. There was a flash of something indecipherable behind his contemptuous gaze, like a faint glimmer of amusement, before it was promptly snubbed.

"Oh yeah? What's in it for me?"

"The phone number of the girl you were just talking to."

Gavin paused for a beat, choosing his next words carefully. Of course, he had no intention of giving away anyone’s phone number—especially not to a man who looked like his big toe—but that was on a need-to-know basis.

"I have a connection," he concluded, shrewdly omitting the detail that the ‘connection’ was her lesbian lover.

The older man let his attention wander to the ST300, who was now talking with Tina at the edge of the dancefloor. Gavin grew worried that an overt display of PDA might jeopardise his plan. Fortunately, the ladies succeeded in the unlikely feat of keeping their hands to themselves.

Suspicions remained low and the bartender crossed his arms, accepting the terms of Gavin's wager with a curt shrug. "Sure thing, Houdini. Show me what ya got."

Gavin licked his lips, rolled his shoulders and prepared his opening move. He hovered a hand over the glass, fingers sprawled, ready to wow his cantankerous audience.

This did not happen, as the motion stalled, and he realised he had zero recollection of what he was supposed to do.

Something about a napkin? No, that was later. Was I supposed to blow on the glass? That didn’t feel right, either...

His younger self had never bothered to pay much attention to the intricacies, too busy savouring the taste explosion of salted peanuts and warm Capri Sun.

Panic settled, all the more pronounced as the ‘crowd’ grew agitated. Fingers drummed on his meaty forearm, a phlegm-filled snort informing that his sparse engagement was slipping fast.

Gavin decided to improvise. Grabbing a cocktail stick, he slid it into the gap between the glass and the counter, attempting to flick the quarter. It clung stubbornly to the wood, held by sticky residue that had formed a makeshift cement.

After loudly declaring the conditions unfair, he requested the surface be wiped, to which the barman begrudgingly complied. He placed the glass into position a second time before crouching down to inspect it, as though observing it from a different angle might trigger some grand epiphany.

He concluded the issue was that the glass was empty.

After a small deposit of whiskey was added, he once again failed to shift the coin—and a line was beginning to form behind him. He could feel his face burn in exasperation as he frantically combed his memories for something other than the flavour of tropical fruits and artificial sweetener.

His trick was attempted several times, each ending in miserable failure. A verdict was made that the glass itself was the issue, to which he was offered a champagne flute.

The coin still didn’t budge, so he blamed the carbonation for uneven weight distribution. Still, wine fared no better. Neither did cider.

By the time Gavin announced that the camber of the bar was skewed—and had snatched a serving tray from over the counter to create a flat surface—his reluctant spectator had completely lost interest.

"I got other people to serve, buddy."

The younger man was too stubborn to admit defeat. He rearranged his hodgepodge selection on the tray and attempted a bizarre ping-pong ricochet with a wadded tissue ball.

This ended with the paper submerged in red wine. 

There were too many drinks. 

He had already forgotten which one the coin was under—if it was still present at all. In one final, desperate gambit, the detective opted to shift tactics.

"Alright, you know what?" He threw up his hands, punctuating the action with a long, theatrical sigh of defeat. "Forget it, you win. I’ll just—Oh my God—!"

He pointed wildly toward a patron at the far end of the bar, his voice rising with falsified urgency. Heads swivelled in unison as the bartender and half the room turned to look.

"Is that guy choking?"

A DPD mailroom clerk, who paused mid-sip of his beer, froze in confusion as a concerned bystander started to whip him frantically across the back.

"Not choking—! Not—" He wheezed, pained, as a particularly exuberant slap propelled him from his stool.

Gavin seized his opportunity. Using the cover of the ensuing chaos, he snatched the tray of drinks. A shifty raccoon stealing scraps from the garbage, he turned from the bar, scampering into the night with his ill-earned spoils.

The scenario struck him with an uncanny sense of déjà vu. This might have been the outcome of at least a few of his father’s ‘skilled’ bar hustles.

His victory was nearly usurped as he stumbled into a sign mounted to the side of the bar. It pinged back, narrowly missing his face, as glasses teetered precariously. A couple tipped over, and in an effort not to lose any more precious cargo, he firmly kicked his assailant.

The metal pole clattered to the floor, its cheap black frame lying flat, revealing a hastily scrawled notice:

PRIVATE EVENT (DETROIT POLICE DEPARTMENT)

OPEN BAR — GUESTS ONLY.

Channelling his inner octopus, he carried what remained of his winnings further into the venue. Glugging from multiple drinks simultaneously, with only a few more ending up on the ground. This was deemed a successful venture. 

The tray was eventually abandoned on a fold-out table as he scanned the nearby dance floor. Through a blur of flailing arms and strobes, he somehow managed to spot Nines—tucked into a less blindingly lit nook beside the DJ booth.

Radiating his usual effortless poise, he swayed gracefully to the music. Connor, in contrast, clung with enthusiasm to his forearms, presumably encouraging him to liven his pace.

A plan of attack formed. After a final bracing gulp from one of the straggling glasses, Gavin waded into the throng. He intended to cut between the brothers, stealing his desired target away for a private dance.

Okay, here we go. Moment of truth. No turning back—

In his travels, the detective encountered a group of coworkers. While not dancing, their collective mass occupied an egregious amount of space. They stood huddled together, one member extending his phone, ready to take a picture.

His outstretched limb posed a prominent hazard, as several inebriated partygoers ducked and veered to avoid it. The man himself was blissfully unaware, showing a complete detachment from the concepts of personal space and social courtesy.

Gavin redirected his movements, doing his civic duty to ensure this sin would not go unpunished. He pulled his own phone out of his pocket and forcibly inserted himself into the frame. 

Disrupting the composition of heights and dazzling his newest, unwitting friends with the blinding white of his flash. Having left the group to gather themselves following the sweeping assault, Gavin stared down at the photo. The gaudy flash had caught the curve of a solo cup—one that was planted squarely over his face.

He lowered the screen, only to find the same cup now seated in his hand. He had no recollection of how it had gotten there and briefly attempted to retrace his steps before concluding the details didn’t matter.

It was still half full, beads of condensation wetting his palm. Taking a swig from the concoction, his mouth was accosted by a horrifying mix of raspberry liqueur and grenadine.

It was something a weaker man might have dubbed a ‘cocktail,’ but what could more aptly be described as a vicious affront to alcohol.

Trying his best to distract from the taste, Gavin turned his focus back to the corner of the DJ stand. It was now empty, save one extremely drunk forensic officer, loudly and persistently requesting tequila shots from the figure manning the booth.

Shit.

Gavin swivelled clumsily, the room spinning in tandem with an eclectic fog of lights and booze. He squinted through the haze, zeroing in on two shifts of maroon heading for the cloakroom. 

The twin flashes of LEDs confirmed their identities.

Shit, the silent profanity repeated, but somehow with greater conviction.

It was time to move on, and he did just that—fighting valiantly against the sweaty tide rising before him. He didn’t make it far before he was knocked by one of the bodies, stumbling back from the force of Collins’ ample weight.

The older man was writhing around in a frantic gyration that Gavin initially mistook for a seizure. Opposite him, Brown was engaged in equally bizarre flailing.

It was only then that the detective realised what he’d stumbled into. A ring of onlookers had gathered, hooting and hollering as the two officers tore up the floor in distinctly uncoordinated ways. 

Gavin stood in the centre, his inactivity drawing its own breed of attention.

Naturally, there was only one option.

Limbs moving independently from any conscious thought, he allowed the rhythms to guide him. Before he knew it, he was kicking, spinning, inventing shapes never before seen by mortal eyes.

Was it a daring fusion of jazz and shadowboxing? Some intrepid reinvention of breakdancing? Even Gavin wasn’t sure.

A sprawling pirouette ended with an inexplicable karate chop. He dropped into a squat, employing a quick shoulder shimmy that looked like he was trying to shake off a spider. The performance concluded with a finger-gun salute directed at no one in particular.

Jeers and claps died down as the audience stared. Heads tilted, eyes unblinking, struggling to process the masterful spectacle they had just witnessed.

They weren’t ready for his artistic genius. The man was a noble pioneer, decades ahead of his time.

Making history turned out to be thirsty work. He wobbled his way through a dispersing audience and back towards the tables.

His legs felt shaky, making it hard for him to move in a straight line. Stars were beginning to multiply in his vision, the combined influence of lights, fatigue, and deepening intoxication.

He picked up a drink that had been carelessly abandoned by one of his colleagues and took a lengthy sip. This one was another cocktail, albeit a much more palatable one.

The search for his partner recommenced, as was becoming the theme of the evening. He was investing considerable energy into this task—and was definitely not contemplating giving up and returning home to vent frustrations to his cat.

As though sensing the impending retreat, Nines re-materialised. Gavin had no idea where he had come from, his lagging mind and blurred vision omitting the finer details.

God, he looked incredible. It was about the only thing that he could still see in startling clarity. Stunning 4K resolution, standing against the backdrop of a grainy VHS tape—

Stop staring and move, you fucking idiot.

He had just about mustered the energy to stand, pulled up from his slumped position, when a party hat also appeared out of nowhere. It plopped clumsily onto his partner’s head as Nines smiled, politely accepting his ‘gift’ whilst readjusting the elastic.

The result was a soft curl of hair escaping the brim, cascading down his forehead. Slender fingers brushed it back, as pale cheeks tinged powder blue. 

Gavin forgot how to breathe. Something that persisted until, in desperation, he arched towards a passerby, claiming the shot glass that had been pinched in their grasp. The acrid liquid burned his throat and shocked his lungs back into activity.

Then, he charged forward.

Enough was enough. The grips of cowardice had dug their claws deeply, a hold which had endured for far too long.

He couldn't bear another three years of pretending to be content with friendship. It was an educated risk—mingled with wishfulness—that he would simply have to take.

Nines spotted him quickly, leading Gavin to conclude the android had been looking for him as well. This, in turn, inspired an anxiety he couldn't quite pinpoint, the burden of imagined expectations weighing heavily on his shoulders.

This was worsened by his partner's expression, which proved entirely unreadable. An enigmatic blend of concern and surprise—mingled with vulnerability.

Chin jutted and chest puffed in manufactured assurance, Gavin confidently entered his path. He then swooped around him in a wide arch, slamming through the doors of the nearby men's room.

The swinging doors propelled him forward, whacking his back and adding insult to the already pathetic display.

He didn't need to piss—but he was overdue a long, hard stare in the mirror.

Following this ritual of self-loathing, he filled one of the basins and proceeded to splash himself. The frigid blow of water stung immensely against burning skin as he muttered disparaging obscenities under his breath.

It wasn't long until his internal dialogue chimed in, levying the man with more targeted scorn, masquerading as advice:

Get it together, Reed. Ti’s right; you're acting like a lovesick schoolboy.

This is Nines. You know Nines. Even if he's not into it, you can laugh it off.

I mean, you gotta kiss someone at midnight, right?

Revelation hit like a truck as Gavin realised he had been presented with the perfect ‘Get Out Of Jail Free’ card. Should the worst possible outcome arise—and he threatened to implode their partnership through virtue of an unchecked boner.

Right. Midnight. We'll do it then. That gives me—

He checked his phone and scowled at the number displayed mockingly on the lock screen.

10 minutes of extra time. 

A final hit of liquid confidence was secured upon his departure. The victim in question was almost knocked flying by the violent propulsion of the bathroom door.

The drink had lined his oesophagus before he had even processed swallowing it. His head was flung back with such zeal that it left him incredibly dizzy.

Then came the taste—and smell—as they finally struck his delayed senses. Distinctly chemical, like battery acid.

Even in his dazed state, Gavin understood he had made a terrible mistake. He attempted to spit the fluid out, but discovered it was too late.

Bubbling heat rose in his gut, threatening to push back up through his throat, wreaking havoc on delicate insides. Apprehensively, he glanced at the cup, noting dregs of iridescent cobalt clinging to the bottom.

This had to be some form of cosmic punishment—atonement for all the chaotic undertakings he had perpetrated.

Glossing over the very real possibility that he had poisoned himself, Gavin stayed focused. The clock was ticking fast, and as the lights in the room began to dim, this was illustrated in foreboding clarity. 

Fuck. Where’s Nines?

Buzzing crowds grew hushed as the projected visage of a countdown clock was displayed on a nearby wall. The blasting resonance of the music also tapered until the room was silent. 

WHERE IS HE?

In another act of divine intervention—this time, less scornful of his insides—the big man upstairs did him a favour. Partygoers dispersed, and Nines appeared in the centre of the floor. Subtly illuminated by the rays of the overhead projector.

Then the countdown began, a ritualistic grunt that rose through the crowds, offering him unknowing encouragement.

10…9…8…

He wiped the lingering Thirium from his chin, having no time to check if it remained trapped in his stubble. 

Every step closer only seemed to highlight the android’s near-ethereal quality. Porcelain skin that effortlessly trapped every ray of light. Delicate freckles that he wanted to map with his lips–

7…6…5…

A body that could send him into a coma.

Those legs were already maddening enough to look at; he could only imagine how good they would feel wrapped around his neck—

No. Stop. Focus.

This was it. The single, decisive action that had the power to shift the tide of their relationship irrevocably. He desperately pushed this to the back of his mind, instead permitting himself to become lost in the moment.

4…3…2…

Gavin grabbed his shoulder, spinning him around before he had any chance to hesitate. Their bodies were close, with only the tiniest sliver of space between them.

After all this time, he was finally ready to shoot his shot.

1.

Happy New Year!

Lips met, pressed together with exuberant force. It was clumsy. Teeth clashed, noses bumped, and Gavin was fairly sure he had trodden on one—or both—of his partner’s feet.

Fireworks filled the sky behind them, flashing through his tightly closed lids as he felt equally zealous pops in his gut. He tried to convince himself these were butterflies and not of impending vomit.

He was too drunk to care, swimming haplessly through a potent mist of alcohol—as well as the enchanting sensations of the mouth pressed firmly to his.

The lips were soft, deliciously warm, with weight and form that seemed measured to absolute perfection.

He loved Cyberlife—loved them. Head Office would be receiving a handwritten letter of gratitude at some point during the year.

An orchestral score had begun to blast through nearby speakers, swelling in time with the climactic fireworks propelled into the sky.

He caught the end of their downpour as he slowly pulled back, tentatively opening his eyes…

Only to be met with a set of brown ones staring back in awestruck horror.

The warmth and satisfaction that had been coursing through his body vanished instantly, replaced by a creeping dread.

Oh, shit.

SHIT. SHIT. SHIT. SHIT.

The two were left to gawk at each other, frozen, silent, suspended in a matched state of shock—like they were the lone survivors of a cataclysmic multi-car pile-up.

Connor was the first to speak, breaking the tension with a curt rejection:

"I'm not attracted to you."

"I’M NOT ATTRACTED TO YOU EITHER," Gavin shot back, much louder—and with far more defensiveness—than was required. "Where the fuck did you come from?"

"I've been standing here the whole time."

"Well, I—"

Gavin began to swivel haplessly as though searching for anyone—or anything—that could save him from his dire situation. He knew it was hopeless, so instead, he settled for a series of weak, half-formed excuses:

"I've been drinking…and the sweaters…and, shit, it’s dark in here..."

He caught a glimpse of Tina, who was staring at him from the fringes of the dancefloor. She looked completely dumbfounded, entirely dismayed before her bulging eyes and slack jaw were buried in her hands.

"It's an easy mistake to make," Gavin concluded, his jaw locked in a tense snap. "I'm sure it has happened plenty of times."

"This has never happened to me." Connor's eyes brimmed with accusation, simultaneously mournful and furious at Gavin for stealing such a significant moment.

The man stepped back, forced to acknowledge the audience that had amassed around them. It wasn't just Tina who had been looking; several other spectators had joined to watch the disaster.

Sweeping their faces, they sought to cover a staggering breadth of emotions, ranging from the faintly amused to frantic hysterics. One or two people had pulled out their phones, including the instigator of the group photo he had usurped earlier.

Then, there was Nines—the only spectator who seemed to match Tina in genuine dismay. His shoulders were slumped, and his grip tightened on the trench coat draped over his arm. He said something to the PC200 beside him, nodding a courteous farewell before turning on his heel and heading for the exit.

Gavin stumbled in his frantic attempt to pursue, gripping Connor’s face and shoving him callously out of the way. The force sent the android crashing into a group of onlookers, who scrambled together in their efforts to catch him. 

Then Gavin ran, weaving between furniture as fast as his shaking legs could carry him. Slamming through the doors of the event hall, he quickly became lost in the staggering maze of sweeping stairwells and winding corridors leading out of the venue.

He couldn't remember it being this complicated on the way in—although, truthfully, he couldn't remember much of anything.

Yet somehow, through sheer dumb luck, he stumbled his way onto the street. There, he spotted Nines, having already covered significant ground. 

He was halfway up the block, a small dot of movement tracked under the dim glow of street lamps—persisting at a brisk pace.

Damn him for being so fast.

Knowing his burning lungs could not withstand the additional strain required to catch up, Gavin instead cried out:

"Nines—!"

His partner didn't respond, although he knew damn well that he had heard him. He called out again. A fervent pitch that attracted the attention of more than a few curious onlookers.

"—Fuck, wait a second—"

He didn't care.

He had already spent a large portion of the night humiliating himself. At this point, it was a drop in the ocean—a meagre ripple in a deluge of terrible life choices:

"Just turn around, dipshit!"

The added assertion garnered the desired effect. Nines snapped around, and while his face was blurry from their current position, Gavin could tell the outburst had embarrassed him—a small flare of red visible on the side of his temple.

Slowly, he began retracing his steps, and the detective stood frozen, waiting, ready, hopeful he would be granted enough time to say his piece. His heart pounded in a frenzied rhythm through his ribs, growing more pronounced the closer he got.

He had resigned himself to whatever the android might have to say in return. All he wanted was some semblance of closure so they could both move on—

"Yes, Gavin?"

The man flinched, realising that Nines had already reached him. He stood a few paces away, hands casually tucked into his pockets, expression coldly apathetic. The only indication of anything unusual was the apprehensive yellow of his LED.

All the things he had wished to say promptly vacated his brain. Gavin stood, dazed and confused, desperately willing his slackened jaw to coordinate some semblance of speech.

"You forgot your coat. Inside."

Nines said nothing, just stared at him blankly before his focus shifted down the expanse of his chest. The stuttering light show on his temple was reflected in plastic buttons before he looked back up, neutrality replaced by bewilderment.

"I'm wearing my coat."

"Yeah, same."

Gavin had never wished for the physical capacity to kick himself more than he did at that moment. 

With a hissed breath, he started again. This time, hoping—albeit doubtful—that his drunken mind might conjure something less idiotic.

"Look, what happened back there." He concluded it would be best to get to the point rather than drag out the already excruciating process. "With Connor, that was a mistake. I fucked up."

"Indeed," came a frosty response, matched by the intensity of his steely gaze. "I imagine my brother would have appreciated his first kiss amounting to more than a drunken ‘mistake’. I would surmise you certainly did ‘fuck up.’"

The words pierced cleanly through his chest. Nonetheless, he pressed on, determined to address any misconceptions. Offence or resentment be damned. "That's not what I meant." Fuck, here we go, "I mean, there might have been two RKs at the party tonight, both dressed in the same ugly-ass sweater, and I might have… picked the wrong one." The narrowed slits levelling him with a ruthless glower promptly snapped wide. Nines was stunned, reeling from a realisation that threatened to knock him back.

Several emotions passed his face, each mirrored by the cyclical shifts of his LED. First came shock, then elation, before finally settling into a far less desirable disappointment. His eyebrows raised, and his head tilted in a look that spoke to the impressive idiocy his partner had displayed.

Gavin would have much, much preferred that the android be angry. This was vastly worse—something that took significant determination to power through.

"Hey, I'm not the only one who messed up tonight." He folded his arms, chuckling lightly. A casualness that in no way reflected the emotional turmoil plaguing him. 

"Some countdown, huh? I sure hope someone gets fired for that one."

"...What exactly are you referring to?" the RK900 questioned sceptically.

Having missed every attempt with spectacular ineptitude, Gavin acknowledged that this was it. One final, lingering opportunity to take his shot. The window for which was rapidly shrinking.

"I mean that the countdown was off. Can't get much worse than that, right?"

"No, I don't think—" Then, Nines paused. Brow furrowed contemplatively before the sunny casts trapped in its folds faded to cool blue. The deep-set frown that had marred his features finally relaxed as he understood the man’s meaning.

"...I see." His lips twitched and gradually pulled upwards—until they formed into a small, fond smile. "And this error in timing, was it delay or acceleration we experienced?"

Nines had begun to step closer, to which Gavin mirrored the action; their bodies moved as if compelled by a strong magnetic pull. This continued until there was only a tiny sliver of space remaining.

"Acceleration," Gavin declared as focus shifted from sharp grey, drifting to the gentle curve of distractingly tempting lips. "Big one—blew their load way too early."

"Alright then," the android hummed, his own attention drifting lower. "So when does the countdown start?"

"It just finished."

He should have realised sooner that the man at the party had not been Nines.

Because there had been none of the same intense, dizzying ignition he felt charging between them. An energy that spoke to the depths of their connection, each clawing grip and desperate sound a declaration of just how long they’d waited.

He clung to the back of his partner's coat, nails burrowed in coarse wool, as though worried he might vanish from beneath it.

Nines was the first to pull away, breaking the detective from his dreamlike euphoria as he spoke:

"Gavin?"

"Yeah, Nines?"

"Why does your mouth taste like biofluid?"

[enkisstories]

As the journey went on, Tina was often found riding alongside Rupert, while Gavin and the children drove the wagon.She enjoyed being active, while Rupert enjoyed being outside, and under the presdent circumstances that was one and the same.

The duo could spend hours in solitude, remaining just barely within eyesight of each other, and afterwards felt bolstered by the closeness they had shared.

This new bond was different from both her friendship with Daniel and Gavin and the cameraderie on the pirate ship.

Tina: “What do you want in New Henford, anyway? Or with all the money you’re draining from us? You’re charging almost as much for our single wagon as Hank does for a whole trek!”

Rupert: “Funny you should mention Hank, because despite us not getting along at all, we share this one interest: Books. I want to buy story books in town. And poetry. - Do you ever read for fun?”

Tina: “I do, but not made-up stories. Only histories and legends."

They smiled. This was getting better by the minute!

[ao3feed-gav900]

Spark Of Black

https://ift.tt/telVdsA by Itzibit Almost a year after the peaceful android revolution took place, former Detective Gavin Reed moves into a new apartment after a really bad breakup. He meets his next door neighbor and starts to get to know him a little, but some things about him seem a bit odd... Words: 1989, Chapters: 1/12, Language: English Fandoms: Detroit: Become Human (Video Game) Rating: Explicit Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Categories: M/M Characters: Gavin Reed, Upgraded Connor | RK900, Tina Chen (Detroit: Become Human), Chris Miller (Detroit: Become Human), Connor (Detroit: Become Human), Hank Anderson, Jeffrey Fowler, Captain Allen (Detroit: Become Human), Gavin Reed's Cat Relationships: Upgraded Connor | RK900/Gavin Reed Additional Tags: Gavin Reed Being an Asshole, Gavin Reed Being Less of an Asshole, Upgraded Connor | RK900 Has a Different Name, He's called Nines in this house, He's called Richard only briefly in the beginning because that one reason, Post-Peaceful Android Revolution (Detroit: Become Human), Alternate Universe - Neighbors, not a case fic, Gavin Reed works in Captain Allen's SWAT team, Gavin Reed never met Connor, Barista!Nines, Connor & Upgraded Connor | RK900 are Siblings, Gavin Reed is Bad at Feelings, Upgraded Connor | RK900 Is Bad at Feelings, Gavin Reed is oblivious, Deviant Upgraded Connor | RK900, Soft Upgraded Connor | RK900, Insecure Upgraded Connor | RK900, Confused Upgraded Connor | RK900, Upgraded Connor | RK900 Has a Penis, Upgraded Connor | RK900 doesn't have an LED, so many feelings, Denial of Feelings, Dirty Thoughts, sexual awakening kinda, Sexual Tension, Enemies to Lovers, but not really, more like 'friends to enemies to lovers', Slow Burn, Drinking, mention of rape, Attempted Rape/Non-Con, Mutual Pining, Smut, Fluff and Smut, Gay Sex, First Time, Anal Sex, Anal Fingering, Nipple Play, Oral Sex, Rough Sex, Blow Jobs, Masturbation, Light BDSM, Dom/sub Undertones, Fighting Kink, Praise Kink, Name-Calling, Choking, Begging, Biting, Bruises, Bitemarks, Top Upgraded Connor | RK900, Bottom Gavin Reed, Gavin Reed doesn't know Nines is an android, a bit of angst, a bit of blood, POV Multiple, reed900, Hank and Connor's relationship only briefly mentioned as partners who live together, No Beta - We die like Connor when you miss a QTE

[ace-in-a-shopping-cart]

Stolen Moments (Love Letters)

Word Count: 5,848 CW: Mentions of violence, cursing, hospital

Gavin opened his messages, desperate to hear some news from Nines. Instead of getting a message from Nines telling him he was fine and ready to return home, he got an automated message from the repair hospital telling him he needed to pick up his personal effects, more information in an email to follow. Gavin switched over to his email and found a large file.

He sat down at his terminal, ignoring that it was his work device and he was on the clock, and opened it to find over two hundred messages from Nines, all addressed to himself. The email itself said that Nines, as his professional partner, was mostly his responsibility and property and that Gavin was responsible for his bills and the choice to repair or replace him. He needed to come to the hospital by end of day and make the decision.

Gavin scoffed. “I guess some things still haven’t changed no matter how progressive people pretend to be.”

He reread the last line until it set in that Nines’ life was in his hands. He jolted out of his chair, the seat rolling back until it hit the side of someone else’s desk, and rushed to Fowler’s office. He threw the door open, not caring that the captain was in the middle of a meeting.

Gavin didn’t bother with preamble, getting straight to his point. “Sir, I need the day off.”

Fowler sighed, moving things around on his terminal for a bit. “You’ve got days off saved up. Go ahead.”

Gavin thanked him, rushing out the door and to the repair hospital. He just about crashed through the doors and made a beeline for the receptionist. “I’m looking for an RK900 unit who goes by the name ‘Nines’. What room is he in?”

She looked up at him, expression bored. “Serial number?”

Gavin frustratedly gave it, having memorized it long ago, and waited impatiently to be told where he was. When told, Gavin didn’t bother thanking the receptionist before he was off to see Nines. It was agonizing having to wait for the elevator, even worse having to stand in it as it went up, his fingers tapping on his leg the entire ride. His eyes scanned the room numbers, getting frantic with the thought of not getting to him in time. When he found the room he’d been told was Nines’, he went directly inside.

Nines was alone in the room. He was lying on a white bed, his chassis exposed from his toes to his neck. His head and neck were the only things that still had his skin on it, looking for all the world as if he were peacefully sleeping despite the LED that kept a steady yellow light. Gavin sighed in relief at him being there, despite the numerous injuries he still sported, and pulled a chair over to sit next to him. He held his hand and grabbed his tablet from his bag.

“Alright, tin can. What’d you send me?” He opened the large folder, looking at the abundance of files that were inside it. Turning his head to Nines, he joked, “Any idea where to start?” Sadly, Nines stayed as silent and still as before, not a word to be spoken.

Gavin kissed the back of his hand, running his thumb over a crack in the plating. He turned his attention back to the tablet and scrolled down through the file names. Each one had a series of numbers as a name, something Gavin quickly figured out was a date. Scrolling through them, they were in chronological order. He only found it fitting to open the first one and go from there, wondering what they could be.

Detective,

The other day, we were talking on a stake out. I mentioned there being more to admire about you than to detest and have just now realized the error of not continuing that thought. I admire your work ethic, the way you have a single-minded drive to complete the case assigned to us. I appreciate how gentle you are with victims and those you like. You may not notice it but care is in every word you speak and every action you make for those you genuinely consider to be loved ones and the few victims we’ve spoken to. I’ve noticed your actions softening toward me, even as your words stay as harsh as they’ve ever been. I might be wrong, but it seems you’ve come to care for me yet wish to continue our ribbing as something more friendly. If this is your way of extending an olive branch, I am more than willing to accept it and will continue to banter with you.

Gavin smiled as he looked back at Nines. “Thank you so much for understanding me, you barely held together stack of rust and bolts.”

A voice laughed but it wasn’t Nines’. Instead, Gavin’s attention was drawn to the doorway where someone in a white lab coat, a small pin on the lapel reading ‘they/them’, stood. “I see you arrived.”

Gavin stood, laying the tablet on the bed but not letting go of Nines’ hand. “Who do I have to tell that this man is a person who deserves every right to live and fight as anyone else?”

They laughed again, coming inside the room to lean against a wall. “That would be me. I’m Ash Windlock, head of Simon Repair Hospital. I apologize if the message made it seem more urgent than it truly is.”

Gavin clenched his jaw, having to force himself to take even breaths. “What’s Nines’ condition?”

“I’m not going to lie. He’s in some pretty bad shape. We can only repair the body, not the coding and neural pathways he developed by being deviant. Right now, our best team is gathering to do a surgery, as repairs have taken to being called, as soon as we can. I’ll update you when that happens.”

Gavin’s hand held Nines’ just a bit tighter. “How well do you expect that to go? What do you mean, you can’t repair his code?”

“The surgery is expected to be a full success. When an android becomes deviant, their code changes in ways the programmers weren’t equipped to handle. It would take too long for them to learn the new coding that is specific to every android just to be able to repair them without fear of damaging the new coding and, thus, the deviant. Even if that were possible, RK900s are extremely rare in this part of the world, not many having been found and awoken. So, it’d take even longer to figure out his specific neural paths. That’s time we don’t have. So, while we can do everything in our power to repair his chassis and wiring, we can’t do anything about his mind palace unless he does something about it himself. He went into low power mode when he was damaged and we don’t know if he’ll come out of it after the surgery.”

Gavin nodded, struggling to process the amount of information that was just pushed onto him. “Okay, yeah, I’ll sign whatever permission waver you need me to when it comes to the surgery as I’m closest to next of kin while Connor is out of town. Just, charge the bill to the DPD, he’s under their employ.” Connor should be back by that afternoon but they didn’t need to know that.

They nodded. “I’ll be back in a moment with the paperwork for next of kin.”

Gavin sat back down, fidgeting with Nines’ fingers as he usually did when nervous. “While we wait,” he spoke to Nines, hoping it was like a coma where he could still hear him, “how about I look at another one of your files?”

This one was a video, a few days after the writing. It didn’t seem like much, just a video of Gavin flipping through some files while he worked. There were captions on it, little things being picked out. Gavin's bouncing leg, how his dominant hand was tapping a tablet pen against his fingertips and knuckles, the half full cup of coffee that Gavin had sitting on his desk, the mess of a desk that he knew like the back of his hand. Other things were noticed too, the way Gavin’s brow was furrowed as he concentrated, the clump of hair that’d fallen over his forehead, his nose wrinkling, the slight redness on his fingers from the repeated tapping of the pen, even the creases of his jacket were picked out as important. The video couldn’t have been more than two minutes of Gavin working but it said a lot about what Nines thought about him at that time.

Gavin looked back up at Nines, lying so still on the bed he would have looked dead to anyone else. “Did you really have a crush on me back then, toaster?” His voice was light and teasing. He wanted Nines to be awake, to tell him to stop with the android jokes, to tell him Gavin had been crushing long since Nines had, to tell him all sorts of things.

A video. Gavin walked down the stairs, Nines staring up at him. Suddenly the scene paused and became monochromatic, as a white outline of Gavin reached the bottom of the stairs, a grey outline of Nines leaned forward to kiss his cheek. The outlines reversed until the white outline matched with Gavin again and the scene unfroze, the world filling with color. Gavin passed Nines and the android turned to follow.

Another one, edited to follow that. Gavin sat at his desk. The world paused and faded again as a grey outline of Nines approached with a coffee cup, kissing the top of Gavin’s head and placing the cup on the desk before leaning into him and running his fingers through his hair. The images reversed and instead Nines simply handed him the cup, Gavin giving a brief, “Thanks.”

Three more scenes similar to those followed in sequence, where the grey outline tried to interact in a romantic way with the white outline before Nines inevitably didn’t act on those thoughts.

Gavin sat and stared at Nines, his grip on Nines hand tightening just the slightest bit. “You should have told me sooner, dumbass.” His voice was soft, softer than he ever spoke to anyone besides Nines.

Windlock came back in with a tablet that Gavin had to fill out. Other repairs Nines had previously had, if he knew who did those, if he knew who originally built him, signing a bunch of things that came with medical power of attorney. When he handed the tablet back, he was told they’d operate in a half hour.

Another video. This one was different, footage of a garden. Gravel crunched under footsteps and animals were heard but not seen, water. Nines stopped by a pond and glanced down, brushing a stray strand of hair back into place. His shirt had a simpler collar than normal and was a lighter shade of black. He leaned back, continuing on the path. Images of Gavin appeared along it, some sitting on benches doing random actions, others walking beside Nines for short periods of time. One of them came up to Nines and started talking about the case at the time, Nines participating in the conversation.

Gavin looked from the tablet to stare at Nines. “Were you dreaming about me?” His voice was quiet, bewildered yet flattered.

The next ten files were similar things, Nines’ dreams about Gavin and videos of Gavin doing mundane tasks that wouldn’t be considered special in any way. At least, none that Gavin could tell. As far as he was concerned, the videos of himself that had been overanalyzed were sweet but he didn’t understand why Nines kept them.

Soon enough, a group of people came in and took Nines away to the operating room. Gavin was allowed to stay in the hospital room but was warned the operation would last several hours. He reluctantly put down the files Nines had addressed to him, files he was quickly realizing were simply labeled with his name and may have been misinterpreted as for him when they were just about him, and pulled out a book instead. He tried to lose himself in a plot line but was too anxious to do so.

Calling Tina got him nowhere, her phone off while she was on patrol. He’d taken the day off to be with Nines so wasn’t technically allowed to work on case files. Besides, nothing felt the same without Nines being there to help him. So, he reluctantly pulled up the files again and selected the next one, a video. There seemed to be a lot of those.

Gavin smiled as Nines approached, coming to stand next to him on his balcony. They were quiet for a moment, both looking out at the city. Nines looked at Gavin, his sensors again cataloguing small things about his appearance. “I need to tell you something.”

Gavin looked at him, eyes trusting. “Shoot.”

Nines’ eyes shut briefly before he looked at Gavin again. “I’ve developed feelings for you.”

Gavin blinked, his posture changing from relaxed to attentive. “Okay, that’s something.” He took a deep breath, letting it out with a laugh. “I guess it’s ironic, you telling me that just as I realize something about myself.”

Nines head tilted to the side. “What would that be, Detective?”

“I’ve, somehow, also developed feelings for you.” He shook his head. “I dunno how I’ve done it, but I’ve come to really care for you.”

Nines took a step forward, towards Gavin. “What does this mean for us?”

Gavin shrugged, looking up at him. “What do you want it to mean?”

Nines leaned down. “I would enthusiastically pursue a romantic relationship with you if you say you would like that.”

Gavin smiled, leaning up to kiss his cheek before heading inside. “I wouldn’t say no,” was tossed over his shoulder.

In the top right corner of the screen, Gavin’s name came up highlighted in blue. Under it, highlighted in white, the word ‘companion’ changed to ‘lover’. Nines followed Gavin inside.

Gavin didn’t realize he was crying until a tear dripped onto the screen and he frantically pulled his sleeve over his hand to wipe it away. “Damn android,” he muttered, not truly angry with him. 

They were slow dancing. Gavin’s head rested on Nines’ shoulder, one hand placed on his other shoulder while Nines had a hand on his waist, their other hands clasped together. A small pop up in the corner of the video identified the song as Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis. They were turning in a slow circle as the notes played. It was a peaceful moment until Princess walked into the room, screaming for food, and the charm was broken with laughter. Nines pulled Gavin into a kiss briefly before Gavin went to feed the cat.

Gavin took a deep breath. He remembered that night, remembered the hard day before it and the cuddles on the couch afterwards. He’d never been able to remember what song they’d been dancing to, it blurring into just another generic love song at the time. He wondered if they’d ever get the opportunity to dance to it again.

Gavin,

Every day, my soul rejoices in being able to see you, to wake up to you being there with me. I want it all. I want the quiet domesticity that comes with waking near you, that comes with you making breakfast while I feed Princess. I love being able to get ready for work with you, even if that means we end up discussing the cases in the shower and while you shave. I love being able to work with you, to have you as both my work and personal partner. I enjoy getting you coffee as you look over the case files, to make sure the desk is still in the organized chaos you left it in, your files and trinkets spilling over onto my pristine desk. I probably enjoy that more than most would think I do. However, I love watching you from afar as I wait for the coffee, watching the way you sit and interact with your environment, how you hold yourself while you read.

There’s a hidden beauty in the way people do things when they don’t think others are watching, the little mannerisms they pick up that are just for themselves and are all their own. I’m so glad you’ve let me into your life enough to feel comfortable showing me those and I hope that I never betray that trust.

I love being able to drive home with you, to relax after a long day and curl up with you. I relish the fact that you will fall asleep in my arms, that you trust me enough to keep you safe while you’re unaware of the world around you. I love being able to have you fall asleep on the couch and trust me to carry you to the bed, the ability to fall asleep beside you.

Gavin, darling, I don’t know what I’d do without you in my life. You’ve been a driving force for me, a guiding light. Whether you realize it or not, you’ve influenced so many of my choices. Thank you, dear, for helping me find life in deviancy, for helping me find love in turmoil.

Gavin wiped a tear from his eye, vision turning blurry. Nines didn’t usually use pet names for him, sticking to ‘Gavin’ and ‘Detective’ to the point that the latter felt like an endearment. It felt nice to see the endearments from him. He really hoped Nines would pull through and be okay. He couldn’t imagine living life without him at this point, he relied on him so much. He shifted in his seat, trying to get a bit more comfortable, before clicking on the next file.

A video. This was a memory that Gavin could fill in the smaller details for.

Nines was on his back on the couch. Gavin was laying on top of him, arms curled around Nines’ sides. His head rested on Nines chest, their legs entangled, while Nines’ hands carded through Gavin’s hair and over his back. They were watching an old rerun of some cop show that not even Nines bothered remembering. Nines’ shifted, kissing the top of Gavin’s head. He hummed, holding a constant note for longer than a human could.

Gavin looked up at him, chin resting on Nines’ chest. “Why do you do that?”

“Do what? Kiss you?” He chuckled. “Because I like to.”

Gavin smiled but pressed his hand to Nines’ side. “No. The humming thing. It sounds like a cross between a cat purring and the whirring of a fan. Are you okay?”

Nines nodded, smiling. “It’s kind of like a cat’s purr too in that I only do it when I’m content and safe. It’s also a way of doing a self-diagnostic of my systems as it tests both vocal modulator and fans.”

Gavin leaned forward to peck Nines on the lips before laying his head back on his chest.

Gavin sniffled, wiping a tear from his cheek. He hoped to get the opportunity to lay with him like that again soon. He believed Nines was going to pull through this, that he was going to get through the surgery fine and that he was going to come back to him. He had to.

“Detective.”

That sounded so much like Nines that his name was halfway out of Gavin’s mouth before he realized it was Connor, not Nines, that was standing in the hallway with his hands behind his back. “Oh. It’s just you. What do you want?” His voice was flat, none of his usual bite left.

Connor smiled, taking a step into the room, closing the door behind him. “Officer Chen overheard some of your conversation with Fowler and logged into your computer to gather information. She sent that information to me and I just now arrived to do anything with it. Scans indicate that you haven’t eaten in the past twelve hours. I suggest we deal with that first. What do you wanna eat?” His LED swirled yellow as he probably pulled up a list of nearby restaurants.

Gavin sighed, feeling the exhaustion of the day kick in. “At this point, you can pick. Give me whatever you think is best. Just! No fish, and no zucchini.”

Connor tilted his head. “That’s not in any medical files you have available. Am I correct in assuming that’s personal preference?”

Gavin nodded. “Can’t stand the texture of either of ‘em.” As he fully tuned into the real world, he pulled his shoulders back and grimaced at the sounds of all the machines and the buzzing of the lights.

“Okay, there’s a Chinese restaurant nearby that has some meals that look good. What do you want from there?”

“Uhh, sweet and sour chicken with noodles.”

Connor nodded. “I’ll go get that for you. In the meantime, how is my brother?”

Gavin filled him in on the details before Connor went to grab the take out for him. While he waited for his food, he opened the next file, another letter. This one was small, as if it were hastily written. From the date and what Gavin remembered, it was from a time where they’d been covering a case with a lot of violence and they’d been split. The letter reflected Nines’ frazzled emotions during that time as it wished Gavin good health and it was a small goodbye if Nines didn’t make it. Gavin was glad he had.

Another round of videos detailing Gavin doing mundane things followed the letter, many of the scenes now domestic as well as professional.

Connor came back and put the bag near Gavin. “Did you need me to stay? Tina only told me to check on you, not stay with you. If you want me to go, I will.”

Gavin thought about it. A year ago, he would have snapped for Connor to leave instantly, not seeing him as anything but a machine with nothing to offer. Now, he knew Connor was alive and actually trying to reach out. Gavin let a reluctant smile drag a corner of his mouth up. “You can stay, if you want. I’m not sure if you’ve got the time for it but you’re more than welcome.”

Connor smiled, gracefully sinking to sit on the floor. “I cleared my schedule to be at your disposal.”

Gavin groaned, letting his head roll back. “Am I that bad?”

Connor shrugged. “Hank was taking the rest of the day off already so it’s only natural for me to as well. Besides, Nines is kind of like my little brother. I want to be here.”

Gavin took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay.”

They sat in silence for a few minutes before Gavin picked up the tablet again and looked at the next file.

Gavin,

Happy first anniversary. I don’t know if you expected us to last this long but I’m grateful we have. I’m grateful for every second I get to spend with you. I don’t know where I would be right now if I hadn’t met you, if we hadn’t been partnered. I’m so glad I have you as both the best detective partner I could ask for and a most amazing lover. It warms my soul every time you forget I’m not human, especially when it’s tacked on to an android joke. Those instances make me know you care so deeply for me and love every part of me.

You taught me to take life slowly, to savor what I have. That sentiment has been applied to every part of my life. I savor stakeouts, holding you in my arms, feeding Princess, even doing paperwork and being on the hunt. They are all good to me simply because they are part of my life and because you are there.

I don’t know what life would be like without you. I’m so used to you being with me every step of the way.

Gavin looked up as footsteps approached the room, hoping it was Windlock with news on Nines. The feet passed the room, the person casting a shadow across the frosted glass of the door, and kept on their way.

A video. Nines was sitting on the couch, reading, when Gavin’s voice called from the bedroom. Nines’ HUD measured the level of distress in his voice as high and he went to investigate.

Gavin had torn the bedroom apart, a pile of things on the bed. Nines scanned him, noting the disheveled appearance and lack of caffeine along with his elevated stress signals. “What’s wrong, Gavin?”

Gavin turned to him, tears in his eyes. “I can’t find something I need and today’s been bad enough.”

Nines nodded. Gavin’s unmedicated ADHD could be a lot to deal with after a long day. He stepped forward, pulling Gavin into a hug, his hands rubbing soothing circles along his back. “What do you need me to do?”

Gavin sighed, melting into the contact and stability that came with the hug. “Could you scan the room for my tablet pen?”

“Of course.” Nines moved his head and time froze, going down to grey and white. He located the pen easily enough, it’s black shape standing out starkly. He chuckled and released Gavin to pick it up. “It was right beside your tumbler.”

Gavin took it, wiping the tears from his cheeks. “Sorry for making such a fuss over something so small.”

Nines reached out, his hand cradling Gavin’s cheek and thumbing at his tears. “Nothing is too big nor too small for me to help you. I understand your stress and I know the way you get. I’m perfectly content to help you find something right in front of your nose.” To punctuate the statement, he leaned forward to kiss Gavin’s scar.

Gavin wiped a tear from his eye. “Come back to me soon, tin can.”

Connor looked at him. “Did you say something, Detective?”

Gavin shook his head. “No, nothing.”

The door opened and Windlock came in. “Detective Reed, the surgery is complete.”

Gavin sat forward in his chair, resisting the urge to pace. “How did it go? Is he online yet?”

They shook their head. “Unfortunately, his neural network is still non-functioning. However, the surgery was a success. His chassis is intact and functioning again, every bicomponent in its place. His skin isn’t on as he’s not online to do that. Would you like to see him?”

Gavin stood, gathering his things. “Yes, please.”

Connor stood and approached Windlock. “Is there anything more you can tell us about his status? Have you at least figured out why he isn’t online yet?”

They shrugged. “I’m as in the dark as you are, RK800. Any insight you can spare would be helpful.”

“Okay, I’m ready.” Gavin slung his bag over his shoulder. “Lead us to him, please.”

Nines was almost the same way as how he’d left Gavin three hours ago. His skin was retracted below the neck, letting the white plating show, and he was lying so peacefully that for a moment Gavin almost thought he was just sleeping. Gavin walked over to the chair closest to the bed and sat down hard, leaning forward to take Nines’ hand. “I’m here, toaster. I’m right here.”

Connor placed a hand on his shoulder and Gavin was distantly aware of him asking for Windlock to leave them be. Gavin’s entire focus was on Nines even as he knew there were only a few more files in the folder to get through.

He held onto Nines’ hand with one of his own, letting his partner know that he was there and wasn’t going anywhere, and pulled the tablet from the bag by his feet.

The next file was a series of pictures. It seemed Nines was sentimental in that regard. All the way from first meeting up until just a night ago, they were pictures of Gavin doing various things. It started as just Gavin doing work at his desk, moving to crime scenes and the break room. Photos of him doing mundane tasks and midchase. The time stamps moved past their getting together and the pictures became more domestic. Gavin waking in Nines’ arms, sleeping on the couch, Princess coming home for the first time. He’d documented her entire growth process from stray kitten to spoiled adult.

Gavin smiled at Nines. “You really do have a soft spot for that cat, don’t you? Maybe it’s about time we get her a playmate.”

“I’ll leave you two be for a moment. I need to speak with someone.” Connor slipped out of the room.

Gavin opened the next file, shifting to sit beside Nines on the bed now that Connor was gone.

A video. Gavin was cooking breakfast as Nines fed Princess, their usual routine. Nines came up beside Gavin, kissing him on the cheek. “How’s the bacon coming along?”

“Pretty much done.”

“Good.” Nines turned the burner off and took the spatula from Gavin’s hand. Somewhere, music started to play and Gavin chuckled as Nines pulled him into a dance. It was sweet and short before Gavin was released to finish making his breakfast.

Gavin smiled, recognizing that morning from only a few days before the incident. He gripped Nines hand just a bit tighter as he clicked on the last file.

The last video. Nines was standing on a roof. Gavin was down on the ground, watching out for their suspect. “Hello down there.” He muttered to himself, not loud enough to carry.

He stepped away from the edge, pacing the length of the roof. “Is it weird to think that I’m bored? I’m an android with the internet at my fingertips, I should be able to wait for a few minutes.” He sighed. “I guess that’s the trouble with living and working so closely to you, time is meaningless and a minute is too long for you.” He chuckled. “You’re so used to moving so fast that slowing down is a difficult task for you. That’s okay, though. I like it that way.”

The door to the roof burst open and Nines sprang into action, launching himself into a fight with their suspect. They grappled for a moment, both trying to pin the other and get a better grip. In the end, Nines backed them toward the edge.

“I now know,” he was still muttering. “No matter how much time has passed, no matter how much time will pass, you truly are the love of my life. This is why . . . I’m doing this.” He took a final step backward, diving off the roof and taking their suspect with him.

Gavin sat in shock as the video ended, almost waiting for it to finish or replay or do anything but leave him there with that information and the knowledge of why Nines had been damaged almost to the point of no repair.

He looked to Nines, laying so still on the bed. “Why? Why’d you feel the need to do that?!” He released Nines’ hand to stand. “There could have been some other way! You could have called me! You could have used lethal methods!” He hit Nines’ chest with a fist too weak to do any damage to a human. “You don’t need to sacrifice your-damn-self just because you feel like it!” He knew he was shouting but he didn’t care.

A hand touched his arm and Gavin jolted to look at Nines. His eyes were open and his hand was hovering in the air. “I knew you would catch me.” His voice was weak and full of static but Gavin was so happy to hear him he cried, tears spilling down his cheeks.

Laying down, Gavin threw his arms around Nines. They lay there for what felt like an eternity and an instant, simply holding each other and comforting themselves that the other was alive and safe. Nines ran a hand up Gavin’s back, cupped the back of his neck, then began to softly card through his hair. His free arm curled around Gavin and pulled him close, holding him and feeling him and making sure he was real. Gavin pulled one arm down, curling it by his side and grounding himself by grabbing a fistful of the bedsheets, and let the other rest over Nines’ torso and had the hand sit on the white chassis of Nines’ shoulder.

“Did you look through the folder?” Nines’ voice broke the silence, not filled with as much static as before.

Gavin nodded, turning his head to look at the tablet resting innocently on a nearby table. “I watched, read, and looked at every single file in that folder while wondering if it would ever be added to again.”

Nines pressed a kiss to his neck. “I’m sorry, Gavin. I should have warned you or tried a different path.”

Gavin shrugged and turned back to rest his head on Nines’ shoulder. “I’m just glad you’re safe.” He paused for a moment. “The engineers said they could repair your body but your mind was too damaged for them to do anything with.”

Nines’ head rested against Gavin’s, his hand never slowing in Gavin’s hair. “I know. I heard bits and pieces of it, especially toward the end of the surgery and just now in the room. While they were spending all that time fixing my chassis and biocomponents, I was working on my coding.”

Gavin laughed, his jubilance at Nines being okay bubbling up. “An AI that fixes its own code, would you fucking look at that!”

Nines chuckled. “The irony isn’t lost on me, Detective. However, it’s simply the world we are living in where an android is capable of modifying their own code. Still, it was hard and taxing work to rebuild my own functions line by line. I shall be back to myself in no time at all, I assure you.”

A knock at the door caused them to abandon their conversation. Gavin turned onto his back to better see who came in before calling for them to enter. Connor stuck his head in, eyes lighting up at the sight of Nines. “You’re awake! I’ll go get Windlock, you two stay put!” He shut the door and left them with the sound of his fading footsteps.

Nines let his head fall back against Gavin’s and his hand hold Gavin’s, interlacing their fingers. “Who did he go get?”

Gavin did his best to explain as he sat up, cradling Nines against him. Connor came back with Windlock, who gave Nines a clean bill of health and said he was free to be discharged. Gavin ran home and got him some clothes as Connor dealt with the paperwork.

That night, Nines recorded another instance of Gavin falling asleep and marveled at just how lucky he was.

I don’t currently have a taglist for DBH but you can check out my masterlist before sending an ask to be added!

[nubimera]

Even more headcanon about Gavin and Sibling!Reader

Part 1 Part 2

A/N: It's just all the headcanons that I didn't use in the last post but this time they're mostly domestic

Warnings: Mostly GN!Reader

Mild implied Connor x Reader and Reed900

Terrible English because it's not my first language

──────────────

• As I mentioned before Gavin and Reader have about a 10 year gap between them. That means the Reed house is filled with photos of Emo Teen!Gavin with toddler!Reader

• Gavin's favorite photo is a Polaroid of him and Reader napping together on the sofa when Reader was around 2 year old. He keeps it in his wallet, and the only person who has ever seen it is Tina

• Gavin used to call baby sibling "Pumpkin" The nickname has stuck, and he has no problem using it even at work

• At one point Connor also tried to use "Pumpkin" and Gavin almost punch him.

• Now Connor uses "любимая"(darling) or "жизнь моя"(my life) for Reader, and Gavin regrets every day that he didn't let him use pumpkin

• Hank however prefers "Dude" or "Asshole" for Gavin, and "Kiddo" for Reader. Plain and classic

• He kinda start getting used to it after Nines also started using Russian in their private conversations

• Connor learned to speak Russian on his third day at DPD after hearing Reader and Gavin talking to each other. Gavin was so pissed off when he found out Tincan and Pumpkin were speaking Russian to each other. Basically because it was something between sibling and mama Reed

• Although Mama Reed is an Orthodox Christian, she and Papa Reed have never pushed their children to choose which religion to practice. As a result, Gavin is an atheist, but still enjoys Orthodox celebrations (if papa Reed was of a religion other than Orthodox Christian, Gavin and Reader continue to celebrate their father's religious holidays as well)

• Gavin is a cat dad, and I think that's a proven fact. Nonetheless I think he inherited his love for cats from his mother

• Continuing to talk about Mama Reed: she is Slavic. That means no shoes in the house. Reader and Gavin still using the "no shoes" policy in their respective homes

• "So what's it like being Reader's brother?"

" Once i asked them for a glass of water while they was mad at me and they brought me a glass of ice and said "Wait"."

• Much of Reader's childhood clothing was originally Gavin's. It doesn't matter if Reader is Afab or Amab. Do the clothes fit and are they in good condition? Great, Reader is gonna use it. Even now, Reader occasionally uses Gavin's clothes. Mainly hoodies or sweatpants that Gavin wears in his teens

• Nines would like to use some of Gav's clothes as well, but unfortunately many are too small, as Gavin is shorter than him

• Nines and Reader adore eachother. They are practically bestie. Reader likes to refer to Nines as "my own Tina". I guess they bonding over both being the younger, smarter, nicer and better looking siblings in their respective families

• Also it is Reader who originally introduced Gavin and Nines. They became work partners just a few days later

"I just wanted to say i just got you a boyfriend."

"I'M NOT GAY I DON'T WANT A BOYFRIEND!"

• However Reed900 and Connor x Reader is pretty much the same pair in different fonts. Connor and Gavin haven't realized it yet or pretend not to notice, while Nines and Reader find it hilarious

• If you ask me they are both Sun x Moon, Loud introvert x Quiet extrovert, Taller simp husband x Shorter Reed

For me the only differences is that one is friends to lovers and the other is enemies AND friends AND lovers

• Gavin and Reader go to Target every Friday after their shift at the department. Normally to grab something for dinner and buy things they don't really need. Lately Nines decided to join too, and every time he goes there he promptly buys a new decorative pillow. Now Gavin gets nauseous every time he sees a new pillow but doesn't know how to say no to his boyfriend

• In 2042, Gavin and Nines adopt two children. Hank was initially quite uncomfortable around the kids, not being used to interacting with them anymore. Connor, on the other hand, has a baby fever since the first moment he met his nephews. He told Reader about it, who is still around their mid/late twenties and don't feel ready at the moment, so they compromised by getting a dog and a cat

• Anyway Connor cried when he found out that his nephews' favorite uncle isn't him, but it's Sixty

• In general now the relationship between Connor, Nines and Sixty vaguely resembles that between Bandit, Stripe and Radley from Bluey. You decide who is who

• I love to think Connor and Gavin have a truce around Reader and Nines, but whenever they aren't around they call each other names

• However over time they have grown fond of each other, and they look after eachother. Somehow they ended up being a family, so they might as well try to get along

• I mean, sometimes a family consists of a Russian widow, her two wild children, a grumpy dad and three androids

[pop-pop-pop-popculture]

Who, in your opinion, are ✨Legendary, Talented Actors and Actresses✨ (deceased, alive and "legend in the making")?

Nice question!!!!  Like the word “versatile”, I feel that when referring to an actor or actress, “legendary” is thrown around too often without actually understanding what that word means and how it correlates to an actor or actress. That being said, I hope I do this right...

Alive: - Daniel Craig - Winona Ryder - Christian Bale - Julianne Moore - Jim Carrey - Meryl Streep - James McAvoy - Julia Roberts - Willem Dafoe - Susan Sarandon - Ewan McGregor - Charlize Theron - Johnny Depp (like him or not) - Nicole Kidman - Tom Hanks - Kate Winslet - Edward Norton - Morgan Freeman - Robert Downey Jr. - Leonardo DiCaprio - Allison Janney - Christopher Walken - Will Smith - Michael Caine - Brad Pitt - Dakota Fanning - Denzel Washington - Viola Davis - Gary Oldman - Bryce Dallas Howard - Idris Elba - Helena Bonham Carter - Tom Cruise (like him or not, and I, personally, absolutely despise him) - Jessica Chastain - Al Pacino - Cate Blanchett - Steve Carell (his career took off after he landed his iconic role as Michael Scott in The Office, but since his last episode in 2011, he's come a long way and has even branched out into a variety of genres as well as role types) - Angelina Jolie - Michael Keaton - Michelle Pfeiffer - Daniel Day-Lewis - Sandra Bullock - Robert De Niro - Renée Zellweger - Colin Farrell - Patricia Arquette - Colin Firth - Joaquin Phoenix - Keanu Reeves - Matthew McConaughey - Brendan Fraser - Harrison Ford - Jack Nicholson - Stanley Tucci

**There are tons of actors and actresses from the 30s-60s that were in-demand and could definitely be considered a legend, but I chose to leave them off because I didn’t want this list to be long and I wanted to focus on only the ones I grew up with as well as heard of**

Gone, but NEVER Forgotten - Heath Ledger - Carrie Fisher - Robin Williams - Brittany Murphy - River Phoenix - Chadwick Boseman - Chris Farley - Patrick Swayze

Legend in the Making: - Anya Taylor-Joy - Robert Pattinson - Margot Robbie - Julia Garner (I can just feel it...!) - Finn Wolfhard - Melissa McCarthy - Andrew Garfield - Sadie Sink (I can just feel it...!) - Cillian Murphy - Kate McKinnon - Saoirse Ronan - Anne Hathaway - Amy Adams - Lin-Manuel Miranda - Kristen Stewart (like her or not)

Honorable Mentions: Emma Thompson, Natalie Portman, Elle Fanning, Halle Berry, Chris Evans, Ryan Gosling, Ryan Reynolds, Zoë Saldaña, Emma Stone, Will Ferrell, Adam Sandler

Unsure:

Hugh Jackman - click here

Matthew Modine - A true artist at heart who was quite versatile with his roles and genres in the 80s (and so fine 😍), but he isn't super well-known nor popular like, for example, Tom Hanks; however, the role of 'Papa' on Stranger Things won him tons of new fans as well as awoke his fans that grew up with him

Jason Bateman - He's been around since the 80s, but aside from Ozark, he only really stars in crude R-rated films, so I'm on the fence about whether he'd be considered one or not

Amy Poehler

Adam Driver

Tina Fey

Jake Gyllenhaal

Chris Rock

Florence Pugh

Bill Skarsgård

Tom Holland

|---------------------------------------------------------------|

There are definitely tons--I mean tons of more actors and actresses I could write out for each category, but I'll end the lists here. Thank for the ask, this was fun to think about! If any of you have suggestions, then send me an ask.

[lesbianwyllravengard]

I posted 5,267 times in 2022

That's 3,322 more posts than 2021!

546 posts created (10%)

4,721 posts reblogged (90%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@elytrians

@corinthussy

@anonymous428315516723114213

@ayantiel

lmfao my lovely mutuals and then james

I tagged 4,183 of my posts in 2022

Only 21% of my posts had no tags

#dbh - 1,171 posts

#incorrect dbh - 503 posts

#detroit become human - 430 posts

#dbh connor - 360 posts

#dbh gavin - 332 posts

#dbh nines - 277 posts

#star wars - 264 posts

#reed900 - 256 posts

#gavin reed - 238 posts

#dbh markus - 212 posts

the fact that connor is #4. time to kms. Truly embarrassing

Longest Tag: 138 characters

"#me when star wars fans see vader using others' perceptions of anakin to manipulate them and go 'omg it's actually anakin in this scene!'🙄" <- also embarrassing

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Rose: the recipe says to beat three eggs.

Heisenberg: at what? Hand-to-hand combat?

Ethan: must be. Mia banned firearms in the kitchen, remember?

1,061 notes - Posted May 8, 2022

#4

so many people mentioning how Rose is so much like her dad because she’s stubborn, not enough people mentioning how Rose is so much like her dad because she also takes the time to draw silly little sketches in every entry of her journal

1,198 notes - Posted October 31, 2022

#3

Ethan: welcome to Applebee's! Would you like the apples or the bees?

Chris: the bees?

Rose: HE PICKED THE BEES.

Heisenberg: *angrily shakes jar of bees*

1,247 notes - Posted April 22, 2022

#2

It's fine to be disappointed about not seeing the Lords, but dear God stop shitting on the DLC because of it. Just because you wanted to see them doesn't mean it was gonna happen. This DLC isn't about the Lords, and it never was. It's about Rose. It's about her journey to accepting her powers, accepting that she's a little weird but it's worth it because she can do cool things and she has the best dad ever. Overcoming her insecurities, learning to care for herself and know she's worth love because Ethan loves her so fucking much. It's about Rose learning more about herself. It's about Rose getting to talk to her dad, just once. Getting to hear him say "I love you". It's about Rose learning more about the events that led to her father sacrificing himself to save her, which she was apparently never told. It's about Rose gaining confidence in herself, in her abilities. It's about Rose finding a passion to fight back, to survive, to not conform. It was never about the Lords.

1,284 notes - Posted October 29, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

I made a new meme format, whaddya think (part 2/2) 

I did two this time for the androids and humans because this is funny to me

Blank and Image ID below the line

[Image ID: 2 three-by-three sqaure chart meme formats, the top row from left to right is labelled “Did something wrong”, “Did nothing wrong”, “Has no idea what the thing is”. Side row from top to bottom is labelled “Apologises”, “Never apologises”, “Apologises as a manipulation tactic”. Each square of the first chart contains an android character from Detroit: Become Human; top row from left to right is Markus, Simon, and Chloe; middle row from right to left is Kara, Jerry, and North; bottom row from left to right is Connor, Josh, and Amanda.  Each square of the first chart contains a human character from Detroit: Become Human; top row from left to right is Chris Miller, Rose Chapman, and Carl Manfred; middle row from right to left is Gavin Reed, Captain Fowler, and Captain Allen; bottom row from left to right is Elijah Kamski, Tina Chen, and Hank Anderson. End ID.]  

See the full post

9,269 notes - Posted November 7, 2022

crazyyyyy

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[gavinisqueer]

I posted 2,164 times in 2022

549 posts created (25%)

1,615 posts reblogged (75%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@sheyshocked

@gavinisqueer

@phcking-detective

@yayen-chan

@marndraws

I tagged 1,656 of my posts in 2022

Only 23% of my posts had no tags

#dbh - 1,563 posts

#detroit: become human - 1,556 posts

#dbh gavin - 871 posts

#gavin reed - 868 posts

#detroit become human - 829 posts

#dbh rk900 - 815 posts

#dbh connor - 383 posts

#q - 309 posts

#reed900 - 292 posts

#rk900/gavin - 291 posts

Longest Tag: 104 characters

#robot gets big mad. time traveling weirdo holds his hand to calm him down and he falls in love a little.

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Kidnapper: We have your boyfriend.

Gavin: Please, let me talk to him!

Kidnapper: You're on speaker.

Gavin: You better be home for our date night, bitch.

Nines, muffled through a gag: Yes dear.

225 notes - Posted July 17, 2022

#4

The mood tonight

270 notes - Posted May 3, 2022

#3

Someone: Hey, is that fic you mentioned almost done?

Me:

295 notes - Posted February 10, 2022

#2

Connor: Hank is playing hard-to-get.

Connor: Luckily for him, I’m good at playing hard-to-get-rid-of.

364 notes - Posted February 5, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Gavin: Everyone who thought Nines and I were dating, raise your hand.

Connor: *raises hand*

Hank: *raises hand*

Tina: *raises hand*

The rest of the DPD: *raises hand*

Gavin:

Gavin: Nines, put your hand down.

377 notes - Posted April 14, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[fadedflame]

The Deep Dark Blue Day 23

Detroit: Become Human Prompt Challenge from @connor-sent-by-cyberlife

Summery:  Lieutenant Hank Anderson had been a naval officer for years. It was his life, his passion, everything he cared about now. And yet, all it took was one look from the tiny Mer child to make him willing to risk it all.  

Day Twenty Three - Sailor

Words-1107

Chapter Summery: A surprise for Connor.

< Previous Chapter / Next Chapter >

Ao3 or read below

Tina was trying to distract him and he couldn’t figure out why.

Connor’s concern only intensified the longer she kept him there. They were below deck and any time he even mentioned going up above, she came up with increasingly bazaar reasons why they couldn’t.

Even more suspicious, was that he had barely seen Hank all day.

His dad had spent the past couple of months after he had gotten back from his little solo excursion more overprotective than normal. Not that he was complaining, near Dad was his favorite place to be, but it was now strange to be away from him for more than a couple hours at most.

It was thoroughly freaking him out.

“What’s going on, Tina?” he asked, finally addressing the situation head on. “Why don’t you want me to go on deck?”

The look on her face betrayed everything. “I don’t! I mean, I’m not stopping you. I just need help with this is all.”

Connor stared down at the mess of rigging he was helping untangle. The knots looked like they had been put there intentionally, but he didn’t comment on it. Honestly, he was afraid to. “Is something wrong?” he asked instead.

“No, of course not,” Tina insisted, sounding the most sincere she had all day. “Why would you think that?”

Why wouldn’t he at this point. “You’re acting strange,” he deduced. “Everyone has been, really. Did I do something? Am I in trouble?”

“Oh, sweetie. No,” She put her section of the rope down to squeeze his arm affectionately. “There’s nothing wrong, I promise.”

He looked at her skeptically, but before he could say anything in contrast to her words, her phone chirped. Tina’s face lit up and she scrambled to read whatever message she had received.

“Finally!” she exclaimed before smiling at him again. “You want proof everything is alright? Come on.”

She didn’t wait for him to respond, instead abandoning their mundane task and leading him, finally, onto the deck.

What greeted him in the bright afternoon sun defied explanation.

Every single member of the crew was standing there, waiting for them. They were all dressed in brightly colored hats and paper streamers were woven into the rigging.

“Surprise!” they shouted in unison.

Yes, Connor certainly was. He blinked, startled and unsure, unable to process what exactly was going on.

“Dad?” he asked, confused as the man walked over to him with a self-satisfied smirk. The red and blue striped hat clashed with his gray hair.

Hank plopped an equally ridiculous hat onto Connor’s head, the strap snapping against his chin as it was placed. “Happy birthday, kiddo,” he said.

Connor blinked, the bewilderment not fading despite Hank’s answer. “What?”

Tina laughed, putting on a hat of her own. “It’s a surprise party, Connor. To celebrate your birthday.”

“My… birthday?” He’d heard about that concept before, but never experienced one. “It’s my birthday?”

“Well no, probably not.”

The new voice had Connor turning in an instant, already smiling as he recognized the sound. “Markus!”

The older Mer already had his arms open in anticipation of Connor’s incoming hug. “We don’t know when exactly you were born,” he went on, now holding him. “But this is the anniversary of when the Lieutenant found you.”

“You couldn’t have been more than a few days old anyway,” Hank chimed in. “Close enough.”

“You are officially a year old!” Tina announced. She pulled the string on a confetti popper that she’d pulled from somewhere. Bright colored paper spreading everywhere and sticking to her hair.

Despite his confusion over the whole thing, Connor was soon swept into the festivities. There was cake and decorations, music, and more people than he had ever seen on the Cutlass before. Markus had brought over the whole crew. North loudly exclaimed that there was no way they were going to miss his first birthday. The rest seemed to agree.

A few of his crewmates seemed uneasy having that many Mer aboard, but their tension soon faded away as the party went on. Even Gavin seemed to be having fun.

After playing a few games and eating way too much cake, many of them came forward with gifts for Connor.

No one had ever really given him presents before. Besides Hank that is, but as his father, he didn’t count. Chris gave him a couple new books, Tina got him a plush shark. There were lots of odds and ends, several cards, and well wishes from all involved.

Connor was, in a word, overwhelmed.

Even Captain Fowler gave him a gift. It was an antique sailor’s hat. He told him he was officially a sailor now, part of the crew even if it was in a civilian sense. He also promised a glowing recommendation, and some fudged legal documents, if he wanted to go to the academy to become part of the DPD.

It felt amazing.

As much as Hank had lamented him growing up, saying how he wished he could stay little forever, being an adult, or close to it at least, was proving to be pretty great. If not surprising and confusing.

The biggest surprise of the day, however, came from Gavin.

The party was over, everyone winding down and getting back to work. Markus and his crew had retired to the Jericho. Connor was on his own way back to his cabin when Reed stopped him. “Hey, got a minute?” he asked.

Connor tensed, but turned towards the man. “I… guess.”

Gavin shoved his hands in his pockets, attempting and failing to look casual. “Look I just… I’m sorry I was a jerk to you, ok?”

“You are?” It wasn’t something he expected. Gavin never apologized to anyone.

“Yeah, well…” he shrugged, but still looked tense. “I’ve always had a problem with Mer,” he admitted. “My dad ditched my mom for one. Abandoned us just to chase after some tail. But… that’s not your fault.”

“No, it’s not,” he agreed. It really wasn’t but from what he understood of human psychology, it wasn’t abnormal for him to have reacted that way.

“I guess…” Gavin sighed. “I guess I just wanted you to know I’m gonna try not to be as big of a jerk to you anymore, alright?”

“Ok, it’s not like I’m gonna turn that down,” he reasoned.

Reed bobbed his head in a nod, then looked away. “Right, well. Happy birthday, I guess.”

Connor smiled after him before resuming his previous path to his cabin. Gavin being nice to him. He’d believe it when he saw it, but the thought was nice. Probably the best birthday gift he could ask for.

[bucksboobs]

A Case of Mistaken Identity

Description: a quick Reed900 fic based loosely on a story from my parents wedding. A Continuation on the fanfilm Detroit: Evolution

Read on AO3

Gavin Reed is a softie under exactly two conditions: with Nines, when they're alone. He gave him the nickname Nines when they were alone together. He told him that he'd been calling him Nines internally for weeks before that when they were alone on Valentine's. It's not really him to do that PDA shit but the private displays of affection? He's getting used to those. Blame it on those stupid hands of Nine's that start glowing when he's being mushy. Nine's skin turns back to plastic whenever he so much as thinks about holding Gavin's hand and the poor hunk of metal is so sweet and sincere that Gavin just grabs him whenever he starts seeing that glow. It's stupid and it's sappy but it's starting to just become another natural part of his insane fucking life with the tin can.

Tina says he stares at Nines like he can't compute how Nines cares so much about him. He can feel that this morning, having walked into the break room first thing only to find Nines already there, brewing him his morning coffee. He wants to kiss him then and there. There's no one else in the break room and even if he risks ridicule if they get caught something in him says fuck it.

"Morning plastic." He greets, wrapping his arms around Nines's black jacket from behind. "Love ya but you don't have to make me coffee every fucking morning." He kisses Nines's neck expecting maybe a no Gavin I much prefer you be sated with your daily caffeine intake or Gavin I don't do this out of a sense of obligation but rather because I want to. Instead he gets:

"Detective Reed" That's not his Cyber-life-partner's voice. It's too formal, too cheery, too high, too much like... oh no "I am Connor."

Time to panic. "Uh. OK... Connor we're just gonna." He throws his hands up and off of Connor and begins to back away towards the archway. "Never, ever mention this alright. Nev-oof" he hits something too soft to be a pillar and too hard to be person and if Connor is in front of him. Fuck.

"Ah," despite the circumstances his shoulders do briefly untense just hearing Nines's soothing flat tone. "Good morning Gavin, I was about to make you your morning coffee." He walks around Gavin. "Connor. Good to see you and Lieutenant Anderson made it safely back from New York."

"We made it in late last night. I believed Hank may be in need of caffeine to deal with jet lag."

"Sensible." Listening to them talk is insane. They both were designed with the same word bank and vocal emulator or whatever but Connor is all subtle positivity and pleasantry while Nines talks soft and stern with a smidge of sarcasm that he picked up from Gavin.

"May I ask a personal question, MK900?" Fullnamed... this ought to be good.

"Of course."

"Do you see me as a brother?"

"We are made to be identical but there are other Connors out there." Other Connors? More of those customer-service-voice Ken dolls? God help the police departments saddled with them. "I suppose I see you as closer to myself than them on account of our shared workplace."

"Then, brother, may I ask when you were going to tell me about the evolution of your relationship to Detective Reed?" This plastic prick.

Nines looks genuinely shocked by that. "I was going to tell you today, actually. How did you find out?"

"Just now, when Gavin kissed me on the neck"

"You Kevlar-plated asshole." Gavin suddenly blurts out after staying silent for what was probably a weird amount of time. What part of NEVER mention it didn't he get. "I SAID-"

"Detective I assumed you were being sarcastic. My apologies."

"Brown nosing asswipe! First of all this is none of y-

"GAVIN." Nines stares him down a moment and Gavin feels a level of remorse. "It's quite alright. Like I said I was planning to tell Connor today anyway."

"Right. Sorry."

"I should go. Hank's coffee is getting cold." That's a lie to get out of an awkward situation if he ever heard one but they part themselves to let Connor through anyway. When did they end up standing closer together again? They seemed to have forgotten the concept of personal space a while ago and just drifted into each other's orbit naturally and unconsciously.

"Gavin..." Nines trails off, focusing on pouring and preparing his partners coffee

"Look Nines. I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to-"

"If you don't want anyone else to know we're together I can accommodate that but I need to know." Nines looks like some one killed a puppy in front of him and it's making Gavin feel more and more like a trash boyfriend. "You can't just... throw a tantrum at a coworker like that." Always so sincere. It scares him how vulnerable they both can be around one another. But feelings shit is something he's working on with Nines and he wants to make that effort.

"No Nines, man, it has nothing to with us" he gestures between them "I was just embarrassed that I basically just sexually harrassed your twin brother. Tell whoever you want. Tell the News.. Tell Fowler. I want people to know you're making me happy." Nines hands him his finished coffee. He ought to start bringing therium sippy cups or something to return this ritual of a favor. Problem for another day tho. He flicks his wrist and begins to walk into the hall.

"I appreciate that Gavin." Nines says, following in lock step with an identical gait to his own, a neat trick that Gavin noticed a while back. He wonders if it's programmed or a deliberate choice Nines has made.

"Hey," Gavin catches Nines's hand and it starts to glow (Nines is such a sap) "I mean it Robocop. You make me better. And happier. Think you're the only person on the fucking planet who can manage to do both."

"Is that so?" A sudden smarmy grin lights up Nines's face "Because apparently any old MK model will do."

"Oh, stop." I am never gonna live this down, he thinks.

"Perhaps I should introduce you to Markus." That smirk drives Gavin nuts in a way that makes his heart beat out of his chest.

"I fuckin hate you."

"You love me." Nines says it not as a jest but as a statement of fact. It simply is. Gavin loves him more than he loves himself most days -not that that's a high bar to clear- Still it touches him that Nines knows he loves him and he wants to make sure he never forgets.

"Yeah. Yeah I do, Nines." And he kisses him. In the middle of the station. Cuz fuck it.

[fandomhell97]

It's Just a Prank Bro

Here's just a fun little drabble because I can't get this idea out of my head and cause its peak bully Gavin hours. Sprinked some Hankcon in there as well👌

It was a crisp April first morning when Connor arrived to the DPD early. In fact he was about one of the first people there other than the girls at the front desk. A faint quirk of a smile tilted his lips as he made a beeline for Gavin's desk. He worked diligently and swiftly, taking aparts every single pen and appliance on the desk with methodical movenents and wrapped them tightly in layers of cling wrap. His terminal didn't escape being covered either, but he mercifully didn't take it apart. Only to not anger Fowler more. Soon he covered the entire desk over till the box was empty, using the last to seal the box in his now cling wrapped trashcan.

Connor schooled his want to smile and headed to his desk as other people's started coming in. Tina took one look at Gavin's desk and started laughing, seeing what had happened to her friend. Hank then decided to show up early, looked already annoyed as he glared at Connor when he sat at his desk.

"You really had to put the alarms all over the house to get me up? You asshole, you're sleeping on the couch tonight."

"You know you could never, Luitenant."

"Yeah yeah.. You're lucky I love you"

Hank muttered out the last part under his breath. With a smile, Connor got up, mentioning he was going to get Hank a coffee. A little way to make up for the prank. Just as he was in the kitchen he could hear Gavin's harsh yell of

"𝙒𝙃𝘼𝙏 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙁𝙐𝘾𝙆 𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙋𝙀𝙉𝙀𝘿 𝙏𝙊 𝙈𝙔 𝘿𝙀𝙎𝙆?! "

Connor just smiled as he finished making the coffee and brought it over to Hank, looking at Gavin and smiling

"April Fools Gavin. "

Hank was nearly in stitches laughing, watching Reed tear through layers and layers of cling film just to find his pens in worse condition. Oh this definitely made up for the prank.

[enkisstories]

Detroit Disco

I’m in the process of creating the Disco Elysium precint 41 officers as sims to unleash them into my Detroit save. In the meantime have this drabble:

Detective Gavin Reed pressed his phone to his ear, only to move it further out the very next moment. The background noise was worse than ever. It was almost transcending static noise and coalescing into sentences, the echoes of each and every phone calls that had been made in Detroit since the invention of the telegraph.

“You were saying what?” Gavin asked. “Ah, I see. A drunk police lieutenant. Laid waste to his hotel room and threatened to blast his own brain out. Huh, right, that really sounds like ours. I’ll send someone over to pick him up.”

The detective covered the phone’s micro with his hand. “Your partner was found, Connor. I’ll dispatch a patrol android to fetch him.”

Returning to the phone, Gavin asked: “But how in hell did you manage to rile the motherfucker up like that? Wait, he did what? Toss your Great Skua against the wall? Why’d you show him a fucking Great Skua anyway? Hank is phobic of flock birds, of course he’d lose it, man! That’s on you!”

♪♫ So turn ‘round the fire with a glass of strong ale ♪♫ the stereo bawled. ♪♫ And tell us a story from beyond the Pale ♪♫

In Detroit PJ700-302 entered a regular DPD patrol car to drive to Martinaise. She returned with Harrier Du Bois.

In Revachol Judit Minot entered one of Precinct 41’s remaining three Coupris Kineemas to drive to Greektown. She returned with Hank Anderson.

Hank Anderson’s finger moved from one officer to the next.

“Gavin. Tina. David. Check.”

“No! Chester, Judit, Mack!”

“Uh-uh”, Hank shook his head. “That’s not Officer Mack. I’m a bit confused about how many Macks we have and what they all look like, but this man isn’t one of them.”

Three pairs of eyes moved towards the door when it opened. In came Trant Heidlstam, accompanied by Satellite-Officer Jean Vicquemare. A French sounding name, a name that wasn’t out of place in Detroit, similar to “Martinaise”. So why was Hank unable to place that particular neighborhood on his mental map of the city? He couldn’t have spaced out that badly?!

Jean took one look at the stranger, his internal Conceptualization and Visual Reconstruction agreed on the man’s differences to Harrier being neglible and therefore slotted him into the same spot in his mind, regardless of how often the other officers stressed that Hank wasn’t Harry. What the heck, they even started with the same letters!

“Look, I told you I didn’t want to deal with this crap. Clinically depressed and all.”

“Clinically?” That tidbit at least piqued Hank’s interested. “As in: diagnosed? I never had the energy to get diagnosed. Even if I had, what would it have changed… They’ll only ever tell you things aren’t the way you make them and the problem is you.”

Yay, all I need is a change in perspective and Cole is alive again!

“But things ARE the way they are, and so you nod sympathetically, tell the psycho lady her mantra has helped you a lot, go home and uncork another bottle. Not that anybody would fucking care. They only want you to function, like an android.”

There it was again. Androids. This Hank person mentioned them every second sentence, with great disgust, but also with a scarily detailed lore attached to the idea. Where Harry had temporarily forgotten reality in the past, Hank seemed to have filled the holes in his mind with a construct. A construct involving a slave race of artificial people. It was probably a highly sophisticated political commentary. Alas, it was also highly annoying.

“So what are we doing now with Commander Corkscrew?” Chester asked.

“Shut up, Gavin!” Hank snapped. “You’re not helping!”

“I’m not…”

“I said shut your trap! Not just because it’s enervating as hell, but if you are serious about your promotion, you got to act more professional!”

So. There. He had said it. There wasn’t anything wrong with Gavin Reed’s detective work, just a minor tendency to jump to conclusions. Putting effort into improving his work performance might earn Gavin a bit of promotion credit, but the big chunk was to be gained in the categories “Teamwork” and “Character development”, two areas the detective neglected.

“But I don’t care to get promoted!” Chester McLaine protested.

And then he screamed on top of his lungs, when Hank lunged forward, hugged him tightly, kissed him on his forehead and cheered: “That’s the spirit! Our boy is growing up!”

Falling back on what he had mentally filed as a Hank-repellent, Chester whimpered: “A… ndroid? Android!”

“Yes, yes”, Hank promised. “We’ll buy you one after your promotion.”

The promotion Chester McGavin didn’t want, the officers realized. So there was no risk of having to really gift him an android.

“Say, there is a certain logic to this man’s ramblings”, Trant mused. “His brain is working differently, but it is working. I’d say it’s save to put him back into the contest…”

“Case. You mean the murder case, of course”, Jean corrected. He liked where this was going (namely a Hank-free office).

“…and figure out everything else while we’re going”, Trant finished his sentence.

And so it was decided.

*

“I’m not Disco.”

“Come again?”

“I’m not Disco”, Connor repeated, clearly puzzled and probably also feeling insulted in a profound manner. “This is about the only thing I got out of the stranger. Other than that he isn’t Hank Anderson, I mean.”

Gavin Reed slammed his cup onto the table, causing an elaborate castle Officer Tina Chen had built from potato chips and nachos to crash.

“And why is that so?” the detective challenged Connor. “Why are you unable to make progress with the deviant cases or to find the amnesic weirdo in our database? Because you’re not Disco! See? He told you!”

Gavin triumphantly leaned back in his cafeteria chair. He really had no idea in what way not being “disco” was supposed be a shortcoming. But he wouldn’t have been Gavin Reed, had he not jumped to every opportunity to diminish Connor RK800.

“If only you tried to be more Disco, you’d have the deviant cases solved in no time!” Gavin went on, under the impression that he was driving the knife deeper.

Connor, however, blinked, and stated: “But then I’d replace you even earlier, detective. If I solved the deviant cases, I’d proven that the RK800 detective android is superior to a human one.”

“Oh, shut the fuck up!” Gavin demanded, while swiping the chips into Connor’s direction like artillery fire. Then he kicked his chair back, pounced Connor and rammed him against a column. “Take your racist bullshit out of my police station and don’t forget to grab your new partner on your way out! I don’t want to see either of you again before sunset!”

“My new partner?”

“Well, you lost your previous one. If you don’t want to file a Lost & Found, you better take Detective Mindblank along instead.”

“I don’t think the Lieutanent being missing warrants a Lost & Found, Detective.”

“Don’t want him back? In this case we agree on one thing. Nice!”

“No, I meant that a human missing warrants…”

But Tina and Gavin weren’t listening anymore. Grabbing the android’s right, respectively left, arm, they escorted him into the foyer.

“You have your orders.”

[ao3feed-gav900]

Connor Anderson

https://ift.tt/YIJTOCl by White_Tape_01 Niles sighed as Gavin stepped up on the stoop and raised his hand to knock. He stepped up behind the man and gestured for him to continue. Whatever Gavin had been expecting when he knocked, it wasn’t for an exact clone of Niles to open the door, wearing only black lingerie under an open white button-up. “Um.” Words: 2547, Chapters: 3/?, Language: English Fandoms: Detroit: Become Human (Video Game) Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Categories: M/M Characters: Upgraded Connor | RK900, Gavin Reed, Connor (Detroit: Become Human), Hank Anderson, Tina Chen (Detroit: Become Human), mentioned Jeffery Fowler - Character, Mentioned Cole Anderson - Character Relationships: Hank Anderson/Connor, Upgraded Connor | RK900/Gavin Reed Additional Tags: Upgraded Connor | RK900 Has a Different Name, His name is niles, Connor & Upgraded Connor | RK900 are Siblings, Connor is a Stripper, Niles is a Cop, Implied Sexual Content, Relationship Reveal, Kinda, Implied/Referenced Domestic Violence, Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, Angst, It Gets Worse Before It Gets Better, i love Tina Chen, Mentioned Elijah Kamski

[rjhpandapaws]

Cue and Call

Ch 1: Subtle as a Brick

Gavin hadn’t really thought about source checking the article when he saw the first one, or any of them really. He just skimmed over it while he was drinking his coffee in the morning. It made him think of Hank, he loved speculation pieces like this. It wasn’t that he necessarily believed them, he just enjoyed learning what people hoped would happen. He checked the time and then sent the article to Hank. He was on set right about now. He was six hours ahead so he probably would be able to look at it for a while. Gavin was fine with that. He just wanted Hank to know that he had been thought of. They weren’t a couple exactly. While they were interested in one another, Hank wanted to wait to try anything until both of their schedules calmed down. So for now it was text messages whenever one of them had the time, and if they were lucky maybe a phone call in the evening. Dodging the press was definitely the most exhausting part. They could only give so many evasive non-answers before the smartest of them began to suspect that something was up. Which would have been fine. Hank was great at being subtle; Gavin, on the other hand, was not. He felt like it was written all over his face whenever someone so much as mentioned Hank.

It wasn’t even that Gavin wanted people to know. They just didn’t want the press and thereby the rest of the world finding out until they were sure about whatever this was. There were some people on Gavin’s end that knew; his high school friends Chris and Tina; and Richard who had found out when Gavin had a little too much to drink and pilled his guts. They had all been sworn to secrecy of course. Hank got back to the states about three months after the first article had cropped up. They planned to meet for drinks that weekend before he and Hank were both whisked off to work on separate projects. Gavin’s was just a bit of voice work and then he would be off again. Hank hadn’t said what his next thing was. Gavin was looking forward to seeing him again. They didn’t get to see each other in person outside of work very often. On the Friday before they were going to meet up the plan changed. Hank decided he would rather join Gavin at his place than go out. Which was something Gavin could understand, being surrounded by people so soon after coming home could be exhausting. After being over seas with an entire filming crew Hank probably wanted something that was easy and quiet. There was also the added bonus of by staying in they wouldn’t run the risk of being seen. All Gavin had to do was decide if he wanted to cook or order takeout.

He decided to cook, it was something not many people knew he was good at. Spending Saturday morning grocery shopping made him regret that a little, but he could think of worse things he could be doing with his day. There was something about cooking for the people you cared about. Gavin was inclined to believe it was a love language of its own. Gavin had decided on lasagna. Both his mother and his grandmother taught him that is was a dish you made to welcome someone home. In the years since he had moved out he tweaked the family recipe for convenience sake in ways that would make his grandmother roll in her grave. Tonight though, he was using the one he had learned growing up. He had plenty of time today. Hank rang the door bell as Gavin was putting the lasagna in the oven. He set the timer and then answered the door despite the fact that his kitchen looked like a bomb had gone off and Gavin had been on of its unfortunate victims. Hank eyed him with an amused smile as he stepped inside. “You look like you’ve had an eventful day.” He said in way of a greeting. 

“Yeah.” Gavin laughed, “As it turns out tomatoes will try and get revenge if you forget to put the lid on the food processor.” Hank stared at him as they made their way into the kitchen and Gavin wasn’t sure if his expression was one of amusement, disappointment, or both. “You forgot to put the lid on your food processor?” “Well yes and no.” He clarified as Hank sat at the bar, “I thought I could shave off a little time if I put the ingredients while the thing was running. So when I needed to put the garlic in I took the lid off and then didn’t put it back on.” Hank shook his head with a laugh, “I would have thought that you of all people would have invested in a food processor with an ingredient lid.” Gavin looked up from where he had been scrubbing at a particularly stubborn tomato stain, “With a what?” Hank took out his phone and after a few moments showed him a picture of a food processor that looked like it had a chimney shoot on the lid, “One of these.” “That’s the one I have, I just didn’t realize that was why the lid was so fucking weird.” He remarked.

That earned him another laugh from Hank, “Only you would buy something designed to make your life easier and still do things the hard way.” Gavin gestured like a showman to his warzone of a kitchen, “The one and only.” “So what made you decide to cook?” Hank asked, “The last time I got this sort of treatment from you was when you held me hostage after my car accident.” “You mean when I was making sure you were taking care of yourself.” He shot back, “You were gone for a long time, I figured you would want something home cooked.” He moved on from cleaning the counter to cleaning the stove, “How was filming?” That earned him a very dramatic groan, “If I never have to work with that director again it will be too soon. He refused to listen to any of us and fired anyone who questioned his decisions on the spot.” Gavin grimaced, “Yikes.” “The thing is probably going to flop anyway.” Hank continued, “By the end the crew was too small to make anything of quality. Which sucks because  we started out with such a great team and a lot of potential, Then the director went and shot us all in the foot.” He gave an annoyed sigh, “It is what it is I suppose. Not like there is anything I can do about it now.”

“So what about the D:BH thing?” Gavin asked to change to a lighter subject, “How do you think that’s all going to pan out?” “Assuming that it’s real, I think it is going to do really well.” Hank replied, “They’ve got some pretty big promises to keep though.” “You’re excited then?” He asked as he finished cleaning the worst of the mess and came to sit behind Hank. “Oh fuck yeah.” Hank laughed, “I get to harass you and get paid for it.” Gavin rolled his eyes, “Yeah, yeah, fuck you too.” They moved on to lighter topics after that. Gavin drank more than he probably should have should have at dinner, but it had been a long time since they had been able to do something like this. On top of that, Gavin had the tendency to lose track of himself with Hank. The conversations came easy and his carefully constructed walls crumbled like sand in the wind. Hank never seemed to mind, or if he had he hadn’t let on. Though come morning Gavin didn’t remember much after they had moved to the living room, so he couldn’t be sure if Hank had said anything or not. He woke up on his couch with good night and good morning texts from hank so he found it safe to assume he hadn’t done anything too out of line.

The next time he heard from Hank was when he called at ass-o-clock in the morning to tell him the show had been approved. Gavin had given a tired hum in response and had been back asleep before he could be given anymore details or properly hang up. Usually he was left in the dark because of his tendency to talk about the projects he was in online. Silas had been nice enough to add him to the group chat though, so that was fun. He was excited to see everyone again, but what he was looking forward to the most was getting to work along side Hank again. They would have to mind themselves around everyone else though. So this, whatever it was, would stay under wraps. It was going to be difficult, but Gavin was pretty sure he could handle it. He was alright with being subtle. “You’re staring.” Richard’s voice made him nearly jump out of his skin. “No I wasn’t.” He replied and made a point of looking anywhere but at Hank. “If you say so.” Then with that he was off to talk to Connor again. So maybe this was going to be more of a problem than he had thought. That was fine. He would figure something out, eventually.

[tara-the-quiet-bookworm-2016]

Pulse (Yandere! Connor x Female Reader.) (Chapter Four.)

Authors Notes- Aaaaand here we are with the fourth chapter of Pulse. And this is where things get a bit more interesting, as our poor, sweet reader finds out just what’s going on. And boy, let me tell you know she won’t be happy. And as you know I let to mention anything that some people might find triggering in the Authors Notes. So this chapter will feature Kidnapping, choking,  non-con Touching, non-con kissing and Connor just being a general creep. If none of this is your cup of tea then this is where we part ways, but I’ll remember our time fondly. Now that we got that out of the way here is chapter 4. I hope you enjoy.

Chapter Four: Finally Mine.

Something was wrong. You mused, it had been three days and you hadn’t seen hide nor hair from Gavin, in fact it seemed no one did. And now you were getting worried, you knew Gavin had a tendency of being a flake when it came to work, but usually you could get a hold of him. Glancing at your phone for what must’ve been the fifth time in an hour you couldn’t help but worry. Something was definitely wrong. Despite what people like Hank and Chris told you, that he was at home nursing a hangover and just in general being a lazy ass. But that didn’t help you especially when Chris mentioned that it was odd for him not to show up three days in a row. 

Maybe you would stop by his apartment after work. 

“Are you okay, Y/N?” A voice spoke up. Tearing you from your thoughts, looking up you saw Connor looking down at you, a concerned look on his face.

Forcing a smile to your face you nodded. “Yeah, just lost in thought.” You assured him. Speaking of odd lately Connor seemed... cheerful. Like the weight of the world was lifted off his shoulders. 

He no longer seemed so lost in thought, it seemed like he was back to his usual, friendly self. Gnawing at your bottom lip you looked up at him. “Say Connor... have you heard from Gavin lately?” you knew it was a long shot considering the relationship between Connor and Gavin was pretty non-existent. But it was worth a shot.

“No....” Connor said, coolly. “I haven’t, then again me and Gavin aren’t really friends. So I’d be the very last person who would know where he scurried off to. Have you talked to Chris or Tina?” he suggested. “They would technically be his friends here so...”

You furrowed your brow as you looked at Connor. Then nodded, muttering a thanks you did just that. 

Connor frowned as he watched you walk off, his LED flashing red for the briefest second before returning to the normal serene blue. You still thought about Gavin. Always about Gavin, anger swelled in Connor’s chest as he watched you disappear into the breakroom to talk with Gavin’s friends. Gavin was gone, gone from his life and away from you. But no matter, Connor thought darkly, a cruel smile on his face as he turned away from you. You were going to be his soon enough anyway.

***

“Sorry, Y/N I haven’t heard from him in a while.” Chris told you, as he took a sip of his coffee, before looking to Tina, who also shook her head, shrugging her shoulders as well.

That was odd. Where could he be?

Brow furrowed you looked around the office. A thought beginning to form in your head. Maybe you would stop by his apartment after work, maybe he was sick? Or hungover? Both possible ideas this was Gavin after all. Nodding to yourself you moved back towards your desk. However before you could dwell on that thought once more your radio crackled to life sighing you pushed away from your desk, you had a busy day ahead of you. And little did you know how bad things would get as the day went on...

*** 

A few hours later you had received a call on the radio... and God you wished you hadn’t as you drove down the darkened alleyway until you saw the all too familiar flashing lights of various other patrol cars. Silence permeated the area as you stepped out and were greeted by a grim faced Chris Miller.

“Y/N.” Chris sighed, stopping you from going any further. Dread forming in the pit of your gut, something was wrong. “You shouldn’t have to see this...” he said.

Your brow furrowed at you looked to him then at the apartment, that feeling of dread intensifying. No, it couldn’t be, could it? Not wanting to utter another word you pushed past Chris and to where Hank and Connor were standing. Your eyes immediately going to where they were looking, a strangled cry escaping your lips as Gavin’s lifeless body stared back at you. 

What had happened to him? Tears welled in your eyes as you moved towards the body of your friend, whimpering you reached out to him, only to have Connor stop you. 

“Y/N.” Connor whispered, placing a gentle hand on your shoulder as he guided you away from the scene. Cops swarmed the place, as one would expect they would when one of their own was killed. “I know you will want to help, but you’re too close. It’s best if you go home for the night, Hank and I got this.”

Swallowing you nodded, a sigh escaping your lips as Connor ran his hand down your back, before guiding you towards your car. “Go home, I’ll talk to you later.” He said as the first few tears spilled down your cheeks.

Swiping a hand under your nose you forced yourself to drive away from the heart-breaking scene as Connor watched you go. A dark look on his face as he turned away from you, his eyes scanning the stinking body of Gavin as he fought hard to keep the smile from his face as he did so. 

Gavin didn’t look so hot now, did he? Flies buzzed around the body as cops worked to remove the garbage bags from him as Hank moved closer, a rag over his mouth and nose. 

“Who the hell did  you piss off, Reed?” Hank muttered, as Connor watched from the sidelines. Boy, what would Hank think if he knew it was the android he shared his house with that was the very one to end the Detective’s life? Shaking that thought from his head Connor forced himself into work mode, eyes scanning for invisible evidence he knew wasn’t there, all while coming up with a perfect place to get his hands on you.

***

Two weeks had past since Gavin’s death and still you remained in your bed. After all, the man you might have had feelings for had just been killed, and the police were no closer to finding out who did it. As for you? You found yourself unable to bring yourself to set on foot into the precinct, whenever you did images of Gavin flashed through your mind as you would be a mess. So, now here you were on leave, laying in your bed in the same clothes you wore for countless days now, but what did it matter? Gavin was gone. 

And now here you were, alone. Sure, your friends tried to get you out of your funk from Chris, to Tina, then finally to Connor, who seemed to come by more often the most. Even if he couldn’t get you to open up he still remained after everyone went home he would sit by your side, holding your hand as you wept you knew he was just trying to be kind but all you wanted was him to just leave you alone. 

Unfortunately for you, today was not one of those days as you heard a knock on your door. He was back. Dull anger filled your chest as you forced yourself to get up, kicking a pair of dirty sweatpants out of the way as you made your way to the door as Connor knocked again.

“God,” you snarled, raising your voice so you hoped he would hear you and just take a fucking hint and leave you alone.” Can’t you just go away?!”

Silence greeted you as you asked that. Letting out a frustrated sigh you flung the door open, and scowled as Connor greeted you. “Did you not hear me? Go away!” You hissed, you just wanted to be left alone.

However before you could so much as slam the door shut Connor forced the door open, and forced his way in much to your surprise. 

“Connor?” you asked, something was wrong, something the way Connor was acting was making your skin crawl.

“You know I tried you know.” Connor said, without addressing you as he moved around your apartment. You following closely behind him. “I tried to ignore the fact that you might be attracted to Reed.”

Where was he going with this? You wondered, eyes glued to the android, hands hands clasped behind his back as he kept his back to you. Before finally turning towards you. “But I couldn’t I tried but I just couldn’t let you go.”

Dread formed in the pit of your stomach as you listened to this. Connor... he couldn’t have, could he? Swallowing thickly as you took a few steps back from him, only to have him follow after you. Until you found your back pressed against the wall as he closed in, a crazed looked in his eyes. 

“I couldn’t just sit by as the bastard took what was mine.” Connor continued. 

“Wh-what are you talking about?” You managed to choke out, eyes fixed on the crazed look in Connor’s eyes as he grabbed a hold of your chin, pulling you close, his fingers carding through your hair, as you pressed your hands against his chest, trying to pull him off, but Connor was far stronger than you. 

“I’m not yours, I’ll never be yours!” You shouted, as you continued to struggle to push him off of you. Crying out slightly as Connor’s grip on you tightened. 

“Oh, but that is where you’re wrong.” Connor whispered, grabbing ahold of your face once more, forcing you to look up at him, those dark brown eyes of his seeming to bore into your own before sliding closed. Disgust formed in your stomach as Connor pressed his lips to yours, only to jerk back as you bit down on his bottom lip.

Dabbing at his lip anger shone in his eyes as he saw his fingers come away blue. You had some fight in you, did you? Good, Connor thought as he looked down at you, seeing the defiance shining in your eyes as you continued to fight to get free of him. Good, as much as he loved you breaking you would bring him joy. After all, you hurt him more than once when you went after Gavin, so it was only fair...

Saying nothing Connor wrapped his hand around your neck, relishing the way it felt as he began to squeeze. Seeing your eyes bulge out of your skull as you fought to pry his hand off of you, your face turning red. 

“Stop fighting.” He scolded, hissing slightly as your nails dug into his skin, drawing blood. “You’ll only make things harder for you as time goes on.” 

Finally after what seemed like forever your struggles ceased as Connor gently placed you on the ground, doing a quick scan to see that you were still alive before straightening, unable to keep the grin from his lips as he looked down at you. Finally, after so long you were finally his, and now that he had you he was never letting you go....

[iluvromance]

@harryhoney-bee and i read princess in the spotlight and here are our thoughts:

- why does michael hang out the freshmen anyways? doesn’t he have his own friends? (he does, so we suspect he’s an absent friend, or he just really likes mia). BECAUSE he only comes out of his room when mia’s there and he only talks in G&T to add in his thoughts during a classic lilly and mia discourse, it is easy for lilly to figure out that michael likes mia. i mean really. this guy has Nothing in common with the girls.

- we suspect michael is a test subject in lilly’s eyes. she probably has a journal dedicated to him. “12:54 pm, michael has decided to get an ice cream sandwich instead of his usual chips. not sure why, but i’ll keep investigating”

- why the hell does michael get so much fan mail? what kinda stuff is he posting that it takes HOURS to answer fan mail. 

- first mention of “the guy who hates it when they put corn in the chili” is on october 24th. mia desperately hopes he is not jocrox and GOOD FOR HER.

- mia’s dad is either in love with helen still or he thinks he has a right to her life because they dated and had a kid. he treats mr. g terribly and mr. g oughta sucker punch him or something.

- mia’s dad is a White Man <3

- why didn’t anyone call CPS when grandmere would lock philippe in the dark when he was younger. HELLO?!

- “philippe has both communication and reproductive issues <3″ - júlia

- everyone in mia’s friend group is weird. tina always being in tina land, lilly being a dictator, mia being...mia. boris and his sweater tucking illness, etc... they’re all freaks. even michael with his undying love for computers

-why is "Stop thinking so much about M. M." under the list of things to do before mr. g moves in 

- what the hell does michael mean when he says he had a keen interest in experimenting with earth’s gravitational pull? HUH?! why does it sound so ominous? AND WHY ARE SHAMEEKA AND MIA SO ATTRACTED TO IT. what a nerd

- shameeka is an icon and should be bowed down to because she’s the only one with common sense

- lilly is a bully and you can’t convince us other wise. 

- who tf taught lilly the word "eleemosynary"

- michael’s “decapitate the backstreet boy” game is FRIGHTENING and he needs to be psychoanalyzed, not only lilly. i mean there’s clearly hatred before he even knows ** because ** does resemble a backstreet boy. also, josh.

- kenny should be applauded for his performance and for playing his cards right. he saw a chance and swooped in and although we’re not big fans on kenny in this book, you gotta admit that he was kinda smart about getting mia.

- michael is a simp, but he needs to be on kenny’s level of simp

- kenny and mia would never work because they both let people walk all over them

- mia is satisfied when michael gives her the smallest compliment and this just proves what a simp she is

- someone please put duct tape over lilly’s mouth

- michael and lars are soulmates

- “you snooze, you lose” @ michael

- helen and mr. g eloping is the best thing ever and i hope to elope as well

- kenny is actually pretty cute. he’s the guy i’d have a crush on in high school (sarah’s opinion)

- i (sarah) have been to school in the east coast all my life, including in new york. no school allows you to just bring a friend and have them shadow you all day. wtf is up with that? why is hank everywhere? where are the hall passes? the security? the IDs? isn’t this post 9/11?!

- lilly and hank definitely did more than just working on hank’s attire and appearance.