#am starving for gavin content

[polydamnory]

FOOD!

Poly!DAMN domino effect

Freelancer -> Gavin, Lasko -> Gavin, Huxley -> Freelancer, Gavin -> Freelancer, Freelancer -> Huxley, Freelancer -> Lasko, Freelancer -> <- Damien (Season 1)

Gavin -> Lasko, Huxley -> <- Gavin, Damien -> Huxley (Bowling with the Bois) Gavin -> Damien (Friendsgiving)

Huxley -> Damien, Damien -> Gavin, Dear -> <- Lasko, Dear -> Huxley/Damien/Freelancer/Gavin, Huxley -> Dear, Damien -> Dear, Freelancer -> Dear, Gavin -> Dear (Season 3)

[perhaps-in-anotherdream]

Will Victor have a new event next month in Chinese server? I'm absolutely starving for some fresh content :( I hope it's not the main story because, from what I've read in the bai7_journey channel, the story seems mostly boring now...

hello!~ i’ll be able to give you an absolute answer when lovepro releases the June event schedule in a few days.

but from what it seems like right now, nope. b/c Victor began the doomsday themed solo event that’s currently running, and the event will be wrapping up in June with Lucien. the other event next month, aside from Shaw’s birthday, indeed is the main story update haha. besides the chapter SSRs, the next top-up ERs in rotation will be Gavin and Lucien. and the summer update likely is gonna be announced in July (the first week i presume). so it’s pretty much gonna be a short drought after the flood of Victor contents for a while there ahah— 🫠

on the bright side for me though, it’ll give me a little time to catch up on some translations ig LOL. also, i am currently working on one of his dates, so perhaps you can look forward to that~ (⁠・⁠∀⁠・⁠)

—

[the-star-fallen-from-dreams]

We need more Gavin fan content I am desperately starved

[cheri-translates]

[CN] Gavin’s R&S - Folded Time

🍒 Warning: This post contains detailed spoilers from an R&S (折叠的时光) which has not been released in EN!🍒

This R&S accompanies the Ch 37 karma, but it doesn’t contain spoilers for future content as it depicts the events leading up to Gavin reuniting with MC in Ch 2 :>

[ Chapter One ]

When Gavin appears in the office of the Public Security Bureau of Loveland City, everyone’s eyes fall on him either curiously or cautiously -

His light-coloured denim jacket is left open in a casual manner. Brown hair is scattered in front of his forehead, revealing a pair of stubborn and intractable eyes. Even though he isn’t looking at anyone, there is a palpable tension.

No matter how one looks at him, his entire person, from top to bottom, is incompatible with this place.

A few days ago, Gavin appeared in the Public Security Bureau of Loveland City, and things happened so suddenly that there wasn’t even a suitable uniform provided for him. As such, he was the only person in the office wearing regular clothes, which further cemented the view that others had of him as a "child of an official”. Gavin didn't put a stop to it. To put it another way, such an understanding was even more beneficial to his original objective.

Gavin doesn’t seem to realise that he’s the centre of everyone’s attention as he walks to the seat temporarily assigned to him.

At this moment, a young man in the police station takes the opportunity to go over, placing a thick bag of files on his desk. As though there’s a show to watch, he speaks up. "Officer Gavin, the chief said that you’ll be taking over this case." Gavin takes the bag of documents and looks at it. Then, he nods, indicating that the other party could leave.

Not hearing the questions and requests for help as imagined, the young man is momentarily stunned. Gavin lifts his head and gives him a sweeping glance, his tone indifferent. “Anything else?”

"N-no." The young man who was planning to find fault with him shivers inexplicably, then walks away in embarrassment. The surrounding gazes also disappear, and Gavin turns back to the case in his hand.

A few days ago, a woman made a report at a sub-bureau that she had “teleported”. According to her, she was walking home as usual, but when she passed by a certain place, she suddenly arrived at an unfamiliar plaza ten kilometers away - as if the distance in between was folded.

After this case was investigated, it was shelved aside temporarily due to a lack of evidence and leads. But over the next few days, different victims made reports to various sub-bureaus in succession. Hence, this strange case was finally transferred to the general bureau, and it has now been handed into Gavin’s hands. 

It doesn’t take long for Gavin to come to a conclusion - this crime involves an Evolver. After flipping through the scattered case reports, he taps his fingers on the desk, then stands up abruptly, casually telling the person next to him, "I’m heading on a mission.”

The police officer next to him is given a fright. When he looks up, he sees a back profile retreating with a free and easy poise. He can’t help but mutter, “As expected, people with special connections get special treatment. Tsk tsk tsk, how easygoing.”

-

[ Chapter 2 ]

A week ago, in an abandoned building, the elevators that were still in operation descended at a constant speed into the ground.

The lights on top of the elevator flickered slightly due to unstable electrical currents. Before the signal disappeared completely, Gavin reported the current situation through the headset. The moment the elevator door opened, he drew the gun at his waist and was the first to step out.

Borrowing the faint light from the elevator, Gavin scanned the surroundings vigilantly. When a member of the STF turned on the power switch, the cold white light illuminated the entire area, making everything in the laboratory visible - perhaps there was a hasty retreat. The room was in a mess. Many documents were not taken away or destroyed in time, and debris was scattered around.

Gavin's gaze swept across the documents, walking straight to the host computer in the corner of the room. Someone had already cracked the password and was recovering the destroyed files.

"How’s the situation?" Gavin asked.

The STF team member quickly retrieved various data and materials, and answered him without even lifting his head. "Some core data has been completely destroyed, but some files can be recovered."

Gavin looked at the recovered files, and immediately determined that these were some experiment reports related to Evolvers. The date of the report spanned from more than ten years ago to the present day. He had no idea how many of such experiments were carried out when Black Swan was hiding in the dark.

"Wait." Gavin suddenly stopped his team member’s movements, and a sharp look flashed across his eyes. "Export this name list."

Not long after, this concealed name list appeared on the screen. Among the densely listed names, Gavin saw a name that was engraved deep in his memory - MC.

For a moment, he found this hard to believe. He suddenly clenched his fist, his eyes flashing fiercely. After taking a few breaths, he managed to calm down, and pointed at the name. “Open this person’s file.”

The screen flickered, and the first thing that popped out was a photo of a girl’s college identification card. In this short archive, the girl's academic experience, her family and friends, and the company she inherited... had all turned into cold words, completely exposed to Black Swan without privacy.

Gavin read the entire file line by line, his eyes growing darker and darker, and the memories he deliberately sealed in time seemed to be shaken.

Six years ago, he was forced to leave Loveland City because of the awakening of his Evol. It wasn't until two years ago that he tracked Black Swan’s operations and returned. In the past two years, Gavin deliberately stayed away from the world where she lived in order to prevent potential dangers around the girl to shatter her peaceful life.

However, these dangers had already existed in the girl's world from the very beginning.

-

[ Chapter 3 ]

Ever since the STF destroyed the secret laboratory, Black Swan’s operations in Loveland City have grown more frequent and radical, and Evolver crimes have also been emerging in an endless stream.

"Aren't you all Evolvers? Why do you want to sell your lives to ordinary people?!" The man who was knocked to the ground by the fierce wind current lifts his head and shouts angrily at the group of people in front of him.

Gavin doesn’t speak, lifting his foot and stepping on his back, pressing the man, who was struggling desperately, back to the ground.

At this moment, the electric current in his earphone buzzes twice, conveying an urgent message to him - "There’s an abnormality near the Central Boulevard”.

"Understood." Gavin hangs up, then hands this newly awakened Evolver to his subordinates before rushing to the spot where the energy wave was discovered.

At the crossroads, a bizarre car accident was prevented. The surrounding onlookers don't seem to have noticed the peculiar scene, and slowly scatter as the taxi which started the incident drives away, leaving behind a girl standing at the side of the road in a daze.

In the city sky where nobody notices, a figure suddenly appears.

Gavin hovers mid-air, countless raindrops falling beside him and dispersed by the wind. He observes what’s happening on the ground, his eyes extraordinarily calm, akin to tempering a sharp edge. His gaze sweeps across the scene quickly: an Evolver with an unknown motive had stopped a car accident, and... the victim.

Gavin's line of sight suddenly stills. Amid the flowing crowd, the girl who brushed past death bends down, picking up the snacks scattered on the ground, staring in a certain direction for an inexplicable reason.

From such a great distance, the figure on the ground seems to have turned into a small dot. But memory has already traced a copy of the girl's appearance for Gavin.

Meeting again catches him off guard. The wind, which is being controlled, seems to know that he isn’t at peace, and it rustles the hem of his windbreaker. From beginning to end, his gaze rests on that figure which has undergone many changes.

Six years pass by in a flash, and Gavin’s memories still linger on that lonely night in the library many years ago. But the details of that day seem to be covered in mist, and are blurry.

After a long time, Gavin presses the call button of the headset, and reports to the command centre in a serious voice. "Agent B-7, energy wave detected in Loveland City. Sending coordinates.”

Almost immediately, he receives instructions from the other end, and he replies, "Target locked. Taking action immediately.”

Gavin's eyes follow the girl as her figure slowly grows further and further, until she disappears at the corner of the street. He recalls the name list by Black Swan, and a shadow flits across his eyes.

Now that the girl’s Evol has begun to awaken, the peace around her may be shattered immediately. By then, the distance he had maintained for such a long time would no longer be enough to protect her.

-

[ Chapter 4 ]

The sky has not been fully lit, and a ray of light passes through a gap in the curtains, falling on the figure in bed.

Gavin catches his breath as he awakens from the dream, lifting his arm to cover his eyes. He recalls the chaotic and fragmented images in the dream: the room raging with flames, the familiar school roof, the ruins after the explosion, and the glaring fresh blood...

It seems he hasn’t been able to calm down ever since he saw the girl again.

After a long while, Gavin adjusts his emotions, gets up from bed and walks into the bathroom. The icy water rushes down the top of his head, dispelling the lingering sleepiness, and making him incredibly clear-headed. Even the words that the man once said to him clearly resound in his ears——

"Gavin, she’s special like you, and is destined not to have a peaceful life.”

"Do you really have the ability to protect her?"

Water patters to the ground, a little noisy in the quietness of the early morning. Gavin lifts his head, allowing the water to flow over his face, down the body covered with various old and new wounds, and finally flowing into the drain.

After a long time, he opens his eyes, an absolutely unshakable resoluteness in them. "I will protect her."

Gavin turns off the water, then grabs a towel and wipes his hair as he walks out of the bathroom. The notification light of his mobile phone on the desk flickers silently — it’s a message from an informant.

Reading the message rapidly, he taps open the address book and finds a number in it. After the call gets through, he speaks to the person on the other end and says, "I have a request related to the follow-up report mentioned earlier.”

If she is their target, it is only at his side that she’d be safest.

An hour later, Gavin follows the lead provided by the informant, arriving at a small lane beside Morrow Way.

It isn’t until the school gate appears before him that Gavin realises that this is where Loveland High is located. He glances at the school gate which seems to have undergone renovation work, but has no plans to "revisit an old haunt". He heads straight to the alley mentioned by the informant.

This is a relatively remote alley, and one end of the alley is connected to a bustling commercial street. The sub-bureau that received the report had already conducted investigations nearby but found no leads. But the surveillance camera in this alley happened to be spoilt that day - as if it was premeditated.

After understanding the situation, Gavin is prepared to leave. At this moment, somebody calls out to him. "Is that... Gavin?”

Gavin turns his head and sees a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties with a dark complexion and gaunt face. It takes Gavin some time to recall who the other party is, and he’s quite surprised. “Your shop’s still here?”

"Yeah. It's really you. I even thought my eyes were playing tricks on me earlier." The man whom Gavin remembers as taciturn reveals a small smile. "Is there a reason why you came to this area?”

Gavin doesn’t conceal the truth. "I’m here on a mission, and am investigating something.”

After being stunned for a second, the middle-aged man reacts. "You’re really working in the police station now?"

Gavin nods. The middle-aged man is a little surprised, but understands quickly. He hesitates for a moment, then says to Gavin, "It's already noon. Want to have a bowl of noodles?"

Gavin is about to shake his head to refuse. But for some unknown reason, he agrees.

As compared to the last time he visited a few years ago, Lynn’s Kitchen is much more spacious now. The wall facing the door is still densely packed with all kinds of small post-it notes as it was in the past. Gavin sweeps a brief glance at it, images of the past flashing in his mind.

He finds the seat where he often sat at in the past. After a few minutes, the boss gives him a bowl of hand-pulled noodles in chilli oil: the light yellow noodles are covered with bright red oil, garlic sprouts, coriander and slices of beef placed orderly along the sides of the bowl. The fragrance accompanying the steam that burrows into his nose is exactly the same as in his memories,  easily evoking the hunger in the Gavin’s belly.

“Give it a try and see if there’s any improvement.” The middle-aged man chuckles a little reservedly. "You haven't eaten it in a long time, right?"

“Smells pretty good." Gavin responds. He lifts up the noodles with chopsticks, bringing them into his mouth. The familiar taste involuntarily relaxes the tense corners of his mouth.

At this moment, along with the sound of the school bell from the nearby Loveland High, a group of students dismissed from school at noon swarm into the noodle shop, and Gavin's surroundings instantly become noisy. Judging from the familiar colour scheme of the school uniform and the logo on it, these are students from Loveland High. They stare at Gavin with curiosity as he appears incompatible with this small shop. Then, they return to laughing and joking with each other, as though they have no worries at all.

The corners of Gavin’s lips hook upwards slightly. He finishes the remaining noodles in the bowl in two or three slurps. After leaving money at the cash register, he leaves the shop.

“Okay, 1.30 in the afternoon at Flower Fair." He arranges a meeting time with a victim. As soon as he hangs up, another call comes in immediately.

"Chief Yuan?"

"This is Captain Gavin, right? Regarding the follow-up report you mentioned, the producer will look for you at the police station at one o’clock in the afternoon.”

"Okay, I’ve got it.”

After speaking concisely, Gavin hangs up the phone with a smile in his eyes.

-

[ Chapter 5 ]

On the main road of Loveland City at noon, the vehicles caught in a jam move forward slowly.

Suddenly, the shadow of a black car speeds past along with a wave of heat. The incoming wind lifts the hem of Gavin’s clothes, but seems to surround him and refuse to leave.

There’s quite a distance between Loveland High and the police station. It’s so far that on the way there, things from the past gradually surface in Gavin’s mind -

A figure hiding under the eaves on a rainy evening.

A dusty “Byron’s Poetry Collection” in the library.

A letter stained with blood.

A piano tune on an afternoon when ginkgo leaves danced in the sky.

A... girl who appeared in his life during his most hopeless years.

Gavin’s brows suddenly soften. The emotions which were suppressed for a very long time are released in this instant, surging and foreign.

Those images that were about to be forgotten over the course of six years become as clear as yesterday, reminiscent of dust on the surface being wiped off suddenly by a hand.

They were separated for such a long time. So long that he almost forgot that he once had such ardent feelings, akin to sunlight in the height of summer.

-

1pm, Loveland City Police Department.

Gavin holds a peaked hat and walks down the corridor at a moderate pace. From afar, he can hear the chatter of Officer Landsman, who has always disliked him, mixed with the responses of the confused girl.

"Word around the office is that he’s the son of one of the higher-ups. Just think, if he’s some big shot’s boy... We should just stay away!"

[Note] I’m using his canon dialogue in EN since we’re familiar with it. But what Officer Landsman actually says in CN is: “I heard that... he’s an ignorant and incompetent child of an official - a pampered son. Just think about it - how many higher-ups have the surname Bai? ...we can’t offend him!”

Gavin arches his brows, turns around the corner, and sees that familiar figure.

The girl’s back is facing him, her height pretty much the same as it was back then. Her hair isn’t tied into a ponytail, and it drapes smoothly over her shoulders. It’s as though Gavin is able to see her eyes widening after hearing the gossip - she’s still as lively.

Hearing Officer Landsman getting increasingly unreasonable as he speaks, Gavin interrupts directly. "Officer Landsman, just who were you saying is a ‘big shot’s boy’?”

Officer Landsman is given a fright, and the girl turns her head. The pair of clear eyes from his memories meets his once again.

As though crossing over the tilted time, the feelings of youth are brought from the past and into his world with ease.

The distance which had once gradually widened between them has finally been folded by time. All the memories and images have settled, slowly overlapping with the girl in front of him.

Gavin looks at the fear straying onto the girl's face, as well as the unfamiliarity in her eyes. He lifts the corners of his lips, and smiles -

"MC, do you remember me?"

[the-star-fallen-from-dreams]

Gavin content please I am so starved for content with this man idk why he’s sidelined so bad in the fandom

Fuck I drew gavin too hot again

[bowandquinn]

i told you i would and i delivered. please enjoy im sorry for starving you guys of content 😭

lasko: what’s something you guys are better than freelancer at? damien: mario kart. huxley: yeah, video games. gavin: emotional vulnerability.

freelancer: watcha got there..? gavin: *getting a blow job* a slushee...

lasko: sorry it took so long to bail you out of jail. freelancer: no, it was my fault. i shouldn't have used my phone call to prank call the police station.

asher: can i bother you for a second? david: you're always bothering me, but go ahead.

david: could you be anymore annoying? asher: yes.

babe: sweetheart taught me to think before i act. so if i smack the shit out of you, rest assured that i thought about it and am extremely confident in my decision. so confident.

asher: if i was married to you i would put poison in your coffee. angel: if i was married to you i’d drink it.

angel: i’m here for the pack stuff. milo: how did you find us? angel: i saw your ad on craigslist, no fucker, i'm here with david.

angel: you have an impressive pain tolerance, tank! tank: thanks, angel, it's the trauma.

lovely: are you trying to seduce me, vincent? vincent: why, are you seducible? cause it seems like you are.

*when they first met*

tank: are we fighting or flirting? sam: i'm pinning you against a wall with my hand around your neck- tank: your point?

sam: are you ready to commit? tank: like, a crime or a relationship?

tank: a mosquito tried to bite me and i slapped it and killed it and i started thinking. like, it was just trying to get food. what if i went to the fridge and it just slammed the door shut and snapped my neck? david: are you okay?

angel: i think we should kiss. david: and i think you should die but we don’t always get what we want.

gavin: *holds a sign that says "prom?" outside freelancer's window* lasko: oH my gOd, yes! gavin: *yelling up* no, tell freelancer! lasko: freelancer! i'm going to prom with your boyfriend!

caelum: i'm going the fight the next person who insults freelancer. freelancer: i hate myself. caelum: alright, square up.

[the-melting-world]

Oh damn. I’m about to give my actual 🧐opinions🧐 on the arcana. Scary stuff!

By the end of the Asra tale, I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed it as much as I did. And thankfully it wasn’t because I was practically asra-starved and surviving so long off my own damn content, but honestly because there were several key elements in the story that appealed to me personally. I’ll be going over those below the cut.

I’m also going to discuss how my apprentice Kipling and her specific connection with magic fits into all of this. Once again, that wasn’t really something I was expecting to develop so easily as I played the tale, but the experience was just too delightful to just keep to myself until I’m ready to write a fic.

There will be spoilers!

*Everything is under the cut!*

I’ll start with the basics first and then move onto Kip.

Locked boxes. Ok, not what you would expect in terms of things from the tale that are supposed to light up a reader’s brain, but whenever I see this little device (be it metaphor, motif, or just a plot developer) I go a little feral. First of all, I KNOW the box is empty. They almost always are, but that’s not the point. Locked boxes (and to be clear, I’m talking about the chest Gavin hands over) could represent a lot of things — a personal challenge, an unnamed reward, possible disappointment, tiny little worlds that the characters are entrusted to protect. They spark questions like: why me? Do I have what it takes (to open this bad boy?) Is this what I’m meant to do? What does it mean if I can unlock/protect/discover its contents? What does it say about me if I can’t??? As a writer who LOVES to drag out simple devices until there’s not a single crumb left, I was LIVING for that chest as soon as it was placed in Asra and the MC’s care. If I could extend the tale, it would be such that Asra and the MC end up taking the box with them in addition to the Hyberian spices. Or at least some version of the box (which I am happy to elaborate on in a future fic!)

Asra’s character was sooooo consistent! Y’all. With the unfortunate decline of the quality of writing in Muriel’s route, I was losing faith in the devs’ ability to maintain Asra’s character. We all know that he’s a little flighty — a trait that I find endearing and also a little personal because I’m also kind of spacey as well as naturally prone to overlooking details because of either (1) daydreaming (2) don’t think it really matters. Sorry — Anyway. Back to my point. Even though Asra’s supposed to give off the head-in-the-clouds vibe, they took that way too far in the last couple chapters of Muriel’s route to the point where (for me) he seemed rather childish and unreliable. For that reason, I was worried that this would be the case in the new tale. But it wasn’t! I felt like this tale showed all the sides of Asra that we came to know and love from his original route. It was so balanced and refreshing that for many points, I sat there staring at the sprites and the text, just processing all of the warm feelings I was having. And on top of Asra being consistent, he had also changed! The MC pointed out that Asra had been hiding his feelings for so long and now he no longer had to. I thought the scene where he got really protective of the MC was a great example of that. I don’t think that’s a side of himself he shows very often, especially in front of the MC because he doesn’t want to freak them out or push their feelings in a certain direction. For most of his route, it’s clear how much effort he puts into letting the MC make their own decisions and removing his personal desires from the equation in order to minimize any bias. But by the time this tale takes place, you can see that Asra is fully comfortable with being more open about his emotions. Instead of seething and shooting judge mental glares with salty comments, (because he also does this a lot) he actually elaborates on what he finds upsetting about the situation. He defends the MC without holding back as much as he has in the past. It was so hot 🥵 cool to see Asra stand up to Gavin like that! At the same time we got to see the bashful side of Asra in the bar. There were just so many sweet, fun small moments between him in the MC. I can’t wait to explore them in some way in the future!

THE CG???

ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME???? Y'ALL REALLY AIMED A MAGNIFYING GLASS ON THOSE DIMPLES AND LIPS AND SAID LOOK AT THIS???? I WAS SWEATING. I WAS CRYING. I WAS LIVING. I WAS DYING. HNNNNNNNNNN 😩🥴👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽🫀🫀🫀🫀

.

Now I'm going to get a little bit into Kipling's magic...

For the record, my apprentice Kipling wields two types of magic: plant magic and teleportation magic. Though she relies on her plant magic more on average because of her job, it’s actually her secondary skill. Teleportation or grey magic is her primary and her mastery over it has taken much longer due to the fact that it’s tied to her culture, which she was not only separated from when she moved to Vesuvia, but also didn’t have a lot access to in the first place thanks to the centuries of cultural genocide that took place on her home island.

My timeline for Kip’s mastery of her primary magic doesn’t really sync up for when this tale takes place in the arcana timeline, so I have to repurpose it to fit the Door Lord timeline that takes place in my fics.

LOL I said all of that just to point out that during a lot of the chase scenes, Asra and Kip relied on her teleportation to evade the guild thieves. And since Kip is something of a locksmith when it comes to her magic, she was very intrigued with the box and was more concerned about opening it to see what was inside rather than delivering it to the marked location.

Also, in the Herbalist Hideaway, Kip’s first instinct to trade the box for the Hyberian spices because she felt that making Selasi happy was worth more than all this craziness with the chest. 😆 Asra of course, had to talk her out of it and encouraged her to give the merchant a reading instead.

There was definitely more that I loved about the tale, but these are the strongest highlights for me. Thanks for letting me brain dump on your dash!

[connorandersons-blog]

Connors just got new furniture for his apartment but since he’s a twink he needs to ask the himbos (nines, Markus and Gavin) for help to move them but then they start competing to try impress Connor at all cost

So I kinda forgot I wrote this lol! Sorry!! But here it is!

No warnings, just pure cuteness. If you wanna see Connor’s outfit here it is:

Shirt Skirt Socks

Hope you enjoy!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The time had come he was facing his most difficult enemy, one that had lurked in the shadows and waited for him to come. He should have heeded the warnings, the rumors, and even jokes about this, but he thought he could do it by himself. Boy had he ever been more wrong. 

Ikea had truly bested him. It was stupid and silly; he could use his access to the internet, but he'd wanted to do this like a human. So, like a human, he called for some help. 

Nines showed up first, though Gavin would say walking through the door didn't mean that as he was there at the same time. Then Markus sprinted over, his clothes a bit rumbled from running all the way from Jericho. 

"What's the emergency?" He asked, not out of breath only because he was an android. 

Connor spread his arms around his new but small apartment, showing the boxes of furniture. "I can't build these. I'm trying to do it the human way but it's just not working." 

He pouted as Gavin broke into laughter, but Nines slapped him on the back of his head and he quickly shut up. "Please help me." 

"Of course, are we allowed to do this the 'android way'?" Nines asked, scanning all the boxes for the contents. 

Connor shrugged half-heartedly, biting his lip. "I mean, you can, I guess. I thought it might be fun if we did it all together." 

He wanted to spend time with them too, and this seemed like it could be fun. He'd order pizza for Gavin, and he'd make some thirium drinks for the other two if they wanted it. 

"Alright, let's get to work," Markus said, pushing up his sleeves. He looked at the other two, something passing between them that Connor was unaware of. There seemed to be a glint in each of their eyes as they nodded and picked something to build. 

Connor was a little baffled that they wouldn't be building it together, but maybe this would get it done faster. 

Once again, he was proved very wrong. Their separate pieces were thrown across the floor, mixing with the others and causing more than one person to use the wrong thing. 

Connor tried to help, but it was a bit too amusing to not just watch. Gavin kept cursing and grumbling about how the furniture was stupid, Nines was more silent, but his LED was stuck on yellow, and Markus looked more focused than he had during the whole revolution. 

Connor sent the order out for some pizza, and within that time it was Gavin who had finished his first. It was a small side table that would be going in his bedroom. 

He didn't realize it looked like he was rewarding Gavin when the pizza came, but the other two sent deadly glares Gavin's way. 

Gavin had smirked and took the pizza, eyes going soft when he looked to Connor. "Thanks, Tincan, I'm starving." 

Connor nodded, going to get him a plate from the opened box. "You've done really well, it's the least I can do." He reached over and gave him a small side hug, once again missing the glares it got Gavin. 

He sat back down with a new piece of furniture, a slice of pizza hanging from his mouth as he read over the instructions. 

"Oh, um, does anyone need help? I'm so sorry I've just been standing around." He was being more than a bad host for not even offering to help. 

"No!" All three said at once. 

Connor blinked in surprise, not having expected such a firm answer. "Are you sure? I can keep everyone's parts in order." He wanted to help somehow considering it was his furniture being built. 

Markus smiled up at him, and Connor melted a little inside. "It's ok, but if you want to help you can." He reached out his palm up towards him. Connor slid his hand into his, feeling that spark he was addicted to. 

Markus's hands were so soft and much warmer than Connor's. He could hold his hands for hours if given the chance, but he sunk down onto the floor and started sorting the pieces. 

The boys went back to work, but all were more than distracted by Connor and how he was sitting. None of them were surprised by the cute lace-up skater skirt or his white socks that had cat toe beans on his foot. What caught their eyes was the way he sat, W-style, and how his soft blue dute cloud sweater kept slipping off one of his shoulders as he leaned forward to grab things. 

Connor, of course, had absolutely no idea at how he looked or what it was doing to the boys. He'd long since grown comfortable wearing any clothes he wanted, regardless of how humans gendered it. He liked the skirt and how it fanned out when he spun (though it showed his ass, not that anyone was complaining about that). The sweater was soft and didn't make him want to rip off his skin when his sensitivity got too bad. And the socks? Well, those were just adorable so no one could blame him for wanting to wear those. 

Once he had things sorted, he smiled to himself, putting his hands on the ground between his legs and leaning on his arms. He brushed a few curls away that fell into his face, missing the looks of awe and enchantment on all their faces. "Right! Markus, Nines do either of you want a thirium drink?" 

"That would be appreciated." Nines managed to get out without sounding odd. Markus could only nod and hope he didn't look stupid. 

Connor hopped up and made his way to the kitchen, giggling as he used his socks to slide to the counter. Gavin didn't even try to disguise his stare as he watched Connor's ass. He had to swallow thickly when Connor bent over to grab two cups. 

He quickly looked away when Connor turned back around to come and hand the two their cups. "I hope you like, Kamski sent me a few things to test out. It's supposed to taste like strawberry lemonade, but I can get you plain thirium if you prefer it." 

Both took large sips of it, equally surprised at how good it tasted. It wasn't overly sugary, and the lemon taste was just strong enough to make you think there could be fresh juice in it. Even if they hadn't liked it, they still would have drunk it.  

"This is good, thanks Con." Markus nodded, trying to focus back on the project at hand. 

Markus and Nines both finished their work at the same time, smiling smugly as Connor praised them. 

After that things started to get heated. They all wanted to impress Connor, working as fast as they could. Gavin wasn't above snagging someone else's nails when Connor wasn't looking, trying to get himself some extra time. 

Markus and Nines bickered about the right way to put some things together, and Connor has to step in and look over the poorly written instructions. As it turned out neither were correct, not that Connor minded. He was just glad they were all together and having fun. 

He moved between the three, helping where he could. He didn't mind getting close, leaning on the arm to see the instructions or reaching around them to grab something. Gavin was shameless in his touches, even going so far as to 'accidentally' pull Connor into his lap. 

Nines was more reserved, but he did beam (or as close to it as he could get) when Connor pressed a kiss to his cheek. It was quick and given because Nines had complimented Connor, but he'd gladly hold it over the other two. 

Markus was open to touching Connor since they did so frequently. They hugged all the time and even cuddled a few times when Connor or Markus had a long day. Their hands touched a lot, though that only made Nines jealous since he knew that android hands were considered more intimate. 

Connor giggled when things started being thrown, not sure why but loving it nonetheless. He dodged things as they flew, making sure nothing would get damaged. He knew for a fact that none of them would hurt one another or damage the apartment, so he didn't try to stop their antics. 

When everything was built it was time to move the furniture. Nines had offered to do it all considering he was the strongest, but Markus and Gavin protested, saying they would help too. 

Connor rolled his eyes as they argued over who would get the heaviest, walking over and moving it himself. It was like they forgot he was incredibly strong, a very close second to Nines. 

By the time night came everything was in place and Connor couldn't help but get misty-eyed. This was his home; he had his own place. Somewhere he'd be safe, and he could even have his friends come if they needed to get away. 

He sat down on the bed, the others climbing on after Connor nodded. Connor was in the middle, Markus on one side, Gavin on the other, and Nines beside him. 

"Thank you for doing this." Especially considering they all could have done more important things. Markus was a very busy man being the leader of the androids, Nines and Gavin probably had cases piled up just like Connor did. 

"Of course, I am positive in saying that we'd all do anything for you." Nines reached over and put his hand on Connor's arm. 

Gavin and Markus nodded, both leaning closer to Connor. They were all exhausted after a long day, and none wanted to leave, not yet. Connor didn't even want them to leave, glad to have his friends there. The only thing to make it perfect was if Hank had the day off too so he'd have his friends and family. 

He wasn't sure why they'd all rush over to help with something so trivial, but he was glad it happened. His eyes started slipping closed, but he did make a small realization before slipping into stasis. 

'Fuck, they all like me.'

[whump-tr0pes]

HB4-35/Whumptober day 16

This is a series. Start here, continued from here.

This is a sequel to Honor Bound, Honor Bound 2, Honor Bound 3, and Vera.

AO3

Masterlist

~

Content warning: death mention, getting knocked out, consensual sex mention, mention of baby in imagined peril (that never happens)

@eatyourdamnpears, this one’s for you

~

As Gray pulled back up to the house in the family’s beat-up car, Isaac sagged with exhaustion. Fifty-six refugees. Isaac had processed fifty-six saved lives with Gray, Schiester, and the three other people who’d been able to volunteer their time. Isaac had done the preliminary paperwork on most of them, and it was as if their images were burned into the backs of his eyes. 

He’d only ever been able to save people in ones and twos, sometimes the occasional family. But… fifty-six people. He’d helped with fifty-six people’s rescues today. 

He wondered, then, why he felt so empty. 

He felt scraped raw, dragged over rocky ground. Every single one of those people had a story like his, or worse. Every single one had lost someone along the way. Their lives had all been destroyed, in one way or another, by the syndicates Isaac had spent his life trying to destroy. An entire life of effort, and there were still broken people heading for the promise of freedom. He’d spent his entire life fighting a threat that still sucked people in and spat them out like some fucked up industrial machine. 

But… fifty-six lives. 

I just did paperwork.

He clenched his hand into a fist and squeezed his eyes shut, forcing back the thoughts that were more familiar to him than breathing. Invasive thoughts, Gray called them. Isaac still hadn’t read the book Gray had given him for the thoughts, but he understood the basic premise. 

He also understood the only way to fight them was to just… let them go. Totally easy. 

Gray put the car in park and glanced at him as they turned it off. “Everything okay?” they said gently. They sounded tired, too. 

“Y-yeah,” he croaked, relaxing his hand. “Just… thinking.”

“Hm,” Gray murmured, and pulled the keys out of the ignition. They got out of the car and left the keys on the seat. They’d done that at Tori’s house, but it still made Isaac dizzy. 

I’ve never been this safe in my entire life.

“You hungry?” Gray said, and Isaac realized they were waiting for him to get out. He staggered to his feet, stretching his legs after the long car ride from Crayton. 

“Yeah,” Isaac said, stretching his hands over his head, yawning. The sky was streaked with color, and the sun was minutes from setting behind the house. “I could eat.” In truth, he was starving. He just wasn’t sure he had the energy to cook a whole meal. 

I wonder if I could convince Gavin that the cooking practice would be good for him…

He smiled and shook his head as he followed Gray inside. 

In the kitchen, Tori, Ellis, and Finn all stood in the kitchen talking. As soon as Isaac and Gray walked in, they fell silent, gigantic grins on their faces. Finn crossed their arms and leaned against a counter. They jerked as if they’d been shocked and let their arms fall to their sides. Isaac raised an eyebrow, a smile playing at his lips. 

“Um… guys?” he said, glancing at Gray. They looked equally curious. “What’s up?”

Finn and Ellis exchanged a glance, conspiratory grins pulling wider. 

“Go get the others,” Ellis said. 

“Gotta tell you something,” Finn said at the same time. 

Isaac’s eyes narrowed, and he smiled wider. “Okay… where is everyone?”

Ellis waved their hand dismissively in the direction of the bedrooms. “Gavin ran into the bedroom as soon as he heard the car coming,” they sighed. “Vera, Edrissa, and Sam are in the barn. Sparring,” Ellis deepened their voice and widened their eyes. “Edrissa’s turning into a deadly assassin.” 

Isaac snorted. “She’s doing really well, yeah,” he said gently. 

“I’ll get Gavin,” Gray said, resting a hand on Isaac’s shoulder. “You want to go get the others?”

“Sure,” Isaac said, and walked towards the back of the house. His cheeks flushed at the knowing smiles the others shared as he passed. He left the kitchen and went out into the yard. 

He tilted his head back and smiled, breathing in the cool air off the lake. The sky was fading to a dusty pink, the deep purple of the sky above the clouds showing in slits. As he walked through the grass to the barn, he felt the heaviness of the day fall away, just a little. He’d done his best today, and now he was home.

As he walked towards the barn, he heard a thump. He tilted his head at the sound. 

Thump.

He walked through the open door. Sam was sitting cross-legged on the wood floor, their arm in its sling, and staring at Edrissa and Vera where they stood in the middle of the barn floor. Vera held a thick pad along the left side of her body and she crouched behind it, protecting her head, chest, and flank. Edrissa stood in front of her, her hands raised in fists. She lurched forward and swung her leg around, kicking the pad with all her might.

Thump.

Isaac smiled and stepped into the barn. A floorboard squeaked. Vera looked up, her face pulling into a smile. Edrissa started a kick. Vera let the pad drop to her side as she straightened. Edrissa’s foot smacked against the side of Vera’s head. 

Vera’s face went slack, and she was out before she hit the ground. 

Isaac lunged towards her, his hands outstretched. She crumpled to the floor. Edrissa stumbled back, her hands pressed to her mouth, her eyes wide with terror. Sam’s left hand stretched out in front of them, halfway up on their knees. Isaac stared, dumbfounded, at Vera where she lay on the floor.

Vera blinked slowly and looked around, her hand going to her head. She opened and closed her jaw and shook her head. Her gaze found Edrissa.

“I…” Edrissa whispered. She trembled and cringed back into herself. “I… I am… so, so sorry…” Her lips trembled and her eyes shone with tears. “Vera…”

Vera was already getting up. Isaac was by her side in a heartbeat, steadying her with his hands on her shoulders. “Whoa. You good?”

Vera distractedly put her hand over Isaac’s. She turned dazed eyes on Edrissa. Edrissa took a step back. 

“I’m sorry… please…”

Vera blinked and moved her jaw again. She gently massaged the spot. 

“Nice shot,” she rasped. 

Edrissa went perfectly still. “Nice…?”

Vera laughed dryly and grasped at Isaac’s arm. She let him pull her to her feet. She swayed in place, her eyes closing slowly again, before she smiled. She winced and put her hand to her face. “You found my knockout button,” she said, shaking her head.

Edrissa stared at Vera, her gaze pleading and terrified but… hopeful. “Your…?”

“Um.” Vera swallowed thickly. “Everyone’s got a ‘knockout button.’” She pointed to the joint of her jaw. “Right about here. You hit that just right, they’re out like a light for a few seconds, or more.”

“I’m… s-sorry I hit you,” Edrissa whispered. 

“It’s okay,” Vera said, smiling wider now. “I let my guard down. I… guess I underestimated you, for a moment. She arched an eyebrow at Edrissa. “Remind me to not do that again.”

A watery smile played at Edrissa’s lips. “Are you… mad?”

Vera laughed again, louder, and shook her head. “I’m not mad. That was a good kick. We were still practicing, and I let my guard down. It’s not your fault.” She smiled wider. “I swear, Edrissa. Not mad. I’m… impressed.”

“Really?” Edrissa murmured, and wrapped her arms around her waist. 

Sam got to their feet and went to her side. She blushed a furious red as they took her hand. 

When did that happen?

Isaac smiled. They’re good for each other. And they’re sweet. 

Vera smoothed her hair and dusted off her clothes. “Really. I’m not mad.” She glanced at Isaac, still looking slightly dazed. “What’s up? Glad to see you back. How was the day?”

“Um, good,” Isaac said, and shrugged. “The others want to tell us something, though? They asked me to come get you.”

Vera���s eyes sparkled with a knowing smile. Isaac’s brow furrowed. 

“Come on,” Vera said quietly, excitement lacing her voice. “Let’s go talk, then.” She turned and walked out of the barn, Edrissa on her heels. She pulled Sam behind her. They turned back and looked at Isaac with a dopey smile, and he found himself grinning back.

They deserve to have this good thing.

Isaac felt a sudden flood of gratitude for Edrissa. 

As they made their way back to the house, Isaac shivered in the sudden cool of the night without the sun to warm him. He rubbed his hands up and down his arms. The cuts there were healed. His back, not quite yet, but his arms were healed. 

As he walked back into the warmth of the house he was greeted by the sight of Tori, Ellis, Finn, Gray, and Gavin all standing in the kitchen, looking expectantly at him and the other three. Gavin had a flush on his face and a shy smile that made Isaac blush. He suddenly wanted nothing more than to throw Gavin against the fridge and—

“So what’s the news?” Gray said, looking from Ellis to Finn to Tori and back. Their eyes stayed on Ellis, and they chewed their lip. 

“Um…” Finn looked at Ellis and gulped loudly. They pulled Ellis firmly into their arms and pressed a kiss against the side of their head. 

“I’m pregnant,” Ellis said with a rush of breath. 

“Oh,” Edrissa whispered. 

Isaac’s mouth fell open. He looked from Ellis to Finn, waiting for them to say they were joking and that this had been a great prank. They both looked at the family with radiant smiles. Finn’s eyes were filled with tears. He glanced at Tori, and she was staring at Ellis with something close to rapture on her face. A tear rolled down her cheek.

“R-really?” Isaac breathed. “You’re… you’re having a baby?”

Ellis laughed, and the sound was free, and light, and happy. “Yeah, dumbass,” they said, leaning against Finn. “That’s what happens when you’re pregnant.”

Isaac stood still for a moment longer. Then he lunged forward and threw his arms around them both.

“I can’t believe it!” Sam said, their voice high and airy, their chest heaving with half-laughter, half -sobs. “I… can’t believe it!”

“That’s… that’s great,” Gray said behind him, and it sounded like they were holding back tears. “Really… really fantastic.” They stepped forward and put a hand on Ellis’s shoulder. Vera went to Tori’s side and they wrapped their arms around each other. Vera pressed a kiss against Tori’s forehead, and Tori smiled at the touch. 

“How… when…?” Isaac gasped, and pulled away from the hug. His eyes darted between them. 

Finn turned red from the collar of their shirt to the roots of their hair. “Um…”

“Sex, and recently?” Ellis said, playfully shoving Isaac. 

“N-no, I mean…” Isaac drew a hand through his hair. “I… I just… now? I… wow.”

“Yeah, wow works,” Finn said, looking slightly stunned. “It’s… pretty crazy.” 

“Yeah, Jesus. But… good timing.” The breath caught in Isaac’s throat, a sudden vision of Ellis, pregnant in Colleen’s house, chained to a bed to give birth if they lived that long, and the baby…

He shuddered and pushed the vision out of his mind. He focused again on Ellis’s face. 

They were looking over his shoulder. “Hey, dumbass,” they said, a little tightly, but still with a smile. “You gonna get your ass over here and congratulate me, or what?”

Isaac glanced behind him and saw Gavin go beet red. “Oh,” he mumbled, and stepped forward. “I’m sorry, I… I didn’t know you… wanted…”

“Yeah, well…” Ellis trailed off. “I do.”

Gavin stepped forward. “C-congratulations,” he said, and stopped at Isaac’s side. “That’s… really, really great.” Isaac threw an arm over his shoulder. Gavin melted against Isaac, a little sigh making its way through his lips. 

Sam pushed forward and wrapped their left arm around Finn’s waist, leaning their right shoulder gently against Ellis. They both wrapped Sam up in a gentle hug. They stepped back and stared back up at them, a wide smile across their face. Isaac didn’t think he’s seen them this happy since…

He couldn’t really remember.

“This family could use some good news,” Gray said gently, stepping forward to kiss Ellis on the top of their head. Ellis looked up at Gray with tears in their eyes as they gave Finn a kiss, too. “So…” They chuckled. “Really, really excellent work.”

“Well, we try,” Ellis said, flipping their hair over their shoulder. 

Edrissa walked up and stood beside Gray. She looked up at Ellis, her hand extended out like she was about to touch Ellis’s belly. “This is… oh, Ellis, I… I can made all their clothes, if you want. There’s this nice store in Crayton that sells yarn and it’s… it’s been a while since I crocheted, and I’ll have to grab some patterns, but I can… Oh. I could start with a onsie… do you have any colors you really want? Does it… can you tell what sex it is? I heard sometimes you can tell…”

Ellis grinned down at her. “I think that might be a myth,” they said, smiling softly. Their hand settled over their belly. “I have no idea what it is. But…” They shrugged. “I like blue. No matter what, the baby can wear blue.”

“The baby can wear anything you want,” Edrissa sighed, looking like she was floating on air.

Isaac wondered if she ever imagined she would be this happy again. 

Gavin pressed a soft kiss to Isaac’s cheek. Isaac blushed and turned to him. Gavin’s smile made something in him ache. He wet his lips.

“You hungry?” Gavin murmured.

“Yeah, actually,” Isaac said, smiling. 

“I have sandwiches in the fridge, if you want,” Gavin said with a shrug. “I wasn’t sure what you wanted, so I made my, um… my favorite.” Gavin glanced at the floor. 

“Sounds great,” Isaac said, his mouth watering. 

“And then…” Gavin leaned in closer, his lips inches from Isaac’s ear. “After we eat, I want to talk to you,” he whispered, and the sound didn’t carry in the happy, busy kitchen.

Isaac pulled back and stared at Gavin, at the slip of a smile on his face, at the way his eyes seemed to burn from within. Isaac’s stomach flipped in anticipation of whatever… talking meant.

“Y-yeah,” he croaked, and cleared his throat. “Sounds, um… sounds good.”

Continued here

@untilthepainstarts, @womping-grounds, @free-2bmee, @quirkykayleetam, @walkingchemicalfire, @inpainandsuffering, @redwingedwhump, @burtlederp, @castielamigos-whump-side-blog, @whatwhumpcomments, @cursedscribbles, @whumpywhumper, @stxck-fxck, @omega-em-z-02, @whumps-the-word, @justwhumpitwhumpitgood, @justplainwhump, @moose-teeth, @slaintetowhump, @finder-of-rings, @inky-whump, @thatsthewhump, @orchidscript, @insanitywishes, @this-mightaswell-happen, @newandfiguringitout, @whumpkitty, @pretty-face-breaker, @cinnamonflavoredhugs, @inaridriscoll, @im-just-here-for-the-whump, @endless-whump, @grizzlie70, @oops-its-whump

[mcchipisfried]

DEArtfest Day 31 - Touch Starved

Ahh I’m so glad I got to make something for each day of DEArtfest. I don’t think I’ve ever been more productive in my life! As promised, I’m not gonna hide anything but for this prompt I made some drawing to go along with the little thing I wrote! Hope you guys enjoy them!!

The prompt starts right after a short paragraph I wrote that you can just ignore!

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(You guys don’t have to read this I’m just gushing) Wow last day. This has been a roller coaster for me. Going back to writing after like six years. Detroit Evolution, the movie, Octopunk Media, the fan base, the art, the stories, cosplay, everything has made such a huge impact on my life. Thank you so much to amazing people at @octopunkmedia​ for bringing such amazing content into the world. Your work has inspired me to accept and explore many different parts of myself from my art and writing to my own sexuality. (I’ve always identified as Pansexual but I’ve always struggled with intimacy. You guys can probably guess why I love Reed900)  and I can never thank you enough for just existing. I am looking forward to all your future projects and I can’t wait to see what you come up with next.

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Gavin sat at his desk. He was currently trying to file through his paperwork but he was having a hard time concentrating with Nines hovering over his shoulder. He sighed and looked up at Nines as he felt him lean over to point out yet another error. 

“Nines why don’t you just do all the paperwork? It would probably take less time if you did it than just fucking leaning over me and pointing out whatever errors you find.” Gavin said. His hands were honestly about to start cramping and his legs were sore from sitting on his ass all day.

“Detective, I believe paperwork builds character and I think we can both agree that your… diligence could use a bit of work.” Nines said. He smirked as Tina snorted before looking away and trying to hide herself behind her screen. Hank gave a hearty laugh before Connor gave him a pointed look though he still smiled. Gavin’s face reddened and he glared at Nines.

“Okay asshole, you could at least give me a fucking break. My fingers hurt and my ass is sore.” Gavin grumbled out. Nines’ LED quickly spiraled yellow before he responded.

“I could give you a massage?”

Tina, Hank, and even Chris laughed at Nines’ response. Connor looked confused for a moment before going back to work. Gavin was livid and looked ready to burst from all the blood that rushed to his face before he began sputtering.

“Nines- NO that’s so- NO what the fuck is wrong with you!?” He tried to muster up with an appropriate response but he kept stumbling over his words. Nines cocked his head to the side, a look of android-like innocence upon his face. But Gavin knew better. 

“Detective Reed, I hope you understand I meant your hands. You and I both know neither of us are interested in such...endeavors. Although I could give you a back massage if you’d like?” Nines responded. Clearly amused by Gavin’s reaction.

“Fuck you. And you know what? Yeah massage my fucking hands. If you’re not gonna help me at least do that.” Gavin said. He was still blushing but he had regained some of his composure. He knew Nines would do whatever he asked within reason if he really wanted to and an honest to god massage didn’t sound so bad at the moment.

Nines showed a more genuine smile as he sat on Gavin’s desk and took one of his hands into his own and began to gently knead his knuckles and the space between his thumb and pointer finger.

Gavin felt a surge of electricity go up into his arm the moment Nines took his hand. What the fuck what the fuck what the fuck? Gavin had never felt anything like that before. It was strange. And it only became more intense as Nines began to knead his hands. He nearly rolled his eyes to the back of his head. Fuck this felt...intense. There was no better word for this. It was almost too much until Nines let go before gently taking his other hand and he felt the same intensity rush up his arm and curl down his back. He shivered and pulled his hand out of Nines’ hands. 

Nines’ looked up with a questioning look but Gavin simply smiled and said he was okay. He turned back towards his computer and continued to work. He didn’t complain about the feeling he had in his hands although he wasn’t sure if what he was feeling now was actually pain or something else.

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Nines was sitting next to Gavin on the couch. They were both watching some random movie from the early 2000’s. An oldie, as Gavin referred to them. Classics that had aged well enough. Nines didn’t really care about the film since he already knew how it ended thanks to his database specifically used to understand Gavin’s Millennial/ Gen Z humor. No, what he was currently focused on was the gentle fingers that were coursing through his hair.

Nines was leaning into Gavin just in between his legs. Gavin was propping himself against the side of the couch with his arm hanging just on the edge while his other hand gently wove its finders through Nines’ synthetic hair. He felt Gavin’s body pressing into him from behind. He felt nothing in that regard but he was warm. He was happy to feel Gavin against him and it left a buzzing sensation upon his skin. He didn’t know why this happened but he tried not to question it. His deviancy caused him to feel so many things, it was hard or him to understand them all at once so he tried to indulge in what he knew felt good without question and this definitely felt good.

Gavin’s hand was far more warm though. It sent what Nines registered as shivers down his back. Surges of electricity down his back. He hummed. It was almost too much but he simply turned his sensitivity down and enjoyed the warmth he felt from having Gavin so close to him.

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Gavin woke up to Nines holding his hand, his skin white and synthetic. He smiled and squeezed Nines hand. Nines visibly tensed slightly, not realizing Gavin had woken up, before turning to look at him and smiling. He gently ran his thumb over Gavin’s hand as he whispered a soft good morning to him. Gavin closed his eyes and shivered. Jesus, it was just fucking hand holding and he was already shivering like a teenager. 

He opened his eyes and looked at Nines. Nines stared back at him, his LED a bright yellow. They both looked down at their hands. Gavin tried to avoid Nines’ gaze until he spoke up.

“Gavin...why does this feel different sometimes?” Nines asked. Gavin looked up at him, a bit confused.

“What are you talking about?” Gavin asked.

“Sometimes… when we touch it feels different. It feels warm and intense. Like it’s too much? Is that normal?” Nines worriedly asked. Maybe he was experiencing an error. A virus?

Gavin relaxed, albeit only slightly. 

“I think...it's what people call being touch starved. It doesn’t mean anything like that but it happens when you don’t have a lot of contact with other people. And whenever you touch someone it’s more...intense. And it can happen from anything like holding hands or just bumping into someone on the sidewalk. Like you said, it's warm and it can feel like a lot but it’s normal, or at least it is for me. And sometimes it can be bad if it is something that comes from someone you don’t like but it's good. With you.” As Gavin talked he flattened his palm against Nines’ and he curiously looked at Nines’ skin as it seemed to glow in the morning light. He was glad that Nines could feel that. The intensity. It made him that much more human, though there was never a question about that.

Nines relaxed and realized that Gavin felt the same. He could feel how shocking it could be. Except he couldn’t just turn down his sensitivity levels like Nines. He had to live with people bumping into him and feeling this intensity. He could imagine himself shying away from touching other people simply because touching anyone he didn’t like or know felt like being burned and knowing Gavin could go through that worried him.

Gavin saw the worried expression that crossed Nines’ face. And tried to reassure him.

“Hey Tin Can, it's not that bad. You kinda get used to it, I mean I am. And you’re a fucking badass android. If anyone even tries to touch a hair on you you can just knock that person on their ass. Hell I’ll do it for you!” Gavin said. Nines smiled, quietly reassured. His smile turned into a smirk before speaking again.

“So you’re used to this feeling? Well I am still very aware of this feeling and I’d very much like to “get used” to it, through cuddling, maybe?” Nines said and smirked wider at Gavin's reaction.

“Oh my god, you are such an asshole-”

“Takes one to know one, Detective”

“FINE, yes we can cuddle. But you’re making me some snacks for this!”

“Of course, Detective.”

And then they cuddled!

I swear I don’t have a hand fetish what-

[enkisstories]

Just like them (part 6)

Park Avenue 1554 November 17, 2038 1:14 am

They say the android rights movement was kicked off when the painter Carl Manfred returned home from a party and found the light switched on in his workshop.

Daniel Phillips-no-longer had just returned home from a coffee shop at Capitol Park and found the door to the terrace ajar. It was everyone’s guess what would start from that point… The real question was, had someone come in, and was still sneaking around the apartment, or had the burglar already left?

Now normally Daniel would have taken out his phone to make a call, to prove a point. But in this situation time was of essence, so he started dialing the DPD in his head. However, the signal didn’t get through. None of his thought-commands left the android brain, Daniel realized. He couldn’t make a call, browse the internet, or connect to the various household electronics. Something was jamming his signals, effectively putting the android into flight mode.

There was a shadow, then an incoming signal, that the deviant rebuked, and then something heavy impacted on his head. The last thought that crossed Daniel’s mind before temporarily shutting down was that Tina Chen had been right: He really wouldn’t have needed to worry about the missing apartment key. The still not repaired door alone had been an invitation to a burglar.

And the first thought upon waking up again, sometime after sunrise, was that said burglar must have been an android, because their first impulse had been to wirelessly shut down Daniel before they had went for the baseball bat.

“Kin-betraying swine!” Daniel hissed. “Just you wait, I’m going to unleash Connor on your sorry ass!”

The apartment’s new inhabitant took a few minutes to take inventory of what was missing. He was in luck, because most of the irreplaceable stuff in the flat was of low monetary value and therefore hadn’t been of interest to the burglar. All the family photos and little mementos were still there and what had gotten taken wasn’t really needed, especially not when you didn’t eat and were able to watch TV in your own head.

Daniel fed the fishes and the pet rat, a half-starved white-and-black patterned fellow that he had taken in after his owners had fled Detroit in a hurry. Then he left the apartment again to personally report the incident to the police. The deviant also didn’t like the hum behind his forehead that had grown quieter, but wouldn’t subside altogether. He decided to swing by an Android Zone for a checkup later, just to be on the safe side.

Entering the precinct Daniel realized that it was his third visit in as many days.

That’s three times more than in my whole life before the revolution! Am I living here now or what?!

The reception was manned, once again, by an ST300 android, no longer Tina Chen acting as a substitute. Only now the ST300’s nameplate read “Rika” and the LED on the android’s temple was missing. Rika smiled at the arrival, but before so much as a greeting could get exchanged, Detective Reed stormed out of the restricted area, drawing everyone’s attention. The man was muttering under his breath - lots of “fuck”s, but Daniel also recognized a short phrase: “team building measure my ass”.

“This is the detective you will want to talk to, Mr. Daniel”, Rika told Daniel after he had explained what had happened to him earlier. “Mr. Reed of the android related crime section.”

Gavin turned around sharply.

“Unless it wants to turn itself in, whatever it has to say won’t fall into my responsibility.”

“But it does!” Daniel insisted. “I was attacked by an android tonight!”

The statement was met with a gleeful grin: “You tin cans are duking it out amongst each other now? Works for me! Well, it was nice having known you, “Mister” Daniel. Now vamoose!”

The detective proceeded to grab a package from the counter, growling “Your locomotion software bugged or what? This is the last time I’m coming out here to fetch something!”, to what Rika replied in her usual friendly voice that she’d make sure to send the parcel to his desk via UPS next time and put it on Mr. Reed’s expense report. Daniel was certain that the human hadn’t really listened to the reply, because if he had, he’d exploded into violence.

When Gavin strode back towards the barrier, Daniel stepped into his way.

“There was a crime committed by an android. Against a person. That sounds like the textbook description of what your section is about!”

“And I fucking told you just now that it isn’t my job to investigate this shit!”

“Is, too!”

“Is not!”

“That your last word?”

“Yes. Now piss off or I’m going to have you removed by force!”

Daniel shook his head.

“Damn, Mr. Reed”, he said, “I wish we’d met earlier! Like by the swimming pool on our terrace, in a starry summer night in August…”

The detective contorted his face into what might pass as a smile. It had to be a smile, because it was… truth be told, it was endearing.

“Yeah”, Gavin nodded. “I’m sorry Captain Allen shot you off that roof.”

He took a step closer towards the PL600 and then suddenly slung his arm around the machine. Daniel didn’t understand what had caused the change. Just a moment ago they had been shouting at each other, but now Gavin was almost hugging Daniel. It was astonishing! Sympathy? From a human?

Gavin drew the android closer.

“Cuzz if he hadn’t done that” he hissed, “you wouldn’t have dozed through the Recall in our archive, but went straight to the Recycling Center where you belong!”

He pushed Daniel away, laughed out loud and was still laughing when the android left the police station.

 After getting turned down at the DPD, Daniel sought out the other 50% of the android related crime section at their home: Hank Anderson.

“…and thus Reed refused to even create a case file”, he finished his recounting of the encounter.

A genuine smile crossed Hank’s face, but Daniel had once again learned to not trust those. And indeed Hank said: “Sweet! Maybe we can put him on probation now!”

“Isn’t anybody going to do something about my attacker?!”

“Yes, yes, I’m getting to that”, the detective grumbled. “Just let me grab a bite before we drive back. I’m not exactly running on happy thoughts and sunshine here.”

“Who is, these days…”

Together they went to the kitchen, from where weird noises had emanated all through their discussion already. Now Daniel saw what had caused those: Connor was standing at the stove, making war against scrambled eggs and the butchered remains of something green.

After watching the RK800 for a while, Daniel spoke up:

 “You know what’s even more pathetic than me, Connor?”

“Yes: Gavin!”

“Take another guess.”

Connor was now stabbing the eggs, probably taking inspiration from something he had seen at a crime scene. Gooey particles escaped the carnage left and right. Daniel almost couldn’t bear watching the sight, and when Connor reached for the salt dispenser, he grabbed the RK800 by its wrist.

“Don’t, Connor! In the name of all the good that may be left in the world, don’t do it!”

Confused the deviant hunter replied that he had forgotten to add the salt before, to which Daniel replied that substituting it with sugar now wouldn’t help.

Connor put down the presumed salt dispenser and started rummaging for the real one in the cupboards.

“Can’t the lieutenant just eat something at the police station?” Daniel pressed. It wasn’t just that he was in a hurry. At this point even the contents of a random evidence bag ought to be less of a health risk than the RK800’s kitchen experiments.

“What’s your gripe? Hank likes my food!”

“I highly doubt that. Eating your “food” is like playing Russian Roulette.”

“Hank… used to like that, too. - And besides, you could lend me a hand here!”

“Sorry, dude, can’t help you. My cooking app got corrupted when someone shot at me.”

It was a lie, but not a too obvious one. A few of Daniel’s apps had indeed suffered from the deviant getting shot, others had stopped working due to deviance in itself and for others yet again the subscription had run out. Daniel was able to live in the apartment Caroline was still paying rent for, unaware of who was using it at the moment, but he didn’t have disposable money to renew those subs. However, out of all the skills the android used to have access to there were two and a half that Daniel considered his “native” skills, related to activities that contributed too much to his identity for him to ever lose his expertise: Cooking, Parenting and a little Driving. In these areas the deviant had amassed actual experience of the kind not even a full reset could ever clear completely.

Eventually Connor served Hank the sugar-free, but almost sufficiently salted, scrambled eggs on toast. The human in turn produced a slim package from his jacket’s inside pocket that he held out towards the guest.

“Bubble gum? No? Cigarette, then?”

“We’re androids, lieutenant. We don’t…”

Daniel didn’t finish the sentence, because Lt. Anderson was grinning at him like a man who knew more about a subject than that smug teen across from him. And hadn’t he seen another PL600 chew bubble gum just the day before?

“There… seems to be a lot I… don’t know about deviance?” Daniel tried and Hank’s expression changed to one indicating something close to respect.

“I don’t think I’m ready yet to try any munchies, Lieutenant. But even so – thank you!”

(to be continued)

[alphawave-writes]

DPD final chapter—The upgrade

It’s been a long journey but the story is at its end. Gavin and Richard finally have the happy ending they deserve.

The upgrade

Until that fateful day, no one had ever seen Perkins without his trademark FBI badge. Not that he looked any better with his trademark grey coat and his perpetual scowl. The only change to his clothing to even suggest he was not on the job and was in fact here on a casual visit was the red sweater he wore instead of his usual grey suit jacket underneath his coat. Perkins was a very private person by nature who really only have Captain Allen as a friend, and Captain Allen worked in a completely separate building from the officers of the DPD. Which made it that much stranger that he was even in the DPD precinct at all.

Gavin only took a brief glance at the commotion before returning to his computer. His vacation days had come and gone in a flash. Whether it was by design, the accumulation of all the good karma points he had acquired, or just a coincidence, Gavin had been getting fairly laidback and straightforward cases. He only looked up once to check on Richard, who was trying his hardest not to smile. He barely got the time to ponder the meaning behind Richard's curious expression when he heard Perkins' throat clear loudly behind him. Gavin turned in his chair, face to face with not just Perkins, but Irwin, Hank, Connor, Tina, Chris, Fowler…hell, everybody he knew in the DPD was here, all clustering around his desk.

Gavin didn't know if he should be worried or afraid. He was leaning toward the latter. He had not seen Perkins since the RA9 case. "Uh…what's up?"

Perkins was uncomfortable, making a tentative step backwards, but Irwin forcefully pushed Perkins to the front. He sighed. "Reed, a while back, I heard that your sergeant application got rejected."

Gavin inwardly cursed. He'd been so busy with the case that he'd completely forgotten about his sergeant application. Shit, that draft e-mail must still be on here somewhere. He turned to check but Richard placed a hand on the arm rest, stopping Gavin's chair in its tracks. A coy, knowing smile spread across his lips.

Perkins continued, "From both my own personal experience and from what I heard, I thought it was good riddance you didn't become a sergeant. The fact that you had a relationship with your partner as well as your own personal ties to this case, I thought that would distract you from your job, but if anything, it made you more focused. I was…surprised to say the least when you found the culprits, and I was even more surprised you managed to talk down RA9."

He quickly handed an envelope to Gavin, quickly shoving his hands into his pockets. Gavin stared at it with wide-eyes. "What is this…?"

"I pulled a few strings," Perkins said quickly, not comfortable with explaining how. "The committee has decided to take a second look at your application with a new, unbiased group."

"B-but why? Why do this for me?"

Perkins rocked on the heels of his feet. "You didn't screw up completely. The charges against you were complete bullshit after what I've seen. You deserved a second go."

Richard stood beside Perkins. "I might have convinced Inspector Perkins to do this as a favour to me." He turned to Perkins. "Dare I say it, I think we are becoming friends."

"Me? Be friends with an android?" Perkins spluttered.

Tina chuckled in the background. "What would you two be called?" She asked Richard. "The two dicks?"

"It would be confusing, seeing as we both are called Richard," he acknowledged. "Perhaps to make things easier, you can call me Richard the first, and Perkins Richard the second."

"Why am I Richard the second? And wasn't he the tyrant that starved to death in jail?" Perkins grumbled.

Gavin wasn't paying attention to the argument in front of him. He was still staring at the envelope. His hands trembled and his throat felt dry. This was it, this was his future all in his sweaty grip. He would either be a sergeant or he would remain a regular detective. His fate was in his hands.

With shaky hands, he ripped the envelope and stared at the single paper held within. He read it, then he re-read it, then he read it again for the third time.

"Well?" Hank asked impatiently. "Out with it."

"I-I got it," Gavin whispered. Then, louder, "I'm going to be a fucking sergeant."

The hoots and shouts of congratulations overwhelmed Gavin's ears.

They all came to him, initially all at once, but after figuring that was not a valid tactic, approach one at a time. Connor and Tina gave their heartfelt congratulations. Hank gave a small laugh and said something along the lines of "It's about time". Chris and Ben both patted Gavin good-naturedly on the back, unable to think of the appropriate things to say. Irwin and Perkins just nod, the barest of smiles creeping up their faces. Richard's grinning proudly, giving comforting little touches and encouraging little words like "I knew you could do it". It's all too much for Gavin. It's all too much to comprehend.

Everybody continue in exchanging pleasantries until they realize that Gavin wasn't responding. His head lowered as he dropped the letter on his desk. A hand goes up to his face. The crowd went silent.

"Gavin," Richard said, concerned. "Are you…crying?"

"N-no," Gavin mumbled, wiping at his eyes. "F-fuck, I got something in my eye, that's all."

Richard rolled his eyes and crouched down so he was level to Gavin, gently tugging his face so that they were facing each other. Gavin's eyes were red-rimmed and watery but the smile on his face was proud yet soft. A single tear streamed down his cheeks.

"You're going to be a sergeant," Richard said quietly. "Aren't you happy?"

And Gavin laughed through the tears and the embarrassment that bubbled up his chest for crying. It was such a stupid little thing to cry about, except it wasn't a stupid little thing, it was his dream. He was one step closer to his dream, and it wouldn't have been possible without Richard. If he didn't rescue Elijah, if he didn't talk to Perkins, he wouldn't be here right now, ready to bawl his eyes out in front of everybody and make another mockery of himself.

"Richard," Gavin grinned, "I'm the happiest fucking person in the world."

Richard just smiled as he pressed a quick kiss to Gavin's cheek. In return, Gavin hummed contently. He didn't know if he actually was the happiest person in the world, but at that moment, with Richard and his friends and colleagues all around him, he'd like to think that he was at least in the top 100.

The happy tears flow uninterrupted down Gavin's face.

He awkwardly adjusted his shirt for what felt like the 500th time. Gavin was getting first day jitters, except it couldn't be first day jitters because this technically wasn't his first day. He must have looked like an idiot, standing outside the precinct doors deliberating whether or not he should go in or not. Everyone was waiting for him inside and yet he felt the pang of embarrassment deep in his chest. Then he felt ashamed for even feeling embarrassed in the first place. This was still the DPD he had worked so long with. These were still the people he knew and begrudgingly loved.

He glanced at the see-through glass, staring at his own reflection. He never thought he'd be back in uniform. He didn't think he looked good in uniform when he was just a beat cop and he still didn't think he looked better now, but he had to admit that it fit him better. He didn't look as out of place as he thought. The blue uniform with the three chevrons on his arm and the dark blue cap, they felt like a part of him, an extension of his body. He was a sergeant, and he looked like one too.

Gavin let out a breath, adjusted the cap on his head, and walked into the precinct.

He issued his new clearance card to the receptionist and stepped into the bullpen and is immediately greeted with a wolf whistle. He turned around to find Richard grinning at him.

"Like what you see?" Gavin purred.

"Very much so," Richard said, his hand trailing down Gavin's chest, admiring the fabric or perhaps even the man beneath the fabric. He leaned close to Gavin's ear and whispered, "I must admit, I much prefer seeing you out of uniform."

Gavin laughed and pushed Richard away. "Wait until I get a spare, babe. The fucking company that makes these is having a backlog of orders the size of Mount Everest."

Richard set his back straight and made an exaggerated pout. "Pity. I was going to put your uniform through its paces."

"Oh yeah?" Gavin's eyes twinkled, shortening the difference between their bodies. "And exactly how are you going to do that?"

"Guys, don't flirt without me. How else am I going to blackmail you?"

Gavin turned to find Tina and Chris approaching sporting wide grins and shiny new detective badges on their belts. Their old cop uniforms were gone, replaced with business casual suits. Chris was wearing a grey jacket and pants with a black shirt underneath, while Tina was decked out in a navy blue two-piece pantsuit.

"Chris, you look good. And Tina, you look like a Charlie's Angel got booted out of the 80s original run for being too Asian."

"Is that a compliment?" Tina laughed.

"You look good too, man," Chris smiled nervously. "Hard to believe I'm a detective now."

"You mean, hard to believe we're detectives." Tina turned to Gavin. "Did you know they paired me up with him?"

"You two are partners?" Richard pointed at Tina and Chris.

"Yep," Chris sheepishly rubbed the back of his head, "and if I know Tina, I'm either babysitting her or she's babysitting me."

"No mortal on this planet can stop Tina Chen from bringing justice to this godforsaken planet," Tina bellowed in a dramatic voice.

Chris gestured to Tina. "See what I mean?"

Gavin let out a smile. Despite Chris's protests, he had a feeling he'd work well with Tina. Someone had to make sure she didn't go too crazy, and Chris was just the man to do that. He pointed his thumb to the meeting room. "Are all the other officers there?"

"Not yet," Tina replied. "You're early anyway, so you've got a bit of time to mingle, Sergeant Reed."

Gavin couldn't help the smile creeping up his face. "You wanna know a secret? I've been practising saying 'Sergeant Reed' for a couple of days now and it still sounds fucking surreal."

"I can attest to it," Richard added. His hand found Gavin's and their fingers entwined. "Gavin's been spending a lot of time practising in front of a mirror."

Chris and Tina glance down at the pair's conjoined hands, suppressing a giggle. They both turn their heads to the side, their eyes lighting up in recognition and amusement.

"I'll see you at the meeting," Tina grinned, quickly ushering Chris away despite his muted protests. Just as they were gone, Gavin felt someone tap him on the back. He turned around to find Elijah and Chloe, smiling softly at him.

"Gavin," he said.

He couldn't say any more because Gavin hugged him with the force of a bull, knocking the breath out of his lungs. Chloe hid her giggles behind a scar-ridden hand, an imperfection that only seemed to heighten her humanity.

"G-Gav, you can put me down," Elijah wheezed. Gavin let him go, only to give him a light punch to the shoulder. It was an effort to make up for the overly affectionate gesture from before.

"Glad to see you don't look like complete shit," Gavin grinned.

Elijah was still a bit paler than normal and the bruises from his fight still left a purplish tint on his body but despite all that, he smiled gratefully. "I could say the same for you. You don't look all that terrible in a uniform."

"Someone out of the two of us has to look decent," Gavin shrugged. "Might as well be me."

Elijah let out a scoff. Chloe giggled again. "If I may say, it's good to see you two are on talking terms again," she said.

Much as Gavin would like to deny it, it definitely felt better to be able to talk to Elijah normally again. The path to forgiveness had been both tenuous and strenuous. When Elijah had finally regained consciousness a week after the attack, Gavin had spent half the time telling him off for being stupid enough to get into a fight and the other half worried sick about Elijah's physical condition and the what-ifs that lingered in the air. When Elijah was well enough to maintain a conversation for longer than two minutes, they had talked extensively about Arthur and the android issue and their lives. It wasn't easy conversing with elijah like a civilized adult but Gavin could see that Elijah really did appreciate it. By the time Elijah finally left the hospital, the scars they both bore had finally begun to heal.

The last time they had met was a week ago for dinner at his dad's house. Everybody was teasing him about Richard, including Richard himself, but it was a perfectly normal, uneventful dinner. It was difficult for the two cousins to open up so suddenly but they were making progress. Of course, that didn't stop Elijah from being a cryptic bastard. He plastered on an innocent look on his face but it was obvious he was hiding something behind his back.

"Come on, out with it, Eli," Gavin said.

He turned his head. "I don't know what you are talking about."

"Eli, come on, I know you got a present."

Elijah smirked. "Not just me." He shoved a small wrapped present into Gavin's arms. Gavin eagerly ripped through the wrapping paper, his eyes narrowing as he brought it to the light.

"It's a…picture frame?" Gavin asked.

Elijah nodded.

"Er…thanks?" He said, unsure what to say about such a strange, cheap gift.

Richard grinned. "It's not complete without this." And from a discreet compartment in his jacket, Richard produced his own present. It's a small photo album, and when Gavin opened it, there were tens if not hundreds of pictures of Gavin from when he was a kid all the way to the present. There were pictures familiar and new: teen pics lost to the internet, baby photos he didn't even know he had, embarrassing pictures that Gavin had hoped would never see the light of day. He flipped through the pages until he came to the final few. These pictures were staggeringly different in quality, taken with a much better camera and yet he wasn't smiling stiffly at the camera but organically captured at the moment. In one picture his face was captured at the peak of his fury, and in another, he was napping contently with a tired smile on his lips. The rest of the photos was Gavin smiling or laughing, looking so free and easy and content. At once, Gavin knew that these were the pictures that Richard had took of him.

Gavin flipped to the last page and a photo popped out. He knew this photo well. It's the picture one of those nosy reporters had taken when Gavin kissed Richard after capturing RA9. Richard's cheek scar seemed to glow in the shot as did Gavin's detective badge on his belt, which only seemed to highlight the tenderness of that moment as they caressed each other in an intimate embrace. He turned to Richard, finding him also staring at the photo fondly.

Gavin smiled. "You know, you could've just cut out any gay magazine from that month and I'm sure it'd be of higher quality than this."

Richard didn't retort back. Instead, he pointed at the picture. "Turn it over."

Gavin flipped the picture over to see a short, simple message in what could only be Richard's handwriting. The font was crisp and computer-perfect except for the areas where the ink spluttered and spurted, tiny dots of ink ruining its sterile perfection. He couldn't help but laugh. Gavin had a feeling Richard purposely chose a faulty pen for this exact purpose. He read the message Richard wrote.

The dawn of my creation began with you. By your side, I have lived to see the sun rise and feel the warmth of its rays kiss my skin. You've given me life, love, and memories worth a thousand dawns.

I hope my sunset ends with you too.

- RK900 Richard

Tears well up in Gavin's eyes, which he quickly wiped away. By his side, Richard's LED glowed yellow. His smile turned nervous.

"Is it…is it OK?"

Gavin responded with an eager kiss to his lips, a wordless affirmation that yes, yes this was beautiful and wonderful and perfect. Richard responded with a satisfied hum, plucking the photo from Gavin's hands and placing it into the photo frame. The kiss was brief and when they separate, they take their time to stare at the newly framed photo. Gavin didn't know where to put this. It might be too much of a stretch to put it on his workplace desk where everybody could see him snogging Richard. Maybe on top of the cabinet in his apartment's hallway, or near the TV? He didn't know, and he was sure to talk about it with Richard later, but first, he had to focus on the more immediate things.

Namely, the cousin and his android partner staring at him with an amused grin lifting his cheeks.

"Thanks, Eli," Gavin said softly. "Appreciate it. Really."

"Just make sure to invite me to the wedding—well, once android-human weddings become legal, that is," Elijah said.

"Invite me too," Chloe added.

Richard laughed softly but made no attempt to suggest they weren't going to be married. It wasn't something Gavin had ever talked about, let alone thought of, but for some strange reason, it didn't repulse him as much as he thought it might. Living together with Richard for the rest of his life as a couple of gay fucks, that sounded pretty good actually. Yet another thing to discuss later. Much much later, Gavin thought.

"Hey, Reed?" Gavin turned around to see Hank approach him. "You're needed in the conference room."

"Oh," Gavin turned to Elijah. "I guess we'll catch up later?"

"Call me for coffee at your lunch break, I'll be in the city today. Extra cream, extra sugar, right?"

"You know I only drink black," Gavin remarked.

"Pink unicorn Frappuccino it is," Elijah laughed as he exited the DPD with Chloe by his side.

Gavin headed over to the conference room where the chatter of new and old officers echoed loudly. His eyes widened at the number of people in the room. Fowler told him that he'd get a bigger-than-average squadron for the next couple of weeks, at least until the transfer papers for some of the officers were officialised, but it was one thing to hear it and another to see it. As soon as Gavin stepped up to the podium, everyone fell silent, watching him.

It's strange to have people look at him like this, with respect and fear. Gavin had a feeling that if he just went up to everybody and said "good morning, class" that the rest of the squadron would reply with "good morning, Sergeant Reed". He saw a few officers' eyes light up in recognition (probably recognised him from the news, he thought) but the majority stared at him blankly, quivering microscopically out of their own self-inflicted fear. Gavin almost wished Tina and Chris had remained officers so he'd have a familiar face in the crowd. Apart from Richard by his side, everyone in this room was a stranger.

His hands grip the sides of the podium, hiding his own nervous tension. He turned to Richard who stood in a military stance by his side. When their gazes do connect, Richard softened. A smile formed on his lips, its sole purpose being to comfort Gavin. It worked remarkably well, as always.

"Aren't you two those gay detectives?" A voice said.

Gavin turned to the source, his eyes landing on a young man at the very front. The officer let out an arrogant smile as he leaned back in his seat, resting his hands behind his head.

"Yeah, what of it?" Gavin asked. "Got a problem with me or my partner?"

The kid's lips twist into an exaggerated sneer. "An android with a human? That's not natural."

Just a glance of the kid gave Gavin enough of an idea of their character. They were cocky, ruthless, and thought they knew everything there was to know about life. Gavin recognised all that from one glance because he was that person, once upon a time.

…Well, OK, he still was, but he was trying to be less of a shit. He had to if he wanted to stay a sergeant. Although if he was being honest, it kinda felt nice to be...well, nice for once.

Gavin's lips curled into a smile as he turned to the officer. "You know, I was going to do a short little speech but since you've kindly voiced your opinion, I might as well tell you my story."

Beside the kid, another officer sharply elbowed him in the gut. He winced in pain. Gavin placed his hands on the podium.

"I'm Sergeant Reed, and the android next to me is my partner, Richard. And yes, we are dating, not that you guys should get any ideas."

A few chuckles break the silence. Gavin could feel the tension in his stomach slowly uncoil.

"I know a lot of you guys are still distrustful of androids. Believe it or not, I was the same. I hated androids. I thought they lacked the basic humanity inherent in humans, I thought they looked weird, but what I was most afraid of was the fact that they were simply better than me. It wouldn't be long before they replaced me, and I resented that. I focused so much on what androids could do better than humans that I forgot what made humans so great in the first place. And I didn't know until the deviants started showing up."

Gavin glanced at Richard, who understood his cue. He slid over to Gavin's side by the podium, his body a breath away. "It's no coincidence that deviants, when given free will, mimic human behaviour. The breadth of emotions that humans have, the ability to form and break relationships was something us androids never had. We might be efficient, but we were emotionally stunted, incapable of making decisions outside of logic."

Underneath the podium, out of sight, Richard grabbed Gavin's hand. It took all of Gavin's willpower to not smile like the lovesick puppy he was. The officers were leaning in, curious as to where this speech might lead.

"Even on an individual level, we've all got our pros and cons, our strengths and weaknesses. On our own, our weaknesses might be our undoing," Gavin gazed at the officers, a healthy mix of androids and humans, all looking at each other, "but that's why you've got partners and teams. Now I might be the biggest hypocrite for saying this but this is going to be my number one rule while I'm in charge of you guys: always—and I mean always—take care of each other. Because whether you're android or human, black or white or Asian or other, you guys are all officers of the DPD. And together, you guys can do way more than you ever thought possible."

The silence that followed was deafening. For a second, Gavin thought he went too wishy-washy at the end until he heard a single clap, followed by a few others, and soon the officers were politely clapping. For the majority, they didn't really seem to care about what he said, but in the corner of his eyes, he caught a few people staring at the officers around them. He saw the people that gazed fondly upon their new coworkers, friends, and rivals, their eyes alight with hopes and dreams. Even the kid in front stared at Gavin with wide eyes, slowly taking in what had been said. Gavin's message really only registered with a small fraction of the officers but for him, that was more than enough. As the tension fled from his body and he closed his eyes, he couldn't help but think that this was what it felt like when you found your place in life. This really was his dream, and it's right there in front of him, in every single officer right in front of him.

Oh, he was going to have fun being a sergeant.

As the clapping died and the officers looked at Gavin with visibly more relaxed shoulders, Gavin smiled once again. "Now that all the boring stuff is over, it's time for the party to get started, everybody. Line up." From a small table behind his back, he pulled out a huge amount of tablets, all documenting the different duties and shifts of his new officers. The officers groaned. Richard by his side was trying not to smirk too widely. Beneath the podium, they were still holding hands.

"Seriously, Sergeant Reed?" He heard one officer mutter under their breath as they picked up their tablet.

Gavin couldn't help but grin. He was never going to be tired of being called Sergeant Reed.

[hekate1308]

Pomegranate

Drowley Hades and Persephone AU. Enjoy!

Dean was busy blessing the crops of the land. The people had prayed to him and sacrificed fruits in his temples; and even if they had been lax in their duties, he wouldn’t have been able to bring himself to punish them. He had never been a vindictive god.

It all happened so fast. One second, he was watching the plants fighting through the still-hard earth, smiling upon the first signs of life that made themselves known in the fields; and then everything turned black.

When he woke up, he felt like he was suffocating, or rather, like he imagined suffocating would feel like to a mortal.

He sat up and took in his surroundings.

Although he had never been here before, he knew exactly where he was.

The Underworld.

Small wonder he felt ready to crawl out of his skin; his domain was life, growing, thriving, flourishing life; this was a world of death and destruction.

“Ah, the God who calls himself Dean” a smooth voice made itself known and he turned around to see the Lord of the Underworld.

He had met him before, once or twice, when it had been necessary for all gods to convene. “Crowley. What –“

“Oh, just a little squabble with your father. I thought I could use some leverage.”

“Whatever he gets up to, I have nothing to do with it” Dean pointed out. After all, what did the God of agriculture have to worry about the God of war, unless another one of his battles ruined the fields again? And gods were not like mortals; there were no close-knit families.

“I am aware of that, and yet... You are not just his son, are you? let’s see how he feels when people start dying because the crops won’t grow.”

Dean’s blood ran cold. “This isn’t the people’s fault! They prayed to me! They worship me so I may –“

“Yeah, yeah, you hop around like a squirrel that borrows its nuts and then forgets about them so trees may grow. In that case, you better hope your daddy dearest reacts to my demands soon.”

As it turned out, he didn’t. Dean hadn’t expected it; his father could be stubborn at the best of times; and yet –

And yet.

He could feel earth slowly dying, and every day, it seemed like his own strength was ebbing away as he did so.

He had to do something.

And so Dean, God of Agriculture, of everything that lived and grew, everything that wasn’t death, began exploring the Underworld. He didn’t see much of Crowley at first; he seemed confident that he couldn’t escape; and yet that was exactly what Dean was trying to do.

He was surprised when, a few days into his exploration, he met someone else; obviously a half-God and looking rather annoyed. “You must be Dean. Father told me he had captured you.”

He had never known Crowley had a son. Maybe he had kept it a secret so no one would do what Crowley himself had done when he had taken Dean? “And you are?”

“Gavin.”

Oh. He had heard of him, but had believed it was one of those gods the mortals simply made up. “God of bargaining?”

He nodded. “Father gave me the job. Many try to bargain in their last hour, you see.”

Dean could easily believe that. “Any chance you know how to get out of here?”

Gavin looked at him with pity in his eyes. “Yes, but Father would have my hide if I told you, sorry.”

Dean shuddered for the first time in his life, and Gavin stared at him. “Is everything alright?”

“Everything is so... dead here. I cannot stand it.”

He stormed off, unable to stand still any longer. He was sorry to leave Gavin just like that; but he could hardly be blamed for it, since he was imprisoned in a world that was sure to kill him eventually.

Dean was surprised when, after he had been walking around and watching the souls of the dead for a while, Crowley appeared next to him. “You look pale. Let’s have dinner.”

“Let me guess, you don’t want to lose your hostage?” he asked tiredly.

“Something like that. You are certainly not mentally deficient.”

Somehow, Dean got the bizarre impression that coming from Crowley, this was supposed to be a compliment of the highest order.

At their dinner table, Dean looked down at his plate and began to laugh. He couldn’t help himself; this was too much; and he laughed and laughed and laughed like he hadn’t done since he had woken up here.

When he stopped he looked up to find Crowley staring at him – and not just him; the shadows of the dead had formed a circle around them, being drawn to the mirth they had left behind when  they had gone down to the underworld.

And for a moment, the darkness didn’t seem so hopeless.

“I...” Crowley was obviously lost for words. He cleared his throat and sat back, scowling at the spirits who quickly scampered. “I would like to know what –“

“I’m the God of agriculture, jackass. Plants are kind of my thing. And those? Those are pomegranate seeds. Nice try to bind me to this place forever.”

Crowley didn’t answer.

But as Dean started to carefully pick the seeds out of his meal, he could have sworn he heard him mumble, “No. Not mentally deficient indeed.”

After that, he saw more of Crowley, which rather surprised him. Certainly he should be discussing the terms of his release with his father? But instead, he seemed content to rule the Underworld from his throne and annoy Dean.

And after a while, he had to admit he didn’t even seem that annoying anymore.

It was the weirdest thing, but somehow –

It was –

He was –

The point was that Crowley could be quite charming and funny if he wanted.

“You know, I probably would have eventually kidnapped you anyway” he commented one day, strolling up to him. “It was time we had something worth looking at around here.”

“So you don’t think the souls are a charming view?” Dean asked. “I personally do love some wistful expressions in the morning.”

“Oh, I can always do wistful” Crowley told him with such a sincere expression on his face that he had to laugh.

What an enigmatic creature the Lord of the Underworld was.

“Squirrel, how are we on this fine morning?”

“Still being oppressed by death and destruction all around me, thanks” he said tiredly. He didn’t think he could truly die, but nonetheless he felt his essence diminish more and more. And he needed his strength – once he returned to earth, he would have to save the fields and the crops.

“And here I thought you were supposed to be cheerful.” Crowley snapped his fingers, and Dean felt some of his lost strength returning.

He stared at him, opened his mouth to thank him.

Crowley looked at him, an indecipherable expression on his face, then walked away.

The fights Crowley had with his son made the ground tremble and the ghosts hide in the most secluded corners of his kingdom. Dean usually stepped in and managed to calm them both down.

“Why do you care?” Crowley hissed one day after he had dragged him away from Gavin yet again.

“Because you do” Dean said simply.

“What –“

“Mom and Dad left me and Sammy to our own devices as soon as we got our bearings” he shrugged, “But you keep him close. You have to care about him.”

Crowley didn’t answer.

Dean had taken to now and then indulging in naps in order to refresh his energy, and one day he woke up feeling much better than in the days and weeks before.

He learned why when he took his usual stroll around the Underworld.

Plants. There were plants everywhere. Not those he knew best, of course; nothing bright and colourful and lively; mostly solanaceae ; but still, living, breathing plants, and he quickly made sure they had all the nourishment they needed.

“I thought you would like them” Crowley remarked casually and Dean turned to find him standing very close to him. “Like you said, I cannot risk my hostage fading away.”

“They’re beautiful” he said, getting up from his knees. “Thank you.”

Crowley was clearly taken aback by his gratitude. “Ahm, yes – of course.”

And then he faded into the shadows, as he was wont to do.

After that, they daily had dinner together, sometimes joined by Gavin; and Dean didn’t even have to pick pomegranate seeds off his plate anymore.

He and Gavin were sailing on the river Lethe, since they had nothing else to do; it seemed like very few people had time to bargain when they were trying not to starve, and of course Dean couldn’t do anything while he was trapped in the Underworld.

“Do you like Father?” Gavin asked suddenly.

Dean, who had been busy watching the souls who had chosen to reincarnate drink from the river, reeled around. “What?”

Gavin shrugged. “I know he likes you.”

“He kidnapped me” Dean reminded him.

“Still. He made plants grow. Here. Of course he likes you.”

Dean didn’t answer. Mostly because he was starting to worry that he did indeed like Crowley, as little sense as it made.

That evening, Gavin left them alone for dinner. Crowley’s hellhound with her three heads, Juliet, did not; but Dean had long since grown used to her.

They mostly stayed silent.

Maybe he shouldn’t have been surprised when Crowley, after they had finished eating and had gotten up from the table, shook his head and walked up to him with a few quick, decisive steps.

He reached out and touched his neck. “Tell me you want me too.”

Dean knew this was a bad idea. Crowley was still his gaoler, so to speak; and who knew what it would do to him and his already mixed emotions if –

He felt himself nod regardless.

The kiss they shared, he was rather sure, was the first of its kind in the Underworld.

After that, Dean’s captivity became decidedly more pleasant – and also harder to leave behind, when the time came.

And then a miracle happened. Apparently his father was tired of people dropping like flies instead of falling in the battle field, and he and Crowley’s fight was cleared up.

Dean almost believed Crowley looked somewhat sad as he told him. Almost. Or maybe that was just because he felt his own heart sink in his breast.

He cleared his throat. “SO I am free to go?”

Crowley wasn’t meeting his eyes. “Yes, you are. If you want, Gavin can show you the way –“

“Do you want me to go?” Dean asked.

“I got what I wanted.”

“Crowley, do you want me to go?”

“Even if I didn’t, you belong up there. Nothing could make you –“

“Yes. Yes, something could” Dean said slowly as he, now being free of all magical bounds and burdens that must have kept him here originally, he realized, pressed a hand to the floor and a pomegranate tree grew.

“Squirrel, what –“

“Do you want me to leave?” he demanded once more, looking him straight in the eyes.

Crowley swallowed. They both knew this was it, the moment of decision. If he let jis pride get the best of him now, if he would rather be alone than to admit –

“No.” It was quietly said, but it was firmly said.

Dean reached out and took a pomegranate into his hands, gently opening it. Then, never taking his eyes off Crowley’s, he swallowed a few seeds.

“You did what?!”

Dean sighed and looked at the God of Sacrifice. “I told you a million times already, Sammy.”

“But – but – that means part of you belongs to the Underworld now! You’ll have to go back there again and again!”

“yep.”

“Yep!?”

After a pause, Sam continued, forcing himself to sound calmer, “Is this about Crowley?”

“Yes.”

“You love him.”

It wasn’t a question.

“Yeah” he admitted, “And the feeling’s mutual.”

“If you think so –“

“I know it is” he interrupted him, remembering the look in Crowley’s eyes as he had admitted he didn’t want Dean to leave.

Sam sighed. “Alright. But what are you going to do about the crops when you have to go to the Underworld –“

“I already thought of that. Talked it over with Crowley. We decided it might be a good idea to give the plants some rest, so there will be a new season.”

“A new season?”

“Yes. We’re going to call it winter.”

“Honey, I’m home!” Dean called out at the beginning of the new, cold season as he strolled into the Underworld.

Juliet ran up to him, her three tongues hanging out of their perspective mouth, clearly ecstatic taht he was back.

“Where’s your Papa, hm?” he asked, scratching her under her middle chin.

Arms wrapped themselves around him. Of course. His God of Death and Destitution, always lurking in the shadows. Dean smiled.

“Miss me?” Crowley asked into his ear.

He turned around to kiss him. “Of course. You know me – too much happy life can get awfully monotonous after a while.”

And then, for the first time in the history of the Underworld, Crowley joined his bonded in his laughter.

[theprisonerofasgard]

GET TO KNOW THE BLOGGER

Can be used for RP and non-RP blogs to get to know a bit about the person behind the screen!

1. FIRST NAME: Wichi or Wichita

2. STRANGE FACT ABOUT YOURSELF: Does the fact that I left my high stress but decent-paying job with absolutely zero plan for what happened next and am running out of money count as weird

3. TOP THREE PHYSICAL THINGS YOU FIND ATTRACTIVE ON A PERSON: TOL. A lil bit soft. And scruffy. Not full on beard, but scruffy. Give me that 5 o’clock shadow

4. A FOOD YOU COULD EAT FOREVER AND NOT GET BORED OF: Tamales and chicken paprikash.

5. A FOOD YOU HATE:  E G G S. I hate the taste of egg whites. The only reason eggs are every in my house is because I bake like a motherfucker

6. GUILTY PLEASURE: Baking shit I usually end up just taking photos of and then eating myself because it’s just me and my family that wants me to stop. Also writing a cringe fic so cringe I won’t put it near this blog lmao

7. WHAT DO YOU SLEEP IN: cheap pajama pants, a sports bra and a t-shirt. Real sexy stuff

8. SERIOUS RELATIONSHIPS OR FLINGS: My last relationship was long distance and 8 years ago. I’m going to die alone.

9. IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN THE PAST AND CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOUR LIFE, WOULD YOU AND WHAT WOULD IT BE: I would have told me that I don’t want to study journalism, but visual communication technology. And I’d tell me I was going to get depression in my junior year and to see a fucking DOCTOR

10. ARE YOU AN AFFECTIONATE PERSON: I think I would be? I’m absolutely touch-starved but I’ve been single for so long, I think I’d have a hard time knowing when or how to initiate. Acts on the other hand, affectionate acts I can do.

11. A MOVIE YOU COULD WATCH OVER AND OVER AGAIN: Jurassic Park

12. FAVORITE BOOK: I have a lot, but the novel “It” made me want to write horror. The book is really fucking good, highly recommend it.

13. YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO KEEP ANY ANIMAL AS A PET, WHAT DO YOU CHOOSE: I’d say a crow just because I think I could actually handle it in terms of care.

14. TOP FIVE FICTIONAL SHIPS [IF YOU ARE AN RP BLOG, YOU CAN USE YOUR OWN SHIPS AS WELL]: FROSTSHIELD with @captain-outoftime. I’d say McFritz, which is between a canon Jesse McCree written by the amazing meme @boilingheart ​ and my overwatch OC @nichtschaden ​.  Destiel. Ineffable Husbands. There’s more I’ll think of later.

15. PIE OR CAKE:  C A K E. I left my job and discovered baking, and all I want to do is make some ridiculously over the top cakes. I’ve ruined store-bought frosting for me forever.

16. FAVORITE SCENT:  Campfire smoke by the lake.

17. CELEBRITY CRUSH: I have so many. We’ll go with Tom Hiddleston.

18. IF YOU COULD TRAVEL ANYWHERE, WHERE WOULD YOU GO: I’ll go anywhere with water tbfh

19. INTROVERT OR EXTROVERT: introvert

20. DO YOU SCARE EASILY: depends on the type of scare. If the building is on fire I can focus and get myself out, but video game jump scares get me.

21. IPHONE OR ANDROID: Android. All I’ve ever heard from apple users is how much they hate apple, and how expensive and stupid it is. Fun game: tell an apple user they can buy something else, and you can literally watch their brainwaves flat line. I don’t understand it. 

22. DO YOU PLAY ANY VIDEO GAMES: YUP. I love FPS and RPG games most, but I’ll play any platform or genre with a good first person story. The only things I’m not big into are MMOs or an FPS that’s just people shooting other people. Give me monsters and zombies and aliens. Give me Half-Life.

23. DREAM JOB: A let’s player on twitch and youtube who does a combination of video games and sarcastic baking videos. Not the domestic instagram princess of baking but your local androgynous cryptid who can and will take the name of martha stewart in vain and that is a threat

24. WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH A MILLION DOLLARS: Pay off all my bills. Invest in shit. Find a better apartment. Finally buy me some 8inch cake pans because I can’t justify spending $20 on cake pans when I don’t have a JOB

25. FICTIONAL CHARACTER YOU HATE: I hate this guy even more than when I started writing this because I had to look up his fucking name in the WIKI because he’s that fucking irrelevant he doesn’t even show up in the main cast list. Gavin from Detroit Become Human. I hate him because I went in prepared to like him? I saw memes on here before I played the game, and the content is just fucking. SATURATED with Gavin. I expected a big character. Or at least a cool one. Canon Gavin was in a whopping 30 seconds of the game and spent them being a really fucking unlikable human being. He’s just a flat, throwaway two-dimensional asshole. I wish I knew how the in the fuck he came to have the most fanart and headcanons and fics on this site. It’s like people sitting at a conference table got attached to a chair that was slightly edgier than the other chairs and ignored the actual meeting. Except for the parts they could pertain to that chair if they squinted so hard they couldn’t see.

26. FANDOM THAT YOU WERE ONCE A PART OF BUT AREN’T ANY LONGER: I don’t really get invested in fandoms as a whole? I just carve out a niche, interact with like 6 people and reblog the memes. I was never the bitch writing meta or jumping in on discourse. I guess maybe Doctor Who? I loved Nine and Ten, but stalled out years ago in the early episodes of Eleven because I couldn’t stand one of the companions and just never felt compelled to go back and bully my way through it. If a show feels like homework I have to get through, I’m not going to do it.

tagging: STEAL THIS SHIT

[ultrasfcb-blog]

Elgin match referred to as off - on account of 'nine-week drought'

Elgin match referred to as off - on account of 'nine-week drought'

Elgin match referred to as off – on account of ‘nine-week drought’

Borough Briggs has not seen any rain in 9 weeks

Elgin Metropolis’s match with Cowdenbeath has been referred to as off due to a nine-week drought drying out a piece of the Borough Briggs pitch.

The League Two membership introduced an hour earlier than kick-off the sport wouldn’t go forward after referee Gavin Ross was sad with a nook of the floor.

Elgin Metropolis chairman Graham Tatters says that a lack of rain within the Moray city is guilty.

“It is a nightmare as persons are right here for the sport,” he informed BBC Scotland.

“It is a problem with the top-left nook of the pitch. It has been starved of water with no rain in 9 weeks.

“There isn’t any actual development. The grass there may be going brown and there is a little bit of gravel left from sand that had been put down.

“I can do many issues, however I am unable to make it rain.”

Visiting supporters would have travelled a 340-mile spherical journey for the sport.

Elgin are on account of host Stirling Albion subsequent Saturday, and Tatters added: “It is a fear.

“We’ve not had an issue with the video games on it this season, however the referee has made his choice.”

Elgin have performed three house video games to this point this season, their most up-to-date a Problem Cup tie in opposition to Arbroath on 15 August.

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ultras FC Barcelona - https://ultrasfcb.com/football/10964/

#Barcelona

[infinitehouseofbooks]

BLOG TOUR - A Highland Ruby

  DISCLAIMER: This content has been provided to INFINITE HOUSE OF BOOKS by Pump Up Your Book. No compensation was received. This information required by the Federal Trade Commission.

  About the Book:

  Title: A HIGHLAND RUBY Author: Brenda B. Taylor Publisher: Bethabara Press Pages: 207 Genre: Historical Romance

She must choose between a life of adventure with the man she loves or a settled, secure life with her betrothed. Flora Vass forced Gavin Munro out of her heart and mind until he returned to Scotland after an adventurous five years in the New World. Gavin leaves no doubt he returned to make the bonnie Flora his own and intends to fight for her. Flora’s betrothed, Iain MacKay, and Gavin’s brother, Chief Andrew Munro, have other plans. Andrew needs her to marry the MacKay and bring peace between the two clans. Iain MacKay desires an heir. War with England looms on the horizon, forcing Flora to make crucial decisions.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

  Book Excerpt:

He watched her through the grey mist, walking along the shore of Cromarty Firth. The hood of her arisaid covered her bonnie russet locks, but he imagined them bouncing with each step she took. She came every morn, sometimes with the wee curly-headed laddie in tow, but now, she walked alone. His heart beat a fast rhythm like a lad watching his first love. How foolish to be hiding behind a rock when he could speak to her, hold her hand, and look into her dark eyes.

Gavin gathered courage and stood to his full height when Flora walked past the rock where he hid. “Flora,” he said in a quiet voice. She continued to walk, not hearing him above the moaning wind.

Quickly, he took a place beside her, then grabbed her arm. She screamed as she turned to face him. Her eyes widened with fear, she tried to jerk her arm free, then beat his chest with the fist of the other hand, and kicked his shin with the toe of a pointed boot.

Gavin jumped from the boot’s path, but kept her arm secure. “Stop. ‘Tis I, Gavin.” She stopped kicking and the free hand went to her mouth while she studied his face. A small squeak emerged from between full red lips. He watched her lips for a moment, then bent to place a kiss on the inviting mouth. She became rigid with no response.

He released her arm then backed away. She continued to stare as though he were a stranger, and he very well may be to her now. After all, five years in the wilderness of the New World can change a man beyond recognition.

Flora’s hand raised for an instant then came across his face with a stinging blow. He rubbed at the burning cheek. “How dare you,” she screamed above the wind. “You left me. You left me.” She hit his chest with both fists now.

Gavin grabbed her wrists, bringing her close. “Stop. I only want to see you, be near you once more. May I walk with you? Just a short distance?”

Flora stared. Her brown eyes larger now with surprise or mayhap shock. She stopped struggling and rested her head on his chest. A seagull called overhead and waves lapped against the shore of the firth. Gavin pushed the hood of her arisaid back, stroking her hair while wrapping an arm around her slender waist. The russet locks felt soft to his fingers. They smelled with the sweet fragrance of heather and salt air, just as he remembered and dreamed. The mist had damped one small curl so that it clung to her neck. He touched the softness of her skin where the curl lay. They stood for a long time. Flora now seemed reluctant to move and Gavin did not wish to spoil the moment.

Finally, she stepped back and looked into his eyes. A line creased her fair brow. “Why did you come back? I made a life without you.”

“I wanted to see you and the lad. Andrew sent a message while I was still in Barcelona waiting for a ship to the New World.”

Flora searched Gavin’s face. “You look older, tanned, hardened.”

“Aye. I’ve been living in a wilderness, defending myself from the wild natives and animals. Searching for gold while starving for food. Takes a lot out of a mon.”

“I am betrothed to a fine mon. One who loves and wants me and my bairns. I wanna have you back, Gavin. You left me carrying your bairn. I wanna have you back.” She beat his chest once more. Tears spilled over to her cheeks.

He grabbed her wrist. “I understand, Flora. I understand. I’ll leave you alone, I will. But I do want to see my son.” He kissed each tear-filled eyelid, then her cheeks, and not being able to resist the temptation, her tempting lips.

Flora didn’t resist and, when the kiss grew more passionate, responded. Her arms went around his neck, her body melted into his so her warmth reached his very soul.

She pushed away. “Why did you go without a word?”

“I dinna ken. I canna explain why.” He lied, not exactly an untruth, but an exaggerated one.

“Well, I ken. You fancied yourself to be in love with your brother’s wife. Now what are you gonna do about that? They’re happily married with a bairn of their own and another on the way.” Flora’s eyes flashed then she turned away, watching a crab crawl away on the sand.

Gavin grabbed her hand so she faced him. “I was wrong. I dinna love Maidie, ‘twas you I carried in my heart. I ken that now.”

Flora snatched her hand away. “I must go. My bairns are waiting. Phillip is readying for work in the fields and Ishbel is attending Gavy. Aye, I named him for his da, but call him Gavy.”

“I’m keen to see him.” Gavin didn’t want to beg, but he would if necessary.

“I live in Leslie Manor no’ far from Fàrdach Castle. Laird Andrew provides well for your son. He pays me a good wage as nanny for his bairns.”

“What of Phillip?”

Flora smiled with the mention of her oldest child. “Phillip is growing like a weed and favors his da so much I hurt to look at him. He helps with the land and sheep on the estate and trains with Laird Andrew’s slaugh.”

“A fine lad, indeed.” Gavin hesitated. “And what of my brother, the Laird of Fàrdach Castle?” An image of his brother popped into mind. Would Andrew welcome him back to Fàrdach Castle after all these years? Gavin doubted he would receive a warm welcome.

“The Laird of Fàrdach Castle grieved for his lost brother and tanist, but he’s happily married and in good health.” Flora gazed into his eyes. “I must go. You’re welcome to visit Gavy, but only visit, naught more.”

Gavin returned her gaze. “Aye, I’ll visit, naught more.”

With a nod of her head, Flora replaced the hood of the arisaid, turned, and walked in the direction of the house, not far from where they stood. Gavin watched until she took a path from the shore to the manor, his heart heavy with rejection. He didn’t expect, but hoped for more. Maybe she would turn back and accept him into her life once again. He watched, but she didn’t look back. Now the task of facing his brother, Sir Andrew Dubh Munro, Laird of Fàrdach Castle.

  ***

  Flora ducked behind a grass-covered dune to hide from Gavin’s view. She peeped over the grassy slope to gaze in the direction of the beach. He still stood, watching her. She turned quickly toward the house and didn’t look back. Her stomach churned and thoughts of him swirled in her head. He still raised a passion within the depths of her being she could not deny. Why did he come back? He should have stayed in the savage New World and never returned to Ferindonald. Life was complicated enough without the luring charm of Gavin Munro. He would certainly be around often to visit his son. What will Iain think?

The large manor house sat far enough away from the firth that high tides did not intrude upon the land, but close enough for a good walk along the shore when one’s heart ached and needed solitude. Flora often walked the shore of Cromarty Firth looking for dolphins, listening to the water lapping over rocks, and tasting the salt air on her tongue. She bathed in the firth on warm summer days, feeling the refreshing water on her skin.

She often took the bairns on an outing. They enjoyed wading and chasing the sea gulls. Sometimes they found pretty shells she took home, cleaned, and added to their collection. Other times she walked with Iain, while they made plans for a life together. Her life, if not the exciting one she knew with Gavin, had taken a quiet, peaceful turn with promise of a secure future. Now, he had returned and her insides felt like the firth during a storm with crashing, violent waves smashing against the rocks.

Flora saw the eye of her small son pressed against a crack in the large iron-studded oak door. When he saw his mother, Gavy opened the door wide and ran out to meet her, grabbing her long wool skirt then hanging on. She bent down to rub the small head full of russet curls.

“Mam, Mam, you left without me,” he whined.

“You slept and I dinna wish to wake you.” Flora removed his hands from the cloth and picked him up. He was heavier than she wanted to carry, and immediately put his feet back on the ground, taking his hand instead.

Gavy looked around Flora’s skirt, “I see Phillip.”

Flora turned. Her oldest son ran toward them with something awry from the looks of him. He barely nodded in her direction then ran into the house. She followed, dragging Gavy along by the hand. Phillip’s footsteps clicked on the plank flooring and then ascended the spiral staircase to his room on the second story. She released Gavy’s small hand once inside and gave it to Ishbel, the housemaid, who dropped the bundle of heather she carried. Flora followed Phillip to his room. The heavy door stood ajar, so she entered without knocking.

Her son, in the process of belting his father’s claymore over his young shoulders barely acknowledged her when she approached him. “What are you doing, Phillip? You have nae business with your da’s sword.”

Phillip jerked away and continued securing the large leather scabbard over his shoulder. When he insisted, she had let the young lad keep the claymore in his bedchamber, but he had solemnly promised not to use it except to practice with the slaugh.

Flora grabbed for the claymore again. “What are you doing?

“MacIntosh reivers burned a haystack. While we were trying to douse the fire, they stole ten head of cattle. I’m going with the chief to find them and get the cattle back.”

“Och, I give nae permission for you to go with the slaugh.” Flora held to the billowy sleeve of his léine.

“I dinna need your permission. I am of age, thirteen years.” Phillip’s dark head shook. His cheeks, already ruddy from exertion, reddened even more while bright brown eyes flashed.

Flora could only stare at her son. Thirteen summers and he thought himself a man. The heaviness of his father’s sword weighed down upon his shoulder. He practiced with the Munro cateran, but only with small dirks and bows, not with large claymores or the deadly falchion.

“I forbid you to go. You’re too young to take on such a task. The chief wanna allow it.” She grasped at Phillip’s sleeve when he brushed past her, but to no avail. Her son rushed through the open door. She followed calling to him, “Phillip you’re too young. The chief will forbid you to go.”

Flora watched Phillip’s back as he descended the spiral staircase, rushed through the great hall, and out of the door. Gavy whimpered when his brother strode by without acknowledging him. Phillip fancied his wee brother, and delighted in teasing the lad, rumpling his hair, and telling him stories of ghosts and fairies. Flora rushed to the yard as Phillip entered the stables. She could say or do naught to stop him, so she stood, waiting until he galloped by on a garron. They owned no war horse, and would never own one if she had her way.

She would not give her son up to fighting. Maidie, her friend and wife of the Munro chief, Laird Andrew, insisted her son, Sven, study the law. He would train as a barrister and live in a burgh. Sven would never see battle and fighting. Flora wanted the same for Phillip. Her sons were as good as Maidie’s. They should have the same opportunities.

Flora dashed back into the house and found Ishbel. “I’m going to the castle. Look after the bairn.” Crying, Gavy reached for her. Flora pressed a kiss on the plump pink cheek, then turned to leave. Mayhap if she could get to Fàrdach before Andrew left with his cateran, she could stop Phillip.

  **

  Gavin turned away and started toward the castle. His heart felt heavy like a rock in Cromarty Firth. Flora spurned him. She was promised to another, betrothed to another man. He came back to Ferindonald to see her, but she no longer loved him. Although she would not have him, he must see his son at all cost.

Fàrdach castle loomed before him. A large band of Munro warriors, some mounted and others on foot, were assembled on the grassy meadow outside of  the castle wall. Calls and war whoops rose from the horde. Those ahorse rode away to the west in a cloud of dust. The warriors afoot followed closely behind. Reivers must be about, with Andrew leading his slaugh to fight.

Hopefully, he would not have to face his brother this day. He could gauge the mood of the castle servants and occupants then decided if he should stay or go before meeting Andrew. Gavin fell in with some of the tenants making their way to the castle with their quarterly rents. One woman who had a chicken under her arm gave him a suspicious eye. The woman looked familiar. She may have been a neighbor of Flora’s in the village of Drumainn. The chicken squawked when Gavin walked by. The woman turned her gaze toward him and searched his face.

“Sir Gavin, is that you?” she asked in amazement.

“Madam.” He touched his forehead in a salute, then walked on quickly.

The woman walked faster as if to follow him, so he quickened his gait. He could hear her calling to others. “Sir Gavin’s home. Sir Gavin’s home.”

Calls traveled down the line of tenants entering and leaving the castle. Soon a small crowd gathered, following Gavin through the castle gates and under the portcullis. The guard in the gate house called then waved. He recognized the man and returned the greeting. Those within the outer bailey stopped their work or activity to welcome him home. Some gathered around. Small children tugged on his great plaide until it sagged beneath the thick leather belt. He tugged back, trying to keep some semblance of order about his person. The crowd followed him through the bailey, over the drawbridge covering a deep moat, then into the quieter inner yard. Guards called from the catwalk on the curtain wall. He saluted and returned the greeting. The great iron-studded oak doors of the keep opened. The chief of Clan Munro stepped out.

Gavin pushed his way through the crowd, jerked his plaide from the hands of a small, dirty-faced boy, and approached his brother. Andrew looked the same, but older with deeper lines on his brow and around his grey eyes. His raven hair hung in the usual warrior braids to the broad shoulders. He had trouble keeping the wry strands out of his eyes if not braided. The chief’s lips pursed into a firm line, then turned up on the edges with a broad smile. Without a word, he moved forward to embrace Gavin who returned the embrace with relief.

Andrew pushed away and studied Gavin’s face. “Welcome home, Brother. I thought you lost to Ferindonald forever.”

“Andrew. Good to be home. To see you. I figured you led your warriors and wanna be here.”

“The business of chief sometimes keeps me at my desk and ledgers instead of chasing thieves with my men. I’d rather be out with them any day.”

Gavin returned his brother’s broad smile. “You seem to be unchanged except for deeper wrinkles, and do I spot a few grey hairs among the ebony?”

“Aye. More than a few grey, I’m afraid.” Andrew gave Gavin a pat on the shoulder. “I sent Alan with the slaugh. Only a small band of reivers pestered us. Alan was elected tanist when you left Fàrdach. Come inside to greet my family. The ruckus you caused has them all aroused and curious.” Andrew motioned for Gavin to go ahead.

Gavin stepped inside to the great hall of Fàrdach. Nothing much had changed. The same boar and stag heads looked down from around the claymores, broadswords, axes, lances, and targes. Maybe a few more weapons had been added. Andrew seemed ready for a mighty fight. Reivers must be plaguing Ferindonald with their stealing and looting. Servants spread bundles of dried heather across the flagstone floor, filling the hall with a sweet aroma. They stopped and nodded toward Gavin with broad smiles. Shafts of light streamed through the small keyhole windows, causing dust motes to dance on the air. A large grey, shaggy hound lumbered up to Andrew who reached down to scratch the dog behind the ear.

“’Tis no’ the same hound with all the pups the bairns played with?” Gavin asked, eyeing the huge dog that stood up to his brother’s waist. “Seems like I remember a brown and white dog.”

“Nae, the hound and all her pups went out to tenants who needed good rabbit dogs. This large, lumbering thing is a gift from Maidie for my birthday of thirty years.”

“How does Maidie fair? And Sven?” Gavin brought himself to ask.

“She fairs well, and gains in beauty within and without each day.” Andrew smiled, showing white teeth through his salt and pepper beard.

Gavin’s heart skipped a beat with the mention of Maidie’s beauty. Her memory still held a special place in his heart, although he gave her up to Andrew five years before. He felt self-conscious, covered with road dirt and unshaven. He bathed in a cold burn three days ago and scrapped his beard with a dirk, but now stubble covered his face. The men turned toward the stone spiral staircase to watch two women descend. One held the hand of a small dark-haired lassie. The other, wearing a gown of blue silk clinging to her comely form now large with child and a thick braid of golden hair hanging down her back, held the hand of a blonde curly-headed lassie. Andrew’s smile grew brighter. He walked toward the group, taking the younger blonde bairn in his arms.

“Come family and greet our brother who returned to us this verra day.” Andrew said, bringing the group to Gavin. “This bonnie lassie is my daughter, Andrina.”

Gavin stroked the small fair hand. The bairn smiled. Her blue eyes sparkled, and he saw Maidie’s bright eyes smiling at him, then she buried her pretty head on Andrew’s shoulder. Her father patted the small head with a gentle, loving touch. He reached for Maidie’s arm, drawing her forward. Gavin swallowed a large lump forming in his throat. She was more beautiful than he remembered. Married life and having bairns agreed with her. He bowed.

Her blue eyes glowed. “Hello, Gavin. Welcome home.” Then her eyes roamed over his dirty, disheveled clothing. “Seems you’ve journeyed long and hard.” She placed her hand upon his arm. A chill ran down his spine. “We’re so verra glad you returned home and hope your stay with us will be a long one. I’ll have your old chamber made ready with a bath.”

Gavin could only smile and nod his head at the lovely lady. His heart beat much too wildly to say more, so he turned to look at the other lassie and her maid. “Hello, Nellie. You look well. How is Briana?” He tried to take Briana’s hand, but she jerked back. Gavin looked at Andrew. His brother shrugged his shoulders.

“Briana is leery of strangers these days. Of a sudden she’s become shy, and clings to Nellie. I can hardly touch her, myself.” Andrew made a sign with his hands to the lassie. She shook her head then hid her face in Nellie’s dress. “Briana is learning to speak with her hands. She learns quickly, but wanna speak around strangers. We are all learning to talk to her with our hands. Sven is teaching the family and anyone who wants to learn. He studied a book I brought from Edinburgh.”

Gavin turned to Maidie. “You must be proud of Sven.” She smiled and nodded. He spoke to Andrew. “You have a lovely family, M’Laird.”

Andrew placed his free arm around Maidie’s shoulders. “Aye. These dear ones are the light of my life.” He gave Andrina to her mother then planted a lingering kiss on Maidie’s lips. Gavin wondered if his brother did that for his sake. Probably. Like a hound marking his territory. “Come, let’s go to the tiltyard before Maidie gets you into the bath. Several of the luchd-taighe that dinna go with the slaugh are practicing. They’ll want to bid you welcome.” Andrew took Gavin’s arm, turning him toward the door.

He turned back. “Thank you, M’Lady for being so kind. I shall look forward to a comfortable bed and hot bath. Both have been few and far between these past five years.” Her lips, now rosy from his brother’s kiss, parted in a smile.

The two men made their way out of the keep and walked through a heavy door in the curtain wall of the inner bailey that led to a broad meadow beyond. The large wolfhound followed at Andrew’s heels. Several warriors dressed only in a great plaide held secure by a broad leather belt practiced with claymores, broadswords, and bows. One rode a horse toward a target and threw a spear at the center. The spear met its mark with a thud. Two men wrestled within the center of a small group who cheered for one or the other. Gavin smiled, remembering the many days he practiced with the warriors. This sparring field felt more like home than any other place in the castle or the whole of Ferindonald, except maybe the small box bed in Flora’s black house in Drumainn Village. Ah, remembering the reason he left seemed harder with each passing day.

Andrew’s voice broke through Gavin’s revelry. “Have you seen your son?”

His brother’s unexpected words took him aback. “Aye. That I have, Brother—from a distance is all.”

“You ken Flora is betrothed. He is Iain MacKay, and a finer fellow you’ll be hard pressed to find.”

Gavin turned to stare at Andrew. Did he think Flora would never love again? “So ‘tis Iain who won her heart. I remember the first son of the MacKay being wild and rambunctious, always looking for a way out of duty.”

“Iain’s gained in maturity these past five years, and being the first-born will inherit his father’s title and land. Flora could do nae better.”

“Did you arrange the marriage, thinking I may never return to lay claim to my son?” Gavin felt a tinge of ire rising around the idea of his brother arranging the marriage of his love to another.

“We dinna ken whether you lived or died at the hand of savages. When nae word came from you year after year, I began looking for a suitable mate for Flora and a da for your son.” The light in Andrew’s grey eyes faded. A deeper line formed between his heavy brows. “What would you have me do, Gavin? Keep Flora unwed and your son with nae da to see to his raising? Phillip needs a father also.”

Of course the chief was right in his decision. He had obligations to the members of his clan—to take care of their welfare and keep them safe. Andrew made the only choice left to him in Gavin’s absence. He found Flora a suitable mate and a father for Phillip and Gavy. Flora’s and Iain’s love for each other did not matter, they could make a good life together.

Gavin started to walk away, but Andrew put a hand on his arm. “Brother, I expect you to abide by the betrothal contract and leave Flora be. Make nae trouble for Iain.”

“What about my son? Will I be allowed to see him?”

“Aye, with restraint. You gave up rights to the boy when you left his mither.” The eyes of the two men met. Andrew didn’t blink. Gavin knew his chances with Flora were nil.

  About the Author

  The desire to write historical fiction has long been a passion with Brenda B. Taylor. Since elementary school, she has written stories in her spare time. Brenda earned three degrees: a BSE from Henderson State University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas; a MEd from Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas; and an EdD from Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas; then worked as a teacher and administrator in the Texas Public School system. Only after retirement could she fulfill the dream of publication.

  Brenda and her husband make their home in beautiful East Texas where they enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling, and working in Bethabara Faith Ministry, Inc. She crafts stories about the extraordinary lives of ordinary people in her favorite place overlooking bird feeders, bird houses, and a variety of blooming trees and flowers. She sincerely thanks all who purchase and read her books. Her desire is that the message in each book will touch the heart of the reader as it did hers in the writing.

  Her latest book is the historical romance, A Highland Ruby.

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BLOG TOUR – A Highland Ruby was originally published on the Wordpress version of SHANNON MUIR'S INFINITE HOUSE OF BOOKS.