Late Summer

by Sam_ismybae

Summary:

“Do you remember the briefing we had about Aleks Fitzgerald two weeks ago?” Nines asks, drawing the detective away from his intrusive thoughts.

Gavin hums, thinking. “The serial killer we caught, right? Did something else happen with him? He didn’t break out, right?”

“No, he’s still incarcerated.” Nines notes, “But something strange did happen. A killing similar to his very first one was reported in Milwaukee. The victim had the same initials and occupation as Fitzgerald’s first victim. They even took the same fingers as trophies.”

“Oh god,” Gavin groans, bringing a hand to pinch at the bridge of his nose. “Shit. Now we’ve got an impressionist. Phck this.”

************************************************************

Or, where Gavin and Nines go undercover as a couple to catch a serial killer that might be closer to them than they realize.

Notes:

Hi lovelies! Welcome to my contribution for the #dbhlatesummer challenge! These chapters are all 1-2k in length, and are meant to be read in succession. I do hope you enjoy, as this story fueled me out of my writer's block. I am so proud of the ending, so I do hope you'll stick around to see it!

Please enjoy, and I'll see you on the other side! :)

Chapter 1: Fireflies

There’s a humming to his left. He’s sure Tina is saying something. They were talking about the new hire at the annual DPD get-together, but Gavin can’t help but be distracted. They look like little stars throughout the lawn. Across Hank’s backyard, Nines and the captain are deep into a conversation, their faces lit by the fake lanterns Connor must’ve hung from tree to tree. The android is holding a clear cup full of blue liquid, and after a beat, he takes a sip and nods his head. His LED cycles a constant, cool blue, and the detective can’t help but stare. The lights seem to twinkle around them. A punch to his arm brings him back to reality.

“-Even listening to me at this point?”

“Huh?” Gavin turns his head back to the short officer next to him. Tina is sending him a fake glare, but she has a coy grin on her face. Gavin moves his beer out of the way so Tina doesn’t slosh it into the grass or all over him. She punches his free shoulder again, but this time the glare is replaced by a playful and knowing expression.

“I said, if you’re so distracted by mister handsome robot over there, you should just go talk to him.” Tina adds a wink at the end of her sentence, nodding her head in Nines’ direction.

“I- I wasn’t- I was admiring the fireflies,” Gavin finishes lamely, red creeping up his neck to his cheeks.

Tina widens her eyes. “Uh huh. Sure you were. I’m sure the fireflies are what truly have your attention this evening,” she adds sarcastically, rolling her eyes. “Well,” Tina pauses, taking a sip of her colourful drink, “It looks like they’re finishing up their conversation now, so I’m gonna split and go talk to that hot new girl I was telling you about.” She hip bumps Gavin, shoving him in the direction of the android with another wink.

“Wait, wait, wait,” he tries, but Tina is already gone from their spot, and he is left alone halfway across the yard. It does look like Nines and the captain are wrapping up their talk, and instead of doing what Tina suggested, Gavin knocks back his drink and makes for the deserted minibar. He leans against the bar, holding up his hand to get another drink. He orders another Corona, and the barmaid tosses him a lime when a familiar voice sounds over his shoulder.

“Detective.”

Gavin takes a swig of his drink, determined to act nonchalant. “Nines,” he says, acting pleasantly surprised as he turns to face the android. “Funny running into you here.”

The android tilts his head. “You mean at the company get-together?”

Gavin flushes, but Nines has a mischievous smile on his lips. “I- yeah, I just meant-”

Nines leans forward onto the bar, holding up his finger for another thirium drink. He turns back to the detective, and the smile works its way back to his face. “I know what you meant. It’s just funny to see you get all flustered.”

“I don’t get all flustered,” he denies, though he’s certain he’s red from the interaction. God, he needs to get his act together. Nines grabs his drink from the bartender with thanks and Gavin takes the opportunity to look around for Tina and the new girl. They must be inside, keeping away from the late summer humidity. “Anything exciting happening?” he asks feebly, trying to keep a casual conversation with the android. Nines seems to know that’s what he’s doing, because he raises an eyebrow, but he doesn’t comment on it.

“Other than the new case that came in this afternoon? Nothing too exciting,” he says, probably detecting he’s piqued the detective’s interest.

Gavin turns from leaning against the bar, taking another swig of his beer. “You can’t just say that and then not fill me in,” he chuckles, making brief eye contact with Nines before facing the yard again. He has got to get this under control. He’s going to pretend the pink of his cheeks is from the alcohol at this point, so he needs to drink faster. That should help. Right.

“Do you remember the briefing we had about Aleks Fitzgerald two weeks ago?” Nines asks, drawing Gavin away from his intrusive thoughts.

Gavin hums, thinking. “The serial killer we caught, right? Did something else happen with him? He didn’t break out, right?”

“No, he’s still incarcerated.” Nines notes, “But something strange did happen. A killing similar to his very first one was reported in Milwaukee. The victim had the same initials and occupation as Fitzgerald’s first victim. They even took the same fingers as trophies.”

“Oh god,” Gavin groans, bringing a hand to pinch at the bridge of his nose. “Shit. Now we’ve got an impressionist. Phck this.”

“Hey,” Nines calls, setting down his drink to draw Gavin’s hand away from his face. “We’ve done this before. We can do it again.”

Gavin ignores the feeling of Nines practically holding his hand. “Nines, we barely got out alive last time. I don’t want to put you through that again.”

“Me?” Nines chuckles. “I’m Cyberlife’s top creation, Detective. I’m built for this. We can do this.” He squeezes Gavin’s hand gently before releasing it and grabbing his drink from the bar counter. After a sip, he speaks again. “Plus, I bet it’ll be kind of nice to have an all-expenses-paid trip and hotel.”

Gavin tilts his head. That is a perk. Plus, if there’s only one bed- “Fine,” he sighs. “You got me. But tonight, we have to enjoy the party since it’s the last one for at least six months. And the bar is open. Let’s get drunk and forget about it until tomorrow, deal?”

Nines grins. “Deal.”

It’s kind of nice, as they sit and chat. Tina and the new girl, Jackie as she introduced herself, join them for a deep conversation about a previous case, and Gavin almost forgets the daunting task they’ll have tomorrow. Almost. But when they laugh at something Tina says and he turns to Nines who has a grin on his face and a cool, blue LED, Gavin can’t help but think how beautiful the fireflies are tonight.

Chapter 2: Broken AC

Summary:

“What?” Gavin says in disbelief. “Tell me I just heard you wrong.”

*********************************************

Or, when Gavin and Nines get a new assignment that might or might not break them.

“What?” Gavin says in disbelief. “Tell me I just heard you wrong.” He plucks his shirt from his skin, fanning himself. Fuck today and the AC for going out at the DPD.

Captain Fowler raises an eyebrow. A bead of sweat courses down the side of his face, but he looks unaffected. “You heard me correct son. One month. The hotel reservation is already made. You’ve got a month to bring down this Impressionist, as you called him, and give the Milwaukee PD something to work with. They’ve specifically requested the two of you for your work on the original case and Nines’ exceptional capabilities. So, as I said, pack your bags for one month and come back when you find them.”

Gavin shakes his head, his hand already pinching the bridge of his nose. When he looks up, Nines is standing just as stoic as the first day they met. Damn the android for not being affected by this cursed air conditioning. The captain sends him one of his trademarked looks before turning back to his terminal and typing. Gavin senses his cue and stands, turning to the door when Fowler’s voice rings out in the overheated glass office.

“And Gavin. Don’t fuck this up and make the DPD look bad.”

Gavin grimaces before sending a mock, sweaty salute the captain’s way. Nines follows him out the door and down to his desk, opting to lean against it with his arms crossed as Gavin plops down into his rolling chair. He leans back and kicks his feet up onto the desk next to Nines before wiping the sweat from his forehead and resting his head in his left hand.

“What have we gotten ourselves into?” the detective asks rhetorically.

“At least I was right about the expenses,” Nines chuckles lightly.

Gavin sighs, picking up his head and leaning back against the chair, fanning himself with his hand. “Yeah, that’s fair. How far is Milwaukee from here anyway? Five hours -ish?”

“Five hours and fifty-six minutes, if we leave right this second. One hour and twenty minutes by plane, but I’ll assume you would prefer not to do so.”

“Yeah, phck planes. We’ll take my car if that’s cool. At least there’s AC in there.” Nines nods. “Alright. When is the reservation? Tonight? Because I gotta go home and pack before we leave, not to mention find someone to watch my cat while I’m gone.”

Nines tilts his head, his LED cycling yellow for a second before he speaks. “Officer Chen said she would be willing to watch your cat while you are gone. She did, however, request that you ‘did that thing she told you to do’ in return.”

Gavin rolls his eyes, kicking his feet off the desk and standing from the chair. “Remind me to kick her ass when we get back.”

“Noted.”

Gavin shakes his head with a smile. “Hopefully in a month the AC will be back on in his god-forsaken place.”

Nines hums his acknowledgement. He’s still wearing his Cyberlife-issued jacket and turtleneck, and Gavin is sweating in his jeans and short-sleeve tee. If only Nines could get overheated and need to remove-

“The repair team is already on the way. They should be here later this afternoon, but we should be on the road by then.”

Gavin grunts, grabbing his sweatshirt from the back on his chair. “Good. You wanna chill here or you good to come back to my place while I pack?” He knows what he hopes the answer is.

“I’ll come with you, if that’s okay,” Nines says tentatively, like he would be intruding.

Gavin lets out the breath he was holding. “Cool, let’s dip from his circle of hell.” He snags his keys from the desk and leads Nines to his car out in the back lot. He cranks the AC on all the way once they’re inside, the air blasting his hair back. Nines, of course, is unaffected by the AC and endures the cool air that hits his synthetic skin and hair. The drive to his apartment is quick, the silence between them filled with the quiet hum of the radio. He hopes and prays his apartment isn’t in disarray (he can’t remember the last time he cleaned up) but maybe it isn’t as bad as he remembers.

It’s as bad as he remembers. The evidence that this is a singular bachelor pad is very apparent when they cross the threshold into his apartment. There are various food containers from his bad take-out habits, dishes piled high in the sink, clothes on the floor of his room, and his cat, Dipshit, snoring on the sofa. It’s kind of a mess. But at least the AC is working.

“Er, sorry about this. Just ignore it. I haven’t had the time to clean in a minute.”

Nines says nothing, his LED slowly cycling yellow. Gavin grits his teeth and heads to his room, shutting the door behind him. He kicks the clothes on the floor into a pile, stripping his sweaty shirt for a clean one in the closet. There’s a large duffel bag in the back of his closet, and he pulls it to the bed to fill it with a month’s worth of clothes.

He doesn’t have a month’s worth of clothes. A month is a long time to be stuck in a hotel with your hot android partner. He crams as many clothes as he can in the duffel, preparing for anything. He has no idea what kind of things they will have to do to get the information they need about this impressionist guy. Not to mention the long ass drive there and back. He’s going to have to find something to talk about so the ride isn’t so awkward. This is already stressful, and they haven’t even left yet.

Gavin stalks to the bathroom, packing his toiletries in a backpack. He looks in the mirror. The bags under his eyes aren’t so prominent today, which is kind of nice. A few more nights of actual rest could help get rid of them entirely, but he knows sharing a room with Nines isn’t going to help him get any sleep. He groans at the thought. Fuck.

He emerges from the room with his duffel and backpack. The sight in front of him takes him by surprise. In that short amount of time, the room has been cleared of take-out boxes and dishes, and Nines is seated on the couch with a snoring Dipshit in his lap. His eyes are closed and his LED circles a soft blue. Gavin stands a moment longer, taking in the view. Nines and Dipshit looks so calm, it’s endearing. After a beat, the android opens his eyes and makes eye contact with Gavin, causing the detective to clear his throat and walk to the counter, tossing his bags up onto the kitchen island. The red probably creeps up his neck to his cheeks from getting caught staring, but Nines doesn’t comment on it.

“Ready?” he asks, turning to face the android who has a small smile on his face as he pets the cat. Nines stands slowly, folding Dipshit into his arms. She peaks her head out from his forearms, but quickly returns to resting.

“Do we need to bring any cat food?” Nines ask quietly, trying not to wake her.

It’s weird, hearing Nines talk so softly. “Nah, Tina has some at her place from the last time she cat-sat for me. We should be good.”

Nines nods, heading towards the door. Gavin slings the bags, one on each shoulder, and follows the android to the front of the apartment. He opens the door for Nines, allowing him and the cat to head to the elevator as he locks the door behind him. Dipshit rests easily in Nines’ arms, and Gavin wonders how he can manage her so well. Normally Dipshit would jump at the opportunity to be outside of the apartment, but in his arms she sleeps tranquilly. Gavin sighs.

The heat outside is comparable to the heat inside the DPD, and the pair rush to Gavin’s car intending to get out of the hot quickly. He’s sweating again, though not nearly as bad as earlier, when he starts the car. The AC blasts at full capacity again, and he turns it down as to not disturb Dipshit. When he looks over at her, Nines is smiling at him, eyes half-lidded. Gavin smiles back sheepishly, pulling out of the lot towards Tina’s apartment. He hopes the AC can keep him from flushing every time Nines looks his way.

Notes:

Gavin needs the AC to be working now. Nines might be in for more than he can handle this month.

Chapter 3: Road Trip

Summary:

What is there to talk about on a six hour road trip with your hot android partner?

They’re a couple hours into the road trip when Nines asks. They’ve been shooting the shit, talking about sports and other cases, having a pleasant time. All of that came to a halt when Nines turns his question to Gavin.

“What did Officer Chen mean by her text message, Detective?”

Gavin scrunches his eyebrows together. “What text message?” he asks ignorantly. Oh god, here we go.

“When I messaged Officer Chen about watching your cat while we are gone on this case, she suggested she would do it at the price of you doing what she told you to do. I was just wondering,” Nines draws out, turning to face the detective, “What that could possibly mean?”

Gavin reddens, clamming up. “It means she’s being an asshole, that’s what that means.”

Nines raises an eyebrow but waits for the detective to continue speaking. Gavin knows it’s a tactic to get him to say more than he intends to, and unfortunately, it’s very effective.

He sighs. “She wanted me to do something for her that I never promised I would do. She kinda shoved me into it, to be honest.” Nines hums, waiting patiently for more information. But Gavin won’t give him the satisfaction of knowing what she really wanted him to do, or who he needs to talk to. It’s going to be a long month if Gavin tries to make a move and Nines doesn’t feel the same way. He swallows, deciding to change the subject. “So, tell me about the victim. What’s up with her? How do we know it’s this impressionist of Fitzgerald?”

Nines tilts his head, obviously displeased at the change of topic, but he doesn’t mention it. “Fiona Goodling. Twenty-six. Journalist for the Milwaukee Times. Found dead in the street in front of her home by her father, Jeff Goodling. Apparently, he went looking for her after she missed a family gathering. She lived alone and was rather independent, which is why she was never reported missing. The autopsy demonstrated that she had been slit in the carotid artery and her right index and left ring finger were missing. This lines up with the first known murder of Aleks Fitzgerald, which if you remember, was Francine Gideon. She was also a journalist, though for the Detroit Times newspaper. Also twenty-six.”

Gavin hums, squinting his eyes out at the road. He pauses before he speaks. “How did they piece together that it was a Fitzgerald imitator? It’s only been one murder and serial killers take trophies like fingers all the time.”

When Nines doesn’t reply immediately, Gavin glances over at him. There’s a light blue dusted across his cheeks, and he almost looks embarrassed. “I- Well. That was me.”

“Wait, what?” Gavin asks, tearing his eyes back and forth between the android and the road. “You did that?”

“I pieced together that it was the same type of murder, and someone was impersonating a criminal we had directly worked on. I contacted the Milwaukee Police Department and they agreed with me, asking for you and me to come work on the case for them.”

“Nines, that’s,” Gavin blows out a puff of air, “That’s impressive. So now what? We gotta figure out how and when this guy is gonna strike next.”

Nines smiles to himself, his cheeks still a light blue. “I’ve already compiled a list of potential victims who reside in Milwaukee. I’ve crossed referenced initials and occupation with the next victims. Fitzgerald struck twice within the same week, so we only have a few days to stop him before he strikes again.”

Gavin whistles lowly. “Phck, that’s going to be hard. How many options do we have for the next victim?”

“Quite a few, unfortunately. The initials are H.M., and the occupation is a server. That could be a multitude of people around the age of twenty-two. The first victim was a brunette, which rules out a considerable number of individuals, but still leaves quite a lengthy list. Milwaukee is a big city.”

“No shit,” Gavin comments, almost to himself. They sit in a comfortable silence as Gavin thinks over the information. “I have no idea how we are going to be able to narrow down the list of people to find the victim before it’s too late. There’s only two of us.”

Nines hums, nodding as he also contemplates the possible choices for the victims. They could potentially have the entire Milwaukee Police Department go on a manhunt for all H.M.’s that work as servers, but they have no idea where and when the Impressionist will strike. It might not even be in Milwaukee. Gavin sighs, resting his head on his left hand as he drives. He glances Nines’ way, and his LED casts a yellow glow on the car window.

Gavin turns the car down another street, following the GPS. They don’t have much longer until they arrive at the hotel. He wonders what Nines is thinking about in that robotic brain of his.

“What’s going on in that plastic brain?” he surprises even himself when the words slip from his mouth.

Nines tilts his head, squinting his eyes at the detective. “I’m mapping the possible locations of the killer. Cross referencing with the location of the first victim and the next potential victims. It’s quite a lot to work on,” he says coyly, a small smile sneaking into the corner of his mouth. “What are you thinking of, Detective?”

The way Nines purrs his name certainly does nothing to his insides. He squirms in his seat, sitting back in the chair all the way and pretending to stretch. “Not much,” he jokes, a grin coming to his face. “Just wondering what you’re thinking. Kinda boring in the car without you going on and on about the statistics of Gary Gibson-”

“Gibbons.”

“Gibbons, whatever. What’s next, you gonna fill me in on the stats of that new android quarterback?”

Nines grins. “I’d love to.”

It’s actually not that bad. Nines is quite knowledgeable of all the sports Gavin likes, and he has interesting facts about the players Gavin has never heard. And it’s kind of nice to talk about something not so gruesome as they roll up on the hotel.

“I’m just saying, I don’t know about it. Seems too fishy to me.”

“Are you telling me you just watch football for the guys that play it?”

Gavin reddens. “No, I- No. I like football as a sport. It’s interesting.”

Nines raises his eyebrows as Gavin parks the car. “You like watching big, burly men fight over a ball?”

Gavin scrunches his face. “It sounds weird when you put it like that! I like the fighting of football, the screaming in the stands. It’s all about the ambiance.”

“So you like it then?”

“Yes, Nines, I like it.”

Nines has a cheeky grin on his face as he grabs the handle of the door. “I just wanted you to admit that you like watching men.”

“Hey-” Gavin calls, but the android is already out the door and stretching his synthetic limbs. Gavin opens his own door and turns around to make a comeback when he catches sight of Nines. The android has his hands above his head, reaching towards the sky with his head knocked back. The fabric of his shirt is raised, exposing the slimmest amount of his midriff, and Gavin’s voice catches in his throat.

He coughs, clearing his throat. “I thought androids didn’t need to stretch,” Gavin notes, opting to ignore the feeling in his stomach as he reaches for the trunk latch.

Nines releases his stretch, letting his arms trail back down to his sides and his eyes bore into Gavin’s. “We don’t,” he responds coyly, winking before he heads towards the main entrance of the hotel. Gavin shakes his head, grabbing his big duffel bag and backpack from the trunk. What a wild road trip. At least they’re here now, and all that’s left is to tackle sharing a room with his hot android partner.

Notes:

God I am so in love with their dynamic.

Chapter 4: Popsicle

Summary:

“Fine, happy now?”

“I’ll be happy once we get food in you and get me a thirium popsicle.”

“There’s a Nathan’s down the block,” Nines comments once Gavin is out of the shower and freshly changed.

“What?” Gavin asks dumbly, using his towel to wipe at his hair again.

“I said, there’s a Nathan’s down the street. You need sustenance and I heard a rumor that they have thirium ice cream.”

“Thirium ice cream?” Gavin asks himself. He tosses the towel back into the bathroom, his vague hamper for now. At Nines’ glare he retreats into the bathroom and hangs the towel on the towel rack. “Fine, happy now?”

“I’ll be happy once we get food in you and get me a thirium popsicle.”

Gavin rolls his eyes, sitting on the bed and lacing up his shoes. The DPD was courteous enough to allow him a luxurious king bed and Nines can probably chill on the sofa. Gavin tells himself he’s not butthurt that they don’t have to share a bed, since Nines is an android and definitely doesn’t feel the same way. He swallows, lost in thought, when the android appears right in front of him.

“Ready?” Nines asks, tossing his head in the direction of the door. Gavin nods, standing from the bed and following Nines out of the door. He checks his back pocket and ensures the hotel key card is there before closing the door all the way and heading down the block. Nathan’s is a popular ice cream bar that serves some much-deserved greasy food and is conveniently located. The line in front of the bar is long but served quick, and soon Gavin and Nines are at the window ordering.

“Uh,” he says intellectually, realizing he was preoccupied with other thoughts and forgot to look at the menu.

Nines steps around him. “He’ll have a cheeseburger and a peanut butter chocolate shake, and I’ll have a thirium popsicle.” Gavin turns his head and scrunches his face.

“How did you-”

Nines shoots him a cheeky grin. His LED cycles yellow for a brief moment before Nines pulls him by the wrist towards the pick-up area. Nines lets go of his arm as he finds a table and sits, nodding to the seat next to him. Gavin climbs into the seat to the right of the android. The umbrella is open above their table despite the time of day, so they are kind of secluded. Gavin watches with his head on his right hand as Nines grabs the meal and makes his way back to the table. It’s languid, almost, being here with Nines, just the two of them. Nines looks to be thoroughly enjoying his popsicle, his pert tongue roving over the length. Gavin stops midbite, watching the android work his tongue over the frozen thirium, eyes closed as he sucks softly. Nines opens his eyes halfway, pupils large as he makes eye contact with the detective. Gavin’s breath catches in his throat, and he widens his eyes as Nines swirls his tongue over the tip.

“You!”

Gavin and Nines turn, startled by the voice to their side. Gavin swallows his bite, coughing as he tries to clear his throat.

“I knew it was you.” A tall man approaches the pair, oblivious to the moment he’s interrupting. They turn and look at each other before looking back to the intruder.

“Uh,” Gavin starts, placing his burger back onto the paper plate.

“You don’t recognize me?” The man asks, directing his attention only to Nines.

Nines releases the popsicle and squints his eyes. He obviously knows who it is but doesn’t know how this man knows who he is. “Mr. Goodling.”

“Ha!” The man clasps a hand on Nines’ shoulder, and Gavin looks at the interaction before glaring at him. “You do know me. Connor, right? I saw you on the TV. Are ya here about my Fiona?”

“I’m sorry,” Nines says, looking down to his shoulder where Mr. Goodling still has his hand, “You must’ve mistaken me for my predecessor. My name is Nines.”

The correction doesn’t dampen Mr. Goodling’s mood. “Ah, Nines is it? Well, Nines, I’m glad you’re here. I was wondering when they were going to send someone to work on my girl’s case.”

“Detective, this is Jeff Goodling,” Nines says, moving his attention down to Gavin. “Fiona Goodling’s father.”

Gavin nods slowly, the recognition dawning on his brain. “I’m sorry for your loss, Mr. Goodling.”

Jeff Goodling looks to Gavin for a second, nodding his acknowledgement. “So, are ya boys here to solve Fiona’s case? I didn’t recognize ya as regulars, so you kinda stick out.”

“Uh,” Gavin says again, panic written on his face.

“No,” Nines says at the same time. The pair look at each other, and Jeff looks between them.

“No?”

“No,” Nines repeats, grabbing Gavin’s left hand. “We’re here on vacation.”

“Ah,” Jeff Goodling says, taking a step back. “I see now. I was just hoping they would send one of you super robots to work on her case. I didn’t mean to interrupt,” he says defeatedly, holding up two hands in a sorry gesture.

Oh shit. Gavin feels guilty now. This poor guy was just looking for closure on his daughter’s death and it looks like they’ve ruined his chances. “No, really, it’s okay,” the detective says, looking between the android and Mr. Goodling. He squeezes Nines’ hand. “We totally understand.”

Nines looks into Gavin’s eyes, searching for something, but slowly nods before turning his head back to the man.

Mr. Goodling looks like he’s going to cry. Gavin cringes internally, knowing they’ve caused this, but before he can deal damage control, Jeff speaks again.

“Listen, you boys seem nice enough. If you’re still in town in two weeks, I’m holding a little get-together in remembrance on Fiona’s birthday. It’d be real nice to have some fresh faces there.”

Nines squeezes Gavin’s hand again. “We’d love to attend. When will you be hosting?”

Jeff Goodling takes out a business card with his phone number and address. “The party’s on the ninth, roughly around three in the afternoon. Come if you can. Any questions, you can always give me a call or shoot me a text.” He nods to the pair before sending a brief, watery smile and heading towards the parking lot.

Nines squeezes Gavin’s hand and releases it, turning to clean his hand from the melted popsicle. Gavin turns from facing the android and picks up his half-eaten burger. He takes a large bite, reveling in what just happened. Not only did they get invited to the first victim’s house, but now they have to go undercover as a couple. Fuck.

“That was interesting,” Nines says, sticking out his tongue to work on his blue popsicle again. Gavin actually manages to swallow his bite without choking on it this time, watching Nines’ tongue roam.

“Yeah,” he lets out a light chuckle. “Yeah, that was something else.” He reaches for his shake on the table, mostly melted by the time he finally gets to it. He was a bit distracted during their late dinner, and not just from Jeff Goodling. A satisfying pop sounds next to him as Nines sucks the remainder of the popsicle from the stick. He’s going to have trouble sleeping tonight if he can’t get the way Nines works his tongue out of his mind. He looks over to the android and notes his satisfied grin and solid blue LED. He smiles back, enjoying the way Nines leans his arm onto the table and asks him another question about the Detroit Pistons. He could get used to this.

Notes:

Gavin could watch Nines eat a popsicle all day long...

Chapter 5: Summer Rain

Summary:

Gavin is comforted to know they will be inside for a while. Well, comforted probably isn’t the best word.

Sharing a hotel with Nines isn’t so bad after all. He sits on the sofa and goes into ‘stasis’ as he called it, and Gavin sleeps peacefully in the king bed. They’ve gotten into a routine; Nines brews him coffee before he wakes, and they go down to the hotel lobby for breakfast together. They work on names and occupations for a while, waiting anxiously for the next body to drop, but somehow Nines always keeps his mind from reeling while they are together.

It’s been a few days of nothing. They’ve cross referenced everyone Nines can think of, even people who live outside Milwaukee and commute into the city. There are just too many people who fit the description. They visit a few of them at their jobs on varying ‘dates’, but everyone seems to be fine, not at all worried about being killed in a few days. They don’t know who it will be and when the Impressionist will strike next.

The rain pours down in heavy, silent sheets. Gavin is comforted to know they will be inside for a while. Well, comforted probably isn’t the best word. He turns from the shop window and faces the scene in front of them. Police tape crosses the front door and the forensic team is working on the victim.

“Helen Myerson,” Nines says, appearing at Gavin’s side. “H.M. Working at Coff-E shoppe in Milwaukee. Twenty-three. Brunette. Similar to Fitzgerald’s second known victim.”

Gavin sighs, taking in the information. He wishes they could’ve gotten to her sooner. “We should’ve known, Nines. We should’ve been there to stop him.”

Nines LED cycles yellow before he speaks. “We didn’t know who it was going to be, Detective. We had no way of knowing it would be Helen.”

“Was she at least on your list?”

Nines nods, a sullen look on his face. Gavin isn’t the only one feeling guilty about getting here too late.

“What happened to her?”

Nines looks to the body, then back at the detective. “Forensics think she was administered a poison, which is correct. I sampled her blood from the neck wound and discovered she was injected with Drano, the popular drain unclogging liquid. Her body was moved post-mortem to resemble a prayer stance, exactly like Fitzgerald’s second victim. She’s also missing the same fingers.”

“Phck,” Gavin grimaces. It isn’t pretty. The forensic team has finished taking pictures when they call the morticians to remove the body from the scene. “Any idea who did it?”

“Best guess is the Impressionist. For some reason, the footage wasn’t rolling for the security cameras last night or this morning. The video cuts off some time around eight in the evening, and they come back on at nine this morning.”

The detective shakes his head. How are they ever going to catch this guy? “What are the next initials and the job?”

“V.D. and an actress. There are significantly less individuals on this list, so hopefully we can work something out before he strikes again.” Nines’ voice doesn’t waver, but his LED cycles yellow and Gavin knows they both feel the same way. They’ll never figure out who this is in time.

“How long do we have?”

Nines frowns. “A week, maybe longer, maybe shorter. The Impressionist is committing the crimes around the same time frame, much like the victims are roughly the same people. Fitzgerald committed the third known murder nine days after the second victim. This time by drowning.”

Gavin remembers seeing the body, floating face down in her hot tub. The water was stained pink from the blood of her missing fingers. He thinks about how they caught the first killer. They only managed to capture Fitzgerald after he kidnapped Gavin and Nines broke into the abandoned warehouse to save him. It was a hell of a fight, and Gavin still has a scar on his chest and arm from a slashing of Fitzgerald’s knife. Nines’ chassis was replaced without hindrance, so it’s like it never happened for him. Gavin clutches at his arm subconsciously, remembering the pain of the blade.

“Nines,” Gavin asks, drawing the android’s attention from the forensic team. “How did you know which warehouse Fitzgerald took me to?”

Nines LED cycles red for a second before returning to a soft yellow. “I didn’t,” he admits, blue dusting his cheeks. “I just went to every one I could think of and broke in until I found you.”

Gavin nods to himself, thinking it over.

“Tell me you aren’t thinking that’s the only way to catch the Impressionist.”

Gavin blinks, scrunching his face. “No, no way. The Impressionist would’ve done that already if he recognized me. I’m just trying to think over how we could catch this guy. What happens when he gets to the end of the list? Does he just start killing randomly? Phck, Nines, I don’t know what I’ll do if-”

“Hey,” Nines calls, grabbing onto the detective’s shoulders to ground him. “Hey. We’re going to catch this guy, okay? We’ve done it once, and this guy is just a bad imitation of the first. Just relax. We can do this.”

Gavin slumps his shoulders, letting go of the tension he’s been subconsciously holding. Nines’ strong hands hold him firmly, and he listens to the rain quietly pour down outside the shop. It’s probably nice and warm outside. He nods to Nines before the android squeezes his shoulders and releases them. He scratches at his forehead, still contemplating what to do.

“Wait,” he says, drawing his eyebrows together. “I just realized. You keep saying ‘known victims’. Do you think there are other victims that Fitzgerald and this Impressionist have killed, and we don’t know about?”

“It’s possible,” Nines replies, tilting his head. “What are you thinking, Detective?”

Gavin opens his eyes – when did he close them? – and grabs Nines by the wrist. “I’m thinking,” he says, dragging Nines through the virtual police tape, “That we need to get out of here.”

Nines stumbles behind him, caught off guard by the sudden movement, but he quickly regains his composure. Gavin leads them out the front doors and beyond the awning of the coffee shop. He stops once they are in the rain, leaning his face up to lather in the rich sensation of the warm water on his skin. He peeks an eye open, looking at Nines’ confused expression.

“Come on, relax, Nines,” Gavin says coyly, bumping his hip into the stoic android. “Enjoying the rain is part of the human experience.”

He forgot he was holding Nines’ wrist until the android intertwines their fingers. Gavin looks down to their hands then back to Nines’ face. The android has his eyes closed and a smile on his face, and for the first time this afternoon, Gavin notices his LED is blue.

Notes:

Oh to feel the summer rain on your face while you intertwine your fingers with your romantic interest...

Chapter 6: 4th of July

Summary:

He stands just outside the door, watching the night sky as more fireworks go off. He’s so caught up in the moment he forgets Nines is there, and when he glances at the android, he’s staring at Gavin with a soft yellow LED and a small smile in the corner of his mouth.

Gavin can’t help but be grateful that libraries still exist and let you print out whatever papers you want as long as you pay. And he’s thankful this is all on the DPD’s budget. And he’s thankful they’re open on holidays. So many reasons to love the library, he thinks as he stands by the printer, printing out several more headshots of actresses with the initials V.D. Once the printer finishes its futile attempt to complete Gavin’s request, he takes the printed pages and heads out the door to the hotel up the street, waving to Mrs. Wilson behind the desk. Such a nice old lady on a perfect day like today. Gavin stalks through to the pavement, soaking in the bright sunlight of the fourth of July. They only have a few hours until sunset, and he’s determined to enjoy the evening with fireworks one way or the other.

He opens the hotel door quickly, sneaking in through the door so no one sees him. Not like it’s a big deal that they are here. Anyone who sees them together probably thinks they are together, and not at all undercover searching for a serial killer. Nines looks up from the tablet, piercing blue eyes boring into Gavin’s soul.

“Did you get them?” he asks, scooting back in the chair to approach Gavin and take the papers from his hands.

“Why’d you ask if you were just going to take them right out of my hands?” the detective asks petulantly, rolling his eyes. He plops down on the bed while Nines uses scissors he somehow acquired to cut out the images of the women. On the wall behind the sofa is a large, very true to serial killer movies, map of the actresses and their locations, as well as string connecting the other murders. There are a couple of women that fit the description within the immediate proximity of the other two victims, and that’s where Gavin and Nines start. They drive to Waukesha, just on the outside of Milwaukee, to check on two of the women. After several hours of nothing, just furtive glances through Vanessa’s window, Gavin grabs the wheel and peels out into the road, headed back towards the hotel.

“Detective?” Nines asks tentatively.

“We’re not getting anywhere with this,” Gavin explains, stopping at a red light to bang his head against the steering wheel.

“You’re hungry,” the android comments, giving a probably reasonable but undesired explanation for Gavin’s mood at the moment.

Gavin grips his face with one hand, rubbing his temples. “Yeah, I know you’re right,” he admits, defeated. “Let’s grab a bite before we head back into town. What’s on the way?”

Nines’ LED cycles a soft yellow as he comes up with a list of nearby restaurants, shortly returning to its calming blue. Gavin decides to sit in somewhere, stopping at a mom-and-pop restaurant.

“I’m tired of being in the car,” he had said, tearing out of the vehicle the second they arrived. Now, he’s seated across from the android in the restaurant, swinging his legs lazily under the table. He’s staring at the menu when his leg accidentally hits Nines’ shin beneath the table. “Oh phck, sorry,” Gavin says, looking under the table to see what he kicked. He’s got a split second to sit back up before Nines’ foot taps his own shin. Gavin scrunches his face, looking at Nines who is pointedly staring at the menu and ignoring the detective. He kicks back, connecting with Nines’ leg, which kicks him a second later. Gavin leans down in the seat, aiming his legs at Nines’ under the table when the waitress comes up to the table.

“What can I get ya’ll boys?” she asks sweetly, leaning over the table with her notepad. She’s apparently oblivious to what just happened, and Gavin sits up rapidly like he wasn’t just playing footsie under the table.

“I’d love to try the Blue Lagoon,” Nines says to her, handing over his menu. He looks to Gavin with both hands under his chin, acting so innocent.

“Uh,” Gavin says, looking between the waitress and Nines’ coquettish expression. “Just a burger please. And a water.”

“You want cheese on that, Darlin’? And a lemon in your water?”

“Uh, yes please. To both,” he clarifies. He clears his throat, handing her the menu. She returns to the kitchen with a pleasant smile, leaving the pair staring at each other for a long moment. “What was that?” Gavin asks, hushed as he leans forward over the table.

Nines smiles coyly, feigning innocence. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You kicked me!”

“If I recall, you kicked me first, Detective.”

Gavin tries very hard to focus on the argument and not the way Nines purrs out his name. “On accident! I didn’t try to take your shin out-”

“Here you boys go,” the waitress announces her return. She places what looks like a fancy daiquiri glass in front of Nines and a water glass with a lemon in front of Gavin. “Anything else I can get you two?”

Nines stares at Gavin with his eyebrows raised and kicks him lightly under the table.

“No- Uh, no, I think we’re good,” Gavin says sheepishly, giving her a tight smile before sending an unheated glare Nines’ way. When she turns from the table, Gavin swings his leg forward, colliding with the booth. “Ow, you phcker,” he laughs, peering under the table to look for Nines’ leg. He doesn’t have time to move out of the way before Nines kicks him again and they’re both laughing. Nines looks happier than he has all day, and it’s kind of nice, if Gavin has a say about it.

The waitress returns with his burger and Gavin chews through it thoroughly. Nines seems to enjoy his thirium cocktail, and for now, their legs rest normally under the table. He’s caught up in staring at the android when the first sound hits his eardrums. He looks out the window, staring up at the sky. Another round of fireworks light up the dimly lit sky. The sun hasn’t even set fully, and people are already setting them off. Gavin grins, shoving the last of his burger in his mouth and washing it down with a swig of his water.

“C’mon,” he calls, tossing two twenties onto the table and practically dragging Nines out of the restaurant. He stands just outside the door, watching the night sky as more fireworks go off. He’s so caught up in the moment he forgets Nines is there, and when he glances at the android, he’s staring at Gavin with a soft yellow LED and a small smile in the corner of his mouth.

“Your turn,” Nines says, grabbing Gavin’s wrist and leading him to the car. He pushes Gavin into the driver’s seat then climbs into the passenger’s seat. “Turn right out of this parking lot.”

“Yes sir,” Gavin says sarcastically, sending a wink Nines’ way. The android laughs, his LED casting a yellow glow onto the window. Nines’ directions seem crazy, but when he pulls into a deserted field, Gavin is taken aback. There’s just weeds for a while, then trees on either side of the field. It’s very secluded, and Gavin drives into the middle of the weeds before putting the car in park.

He nods his head towards the door, hand on the handle. Nines seems to get the hint and they exit the car together. Gavin leans forward, hopping onto the front of his car. The android seems hesitant but climbs up next to the detective. Gavin leans back against his windshield, arms behind his head. He looks up to the sky and watches the multitude of fireworks as Nines leans back to join him, hands clasped over his abdomen. It’s serene, sitting here with Nines and watching as the night sky lights up above them. He looks over to the android, watching contentedly as the fireworks colour his face. Nines turns his head, eyes finding the detective’s own. Gavin could lay like this forever.

Notes:

What I wouldn't give for this kind of fourth of July...

Chapter 7: Ice Cubes

Summary:

Things get a little heated between the detective and his android partner. Maybe some ice cubes can cool the tension?

The bed dips beside him. Gavin groans, pulling an arm up to his face and blocking out the sunlight. It’s got to be the crack of dawn, since barely any light makes it through the curtains. But the sunlight hitting his face is the least of his concerns when the mass beside him straddles his lap, leaning up to plant its hands on either side of his head. Gavin squints in the darkness, trying to get a view of the person above him. His eyes roll back into his head when their hips rock down onto him.

“Phck,” he groans out, hands gripping the bedsheets on either side of his body. He strains against the pillows, reveling in the feeling of the person above him.

“Good morning, Detective,” he hears Nines whisper into his ear, lazily rolling his hips against Gavin.

“Phck, Nines-”

“Shhh,” Nines mouths against his jaw, moving lower down his neck to his chest. His shirt must’ve been ripped off before this, as well as the blankets. Nines moves further down his body, planting small, wet kisses along his chest and torso, stopping just above his waistband. He hooks his fingers over the band, tugging his boxers down lower.

“Detective,” Nines calls, and Gavin looks down to the android between his legs. “Detective.” Something is violently shaking him. “Detective!”

Gavin opens his eyes. He stares out in the brightly lit room, squinting his eyes. Nines is standing next to the bed, hand on his shoulder. The detective looks down and finds his shirt and bed sheets still in place. He draws his legs up to hide the evidence of his wet dream, tossing a hand over his eyes as the sunlight burns his retinas.

“Detective,” Nines exhales, apparently relieved. “I was under the impression you were in distress. Are you alright?”

Gavin lets his arm fall to his side, staring up at the ceiling. “Yeah, Nines, I’m good,” he croaks out, though he’ll never admit he’s disappointed that he didn’t get to see what dream Nines was going to do next. Maybe if he rolls over and goes back to sleep, he can pick up where he left off? His desperate attempt to get laid, if only in a dream, is put on hold when Nines hands him his freshly brewed coffee, and he sits up to drink it. He lets his legs fall back down to the bed, content that the evidence is no longer an issue. He sips lightly, pleasantly surprised that Nines always knows the perfect balance of sugar and creamer for his coffee. Though he guesses he shouldn’t be, since Nines is basically a supercomputer that knows everything about him. Well, almost everything.

“What do we got today?” Gavin asks around his coffee, relishing in the way the coffee warms his soul. It’s scalding, just the way he likes it.

Nines sits at the table in the middle of the room, chair turned to face the bed. “Today is the memorial service for Helen Myerson, and I thought we could go have a look around. Seventy-six percent of all homicide perpetrators are known to have attended the funeral or memorial service. Our killer could be among them, searching for their next victim.”

Gavin grimaces. Memorials have never really been his scene, but what choice do they have? “You think our V.D. will be there?”

“I have reason to suspect she will be, yes.”

“Phck,” Gavin groans, leaning back against the headboard. “Alright. Let me shower and then we can grab breakfast. What time is the service?”

Nines LED cycles yellow for a split second before returning to its normal blue. “It’s at one this afternoon, at Eastbrook Church across the city. It should take us about twenty minutes to arrive.”

“’Time’s it now?” the detective asks, knocking back the rest of his drink.

“Ten fourteen.”

Gavin sets the empty coffee cup on the side table, tossing the sheets off his legs as he swings them to the floor. He stands slowly, waiting for the black around the edges of his vision to clear. He would guess after a round of sweetened coffee that his blood sugar wouldn’t be so low, but oh well. He stands from the bed, stretching his arms high above his head and cracking his neck. Tina would make fun of him for getting so old if she were here right now. He casts his gaze down to the only other occupant in the room and notes Nines’ yellow LED as he stares at Gavin and his exposed midriff. The detective gives the android a flirtatious grin before trudging to the bathroom and starting the shower.

At twelve fifty-five, the pair arrives at Eastbrook Church on the opposite side of town. They’re dressed in all black – Gavin in a black tee and black jeans, and Nines has just ditched his cyberlife jacket. They look the part. If anything, they look like new residents paying their respects. No one knows their true motives.

The ice cubes in Gavin’s drink clink around the cup as he stands talking to a woman he’s just met. Ginny, as she’d introduced herself, is a schoolteacher at the local high school and frequented the Coff-E shoppe where Helen worked. Helen was a former student, and they often caught up with each other. Gavin takes a sip around his ice, enjoying the fresh squeezed lemonade they made available for the memorial. Ginny is talking about Helen’s achievements in her acting class when Jeff Goodling joins them.

“Mrs. Deavers! I see you’ve met my new friend, the detective.”

Gavin nods towards Jeff, holding his hand out. Jeff grabs his hand with both of his own, wrapping his thick fingers around the back of Gavin’s hand. He shakes once before letting go and smiling.

“Jeff,” Ginny says, taking her turn to give him a hug. “How are you holding up?” she asks as they stand back from each other.

“I’ve been better, ya know? But I’ll be okay. I thought, it’s so funny, but I thought Gavin and his partner were here to solve my Fiona’s case. Must’ve spooked these boys during their vacation.”

Ginny turns to face Gavin. “Oh, are you not staying? I thought you had just moved here. Silly me.”

A hand snakes around his waist. “We are on vacation, but we’re thinking about moving here,” Nines adds. “Nines,” he holds a hand out to Ginny, who shakes it with admiration.

“Ginny, Ginny Deavers,” she responds dreamily. Nines releases her hand after a second and sends a nod towards Jeff.

“Jeff, good to see you again.”

“And you too, Nines. Say, you boys still coming to my barbeque for Fiona?”

Nines squeezes Gavin’s side, and the detective wraps his right arm around the android. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Gavin takes a gracious sip of his drink, acting busy. The ice cubes are all that’s left in the cup when he finishes.

“Can I get you another, my love?” Nines asks, taking Gavin’s drink from his hand before can respond.

“Aww,” Ginny coos, “You two are so cute. If only my wife were here, I’m sure she would love to chat you up. She’s quite the talker, you know.” Gavin flushes and flashes her a tight smile before nodding his head towards the drink table.

“I’m gonna go grab him a drink while I’m there. It was great talking with you.”

“And you too, dear!” Ginny calls, turning to Jeff to no doubt continue their conversation about Fiona and her case.

Gavin works his hand around Nines’ waist, leaning to whisper in his ear as the android leans over to refill Gavin’s cup. “What was that?” he asks urgently, squeezing Nines’ side.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Nines says innocently, standing tall to take a sip of Gavin’s drink before scrunching his face and handing it to the detective.

“What, didn’t like it?” Gavin asks, changing the topic. Nines sends him a cheeky grin. When Gavin goes to take a sip, he notices the ice cubes in his drink are missing. The android must’ve tossed them. “How’d you know I hate ice cubes?”

“You only have them when you have a straw. It was easy to determine you don’t like the texture across your lips.”

Gavin pinkens at the accusation, thinking about the way Nines must’ve been focused on his lips. “I-”

“I know, love.”

The detective turns to face Nines. It’s so intimate and perfect the way the android calls him love. “Okay, babe,” he emphasizes, batting his eyelashes. “What did you figure out while we’ve been here?”

Nines grins. Now it’s Gavin who’s focused on his lips. When he looks back to Nines’ face, he has a blue dusting across his cheeks and something unknown behind his eyes. Gavin swallows. Maybe Nines does know everything about him.

Notes:

Take that percentage with a grain of salt - I couldn't find any real information about the percent of perpetrators that attend the funeral or memorial services, so I guesstimated.

Chapter 8: Heat of the Night

Summary:

They should’ve never driven the five hours to Michigan’s maximum-security prison to see Aleks Fitzgerald.

He’s kicking himself. He should’ve never suggested it. They should’ve never driven the five hours to Michigan’s maximum-security prison to see Fitzgerald. The Ionia Correctional Facility mentioned that Fitzgerald had never gotten visitors in the entire year he’s been incarcerated with them. And for good reason, Gavin notes. Aleks Fitzgerald is a menace.

“Are you alright, Detective?” Nines asks tentatively. Gavin is seething, grinding his teeth as the wind blows through his hair. They’ve been in the car for so long he forgot he was even driving back to the hotel.

“I’m fine,” Gavin says shortly. After a pause, he relents, dropping his shoulders. “Did we even get anything useful out of that at all? Tell me visiting Fitz and letting him harass me was worth it.”

Nines LED hasn’t changed from its soft yellow since they got into ICF. “I- I don’t know.” Nines answers honestly. Gavin pulls up to a stop light and rests his head on the steering wheel. He should’ve taken over the conversation and never let Fitzgerald get a say. Maybe then this wouldn’t have happened.

A hand on his thigh brings him back to the present. Nines runs his thumb gently over his leg in soft, comforting circles. A small smile comes to the corner of Gavin’s mouth but is quickly wiped away when he remembers what Fitzgerald had brought up.

He accelerates the car, closing his eyes briefly as the heat of the night blows past his ears. It’s comforting, knowing the outside world is still the same even though he doesn’t feel the same and doubts he ever will again. He let Aleks Fitzgerald get to him.

“I’ve done my research,” he had said, sitting in the only chair in his cell, facing the clear glass that separates Fitzgerald from the outside world. “I knew and know everything there is to know about you, Gavin Alexander Reed.”

Gavin remembers clamming up. No one ever calls him by his full name. No one. “Tell us what we need to know, Fitz,” the detective had said, giving a defeated sigh as he crossed his arms. Nines and Gavin were seated in plastic chairs outside Fitzgerald’s cell, facing in. Nines sat stoically as always, LED a constant yellow as he entered interrogation mode.

Fitzgerald holds a hand up to his mouth, tapping his fingers mockingly. “Tell me, Reed. What are your deepest, darkest fears? Is it being alone? Afraid of being abandoned?” He pauses to let out something like a cackle, only worse. Much worse. He leans forward in the chair, taunting the detective. “Tell me about your last memories of your mother. I want to know the last words she said to you before she left you and your little brother behind for good.”

Red had started to fill his vision. He remembers getting angry, unable to keep his temper in check. He had stood from his chair, fist and forearm banging against the glass as he slammed his body against it. “Don’t toy with me, you asshole. You know why we’re here. Tell us what we need to know about the Impressionist.”

“The Impressionist,” Fitzgerald had drawn out, leaning back against his chair and folding his arms across his chest. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I know you do! He’s impersonating you! Tell me what we need to know to catch this asshole before he strikes again!” Anger filled his vision, and he felt Nines’ tug on his wrist. He turned around, immediately backing away from the glass after seeing the red circle on the android’s temple. He returned to the plastic chair, and Nines’ LED resumed a soft yellow cycle.

Fitzgerald had smirked, clearly amused at their dynamic. “I’ll tell you what you need to know if you answer my questions, Detective Reed.”

Gavin taps his fingers on the steering wheel. He should never have given into Fitz’s desires, answered any of his questions. The memory fades as Nines speaks next to him. “That’s not why she left,” he says softly, still rubbing soft circles on Gavin’s thigh.

“What?” the detective rasps, his throat dry from not speaking while he was thrown back into the memory.

“That’s not why your mother left. She loved you. You and Elijah.”

Gavin sighs, leaning his arm out the window and letting the wind move his fingers. “I know she did. I just let him get to me, that’s all. I wasn’t even out when she left. I was too young to even remember her. She had no way of knowing I was gay. Hell, I didn’t even realize until college. Fitz is just an asshole with an ego complex and I’m just the sorry detective that needs the information he has.”

Nines hums quietly next to him. After a minute or two of silence, the android finally speaks. “At least we did get one piece of information.”

“Did we? ‘Cuz it felt like I just got the shit beat out of me for no reason,” Gavin chuckles weakly. His body aches like he just fought Connor in the evidence room again.

Nines squeezes his thigh gently. “He did tell us one thing – that the perpetrator is a local resident. We know they have to blend in with everyone else in order to get away with so many murders so quickly.” Nines LED still casts a yellow glow, though this time the window is down and can’t reflect the colour back.

“Yeah, I guess that’s true,” Gavin admits with a sigh. He moves his hand slightly, riding the waves of the wind as they pass. It’s so warm out tonight, but his mind is preoccupied with Fitz’s conversations. He wishes they never went. They sort of already knew it was a local guy. Fitz just pointed out the obvious. Fuck.

“Hey,” Nines calls softly, drawing his attention away from his intrusive thoughts and the road. “Let’s just forget it for tonight. Fitzgerald is just some guy we already outsmarted. Just forget about him and focus on the case. Actually, tonight, don’t even worry about the case. We can worry about that tomorrow at the barbeque. Let’s just relax tonight.”

Gavin takes his hand in from outside the window and places it on the steering wheel, moving his other hand on top of Nines’. He squeezes lightly, and Nines flips his hand over, intertwining their fingers. He squeezes back, and Gavin feels a bit better already. They sit like that the rest of the ride, Nines occasionally squeezing his hand and Gavin squeezing back. When they arrive at the hotel, Nines lets go first, opening the door of the vehicle and exiting while Gavin sits in the car a moment longer. His mind is still on Fitzgerald when his own door opens.

“C’mon,” Nines says from the other side of the door, snagging Gavin’s wrist and dragging him out of the car. He opens the hotel door and practically shoves an exhausted Gavin into the room. The detective makes for the bathroom, brushing his teeth and washing his face before stripping his jeans and kicking them to the corner of the room. He opens the door and Nines is seated at the table in the middle of the floor, interfacing with the tablet they brought. He’s probably writing the report for today’s festivities. Gavin groans as he flops into the bed, and he feels Nines come up behind him and peel the sheets from under his body until they lay on top of him despite the heat. His eyes are already closed when Nines comes up to the side of the bed and runs his hand down the side of the detective’s face. He smiles into the hand, hearing a final ‘Goodnight, Detective’ before falling into a dreamless sleep.

Notes:

Sprinkle a little angst in there for my readers ♥

Chapter 9: Barbeque

Summary:

Gavin and Nines take on the tedious task of determining if the perpetrator is at the neighborhood barbeque, and things take a drastic turn that leaves them with a larger gap than they could've predicted.

The closing of the hotel door rouses him from his sleep. Gavin leans up on his forearms, squinting around the room. Nines is absent, but there’s a steaming cup of coffee on the side table next to the bed. Gavin sits up, leaning back against the headboard as he takes a sip of the scalding drink. He sits patiently, waiting for Nines to return. When Nines doesn’t return for ten minutes, Gavin stands from the bed and stretches, coffee reaching towards the ceiling. He cracks his neck as he walks towards the table where there are still various photos of women they haven’t hung up yet and the tablet Nines has been working on. Gavin opens the tablet, curious to see what the android has been up to. The applications are all closed, but Gavin heads to the DPD app to see the report Nines must’ve written about last night.

He’s pleasantly surprised. Nines wrote a good summary of their visit with Fitzgerald without admitting any of the nitty-gritty stuff Fitz put them through. At least Nines appears to be on his side. Gavin swipes up, closing the app and replacing the tablet. He finishes his coffee in one fell swoop, burning his throat before tossing the cup into the trash by the front door. Outside he hears two voices, one obviously Nines.

“Just let me know if you boys need anything,” an older man says as Gavin presses his ear to the door.

“We will, thank you Mr. Johnson. I’ll see you around.” Nines must have his hand on the door as he says his goodbyes, and Gavin backs up hastily, pretending to look casual. He pulls up the closest paper, one of the mugshots of the women, and looks it over. Nines opens the door, scrunching his face as he observes Gavin’s movements. The detective looks up, feigning a relaxed expression. “Everything okay, Detective?” Nines asks, tilting his head as he closes the door behind him.

“What? Me? I’m good,” Gavin says. “What was going on out there?” He tries to keep his jealousy at a minimum.

Nines grows a smirk on his face. “Nothing important,” he teases with a wink. “Staff just wanted to know why we didn’t want room service since we’ve been here. It has been two weeks.”

Gavin grimaces, looking around the room. At least his clothes are in a nice pile after Nines took them to the laundromat. But the other parts of the room, namely the table and the wall of mugshots, are in disarray. They definitely shouldn’t have room service. “Yeah, that’s a no go from me,” he chuckles.

Nines has a small smile on his face when he approaches the table and Gavin places the piece of paper back down. “Are you ready for the barbeque today? Hopefully we can come across local residents and see anyone with a connection to all of the victims.”

Gavin bites his lip, thinking over today’s activities. “Let me shower, then we can grab some lunch. It’s around eleven ish, right?”

“Eleven twenty-eight. You slept for a while last night.”

Gavin blows out a puff of air. “Yeah, Fitz really wore me out. At least today should be better. I’m gonna jump in the shower, I’ll be right back.” When he gets to the bathroom door, Nines has his mouth open like he has something to say but closes it when Gavin stops in his tracks. They stare at each other a moment longer before the detective’s skin flushes and he enters the bathroom. He leans back against the door, staring into the mirror. His neck and face are slightly red from the interaction. He starts the shower and wills the blood to go back to his brain.

They arrive at the picnic at a quarter to three, parking on the street of Jeff’s cul-de-sac. There are several cars lined up on the road, and music seems to be blasting from one of the residences.

“It’s kinda weird to be so cheery after your daughter’s death,” Gavin comments as he opens the car door and steps out into the street.

“Agreed,” Nines replies quietly, just loud enough for the detective to hear it. “Especially since the case is still unsolved.” They approach the address together, Nines linking their hands as Gavin knocks on the door. He squeezes their hands as Jeff Goodling opens the door.

“Nines, Gavin! So good to see you boys. Come in, come in. Everyone is out in the backyard. Help yourself to some drinks and burgers.”

They send him a smile and their thanks, wandering around the house as Jeff heads to the backyard. As soon as Jeff leaves, they make for the staircase, headed to Fiona’s room. Her room is lightly decorated, obviously the room of a twenty-three-year-old. The pair let go of their hands, picking through Fiona’s things. Gavin has the top drawer of her desk open when they hear a creaking of someone ascending the stairs. The detective has a panicked expression on his face when Nines slams the drawer closed and grabs the collar of Gavin’s shirt, connecting their mouths. Time freezes as Gavin’s breath catches in his throat. Nines swipes his tongue across the detective’s teeth, and Gavin groans into the kiss, taking a second before kissing back just as hard. He hears the door creak open and an ‘Oops! Sorry!’ as someone leaves the room the way they came.

Nines leans back, breaking the kiss. Gavin’s eyes are dilated, and his lips are probably puffy. Nines’ LED is yellow, his eyes dilated, and he stares at Gavin’s mouth before releasing the shirt from his grip.

“We should- we should really get back to the party,” Nines says, drawing his eyes up to Gavin’s own. The detective wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, leaning up from the desk where Nines had pushed him up against.

“Yeah, yeah. We should,” he replies, casting his gaze down to the ground. Of course this would happen to him. Nines used him as a distraction. He tears away from the spot against the desk, making for the door and leaving Nines in his wake.

Downstairs he finds Ginny talking with another man, and he introduces himself and they begin to chat. Gavin keeps his back to the door, not noticing or paying attention when Nines comes down to the party. Eventually, Joseph, a childhood friend of Fiona’s, leaves them for the refreshments bar. It seems like Ginny was waiting for the moment they were alone, because she turns on Gavin the second Joseph steps away.

“What happened?” She asks, a sincere expression on her face.

“Er, what?” Gavin asks, blinking out of his stupor.

Ginny rolls her eyes good-naturedly. “I know a fight when I see one. Did you two get into a little domestic?” She points to Nines across the yard, but Gavin doesn’t turn to look at him.

He sighs. “You could say that,” he chuckles lightly, opting to take a swig from his beverage. The alcohol hits him hard, and a shiver runs up his spine. He’s gonna need more than that to forget the feeling of Nines’ lips on his own, the way his tongue-

“You should talk to him. Communication is key in making a relationship work,” Ginny says, pulling him from his thoughts. Ha. If only she knew that their relationship is fake, everything they do just a cover up. “I don’t think you realize how much he cares for you.”

“What?”

“I don’t. You guys send a lot of longing looks that look unresolved. You both look away when the other looks at you. Like you don’t want to be caught staring. I think you need to talk about it.”

Gavin scrunches his eyebrows together. How did this stranger notice that between them? “I don’t think he knows how much I truly care for him.”

Ginny giggles, lightly tapping him in the arm. “Then tell him! Even now he can’t stop staring at you. You guys just need to talk it out and then, you know,” she raises her eyebrows in a knowing look. Gavin flushes at the implication, peering over his shoulder to look at Nines who is holding a blue drink and laughing at something one of the men in his group said. When the android senses him looking, he turns his gaze to Gavin, his LED cycling yellow before he excuses himself and starts towards the pair.

Ginny squeezes Gavin on the arm before whispering something like ‘good luck’ in his ear and walking over to the refreshment bar. Gavin sips his drink slowly, looking to the ground as Nines approaches.

“Did you get anything on Joseph?” Nines asks, standing much too close for coworkers. Of course, they are still undercover, so Gavin can’t back up without looking awkward. Straight to business then.

Gavin sighs, placing his drink down on a table next to them. “No, Joseph seems like your average Joe. Nothing crazy about him. Did you get anything on any of those guys over there?”

Nines nods towards the group, sipping around his straw. “One of those guys is Fiona’s ex-boyfriend. Apparently, they didn’t end on good terms. I’m keeping an eye on him, but he didn’t have a motive to kill any of the other victims.”

Gavin hums before picking up his drink with both hands, sipping intently. He’s still determined to get drunk enough to forget the taste of Nines. “I’m gonna go get more to drink. You want anything?”

“I’ll come with you,” Nines replies, hooking his arm around Gavin’s and leading them back towards the house and the bar.

It’s kind of nice, the rest of the evening. They get to talk to everyone, introducing themselves as the potential new couple out on the town. Everyone is friendly and in a good mood despite the overarching theme of the barbeque. Gavin guesses it’s what Fiona would’ve wanted. He notices it now, though. The way they look at each other when they think the other isn’t looking. He glances over at Nines who glances back, his LED still a solid yellow since the kiss. Gavin doesn’t break the stare, waiting patiently until Nines turns his attention back to the conversation.

The drive back to the hotel is awkward to say the least. Nines had insisted on driving despite Gavin’s sobriety, so he leans his head against the car window. He doesn’t realize it’s out of his mouth until it’s too late.

“Ginny thinks we have communication problems.”

Nines scrunches his face, leaning forward to lower the music on the radio. “Is that what you two were talking about earlier?” The look on his face is something like hurt, and Gavin feels a little guilty bringing it up.

“Yep,” he admits, maybe a little more drunk than he thought. “Me and Vir-Ginny are super close now.”

Nines chuckles at the nickname. “Well, what do you think, Detective? Are we having communication problems?”

“Maybe,” Gavin says, barely containing the grin that works its way to his face. Damn the alcohol for making him giddy despite his true feelings. Nines laughs, sensing he won’t get an honest answer out of Gavin and turning up the volume of the radio once again. Gavin turns back to the window, content. Maybe tomorrow morning they can talk about that kiss. Maybe.

Notes:

The power I held in my hands while writing this scene...immaculate.

Chapter 10: Swimming

Summary:

Gavin rounds on the android. “I don’t care. We finally know who it is ahead of time, and we can protect her. Take us there, Nines. Let me at least try to save one of these victims.”

He wakes up in a cold sweat, tearing the blankets off his body. “Nines. Nines!” Gavin shakes his body. The android is in stasis, his LED cycling between yellow and blue before he opens his eyes. “Nines! We have to go, we have to check on Ginny!”

Gavin shoves his jeans back on, hopping around on one leg as he does the buckle. Nines has a confused look on his face. “Ginny? What’s wrong with Ginny?”

“How long do we have until the killer will strike again? Was it yesterday or today?”

Nines looks more confused than ever. “According to Fitzgerald’s timeline, the next strike would’ve been last night. But everyone was at the party, and I doubt anything has happened since then. Why?”

“Phck, Nines don’t you see? She’s V.D.! Ginny is short for Virginia, Virginia Deavers! She’s the theatre teacher at the high school! God, phck, I hope we aren’t too late. What’s her address? Nevermind, you drive us there.” He grabs his wallet and phone from the side table, rushing out of the hotel room. Nines follows in his wake, holding the keys and unlocking the car.

“Detective, I assure you we can’t break into Ginny’s residence at three in the morning. Her wife will be most upset at the intrusion.”

Gavin rounds on the android. “I don’t care. We finally know who it is ahead of time, and we can protect her. Take us there, Nines. Let me at least try to save one of these victims.” He’s practically pleading with Nines, his tired and rushed expression begging the android to take him to Ginny’s house. After a beat, Nines relents, opening the car door and hopping in.

Anxiety courses through his veins as they drive to the house. Ginny and her wife live in a nice town home in the middle of Wind Lake, a nearby development. When they arrive, Gavin notes there is only one vehicle in front of the house. “Maybe they only have one car,” he says timidly, knowing the answer is not what he wants to hear.

“There are two parking spots for the address and only one is unoccupied. The vehicle registered to Ginny Deavers is not here.”

“Maybe she stayed at Jeff’s last night?” Gavin tries, desperate for any other explanation than the one he fears is true. Nines turns in the seat, facing the detective.

“We need to have the Milwaukee PD put out a BOLO for her vehicle. The killer couldn’t have gotten far in just a few hours.”

Gavin nods, swallowing roughly. “Okay, you do that. Where can we start looking?”

Nines’ LED cycles yellow as he calls the MPD and puts in his request for a BOLO on Ginny’s vehicle. He peels out from the housing development, heading back in the same direction they left. “This one isn’t on us, Detective. The Milwaukee Police Department can handle the BOLO, or Michigan State Police can handle it. This is too big for just the two of us.”

Gavin stares out the window, unseeing. He hopes they aren’t too late. His gut tells him something is wrong, and it’s never failed him before.

Nines drives back to the hotel in silence, LED yellow. He startles the detective when he speaks. “I should’ve seen it sooner.”

“What?”

“I should’ve seen it sooner. My scan demonstrated that her official name is Ginny Deavers after she introduced herself, and I never thought she was going by a nickname. I should’ve known it was her.”

Gavin leans up in the seat, reaching forward to grab Nines’ hand. “Hey, don’t beat yourself up over this. I had no idea either. I think that was the point, why the Impressionist chose her. So we couldn’t get to her first. But we’re smarter than him, and we’re going to find her before he does. Trust me on that.”

Nines squeezes his hand, though the frown never leaves his face. When they arrive, he puts the car in park but doesn’t move to get out. Suddenly, he’s got a panicked look on his face. “Something’s wrong, I can feel it.”

“I know, me too.”

“No, I meant here. Something is wrong at the hotel.” Nines opens the car door, looking around the deserted lot. It’s probably sometime after four in the morning, so there aren’t many cars on the road. Gavin joins him outside of the car, closing the door softly.

“What do you think is going on?”

Nines stalks around the car, grabbing Gavin by the wrist. “Come with me.”

Gavin intertwines their fingers, walking quietly behind the android. Nines moves silently around the side of the hotel and comes to a pause in front of the pool. Floating on the surface of the water is an unclothed body. Drowned. Just like Fitz’s next victim.

“Oh phck,” Gavin grimaces, and Nines wraps his arm around the detective, shielding him from the view. “Someone’s on our trail,” he says into Nines’ chest. “We should’ve seen this coming. All of the murders get closer and closer to the hotel. Someone knows we’re here for them.” Nines hums softly, swaying slightly as he holds onto Gavin. The detective would be lying if he said his eyes were dry as Nines called the MPD to the hotel.

Time passes unknowingly. Red and blue light up the room through the curtains as the MPD arrives and takes over the scene. Gavin does tasks mindlessly, surprised to find himself in the room alone when he finally comes out of his blank state. Nines is probably out working with the MPD. He stands from the bed, determined to do something helpful. He leaves the room, noting that all of the officers seem to be at the pool. Paramedics and the morticians are here, probably taking the body away as he stands here. He closes the door behind him softly, headed for the front desk. There’s a petite woman behind the desk, looking scared out of her mind as Gavin approaches her. He pulls his badge out of his pocket, tossing it onto the counter. “Detective Reed, Detroit PD. I’m going to need access to all video footage from last night and this morning.” She nods terrified as she heads to a back room to no doubt copy the footage to a flashdrive. When she finally returns, he nods his thanks and heads back to the room.

Nines is still not back when he makes it back to their room. He scrunches his face, starting to get concerned at being away from the android for so long when a knock echoes on the hotel room door. He puts down the flashdrive onto the table, realizing that Ginny’s photo must be among the individual photos they hadn’t gotten to yet. Fuck. Another knock sounds on the door, more urgent than the last. Gavin turns on his heel, opening the door.

“Nines, you could’ve just gone to the front desk if you forgot your key-”

His words are muffled by the rag stuffed into his mouth and the scent of citrus and a slightly sweet taste fill his system. Chloroform. His last thoughts are of Nines as he passes out into the Impressionist’s arms.

Notes:

No one is going swimming at this hotel pool for a while...

Chapter 11: Night Sky

Summary:

Gavin learns the identity of the Impressionist, and things get a little hectic.

The stars are plentiful tonight. They’re all Gavin has to focus on as he lays in the bed of the truck. He tries to wiggle his hands, but they’re bound tightly behind his back. He can’t even cry out for Nines, who lays incapacitated next to him, because of the gag in his mouth. Gavin stares up at the stars, even going so far as to pray to a god he doesn’t believe in. Someone needs to help them. He shifts uncomfortably as the truck hits a bump on the road. At this point, he thinks they’re hitting every pothole on purpose.

He turns his head to look at Nines. He’s laying silently, LED off and eyes closed. Gavin closes his wet eyes, hitting his head against the bottom of the truck. Fuck. How could he have let this get so far out of hand? He should’ve realized the Impressionist would know where they were residing, following in Fitzgerald’s footsteps to kidnap the detective on his trail. He should never have split off from Nines, making sure the two of them had each other’s backs. Gavin doesn’t know what he’s going to do if Nines never wakes up, if he never got to tell him-

They hit another pothole and Gavin’s body slams against the truck again. His body aches from its cramped position, his hands and feet bound tightly. At least they aren’t bound together. A small win, he supposes. A small laugh rises to his lips, bubbling out of him. They are so fucked.

The stars twinkle above them. He tries to map out the constellations, wishing he had paid more attention to that stupid astrology class he took in high school. Like they’ll help him now. He knows they won’t, but he tries to memorize each turn they take so he knows how to get back home. He hums after each turn, counting how long each road is. After a while, he loses count. They’ll just have to hike it to the nearest home. If they can even make it out of here alive.

Nines’ body lays unmoving next to him. Gavin strains his neck up, checking for injuries. Across his pristine Cyberlife jacket, there are blue stains, and his hand closest to Gavin is covered in blue blood like he was trying to stunt the flow of blood. Gavin groans, releasing his neck to hit the truck bed again. He hopes Nines isn’t dead. He knows Connor brought that one android back from the dead, if even for a minute. He just needs to tell Nines how he feels. One last moment before- before-

Fuck.

The bumps in the road are just like his thoughts. One second smooth and continuous, the next jumping around and shaking everything else up. He can’t even sit up and focus. The gag in his mouth is tight around his aching jaw, making everything so much worse. He can’t even whisper to Nines that everything is going to be okay.

Gavin shifts his weight over to the left until his thigh comes in contact with Nines’ body. He’s cold, much colder than usual, and it sends a chill down the detective’s spine. He remembers the warmth of Nines just hours earlier when he protected him from Ginny’s body in the pool. He doesn’t know what he’ll do if he never gets to feel that warmth again.

The truck slows suddenly, coming to a stop in the middle of the road. Gavin has no idea what time it is, but it’s late enough that only the stars light the sky around them. He feels the truck tilt as someone exits from the driver’s side and walks to the passenger’s side, yanking open the door and pulling a mass out onto the ground. He hears something heavy scrape against the ground and realizes the whimpering he hears is from another victim. They aren’t alone.

Jeff Goodling’s head appears on the side of the truck bed, stalking to the back of the truck and opening the tailgate. Things suddenly start to fall into place. Only the Impressionist would be able to recognize them at the ice cream shop. Only the Impressionist would say Gavin’s name instead of calling him Detective. The Impressionist would’ve spotted them from the moment they arrived, sticking out like a sore thumb. Gavin knows now that Jeff has always been one step ahead of them, keeping tabs on their movements, even going so far as to invite them into his home. But why would Jeff kill his own daughter?

“Oh good, you’re awake now!” he exclaims, tugging on the binding around Gavin’s feet to pull him out of the bed to the ground. “I gave you my card, you could’ve just called and made this easier on all of us.”

Gavin falls with a grunt, landing on his knees and facing Jeff. He muffles something around the towel in his mouth, but Jeff just taunts him.

“What was that? You got a little something in your mouth.” Gavin sends him a glare, red filling his vision. He’s going to kill this bastard himself when he gets the chance. All of that fades away when he sees the woman bound in Jeff’s other hand. Her hands are bound in front of her, and she uses her forearms to protect her face as the Impressionist holds onto the rope around her wrists. “Oh, I see you’ve taken a liking to little Irene here! You know, her last name is Handler, just like the Great Aleks Fitzgerald would’ve wanted. I’m sure you understand why she has to be here tonight.”

Gavin shakes his head, trying to stay calm. He doesn’t want to watch Jeff stab her. That’s how the other I.H. died, right? God, he wishes Nines was here to help him out. He’s so lost without his android.

“I have a proposition for you,” the Impressionist draws out, taking a dagger out of his shin holster. “You,” he points the dagger at Gavin, “Kill Irene here, and I let you live. You get to join me and fulfill your destiny of being a renowned serial killer. If,” he removes the dagger and brings it down to his side, “You do anything but kill her, I reset your little android lover and have him kill you in the worst way imaginable. Do we have a deal?” Gavin looks to the dagger in Jeff’s hands, mumbling something around the towel in his mouth. Jeff leans forward and removes it, tossing it to the ground beside them.

When he comes back up to face the detective, Gavin gathers all the saliva in his mouth and spits it on Jeff’s face. Jeff backs up, laughing as he wipes at his face.
“Should’ve seen that one coming. How about this?” He walks around the detective, cutting his hands free but backing up quickly so Gavin can’t grab onto him. Gavin brings his hands to the front of his body, rubbing at his strained wrists.

“What do you gain by this?” Gavin asks, voice dryer than he intended. He swallows, watching as Jeff moves to stand between the pair on the ground. He raises his hands in what he hopes is a peaceful gesture, palms up towards the Impressionist. Irene looks terrified, her eyes pleading with Gavin to help her. He can’t look at her when he’s distracting Jeff, trying to buy time until Nines wakes back up.

Jeff chuckles. “What do I gain? I gain you, Gavin! You don’t see it yet, but you have potential. You and Nines could be unstoppable together. The three of us will be the greatest killers the world has ever seen, and no one could ever stop us.” Gavin glances back at the bed of the truck, noting Nines’ unmoving body. Fuck. He’s not waking any time soon. “Don’t worry about him. If you do what I say, he’ll wake up unharmed.”

Gavin breathes out slowly, weighing his options. Fuck it. He’s got to save Nines. He nods his head slowly, buying into Jeff’s scheme. The Impressionist looks pleased as he leans forward and hands Gavin the dagger, backing up to let the detective do his job. Gavin holds the dagger in both hands, raising them above his head as he scoots closer to Irene. She screams around the towel in her mouth, holding up her hands to protect her body.

“I’m sorry,” Gavin whispers, pulling his arms all the way back before he plunges them down. Irene’s scream echoes in the empty field and continues until she opens up her eyes.

“You’re a smart man, Gavin Reed.” The Impressionist leans down, plucking the dagger from his thigh. Red starts to ooze from the wound, staining Jeff’s pants. “Give me your shirt.”

Gavin backs up as much as he can with his bound feet, his back hitting the tailgate of the truck. He has his hands up in front of him, defending his face in case Jeff makes another move.

“I said, give me your shirt!” Jeff’s voice echoes even louder than Irene’s scream, scaring off some nearby birds. Gavin strips his shirt, tossing it in Jeff’s direction. The Impressionist replaces the dagger in its holder and tears the shirt up, wrapping it around his leg to stunt the bleeding. “It looks like,” Jeff says, panting as he finishes tying the shirt around his thigh, “We are going to have to go off script for this part.”

Before Gavin can respond, Jeff pulls a gun from the back of his waistband and shoots Irene pointblank. Her body falls to the ground in a soft plop, and Gavin’s breath catches in his throat. Jeff is more than just a serial killer. He’s a psychopath.

“Now. Turn around and let me tie your hands up again or I’ll do the same thing to you.”

Gavin doesn’t have to be told twice. He holds his hands up on either side of his head, just like he’s made so many criminals do before, and waits as Jeff grabs spare rope from the bed of the truck and ties his hands behind his back. Jeff picks Gavin up by the binding, pulling on his shoulders as he forces the detective to stand. He shoves him forward, coercing him to bend over the tailgate as Jeff plucks up his feet with ease and pushes him all the way into the bed of the truck. The Impressionist closes the tailgate and climbs into the driver’s seat, starting the car and pulling them back onto the road and away from Irene’s body. Gavin glances over to Nines’ lifeless body, wondering if he’ll ever get to see that smile again. He looks up at the night sky, eyes unseeing as tears cloud his vision.

Notes:

I hope Nines wakes up soon.

Chapter 12: Sunflowers

Summary:

Nines is silent as he stalks to the center of the room, leaning down to pick up the blade on the floor. He twirls it between his fingers, testing its strength as he speaks. “I’m afraid I can’t do that, Detective.”

Their arrival is announced by the slowing of the truck and the tilting as Jeff gets out to open what sounds like a gate. They drive a bit longer, the stars still twinkling above him. Gavin looks over to Nines’ unmoving body for the millionth time, hoping and praying he wakes before Jeff pulls them out of the truck. His prayers go unanswered as the Impressionist rolls to a stop and opens the bed of the truck. Jeff pulls on Nines’ body, hauling him over his shoulder and disappearing around the truck towards an abandoned building. Gavin attempts to sit up, pushing off the bed with his bound hands and peering over the side of the truck.

The sight in front of him takes him by surprise. The building in fact does not look abandoned as he previously thought. Surrounding the entire farmhouse are sunflowers, tall and strong, decorating the otherwise bland home. It appears this was once a functioning farm but has fallen on hard times. Gavin doesn’t know if Jeff owns this building or just found it, but it seems like the former. It’s well maintained despite its age. Jeff’s head pops up in the corner of his line of sight and Gavin quickly lays back down in the bed of the truck.

“What do you want from me?” Gavin asks as soon as Jeff comes to the tailgate, reaching for the binding on Gavin’s feet.

Jeff shrugs. “I already told you what I want. Today I either make a killer out of you or you die. Simple.” The Impressionist yanks on the binding, pulling Gavin out of the bed and onto the tailgate. He hoists Gavin up over his shoulder and closes the tailgate, carrying Gavin like he weighs nothing as they approach the building. The sunflowers around the farmhouse seem to be following him, tilting their little heads as the pair walk by.

When they get inside, Jeff throws Gavin into an empty chair in the middle of the room. Before Gavin can even think of escaping, the Impressionist wraps a solid rope around his torso, binding him to the rickety chair. He wiggles his fingers behind his back when Jeff finishes. He’s more than secure like this. Jeff disappears behind a wall, leaving Gavin to his own devices. Quickly, he takes inventory of the room. If his feet weren’t bound, he could potentially back the chair up to the rusty nails sticking out of the wall and cut himself free. He flexes his feet. There’s no way he’s getting out of the binding without his hands. Fuck. In his panic of looking around the room, something glistens on the floor beneath the hay and debris. There’s a blade of sorts on the floor, practically calling to him. If only he can work himself over there and cut himself free-

“So good of you to join us, Detective Reed,” Jeff’s voice drowns out his thoughts. He must be using a microphone to talk over the speaker. Gavin surveys the rest of the room, noting a security camera in two of the four corners of the room. This was always his intention. Gavin swallows before speaking.

“What do you mean, us?” He attempts to spit out, but there’s no heat behind his words. It would be apparent that he’s anxious for whatever this psychopath has planned to anyone watching. Fuck, people might be watching this.

“You might’ve noticed the sunflowers I have growing outside the building, Gavin.”

Gavin nods slowly, wondering where this is going. He knows Jeff must be watching because he continues after the nod.

“Good. See, the funny thing about sunflowers is that they always grow facing the sun. It’s where they get their name. And when the sun is hidden behind clouds, the sunflowers will face each other in order to manifest the strength to grow. That’s why I use sunflowers. They harness the strength of each other in order to grow, much like Fitzgerald and me. We use each other to grow bigger, better, while remaining hidden in the shadows. Well, we were, until you came along. But see, that just makes it better. When I found out you had captured Fitzgerald I was enraged, but then I took a closer look at you. I followed you for weeks, noting your behaviors and patterns. I watched everything you did, memorizing the way you went about your daily activities. I know how sweet you like your coffee, the way you admire your cat in the morning, the way you rely on Miss Chen for support. I followed you for a long time.

“And then it clicked. You were just like me. But instead of knowing it, you were in the sunlight, following the sun. I knew I had to bring you into the shadows. So I planned the murders, knowing someone would follow the trail and bring you to me. In fact, it worked so well, it brought both of you to me. Just like Fitzgerald and I, you and Nines are meant to be together in the shadows, following in our footsteps. But then,” He pauses, and Gavin swallows, shifting uncomfortably as the rope digs into his chest. “You had to go and be the good guy.” He’s seething, his words dripping with venom as he spills them into the microphone. “Not anymore. No. Today I turn you to a killer or I have you killed. The rules are simple. There’s a knife on the floor in front of you. I drop in your partner, one of you kills the other, and the winner comes with me and lives out our destiny. I’ll give you one hour, then I’ll be back to see who wins. Good luck, Detective Reed.”

The speakers cut off, the silence of the farmhouse deafening as Gavin wiggles his wrists. He’s almost got the knot undone, his fingers working overtime as the other rope cuts into his chest. Suddenly, a buzzer sounds, and the cattle gate opens. Out from behind the wall comes Nines, his LED a solid red.

“Nines,” Gavin sighs, relieved. “Thank god. We’ve got to get out of here. Can you come undo my feet? I’ve almost got my hands free.”

Nines is silent as he stalks to the center of the room, leaning down to pick up the blade on the floor. He twirls it between his fingers, testing its strength as he speaks. “I’m afraid I can’t do that, Detective.”

The way Nines says his name sends chills down his spine. Gavin looks up, finding a face he doesn’t recognize. Nines’ soft features he’s grown to have since his deviation are gone, replaced with the cold, calculating demeanor he had when they first started working together. Fear runs through the detective’s veins. The way Nines is holding that knife demonstrates he doesn’t remember Gavin or what they’re here to do.

Nines steps forward slowly, almost soaking in the moment. Gavin wrings his hands, nearly having undone the knot.

“Nines, it’s me,” Gavin tries, panicking as the android steps closer and closer. “Your partner. We’re here to get the Impressionist. Please, you gotta remember.” Nines’ LED never falters, a slow, constant red. “Nines, please,” he begs, willing the fear to stay out of his voice. A smirk works its way to Nines’ mouth. He’s enjoying this. He wants Gavin to be this scared.

After what seems like an eternity, Gavin frees his hands. He’s quick to undo the rope across his chest, leaning down to undo the binding around his feet when the blade in Nines’ hand comes up to his chin. Nines tilts Gavin’s head up with the knife, peering into his eyes curiously. Gavin swallows around the blade, staring into Nines’ unrecognizable face. Gavin’s hands move from his legs to in front of his body, palms up, protecting what he can of his torso.

“Nines, please remember. It’s me. That bastard reset you, turning us against each other. But I’m not here to hurt you, I want to get out of here and kill him. But I need your help.”

Nines’ face moves into a contorted smirk, all the right features in all the wrong ways. “Too bad you aren’t here to hurt me, Detective.” Gavin swallows, staring at Nines with pleading eyes. “Because I’m here to hurt you.” He flicks the blade off of Gavin’s chin, slightly slicing the skin. Nines turns around, tossing the blade into the hay on the floor. Gavin quickly leans down and undoes the binding on his feet, standing as soon as his legs are free. “But I’d rather do this without the added advantage. It’ll be more fun to watch the light leave your eyes as I crush your ribcage.” Nines whips back around, not at all surprised to find the detective on his feet.

Gavin raises his hands up in front of his body, palms facing the android. “Nines, I’m not going to fight you. We need to get out of here before Jeff gets back.” He could swear the LED cycles yellow for a second before returning to the deep red.

“Then you’ll just make it easier on me.”

Nines lunges forward, shooting a fist at Gavin’s abdomen. The detective backs out of the way, barely missing Nines’ hand. The next swing hits him in the side before he can react, knocking the breath out of his lungs. Nines’ other arm swings back into his stomach, pushing him backwards towards the wall of the barn. Gavin steps back, trying to catch his breath. “Nines, stop! It’s me! We came here together! Remember we went to see Aleks Fitzgerald? He phckin’ outed me in front of you!” Nines LED cycles yellow again, and Gavin realizes what he has to do. “Nines, I phckin’ gave you your name, remember that day at the office? We had just met and I kept calling you tincan because you didn’t have a name. It was just a nickname, but it stuck. Hell, you were even here when I got this scar. Remember that fight with Fitz? You had to carry my ass back to the hospital. Nines, please, you gotta remember me.”

Nines steps closer. “I know what you’re trying to do,” he says as he grabs Gavin by the throat, causing him to choke. “But it’s not going to work. The android you were in love with is gone.” Gavin opens his mouth to reply, but nothing comes out. He wants to deny it, but this Nines won’t let him speak. “Oh yes, I know all about that. It’s written all over your face, the way your heartrate picked up when I entered the room. Too bad he’s gone for good.”

“Nines,” Gavin manages to breathe out around Nines’ hand on his throat. Nines squeezes his hand tighter, choking Gavin completely.

“You’re too easy,” he breathes into Gavin’s face, releasing his hand and dropping the detective to the floor. Gavin coughs as he melts to the ground, trying to air back into his lungs. He tilts his head back to the wall, panting. Nines smirks down at the detective, pleased at drawing out the torture.

Gavin pants. “Nines, I know you’re in there. I promise I’m right here. You can fight this.”

Nines laughs, tilting his head back as a distorted cackle emits from his body. “So adorable. You still think he’s here. He’s gone, Detective. Better luck next time.”

Gavin gathers his strength, standing against the wall. “I know you’re lying. He’s still in there. Nines, please.”

“Nope, not going to work. Your little lover boy is far-”

“Phck it,” Gavin cuts him off, rushing forward to grab at the lapels on Nines’ Cyberlife jacket. He cuts the distance between them, closing their mouths together. Nines stands as stoic as ever as Gavin moves his mouth softly against the android’s own. He’s afraid it isn’t going to work, but when Nines’ hands come up to either side of his face and deepen this kiss, he knows his Nines is back. Gavin backs up, breaking the kiss. Nines’ hands are still on his face, and Gavin stares into those clear blue eyes. The android’s LED finally returns to a cool blue. “Nines.”

“Gavin,” Nines breathes out, breathless. His pupils are blown, his mouth slightly open. The detective laughs, leaning forward to rest his head against Nines’ chest. The android moves his arms to wrap around Gavin’s body, pulling him in close. Nines leans his face down, planting a kiss to Gavin’s head. “Let’s get you out of here.”

Notes:

My heartrate while writing this was a whole rollercoaster.

**Also I am very aware that sunflowers don't actually do this. Jeff doesn't need to know that though.

Chapter 13: Midsummer

Summary:

“No!” Jeff shouts, panic filling his voice. “This isn’t how it’s supposed to go. I win this round, and one of you comes with me!”

“There’s a control room, not far from here,” Nines whispers into Gavin’s hair. They haven’t moved, still holding on to each other for dear life. The detective squeezes his arms around Nines, eventually letting go and backing up. Nines’ hands meet his own, and they stand in the middle of the floor when Jeff’s voice rings out in the room.

“Very clever,” he mocks, pissed off. “I have to admit, I didn’t see that one coming. Interesting tactic, Detective Reed.” Gavin looks up into Nines’ face, worry on his softening features. They’re going to have to fight their way out of here. A splashing of liquid tears his attention away from the android. On both sides of the farmhouse, two men are tossing what appears to be gasoline onto the frame of the building. Fuck.

“See, I thought I could have at least one of you join me. But if I can’t have one of you,” he pauses, and his two goonies keep sloshing gas over the wood, “No one can.”

Nines squints his eyes, preconstructing their best attempts to get out alive. Gavin pauses, staring up into Nines’ face. This might be the last time he gets to see it. Everything else kind of melts away as the detective watches Nines angrily say something back to Jeff, his words muffled by the stuffing in Gavin’s brain. He looks so beautiful here, the moon and stars barely lighting up his face, his Cyberlife jacket the only real glow of the night. Gavin moves his hands up to touch at Nines’ chest, delicately roaming his fingers over the strong build and the soft jacket. Nines brings his hands up to Gavin’s, stopping the movement. The detective looks up into Nines’ face, his mind finally recognizing the words Nines is saying.

“-Have to get out of here, love.”

“What?” He asks, brain still fuzzy from his peaceful moment of serenity.

“C’mon,” Nines says, dragging Gavin by his hands past the way Nines entered the room. Gavin pauses, stooping low to grab the knife on the floor. The android hops the cattle gate with ease while Gavin climbs over it. Nines waits patiently for the detective, rejoining their hands once Gavin is on his own two feet. He leads the way, turning at various points to find the control room. They approach slowly, determined not to give away their position. Gavin looks up to the security cameras, noting they are facing down. Nines must’ve hacked into them and turned them off. Gavin squeezes his hand, appreciative of the android’s precautions. Fuck, if they ever make it out of here alive-

“On three.” Nines whispers, his hand on the door handle. Gavin grips the knife handle, facing the blade down for maximum stabbing efficiency. “One, two.”

“Three,” they say in unison, Nines peeling open the door quickly. A gunshot rings off, the pellets barely missing Gavin as he steps around the door. Inside the room sits Jeff, wielding and pumping his shotgun as he lounges in a rolling office chair. To his left is a set of monitors that Gavin presumes once showed the room they just came from. Nines did a good job hacking because all of the screens show static. The Impressionist stands slowly, taking his time to get steady on his feet as the pair enter the room and stalk around either side of the room. Gavin wields the blade, Nines has his hands out, ready for a fight. Jeff swings the gun between them, not sure who to focus on. Once they are on opposite sides of the room, Gavin speaks.

“It’s over, Jeff. Put the gun down and come with us. You know who we are. It’s time to go.”

“No!” Jeff shouts, panic filling his voice. “This isn’t how it’s supposed to go. I win this round, and one of you comes with me!”

“No, Jeff,” Nines says, turning his hands down in a friendly, approachable manner. Gavin knows Nines is trying to ground him, calling him by his name. It’s one of the first rules of talking to a perpetrator with a weapon aimed at you. The sound of gasoline being poured closer to them reminds him of the imminent danger they are in. “Not this time. It’s time to come with us and get this over with. You can still make it out of here alive, as long as you put the gun down.”

Jeff slowly lowers his weapon, and Gavin is eternally grateful to have Nines as his partner. He never would’ve gotten Jeff to calm down so quic-

A gunshot rings out, and Gavin dives forward, swinging the blade into Jeff’s back. The Impressionist cries out, and Gavin pulls the blade out and digs it back into his body, twisting the blade. He pulls it out once again, the tears clouding his vision. He’s about to slam it back into Jeff’s back when a hand grabs gently at his wrist. Gavin looks up, finding Nines standing over him.

“You’re alive?” he practically cries out.

Nines chuckles, looking down at his torn Cyberlife jacket and destroyed shirt. There are singed holes where the shotgun pellets tore through the fabric, and little holes where the pellets made contact with his chassis, but other than that he appears to be fine. “I was just out of range. We got lucky it was me and not you.”

Gavin stands quickly from Jeff’s dying body, the blade clattering to the floor as he moves and wraps his arms around Nines’ torso. The android’s hands come to either side of his body, holding him close. At least this time he didn’t get himself a scar.

“The MPD will be here soon. I gave them the information about the Impressionist and our current geographical location. It’s all going to be okay.”

Gavin nods into Nines’ chest, keeping him close. “Never do that again,” he mumbles into Nines. “I can’t lose you. Not like this.”

Nines laughs lightly, squeezing the detective closer. “And what would be preferable?”

“We’re supposed to die of old age now, together. No missions that take you away from me. God, even having you reset was terrifying.”

Nines hums, leaning down to plant a kiss in Gavin’s hair. “I know, love. Next time we won’t let anything get too far out of hand.”

“Good,” Gavin leans up, tugging on the front of Nines’ singed jacket to pull him into another kiss. This one is sweet, quiet, intimate as they stand there, surrounded only by Jeff’s dying body and the gasoline that soaks into the wood of the farm. Nines breaks the kiss first, resting his forehead on Gavin’s own.

“Let’s get out of here.”

He links their hands, leading Gavin away from the control room and towards the truck outside. As they stand there, taking in the view, Gavin takes out a cigarette.

He’s been trying to quit, but moments like this keep pulling him back in. His hands are shaking as he tries to spark his lighter, but a snap to his right earns his attention. Nines’ finger holds a flame, and Gavin leans forward, lighting the cig from his hand. He flicks his own lighter closed, tossing it back into his pocket. He breathes in a puff of air, relishing in the way the cigarette smoke fills his lungs. They stand like that for a while, watching the stars above the farmhouse as they lean against the bed of the truck. Gavin doesn’t even care that the two other guys got away. They’ll find them eventually. For now, he stands so close to Nines and closes his eyes. When he opens them again, Nines is looking into them, searching for something. In the distance he can hear helicopter blades whirring, and he flicks his cigarette in the direction of the house. He leans up one more time, closing the distance between them as the farmhouse goes up in flames.

Notes:

This chapter was inspired by the movie Midsommar, which is an Ari Astor horror/psychological thriller movie. If you've never seen it, I recommend it 100000%.

Chapter 14: Sunset

Summary:

It feels like home.

When he wakes, it’s dark. Gavin has no idea how long he’s been out, probably a full day. The curtains in his room have been shut, keeping any sunlight out. He groans, shifting in the bed to sit up and move his feet to hover above the floor. He wipes at his eyes with a yawn when the door opens, and a familiar presence enters.

“If you’re up for it, there’s breakfast on the counter,” Nines says softly, closing the door and coming over to sit on the bed next to the detective. All of the memories of the past twenty-four hours come rushing back to Gavin, and the anxiety kicks in. Nines almost died last night. Gavin nearly did too. But when Nines’ hand comes to the side of his face, all of the worries melt away. His blue eyes are soft, inviting when Gavin stares into them. It feels like home. Nines leans in and plants a soft kiss on his forehead. “Come eat. You need to get your strength back.”

Gavin groans, leaning even farther forward into Nines. The android pulls back with a smile, relieved the detective is feeling a bit better.

“Time’s it?” Gavin asks, laying back on the bed dramatically.

Nines leans down to kiss at his jawline before answering. “It’s nine past seven in the evening. You should really come eat.”

“Okay, okay,” Gavin relents, sitting up as the android pulls him from the bed. He readjusts his shirt, grateful to have one after last night. Nines lifts his eyebrows when he sees Gavin’s boxers, but he keeps any comments to himself. Gavin grins, following the android out into the kitchen. He’s soon greeted by Dipshit, who runs over to him and stands between his feet, meowing incessantly. He picks her up, kissing her head gently as he hugs her. It’s been too long without her.

“Officer Chen stopped by this afternoon with your cat. She saw your unconscious body and decided tomorrow would be a better time to catch up.”

“Hmm,” Gavin hums, sitting at the counter where Nines has prepared some bacon and eggs. “That was sweet of her. She probably had ulterior motives,” Gavin says, almost to himself. Suddenly, his head perks up. “So, you’re telling me we won’t be interrupted this evening?”

Nines raises an eyebrow as Dipshit climbs onto the counter. Gavin quickly pulls her off and sets her on the floor where she mewls again. He turns his raised eyebrow to Gavin, who feigns an innocent look. “I didn’t say we wouldn’t be interrupted, but I can make it that way. Did you have plans in mind?”

Gavin swallows the piece of bacon he’s been chewing as his cheeks heat up. “Maybe I want to take you to get another popsicle. You seemed to really enjoy that last one we had.”

Nines laughs as he sits back against the opposing counter. “You could say that. You could also say there was more than one reason I enjoyed it.”

Gavin is sure he’s red now from the look Nines is giving him. It looks so…primal. It’s hot. Gavin clears his throat. “Well, why don’t I hop in the shower and change, and then we can go?”

“Are you asking me out on a date, Detective?” Nines asks, raising both of his eyebrows with a smirk.

Gavin tilts his head. “What, like the other thirty we’ve had in the past month?” Nines laughs, his cheeks a light blue. “Yes, I’m asking you out on a date,” he finalizes, putting down the bacon and clasping his hands together.

Nines has a cheeky grin on his face. “Then I accept. Where are you taking me, Detective?”

Gavin grows a matching grin. “I think,” he says, drawing another piece of bacon up to his mouth, tantalizingly slow, “I’d like to take you to Carousel. It’s an ice cream bar across town that I grew up going to. It’s nice, and we can watch the sunset. What do you think?”

Nines’ LED glows yellow for a second, like he’s memorizing the moment. “I think I’d like that,” he says coyly, leaning forward to grab the plate of bacon from in front of the detective and putting it away. Gavin finishes crunching the piece of bacon in his hand and stands, stretching and exposing a sliver of his midriff. When Nines turns around, his eyes are immediately drawn to the exposed skin and Gavin winks before sauntering off to the bathroom to shower.

He showers and changes quickly, throwing on a button down and some black jeans. He runs a hand through his hair, leaving it natural. It’s not like Nines hasn’t seen him this way the whole month they’ve practically been living together. Dipshit gets up from resting on his bed and makes an appearance between his legs as he tries to tie his shoes. He pets her diligently, like the queen she is, before getting off the sheets and making the bed. With some semblance in his life, he heads out to the kitchen, surprised to find Nines standing there with his mouth open and yellow LED. Gavin smirks.

“Like what you see?” He does a little twirl, showing off his ass as he turns around.

Nines rolls his eyes good-naturedly. “You already know I like what I see. C’mon, let’s go get you some dessert.” Dipshit tries to run out the door as Nines opens it, and the android leans down to scoop her up before trudging her back into the apartment. Gavin grins as Nines kisses her on her little forehead and warns her to stay on the sofa while they leave. The pair take off, hand in hand as they walk to the elevator and down to the car.

For once, it’s intentionally romantic as they sit next to each other at the ice cream bar. Nines has his thirium popsicle and Gavin his peanut butter sundae, and they talk quietly amongst themselves, giggling occasionally. The sun sets over Detroit around eight-thirty, and the pair turn in their seats to watch as it moves down over the horizon. Despite the bustling of the city, the ice cream bar is surrounded by foliage, and the fireflies come out at the same time. Gavin looks over to Nines, who smiles softly, and he can’t help but think how beautiful the fireflies are tonight.

Notes:

Here it is - the final chapter of the Late Summer prompt challenge. I wrote an epilogue to finish things off, and you can find that in the next chapter. Thank you so much for reading, and I hope you enjoyed this wild ride!

Chapter 15: Epilogue

Summary:

Is he really about to do this?

Notes:

Absolutely NSFW ;)

It’s quiet when they return. The bustling of the city is left behind them when Gavin opens the apartment door. Dipshit snores softly on the sofa, her presence immediately calming the anxiety in Gavin’s chest. Is he really about to do this? He looks to Nines, who shuts the door behind them and turns his cool blue LED towards the detective.

“Is everything alright, Detective?” Nines asks tentatively. He’s so cute when he gets concerned.
Gavin rolls his eyes with a smile. “You can call me Gavin, you know. I think we’re there by now.” Nines takes a step forward, closing some of the distance between them.

“Is everything alright, Gavin?” He asks coyly, a small smirk rising to his face as he reaches a hand towards the detective. Gavin leans forward, placing his jaw in Nines’ outstretched palm and closing his eyes.

“More than alright,” he hums contentedly, stepping forward slightly to wrap his hands around Nines’ waist. The android tilts his hand, bringing Gavin’s face up to meet his own. The detective opens his eyes, staring straight into Nines’ enlarged pupils. There’s something unknown, something unspoken between his eyes that Gavin can’t quite place. But when Nines leans down and connects their mouths softly, he thinks he understands.

Gavin kisses back slowly, one hand snaking up Nines’ torso to pull at the back of the android’s neck. It’s so much more intimate than the times before this, when everything was so fragile and unsaid. But here, right now, everything between them is fulfilling. Nines’ tongue swipes the inside of his mouth, and Gavin groans into the kiss. He can feel the android smirk against his mouth, and he moves until Nines is backed into the wall. This time it’s Nines’ turn to groan into his mouth, piquing Gavin’s interest. This is how Nines likes it. Gavin moves his hand from the side of Nines’ face to his hair, tugging on the dark locks. Nines pulls off, staring into Gavin’s face. Gavin swallows, afraid he’s overstepped, but when he notices Nines’ yellow LED and his dilated pupils, he knows he’s doing something right. He grins, and Nines’ expression darkens before he flips them around and pushes Gavin up against the wall.

Nines’ thigh comes up between Gavin’s legs, pressing against him as the android deepens the kiss. He works his way into the detective’s mouth, sneaking his other hand up Gavin’s body to his throat, where he squeezes gently. Gavin’s breath catches in his throat. Nines breaks the kiss, smirking as he squeezes again.

He doesn’t have to ask if Gavin likes it. The detective knows his heartrate and dilated pupils give away how he feels. Nines squeezes his throat again, a little harder this time, and he lets his eyes roll back into his head as he lets it slip to the wall.

“God, phck, Nines,” he breathes out, panting slightly.

“What, my love?” Nines responds slyly, leaning down to nip at Gavin’s exposed skin.

Gavin swallows as the android kisses down his jaw and bites at his earlobe. “Phck, you’re- you’re really gonna do that to me after eating that popsicle the way you did?”

Nines chuckles darkly, leaning up to stare into Gavin’s face. “Maybe I just wanted to give you a preview, Detective,” he purrs softly. He moves his hand from the detective’s throat and places it on the side of Gavin’s face, running his thumb over Gavin’s puffed lips.

“Phck,” is all Gavin can manage. Nines smirks again, placing the pad of his thumb in Gavin’s mouth. The detective swirls his tongue over the finger, humming as he closes his eyes. He sucks gently, expertly, as Nines’ synthetic breath ghosts his lips.

“You’re so good for me,” the android praises, leaning down to whisper in Gavin’s ear. The detective heats under the praise, working his mouth even harder around Nines’ thumb. He swirls his tongue a final time as Nines pulls the finger from his mouth and runs the wet thumb over his lips.

“Phck me,” Gavin says breathlessly, eyes tearing between Nines’ own as he waits for a response. Nines backs up from pushing Gavin into the wall, and his LED is a solid yellow before he draws a coy smile to his lips.

“If you insist.”

Gavin grins, leaning his head back into the wall. “I insist,” he replies, a coquettish smile on his lips. Nines laughs, stepping forward again to pin the detective to the wall.

“Good.”

Gavin steals the opportunity to crash their mouths back together, his tongue finding the android’s. He groans into the kiss as Nines sneaks his hands up Gavin’s shirt, running over the tight muscles of his abdomen. He tugs on the shirt, pulling it up over the detective’s chest and breaking the kiss only to toss it to the floor behind him. Gavin smiles as Nines reconnects their mouths, using both of his hands to shove the android’s Cyberlife jacket to the ground.

Nines leans down, grabbing behind Gavin’s thighs to hoist him into the air and carry him towards the bedroom. The detective wraps his legs around Nines, moving both hands to either side of the android’s face as he kisses deeper, harder. The android kicks the door closed behind him, turning to toss Gavin softly to the bed. The detective sits up on his forearms, kicking off his shoes as Nines strips his black turtleneck. He steps out of his own shoes and moves to straddle the detective on the bed. He kisses down his jaw, mouthing at the skin on his neck before shifting lower. When he gets to Gavin’s chest, he kisses along the scar that stretches the span of his body all the way to his arm. The detective watches him, noting his soft behavior. When Nines looks back up into his face, there’s something delicate, tender, in his eyes. Gavin swallows, eyes never leaving the android’s as he moves even lower, kissing along his torso.

Nines scoots off Gavin’s abdomen, opting instead to sit between his legs. He leans up, placing both hands on either side of the detective’s head. Gavin stares up into those ocean blue eyes, seeing and feeling things he’s never seen or felt before. Nines recaptures his lips, kissing gently as one of his hands slides its way down to Gavin’s jeans and starts undoing the buckle. Once he has it undone, Gavin shifts his hips so the android can shimmy the pants down off his legs and throw them to the floor. The detective catches him off guard when he speaks.

“My turn.”

Suddenly, Gavin bucks his hips before Nines can react, tossing the android to the air as Gavin turns and flipping him to the bed beside the detective. He quickly climbs atop the android, straddling him and placing his hands beside Nines’ face. He has a coy grin on his face at taking Nines by surprise. Nines moves his hands to Gavin’s hips, pulling him as the detective grinds down subtly. His synthetic breath catches in his throat, and Gavin leans forward to mouth down his jaw to his neck. He moves down Nines’ body, his hands down to the buckle on the slacks, undoing them tantalizingly slow. He hooks his fingers under the waistband as he kisses lower down his sleek torso, tugging the pants off Nines’ legs. He tosses them to the floor somewhere behind him, and Nines reaches up, grabbing his hands and taking him by surprise.

“My turn.”

He flips Gavin with ease, moving him to his back and hooking his fingers under the waistband of his boxers. Gavin shivers as he is exposed to the cool air of the room and Nines throws his boxers to the ground. When the android turns around, he takes in Gavin’s body with hunger written over his face. Gavin squirms from the attention, but Nines leans up and kisses him softly.

“You’re beautiful,” he says into the detective’s mouth, and Gavin can’t help but pinken under the praise. He deepens the kiss, pulling both hands to either side of Nines face and roaming his tongue inside the android’s mouth. Nines smirks into the kiss, trailing his hands up Gavin’s thighs to his dick. He grabs it gently, stroking slowly as Gavin groans into the kiss.

“You better hurry up,” Gavin whispers into Nines’ mouth, tossing his head back to the sheets as soon as the words are out of his mouth.

Nines chuckles. “And what if I want to take my time, make you come undone?”

“You’re gonna get one of those sooner than the other,” Gavin comments, biting his lower lip as Nines twists his hand around his cock. “Please, Nines,” he whispers, almost like it’s a secret shared only between the two of them. “I want to feel you.”

A smirk works its way to Nines’ mouth for the millionth time this evening. He perches up Gavin’s legs, laying his feet flat against the sheets before leaning up to kiss Gavin one more time. The kiss is hasty, leaving Gavin trailing his mouth as Nines pulls away. He has a coy grin on his face as he pushes the detective’s legs up into the air and leans down.

The heat of Nines’ wet tongue against his hole is almost too much to handle. Nines flicks his tongue like he knows exactly what Gavin needs, leaving the detective panting above him. He rakes over him slowly, so slow that Gavin basically begs for more. He trails his tongue up the detective’s body, stopping when he gets to the tip of Gavin’s cock.

He takes Gavin into his mouth gently, swirling his tongue over the head in a languid motion. Gavin’s head strains against the sheets, eyes rolling back as Nines works on him. He feels a cool finger press for entry below him, cold from what Gavin assumes is lubrication. He wills his body to relax, hands gripping the sheets next to him as Nines swallows him down and presses a finger in him at the same time. The sensations make him groan, Nines’ wet mouth and cool fingers making him come undone. He wasn’t kidding.

Nines wraps his free hand around the base of his cock, twisting his hand as he moves his mouth up and down. He presses another finger for entry, opening Gavin up with ease. When he’s content, he pulls off his cock and out of him, leaving Gavin groaning at the loss of pressure. He slicks himself up and lines up with Gavin’s hole when the detective catches him off guard.

“My turn,” he says, knocking his leg into Nines’ side and climbing up on top of the android. He smirks down at Nines, one hand traveling to Nines’ throat and the other he wets with his tongue. He squeezes, testing his strength around Nines’ neck when the chassis gets exposed. “Phck, you good?” He panics, afraid he’s done irreparable damage.

Nines smiles beneath him, if not a little nervous. “I can’t help that. Whenever you touch me, it’s like- it’s like my body wants to interface with you.” Gavin’s expression softens, and he pulls back before touching Nines again. The chassis gets exposed wherever he runs his fingers. With a smirk, he trails his wet hand down the android’s abdomen, snaking around his cock. Nines manufactured breath catches in his throat, earning him a cheeky grin from the detective. He slicks his hand over Nines’ cock, soaking it in saliva. The android’s hands come to each of his thick thighs, gripping tightly before Gavin lowers himself onto Nines’ cock.

It’s like the wind gets knocked out of him. He balances his body, one hand still around Nines’ throat, the other coming to hold onto one of the android’s arms on his thigh. Nines looks blissed out beneath him, LED cycling red as he bottoms out. Gavin studies the way the skin moves beneath his hands before Nines looks up into his face. There’s something behind his expression, but Gavin doesn’t have time to figure it out before he picks up his hips slightly and slams back down. Nines lets out a guttural sound, one that goes straight to Gavin’s dick.

He grins from on top of the android. Nines’ head falls back onto the sheets, exposing his neck. Gavin leans forward, kissing at the synthetic skin as he pulls up and grinds back down again. He moves his hands to either side of Nines’ head, nipping at his earlobe as he rocks back and forth on his cock. Nines’ hands come up to Gavin’s arms, and he kisses at one of the detective’s wrists before tugging both of his hands. Gavin relents, curiosity in his expression as he lets Nines do what he has planned. Nines picks up Gavin’s hands and places his own beneath, intertwining their fingers. A soft smile works its way to the detective’s mouth as he leans back down and connects their mouths. This time, Nines kisses back slowly, lazily, like they have all the time in the world. Everything else seems to melt away as they kiss, their hands joined and Gavin rocking indolently on top of Nines.

The detective breaks the kiss, hands still clasped as he looks into Nines’ face. His pupils are blown, a light blue dusting his cheeks. There are so many things left unsaid in his expression, and Gavin revels in it. He picks up his pace, leaning back only to move up and down at a different angle. Nines releases his hands, opting to grab onto Gavin’s thighs as he watches in amazement. Gavin’s hands travel up his torso, giving the android a show. He leans back, palms on the bed as he grinds his hips forward. He lets out a low groan as he tilts his head back, soaking in the feeling of Nines. When he looks back down, the android’s expression has darkened, his voice dangerously low as he speaks.

“My turn.”

He flips Gavin over, this time onto his stomach. He tugs the detective’s body to the edge of the bed where Nines stands and lines himself back up. He presses for reentry, not giving any time to bottom out before he sets a fast pace. Gavin grips the sheets on either side of his head as a chorus of ‘phck’s fill the room. Nines is relentless, pounding Gavin into the mattress as he grips the detective’s hips and pulls him back at the same rate. Gavin’s eyes roll back into his head when one of the android’s hands wraps around his body and grips his dick. The wet hand strokes slowly, coating his cock in lube before matching the pace Nines has set. Gavin feels himself getting closer, Nines’ pace faltering as he approaches his own climax.

“Nines, I-” he barely manages, breath leaving his throat as the android’s spare hand comes up to tug on his hair.

Nines leans down, whispering in Gavin’s ear. “Come for me.”

It’s like Gavin only needed permission. He lets out a groan as he spills onto the sheets and floor beneath him, Nines not far behind him. They stay there, panting as they come down from their respective highs. Nines releases Gavin’s hair, and he lets his head fall down to the sheets with a plop. The android pulls out slowly, leaving Gavin to lean against the bed as he presumably finds the towel from the detective’s shower. Nines comes back quickly, wiping Gavin and himself off. He smacks Gavin on the ass lightly, earning him a laugh from the mattress. Gavin gathers his strength and climbs onto the bed, throwing himself into the pillows as Nines returns to the bed side. The android slips beneath his arm, and Gavin throws his leg over Nines’ body. Comfortable, he’s about to pass out when the words slip from his mouth.

“I love you.”

There’s a pause. Gavin peeks an eye open, staring at the android. Nines’ LED is yellow, like he’s memorizing the moment again, but his mouth has a small smile. He leans down, kissing Gavin on the forehead. “I love you too.”

Content, he snuggles deeper into Nines’ arms and falls into a dreamless sleep. Maybe a late summer case with your android partner isn’t so bad after all.

Notes:

I sincerely hope you enjoyed. This was such a fun story to write, and I hope you stick around for more. As always, comments and kudos appreciated! ♥ ♥