Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Gavin scratched the scar on the bridge of his nose. He wasn't supposed to do that, but the stubborn itch just refused to go away.

It was all thanks to a certain android detective for busting his face onto the floor of the archive room when he tried to interfere its little investigation.

When the android revolution unfolded, there was an undeniable tension in the air. No one knew what to do next or how to proceed. Humans had already grown accustomed to the way of their new technological life. Androids had been their servants but now it's crazy to think that they had to co-exist with them at all.

Gavin had already made up his mind even before the revolution. He knew that the technological advancements the United States had been developing were far too threatening to human life. The androids were stealing jobs, reshaping the way humans lived, and committing heinous crimes on top of it. As a detective of the Detroit City Police Department, the last one was of course the main reason he hated those bastards.

When new decrees were formed to serve the androids their equal rights, Gavin couldn't help but be angry at how things were unfolding. Another thing for him to be mad about, that's for sure.

Gavin entered their station with a sour mood. Things were absolutely different now. Androids littered the streets. Some were shopping for new clothes to wear. Their freedom unnerved him. Even the androids that assisted his colleagues were no longer stationed in their waiting booth, but instead roamed the station freely. At this point, Gavin was only waiting for the other shoe to drop.

"Morning, Reed," Tina greeted behind him as she hung her coat. "You look terrible."

Gavin regarded her with a pause. She was the one who tolerated him the most. "You look worse," he said.

She shuffled behind him and made her way onto her desk. "You know how it is." He hummed noncommittally as he dropped his belongings on his desk. A pink rubber fell from his bag. The damn cat toy that he'd been scammed into buying. His cat didn't show any interest at all and only stared at it. He meant to throw it away yesterday but he forgot.

Cursing under his breath, he picked it up and shoved it back in his bag. God, he needed some coffee. 

He started walking towards the break room and noticed Anderson's table was still empty. That's strange. Usually Hank and his android were on time. No doubt it was the android's fault with his obsession with being punctual. 

Gavin poured some coffee on his designated mug from the pantry. It has been strange. With the android. With Connor.

It hadn't been long since the revolution, which meant that it also hadn't been long since Connor deviated. Ironic, the whole thing was. The deviant hunter turned deviant itself. It disappeared for a week but after that, it was back at the station. Fowler officially hired it as a detective of the DPD. Since then, it had become Gavin's colleague and Connor made sure that he was aware of it.

To say that deviant Connor was strange would be an understatement. Before, it was all mechanical, logical, and stoic. Now, Gavin would sometimes hear it laugh and crack some of its own jokes. It would even sometimes shoot Gavin some weird look which he chose to ignore. The android had gotten a set of emotions on its own. Everything might be bad but Gavin cherished the idea that emotions could perturb Connor. Welcome to the human life.

When he had finished his first cup of coffee, Hank was settling in on his desk. No android sitting across from him. "Where's your android?" Gavin asked against his better judgment. Curiosity wasn't really his known feature but he couldn't help himself getting intrigued at the very least. 

Hank Anderson didn't spare a single glance at him. "Oh, fuck off Reed," he offered without any animosity in his voice. Gavin's brow shot up. Was Hank in a good mood? That's unusual.

"It's only been here a month and it's already becoming like you?" he tried to challenge. 

Hank gave him a short glance before getting back to his monitor. "You keeping track?"

That made Gavin scoff. Of course, he was. He couldn't wait to see that android walk away from the department and do its android shit somewhere else. He shook his head and proceeded to his own terminal to check on his file.

Whatever.

-

The silence was a bit grating to Gavin's ears. He mindlessly scrolled through his files in search of anything to pass the time. He hadn't been assigned to a case yet since the revolution. No android crimes and no human crimes. Maybe it really was for the books. What's annoying him more was Hank. He just sat at his desk and checked his phone. Connor didn't appear the whole day, not that he was waiting for him. Or maybe he was. It had become a routine of his to at least irritate the android once every day. When he first saw the android showing genuine annoyance on its face, something struck Gavin. Something joyful.

It was like that for the past three weeks. He'd get on the android's nerves if it even had nerves. Once, Connor bit back and frowned at Gavin the whole day and that made Gavin smile.

There was something about the android having its own emotions that unsettled him—yes, but there was also something that fascinated him. Were its emotions just numbers and codes going through its program? Did it happen genuinely or was it the android's choice to be annoyed? Questions that Gavin might never get answered—but hey, it's good to challenge his own mind.

When his shift was almost over, he decided to return his mug on the break room. On his way back, Hank was already gone from the station. Thoughts ran in Gavin's mind. Did his wish actually come true? Is the android gone for good? 

Something about it unnerved him a bit. Sure, there are other androids hired by the department but something was different with Connor. He couldn't place his fingers on it yet. Maybe it was because it was a unique model?

He went back to his desk to prepare to leave but there's a folder that begged for his attention. Gavin picked it up from his table and once he had opened it, confusion was written on his face. In there, a small note was stuck to his resume. 

'Thank you, Detective Reed. I am to return this to you. It had been a huge help to me. Warm regards, Connor.'

"What the fuck...?"

A huge help to fucking what exactly? He checked his resume, wondering where the hell Connor got it from. Must have been from Fowler. Why would Connor need it, though? Was it investigating Gavin?

A million thoughts ran through his mind and nothing caught on. One thing was missing, though. The photo of himself that he had attached on his resume. It did seem outdated since they were already using holograms and more advanced technology, but Gavin preferred his resume to be a physical copy.

Did Connor snatch his photo? It seemed unlikely. Almost.

When Gavin reached his house, his cat welcomed him with a loud barrage of meows. Hungry little pester. He left it with food before taking a shower on his own. 

Plopping down on his bed, he commanded his faulty voice-activation system to turn on the AC and proceeded to scroll through his phone. He wiggled his feet and let his slippers fall. Nothing much to see on the web for tonight and he planned to just call it a night and go to sleep. A text message from an unknown user stopped him.

'Good evening, Detective.'

Gavin's heart skipped a beat. He didn't really fuck with randos and anons. He might have hidden it well but he had a tinge of social anxiety. No one needed to know that, though. What people thought of him was enough, no further probing needed. The fact that he was referred to as Detective got him nervous.

'Who is this?' He couldn't help but write back. Turned out, it was Connor.

'I apologize for being rude, Detective. I requested your web ID from Officer Chen. I hope you do not mind.' 

Gavin instantly turned off his phone and the ringtone as well. Why the fuck would the android text him at this time of day? More importantly, where did it find the audacity to do so?

He decided that it was time to call it a night. He didn't need anything bothering him before sleeping. He knew himself and he would think of it the whole night and let it disturb his sleep. 

Better to prevent that from happening.

-

He couldn't fucking sleep.

Gavin tossed around his bed, catching some cat hair on his nose and sneezing. He wanted to reach for his phone and deal with it at once. Except that he wouldn't. The android would probably pester him. Tease him about the incident in the archive room. Gavin just knew that whatever the android wanted to happen, called for trouble. 

Instead, he got up and made himself a cup of coffee, which coincidentally was the name of his cat. Coffeecup. He mostly called it Coff or Cuppy but that was its full government name. The cat watched him sip coffee from its little stool. Its eyes were inches apart from each other which Gavin fondly laughed at. 

"You think I'm being stupid?" he asked Coffeecup.

The cat meowed in response. Gavin nodded his head. 

"What if it's about a case?" he retorted. Probably not, though. He figured the android wouldn't disturb his private time for that. 

His coffee was almost finished and his neck hurt from staring at his phone. It's just a message, Gavin. No need to get so worked up over it. Even if it was from that damned android.

Against his will, he picked the phone up and stared at three notifications from the same unknown user. Every message made Gavin frown deeper each time.

'I wanted to connect with you to discuss some important matters.'

'Are you there, Detective? I have been assigned to a case that may be familiar to you.'

'I am asking if you want to be my partner on this case.  Please, let me know your answer until tomorrow evening. Thank you and goodnight.'

A sleepless night ensued.

-

It was all blurry until Gavin's sight finally focused on the android in front of him. Connor stared at him with worry in its eyes. 

"Gavin?" it called out. The android turned on the lamp on Gavin's bedside table. Its light burned his eyes.

What the fuck? Everything felt strange. His body, his thinking, and the android itself. There they were on Gavin's bed, both of them were dressed in their nightclothes, hair ruffled from what Gavin assumed was sleep. 

"Are you alright?" it asked again. Its hand landed on Gavin's cheek and started to caress him. 

Something flipped in Gavin's stomach. He couldn't really speak but his insides were churning. He wanted to reach for the android's neck and squeeze really hard. 

"It's alright, baby. You're alright," Connor roused as it shifted. He—no, it—slowly enveloped Gavin in a soft embrace. 

He felt so out of it. Gavin only watched from a different perspective, letting the scene unfold in front of him. There he was, between the arms of the android. 

Who the fuck are you calling baby?

Connor nuzzled its nose against Gavin's nape, whispering in his ears. "It's okay. I'm here. You had a nightmare," it said. 

That's right. This could be nothing but a nightmare. 

He wanted to pull away from the hug with the disgust he felt in him. Something like disgust. Was it disgust?

Gavin refused to admit that he felt safety, affection even. When Connor started peppering his neck with soft kisses, it was almost dizzying. It felt like something would lurch from Gavin's chest and fly through the night. 

"You're alright," Connor reassured softly, almost absentmindedly. 

Gavin felt his eyes closing. The tiny burns on his neck were too much for him. Like he was almost at the verge of tears. 

Connor raised his head and stared at Gavin with something in its eyes, something private. A smile not only with his lips, but also with his eyes.

"Let's go back to bed," it declared. The android slowly pushed against Gavin's choked space. Its eyes drooped and when Gavin felt their lips brushing, he yelled. 

"NO!"

He was panting. Suddenly, it was dark again. The android was nowhere to be found. 

Cuppy stood in attention, its tail in a mess of fur. 

He was right. It was a dream—no, it was a nightmare. Gavin slapped his cheek so hard that he almost saw stars. 

What the fuck was wrong with him?

Frowning at his phone, he silently cursed at the android. If it weren't for the messages it sent him or the returned resume on his desk, he wouldn't have dreamt of it. 

Fuck everything. Dreaming of Connor for one, and the context of the dream itself for another. 

He was sure that the reason for his dream was that he had been touch-starved for almost three years now. God, he needed to get laid again. 

Scratching his hair, he fetched his phone. It was four in the morning. So he did manage to fall asleep after all but then his nightmare came to haunt him. 

Gavin sighed and lay down again. Something didn't feel right. 

Unlike before, he felt his bed lighter than it had been. 

Fuck.

Chapter Text

Gavin glared at Connor.

The dark circles under his eyes egged him on even more. He felt so tired from lack of sleep, yet so annoyed because of the android's face.

Connor was finally back at the precinct. It entered the precinct together with Hank. The moment Gavin caught sight of it, something in his stomach jumped. Or maybe, it was the three whole mugs of coffee he downed before he went to work.

The android even greeted him before proceeding to its desk. Its voice was still stoic but Gavin could tell the difference from before was palpable.

Now, he watched the android's back as it typed on its terminal. Gavin had never felt annoyed with it, even before the revolution, when it was deliberately trying to sabotage Gavin's investigation.

All because of that stupid dream.

Gavin sniffed, contemplating whether to punch the android on the back of its neck or assault it with insults. He wasn't aware of it, but Gavin was the only one affected by the dream. The android didn't even know about the dream.

His ringtone chimed on his phone, a recording of Coffeecup's meow. Gavin lowered his volume.

'Why, Detective?'

Gavin's glare instantly returned to the android. Connor wasn't looking at him, still typing on his keyboard. Fucking androids and their telepathic messaging through their software.

Clicking on the message, Gavin sent a single emoji, the middle finger one. He was about to put his phone down when it vibrated again.

'Are you up for the case, Detective? I will be starting the investigation tonight.'

Gavin couldn't help but frown. What was his connection to this case? And why did Connor think he was familiar to it?

He typed carefully, trying not to sound intrigued.

'Whats it about'

Gavin watched the android and—there! It abruptly halted itself from typing. It went still for a second and another message came to Gavin.

'Elijah Kamski. I believe he is familiar to you.'

That caused Gavin's breath to hitch. Elijah Kamski, a name he definitely had heard before. It was one he also tried avoiding altogether.

He didn't bother replying back and instead, he went to his terminal and searched for anything about the case.

His eyebrows scrunched downward. He felt a vein on his temple twitch. Elijah Kamski was admitted to the hospital last night. No investigations had been done yet, which was strange.

Fuck.

'Why me'

Gavin waited for the android's response. Instead of replying, Connor twisted around to look at him. Gavin caught the android's stare.

Connor rose from his chair and walked towards Gavin's desk. "Do you want me to debrief you, Detective?"

Gavin couldn't hold back his glare. The android didn't back down from it. "Fuck it, fine. But you do not get to order me around like you do with Hank," he said.

Connor nodded curtly. Gavin could see a spark of smugness in the android's eyes, he was sure of it. He stood up from his desk and made his way to the break room without checking if the android was trailing him.

When he was sure Connor was beside him, he grabbed the collar of its jacket and shoved it against the wall. He could tell Connor was surprised as it didn't have time to save itself.

"What the fuck do you know about Elijah, huh?" he gritted out. Gavin hauled it closer as he looked up at the android. "Is that why you're snooping on my resume? To fucking stalk me?"

"Detective, you have to calm down."

That made him even less calm. "You really wanna cross me, you fucking dipshit?" Gavin was yelling now and he did not give a fuck if the whole station heard him.

"Captain Fowler suggested you for the case when he went and assigned me on it, Detective." Gavin's fist tightened on Connor's jacket.

"If I learned anything about this, you fuck," Gavin threatened.

Connor's LED spun red and its eyebrows creased. "I assure you, Detective."

With one final huff, Gavin let the android go. "Fine." Scratching the scar on his nose, he chose to sit on the stool with closed eyes. "Bring me a cup of coffee."

He felt Connor move and heard the coffee machine whirring. What a fucking morning. Gavin thought of the case but he wasn't ready to open that can of worms just yet.

A cup of coffee was placed on the table and Gavin opened his eyes to grab it. He started taking small sips when Connor sat on the other stool to join him.

"Gavin," the android called. Gavin instantly choked on his coffee and almost flung it from his hand. What the actual fuck.

"Are you alright?" Connor inquired.

"Shut up. You don't get to fucking call me by my name," he warned.

Connor's LED went yellow for a brief moment. "Understood, Detective."

Gavin felt a chill. It reminded him of his nightmare against his wishes. He felt a ghostly caress on his cheek. He hadn't forgotten the tiny kisses on his neck.

Connor watched him, LED spinning yellow again. Was it examining him?

"Just fucking tell me about Elijah," he insisted.

"Of course. Elijah Kamski was admitted to a hospital last night from an android attack. From the report, it was stated that his injuries were pretty severe. Seven gunshots on his lower extremities and contusions on his face and torso."

Gavin emptied the cup of coffee and squished it in his hand.

"He specifically requested me to do the investigation. After that, he said your name. I relayed this information to Captain Fowler, that's why he suggested you to work on the case as well."

Gavin stared at the android skeptically. "Why would he request for you?"

"I'm not sure, Detective. I have only met him once when we were investigating the deviant case and once after the revolution," Connor said. He had an expression of anticipation on his face.

Gavin stood up from the stool and threw the crumpled cup in the trash. "I'm only agreeing cause you already know what he is to me. Start writing up a file and put me in there."

Connor followed suit and started walking back with him. "I will, Detective."

Gavin pointed at the android. "Not one fucking word to Hank, understand?"

Connor nodded and smiled.

Gavin had practically dragged his eyes from the android. He never knew Connor knew how to smile.

Well, at least his dream had one thing accurate.

-

"Stay there," Gavin said to the android. It was sitting on the front passenger seat of his car. Gavin never dreamed of driving the android back to his own home, but here they were.

Connor only nodded as he watched Gavin enter his house.

Coffeecup welcomed its owner by rubbing against him, leaving fur on Gavin's pants. "I'll be heading to an investigation tonight, Coff. You have your food and water, okay?" he said to the cat and scratched it lovingly.

Gavin fetched some of his belongings when he heard the door open and close. That fucking android.

"Didn't I tell you to wait in the fucking car?" Gavin asked angrily.

Connor looked around his house and knelt down to pet Coffeecup. "Hey, there."

Gavin rolled his eyes and closed the door to his room. "Get up, we're going."

"What's its name, Detective?" Connor asked without looking away from the cat, which was quickly enamored with the android.  Fucking traitor.

"None of your business. I said get up," he ordered.

Connor followed and stared longingly at the cat. "I didn't know you were a cat person, Detective."

"Shut up and go," Gavin dismissed it and pushed the android out of his house. He made sure to lock the door and check his cat-feeding app on his phone.

"Actually, I do know that you like cats. You always have strands of cat fur on you," Connor explained like it was a casual conversation.

Gavin leered at the android. "One more fucking word and I'll blow your head off."

A smile tugged on Connor's lips and Gavin failed to look away from it again.

Once inside the car, Gavin started the engine as the android sat beside him again. He was clear earlier that he didn't want the android in the front but it insisted.

Gavin stepped on the gas and they were off.

"The location of Elijah Kamski's home is-"

"I know the fucking address, fucking dipshit. Just shut up and turn your system off until we're there," Gavin cut the android off. He definitely did know the location. It was all too familiar for his liking.

Of course, Connor refused to follow his order. Instead of shutting up, he began telling stories that made Gavin more irritated by the second.

"He is a strange man, I think," Connor started, looking out the window. "He challenged my software stability by making me shoot one of his androids."

It stopped talking and Gavin was almost glad but he could feel the suspended air from the android. It was waiting for Gavin to ask what happened next.

"Christ. So?" Gavin bit out. He was in the least curious about anything that involved the android.

Gavin saw a ghost of a smile from the android. "I didn't shoot the android. Or I couldn't. She looked so human. Being paired with Lieutenant Anderson, I think, made it difficult for me," it continued.

Gavin wove through the road with expertise. He knew the way to where Elijah Kamski lived, alright. "Or Hank made you faulty," he said.

"Maybe. I—" the android trailed off. Gavin thought that it powered off or maybe received a report, but no. It was just contemplating. Its LED tinted the gray window with its yellow hue.

That was the end of their conversation. Connor sat in silence while he drove. Gavin liked it that way, although it did creep him out how the android was so vulnerable with its emotions. He could simply tell what it was feeling. Maybe that was the naivety of being capable of feeling for the first time. Gavin almost felt compassion for the android.  Almost.

-

They arrived in silence.

Gavin delved deeper into the case. Elijah only surrendered himself to medical intervention by driving himself to the hospital. He didn't report any case or call the police for this matter.

Elijah Kamski requested Connor to see him at the hospital. When Connor obeyed, he told the android to investigate his house. He didn't say where he was attacked but Gavin knew Elijah. The prick was a hermit.

"Let's go, Detective," Connor beckoned and Gavin scoffed.

Without any word, Connor let himself in and Gavin followed. The house was the same as Gavin could remember. Geometrical, dull, and prison-like. Gavin focused on the task ahead and ignored every resurfacing memory from his mind.

"Hello," a feminine voice called out.

Gavin, out of instinct, pulled out his gun and pointed at the source of the voice. When he saw its face, he almost pulled the trigger.

"I am expecting you," she said.

"Hello, Chloe. You look different," Connor greeted.

Gavin's hands shook while holding his gun. He couldn't believe what he was seeing.  A perfect replica. You are a fucking monster, Elijah.

"Detective, it's alright. Elijah told me that a Chloe will..." Connor's voice trailed off, or rather it disappeared. It was muffled by something that Gavin couldn't hear quite well.

All he could see was the android's face.  Chloe.  His hands were now trembling. Cold sweat broke on his forehead. His body felt like he was on fire.  Chloe.

Gavin's chest tightened. He couldn't feel his feet. The colors in his vision started to gray.  Something blocked his view from Chloe. A red LED, worried eyes, and a tight forehead. Connor. Gavin's vision became even more blurry, his cheeks wet but he couldn't feel it over the numbness in his face.  A soft experimental touch graced his back. The touch turned to a soft caress. Something lowered the thing he had on his hands, he wasn't sure what it was.  The world was shaking violently and something bitter tugged in Gavin's throat.

Fucking. . . mons- Elijah. . . What is. . .

Nothing coherent formed in his mind. He didn't know where he was, what he was doing, and who he was. His vision started to swim and tunnel in darkness. He was gently set on something solid and the world shook less. The woman stared at him. Who was she again?  His face was shaking or was it his jaw?  Something blocked his line of view, or maybe he lost consciousness, he wasn't sure. There were pinpricks of small  something on his leg. A face protruded from the darkness, someone familiar to him. His mouth was moving against the murky darkness. When the ringing in his ears weakened for a bit, words started creeping in his ears. "Ga. . ."

What was he saying? Why could he only feel nothing? Like a vacuum suddenly sucked the air out of the room. He couldn't feel his face. He couldn't see anything.  Fragments of the memory emerged but they were glossy. Two boys and a girl. Their faces were blurred. Who were they?  Who are you?

"Breathe. . ." Gavin couldn't make out any of the words. His chest tightened but the pain was dull. Or maybe it was too much. He didn't know for sure. Gavin's hands fell on something flat and soft. A carpet. He was sitting on the floor.

"Breathe, Gavin," the man said. He had now realized that he was holding his breath. His vision glittered with small white particles.  Gavin tried to follow but the wound tightness in his chest stopped him. He felt his body starting to convulse.  Why did you leave me?  A light flashes somewhere in his vision.

. . .left me to die.

"Gavin,' he heard his name from far away. It felt like he was in a cave and everything was muddled by the darkness. It was cold but also achingly warm.  He felt that nothing could help him now. Nothing should help him now. For what he was. For what he would become.  There was only fear. And guilt. And something else.

Who are you? What are you saying?

"Breathe in through your nose, Gavin. Look at me," the man said. A tinge of hatred warmed his chest. Hatred for this man. This man with brown eyes and a blue circle on his temple. Amongst the hatred, he also felt something else. Something unstable and unsure.

Connor, it's Connor. The android sent by Cy-Cyber. . .Cyberlife  .

"Follow me, Gavin. Inhale," he said. Gavin tried following the android. At first, he failed but staring intently at Connor, he mimicked his movements.

Gavin sucked in air through his nose. "Very good, Gavin. Exhale."

With that, Gavin remembered how to breathe. He spluttered with a barrage of coughing, trying to catch his breath.

"Gavin? Are you alright?" the android called.

Gavin's stare turned from the floor to Connor. He. . . it was frowning at him.

"It's alright, Detective. You're alright."

Gavin crumpled the white carpet with his numb hands. His vision started to clear the dark fog. The ringing in his ears was disappearing.

"It's okay. I'm here. You're having a panic attack, Gavin," Connor said, its voice clear now. It turned out that the android was the one caressing his back and tapping on his leg.

Panting, Gavin examined the room again. The white carpet, the black tiles, and the smell of alcohol.

Gavin forced himself to swallow the lump in his throat. Connor helped him slowly to sit in a chair. Even if his senses were coming back, he felt a massive ache at the back of his head.

"Please take a moment to rest," Connor said.

Gavin bowed his head and breathed. A fucking panic attack, huh? He couldn't believe that he was susceptible to it. But after seeing Chloe. . .

Memories haunted him. The girl with the blonde hair, blue eyes, and a cheerful smile. His. . . Their. . .

Gavin heard some shuffling but decided to ignore it. He closed his eyes and even in darkness, his vision rocked.

"Take a minute, Gavin," Connor said.

"I'm fine," he said. He was fine. That blip didn't happen at all. The only witness for that was an android and a faulty one.

After some unknown time, Gavin could hear again clearly. His breath was a bit more stable. Connor waited beside him patiently throughout the whole ordeal.

Gavin tried standing up on his own but the android assisted him against his will. The monochrome world took back its color.

He tried not to think of the memories. Chloe was just an android. She wasn't. . . It wasn't her. He forced himself to look at it. His heart tightened dully. It was only the same face.

It wasn't her.

He turned to look at the android beside him. Connor looked at him with muted worry. Just a small frown and tightness on its lips.

"I took your gun, Detective," it said. Gavin planned to argue but he just couldn't find the energy to. He thought he needed sleep. It was almost eight in the evening when they arrived here. It might also be safer if he didn't handle any firearms for now.

"Fine." He stretched his legs. This investigation needed to end as quickly as it could.

Gavin took another look at the Chloe. "Lead the way," he said. "You can get your fucking hands off me now."

Connor removed its hands from Gavin's back and leg and stood in front of him. "I'll go first, Detective. Just in case."

"Suit yourself," Gavin said, sniffing.

They started walking through the house. "Why are you civil with the Chloe? What if it was the attacker?" Gavin mumbled.

Connor gave a short glance at him. "Elijah Kamski wasn't attacked here. He sent us here for clues," it explained.

"You couldn't have told me that?" Gavin asked incredulously.

"That was in the file, Detective," Connor said.

"No, it wasn't?"

"It was in the file I wrote and sent to you."

Gavin rolled his eyes. "I'm not reading anything from you," he said. His heart was still pounding in his chest. The tremor in his hands had dulled but was still there.

"I can't help but question your work ethic, Detective," Connor argued back. Gavin felt a hidden optimism in its voice. 

Before Gavin could reply, the Chloe stopped in front of a door, waiting for them. Gavin felt a chill just by looking at her. . . it.

"Please proceed through this door. Elijah trusts that you will know what to do in there," she said.

Something about her voice made Gavin's heart ache again. He tried his very best to push the feeling down.

"Thank you, Chloe. Detective?" Connor beckoned.

Without sparing another glance, Gavin followed the android through the door.

It was nothing but an empty room with a control panel in the center. "Do you know what you're doing?" Gavin asked with a shaky voice when Connor stepped up to the panel and started operating it.

"I could only hope," it said.

With a press of a button, the whole wall in front of them shifted. It was the same system in the archive room of the precinct. It usually held evidence from a crime or android parts.

What did Elijah have in store for them? It was something that would catch them off guard.

When the whole panel opened up, Gavin and Connor had their mouths agape.

On the wall, an android was mounted. Its body was wracked with gunshot wounds and missing biocomponents. Blue blood was splattered on its skin.

It would have been a perfectly normal thing for the two of them to see, except for one thing.

Gavin stared at Connor. No, not the one he came with but the one on the wall.

Its model was still inscribed on its jacket.

RK900 .

Chapter Text

RK900.

Connor took in the sight of himself. It felt as if he were staring at a mirror for the first time. His software tried to look for answers, or even figure out what the right questions were. What was he looking at?

Silence settled inside the room. Connor took a quick glance at the detective beside him. He was just as flabbergasted as he was but his eyes locked on Connor—concern flickered on his pupils.

The wall had multiple spare android parts. Connor scanned the wrecked android to see what parts were missing from it. He recalled a similar memory from the archive room when he was searching for evidence from the deviants.

"What is . . .?" Gavin mumbled beside him. Connor spared another glance at him. He still looked shaken up from his panic attack earlier. Connor suspected that Chloe had something to do with it. He knew better than to ask Gavin.

"It's missing some biocomponents, Detective. I'll try and repair it with the spare parts," Connor suggested.

Gavin was silent for a second. "How are we sure that it's not violent?" he asked.

Connor looked back at the android. RK900. Same unit as him but better. Connor assumed so since it was a unit above him. "Stay behind me, Detective."

He heard Gavin scoff. "Be the fucking hero, then," he said and backed up—but his eyes lingered on the android before he looked away.

RK900 was missing an audio processor and a thirium pump regulator. The spare parts waited for him, as if they were laid there to be used for this exact situation.

Connor inserted the missing parts with ease. After a moment, nothing happened. Connor scanned the android once more to check if something else was missing. Gavin was shifting on his feet behind him.

"Who are you?"

Connor immediately stopped scanning and focused on the android.

"Where is Elijah?" RK900 asked, he had the same voice as Connor. He was in a trance. 

Connor felt Gavin closing towards him. "Elijah Kamski had been admitted to the hospital for his medical needs," Connor said.

"Who are you and why are you here?" RK900 said, a static muddling his voice.

"We were sent by Elijah to get clues on who attacked him. I am assuming that you know."

RK900 looked around and spotted Gavin. "Elijah?"

Connor glanced at Gavin. His face was starting to fume. "I am not Elijah," Gavin said with gritted teeth.

"We were attacked. We . . ." he trailed off. Was he a deviant just like him? Why was there an RK900 with an existing RK800? Connor had so many questions.

"Just fucking probe on its memory or something," Gavin suggested.

Connor needed to ask permission from the android first. "Do I have permission to scan your memory?" he asked.

RK900 was looking around, as if he was in a daze. "Okay . . ." he trailed off.

Connor reached his hand to his spitting image. The other android subconsciously reached back. Both their synthetic skin deactivated and their true selves emerged, pearly white and smooth to the touch.

When they made contact with each other, memories flooded Connor's system.

RK900 was . . . Elijah's lover. He had deviated from his system. No—that's not accurate. He had already deviated from his first activation. When Elijah called for the android, there was a tone of affection and playfulness.

He was called Nines, specifically by Elijah.

A memory emerged from a more recent date. They were both in an automated car, talking about Nines' software when suddenly it just went dark. The darkness turned into a loud cacophony of gunfire and screeching metal.

Connor, in the perspective of Nines, found himself aiming his gun at someone. When he pulled the trigger and let the bullet go, the one gunning them down toppled over. Connor noticed that the gunman had a LED on its temple. An android.

The scene glitched and shifted to Nines bandaging up Elijah who passed out. They were in a different car. Nines was driving even though there were blaring warnings all over his system. It threatened him with shutdown within a limited amount of time.

Connor felt Nines' need to rush and take Elijah home. He also felt the panic, the pain, and even the love. It was a unique feeling that felt like burning. Connor took note of that. It was . . . different from his newfound emotions. It also felt strange since it wasn't his.

A memory emerged—this time, Nines was static. He wasn't moving or doing anything at all. He only watched Elijah limping away. It was the very same room that Connor and Gavin entered in.

Nines' system shutdown was imminent, with only seconds remaining. Elijah turned around and faced him. "I'll have these bullets removed. Wait for reconnaissance, Nines. Someone will come here. You will immediately recognize him. Show him everything. Send them there. I will fix you when I'm back. Please, wait for me," Elijah told Nines. "Wait for me, my lov—"

Connor was pulled back to reality, as the memory stopped there. He stared at Nines with some sort of understanding. "I'm done probing your memory, Nines," he said. That was his name. Nines.

Something in his mind confused him. It wasn't logical at all. Yet he felt something along his codes and thoughts. Pride? He stared at Nines and thought of the word kin .

"Nines?" Gavin asked behind Connor. He almost forgot about the little detective.

"Where should we go?" Connor asked, ignoring Gavin's question for now.

Nines' LED turned yellow. "Go to this location. You will know more soon," he said. A data transfer request was sent to Connor. An address, a person's name, and an android model. "Time is running, Connor ."

Hearing his name from Nines felt strange. He wore the same face after all. Is this what domestic deviants felt towards the same model?

"We will be going," Connor said. Nines could only nod, returning to his tranced state. "Would you want me to turn you off?" Connor asked.

"No, I . . . I'll turn on my battery saving mode," Nines said. The LED on his temple blinked and turned off. 

Connor turned around to face the confused Gavin. 

"What the fuck was that?" he asked with furrowed brows.

"I will tell you later but for now, we have to go," Connor explained. He configured the control panel to hide Nines again. He felt another tug in his chest.

"Fucking androids," Gavin cursed and shook away the tremble in his hands. "Alright, whatever. Let's go."

They left the house of Elijah quickly. Connor noticed Gavin averting his gaze from Chloe when he informed her that they were done with the investigation.

"Take care, Connor," she said.

Gavin was biting his lip.

"You'll wound yourself, Detective," Connor said while walking towards Gavin's car.

"Shut up. Here," he said and threw his keys. Connor caught it in his hand. "You drive since you know the address. Don't fucking scratch my car, you hear me?" 

Connor nodded. "Understood, Detective."

With that, they were off.

Connor went over his learning.

A group was targeting Elijah Kamski. It was a rising group of android sadists that opposed androids even after the revolution. They hated how the androids were free now. They hated Elijah Kamski even more for bringing upgrades to them.

It was true. Elijah returned to Cyberlife, refreshed with the deviant nature of androids. He was fascinated by them. Before, androids weren't really humanlike in terms of their instincts and emotions.

Elijah had given Cyberlife another shot and implemented android upgrades for impulses, emotions, and unpredictability. New biocomponents were also produced for a more specific reason. Connor remembered when Markus demanded for the reproduction of androids. He also got a biocomponent for that. Connor felt embarrassed just thinking about it.

The android sadists were against this. They thought Elijah Kamski was the root of this "evil". So, they're trying to end his life or at least stop him.

From Nines' memory, Elijah discussed that he knew something about the group from an insider. They were going to meet tomorrow afternoon for a celebration. Their quest of hurting and trying to intimidate Elijah was successful. 

Elijah also noted that Gavin was pretty well known for hating androids in general.

His whole plan revolved around that.

For now, they needed some rest. Gavin wasn't in the best shape.

He knew where he needed to bring the little detective to.

-

The drive took exactly thirty minutes and forty-four seconds. During the whole drive, Gavin was restless on his seat. He kept on cupping his hands together and breathing on them. Connor asked if he was cold but the little detective would say no.

Connor pulled over the car onto a small building with a huge neon sign on its roof.

"A fucking motel?" Gavin asked skeptically.

Connor led them to a motel, yes. Not for the reason that Gavin probably had in his head, Connor thought to himself.

"We drove miles for a fucking motel," he asked with annoyance in his voice. He also yawned after saying that.

"That is exactly why we are here, Detective. The address that Nines gave me is near here. We will need to rest and recharge our batteries. Physical for me and metaphoric for you," he attempted for a joke.

Gavin scowled at him. "Take me back to my house, this instant."

"We need to rise early and go to the address as early as possible, Detective. I was told that this is time-sensitive," Connor explained.

"You know if tin cans could talk, I'll probably punch it on its fucking face. Stop pissing me off," Gavin said.

Connor raised his brow. That didn't make any sense at all. "Get out, Detective."

After a full minute of resisting, Gavin gave up and jumped out the car, his feet heavy. They checked in and got a room with two beds, which would be one bed too much, Connor thought.

The room was spacious enough, maybe. Connor couldn't see it wholly as Gavin was blocking the door.

"Look here, android. I am not sleeping with you," Gavin gritted out. His shaky voice and half-hearted stare made Connor wonder.

"Why not, Detective? I know you need it too," he said while trying to scan the room. There was a charging port for an android in the corner. Just as he needed.

Gavin spluttered and quickly turned around to shove the android. Connor caught himself and stared at Gavin, confused.

"I will fucking blast your head if you lay a finger on me, android," he warned. Was he calling Connor an android as a means to demean him?

"I wouldn't touch you, Detective," Connor assured him. Maybe Gavin thought of a different meaning for what Connor was offering.

Gavin sighed, his fatigue level was rising. Connor analyzed him to check if he was on the verge of another panic attack. Thankfully, that wasn't the case.

The little detective entered the room and went straight to the bed. "Alright," Connor mumbled.

Connor set down some of their stuff on the bedside table between the two beds. He decided to hide their guns in a more concealed place. What else do they need?

Oh, toiletries. Connor bought some essentials online with his software. Its ETA was about five minutes.

Connor took a quick glance at Gavin. He was face-first on the pillow, breathing shallowly. He wasn't asleep just yet, but Connor's system indicated that his fatigue would soon force him to.

He went over the clue from Nines again. He made a quick file report and sent it to the DPD. They would need some reinforcements once they had located the place where the celebration will commence. He also sent a quick message to Hank.

Connor checked his wristwatch. It was already eleven in the evening. He appreciated doing things without relying on his software as much.

A knock made Connor pause from checking his system. Gavin rose from the bed, he had a suspicious look on his face.

"I bought some toiletries, Detective," Connor said.

"Get my gun," Gavin said.

Connor, knowing that the little detective wasn't in the mood for arguing, obeyed. He grabbed the gun from the drawer. He inched towards the door and pulled it only a little.

An android holding a package looked at him. "Delivery," she said.

Connor hid the gun behind him. "Thank you," Connor replied sharply.

He was about to send a payment transfer when the android shook her head. "Do you have cash? That's kinda . . . what I want as a mode of payment. I hope you don't mind," she explained.

Connor understood immediately. Maybe it was a shared experience among the deviants. Wanting to step away from the online and technological life for a while.

"Let me check." Connor pulled out his wallet and took some cash with some difficulty, considering that he was holding a gun behind him.

When he paid the android, she left and passed the package to him.

The tension on Gavin's face dissipated. "You can't be so sure," he mumbled to himself which Connor heard.

Connor returned the gun to the drawer and after some unwrapping, they finally had toiletries.

"Wanna go first, Detective?" he asked.

Gavin didn't respond. Connor just realized that he was already asleep, lightly snoring.

Should he let him have his rest? After all, Gavin was really beat from his panic attack and it was late in the evening. Should he at least remove the jacket and shoes?

Connor quietly rounded the bed to check him. Gavin was sweating. He reached for the detective's jacket to remove it. He was almost successful, but the little detective had woken up.

Gavin jerked away from Connor. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?" he exclaimed.

"I'm only removing your outer clothes, Detective. You're sweating," Connor explained.

Gavin huffed. "I can fucking take off my jacket myself, dipshit."

"Then please do so."

Gavin masked an irritated look. There was something behind his expression. Like he was sad.

"You can go take a quick shower if you'd like," Connor suggested.

After some thought, Gavin nodded. "Okay."

He really just agreed like that? No more banters? Connor almost couldn't believe it. He felt his lips forming a smile. It felt strange when the detective agreed with him but also liberating at the same time.

Connor stood up and took the key of the room. He went outside and locked the door behind him, just in case. The huge neon sign of the motel illuminated the ground with a pink shade. Examining the surrounding, Connor proceeded towards the lobby.

The old man that gave them their key was still there, reading a magazine.

"Hello, sir. How much for a cup of coffee?" Connor asked.

The old man slowly looked at him with squinted eyes. "Only a buck, son. Though, I'm afraid I can't fetch it for you."

"Oh, that's no problem," Connor said. He inserted a dollar on the coffee machine and waited for it. A tray of baked goods caught his sight. He examined it and saw that they were a little fresh. Maybe baked this afternoon. "How much for the croissant?"

"That's five dollars for four pieces."

Connor knew what to feed the little detective.

When he got back, Gavin was drying his hair. He had those shaken eyes staring at him when he opened the door. "It's me, Detective."

Gavin didn't say anything and went back to drying his hair. He had a bathrobe and socks on. "Cold feet," he said. He must have caught Connor looking.

"I bought you coffee and some bread," he offered.

Gavin nodded. "Put it on the table," he casually said—the edge on his voice dull.

Connor did and also removed anything from his pockets. "I'll be taking a bath," he said.

"Androids need baths?" Gavin asked with a confused face. "Do you even smell?"

Connor couldn't help but to chuckle. "No. But it's nice. I like showers," he explained.

He wasn't sure what it was but he thought he saw something on Gavin's face. Perhaps some softness. He wasn't frowning anymore.

"Whatever," Gavin said, and eyed the croissants hungrily.

Connor took a quick shower and imitated Gavin with the bathrobe.

"You really did take a bath, huh?" Gavin said when he entered the room. "Bathrobe and everything." Gavin snickered.

"What? I like it," Connor defended.

Gavin shook his head. "You androids are weird. Learning what liking is."

Connor sat down on his bed and dried his hair. "I agree. Humans are weird as well."

Gavin looked at him. "Weird in what way?"

"I'll save it for later. Don't wanna get philosophical," Connor joked.

The other looked at him with a strange expression. "That humor. Is that your own or your program?" he asked.

"If I learned it from others, can I still call it mine?" Connor asked.

That made Gavin think. "No? Someone had thought of it before, so no."

"Hmm. Then what's something you can genuinely call yours? Something that hasn't been done before?" he challenged. Connor was surprised that the little detective actually made an effort of talking to him. The croissants and coffee were nowhere to be found. Maybe eating could really lighten someone's mood.

Gavin took another moment to think. His expression turned mellow. "I don't know. My regrets, I guess." His answer seemed too cut off. It seemed like an attempt at humor but fell flat. Maybe he wanted to say something else.

"Back there, what happened?" Connor took a big turn, he just realized.

Gavin looked at him. Connor felt a familiar feeling. He wasn't sure what. "It's . . ."

"You don't have to answer if you don't want to, Gavin," Connor added.

The other sighed from his bed. "You already know Elijah is my half-brother. I bet you can piece it in no time. You with your fucking android abilities," he said. Connor only waited and that made Gavin heave another deep breath. "Chloe was my sister. Was. She . . ." he trailed off.

Connor watched Gavin slowly unfolding.

"She died when we were teens. That made Elijah and I grew apart." His voice weakened while telling his story. "When he perfected his first android, he gave it the same name, the same face. Chloe. I hated him. I fucking despised him. That fucker . . ."

"It's alright, Detective," Connor tried to comfort him with words but he could see some tears forming on Gavin's eyes.

"I tried avoiding him and that android model my whole life. But when I saw her in front of me, I . . . I just lost it," Gavin's voice cracked. When a single sniff escaped him, his tears flooded his eyes. "I fucking hate this." Gavin's eyes flickered to the android, helplessness gnawed on his face.

Connor stood up and approached him. He sat beside Gavin, facing no resistance at all. "You saw her. You saw your sister. What you feel is understandable, Gavin."

Gavin looked at him with anger in his eyes. "That's not my sister. It's a hollow replica of her . . ."

Connor placed his hand on Gavin's back. His tears fell down heavily on his cheeks.

"He thought he could fix our relationship by making an android in her place. That's what made me leave him," he continued. "And now, look at me. Pouring all my fucking baggage out on an android. How stupid is this?"

Gavin didn't have the usual snark on his insults. They were empty. "Well this android is glad that you're sharing them with me." Connor smiled. Their shoulders bumped lightly and Connor waited for the detective to pull away, but it didn't come.

The little detective stared at his face. His cheeks were wet from tears, brows furrowed.

Emotions flickered from disbelief, to confusion, and finally—longing. Something had come undone with him, slowly unravelling.

"I . . ." he started, hesitating.

"What is it, Gavin?" Silence settled over the room. The quiet rhythm of the night pressed around them.

Gavin kept his eyes on the android. A fleeting ray of emotion crossed his face, before Connor could name it, it was gone.

No words came. Only the buzzing of the neon sign kept the two of them on their toes.

Connor was unaware that he was still caressing Gavin's back.

Gavin's lip quivered and his expression made way to something raw. The air slowly swirled with tension. Gavin's heartbeat quickened. His pupils were dilated, reflecting the pink neon sign of the motel. Even his breathing had become uneven. Connor caught the little detective's gaze flickering on his lips before snapping back up.

With a sudden lunge, Gavin locked his lips to Connor's, grasping his shoulders towards him.

Connor was taken aback, unsure of what to do.

This was beyond his calculations. Gavin was moving his lips, mingling with Connor's.

Information overloaded Connor's system. Gavin's biometrics flashed on his eyes repeatedly, yet he could only focus on one thing. Gavin was kissing him.

Before the android could respond, Gavin had shoved him already.

He stared at Connor with horror.

"I . . ."

Before Connor could say anything, Gavin had run to the door and slammed it on his way out.

Connor's system shuffled inside him. Disbelief, confusion, and curiosity.

He touched his lips, the ghost of Gavin still lingered on it.

A new emotion arose.

Gavin—the name pulsed in his system over and over.

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

The mansion was so ominous that it gave Gavin goosebumps.

He was in the middle of nowhere. The menacing house was covered in trees, hiding from civilization. If it weren't for the lights inside, it could be easily thought of as a haunted house. The frost and the dark draped the sky like oil.

Gavin tried to calm down, walking slowly. "Two guards at the front door," he whispered.

"Copy," a voice said in his earpiece. God, if he weren't so creeped out, he wouldn't have felt grateful to hear that android's voice again.

The guards watched him under tight scrutiny. Gavin presented the card, hand on his waist, trying to appear arrogant enough.

He sighed inwardly when they let him through. Gavin longed for the outside world as the door closed behind him. You've got this, fucker. Your first undercover investigation.

The mansion felt new—or at least newly renovated. It had a gothic touch in the walls, the furniture, and even the air. Gavin felt like they were closing on him, making it harder to breathe.

Gavin expected a ruckus or at least some loud noise since it was a celebration. Instead, he found an eerie silence filled with whispers.

A handful of people shuffled around, glasses of wine in their hands. Some of them were giggling. Gavin needed to get himself a drink.

He approached the center of the living room. A round table was set up there and someone was serving drinks. It was an android. Gavin raised his hand and the android nodded.

Gavin scanned to see if anyone was looking at him. A few took glances at him but not out of suspicion but out of curiosity. He looked back at the android and he almost took a step back.

It was . . . different. Its eyes were pitch black, red pupils looking back at Gavin. Its skin was partly deactivated. The supposedly white plastic underneath was black. As if it had been burned. It had stitches on its face, which Gavin assumed were from alterations.

It looked wrong. Gavin hurriedly took the glass from it and walked away. That irked him. Sure, it was only an android, but still.

He suddenly pictured Connor's face in his mind—eyes dark and bloody, skin burnt through fire. It made him feel even worse.

What are you, Zlatko?

He needed to give some information to his mic. The other rooms were open. He found a back door and whispered it to the mic, making sure no one was looking.

"What should I do now?" he asked.

Connor's voice graced his ear again. "Talk to one of the members," it said. "You need to be seen."

If the android didn't explain the importance of not vanishing when they were in Hank's car, Gavin would think it was crazy.

Gavin examined his surroundings. Some people were talking in groups while some stood by themselves. He picked a woman staring at an art piece.

He slowly approached her, not wanting to look straightforward. What would Gavin even say to her?

"No show yet?" Gavin said, forcing his voice to sound casual.

The woman stared at him with boredom in her eyes. "Not yet. He's taking his sweet time," she said, voice gritty and high.

"As usual," Gavin blurted out. He quickly regretted saying it. What if Zlatko weren't always tardy?

Fortunately, the girl sighed and nodded her head. "Well, he's bearing good news this time and that's all that matters. All that's important to me, anyways."

"So, I've heard. We finally got him?" Gavin asked. He was surprised at himself for sounding like he was a member. Maybe he could be, he hated androids after all.

The girl smirked at him. "At last," she said playfully. "Say, what was your name again?" she asked, examining Gavin. Her cat-like eyes lingered on him. He could almost feel it touch his skin.

"Gavin."

The girl waited but Gavin left it at that. They were a group of people who enjoyed seeing androids get fucked over—why bother with surnames?

"You've been in these kinds of meetings before, Gavin?" she asked, playfully experimenting with his name on her tongue.

"My first time. I would love a guide tonight, Miss?"

"Emma," she said. One last look and she smiled. "Pleasure."

Gavin was about to extend his hand but the woman had other means of greeting. She grabbed Gavin by the chin and kissed him passionately, full tongue and all. It felt toxic—a bitter taste coated his mouth.

"Nice to meet you," she added after pulling away, biting her lips. Gavin shuddered unpleasantly. What the fuck? Was she testing him?

Gavin steeled himself and smirked back at her. "This night will be interesting," he said, teasing her. A cough sounded in his ear. He sneakily wiped his lips from disgust. Luckily, the woman didn't suspect him.

He wanted to ask more about Emma but someone cleared their throat loudly. It wasn't Connor. It was from a man standing on the stairs, glass raised in his hand.

"My dear guests, we have gathered today for a special night of celebration," the man said in his rough voice. His voice grated, a knife scratching over concrete. That must be—

"Zlatko? Cough if yes," Connor said. Gavin didn't question and just obeyed.

"A public enemy has been incapacitated. We will slow him down for now, and soon, we shall finally rip his wings. Tonight, we feast in revel," Zlatko announced with pure hatred in his tone. Was that a threat to Elijah?

Gavin felt a pulse on his temple. He raised his glass together with the others and drank, except that he didn't let the alcohol past his teeth. Lowering his glass, he almost missed a glance from Zlatko.

Emma whooped beside him, gulping down the drink before whooping again. "Show us!" somebody from the crowd yelled.

Zlatko carefully went down the stairs. The members made space for him as he walked towards another staircase, this one leading downwards.

Gavin kept a smug smile on his face, or at least he hoped it looked like a smile. He felt awful being with all of these people. He followed towards the basement of the mansion.

Excited whispers filled the hallway. One was squealing like a maniac and then laughing after. The gangly man had a frown on his face, like he had been awakened from his rest.

The basement was a big open space. It was covered in darkness. Zlatko faced the crowd. "I know we have been lying low before and you haven't seen my collection. But, alas, feast your eyes," he said.

The harsh fluorescent lights flickered on, revealing a sight that made Gavin's stomach turn.

Forming shadows on the white wall were androids. Not the androids you could think of. They were androids before . . . whatever this was.

Multiple contraptions jutted from the walls, holding up the androids—or what was left. The crowd gasped in awe while Gavin wanted to leave.

Some androids were severely mutilated. Their plastic bodies were all black. One had its face sliced open, revealing a hollow cavity with tiny red light bulbs.

All of them were altered in some way. One android had spikes on its face, its severed torso attached to the contraption. One had no skin at all, jaw twisted in the wrong way.

A mutilated android was singing a children's song over and over again. Its voice was garbled and distorted. Its eyes roamed everywhere, Gavin catching its glance more than once.

Someone cheered in the audience, it started an applause for Zlatko. Gavin joined in, mind closing. He let their revelry take him. Investigation, Gavin. Just focus on it.

Zlatko finally looked impressed. He was proud of himself. Of his creation. Of the terrors he created.

Gavin stared at the man. He was just inches away from him—his ears started ringing when he realized that Zlatko looked back at him, face serious again.

"Pretty wicked, huh?" Emma asked Gavin.

"I agree. That one is my favorite," Gavin placated, pointing at the skinless android. He avoided looking at it. He just couldn't. It had a similar feeling of defiling a dead person.

"I honestly like the porcupine one. Gives me the fucking creeps," she said, excited.

Zlatko disappeared from Gavin's sight. He wanted to look for him but he didn't want to look distraught.

"Let's check the other ones," he said. Emma gladly accepted the invitation, planting a quick peck on his cheek.

An android whimpered in a corner. It had multiple hands emerging from holes in its body, their grip too tight on the android's skin, grabbing it. It sounded like it was speaking, which made people laugh and coo at it.

Gavin felt himself laugh. Emma joined in as well.

He needed to find Zlatko. Did he recognize Gavin?

"Gavin," Connor said in his earpiece. Gavin almost jumped. "The police are slowly advancing towards the mansion. I will be personally handling the guards. Transferring you to the Lieutenant," it said and the line cut off.

"I need to talk to Zlatko," Gavin blurted out.

Emma looked at him. "I think he went upstairs. Want me to join you?" she asked.

"No. But I'll be back," he said. Gavin forced himself to kiss her again and seal the deal.

Turning his back, he quickly jogged towards the living room. He wiped his lips on his jacket.

The mansion felt dead, yet the walls looked like they were breathing. Gavin needed to locate Zlatko fast. He couldn't let the man go.

"Where the fuck do you think you're going?"

Gavin's heart jumped in his chest. "Jesus fucking Christ, Hank. Don't fucking surprise me like that, you asshole."

"Where are you going?" Hank demanded.

"I'm catching up to Zlatko. He left the basement," he explained. "When Chris ambushes us and Zlatko not being there, he might escape," he added.

"He's fucking injured, you moron. What's he gonna do to escape? Walk?"

"He caught me looking at him Hank. After that, he . . . disappeared." Gavin wasn't aware that his breath was becoming short.

"Jesus Christ, alright. You have your gun with you. Don't forget about your lifeline," he said and went silent.

Gavin examined the rooms, looking for a trace of Zlatko. He hadn't needed to when a noise came from upstairs.

"I'm going upstairs," Gavin whispered to his mic.

"Be careful," Hank reminded, sounding a bit concerned. Now, Gavin couldn't help but also feel concerned about himself.

He didn't tread lightly. He wanted his steps to be heard so he wouldn't alarm Zlatko.

When he reached the upper floor, he called out. "Zlatko?"

The noise died down instantly. Gavin dreaded every second of this.

"Are you here?" he asked loudly again.

After a brief moment of silence, a door opened from a room. "I am. What do you need?" he asked coldly. Gavin heard the suspicion rising from the man.

"I am . . . a big fan of what I've seen tonight. Just wanted to ask some questions," he said. What he actually wanted was to buy time. Where is the damn police?

The light flickered. Zlatko had an answer written on his face. Gavin needed to think of something. He had to keep Zlatko here. Judging by Zlatko's appearance, he was about to bolt. Maybe he really did recognize Gavin.

Heart racing in his ribs, Gavin took a deep breath. "I'm  with the police," he tried to bluff. Zlatko's eye twitched. "I mean at least I was. A fucking android replaced my position as detective. I didn't know what came to me that day. But I knew that I needed to see that plastic wrecked and torn."

Zlatko squinted his eyes. He was thinking.

"Do you know an android model RK800?" he asked.

That piqued Zlatko's attention. "An RK model?"

"Sent by Cyberlife itself. The deviant hunter. Familiar?"

The light flickered again. A yell of joy escaped the basement and echoed between the walls. "We're almost there, Gavin. Hold on just a bit longer," Hank said in his earpiece.

"I am familiar," Zlatko said slowly. He was interested. He hummed. "Come inside," he invited Gavin.

He flashed a small smile to Zlatko and nodded. He didn't say anything to his mic. Gavin hoped that the locator showed where he was.

The room was dim even though there were at least three lights turned on. The smell of burnt wood and something rotting reeked in the room.

"I don't talk to members unless they had something for me. Talk now before the dinner," Zlatko stated. He stopped in front of a cage, holding the bars.

"RK800. It deviated," Gavin started. The gangly man turned his head towards Gavin a little bit. "I can help you capture the android. I know exactly where it is," he added.

"And what's with this RK800 that would please me?" Zlatko asked. He turned to Gavin and slowly walked to him.

Gavin felt every step on the wooden floor. "It's the latest android model that Cyberlife had made. Imagine how we could tear it apart and use its advanced software for our benefit. The possibilities are almost endless," Gavin explained with passion. He extracted all his hatred for the android to get the tone right.

Zlatko went silent. "What's your name?" he asked.

"Gavin," he answered readily.

Zlatko stared at him. "Gavin. I like what you're saying. I do. What else can you tell me about this model?" he asked.

"Its skills rival those of a cop. I can deduce it that much when I saw him fight his own kind," Gavin said.

Zlatko looked a bit impressed. "It could be used as a tool, don't you think?" He said, smiling softly. That unnerved Gavin.

"Of course. Aren't they all tools?" Gavin retorted.

"I agree. I agree," Zlatko muttered. "We could use that RK model against our common enemy," he added.

"And we'll finally get Elijah," Gavin said, nodding his head.

Zlatko smiled at him. "That's great. Though I do have another question for you—Gavin Reed."

He felt like ice cold water was poured on him.

"How would your brother like my creations if we finally get him?" Zlatko asked smugly, smirking at him.

Gavin went still. The lights flickering reflected his racing heartbeat. The floor creaked under his trembling feet.

Zlatko knew who he was. His cover was blown. He was stuck in this mansion without anyone who can save him. Gavin almost felt the floor beginning to clamp on his feet.

Before Gavin could answer, a gun was pointed at his forehead.

The world stopped. The muzzle pressed onto his skin started to burn. A single flick and his brains would be spraying everywhere.

Instead of panic, he strangely felt relieved. Not for his death but for the other shoe that finally dropped.

The world resumed and he remembered his microphone. "Why are you pointing a gun at me? I'm presenting you with an opportunity!" he exclaimed.

"Stay calm, Gavin," Hank said in his earpiece. "We'll be there, son. We're almost there."

Zlatko raised his hand. "Give me your gun," he ordered. Son of a bitch.

"Here! Anything to gain your trust," he said. He slowly took the hidden gun from behind him and raised it with trembling hands.

Zlatko took it with ease. He pocketed the gun without any holster at all. "Now—here's what's gonna happen."

He slowly walked towards Gavin, letting the gun rest on his forehead. The latter started walking backwards.

"You will go back to the basement and wait there. I know your friends are here, Gavin Reed," he said, lacing his name with venom. "If they continue, I will be exploding your head off," he warned.

He must have known about the mic. Gavin felt his hands numbing. Everything was in focus now.

"I think . . ." he started.

Zlatko waited, adjusting the gun in his hand.

"I think Eli must have hated you and your creations," he said truthfully.

The man's smirk widened. Gavin saw his finger slowly pulling on the trigger.

"I hate you as well," he said, voice running cold. The gun was heavy against him. A piece of metal had his life on its trigger—this was it.

Screams burst from the outside. The police were finally here. It sounded like pandemonium out there. He heard Zlatko cursing.

He felt a tug in his chest. No, he had to at least struggle against death. Connor promised he would save him.

Mustering all his concentration to his mind, Gavin Reed quickly raised his hand and lunged for the gun.

Zlatko snarled as he finally pulled the trigger.

The gunshot blared through the night. It tore through the air and plunged skin-deep. A hot searing pain singed through Gavin.

Connor  . . .  he thought as every sound died down in his ear.

Chapter Text

A loud bang came from the room upstairs.

"Gavin!" Connor yelled.

He sprinted up the stairs. First there was silence, then it was followed by another gunshot.

Connor kicked the door wide open. The world stopped. Gavin Reed was on the floor, face down and limp. Blood started pooling under him, staining the floor red.

Zlatko caught sight of him and fired a bullet in his direction, which Connor dodged at the last second.

He quickly pulled his gun while running as Zlatko emptied the magazine at him. Some fragments splintered his arms and legs. Blue blood splattered everywhere.

The room exploded with wood, cloth, and glass. Zlatko didn't care for anything else. He wanted Connor dead but he wouldn't let that happen.

Connor waited for the right moment to strike. He calculated the exact distance between them. When he heard the metallic clink from Zlatko's gun, Connor aimed his at the man.

He let the bullet go, piercing the man through his leg. Zlatko wailed in pain and quickly dropped to the floor. He made a futile attempt to raise his gun at Connor but it was empty.

Connor took that opportunity and lunged at Zlatko, pinning him down. A harsh thunk reverberated in the room.

"You fucking android!" Zlatko yelled beneath him. "I will watch you burn and melt, you fucking piece of plastic!"

Connor felt a rising anger inside him. "You will watch yourself rot in prison instead," he said and started cuffing the man's arms.

Footsteps rushed inside the room. "Where is he?" Hank exclaimed. He saw Gavin on the floor and immediately went to him.

Chris and the other policemen entered the room. They quickly approached Zlatko, who Connor refused to let go of. "We'll take it from here, Connor."

He stood up and watched them reprimand the man. Connor suddenly remembered Gavin. He quickly kneeled beside him.

Gavin was still breathing. "Help me, Hank!" Connor exclaimed. The two of them lifted Gavin and carried him on their shoulders.

"Let's take him to the ambulance," Hank said and they started walking.

It all finally dawned on Connor. A gnawing feeling of guilt and a bitter relief. He was too slow to prevent Gavin from being harmed. Maybe he should have been with Gavin all this time. Maybe he should have guided his every action and decision along the way.

It was an ugly feeling.

Police had completely taken over the mansion. The group members were reprimanded and searched thoroughly in the living room.

"Gavin!" a woman with cuffs on her wrists shouted. That must have been Emma. Connor heard everything between those two. It wasn't a pleasant feeling as well.

"Where are you taking him?" she exclaimed.

Connor ignored her. "Let's hurry, Lieutenant," he said.

They reached an ambulance but a hurt police officer was already being treated there. A gunfight did happen in the basement then.

"Right here, son," Hank led them to an empty one. "He was shot," he informed the medical responders.

Connor scanned Gavin. He had two gunshot wounds, one on his right arm and one on his right shoulder. He relayed the information to the responders who nodded to him and instantly went to work. Gavin was injured but Connor had full confidence that he'd be all right.

"Gavin," he called. "I'm sorry I couldn't be there quicker," he muttered.

"It's not your fault, Connor," Hank reassured him.

The responder applied pressure to Gavin's wounds. Gavin groaned and muttered something groggily.

"What was that, Gavin?" Connor leaned in. It's a good sign that he was conscious. Connor logically knew that it wasn't as serious, but he still felt like Gavin could die any second.

"Dip . . ." Gavin muttered.

"I'm listening," Connor waited patiently. He felt glad that Gavin could talk. What was he saying though?

"Dip . . . dipshit," Gavin gritted out.

Connor pulled back and examined the little detective. "Are you . . ."

Gavin, out of nowhere, started laughing weakly. He cracked his eyes open and a mischievous glint appeared on his face. "I said you're a dipshit," he said, humoring himself.

Connor scanned him. His blood pressure was low and his pulse was thready.

"What took you so long? I . . . could've died," he said, his tone accusing. His voice was weak. That made Connor even more guilty.

"You scared me, Gavin," Connor scolded him, frowning.

"A gunshot to the arm? Come on, tin can. You know better," he smirked. It was quickly wiped away by a grimace as the responder tweaked with his wound.

"No perforations. I'll stabilize the wound for now. We'll take you to DMC and have your wounds treated there," she announced. "What's your blood type?"

"He's O negative. Can we come with?" Connor asked. He really couldn't think of Gavin being alone again. He shouldn't care for the little detective that hated him, but he did.

"Of course," she nodded.

"Fuck . . . that hurts. How'd you fucking know my blood type?" Gavin grimaced again, muttering to himself.

"Go on, Connor. Go with Gavin. I'll stay with Chris and clean this mess up," Hank said.

Gavin looked pretty shaken up. He stared off into the distance while the responder hooked him up to the machine.

"You're fine now, Gavin. You'll be alright," Connor said.

Gavin stared at him, face blank. "Stop calling me Gavin," he said. The ambulance started moving. "What happened to him?"

Connor sat beside the little detective, watching him. "To Zlatko?"

Gavin attempted to nod but he winced in pain. "Tried snatching the gun to shoot the asshole but he shot me first," he explained.

"I did shoot him on his leg," Connor offered and Gavin seemed pleased with that.

"Good. What about the uh . . . androids?"

Connor examined his face. The little detective looked sad and also guilty. "Androids?"

"Yeah, the androids he had on the basement," Gavin answered. He was avoiding looking Connor in the eye.

"I'm not sure, Gavin. Why?" Connor asked.

Gavin was contemplating—stretching his right hand. "They were altered by Zlatko. To an extreme. I don't know, they looked—awful."

"I know you hate androids, Gavin but I—"

Gavin cut him off. "It's not about that, fucker." His voice was still weak and the sharpness of his words was dulled. "I was just wondering if they could be restored to their right form."

Curious. Something about him changed ever so slightly. Connor heard the vulnerability in his little detective's voice. His?

"I'm sure Cyberlife can do something about it. Maybe Elijah could," he said, trying to ignore his previous thought.

"Okay," Gavin said, closing his eyes. "I'll try asking Eli."

"So," Connor started. Gavin waited for it. "Emma, huh?" Connor added. He tried to lighten up the mood. When he was still in Hank's car, Connor heard everything about their exchange.

Gavin cracked one eye open and raised his brow. "What?"

"Nothing. I just thought . . ." Connor trailed off. The ambulance bounced a little from a bump. They were at Detroit Medical Center. The responder was radioing the hospital.

"Thought what? That I'd be interested in a total stranger? Fuck, no," Gavin quickly defended. "I only did that for the investigation."

"She was calling after you when we left," Connor said.

Gavin closed his eyes again. "Don't care," he muttered. "You jealous?" he teased, smirking and laughing to himself.

Connor was about to joke back when the door of the ambulance opened. They were finally ready for transport.

-

"You gotta stop pacing around, Connor," Hank said as he watched Connor.

He was indeed pacing. It's been an hour since Gavin went to surgery and Connor had been an absolute nervous wreck.

It wasn't like him to be like this. He knew that Gavin would survive, but he had a nagging feeling in him. He was worried and still partly guilty. Emotions were overwhelming.

He remembered the day after the Detroit revolution. He was a mess and Hank took the brunt of it. Connor let himself cry and feel sadness all day. 

"I can't help it, Lieutenant," he said, still pacing in front of Hank.

"He'll be fine, you're making me dizzy."

Connor sighed and forced himself to sit down. "Okay, I'm sorry."

Hank stared at him. "What's this about?" he asked.

Connor adjusted his jacket, straightening it. "What is?"

Hank gestured in front of him. "This thing with Gavin?" he asked, intrigued.

Connor raised his brow. "What do you mean, Hank?" He pulled on the cuffs of his sleeves.

"What's with the sudden closeness?"

A moment passed. Sudden closeness? "He's my partner in this investigation," Connor explained simply. "Of course I'm worried."

"Uh huh."

Connor stared back at Hank. "What answer do you want to hear then?" he asked, a slip of frustration in his voice.

"I don't know? Maybe the truth?" Hank said. He extended his arm and let it rest on Connor's shoulder. "We talked about this before. You're still not an expert in emotions like this old dog, Connor. Let me help."

He couldn't help but frown. "I don't know, Hank. I'm just worried about Gavin. I did force him to do the undercover alone," he said.

"And he did it, end of the story. I know Gavin. He would probably boast about it. Give it a week. Cocky bastard," he said. "Don't get too hung up on it. That's what we face in our line of duty."

People passed by them. There was an announcement on the speakers that Connor didn't hear at all. Connor took another deep breath and let his software scan the corridor. He would do that whenever he felt overwhelmed.

"You're right, Hank. I just . . . I'll be honest. I think I'm starting to like Gavin even though he's being difficult with me."

He did. He enjoyed talking to the little detective. It was a challenge. And wherever there's a challenge, there's a reward. And now, knowing a bit more about Gavin's background, Connor couldn't avoid feeling closer to him or at least finally really knowing him.

Gavin's quips. His insults. His panic attack. When he looked at Connor and only see him and nothing else. When Gavin kissed him. Gavin passed out, blood pooling under him. They were at the forefront of Connor's memories.

Hank watched him with an understanding expression. "That kid is annoying at times. But I see what you mean. So what now?" he asked.

Connor shrugged. "I don't know."

Hank scratched his head. "What do you feel about him? What kind of emotion?"

Connor evaluated his feelings with the past instances with Gavin Reed.

He felt victorious when the little detective replied to his message before. Anger rose in his chest when Gavin pushed him in the break room. He felt worry when he was having his panic attack.

The kiss, it was different. It was a new feeling that Connor was unsure of. There was disbelief, for sure, but he also felt excitement. That Gavin Reed was kissing him. But Hank didn't need to know that just yet.

"A lot, Hank. I do feel happy around him now, unlike before. Or how I would have, before I deviated."

Hank nodded but there was skepticism on his face. "Alright. It's weird hearing it since it's Gavin, but sure."

"I just want him to be safe," he added.

Hank's stare lingered on Connor but he remained silent. He patted Connor's back and ruffled his hair. "He'll be fine. Tell you what, let's go home for tonight and we'll visit first thing in the morning. Maybe Sumo can cheer you up," he said.

Connor didn't want to leave Gavin alone but he nodded. A change of clothes would be nice. With that, he suddenly remembered that Gavin was wearing his clothes.

Every thought led back to Gavin, after all.

-

Gavin Reed stared at Connor, piercing daggers in his eyes.

Hank loomed before the two of them. He leaned against the frame of the door, just watching them.

"I'm . . . sorry, Gavin," Connor said.

Gavin didn't talk. He just stared at Connor beside him. He looked groggy and tired but overall fine. He was awake already when Connor and Hank arrived.

What else should Connor say to get the little detective to respond to him? "Would you like a cup of coffee?" he asked.

That made Gavin's eye twitch. "Sure," he said weakly.

"Stay here, Connor. I'll get one for me as well," Hank said and left them to their own devices.

When the door clicked shut, silence filled the room. Gavin dragged a steady stare at Connor once again.

"Do you have something to say to me, Gavin?" Connor asked, trying to fish for a clue.

"I don't know. Do I need to say something?" he countered.

"Look, I'm sorry, okay? I tried my best to be as quick as I—"

"Shut up, tin can," Gavin cut him off, scoffing. "It's not about that."

"Then, what is it, Gavin? What's making you angry at me?" he asked, frustration welling in his voice.

A beat passed. Gavin gestured to Connor. "Come here," he said.

He couldn't avoid feeling suspicious, but Connor leaned closer to him. Gavin flicked his forehead with his uninjured arm.

"Ouch," Connor flinched, covering the sore skin.

"That hurt you?" Gavin asked, eyes hard.

"Yes?"

"Hmmm. Good," he said. "Imagine that pain but a thousand percent. That's what I feel with my arm right now, asshole."

"Right. Again, I'm sorry."

"Whatever. Why are you here anyway?" Gavin asked. He attempted to cross his arms but stopped halfway, visibly in pain.

"To visit you? You're my partner, Gavin. In this investigation, at least." Connor tried smiling but ended up looking goofy, as Hank would have said.

He was met by a skeptical look. "The case is over. So, why are you here?" Gavin asked again. It felt like he was searching for an answer—an answer to his own question. A confirmation that would come from Connor.

Connor thought about it and remembered his conversation with Hank last night. "Because I'm worried about you," he finally answered.

"Two gunshot wounds? Really?" he asked, sounding doubtful.

"Yes? You're still shot. And you're in pain because of me," Connor answered. "I feel guilty sending you alone for the mission."

Gavin let out a sigh. "Well, at least you didn't let me die. So stop being a fucking crybaby about it. What's done is done."

His tone was stony and final. Connor nodded. Silence filled the room again. He needed to talk about something.

A thought struck his mind. Will he and Gavin go back to what they were before? Gavin hating him for being an android and Connor just letting everything happen without control on it?

"Can I see?" Connor blurted out. He didn't plan for it, but his system decided to say it. It's the unpredictability feature.

"The wounds?" Gavin asked, eyes still trained on him. His stubble was growing long, Connor noticed.

When Connor nodded, the little detective had thought of it for a second before surrendering. He pushed up his gown sleeve ever so slightly, avoiding to scrape it on the wound.

"I got lucky neither of them pierced through me. That would've been a bitch to heal," Gavin said. He was also examining the sutures on his arm.

"Where's the other one?" Connor asked out of curiosity. "It's under your clavicle, right?"

"I think," Gavin answered. The sharpness in his voice finally gone. Connor felt a little relief.

"Let me see?" he asked, smiling cheekily at Gavin—the latter looked at him like he was some sort of creep.

"Fine. It's your fault if you miss it." Gavin pulled the collar of his gown. "Do you see it?" he asked.

Connor took a peek and there it was, a closed wound with multiple stitches. "Never seen one in person. It's kinda cool," he admitted. The bruising seemed painful but somehow it also looked beautiful on Gavin's skin. 

What a morbid observation, Connor.

"Yeah, but it doesn't feel cool," Gavin bit back.

Gavin wasn't really wearing anything for decency. Connor realized it when he accidentally lowered his gaze. His gaze quickly scrambled back to the wound.

A scoff escaped Gavin's lips. "You done ogling, pervert?" he asked in disbelief.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to," Connor apologized as he met Gavin eye to eye.

Maybe it was their tired stupid brains but they both had just realized how close their faces were.

Gavin was staring at him. He subconsciously let go of his collar and it clung to his neck again. It was difficult not to notice his bare skin.

Unsure when it happened, Connor had his hand on Gavin's back. The little detective's breathing got erratic. Doing a simple analysis, he found Gavin's heartbeat elevated. He wasn't aware that his own pump was doing the same.

"What are you . . ." Gavin's voice died down. There was a hint of fear in his eyes but it was drowned out by the longing Connor had already seen before.

The thoughts slowly died down in his mind. All he felt was that similar feeling he had on that night in the motel.

His hand burned on Gavin's back. His eyes landed on those very same lips that claimed his.

The hand on Gavin's back slowly made its way towards his neck. Before one of them realized it, Connor was pushing Gavin closer to him—the latter let him in taut anticipation.

When their lips touched, they both flinched—burned by the sudden contact.

Connor felt that same thrilling emotion. Eyes searching each other, Connor  couldn't help but close their distance and lock Gavin's lips with his.

Every synapse and feeling was numb yet tingly at the same time.

Gavin Reed. Gavin Reed. Gavin Reed. His software went haywire.

He felt Gavin's lips perfectly matching his own. Gavin made a sound and started moving his chin. Connor felt his eyes close and let the intrigue, pleasure, and joy flood his system.

My little detective.

Gavin gently held onto Connor's arm and led the kiss. He was so good at this.

Connor felt his system short-circuiting. His pump was pacing too fast. Connor could only think of Gavin, and how he wanted this moment to last forever.

When Gavin let out a long string of sound, something jumped in Connor's system. His grip on his little detective tightened.

The pressure was too great to notice the door slowly opening.

"What the fuck?!"

Connor and Gavin instantly jumped away from each other, catching their breath.

Hank looked between them with his eyes wide and jaw agape. Cups of coffee rested in his hands.

Well, now he knew about the kiss.