Are you sure you're alright? It had to be the tenth time he'd asked that evening. Gavin gave him a withering look as he sat across from him at the breakfast bar stabbing some pasta onto his fork. So, he had a headache. It wasn't a big deal, and it certainly didn't have anything to do with his eyes. Probably. More than likely. I understand that your vision has improved, but...He paused as Gavin held up a hand to demand silence.

"Nines. I was blinded, and now I can see. Yes, I'm alright." Technically, that was a half-truth. It would be more accurate to say he had most of his vision back. He could sort of see Nines and follow his hands when he focused, but everything still looked murky and green. He was hoping that after a full night of rest, it would sort itself out. It had been around eleven hours since the attack, and he'd been resting for most of that. Better than he had in years. Not that he'd admit that to anybody. He'd fallen asleep pretty much five minutes after Nines had shuffled in behind and wrapped an arm around his waist.

Very well...I'm pleased you're alright. Nines knew from the slight hike in Gavin's heartbeat that he was thankful for the concern. He laid a hand on his elbow, drawing his eye. I am sorry. As your partner, I'm supposed to protect you, but I wasn't there. I did not anticipate an attack at the precinct. His silvery eyes blinked as Gavin's hand batted his head in reproach. It may have hurt a human, but as an android, Nines couldn't feel pain. It was merely an impact on his skull plating. Despite the sharpness, it had been partly spurred by affection.

"One, you're my partner, not my bodyguard. Two, you're supposed to help on our cases, not act like my babysitter. Three, I had no reason to think the note was malicious, so you didn't have to be there. It's not your fault...and it's not my fault. It was just a freak incident. Shit happens." Gavin forked more pasta into his mouth while Nines processed his words. Of course, that made sense, but it didn't get rid of the ball of guilt that swelled in his chest. He was the most advanced android ever created. Surely he should have had some sort of preconstruction available. "You've done more than enough taking care of me and shit...I'd be alone if it weren't for you," Gavin continued in a quieter voice.

I don't believe that...You have friends at the precinct. Reed scoffed at the notion.

"Barely, and none that I'd want to come here and...Just accept the praise, dipshit!" He let out a small huff as Nines tried not to seem too pleased with himself. Sure, he knew he had Tina and Chris, and in a pinch there was Fowler, Hank, and Connor, but he didn't like to be vulnerable around them. He didn't like to seem weak. He cringed inwardly as he remembered the way he'd clung to Hank, shaking and vulnerable. He must have looked absolutely pathetic. How many others had been there? How many had watched? Had anyone filmed it? He shuddered at the thought of it being shared around. "Did you hear from Connor yet?"

I did. Unfortunately, it is as we feared. Avery's previous owners have had no contact with her since the revolution. I also checked your emails. We have the requested CCTV footage. After leaving her home two nights ago, at around six o'clock, she headed towards the city centre. I have sent requests to the surrounding areas for further footage to aid in our search. Nines smirked at his tick of annoyance when he mentioned hacking his email account. He decided not to focus on it. It was purely for work purposes, and he hadn't skimmed any other sensitive emails. Not that Gavin had any sensitive emails in his work account. It was all case related correspondence. Which Nines certainly hadn't looked through...

"Good idea...I'll have a look at the footage tomorrow." Gavin knew Fowler would have his head if he pushed himself that night. He didn't have enough focus to watch a bright screen anyway. Nines nodded his agreement. He would allow his human to view the footage tomorrow, provided his eyes had sufficiently healed. If not, he would need to find a way of convincing him to take it easy and let him do the heavy work for the day. That was never an easy feat. Gavin Reed didn't like to be idle, and he didn't like to seem lazy.

Are you sure you're not in any pain? Nines took the opportunity to get closer. Gavin shook his head as he lowered his fork and pushed the bowl away. He didn't notice how close Nines was leaning until he looked up and they almost butted heads. He felt the curl of his hair brush his cheek as he jerked upright.

"No, I-Shit! Nines, back up a little!" His heart leapt in surprise as Nines' hands reached up and cupped his cheeks. His hands were warm and soft. They felt so real. It was easy to forget he was a refined killing machine, designed for both detective work and combat. He was leaning in so close their lips were barely an inch apart. Soft breath whispered across his lips. Nines' thumb traced his cheek, drifting higher to gently tug the skin around his eyes. "What are you doing?" Gavin knew he was up to something, but it was hard to tell what with his vision so cloudy.

I am taking a deep scan of your eyes, checking for damage. Nines drew back enough to use his hands. He'd returned in seconds, standing closer than before. Gavin couldn't help it as his eyes dropped to those perfect lips, which remained in a relaxed line. Soft, pale, and pink. His hand snapped out as he felt Nines lean closer. He was literally standing between his thighs. Their torsos were barely an inch apart as his face drew nearer, filling his vision. It would be so easy to just lean in a little closer and-Absolutely not!

"I think that's enough scanning...I'm fine!" Gavin tried to ignore the thud in his chest as he pushed Nines back with a gentle touch. Nines cleared the island and cleaned up, ignoring Gavin's objections that he could do it. He was reminded that he could barely see, and told to remain where he was. The rest of the night was quiet. Gavin opted to lounge on the sofa for a while, where Lynx joined him. He enjoyed the gentle fingers stroking through his fur as he stretched along Gavin's body. Nines tried reading. Slowly. Like a human. Connor had suggested it was a pleasant way to pass the time. Nines did not see the appeal. He understood humans often used their imaginations to construct the story in their minds, a little like a preconstruction, but it wasn't a skill he could mimic. It seemed Connor had a certain amount of success, however, he had a different social module. A slightly more refined one. He was also fully deviated and free to think.

Nines continued to scan the words slowly, forming them in his mind rather than allowing his eyes to absorb the whole page. Every so often he raised his head and stole glances at his human. Gavin was lying peacefully, still awake but resting his eyes, his fingers lightly carding through Lynx's thick fur. Lynx was content, eyes closed as he purred loudly. The sight made Nines feel strange. Strange and unpleasant. He didn't dislike Lynx. He didn't dislike Gavin. However, the sight of them together made him feel something he was unfamiliar with.

Gavin's hand gradually slowed, but it never left Lynx's back. He looked peaceful and content as he lay there, Lynx's ears flicking occasionally as he lounged with his eyes closed. Nines scanned his human's vitals. His heart rate had slowed. His breathing was steady. His brainwaves were ticking over gently. He was sleeping. Not a deep sleep yet, but well on his way. Lynx's ears twitched again as he noticed the lack of attention. He seemed content to remain in place, perhaps reluctant to rouse Gavin from his slumber.

Nines returned his gaze to the page before him, reading slowly, word by word. Surely there was something more worthwhile he could be doing. He could be reviewing their case, looking for missing connections. He could be calling Connor to liaise with him on their various cases. He could be thinking about the food he'd make for Gavin in the morning. He could be monitoring Gavin's vitals. He could be scanning his face and committing every tiny detail to memory. His LED circled yellow at the thought and he snapped the book shut.

He moved silently as he set it on the edge of the coffee table and walked across the wooden floor to stand behind the sofa. Lynx vaguely opened his eyes to acknowledge his presence, but made no further movement before closing them once more. Nines stood at ease, hands clasped neatly behind his back as he gazed down at Gavin's sleeping face. His skin was a little darker than Nines' and slightly more worn. He had the vaguest lines appearing at the corner of his eyes and across his forehead. Multiple scars littered his face, likely from the same attack. If he had to guess, he would say it had been shattered glass. Some of the small nicks weren't even visible to the naked eye, for a human, at least. Gavin's stubble was a dark brown, like his hair, and it seemed he was lucky. He had no silver running through his facial hair yet. His eyebrows were a little bushy, but still neat, curving almost delicately over his closed eyes. His eyelashes weren't overly long, not like his own, but they were pleasing.

He reached down slowly, resting a hand on the back of the sofa as he leaned closer. He touched Gavin's cheek and stroked down his stubble. It felt so silky and smooth when stroking down, but as he brought his fingers back up, it was prickly and rough against his artificial skin. His skin trickled back at the sensation, allowing him to take in more data. He liked the sensation very much. He stroked with his palm a few more times before raising it higher, over his soft cheek and up to his eyebrows. They were smooth, not prickly at all. The hair on his head was different again. Silky and fluffy. His thirium pump jumped as Gavin moved in his sleep, turning further into his touch.

He was in a deep sleep now, eyelids fluttering as he began to dream. He was peaceful, but Nines remembered the night before. Perhaps it would be prudent to remain close tonight...He was unsure how Gavin would feel waking up afraid and slightly blinded, alone in his room. With his mind made up, Nines stepped around the sofa. He first roused Lynx with a gentle stroke to his head, encouraging him down from the sofa. Lynx was a good feline. He was elegant and light on his paws as he climbed down. Nines then leaned down and gathered Gavin's sleeping form in his arms like a bride.

He was so light. Nines had been designed with the ability to carry quite a high capacity, so Gavin was no more trouble than an average sized baby would be to a healthy human male. He held him securely, his legs drooped over one arm and his back supported with the other. Gavin's head rolled forward to rest on his shoulder, hair brushing his neck. It may have tickled a human, but Nines didn't have that sensation in his repertoire. That didn't mean he didn't like the sensation. He nuzzled into the contact as he walked.

It was easy for him to walk upstairs, turning his body so as not to knock Gavin's legs on the wall as he went. He walked up the hall and used his foot to toe open Gavin's bedroom door, which hadn't been shut properly earlier. He moved silently as he deposited Gavin on the bed and returned to the living area to turn off the lights and ensure Lynx was set for the evening. He poured out a thirium food pouch before sliding his hand through his fluffy silken pelt. Lynx purred and wove through his long legs before prowling his way to the kitchen. A fine feline...

Nines stopped by his room and change into his sweatpants. He removed his turtleneck and left it hanging neatly over the edge of his bed, ready for the next day. Since he didn't sweat, he didn't need to change his clothing as often as a human would. He returned to Gavin, wondering if he should help him out of his work clothes. Gavin hadn't changed earlier, being perfectly happy to wear his jeans and long-sleeved top around the house, but it didn't look comfortable for sleeping in. He hadn't moved at all. He was still lying on his back where he'd been left.

Nines started with the top, thinking that may be the easiest item to remove. He was gentle as he edged the woollen material up Gavin's torso, silvery eyes raking across each faded scar he revealed. There were numerous white and pink lines from knives, a couple of slightly deeper stab wounds, and a few red circles from bullets, as well as an angry burn mark. His human had certainly gone through a lot in his short thirty-six years. He idly wondered how many of these injuries had been caused by his hot temper. He was often impetuous. Gavin complained in his sleep as Nines eased the top over his head and down his arms.

Nines couldn't resist running his hand down his pale torso, passing his fingers over the slightly textured scars as he found them. The little hair he had on his abdomen was soft and downy, another new texture on the canvas of flesh. Gavin made a small noise as deft fingers reached the waist of his jeans. He squirmed in his sleep, one arm raising to rest above his head while the other rested low on his hip. Nines slowly popped the metal button before sliding down the zipper of his pants. He tugged the waist wider, blinking as Gavin let out a shuddering breath. It sent something shooting through Nines' chest. Something warm. Hot even. It settled in the pit of his stomach, and the feeling only increased as he looked down at Gavin's open pants.

His boxers were tight beneath, doing nothing to hide the generous bulge from view. He wasn't fully hard, but his human had certainly shown an interest as his body was explored. Nines began tugging the boot-cut jeans down Gavin's well-formed legs. They weren't short, but they weren't long like his own either. They were quite perfect. Strong thighs led down to well-formed calves. He had a couple more bullet wounds in his thighs, and one in his calf, along with a few red lines. He had soft curls on his legs, more than he had on his abs and arms. Nines assumed he either waxed or shaved on occasion. He didn't know why. The hair was soft and downy. It felt nice. He wanted to stroke it again.

The bulge in Gavin's boxers twitched at the attention as he stroked his firm thigh. The sight sent another jolt through his systems, heat pooling lower. He felt his genital component activate and drew back. He couldn't go any further. He distracted himself, putting aside Gavin's clothing before laying down on the bed beside him. Gavin seemed less agitated now, resting peacefully as he dreamed. Nines dragged up the duvet and settled it over his toned torso, lying on his side to observe his vitals a little longer before starting his stasis cycle.