"What are we going to do?" They may as well get it out of the way, like ripping off a Band-Aid. Gavin swore his heart kicked up a gear as the question spilled out. No matter what, they'd never be the same. Maybe that messed it up either way. Could they really keep working together now? Even if they didn't act on it, wouldn't the bitterness and resentment eventually tear them apart? If they put their working relationship first, then one of them would inevitably meet someone else. That would lead to tension and slowly poison their relationship. If they officially got together, they could no longer work together. If they kept it a secret, that could lead to an HR nightmare down the line.

"I suppose that depends on you." Willing and eager as Nines was to start a relationship, he couldn't drag Gavin into it unwillingly. Gavin sighed in frustration. He hated being put on the spot. This decision couldn't be put wholly on his shoulders. Nines was thoughtful as he stared at the flames, tracing the dancing flickers with hooded eyes. "If you mean what do I want to do? Then the answer is obvious. I want to be with you." That was sweet and all, but there was a glaring problem with that.

"But what are you planning to do about HR and the fraternisation code?" Nines found this query puzzling. Gavin was usually ready and willing to break the rules to get what he wanted. Why was this so different?

"Why would we need to do anything? No one at the precinct has to know." Gavin scoffed at the notion.

"Alright, stop right there. We work with detectives, genius! Most of them know me pretty well. You seriously think it'll take Tina longer than a day to figure it out? And what about your brothers and Hank? Hell, the old man already ripped us a new one! He'll be on the lookout for shit like this!" Nines wasn't quite convinced of that. Thus far, the people he'd mentioned were people he fully believed would keep their secret. Connor and Sixty were the ones who'd instigated this; Tina was Gavin's best friend, and even Hank would want them to be happy.

"It is my belief that they will look the other way, provided it does not affect our work."

"How can this not affect our work? Don't you think it'll make us both a little more...invested?" Gavin wasn't sure if that was the right word or not, but it seemed Nines got the gist of it.

"I am already invested." Wasn't that just proof that it had already affected their work then? Didn't that mean they should file to work with other people? "However, I am also unwilling to give up our working partnership." Did they really have a choice? Gavin sighed heavily. It wasn't that he didn't realise this would come up sooner or later. Despite what Sixty thought, he wasn't an idiot. He'd picked up on the vibes Nines was sending, and he was pretty sure Nines had realised how he felt. "Unless...you want to give up our working relationship?"

"No!" Nines was pleased he'd answered so quickly. "But that's the problem! Hank is right about the fraternisation code. It's there for good reason." Emotional involvement would make them both reckless, and what if they broke up? Working together would be unbearable.

"I do not feel compromised." Gavin scoffed.

"Isn't that how it always goes? No one feels compromised! Everyone thinks they can handle it, that they can compartmentalise, but you never know how it'll affect you in the moment. You can imagine what would happen if I got killed or hurt on the job, but you won't really know until it happens." Nines' LED blinked red at the thought before returning to a steady ring of yellow. He didn't like to contemplate such things happening to Gavin.

"Then I must put in my best effort to ensure that does not happen."

"But that's the point! How can we do our jobs when we're preoccupied with each other?"

"I am already preoccupied with such thoughts...Do you truly believe that I do not review our plans and anticipate every possible danger before we embark on a mission? That I do not have preventative measures in place for every scenario?" Gavin could well believe it, but that didn't make his plans bulletproof, though considering Nines' programming, he probably came pretty close. He also had to admit that, since being partnered with Nines, the amount of injuries he'd sustained had dropped considerably.

"There are times that won't work, Nines." You couldn't plan for everything. There was always the chance of things going sideways for unforeseen reasons.

"And there are times that it will...Is that not how life works?" Against his better judgement, Gavin allowed Nines to take one of his hands. Cool fingers teased his knuckles and circled the back of his hand. He smiled despite himself, and when Nines brought their palms together, he allowed their fingers to interlock. Nines squeezed, reassured by how far Gavin was allowing him to go. His thirium pump thrummed as Gavin squeezed back. He could feel his pulse beating between his fingers, the rush of warm blood being cycled through his body. "You have my answer...What is yours?"

Gavin balked. His lips pursed and his eyes thinned as he stared at the synthetic flames dancing on the flat screen. It was difficult to answer. He'd be lying if he said he didn't want to try, but guilt ate at his insides. They'd both be putting their careers at risk. It would be a betrayal of Hank's trust, with the potential of getting him in trouble, as well as anyone else who figured it out and didn't say anything. Nines squeezed tighter and turned to face him properly. There wasn't a trace of doubt or hesitation in his eyes as he waited.

"I want you, too." Nines didn't wait for any ifs or buts to interrupt. He leaned in and sealed Gavin's lips, easily reaching for the can to stop it from spilling. Gavin's breath shuddered as he let it happen, basking in the softness of Nines' perfect lips on his. He could barely tell the difference between Nines and a human, only his lips were a little too perfect, and slightly cooler. Looping his arms around Nines' neck, he allowed him to guide their bodies down. The can was soon placed safely on the carpet, away from the sofa, and their legs tangled as they shuffled into a more comfortable position. It was really no surprise that Nines ended up between Gavin's thighs, caging his smaller body against the firm cushions.

"Sorry," Nines chuckled in a whisper as Gavin gasped and arched his spine. The hand that slipped up the back of his top was as cold as the can it had recently placed on the floor. Nines smirked, making Gavin doubt his sincerity as he laid his palm flat and reached higher, using his human skin to warm his hand.

"Asshole." That wasn't a request to stop. Nines chuckled and pressed closer, returning to Gavin's lips and enjoying the feeling of bare skin on his fingertips. There were tiny bumps and imperfections as goosebumps prickled the skin, and every so often he reached deeper pits and crags. Warped gashes and valleys from various injuries. Some surgical, some not. Right at the top of his shoulder blade was a crater where he'd been shot in the back before they met. Perhaps around the time he'd received the telltale scar across his nose. Gavin hummed softly as the hand on his back crept around his waist and slipped higher to rest on his pecs.

"Better?" Nines asked as his thumb circled a nipple. Gavin huffed and pulled him down again, enjoying the way Nines' lips caressed his own. Gentle teeth nipped his bottom lip before returning to gentle presses and lingering licks. Gavin's lips parted, letting Nines have his way as his eyes fluttered shut to enjoy the moment. Nines treasured the little hums that slipped out as he teased the captive nipple and kissed Gavin breathless. He wasn't sure who moved first, but Gavin's woollen top was soon being tossed over his shoulder, and his own shirt was unbuttoned. The feeling of Gavin's skin against his own sent a surge of heat across his artificial skin. Gavin was a few degrees warmer than him, but holding him close allowed him to absorb some of that warmth.

"Are you getting warmer?" Nines was surprised Gavin noticed, given how distracted he was.

"I guess you could say you make me hot." Given that he was joking, Gavin assumed it wasn't some sort of hardware issue and huffed. Nines bit his lip, enjoying the way Gavin's soft green eyes lingered on his teeth and how his mouth opened as he reached for his cock and squeezed. The thick material of his jeans was in the way. That was unacceptable. It seemed Gavin agreed as he nudged closer and stroked his bare spine. As soon as he could, he tugged Nines' leather belt loose and fumbled with the button and zipper. Nines chuckled softly, working even faster on Gavin's jeans. With a little kicking and wriggling, they were soon left in their tight boxers and socks.

"Ah-phck!" It felt much better once they were just in their underwear. The thin material of their boxers left little to the imagination as Nines rocked against him. They were both hard already. Nines outright growled as Gavin's hands gripped his ass and pulled him down, thighs thrown wide to receive him. He buried his head in his shoulder, kissing and nipping the tender skin as their cocks brushed. It was a foreign sensation. Something he had never felt before. His genital component had stiffened before, of course, and he had touched it, but it felt different rubbing against Gavin's rigid cock. He could understand now why Traci models often continued to partake in physical intimacy despite their freedom. The sensation was really quite pleasant. Gavin seemed to agree as he writhed and squirmed beneath him. "Nines...Nines, kiss me."

Nines wasn't about to refuse him. Pushing up a little, he returned to Gavin's lips, enjoying the brush of stubble on his sensitive skin. One of Gavin's hands came to rest on the back of his neck, holding him close as the other slipped between their bodies and over the elastic of his boxers. Nines outright moaned into his mouth as a rough hand closed around his cock and started stroking the silken skin. Gavin's name fell from his lips in a purr as he continued kissing him with renewed enthusiasm. His hips jerked along with Gavin's steady pumps, making his breath shudder as thick gel pooled at the tip. Gavin's thumb teased the tip, spreading the drips and slicking his palm.

"Gavin..." Not one to be outdone, Nines propped himself on one arm and reached for Gavin's cock with his free hand. Gavin's lips parted with a needy whine as his cock was freed, and Nines enjoyed the sight. His skin had flushed with his increased heart rate, sweat glowing in the flickering light of the fire. "Fuck, get on your knees." With a messy press of lips, Nines pushed to his knees and helped Gavin turn over. To make things easier, he pushed him a little further down, so he could grip and lean on the solid arm of the sofa. Folding his arms, Gavin looked over his shoulder with needy eyes and followed the leading hands on his back and hip. He lowered his body until his chest met the sofa and raised his hips as Nines urged, feeling vulnerable as Nines finally yanked his boxers down and tossed them aside.

"Wait, you're not going to-"

"Don't worry. I know what to do." Nines had conducted extensive research in pleasuring male subjects. Gavin was still nervous as he gripped the armrest, very conscious of the fact Nines now had a full view of his bare ass. Nines caressed the soft mounds, squeezing the curved flesh and stroking the hair on his thighs. He wasn't overly hairy, but there was a soft layer of fuzz that was missing on his own skin. It added an interesting texture to Gavin's body that his own lacked. Squeezing his ass, Nines enjoyed the softness of his flesh. Another thing his own lacked. His body was much more solid. Prying his cheeks apart, Nines leaned in and licked the crease. Gavin whined softly, pushing his face into the sofa like he was embarrassed. The racing of his heart suggested he was.

Closing his eyes, Nines licked again, searching until he met the twitching ring of muscle. There was something earthy about it as he lapped and circled, poking and prodding until it started to loosen. Gavin squirmed on his knees, thighs twitching as he moaned into the arm of the sofa. It was a pleasant sound, one Nines hoped he might come to hear on a regular basis. There were many ways he could think of to pry out such sounds. Gavin moaned again as his tongue finally pushed inside, the muscles squeezing around it as he licked his inner walls. Jabbing and thrusting, Nines licked and loosened the passage, exchanging his usual saliva for something thicker to ease his entry.

"N-Nines!" It seemed Gavin could feel the difference too as he nudged back for more. Not one to deny him, Nines exchanged his tongue for a finger, which slipped inside with no resistance. Nines moaned at the sight as he got to his knees and watched the digit disappear. The passage loosened as he rocked his finger in and out, enjoying the way Gavin's ass nudged and bobbed with it. "Phck-yeah!" Gavin moaned as a second finger pushed in with no warning, stretching and twisting to widen his passage. From the way Gavin's hips rocked, Nines assumed he was no stranger to such intimacy. When he stopped thrusting his fingers, Gavin took over, rocking back and fucking himself on his hand.

"Good, Gavin...Show me how good you can be." Gavin moaned at the teasing purr, looking over his shoulder with needy eyes as Nines watched his ass stretch around his fingers. "Are you ready, Gavin? Can you stretch around my cock?" Gavin cursed and buried his face. Whether he could or couldn't was irrelevant. He absolutely would. Nines chuckled softly as he gripped his hips and stroked all the way up to tease his nipples. "Answer me honestly."

"Phck, just try it and see." Nines huffed softly and kissed his bare shoulder.

"Fine, but tell me if it hurts." Gavin nodded, keeping his head on the armrest as Nines pumped his cock and coated it with gel from the dripping tip. He was careful as he nestled closer, slowly feeding in the tip. Gavin's ass twitched around him as it stretched. Nines monitored his vitals, waiting for any telltale signs of pain. A soft moan slipped out as he was breached, thighs quivering as Nines slowly rocked closer. "Gavin..." It was barely a breath as Nines' pelvis met Gavin's ass and he looked down to see them fully connected. Gavin shivered at the sensation, marvelling at his fullness. He could feel it in his abdomen, though he knew that couldn't be that deep.

"Nines..." He wasn't about to beg for it, but the request was clear in his eyes as he turned his head. Nines didn't deny him. Resting one hand on his hip, he leaned down to litter kisses along his naked shoulders and nip his neck. His hips rocked slowly, drawing out about halfway before slamming in again. The breathy little yelp that fled Gavin's lips was utterly sinful. He wanted to hear it again. Gavin lost himself, greedily rocking his hips as Nines pounded him into the sofa. If not for the thick armrest, he would have plunged face first into the cushions. As it was, he was worried about being fucked off the end of the sofa. Fortunately, Nines had a good grip on his hip and held him in place with bruising fingers. "Phck, more! More!"

Nines growled as he pushed himself up and gripped Gavin's hips with both hands. Gavin clawed at the arm of the sofa, barely holding on as he was fucked. The clap of Nines' pelvis on his ass almost stung as they met with a rhythmic slap. The cock sliding in and out rubbed and stretched in all the right ways, thrusting at a clean, downward angle that made him moan and whine. Nines clenched his teeth, savouring Gavin's panting whimpers, which rose to a new height as he reached around to grip his cock. Gavin rocked into his hand, greedily chasing his release and almost toppling over the arm of the sofa. Nines huffed despite himself, smiling as he wrapped an arm around Gavin's waist and lifted him against his chest, thrusting upwards and almost lifting Gavin's knees off the sofa.

"N-Nines! Nines-Nines!" Gavin gripped the arm at his waist and reached back to cling to anything he could reach, fearful of falling. He needn't have worried. Nines wouldn't let him fall. Biting his shoulder, Nines finally spilled, moaning and thrusting in bliss. Even when he was done, he didn't stop. Unlike a human, he could keep himself rigid until Gavin finished. Gavin moaned and whined, clawing at Nines' body as a firm hand relentlessly pumped his cock. "Ph-phck!" He spilled, falling limp and gasping in Nines' arms. Nines joined him, gasping like he'd run a marathon despite not needing air.

"That was..." Nines didn't know how to finish that sentence. It was like nothing he'd ever experienced, but he very much wanted to feel it again. Gavin huffed as Nines kissed a path up and down his neck, trying to convey his feelings without words. A worn hand laced in his hair before nudging him higher.

"Merry Christmas, Nines." Nines barely murmured a reply as he accepted the proffered kiss and held Gavin close.