The look on Kitty's face when she first saw Jack was heart wrenching, especially the way her lips trembled as the word "Daddy?" fell from her lips. Gavin held her back as she tried to run to him, quietly grumbling about how it wasn't Jack. It would be cruel to let her believe such a thing, but it really wasn't any better as she realised the truth of those words. Jack, of course, played it off as though he was hurt by the words, but Kitty was smart. After Gavin's warnings, she could see it. Though a distant memory now, her father had never smiled quite like that. There was a lingering uncanny valley feeling that came with looking at someone who was real, but not real. A copy. Despite the way she cowered from him, Jack was never rough or mean. Not in Gavin's sight, at least. Unfortunately, they weren't kept together.

Knowing they wouldn't part willingly, Gavin could only assume the room was flooded with some sort of toxin. Whatever it was, it didn't smell of anything, and it didn't seem to have any side effects besides making him feel groggy for the next few hours. When he woke up, he was back in his room and Kitty was gone. He also had a good hot meal waiting. Looking down at himself, he found he'd been cleaned up, too. The thick, cloying blood was gone. He was wearing tartan pyjama bottoms and a matching white top with a scotty dog stitched into the front. The same as the pyjamas Chloe had bought him. It seemed like a long time ago at this point. How long has it been? Three years? Four? Five? He hoped not five. His stomach churned as he considered it could be six.

Removing the silver cover, he found a slice of what looked like Shepard's pie and peas. The potato was crunchy and gold on top, and there was a healthy serving of gravy on the bottom. Steam still billowed from the surface, suggesting it had been put there recently. Gavin's mouth watered as he lifted the spoon and scooped a little meat and potato. It was good. Thick with flavour. It was like a hearty reward after his earlier hard work. A shiver ran through him at the memory, ice trickling down his spine. He could remember the warm stickiness on his skin, seeping through his top, crusting and drying on his hands.

"Gavin." His head shot up at the greeting, heart pounding with dread, but it was only Jack. Adrenaline made his fingers tremble as he tried to focus on eating. Measured steps crossed the room, and there were soon warm lips on his temple and a hand laced in his hair. "You did so well today, such a good job...He's pleased with you." He didn't need to clarify who. There was only one other person who mattered. Gavin's jaw tightened at that, spoon hesitating on the plate as he huffed a breath. Pleasing the Hickory Killer was the last thing on his mind. He'd done it for Kitty. No one else.

"Where's Kitty?" That was the most important thing. He didn't think the Hickory Killer would kill her yet. Not when he could still use her. That he'd killed Malcolm proved that he was willing to kill, given the right motivation. No way would he let that slip through his fingers. Gavin's chest fluttered, heart racing as he considered what would happen next. His mouth felt dry, anxiety twisting his stomach.

"She's safe. Don't worry so much...Do you really think I'd hurt my own daughter?" Gavin shuddered, pushing down the knee-jerk response that she wasn't his daughter. She was Jack's daughter, and Jack was dead. Looking at the man standing before him, it was hard to believe. How the Hickory Killer had managed it, he couldn't say, but the mannerisms and tone were uncanny. It was easy to slip up and forget. It would be a lie to say he hadn't let it happen sometimes, especially during their more intimate moments.

"N-no, but..." But you did let a serial killer loose in the same room.

"I trusted you to protect her, Gav, and you did." Jack sat beside him, leaning his chin on one hand and watching him eat. Though the food was good, it was hard to swallow while being watched. The thoughts swirling around in his head didn't help, either. What was the Hickory Killer planning? How long did he have before the next sick game started? Would Kitty be kept safe? It went without saying that she'd be terrified. She was locked up and alone, just like he was. Did she have a nice room like his, or was she still down there in that cramped, glass cell in the kill room? He shuddered at the thought. What would they do with Malcolm's body? It couldn't stay down there. What had they done with any of the bodies so far? Would finding them give the DPD a chance of finding him? He doubted it. The Hickory Killer had never been caught.

He stiffened as a hand landed on his thigh, green eyes dropping to his plate as the fingers tightened and soothed his tight muscles. He couldn't help the way his stomach fluttered in anticipation. Being touched in any form was still a treat, and after something so horrific, it would be a lie to say he didn't crave something sweeter to block it out. The hand remained warm on his thigh, stroking and teasing while he finished his food. Each squeeze and teasing circle of his thumb made his treacherous cock twitch. Gavin was hot with shame, and Jack's smug smirk told him he knew exactly what his touch was doing.

"Jack-wait!" He'd barely dropped his spoon when Jack pulled his chair away from the table and leaned over him, silencing his objections with needy kisses. Gavin panted as Jack drew back, cupping his cheeks and teasing his stubble. His touch was warm, but a little cooler than a human. Thirium didn't run as hot as blood. Jack's blue eyes were soft as he gazed down at him with something approaching adoration.

"You were good today, Gav...Good boys get rewarded." Gavin turned his face with a whine as Jack swooped in again, forcing him to make do with his jawline and throat. Unphased, Jack nipped and kissed his way down to his neckline. Gavin squirmed in his seat, pushing Jack's chest in a weak attempt to force him back. He'd just killed a man! He didn't want to be rewarded for that! "Relax, Gav...I'm here to see to all your needs, remember?" How could he forget when he was biting and licking his ear like that? Jack chuckled as he removed one pushing hand from his chest and looped it over his shoulder instead, leading Gavin to grip his shirt and dig his nails into his back.

"I don't need you to-" The objection cut off with a hiss as Jack palmed his cock and bit his neck. Gavin closed his eyes, leaning his head on Jack's shoulder as he let the pain sink in. His teeth hadn't broken the surface, but the marks would probably remain for a few days. It was an eerily familiar feeling that sent want coiling through his insides. The hand on his cock loosened, greedily rubbing back and forth over the growing bulge.

"You've been so good..." Gavin turned his face away and screwed his eyes shut, gasping as a creeping hand slipped up his top. "That's it...See how you're growing for me?" Like phck! It was a bodily reaction he couldn't control, and he wasn't about to admit otherwise. Jack chuckled softly, dropping to his knees and pulling the waistband of Gavin's tenting bottoms. It seemed he hadn't bothered to put him in boxers earlier. His cock sprang free the moment there was space. It swayed there, a solid little traitor dripping with eagerness. "Good boy." The words churned his stomach as Jack leaned lower to flick his tongue over the glans and caress the weeping slit.

"J-Jack!" He fucking swore androids all had some sort of sexbot program installed on release. How else would they know what to do with such proficiency? A firm hand on his thigh pushed them further apart, allowing Jack to settle between. Blue eyes looked up at him with a hint of mischief. He knew what this was doing to him, and how he felt about being rewarded for such a heinous act. Teeth teased the loose skin around the tip, tongue lapping the underside as soft lips closed around him. They broke eye contact as Jack lowered his head, taking his time and swallowing him down to the base. Not needing to breathe, he stayed there awhile, licking and sucking like his dick was a chew toy.

Gavin shuddered at the sensation, trying not to buck his hips as Jack pulled back to the tip. He lingered there, sucking and bobbing on the first few inches, teasing him. Just as it became frustrating, he dropped like a rock. Gavin outright moaned as his cock was lapped and guzzled to the hilt and a firm hand reached down to caress his neglected balls. A whimper lodged in his throat, breath quivering at the delicious sensations. Jack pulled off with a smirk, jerking his cock with a firm hand as he leaned in to kiss along his stubbled jaw.

"Is that good, Gav?" Gavin shuddered, unwilling to answer. The tremble in his hands as he gripped his shoulders seemed to be answer enough as Jack chuckled and licked his lobe. "That's it, relax...Enjoy it..." Gavin watched silently as Jack lowered his head once more, licking his dripping slit before moving down to tongue and suck his balls. The hand on his cock was relentless, squeezing and rubbing as he thumbed the slit. Gavin moaned, biting his lip as he curled over Jack's back and buried his face in folded arms. It was worse when he finally returned to his cock, swallowing and bobbing with firm strokes. Gavin threw his head back, thighs widening in reflex as his hips bucked in his seat, driving him deeper.

Jack had no trouble keeping up. He gripped his hips and threw himself into the plunging motions with greedy laps, humming and grunting with each duck of his head. The vibrations made Gavin tremble, green eyes wide as pleasure rolled over him. He bucked closer, burying his hands in Jack's hair and driving himself deeper. Jack seemed to know when it was time. He buried himself in Gavin's curls and sucked so hard Gavin thought he might pass out. With a twitch of his balls, he spilled, feeling dirty as he listened to Jack hum his appreciation and swallow his release. His whole body felt heavy and jittery as Jack sat up and wiped his wet lips, giving him a familiar wink as he fixed his sandy hair.

As had become usual at times like this, Gavin had a minor existential crisis. He felt foul and dirty for being intimate with his partner, but this Jack wasn't his partner. That he was an android almost made it worse. He wasn't cheating on Sandy, but he was hardly doing it of his own free will. I'm not doing it of my free will either! He hadn't asked for this shit! He didn't want this! More than anything, he craved cool silvery eyes and a firm hand on his neck. What he got was soft blues and fingers in his hair. Jack, ever patient with him, stroked his cheek and pressed chaste kisses to his still panting lips. Gavin whined, still desperate for any affection he could get.

"Good boy, you're such a good boy." The praise made him feel even worse. What he hated most was that part of him felt grateful. He'd been good. He was being praised. It was what he wanted and needed after all those weeks of loneliness and abuse. Gavin knew they were doing this to fuck with his head, and he hated that it was working. He leaned into the affection, greedily nuzzling for more. When Jack left, it was worse. He dragged himself to the bathroom and ran the bath, keen to make sure he was properly clean after what had happened earlier.

It wasn't something he wanted to think about. The glass cells with the uncomfortable little camping cots. The feeling of the ground as he rolled across and snagged a weapon. Malcolm's heavy steps and snarls as he swung the sledgehammer. Feeling his body fly through the air, landing painfully on the ground. He still had the bruises on his ribs and hip from the impacts. His breaths quickened, making him shiver in the bath as he remembered how it felt when the blade pierced his fat neck. The pressure, the clean slide with an almost popping sensation as the blade breached the other side. Warmth on his hand as blood flowed across his skin. Wet gurgling chokes as Malcolm staggered back. Tears spilled down his cheeks as he remembered the clean swing and thud of the head hitting the ground. He looked down at himself, checking to make sure the spray of blood was still just in his head. You did such a good job...

Grabbing the soap, Gavin trembled and sobbed as he lathered his skin, rubbing and clawing the surface to make sure it was clean. Unlike thirium, he knew it washed off, but he could still feel it. Warm and sticky. He tried not to gag, bending over his knees and taking deep, slow breaths. Having a panic attack wouldn't help anyone. He was alone now. He had to deal with it. Kitty was depending on him. He had to be strong for her now. No matter what it took or what shit they threw at him, he had to take it. Kitty was his partner's child; his godchild. Like fuck he was going to let her down the way he had Jack.

By the time he left the bathroom to pull on fresh clothes, he'd come to a decision. He couldn't be caught out the way he was before. It was sheer luck, not skill, that had saved him from Malcolm. Knowing Kitty's life was on the line, he had to be ready. He couldn't afford to waste away anymore. With that in mind, he started warming up the way he used to at the gym. Without weights and equipment, there was little he could do, but stretching and cardio would still improve his muscle mass and reflexes. He fell into his old training regime, using the bed, walls, and floor for his workout. It was hard to find his old discipline when he felt so feeble, but he had to do it. Push ups, stomach crunches, pull ups on the doorframe, boxing and martial arts moves, practicing his footwork, and running around the room. Anything to get him back on his game.

Even when he was sweaty and gasping, he didn't stop. There was nothing else for him to do, and he didn't know when the Hickory Killer's sick little game would continue. Good boy, Gav. He circled the room again, leaping over the bed and carrying on. He had to get stronger, had to be better. You're doing so well...More sit-ups, making his core scream with overuse. You did such a good job today. A sick feeling swelled in his stomach. He wasn't doing it for the praise. He had to be ready, to keep Kitty safe. Good boy. His skin prickled at the memory of those words, how they made his stomach flutter. He's pleased with you. Those words didn't matter! Kitty mattered! I have to keep her safe!