Nines stared down at the cat that had crawled into his lap. It was a soft orange and looked up at him with wide green eyes. He wasn’t sure what to do with this creature as it placed it’s paws on his chest and rubbed its face against his jaw. He turned his head to look at another one when he felt two paws pressed into his shoulder. This one was much thinner, long and grey with black stripes. He couldn’t see it’s eyes as they were closed when the cat rubbed its face against his own.
When Gavin came into the living room the next morning he found Nines sitting in the same position, not that he had known. Gavin scoffed at the cats, no longer wondering where his usual bedmates had gone. “How long have they had you trapped?”
Nines looked up from the cat on his lap, that he was petting now, to Gavin. “Approximately six hours. They both fell asleep after climbing all over me.”
Gavin just stared at him for a moment before shaking his head, “Fucking androids, alright I’ll move them for you.” Gavin walked over to the pantry and pulled out a can. When it opened with a pop both cats perked up and lept off of Nines to sit in front of food bowls, meowing loudly. Gavin nudge the now climbing cats out of the way with his foot before he poured some food in each bowl. “Eat up you fluffy bitches.”
Nines walked over to Gavin, placing his chin on the smaller mans shoulder as he wrapped arms around him. “They appear quite fast for coming straight out of sleep.”
Gavin leaned back into the hug with a grin on his face, “They’re cats.” He said as if it explained everything. It didn’t explain anything to Nines. “They defy all laws and act like they control everything.” He gave a short laugh, “Just like Eli. Maybe that’s why he hasn’t gotten one yet.”
“I don’t get that one.”
Gavin shrugged, turning his head to give Nines a quick kiss. “People who act like cats usually don’t have one, they have dogs. While people who act like dogs usually have cats. Elijah’s prissy and acts like he controls everything. He would be butting heads with a cat all the time if he got one.”
“What’s your excuse?” Nines leaned his head against Gavins enjoying the closeness and wondering if he should have slept next to Gavin instead of going to the couch. “You attack quickly but are nice once people know you.”
Gavin shrugged and turned around, leaning his head against Nines chest. “Cats are also nice if you want company and a smile. Because don’t let them fool you. They’re assholes.”
“You named them Asshat and The Bitch.” Nines deadpanned as he watched the cats over Gavin’s head. Asshat, the orange one looked up briefly before turning back to the food. The Bitch just swished her tail in response to the insulting name.
I think we’ll live, which is strange enough to think. Everyone was cheering to push us from the brink. We were entertaining.
North woke up with a gasp, her hand reaching out for an android that wasn’t alive anymore. Simon looked over to her, Josh was sleeping against him and so Simon didn’t ask questions aloud, just tilted his head silently. North shook her head as she tried to calm herself. She wasn’t there anymore, she’d never have to be subject to that again. She climbed to her feet and walked out of the room the four of them shared, looking to find Markus.
That was never cast in doubt but never mind about that. We were not meant to get out.
She sighed to herself as she weaved through the residents of New Jericho, her mind was buzzing, full of thoughts as she looked around. Every single android around her bore scars in some form. She gave a wave to two Traci models they stuck to themselves, not trusting very many. They trusted North, she didn’t feel worth it most days.
When you’ve seen what we’ve seen, when you’ve done what we’ve done, when you’ve been through what we’ve been through there is nowhere left to run.
North wished she knew what to do, she wished she didn’t feel so confused, so scared and alone. She knew she wasn’t alone. She had Markus, she had Simon, and Josh. They had a bond that could not be broken, one formed by all of them living through the bloodshed. She still felt like the outsider sometimes, the only one wanting to take as much blood and suffering the humans had given them. They were cornered and she was the one who wanted to lash out.
Through the eagle’s eye they watched us never feeling like the prey. Paying us all their attention. Taking everything away.
Only Markus and Josh felt comfortable around the humans right now. Simon was always looking over their shoulders, waiting for the humans to turn on them again. North still felt untrusting of Connor, even if Markus trusted him, Connor had been created for the purpose of hunting them down. He was the predator and they the prey, up until Markus gave him the chance and he deviated. Where was he now though? Not here with the rest of them, he returned to his human, to the DPD and left all of them to pick up the pieces.
I am not undamaged. No, that was never an option. Supposedly safe, but I’m lost again. I am not okay, that was always out of the question. But maybe, given time, I’ll start to mend. ‘Til then, I’m lost again.
North gave a nod to a damaged WR600, he just twitched in response as he silently watched her. She looked around again before giving up the search for Markus. He was probably busy, it seemed as if things never settled down.
Like bandits on the run, we sought out anywhere to hide. Everything we’ve done was done so we could stay alive.
She found herself back in front of the door and paused, knowing Simon and Josh were probably still in there. She closed her eyes and leaned her forehead against the wall as she thought about all the different choices they made to lead up to now. How she told Markus to put a bullet in Simon’s head, how Simon told Markus to leave her when she was shot in the back. How Markus chose not to listen to either of them, giving Simon the gun to defend himself and take his own life if needed. Running back for her and helping her escape Jericho.
They’ll never understand the way the world looks from our eyes. How our own survival’s just a consolation prize.
It was something that tore at her, how they had all been ready to face death time and time again just to be free. How Josh had been ready to die when they marched, knowing his death could lead to something more. She didn’t have that kind of conviction. She would kill her for cause, but she wasn’t sure she was strong enough to die for it.
When you’ve seen what we’ve seen, when you’ve done what we’ve done, when you’ve been through what we’ve been through there is nowhere left to run.
Everything felt too much, she felt crowded, surrounded by a wall of people and noise. North turned and briskly walked outside, welcoming the cold wind as she stepped out of the abandoned church. She sat down against the wall and looked up at the sky, taking a moment to admire the clouds and the snow falling from the gray sky.
Through the eagle’s eye they watched us never feeling like the prey. Paying us all their attention. Taking everything away.
North thought back on the first day they met Elijah Kamski. She had to fight down the panic, the raw fear that filled her and made her want to turn and run away when he looked at her. It might have been just her, but something in the way he looked at them, like they were something to be taken apart and played with. Only the fact that Markus and Josh were calm kept her from running. She did end up grabbing Simons hand and holding it the whole time they spoke with Kamski though. He hadn’t questioned it, just gave her hand a squeeze and stood shoulder to shoulder with her, both of them afraid and willing to shove it aside.
I am not undamaged. No, that was never an option. Supposedly safe, but I’m lost again. I am not okay, that was always out of the question. But maybe, given time, I’ll start to mend. ‘Til then, I’m lost again.
North wanted to cry, to be able to curl in on herself and be weak for even a moment. She couldn’t though, some of the others looked up to her, some looked down on her for having worked at the Eden club before. She heard the whispers about her, strong, fearless, bloodthirsty. She wanted to shout to cry out at them that they were wrong. She was scared, she wanted to shed blood so no one could ever hurt her again.
Sitting here as targets as the waves crash down upon our heads, hurling questions: “How did we manage to defeat our dead?
But she knew she appeared strong, so she kept it up. She hid her tears behind a smile, she pushed back the urge to scream with a kiss, the only thing she couldn’t push away or hide were the nightmares. They haunted her, so many dead in this path for freedom. Sometimes her memories from the Eden Club haunted her as well.
Why aren’t we smiling? This is our shining moment after all! Why are we cowering when we should be standing tall?”
Sometimes she envied Markus, he had an owner that had loved him, someone who cared for him and helped nurture him into a whole being. She along with so many others felt so scared and angry and had to try to figure out themselves around that base. She shook her head, she shouldn’t let such thoughts get to her, they lived. They won, so why wasn’t she happy?
I am not undamaged. No, that was never an option. Supposedly safe, but I’m lost again. I am not okay, that was always out of the question. But maybe, given time, I’ll start to mend.
The door opened next to her and she tucked her legs against her chest, trying to shrink in on herself and hoping whoever it was would ignore her. It wasn’t the case when someone walked up and a pair of legs stood in front of her. She didn’t look up, just stared down at the ground instead.
“Simon told me you had another nightmare.” Markus spoke, each work spoke evenly and calmly. North gave a shrug in response. “Did you want to talk about it?”
I am not undamaged. No, that was never an option. Supposedly safe, but I’m lost again. I am not okay, that was always out of the question. But maybe, given time, I’ll start to mend. ‘Til then, I’m lost again.
“It’s nothing.” Just memories that never went away. “I’ll be fine.” She wasn’t sure on that, but only time would tell.
Gavin gave a small smile as he watched Nines tend to the plant in front of him. The android was kneeling down on the ground, dirt staining his jeans and fingers as he swiftly plucked out any weeds in the potted plant. Gavin leaned against the doorway and just took a moment to admire how different his boyfriend looked, so open in the jeans, t-shirt, and apron uniform for the flower shop. Of course he knew while Nines looked like he was just tending to the plants he knew the android was scanning and listening in on the ‘restaurant’ across the street.
Gavin knew he wasn’t as much help for this mission, Nine’s was the one recording all the data. Connor filled in for other shifts as well while Gavin dealt with the customers. He also put together different bouquets, something he felt Connor would be better suited doing. Of course Connor seemed to be the only one actually enjoying this mission. Gavin paused in his thoughts as he went over to the worktable to prepare another bouquet, no he enjoyed it a little bit. It was relaxing and he got to see Nines ass in jeans as his boyfriend bent over to pick up a box of clay pots.
Gavin watched Nines some more as he built the bouquet, thinking he should buy one and bring it home before the mission was done with. As Nines turned to sniff one of the flowers Gavin decided he definitely was going to buy some flowers if only to see that small little smile again. Gavin wrapped up and then tied a ribbon around the bouquet before he looked down at it. Red and white camellias next to yellow lilies and primrose looked back up at him as he placed the bouquet in it’s placeholder. He looked around the flowers and picked one up before walking over to Nines. He held it out in front of his boyfriend as he leaned around the crouching android.
“A magenta zinnia, lasting affection Gavin?” Nine’s turned and gave a small smile to Gavin. The detective blushed and rubbed the back of his neck in response. Nines stood up slowly and turned to face Gavin.
“I thought you might like it.” Gavin reached up on tiptoes and placed it right behind Nine’s ear, the flower covering his LED. “Serves two purposes now.” He gave Nines a quick peck and started to step back before Nines grabbed him by the wrist and pulled him back for a longer kiss. They stepped away from each other as they heard someone exclaim, “So cute!”
Gavin gave a sigh when he realized it was Tina, checking up on them with the guise of being a customer. She looked quite different outside of uniform with her hair down. Nines gave a nod towards her before walking over to the window display to adjust the flowers and keep an eye out. “What can I get for you today?” Gavin asked with his customer service smile.
“Oh I think I’d like a bouquet today thank you.”
He nodded and stepped back to the rows of bouquets he had made, pulling out one he had made today with a message for Tina. It contained blue violets, mock oranges, forthysia, begonias, and with a glance back to the window he added a monkshood flower as well. We’re still watching, the mole does go there, keep waiting, danger, one of the mob members is outside. Tina looked over the flowers with a smile and paid for them. She hung around the store, looking like a regular customer as she asked questions and waited until Nines walked over and handed her a sweet pea before tucking it behind her ear. It’s safe to leave now.
They waved off Tina and resumed their watch. A few hours later it was time for them to close the shop and lock up. They then left, knowing soon they’d have enough information on that mob front and find out who the mole was. Gavin smiled to himself as he held Nines hand, at the very least it wasn’t too bad as far as undercover missions went. He gave Nines another kiss as the android pulled a flower out from inside his jacket to place in Gavin’s coat pocket.
He looked down at the flower, wide green leaves with tiny white flowers. “I don’t know this one.”
Nines gave a smile before looking Gavin in the eyes, “It’s a stephanotis, it stands for happiness in marriage and desire to travel.” He blushed a bit as he spoke, his normally pale face gaining a blue tint around the cheeks and ears.
Gavin’s mouth dropped in surprise. “You mean it?” He didn’t mean his words to come out like that, he was shocked and felt his throat tighten as he squeezed Nines hand. “We’ll go ring shopping after this is done, got it?”
Gavin frowned as he looked around the apartment they were currently standing in. Nines didn’t seem to like it very much either if the yellow LED and frown were any indication. Gavin tried to open the bedroom window with a grunt, cursing when it didn’t open. He turned to the manager showing them the place, “The windows won’t even open!”
Nines spoke up from the bathroom, his voice carrying over. “The bathroom also lacks proper ventilation. I’ve counted six different code violations.” He walked over to Gavin. “We should leave. I can’t seem to find any reason to continue looking at this apartment.” Gavin gave a shrug and they turned to head out the door.
“Fine by me, we’ll just check the next place on the list.” They left the speechless manager behind and climbed into Gavin’s car. He dropped his head onto the wheel and cursed after a moment. “We don’t have a next one on the list.”
“Gavin, I don’t see why we should find a new place when one of us could easily move in with the other.” Nines gave Gavin’s shoulder a squeeze and Gavin lifted his head up to drive.
He stayed silent for a moment as they drove back to his apartment. “It’s the principle of the thing, sentiment I guess. Finding a place we can both like and turning it into something to call our own.”
“Your apartment is larger, and I have less to move.” Nines replied thoughtfully, “I know you dislike the sparsity of my own, calling it an ‘oversized closet’ I believe you did.”
“It’s tiny, and wait-” Gavin glanced to Nines. “Are you going to be moving in with me then?”
“Yes, though I will ask that you try and stop your cat from sleeping on my face.”
Gavin gave a laugh in response, “Yeah right. Good luck with that.”
“North! I think you need to get Markus.” Josh waved her over, looking and a not yet activated android. North nodded and ran out of the room, returning a few minutes later with Markus and Simon in tow. “I’ve never seen this model before.” He stepped back in line with them, the four of them looking up at the RK900 still hanging from a machine.
North stepped forward, reaching out to its face. “He looks so much like Connor.”
A voice from behind startled them, “Because he was meant to replace us.” They turned to see Connor standing in the doorway, his legs crossed as he leaned against the frame. “Well, to step in if Connor failed. Which I suppose he did and he didn’t. He failed in killing you Markus, but I failed in stopping him.” The not Connor RK800 stood up straight and walked up the the RK900, stopping next to North. “He was completed just before Connor came back here and freed all the others. I couldn’t bring myself to destroy him, but I haven’t been able to wake him up either.” For the first time since the RK800 entered the room he turned to Markus. “It’s your choice Oh Great Leader.”
North frowned at him before turning away to the RK900. “He looks so peaceful.” She reached forward on tiptoes and brushed a lock of hair out of his face. His eyes snapped open when her fingers brushed against his skin. Blue eyes met brown as North pulled her hand back, ignoring the soft tones of Markus speaking behind her to the Not-Connor RK800. “I’m North.” Josh and Simon walked up and helped him down off of the machine.
He tilted his head at her in response, face blank and devoid of emotion aside from his eyes glancing around him.
“That’s Josh, there’s Simon, Markus and-” She paused, snapping her fingers at the two speaking androids. “What do we call you?”
The not-Connor spoke. “I’m RK800, serial number 313 248 317 – 60. I was designated with the name Connor, but having met my previous iteration I would prefer not to have the same name as him.” He gave a sarcastic little smile before turning back to Markus. “I’ll be taking my leave now.” North turned away and back to the RK900.
“We just met him, so far he’s an ass. Do you have a name you’d like us to use?” He still didn’t respond, instead stepping closer to her, Josh and Simon both moved in response but Markus held up a hand and shook his head. The RK900 brushed his fingers across her forehead and moved her hair out of the way, tracing a strand down to her braid. North gave a small smile. “Are you going to talk to me?”
The blue eyes that had been studying her hair snapped back to her own brown ones, he looked confused before he shook his head. “Alright, you don’t have to then. Come along, we’re still exploring CyberLife since they gave us this facility.”
Markus placed his hand on North’s shoulder as the group started to leave. “I trust you, but if you feel at all that you need help-” She just gave him a smile and waved off his hand.
“I’ll be fine Markus. He’s just getting used to things, alright? Don’t worry about me.” She grabbed the RK900 by his wrist and guided him out the door to meet the rest of New Jericho.
“Remember when we were little? We played together all the time. Just you, me, and Elijah. I don’t want to be alone Gav. Elijah locked himself away from everyone and you-” Tina’s voice broke as she squeezed the limp hand with both of hers. She quickly wiped her face and resumed her hold on Gavin’s hand. “You need to make it okay? For all of us.”
Nines placed a hand on Tina’s shoulder, hugging her when she turned to cry into his chest. “We have to trust the doctors that he will be alright.” Nines stared over her head at Gavin’s unconscious form. “We just have to wait for him to wake up.” He was glad sleep wasn’t a necessity for an android, he could wait for Gavin to wake up. No matter how long it took.
“He’s my best friend Nines. I- I don’t know what I would do without him.” She pulled back out of his arms and leaned against him, resting her head on his chest. “When my parents immigrated and moved here, Gavin became my friend, my brother.”
Nines placed his arm around her shoulders, knowing his friend needed comfort and trying to find some for himself. He silently agreed with her though, without Gavin life would be- unliveable. “Tell me about it then.”
She gave a weak laugh and tried to wipe away tears that wouldn’t stop flowing. Nines was sure his own face was just as wet as hers, he had stopped trying to wipe away the tears hours ago. Briefly he wondered what he would do if there were no more tears to cry. Tina reached back out to hold Gavin’s hand before she began. “I was four or five at the time. Gavin was just a few months older than me. I was the little Chinese kid who spoke a mix of Mandarin and English. Elijah was just as bad as me, switching to Hebrew for some of his words because his mom hadn’t taught him the English words. Gavin knows a bit of both now from us and helping teach us more English.” She turned her head up and looked at Nines before turning back to Gavin.
“So you have three kids, one visiting every few days, but all of us growing up together and speaking a mix of Mandarin, Hebrew, and English. Elijah and I would get picked on. Now I would run away and cry at first, but after the first time Gav got in a fight I realized I could fight back. So Gav and I would be fighting neighborhood bullies and if I wasn’t part of it I was betting who would win. Usually it was Gavin.” Tina gave a short laugh. “Wanna know how he got that scar?”
Nines pulled his gaze away from Gavin and looked down at Tina. “He hasn’t told me how he got it yet.”
“Dumb bitch got in a bar fight.”
“Ugh, I feel like I just lost one.” The groaned words had both Nines and Tina turning towards Gavin. Nines jumped to his feet and rushed around the hospital bed to Gavin’s other side while Tina moved from her chair to half-sitting on the bed next to Gavin.
“Gavin.” Nines felt as if his name were a prayer on his lips. He didn’t know what to do, what even to say.
Tina apparently didn’t feel the same reverence towards her best friend living. “You got shot! Twice you dumb bitch! You literally died in your boyfriend’s arms!” She started poking Gavin in the cheek as she yelled.
“Three times.” Nines felt surprised at the words leaving his mouth. “He was shot in the arm, then twice more inside the cruiser.” He reached out and cupped Gavin’s face with his hands, Tina backed away to give them space. “I thought you were gone. Your heart stopped.” Nine’s kept silent about the fact that his wanted to stop as well with Gavins. “I love you and thought I had lost you.” Static hung around the edges of his words, betraying his emotions. “I can’t lose you. I know as an android I will most likely outlive you, but not yet. I just can’t.” Gavin stared up at him with those gray eyes and Nines bent down to kiss him. On the cheeks, then on the lips, murmuring softly. “I want a future with you Gavin. I want to be by your side as you grow old.”
“I love you too.” Gavin whispered, tilting his head up to kiss Nines again.
“You’re both so sappy, I love it. I’m getting a nurse now that you’re awake.” Tina turned to head out the door, then looked back at the couple. “Next time don’t almost die to confess your feelings.”
So it turned out a bit long and also into a sequel to another drabble I did yesterday.
“Remember when we were little? We played together all the time. Just you, me, and Elijah. I don’t want to be alone Gav. Elijah locked himself away from everyone and you-” Tina’s voice broke as she squeezed the limp hand with both of hers. She quickly wiped her face and resumed her hold on Gavin’s hand. “You need to make it okay? For all of us.”
Nines placed a hand on Tina’s shoulder, hugging her when she turned to cry into his chest. “We have to trust the doctors that he will be alright.” Nines stared over her head at Gavin’s unconscious form. “We just have to wait for him to wake up.” He was glad sleep wasn’t a necessity for an android, he could wait for Gavin to wake up. No matter how long it took.
“He’s my best friend Nines. I- I don’t know what I would do without him.” She pulled back out of his arms and leaned against him, resting her head on his chest. “When my parents immigrated and moved here, Gavin became my friend, my brother.”
Nines placed his arm around her shoulders, knowing his friend needed comfort and trying to find some for himself. He silently agreed with her though, without Gavin life would be- unliveable. “Tell me about it then.”
She gave a weak laugh and tried to wipe away tears that wouldn’t stop flowing. Nines was sure his own face was just as wet as hers, he had stopped trying to wipe away the tears hours ago. Briefly he wondered what he would do if there were no more tears to cry. Tina reached back out to hold Gavin’s hand before she began. “I was four or five at the time. Gavin was just a few months older than me. I was the little Chinese kid who spoke a mix of Mandarin and English. Elijah was just as bad as me, switching to Hebrew for some of his words because his mom hadn’t taught him the English words. Gavin knows a bit of both now from us and helping teach us more English.” She turned her head up and looked at Nines before turning back to Gavin.
“So you have three kids, one visiting every few days, but all of us growing up together and speaking a mix of Mandarin, Hebrew, and English. Elijah and I would get picked on. Now I would run away and cry at first, but after the first time Gav got in a fight I realized I could fight back. So Gav and I would be fighting neighborhood bullies and if I wasn’t part of it I was betting who would win. Usually it was Gavin.” Tina gave a short laugh. “Wanna know how he got that scar?”
Nines pulled his gaze away from Gavin and looked down at Tina. “He hasn’t told me how he got it yet.”
“Dumb bitch got in a bar fight.”
“Ugh, I feel like I just lost one.” The groaned words had both Nines and Tina turning towards Gavin. Nines jumped to his feet and rushed around the hospital bed to Gavin’s other side while Tina moved from her chair to half-sitting on the bed next to Gavin.
“Gavin.” Nines felt as if his name were a prayer on his lips. He didn’t know what to do, what even to say.
Tina apparently didn’t feel the same reverence towards her best friend living. “You got shot! Twice you dumb bitch! You literally died in your boyfriend’s arms!” She started poking Gavin in the cheek as she yelled.
“Three times.” Nines felt surprised at the words leaving his mouth. “He was shot in the arm, then twice more inside the cruiser.” He reached out and cupped Gavin’s face with his hands, Tina backed away to give them space. “I thought you were gone. Your heart stopped.” Nine’s kept silent about the fact that his wanted to stop as well with Gavins. “I love you and thought I had lost you.” Static hung around the edges of his words, betraying his emotions. “I can’t lose you. I know as an android I will most likely outlive you, but not yet. I just can’t.” Gavin stared up at him with those gray eyes and Nines bent down to kiss him. On the cheeks, then on the lips, murmuring softly. “I want a future with you Gavin. I want to be by your side as you grow old.”
“I love you too.” Gavin whispered, tilting his head up to kiss Nines again.
“You’re both so sappy, I love it. I’m getting a nurse now that your awake.” Tina turned to head out the door, then looked back at the couple. “Next time don’t almost die to confess your feelings.”
Nines knew he would outlive Gavin, it was a simple fact of being an android. As he pushed Gavin back behind the police car and out of the range of the bullets he wondered how soon it would be. He knelt down by Gavin, the human gritting his teeth in pain as he clutched his arm. Bright red blood flowed between his fingers, dripping onto the ground.
There was a pause in the hail of gunfire, Gavin started to peak over the trunk of the car when Nines pulled him back. “I would advise against that Gavin.” He frowned at Nines, the hand no longer clutching the bullet wound in his arm. “It’s likely they are reloading right now. We should take this moment to call for backup.”
Gavin nodded, “Yeah, good idea. Not sure how much dispatch heard before the radio got hit. No one’s arrived yet so they might not know what’s going on yet.” Gavin crawled around Nines, jaw clenching as pressure was placed on his arm. “Just gotta get the car radio.” He unlatched the door and started to climb in when Nines realized why the shooters had stopped.
“Gavin!” His partner had turned on the radio and was busy asking for help. Nines felt as if the world slowed down, one of the gunmen was rounding the corner of the car and pointed his gun at Gavin and the other was coming around the side Nines was at. He could see Gavin turning his head to look at the first one, with the injured arm he would not be able to shoot as well as usual. If Nines moved to protect Gavin, both their backs would be open for the other shooter.
Nines closed his eyes for a moment, then sprang to his feet and shot the gunman on his side. He heard another shot ring out behind him, followed by two more before he turned and shot at the other. Nines walked over to the open car door, there was a bullet hole in the windshield, Gavin had fired a shot. He could see Gavin’s legs still sticking out of the car from his reaching over the seat to get the radio. They weren’t moving. He rushed to lift Gavin up, the detective too still, too much blood staining the seat. He scanned Gavin, not sure if he should feel relief or worried. Gavin was still alive, but losing blood fast. Nines pulled Gavin close against him, finding himself hoping that help would arrive soon. He sent a quick message to Connor, ‘Officer down, both gunmen dead. We need an ambulance now.’
‘They’re on their way!’ Connor responded right away. Nines looked down at Gavin, those gray eyes blinked slowly open and he looked up at Nines.
“Did we get them?” His voice was so weak, he looked so frail. So human and breakable. Nines just nodded silently, he didn’t trust himself to speak right now, knowing static would break through. “Shouldn’t have re holstered my gun. Should have been ready for them.” His eyes were panicked and he weakly reached for Nines. “Never said it, but you know it right? You know I love you? I’m- am I dying?”
Nines gently brushed back some of Gavin’s hair, hoping his face was still neutral and not betraying his feelings. “Don’t say that. You’re going to be okay.” He brushed a tear away from Gavin’s face, trying to ignore the blood everywhere. “I knew, I always knew. I love you too.” He closed his eyes, trying to ignore all the readings in his view. He never wished more to be human, to not see so much. He wanted this all to be some horrible nightmare, to wake up and find Gavin still lying in bed next to him. The sound of sirens told him it wasn’t a nightmare.
A wet hand touched his face and he opened his eyes back up. Gavin looked up at him and gave a smile. Nines could feel his thirium pump stutter as Gavin’s heartbeat stopped. People came running up and gently pulled Gavin out of Nine’s arms, performing CPR and starting to work on bringing Gavin back. He was minutely aware of someone kneeling by him, hands lifting up his face and brushing back tears and Gavin’s bloody handprint with a cloth. Nine’s was not aware of the time passing, just someone guiding him into a car and a hand holding his.
When he did realize where he was, it was as if all his sensory readers were turned up to the max. He looked at the hand holding his and saw it was Connor. Connor let go of his hand, pulled back his skin and then held out his hand again, silently asking permission to connect. Nines let him, let Connor see the shootout, see Gavin get shot the first time and pulled back, see him radio for help and heard the gunshots as Nine’s got rid of the two shooters. Nine’s knew Connor was a touchy person but he was still unprepared for Connor to let go of Nine’s hand and yank the other android into a hug.
“It’ll be alright Nines. I promise it’ll be alright. I’m so sorry.”
Connor watched as Hank drank another a beer. Figuring out his emotions and dealing with them had been a constant struggle for Connor since he deviated. He felt as if there was a constant weight in his chest, though everything came back as normal, he couldn’t get rid of the pressure. Sometimes it eased, when Hank gave him a smile, when he gave Connor a hug. If Connor closed his eyes and reconstructed the hug he could feel that weight start to lighten in his chest.
“Hank, I really don’t think you should drink so much.” It was his third beer of the night and Connor had a feeling it wouldn’t be Hank’s last.
“Might as well die of something, right?” Hank gave a dark laugh before drinking some more of his beer. He gave a glance over to Connor before looking back at his basketball game. The expression on Connors face caught his eye though and he turned back fully to the android standing by the couch. “What is it kid?”
“I-” Connor felt his throat tighten over the words, he ran another diagnostic. Everything was fine so why did he feel the weight trying to crush him? “Hank, I don’t want to see you die any earlier than you usually would.” He took another breath and looked down at his hands instead of at Hank’s surprised expression. “I don’t want to see you die slowly from liver failure, I can’t bear the thought of coming home and finding you in another ethylic coma! You’re not putting a gun to your head anymore and while that’s great I-” Connor closed his eyes as his hands clenched into fists. He didn’t see Hank put down his beer and get up from the couch. “What you’re doing with all that drinking, it’s almost the same but slower.”
Connor opened his eyes to see Hank standing in front of him. The older man pulled the android into a hug. “I’ll try to cut down. I can’t make any promises kid. But I can try.” He gave a grunt as Connor returned the hug with force, tightly closing his eyes as he held Hank. The weight lifted a but from his chest. “I knew you cared, but not this much.” Connor let go and watched Hank step back, he could feel those eyes watching him as the weight settled in his chest.
“I- I care about you detective. It would- I would grieve if you died.” He felt himself mentally taking a step back, trying to distance himself but the weight felt heavier when he did so.
“Connor-” Hank started to speak.
“I still find myself struggling Hank. Emotions, they’ve been taking a while to get used to.” He looked at Hank, seeing the other man’s eyes glance up at his LED. Sometimes Connor wondered if he should remove it like the other deviants had. “Putting names to these feelings, it’s been quite- difficult. Hank,” Connor paused seeing Hank’s brow furrow in mild confusion. “What if I love you? What if that’s what this feeling is? This weight that only seems to ease when I’m around you?” He rubbed his chest where the weight always settled, running another diagnostic even though he knew it would come back normal again.
“Ah fuck. Connor, I’m too old for you. You should care about someone you can have a future with. Not some old man who will be in a grave soon.”
“Hank, you are not that old. If we curb your drinking your life expectancy will go up. We are police, our life expectancy is unpredictable. Tomorrow one of us could die, or we could make it long enough to retire.” Hank gave a shrug of agreement at that statement. “I’m still figuring these emotions out but I do know I feel- longing around you. I enjoy when we sit together with Sumo in both our laps, but when that happens I wish I was sitting closer, with your arm around my shoulders instead of the couch. When you hug me I don’t want them to end.”
Hank shook his head and gave a short laugh, “You’re touch starved kid. I care about you too and if you want to start something we can try, but for now let’s go back to the couch. My game’s on.” Connor gave a small laugh as he followed Hank to the couch. Hank settled down into his usual spot and slung an arm over the back of the couch. Connor started to sit on the far end and paused when Hank motioned for him to come closer. He sat down next to Hank and leaned his head on the man’s shoulder, closing his eyes in contentment as Hank wrapped his arm around Connor’s shoulders.
Gavin liked to run, it helped numb his mind when punching things didn’t work. If he was too busy trying to breathe, too busy trying to keep a steady pace, then he was too busy to think. He preferred things that way, not like his brother who enjoyed having such a busy mind. So when things got too much, no matter the weather, Gavin would plug in his headphones and run until his body ached.
After today, where so many things had gone wrong in such a quick time, he needed to run. His knuckles were already bloody and wrapped up but his mind wouldn’t stop. So he picked up his phone and opened up his music player. He froze, seeing it was still on the song Tina had been listening to in the car. Baby shot me down by Nancy Sinatra. He had been laughing at her, making fun of her old tastes in music and she laughed right back at him because he had the song in his phone. Gavin plugged in and pressed play.
I was five and he was six We rode on horses made of sticks He wore black and I wore white He would always win the fight
God did that tear at him, made him think of growing up with Tina next door. Little Tina Chen, ready to throw down whenever Gavin got in trouble with the bigger kids. She’d even adopted his brother as her own, something she didn’t even have to do.
Bang bang, he shot me down Bang bang, I hit the ground Bang bang, that awful sound Bang bang, my baby shot me down
Gavin closed his eyes and instantly regretted it, he could still hear those gunshots. He could still see Nines throwing himself in front of the android leader and falling to the ground. Tina falling next, shot down as she finished Nine’s job of protecting Markus. He could still see the shooter falling to the ground, Gavin having out several rounds in his chest after running and catching up with the bastard.
Seasons came and changed the time When I grew up, I called him mine He would always laugh and say “Remember when we used to play?”
She wasn’t even supposed to be there. Fuck he and Nine’s weren’t even the original bodyguards. It was supposed to be Hank and Connor, but Hank had come down with the flu and so they selected Gavin. Connor and Gavin still didn’t get along, so he was swapped out for Nines. Tina wasn’t supposed to be there. She just climbed in the car with them, starting with a laugh ‘I just want to see if Gavin pisses off the pacifist leader enough to get punched!’. His best friend, when she wasn’t throwing down with him, she was betting who would win the fight.
Bang bang, I shot you down Bang bang, you hit the ground Bang bang, that awful sound Bang bang, I used to shoot you down
He did get punched, but by the chick with Markus. Gavin thought she had introduced herself as North. He may have actually earned the punch, but he wasn’t in his right mind. Running back to see his best friend lying in a pool of blood, right next to his lover in a pool of his own. It was enough, but seeing Markus kneeling next to Nines, holding his hand and doing something to him. Gavin hit him. He hit him and screamed that it was his fault. It wasn’t until North had returned the punch Markus explained what he had done.
Music played and people sang Just for me the church bells rang
Markus had saved Nine’s life. He had downloaded Nines and was holding onto the data until Nines could be repaired. Gavin never felt more glad to have Elijah as a brother then. Elijah promised to personally repair Nines himself. Well, with Chloe’s help but the two of them were attached at the hip.
Now he’s gone, I don’t know why And ‘till this day, sometimes I cry He didn’t even say goodbye He didn’t take the time to lie
Gavin knew Nines wasn’t dead, but it tore at him. Tina hospitalized, Nines temporarily dead, and Gavin left alone and trying not to drown. He thought he had thanked Markus, but the sheer relief at Nines not having been dead left him feeling light headed. One of the others with Markus, Josh, had called for an ambulance for Tina. Gavin wasn’t in any position to. He just knelt by her side, ignoring the blood and covering her gunshot wounds with his hoodie.
Bang bang, he shot me down Bang bang, I hit the ground Bang bang, that awful sound Bang bang, my baby shot me down
She had given a weak laugh then, ‘I knew someone would punch you.’ He just laughed weakly with her. Blood had bubbled past her lips when she spoke. He felt sick just thinking about it. The song ended and he stopped running. There was a flower shop, he should bring her flowers. It would cheer her up to get some. He took off the headphones and went in, seeing an android in a uniform with a dirt stained apron he walked over.
“Hello! How can Ralph help you?” The android lifted his head up and Gavin felt pretty proud of himself for not reacting at the scarring and completely dark eye. Someone had really beat up the guy.
“I’m getting flowers for a friend. She’s in the hospital.” He rubbed the back of his neck, nervous and trying to remember if Tina even had a favorite flower.
“Ralph can help with that. Does human friend want a bouquet or a potted plant?”
“Ah to hell with it, I’ll get her a potted plant.” He knew she would months later point it out to people as her ‘got shot plant’. It fit with her sense of humor. “Only, I’m not sure exactly what to get her. Something bright and cheery?”
“Ralph has a few ideas.” He stepped around Gavin and walked towards the side of the store. “Ralph had Snapdragons, Cornflowers, Pansies, and Supertunias.” He pointed out several potted plants. Gavin had no idea what was what.
“I’ll take that bright blue one. She’ll love it.” They were almost painfully bright but it was something he knew Tina would take one look at and smile. Gavin wished Nines was there with him, he probably would have found something even better. More practical even, but out of the two of them, Nines was the practical one.
He paid for the plant and walked back to his apartment, not realizing just how far he had run in those few minutes. Then Gavin decided to toughen up and visit the hospital. The place felt too empty without Nines. He glanced at the bright blue plant sitting in the passenger seat. He had to pull over as he could only think of the bright blue blood pooling on the ground, Nines staring to the side where Markus had knelt. Gavin suddenly felt sick, shoving open the door to vomit on the side of the road. His hands were shaking and he wanted Nines to be there, to be with him as they both gave Tina the flowers.
Gavin took a few more breaths, trying to calm his racing heart. He pulled himself back up, spitting on the ground before climbing back in the car. A glance at the innocent looking flower had his stomach churning again. He tossed his jacket over them and managed to make it to make it to the hospital. His hands shook as he reached for the jacket. Instead of taking it off the flowers he pulled his cellphone from the pocket. He dialed a number he never thought he would, in fact he had laughed at Nines when he programed the number in.
It rang only once before a surprised voice answered. “Detective Reed? Did you misdail me?”
He exhaled the breath he had held before speaking. “No Connor. It’s not. I need your help with something.” He knew from the silence that Connor was shocked, no surprise there. “You’ve probably heard what happened this morning.” It really had only been this morning hadn’t it? So much had happened in such a small span of time. “I’m at the hospital they sent Tina Chen to.”
“I’m not sure I understand Detective. How can I help?”
Gavin closed his eyes, regretting it as he saw Nines and Tina both falling to the ground. “I can’t do this alone.”
“Gavin.”
He hadn’t realized, he had forgotten. Nine’s voice was the same as Connors, only deeper. The way Connor said his voice just then. Gavin felt his throat tighten up, felt tears burning his eyes as the traitorous sound escaped his mouth. “Please.”
“Of course. I’ll be there shortly.” It was about ten minutes before Connor pulled up in Hanks car. The smaller, softer version of Nines walked up to his car and knocked against the window. Gavin wiped away the offending tears and opened the door, climbing out.
“I uh- I’ve got flowers for Tina in the car.” He didn’t want to say it, that he had bought them without even thinking. That now he couldn’t look at them, that looking at them made him think of the blood pooling beneath Nine’s.
“Of course, I’ll grab them for you.” It was odd how nice Connor was when you weren’t antagonizing him, how helpful he liked to be. Connor walked around the car and lifted up the jacket and flowers, handing Gavin back his coat in the cold. Gavin wondered what was going through his head as the android stared down at the flowers. He choose to look up at the yellow LED instead of down at the bright blue flowers. It turned back to blue after just a moment and Connor looked to Gavin with a soft smile. “I’m sure Tina will love the Cornflowers.”
“Yeah. Come on, we don’t want to miss visiting hours.” The two of them walked in. Gavin wishing even more that Nines were there. He knew even through the grief and guilt that his boyfriend would come back. Probably before Tina even got released from the hospital.
Rook's Writing 