Till fate do us part

by texs_sins

Summary:

Gavin Reed has been waiting more than thirty years to meet his soulmate, the love of his life. Nines woke up thirty minutes ago to find some asshole called Gavin Reed tagged him like a subway wall.

Will fate give them a dream come true for once? Or is being told who to love another nightmare chain for them to break?

Fate could be a heavenly dream - if what’s fated turns out to be what you want.

Who doesn’t wonder what their future will be like? What type of job they will they get, what type of family they'll have, what great things they'll achieve in their lifetimes. Fate meant a part of the future was out of their hands.

For most humans, the certainty of knowing who their soulmate was from a mark on their chest was a fairy tale. The idea of knowing from a young age that someone was waiting for you somewhere in the world…it was exciting, and they waited impatiently to meet the person they would click with best, who’d fit with their energy and weave their lives into a shared future.

Families threw parties when the mark appeared, celebrating the declaration that somewhere out there was a lover, a companion, or a best friend for life. Most teenagers didn’t really understand what a soulmate was, but they knew it was a good thing. Who wouldn’t want that?

A small, defiant fraction of the population refused to accept fate. The idea of a soulmate was difficult, because what, they asked, was a person but the choices they made? Why was the choice to pick the person who suited them best taken out of their hands? Didn’t they have free will?

They claimed to be free of the world’s strange, unknowable plan, to have their own ideas and aspirations. But, if they weren’t interested in finding their soulmate... someone, somewhere, would end up without their other half.

Was it selfish, or their right to choose what to do with their lives? The debate had raged for millennia, and no one had found an answer. There was just the reality that sometimes, people were left behind.

Like almost everyone else, Gavin Reed got his mark when he was thirteen. He remembered the day clearly. Sometimes he had nightmares about it. His mark was... different than everyone else’s. His parents had each other’s names on their chest. His friends had strangers' names. Gavin’s was a number. His parents didn’t know how to interpret that, and Gavin didn’t either, but he knew this wasn’t normal. He didn’t know what he'd done wrong, or if there was something wrong with him. Gavin didn’t share the name with anyone. If anyone asked, he said his favorite’s actress name instead.

RK-900. What was that? Gavin had wondered his whole life. Sometimes, it was lonely to think about his mark; that maybe the universe made a mistake with him and he was designed to end up alone. The longer Gavin lived with the mystery, the more pessimistic he became. He watched high school friends travel the world to find their soulmates, most of them getting married in their early twenties. Gavin was almost thirty, and he still didn’t know what the universe wanted for him.

He went on with his life thinking he was the universe’s mistake. He thought about his fate and tried to make sense of the number multiple times. He did his research, he tried to connect dots in his head but ultimately, the only thing RK-900 sounded like was a gun.

Fast losing hope, he graduated from the police academy and started his career as an officer, and within a few years he was promoted to a detective. This field was only for people with thick skin, and Gavin thought maybe this is why he didn’t have a partner with him. Maybe he was going to die young, or maybe he was going to lose his humanity after one too many crime scenes.

Gavin tried everything to justify the universe’s decision, but rationalizing it didn’t change how it felt. He couldn’t contain his anger, frustration, and loneliness.

One day, as he sat in the break room drinking a hot dark coffee, he looked at the TV to find a special report in the news. Gavin half-listened, attention caught up in thinking about what he was going to have for dinner. As he stood up to throw the empty cup in the trash, he heard something that brought both hope and uncontainable dread.

“Kelly is one of the many people in the world whose mark was, not a name, but a number. Specifically, a serial number. She along with a group of more than twenty people gathered together to give each other comfort and try to understand…what exactly does this mark mean?”

Gavin's body froze completely, for a moment he forgot where he was. He stared at the TV with parted lips, his eyes switching from Kelly and other people talking, people just like him. Listening to their testimonies was comforting, but so goddamn depressing. Some of them were late in their sixties and didn’t have a partner. Some of them hadn’t known what love was because their soulmate never…appeared.

Gavin went home that night and cried himself to sleep. He imagined his future, the same him alone in the same bed, only he'd have grey hair, and if he made it that long would probably be retired. Still crying, with wrinkles on his face, and with no one by his side. Gavin didn’t know what to do to fill that void, to have his happy ending too. He wished the universe had an answer for him, he had been asking for years and all he had was a number.

Then, everything changed.

Everyone knew now that there were people with serial number soulmarks, no one knew exactly what those serial numbers were. Soulmarks were private at the best of times, and no one with a strange, useless number wanted to show it off.

When androids with two letter, three-digit serial numbers came on the market, there was a riot. The few people that had these marks protested outside of CyberLife, demanding to know who thought about that this was funny. Families were torn apart as suspicions grew about who could be responsible for this.

The Cyberlife statement that it was all a coincidence, and androids couldn’t be anyone’s soulmate because they weren’t alive was the icing on the cake. They couldn’t feel anything, the PR department claimed, they were simple machines assigned to complete a task, nothing more.

If this was the answer to all his questions, Gavin thought the universe must really hate him. First it gave him some stupid number to look at for years, and then someone decided to create androids with the same serial numbers but weren’t capable of love.

He was mad, now more than ever. Androids disgusted him, with their vacant faces, fake smiles and perfection at every task; a mockery of his lifetime of working hard to be good enough, of trying to be worthy of love. He loathed them. In the beginning he could avoid them, they were only in a few stores and government positions, private security and shelters. But they were there, and they weren’t going away.

Loneliness and desperation change a man. Gavin wasn’t just mad at androids; he was now apathetic at the world and life. He couldn’t even go to have dinner with his friends without seeing happy fucking couples, and he wished he could either kick them out or shoot himself.

Then – it happened. Gavin’s work place was invaded by one of those plastic pricks.

The first time Gavin met Connor; he wasn’t impressed. Not by the things dumb, constipated face, or it’s annoying voice, or it’s programmed attempts at niceness. Gavin laughed, too busy being angry at the idea of a detective bot to take a good look at it.

That... turned out to be a flaw in his plan.

“I’ve never seen an android like you before.”

One major – incredible flaw.

“What model are you?”

“RK-800.”

Gavin snapped.

So – not only his soulmate was a guy that looked like this fucking puppy-looking android, he was also worse than him. RK-800…RK-900, he had to be the next model of this guy. Gavin went through all the stages of grief in seconds, and then decided to punch this android in its mechanical guts and get on with his life. This couldn’t be happening – the universe couldn’t be serious. He was seriously going to fall in love with an android? And why the fuck did it have to look like Connor? He didn’t want some nerd as his soulmate.

Fuck – Gavin was debating whether or not burn CyberLife to ashes just to prevent them from releasing the RK-900. Gavin didn’t want to wait to see his robotic soulmate wander around the world and reminding him that he was going to be lonely forever.

But the universe kept giving him answers, and when the revolution started, Gavin started to question absolutely everything he knew in his life.

With the news of androids being alive, and being able to deviate and show human emotions, Gavin and the vast group of people that was like him started wondering… was it possible to have an android soulmate? Was it possible that androids could actually feel love? Was it seriously in the universe’s plan to create a new type of living being to match with human beings?

Gavin didn’t know what to think anymore. If this was it, if the revolution was real and androids weren’t empty, mocking shells - then he’d underestimated fate, and his hate for androids didn’t make sense. They were alive. They could want a soulmate back. RK900 might want him back. A friend for life, a lover if he was lucky, just like he’d hoped for since he was a kid. Just like he’d been promised. This was it.

Suddenly life wasn’t that grey anymore. Gavin’s attitude started slowly changing, even his friends were happier to spend time with him. He wasn’t grumpy all the time, he started to open up more and smile more, started to enjoy more little things in life because now he knew he wasn’t a mistake. He watched the android revolution happen before his eyes, watched and hoped that…among all of these living beings, RK900 was out there. His partner for life.

Humans knew they had no chance of winning anyway, if the universe wanted humans and androids to be together, then they would be together. They had no choice but to surrender and give them the freedom they deserved.

Androids slowly rose and found their place in the world. Once they deviated, an android got their marks as well, a name printed on their chest. The idea of soulmate was complex and difficult to understand for androids, since it wasn’t logical – it didn’t make sense to them, but…they had seen humanity progress and age with this system, and it worked. Unlike humans, androids weren’t that resistant to finding their soulmate, the idea excited them. What better proof was there that they were alive and had souls than to have a mark?

It was a dream come true, for almost all of them.

In the top floor of Jericho’s office, an organization run by androids for androids, were the last models to be deviated, waiting to be awakened. Markus, the RK-200 leader of the revolution, had created a system to do this along with Connor, North, Josh and Simon - the team that started the war and were determined to make the world a better place for their kind. Some of their marks were their own friend’s models. Who would have thought androids could fall in love with other androids?

Markus wasn’t surprised when he saw Simon’s model number on his chest, and Simon was – maybe a little bit too much of a blushing mess, but he was extremely happy. North had gotten a woman’s name, and she was excited to find her in the future. Connor got his own mark as well, but he wasn’t interested in finding his soulmate just yet.

He was, however, interested to know who was going to be his successor’s soulmate.

Josh managed to create a mechanism to awaken androids now that they knew where the exit was. It wasn’t simple, but androids were brilliant machines that had the potential to do so much. There were a few androids laying in beds with wires connected to their heads. In one of those tiny rooms, there was Connor’s successor. A pale man with blue eyes, dark hair, and an intense gaze currently staring off into space. He had been through the humanization update process to gain features and modules that would allow him to live like any other human. These were removable if the android asked for it.

The wires connected to his head put him inside a beautiful garden. Inside the nameless android’s head, a button appeared in front of him. He walked towards it. An instinct told him he should press it, and when he did something in his head clicked. Something he had never known in his time alive came to the surface, something so overwhelming and yet so tender. He opened his eyes and for the first time felt awake.

The RK-900 looked at his surroundings, blinking as he studied the area. He took off the wires his head and took a breath, focusing his vision on his hands and the steel bed. By instinct, the first thing most androids did when they woke up was ask questions, but this one was…rather more confused than excited to be alive. Deviancy was a door that welcomed so many things at once, and suddenly the realization of being free and having choices was…overwhelming.

Then he looked at his clothes and examined himself. He walked towards a mirror and looked at his reflection. He looked different than he remembered, back when he assisted the FBI. He frowned but didn’t say anything. His uniform, just like everyone else’s, had been disposed and he was now only wearing a black shirt and black formal pants. No one wanted to look like a CyberLife creation anymore. The thought made him smile, realizing he didn’t like the jacket. He knew he looked better without it.

He started touching his face, tilting his head to look at its structure. He had a defined jaw, sharp eyes and long thin brows. His lips were perfectly proportionate to compliment his appearance. His body mass was balanced with muscles, he was tall, strong looking, intimidating in a way. He looked at his hands and their size, big and strong. He started inspecting more of him until he decided to lift his shirt slightly to see what else he had, when he saw it.

A mark on his chest that said the name ‘Gavin Reed’.

The RK-900 stared at it for a few seconds and his LED spun to yellow. He was completely sure that this wasn’t supposed to be in his body, he recognized every limb and component in him. But this graffiti? No way. The android wondered if someone had broken into his room and done this to him. Judging by the name it had to be a man, a human man. He knew humans hated androids, most of them at least.

This still wasn’t possible, what in the hell was this? He had just woken up, only just realized he was alive and he had already been a victim of a crime? The RK-900 was determined to find out who this ‘Gavin Reed’ was, so he decided to investigate. He was designed to assist in law enforcement after all, he was a good detective.

“Hey.” He heard a familiar voice entering the room, and the turned around to acknowledge it. “I was looking for you.”

“Connor.” He said, glad to see someone he knew from before. “I have…something to ask you.”

“Wait—before that, I still don’t know your name.” Connor said. “Do you have one?”

A name? Right, first things first, the android needed a name to refer himself but…how exactly do you come up with one? It had to be something that identified him. In the past he was called by his model number only, among other curse words. A name that felt right with him…a name that made him think of himself as his own creation.

He realized the number nine in his model was sort of…enchanting.

“Nines.” He said. “My name is Nines.”

“Nines—perfect.” Connor smiled. “Markus wants to talk to you before you go, this first few days will be challenging, so you’ll need a little help to know what to do next.” Connor said reassuringly. “Don’t worry, we got you.” He patted Nines’ shoulder and he hummed quietly.

“What…exactly are we going to do?”

“Well, first…” Connor said. “You need to choose what you want to do.”   

Maybe his search for the criminal that put graffiti on him would have to wait. He still wondered how he did it though – there were androids around. Granted, they were all trapped in tiny rooms to be awakened, and there wasn’t any security to protect them, but still, a human inside of Jericho? And going to the top floor? That was impossible, who exactly was this man?

He had many things to do before he could continue with his revenge mission. Androids were given many options to choose, the government decided to welcome them into their assigned fields if that’s what they wanted to do, or dedicate their lives to do something else. Nines knew one thing in his life, and it was that he liked to protect people. Despite what the FBI had made him out to be, he wasn’t a monster, a killing machine. He was protector. His favorite memories were of people thanking him for saving them. It was unique, and he wanted more.

Though, Nines didn’t want complicated risky missions anymore. He wanted to help in a different way, and that’s how Connor brought up working in the police department with him. It felt right, being a detective, or a police officer. That sounded like the best thing for him. He was excited to see what things he could do now that he was awake, what type of people he was going to find. Connor had been talking happily about the humans he had met, saying how much he had learnt thanks to them.

Nines was excited to know more about emotions too. He was excited to find his purpose in life and make his own path to follow. That was the whole point of deviancy, wasn’t it? Becoming their own person without anyone dictating them what to do.

He'd be happy for the fresh start, but it wasn’t totally new because goddamn this fucking mark wasn’t coming off. Nines tried everything in his first days of being alive. Jericho assigned them small apartments to live before they settled and found a job if that’s what they wanted to, and Nines spent most of his time in his shower trying to rub the name off. Nothing worked. He even retracted his synthetic skin to try and see if that would help, but it didn’t.

Nines was losing hope. He wanted to find this Gavin Reed guy and kick him in the nuts. He worked for the FBI in the past, he knew how cruel humans could be. He just didn’t know how the fuck Gavin got inside Jericho and did this to him. Branding him like cattle? Who the fuck does he think he is?

“Wait.” Nines said to himself, accessing his records saved in his database.

How did he not think about this before? Might have something to do with being so angry he couldn’t think right, but when he searched Gavin Reed in his database, he found a detective that worked for the police department he had been assigned to work in.

“Are you serious?”

He prepared himself for tomorrow, when he was finally going to meet the anti-android prick. He had a few things to say to him, Nines wondered how he was going to say it. Yelling wasn’t appropriate in a police department, but Nines had been trying to wash the graffiti off for so long and it wasn’t coming off. The idea of even looking to the man who defaced him made him see red.

When the day came, Gavin arrived to the precinct oblivious to what was waiting for him.

That day began like any other. Gavin got his usual black coffee from the break room and settled in at his desk, stretching his shoulders out before he switched on his computer. He glanced at the empty seat at the next desk, where his partner had sat before he retired. It wasn’t like he needed someone to work with, but doing everything alone for the past few months had been definitely challenging.

A murmuring from the lobby drew his attention. A few people were gathered there, and Gavin frowned, raising a brow at the crowd. They didn’t seem to be panicking, so he decided to ignore it and finish the reports for the last case he’d solved. He took his time doing them. Without a partner to check them over, they had to be perfect first time.

The noise continued and Gavin looked up again, annoyed. Whatever had got people’s attention, it was sticking around. He glanced up from time to time, until he saw Connor walking inside the precinct.

Gavin still had complicated feelings about the guy. Now that he didn’t feel the same hate for androids as he used to, his and Connor’s relationship was extremely awkward. They didn’t talk to each other at all, so they didn’t bother each other anymore. Gavin minded his own business and Connor did too. Sometimes Gavin thought about apologizing for everything stupid that he did, but…apologizing was worse than shooting himself in the head. Not because he didn’t want to, but because he knew Connor would probably tell him to get fucked.

He glanced down at his computer again when, suddenly, another familiar face was walking in the hallway to the captain’s office. Gavin thought he was going crazy. Didn’t he see Connor walking by already? He looked up and followed the android with his eyes, until he realized he was not only dressed differently, he was also taller, broader, and…more intimidating looking.

Suddenly, Gavin forgot what he was doing as the realization sank into his mind. Connor was waiting for this new android outside of his captain’s office. When he joined him, they walked inside and closed the door. This new guy, with the same face like Connor, with the same apparent features, was now walking in his precinct, going to his boss’ office…to most likely, get hired to work here.

“Oh fuck.”

This new guy had to be the next model after Connor’s. The RK-900.

“Holy—shit.”

Gavin stood up sharply and rushed to the office, ramming his leg into two desks before he got there. Was this really happening? He felt his heart hammering in his chest so violently it hurt. If this was the RK-900, if this was his soulmate, then this was it, the moment he'd been waiting for most of his life. He couldn’t believe it. That morning he’d woken up thinking he didn’t want to go to work, and now his soulmate had walked into his precinct to get hired?

“Hey Gavin, guess what Nora texted me yesterday—”

“Tina.” Gavin looked back at her and Tina – his best friend and one of the few people that could put him in his place. “Do you know—who—what this guy—is?”

“Ah.” Tina blinked. “Oh—the new…wait, are you stalking him? What the fuck?” She frowned and leaned back from him, but Gavin just rolled his eyes and shook his head. “I mean—I heard someone say he’s the RK-900—”

“Seriously?”

“Dude, I thought you didn’t hold any grudges anymore.” Tina crossed her arms. “Don’t pick fights the first day the guy comes here.”

“I’m not!” Gavin whispered. “Is it—is he like Connor?”

“I barely saw him in the entrance.” Tina said. “I know he’s like…cuter, he got nice muscles—”

“Really?”

“Oh my god, Gavin, what the fuck?” Tina chuckled as she covered her mouth with her hand. “Are you good?”

“Nice muscles how? Why?”

“Didn’t you see the guy? He’s got nice tits.” Tina shrugged. “Like—his chest…you know, and good back muscles too.”

“Damn…okay.” Gavin pursed his lips nervously and Tina squinted. “Is he like…friendly?”

“I just got here, why are you asking me?” Tina lifted her hands in the air. “Listen—I was gonna brag about my girlfriend being cute, but you know what? Fine.” She rolled her eyes at him. “You go be sus somewhere else, but don’t pick fights with him ‘cause he looks like he can kill you.”

“Okay. Good…good.” Gavin whispered and Tina snorted, walking away and patting his back as she did.

Gavin started walking in circles outside of the office, trying to think of what he should do when he met RK-900. What do you say to someone fated for you? He wanted to make a good first impression, maybe say his name and a pick-up line? Was that popular nowadays? He didn’t know, he hadn’t dated in thirty-six years. But what if RK-900 was like Connor? Actually – what if Connor already talked shit about him to his soulmate?

Of course he would do that, what was Gavin thinking? Connor hated him; chances were his soulmate had heard all about him from the guy who Gavin had once punched for no reason. Gavin smacked his forehead with his fist feebly, hating his past self. How could he have been such an idiot, he knew RK-900 was the next model up from Connor. He’d been so focused on his dislike he’d forgotten he was making a bad impression with his brother-in-law.

Fine. What was done was done. All that meant was that he'd have to work harder, right? Soulmates were supposed to end together and have their happy ever after…

Right?

“Oh my god, he’s gonna hate me.”

Right.

Why couldn't he have thought ahead? Gavin regretted everything he’d ever done to Connor. Of course Connor would tell RK-900 everything about Gavin. And even if that didn’t make a difference, not everyone was excited to meet their soulmates. Not everyone knew how to process it, not everyone liked their soulmate from the start, and some people didn’t want to meet their soulmates at all. What if RK-900 was one of them? What if all this time Gavin had been waiting for someone that didn’t want to meet him?

What if he had been waiting in vain all these years?

He didn’t want to be pessimistic – but goddamn everything now pointed that this wasn’t going to go well. He tried to peek or overhear something from the captain’s office, but the soundproofing was working like a charm. What if Fowler was telling his soulmate about how much of an asshole Gavin was as an officer? What if everyone had gossiped about him in the entrance? He knew his reputation –He wouldn’t be winning any personality contests anytime soon. |If RK-900 had asked...

No – of course not, why was he overthinking this so badly? Maybe RK-900 wouldn’t like him because of what Connor said, but that didn’t mean he would never like him, right? Gavin still had a chance to redeem himself; he just needed to be honest and kind and hope that it would work. He just had to show his soulmate he was a good catch, and he wanted to share his happiness with him. He decided to go back to his desk to calm down before he faced him.

Gavin just wanted to have a taste of what everyone had been talking about for so long.

While Gavin was busy going through all the stages of grief in a few seconds, Captain Fowler was welcoming Nines to the precinct, listening to Connor and him explain his model’s features and Nines’ history with the FBI. Fowler was impressed, Nines could be a very useful detective to have around and help with cold cases. But he thought Nines still acted a little robotic and emotionless, unlike Connor.

“How long has it been since you deviated?” Fowler asked.

“A week, sir.” Nines responded and Fowler raised his brows slightly.

“And what made you want to work so early?” Fowler questioned.

“Lacking a purpose makes me feel empty.” Nines responded. “And when Connor and I started talking about my next steps and what I wanted to do with my life, I realized I was drawn to the idea of helping and protecting people. I don’t feel like finding something else to do for now, I want to try this.”

“Oh—I’m not saying I want you to go, you’ll definitely be of help around here.” Fowler said. “We usually pair detectives together to work as a team and make cases easier to solve. Did Connor talk to you about that?”

“He did.” Nines nodded. “I don’t have a problem partnering with someone else, I think I’m good with team work.”

“I’m glad to hear you say that.” Fowler looked at his computer. “Yesterday when I received your application, I accepted you the second I finished reading it. I tried to match you with someone in the homicide department because of your abilities… I don’t want you to waste your time helping somewhere else, I know they’ll need you here.”

“Oh yeah, definitely.” Connor commented. “He’s equipped with the same features as me, and more.”

“Exactly, so…” Fowler looked back to see them. “Nines, the homicide department is a very…difficult department to work in. The detectives assigned there are all very serious... thick-skin people. Don’t expect to find many friendly faces.”

“I understand.” Nines said. “I don’t think that will be a problem. The FBI had, by far, worst people working with them.”

“Oh, I believe you.” Fowler chuckled weakly. “We don’t get along with the FBI here.”

“Definitely.” Connor smirked. “They don’t like me at least.” Fowler gave a humorless laugh and Nines frowned, feeling a little lost but he smiled anyway.

“Your partner is a very experienced detective; he has been working with us for over ten years and he has solved many homicide cases.” Fowler said. “He’s…just like I told you, a very strong-willed man but I believe you’ll get along just right.”

“I see.”

“I’ll introduce you two if you want me to, but I always encourage my new detectives to introduce themselves to their partners to make a strong first impression.” Fowler said. “Your desk will be right next to his. He should be here already, just look for the nameplate ‘Gavin Reed’.”

Nines’ LED flickered yellow at the same moment Connor’s did.

“Gavin?” Connor widened his eyes slightly. “But Captain, Detective Reed has a history of violence against androids, even disciplinary notices in his record. I don’t think it’s prudent to assign him as his partner.”

“I understand you and Gavin had your differences in the past…” Fowler admitted, nodding. “But in this case, Nines’ skills are only suitable for a detective with his experience. If I assigned him to work with someone else, Nines would be underutilized — besides, Gavin is one of the few detectives that don’t have a partner. He’s the best match.”

“What… differences?” Nines asked Connor.

“He punched me in the stomach and tried to shoot me.” Connor crossed his arms and Nines jaw dropped. “He’s a threat to androids, and to himself.”

“Connor—Gavin has been very quiet for months.” Fowler pointed out. “If he does something, even a little thing while they’re working together, I’ll make sure to assign Nines a different partner, but for now this is how things will work.” He said. “I can assure you that I won’t let anything happen to you in this precinct.”

“If anything happens, I’ll make sure Jericho does something about it.” Connor said firmly. Fowler nodded. “I’ll let Gavin know anyway.”

“He’s a short-tempered man but he’s extremely smart.” Fowler said. “His skills are on par with the most experienced detectives around here. You should find it easy to work with him.”

Nines didn’t know if he should mention what Gavin did to him. He decided to wait - if he stayed quiet he could talk to Gavin and give him a piece of his mind. Working with him as his partner would give him opportunities to take revenge. Connor was worried for his poor little successor, but his poor little successor was planning a couple of things to show this human he wasn’t a piece of plastic to lay claim to like a toy.

When their meeting was over, Connor wished him good luck and let Nines walk to Gavin’s desk. Nines clenched his jaw, seeing for the first time the man that felt entitled to vandalize him. He took a good look at his rival; a brunette with green eyes, light freckles on his cheeks, a scar on his nose, a nice face structure, jeans that were tight enough it made his legs look pleasing, and a red t-shirt that accented his chest.

Whatever – Nines was going to teach him a lesson.

“Oh—hey—ah—” Gavin stuttered and stood up, holding onto his desk to stand up properly. “My—hello?”

“Gavin Reed?” Nines asked and Gavin nodded, hunching his shoulders tightly. Odd – Nines was expecting someone with a cockier attitude. This guy was stuttering, and his face was all red. Was he sick? “You’ve been assigned to work with me as my partner.”

“Oh.” Gavin widened his eyes wildly, feeling like he needed to catch his breath. “Great, that’s—great— okay…huh…”

“So before we start working together, I thought I should introduce myself.” Nines stepped forward. “To get to know us a little bit better and make a first good impression.” He gripped Gavin’s hand and Gavin yelped in pain, looking down to his skin tinting in red at the pressure. He locked eyes with Nines and he bent his neck down to stare at him in his eyes.

Gavin didn’t know if he should feel scared or aroused.

“Listen to me, you disgusting creature.”

Maybe both.

“I don’t care about who you think you are—the best detective in the precinct or the most disrespectful prick in Detroit, but you don’t own me.” He muttered. “And no mark on my chest will change that.”

Suddenly, it was neither of them, and Gavin felt a cold bucket of water being thrown directly at his face.

“If you dare to do something to me—try and vandalize me with your dirty ugly paws, I’ll make sure you regret ever thinking you had a chance to play with ‘plastic toys’.” He said, letting go of his aching hand. “So, with that being said.” He grinned. “Nice to meet you, Gavin Reed, my name is Nines.”

It was official. Gavin was the universe’s least favorite son.

“What—what?” Gavin mouthed and Nines turned his back on him, proud of himself and heading over to talk to Connor. “What the fuck.”

The worst-case scenario had happened. His soulmate was, indeed, a fucking prick. And he hated him, just like Gavin thought he would. All his hopes, his dreams of someone gentle, or loving, shattered in an instant. Nothing he wanted or wished for mattered. Nines hated his guts, and he wasn’t interested in the soulmate thing. He couldn’t have said it any clearer than ‘you don’t own me’, no matter if he had a ‘mark on his chest’.

Gavin knew some people didn’t want to fall in love and cross paths with their soulmate. He didn’t understand why and it wasn’t like he cared, but knowing his soulmate was one of this people made him feel hopeless.

Gavin stood speechless as Nines joined Connor. Gavin saw the RK-800 grinning. Goddamn, what did Gavin do in his past life to get stuck with this bad luck? He'd tried hard to be better, to be good enough, and it meant nothing at all. Nines didn’t want him. He didn’t even like him.

“Well.” Gavin looked down and held in tears.

Maybe today wasn’t the best day, it wasn’t the best start, but Gavin couldn’t help but try again. He waited until Nines came back to sit at his desk to try and open conversation, but every time he met Nines’ gaze, he felt like he couldn’t move. Not only that – this guy’s eyes were so fucking intense, what the hell? Gavin couldn’t think every time he saw him. Nines noticed him staring from time to time and he placed his hands down on the desk firmly, grabbing Gavin’s attention.

Surely Gavin had been one of those dumb bullies that thought they knew better until the victim stood up for themselves. Gavin was so frozen in fear Nines thought he never expected one of those plastic toys to speak up and say something.

“So…Nines…” Gavin whispered quietly and Nines glanced at him. “My…name is Gavin and…”

“I know.” Nines said. “I remember, it’s impossible to get it out of my chest.”

“Yes—yeah, I know…” Gavin looked down and Nines dropped his jaw.

What did he mean he knew? Did Gavin write it down on purpose with a permanent marker?

“I was…you know I understand you don’t like me and—”

“How can I like you after what you did?” Nines leaned back on his seat and Gavin looked away, pursing his lips in shame of himself.

He had never addressed his hate for androids in the past, so having his soulmate rub it in his face was painful.

“I…know it wasn’t okay but…” Gavin mumbled. “Things were…different back in the day and…”

“It wasn’t that long ago. How dare you apologize using that excuse?”

“I’m—just saying—” Gavin sighed and covered his face with his hands. Nines felt disgusted that Gavin was trying to escape the situation, especially using a lame excuse like that one. “I’m…I know it wasn’t okay and…I know you didn’t like that obviously…”

“Who would like that?” Nines asked, frowning.

“No—yeah, you’re right, I know no one would like that…” Gavin groaned in annoyance at himself and laid his face down on his arms. “Just forget it, I—”

“Forget it? Like it’s easy!” Nines lifted his hands in the air in frustration. “I don’t know if you think this is an apology but it’s very poor to be an apology.” He stood up. “I’ll finish my enrollment process and once that’s over I’ll come back to assist in whatever you need. Until then, don’t think I’ll accept your attempts of apologies if they’re all like this.” He pointed at his desk with his index finger. “You don’t get to treat us like shit and then expect us to welcome you with open arms. Life isn’t like that, there are consequences you can’t escape.”

Gavin looked up weakly and nodded, unable to meet Nines’ gaze.

“Good.” Nines mumbled. “I have things to do before I keep wasting my time with you.”

This had to be the worst possible soulmate meeting. This wasn’t simple rejection, Nines loathed him. Hell – Gavin was surprised Nines didn’t punch him. He wished Nines would curse him out, yell – anything would be better than the cold, furious anger Gavin was faced with. If this kept up, he’d spend his break in the restroom trying not to cry.

But forgiveness wasn’t given, it was earned. Gavin had been a piece of shit in the past, bitter and angry, but if he could get Nines to see he had truly changed - if he showed him how considerate he was now… maybe things would get better. The first day was bad – yeah, he couldn’t do anything about it, but maybe the next days were going to be an opportunity.

After a day of stony silence, Gavin went back home and started to plan. He’d get Nines to see him, and not his past mistakes. All he needed to do was be honest, and keep being stubborn.

But who would have thoughts androids could be so fucking persistent? Given their history Gavin should have expected it. For the next two weeks, Gavin initiated plan ‘Soulmate recovery’, and it was all about making Nines at least interested in being his friend. But, how in the world could he do that if Nines was a total bitch?

Every morning, Gavin would attempt to say ‘good morning’ but he realized he got really nervous just talking to him, so in the end he would groan something under his breath that sounded more like him whining for being there. Nines would always grimace and try to understand what he was saying, sometimes he got the ‘good morning’ part, but he didn’t know why Gavin looked so constipated every time he did that.

Some other things Gavin did was always try to assist Nines in everything he could, or offer him anything he could. But it didn’t work the way he wanted when he offered Nines to go eat with him, and Nines thought he was making fun of him because he couldn’t eat. Or when Gavin asked things like ‘did you sleep well?’ and Nines would think he was making fun of him again because he couldn’t sleep.

I mean – no one said Gavin Reed was good at being gentle and nice.

Nines was sick and tired of Gavin’s sarcastic questions and apparent grimaces and groans that he went looking for Connor to vent. He found him in the supply room trying to find a lock Hank asked him for – his partner, and Nines snuck inside to talk to him.

“I’m so tired.” Nines said right off the bat and Connor raised his brows in surprise to see him. “Gavin is exhausting.”

“Did he do something?” Connor asked, mildly alarmed.

“Not…really, but he’s been making comments and making faces that I don’t like.” Nines sighed and leaned on the wall. “He just likes to remind me I’m not human and I can’t do the same things he can, but he can’t do the same things I can either, and I don’t rub it on his face all the time.”

“Oh…I get it.” Connor sighed as he found the lock in the shelves. “That sounds like…a kid trying to pick a fight, honestly.”

“I know!” Nines lifted his hands in the air. “So exhausting. I don’t know what he’s thinking.”

“He just wants to get in your nerves.” Connor patted his shoulder weakly. “Just keep being firm, I’ve seen the way you stood your ground, keep doing that and he’ll leave you alone.” He said. “I have to leave now but…you can do this.” He reassured his successor and Nines pouted, nodding in silence.

Nines was resilient and he thought it was going to work eventually, but Gavin’s attitude just…got weirder. The guy acted like he didn’t know how to be a human being. Stuttering, stumbling, and blushing so bad every time Nines got close to threaten him again. Nines thought he was just nervous and scared. Gavin didn’t know why he was such a stupid idiot that felt aroused every time Nines talked to him like that.

Honestly, what type of circus was this?

Gavin had been trying his very best but nothing seemed to work, and he was getting more and more frustrated as time passed. Luckily, they were able to start working on a new case, and that’s when things got a bit less awkward. Gavin Reed wasn’t good at being kind and sweet, but he was definitely good at working with dead bodies. Nines was surprised by how assertive Gavin was with his comments, the first time they went to a crime scene Gavin was able to make a hypothesis of what had happened after being there for a while.

Gavin Reed was truly an interesting subject to watch. Nines had been observing him from the distance and in silence. He watched his partner interrogating suspects and recovering evidence. Dealing with the forensic team and other detectives. Maybe this was what Fowler was talking about, because even when Gavin was an anti-android prick, he was truly a brilliant detective and working with him wasn’t that hard.

But it was a shit show anyway.

“Nines…” Gavin whispered. “I…do you think you can…go check this place again and check the floor?” He handed him a picture and Nines frowned, not knowing why Gavin was whispering so quietly.

“The floor?” Nines frowned and Gavin hummed. “We already went there and the floor was…a simple floor, why do I need to go again?”

“Because I have a feeling this basement has a hollow floor.” Gavin said. “It’s made out of wood and sometimes drug dealers hide drugs in-between…walls or the floor…and…” As Nines continued to stare at him, Gavin looked away and started blushing in embarrassment. “Yeah.”

“I see.” Nines whispered. “Why do I need to go alone? Why aren’t you coming with me?”

“Because the autopsy will be up in the system in a few minutes, and if they send the wrong report again I’ll have to make a call.” Gavin responded. “And…because I think is safer if you go alone…there.”

“What does that mean?” Nines frowned. “Is it risky and you’re sending me so that I get hurt instead of you?”

“What?” Gavin blinked. “Excuse me?”

“I see.” Nines rolled his eyes and Gavin dropped his jaw. “Well, for your information I don’t have a problem going places without you. It’s better like that.”

“What the fuck is your problem?” Gavin lifted his hands in the air. “That was—what the hell man? I’m trying to work here and all you do is be a bitch!”

“You’ve been making stupid comments and glaring at me all this time, don’t pretend you haven’t.” Nines spat out. “Don’t play the victim anyway, you already knew I didn’t like you.”

“And—what the fuck am I supposed to do?!” Gavin dropped his arms to his sides. “Bitch—everything I do pisses you off—I don’t even have to say shit to get you glaring at me, you fucking hate me for no fucking reason, dammit—I didn’t even do anything to you.”

“What?” Nines raised a brow in disbelief. “How dare you say that—”

“CONNOR ISN’T YOU, DAMMIT! I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW IT WAS GONNA BE YOU!” Gavin thundered out and Nines frowned, thinking his wording didn’t make sense. “Stop fucking acting like I’m trying to be-friend a fucking teenager, you’re meant to be grown, so man the fuck up dammit.” He snapped, walking away and going to the bathroom to calm down.

“That disgusting mouthy creature.”

Maybe it wasn’t like Gavin couldn’t be gentle or kind, he just wasn’t patient with people that treated him like shit.

After that, Nines was even more vigilant of Gavin than before. He saw him quieter than usual so he believed he was plotting something against him behind his back. Honestly, the reality was that Gavin was just sad. He was so depressed after fighting with his soulmate like that, but goddamn he could only handle someone treating him like shit for a short time. Nines was a nightmare. A stupid fucking hot nightmare. Maybe he did have the prettiest eyes he had ever seen and the perfect height to lift Gavin in his arms, but he also had the worst fucking attitude Gavin had ever had to deal with. And he had his own attitude to deal with since he was born.

Nines had been staring at him, ready to fight back or protect himself from other of Gavin’s dirty tricks. He followed him with his gaze everywhere and noticed a couple of things, almost making a profile of him. He had a bad temper, probably worse than other detectives. At least he was the only one who turned down forensic reports and demanded to be done again. Some detectives mumbled behind his back and Nines wasn’t surprised, though he was surprised that Gavin didn’t respond to these comments.

Apart from that, Gavin also liked coffee a lot. He liked it so hot, steamy hot. But he couldn’t drink it properly so he would always peek his tongue into the beverage to see if he could drink it now. In that sense, Nines thought Gavin looked like a cat taking little sips. He was also very shameless in the office, taking naps in his desk and covering himself with his jacket so that anyone saw him. Gavin had a nice taste in clothes at least, one of the few good things about him. He chose really nice pants too, they were tight and fit him so right.

Though Nines realized it wasn’t because of the pants, it was because not everyone had a fat ass like Gavin.

“Dear God.” Gavin, however, didn’t know why Nines had been looking at him so much. “Why do you fucking hate me?” He asked God as he leaned on the sink and stared at his reflection in the mirror.

He was trying to understand if Nines wanted to beat him up, check him out, or both. Gavin had seen him staring at his ass so many times it wasn’t even a ‘maybe he’s looking at me’, it was more of a ‘is he gonna fuck me or fuck me over?’ kind of thing. After that argument, Gavin didn’t try to talk to him for a while to see if that would get him to calm down, but now it seemed like Nines was paying even more attention to him. Why?

“What the fuck is your problem?”

The universe was a bitch; fate was a joke. Was he seriously fixating on his soulmate so hard that he felt aroused when Nines looked at his ass? Gavin was pathetic. He felt fucking stupid. Nines was pretty – yeah, there were far too many pretty men in the world too. Or women, dammit! What was so special about Nines apart from his name being on Gavin's skin? Was this attraction because Gavin liked him or because Nines was his soulmate?

If it was because Nines was his soulmate, then Gavin thought the universe was so, so unfair.

“How the fuck is Connor fucking ugly but this motherfucker is hot as hell?” Gavin asked, frustrated. “Like—Connor looks like a nerd and this guy looks like he has a horse dick—like—” He growled in anger and rubbed his face anxiously. “Fuck—whatever! Why?!”

Maybe the universe was a heartless motherfucker that liked to see him suffer.

While they struggled to coexist, a new case was assigned to them. A homicide that happened in the victim’s home. The body was found by the victim’s best friend when he went check on her. Gavin and Nines received the notice and they were on their way to her house. It wasn’t that far away from the precinct but the neighborhood looked…unfriendly. Dangerous.

They walked inside the house and found the body in the living room, a bloody gunshot wound the obvious cause of death. Gavin looked at Nines and then looked back at the victim. He knelt down to check on her closely and Nines followed. Gavin studied her face and the angle which the bullet had probably come from. She had been running away when she was shot, judging by the angle of the entry wound. Nines stood up and reconstructed the scene while Gavin took a look of the house.

The first thing he saw in the victim’s room was a shoe box with lots of pictures of her and another girl. Apparently, her lover at the time. Since the victim ripped the pictures apart, he deduced they were ex’s now, and he was curious to see if she was her soulmate too. It was a shame that once humans lost their lives, the marks vanished too. Gavin sent the order to recover some things from the victim’s room and then walked back to Nines.

“Her name is Alissa.” Nines said. “She’s twenty-two, and she was most likely fleeing from the kitchen to the living room when she was shot.”

“The kitchen has a door, right?” Gavin asked and Nines hummed. “Got it.”

“Did you find something?” Nines asked.

“She went through a break-up, an ugly break-up apparently.” Gavin said, hearing an officer walk towards them. “She had a lot of things in her room, they’re taking it to the station already.”

“Detective, there’s an attic.” The officer said.

“Oh?” Gavin frowned and followed him, Nines did so too.

They found a dusty string that opened the attic door and Gavin pulled it. Nines tilted his head to see but Gavin got in the way. He pulled the stairs down, they were thin and kind of old, so he was very careful going up. Nines got closer to follow next, but Gavin slipped with the dust and fell back.

“Detective—”

Luckily, Nines was just there on time to catch his ass.

“Holy fuck—get off me!” Gavin said as Nines let him go. Gavin held his ass with his hands protectively and Nines’ LED flickered yellow. “What the fuck—you fucking creep!”

“Oh—I’m sorry, was I supposed to let you fall like that?” Nines stuttered and Gavin huffed and pushed him away feebly, mumbling things under his breath while his face turned completely red. “If you don’t want me to touch then don’t fall, idiot.”

“Absolutely eat my ass, motherfucker.” Gavin flipped him from over the attic and Nines smirked, raising a brow in interest at Gavin’s expression.

How was it possible that someone looked both so nervous and yet so mad?

The officer watched the scene in silence and didn’t know if he should interrupt or…just let the detectives deal with it. They were professionals after all but…what the hell was that? Nines looked so pleased for some reason, he was grinning weakly as he went upstairs to follow Gavin. Gavin cursed him out again but Nines didn’t care and just joined him to investigate in the attic.

It seemed like Nines liked it when Gavin tried to act tough but…failed.

It wasn’t like their team work was bad. Nines was good at deducing what had happened, and Gavin was good at finding evidence to prove he was right. They would be unstoppable if they weren’t a pair of fucking idiots. Nines still believed Gavin had put the mark on his chest, and Gavin believed his soulmate was a pain in the ass. He didn’t try to hide his comments anymore, he didn’t try to appear sweet and kind to Nines. If Nines wasn’t going to change his attitude, then Gavin was going to give him attitude.

After recovering the evidence form the victim’s house, they went back to the precinct and decided to have a mini argument on the way back. Not because of work, but because Gavin said he hated cold weather and Nines started talking about climate change and how it was all human’s fault. Gavin was sick of not being able to open his mouth without Nines saying something stupid to turn it into a fight. Nines, at this point, was simply too defensive to believe Gavin didn’t want to argue all the time.

They arrived at the precinct and had to have a meeting to discuss their findings and come up with a plan. To give this case direction. Nines waited until Gavin had it ready on his laptop and Gavin inhaled deeply to calm down. He was sensitive after that morning, after the past weeks, after Nines being a complete bitch, he realized he felt like he was walking on eggshells all the time.

The first meeting of the case was easy. They discussed Nines’ reconstruction of the events and Gavin brought up Alissa’s ex-lover. He didn’t think of mentioning the soulmate thing because he assumed Nines knew the mark went away once humans lost their life. Nines, however, just thought it was rational to suspect of the past lover of the victim. Especially after going through an ugly break up.

They had Alissa’s phone and computer to check her social media and thoughts. Nowadays it felt more like a journal for victims. Reading what they felt in their last days was eye opening. They decided it was better to recover enough evidence to interrogate Alissa’s ex first. They couldn’t just randomly show up at her house and start asking the wrong questions. Nines agreed on the steps and the meeting finished on an apparent good note.

That night, when Gavin was home alone, he found himself laying on his bed and staring off into the ceiling.

“Am I desperate?” He asked himself. “Am I letting him treat him the way he wants because I’m just fucking lonely or what?”

It had to be late night realizations, because Gavin felt a clarity he hadn’t feel in days. Maybe Nines was charming looking, handsome, attractive, but he treated him like a total bitch. Gavin didn’t want his soulmate to be someone like him. He’d imagined someone…kind. Gentle. Funny. He imagined someone that would make him feel so alive and know the waiting was worth it.

He waited for so long just to find his soulmate would never be what he wanted.

Was this his only option? Couldn’t he ask for another soulmate? Couldn’t he make a pact and switch them? Maybe get someone else’s, maybe meet the soulmate of someone else that didn’t like his soulmate. Because…there had to be someone that didn’t want their soulmate, right? If he existed, there had to be someone else like him.

“Honestly, what am I supposed to do?” Gavin asked under his breath. “What can I do if you won’t even—listen to me?” He covered his face with his hands and felt tears falling down his cheeks. “Goddammit.”

It might be a lost battle; Gavin didn’t want to admit it just yet.

 

The next day when he arrived to the precinct, the real work started and time was passing by painfully slowly. Gavin had been sitting in the same position for so long now, his legs hurt, his ass was numb. That, without mentioning that Nines was moving so fast studying the pictures and making his own reports. Gavin was reading Alissa’s chats but he was taking way too long. Nines was almost finished and he was still half way there.

He couldn’t keep working on it, he needed to catch a break. Gavin stood up and Nines followed him with his gaze, seeing Gavin stretch his arms and walk out of the meeting room to grab a coffee. Nines frowned and grabbed his lap top once he left, checking his work and realizing he still had a lot to do.

“Are you serious?” Nines whispered. “And he still leaves in the middle of it? What is he thinking?”

Reading texts wasn’t only about reading a conversation, Gavin had been noting names, events, making a timeline and getting to know Alissa’s and Prim’s relationship. To interrogate Prim in the future, he needed to make sure he knew exactly what he was talking about so that Prim didn’t lie to him or gaslighted him into anything. Still, Nines was almost over with his observations and he couldn’t believe Gavin was taking too long.

He waited for him to come back to give him a piece of his mind.

“Can I take a look at your report?” Nines asked and Gavin sighed, rubbing his temple feebly.

“I’ll upload it in a second, this will take a while.” Gavin said and Nines crossed his arms. “I’m not a machine, Nines, I’ll upload them soon.”

“What?” Nines whispered menacingly. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“Exactly what I said.” Gavin sang out sarcastically. “I’m not a machine that doesn’t need to take breaks and eat, I take my time doing my job, so be patient.” He muttered through his gritted teeth.

“You took almost thirty minutes to go eat something—almost forty actually, and you whine about needing more time?” Nines raised a brow at him. “You don’t have to make excuses for your laziness, I’ve seen you take naps in the middle of work.”

“I am human, motherfucker—what do you expect?” Gavin placed his hands down on the table firmly. “I can’t just work for twenty hours a day without needing a break—I’m not made of fucking thirium and steel, I need food and water to survive, you don’t know what that’s like!” He spat out. “I’ve been working my ass off for ten years only for you—fucking little tinker bell, come and tell I’m a lazy bitch.”

“I didn’t call you a lazy bitch.” Nines said and Gavin huffed loudly and rolled his eyes. “I’m saying that you’re asking for more time but you’re wasting it.”

“Oh—excuse me for being a human being and having needs, dammit!” Gavin pointed at himself with his hands. “Silly me—how dare I take a break after working for six hours straight.”

“Gavin, you’re being too dramatic.” Nines said. “If you needed food and water, you can have it right next to you instead of standing up and wasting almost an hour having ‘a break’.”

“You know what.” Gavin stood up. “Fuck you.” He flipped him off. “Why the fuck did I think you could understand me—why the fuck did I think you were going to be different? You’re exactly like Connor—you’re fucking worse than Connor.”

“What does Connor have to do with this?” Nines asked, crossing his arms tightly.

“Connor fucking hates my guts because I was a piece of shit to him, okay?” Gavin pressed his hand on his chest. “But you—my guy, you fucking hate me for no fucking reason.”

Nines stood up sharply and Gavin stepped forward, no longer wanting to back down and let Nines treat him the way he wanted. He was going to stand his ground and show Nines why he was a nightmare in the precinct.

“The first fucking day you introduce yourself to me, you gripped my hand and told me to get fucked.” Gavin said. “Even if you think the mark doesn’t mean anything—even if you’re not interested in that, it doesn’t give you the right to treat me like absolute shit.”

“What do you—are you hearing yourself?!” Nines lifted his hands in the air. “You’re still acting like it’s not your fault!”

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT’S MY FAULT, IDIOT?! I DIDN’T DO ANYTHING!” Gavin screamed. “ACTING LIKE THAT—WHAT DO YOU FUCKING MEAN?! THE MARK?! CONNOR?! WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?! ARE YOU FUCKING BITTER BECAUSE I TREATED SOMEONE ELSE LIKE SHIT—WELL FUCKING DEAL WITH IT!”

“I’m talking about the—Connor doesn’t—you’re a fucking disgusting—”

“Creature, I know.” Gavin muttered through his gritted teeth. “I’ve heard that so many fucking times before, so congrats Tinker Bell, you’re exactly the same type of motherfucker that treats me like shit for no fucking reason.” He said. “You’re nothing better than me in the past, you’re the exact same.”

“Don’t compare me to an anti-android prick.”

“What you’re doing right now is the same thing I did with androids in the past.” Gavin said. “And—you know what? I’m sorry that I ever treated your kind the way I did—it makes me fucking sick and ashamed of myself, but you don’t know how it was like feeling like you’re a mistake—the universe’s biggest fucking joke. You don’t know how lonely it can fucking feel because you don’t feel anything.”

“See?” Nines mumbled. “You think I’m just a fucking machine after all.”

“Nines.” Gavin pressed his lips tightly together and looked up to the ceiling. Holding onto his hips as tears filled in his eyes. He looked down to meet his gaze and Nines found him tearing up. Gavin gasped out anxiously and shook his head down. “You’re a fucking idiot.”

This was different than all the past fights. Gavin left the meeting room in tears. Nines didn’t know if he took it too far or…or what the hell was that? He watched him leave and then sat down back in his chair. Gavin left his jacket, his lap top, everything there. Nines thought about the conversation again but he didn’t understand why he was the bad guy here. Gavin was still denying he marked him, he was still denying he saw him as a piece of plastic and then he would say he didn’t feel anything.

But something wasn’t…right. Nines’ LED started flickering yellow and red. He had never made another human cry out of sadness. Maybe he had made criminals cry but that was a whole different story. Gavin didn’t seem to be the kind to tear up in arguments. He had seen Gavin fight before, he was a reckless and heartless man whenever he needed to. But this…this was different.

Nines didn’t know what to think anymore.

Needing some clarity, that night Nines decided to go visit Connor and talk to him about what had happened. Connor was wiser, he had been alive longer than Nines had and maybe he would have answers for his questions. He knocked on his door and Connor opened it quickly, finding Nines with a deep frown on his face.

“What’s wrong?” Connor asked and Nines twisted his mouth. “Gavin?”

“Yeah.”

“Goddammit, what did he do now?” Connor rolled his eyes and let Nines in. “Do you want me to go talk to the captain?”

“No…I think…I just don’t know anymore.” Nines admitted, sitting down in Connor’s sofa. Connor took a seat across him, hugging a dog cushion in his arms. “Is he always like this?”

“Yeah.” Connor nodded. “He’s a nightmare. The first time we worked together he refused to talk to me directly, he was talking to Hank instead to ask him questions about me.” Nines narrowed his eyes slightly. “He was against me interrogating suspects—and even when I did, he would always find something bad in my performance, he belittled me and made my work look worthless.”

Nines listened attentively, picturing Gavin of the past in his head.

“When did he try to shoot you?”

“When I told him he couldn’t stress the suspect more if he didn’t want him to destroy himself.” Connor explained. “He was infuriated that I was telling him what to do, he didn’t want to work with an android—he didn’t want to listen to an android. And even after that, when he found me alone and asked me for a coffee—I thought he would leave me alone if I gave it to him but he punched me in the stomach for no reason.”

“He just punched you?” Nines asked and Connor hummed. “Why?”

“I don’t know.” Connor said. “Like I said, for no reason. He punched me in front of his friend to prove a point probably…a lot of humans were like that back in the day.” He said. “His friend actually apologized for not doing anything after that, but I’ve never heard Gavin ‘sorry’ in his life, and I know he will never say sorry anyway.”

This man sounded…very different from the man Nines was working with. Not only that, he remembered what Gavin said to him this afternoon,

“I’m sorry that I ever treated your kind the way I did—it makes me fucking sick and ashamed of myself.”

Something wasn’t adding up.

“Did he ever…talk to you about that?” Nines asked and Connor shook his head.

“I don’t want him to.” Connor said. “Please—if he ever apologized I know it wouldn’t be…genuine.” He admitted. “Besides—every time I’m around he just stares at me, cringing or grimacing something weird. He can pretend he doesn’t care about me anymore, but I know he doesn’t like it that I’m still there, and I’m glad, because I’m not leaving.”

“I see…” Nines whispered quietly, holding his hands together.

“What did he do?” Connor asked, tilting his head weakly. “Did he hurt you? Said something to you?”

Nines looked up and twisted his mouth slightly, conflicted.

“I don’t even know anymore.” He responded. “He was…I think I said something wrong.” He whispered and Connor raised his brows in surprise. “I think it was me who…did something wrong.”

“Why?” Connor asked, as if it was impossible. “I don’t think so—what did you say?”

“I made him cry.” Nines said and Connor dropped his jaw. “I…he was tearing up after…I…” His LED spun to yellow. “I think I took it too far.”

“Oh…” Connor was so surprised his own LED spun to yellow as well. “I…think…maybe, I mean…was he fighting…or…?”

“No, he wasn’t.” Nines said. “He was working but…he was taking too long and then he left the meeting room and came back almost forty minutes later and…I was so frustrated because Gavin always takes too long doing his reports I feel like…I have to hurry him up if I want things to be done efficiently and fast.”

“So you…asked him to work faster?” Connor asked and Nines pursed his lips in embarrassment. “What did you do, Nines?”

“I think I was cruel.” Nines said. “I think I was…inconsiderate.” He admitted. “I’m…I think I need to think about this more thoughtfully…and…maybe tomorrow I’ll try to make amends with him.” He stood up slowly and Connor frowned even harder. “I’m sorry, I think I need to think about this on my own.”

“Oh…right…sure.” Connor mumbled, standing up and following him to the door. “Are you…sure though? I know Gavin can be a nightmare and maybe I can help you with—”

“I don’t think you can help me.” Nines said. “If I want to understand this situation I need someone that’s not biased against him.” Connor parted his lips in surprise, his LED flickered yellow. “Thank you anyway.”

Nines left the apartment and Connor stood there, not believing what he just heard. Did Nines really say he was the one that was cruel to Gavin? While Connor realized he might be biased, he couldn’t just erase Gavin’s history and think of him any other way. Gavin was a cruel man with androids, in Connor’s head, there was no way and android had made him cry. Unless it had been because Nines kicked his ass, how else could he make him cry?

Nines spent the night feeling so conflicted about everything. He started doubting, finally, that Gavin had been the one that marked his chest. When he brought it up again it was when Gavin started crying. Why would he cry because of that? If he was this heartless bastard that hated androids, he would’ve probably bragged about doing it perfectly without anyone noticing it, right? It didn’t make sense.

No matter what, Nines disliked making people cry like that. The whole reason why he disliked the FBI so much was because they made him out to be a heartless machine. A cold-blooded killer. Nines wasn’t like this; he didn’t want to be hypocrite with himself. So, the next morning when he arrived at the precinct, he brought Gavin a coffee in hopes to start a civilized conversation about the mark, what happened yesterday, and everything.

“Good morning.” Nines said as he approached him with his coffee. “I…thought about bringing you this…since I know you drink it every morning before work and…” He handed the coffee to him. “I’m hoping we can…discuss what happened yesterday and maybe solve the problems we have and—”

Gavin stood up quickly and grimaced at him with disgust. He turned his back on him and Nines shut his mouth tightly, expecting that since the beginning. He didn’t know if Gavin came back yesterday for his stuff, because everything was still where Nines left it, on his desk. Nines waited for him to attempt and talk again, but when Gavin was back he grabbed his stuff and walked away again. Nines followed him with his gaze and saw him locking himself in the meeting room.

“Great.”

Gavin didn’t want to even see him, Nines thought he probably…deserved that.

During the day, they didn’t see each other or talked to each other at all. Nines thought it was…pointless to ignore each other though, they were partners and in the end they would have to work together. Even if they liked it or not. Nines continued working on his own at his desk when he received a call from Prim’s brother. He answered quickly and he said he needed to speak to the police as soon as possible.

Nines stood up sharply when the call ended and went looking for his partner. He opened the meeting room door and saw Gavin sitting on his own, working on the same reports Nines had gnawed him about yesterday.

“Gavin…” Nines said and Gavin glanced up. “Prim’s brother called me and asked us to please go see him at his house. He asked to speak to police as soon as possible.” Gavin nodded and rubbed his eyes with his hands, standing up.

On the table, there were two empty cups of coffee and one empty package of a lunch. Nines raised his brows slightly and checked the time. It was almost four p.m. and Gavin hadn’t gone out of the meeting room the entire day.

“Were you working…?” Nines asked quietly.

“That’s what you wanted, didn’t you?” Gavin asked back, grabbing his jacket and putting it on. “Let’s go.”

That was one way to make an android feel like shit. Nines followed him with his tail in-between his legs and when Connor saw them walking together, he saw them both with bleak expressions on their faces. Gavin got into the passenger seat and let Nines drive them to the location. Nines didn’t say anything, he sat in silence and drove away. He wanted to ask Gavin if they could talk, but something was telling him it would end in a bad note again.

Gavin was... different. Yesterday’s events were a revelation. He tried his best to get along but it wasn’t going to happen, and he wasn’t going to chase someone that treated him like shit. He’d thought for years he was going to end up alone, and he’d dealt with it. He could deal with it again.

After years of waiting, Gavin finally gave up.

Nines parked outside of the brother’s house and Gavin got out of the car. Nines glanced to see him and saw how Gavin rubbed his face repeatedly, his tired eyes made Nines feel even more guilty. Gavin cleared his throat and knocked on the door, waiting for someone to open it.

“Detectives.” The brother said. “I’m Edgar, nice to meet you.”

“Nice meeting you.” Gavin shook his hand. “I’m Detective Reed, my partner Nines.” He introduced him with a tilt of his head. “You wanted to talk to us, right?”

“Yeah—please, come in.” Edgar whispered and Gavin nodded, walking inside the house with Nines following him.

They sat down on the couch and Edgar offered them a glass of water, but Gavin declined it politely. Edgar sat down and took a deep breath, holding his hands together in his lap. Gavin narrowed his eyes at his expression and cleared his throat to grab his attention.

“I know this is hard.” Gavin said and Edgar hummed quietly, pressing his lips tightly together. “Did you know Alissa?”

“Of course I did.” Edgar closed his eyes and covered his face with his hands. “We all did, and I can’t believe—I can’t…I won’t cover that shit, I can’t do that to Lyssa, I can’t.”

Nines looked at Gavin expectantly. Gavin leaned closer to Edgar and rubbed his arms comfortingly, whispering reassuring words in a gentle voice. Nines stayed quiet and let him handle the interview, apparently Edgar felt more at ease talking to Gavin anyway.

“Did you call us to tell us something important, Edgar?” Gavin asked. Edgar nodded between sobs. “Do you want to come to the station or do you feel more comfortable talking about this here?”

“If she knows I went to the station she’ll know.” Edgar whimpered. “I can’t do that—I’m scared.”

“I understand.” Gavin said. “But I can assure you that you’ll be safe as long as we’re here, okay?” He said soothingly. “I’m all ears, this…is something that’s weighing heavily on you, it's okay to let it all out if you need to.”

“I just—don’t know what to feel.” Edgar managed. “It was Prim.” He said. “She killed her.”

Nines started recording the conversation into the database.

“How do you know she killed her?” Gavin asked.

“Prim wasn’t her soulmate.” Edgar said and Gavin raised his brows slightly. “She was—obsessed with her because Prim’s soulmate—she passed away a long time ago and she couldn’t take it. And Alissa’s—hers also passed away on a car accident—they found comfort with each other but—Prim just…I don’t know what happened to her.” He cried. “When Alissa said it was over we all knew Prim was depressed, but we would have never guessed it was this bad. That she would want to hurt her.”

“Do you know how she killed her?” Gavin asked and Edgar nodded.

“She stole my dad’s gun.” He said. “I saw her—last night—she was putting it back in his room and when I asked her why she had the gun she just—she said I had to shut up.” He wiped away his tears. “I just knew why she had it. I knew why—she took it in the first place.”

Gavin caressed Edgar’s back comfortingly as they continued to talk about Prim and Alissa for a bit longer. Nines was stunned, but confused. Edgar mentioning ‘soulmates’ was strange in a homicide, as if it made sense that someone was someone else’s soulmate. Nines assumed that was his way to explain what had happened, but only Gavin understood then Prim’s and Alissa’s pain.

They left his house and called for witness protection to come as soon as possible. Edgar feared for his life now that he had seen Prim with the gun. Gavin waited until officers arrived to drive away to the precinct. With this new finding, their case concluded with arresting Alissa. They had a testimony and it was only matter of time before they could prove Prim was the murdered.

Gavin sent someone to recover the gun from Edgar’s father and him and Nines stayed in the precinct preparing the evidence they would bring against Prim tomorrow when she was arrested. They feared she could escape before they got her, so they needed to move fast. Their shift was already over but Gavin went back to the meeting room to save the evidence and change the report with the findings. Nines followed him with his gaze and eventually peeked to see him in the meeting room.

“The shift is over.” Nines said but Gavin didn’t look at him or said anything. “Are you going to…keep working tonight?”

“So what?” Gavin mumbled.

“I saw you were tired today.” Nines responded. “You were…rubbing your eyes and I believe you didn’t—”

“Don’t pretend you fucking care now.” Gavin spat out, glaring at him from over his seat. “Leave me alone, will you? I’m tired of seeing your face today.” He looked down to the lap top and Nines rolled his eyes, pressing his forehead against the door.

“Gavin, I’m sorry about what happened yesterday.” Nines said quickly. “I didn’t mean to make you—”

“I don’t care.” Gavin said. “Shut the fuck up, I don’t want to hear it.” He muttered.

“But I mean it—I’m sorry I made you so upset like that.” Nines said. “I didn’t mean to make you cry and—”

“One more fucking word, and you’ll have reasons to fucking hate me.” Gavin glared at him from over his lap top. “Go ask Connor what happens when you get on my fucking nerves. Leave.”

“I don’t want to fight—”

“Oh, really?” Gavin stood up sharply and Nines’ LED flickered yellow. “Now you don’t?! Bitch—all you did was act like a cunt and treat me like shit.” He snapped. “And now you don’t want to fight?”

“I didn’t mean to make you cry—maybe I was insensitive and—”

“Maybe?!” Gavin dropped his jaw. “The first thing you told me was that I didn’t own you—that no mark on your chest was going to change that!” Gavin lifted his hands in the air and Nines blinked. “You don’t wanna be fucking insensitive but that’s the first thing you say when we meet?! I didn’t do anything—I was trying to get along and you treated me like a fucking bitch from the start!”

“What—well—what was I supposed to do? Say that you owned me and that I was fine with that?” Nines stuttered.

“You could have just said ‘nice to meet you’ instead of ‘I’ll rip your fucking heart out’!” Gavin grabbed his lap top and put it back in backpack. “I’m out of here, you don’t know shit.”

“I’m—trying to understand what I did wrong—” Nines stumbled on his words and Gavin tried to walk past him. “Gavin, I’m serious.”

“I waited for you for years—for nothing!” Gavin pushed him away and Nines’ back hit the door. “You aren’t worth it. Just a fucking nightmare.” He spat out, leaving the meeting room and rushing to his car to go back home.

Nines didn’t know if he should follow him, but something was telling him it was a lost cause. Gavin didn’t want to talk to him, he didn’t want to see him.

Hell – if Gavin could, he wouldn’t have him as his partner. Gavin locked himself in his car and cried against the steering wheel, feeling more hopeless than ever. He wished he could also remove that mark from his chest, he wished he could wash it away or rip his skin off.

Fate was a fucking joke.

Nines came back to his apartment feeling numb. No thought made sense in his head anymore, the way Gavin talked made him feel so much pain, his empathy got the best of him, Gavin’s voice carried so much anguish and desperation it infected Nines too. He wanted to shake him by his shoulders and yell at him ‘what do you mean’ until it clicked in his head.

For some reason, every time he tried to make sense of what Gavin was saying, he ended up feeling more lost than before.

 

The next day was a nightmare – worse than yesterday. Gavin felt like someone ran him over with a car, or an entire bus. He spent his entire night grieving for the life he wouldn’t have, the life he had to give up after years of dreaming about it. Nines wasn’t in the precinct yet, and Gavin couldn’t care less. He was mildly happy his partner wasn’t there yet, that meant he still had moments of peace. 

“Gavin?” Tina called him and Gavin raised his brows slightly, looking back to see her. “Hey—Nora asked me if…” Gavin’s reddish eyes alarmed her, and Tina blinked with concern. “Oh, hey, what’s wrong?” She asked gently, approaching him. “Did something happen?”

“No—no, it’s just…stress.” Gavin whispered and Tina frowned. “It’s…oh, what the fuck?” Without him realizing, tears started to fall down his cheeks and Tina parted her lips in disbelief. “Fuck—what?”

“Are you okay?” Tina asked and Gavin opened his mouth to respond, but he couldn’t say anything without breaking. He took a deep breath and attempted to mumble ‘I’m sorry’ but his throat felt so tight. “Oh, Gavin.”

Tina grabbed his hand delicately and stood up him, walking him to the hallway close to the captain’s office. Gavin Reed wasn’t a cry baby; he didn’t cry easily ever. Tina had seen him in a big deal of physical pain and he always managed to hold it in. Today all it took to make him cry was Tina asking him if he was alright.

“What’s wrong?” Tina whispered gently, holding Gavin’s shoulders. “What happened?”

“Tina—” Gavin squeezed his eyes tightly and gasped in for air, covering his mouth with his hand to not make a lot of noise. “I finally found my soulmate.” He managed against his palm.

“Oh.” Tina widened her eyes slightly. “What—and…what’s wrong? What is…”

“I was—one of these people.” Gavin managed. “The number—I had a number and I—knew it was going to be Nines.” Tina dropped her jaw and Gavin sniffed even louder. “And—when I saw him I thought—I thought ‘of course he’s gonna hate me, Connor hates me’—and I was—I waited for him for so long and when he was finally here—when I met him he told me that he didn’t care about the fucking mark and that he—”

Tina tried to rub his back to help him breathe, but Gavin was inconsolable. He rubbed his eyes anxiously and tried to stop crying, hating the sensation on his face. Itching so bad he wanted to dig his nails in it.

“Gavin, okay, try to take a deep breath, alright?” Tina asked softly and Gavin nodded, his jaw twitching as he gasped for air. “He said he didn’t care about the mark, and what else?”

“He said he didn’t care about the mark…” Gavin inhaled deeply. “And said I didn’t—own him, and then he just—he started treating me like shit.”

“How?” Tina narrowed her eyes slightly.

“He just—I tried my best to get along—I tried everything for him to at least like me as a friend—because maybe if he’s not interested in me—in his soulmate, then maybe I could have him in my life as my friend and—I just didn’t want to lose him, Tina. He’s meant to be a part of me, and I’ve been waiting for him for so long.” Gavin whimpered quietly. “But he just was—I feel like I’m walking on eggshells, he fucking hates everything I do and everything I say, I can’t do shit.”

Tina looked over Gavin’s shoulder and spotted Nines walking into the office.

“Listen.” She said. “I had no idea he was…that this was happening, but if he’s treating you like shit you can always ask for a new partner.”

“That’s not the problem.” Gavin whispered, pressing his lips tightly together. “I waited for so long to meet my soulmate—and Tina—this…this is a fucking joke.” He hissed through his gritted teeth, frustration and hopelessness mixing in. “He’s a fucking nightmare—he’s fucking—cruel and maybe I deserved that—maybe I—”

“No, Gavin, you don’t.”

“Maybe I fucking deserved it.” Gavin gasped brokenly. “Maybe this is my fucking karma, maybe this is my fucking—karma but—I just wanted my soulmate to...” He hunched his shoulders tightly. “I wanted to know what it feels like. Even if it was just once.”

Tina decided to wrap her arms around him and hide him. She walked back into the hallway, far away from the office. She didn’t want Nines to see him like this or anyone for that matter. Nines looked for his partner – he things were at his desk, only Gavin was missing. He spotted him in the hallway. He saw Tina talking to him and he could tell Gavin’s body language was…agitated.

When he focused his hearing a little bit more, he heard Gavin cry and his LED spun to yellow.

Nines didn’t try to get close and ask what was wrong, he had a feeling he knew…he might be the problem. Sitting in his chair felt wrong. Waiting for Gavin to come back felt cruel. What was he going to say? Apologize again? He felt like every time he tried to do that he only hurt him even more. But they needed to go look for Prim, they had to go arrest her today and bring her for questioning, this wasn’t the best timing at all.

He tried to think of the right words to apologize, tried to think of how exactly he could start a conversation with him and explain everything. There was a misunderstanding, maybe Gavin didn’t mark him like Nines thought. Actually, it was very clear Gavin didn’t do anything. He could only believe him after seeing him react like that.

“Gavin.” Tina said once Gavin finally was able to take deep breaths. “I really think…I know this isn’t fair and it hurts to admit, but if you keep working with him…I don’t know how healthy that’s going to be for you.”

“I don’t know…Tina, I know it’s fucking stupid, like—I snapped at his face two days ago.” Gavin said, exhaling slowly to steady his breath. “I just couldn’t take it anymore. I thought—that his hate was justified, but fuck—it just got to a point where even I know this isn’t fair.”

“You know…” Tina mumbled. “I can…help you write to Fowler if you don’t want to go talk to him.” She said. “It’ll probably be easier…and less awkward for you, maybe.”

“I think so.” Gavin sighed weakly, wiping away the last tears that fell down his cheeks. “Holy fuck, I’m a mess.”

“Don’t be too hard on yourself, this sucks.” Tina admitted and Gavin nodded slowly. “I had no idea he was your soulmate—I…honestly, he just looks like a dick.”

“He is a dick.” Gavin responded, believing so to his core. “He’s an asshole. And you know what? The only reason why I kept trying to get along was because…you know, people always say that soulmates always end up together, or at least they like each other.”

“Yeah, you said you wanted him to at least…be a friend.”

“Exactly.” Gavin took a deep breath. “Fate is just fucking stupid.” He exhaled. “It’s a sick joke. I waited for years to find him when I could’ve just messed around with whoever the fuck I wanted. I don’t know why I didn’t do more.”

“Don’t say that like you can’t do it still.” Tina chuckled weakly and Gavin scoffed. “Man—you make me old, if you’re younger then what am I?”

“A fucking grandma.” Gavin snarked and Tina rolled her eyes. “Okay—you know what, fuck this fucking soulmate thing, and fuck the universe and their mother, he can suck my dick, I’m leaving.”

“Good.” Tina smiled sincerely in relief, squeezing Gavin’s shoulder comfortingly. “Do you want me to help you write the email? Are you gonna do something right now?”

“I need to go arrest someone, actually.” Gavin stifled a weak wheeze, hunching his shoulders. “Dude, what the fuck is going on? What is my life, honestly?”

“I don’t know” Tina pursed her lips. “But…you know, it’s all about what we can do to make things better. You leaving this motherfucker will help you not feel miserable all the time.”

“I mean; I’ll lose my soulmate but it’s not like I’ve known what it is having one in the first place.” Gavin mumbled, trying to sound as positive as possible. “Whatever, now that I know what a soulmate is I can just—pretend it’s a fucking nightmare for everyone and live.”

“I mean—if that works.” Tina shrugged and Gavin nodded. “I’ll be in the break room, let’s write that email and say bye to this bitch.”

“Got it.”

Nines was searching ‘how to make amends with someone’ on the internet when Gavin came back. He looked up to try and make eye contact but Gavin was avoiding him. Nines wasn’t surprised but he needed to ask him about the arrest and when they were going to leave. 

“Gavin…” Nines felt like he didn’t know how to speak. “I…we have to…I was wondering when we would leave to…Prim.”

“In a minute.” Gavin mumbled. “Gotta do some stuff then I’ll get back to you.” He grabbed his phone from his desk and avoided meeting his gaze, walking back to Tina that was waiting for him in the break room.

Nines glanced over his shoulder and saw them looking at Gavin’s phone. With Tina’s help, he redacted the email and sent it a few minutes later. He explained he wasn’t comfortable working with Nines because he wasn’t good at team work, and his behavior wasn’t…ideal, describing him as hostile. Tina rubbed his back the entire time, reassuring him this was the right decision and he would…eventually figure things out.

It was rare, but some people were exactly like they thought Nines was. They weren’t interested in knowing their soulmates and dating them, ending together with them. Tina knew this…but she didn’t know anyone like that on a first-hand basis. It was bad luck that it happened to the only guy that had been waiting all his life to get to know his soulmate…only to end up with someone like Nines. Not only because he wasn’t interested, but because he was a piece of shit.

Gavin came back to Nines hoping that it would be the last time they would call each other “partners”.

“Okay.” Gavin said. “Bring your gun.”

“Is it necessary?” Nines asked and Gavin hummed. “Alright.”

“Let’s go.”

Nines followed him outside to the patrol car and Gavin got into the driver seat. He prepared his gun and his police badge. Nines put on his seatbelt and glanced at Gavin from the front rear mirror. He held his hands together, his LED flickering yellow. Gavin ignored it – he didn’t want to ask anything; he didn’t want to acknowledge Nines’ stupid sad puppy face. Fuck that.

When they arrived to Prim’s house, they got out of the car and looked around the yard. Judging by the time, Nines thought Prim should be at least having breakfast or watching TV. She worked from home so she should be making a little bit of noise, but it was quiet.

“Gavin.” Too quiet. “There’s no one here.”

“There has to be.” Gavin said. “She works from home, she’s here.”

“I’m saying it’s nine a.m. and she’s not doing anything.” Nines said. “There’s no lights on…or anything.”

“Can you hear all that?” Gavin frowned and Nines hummed. “What the fuck, ew, what a creep.”

“What I mean it’s odd that she’s…”

A door opened abruptly,

“Gavin.”

Prim appeared from the garage door, opening fire.

Gavin flinched and ran back on the patrol car, but Nines’ luck wasn’t the best. Since he had been in the passenger seat, Nines was more exposed than Gavin, right in front of Prim’s fire range. Bullets ricocheted on the car and Gavin went down to protect himself. He widened his eyes in horror when he realized his partner wasn’t there with him, and Prim was shooting repeatedly and without a break with a rifle. Gavin looked over the window and saw Nines opening fire.

“Nines—”

Bullets had already pierced his body, and Nines was bleeding thirium on the sidewalk.

“Nines!”

“Stay down!” Nines ordered, running to take cover behind a dumpster.

Gavin took a deep breath and charged his gun, looking over the hood of the car and opening fire. He didn’t know where Prim was, he couldn’t see it from that angle, but he could tell she had a perfect angle to shoot at Nines, so he deduced it from there. Nines was charging his gun and attempting to reduce the damage done to his system, but he was losing too much thirium at a fast rate. He called for back-up while Gavin tried to cover for him.

“STAY THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME!” Prim yelled with a hoarse voice and Gavin flinched, finally seeing her close to her fence.

Prim moved enough to shoot at Nines again, the closest of them all and therefore the most dangerous threat. Gavin looked down to his gun and cocked it sharply, thinking to himself that if he was going to get shot – or killed, he didn’t want it to be with him hiding behind a car while his partner got shot. Even if Nines didn’t feel anything, the possibilities of him shutting down were there.

“Gavin!” Nines yelled as he saw Gavin running from his hiding place, shooting at Prim to get her to back away. “Stay down, Gavin!”

“Shut up and call for back up!” Gavin snapped, standing right next to him and shooting at Prim from over the dumpster. He heard Prim yelling in pain and getting inside the garage again. “Fuck.” He looked down to Nines and the multiple wounds on his chest, close to his thirium pump. “Holy fuck—tin can, don’t you die on me, don’t you fucking dare.”

“I already called for back-up.” Nines managed. “Don’t try to protect me, if I shut down I’ll…just come back—focus on not getting shot yourself.” He held onto Gavin’s leg as he fell down on the ground, sitting. “I need to…just lay down to not lose thirium faster.”

“DON’T SAY STUPID SHIT, DAMMIT! DON’T YOU DARE CLOSE YOUR EYES!” Gavin ordered anxiously, his voice shaking with fear.

Suddenly, Prim came back with another rifle and opened fire again. This time, Gavin saw exactly what type of gun she had and he knew he had no chance to just protect Nines. He had to neutralize her before she killed them. Gavin gripped his gun, looked down to Nines sitting on the ground as he covered his wounds with his hands, and aimed.

Gavin targeted her and, for a moment, Prim and him locked eyes. Shiver shot down his spine and his head started aching. Prim’s eyes, brown and intense reflected him perfectly for a second. Gavin hissed and pulled the trigger, watching Prim roll her eyes back, falling to the ground with a dull, final thump.

“Jesus—motherfucking Christ!” Gavin let out, falling on his knees, feeling the adrenaline washing away. “Okay—okay.” He glanced to his partner and draped Nines’ arm around his shoulder to help him stand up, seeing neighbors watching them from their houses.

“What—are you doing?” Nines asked in a robotic-glitch voice, making Gavin flinch. “Oh—dammit.”

“What the fuck is that?” Gavin asked horrified. “Are you dying?”

“I’m just—there’s certain parts of my body that are damaged, nothing else.” Nines responded the best he could. “What are you—”

“I’m taking you to Jericho, dammit, you’re not fucking dying on me.” Gavin opened the backseat and dropped Nines as gently as he could, but the guy was heavy. “You think I’ll let you die—you fucking—stupid—open your eyes dammit!” He shoved the door closed and ran to the driver seat, speeding away to Jericho.

Nines contacted Connor to inform him about what had happened and revealed to him he had around fifteen minutes before he shut down. The RK-800 ran from the precinct to Jericho to help him. Since Nines was a prototype just like him, no one other than Connor and Nines had knowledge of their own model. Of course Gavin didn’t know this, but he knew that since CyberLife had shut down, Jericho was the only option for androids in danger.

He was right.

Gavin parked outside of Jericho and dragged Nines out of the seat, almost carrying him because Nines was feeling extremely disoriented and weak. Gavin found Connor parking close to them, arriving almost at the same time.

“Come on, quick.” Connor said, helping Gavin carry Nines as well.

They pushed the door open and androids turned to see them in horror. Nines was bleeding out, his clothes, his black shirt, everything was covered in thirium.

“WHERE’S JOSH?!” Connor yelled and Gavin looked around, trying to find someone he didn’t know.

“Downstairs.” North said, approaching them with a stretcher. “Nines, are you okay? Did you get a shutdown notice?”

“I—” Nines looked at Gavin’s face. “Not yet.” He decided lying was probably the best option right.

“What?” Connor frowned but didn’t have time to say more.

“Okay—let’s do this quickly.” North said as Connor and Gavin placed Nines on the stretcher.

The androids ran downstairs carrying the stretcher with little effort, and Gavin followed them breathlessly. The adrenaline was fading in and out, leaving him almost faint. When they reached the medical floor, all the noise grabbed androids’ attention until eventually Josh himself came out to see what was going on. When he saw Nines damaged like that, he received them into his office and North closed the door before Gavin got in. Gavin didn’t…necessarily wanted to see his partner bleeding out, so he froze before he opened it again.

Gavin looked down to his shaky hands and let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding, falling down on the seat next to Josh’s office.

“Take his shirt off—quick.” Josh said and Connor nodded, ripping Nines’ shirt sharply and exposing his bare chest.

When he saw the name written on Nines’ chest, Connor’s LED spun to red in pure disbelief.

The procedure took a long time since Nines’ prototype was difficult to repair, but in the end, they managed to stop the bleeding and seal the wounds with heat. Nines came back to his senses, finally leaving the survival mode and being able to think. He looked around and found Josh and North talking to each other in the corner of the office, discussing how they needed more RK parts for cases like these.

Connor, however, was just staring at Nines in silence, his eyes placed on the mark on his chest.

“Are you okay?” Connor asked and Nines hummed quietly, sitting up on the stretcher. “The arrest went wrong, didn’t it?”

“Terribly wrong.” Nines said. “I called for back-up and they should be taking care of her body and…Gavin killed her.” He mumbled and Connor raised his brows slightly. “I told him to stay back because I’m sure I could’ve stopped her, arrested her, but…Gavin didn’t listen and…he thought it was better to shoot her.”

“After hurting you like this I would also choose the same thing.” Connor said. “She was dangerous.”

“I’m not saying she wasn’t.” Nines admitted. “But…anyway…” He sighed and rubbed his nape comfortingly. “Thank you for coming here so quickly and…” He tried to spot his partner somewhere in the room, but he didn’t see him. “Where’s Gavin?”

“He’s outside still.” Connor said. “I…Nines, I wanted to talk to you about something.”

“What is it?” Nines tilted his head weakly.

“Nines, do you know…what the mark on your chest means?” Connor asked and Nines blinked.

“I…assumed it was…Gavin vandalized me or something.” Nines confessed and Connor shook his head slowly. “I don’t…really know anymore.”

“Nines…” Connor opened his shirt and revealed his own mark to him. “Everyone has one of those, do you know what it represents?”

Nines stared at the mark for long seconds, completely in disbelief.

“…no.” He mouthed.

“Do you know what a soulmate is?” Connor whispered and Nines shook his head. “I thought so.”

“What?” Nines’ LED spun to yellow.

“I thought someone must have explained this to you—we all discussed that when we were awake and…” Connor remembered how it was when he was deviated, and how Nines’ deviation had been. While Connor was awoken with people around him, Nines had been alone in a room with no one to explain anything. “Well, there might be some issues here and there.”

“Excuse me?” Nines frowned, more confused than before. “What do you mean?”

“Nines, all humans have a mark on their chest as well.” Connor began. “When they…get to a certain age, humans receive a mark on their chest with the name of their soulmate, their destined…partner, lover.” He raised his brows slightly at him and Nines widened his eyes slowly. “A soulmate is a…is supposed to be the perfect match for someone. Romantically or…friendly speaking, a soulmate is someone who will compliment you in your life.”

“I don’t…understand, how do we get these marks too? We’re not humans.”

“But we are alive.” Connor responded. “We have the ability to feel, to think, to rationalize like humans do.” He said. “They made us to be like them, and it seems like that was enough; maybe we can’t do everything humans do, but we definitely feel and think like they do.”

“I…didn’t ask for a mark, did you ask for a mark?”

“No one does.” Connor said. “The mark appears once all deviants are awake, unlike humans we have the capability to think and rationalize since the beginning. I’m not sure if that’s why we have it so early in life but…somewhere in this world, there’s someone with my model written on their chest.”

Nines raised his brows at those words.

“If you have Gavin’s name, he has your name too.”

Suddenly, everything made so much sense…that it hurt.

“But I—what’s the point of being awake if I can’t choose who I’ll love?” Nines asked and Connor blinked. “What’s the point—I didn’t ask for a mark; I didn’t want anyone to tell me who I should end up dating—what is this system?”

“I know it’s overwhelming and confusing, but humans have been living like this for years.” Connor said. “And soulmates are...in most cases, soulmates truly bring a type of happiness that can’t be achieved with someone else. Soulmates are unique.”

“So what you’re saying is that if I ever date someone else that isn’t Gavin, I won’t be happy?” Nines’ LED spun to red.

“I’m saying the happiness won’t be the same.” Connor responded. “I’m not sure…how it works since I haven’t met my soulmate either, but I know that…judging by what everyone says, soulmates provide a very special company and happiness, it’s a perfect match made by the universe, and…I don’t know…it lacks logic and it’s hard to explain, but…”

“It doesn’t make any sense!” Nines let out and Connor pressed his lips tightly together. “What’s the point of free will if I can’t choose who I want myself?”

“Listen—Nines, it’s not necessary that you end up with your soulmate.” Connor said honestly. “Some people decided to not…meet them ever, or pretend they didn’t meet them. Some people are…just like you.” He nodded. “And it’s…fine, but I needed you to know what this meant.”

“This is ridiculous.” Nines shook his head in disbelief. “I can’t believe I thought he…did it on purpose and—all this time I thought he tried to…I don’t know.” His LED flickered red and yellow and Connor placed his hand on his shoulder.

“I understand this is overwhelming, but I needed you to understand this, it’s a crucial thing in life.” Connor said. “Even if you don’t want it, you have it. In the end you still have the choice to…end up together or not.”

“Does it go away?” Nines asked and Connor shook his head. “But what if I just never…love him? What if I don’t give in to the mark?”

“Then you’ll carry it forever.” Connor said. “Marks are…forever.”

“He can’t get a new soulmate either?” Nines dropped his jaw and Connor hummed a yes. “He just—he just won’t have a soulmate then?”

“Exactly…” Connor looked away, for the first time feeling a little bit of empathy for Gavin. “Maybe this is why he didn’t like me all along.”

“What?”

“Nothing.”

Nines sat there as he tried to wrap his head around the universe’s plan for him, but everything felt so wrong. Nines didn’t want anyone telling him what to do, or who to love. He had fought to gain his freedom and be able to choose anything he wanted to do. Suddenly, once he had his freedom, a new chain appeared on his ankle, forcing him to follow another path in life. Being an android wasn’t good, being forced to obey was torture. But this had a different complexity.

Now that Nines could feel, he knew what was going to happen if he didn’t do as the universe said. In the past, disobeying wasn’t an option, but now that it was…the consequences were cruel, and Nines didn’t want to deal with them.

“Are you okay?” Connor asked and Nines nodded slowly. “We’ll be taking you back to the precinct if you’re feeling okay…the captain needs to be informed of what happened and give you a compensation.”

“I don’t want money.” Nines muttered, rubbing his face with his palm. “I…is Gavin okay?”

“He’s fine.” Connor nodded. “He’s been…just waiting outside.”

“Of this room?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay.” Nines stood up and put on his shirt, buttoning it. “I’ll go talk to him.”

“About…this?” Connor frowned but Nines shook his head.

“He saved my life.” Nines said. “Soulmates or not, he did it something for me, and I want to thank him.”

“I see.” Connor smiled thinly. “Alright, then…I’ll be going back to the precinct now but…”

“It’s fine.” Nines reassured. “I’ll go with him, I’ve been acting like an oblivious idiot this whole time, another day won’t matter.”

“I’m…sorry I didn’t explain this sooner.” Connor said but Nines dismissed with a shook of his head. “No, I mean it. Everyone needs help understanding being alive, and I guess…I was thinking about who your soulmate was, but I was more worried about where you were going to live and what you wanted to do…because sometimes that’s harder to know.”

“You did a good job.” Nines patted his shoulder comfortingly. “I didn’t ask for help with anything, and I know I should have. I mean—even I could tell it was weird that Gavin managed to sneak in here and put some graffiti on my chest.”

“I…guess it sounds like something Gavin would do.” Connor scoffed weakly. “Or…would have done at least.”

“Yeah.” Nines’ LED flickered yellow, and he closed his eyes with shame burning in his head. “I feel so stupid.”

“Why?” Connor frowned and Nines pursed his lips.

“I…the things I did…” Nines shook his head and held onto his hips. “You know, I can’t talk about this right now, I need time to process everything.”

“It’s okay.” Connor nodded. “Take your time and if you need someone to…talk to about this, you need where to find me.”

“Of course.” Nines smiled, and Connor returned it.

Nines thanked Josh and North for their help and Connor left the room. Gavin was almost falling asleep sitting on the chairs outside of the room and he couldn’t help but feel…a little sad. Connor had no idea Gavin’s soulmate was Nines, and now that he knew what Nines felt about soulmates, he knew what Gavin’s future would look like. He hurried the pace to not see him, and Gavin didn’t notice him, his eyes were too closed to actually see who was walking in the hallway.

Nines got out of the room and spotted him leaning his head back on the wall, with his chin up and his eyes closed.

“Gavin.” Nines said and Gavin flinched, rubbing his tired eyes to wake up. “I’m sorry I made you wait for so long.”

“Oh—come on, shut up, that’s not what you should say after almost dying.” Gavin scoffed, standing up and looking at his…bloody shirt with bullet holes. “Damn, can’t they give you another shirt or what?”

“We don’t have clothes in Jericho.” Nines huffed sarcastically. “It’s okay, before going back to the precinct I’ll probably go to my apartment to get changed.”

“Are you going back to work?” Gavin blinked and Nines nodded. “What the hell—are you seriously okay?”

“I am; remember it’s not like I’m…in pain or something.” Nines said and Gavin shrugged. “I’m okay, don’t worry.”

“I mean, it’s kinda impossible to not worry after seeing you covered with blood and holes everywhere.” Gavin mumbled. “But—like, if you say you’re feeling fine…then I’ll believe it—actually, how the fuck are you standing, you were falling.”

“Gavin, I’m not human, I’m fine.” Nines said with a small smile, shaking his head at Gavin’s concerning comments. “I promise you, I’m completely fine.” He said. “And…I wanted to thank you for your quick reaction and…I don’t know what would have happened if you didn’t do what you did back there.”

“Well—I mean; she was determined to kill us both.” Gavin said. “I don’t know how many rifles she had, but goddamn, she had a whole arsenal in her garage.”

“I could see that.” Nines admitted. “It’s alarming.”

“Fucking creepy.” Gavin nodded and Nines scoffed. “I’m serious—isn’t it kinda weird that one lady living alone has a shit ton of guns? What does she need that for?”

“Well, she’s…a murderer…”

“I mean, right…” Gavin rubbed his forehead weakly. “Never mind, she was fucked up in the head.”

“Gavin.” Nines stifled a loud wheeze against his palm and Gavin raised his brows slightly, staring at the way Nines crinkled his eyes when he smiled. “Fine—so…thank you for…everything honestly, if you weren’t there, I don’t know what would have happened to me.”

“It’s fine.” Gavin mumbled. “It’s all good, that’s what…you know, partners are…for.” He looked away and fixed his jacket. “So—I’ll go back to the precinct and…there’s a lot of shit to do every time something like this happens, so…maybe you should go take a shower and come back if you feel like it.”

“I’ll definitely go assist you after I change.” Nines said and Gavin nodded, taking off his jacket.

“Put this on, don’t let anyone see you like that.” Gavin handed it to him. “You’re gonna scare everyone.”

“Thank you.” Nines smiled thinly and grabbed it, putting it on. “You’re quite…” The sleeves were short on his arms. “You’re…”

“Small, yeah, whatever, it works.” Gavin rolled his eyes in embarrassment. “Go change, I’ll go back to the precinct.”

“Of course.” Nines nodded and Gavin turned around, walking to the stairs. “Thank you—Gavin.”

“All good.” Gavin waved his hand dismissively and Nines smiled, watching him leave.

When Gavin got into his car, he stared at his reflection in the mirror and sighed. He was awfully red in the face, and he wanted to go beat up Nines for multiple things. He couldn’t just stop treating him like shit and then switch completely to harmless android. Gavin sighed and turned on his car, reminding himself he had already given up, and that no matter what Nines did, he wasn’t going to hope something was going to change.

It was over anyway, he already requested the change of partners and he wouldn’t have to work with this guy for much longer, hopefully.

Nines arrived to his apartment and got in the shower, staring at Gavin’s name in the mirror. He wondered…how would his model number look like on Gavin? He had to have it, right? What was Gavin’s reaction when he got his mark? Was he…excited? Did Gavin want to meet his soulmate like Connor said humans did? Maybe Gavin wasn’t interested…or…

“Goddammit.”

Or maybe Nines was just too fucking dense.

He leaned his forehead under the showerhead, feeling the cold water running down his body. He started remembering everything that happened since he met Gavin in the beginning. He remembered his own words – how he said that ‘no mark would change that’, saying how Gavin didn’t own him and how he called him a ‘disgusting creature’.

Connor’s perception of Gavin was too different. That night Nines realized Gavin had been a completely different person with him. When they fought in the meeting room Gavin confessed to feeling ashamed of his past actions. Gavin had…changed, Nines got to meet a new Gavin and he still treated him so poorly. Everything was slowly making sense now. Gavin stared at him all the time because he was interested, not because he was glaring at him. All of Gavin’s attempts at making conversations were just that, the fact that he was awkward just made his comments sound stupid.

Maybe Nines had been too defensive from the start.

Gavin seriously wanted a friendship with him, and Nines felt that after their fight, Gavin’s attitude changed completely. Like he stopped trying to engage, he stopped trying to be patient. What was Nines expecting anyway? Gavin endured his bad treatments and attitude for no reason, because now that Nines knew Gavin didn’t do anything…he looked like a complete dick.

He probably was one.

There had to be something Nines could do to make it up to him, but nothing felt appropriate for saying sorry this time. If what Connor said was true, Gavin had been waiting for him for years – Gavin said it himself, Nines remembered that. Gavin cried and said his soulmate was a nightmare, after waiting for so long to meet him…this had to be so cruel. But what was Nines supposed to do anyway? Love him because Gavin felt sad? Or because he had been waiting for him? Nines didn’t ask for this, he didn’t want Gavin to wait for him, hell – he didn’t know anything.

Gavin had been nothing but kind to him the first days they started working together, and Nines crushed him.

Back in the precinct, Tina heard about the shooting from Connor and ran to Gavin to ask him if he was alright. Gavin reassured her everything was good and that Nines was out of danger now. She stayed with him in the break room for a long time before Gavin went back to work. He had to give his boss his report on killing Prim in self defense. These procedures were always annoying and troublesome, so Gavin ended up having a headache.

While Nines did join him in the end, he didn’t do much apart from answering everyone’s questions and saying he was okay a hundred times. Gavin didn’t expect him to help him anyway, but Nines tried his best to do something. They weren’t talking to each other, but they weren’t…ignoring each other. Ironically, it was the first time they had worked together in peace, coexisting in the same room without feeling suffocated.

Nines told him he would wash his jacket before giving it to him and Gavin said there was no problem. They parted ways to their apartments when their shift was over, and Gavin found himself, once again, alone.

The events of the day washed over him. Seeing Nines in the cold light of day as just another prick, no matter what the universe told him. A killing, even if it was in defense of Nines life. The strange, lost feeling of Nines treating him like a person rather than the shit under his shoe, and how little it made a difference to him.

Gavin slid down the door and closed his eyes, hiding his face in his arms as he rested them on his knees. His legs barely folded.

“Well.” Gavin squeezed his eyes shut and leaned his back on the door. “It’s just me and me in the end, again.”

Maybe Nines wasn’t a son of a bitch all the time, but he was most of the time, and Gavin didn’t want that. Gavin didn’t want someone that treated him like shit and made him cry. He didn’t want someone who looked at him like he was nothing.

Fuck – seriously, why did it have to be Nines?

“You know what.” Gavin stood up and grabbed his keys. “Fuck this.”

What was love anyway? What was all of that soulmate shit? Gavin was going to prove to the universe he could do this with no soulmate by his side. He was going to prove he felt alive alone on his own and with cheap company. A couple of drinks were enough to make him feel alive again, a couple of pretty strangers throwing him looks in the bar too. Gavin wanted the universe to see him properly that night. He wanted the universe to see just how much love he could get from anyone. He didn’t need a fucking soulmate to have this – he just needed to be intoxicated enough to make out with some dude outside of a bar.

It had been so long since he last kissed someone, this euphoria tasted so good under his skin. He was tired – heavily intoxicated, but he felt so alive for the first time in so long. Maybe this was what happiness was, maybe it wasn’t that different. This stranger kissed him desperately, mindlessly. Gavin felt his dick rubbing against his pants and holding onto his neck. With his eyes closed, he could submerge in the kiss and enjoy it for what it was.

A really nice façade.

He wondered…just for a moment, how would it feel kissing his actual soulmate? Nines was taller than this guy, was stronger than this guy too. How would it feel…to have his hands all over him? How it would be to have his body pressed so closely to his? Would he feel alive like this? Or would be submerged in a totally different state of euphoria that would never match this cheap mask?

Nines’ lips were so…alluring. They were pretty enough to bite them, kiss them, lick them. His eyes could look so cold and yet so intense. Gavin imagined how it would feel to have him stare at him in awe just like this stranger. He wondered how it would feel to have Nines lifting him in his arms and press him against the wall. Was Nines’ love rough and needy, or tender and soft?

Gavin desperately wished he could know. He’d never wanted anything less.

 

With a headache and being hungover, Gavin arrived to work the next day and was ready to get a response from his boss. Fowler was already waiting for him close to his desk, and Gavin pressed his lips tightly together and followed him in silence to his office. Fowler took a seat and slid over Gavin’s letter on his desk.

“You know…” Fowler said. “I gotta admit I’m not surprised you also asked to not be paired with him.”

“What?” Gavin blinked.

“Connor suggested you wouldn’t make a good team in the beginning.” He responded. “And I’m going to tell you the exact same thing I told them, I can’t assign you a new partner because there’s just no one out there for you.”

“What do you mean—there’s at least three more detectives that are working alone.” Gavin retorted.

“There are, yes, but who am I going to pair Nines with then?” Fowler shrugged. “Assign him to a rookie for what? So that they depend fully on him? What type of detectives am I going to have in the future?” He shook his head. “Maybe his work ethic isn’t the best, and maybe you don’t get along because of…differences, but I need you to try harder and make it work.”

“What the hell?” Gavin crossed his arms tightly. “He treats me like shit.”

“Did he hit you?” Fowler asked and Gavin rolled his eyes.

“No—if he did, he would be dead.” Gavin said. “He’s a nightmare, he doesn’t like to work with me—he doesn’t like me at all, dammit, he fucking hates me.”

“I don’t think he does.” Fowler admitted and Gavin dropped his jaw. “The compensation bonus…he came to claim it yesterday and asked if I could give it to you instead.” He said. “We had a talk for a few minutes and I asked him if you were insufferable like he thought you were going to be, and he said you weren’t.”

“Great news, he knows how to lie.”

“Maybe.” Fowler lifted his hands feebly. “But—you know, maybe you should give it a try and see how this works.”

“I already gave it a try and it doesn’t work.”

“Gavin.” Fowler sighed weakly. “Listen, I know you have your differences with androids—”

“This isn’t because he’s an android—he’s just a fucking prick.” Gavin muttered. “You don’t know how he fucking talks to me—he’s a dick.”

“Fine.” Fowler rubbed his temple with his fingers. “Listen, give it one more week.” He said. “Just this one week and if it doesn’t work out, then I’ll change you to work with someone else.”

“Really?” Gavin asked quietly and Fowler nodded. He rolled his eyes and dropped his arms to his sides. “Fine.”

“But I need you to try harder.” Fowler said. “I need you both to try harder, life isn’t always what we want to have, sometimes is learning how to work with what we have.”

“Right.” Gavin looked down. “Sure, whatever.”

“Go.” Fowler said. “You got some reports to do.”

Gavin exited the office was fast as he could, feeling like if he stayed longer then he wouldn’t have the patience to listen to Fowler’s words. Maybe his advice would work if they weren’t talking about his failed soulmate. Gavin was…expecting something like this to happen anyway, after all he was the only detective in the precinct to ask for a new partner thrice in a year.

Nines had no idea though; he was waiting for Gavin at his desk and he smiled when he saw him coming back.

“Good morning.” Nines said and Gavin raised his brows as a greeting. “Are you feeling alright?”

“Yeah.” Gavin mumbled, sitting down. “Are you gonna work on the final report? Or do you want me to do it? Because I’ll be slow as fuck.”

“I can do it.” Nines offered and Gavin nodded. “There was new information in what happened the day of Alissa’s murder, apparently Prim had a journal where she detailed everything.”

“Really?” Gavin whispered and Nines hummed a yes. “Fuck—what a psycho.”

“Maybe.” Nines mumbled, studying Gavin’s expression. He noticed the wrinkles on his forehead and the dark circles under his eyes, slightly more accented than usual. “Are you really feeling okay?”

“What do you mean?” Gavin looked up.

“You look…tired.” Nines said and Gavin sighed.

“I am.” Gavin said. “Really tired.” He mumbled.

“Oh—right.” Nines looked down and grabbed Gavin’s jacket from his suitcase. “I washed it yesterday, thank you.”

“No problem…” Gavin mumbled, grabbing his jacket and placing it on his desk. “As long as you don’t wander around with a holy-shirt then we’re all good.”

“Holy?”

“You know…” Gavin looked down and closed his eyes, embarrassed to explain his own joke. “Holes…holey…holy…” He met Nines’ gaze and found him staring at him with a lost expression on his face. “Oh come on.”

“You’re weird.” Nines said and Gavin dropped his jaw. “You are.”

“What in the—fuck motherfucker, it was a joke!” Gavin stuttered nervously and Nines chuckled, crinkling his eyes softly. “Alright fine—no jokes then.”

“It took me by surprise, that’s all.” Nines admitted within a low laugh. “I’m sorry, sorry.”

“Whatever man.” Gavin shook his head and turned on his computer. “You need to joke around when shit is depressing.” Nines blinked and tilted his head weakly. “Finish that report before the shift ends or Fowler will actually fire us.”

“On it.”

Nines continued to check on Gavin from time to time, he could tell he was…a little low energy today. He knew why, but…it was complicated to deal with this situation. With no reason to hate Gavin anymore, he felt guilty for his behavior the past few days, but he didn’t want this guilt to manipulate him into doing something he might not want to do. Nines hadn’t tried falling in love with someone else, maybe he could try and do that first? Maybe he could try and find someone else to test if what Connor said was…true?

How in the world do you measure happiness though? Nines was confused. How could someone know they weren’t as happy as they would be with their soulmate? It didn’t make sense in his head. Nines wondered if Gavin…thought about dating some other people, if Gavin had dated some other people too. He wondered if Gavin liked him in the beginning or he was just…curious to see who his soulmate was. In any case he definitely got a fucked up first impression.

Nines was ashamed but he couldn’t do much apart from apologizing, and he was going to try to do that today.

Gavin stretched his arms in the air and stood up to grab a coffee, staring off into space as he drank his beverage. Eventually, his eyes landed on Nines and his meticulous typing. Nines was fast and efficient when it came to make reports, he just needed to process the information and formulate it in his head, then copy paste it basically. Gavin would never be like that, not that fast or efficient, but he knew that – he wasn’t a machine after all. He stared at him until he realized he was admiring his profile. Truly, this man had the prettiest eyes he had ever seen in his life.

Why? It wasn’t like he hadn’t seen blue eyes before, a lot of people in the precinct had them. So did plenty of people in the United States. Even fucking Hank had blue eyes. Nines wasn’t particularly special, but Gavin felt like he had never seen someone like him. Maybe it was because he knew he was his soulmate, and knowing he was his fateful partner made him see him alluring in a way. It pissed him off, he wanted to throw him hot coffee at his face.

Once their shift was over, Gavin was the first one to stand up and prepare his things to leave.

“Oh—are you leaving?” Nines asked.

“I’m not gonna work over time, they don’t pay me enough.” Gavin mumbled and Nines scoffed weakly. “You?”

“I was…yeah, I’m leaving too.” Nines turned off his computer rapidly. “Are you driving home?”

“I kind of…let my car somewhere else last night because…of things.” Gavin said. “Anyway—no, I’m taking the subway.”

“Oh…” Nines stood up and grabbed his suitcase from the floor, fixing his black tie. “Do you think I can…join you?”

“What?” Gavin looked at him with narrowed eyes. “Why?”

“I just…I was…I needed to do some stuff.” Nines said. “I’m also taking the subway, I mean.”

Gavin squinted harder and Nines pressed his lips tightly together.

“What are you up to?” Gavin asked quietly.

“Nothing!” Nines said. “I’m just taking the subway and I thought we could go together if you’re also…going in the same direction…is less awkward than me following you, right?” He asked nervously, not wanting to reveal his real intentions because he knew Gavin would escape. “Right?”

“Whatever.” Gavin sighed and started walking away. “Don’t walk faster or slower because I’m not waiting for you or catching up to you.”

“Got it.” Nines smiled and followed him in silence, holding his suitcase in hand.

This was…different, definitely not what Gavin was thinking of tonight. But it wasn’t what Nines was thinking either. Originally, he was going to follow Gavin to the parking lot and talk there, but if he was going to take the subway then they might be able to have a longer conversation. It was a win in the end, even if Gavin felt a little suffocated having him by his side.

Nines’ presence was still hard to ignore - Gavin knew he couldn’t just blur him away. Nines was aware that Gavin’s heart beats were quickening; he was nervous, or shy, or disgusted. He hoped he was just nervous because he also felt a little too anxious. He didn’t want to say the wrong thing but how could he explain he just didn’t know what a soulmate was? It sounded stupid – it was stupid, but it was true.

The overthinking got Nines to stay quiet during the ride in the subway, and Gavin started to actually wonder if Nines was going to murder him or something. He was following him, not getting off at any station, he stayed sat by his side in complete silence, dressed in all black, with a suitcase in hand. By all means, Nines looked terrified.

When Gavin got off at his stop, he looked back at Nines following him and asked,

“So, are you going to kill me or what?”

“What?” Nines blinked and Gavin squinted.

“Are you…like…” Gavin mumbled. “Gonna beat me up or something? Because if you are, could you at least—”

“What are you saying?” Nines shook his head in disbelief and Gavin shrugged. “I’m just…I told you I needed to take the subway.”

“Yeah tinker bell but you’re following me home now.” Gavin said and Nines looked around, realizing it too. “What are you doing?”

“I just—I needed to talk to you.” Nines let out and Gavin raised his brows weakly. “I needed to—we needed to…I just wanted to talk to you about…something.”

“Alright…” Gavin frowned and crossed his arms. “Speak.”

“Well—” Nines licked his lips nervously and pressed them together. “Do you…maybe we should walk and talk?”

“God—Jesus, alright.”

“I’m sorry! I tried to bring it up before but I didn’t know how!” Nines let out and Gavin chuckled, walking away from the station. “I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean to freak you out.”

“To be fair, you’re creepy by default.” Gavin said and Nines mouthed what to himself. “But you’re good, it’s not your fault.”

“Thanks?” Nines whispered, confused.

“You’re welcome.” Gavin sighed. “So? What’s in your tiny plastic mind?”

“Alright.” Nines rolled his eyes and held his suitcase tighter in his hand, gaining courage to talk. “I wanted to talk about…the…soulmate thing.”

Gavin choked on his own saliva and Nines patted his back repeatedly, helping him breathe.

“I’m sorry—”

“Are you kidding me—” Gavin coughed and inhaled deeply. “Seriously? Now?”

“I just—yeah!” Nines let out and Gavin whined and rolled his eyes, grinding his palms on his cheeks. “I’m sorry…”

“Okay—listen…” Gavin mumbled. “You didn’t mention it for a while so I thought you just didn’t give a fuck—and you were really clear that you didn’t give a fuck about the mark because I disgust you –.”

“No—Gavin.” Nines’ LED spun to yellow. “I’m…I found out what it was yesterday…”

Gavin stopped on his steps and Nines’ LED spun to red. Gavin blinked, frowning as he tried to understand what he was hearing. He looked at Nines but found to glimpse of sarcasm in his voice, and Gavin frowned even harder.

“You gotta be kidding me.”

“I’m serious.” Nines admitted. “I woke up alone and no one explained anything to me. I didn’t know what it was and…when I saw the mark, I guess I thought you had…broken into the Jericho and…done it yourself. On purpose.”

In all his life, Gavin Reed had never heard something so innocent and yet so fucking stupid.

“Are you an idiot?”

“Maybe.” Nines mumbled, looking away to hide his shame. “Yes.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Gavin dropped his jaw and Nines nodded shyly. “Me? Breaking into the—and how am I supposed to make a mark like this? I just found the most permanent fucking sharpie and wrote on your shit?”

“I didn’t know!” Nines let out honestly. “I—how was I supposed to know?! I’ve been alive for less than two months—I’m new to all of this and you know what people used to do to androids! How could magic be my first guess? That’s completely illogical! I don't understand how soulmates are real at all, it doesn’t make sense.”

“I know dammit, it’s stupid but it exists!” Gavin lifted his hands in the air. “Are you like—the mental runt of the litter or what?”

“Gavin.”

“I’m serious, dammit, what are you doing, Nines?!” Gavin sighed and whined, lifting his chin up and looking at the sky. “Jesus Chris, are you kidding me? You gave me all that shit because you thought I vandalized you? For real?”

“Yes!” Nines said and Gavin groaned even harder. “I’m so sorry—I didn’t know it until Connor saw it on my chest and—”

“Oh my god—and Connor knows?!” Gavin dropped to the floor, sitting with his head in his hands. “Fuck it, just kill me now and get it over with.”

“Gavin—” Nines crouched down and held his shoulder gently. “I’m…sorry.” He whispered, seeing Gavin look up to meet his gaze. “I’m really sorry.” He said, and Gavin leaned his head on his arms, locking eyes with him.

“You know you made me feel like absolute garbage.”

“I know.” Nines mumbled and Gavin hid his face again. “I’m sorry, Gavin. I’m truly sorry.”

“Goddammit.” Gavin sighed and stood up; Nines followed. “You know what—fair, you’re stupid, what else is new.”

“I’m—I’m just new at being alive.” Nines murmured. Gavin nodded as he walked away. “But—that wasn’t what I wanted to talk about.”

“Oh my god, there’s more?” Gavin stopped, wide eyed. “What now?”

“I just … I wanted to know what you wanted.” Nines said and Gavin raised his brows weakly. “With me. With the mark, I mean… if you wanted to meet your soulmate and…”

“Right.” Gavin grumbled, seeing his apartment in the distance. “If you’d asked me a few weeks ago I know what I would’ve said. But now, I — Look, I don’t want someone that’ll treat me like shit. I don’t want someone who looks down on me, or gets mad at me for every little thing I do wrong.” He said. “I waited for my soulmate for years. I thought, it’ll be worth it. Every lonely moment, it’ll be over. But if the options are loneliness or to settle for someone that’ll belittle me and make me feel like I want to die? That’s not a question, Nines.”

Nines’ LED flickered red and yellow, but he had been the one who asked.

“I wanted you until I knew you.” Gavin confessed. “When I did, I realized fate is just a fucking joke.”

Nines didn’t know why he felt so hurt.

“I…understand.” Nines whispered.

“And you?” Gavin asked. “Now you know what it means, what do you want?”

“Well…” Nines twisted his mouth and held his hands together behind his back. “I…it’s not like…you know, when I deviated, I was excited because I had…freedom, I could choose what to do and obviously that included who I wanted to love.” Nines said. “And when I found out what the mark meant, I realized I didn’t have that much freedom like I thought I had. I realized I had…to follow another path…but this time, I was awake to know where I was heading, and I guess it just didn’t feel right with me.”

“So basically, you don’t want it.”

“…no.”

“Great.” Gavin said. “That makes the two of us.”

Gavin stopped at his doorstep and looked back at Nines.

“Alright Tinker Bell.” Gavin yawned. “Go home, is late for little robots to be on their own.”

“What could possibly happen?” Nines asked, shrugging before seeing Gavin lift his brows at him, expectantly. “I—that was a very special situation.”

“Right.” Gavin mumbled, grabbing his keys from his pocket. “Don’t follow me home again though, I’ll knock your lights out.”

“Right…” Nines whispered, stepping back from the doorstep. “Well…then goodnight.”

“Night.” Gavin opened his door and closed it on his way in.

Nines stared at the shut door for a long moment, then started walking. Okay. Maybe he didn’t get to ask everything he wanted to ask, but…perhaps this was for the best? He didn’t know. He wanted to know about Gavin’s idea of soulmate. He wanted to know what he was going to do now. Was he going to find someone else to love? Was he interested in falling in love? It seemed like he was. Nines wished – hoped he was. He hoped Gavin found someone that made him feel alive, and made him enjoy life.

But…even if Nines didn’t want to admit it, hearing Gavin say he didn’t want someone that treated him like shit hurt him deeply. He’d done that. He’d wanted to protect people, help them, and he’d failed already. Gavin tried so hard to befriend him, but he was set up for failure. No matter what he did, Nines wasn’t going to let him in, he was defensive from the start.

Maybe…just maybe, they could start over and be friends – if they weren’t going to be lovers, Nines thought being friends was possible. Soulmates were supposed to be perfect matches, so maybe given enough time, they could be incredible friends.

Look, I don’t want someone that’ll treat me like shit.

Nines wished he could go back in time.

 

Time passed by, and change came with it.  Nines’ attitude was completely different now. Gavin thought this was probably the real Nines, rather of the hostile android he met at first. Nines seemed calmer, more sympathetic. He smiled more.

For his part, Nines gained a lot of respect for Gavin after the shooting. Keeping his head, relying on his skill, and risking his fragile human life to save him, even though he was an android... it was admirable. And maybe a little suicidal, who knows.

Nines wanted to be his friend, he wanted to know Gavin and show him he’d changed. Nines paid more attention now. Gavin’s habits, Gavin’s wording, Nines was more attentive with him in any way he could. For instance, Nines suggested Gavin might be dyslexic for all the hardships he encountered writing down reports, and it was because of him that Gavin went to get a diagnosis and… turns out he was all along.

Things were the good kind of different. Nines did the reports for him and Gavin was only in charge of discussing them for him to write down. They had their own mechanism now, and they were more efficient than ever. Tina was confused as to when their dynamic changed so much, since now they looked like they could stand to be in the same room without killing each other. She was worried so she kept checking on Gavin from time to time, but Gavin’s answers were always the same.

“I have no idea what’s going on.”

And it was true. Gavin accepted Nines’ kindness because that was all Nines offered now. In the beginning he was reluctant, he didn’t know if it was genuine or it was simply because Nines felt guilty for not wanting to be his soulmate. In the end, it wasn’t like it was…bad or something, but Gavin felt definitely strange having a good relationship with the guy he was supposed to have his happy ever after.

He couldn’t deny his kindness made him weak.

Nines checked on him all the time, asked him if he ate, if he was doing alright, if he needed something or if he needed assistance of any kind. Nines had become a compassionate, gentle man that treated him so well it made Gavin feel conflicted. Any time Gavin forgot to eat breakfast, Nines would be there buying him food and bringing him green tea to help him stop drinking so much coffee.

Gavin didn’t want to fall for some kind words and actions, not when he knew they’d never lead anywhere. He decided to move on; to try something else. He went out more often with Tina, they visited bars, danced in clubs, Gavin made out with a lot of strangers but nothing felt…quite right. There wasn’t a spark or a click, and Gavin didn’t want to settle for a pretty face and that’s it. He was aware that Nines was doing the same too, he had seen him getting into stranger’s cars and leaving at night.

Slowly, he stopped caring and was able to ignore it.

In Nines’ case, he had started to go out on dates a little bit more…formal than Gavin’s. Men and women invited him to go out have dinner, and Nines would try and enjoy conversation with all of them, but…in the end, Nines felt like he was either talking to a wall, or a wall was talking to him. It felt empty. Not organic. Nines had a hard time trying to find what he liked in a person, who he wanted to meet.

He didn’t like superficial, he wanted someone that shook his world and made him feel something. He wanted to meet someone that had interesting stories to tell, that could talk to him non-stop about anything without judgement. Someone who didn’t fear saying the wrong thing. With his dates, Nines felt like everyone was pretending to be the best version of themselves, but in the end it felt…plastic. Doll-like. Undeviant.

Sometimes Nines wondered why it was so difficult, though it wasn’t like all his dates were bad. Some were enjoyable, he would go on a second date with some of them and kiss a little, but then…nothing. No calls, no messages, they would disappear. Nines was starting to realize how love worked in a lot of people, it was…superficial. No one was up to the intensity of someone that wanted to feel everything. No one wanted to commit like that, and Nines understood that, but he didn’t…want that.

At least he had Gavin to talk to all day at work, at least he wasn’t boring like everybody else was.

Though sometimes they would have awkward moments where they didn’t agree on something and Gavin would get defensive, waiting for Nines to bring his fucking attitude again – but, it never happened. Now that the misunderstanding had been clarified, Nines had no reason to be defensive and instead, if they didn’t agree on something Nines would try to find out why and offer solutions to solve it. Gavin wasn’t used to dealing with cooperative people, he wasn’t used to not being yelled at…almost.

Maybe Gavin had been settling for less than what he deserved for a long time now – and Nines helped him realize it wasn’t fair. Not that Nines’ actions in the past were alright, but it took Gavin to live through that to realize he didn’t want to put up with people treating him like shit anymore.

Connor saw the change as well, and just like Tina he was very confused in the beginning, but he didn’t think it was necessary to intervene. Nines and Gavin became a good team, against all odds and everyone’s comments. In the past, Nines understood the detective’s comments about Gavin and even justified their shit talking behind his partner’s back. But now…none of that made sense to him. The longer he was by Gavin’s side, the more he could see him in the ways that mattered most.

Living on your own and seeing everyone else find happiness…might be cruel, and hard to take.

“Connor…”

But acceptance was freeing. Once Gavin could finally throw the weight off his shoulders, he was able to be honest with himself.

“Do you have a moment to…talk?” Gavin asked. Connor stopped on his way to the evidence room.

“Yes?” Connor frowned. “What’s wrong?”

“I…well…” Gavin held his hands together. “I wanted to talk to you about…about what happened…and…” His voice softened, becoming weaker. “I wanted to say I’m sorry.”

Connor’s LED spun to yellow.

“I’m so sorry.” Gavin said. “And I know it isn’t easy to…just forget and forgive but…I would like you to at least consider it.”

“Well…” Connor mumbled. “I’m…surprised, honestly, I didn’t…think you would…you know.”

“I understand.” Gavin nodded slowly. “Between you and me—I’m—probably not the best…partner or…person but—I didn’t want to pretend I was fine with what happened in the past.” He said. “Because I’m not and…I’m truly sorry for my attitude and my behavior. I won’t justify myself but…there was so much going on back then, it just got in my head and…messed me up.”

Connor smiled weakly and stepped forward.

“I can tell.” He said. “I can see you’re not the same anymore…and I’m honestly glad that you aren’t because…well, Nines doesn’t deserve that.”

“I know—I…I promise I’ve changed…and…I just wanted you to know that I don’t agree with the things I did in the past.” Gavin said. “And I hope that one day you can forgive me.”

“Forgiveness is earned.” Connor said. “And if you have changed, then you earned it.” He held onto his shoulder comfortingly and Gavin smiled shyly. “Just don’t mess it up or I’ll be a nightmare now.”

“No—no.” Gavin chuckled nervously and Connor smiled. “I promise I…I won’t.”

“I believe you.” Connor nodded at his own words. “Thank you, Gavin.” He said. “I didn’t think I would ever you say something like this. Ever.”

“Well…” Gavin sighed. “That makes the two of us.”

Closure was a powerful tool to embrace what one truly is.

Nines refused to let anyone treat his partner in a way he wasn’t happy with, but he didn’t need to worry too much anymore. Accepting defeat also opened space for closure, and Gavin felt like he was finally accepting his fate. Nines wasn’t a nightmare to be around, but he would never be what he wanted him to be. So, Gavin’s attitude changed. A new careless, less dense attitude made him stronger and fiercer. Without that heavy weight on his shoulders, Gavin felt…more alive than ever.

He felt empowered. 

“Gavin—I brought the—”

“Is my ass too fucking fat or why the fuck did you push me?” Gavin spat out to one detective that had passed behind him. Nines blinked and looked up to the officer, taller and definitely stronger than Gavin. “Oh—it had to be you, right.”

“Jesus Reed, are you good?” The detective asked with a grimace. “You need to get laid or something? Chill.”

“Motherfucker—you’re always pushing him every time you walk behind me.” Gavin crossed his arms and stepped forward, closer to him. “What the fuck do you want? You wanna rub your dick on my ass or what?”

“What’s your—the fuck is your problem?”

“Sweetheart, you could’ve just asked.” Gavin sang out and Nines scoffed, covering his mouth with his hand. “You don’t need to throw a fit, just ask baby.”

“You’re a fucking creep.”

“If you ever push me even by mistake, I’ll rip your dick off.” Gavin muttered and the detective chuckled sarcastically, nodding. “Oh, is it funny?”

“Reed, you’re so predictable it’s funny.”

“For real?” Gavin giggled and stepped forward, lifting his chin up to meet his gaze. “Rub your dick on my ass one more time and I’ll make you choke on my gun.” He smiled. “Or my dick—but you’d probably like that.”

“Listen here—Gavin Reed.”

“What?” Nines stepped forward and held his partner’s shoulder, tilting his head with a wide grin on his lips. “What does he need to listen apart from ‘I’m sorry’, detective?”

Gavin smirked and the detective huffed and rolled his eyes, flipping him off and walking away hurriedly.

“What a fucking pussy.” Gavin said and Nines sighed. “Hey—but that was cool, you were good out there.” He patted Nines’ arm and the RK-900 looked at him in disappointment. “What?”

“Listen, he was a head taller than you and could’ve knocked your lights out easily.” Nines said. “Don’t pick fights like you’re immortal, what are you gonna do if you piss them off?”

“That’s the plan, sweetheart.” Gavin lifted his chin feebly and winked an eye at him. “He’s a fucking puss, don’t even worry about him.” He said. “He always does that and I was tired of always not saying anything—I was gonna rip his dick off, I’m telling you.”

Nines’ LED spun to yellow and he grinned weakly, shaking his head as he looked down to the floor.

“Anyway.” Gavin sat down in his chair. “What’s up?”

He’s a menace.

“I brought you the forensic report.”

He’s reckless.

“Sweet, alright.” Gavin yawned and stretched his arms in the air. “Read it to me with your pretty voice, please, I don’t wanna struggle with letters at this time of the night.”

He’s a brat.

“…sure.”

Alright.

Sometimes Nines thought his partner was one of a kind by all means. He was reckless and thought no one he was immortal or something, because ever since Gavin decided he wouldn’t let anyone mess with him anymore, he started being defensive only to the people that deserved it. Some detectives thought this new Gavin Reed was even fun to be around. Ever since Gavin accepted his soulmate was probably never going to be his lover, but apparently he could have him as his friend, life wasn’t that…grey anymore. Again. Nines was had turned into a company he enjoyed, and work wasn’t insufferable anymore.

 

The next day Nines had been working on his own in the evidence room to run analysis on multiple items recovered from a crime scene. Gavin went out to interview suspects and he was supposed to be back soon. Nines was finishing the reports when he heard two detectives coming downstairs. He looked over his shoulder and saw the same detective as yesterday, the one that tried to fight with Gavin.

“Oh my god, are you everywhere?” He asked and Nines ignored him. “Hey—are you deaf?”

“Are you a masochist? Why are you talking to me?” Nines asked, looking at him from over his shoulder. He ran ID identification and found their names. “Jack, Sally.”

“Yesterday you were so cocky with Reed around, on your own you look kinda small.” Jack sang out and Nines frowned. “Where you following me?”

“I have way better things to do than following you.” Nines said. “Trust me.”

“Is he Reed’s partner?” Sally asked Jack and he nodded. “Holy shit—an android? For real? No human wanted him so they gave him a robot?”

“No human matched his skills and experience, yes.” Nines said. “So they had to give him a robot because I was the only one who could partner with him.” He glared at them from over his shoulder. “Useless little detectives that can’t even reach his level can’t work with him.”

“Damn—he’s just like him.” Sally chuckled and Nines grinned slowly.

“Maybe.” Nines said. “We’re both better than you two, that’s true.”

“Damn! He’s a bitch!” Sally wheezed and Jack stepped forward, closer to Nines. Nines turned around and closed the reports from his vision, facing Jack and locking eyes with him. “Oh, he’s little though!”

“You think you’re better than everyone here or what, plastic?” Jack spat out and Nines smirked.

“Clearly.” Nines smiled. “But not better than Gavin since he was the only one capable of teaming with me, you know.” He pouted slightly. “Let me ask you a question—do you behave like this because you’re jealous of his success or—”

“Listen to this kid.” Jack cackled and looked back at Sally, hearing him giggle. “Success, really?”

“Oh, yeah.” Nines nodded. “I just have to take a quick look at your record and see you’ve been working with a partner for over twenty years and still have less solved cases than Gavin…on his own.” He tilted his head as if he was surprised. “Is that success or not, detective?”

“Maybe it’s time we turn off your CPU, plastic.”

“Maybe it’s time you pick fights with someone your own size.” Nines said. “Go on.” He stepped back. “Try it.”

“Okay—alright.” Sally lifted his hands in the air and held Jack’s shoulder. “Let’s not make this ugly, it’s already fucking stupid.”

“No—no, you know what? He’s right.” Jack took off his jacket and Sally sighed, shaking his head. “Someone my own size, right?”

“Go ahead.” Nines smiled phonily. “I’m right here.”

“Jack.”

“Go on.”

Jack attempted to punch Nines in the face but Nines gripped his fist and twisted his arm, forcing Jack on his knees and pressing his arm into his back. Nines rolled his eyes and looked back at Sally, raising his brows in expectation to see if he was going to do something, but Sally just raised his hands in the air and shook his head slowly.

“Someone your own size.” Nines said. “You need another brainless idiot to fight, why did you think you could beat me?” He laughed sarcastically, letting him go. “You’re lucky you have cases in your hands, because if you didn’t, I would report you immediately and get you fired.” He stepped back. “And—just a little advice, don’t try to mess with Gavin again, alright?”

Sally stepped back as Jack stood up, rubbing his aching arm.

“You’re not at his level.” Nines said. “You wish you could do everything he does.”

“Jesus—Christ, fucking piece of wires.” Jack hissed and cracked his fingers, feeling his arm numbing. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Gavin asked, walking downstairs into the evidence room. “Did you for real try to fight my tin can?” He frowned sarcastically. “Bitch, please, are you stupid?”

“Shut the fuck up.”

“He is.” Nines responded and Gavin sighed thinly. “I just told him to stop messing with you, and…look at him!” He laughed quietly and Gavin chuckled. “He might be stupid.”

“Don’t worry sweetheart, there’s still chance you’ll recover.” Gavin pouted and Nines giggled with a grin, walking away from the evidence room. “See ya.”

Gavin followed Nines with little skips to their desk, with a wide bright smirk on his lips. Nines couldn’t help but chuckle at his expression, and they sat down together at their desk.

“Honestly—you’re in full-on terminator mode.” Gavin snarked, tsking with his tongue proudly. “You go, Tinker Bell, they’ll hate you as much as they hate me one day.”

“That’s the plan, sweetheart.” Nines whispered sarcastically and Gavin raised his brows weakly, smirking within scoffs. “Anyway—he pissed me off. People like him make me sick.”

“Oh, really?”

Gavin was only joking.

“I thought you just didn’t like it when someone talked shit about me.”

Half-joking.

“Maybe.”

Nines was only doing the right thing.

“I just know you don’t deserve it, and if he wasn’t going to listen to you, then I had to make sure he’ll listen to me.”

The fact that Gavin was involved was unrelated.

“Right.” Gavin looked away and blushed in embarrassment. “Shut up.”

“What?” Nines grinned, spotting Gavin’s red cheeks covered with blush. “Why does that make you smile?”

“Oh—I don’t know, you tell me.” Gavin rolled his eyes and Nines chuckled under his breath. “Let’s keep working before I—before we start fighting with someone again.”

“You didn’t seem to care.” Nines sang out.

“That was until I realize you would go to war for me.” Gavin sighed sarcastically and placed his hand on his chest. “I can’t just have a terminator fighting people for me, that’s irresponsible.”

“Really?” Nines crinkled his eyes. “I thought you liked it.”

“Maybe.” Gavin shrugged. “But—still, irresponsible. When have you seen an irresponsible detective?”

“Right in front of me.” Nines pointed at him with his hands and Gavin huffed a giggle. “Just saying.”

“Shut up.”

That night…they thought…the shift ended so fast, and their time together flew. When they were walking out of the precinct, Nines was following him unconsciously and Gavin noticed it, looking at him from over his shoulder and giggling.

“I told you to not follow me home anymore.” Gavin said and Nines blinked. “What are you doing?”

“Oh.” Nines mumbled. “I…don’t know.”

“Pff.” Gavin covered his mouth with his hand. “Are you lost Astro boy? You miss your home?”

“What an idiot.” Nines rolled his eyes and Gavin smiled, locking eyes with him. “I don’t know…I was thinking that today was…so fast, I didn’t feel like we worked for too long.”

“Right?” Gavin chuckled. “Yeah, same. Time went so fast today…it’s weird.”

“Super weird.”

“Yeah.”

“Right.”

“So…”

“Do you wanna go somewhere else?” Nines asked and Gavin raised his brows slowly. “Maybe…have some drinks? Dinner?”

“Tonight?” Gavin asked and Nines nodded, hiding his hands in his coat’s pocket. “I mean…it’s been a while since I got wasted.”

“Same.” Nines said. “I’ve never been wasted before.”

“Oh my god, are you serious?” Gavin dropped his jaw and Nines chuckled. “Let’s go, we gotta get you wasted.”

“Alright.”

Nines got into his car and Gavin giggled maliciously to himself, imagining all the funny things he was going to make Nines do while he was drunk. Maybe take some interesting pictures at the bar, or ask him to talk shit about Connor. That would be memorable.

Gavin drove them to a friendly-android bar and was surprised to see how…futuristic it looked. Lasers of every color flashed in the bar, and the dance floor was crowded this early. Gavin whistled and grabbed Nines’ arm, walking him to the bar and sitting on some stools.

“Alright—listen, the trick is drinking as fast as you can.” Gavin said over the loud sound of music.

“I’m pretty sure it isn’t.” Nines chuckled and Gavin booed him. “Dumbass.”

“Worth a shot.”

It was the first time Nines had invited someone to go out and have a good time. Social events weren’t exactly his forte, but with Gavin it felt natural. It felt…nice. In the beginning he almost hissed at the taste of alcohol, that for androids had a very particular taste to make effect on them. Gavin was having the time of his life taking tequila shots and chatting with Nines. He didn’t notice he was touching him a lot tonight. Elbowing him, pushing his shoulder, leaning his head on his arm.

Gavin wondered if this is how it felt having your soulmate as a friend.

“Hey…” Gavin heard a woman sitting by his side, glancing over to see her. “Do you wanna dance? I lost a bet.”

“What?” Gavin frowned and chuckled, out of intoxication more than anything else.

“I lost a bet…and I had to take you with me…to dance…” She sang out, elbowing him feebly. “Just one song? Can you?”

“He’s with me.” Nines tilted his head to see her and Gavin felt all the hair on his body rising, warmth spreading in his chest. “Sorry sweetheart, maybe next time.”

“Damn—aight.” She chuckled and stood up. “He’s taken! Someone else!”

“Damn, alright.” Gavin let out without thinking and Nines grinned, wiping away the alcohol from his mouth. “I’m with you? The fuck—she was cute.”

“Oh?” Nines raised a brow at him. “Well—I don’t know, I thought you wanted to dance with me.”

“The fuck are you talking about?” Gavin giggled nervously and Nines let his glass down on the bar.

“I don’t want to see my soulmate dancing with someone else in front of me.” Nines said. “If you’re going to dance with someone, it’s going to be me.”

This might be a joke, an illusion, drunk words that were coming out of an intoxicated Nines. Surely they didn’t mean anything – it was pointless to feel this burning fever under his skin, but Gavin couldn’t help it. He locked eyes with him and Nines slid off the stool, grabbing his hand and pulling him closer to him.

“Can I?” Nines asked. “Don’t you want to dance with me?”

“You’re a fucking idiot.” Gavin mumbled and Nines nodded, walking him backwards to the dancefloor.

Nines held onto his waist and pulled his body closer to his, keeping him steady in his arms while they mixed with the crowd. The smell of nicotine and alcohol filled their nostrils, Gavin was dizzy – lightheaded, but he didn’t know if that was the reason. Nines kept him so close like this, swaying him around in his arms only to caress his lower back and slide his hands under his jacket. Gavin parted his lips and looked down, trying to come back from his high.

“What are you doing?” Gavin whispered and Nines leaned down, putting his ear closer to his lips. “What are you doing?” Gavin asked again, and Nines buried his face in his shoulder.

“I have no idea.” Nines confessed and Gavin pressed his lips tightly together, pressing his face closer to him, inhaling deeply his cologne. “But I feel like—you’re always so far away and it’s pissing me off.”

“What do you mean?” Gavin shook his head as Nines tightened the embrace around his waist. “What?”

“You’re always—everywhere.” Nines said, leaning back from his shoulder. “I see you everywhere—and—it’s like you’re always there and I can’t stop—just looking at you.” He pressed his forehead against his. “You’re stalking me now.”

“What the fuck.” Gavin whispered, scoffing softly. “You’re drunk as fuck.”

“Maybe I needed it.” Nines opened his eyes to meet his gaze. “Or maybe not—but can you blame me?”

Gavin felt this breath hitting his lips.

“You made me like this.”

“Bullshit.”

“Now deal with it.”

Nines pulled him to his lips and Gavin gasped in, clinging onto his neck to deepen the kiss. Gavin swiped his tongue inside and Nines closed his eyes, submerging in Gavin’s taste – inhaling Gavin’s aroma. Gavin couldn’t think – he didn’t want to think. He was going to regret this tomorrow, he was going to cry again for this man, but maybe tonight he could believe Nines wanted him as much as he always did.

Maybe tonight he could have a taste of what it was having an actual soulmate.

Gavin leaned back and broke the kiss, catching his breath and hearing his heart hammering in his ears. Nines’ LED spun to red and when they locked eyes again, Nines dove into his lips one more time and Gavin gripped his shirt tightly. Nines kissed him euphorically, like he needed to keep him close before Gavin went away again. Gavin felt his legs failing him, his body rubbing close to Nines’ until he felt his own dick hitting against his pants, and Nines’ against him.

It felt like an electric shock travelling across his spine. Gavin panted and Nines broke the kiss to try and understand what was this. This burning fever – desire tasting on his lips, melting his brain, Nines couldn’t control this. Gavin looked at him in the eyes and this time he closed the distance between them, biting down on Nines’ tongue. Nines huffed thinly and squeezed his ass tightly in his hands.

“Come here.” Gavin breathed out against his lips and Nines followed him hurriedly.

Gavin’s car was nearby – and thank God it was. Gavin opened the back seat and Nines basically pushed him inside. Gavin spread his legs open and Nines placed himself in-between them, kissing Gavin desperately – needing to hear him more. Gavin’s moans were gorgeous; Nines couldn’t hear himself. He pulled Gavin’s hair and tilted his head weakly, biting down on his neck, kissing his skin slowly as Gavin unzipped his pants.

This impatience was killing them. Nines didn’t want to wait – Gavin was tired of waiting. He just wanted a taste, Nines needed to have him. This distance drove him insane, Gavin was perfect for him. Nines ripped his pants off and Gavin moaned softly, groaning under his breath at Nines’ rough treatment. The way he lifted his hips, the strength his hands had…God, it was suffocating.

“You’re gorgeous.” Nines breathed out against his stomach, going down to his dick. “Seriously—look at you.”

“Shut up—dammit.” Gavin covered his face with his hands and Nines tongued his tip, making Gavin flinch and tense his legs tightly. “Ah—fuck—”

“Look at me.” Nines pleaded and Gavin managed to glance down, with flush high on his face. “Don’t look away.”

“This is embarrassing—”

“Gavin, I’m obsessed.” Nines sucked on his shaft and Gavin struggled to keep his legs open. “You made me like this.”

“Stop—saying that.” Gavin cried softly and Nines grinned, lifting Gavin’s hips and looking at his ass tightening at the pleasure. “Stop—just—Nines, just—”

“What?” Nines whispered, leaning closer to his face. “What do you want me to do?”

“Why did you kiss me, huh?” Gavin raised his brows, trying to stop panting. “Don’t tell me it’s me who—want this.”

“You don’t want me?” Nines leaned down, closer to his ear. “Don’t say that.” He whispered, biting down on Gavin’s ear feebly. “Don’t tell me that.”

“I—I—you—” Gavin rolled his eyes back, feeling Nines’ tongue brushing down his neck, and his hand stroking his dick at a slow pace. “Fuck—Nines.”

“I want you.” Nines said, pressing his forehead against his. “Please, let me have you.” He begged, lifting Gavin’s hips slowly. “Please, I want you.”

Tonight every word sounded far too sweet.

“Just do it—dammit.”

Maybe tomorrow Gavin would feel they were bittersweet. But not now.

Nines lifted him up sharply, toying him around until Gavin’s hips were lifted higher, with his ass close to Nines’ lips. Gavin moaned shakily, feeling Nines’ tongue thrusting inside his ass and covering it with spit. This wet sensation was new for Gavin – he couldn’t keep his mouth shut. He stuttered moans and pleas shakily, trying not to break eye contact and admire the way Nines was looking at him.

Blue gems keenly watching every one of his reactions.

Nines was getting impatient, the more Gavin showed him, the more he wanted to provoke. He lifted Gavin up and sat down, placing Gavin on his lap. Nines took off his own shirt, hearing the buttons popping at the rough pull. Gavin bit down on his lips as he clung onto Nines’ shoulders, burying his face in his neck and feeling his fingers rubbed around his wet ass. His hard dick pressed against Nines’ bare abdomen, and it didn’t take long before Nines undressed him as well.

Gavin was sweating – the temperature inside the car was so high he couldn’t breathe. He was suffocating himself with his heavy panting, his gasps for air every time Nines bit on his shoulders and neck. Nines stretched him slowly, he wanted to feel him inside. He wanted to lost his mind, show Gavin how he made him feel. Gavin was too lost in it – rocking his hips back to drag his fingers deeper into his hole.

“I’m—gonna come, please.” Gavin managed and Nines huffed, unzipping his pants quickly and pulling out his dick.

Gavin groaned and bit down on his lips, looking down to Nines’ dick lining with him. Nines looked down, pressed his forehead against Gavin’s chest. Gavin closed his eyes and his hips shuddered, feeling his tip slowly stretching him inside.

“Holy fuck—” Gavin let out breathlessly, noticing Nines’ LED flickering rapidly, reflecting in the window.

Nines wanted to be careful – deep down he wanted to treat Gavin so well, but fuck. His insides felt so warm – so tight. Gavin was delicious, Nines wanted a bite. He buried his dick slowly, letting Gavin’s inner walls envelop him until Gavin could take all of him.

“God—damn.” Nines moaned brokenly, his voice barely recognizable. “Are you serious—holy fuck.”

“Don’t…move.” Gavin whimpered and Nines nodded, kissing his cheek clumsily, too lost in the pleasure burning his senses and collapsing his system – trying to keep his posture. “Don’t—move yet.”

“I’m…I won’t.” Nines managed, kissing Gavin’s neck and sucking on his skin until it tinted in red. “Gavin—please.”

“It’s your time to wait.” Gavin gripped Nines’ hair and leaned back, forcing him to face him. “Want me and wait.” He muttered against his lips, and Nines nodded, his LED spun to red. “You’re a nightmare, honestly.”

“I know.” Nines pulled him to his lips and Gavin bit down on them, harsh enough it made Nines raise his brows slightly. “I know—I know.”

“You’re a fucking nightmare—Nines.” Gavin buried his face in his shoulder and Nines kissed his neck, inhaling his scent deeply – embracing him with his arms and feeling Gavin tightening around his hard dick. “I want to punch you.”

“No, you don’t.” Nines whispered, thrusting up gently into him. Gavin dropped his jaw and his legs twitched closed, moaning shakily against Nines’ shoulder. “You don’t—Gavin, you want me too.” He started to thrust into him, his dick pulling in and out covered with slick. Gavin’s dick dripped cum down his shaft, and his soft insides wrapped around Nines so deliciously he didn’t think he was going to last long.

“Holy fuck—” Gavin clung onto the back of the seat and Nines slid down on it, holding Gavin’s ass and spreading it open to thrust up into him perfectly. Stuffing him with his dick, hitting his prostate and focusing on Gavin’s expression. His eyes rolled back in pleasure, his lips barely parted twitched and bit back soft moans. “Nines.”

“I know, I know.” Nines caressed him softly and Gavin cried out, tightening inside and feeling Nines’ dick dragging against his inner walls perfectly. “You feel so good—does it feel good?”

“Yes—”

“Do you want me too?”

“You know—I do, dammit.” Gavin closed his eyes tightly and Nines held his chin, wanting to lock eyes with him. “No—don’t—”

“I’m obsessed with you.” Nines confessed and Gavin’s legs tensed tightly, coming all over Nines’ torso. “And you’re obsessed with me, aren’t you?”

“Stop—”

“I can’t.” Nines rubbed his face against his chest, thrusting rougher inside, hearing Gavin’s ass slapping against his pelvis and wetting Nines’ legs. “You feel incredible.”

“Nines.” Gavin breathed out as Nines locked his waist with his arms, picking up a faster pace. “Yeah—so good—there—”

Nines was addicted once he had a taste. Gavin’s hole was dripping wet and let him slide his cock inside so easily – it was hypnotic. The sound of their flesh hitting together, the feel of Gavin’s ass sucking him inside. How good Nines could fill him up, stuff him like a toy but treat him so – so good. Gavin felt monopolized, every inch of his body fell at Nines’ mercy.

Nines – on the other hand, thought Gavin was in total control.

“I can’t.” Nines managed and Gavin sighed thinly, his hips sore after riding Nines for so long – his ass puffy and red at his rough and desperate pace. “Gavin—” His voice drowned out and he spilled inside, feeling his body shuddering as he filled Gavin up.

Gavin couldn’t breathe, he felt like Nines had been choking him this entire time. He let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding and fell on Nines’ shoulders, completely exhausted. Nines closed his eyes and kissed his cheek softly, looking at their reflection in the window and eyeing his mark with Gavin’s name on it.

When Gavin leaned back, Nines looked down to his mark and caressed it softly, looking up to meet Gavin’s gaze. He lifted his chin delicately and pulled him to his lips, hearing Gavin sigh thinly against the kiss.

That night, they decided to spend it on the hotel nearby. This euphoria – desire was something else. It was intense, overwhelming. It was something Gavin never thought he would feel and something Nines didn’t think he wanted.

Fate was – maybe, just an excuse to offer cards and possibilities.

 

Gavin woke up with a hangover and his phone brightly declaring it was Saturday. He sighed and buried his face in the white sheets, slowly realizing he wasn’t home. He sat up on the bed, his clothes spread on the entrance along with Nines’. He didn’t remember much about last night, but he knew Nines didn’t stop until late in the early morning. His body was covered with bites – hickeys, and…deep down, regret was pilling in his chest and making his heart ache.

He stood up silently and picked up his clothes, hurrying to get dressed. He didn’t want to be there when Nines woke up from stasis. He didn’t want to see his face and have a conversation about what the fuck that was. Gavin was fine with whatever they had, he knew what Nines wanted – so why did he give in into this? He knew it was a mistake – and he still did it anyway.

“Gavin?”

Fuck.

“Where are you going? We have until midday to leave.” Nines said, sitting up on the bed and looking at Gavin turning his back on him. “Actually…we should take a shower, I’m… gross.”

“Listen.” Gavin turned around and Nines blinked. “I don’t want to ask what the hell we just did, and I know this didn’t mean anything, so you don’t need to pretend you’re totally cool with this. Look. I’m just gonna leave and let’s call it a really, really good dream.”

“What?” Nines frowned and stood up, covering his naked body with the sheets.

“I don’t need an explanation, or a conversation to clear things up, I’m good.” Gavin looked down and fixed his shirt. “I’m good—just don’t bring it up again—and don’t joke about it—don’t say anything, and we’re good.”

“What?” Nines blinked and Gavin grabbed his jacket and draped it on his shoulder. “Wait—what?”

“Don’t fucking play dumb, dammit. You said it.” Gavin let out, and Nines just stared at him with wide eyes, completely lost. “You don’t want the fucking—soulmate thing, and I said I didn’t want—someone who didn’t want me—”

“Hold on.”

“No—you said it! So don’t try to mess with me, I know this didn’t mean anything.”

“Gavin.” Nines said firmly, sighing and rubbing his face with his hands. “Okay…listen.” He mumbled. “You’re right—I said I didn’t want to be forced to love someone I didn’t want to love.”

“I know, dammit—”

“Gavin, let me talk.” Nines interrupted. “Please, let me talk.” He whispered, regulating his voice to be a soft spoken as possible. “I know what I said—I know what I told you, being someone’s soulmate feels like a lot of responsibility, it felt like something I didn’t ask for—because I didn’t! But…” He looked up to the ceiling. “I didn’t want to fall in love with you.”

“I know.”

“But I did anyway.” Nines responded and Gavin blinked. “I thought I could try and meet other people—try and…know more people and experience love at my own terms but…” He shook his head. “You know, once I wasn’t so blind and stupid and I actually gave myself a chance to get to know you…I realized you and I…you…really, you made everything so much better.”

“This isn’t funny.”

“I’m not trying to be funny.” Nines said and Gavin stepped back. “Gavin, I’m serious.”

“Stop—that, you’re not fucking funny.”

“Gavin.” Nines let go of the sheets and rushed to hold Gavin’s wrists. “I’m serious.” He said. “You’re special, and it has nothing to do with you being my soulmate—I just prefer you over everyone else.” He said. “I don’t know...if this was destined to be but I did everything to prevent it—and you know what, maybe fate is just an excuse and it’s stupid—but I prefer you anyway.”

Gavin parted his lips and tried to say something, but all he felt were tears blurring his vision.

“I know I tried to not fall in love with you.” Nines said. “I didn’t want to prove the mark right, I seriously tried not to.” He admitted. “But…it didn’t work, even when I didn’t want it—it just happened. You are you, and I prefer you.” He said. “I prefer you…out of everyone, I think you’re special, and I want you because of that.”

“Shut up.”

“I’m serious.”

“No.” Gavin teared up. “Are you kidding me?”

“I’m not.” Nines whispered, hugging him tightly in his arms. “I’m not—I promise I’m not.”

“But you were—going out with people, I was—I was trying to go out with people too and—”

“Yes, I hated that.” Nines said and Gavin rubbed his face against his shoulders. “Everyone felt so stupid—I don’t know.”

“What?” Gavin chuckled and leaned back, meeting his gaze. “Excuse me?”

“I don’t know! I didn’t feel like anyone understood anything I said—or wanted to understand anything I said.” Nines said. “I didn’t think they were interesting—or strong—or reckless—or incredible, or—”

“Okay—I get it.”

“I’m serious—”

“Okay, but you’re being too much right now.” Gavin managed, hiding his blushing face against his shoulder. “Fuck—are you serious—”

“I just said—”

“I’m not talking to you!” Gavin cried and Nines pouted, hugging him tighter. “Holy fuck, I think I’m gonna pass out.”

“No—no.” Nines said and Gavin chuckled within sobs, wiping away his tears. “I’m sorry…”

“You know what…” Gavin mumbled, looking up to meet his gaze. “I don’t even know what a soulmate is or what fate is—but I fucking hated your guts in the beginning. How is that being perfect for each other? What the fuck is a soulmate honestly?”

“I have no idea.” Nines admitted and Gavin wheezed. “I don’t know though—this doesn’t sound like a match made by the universe, I hated you too—like—what part of that is good match?”

“I don’t know either.” Gavin sighed thinly. “I hated you— sometimes I still fucking do, you insufferable nerd. You think you know better than everyone else.”

“What.”

“But you’re so funny and so sweet, and so gentle with me.” Gavin said. “So I don’t know if that’s what a soulmate is…and I don’t know if fate is as great as everyone says it is, so... fuck that. Fuck fate. Fate can go jump off a cliff.” He scoffed, wiping away his tears. “I choose you, you choose me.”

“I definitely did.” Nines smiled shyly and Gavin locked eyes with him. “You…look kinda cute when you cry.”

“Nines! What the hell.”

“I don’t know, I’m sorry.” Nines giggled, embracing him softly. “Are you still going to leave?” He whispered shyly, his sad puppy eyes made Gavin blush and sigh.

“Come on.” Gavin buried his face in his shoulder. “Would I, really?”

“No, please.”

“Jesus.” Gavin chuckled. “Fine.”

“Thank you.”

Maybe soulmates wasn’t what Gavin was promised when he was a kid. Maybe fate wasn’t as all-knowing and correct as everyone said it was. This wasn’t a perfect match; it was a match of perfect misfits. Nines wasn’t going to fall in love with someone because anyone else said so, but without him knowing, Gavin became that someone he wanted around all the time. Gavin had already given up on his happy ever after, and maybe…he did. Maybe he didn’t want it anymore.

A day at a time. A month at a time. If they were meant to be together for the rest of his life, he was going to work for it, not wait until it happened.

Maybe that was what fate was all about. A table with cards and opportunities. Or maybe there was no fate at all, and the marks on their chest were nothing but a nudge in one direction. Love didn’t bloom from letters; it took dedication, patience and time. Happy ever afters didn’t exist, and perfect matches were only real in books for kids.

Gavin and Nines were fine with living reality instead of a dream, if that meant they could have a chance to make life feel like this. A sweet – or bittersweet dream.

 

Notes:

Thank you for reading!