Chapter Text
Nines woke to the feeling of something pressing onto his chest, his body filled with panic and he snapped his eyes open to find himself staring at a small, white Persian with folded ears. He was safe. The panic ebbed away and he lifted a hand to pet the cat standing on him, his fingers digging into the soft fur. The fluffy cat purred in appreciation. Nines pet down the side of the cats face and noticed a collar and tag in all the fur, he huffed out at quiet laugh when he read the tag. “Good morning, Lunchbox.”
The cat out a soft meep as Nines sat up and looked around the room, he still wasn't sure why this human was so kind to him, he felt as if he didn't deserve it. He wanted to do something to show his gratefulness, something that made him feel like he earned the kindness given to him. Nines could tell that Gavin was still asleep as he got up and padded out to the kitchen. Breakfast was important to humans and it was a simple way to start paying the detective back. The android began gathering the food items he needed out of the fridge and set about making Gavin a non complex meal of turkey bacon, eggs, and toast. It didn't take long before the smell of food cooking lured the sleepy human from his room, flopping himself down on a stool at the kitchen island.
“Mornin' Nines, sleep good?” Gavin yawned and pillowed his head in his arms. “You don't gotta cook for me by the way, you're a guest not a maid.”
“Good morning, Gavin. I slept well…” Nines turned to look at the detective and smiled at the man dozing off at the counter. “I know I do not have to cook for you, but I would like to show my gratitude for you letting me stay here.”
“If you're sure…” Gavin mumbled into his arm as he turned his head to look at the android, he really was pretty, grey-blue eyes all sparkly in the morning light. ‘Fuck it's too early for gay thoughts.’ Gavin pushed his face into his arms and tried to focus on something else, luckily for him, claws started tapping from his room to his apartment door followed by a loud yapping. Gavin slipped off the chair and walked to the door. “I'll be right back, Pea needs to go out.”
Nines hummed at Gavin as he left the apartment, turning to put on a pot of coffee, the man looked like he needed it. As he went about the kitchen, an alert popped up in his HUD alerting him that Markus wanted to connect and talk, he allowed the call to go through.
Markus (7:23 am) Hello RK900, how are you?
RK900 (7:24 am) I am well. I have been offered a place to stay temporarily with one Detective Gavin Reed. He assisted me after I was assaulted by an anti-android group.
Markus (7:24 am) Are you alright? I can come get you and you can stay with us at Jericho if it's safer, I'm glad this detective helped you but I'm worried about you RK900.
RK900 (7:26 am) I thank you for your concern Markus but I feel perfectly safe here with this human and you know as well as I do that Jericho was not one hundred percent safe for me either. Gavin was kind enough to call his brother late at night just to come fix my audio processor that got damaged.
Markus (7:27 am) Well if you're sure this is what you want to do then I'll support you RK900, but if anything happens I want you to contact me immediately.
RK900 (7:28 am) Yes mother . I must get back to cooking before I burn the detective’s food. And before you ask Markus, I chose to cook for him. Have a good day and tell Simon I said hello.
Nines ended the call and took the bacon out of the pan before cracking two eggs into it. Nines liked Markus but he didn't like the babying the older android did, just because they were from the same line of android didn't make Nines a hopeless child that needed another android to care for him 24/7, he could take care of himself. The door clicked open and Gavin stumbled in after the small dog that was yapping wildly at Nines’ presence, like she forgot he was there.
“Down Cujo, don't kill him, he makes me food.” Gavin laughed as he walked into the room, slipping pass Nines to grab the pot of coffee that finished brewing, his hand rested on Nines’ hip as he squeezed by in the small kitchen. Nines flushed a peacock blue and felt his thirium pump quicken. Gavin didn't seem to notice what he was doing as he poured his coffee, his thumb idly rubbing up and down over Nines hipbone. “So, I was thinking that after I eat, we can get ourselves together and go shopping. Pick you up some clothes for yourself. That sound okay?”
“Hhhuu…” Nines could barely focus on what Gavin was saying, his hand on him felt so nice. rA9 did he want to feel more. Gavin tilted his head up to look at Nines.
“You okay there, big guy?”
“Ah. Uhm yes, I am perfectly fine, Gavin. Shopping sounds lovely.” Nines tried his best to smile at the human but his mouth fell a gap as the hand on his hip squeezed.
“Eggs are burning, Nines…” Gavin took the spatula from his hand and lifted the eggs over onto the plate. “You sure you're okay?”
“Oh gosh! I am sorry Gavin… I-I did not mean to!”
“It's okay, Nines. Food is food, I'll eat it burnt or no.” Gavin threw a couple slices of bread on the plate and took it around the counter to sit down, letting go of Nines in the process. The android sucked in a small stuttering breath. Why had the detective’s hand distracted him that much? Why did he feel something like regret when it left its spot on his side?
“After we get you clothes, we gotta stop at my coworker’s to give back his clothes and you can meet your twin.” Gavin muttered as he loaded his mouth full of food. The man apparently had no qualms about talking while eating.
“My twin?” Nines tilted his head and leaned against the counter. “There is no other RK900 model…”
“Big brother then. Connor.”
“Y-you know RK800…? You know the Deviant Hunter?” Nines’ eyes widened. He knew RK800 was a Deviant himself now but the way the untrusting androids at Jericho treated him for simply looking similar would have made his guts churn if he had them. “Why do I have to meet him, Gavin?”
“Well I mean you don't but I just thought maybe you'd like to? He's a nice dude, he did wreck my ass in a fight once, I completely deserved it though. I was a phckin’ asshole to him, that was kicking taught me a little humility. Hank laughed his ass off when he found out, didn't think anyone could knock me down a peg like that, thought I was too stubborn.” Gavin sighed, he looked happy talking about RK800 and Nines was finding himself liking it less and less but unsure of the reason why.
“If you think I should meet him then I will but please forgive me if I am wary of him.” Nines looked at the smile Gavin gave him and returned a polite one back.
He'd meet with RK800, for Gavin and only for Gavin.