Chapter Text
Gavin never gave it much thought on how often he stayed past his working hours to repair damaged Androids. He didn’t have a social life to begin with, so working was a sort of relief from having to go out and interact with others. He had friends, he texted them here and there but never had the opportunity to go out and meet them. Or more like he declined any invitation, he knew Tina would one day force him out. He was not looking forward to that.
Working underneath the Cyberlife tower was great, he didn’t have to deal with anyone besides his clients. In the beginning he was against it but his oh so worried brother convinced him to take his pick of a room inside the tower. The room turned out to be a whole floor to himself. The trek to his workshop and floor were but an elevator away.
Owning a share of Cyberlife came with perks, perks he never had the need to use unless it had to do with his two feline friends he found a week ago rummaging through Cyberlife’s garbage. And some investments he did on the side.
As the elevator gave a soft ding, Gavin stepped through and shook the bag of goodies into the quiet room. He didn’t expect the cats to come right out but to his utter surprise one of them did with the second trailing behind a moment later. Gavin let out a small smile as he took his shoes off and made his way to the kitchen.
“I don’t do this much but for you two, I got the best cat food out there.” After placing down the bowls of food Gavin moved away so the cats could feel comfortable enough to eat.
He took that time to fish out his scanner, the same type the detective androids used, but of course his was way better. The scans told him what he already knew, they were malnourished and needed love, the last part was more of his own deduction.
Leaving the cats to their own, Gavin heated up the leftover pizza and made himself comfortable in front of the tv. He clicked through several channels before he settled on a classic horror movie from the 90’s. Thirty minutes into the movie Gavin was sound asleep.
What felt like minutes instead of hours, Gavin grumbled awake as his phone alarm told him it was already six in the morning. Finding out he had slept on the sofa instead of his bed, it was a bad way to start the day. What placed him in an even worse mood was the fact he didn’t shower beforehand. His sofa now sported grease stains, luckily it was dark in color. He would deal with it after his shift was over. He fed the cats and turned on the coffee maker as he made his way to the shower. The cold water did little to wake him up so he hoped the coffee would give him a boost.
Making sure everything was locked up he headed to the elevator and instead of pressing his floor number he got down the nearest public floor and took the stairs. Seventeen flights of stairs later, Gavin found himself in the familiar smell of the repair shop , everything just as how he left it except for two additions.
Elijah walked around the place, his fingers lifting papers and mechanical pieces and inspecting them only
to carelessly drop them. “You just damaged a fifty thousand dollar item that your little friend here could need in the future.” Gavin spared the RK unit a glance before moving about the room.
“Luckily that amount is nothing to either of us.”
“What do you want? I don’t need anymore of your ridiculous modification ideas you might have inside that brain of yours.”
“Gavin! That just hurts.” Elijah clutched his chest, a smile playing on his lips.“ Fortunately for you I have no need to vent my ideas to you.” Elijah placed his hands on the Androids shoulders. “ Here I have Nines, the top of-”
“The RK unit that joined the police ranks and surpassed even Connor himself. I’m aware.” Gavin eyed the tall Android, “There can’t already be something wrong with him.” Gavin took a swing of his coffee before putting on his glasses and inspecting the Android before him. He paid no mind to whatever nonsense his brother was spewing; he let his glasses do the scanning.
The glasses he wore were of his own creation. Similar to his scanner he used on the cats , the glasses were more aimed at androids than humans or animals. They came in handy when he was working.
“Looks like a wiring problem. I’m going to try two things. If the first one doesn’t work then I’ll have to open you up, with your consent of course.” Not once did Gavin look up to see the RK900’s reactions nor did he care. He was in work mode.
“I consent.” With the verbal response, Gavin got to work and went to the large refrigerator where he kept thirium and other fluids that an Android might need. He mixed several liquids until he got what he wanted and handed it to the Android.
“Drink this, your temperature will rise which is normal. Any other feelings besides that you tell me.” The RK900 nodded and thrust the fluid back, Elijah took the cup and set it on the nearest table.
Gavin watched the fluid run through his system, carefully watching the fluid coat the connection and wiring. “ You’re lucky it worked. You’ll need to sit on this stool for five minutes before you’re free to go.” Ending the conversation. Gavin took off his glasses and went behind his desk and typed away at his computer. Elijah talked to the Android for a few minutes and then sent him away, before walking up to Gavin.
“What did your glasses really see?” Elijah took the seat across Gavin. “It’s more than a wiring problem.”
“No shit. Several of the new components are corroded. Is it only him or is it Connor and Markus as well?”
“Why do you think Connor hasn’t been on duty for the past two weeks? And Markus hasn't shown himself?”
A headache had made its presence known. Grunting, Gavin clicked on his keyboard, and with one more click the room was blanketed in darkness except for the blue glow in the center of the room. Motioning for Elijah to follow him, Gavin expanded the blue light and at its center stood the diagram of the inside of the RK models.
“What my scans tell me, it’s not the components themselves going bad. But the thirium itself.”
“How so.”
“Couldn’t tell you. I’ll have to compare all three RK’s to be able to tell.”
“Then it’s settled. You’ll be in charge of them.” With a wave of his hand, the lights returned. “Isn't it great being the creator.” Elijah chuckled as he headed out of the room and with another wave the room went dark.
Gavin studied the image. Knowing he needed more samples he would just have to wait for Connor, Markus or even Nines to come by. And he knew it would be soon, he could already visualize Elijah setting up appointments for them.
Although. He knew everything about thirium he would have to contact Tina in case there was something amiss with it. Nowadays one could modify it. Who knew if the RK models came into contact with any of that. He wouldn’t put it past it. The RK models were far superior, anyone would want to put a shop to them. Unfortunately it had to be three of the most influential.
Knowing the amount of work he was going to have with them, Gavin began working. His day consisted of fourteen different repairs in several androids. In between he went to his floor to feed the cats and take a lunch break for himself. He would have finished sooner but working with another pair of hands would only irritate him. He’d already fired more than a dozen helpers. He could handle it on his own.
His last client was one he was familiar with, and wished it wasn’t so. Not that he hated them, they just didn’t know how to take care of themselves.
“Now, Alice, you need to be more careful. You may be an Android but everything about you just like a human needs to be taken care of.”
“It was just my finger that broke. Easily repairable.”
“It could have been worse, Alice.” Kara was not pleased with Alice's reply. Gavin may not be a father, but he understood in some sense what Kara was feeling.
“She’s right. What if it's something worse, and I might not be able to fix it?”
“But you fix everything!” Alice's bright smile was so infectious that Gavin couldn’t help but return it. She was a good kid, just needed to realize her body could not withstand everything.
“Not everything,” he handed Alice a thirium based lollipop that would help with the wiring in the finger and turned to Kara. Her usual short hair was longer than the last time he saw her. They spoke about each other's lives, he was impressed that Kara was still working under Markus since taking care of Alice was a full time gig. Of course, with Luther's help, no wonder she could do both.
With a huff Gavin waved them goodbye after Alice decided to give him one of her crushing hugs. That girl needed to control her strength or else he would be left incapacitated. What would he do with his life if that happened? He didn’t go beyond that thought.
Cleaning to the sound of his favorite band, Gavin finished at exactly ten. He took the stairs but halfway he gave up and took the elevator. After feeding the cats and confirming their appointments he headed to take a quick shower and wind down. His dinner consisted of french toast and tea. Gavin glared at the greased stained sofa from the small island, contemplating if he had the energy to clean it. No use in putting off, Gavin gathered his cleaning supplies and did his best in removing the stains.
For the most part Gavin was content with his life. Yeah, he got the occasional hard headed Android but nothing he couldn’t handle. So he never gave it much thought to his life, or lack thereof. Unbeknownst to him, Nines would make him question if there was more out there than his workshop.