Work Text:
Gavin pulls on a nicer looking shirt as he heads into the main section of his apartment. He messes with the coffee maker for a few moments and refills the bowls of kibble for his cats before taking up station on one of the counters. Pulling out his phone, he focuses on social media so he doesn’t notice Nines until they speak.
“Where are you going?” They ask, grabbing Gav’s attention. Only reason they questioned him is because of the change in shirts on top of the fact that it's one of his nicer shirts.
“Ah, Eli called,” he sighs, putting his phone away.
It’s clear to them that he’s nervous, most likely more than he’s letting on. “Are you actually going to see him?”
He rubs the back of his neck, “Yeah.”
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Nines questions softly while carefully taking one of Gavin’s hands.
“Nope.”
“Then why go?”
“He said it was important and that I should hear him out… so I’m hearing him out.”
They nod, gaze shifting to study their fidgeting, clasped hands. One white and pristine, the other fair and scarred. They lift their hands up and kiss one of his scarred knuckles. “It’s your decision but keep on your toes and if things go sideways, get out of there.”
Gavin sighs, nodding. He hasn’t even left the safety of his apartment yet and he’s already being drained of his energy. It’s been decades since he last saw his parents and brother, unless it counts seeing his brother’s face everywhere when the androids came about.
Nines studies him, LED spinning from yellow to red. They’re worried. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
“No, if I were smarter I would’ve told him to fuck off and never call me again. I don’t even know how he got my damn number!” His hand squeezes Nines’ as he takes a breath. “I haven’t seen him since I ran away, what the fuck does he want from me now?”
“You are smart, Gav, but you did tell me about how you wish you and your brother were closer," he replies. "Then he probably wants to reconnect, people like him never like loose ends.”
He groans, using his free hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. “I should probably get going. I told him I’d be there by eight.”
Nodding, they pull away and go to one of their cabinets to get down a travel mug for Gavin. They pour some coffee into it before mixing in some vanilla flavoring.
He takes it from them after pulling on his boots and jacket. Pressing a soft kiss to their lips as a goodbye, he grabs his keys and makes his way into the hall.
In his car, he takes a moment to just breathe and prepare himself. Once he’s as ready as one can be in this situation, he looks at the address scribbled on the back of his hand so he can type it into the GPS. He puts on music as a way to keep himself from breaking down into a panic attack on the drive there.
Kamski is waiting outside for him as it’s a bit after eight. This is unfortunate as it means he has no time to procrastinate getting out of his car and to the front door. He steps out of the car, slowly shutting the door behind him as he walks towards his brother.
“I’m glad you came, Gavin,” he says, smiling softly at him as he pushes open the door for the two of them.
“Why am I here, Eli?” He asks, avoiding making or keeping eye contact. He was upset to feel a spark of happiness at his brother referring to him by his chosen name.
He nods, not very surprised by this behavior. It’s been more than a while since the two have been in the same room together. “How have you been? Work treating you well? You look good, you've grown well.”
“Elijah.”
Sighing softly, he turns to face him. “Can’t I reconnect with my brother?”
Gavin scoffs. “I don’t like you, Eli.”
“And I want to change that.” He’s quiet for a moment before deciding what to do. “Let’s continue this conversation in my lounge.”
“In case you can’t tell, I don’t exactly want to be here.”
“Then why come in the first place?”
Another scoff but he begrudgingly follows after him.
Kamski takes a seat upon his couch and watches Gavin expectedly. When he doesn’t make any move towards the chair or even the couch, he sighs. “Take a seat, Gavin, please.”
He rolls his eyes but comes to rest in the chair across from the couch and on the other side of the lit fire pit.
“I know you don’t like me and I do truly want to change that.”
Gavin’s leg bounces as he sits leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees and eyes focused on the fire instead of his brother.
“Mom and dad were shitty.”
A scoff. “They were more than that.”
He nods, taking a moment to pick his words carefully. “I wanted to let you to know that I cut off contact with them once I was settled in college.”
This was enough for him to spare Kamski a glance. “You what? Why? They loved you.”
“They did, but they neglected you, Gavin, they filled your head with lies about yourself and then they didn’t accept you when you had the bravery to come out as trans. That’s not something I want in my life.”
It took him a long few moments to process all of that but once it all clicked into place, he looks up at him. “Then why just now contact me?”
“I’ve been keeping tabs on you for a bit and have been waiting for the right time to make contact.”
He nods, staring back into the fire. “I guess that makes sense, though it’s a bit creepy.”
“I didn’t do much, just checked in with your boss every so often. Heard you took on an android partner, RK900 I believe. How is he?”
Gavin chuckles, always enjoying the chance to talk about Nines. “They’re more than just a partner in work, but they’re well.”
Kamski smiles. “Are they why you’re so happy now.”
“They’re definitely part of it.”
“I’d love to meet them some day.”
“Maybe.”
“So, shall we be siblings once more?”
“We’ll see.”
“I’ll take it.” He’s smiling softly. “Perhaps we can meet every so often, form a bond and get to know the people we’ve grown into.”
He’s quiet for a moment before quietly admitting, “I’d like that.”
The two smile at each other.
Gavin looks down at his hands. “I should probably get back to Nines,” he states, standing up.
Kamski nods and gets up from the couch. “I’ll walk you out.”