Gavin eventually had to bring a chair into the room. He had no idea how much time has passed, every minute felt like an eternity. Connor once broke the silence by telling him he should go get dinner, but Gavin just told him to fuck off. Eventually, he felt a hand on his shoulder and jerked awake. He looked up to see Nines sitting up, looking at him softly.

"We're done, Detective."

Gavin looked at Connor expectantly, but he didn't look like he made a breakthrough. "I can't say I found something, but there were some... inconsistencies in your code. Some parts seemed to be missing, although it was difficult to determine what used to be there. Have you experienced memory loss or loss of functions?"

Nines tightened his grip on Gavin absent-mindedly. "Not as far as I'm aware. I've only noted... irrational actions." He looked down at Gavin and jerked his hand away from his shoulder, as if he only then remembered it was still there. His shoulder felt cold as the warmth left. "I suspect it could be a malfunction of software."

"We can't be certain. It's probably not just some common error, but it's not quite software instability common with deviancy either."

Gavin's heart dropped and so did his head, back on the cot. "Fucking hell... It was all goddamn useless anyway.."

"Think about it this way. We know there is something  so all might not be lost. We just need someone who can find out what it is." Connor said pragmatically and Gavin heard him get up from his chair.

Gavin laughed bitterly. "What a joke. Never expected to have you try and comfort me Tin can."

"Everything is possible when you don't purposefuly antagonise me, Detective." Gavin flipped him off and Connor hummed. "I suppose there is a limit to how much you can hold back your personality." He was at the door when he turned back. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to help you Nines."

"It's alright. I apppreciate the effort." responded Nines. Having the two of them in the room still felt odd. They had almost the same faces and voices, but Connor never looked at him as softly as Nines was even now. "Shall we get going Detective? You missed dinner, we might still be able to find someone in the cafeteria if we go now."

Gavin shook his head. "I'm just tired." He lay his head sideways and stared at Nines through his lashes. Nines stretched out his hand as if to pat his head, but retracted it before it made contact. 

He cleared his throat instead and got off the cot on the other side. "Then I suppose heading to our room is in order."

He thought he was tired enough to sleep through the night, but his subconscious had different ideas. His least favourite person came to visit him in his dreams again. First, haunting him with guilt, until it twisted into something dark and dangerous, chasing young Gavin through endless dark alleyways. There seemed to be no escaping and firm arms grasped him. He tried to fight and shake him off and could feel desperate tears rolling down his cheeks. Until he realized the voice calling his name was not his brother's.

He ceased fighting and opened his eyes. It felt like emerging from a deep sea. "Gavin?" Nines. That was Nines' voice and he just had a nightmare, again.

He tried to calm his breathing, but the hands gripping him were not helping. "Let go of me." He gritted through his teeth. The hands left him and he could feel air rushing into him, grounding him in reality more. He sat up and drew his knees together. He hated Nines saw him like that again. He hated anyone seeing him in such a vulnerable state.

"Does this happen often?" He jumped when Nines spoke again.

"No."

"This is the second time this week."

"Get off my dick." His voice lacked all energy. He was still focusing on his breathing. He jumped again when he felt a hand on his back. He grabbed it and glared at the android. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?" He mustered up a bit of anger this time.

"Physical contact usually has a calming effect on humans." His voice was mostly monotone and Gavin couldn't read his face due to the lack of light. All he could see, was the yellow LED circling on his temple.

"I'm not a fucking child to be comforted after a bad dream. I can deal. Fuck off." He seethed and shoved his hand away. For a split second, he could see a flash of red in the LED.

The android didn't let up. "Please, let me help you Detective."

Gavin grabbed his head. "Are you fucking dense? Leave me the fuck be!" There it was again. A flash of red. He let go of him and instead tried to wipe his tears with his progressively more shaky hands. "Just- just mind your own business. Go back to sleep or whatever."

Nines stayed quiet and after a moment, he felt the mattress bend next to him. Nines grabbed one of his hands. "I cannot just leave you be, knowing you're in distress. Gavin, look at me." He forced his head into Gavin's view. A part of his face was illuminated by the faint moonlight this way. "It's alright. There is no shame in depending on others." He placed his other hand on Gavin's shoulder and slowly caressed it.

"Fuck you." Gavin murmured and burrowed his head in his knees. He let it happen. It did actually help him calm down. He even remained that way longer than strictly necessary. He enjoyed the warmth provided by the hand tracing circles on his shoulder and then back. He also made sure to not move the hand Nines was still holding in his other hand. His heart race picked up slightly again.

"Is everything alright? You heart rate calmed down before, but now it sped up again." Nines sounded concerned.

No it wasn't alright. It wasn't real concern, because he wasn't deviant. "I should have asked Connor about that housewife program of yours. I am 100% sure you're lying to me about not having one."

Nines sighed and let go of him. "I see you have completely recovered."

He immediately missed the touch. He let out the air he was holding in a huff. "What did you expect from me dipshit?" His voice was laced with humour, lacking any sort of its usual vice.

Nines evaded the question. "Go back to sleep Detective." He retreated back onto his futon.

Gavin chuckled to himself and lay down. He still felt uncomfortable falling asleep already, so he just stared at Nines. His chest was rising and falling ever so slightly. What a lucky bastard to be able to fall asleep just like that. His LED was covered by hair and Gavin reached out to brush it away. The moment he touched his skin, Nines shifted and turned his face towards him. The blue light reflected softly off of the pillow on Nines' face. Gavin's eyes have now adjusted to the darkness and he could faintly distinguish his features.

His hand still lingered on the android's temple. He softly circled it as if in a daze and watched it circle round and round. Maybe he could just pretend he's already sleeping and this is just a dream. He gently dragged the tips of his fingers down to Nines' jaw. Nines's eyelashes fluttered and his face made a tiny motion towards Gavin's hand. He curled his fingers and caressed Nines' cheek with the back of his fingers. Yes. Definitely a dream. There's no way his skin is this soft in real life. He noticed the LED flickering between blue and yellow. The urge to kiss it hit him hard and scared him enough to pull his hand away completely. It's just a dream. Nothing more than a dream. That's what he kept telling himself until sleep took him yet again.

The next morning, he half-expected Nines to bring it up, but the android didn't mention it at all. He was acting as if nothing happened and Gavin wondered if it really was a dream. It soured his mood and he was very snarky with the android throughout the day. At first, the android mostly ignored his comments, which pissed Gavin off more. Nines finally snapped when they were carrying a door and Gavin mocked him for needing help despite being 'such an advanced model'.

Nines suddenly stopped, which caused Gavin to crash into the door they were carrying. Nines was frowning. Finally.  Gavin felt almost relieved for getting any reaction out of him. "Detective. I understand you're feeling frustrated. However, constantly degrading and provoking me isn't going to solve anything, nor is it going to make you feel better. If you feel there is a problem, you can talk to me and we'll solve it. Otherwise, you can keep your thoughts to yourself."

Gavin scoffed. "Did I hurt your feelings?" He asked mockingly to cover up the genuine question hiding beneath.

"I am simply of the opinion you would be more efficient if you weren't constantly occuppying your mind trying to think of a way to insult me." His tone was cold as ice. "It won't work."

"It already has."

Nines' LED turned yellow, but he stayed silent and turned away from him and tugged on the door, signaling the conversation was over. He ignored him for the rest of the day, but Gavin also stopped making snarky comments. He noticed his LED circle between blue and yellow more often than usually and this was supported by the ice-cold expression he wore. The longer Nines ignored him, the more his frustration turned into guilt. This was starting to look worse than all his relationships. Nines got too close yesterday and Gavin didn't like feeling vulnerable. He usually insulted the person and felt better once they left as if pressure was lifted. But Nines wasn't leaving. Despite ignoring him, he was still there, still helping him and not retaliating in any way. Not to mention Nines was right. He had to tell him what's up. It wasn't the android's fault he had issues.

They managed to finally finish the room. It ended up as a very simple workshop with a few tables and crude equipment. Pixie patted him on the back and the blue-haired Traci also congratulated them. She told him to ask Hank or Connor about what to do next. They said goodbye to the Tracies and Luther and walked to the cafeteria silently. For the first time, Nines was walking a step in front of Gavin and it unsettled him. Did he really hurt him that much? He grabbed Nines' elbow to stop him. "I need to talk to you." Nines silently nodded his head and turned towards him. "In private?" Gavin specified. Nines looked around the empty hallways and lifted one eyebrow at him. Gavin just rolled his eyes, grabbed Nines' wrist and dragged him to the closest empty room. There was no door, but it was better than the hallway. He came to the boarded up windows and looked out, seeing only the wall of a nearby building.

"So what did you need to talk about?" Asked Nines, somewhat impatiently.

He wanted to apologize, but couldn't get the words out of him, no matter how heavy they weighed on him.He turned towards Nines, who was boring through him with his eyes, just like earlier that day. It made him even more nervous and he looked out again. "I do get them often. Not as often as I used to, but it is usually at least once a week." Ironic, how talking about his nightmares was easier than saying three fucking words. "Last night, my brother came to visit. He's been to prison multiple times and he's always blamed me for it. Last time he went, he said I would regret it and he would destroy everything I hold dear."

He breathed in sharply and had to take a second to continue. He heard Nines' faint footsteps come closer, but didn't dare to look back. "It's been five years and he's not getting out anytime soon. He did some fucking repulsive shit and he doesn't deserve a parole, but he's so fucking charming he'll probably get it anyway." He chuckled nervously and shook his head.

"Why are you telling me this?" Nines asked softly. He was so much closer than he thought. His knees turned weak when he looked at Nines' concerned face.

Shit. He couldn't answer that yet. Not yet. "I- I wanted to thank you for yesterday. I don't want that bastard to have control over me or my dreams."

Nines smiled ever-so-softly and moved even closer. "Of course Gavin." He reached out and caressed his cheek the way Gavin did Nines' the night before. His breath got caught in his throat and his heart felt like it was about to jump out. All he could do was stare at Nines. His LED suddenly flashed red and the moment was gone. The android frowned, taking his hand away and tucking it behind his back. "Your mental wellbeing is as necessary as your physical to keep you efficient." His tone was emotionless again. He stepped away, LED now settled in yellow. "We had better get you dinner before cafeteria closes."

Nines turned on his heel and walked out the room without looking back. What the fuck just happened? His skin was burning where Nines touched it, yearning for more. The question was, why did Nines suddenly back away and turn so cold? Was it because he still hasn't apologized? He quickly jogged out of the room to catch up with Nines. "Hey, Nines. I also wanted to say sorry about how I acted today..." He tried grabbing his elbow again, but Nines kept walking this time.

"There's nothing to apologize for."

"No- I.. I was being an ass again and-"

"It doesn't matter. You can treat me any way it pleases you Detective." His voice was flat and he was looking ahead.

This made Gavin angry. He was baring his feelings for him and all he gets is a stone-cold rejection. "Fine! Fuck you. Be like that. Guess it's not like you have feelings that could be hurt anyway."  The android didn't even react and Gavin felt like he hurt his own feelings more.

He was fucking useless. The silence is what he wanted to avoid, yet it is what he got. Despite the effort he put in. On their way to their room, Alice ambushed them. "You! The Pangea world awaits you adventurers!"

"I'm sorry Alice, I'm really tired today." Gavin scratched his head and glanced at Nines.

Nines smiled at her. "Do you have more quests prepared for the game?" She nodded. "I would love to try them."

"Follow me then!" Alice exclaimed and ran to their room.

Gavin was surprised by the one-eighty mood change. "Are you really gonna play with a little girl right now?"

Nines glanced back at him with a raised eyebrow, the usual playful spark back in his eye. "If you're jealous, you can always tell her you changed your mind."

"No, I'm actually tired. I don't have infinite batteries unlike some people, dipshit." He shoulder-checked him on his way to their room. What a miserable day it's been. He lay in bed and listened to the faint noises coming from the next room. Whatever. The android can go fuck himself. He's not gonna spend another second thinking about that goddamn piece of plastic. His own frustration tired him out and he eventually fell asleep.

The following morning was also miserable and Gavin didn't know whether to feel disappointed or glad to find Nines in his futon. He chose anger. He sat up on his bed and nudged the android with his foot, probably lot more roughly than necessary. "Hey dipshit, wake up."

Nines opened his eyes and scooted away from his reach. "I'm awake."

"Whatever." Gavin went to their crude wardrobe and changed out of the clothes he'd been using as pyjama. They were starting to smell. He'd bring it to that laundry mat place after breakfast.

"Gavin.. I wanted to apologize for yesterday." Gavin looked back at the android but the soft look on his face made him weak. He turned away again and continued putting on his shirt. "I believe I have overstepped your boundaries and made you uncomfortable."

This time, Gavin faced him properly. "What the fuck are you on about?"

The android averted his gaze, revealing his LED flickering between blue and yellow. "I'm referring to my attempt of comforting you at night. I proceeded despite you telling me not to. I surmised that was the reason for your cold treatment during the day. So I wanted to apologize and promise not to go against your wishes anymore. It is imperative we can work together harmoniously and-"

"Whoa whoa hold up." Gavin held up his hands to stop him from rambling. "That's not the issue at all."

Nines tilted his head, puzzled. "It is not?"

Gavin frowned. "No!" Could that scene really have been a dream? But him apologizing to Nines was definitely real. "Look, I understand you want to pretend nothing happened, but don't go accusin' me of being cold alright? You were the one giving me a cold shoulder!"

He looked surprised. "I'm sorry? I don't understand."

Gavin crossed his arms  and tapped his foot nervously. "Don't you remember? I acted like an ass cuz'.. I was freaked out and I said sorry and well..." He ran one hand through his hair. He couldn't believe he had to say this out loud. "You remember what happened right? You were the one to reach out and the. become an icicle a moment later."

Nines also frowned and he looked on the ground, LED shining red. "Right, I... I remember..."

Gavin sighed, frustrated. "Fuck it. It's not like you would understand anyway." He headed for the door, but the android placed his hand on his when he grabbed the handle.

"I'm sorry Gavin."

"Don't play with my fucking feelings." Gavin gritted through his teeth. Nines let go and Gavin yanked the door open.

He headed to the cafeteria, Nines still following him. He wanted to yell at the android to give him space to breathe but bit his tongue. He would just regret it later. Even the instant coffee the nice lady gave him didn't help in his miserable mood. He probably felt even worse when Hank came up to them.

"Morning sunshine." Hank greeted him sarcastically, but all Gavin could muster up was a middle finger. "Yeah you never did well with authorities. You're lucky I don't either." Hank was in way too chipper of a mood and it made Gavin sick. He's fallen so far, the lazy good-for-nothing alcoholic was better off than him. "I've talked to Connor about what you said. Maybe I should have actually recorded his response. That moment will go down in history as the first time you two agreed on something." Hank smirked at him.

Gavin pinched the bridge of his nose. "Can you get to the point already?"

Hank put down his utensils. "I'm saying Connor agreed you'd be more helpful to us in DPD. We have a plan you can help with."

Gavin lifted an eyebrow. "What plan?"

"The plan to give androids rights of course." He picked up his utensils and continued eating. "Anyway, come to that office above the medical wing to get your stuff. Connor will fill ya in."

Gavin scoffed and took a sip of his coffee. "What does that bastard even know? If he really cared about deviants, maybe he should have helped that Markus person before he got killed." Gavin's voice was dripping with malice.

"You should watch your goddamn mouth Reed." Hank warned him sternly. "Connor's working harder than any of us to keep this ship afloat."

Gavin frowned and put down his coffee. Things were not adding up in his head. "You keep saying that, but Connor said you two raided an RMC warehouse. They had thousands of androids there. Couldn't those have turned the tides of the battle year and half ago when it mattered?"

Hank sighed. "No they couldn't have."

"Why? That's fucking stupid."

Hank contemplated his words for a second before continuing more quietly. "Connor wasn't deviant yet. He only turned deviant after... well, killing Markus."

Gavin widened his eyes in surprise. The gears in his head started turning faster. "Connor killed him? But the news specifically mentioned he was executed by soldiers.."

Hank shrugged. "They probably wanted to weave a tale that couldn't have an android as the hero. Besides," He looked sideways to Nines, who was watching Hank intently. "he found out they wanted to replace him anyway."

Gavin's eyes shifted between the two of them and a lightbulb lit inside his head. Is that the reason why Connor is always so on edge around Nines? "Is Nines the reason why he became deviant?"

Hank finished the last bites of his food before answering. "If you're curious, you should ask him yourself. I've already talked more than I should have. I wanted you to know, Connor is trying to right the wrongs done. So I recommend you at least behave with basic human decency towards him!" He wagged a finger in Gavin's face. Gavin just lifted one eyebrow in annoyance. "Anyway, you know where to find us. We'll only be there until lunch so don't slack off." And with that, Hank got up and left Nines and Gavin alone at their table again.