"So now that I've thoroughly and completely ruined the fucking mood on this date, what do you wanna do, cara mia?" Hands in his pockets, your partner seemed understandably worn out from the incredible amount of crying he'd done that night.

In your chest, the regulator serving as your heart ached. Gavin stood a bit apart from you, waiting patiently for your answer... which was to charge forward, grab his head, and pull him into a kiss.

The surprise did not last, his large hands taking your hips and pulling you close. But as badly as he wanted to, the human took it no further, breaking the kiss with a shaky exhale. "D-damn, what'd I do to earn that one?"

"You are an incredible man, Gavin Reed; I am honored to have been built for you."

"O-okay, hang on... hang on one fuckin' sec..." A hand was held up to discourage you from continuing. "Look. I don't wanna start bawling again, cara mia. I love you, and I know--"

"I love you too."

Tears were expected at that point. And while those gorgeous hazel eyes were definitely a bit watery, Reed's face split into a wide grin. He embraced you tightly, lifting and spinning you in his arms until you ended up giggling. "Oh my god you are fucking perfect," came his low tone, settling you back down on solid ground. "Oh fuck... Jesus, okay, um..." Nevermind; there were tears.

Knowing that your human was lost for plans, you turned your gaze to the speaker, having shut it off some time ago. "Perhaps a challenge? I play songs with known choreography to them and see if you know how they go."

Glad for a subject change, though enjoying how fast his heart was beating, your partner crossed his arms. "A challenge? You think you can throw me for a loop? Go ahead."

--Wait. Shit. Fuck. That smile is terrifying.

It only took four seconds to find a song with a dance connected to it, but as soon as you reconnected to the speaker and set it to play, Gavin freaked out. "NO, NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT. SHUT IT OFF. I AM NOT DOING COTTON EYE JOE."

"Very well, I'll accept your surrender," you replied, turning the song off. Your head turned back to face him, only to find that he'd gotten much, much closer. "Yes?"

"You think I'm gonna surrender that easy?" His voice had gone quiet, the rough nature of his words sending sparks down your legs. A soft violet blush spread across your cheeks; Reed smirked to see it. "You look startled. Something wrong?"

It was difficult to explain exactly why his bass tone had thrown you off-balance. "G-Gavin...." was all you managed, each syllable faint and shaky.

"Keep saying my name like that and I won't be able to keep my promise." But he inched closer still, hands taking your waist as he leaned in, lips just barely grazing your earlobe. "I want to take this slow. But I warned you that saying my name drives me insane, cara mia. So how do you think a man like me feels when the woman he loves looks him in the eye and moans his name?" Your date slowly pulled his head back enough to meet your gaze again, one eyebrow lifted. "Well?"

"Th-then don't growl like that," you answered. The heat in your face was sinking further, deepening in a much, much lower area.

"Ohh, I see. That makes sense." Gavin took your chin, tipping your head back to meet his vague, cocky grin. "So you like it when I growl at you. I think that's a fair trade. You moan my name, I growl back. Capice?"

Words seemed to be locked behind a voice command you were unaware of. And since this was more in his realm of knowledge, Reed knew damn well he had you wrapped around his finger.

It was that fucking easy.

Thumb passing across your lips, his smirk softened. "Don't worry. I'm gonna do this right, I promise. But you really, really don't get how much that turns me on."

Managing a nod, you forced a response together, aware of the warmth in your body but ignoring it. "I was never made aware of how... powerful one's voice can be. I did not expect... to... b-be growled at..."

The laugh from his throat was dark and rich, in that bass tone that turned the fire up high in your system. "Oh, dolcezza, you don't know the half of it." His smirk returned with a vengeance. "I am a big, big fan of filthy talk... And I'll let you hear all you want when you're ready."

◇___#$&!___◇

The speaker was settled in the backseat once more, but his hand remained on the door handle on the driver's side. "... you, uh... wanna go for a walk around the city?" The mild grin reappeared, your systems seeming to calm themselves. "It's not super late. Nightlife is fascinating. And, uh..." Gavin's eyebrows danced a little. "I can show you off~"

"Show me off?" Walking around the vehicle, an arm immediately slid around your waist when you'd gotten close enough. "Am I... something to be shown off?"

"Someone, not something. I just mean I wanna walk around next to you so everyone knows I'm with you." Locking the car your date walked beside you, away from the park and down the street. The night was warm but not overly so, a gentle breeze running its fingers through your hair and making your dress flutter slightly. Neon signs and brightly-lit shop windows littered the city for blocks, other civilians coming and going as they pleased. Occasionally your sights would land on something new, and your indicator flashed like the sun as it was processed, but you never stopped walking.

Gavin kept you as close as he wanted, unable to wipe the dumb grin from his face. Your voice telling him you loved him kept replaying in his mind, so that might have been a part of it.

I didn't think I'd get this close to her. I thought it would take me months just to be able to touch her without worrying she'll shy away.

The stupid muscle beneath his ribs ached harder than ever, and you were pulled closer still, colliding gently. Your smile and the few quiet notes of laughter turned him to goo all over again.

She's... happy. With me.

A sign caught his attention, bringing the both of you to a stop in front of a business, still open that late at night. A male stood outside the entrance on his phone, but glanced up almost as soon as the two of you approached. "Evenin', guys. On a date?"

Android rights were still a touchy subject, but judging by the very obvious LED indicator tattoo the stranger had on his shoulder, Reed felt you'd be safe. "Yeah, but... shit, are you still open?"

The heavily-tattooed male nodded, tucking his phone away. "Insomnia, sir. Sometimes I just open the shop randomly, see who wanders in."

"Fuck, I'm not a sir. But, uh... I am interested," Gavin added, glancing at you. "What do you think, cara mia? You mind if I do the idiot, spontaneous tattoo thing?"

"What would you have done?" you asked curiously.

Gazing at you for a long moment, the corner of his mouth curved up. "I have some ideas," he mumbled, taking your hand and leading you into the shop.

45 minutes later the both of you emerged, your partner now bearing an elegant, italicized number 9 on the side of his neck.