Much to everyone's surprise, Hank volunteered to drive you and your dumbass mission to Kamski's. But the vaguely twisted grin he wore beneath the beard made more sense as the four of you stepped out of the precinct. "Your brother's got a nice place. Modern. Well-kept. Large." He glared daggers at Reed, who did his best not to shrink back. "You're gonna be watched the entire fucking weekend, shithead. If Kamski and his lady aren't in your sights, then either Connor or I will be."

In an incredible mix of disbelief and dread, Reed ran his hands through his hair. "Y-yeah, all right. Um..."

"Connor," the lieutenant cut in. "Let Kamski know what's going on so he isn't blindsided by three people and a dog suddenly showing up, please."

"Of course, Hank, but..." The RK800 paused. "What about Detective Reed? I'm certain Sumo won't be a problem."

Out of habit the lieutenant started to correct the kid, but realized it was intentional and snorted. "Fine. Three people and two dogs. Same thing." While he stood in the parking lot, hands in his pockets and squinting in the harsh sunlight, he frowned. "Well, asshole? How are we doing this? You can drive me to your brother's place while Connor takes Nove in mine, or we all pile into one. Either way, as soon as Kamski says it's fine, we're all gonna have a nice fucking time, aren't we?"

If Eli doesn't kill me before I set foot in his place, he'll probably tie me up and throw me into his pool while I sleep.

◇___#$&!___◇

Elijah opened the front door as both vehicles pulled into his driveway, a slight frown trying to form on his face. Connor had called him with an odd request, but with a little explanation everything made more sense. Now Gavin had no chance to avoid being watched over the weekend.

He'd let Chloé know about the group stopping by, but not about the lieutenant's dog. As soon as Sumo lumbered himself out of Hank's backseat, her eyes lit up like stars. There was no way she'd be pulled away from giving the good boy attention.

It was one hell of a weird arrangement but at the core of it, he knew it was for the best. He greeted each of his last-minute guests, but gripped Reed's shoulder before he could set foot into the house. You hesitated in the threshold, willing to wait for the detective, but he caught your gaze and nodded. "Go on inside. I'll be fine."

When you nodded and walked away, Kamski stared Gavin down in a painful silence. When the shorter brother still refused to look away, which was surprising by itself, he sighed heavily. "So she's giving you a chance."

"Trust me, I'm as shocked as everyone else," Gavin muttered, stuffing his hands into his jeans' pockets. "I won't go anywhere if she's alone, okay? Fuckin' keep your cameras on me the whole time, tell Chloé to stay with her no matter what, lock me into a room overnight and don't tell anyone the code. I don't care, all right?" Emotionally exhausted, he blinked slowly before casting his sights off to the side. "I'll do what I have to."

Eli's own eyes had narrowed by a fraction. "Where was this attitude last night? Before she asked to be called useless?"

"Don't," your directive spat. The corners of his mouth twitched down sporadically. "I know I fucked up. You think I'd be here otherwise?" He shook his head, rubbing the back of his neck before wiping his eyes with the heel of his palm. "I hate myself as much as everyone else here. So don't fucking remind me what I did every five minutes. Her--... ffff.... her goddamn serial number is my birth date. It's on her skin, Elijah; how the fuck am I supposed to look her in the eye, knowing she has some weird android tattoo, and pretend it doesn't affect me?!"

"... you need a minute to yourself?" Elijah's tone had softened considerably, seeing his younger brother on the verge of a meltdown.

Gavin shook his head, sniffing a little. "Doesn't matter. I cried like a bitch baby in the interrogation room. I just...... shit.... I can't sleep. I'm so fucking drained but when I close my eyes... I just... I see her crying." His face broke, but he pressed on. "I've helped so many people off the ledge. Then I go and do this stupid shit to make the woman built for me want to do the one thing I try to stop others from trying. God, I'm a fucking asshole..."

"Well... admitting your problem is always the first step," Kamski replied quietly. It was meant to be a bit of a dig at his past addiction problem. He had his vague smile start to form, but it dropped as his brother promptly started sobbing. "... Gavin--"

"Detective?!" The front door was still open and had been forgotten about. Who else had heard was a mystery, but you came back outside and stood between the siblings, all of your attention on your mission. "... Detective, is there anything I can do...?" Your LED was a solid yellow, watching Reed turn from you, hand over his eyes but unable to stop his crying.

Behind you, Eli's eyebrows were as high as he could manage. He could count on one hand the number of times the detective had cried. It wasn't really something that would just make everything okay again, but... at least the older brother knew he was drowning in regret like he suggested.

Gently laying a hand on your shoulder, you met Elijah's eyes. With a soft expression, he nodded towards Reed. "I'm right here, Nove. I think you know what a hug is, and I don't believe he'll accept one from anybody who isn't you."

He almost jerked away from the sudden contact on his wrist, but your grip was gentle and firm, pulling the hand away from the detective's face. The exhaustion and regret lay thick on his face, but with his wrist in your grasp, Gavin's expression started to ease the desperation and self-hatred. You released his wrist and stepped close, pulling him into an embrace with one hand at the back of his head.

When the moment of disbelief passed, he realized you were serious about it; his face broke again just before it was buried against your neck. The arms around your waist were mindful, but you were nonetheless clung to, the sobbing muffled against your skin. "I'm s-so.... f-f-fucking.... sorry..." Reed gasped, clinging tighter still.

"... I know, sir. I'm still here." The hand at his head ran fingers through his hair. "... I will not leave your side."

"I'm a f-fucking asshole....."

"I know. No one is debating that."

"I swear I'll d-do everything I c-can..."

"I believe you," you murmured, voice softening.

".... c.... can I just.... h-hold you for a bit...? Please?"

A quick glance told you that every being was currently watching this unusual interaction. But shockingly Elijah shooed the others back inside, while he himself pointed to the threshold: he would go in as well, despite the supervision promise, and stay nearby for the sake of privacy.

Your smile was soft, eyes fluttering shut on their own and feeling a foreign emotion wash over you. It was warm and sweet, so you accepted it without questioning. "... yes, sir. I'd like that."

Body relaxing, he pulled you closer still, unsure how you seemed to fit perfectly in his hold. "......... thank you.... but.... could you please just... c-call me Gavin?"

Regulator beating harder for one single second, you nodded. "Yes, Gavin."