Tick Tock Part One - Hickory

Panic Attack

"Connor!" Markus sighed in relief from his place beside the sofa where Kamski was currently pinning Detective Reed down as he thrashed and writhed. The RK900 had been left to the side, LED spinning between red and yellow as he tried to process what was happening. He watched almost clinically as the human's vitals rose with his whining and thrashing. Markus was hesitant to touch Reed's restless form. He didn't want to risk further injuring him if he struck out at his harder casing. Kamski was certainly getting a workout as he gripped Reed's forearms and tried to hold him down against the leather cushions. He was so lithe and slim that it was quite a challenge, despite Reed being slightly shorter.

"Detective Reed!" Connor cried as he took over from Kamski, forcing him out of the way. Kamski certainly seemed unsettled as he watched. It was like he'd never seen anyone suffering a panic attack before, which was entirely possible considering his privileged background. "Gavin! Gavin, wake up!" Connor urged as he gripped the leather of his jacket and shook. Reed's stress levels were through the roof, his breaths coming in short, uncontrolled gasps and sobs.

"...op...ke it...op...Nn...No..." Reed choked and trembled, sobbing quietly. Connor felt his own stress levels climbing as he shook him roughly. His breaths were becoming short and erratic. Connor wasn't sure whether it would be better to call a proper medic from somewhere at this point. Tears were trickling down his cheeks in small rivers as he cried in his sleep, something Connor had only seen once before. It was the type of vulnerability he knew Detective Reed would usually keep private.

"Gavin!" Connor shouted louder, whipping a hand across his pale cheek with a loud clap, the skin still slightly marred by the green remnants of fading bruises. Dirty green eyes snapped open. Reed lurched up so fast he almost butted his nose. Connor quickly pulled him closer and locked his arms around his quivering body, almost straddling him on the sofa. "It's alright...Just breathe, Gavin...You're having a panic attack," he warned as he felt him gasp for breath.

"No-phcking-shit-Sherlock!" Gavin choked, gulping down air but never able to get enough. He felt sick and dizzy as he languished helplessly in Connor's embrace, closing his eyes tightly. The nightmare still chased him as the room turned. Part of him wondered if he was really awake. There'd been so many scenes, so many times Connor had been fine, and then...He pushed back sharply. Connor's brow creased in concern as Gavin examined his face with haunted green eyes. He was fine. No holes. No blue. Just Connor, with his LED flashing yellow and that goofy look of concern etched on his face. Thank phck...Connor had never looked so fucking good.

"Chloe dear, some water." Quiet steps sounded as the petite android moved gracefully across the room to complete the task. Markus stepped aside politely, allowing her to pass with a clear tumbler of water held out for Gavin to take. Connor took it. Gavin wasn't quite ready to do anything just yet as he curled back into the sofa. He brought up his knees and buried his face, wrapping his arms around them tightly. Connor motioned for the others to return to the desk, thinking it best that they give Gavin a little space. He remained on the sofa, resting a hand on Gavin's shoulder to reassure him he was still there.

Gavin breathed deeply, pinching his eyes shut. He tried not to think about it. The dream. Blue and red blood. The chair. Bells ringing. Hands on his skin. His heart pounded. Calm the phck down...He felt increasingly mortified at the thought that others had seen it. They'd seen the Gavin Reed he tried to keep hidden. The one who woke up some nights crying and choking for breath. The one who was too scared to go back to sleep. Weak. Pathetic.

Connor monitored Gavin's gradually levelling vitals. His heart rate was slowing, his airways opening, breaths coming easier. The shoulder gradually loosened beneath his hand as the muscles relaxed, leaving behind gentle quivers. Behind the sofa, the RK900 seemed just as intent on Gavin as he was. His LED had settled on yellow now as piercing blue eyes stared unblinking at the vulnerable human. His expression was unreadable. Connor couldn't tell whether he was concerned, curious, or just coldly analysing the situation.