Dickory

Insecurities

I don't want it...I don't need it...I don't want it...I don't need it...Reed thought as he contemplated the unlit cigarette in his hand. He was waiting outside the house they'd been called to. Both of them were glad to get out of the station. They'd left the evidence for Colin on Nines' desk in case the agents beat them back. They'd barely clocked in when they'd gotten their first callout. An android beaten to death during a home invasion. A human's home. The human was currently in custody, claiming the android had broken in while they were sleeping. They'd just been defending themselves and their property. Nines was inside gathering the evidence now. So far the scene backed up the human's claim. The door's lock had been hacked, the trace identification linking straight to their victim. The injuries were also consistent with what the human had described. They'd grabbed a bat in the darkness, stumbled into the living room, and panicked when confronted with an android. Reed had asked Nines for his cigarette, the only one he was allowed now, and stepped outside. He'd been staring at the stick for the past twenty minutes, his jaw working in circles.

"Are you going to light it, or would you like me to dispose of it for you?" Nines teased as he appeared in the doorway, quietly impressed at Reed's resistance. He was doing so well in keeping to their updated schedule. He'd broken it a little with the larger coffee that morning, but it had been made by Chloe without his asking, and he'd sought Nines' approval first. This new development pleased him greatly. Reed was choosing not to partake in one of his vices. Even on a day he likely felt he needed it. Reed swallowed thickly as he eyed the stick again. He held it out to Nines quickly before he changed his mind. "I'm impressed," Nines praised softly as he took the stick and returned it to the packet just in case.

"Do I get a pat on the head, too?" Reed huffed with an almost teasing undertone. His heart almost stopped as Nines immediately relented and did just that. The strange thing was that it wasn't done in their usual teasing manner. Nines looked absolutely sincere as his long fingers worked their way into his thick brunette locks to massage his scalp in a way that almost made him melt. Gavin blinked slowly into the touch before Nines drew back, his lips quirking slightly.

"Good boy," he murmured in his usual silken tone. The words shot straight to Reed's crotch. He cursed inwardly as he turned away. How many times had he heard those words purred in his ear in that exact voice? How many times had he spilled on the sheets with those exact words? It didn't help that his skin was still tingling from the gentle caressing. He ran a hand through his tousled hair, tempted to pull his hood up.

"Do I look like a phcking dog to you? Jeez!" Reed huffed and stammered as he shrugged deeper into his jacket, praying to God that Nines wasn't scanning his vitals. Nines chuckled in response as he walked ahead to the car. They were finished at the house and the forensics team was already busy within. Reed drove this time, glad that he had something to focus on besides his partner. "What did you find?" he asked as he pulled away, green eyes constantly scanning traffic.

"Our victim was Tucker Jones, a PC200 former policing model. There is little record of his activity since the revolution, so it is possible that he was transient. His thirium levels were low, which supports the theory of him being homeless." Nines watched as Reed nodded along. He could put together the picture easily enough. The android was homeless, jobless, living rough, and likely starving. He'd gotten desperate and chanced breaking into a house, likely hoping to either find a stash of thirium or score something he could sell in order to buy some. The homeowner had awoken due to the noise, grabbed the bat, and taken down the intruder. It wasn't clear whether he'd meant to kill the PC200 or not. That's what they'd have to figure out. It was a plus that it had been the homeowner who'd called them, in shock at what he'd done. It pointed towards him being a victim in all this, too.