Dickory

Limbo

Nines turned over. It was early morning. Five thirty-three, to be precise. Gavin had slept soundly the night before, and he was still sleeping. Perhaps it was the knowledge that he was safe, or the comfort of having his partner close. Either way, Nines was relieved that he'd gotten a long, undisturbed rest. He'd gone into stasis himself, setting his cycle to end either when Gavin began showing signs of distress or after eight hours. It had barely been three in the afternoon by the time they'd gone to bed the day before. Gavin had been exhausted after their long journey, made longer by various detours to shake any potential followers.

Nines was currently resting comfortably on his side, head cushioned on a plump pillow as he allowed his ethereal blue eyes to rove over Gavin's muscular form. The fire had warmed the house the night before and Gavin had stripped his shirt before climbing beneath the covers. He'd kicked the duvet off in the night, bare plains of flesh greeting Nines' gaze. His sweatpants were resting low on his hips, revealing the defined V that disappeared into his tight boxers. He wouldn't touch him. His scans indicated that Gavin was hovering on the edge of a fresh sleep cycle. Any movement would likely rouse him to full wakefulness.

Gavin sighed and hummed in his sleep, rolling onto his back. His face looked much younger while he was sleeping. Since he'd gotten a good amount of rest, the dark circles beneath his eyes seemed a little lighter. The lack of windows in the loft area meant the room was still dark. Dawn barely breaking outside. The darkness didn't affect Nines, who simply adjusted his eyes. He'd seen it before, of course, but it still stirred him to examine the scarring across Gavin's torso. Faded cuts and slashes from knife fights. A few faded circles from bullet wounds. Some were pale white while others were a deep pink, indicating they were fresher. The knife wound near his throat was the freshest. The memory of it still made Nines' thirium pump stutter. Just a little further along the flesh and it would have sliced an artery. Gavin would have bled out in seconds. His brunette locks were fluffed and mussed from sleeping, odd strands hanging down over his closed eyes.

Nines scanned him again, letting out a light hum of contentment as he read Gavin's vitals slipping down into a fresh sleep cycle. Provided there was no outward stimulation, Gavin would remain sleeping for the next ninety minutes or so. Nines took the opportunity to puzzle over his feelings for the rash, hot headed human. It was getting harder to maintain a professional distance. He didn't understand it entirely, but he knew he felt a strong desire to have Gavin in some capacity. He contemplated what that meant as he watched the rise and fall of Gavin's bare chest. Hardly any hair coated the pale surface.

He blinked as Gavin turned on his side and his hand flopped down to slap Nines' face. It would have been painful if he were human. His lips quirked in quiet amusement as he lifted the limp wrist and cradled the warm hand in his own. If he didn't know better, he would have thought Gavin was awake and that he'd done it on purpose to chide him for his thoughts. Gavin's vitals were humming the way they usually did when he was sleeping peacefully. Nines very much enjoyed this new angle and the way Gavin's face was half buried in his pillow. He remembered Gavin's words to him at Cyberlife Tower so long ago. Take a picture, dipshit, it'll last longer! He smiled as he blinked slowly, adding the image to the not-so-modest collection he'd saved so far. He wondered if it was unusual to have a folder of pictures dedicated to a single being. He'd noticed that Gavin had one for Pipsqueak, and Tina had one for her own feline, Snuffles, but Gavin is not a pet...

Gavin shifted again, a sigh escaping his dry lips as he shuffled closer to Nines. Ah, my heat output. Gavin raised a leg and hooked it possessively over his thigh, his head nuzzling into his chest comfortably. Nines was hesitant, wondering if it would be taking advantage to embrace him. Gavin clearly desired physical contact on some level. He was chasing Nines' warmth instinctively. Surely it wouldn't be so bad to wrap an arm around him. Another contented hum escaped his lips as he stroked over Gavin's covered hip and up across the exposed plains of pink flesh. He enjoyed the sensation on his sensors. Smooth skin. Occasionally interrupted by rough patches of scar tissue. His thirium pump jumped as he felt Gavin return his embrace, hot breath seeping through his black T-shirt.