Lovecraft

Plug and Play

It was hard to believe they'd made it to their first Christmas. Both as partners and lovers. When he'd first seen Nines standing in Fowler's office, staring at him with those six ethereal blue on black eyes, he'd never imagined them staying partners in the long term. He'd been absolutely certain he'd be gone in a week, even more so once they'd reached their desks and Nines had bitten his face. That was my bad though...He'd never poke a human in the eye. Why should he get away with it just because Nines was an android? Sitting in his living room now, he was actually pretty grateful for that lesson. If Nines hadn't lashed out, he probably would have kept being an asshole. As it was, he'd actually started to pay attention to him as a person after that. Learning his ticks and quirks. Respecting his individuality. Getting used to his rhythm. Adjusting and compromising with that. He even stepped in to keep him out of trouble.

He'd noticed the little things. The way Nines would pinch his top eyes shut if it was too loud. How his eyes would shift from silvery blue to red when he was angry or stressed, and that they glimmered and glowed in the dark. The way he shuddered when he was touched. He was easily overstimulated. If he reached a certain point, his first instinct was to unhinge his jaw and bite. Anyone or anything. It had happened a few times, especially early in their partnership when Nines was still adjusting to crowds. He'd gotten better, but crowded places were still a challenge. Gavin was constantly alert for anyone getting a little too close to his personal space.

He always put himself on the line if Nines got overstimulated. He'd never let him hurt anyone else. If some idiot pushed Nines to biting point, Gavin would step in to hold him and take the bite himself. Nines always seemed to know before he clenched his jaws too tightly. He'd left bruises and small pricks, but he'd never bitten a chunk off, and he knew for a fact he could do that. He'd seen it. Lying shivering in shock and half-dazed, Gavin had seen his true form. The huge, muscled limbs and long, tentacle whips that grew from his back. Sharp blades up and down his arms and long spikes on his back. Sharp claws on his hands and feet. His unhinged jaw. Even the teeth that lined his throat.

Gavin closed his eyes with a shiver as a gentle hand closed over the back of his neck and stroked down between his shoulder blades. He turned his head with a lazy smile and accepted the chaste kiss he knew was coming. Nines was soft like that. You wouldn't think so to look at him. Especially not on a case, but he loved the smaller shows of affection. Of course, he didn't mind when things got a little more heated, either. With that in mind, Gavin turned to pull him closer, opening his mouth in invitation to deepen the kiss. Nines hummed softly as he returned the embrace and licked his willing lips with teasing tendrils.

"Merry Christmas," he murmured softly as he drew back. Gavin smiled as he returned the words. Fuck, it had been a long time since he'd done this. He wasn't sure he'd ever managed to keep a boyfriend long enough to enjoy Christmas before. It was Nines' first Christmas, too. It was almost cute, the way his eyes had widened with curiosity over the lights and decorations put up around the precinct. Connor had even given him some thirium candy as a gift, knowing it was unlikely he'd ever had it before. That had been his first present. Gavin had watched entranced as Nines had unwrapped a candy and placed it on his desk.

His jaw had unhinged just enough for his tongue to creep out with teasing tendrils to cautiously prod and tease the little blue square. Gavin had squirmed in his seat at the sight. The tendrils had plucked the candy from the desk to suckle and pass it between them. He could only guess that each tendril had a different sensor or something. Gavin didn't give a fuck. He'd been rock solid in his pants by the time Nines' tongue had finally wrapped around the little blue square. He'd rolled his tongue until the little candy had completely disappeared before retreating and sealing his jaw. It was one of the hottest things he'd ever seen, and Nines seemed to know it as he raised his heated eyes to stare at him.