☆Happy Birthday, Gavin Reed!☆ | A DBH Mini-Fic (Detroit: Become Human)

Ch. 1

Gavin Reed does not like birthdays. Correction - Gavin Reed does not like his birthday. He hasn't celebrated one since his 21st, which he spent getting piss-drunk at some random bar - an activity he doesn't need a special occasion for anymore. And, you know what? That's fine by him. If he never had to see another streamer or party balloon again in his life, he certainly would not be sad about it.

Today, October 7th, is Gavin's birthday. This means that Gavin is going to spend the entire day dodging that fact.

Gavin steps into the precinct, convinced that today will not be any different than normal. Not if he has anything to say about it.

He steps into the bullpen and starts for his desk. Seated in the desk directly across from his, his partner sits.

RK900, or as everyone calls him, Nines, was the android created to "replace" Connor, improving every one of RK800's flaws. Ever since Markus freed the androids (deviating all of them in the process), Nines has rejected his initial purpose and chosen to join Connor as a detective.

When Gavin was initially partnered with the android, he hated him. However, as time has passed and the two have gotten to know each other better, Gavin has found himself becoming very fond of Nines. Sure, he's annoyingly factual and painfully blunt, but there's something about his honesty that captivates Gavin.

Sitting with perfect posture, Nines is thoughtfully writing something down. Nines has neatly styled, dark brown hair, but he secretly prefers the look of it a bit disheveled. He has sharp features with a soft edge, and icy blue eyes that seem to melt when he smiles. He keeps a very professional and polished appearance, but once you have known him for long enough, it's easy to see that his professionalism is merely a facade. He's undeniably handsome, yet he's always been completely oblivious to the idea that people may look at him and find him attractive.

You can see the exact moment that he notices Gavin's approach. His head snaps up reflexively, but once he registers that it's his partner, his cold gaze softens and a smile plays onto his face.

"Good morning, Detective," Nines greets him warmly, just like he does every morning.

"Morning," Gavin nods once to him. He sets down his coffee cup and takes a seat at his desk. He reaches into the top drawer and retrieves a case file - the homicide case the two were recently assigned. Today, Gavin's supposed to review the evidence they had gathered from the crime scene yesterday.

"Well rested, I hope?" Nines asks, knowing the answer based on the deep-set bags under Gavin's eyes.

"Sure," Gavin chuckles as he takes a drink of his hot coffee. "This is just an accessory."

"Naturally," Nines laughs a little to himself, shaking his head. He's learned not to press his partner on his sleep schedule - his "advice" is typically taken as hostility.

Gavin cracks open the file and sifts through the papers within it. He picks up the coroner's report and studies it aloud. "Alright, so... fatal injury was a bullet to the head, but there are 3 stab wounds as well. Time of death was about 1:55 P.M. on October 6th..." his voice trails as he reads the rest silently.

The little LED on Nines' head spins yellow for a brief moment before returning to blue. "Today is October 7th."

"Yeah, it is. Great catch," Gavin remarks, eyes still fixated on the report he's reading.

Nines tilts his head slightly, raising a brow. "So this day holds no significance to you?"

"Nope," Gavin says blankly, taking a sip of his coffee.

"None whatsoever?"

Gavin's sarcastic stare answers his question.

"Strange. Your file states that your date of birth is October 7th, 2002. Is that information incorrect?"

"No, it's right," Gavin verifies without batting an eye, his gaze fixed on the case file in front of him. He picks up and squints at a photograph, eyes sweeping the image for evidence.

Nines' brows furrow slightly. "Then this day should hold significance. It is your 37th birthday."

Of course, he'd know that, Gavin thinks to himself, exasperated. He's got a calendar in his brain, for fuck's sake.

"Mhm," Gavin takes a swig of his coffee. He glances over the top of the mug, his apathetic gaze meeting Nines' curious blue eyes.

Nines' eyes light up with excitement. "This is a joyous occasion, then! Humans tend to have large celebrations regarding the anniversary of one's birth. You must be looking forward to your celebration."

"I don't celebrate." He answers in as flat and disinterested a tone as he can muster, hoping to bore the android into dropping the subject.

Nines' brows furrow softly. He tilts his head to the side slightly, like a curious puppy. "Why not?"

"S'not important." Gavin shrugs.

Nines smiles. "Sure, it is! You've grown one year older."

"One year closer to death," Gavin points out grimly.

Nines' cheery disposition falters, just for an instant. "I suppose."

Gavin paws through the file for a moment longer before he's interrupted yet again.

"Is there any reason in particular why you hate your birthday so much?"

Gavin frowns a bit before hesitating,"...No, not really."

There's a brief silence as Gavin attempts to get back to work. He'd rather think about the brutal homicide than answer any more of this overcurious android's questions.

Nines tries unsuccessfully to disguise the mischievous grin that's creeping onto his face. "Would you be opposed to a celebration?"

Gavin raises a brow in careful suspicion. "Whatever you're thinking, plastic, stop thinking it."

Nines stifles a laugh. "Okay."

"I mean it, Nine-hundred." Gavin says with a false sternness.

"Alright, fine." Nines leans back in his chair and raises his hands in a faux surrender. "No celebrations," he says, grinning widely.

"Mhm." Gavin half laughs, half sighs, shaking his head. His eyes flit down to the case file he's studying so religiously.

Nines smiles to himself, and Gavin can tell that his partner clearly hasn't stopped thinking about it at all.