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

Ch. 2

"Connor," Nines approaches the android's desk, grinning. "I have an idea."

"Hm?" Connor spins in his chair, turning to face Nines.

Since Nines' deviation, Connor has taken on the role of a sort of pseudo-brother to him. Of course, this does not mean that the two are immune to problems that traditional, human brothers face. The two bicker and disagree frequently. There was once a particularly physical altercation where Hank had to nearly pry the two apart, fearing that one may rip out the other's thirium pump.

Despite their differences, the two have been very positive influences on each other's lives. Connor's tried to offer advice and direction wherever his younger version may need it. When Nines felt a loss of purpose after becoming deviant, Connor offered him a new one - a job as a detective at the DCPD. When Nines was struggling to find any middle ground with a hostile Gavin Reed, Connor helped him figure out how to get on the detective's good side.

Nines glances over his shoulder once, looking at Gavin. He's too absorbed in his work to pay any mind to them right now. He looks back at Connor and speaks in a hushed tone. "I'd like to put on a birthday celebration for Gavin."

Connor raises his brows and tilts his head slightly. "Really?"

"I think it would be fun," Nines says with faux apathy.

"Do you think Detective Reed would be very receptive to that?" Connor asks with a thick uncertainty in his tone. "He's always been... apprehensive about social situations."

"But he's been getting better," Nines points out, smiling. "When's the last time he told you to, quote, 'Go fuck yourself'?"

Connor's LED spins yellow as he goes through his mental archives. "It has been two weeks, three days, seventeen hours, and thirty-nine minutes since Detective Reed has last used the phrase."

"Exactly! That's progress." Nines grins as he crosses his arms.

Nines has been a positive influence on his partner's office relations. Because of him, Gavin has grown to tolerate even the coworkers he despised the most - like Hank and Connor. Though, this was no small task - it's certainly taken a lot of time and effort.

Nines would never admit it, but he kind of liked when Gavin would tell people off like that. Logically, he knew it didn't serve any helpful purpose, in fact, it drastically increased hostility. However, there was a somewhat... attractive quality to the way he spoke his mind. He didn't give a shit about what others thought of him, and Nines found that equally frustrating and alluring.

Connor's frown fades. "I suppose he has been much less hostile towards our coworkers recently."

"So...?" Nines playfully pushes Connor's shoulder.

Connor sighs, laughing. "Alright, fine. We can throw something together. However, remember: it's your fault if things go south."

"I know, and they won't." Nines promises.

Connor's brows furrow a little, his LED flashing yellow for a second in thought. "We should gather our coworkers and strategize. I think it would be most efficient to have a plan."

"Of course," Nines nods, a juvenile grin creeping onto his lips.

The two stand and move around the precinct, recruiting their fellow officers, detectives, and lieutenants for the cause.

Nines approaches Hank as he's grabbing a cup of coffee from the break room. He gently taps the Lieutenant on the shoulder and greets him amicably. "Hello, Lieutenant."

Hank glances over his shoulder once, not shifting his attention from his coffee. "Oh, hey, Con–" Hank realizes his error– "Nines. Sorry."

"It's alright," Nines nods. This would certainly not be the first time someone had mistaken him for his predecessor - the two do share a very strong physical resemblance. Nines has learned not to take it personally.