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After the revolution, Gavin was often paired with Connor, as Lieutenant Anderson had to return to his duties on homicide cases. Gavin had been assigned to stakeouts with the android more often, and of course, he had complaints about it.
Every.
Single.
Time.
Gavin emerged from Fowler's office with a distasteful look on his face. Half the precinct had probably heard the captain yelling through the glass walls. At this point, not a soul bothered to raise their heads to hear the commotion. Hearing Fowler scold Gavin Reed like a teenager had become routine in recent months.
Most of the arguments centered around one thing.
Connor.
Gavin didn't want to work with the android. Of course, Captian Fowler didn't care about his or anyone elses wants.
The captain had made it painfully clear that if Gavin filed one more complaint about his partner, he'd find himself directing traffic next.
He stalked back toward his desk and dropped heavily into his chair. The old seat squeaked beneath him.
His hand immediately reached for the familiar pack of cigarettes sitting beside a pile of paperwork.
Before he could grab them, another hand snatched them first.
Connor stood beside the desk, holding the cigarettes just out of reach.
"Let's go," Connor said.
Gavin looked up slowly.
"We have a stakeout. We don't have time for you to complain."
His LED was blue, but his expression carried a hint of annoyance.
Connor wasn't particularly fond of these assignments either.
Especially considering Gavin had pointed a gun at him on two separate occasions.
Gavin glared.
Connor simply stared back.
The detective stood up.
"Give those back."
Connor slipped the cigarettes into his pants pocket.
"No."
Gavin's eye twitched.
"No?"
"I'll give them back in the car."
"You plastic prick."
"I'll give them back in the car."
Connor turned and headed toward the exit.
Gavin followed immediately behind him.
Not because he was eager to leave.
Because he wanted his damn cigarettes.
The walk through the precinct was filled with amused stares.
Gavin painfully ignored it. A small snicker could be heard from Lieutenant Anderson.
Outside, Connor quickly made his way toward Gavin's truck.
The detective rushed behind.
As soon as he climbed into the driver's seat, he unlocked the passenger door.
Connor slid inside.
"Took you long enough."
"Give them back."
Connor handed over the cigarette pack.
Gavin immediately pulled one out and lit it.
Connor watched him inhale.
"Those are going to lead to your inevitable death."
Gavin blew the smoke into his face and Connor scowled.
Gavin smirked. He rolled the window down after he started the truck and pulled out the parking lot.
-- 9:30 PM. Hart Plaza
The two had patrolled the city for the past hour before finally parking near the Hart Plaza.
Reports of Red Ice transactions had been coming from the area for weeks. Although there was no one caught yet, there was just enough suspicious activity to station two detectives.
Detroit's skyline glittered in the distance and streetlights reflected off the river.
The temperature had been dropping significantly as the late months of the year came around.
Gavin shifted in his seat. He reached beneath and pulled out the small blanket he'd always kept in the truck.
Connor noticed immediately.
Of course he did. The android noticed everything.
Gavin wrapped the blanket around himself and settled back.
Silence filled the air.
It wasn't exactly uncomfortable. Just strange.
A few months ago they would've spent the entire stakeout arguing.
Now they mostly sat in silence.
Their "occasional" drunken hookups had complicated things. A lot.
It was always easier when neither of them cared. When alcohol blurred everything and bad decisions could be blamed on whiskey.
Neither of them knew what to say.
Or maybe they knew exactly what to say and didn't want to risk saying it.
Connor glanced over often before he finally he spoke.
"Detective."
"What?"
"Are you cold?"
"No."
Connor stared.
Gavin stared back.
"You are."
"I'm not."
"Your body temperature has decreased by three degrees."
"I'm fine."
"You're wrapped in a blanket."
"I'm comfortable."
"You turned the heat on."
Gavin scowled.
Connor continued.
"Your heart rate also increases every time the wind enters through the window."
"Are you done?"
"No."
Gavin groaned.
Connor folded his hands together.
"I have external heating."
"Oh my god."
"I could warm you up."
"No."
"It would be efficient."
"No."
Connor tilted his head.
"You seem resistant to practical solutions."
"Shut up."
A small smile tugged at Connor's lips.
That was dangerous.
Connor smiling should've been illegal.
The android reached over and pushed the center console upward.
Creating open space between them.
Gavin immediately knew where this was going.
Connor casually draped an arm along the back of the seat.
"Connor."
"What?"
"Don't."
"Don't what?"
"That."
Connor blinked innocently.
"I'm not doing anything."
"You know exactly what you're doing."
"I genuinely don't."
Liar.
Gavin sat there for several seconds.
The truck's heater wheezed uselessly.
Cold air crept through the cracked window.
Connor sat beside him looking irritatingly warm despite being made of synthetic materials.
Eventually Gavin sighed.
"Fine."
Connor's smile widened.
"Fine?"
"Shut up."
Gavin scooted closer.
Connor immediately activated his external heating. Warmth radiated through his jacket. The effect was almost instant.
The android carefully wrapped an arm around Gavin's shoulders.
Neither of them spoke.
The city lights reflected across the windshield.
Traffic drifted past in the distance.
For a brief moment, things felt peaceful.
Connor's hand settled against Gavin's side. They slowly slid down his back and to his waistband.
Gavin closed his eyes.
"Don't."
Connor's fingers paused.
"Don't what?"
"You're unbelievable."
"I don't know what you're referring to."
"Sure."
Connor's thumb brushed lightly against his hip.
The detective's jaw tightened and shiver crawled up his spine.
And unfortunately, it had very little to do with the cold.
Connor noticed. As always.
His LED flashed yellow for half a second.
"Your heart rate increased."
"Keep talking and I'll increase your repair bill."
Connor laughed softly.
The sound made something tighten in Gavin's chest.
The android's fingers tapped lightly against Gavin's belt.
"Quit it," Gavin said.
"Quit what?"
"Acting innocent."
Connor looked genuinely confused.
Or pretended to.
Which was somehow worse.
"I'm helping you stay warm."
"Bullshit."
"I am."
"You are absolutely not."
Connor considered that.
"My stress indicators show you're significantly calmer when you're in physical contact with me."
Gavin rolled his eyes.
"You're not subtle."
"It wasn't intended as a request."
"No?"
"No. It was an observation."
Connor's gaze shifted toward the windshield.
The silence returned. But significantly less tense.
Outside, music, escaping out a car, passed across the plaza before disappearing into the night.
Connor's hand remained against his side, not daring to move away.
For the first time all evening, Gavin felt himself relax.
Then Connor abruptly straightened.
His LED blinked red then yellow and settle back to blue. Every trace of warmth vanished from his expression.
"Movement."
Gavin instantly sat upright.
"Huh?"
Connor pointed toward the far side of the plaza.
Near an abandoned maintenance building.
"Three people."
The detective grabbed his binoculars and the blanket slipped into the floorboard.
Connor's gaze tracked movement in the darkness.
Through the lenses, Gavin spotted them. The first carried a hefty-looking duffel bag, sliding past an abandoned building and into an alley. The other followed and looked over his shoulder nervously every few seconds. The third stood watch near the entrance of the abandoned building before slinking behind into the alley.
Definitely suspicious. It looked exactly like what they had been waiting for.
"Well," Gavin muttered.
Connor's eyes narrowed.
"Seems like our night just got interesting."
Gavin lowered the binoculars.
The comfortable moment they'd shared seconds ago vanished completely.
The android shifted into work mode and slid out the car.
Calm.
Focused.
Precise.
Gavin following and lean on the side of the truck. He stared intently down the alley. The familiar rush of adrenaline settled into his veins.
"What do you see? Do you think we need backup?"
"It exactly what we were looking for. I've already requested backup. Chris and Ben are on the way."
The stakeout was over.
Now came the fun part.
And judging by the large look of bags, someone was about to have a very bad night.