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Gavin's gaze was fixed on his partner's back as they stepped away from their car to search a house for possible evidence. It wasn't the first case that Gavin worked on with Connor, especially since Anderson worked fewer hours to focus more on his rehabilitation. It went well so far, if you asked Gavin, Hank was more focused and healthier than he had been in weeks.
The detective enjoyed working with Connor. Not only did he now have a partner whom he could trust to have his back in the field, and while on cases in general, but it was also a way to spend more time with someone he'd grown to love.
On the other hand, however, there was this kind of itch at the back of the head, and it grew with every case they worked on. Now, he was working with someone, he was ready to take a bullet for, and Gavin knew that the android would take a bullet for him too.
Two people willing to protect their partner even if one of them died...It could be dangerous in a job like this.
Like the case they were currently working on, he thought bitterly.
Gavin wasn't proud to admit that whoever was behind all of these murdered androids and humans was one of the most cunning and vicious murderers he had come across in his career.
Ten murders in just two months and they were running out of time. In just two days the FBI would take over their case, and so far, Connor and Gavin had nothing.
No evidence that would lead anywhere. Absolutely nothing.
It was Connor's idea to look for possible evidences inside the house again, where the first two victims were found.
One last, desperate attempt to find something useful that would lead them somewhere.
Though, Gavin had to admit, that he hoped they wouldn't find anything. He wasn’t prepared to find yet another pair of dead androids or humans.
Rarely did he wish not to have to work on a particular case, or even to hand it over to anyone else, but the last few days had been filled with nightmares, even in his waking moments, memories of the cruel scenes haunted his thoughts.
Gavin shuddered heavily as he remembered the last crime scene.
Images of destroyed androids, ripped apart either by the killer's hands, or by themselves the moment their stress had overwhelmed them.
A sigh left his slightly parted lips, since the day after seeing those destroyed androids that looked creepy like Connor, a certain thought emerged again and again. He wasn't ready to lose the android.
Neither now nor in the future.
It was a deep-seated fear, too difficult for him to explain, he knew that, but it was something he had to talk to Connor about.
He stood still, just a few steps away from the car, with his eyes still settled on the RK's grey clad back, and his mind deep in thoughts.
Connor hadn't noticed the detective's gaze, nor that the man had stopped by their car, he had walked on until he reached the landing of the old house, only then did he seem to realize that Gavin hadn't followed him. The android turned to the detective behind him while raising an eyebrow questioningly.
"Gavin, what is it? Is something wrong?" The android asked, ready to take a step in his direction. Gavin shook his head when the voice brought him back to the present, and narrowed the distance between them until he came to a stop in front of Connor.
Grey eyes looked into brown ones and slowly the detective sank into the android's warm gaze.
"Hmmm, everything's fine. I was thinking...about us…something I'd like to talk to you about when we get back home." The moment Gavin had said the last word, Connor's eyes widened dramatically and Gavin winced.
Stupid…he couldn't have phrased it any worse?
He quickly took Connor's hand in his own to ease the panic that was clearly spreading in the android's mind.
"Con. Stop! Listen to me, darling. I didn't mean it like that! I would never, never end what we have together for as long as you'll have me. You know that. It's just...," Gavin sighed loudly, gently squeezing the android's hands, "Con, I'm just…I'm afraid of what could happen when we work together. What if one of us gets injured while on duty? And the case we have now isn't helping either… I – I'm afraid that you'll get hurt saving my ass one day because you…"
The detective stopped talking, his heart had started to pound inside his chest, fast and heavy. He didn't want Connor to misunderstand his words, and Gavin knew if there was one thing, he was particularly bad at, it was words.
"…because you love me." Connor finished Gavin's sentence with a small smile on his lips.
"Gavin, do you really think that isn't something I'm afraid of every day? That you would sacrifice your life to save mine? And the nightmares that have woken you up over and over during the last few nights? Do you think I haven't noticed?"
Connor's hands left Gavin's and slowly moved up to enclose the detective's face. "I know it was something you wanted to talk about, but I didn't want to pressure you."
The android leaned forward to press a soft kiss against the man's lips and whispered an almost inaudible 'I love you' before leaning back again. "Let's look around the house, maybe we will be able to find some new clues, and then we'll talk about everything."
They moved away from each other, eyes lingering in silent agreement for a moment longer before they both went to enter the building. The doors were still sealed by the yellow 'Do not enter' duct tape that was left behind by the forensics and police.
Connor peeled them away carefully before opening the door fully. The house itself was dark, dust had settled on every surface and it was almost as if the house had been abandoned and sealed for more than two months.
Slowly, they worked their way through the different rooms, trying to track down new evidences or useful clues, but all that was left behind was the dried blood of the human victim, while the thirium of the android had long since evaporated.
Gavin let out an exhausted sigh when he met Connor in an extension of the building. It was the darkest room inside the house as there were no windows and, oddly enough, it had an iron door.
The room itself was small and bare except for a few empty cardboard boxes in one corner.
"Let me guess, you didn't find anything here either?" Gavin asked, pushing aside one of the empty boxes with his foot.
"No, nothing. No fingerprints, or footprints…I can't even reconstruct what happened to our victims." said Connor defeated.
The detective gazed at Connor, waiting for the android to decide what to do next, when a frown suddenly settled on the android's face.
Gavin stood straighter at the unexpected seriousness on his partner's face, he opened his mouth to ask what was wrong, but only managed to flinch when a click filled the air, and the heavy iron door behind them slammed shut with a loud bang.
Heavy darkness enveloped them, forcing Gavin to stand still where he was with his breath caught at the back of his throat for a few seconds.
"What the fuck? Connor? What's happening?" There was a hint of fear in his voice that drew the android to the human and a moment later one of Gavin's hand was enclosed by slim fingers.
"I don't know, I just heard the mechanisms that moved to close the door. There are no sign of someone else being inside or outside the house." The LED at the side of Connor's head flickered yellow then red as he looked around, "Stay behind me, I'll try to open the door."
The man moved to stand behind Connor, his hand hovering in the air, ready to pull him back should something unexpected happen. Though nothing came to pass when the android pushed and pulled at the door, it stayed firmly closed.
The frown settled more firmly on Connor's face while he turned around to view the room once again and Gavin didn't like what he was seeing one bit. "What? Please, don't tell me we are trapped in here?...Con?"
Seconds of silence passed between them before the man snapped his fingers in front of the android's face to get his attention.
"Con? What is it? ... You know what? I really would like to go now." The detective's breath hitched a bit as an itch started to settle on his skin, an indication of the sudden stress his body and mind went through.
"Please wait here, Gavin." Was all Connor said before he walked to the other side of the room, his steps unusually stiff and machine-like, which only made the detective more nervous than he already was.
Connor was just relieved to see that Gavin had listened to his words and stayed where he had told him to, because a few moments after the door had slammed shut, something had caught the attention of his sensors. At first, he thought he had made a mistake and it was just an error in his system, but when a second warning flashed in his field of vision, indicating the release of a toxic gas into the air, he knew something was wrong.
Warm brown eyes searched along the wall for any indications and when he found the area where the gas was being released into the room, he immediately began to analyze it. His thirium pump stuttered heavily when his system revealed the results of the gas analysis. It was a mixture of several chemicals, harmless for androids, but each one of them poisonous enough to kill a human within a few seconds after inhaling it.
His partner and lover...Gavin's lungs would be damaged beyond repair if he inhaled any of it, he would die within seconds of uncontrolled exposure.
The android looked at his lover with growing horror, all the possibilities and preconstruction of what could happen in the next few minutes flooded his thoughts, stopping any movements for a few seconds before he quickly approached his detective.
They had to act quickly, without further explanations Connor grabbed Gavin's hand and pulled him to the other side of the room, where the air was still untouched by the toxins.
At least for now.
"Con, what the fuck are-...did you find a way out?" Gavin asked with a hopeful tint in his voice.
"No. Gavin, you need to listen to me very closely now. You see the small holes in the other side of the wall?" Connor's voice was so serious that Gavin didn't dare to interrupt him, instead he let his grey eyes wander briefly to the area Connor had pointed out to and nodded briefly.
Connor squeezed Gavin's fingers reassuringly before continuing. "Toxic gas is being released from there, it slowly fills the room. If I'm correct we have about two minutes before you'll be affected by it. I have already contact the DPD and EMTs of our situation. Help is on the way, but it will take seven minutes for them to arrive."
Neither of them needed to think about the odds and numbers, help would arrive too late, both of them knew that.
Gavin swallowed nervously, he knew Connor wouldn't dare to joke around with something like that. "So, what do you suggest we do? You know what kind of gas it is?"
Connor moved his head slightly, "It's going to affect your lungs, it'll damage them and there is no medication or treatment that could help after you breathed in too much. You'll suffocate...I...I don't know...." Connor began to lose his composure as the reality of the situation they were in sunk in. His LED flickered a deep red color as he clutched Gavin's now shaking hands between his own.
Another warning from Connor's sensors forced the android to act, and he urged Gavin to step into the corner farthest from the holes in the wall, trying to protect the detective from something invisible and yet so deadly.
"Con, fuck..." Gavin stuttered, clinging to his lover while letting himself being held in return. His heart was racing inside his chest in fear. "Connor...I love you so much and I trust you, you know that right?"
The android nodded silently, his brown eyes filled with anxiety as they sought out grey ones.
"Con, you know what you have to do, right?" Gavin whispered, and yes...Connor knew what he could do in order to give Gavin a chance.
However, the reality of what he would be forced to do to the man he loved more than anything was a nightmare he didn't want to even think about.
The android let out a whimper as Gavin sunk to the ground and tucked Connor along with him before he pressed his lips against Connor's.
Neither wanted to pull away, because for both of them it felt like they were saying goodbye, as if they shared one last kiss before everything would end, and the first tears made themselves known, running down on both of their faces until they mingled together in a sea of despair.
Time however had other plans and too soon their lips parted.
"I love you so much, Con. I know it won't be easy for you, but whatever happens next...You can't let go. No matter how much I fight you, no matter how much I plead. Don't let go..." Gavin's breath got caught in his throat and kept him from uttering the next words he wanted to say, and Connor knew that their time was up.
The android raised his hands to cradle Gavin's head between them, and whispered against his human's lips a short, "I love you too, so much." before he pressed his hand firmly over Gavin's mouth and nose, effectively sealing them close so no air could enter the human's lungs, but the price they would have to pay was another one.
Both knew that this was their only option, slim as it seemed, to give the detective even the slightest chance of survival.
Seconds went by, seconds that felt like a lifetime while brown eyes stared down at familiar grey ones, but when the detective started to fidget, Connor's world stopped moving, he was forced to lean against Gavin more firmly, his hand like iron around his lover's nose and mouth.
It didn't take long for Gavin's survival instinct to kick in as his lungs and brain yearned for fresh air, and Connor could see it…his sensors measured every little detail, from the oxygen level in the man's blood to the heart rate, everything was displayed for Connor to see, as much as Connor wished he could just ignore it. Or to bury everything that was happening into the darkest parts of his zen-garden.
Everything was too loud, the beat of the detective's struggling heart, the noise of legs kicking out, and shoes scratching over the floor, mixed with the choking sounds Gavin made was an experience that would haunt Connor forever.
Fingers wrapped themselves around Connor's wrists, jerking at them in an attempt to get them away from Gavin's mouth and nose and if that happened, Connor would see Gavin die an even more gruesome death.
"Shh, Gavin. It's... Just stay still. Please, stop...stop fighting, it's alright…I'm here…, " Connor's words were swallowed by a static filled sound, his own stress level skyrocket at the sight of Gavin dying underneath his own hands. By his hands…
All of this...and yet Connor was unable to avert his eyes from Gavin's.
Grey eyes dilated and filled with fear, and just before the detective's body went limp under Connor's own, there was a hint of betrayal in them. It was as if, in his final moments of consciousness, Gavin had forgotten why they were doing this.
He scanned the detective's vitals, noting how his lover's heart grew weaker and weaker, until it lost the fight to keep beating, while grey eyes dilated even further. Black ate away the grey surrounding them until all light seemed to have vanished from his eyes.
Then everything was silent and Connor dared to take his hand from Gavin's face. Now he could see the marks he'd left, little blue indents that would turn into bruises if Gavin's heart was still beating.
The RK's sight started to blur, thick tears swam into his vision, hiding Gavin from his view for a second. His mind started to scream at him. What had he done?
In that moment Connor began to understand why the other androids had taken their own lives after seeing how their loved ones died.
A life without Gavin by his side…he couldn't imagine even one day without him.
"Gavin, love…I'm so sorry..." Connor sobbed loudly and reached out to gather the man against his chest, placing his lover's head underneath his chin before slowly rocking back and forth with the limp body on his arms.
A massage let him know that it wouldn't take long for back-up and help to arrive. Hope bloomed inside his chest, making his thirium pump skip a beat, it wasn't too late yet.
With slow movements did Connor get up from the floor and made his way towards the door, Gavin gently cradled in his arms.
A few moments later the android could hear voices on the other side of the door, and Connor let them know that they should open the door, but step aside as the gas had filled the whole room by now.
And then, finally, the heavy iron door was opened to a small gap, enough for Connor and Gavin to slip out, and it was closed again right after.
Time was all that mattered now, every second that was wasted could be one too much.
He laid his detective on the cold floor and was immediately surrounded by officers and paramedics. Different voices around him tried to get his attention, but Connor ignored them all, his focus was on the man in front of him.
He started to press against Gavin's sternum, and tried to bring his human back to life, ribs bowed heavily under the pressure, but Connor kept going and was just about to lean forward to press air into unmoving lungs, when a hand stopped him.
The android turned around to snap at whoever it was, but stopped short when he met Hank's worried face. "Connor, stop and let them help Gavin..." the older man said firmly.
The android blinked once before he turned back around, noticing that the paramedics had taken over, a breathing mask had been placed over Gavin's face and his shirt had been cut open in the middle.
Connor wanted to scream at them to get their hands away from the detective.
Didn't they know that Gavin hated being touched by strangers?
"Connor! C'mon, back off." Connor was pulled away when arms wrapped around him gently.
"It's alright, son. Let them do their job. Gavin is tough -" Hank kept talking and yet Connor was unable to listen.
He could only concentrate on the man on the ground in front of him.
There were other hands now, pushing down on Gavin's too still chest, trying to revive the man that Connor had been forced to...murder.
Time was running out, and as Gavin's chance of survival dropped lower and lower with each moment that passed, until Connor crumbled into himself.
What if Gavin didn't come back?
What if Connor had killed his love, even if it was just to make sure they had a way to save Gavin?
A whine left his lips as the detective's survival rate went under ten percent. "Gavin, no…please come back! Please," Connor pressed out between his sobs.
His mind was lost in grief, his stress level rose slowly but steadily, which did not go unnoticed by Hank, and older man tightened his arms around the android while he whispered soothing words against his ear.
Suddenly, the sound of gagging rang out and Gavin's body arched over the ground, his whole body shook with the urge to inhale as much air as possible...all at once.
The detective sputtered, coughed and immediately fought against the hands that were touching him, his movements however were uncoordinated, and Connor scrambled towards his love, cupping the man's face between his trembling hands once again.
"Gavin, Gavin...shhh. Oh, you...slowly. Breath slowly. You're alright, it's okay." Connor caressed the detective's too pale skin in an attempt to calm the man down. It worked, much to Connor's relief, although it still took minutes for Gavin's breathing to even out, and for the man's heart to stop racing after so many minutes of standing still.
Grey eyes stared up at him tiredly, and yet so full of love for Connor that the android almost turned away in shame. How could Gavin look at him after what he had done?
"Stop it..." Gavin choked out, "I know that look. You blame yourself... you idiot, come here." Gavin reached out for Connor's hand, "Don't you dare!" The man mumbled, squeezing Connor's hand slightly. His detective was weak, but alive, his vitals steadying fast.
People were still surrounding them, until a gurney was pushed into his view and Gavin was placed onto it carefully.
Connor let his eyes wander to Hank's and the older man nodded at him, "Go with Gavin, Con. He needs you now. I'll take over here, and drive to the hospital as soon as possible. Just keep me posted alright?"
The android responded with a grateful nod and followed Gavin into the ambulance, where they immediately interlaced their fingers, never let go during the drive to the hospital. Gavin was tired, Connor was aware of that, and yet the man refused to close his eyes.
"Hey, Con? Thanks for saving me." The detective whispered, but Connor kept quiet this time. He just let himself lean forward to press his forehead against Gavin's, enjoying the feeling of his love's warm skin against his own.
It was hours later that Connor found himself next to the man's bed. Gavin had been checked out thoroughly, he had a cracked rib and bruises.
They would keep him overnight for observation, which was relief for Connor. He had been so afraid, he didn't want to lose Gavin, not like this, not now.
"Con?"
Connor suppressed a jerk of surprise as he was pulled out of his thoughts and his brown eyes settled on Gavin's face, seeing half open, grey eyes watched him.
"Gavin, how are you feeling?" Connor whispered.
"I'm alright, but you aren't. Don't even try to deny it...ahh fuck. C'mon Con, don't do this. I'm alive and I'm here because you saved me! I could never have held my breath on my own for so long and you know that. I would definitely be dead now if it weren't for you." Gavin said, his voice steady, and he moved aside to make room on the bed.
"Con, come here, please. I need to feel you." Gavin held his arms open, and watched as the android swallowed unnecessarily, and after a few seconds Connor moved away from his place on the chair to lay down beside Gavin.
As soon as he felt the warmth of Gavin surrounding him, Connor let out a sob, the anxiety fell away, together with the fear that just wouldn't let go of him until now.
They wrapped their arms around each other more tightly. Lips met and soft whispered words were shared between them. Neither notice how the time passed, both too focused on each other. Slowly their movement became sluggish until they both fell asleep, exhausted from the day's events.
A while later, the door to Gavin's room opened silently and Hank, with a large cup of coffee in one hand entered on quiet feet. Blue eyes immediately fell onto the bed, where Connor and Gavin lay side by side, arms around each other.
The older man's mind was filled with the events of the day, how Connor placed Gavin's limp body onto the ground before he started to revive him.
The Lieutenant didn't want to think about what would have happened if Gavin had died today.
What Connor would have done.
Hank shook his head, it wasn't something he should think about. Instead he looked at the two young men once more and smiled gently.
Connor and Gavin had been together for almost two years now, something he had never thought possible, but here they were.
Hank grabbed the spare blanket at the end of Gavin's bed and laid it over them before he sat himself down onto the chair at the far end of the room, he would watch over Connor and Gavin until morning.
Just to make sure both of them were alright.