Useless (Gavin Reed x [Android] Reader)

Twenty-Three

"I certainly hope I'm not interrupting anything... crucial," came a calm tone from the doorway. Hands behind his back, the RK800 merely observed the two of you with his crooked smile slowly forming. "I know you requested the furry child, Nove, but the other child is also here to supervise," he added.

"She wasn't trying to insult you, man," Gavin cut in before you could respond.

"I'm aware. I'm only teasing," Connor assured him. Quietly shutting the door behind him, the male prototype took another chair and pulled it towards a far corner of the room. As he sank in- as much as an android could- his hands laced together, keeping his eyes on the floor. "Pretend I am not here."

Hazel eyes narrowed to slits. "Ex-fucking-scuse us? This whole idea was to fuckin' supervise me over the weekend!" You laid a hand on Reed's upper arm, shutting him up before he could make things worse.

"I know. But I am observant above most other things." The android lifted his eyes, a soft gleam in them to match his smile. "I trust you here, Gavin. You are not the type of human that allows certain emotions you may see as weak to be seen in public. This is not meant to offend you. I do not know your history. But I did see you showing how incredibly destroyed you are over this."

Having fallen quiet, Reed closed his eyes, focusing on the gentle pressure of your hand still on his arm. "Good luck convincing Hank," came his bitter remark.

"I don't need to. He is protective, but he is not heartless." Connor's eyes found yours. "I am not here, and he requested your assistance with falling asleep." With a wink, the RK800 looked away and stayed in that position.

Pretend you aren't here? You're a giant goddamn tree trying to go unseen in the middle of a concrete parking lot...

... and now I can't unsee that.

With a snort, Reed lowered his head, trying his damnedest not to laugh and only succeeded for maybe three seconds. The laughter was quiet, at least.

"Supervision aside... how may I help?" Your hand remained on the human's arm, noting that despite never having seen him do anything more strenuous than walk, he was built solidly. "Laughter is a good indication that you feel at least somewhat more relaxed."

Watching you watch him, Gavin sighed. "I am. Just... y'know, tired as fuck."

"I do have several minor ideas to assist, if you'd like to hear them."

At first, his reply was non-existent. Your directive merely gazed at you, soaking in the sight of this prototype, built for him, willingly at his side despite his bastardized ways. "...... sit on the bed, please," the male mumbled, shifting back so you had space to do so.

"Yes, sir," came your murmur, moving to perch on the edge of the bed.

"No, no... hold on..." As the seconds ticked by, your directive could feel gravity doing its job far too well, trying to drag him to the floor. But Gavin lifted his hands, mumbled an apology, then laid them on your shoulders, then one on your hip, moving and adjusting you so you were sitting more comfortably... for him to lay his head in your lap. He faced away from you for the sake of not being disgusting, but the second his head relaxed against your thighs, Reed let out a groan. "Remind me... later... you need clothes..."

Confused, you lay a hand on his head; people, men especially, seemed to enjoy their hair being played with, so your fingers ran through the detective's short locks. "... are these clothes not satisfactory?"

The human mumbled incoherently, too exhausted to do much but rest, but managed to reply, ".... skirt's too short..."

Wanting clarification, you realized that as he exhaled slowly, he'd also passed out.

[Did he fall asleep in your lap?]

From the corner, the RK800 was smirking in the silence of the room. You tore away from looking over, not wanting to be agitated. [He requested assistance with falling asleep, and he is asleep. Do not make light of this when you know that he is trying his best. I will not refuse a request if it will help him, and this request is not inappropriate.]

[Nove, I didn't--]

[Dad.]

That shut him up.

◇___#$&!___◇

God, I feel heavy. I haven't slept that hard in a long time.

--what the fuck am I laying on?

With agonizing heaviness, the human pushed himself onto his back, trying to force his eyes open enough to figure things out.

The hand in his hair was new. The touch was gentle and soothing, so much so that he probably could've slept through the night. The sky wasn't dark, but the sun was sinking in that slow summer pace.

You said nothing, waiting for him to wake up on his own. Reed looked incredibly peaceful while he was asleep, and the time spent returning to the waking world gave the male an aura of tranquility.

Able to keep his eyes open at last, Gavin caught you watching, and the pieces came together. He'd fallen asleep in your lap, and you simply hadn't moved. "How long was I out for...?" came the rough voice, thick with sleep.

"Four hours and fifty-one minutes, sir," you replied quietly. "Your eyes are no longer red. How do you feel?"

Tongue glued to the roof of his mouth, Reed couldn't speak at first. Maybe he was still in a daze from the nap, but gazing up at the prototype he was using as a pillow, his heart sank a little.

This is the woman I wanted to throw away. The one I hurt so damn badly she had to ask permission to self-destruct.

Moving at an unusually slow speed, your directive lifted a hand, reaching up until it brushed against your cheek. It was held, a vague but content smile on his scruffy face. In return, the hand in his hair moved to cup his face, as well. Gavin exhaled through his nose. "Sorry. Beard grows faster than I can shave it off. I'm a prickly bastard."

Brushing your fingertips along his facial hair- what he would call a five minutes after I shave shadow- you let your head tip to one side. "Androids are not able to grow hair; what we are given is all we may have. Your ability to grow hair is admirable."

"...... I'm a hairy fucker, though. You androids being all smooth and shit is impressive. You're lucky."

"To you. This is all we know. We have different tastes as individuals, just as you do." Tracing the outline of his jaw, you felt warmth start to rise in your cheeks. "... Maybe I prefer facial hair, Gavin. It suits you. The only reason you dislike your hair is because it's what you've always known. But seeing you compared to someone who does not have facial hair, or cannot grow it... I will not choose anything else."

The dumb muscle in his chest beat so hard he wouldn't have been surprised if you'd seen it pop out for a moment.