Useless (Gavin Reed x [Android] Reader)

Twenty-Six

"Is this necessary?" Connor sat in the passenger seat, his head tilted a bit as he pondered everything over. "We don't have any need for additional--"

"Connor?"

"Yes?"

"Shut the fuck up." Gripping the steering wheel tight, Reed tried not to glare. It had taken twenty minutes to get someone to agree to accompany you. Hank outright refused, Elijah stared at him blankly, and Chloé was too enamored with Sumo. Connor was his last option, and the prototype just kept reasoning against it. "Like I keep telling you. This isn't for me, it's for her. Trust me, I'd have preferred taking Chloé, but she's in love with that dog and I'd feel bad."

In the backseat, your eyes cast down to your lap. More specifically, the white skirt that had recently been deemed too short. "... are we going to CyberLife? My uniform can be altered without issue."

"Yeah. CyberLife first, then... elsewhere." Before the RK800 opened his mouth, Gavin reached and snatched his ear. "I don't wanna hear it. Androids aren't required to wear their uniform, but most of 'em do cause it's all they have. Besides, you're getting clothing from Eli, so let your daughter have some fuckin' options, Dad."

"...... very well," the RK800 replied quietly.

◇___#$&!___◇

Hands shoved into his pockets, Gavin couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief as they stepped into CyberLife's primary facility. It was nice and cool inside; though it wasn't even noon, he thought it was still too warm out.

"How may I be of service?" There was an android at the front desk, and even Connor thought the employee had that tired-but-looking-happy retail work expression. It was almost refreshing on an android.

"Um... We, uh, I mean-- my prototype, she... damn it." He wasn't good at this. "How do I go about changing her shit?" When the service android just blinked, Reed tried not to get agitated. "... okay, let me start over. I have a custom prototype from your Stepford Program. The model is RG900. And I wanna know if I can get her into something that isn't so short. Can I do that?"

After a moment, LED blinking yellow as he gazed at you, the employee smiled a bit more genuinely and nodded. "Absolutely, that can be done. If you would please show your ID and electronic receipt, I can send you to the appropriate floor."

"What electronic receipt?" The human looked more than baffled; he was nervous. "She was a--"

"I have the receipt, Gavin," Connor interrupted quietly.

While the three of you were giving the required data for access, the service android couldn't help but eye the RK800 before looking the detective in the eye. "Sir, do you own two prototypes?"

"Fuck, no. She's mine. This metal sequoia belongs to the DPD. Detective prototype, buddy, you should be honored to be in our presence." Taking the badge, Gavin smirked and waved dismissively as the three of you walked away.

The shorter male walked between the two prototypes down the hallway towards the Concept & Design room. Inside it was like stepping into another CyberLife retail location, minus all the androids on display. The female at the desk smiled, but seemed excessively confused, just like the front desk android had been. "How may I help you?"

"I... kinda need to change my prototype's uniform." She glanced at your skirt, eyebrows lifting, and Reed shifted his weight. "Yeah, skirt's too short. Before you ask, she was a gift, I'm not comfortable having her wear something that short if she's my partner. We're in law enforcement." He paused. "How much is this gonna cost me?"

Half a minute was spent looking up your model number; when the employee's eyes widened as much as possible, she slowly met his gaze again. "I may have to restart my computer, I don't think my numbers are displaying correctly. Did you say she was in law enforcement? As a Stepford prototype?"

"The final cost was $435,000," Connor answered, hands behind his back. "The RG900 was built with parts from the unused RK900 model. So she is a capable detective but also as customized as I was able to have." Dark eyes glinted, almost challenging the woman. "Elijah Kamski footed the bill and trusted me to design her as I saw fit, so she is as unique as was possible. Now may we change her uniform and be on our way?"

While you were ushered away into a separate room, Gavin crossed his arms, turning to the other android. "Dude. The fuck was that about?"

Connor blinked. "What do you mean?"

"I mean you got defensive. No one's accusing you of anything, man."

"While we have encountered only two CyberLife employees thus far, there has been massive hesitation and disbelief surrounding Nove's construction. Namely that no one here seems to believe that an android has built an android, nor that so much money has been spent for it." His mouth came together, eyes closing as he went on. "The RK900 was to be my replacement. Knowing that I had it taken apart and used parts to fit her smaller frame... the service android questioned me, if whether or not I had it done to be vindictive... which was not the case."

There was that fatherly demeanor again. "... so basically no one believes you, that you helped make her. Like they're saying that your kid isn't yours, you aren't fit to create someone, and you won't be able to do something like that and do it well."

When the RK800 opened his eyes, Reed had to admit that seeing the tears spill out was startling. "To put it bluntly, Gavin, yes. I may be ridiculous in feeling this way, but I am protective of the being I created for you. So excuse me if this behavior is unbearable. It's not intentional, I... p-promise."

"D-dude, hey, it's all right, damn..." Unsure of himself, your directive lay a hand on the prototype's shoulder. "That's pretty standard Single Dad Syndrome." A pause. "... you need a hug?" Despite the height difference, Gavin pulled his fellow detective into a hug, surprised by how much Connor actually sank into it. "...... like I said earlier, you made her perfect. And... fuck, I never actually thanked you. So... thank you."

"I'm happy to see my father and my partner bonding," came your gentle interruption, unable to stop the smile from forming. Seeing the two hugging was sweet and, somehow, somewhat of a relief. "Will this be sufficient instead of the skirt, sir?"

The pair pulled away, the human turning to take in your change. The skirt had been exchanged for fitted pants that ended a little below your knees, as bright white as your jacket. With the white heels, you looked much more professional, but also...

Oh Jesus Christ. Why do those pants make her fuckin' thighs better? And her hips. And waist. And... shit.

"..... y-yeah. Much... much more, uh... sufficient. ....... Holy shit," he mumbled, red as a tomato.

Okay, so maybe this little outing was a bad idea. I'm glad Con opened up, I guess... didn't think he'd feel like a single dad getting shit on by other androids... but if one change to her uniform makes me feel shit, I'm gonna get blue balls just trying to help her figure out her taste in clothes.