January 6th, 3039

New message from Connor: Would you like to have lunch today, Detective Reed? A new cafe just opened and I think you would like it. Please dress warm.

Gavin squinted his eyes at phone through the darkness of his bedroom, managing a tired smile once he read the message. He hadn't expected Connor to ask him on their random lunch date so soon but since this was his day off and he had nothing else planned besides laying in bed like a slob, he groggily texted back with one thumb.

Yeah, sure. Give me an hour to get ready.

Tossing his phone onto his blankets uncaringly, Gavin groaned and stretched out his limbs for a few seconds before rolling over onto his side. His clock's large blue numbers were bright against his tired eyes so Gavin pulled his pillow over his face but instead felt something soft bumping against his neck.

Sighing lowly, he rolled back over onto his bare back and wasn't surprised to see one of his cats, a chubby ragdoll with blue eyes and light stripes marking her white fur, trying to walk across his face.

"Cake, stop that. It's too early to feed you." Gavin complained tiredly but all he got was needy meows in return and the feeling of her nose tickling his neck and her paws digging into his bicep. "I said stop that! Why do you always bug me in the morning when I'm trying to sleep?" Cake meowed loudly in response and continued to butt her nose against his stubbly cheek, stopping for a second to lick his nose.

Gavin gently scooped her up and set her to the side so he could pull himself up. "You're a pain in my ass, you know that?" The cat made a small noise in response and curled her bushy tail around, looking up at her owner with curious eyes.

Yawning, he threw his legs over the side of the bed before getting up sluggishly. Cake meowed louder and hopped down so she could follow him out into the dark hallway, no sunlight peering through due to all of his curtains being closed.

"Alright already, cut it out! I'll feed your fat butt!" Gavin sighed when the cat kept twisting around his naked legs on his way to the kitchen, almost making him trip.

Shivering when he feet touched the cold tile, he reached into the cabinet above the stove to produce a can of cat bits and after opening it, Cake began crying loud for the food.

"You're gonna blow up one of these days, baby cakes." Chuckling tiredly, he set the can down and watched for a second as Cake went to town on the food.

Gavin padded into the equally drab living room, stopping when he spotted the glowing green of his other cat, Maple, perched comfortably on the back of his leather couch. She blinked her eyes tiredly but let out a soft noise when he gently scratched under her chin, her beautiful black fur blending in well with the couch.

Maple had short, shiny black hair but had unusual fangs that extended longer than the normal cat, making her look like a vampire. He found her lurking around the back of his apartment and scooped her up without a second thought and she had been living with him for three years.

Despite her intimidating look, Maple was probably the sweetest cat Gavin had ever owned and loved smothering her in attention.

"Who's my girl, huh?" He cooed, carefully picking the cat up and cradling her against his chest. Maple meowed tenderly in response, turning in his arms so she could stretch her paws and extend her hind legs.

Gently scrubbing her belly, Gavin carried her back into his room and jabbed a thumb into the touch pad by the door, lightly illuminating the room.

Setting Maple down on his rumpled blankets, Gavin scratched his scruff before opening his drawers to find some clothes to wear. It was still bitter cold out so he settled on some dark denim jeans, a knitted brown turtle neck he couldn't remember purchasing before grabbing some clean socks from his hamper. He checked the time and debated on hopping in the shower once he saw it was thirty to twelve.

"Ah fuck it, better than going out smelling like a catbox..." Muttering, Gavin stripped off the old jockey shorts he slept in before stepping into his bathroom, thankful it was right next to his bedroom door. He kept trying to convince himself that he wasn't using his nicest body wash or shampoo for Connor and quickly got cleaned up.

The fresh smell of lavender chamomile flowed through his bathroom, a reminder that he was indeed trying to spruce himself up for the android.

A few clanging sounds came from the kitchen and Gavin groaned while buttoning his jeans, knowing one of the cats had knocked something over. He slung a towel over his shoulders and stalked towards the kitchen, not surprised to see Cake sitting next to the few plastic bowls she had knocked over from the counter, blinking up at her owner with the biggest innocent blue eyes he had ever seen.

"You little fucking troublemaker..." All he got was a curious meow in response before Cake padded off towards the kitchen, leaving him to pick up the bowls.

Gavin tossed the damp towel that was around his neck into the hamper before finishing getting ready.

Fully clothed and running a hand through his damp hair a few times to get the way he looked, he gave up and flicked off the bathroom light. Right on time because the doorbell buzzed loudly, startling Gavin and also Maple who came out from the bedroom to perch along the couch again.

"Uh... coming!" Gavin shouted nervously, quickly spritzing some cologne along his neck and wrists before heading towards the door. He fumbled with his wallet and phone, a bit grateful that he lived on the first floor so his voice could be heard.

Gavin rolled his shoulders a few times, inhaling and exhaling shakily before opening the door and stepping outside.

He was greeted to the cheerful expression of Connor, who was wearing that charcoal grey shirt he purchased and a very nice pair of denim jeans. He had a normal suit jacket matching along and it looked quite thin given the icy cold weather. At least he had a dark blue scarf wrapped around his neck, the solid colour bringing out the brown in the android's pretty eyes.

"Good afternoon, Detective Reed. I hope you don't mind I came to get you myself." Connor quipped with a smile, watching with interest as Gavin locked his door with shaking hands.

"Huh? No no... it's fine, Connor." Gavin stuttered with a nervous smile, quickly tucking his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket as the two descended the stone steps to his building and began walking along the sidewalk, free of snow.

There was still a brisk wind every once and awhile but with the sun peaking out from the clouds and the snow having melted a bit, it was easier for Gavin to tolerate being outside. Androids didn't get cold, as far as he knew, but Connor did look cute with the scarf.

"I told you to call me Gavin, dipshit. You got a screw lose or something?" Gavin chided with smirk as they fell into step together.

Connor laughed, the sound so soothing and soft. What a dream it would be to wake up to something like that.

"I'm sorry, I keep forgetting to call you Gavin, Gavin. Although I don't think screws were used when I was designed but I could be wrong." Brown eyes twinkled with a bit of mirth and he found his cheeks tinting pink for a reason he couldn't think of. That was an absolute lie, Gavin knew exactly why he got so flustered around the android.

They turned a corner on his block before reaching a crosswalk. "So uh... where are you taking me? Your message said something about a new cafe?" Gavin inquired while looking around, uncaringly watching various people walking around them.

Connor rubbed his hands together for a second, before they both began walking across the street when the indicator light flashed green. "Forgive me for prying but I had to find out what kind of food you liked so I asked Officer Chen. You two seem close and she recommended this new cafe because of your taste for panini sandwiches and coffee. I hope you don't mind."

Gavin was a bit thankful that the chilled air had already caused his cheeks to fluster a bit, although he was sure one quick scan would give it away. It was a bit endearing that Connor talked to Tina just to see what he liked. No one had bothered to learn anything so small about him and use it for a simple thing as lunch. His previous partner had always just assumed what he would like and it would often end up with them fighting over it like kids.

That was the past and Gavin really needed to stop dwelling on his past love life, it wasn't going to do him any good sulking while having lunch with Connor.

"I don't mind but if you wanted to know more about me, all you gotta do is ask me yourself. I wouldn't care, robocop." Gavin smirked when Connor's LED filtered between yellow and blue for a moment, his face drawing a curious but cute expressions. Damn it, why did the have to make that face all the time? Like a lost puppy or something...

Connor nodded. "Of course, Gavin. I'll keep that mind for any future lunch dates."

At that, Gavin stopped and was sure his heart was trying to burst out of his chest. Did he hear that right? Any future lunch dates? He didn't have time to dwell on it for long because they had reached their destination finally, standing in front of a normal looking cafe with a sign hanging off the top ledge reading Pete's Paninis.

Connor smiled vibrantly again, excitedly pulling open the handle on the glass door so Gavin could walk in first. The place was nice all right, it even smelled good.

The fresh scent of roasted coffee beans, vanilla frosting on pastries and the faint hint of food being cooked in the kitchen was making Gavin's stomach growl impatiently. Skipping out on breakfast and lying in bed worked out because he was getting treated to this.

"This place is nice, really smells good too. Damn, I wish they would've opened up sooner." Gavin felt his stomach rumble in protest again before quickly heading up to the counter so he could scan the menu. There was a plethora of sandwiches, soups and coffee types and he was practically drooling at the thought of biting into a grilled teriyaki chicken and sweet onion panini.

Ordering that meal with a medium coffee, Gavin took a seat down into a booth at the far end so he couldn't be seen and sighed. Connor surprisingly placed an order for a glass of thirium, which made Gavin blink his eyes a few times before he spotted the sign near the end of the register that said they served androids as well.

"Huh. Good thing you picked this place out, I didn't think you could actually eat anything."

Connor folded his hands in his lip, sitting across the other in the booth. "We technically can't ingest anything aside from thirium. There's also thirium based candy I believe but I've never been able to try any."

Gavin sipped his coffee leisurely, groaning mutely at the sweet taste of caramel and vanilla cream soothing his aching taste buds. "That's pretty cool but that's too bad about not being able to eat, though. I wouldn't want to look like an idiot or something chowing down in front of you." A nervous chuckle followed this.

"You don't have to worry about eating in front of me, Gavin. I invited you out with me so it doesn't bother me to watch you eat while we talk. I find it quiet calming." Connor had a hint of a smile on his face, the shift of sunlight slightly pouring in through the glass window highlighting the few freckles on his face.

Gavin found himself staring a bit too long but caught himself quickly, averting his eyes to his steaming cup of coffee. A few moments later, a well dressed waitress brought over his freshly cooked meal on a tray and set it down.

Muttering a thanks, Gavin picked up the sandwich and took a big bite out of it as the woman walked away. His mouth watered at the taste of onions and chicken and it must have showed because Connor was chuckling at the bit of mustard on his chin.

"I assume it tastes good, Gavin?" He snorted and quickly dabbed at his chin with his napkin, setting down his sandwich in favor of grabbing his coffee.

"Hell yeah it does, I wish you could try some. I think that robotic stomach of yours would like it." Connor chuckled this time, his hands resting around the glass cup full of the shimmering blue liquid he ordered.

They sat there for a few minutes longer as Gavin finished his food and when he was done with his thirium, the two sat together a bit longer with idle conversation.

"So uh how are you dealing with your emotions?" That sounded bad so Gavin quickly worded it differently, feeling his cheeks heat up. " Well, being a deviant I mean. I'm not trying to be nosy or anything but I want to know more about you, Connor."

Connor had a thoughtful expression on his face, his mouth once again forming into a smile that made Gavin's face turn red and his heart thud quickly. "How kind of you, Gavin. I'm flattered you want to know more about me and as for my 'emotions', they have been pretty confusing but I think I'm coming to terms with them. That is apart of deviancy after all, learning to feel new things and express them."

"You can feel too huh? Like touching?" Gavin treaded along carefully, mentally asking himself where he was going with this question but Connor didn't seem offended in the slightest and held his palm out for him to look at. The skin looked so real and was this beautiful shade of flawless ivory that made Gavin a bit jealous since he had scars covering his hands.

"I have censors in my finger tips and palm that allow to feel sensations similar to that of a human. So yes, I can feel." Connor's explanation was so simple but Gavin still had a bit of trouble taking his eyes away from his hand, just wondering what it would feel like to hold it or to kiss his finger tips. They looked so delicate but strong, a combination he wanted to know more about.

Maybe Connor wouldn't mind if...

Too late. Gavin had already reached across the small gap separating them so he could take the android's hand in his own, the shocking smooth skin leaving him as speechless as he knew it would.

Connor didn't even flinch at the unsuspected action but his eyes did grow a little wide before he looked down at their connected hands. He ran a quick scan over Gavin to make sure nothing was wrong but when he only got an elevated heart rate, he curled his fingers over the scarred ones to seal the intimate touch.

Gavin was completely red, the tips of ears scorching hot as he gawked down at the way their hands look, his tanned, scarred skin contrasting greatly to Connor's unmarked, ivory toned skin.

The android's LED was spinning a curious yellow, his eyes fluttering a few times as he processed what this could and what it couldn't mean. Whatever it was, he found himself liking it and gripped Gavin's hand firmer.

"Connor..." Gavin started nervously, feeling a bit of sweat bead on his temple when he realized how close they had gotten along with the hand holding.

Connor blinked, his LED stopping on a vibrant yellow once he met the other's grey eyes. His heart rate had sped up greatly and he began to worry when his scans picked up on Gavin beginning to have a bit of anxiety from this.

"I'm - I apologize, Gavin. I didn't mean to make you upset." Connor quickly added once he pulled his hand away, his LED now blinking between yellow and red. Gavin frowned a bit once the android leaned away from him, the tight feeling of rejection and hurt pinching his heart.

"My bad... I didn't know you didn't - shit - I didn't know you don't like to be touched..." He tried sounding cool about the entire thing but the sad waver in his voice didn't go unnoticed and Connor tilted his head somewhat, pure concern and worry in his eyes. He was frowning a bit, the sight of him looking so sad making Gavin want to throw himself out the window.

"Are you upset? I'm sorry Detective, I didn't mean to imply I didn't like holding your hand or that I didn't like how it felt. Please forgive me, I think I may have misread the situation due to how anxious you seem - "

Gavin inhaled and exhaled through his nose before reaching over to take the android's hand again, this time gripping it firmly to reassure Connor that nothing wrong had happened between them. He knew that androids that deviated had trouble assessing certain situations now due to the influx of emotions flooding their software so he wanted to keep Connor as calm as he could, hoping this was the right path.

"No, it's okay, everything's okay. You didn't make me upset, okay? I thought I was the one who overstepped boundaries but if you're okay with this, then so am I. Don't worry about it, Connor."

Connor was appeased by this, the LED on his temple finally fading back into a gentle blue.

His hand tightened around his own and Gavin felt like his chest was tightening up, the heavy weight being lifted from his shoulders that whatever was going on between the two of them wasn't just his imagination or worse, it being one-sided. Connor was hard to read but Gavin was sort of glad he knew what the three different shades of his LED meant and so far, the soft blue was the one he loved seeing the most.

"Thank you, Gavin. I am sorry if I said anything to offend you - "

Gavin wasn't having and interrupted him with a small scoff. "No you didn't. I'm the one who needs to say sorry for all the horrible shit I've said to you but no matter how many times I tell you, you'll always forgive me anyways... so don't worry about it, robocop. We're both on good terms with each other."

Connor nodded, although he didn't take his hand back this time. "Alright Gavin. I think we are on good terms too, although we cannot pay if you keep holding onto my hand. Would you kindly let go for the time being?"

Gavin blinked before stuttering once he realized they had been holding hands for the past few minutes, wondering if anyone had been watching them. He didn't know if there were any people that were against androids here but even if they were, they'd eat his fist for being an asshole anyways.

"Right uh - sorry about that. Fuck." He swore under his breath as the two of them paid for their things.

Once they were back outside in the freezing cold, Gavin was about to shove his hands into his pockets for warmth before he startled when he felt Connor take his hand in his again, gripping it firmly to assure it was okay. His cheeks burned with embarrassment but Gavin didn't dare pull himself away, it felt serene holding hands with someone he had been crushing on for so long.

"Is that okay? Do you mind this? I can let go if you want me too, Gavin." Connor questioned him seriously, obviously concerned about how he felt about this new development.

"Yeah, uh, sure it's okay, dipshit. I think I'd tell you if I didn't want to hold hands with you. You can't be this naive." Gavin was as red as a tomato but he was too proud to tell Connor how fast his heart was beating or how wild his mind was going that the two of them were finally getting somewhere other than smiles, waves and awkward conversations.

Connor chuckled once they fell into even pace together. "Maybe I am but perhaps you'd like to find out and go out for lunch with me sometime next week? If you are free of course, I'd like to do this again."

A gentle squeeze to his hand let Gavin know that wasn't dreaming that the android indeed asked him out for a second lunch date. Well, how could he turn that down?

"Yeah sure, that sounds good to me. Pick the time and place and I'm down."