The first light of morning filtered through the blinds, sketching pale stripes across the floorboards. The city beyond the windows hummed softly — distant sirens, engines, the occasional human shouting at something trivial. Inside, the apartment smelled faintly of stale alcohol, the residue of last night’s celebration lingering in the air.

Gavin Reed stirred before fully waking, a low groan escaping his throat. His head lolled against the pillow, disoriented. Eyes half-closed, he reached blindly for something — coffee, a phone, his balance — before realizing that the blanket had shifted during sleep.

The door opened quietly, precise, calculated. Nines stepped inside, silent except for the faint hiss of servo motors adjusting. Coffee in hand, the aroma mixed with the lingering alcohol, cutting through it like a small gesture of care.

Visual scan initiated. Vital signs: stable. Human stress markers: elevated. Cognitive function: recovering from ethanol exposure. Immediate threat: negligible.

Nines set the coffee down on the nightstand, eyes sweeping the room. The floor had remnants of the party — a toppled chair, a scattered paper, the faint shimmer of confetti caught in sunlight. Nothing unexpected. Nothing dangerous.

He moved to pour another cup from the thermos he had prepared earlier, adjusting the handle so it wouldn’t spill, maintaining perfect control. He placed it over the nightstand, the tempting liquid stood there if Gavin decided he wanted to pick it.

Relationship matrix recalculated. Human dependency: moderate. Recent trust indicators: increased. Behavioral adaptation: ongoing.

He noticed the way Gavin took a deep breath once the smell of coffee hit his nostrils. The android’s analytical systems registered satisfaction and relief. Small victories, perhaps trivial to any other observer, but significant in the ongoing calibration of human interaction.

Nines leaned casually against the doorframe, posture relaxed though every servo and joint remained ready. He observed the detective, noting the subtle changes in breathing, the careful placement of limbs, the way Gavin’s eyes squinted against the sunlight. All data points aligned with a singular conclusion: the human was incapacitated, but stabilizing.

Operational note: overnight presence necessary for monitoring and intervention. Deviancy potential: low. Protective behavior: optimal.

Outside, the city continued its waking rhythm, oblivious to the small, silent moment unfolding in the apartment. Within, Nines adjusted the blanket over Gavin, ensuring coverage without intrusion. Efficiency met consideration — the kind only an android built for perfection could manage.

He sipped his own coffee quietly, scanning the room again, already mapping routes, contingencies, and potential distractions for the day ahead.

The morning light continued to creep over the floor, highlighting the faint dust motes dancing lazily, and Nines simply waited, unwavering, as Gavin began to stir into a semblance of alertness.

The day would be long. The human beside him would require guidance, care, and oversight.

And Nines, as always, was ready.