Dickory

The Visitor

Gavin cried for over an hour. He'd cried until his eyes itched and burned, until his chest and ribs ached, until his throat was sore and dry. He was exhausted by the time he finished. Too tired to do more than lean into Nines' chest and sniffle as he was lifted. Nines was careful, cradling him securely with his head against his shoulder. After all the crying, Gavin just felt numb. His green eyes were red rimmed and bloodshot, barely able to focus as he was carried through to the infirmary. Nines hushed him as he set him on his usual bed.

"You need rest," he murmured softly as he threaded his long fingers through Gavin's dark hair. His skin had paled somewhat since he'd finished crying. The redness of his eyes and the scar across his nose made it seem even more pallid. He shook his head, looking vulnerable as he quietly leaned into the cooling touch. "I'll put you to sleep." Nines noticed Gavin's shoulders relax a little at the gentle reassurance. He didn't want to sleep for real. He didn't want to risk a nightmare while he was feeling so worn and vulnerable. Nines was gentle as he encouraged him to turn over and made sure he had a pillow resting comfortably beneath his chest and head. Gavin brought one arm up beneath the pillow as the other relaxed, limp above his head.

He was so exhausted he couldn't even make a sound as Nines' firm hands worked his sore muscles. Green eyes blinked slowly, his head turned to the right, where Connor lounged in the doorway. Connor gave him a small smile, something warm and comforting lingering in his soft hazel eyes. Gavin's blinks gradually became longer as Nines' movements slowed. Connor watched the skin of his hands retract, the flesh trickling away like water. Nines was calculating as he measured Gavin's vitals. He gripped the back of his neck and a small blue glow flashed across the skin beneath as a small pulse jolted through the soft flesh. Gavin's breathing levelled out and Nines drew back with a worn sigh. Connor was there in an instant, catching the weight as his larger body sagged.

"You've pushed yourself," Connor chided as he hefted his weight and helped him find his feet as he climbed off the bed. Nines slowly eased himself upright, clearly fatigued. Connor kept an arm around his waist while Nines' arm remained resting gratefully across his shoulders. "When was the last time you recharged?" Connor knew it was longer than six days. The RK series was designed to run for long periods of time without rest, which could be further extended by going into stasis regularly. The issue was that over the past week or so, Nines had been running at full capacity for almost twenty-four hours a day. He'd been awake and alert constantly, scanning Gavin, interacting with his brothers, caring for Pipsqueak, cleaning the apartment, and doing other small chores. That didn't even factor in the added emotional distress he'd experienced as Gavin had withdrawn his usual affection and friendship.

"About a week...perhaps longer...but...Gavin..." Nines swayed a little, trying to stop Connor as he attempted to lead him out of the infirmary. He didn't want to leave the bedside. He didn't want to leave Gavin. Connor paused with a fond huff, tightening the arm on Nines' waist as he hefted his weight again. He felt Nines lean into him a little more as they moved towards the doorway. He was almost touched by Nines' stubbornness as a weak hand tried to grip the doorframe to halt their progress. Connor was gentle as he tugged, knowing Nines was truly exhausted as his hand slipped and fell to his side.

"You'll be no good to anyone if you go into forced stasis. Don't worry, I'll watch Gavin, and I'll wake you if anything happens," Connor promised as he helped Nines stagger through to the bullpen. Hank was out of his chair the moment he saw them, his expression worried as he grabbed Nines' free arm to take a little of the weight. He often forgot how strong Connor was, which he found incredibly endearing. Hank would always insist on doing things like taking point on missions, lifting heavy objects, and offering to help with various physical tasks.

"Don't let him wake up alone," Nines pleaded softly, slowly straightening up as Hank and Connor manoeuvred him into the charging alcove. Connor promised, keeping his hands on Nines' arms until he finally leaned back and set his cycle to begin. His body jerked and stiffened as the connector slotted into his neck port, silvery eyes dimming to stare at nothing as the cycle took hold. His expression was lax but somehow sad as he stood there like a statue fixed to the wall.