Dickory

Family Style

Gavin wasn't sure how long it had been and he didn't really measure how much time was left as Elijah's hands continued to work. It didn't seem that long before Elijah was stepping back with a sigh and snapping his gloves off. He didn't know what he'd pressed, but after reaching into Nines' open torso and touching something, the plastic cover slid shut and it seemed like Nines took a breath. Within seconds, his silvery eyes had blinked open, and he was looking around the bright room. His searching eyes softened a little as they finally settled on Gavin.

"Gavin, are you alright?" he asked in concern as he scanned him to find he was riding the tail-end of a minor panic attack. Gavin scoffed a little as he chugged the rest of his water. He's barely been conscious for two seconds and he's already scanning and babying me like a nanny-bot. Giving him a fond smile, he put his empty glass aside, leaving it beside the bottles on the desk. He'd gone through two while waiting.

"You just had major surgery and you're asking if I'm alright?" Nines' LED span yellow as he sat up. He was already running an internal scan of his systems. He still seemed concerned as he looked him over carefully. "I'm fine! Don't get your circuits in a bunch...How are you doing?" Gavin tried not to sound as anxious as he felt. Just because he was an android didn't mean that things couldn't go wrong. Especially with new components that were largely untested. Nines stood and looked around for his clothes, not missing the way Gavin's eyes automatically slid over his musculature in a most pleasing manner.

"I am fully functional." His sultry wink was way more suggestive than the cheeky, teasing one that Connor used. Gavin shifted his eyes to the wall, cursing the way his pants tightened. "The component has been successfully integrated and is performing at peak proficiency," Nines reported as he looked over his shoulder at Elijah, who was sorting out the tools he'd used to be cleaned before the next guest came. Elijah nodded offhandedly, though he'd expected nothing less. He'd already performed the procedure multiple times, three that very day.

Nines wiped off his torso with a wet wipe just to make sure he'd gotten all the thirium before tugging on his shirt. Chloe led them back to the living area, where things had settled into something almost homely. North was curled up on one of the sofas with Markus' arm around her waist while he sat back with his legs crossed. They were talking to Hank and Colin, who'd taken up a seat on the sofa across from them. They seemed to be deep in discussion about some happy topic. Markus was chuckling at something Hank had said while North smirked and Colin nodded along quietly. Hank had always been good at telling stories. Connor was sitting on a chair at the small table with Niles, who was still chattering happily as he coloured his pictures. He looked content as he helped, using a green pencil to fill in a section of the picture he was working on.

"Connor, it is your turn." Nines didn't miss the way Connor's stress levels spiked at the news as he approached. He did his best not to let the apprehension show on his face, but he couldn't keep it from his soft hazel eyes. They'd always been a sort of window to his soul. "Would you like me to accompany you?" Nines asked softly, which seemed to get Niles' attention. Niles got to his feet almost proudly, his small hand resting on Connor's elbow in support.

"It's alright, the lieutenant and I are going to take really good care of him." Something warm settled over Connor's expression at the assurance. Apparently hearing his title, Hank got to his feet and headed over. He gave Connor a questioning look. You ready, son? Connor's smile stiffened a little as he nodded and pushed himself to his feet. He seemed a little jittery as he tucked his chair under the table. This would be his first time getting real maintenance since his deviation. The first time he would be helpless, in the hands of a technician. He wasn't sure how to feel, knowing Elijah Kamski would be that technician.

"Come on, son. Let's get it done." Connor nodded his agreement, but he was still reluctant to leave his place at the table. His LED flickered yellow as Nines sent him a short reassurance, along with all the data he had collected about his own procedure. It meant Connor was going in knowing exactly what to expect, with the added comfort that Nines had already gone through it successfully. He smiled in thanks before looking down at his hand, which had been grasped by Niles in a gentle grip.