Lovecraft

Numbing Agent

A continuation of The Lovecraft Protocol (AO3 rated E), but can be read as a standalone.

The art in this story was made by @JasminCK3 on Twitter / JCK22 on Instagram / jceekay on Tumblr and the original concept of Nines' character is from their art. Please check out their socials and share the love if you like their art!

Gavin almost looked like he was going to cry as the taxi drove them back to his apartment. He'd spent the night and most of that day in the hospital getting his injuries seen to. An elastic corset had been strapped to his ribs and his wrist was splinted, but there wasn't much they could do otherwise. He'd been checked over thoroughly. Cleaned up. Disinfected. Tested. They'd been as gentle as possible as Gavin had lain on his front, sobbing and whimpering at the aching sting in his swollen passage. He'd trembled miserably as an apologetic nurse had applied a soothing ointment that would help soothe the pain and guard against infection. His passage would be sore for a few days, and using the bathroom would be unpleasant for a week at least. Each bump of the taxi sent an ache through his tender ass. The skin of his cheeks was also raw from the hard spanking, but it was nothing compared to the soreness of the ring itself.

Nines watched with all six eyes, unsure how he could help ease the discomfort. The hospital had been kind enough to offer them both some scrubs they could wear home. Gavin's clothes had been dirtied beyond use for now, and Nines had no clothing at all. Luckily, Nines could make calls and internal payments from his head. They didn't need to worry about Gavin's lack of a phone or wallet. Nines winced as he put his own discomfort aside and laid his bare hand on Gavin's forearm, surprised as he flinched away. Gavin looked guilty as he turned his head and looked up at him. Nines' blue on black eyes had widened in surprise.

"Sorry," Gavin grumbled quietly as he lowered his arm and fisted his hands. Nines said nothing as he offered his hand again, opting to draw the artificial skin back to see if that made a difference. It seemed it did on some level. Gavin was almost greedy as he gripped the dark plastic. This was better for Nines as well. His plastic shell wasn't as sensitive without the artificial skin coating the outside. Like this, he could actually enjoy the skin-on-casing contact. Gavin's skin was warm, pulse beating steadily as blood rushed through his veins with a quiet whoosh. Nines rubbed circles on his warm skin, feeling the way he gripped back and trembled with held-back emotion. There was no one else in the taxi, but it still felt too public.

Nines made the payment and stepped out first, helping Gavin to climb out. He whimpered pathetically as he did so, his legs unsteady as he tried to ignore the stinging ache of the swelling. On top of that was the dull ache of his bruised and fractured ribs, which made it hard to straighten his back. Nines took the small bag containing Gavin's clothes and medication and led the way to his apartment. His keys were one of the few things that hadn't been lost during the incident. Once they were inside and the door had closed, Gavin leaned back against it with a shuddering breath. His vitals were all over the place as he looked up and stared at the ceiling.

"Gavin..." Nines murmured softly as he stood in front of him, gently pulling him closer. Gavin went willingly, leaning his head on Nines' large shoulder. The scrubs were scratchy and cheap. He felt dirty, even though he was clean. He frowned a little as he dropped his gaze to Nines' dark casing. It was covered in a weird crusting smear. His frown deepened further as he drew back and raised his arm. Nines tugged his arm away, eyes creased in apology. "I'm sorry. At the hospital, I only managed to clean my synthetic skin layer. I didn't have time to see to my casing."

"Wait, you mean you're...you're still..." Gavin trailed off with a sympathetic grimace, watching as Nines nodded self-consciously. Gavin swallowed the sickening lump in his throat. He remembered it clearly. The rain of blood as Nines had torn those men apart. Red stickiness dripping on his own skin as Nines knelt over him and grabbed his cheeks. The long tongue teasing and searching his mouth and throat. Tendrils teasing and tickling his tongue and gullet. He shivered, closing his eyes as he leaned his head against Nines shoulder. Those tendrils had saved his life. "Phck, why didn't you say something? You can use my shower." He drew back and waved towards the bedroom, hobbling pathetically as he stepped a little closer. Nines' brow creased sympathetically.