The first time Gavin opened his eyes, he was in the back of the ambulance. Two paramedics were doing something to him, but he couldn't tell what through the searing pain. He understood what it meant when the high pitched beeping flatlined. A mask was pressed over his mouth and nose. He could feel it as air was forced down his throat. He couldn't even choke on it. His whole body was heavy and relaxed. It was almost like he was detached from it, though he could still feel everything. His lungs almost ached as they were filled. The shrill sound was constant. It was deafening. Pressure pushed against his chest. It fucking hurt! Air was squeezed in again. Why? Oh right, I'm not breathing. Did he forget how to breathe? He hoped he remembered soon. Nines would be upset if he forgot. Nines...Where was Nines? Sure would be nice to see him again. Maybe if he figured out how to breathe, he'd be able to see him again. Yeah, that sounds like a good idea...

The second time he opened his eyes, he was being rolled through blinding corridors on a gurney. Four nurses were speaking rapidly, and someone else...Someone familiar. There was shouting and swearing. Hank. It was Hank. He was telling them to take good fucking care of him. That he'd be angry if they let him die. That was nice. Hank didn't do that shit for just anyone. That meant he was important. Oh, hey! He'd remembered how to breathe! Good job me! See Hank? He was breathing, just like a normal person! Hank had stopped, and some doors clattered open. Phck, all this rolling around is tiring...

The third time he opened his eyes was the worst. Each breath sent a jolt of agony down his right side and the right half of his back. He didn't feel like he could fill his lungs up properly because of it. He was wearing an oxygen mask. It was helping him get enough air with his shorter breaths. He barely managed to force his eyes open. A loud beeping filled his ears as he roused. The room was dim. There was a gentle hand on his forehead immediately. Nines? Was it Nines? No. Too small. Too soft. Tina! Of course, Tina would be there for him. She was always there for him. She looked happy, but she was crying. Why is she crying? She was supposed to be happy to see him. Phck, I must have fucked up again...

The fourth time he opened his eyes was a little better. It still hurt like hell, but at least he didn't feel like a total train wreck. He groaned as he looked around the small private room. Shit, someone's paying bills. He never got rooms this good. A lithe figure was leaning over him seconds later. Large green eyes. They mirrored his own, right down to the red rims and black bags. For a minute he was confused, but then he remembered, he had a brother now! Wasn't that great? I have a big brother! Someone who cared if he wasn't around. Someone who worried when he was hurt.

"You are one lucky sonofabitch!" Elijah part sighed and part sobbed the words as he stood over him. He was too hesitant to touch Gavin's frail body, like the slightest brush would end him. Gavin couldn't get his mouth to work just yet. His lips were too tight, his voice too scratchy. He whined as Elijah pressed a button and the top part of the bed raised him to a higher position. He was almost sitting up. "Here...That's it," Elijah coaxed softly as he raised a plastic cup of water to his dry lips and helped him drink. He almost choked on his first sip.

"Thanks," Gavin managed to croak out, finishing about half the cup before he waved it away. Sitting was better. He could see the room now. Expensive machinery. A deluxe medical bed. A large sitting space with a plush armchair and a small cot bed set up beneath the window. The messed up sheets told him that someone had been sleeping there, and the long dishevelled hair told him it had been Elijah. "Is this a hospital or a hotel?" Gavin scoffed in a dry voice. It was so dry it almost tickled.

"A bit of both actually...Even has a sweet ensuite." Elijah's lips quirked as Gavin croaked out an impressed woo. A gentle hand reached out and stroked Gavin's stubbled cheek as soft green eyes regarded him with unveiled relief. "Only the best for my little brother," he teased, pulling back as Gavin's hand knocked his arm with a huff that almost matched his own.

"Careful, I might get used to all the special treatment." They both knew it was a joke. Elijah may not have known him long, but it was long enough to know that he was a straight playing guy. He didn't want pity or a handout. He'd earned everything he had, besides the gift left behind by their father. Really, that could be seen as compensation for doing such a shitty job of parenting.

"I wouldn't care if you did...In fact, you'd better get used to it until you're on your feet again." Gavin groaned in objection. Don't tell me he's one of those mother hen types! He knew he was right as soon as Elijah started reviewing his charts and checking his medication levels. He was almost doing the nurses' jobs for them as he pestered them about this and that. Gavin felt himself blushing. His mother had never seen him in the hospital, so he'd never had this sort of worrying presence. Tina was often there if he got injured, but that wasn't how they worked. She'd listen to the nurses and then punch him for being such an idiot. It was different to be babied. It was sort of...nice.

"Eli! Did you-Is he-" Gavin cut off with an anxious lick of lips as he tried to put it into words. Not that he wasn't thrilled to see Elijah and realise he was alive, but the last thing he remembered before passing out for the first time was throwing himself over Nines' power core. He hadn't looked too good. White casing had been showing beneath the flickering of his synthetic skin. Thirium had been leaking from multiple tears. His LED had been such a dull red it had almost gone out. There had even been a few hairline fractures running across his white casing like spider webs. It was strong and bulletproof, but damn, they'd given it a beating.

"He's fine! Nines is fine." Elijah's expression softened as he sat on the edge of the bed. "Connor called me right away, and he was up and running within a few hours. Good as new. The casing worked Gav! I had to realign his power core a little, nice save by the way, and he needed to replenish his thirium levels, but aside from that he was fine. He went back to work the next day." Elijah's eyes shifted to the heart monitor as it kicked up a few paces. He rested his hand on Gavin's. It was hooked up to a saline drip and some strong painkillers. Gavin let the news wash over him. Relief swelled in his chest. He'd made it. He'd kept his promise.

"How long was I out?" He knew it had to be more than a day.

"This is day four. You've woken up a couple times, but this is the most alert you've been...Nines would have been here, but he wanted to get the case put to rest as soon as possible." That didn't bother him. Alright, maybe it did a little, but he understood. Work didn't just stop because your partner was injured. Hell, he didn't expect Tina to sit sobbing by his bedside until he woke up, either. "I'll call him for you," Elijah decided as he pulled his phone out.

"No! No...Let him work. This is his first big case, and I want him to put his all into it without me distracting him." Gavin wondered how he was managing. He knew damned well that Connor and Hank would be there for him. A coil of excitement twisted in his stomach as he anticipated the end of Nines' shift. He was sure to come to the hospital, maybe with Tina or Connor in tow. He couldn't wait for him to fill him in on what he'd missed.

"You look like shit. Finish your water and go back to sleep," Elijah ordered finally as he pushed the plastic cup into Gavin's hand. Gavin grumbled about it, but he knew his own body well enough to know that Elijah was right. He also wanted to make sure he was rested enough to stay awake if Nines stopped by later. When...When he stops by...He will stop by, right? He was suddenly nervous as he finished the cup and allowed Elijah to tuck him in. His eyes fluttered shut to the feeling of gentle fingers threading through his hair...

The fifth time was going to be the best. He was sure of it. It already felt promising. He knew he'd fallen asleep at some point because the fingers had left his hair, but now there was something better. Nines may not have his own set scent, but Gavin recognised the smell of thirium mixed with his own bathing products. He also recognised the feeling of warm, scentless breath on his lips, followed by the gentle press of soft flesh. Gavin sighed as he moved his lips to respond to the tender press of lips. A small hum sounded above him. The lips became firmer and more insistent until he finally opened his eyes.

It was better than he'd imagined. He knew he probably had some dozy fucking look on his face, but it was Nines. Big silvery blue eyes. Wide and warm and worried and relieved and perfect. That stupid curl that he never brushed out was exactly where it should be. His LED was spinning a lazy blue. All the cuts on his synthetic skin had long since mended. He didn't even have a single bruise. He was his usual perfect android self. It was the best thing he'd seen since opening his eyes for the first time a few days ago. He winced as he raised his hand, forgetting the wires and tubing attached to it. Luckily, Nines was more observant. His hand snapped out to catch his wrist before he pulled anything loose.

"Hey..." Gavin sighed, in the weakest, stupidest voice he'd ever heard coming out of his own mouth. He would have been embarrassed if he had the energy for it.

"Hey..." Nines replied in a voice that almost made him blush. It was the sweetest thing he'd ever heard. It was deep and tender, like a purr, but filled with a mixture of happiness and relief.

"Eli stopped by...said you were all fixed up," Gavin murmured softly as Nines took a seat on the edge of his bed. The small cot was empty and neatly made, a sure sign that Elijah had headed off for a while. Gavin wasn't sure what for. To bathe and get some proper sleep without the annoying beeping, or just to let Nines have his turn in peace. Whatever the reason, he was grateful. Nines' hand didn't release him, but it did shift into a softer, more tender position. His grip was gentle, thumb stroking his knuckles.

"Yes...I did come to see you, but you were still comatose." Gavin thought he was being a little overdramatic. Unconscious and comatose weren't exactly synonymous. He was pretty damned sure Elijah would have told him if he'd slipped into a coma. He didn't even take a direct hit to the head. The exact details after he threw himself down were exactly clear. His brain was still a little hazy, and he hadn't worked up to facing it yet. "Gavin..." Saline rolled down Nines' cheeks as he gazed down at him.

"Hey! Shit Nines! Hey! I'm okay...Come here..." Gavin used his good hand to urge him closer by the shoulder. He closed his eyes in contentment as the heavy weight rested against his chest. Luckily, on his left side. It still hurt like hell, but fucked if he was about to push Nines away due to a little thing like pain!

"I was scared...I-was-so-scared-Gavin!" Nines sobbed softly as he tried to hold him without pressing any of his injuries. Gavin wished he could actually do something that would help. He was sure it had been terrifying. Being immobilised. Having his thirium drained until he had no strength left. Those guys beating him to a pulp, trying to split him open. His heart still raced every time he thought about seeing him there, lying helpless and defenceless on the ground. He'd almost been sick, watching those men hitting him. He wasn't sure he'd made it in time at first. Nines hadn't moved or said a word. "When you were hurt, I didn't know...and Connor didn't-say, he just...he-turned-me-off!" Jeez, Connor! Insensitive much?

"I'm sure he did what he thought was best...You were in pretty bad shape too, right? I'm so phcking happy he got you to Eli in time...Phck, it's good to see you," Gavin sighed as he drew back to get another look at his perfect face. The saline tears had stopped. Just the trails were left behind. Unlike humans, androids didn't get that red puffiness around their eyes. No salt. No irritation. He chased the tears away with his thumb, watching as Nines leaned into his touch. Nines hummed his agreement in a way that said he felt the same, but he'd cry again if he tried to speak. So phcking cute!

Gavin couldn't help it. He dragged Nines down by the thick collar of his jacket. The leather was soft and smooth between his fingers as he leaned up and captured his lips. Nines edged closer, supporting his body weight on one arm as he pressed him against the thick pillows. Nines purred as he felt Gavin's lips part needily, wasting no time in exploring his mouth with needy strokes of tongue. Gavin moaned into the kiss, trying desperately to ignore the beeping of his heart monitor as it sped up. Unfortunately, the sound made Nines draw back worriedly. His LED span yellow as he looked at the machine, but it quickly turned blue with a lazy smile as he realised what it meant. He nuzzled Gavin's forehead affectionately, silvery eyes soft and wanting.

"Would you like to hear about the case?" He sat up at Gavin's enthusiastic agreement. Forensics had found nothing in the alley, but that didn't matter. Once they reached the warehouse, both the technicians and Connor had verified it as the location of all eight murders. It helped that a group of eleven had been caught red-handed attempting to murder a police detective. There wasn't much they could do once they'd been caught.

Anton and his personal guards, who had arrived with Gavin, had been a great help in containing the situation. It seemed the group of red ice dealers had been more scared of Anton than they were of Hank and Connor, and once Gavin had been injured, Hank had been terrifying. Over the next couple of days, five of the members, who had been thoroughly interrogated by Hank, spilled everything. They were associates of the AAL, though the AAL wasn't directly involved. Their gang had needed thirium for red ice production, and taking random androids had been a convenient option. They'd been doing pretty well on not getting caught, and probably wouldn't have been if not for the RK900 and RK800 messing things up.

They had hidden members working for the police. One was in forensics, and had been purposely misplacing and erasing evidence. Fortunately, they hadn't been able to erase everything, especially not once Nines started sniffing around. There were also two members who were uniformed officers. They'd cleaned up the scenes before forensics arrived, trying to limit the amount of evidence left behind. The officers also lied about witness testimonies or didn't bother with interviews to throw them off even more. They'd monitored Gavin and Nines, but had been unable to get the direct details of the plan.

Unfortunately, although they had blocked off this branch of the group, the red ice ring was quite large and would doubtless continue without them. Whatever the case, the ring had already signed them off as a lost cause. No fancy lawyers were called to help any of them. In fact, the opposite proved true. Elijah was taking it personally. Not only were these people smashing up his creations, his children, but they were perverting the use of thirium for their own financial gain. On top of that, one of them had almost killed his newfound brother. That pissed him off. Nines was quite certain that Elijah was systematically paying lawyers not to represent them at all, or to represent them badly and get them the worst possible deals.

"That's a relief...The fewer of those bastards on the streets, the better!" Gavin sighed as he closed his eyes. He wasn't tired. Just content. He felt safe. He was in a big, sterile room. In a big comfortable bed. The sweetest android in the world was holding his hand like it was something precious and fragile, and there was no more impending mission. They'd come out and reached the other side, and if the only price was a little damage to his own body, then that was pretty damned good.

"Are you aware of your situation?" Nines was surprised as Gavin shook his head.

"Not yet, but I'm sure they'll tell me at some point...I haven't even eaten yet!" He watched Nines' LED flash red at the news and huffed lazily. He was almost as bad at worrying as Elijah had been earlier. There was no time to object as Nines hit the call button and rather firmly requested that food be brought. He didn't know what time it was, but Nines had finished his shift, so it had to be at least ten by that point.

The nurse who came was more than happy to oblige. They'd actually been waiting for him to wake up for some time. Elijah had left him something ready to eat, and made it quite clear that no brother of his was going to be subject to common hospital food. He'd made up a large fruit platter filled with banana, apple, grapes, three types of melon, orange, and raspberries. Gavin could tell by the precise cutting that it had been made by one of the Chloe androids. The fruit had even been sprinkled with a little caster sugar to stop it from browning. It was nice. It was even nicer that Nines insisted on feeding him like some sort of invalid.

Once he was finished, Nines fetched a bowl and soap from the small bathroom and helped clean his face for the night. He then provided a toothbrush and let him clean his teeth, taking the bowl and other bits away when he was done. Despite his embarrassment over the issue, Gavin also admitted that he needed to use the bathroom. Nines was sensitive about it and eventually agreed to let the nurse handle that side of things. He left the room while Gavin sorted himself out and returned once the nurse had been and gone.

"You should sleep now...Would you like me to leave?" Nines' chest warmed as Gavin made a rather loud and urgent objection, green eyes pleading for him to remain. Although he wasn't scared, he wasn't a huge fan of hospitals. He'd also been without Nines for four days, and only got to confirm he was alive and well a couple of hours ago. He wasn't ready to let him go just yet. With that settled, Nines pulled the sheets higher and lowered Gavin's bed into a position where he could sleep comfortably.

"Are you working tomorrow?" Gavin asked quietly as he shuffled to get comfortable.

"No. I will be here when you wake up," Nines confirmed softly as he stroked his hair. That was the best thing he'd heard all damned day! If Nines was off work, that meant he'd be there all day. Maybe he'd call Tina and ask her to stop by, and maybe Elijah would come back. He should probably message Connor and thank him and Hank for helping to close the android murder case, too. That sounded like a plan. Yeah. That's what he'd do. In a few hours. If he could just close his eyes for a while. Damn, the fingers in his hair felt good...