Dock

Aftermath

"R-red!" Gavin got out as he trembled and gasped against Nines' thighs. He jerked his head a little as Nines failed to pick up on his meaning. It seemed to dawn on him after a few seconds. His LED stuttered before whirling a solid red again. Gavin had only seen him hit red a few times, and it was never fucking good. It either meant he was distressed or angry. It was probably both, but he'd also suffered a major injury. Nines raised their joined hands to the small light, letting Gavin's skin brush against it. It felt warm. Gavin was cold. Shock.

"I have lost over forty percent of my thirium reserves, and my left arm was...obliterated," Nines replied in explanation as he shifted his gaze to the somewhat grim sight. There were wires and veinlike tubes hanging free, along with odd bits of circuitry and the jagged shards of his casing. "The impact caused a minor reboot and I have since bypassed thirium flow to that area," he added in what he hoped was a comforting tone. Gavin sort of followed. It was nowhere near as bad as it could have been. If Nines had been standing a little more to the left, the bullet would have ripped clean through his torso, leaving a gaping hole where his thirium pump used to be. It might have even shattered his power core.

"S-sor-I'm-sor-" He fell silent as Nines hushed him again.

"We'll talk about it later, Gavin...Just try to relax. By my estimation, you should begin regaining some level movement within the next forty minutes." Nines' head raised as he heard the distant sound of approaching sirens. "I'm going to lift you," he added as he got to his feet. Gavin's objections stuck in his throat. He wanted to refuse. He wanted to let Nines know he didn't have to push himself. He was nothing but deadweight right now. He should just leave him on the fucking floor. Instead, all he got out was a pathetic whine as Nines hauled him up and got to his feet. He was so fucking gentle as he bowed down and tugged his useless body higher.

With a little manoeuvring, Nines managed to edge his shoulder into his ribs, gripping his wrist as he eased him into a fireman's lift. Gavin couldn't move even if he wanted to. The drug was still holding him prisoner in his own fucking body. He let out a small grunt with each step Nines took. Gentle as he tried to be, his shoulder was buried right in his sternum. The small corridors of the warehouse were so fucking quiet. Only Gavin's choked breaths and Nines' echoing steps filled the tight space. He couldn't see much as they walked, besides Nines' ass. He would have liked the view a lot more without the dark smear of thirium that soaked into one side of his black jeans. The blue wasn't really visible on the denim. It was just a wet patch that soaked his ass and left thigh, but Gavin knew it was thirium. Warm, wet, oily thirium.

He was so fucking glad to feel the cold evening air. Nines strode over to where he'd left the car and eased him down on the bonnet. He was trembling from both shock and the cold now. He gave no objection as Nines' arm remained tight around his shoulders. His weight was leaning on him heavily. He couldn't keep himself upright, relying on Nines completely. He felt so fucking pathetic as Nines' thumb stroked circles through his dirty grey sweater, which was now stained blue where he'd been lifted. He could feel the oily thirium on his skin, but he didn't have enough control or strength to wipe it off. He felt dizzy. He felt sick. He couldn't fucking breathe.

"Gavin...You're safe...Breathe," Nines cooed softly as he tightened his grip around his shoulders. More tears fell as he leaned into the offered comfort. Nines accepted it greedily, as if his whole purpose was to soothe and satisfy the ailing human slumped against him. "The ambulance is here, and Elijah will meet us at the hospital to examine the damage to my shoulder." His voice was a soft, soothing hum as the siren finally became audible to Gavin's still stunned ears. Gavin nodded vaguely, glad that he could at least do that much. With the ambulance came Perkins' car. He stepped out with Colin right behind him, sharp eyes grim as he took in the scene.