"We'll somehow get out of this, Gavin. I promise."

Gavin wished that he could believe it, he really did. But he had really, truly fucked up this time - for the most stupidest reasons, too. Gavin honestly occasionally believed he was in some twisted story full of plotholes and dumb tropes from a sleep-deprived teenaged writer.

"Connor, are you doing alright?" Gavin asked, directing his attention to the shaking android. Another thing that burdened him with guilt - Connor having a replacement thirium pump which didn't have much longer until it gives out and furthermore kills Connor.

Connor managed to look at Gavin. "No, Connor. I-I need my thirium pump, now. Nines, do you have it?"

Nines nodded. "Yes, in my pocket."

Connor slumped with relief. He appeared to be attempting to control the trembling, but to no avail.

Gavin heaved a sigh. He struggled against his tight restraints, but it didn't help. He felt so helpless, and defeated.

"We have to get out of here.."

"Well duh Einstein, did you just expect us to sit here and wait to rot? Wait for Connor to die?" Hank replied. "Once we get to human Jericho, you will have a lot of making up to do."

"Right, yeah, I understand," Gavin sighed. "Just stop being such a dick." He then frowned. "Wait, no. Don't stop. I understand why you're like it now. It's because I deserve it. Yeah. I deserve the bullshit you put you through."

"... Okay? It's weird seeing you admit to being a fuckhead, well- as much as you did initially admit to it."

Gavin sighed. "Yeah, well, shut up."

"I think I might be able to get out," Nines suddenly hissed under his breath. He shoved his chest forward, attempting to use the pressure to make the ropes snap. It didn't work, despite Nines' attempts.

"Wait, I have an idea," Gavin said. "Connor, are you flushing out liquid from your system?"

"Yes, it's my synthetic tears mixed with thirium," Connor said.

"Try to slip out of there using those as, um, not pussy juice…Lube."

"I'll try my best." Connor tried to slip out of the constraints, while his system was simultaneously trying to work with the makeshift thirium pump.

"Nines," Gavin started. "In case we don't get out of this, you know, alive and together and all that crap.. I um, really like you."

Gavin felt Nines grab his hand. "I like you too."

Gavin felt a fire ripping throughout his chest; a good fire, one that brought life in its wake instead of destruction. He knew that he would give up his life in an instant, and he had to choose between himself and Nines, he would choose himself as the candidate to die.

"Cool."

"You two stop being gay and try to think on how we're going to get out of this," Hank huffed in a gruffy way. "Just in case Connor's plan doesn't work."

"It already did." Connor sounded a bit victorious as he yanked his hands free. "They didn't even post a guard. Now, to free you all…"

"Connor, put in the thirium pump first," Nines coaxed.

"No. My dedication is to you three, not myself." After he spoke, Connor worked as quickly as he could manage to undo the tight knots that the rope was in.

It took at least a minute, but Connor loosened the ropes enough for the other three to slip out. Quietly, they praised Connor.

"Here." Nines grabbed the thirium pump from out of his pocket and handed it to Connor. Connor ripped out the makeshift pump and inserted a new one with a satisfying click. Gavin saw him physically slump with relief, and he did the same. Connor wasn't going to die today.

"What now?" Gavin asked quietly, not wanting to risk being heard.

"I see a door," Hank said.

"With your eyesight?" Gavin sneered.

"Shut up, Gavin! This isn't the place for that," Nines hissed quietly. Those words caught Gavin off guard, but nonetheless he still shut his trap.

"We can either dash towards the door provided we have a distraction, or we can try to sneak our way out. Sneaking might buy us more time, but it will not be good if we are seen.'

"I say we sneak out," Gavin said. "If we're seen then fuck it, let's run."

Hank pushed to the front of the group. Very cautiously, they began to silently tread towards the door. Gavin's one focus was getting to the other side without being spotted. He was focusing on that so hard, he felt a wave of shock as a hand gripped his shoulder and dragged him roughly behind a barrel.

"Be careful!" Nines hissed, glaring down at Gavin. Gavin didn't understand why Nines being so aggressive. He looked into his eyes, which had an unusual coldness to their already icy state.

Hank and Connor were also behind the barrel - two barrels, Gavin realised. He felt his face flush. He felt embarrassed and guilty to be the reason that they could've gotten caught - again.

"Sorry, Nines." Gavin grabbed his hand and squeezed it.

Nines heaved a sigh and his eyes softened. "It's okay. Just be careful."

Gavin felt Nines press his lips against Gavin's temple, which made his lips curl up in a smile. Gavin's cheeks were now red for a different reason.

"Clear," Hank said. He led the group again towards the door, before ducking behind some boxes. The other three followed his lead this time.

"Shit. There's a guard," Hank said. He groaned softly with irritation. "Of course there fuckin is."

"What's the verdict?" Connor asked.

"We may need a distraction," Nines said.

"I'll do it."

"Connor…"

"I know these caves better than you, let me," Hank butted in.

"But how will we know where to go?" Connor asked.

"Damn it. It's times like these Eloise was here, whatever the fuck happened to her… Anywho, it doesn't matter. You three just get out and don't stop running. When you find a sign with a side of it removed and a cracked screen, go right and keep going."

"How do you know about that?" Gavin asked.

"I have been here a couple of times before these dicks moved in. In the tunnels, you learn quickly to make a mental map. Now get ready to go!" Hank hissed.

"Don't get yourself killed," Connor said, glancing up towards Hank with worry.

"I'll be fine." Hank got up and left cover. He stood on a random table, ripped off his shirt, and started furiously screeching.

"That is one way to do that. What a bold, brave man," Gavin commented in amusement.

"No time for gawking, let's go!" Nines hissed. He grabbed Gavin by the wrist and dragged him towards the door, while being careful about not being spotted. Connor looked at Hank with worry before following.

As soon as the guard turned from the door, Nines rushed through it in a hasty exit with his boyfriend and brotherly figure.

Following the lead of Nines, Gavin crept quietly down the hallway. As soon as they turned the corner, Nines began to carelessly run.

"Wait!" Connor harshly whisper-yelled. Nines turned around and looked at him expectantly.

"What?" Nines said.

"I'm going to wait for Hank, in case he needs help."

"Alright, if you're sure. Be careful." After speaking, Nines effortlessly picked up Gavin and threw him over his shoulder.

"Hey!" He yelped with surprise.

"Hush. We need to get to safety, and this is the fastest method of transporting you."

"Oh, okay. Wait, heyyy!" Gavin whined. "That's insulting."

"Doesn't matter, it's the truth," Nines said.

"Bitch."

"I heard that."

"I know, that was the point."

Gavin sighed and he rolled his eyes. He stayed silent as Nines ran down a series of twists and turns in the tunnel. He skidded to a halt when he saw what Hank at described - a screen which looked like one of the sides was sliced clean off, and a cracked screen. Nines walked forward and went down the right tunnel. He didn't bother to run again, but he would gladly sprint again if he detected even a hint of danger.

"I wonder if Hank and Connor are okay," Gavin said.

"I would honestly believe not. There's no way that unfit human could have survived the wrath of so many of those experiments, and Connor wouldn't be too far behind as Hank means so much to him he must go above and beyond for him."

That mocking voice and words like what was said were strangely unusual for Nines. "Nines, what the hell? You don't just say that."

Nines set Gavin down on the ground. He seemed a bit confused as he looked down at his boyfriend. "You're right, I'm sorry. I don't really know why I said that."

"Oh, it's chill," Gavin said. "Just don't say that shit again. I'm not one for optimism usually, but I want to at least pretend that my friends are fine."

"Why would you ask if they are okay if you didn't want an honest answer?"

"I dunno! Probably for reassurance, I dunno…"

"Oh, alright. Would it make you feel better to stop and wait for Hank and Connor for a few minutes?"

"Yes please." Gavin sat down on the ground, but Nines remained standing. He had his eyes trained on the door.

"If we see anyone who is not Hank or Connor, then run," Nines said. "Even if they haven't joined us."

"Yeah, okay, I get it," Gavin said.

The pair waited in an achingly long silence, Gavin was beginning to believe that Hank and Connor hadn't made it. He began to blame it on himself.

Hank and Connor died and it's all your fault.

Just as the thoughts began to swarm, Gavin heard footsteps which snapped hm out of it. Nines was alerted too, his head raised and he stared intently at the entrance.

Gavin saw that it was Connor and Hank. He got up and approached them. "Hey, you're-... Hank?"

As he got closer, Gavin realised Hank was leaning against Connor and that he had a lot of blood on him.

"He got injured. Please, let's keep going. I don't think we've lost those freaks," Connor said.

Nines walked over and picked up Hank. "Let's get moving. Hank, which way?"

"Keep going, take the third left, then the first right, then just… walk," Hank groaned.

"Okay." Nines began to stride forward with his companions in tow. Gavin had a small taint of unwanted jealousy towards Hank being carried by Nines.

We seem to be doing so much damn walking, no matter what happens, Gavin thought. Oh well. It definitely is better than being robot chow.

Gavin heard an abrupt, unholy screech from somewhere further down the tunnel. Fuck my life, he thought begrudgingly.

"That was a sound I never want to hear again," Gavin said.

"Agreed," Nines said.

"We should get running now though.

"No objections here," Connor said before immediately starting to sprint down the passageway. Gavin, Nines and Hank followed close behind.

Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuckfuckfuckfuckfuck on my god, thought said. Fuck everything about my life and this endless fucking tunnel system. Why was it designed like this anyway? I hate everything.

They ran for their lives for a while before Gavin decided that they had lost their pursuers. He slowed down until he came to a complete stop.

"Let's rest! I still ain't fit," Gavin said. Nines rolled his eyes and set Hank tenderly on the ground.

"What now, then?" Nines asked.

"We can just…Chill for a while and move later."

Nines sighed and Gavin sat down, which made Nines decide to do the same.

"Cuddles because I'm gay," Gavin said before wrapping his arms around Nines and burying his face in his chest.

"Okay." Nines began to hold Gavin, and he gave him a kiss on the forehead. "You are doing so well. I am truly proud of you. Gavin."

Gavin felt himself blush. "O-Oh, uh, thanks. You too."

"We are all alive and things will continue to be that way. And it will be that way for a long time."

"You're great," Gavin said. Shortly after speaking, Gavin randomly fell asleep snuggling with Nines. He did deserve a rest, despite causing a few fucked situations.

Connor, who was just awkwardly standing there, looked towards the ceiling.

"May we all end up to be okay."