"Connor!" Gavin screamed out. Hank stared down into the he, stricken by fear.

At first, the only response that was given was howls, rumbles and the sound of machinery. Then Connor gasped loudly and he grabbed onto the ladder. Seeing that he wasn't torn to shreds thoroughly relieved Gavin.

He quickly climbed up the ladder and slammed the trapdoor shut behind him, leaving the screeching echoes behind him.

"Connor, holy fuck, are you okay!?" Hank asked. He seemed utterly and deeply concerned, and Gavin remembered the bond that they had formed.

"Yes, I'm fine. They didn't pierce my body or anything, surprisingly. What I am made of must simply be strong enough to fend off that bunch when they are not trying. I suspect they may not be as strong as other android mutants."

"As long as you're okay," Hank said.

"What's the plan now?" Gavin asked.

"We have to find an empty house to stay at for at least tonight," Hank said. "Let's go. I see androids."

Gavin looked up and saw a few normal androids walking down the street. He got up onto his feet. Hank pointed towards a run-down home and began to make his way towards it, followed by Connor who was supporting a limping Gavin.

They snuck through a few yards before Hank went out into the backyard of the run down house.

"You should check it out. You're the only unwounded one," Hank said to Connor, who nodded. Hank and Gavin sat down outside in the backyard as Connor went on forward.

Connor crept inside and looked around - there was no traces of activity, and there hadn't seemed to be for a while. He looked around and he found a bedroom with two single beds - perfect for him to watch over and care for Gavin and Hank.

Connor left the house and went back to the humans. "We can go inside, the home is abandoned," he reported. "I'll help you, Gavin."

Connor helped Gavin onto his feet. Gavin still had a burning sensation ripping throughout his body from the attack. His hand was lightly gripping his machete, which Connor took from him and placed into Gavin's backpack.

Connor supported Gavin inside of the house, and Hank trailed close behind. He closed the back door behind them and followed Connor and Gavin to the bedroom. Connor helped Gavin settle down into one of the beds, and Hank sat on the other bed.

"I'll look around for useful items," Connor said. He started by looking through the wardrobe - which had some clothes that would more or less fit both Gavin and Hank. He took out a few shirts and pants and lay them on the ground.

"I found some clothes. I can help you change, if you wish," Connor said.

"I'm fine," Gavin said. "I'll change when I feel better. Anyways, I'd only let Nines change me."

"Okay, Gavin."

Connor left the room and walked around the house. He found the kitchen which had some food which was still in date, along with grossly rotten food - particularly in the fridge. He didn't know why his kind hadn't just done up every house, instead of combining living spaces and ignoring perfectly good structures. Then again, in some areas houses were completely obliterated. Connor turned on the tap, and clean water poured from it. He made two glasses of water and spread out in-date crackers on a plate that he had found in a cupboard.

He then kept looking. He found the bathroom which had soaps and shampoos, and a fully stocked first aid kit. Connor knew that this would certainly come to good use.

He left the bathroom and brought the food plus the water to the injured humans. He felt like he was playing some sort of nurse role.

Hank quickly sat up and began to stuff his face. Gavin was slow to sit up, and he ate at a sluggish rate too.

"This home is full of necessities. We can restock our supplies here," Connor said with some excitement. "Plus you two can shower."

"Yes, we are stinky boys," Gavin said. He sipped on the water. "This bed is so comfortable, I haven't felt this comfortable since the hotel. Can we stay here for a few days?"

"Only a few days at the most," Hank replied. "We have to be careful about what we do."

"Yeah, I understand," Gavin said.

Throughout the next twenty-four hours, Connor took good care of Gavin and tried to get him healed as quickly as possible. Connor had also delivered good and removed the rubbish from his bag and Gavin's.

Connor had located some painkillers, so he brought them Gavin who took them willingly. As soon as the pills kicked in, Gavin stood up and began to walk around the house and really took it all in.

"I'm gonna shower!" He yelled out.

"It's about time!" Hank said back.

Gavin found a clean towel, and he locked the door behind him. He removed his clothing followed by his dressing of bandages and disinfectant. Gavin stepped into the shower and began to wash himself, watching as dirt that was once on his body go down the drain. The hot water did irritate his wounds, but the painkillers blocked out most of the stinging sensation. He squeezed shampoo onto his hand and massaged it deeply into his hair.

I want Nines to shower me like this, Gavin thought.

As if on cue, a familiar voice sounded.

"I came as quick as I could."

Gavin perked up happily at the sound of Nines' talking.

"Where's Gavin?"

"In the shower," Hank replied.

There were footsteps then a knock on the door. "Gavin? It's me."

"Come in," Gavin said.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

Gavin moved his head away from the water and looked at the door as Nines opened it and entered. Nines instantly blushed deeply.

"O-Oh, Gavin, you're naked."

"Well, duh. I'm having a shower. Get yourself over here."

Nines walked over at Gavin's request. He took in the sight, but Gavin's array of scars and recent wounds saddened him.

"Hey," Gavin said. He very cautiously leaned forward and gave Nines a hasty embrace before pulling away.

"Hello, sweetie."

Sweetie. I like that, Gavin thought with a blush.

"Nines, can you wash my hair?"

"Erm, sure." Nines sounded awkward; he was feeling such too as he was not expecting this.

Gavin closed his eyes and felt gentle fingers began to massage the shampoo against his scalp. This was so lovely, Gavin was glad that it was easy to convince Nines to wash his hair. Gavin barely even cared about being naked in front of Nines. He was so comfortable with him.

"Gavin. Your scars, how did they come about? Not the self-inflicted ones."

Gavin frowned. This was a touchy subject for him. "I don't want to talk about it."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Gavin, the information is confidential and stays between us. I swear you can trust the truth with me," Nines said.

"What part of 'I don't want to talk about it' do you not understand!?" Gavin snapped. "Sorry for yelling, I seriously don't want to talk about it." The annoyance Gavin felt was evident even throughout his apology, although it probably wasn't Gavin who needed to apologise.

"Fine, whatever then," Nines sneered sourly.

Jesus Christ, where the hell did that attitude come from? Gavin thought, furrowing his eyebrows.

"If you want to know about the wounds, I got them like a day ago to some mutant things. They hurt like hell."

"Okay," Nines said. "Er, I mean, I hope you feel better."

Gavin turned to look at Nines seriously. "Nines, are you feeling alright? You don't exactly seem to be yourself."

"Yes, I am fine. Do not worry."

"Okay…" Gavin decided to accept the answer for how it was, but he took no effort to hide his suspicion. "Anyways, I have a shower to finish. Fuck off, please."

Nines left, closing the door behind him. Gavin washed his body before turning off the water and stepping out of the shower. He dried himself off with the towel that he had selected, then put on the clothes he had taken with him - a shirt and shorts.

The shirt had art of two men, a blonde and a redhead, clinking glasses together with the text 'to the world'. Gavin didn't understand the shirt, but he couldn't care - any clean clothes were a blessing.

Gavin left the bathroom, and Connor was waiting with a phone in hand.

"I found this and charged it," he said. "The pin code is 3784. Have fun."

Gavin took the phone and sat down on he couch. He hadn't held a phone in so long. He entered the pin and unlocked the phone and began to explore instantly.

He entered Instagram and nearly teared up as he scrolled through memes he had never before seen. There had been no activity on the app for over two years, as far as Gavin could tell.

He then went onto Spotify and made a playlist with what were once Gavin's favourite songs. Whilst listening to the first one, Nines sat to Gavin's left and Connor to the right.

"How are you liking it?' Connor asked.

"Connor, I love it. It's so surreal to see this… like a piece of the past that was lost in time."

Nines slung his arm around Gavin, and Gavin avoided the urge to cuddle up to him. Gavin was currently trying to ignore Nines (but it was not working all too well).

"I'm glad," Connor said. "How are the painkillers?"

"Amazing, I barely feel any pain," Gavin said. "I'm so thankful that you found those, or I would have been bedridden for who knows how long."

Hank entered the room. "Hey, asswipes. We're leaving tomorrow evening to get into the forest without drawing too much attention to ourselves."

"Are you sure we have to leave? I mean, this is pretty good," Gavin said.

"Yes! I have a home to return to, people editing for me. Anyway, supplies here won't last forever and we can easily be found."

"Alright, whatever," Gavin said. "We leave tomorrow, I guess."

"Great," Hank said.

"I'll accompany you part of the way," Nines said. "Then we shall part ways again until another day."

Realising he has limited time with Nines, Gavin leaned over and hugged him. "You're a fuckwit but I want my attention and gay fuel."

Nines responded with a chuckle and a kiss on Gavin's forehead, making Gavin blush. "Yeah. Like that," Gavin said.

Connor got off of the couch and sat on the other one. Nines took the opportunity to hold Gavin and lay down on his side with him in his arms. Gavin turned around in Nines' arms and closely cuddled up to him. He buried his face in Nines' chest and he felt a hand on his damp hair.

Gavin felt Nines repeatedly comb his fingers through Gavin's hair. This intimacy gave Gavin a warm, fuzzy feeling he wanted to experience forever.

Nines gave Gavin a few gentle kisses all over his face, resulting in grins from a blushing Gavin. Nines kissed Gavin's nose before rubbing his side.

"You truly are one of the best things to happen to me," Nines breathed out.

"You are too, for me," Gavin replied in a similar tone.

Their eyes mirrored the same deep affection that Gavin and Nines held for each other. Nines gave Gavin a soft, teasing peck on the lips, which left Gavin wanting more.

Gavin gave a return peck on Nines' lips before placing his face back on Nines' chest. Nines settled his arms around him. Gavin felt so safe in Nines' arms, and barely realised as he drifted off to sleep.

A/N
What's this, a double upload? Heck yeah it is!
Darkened Skies surpassed thirty thousand words last chapter which is definitely the most I've ever written. I wouldn't have been able to done it without support, so thank you!