"Gavin? Are you ready to get out now?" Nines asked softly from behind the closed door. Gavin continued to stare at the tiled wall of the massive bathroom. He was sitting in a huge tub, which had once been hot and steamy. He wasn't sure how long he'd been sitting there. Was the water even warm anymore? Did it matter? He wiped the wet flannel over his face again. He could still feel it. He was sure. It wasn't coming off. It wouldn't come off. It was going to be stuck on his skin forever. Oily. Greasy. He rubbed a little harder. "Gavin…" Nines called a little louder. The handle turned with a quiet click.
Gavin had stopped crying at some point. That was sort of progress. Not crying meant he could focus on breathing. He was worried he might forget how. He knew Nines had come in. He didn't turn his head. It was still on his face. He took the wet the cloth and rubbed it against his skin again. It was smearing. Spreading. Coating his whole face. He couldn't breathe. Firm hands gripped his own and pried the cloth from his shaking fingers. Gavin bit his teeth together. His eyes were sore. They were itchy. Something warm trickled down his cheeks.
"The water's cold…You should get out now," Nines murmured softly as he ran his fingers through Gavin's damp hair. His skin had at least gained a little colour since leaving the scene about three hours ago. Upon returning to the mansion, Elijah had shown them to a room they could use and Nines had run a hot bath. Elijah had provided them with some personal bathing products of his own design. He'd learned a long time ago that simple soap and water just didn't cut it when it came to thirium. Nines had left Gavin in the bath and checked on him a few times over the past hour and a half since he'd shut himself inside. Each time he'd asked if he was ready, Gavin had shaken his head or asked for five more minutes.
"Not yet! It's not-it's-not…" he trailed off, his stress levels climbing as he snatched the cloth back and ran it roughly over his face. Nines gripped his wrists and gently lowered his hands, leaning in to press his forehead against Gavin's, discouraging him from struggling. He was starting to panic again. Nines hushed him softly, gently nuzzling his forehead in what he hoped was a soothing manner. Despite Gavin's standoffish nature, he was actually a very tactile person. He shuddered as he greedily leaned into the offered affection. Gentle hands cupped his cheeks and stroked his trimmed stubble. "It won't come off…I can feel it! It-won't-come-off!" he whispered and sobbed vulnerably.
"Then I'll help you in the shower. The bath is cold now…Let's get you warm again, alright?" Nines murmured softly, watching Gavin's reddened eyes close as he nodded. He was shivering slightly from both the shock and the cold. Nines stood and helped him to his feet. He was at least able to stand now. Nines didn't even bother about his own clothing as he hefted Gavin out of the large jacuzzi-like tub and left it to drain. He grabbed the special gel and shampoo Elijah had given him and led Gavin into the large walk-in shower. He turned on the water, making sure Gavin was out of the spray until it was hot enough.
"Your clothes will get wet," Gavin mumbled as he watched the spray pouring over Nines' turtleneck and slacks. He sounded almost childlike. The sound prompted Nines to give him his best reassuring smile. He gently took Gavin's hands and eased him beneath the flow of water. It immediately helped with the shivering, quickly warming him through.
"It's alright. I don't mind…It's only water," Nines replied in his gentle, soothing tone. He was using an approximation of Connor's vocal pattern, though he kept it pitched to his own depth. He didn't want to make Gavin uncomfortable by using his brother's exact voice. Despite his insistence that he still had thirium on his face, Nines could see no evidence of it. He decided to wash him thoroughly anyway, to appease and reassure him. "This is a special gel your brother made…It was created to act as a degreaser for human skin. Any thirium will be washed off and I'll check as I go. I can see thirium even after it's turned invisible to human eyes. Do you remember that?" he checked, watching Gavin nod his understanding. After what happened with Connor and his jacket on the roof a few months back, he didn't think he'd ever forget it. He must have looked like a serial killer. Like he'd just carved up an android. The way Aaron had been taken apart. He gagged. Nines quickly grounded him. He held him tight and gripped the back of his neck, massaging gentle circles into the skin. Nines…
Gavin breathed a few shuddering breaths, wrapping his arms around Nines' waist to grip the back of his soaking wet turtleneck. Even in the heat he could feel ice trickling up and down his spine as he thought of that room again. The note. The message on the wall. Aaron's thirium splattered like paint across the dirty wooden surface. Aaron's plastic head dumped in that gaping blue cavity. Eyes in a clock. Thirium pump in a clock. The noise. The noise won't stop!
"Gavin!" Nines' voice snapped, the hand squeezing his neck tighter. Gavin choked in a breath, the warmth of the water reminding him where he was. "I'm going to wash you now," Nines announced as he eased Gavin back from the spray and stepped closer. Elijah had a puffy shower scrunchy, a white one. Nines poured the thick blue gel onto it before slowly lathering Gavin's chest in soothing circles. A small hum of contentment escaped him. He liked the feeling of Nines' firm strokes. Nines let small words of praise slip from his lips. Gavin was cooperating nicely. He raised his arms when asked, turned his body when asked, stepped under the spray when asked. He even closed his eyes and allowed Nines to wash his hair and face with gentle hands.
Nines shut off the water once the lather was gone. It wasn't necessary, but he made a show of thoroughly checking Gavin's skin. He looked vulnerable as he did so, as if he was expecting Nines to apologise and say the thirium was stuck and wouldn't come off. That wasn't the case. Gavin had been clean since the bath. He'd just needed the verbal reassurance. Nines nodded and grabbed one of the white fluffy towels. Gavin shuffled his way out of the shower and let Nines wrap him in it. It was a huge towel. It looked like a cloak on him as he was snugly enclosed in the fluffy shroud. Nines rubbed his arms firmly through the fabric.
"You're clean now. I checked. There is no thirium left anywhere on your body," he assured firmly, keeping Gavin's gaze until he nodded his understanding. He could trust Nines. Nines wouldn't lie to him. If Nines said he was clean, then he was clean. Water dripped from Nines' soaked clothing as he dried off Gavin's body. He wanted to make sure Gavin was dry and warm before he focused on his own state of dress. "Good…Go into the bedroom and wait for me," Nines instructed. Gavin nodded obediently before padding out and hesitating in the huge open space. He wasn't sure where to go, so he just stood timidly in the middle of the suite. Nines didn't shut the door as he stripped and towelled off, wrapping a smaller towel around his own waist.
He turned and examined Gavin, who stood with his back to him. He was hovering in the middle of the room like a lost child. It wasn't something he was used to seeing from Gavin. He looked smaller. Hunched over. Sagging with fatigue. He'd had a bad shock. Perhaps a trip to the hospital would have been wise, but he knew Gavin's feelings on hospitals and thought he would do better with himself and Chloe attending to his needs. He was at least in no physical danger, though the panic attacks were concerning. He'd had at least five episodes even before the shower.
The room Elijah had given them was huge. There was an emperor sized bed with fresh white linen to contrast the stylish greys and silvers of the room. There was a large grey corner sofa in the open space that could comfortably seat eight people. A low glass table sat in front of that with a wall mounted television above. The glass walls had been muted, tinted against the afternoon sun to make the room dim. The vanities, bedside tables and walk-in wardrobe were all sleek and grey, a slightly darker shade than the pale carpet and walls.
"Come…sit on the bed," Nines encouraged as he rested a hand on Gavin's covered back and walked him over. Gavin sat obediently, green eyes staring at his knees as he hung his head. He wasn't really present. He was lost in his own head again. Nines ran his fingers through his damp brunette locks, watching Gavin make a few slow blinks at the contact. He stood watching and soothing his partner as he sent a message to Chloe asking if she could find some clothing for them. He was surprised as the door opened barely two minutes later.
"I thought you might need some, so I prepared them while you showered," Chloe said softly as she handed the pile of brand new items to Nines. She'd clearly gone out and bought them. She'd already have knowledge of their sizes from her access to the Cloud server, as well as her own observation skills. "Gavin? Are you hungry? Or thirsty? Do you need anything?" she asked softly as she leaned down and tried to catch his eye. He barely stirred enough to shake his head. That wasn't what he could cope with right now. He didn't have the capacity to answer questions or make decisions. Nines understood.
"He will dress and rest. I will bring him something later if his condition improves, but perhaps you could provide a bottle of water for now," Nines suggested, knowing Gavin would need to rehydrate before he rested at least. Chloe left with a gentle assurance and Nines told Gavin to dress. His movements were sluggish, but he at least did it without help. Chloe had purchased them both simple grey sweatpants and black T-shirts, socks and boxers. They'd just finished dressing when Elijah returned with the water, seeming hesitant as he waited in the doorway. Nines nodded. It was alright for him to come inside.
"Here, I brought you some water…" Elijah said as he held the bottle out to Gavin. Gavin didn't take it, so Elijah placed it on the nightstand. He paused awkwardly. He wanted to do something. He wanted to say something. What could he possibly say? They'd barely even started to get to know each other. Would Gavin even want comfort from him? He rested a hand on Gavin's shoulder and squeezed awkwardly, wishing he had the confidence to do more. "If you need anything, I'll be in the basement," Elijah murmured, relying more on Nines remembering than Gavin. With a final pat, he started making his way back to the door.
"He didn't-" Gavin began desperately as he turned and looked at Elijah like a frightened animal. Elijah immediately stopped just a few paces from the door. "A-Aaron…He-d-he-didn't…When-he…He didn't feel it, right? He wasn't in any pain when he…" Gavin broke off with a dry choke. Nines was surprised he had any tears left as he watched Gavin reach up to swipe his eyes almost angrily. He hated being so vulnerable, but he had to ask. He had to know. Elijah's expression softened somewhat. This was at least something he could help with.
"No, Gavin. Androids don't have any sensors that allow them to feel pain the way humans do. It's not within their specifications. He didn't feel a thing," he promised, watching Gavin's form sag in relief. Elijah gave Nines a look before he left. Take care of him. Nines nodded his agreement in response. Once the door was shut, Nines circled to Gavin's side and took the bottle. Gavin was back in his own headspace again as Nines twisted the cap off with a click. He held out the open bottle.
"Drink this," he instructed as Gavin didn't take it. Gavin eventually blinked and reached out, his hand trembling slightly as he raised the bottle and sipped. "All of it," Nines insisted in a firm but gentle tone, standing by and watching as Gavin slowly chugged the whole thing. He didn't rush him. He didn't want him to be sick. He simply stood by for as long as it took. Once it was empty, he took the bottle and set it aside. "Do you need the bathroom?" he asked, guiding Gavin back to the tiled room and leaving him as he nodded. Once he came out, he returned to the bed with Nines at his side.
"I-I don't want…I don't think-I-can…" Gavin trailed off meekly as Nines drew back the covers. He was trembling at the very thought of slipping between the sheets. There was no way he wouldn't have a nightmare. Not after today. Not after everything he'd been through, everything he'd seen. He could barely sit for five minutes without thinking about Aaron and that room. Those clocks. The noise!
"It's alright…Try to sleep. If anything happens, then I'll be here to help you the way I helped before, remember?" Nines murmured assuringly as he squeezed his neck. Gavin nodded timidly. He did remember. Whenever he had a nightmare, Nines would pull him out of it. He'd take care of him. He'd give him a massage to ease his tense muscles and help him into a dreamless sleep. "I'll stay beside you tonight," Nines added quietly, which lowered Gavin's stress level quite a bit. Nines was…touched — Flattered? Happy? — that Gavin placed so much trust in him.
"Can I stay close?" Gavin asked in a quiet, timid voice as they lay beside each other.
"Of course," Nines replied dutifully, remaining still as Gavin huddled closer. He ended up almost curled in a ball against his chest. "Try to sleep," Nines soothed as he wrapped an arm around Gavin's waist and stroked circles on his spine. Usually he'd put himself into stasis, but tonight he would remain vigilant. There was an almost ninety-six percent probability that Gavin would have a nightmare. He wished to remain alert to curb that risk.
His scans were constant, his eyes not even blinking as he continued to stroke circles through Gavin's T-shirt. Gavin remained tense for a while, but his body was exhausted from the shock and constant stream of panic attacks. Even if his mind wasn't ready for it, his body needed rest. It took over an hour, but Gavin's vitals finally lulled and evened out until he was sleeping soundly. Nines kept a timer running, counting down the minutes until Gavin reached REM sleep. It took just a few minutes after that for his vitals to start spiking. Nines tightened his hold, pressing his circles a little more firmly.
"Calm down, Gavin…I'm here…You're safe…" he assured in gentle whispers against Gavin's ear. Gavin lulled for a while, possibly hearing the assurances on some level. He went through one complete cycle. That was good. Nines continued to coddle and praise Gavin's sleeping form as his next cycle began. Something was different this time. His vitals were climbing. It didn't seem to matter what Nines said this time. Around twenty minutes into his second cycle, he started to jerk and writhe, small sounds of distress escaping his lips. "Gavin, wake up!" Nines called as he shook his twitching shoulder.
"Phck!" Gavin cursed, heaving in a breath as he bolted upright, almost tearing himself out of Nine's hold. He latched onto the arm across his chest immediately, quickly realising it belonged to Nines. He sighed and gasped in relief as he ran a hand over his face. "Thanks for…" he added shakily as he swallowed his panic, clearly exhausted as he leaned over a little further. He remained that way for a while, taking slow, deep breaths. Nines was patient as he gave Gavin the time he needed.
"Would you like to try again, or shall I give you a massage?" he offered, unsurprised as Gavin opted for the second choice and stretched out on his stomach away from the pillows. He was more comfortable lying flat on his folded arms. Nines didn't make him remove his clothing. It wasn't necessary. He straddled Gavin's slim waist as he had many times before and rested his hands on his shoulders. He was slow and deliberate as he teased and toyed with the muscles. They were locked like stone as he worked his fingers into them.
There was something satisfying about the small moans and whines that escaped his lips. They sometimes seemed to verge on painful, making Nines reassess his strength. Gavin's body was hyper aware of tactile sensations from the overload it had experienced. Everything had intensified. Touches that would usually bring pleasure were almost painful. Nines continued to adjust, taking longer to loosen the tight muscles as a result. Gavin finally started to relax, reaching the right level of stimulation for Nines to push down on his pressure points and administer the usual electrical pulse. He eased Gavin into unconsciousness and left him lying on his front. He'd sleep comfortably enough.
Despite knowing that Gavin wouldn't experience any more dreams that night, Nines continued to watch over him. He knew it was illogical, but he didn't feel…content — At ease? Relaxed? — enough to allow Gavin to sleep unmonitored. Now that Gavin was sleeping, Nines looked back over the events of the day. Was there something I could have done differently? Perhaps he could have offered to search upstairs, but Gavin's choice had been the correct one. It had made sense to keep Nines downstairs to watch the door in the event of an unknown intruder. They could have made the sweep together, but there had been no evidence of anyone else having been in the house. He would need to liaise with Connor to figure out how the killer had managed to make the interior seem abandoned and untouched. Not a single footprint had been left behind.
He should have gone to check on Gavin the moment he'd heard the thud of the door upstairs, however since Gavin hadn't called and there had been no sounds of a struggle, he'd opted to continue his own search. The odd mechanical sounds later on had gained his attention. However, his sensors determined them to be non-threatening sounds. Gavin had likely found some trinket left behind and toyed with it as he had with Nines' stasis pod at Cyberlife Tower when he'd awakened him. Nines had gone running the moment he'd heard Gavin fall down and caught his distressed whimpers. He'd pretty much kicked the door off its hinges in his haste to assist.
The scene had been unlike those of the copycat. Those scenes had held a certain level of detachment for Nines. He wasn't sure why. Was it because this time it was thirium and not blood? Was it the fact that one of his own people had been butchered as a message? Or was it because he knew this particular android? Aaron Hughes had perhaps not been his favourite person. He hadn't figured out why, but he'd always gotten an unpleasant sensation in his chest whenever Mr Hughes been around. Talking to Gavin. Making him smile. Taking him away. His LED was spinning yellow. It was making a flashing light dance across the walls of the dim room. Gavin was face down, so it was unlikely to disturb him. Despite not favouring his company, Nines had not wished Mr Hughes harm. Especially not on this level.
Since Gavin was sleeping, Nines had opted to sit on the edge of the bed, his body still turned to look down at Gavin's sleeping form. He found himself becoming…restless. — Fidgety? Impatient? — He required movement. He got to his feet and started to pace. His hands were too idle. He reached for his jacket pocket before recalling he'd removed it and Chloe had taken it for cleaning. It had been coated with oily blue smears. He understood now why Gavin had insisted on buying a black jacket all that time ago. It required less maintenance. He looked around for a substitute. He'd usually calibrate using the pen Gavin had given him, but anything would do.
On the vanity table was a small silver pocket mirror. An old one. Flat. Metal casing. Silver. He lifted it and tested the weight. It wasn't as functional as the pen or Connor's coin, but it would be an adequate substitute. He began rolling the bulky disc along his fingers, the way Connor did with his coin. He flipped it, caught it on his fingertips, and set it spinning. He tossed up. Rolled it again. Tossed it between his hands and caught it between his thumb and middle finger. It was too large for the usual two-finger catch that Connor would perform. He ran through the motions a few more times as he paced.
This killer had an extraordinary level of organisation. He hadn't left a single trace. There had been no sign of anyone having set foot in the house for years. They knew he had an android companion. The notes had been written in Cyberlife Sans. What was the probability of them having been written by Aaron Hughes? Difficult to predict. More data required. The door had been rigged. A small tripwire had been set just beyond the threshold. Gavin likely hadn't even felt the string on his shoe. The clocks had been placed meticulously, set to go off on a timer that had been triggered once the sheet had been removed from the table. The removal of the sheet had also activated the power core fuelled light above.
Once the door had slammed shut, the scene had been set. The long bench had been placed directly in the middle of the room and off to the left. It wasn't visible from the open doorway. One would have to fully enter the room to see it around the door. The music box had been placed at the front, a position that would draw Gavin's attention before he even thought to touch the sheet. The box had been made to look tempting. It was a box that needed to be opened to see inside. The G intricately carved in the top was a special message, suggesting it was a gift for Gavin. The note inside and the tune would have tipped Gavin off as to who had set everything up for him before he even saw the carnage.
The double blow to Gavin's senses had disoriented him. The sudden light from above followed by the deafening sound of the clocks. Sound. The visual torment had added another layer of overstimulation, the horror taking away his ability to articulate his thoughts. Sight. Thirium had been allowed to drip and pool on the floor beneath the bench, making the area slippery and causing Gavin to fall. Thirium had coated his clothes and skin, destroying his tactile sensation. Touch. Although the scent of thirium is not strong, there was a high probability that it had been intensified by all of Gavin's senses being attacked. Smell. There was also the possibility that the salty thirium had touched Gavin's lips. Taste. It was almost intimate. A rape of Gavin's senses. He'd been forced to experience the scene on every possible level, and he did so alone…
Nines' LED was circling red as he continued to pace the floor and toss the small mirror. Gavin had been alone because Nines hadn't gone to check on him when the door had first slammed shut. He had been alone because Nines had not assessed the mechanical sounds as a threat. He had been alone and frightened and distressed and his partner had not been there. His senses had been overloaded. He had been unable to breathe. He had needed Nines. Nines had not been there. Nines had not assessed a threat. I was not there. I was not there-I was not there-I was-not there-I was-not there-I was not there-I-was-not-there-I-was-not-there-I-was-not-there-I-was-not-
"Nines! Hey-Nines! Wake the phck up! Nines!" Gavin's voice cried in alarm. Nines blinked as something struck him hard across the face. His head hadn't even turned at the impact, but he'd registered it. A hand. Open palm. Not meant to cause injury. He refocused his vision. Gavin was gripping his upper arms tightly, green eyes wide in terror. He must have cried out louder than he'd thought because the door was thrown open moments later and Elijah was suddenly striding across the room. He laid a hand on Gavin's shoulder, checking on him before looking up to assess the spinning red of Nines' LED.
"Nines. What is your current stress level?" Elijah asked in an authoritative, clinical tone. It was the tone of a technician. Nines felt the urge to obey it. Something in his programming just trusted it. He blinked, and a menu opened in his HUD. He hadn't realised.
"Stress level is currently holding at eighty-nine percent," he replied obediently, Elijah cursing quietly under his breath. It had likely been higher before Gavin's shout. It was a good thing Gavin had roused himself and distracted Nines when he did. The RK900 looked at Gavin. He looked…distraught. — Worried? Guilty? – Negative - Confirmed – distraught. — Gavin ran a hand through his brunette locks and cursed, knowing it wasn't good without really understanding how bad.
"You require a stasis cycle and a recharge," Elijah announced, his tone leaving no room for arguments.
"Negative," Nines replied, his LED circling red faster as his stress teased the edge of ninety. He blinked as Gavin reached up and touched his LED. His fingers circled slowly, running around the smooth rim of the small light. It was…nice. — Comforting? Reassuring? Warm? — He could feel his systems lagging in response to the stress as it declined. Gavin continued to circle his fingers, green eyes steady as he soothed him. It was wrong. Gavin was in distress. He should not be distracted by Nines. He should be resting. Nines should be taking care of him. Nines was failing as his partner. He was a failure. Defective. Inefficient.
"Phck, I'm sorry," Gavin said softly, his voice rough and gravelly from the day before. Gavin should not apologise. Gavin was not in error. Why was Gavin apologising? Why wasn't he angry? Why didn't he point out how Nines had failed him? "I was pushing you too hard yesterday…You were up all night taking care of me…Shit, I'm a useless prick!" Gavin cursed guiltily. It was wrong. Gavin was wrong. It was Nines' failure. Nines was the defective one. He felt his face twitch. A stress glitch. Gavin sighed and leaned against him. One arm wrapped around his waist as the other remained raised, fingers still circling his red LED.
"I was at fault. I should have accompanied you upstairs. I failed to check in with you. I am a bad partner. I let you down. I-" Nines stopped as Gavin's hand pressed over his mouth. He didn't say it, but Nines knew that it was a plea for silence. Gavin looked…upset — Angry? Confused? — as he drew back to look up at him. His brow had furrowed in something akin to displeasure.
"Ex-fucking-cuse me? Nines, you saved me! You carried me out of there and got me through I-don't-know-how-many panic attacks yesterday! You bathed me, dressed me, got me water, you even put me to sleep for Christ's sake! Don't you ever phcking tell me you're not good enough! Taking care of me is not your job, but you did it anyway! That's what phcking matters! That's what partners do!" he stormed, neither of them sure how loud he was shouting. Nines couldn't calibrate with his stress levels so high. He was starting to get static at the edge of his vision. His internal systems stuttered in something akin to relief. Gavin…is not disappointed? He is not angry? He does not think I am a failure? The brothers both seemed to sigh in relief as they watched Nines' LED spin yellow for the first time since Gavin had woken up. "My turn to take care of you now," Gavin added as he rested a fist against Nines' stiff shoulder.
"I am an android. I do not require care," Nines insisted in a voice that was far too mechanical.
"Please? It'll make me feel better…give me something to focus on," Gavin urged softly, his green eyes still pinched with…worry. — Distress? Hurt? — Nines dropped his gaze. He was reluctant to leave himself inert. In deep stasis, he would be unable to monitor Gavin's stress levels. He would be unaware if Gavin required his attention. All three men looked at the door as Chloe stepped in, having been aware of much of the exchange. She looked beautiful. Her long hair was loose in long blonde waves. She was wearing a light white nightdress that flower down to her knees. She gave them all her usual warm smile as she approached Nines and rested a gentle hand on his shoulder, stroking down his arm until she could hold his hand. She was trusted. Nines allowed her into his personal space. She would not harm him.
"You need rest, baby brother," she insisted softly, her tone filled with gentle affection as she implored him with warm crystal eyes. "You've been pushing yourself so hard, and you've done such a good job…Let me and Elijah take over for a while," she continued to soothe in a light voice. Nines didn't even realise he was moving until they were already almost at the door. Where was she taking him? They were leaving Gavin. He didn't want to leave Gavin. His partner may need him. He gasped as he felt something warm and reassuring trickle through his body. He looked down at their hands. They were bare. White plastic. A blue glow at their palms. She had initiated an interface. He hadn't even realised.
As she urged him along the hall, she sent a request for more intimate access. She wanted to review his memory files of the night. She wanted to see what had upset him. She wanted to understand and comfort. He didn't want her to see. He felt…embarrassed. — Ashamed? Pitiful? — Chloe frowned over her shoulder at him. A warm feeling rushed through his senses, bringing her clarity with it. The feeling was one of family. A bond. Concern. A desire to assist. She sent a softer plea. Against his better judgement, he allowed her to see his tumultuous and confused inner workings. Her LED span red a few times as she reviewed his distress, but it soon returned to yellow as they remained interfacing. She sent him reassurance and comfort. He felt…grateful.
They continued to move through the house. They headed a winding staircase into Elijah's private parlour. This was one of the places within the house where Elijah preferred to relax. Nines was confused. There was no android recharging port in this room. He had expected to be led down to the basement. Chloe smiled as she gestured to a reclining armchair. He sat on the edge uncertainly, following the hand on his chest as Chloe eased him back until he was resting comfortably. She sent him a warning. An image of what would happen. The chair reclined and a charging connection sank into his neck port. His body stiffened slightly at the unexpected intrusion.
"Rest now…" Chloe instructed softly, giving him a final wave of reassurance before breaking the connection. Nines felt his systems lagging despite the fresh surge of power. He needed a stasis cycle to reorder his thoughts and update his internal workings. He closed his eyes obediently, vaguely aware of gentle fingers threading through his hair before the cycle began and his senses dimmed.