Work Text:
/SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC/
CORE TEMPERATURE: 103.5 F.../
BIOCOMPONENT #2715a…/
THIRIUM CIRCULATION INCREASED BY 40%.../
POWER LEVELS LOW: 25%.../
CPU OVERCLOCKED.../
AIR CIRCULATION: 55% ABOVE OPTIMAL POWER LEVELS.../
THIRIUM RESERVE LEVELS: LOW
LEVEL OF STRESS: 78%
The android exhaled sharply, swearing he could see a small cloud of steam exit his mouth. He never felt this hot before. He had a dull, yet persistent headache. His CPU had been overclocked for the longest time. His built-in antivirus programs worked overtime to fight off this awful malware bug he was unlucky to catch.
Connor turned on his side, curling up into himself. He felt the occasional palpitations in his regulator as it was pumping Thirum at a high rate, trying to keep his affected biocomponents in check. The increased use of circulating Thirium had pretty much dried up his reserves, which was sitting at around 10%.
He had consumed so many bottles of the blue blood he had lost count. The empty bottles themselves were taking up the nightstand and some even littered the floor next to his bed.
Nines had yet to return. Him and Hank were pretty much on rotating shifts, taking care of the sick deviant to give the other a break when needed. The temporary shift changes had made things a bit chaotic at the DPD, but it was necessary to ensure Connor had a swift recovery.
Unfortunately it seemed to be taking a lot longer than either of them thought. There had been many reports of androids falling ill, but each case seemed to vary, depending on the age and model of the android.
Connor seemed to be one of the unlucky ones, as the strain he contracted was being aggressive and taxing on his body. He hated it. He couldn’t work, could barely function, and had to rely on others to nurse him.
As a negotiator, being in control of the situation was something Connor greatly relished in. Being in control allowed him to work to reach a suitable conclusion. Accomplishing a mission. Having a 100% success rate.
In this situation, he had zero control. He didn’t have a solution. He couldn’t calculate a high success rate. This insecurity along with the stress and pain of being sick had his anxiety running wild.
Connor brough his hands up near his chest as he started compulsively wringing them, he took in shaky, deep breaths to try and ground himself. Every time Nines had to leave the room to either tend to Sumo or get him more Thirium, he felt his already high anxiety spike even more. He hated being alone in this state. He was in danger. His guard was down. He needed the comfort and protection of the ones he loved, in this case being Nines or Hank.
Trying to divert power to his communication module, he established a connection to the RK900, who was out in the kitchen feeding Sumo and retrieving more Thirium bottles. He unintentionally had started sending high emotional pings through the interface.
Nines was in the process of scooping a measured cup of dog food to pour into Sumo’s bowl. The St. Bernard sat patiently and excitedly, wagging his tail. Nines’s breath hitched as he physically flinched from the sudden influx of code entering his CPU.
A rush of fear and loneliness coursed through his head. He almost dropped the measuring cup filled with kibble. Setting it down on the counter he rubbed his temple, trying to regain his composure. He uttered a deep sigh, knowing where it was coming from.
Nines: Connor? What are you doing? Are you alright?
Connor: S-Sorry…I’m okay. Well I’m not but…I need more Thirium. When are you coming back?
Nines: I know Con. I’m gonna get it now. I’m just about to feed Sumo.
Connor: Okay. Thank you…rA9 it’s so hot in here…my core temperature has increased by one degree…..
Nines took a moment to place Sumo’s now full food bowl on the floor, allowing the dog to finally eat his dinner. He then put the dog food bag away securely and made his way to the fridge, opening to reveal several chilled bottles of blue blood. He took five of them out, feeling the coolness of them against his synthskin.
Nines gave Sumo a few more head rubs before he exited the kitchen and down the hall to Connor’s room. He knocked softly on the door before slowly opening it and slipping inside. He shut it behind him, taking a moment to place the bottles down on the dresser near the bed. He heard slight rustling as Connor shifted under his comforter to face Nines.
“Nnngh…Nines…?” He croaked weakly, his voice came out hoarse and with some slight static. He reached a hand up to rub his eyes. Nines smiled slightly as he walked over to the bed, sitting down on the edge. He placed a hand on Connor’s back and started rubbing it. Connor quickly turned onto his back, taking a hold on Nines’s hand into both of his own, gripping it as tight as he could, which wasn’t very tight at all thanks to his diminished energy.
Nines smiled and let out a small huff as he brought his free hand down to cover Connor’s, feeling the feverish heat radiating from the android’s chassis.
“Connor, you’re so hot…”
Connor’s half lidded eyes blinked as he inhaled slowly before speaking.
“Yeaaaah, I’m at….103.5. Which in a human would be a cause for concern. My systems are so overclocked…,”
He paused, taking a few deep breaths. His voice sounded so worn out, almost broken. Somewhat slurring and laggy? Was the best thing Nines could describe it as. He saw Connor trying to pull him towards him, as if he wanted to bring the RK900 into a hug.
“What is it Con? Do you want your Thirium?” Nines asked, tilting his head slightly. A quirk he picked up from Connor post deviancy. The RK800 nodded, turning his head slightly towards the dresser.
“Yes please….I need…drink. My reserves are down to…5%…” he released his grip on Nines’s arm, letting them come to rest on his stomach. He was so weak. His HUD had been giving him warnings of an emergency stasis protocol that was going to overcome him soon.
Nines got up from the edge of the bed, bringing a still chill bottle of Thirium to Connor. He helped Connor sit up a bit so he could consume the blue blood without spilling it. Connor took the bottle eagerly and immediately started gulping it down. He let a hum of joy escape his voice box. It felt so good. Nice and cold running down his throat to his artificial stomach. He already felt himself cooling down a bit. His HUD notified him of his core temperature dropping one degree.
Nines watched him down three whole Thirium bottles. Connor was about to ask for another one but the RK900 shook his head.
“What are your reserve levels at?”
“…95%…”
Nines hummed. “Then you’re all set. We don’t have many bottles left and I know you don’t want to be left by yourself again.”
Connor felt a pang of fear go through him. He did NOT wanna be left alone again, even with Nines still in the house. He wanted his brother to be with him, by his side. It helped ground him and make him feel safe. He picked up one of the spare pillows and hugged it.
“…alright. Thank you Nines…”
“You’re welcome Eights.”
Connor couldn’t help but smile. It was so nice to hear that nickname from time to time. Just like Nines’s name, it’s a play on his model number. He thought it’d be cute to do with same with Connor. It was a nice personal thing that helped them bond early on.
Nines once again got up from the bed. He gathered the remaining bottles that weren’t opened.
“I’m just gonna go put these back on the fridge okay?”
Connor laid back down, his breath quickening. Nines just said he wasn’t gonna leave again. He’s going to be alone again, vulnerable and unsafe. His already red LED seemed to glow an even brighter crimson.
LEVEL OF STRESS: 67%^^^
Nines saw Connor’s rapid change in demeanor, frowning a bit.
“I know Con. I’m just going to the kitchen okay? I’ll be right back.”
He exited the bedroom, feeling a sting of guilt. He hated leaving Connor by himself when he was in such a state. Whenever something happened that was out of Connor’s control, his anxiety always spiked. He had certain ways to calm himself down but he could only do so much by himself.
Nines was a quick as he could be. He placed the bottles back in the fridge to cool down again. Sumo greeted the android happily, also giving him signs that he needed to go outside to do his duty. Nines let the large dog out in the backyard, as he closed the door he felt a sharp stab of an emotion ping in his head.
Fear
Fear
Fear
Lonely
Sick
Anxious
Scared
Fear
FEAR
FEAR
Nines rubbed his temple, establishing a connection to the sick RK800.
Nines: Connor, please just hold on. Sumo had to go outside so I let him out, I’ll be back in a minute
Connor: Please come back Nines…..Please don’t leave again. My stress levels are so high. I can’t….ground myself much longer….
Nines: Okay okay, I’m coming back now. Just hang on.
Cutting the connection, Nines opened the back door and called Sumo back in. Sumo lumbered over the threshold, happy as could be. He made his way over to his dog bed in the living room, plopping down to sleep. Nines took a moment to make sure everything was tidied up in the kitchen before shutting off the lights and making his way back to Connor’s bedroom. Hank wasn’t due back from work for quite a while longer, so Nines was basically spending the rest of the night with Connor.
Nines entered the darkened bedroom again, closing the door behind him. The bright blinking glow of Connor’s LED was lighting up the room. Connor laid on his side, hugging a pillow tightly as if it was the last thing he had. His face lit up immediately upon seeing Nines. The RK900 took a minute to change out of his day clothes and into his pajamas. He then rounded the bed to the other side to get under the covers. As soon as he was settled in Connor instantly flipped over, wrapping his arms around the larger android and hugging him as tight as he could. He buried his head into Nines’s shoulder.
Nines hugged Connor back, feeling the sick android press his body against him, taking in his presence and trying to ground himself again. He could hear and feel Connor’s breathing accelerating as he started shaking.
“Connor? You okay?”
Connor didn’t answer at first. He gripped the fabric of Nines’s tshirt, afraid he’d disappear if he let’s go.
“Mmmmh, I’m scared Nines. What if I don’t get better? What if I suffer some sort of serious malfunction as a result of the malware? I won’t be able to do my job anymore, and there’d be nothing I could do about it. Please Nines, I don’t want that to happen, please!”
He was practically tearing at the fabric of Nines’s shirt, he started hyperventilating. Nines knew what was happening. Connor was in the mists of an anxiety attack, and thankfully he knew exactly what to do to help bring Connor back.
"No Connor. That won’t happen. You will make it through this! I know that. We will take good care of you, and you will get better.”
Nines brought one of his hands back and placed it at the nape of Connor’s neck, establishing an interface. He then focused as he sent emotional pings of calmness, reassurance and love.
Connor felt the strings of code flow through him as they quickly overpowered the anxiety and fear that plagued him. He felt himself relax as he loosened his grip on Nines a bit. His HUD flashed with the impending timer counting down to the stasis protocol that had shown up earlier. Connor didn’t cancel it this time as he felt the security and safety of Nines radiate through his body. He finally felt safe and secure, protected from all the things that were trying to hurt him in his current state.
Nines sensed Connor relaxing and even saw through the connection that his stress levels decreased significantly. He removed his hand from Connor’s neck, severing the interface. He let the RK800 settle back down in his arms as he began to slip into a much needed stasis mode. Nines got a glace at Connor’s face and felt his heart swell with warmth. He looked so relaxed and peaceful, the pained and feared expression he had before had completely vanished. He was sleeping soundly, a small half smile on his face.
Nines finally settled down into the bed properly. He activated his own stasis protocol allowing himself to sleep along with Connor, as the RK brothers slept peacefully, undisturbed and unbothered by the troubles of the outside world.