Hi everybody, and welcome to chapter ten of More than Machines!

WARNING: CONTAINS SLASH AND ENOUGH FLUFF TO STUFF A PILLOW! Don't like, don't read, don't flame. Very simple.

Disclaimer: I do not own Red vs Blue or any of the characters/trademarks associated with it

North woke up feeling groggy and confused. He soon realised there was something holding his hand, and forced his eyes open. He wanted to turn his head, but it felt like every muscle in his body was made of lead. He tried again, wanting to see the person beside him, but the second he shifted pain stabbed through his chest and he groaned. He heard the sound of a chair clattering to the floor, and suddenly York's anxious face came into view above him.

"North?" York asked worriedly, looming over him. North tried to speak, but all that came out was a dry cough, and he swallowed with some difficulty. York, being the angel he was, grabbed a cup of water from a table beside the bed and, using his free hand to lift North's head, gently helped him take a few sips.

"Hey… York…" North rasped, finally finding his voice, as his head was gently placed back on the pillow. He swore he saw York's eyes moisten, but then decided he was just delirious; York never cried.

"How do you feel?" York asked softly. There was definitely a quaver in his a voice. North wondered what drugs the medics had used.

"Like…shit…" was his reply, and York made a choked sound, like a cross between a laugh and a sob. North blinked hard, and studied his boyfriend's face more closely. York's eyes were red and there were dark bags under them -it was clear he hadn't gotten much sleep recently- but what really surprised North were the definite tear tracks down York's cheeks. North frowned, and immediately York was at attention.

"What's wrong? Are you in pain? Do you want me to get the medic?" he asked worriedly. North shook his head, and immediately regretted it.

"You're… crying…?" he asked instead, wanting desperately to wipe away the marks down York's cheek. York sniffled.

"I thought you were going to die." He said softly, taking North's hand again. "I was so scared I was going to lose you. When I heard you'd had to use your enhancement…" he trailed off. They shared a moment of silence for how lucky North was.

"So what's…wrong…with me?" North managed to choke out. York winced.

"Aside from the obvious?" he said, in a lame attempt at humour. North cracked a smile. "When you used your shield, it put a lot of strain on your armour, and it overheated. You've got some pretty painful-looking burns… You're under-suit had seared itself onto your skin in some areas, and it had to be cut off. The rest of it is now pretty charred…" York took a shuddering breath, and then continued. "You were in a coma for three days and… and I thought…" he fell silent.

"You… sat with… me… that whole… time?" North asked weakly. York nodded. "You're an… idiot," he chastised. York laughed/sobbed again.

"And the pot calls the kettle black," he said, before standing up. "I'm going to let the medic know you're awake, and then I'll be back." He promised, before turning and leaving.

North didn't have to wait long before York returned, this time with the medic in tow. The medic did a quick check up before putting more painkillers into North's drip.

"Don't worry, these will work very quickly but they won't knock you out," the medic reassured when he saw North's annoyed look. He turned to York and motioned for him to follow. Now that the painkillers were kicking in, North found he could move his head with less pain, and he turned in time to see the medic handing York a slip of paper and a bottle, and York nodded before disappearing down the hallway behind them. The doctor then went into another room.

York came back in fairly soon, with Wash and South following a bit more hesitantly. North smiled at both of them.

"Hey…Wash…Sis," he greeted softly, as York sat down beside his bed and took his hand again. Wash just grinned at him like he always did.

"Hey, North. I see someone finally managed to get you, hey?" Wash teased. North managed a harsh bark of laughter, before pain shot through him and he screwed his eyes shut, clenching his jaw against the groan that threatened to escape him. Immediately, York was up, gently laying a hand on his forehead and asking if he was okay, and if he needed the medic. Eventually, the pain subsided, and he weakly brushed away York's concerns.

"I'm fine, York," North reassured, his voice a bit stronger. He saw movement behind York, and looked past him to see South step forwards.

"North, I- I just wanted to say… thanks, for saving me," she said hesitantly. "It means a lot to me that you'd risk your life like that." North smiled warmly.

"Any time, sis… any time," he replied.

"I hope not!" York cried, although there was a touch of amusement in his voice.

Suddenly, North could feel his eyelids getting heavy, and they started fluttering shut.

"Looks like it's time for a nap!" York said gently, leaning down and kissing his boyfriend on the forehead. North vaguely heard the others leaving the hospital room.

"Love you," North murmured sleepily, before falling instantly asleep, missing York's quiet gasp of surprise.

He also missed York pressing another kiss to his forehead, whispering "I love you too, North."

And there you have it! Sorry, its unbelievable short, and I'm quite ashamed of it, but I couldn't think of any more to add! As always, thanks for reading and please leave a review! Like it? Hate it? Let me know! Constructive critism is loved, but flames are not!