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 Posted: Fri May 17, 2024 6:07 pm
Arawn could have squeezed the life out of Laon with one of his hugs. He would never hurt Laon, but he could tell that this was far from his full strength despite it appearing to be his best effort.
He didn’t correct Arawn.
In Mirrorspace, he gently returned the hug and tucked his chin into the crook of Arawn’s neck. They were safe here but it didn’t ease Laon’s worry.
“I’m glad you’re okay,” he said, despite being fairly convinced that Arawn was not okay.
“You said I could check to see when we got here. You have to let me go first, let me see you. I’ll calm down when I do, okay? Please.”
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Posted: Fri May 17, 2024 6:18 pm
He knew it would be a bad idea to close his eyes. He could probably fall asleep standing up, now that he had Laon in his arms. He felt weak and jittery, but the latter wasn’t all that surprising. Just annoying.
“Yeah, okay,” he agreed, not sure what Laon expected to find. He made a face as he looked around the room they’d stepped into.
“For a Common Room, you’d think it would be more welcoming,” he grunted, and then sneered at a reflection of himself. He was used to the mirrors by now, but that didn’t mean he liked looking into them. Sometimes he was afraid of what he would see. Maybe he would see something that he didn’t think existed, or look at a reflection he didn’t recognize.
He took a step back and carefully untied the sash around his waist so he could tug up his shirt for Laon to look him over. He’d find a significant amount of bruising up his side and creeping down below the waistband of his pants to his thigh. There were angry red scrapes over those bruises where the skin had nearly broken, but must have been protected by fabric.
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Posted: Fri May 17, 2024 6:27 pm
Laon immediately winced at the sight. “We should stop and get some frozen peas on the way home, I don’t think we have enough at home…”
He didn’t know what could have caused that type of damage. Being hit by a car, maybe?
“Oh, Arawn,” he sighed, and he wanted to hold him so badly. “I wish I had healing magic, that looks like it hurts so much!”
And he couldn’t even remember what he’d done. What if there was internal bleeding? What if he’d broken a rib? What if he’d punctured a lung? Laon’s stomach was churning and he felt like he was ready to be sick with worry.
“We should get home and treat this,” he said, already dreading how they were supposed to get up seven flights of stairs. Arawn said he was fine but this was not fine, and it still looked fresh enough that it was only going to get worse.
He doubted Arawn had taken any medicine either but this looked like it was going to hurt as soon as he realized how bad it looked.
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Posted: Fri May 17, 2024 7:17 pm
Arawn grunted again and glanced down at whatever Laon was making a face at. Oh, he could probably also look in a mirror.
His expression shifted, clearly confused. A little frustrated. He tugged on his shirt a bit more to see if there was more damage.
“Yeah okay,” he said quietly, not going to argue with Laon when there was clear evidence that he was hurt. And there was a cut across his cheek. His hands were gloved but he bit the tip of a finger and tugged it off to reveal reddened, scraped up palms, likely to turn into bruises as well.
He deflated.
He couldn’t remember how that happened. Or what he did to cause that. Where else was he injured?
“I’m sorry,” he quickly said, but his words sounded flat from barely held back emotion. “I didn’t mean… this.” Whatever this was. He didn’t mean to worry Laon. He’d been so worried about finding Laon that he completely forgot what happened to himself.
And he was very aware of how not normal that was.
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Posted: Fri May 17, 2024 7:26 pm
“Arawn–Orien,” Laon said softer, “Please, you don’t have to apologize. It looks like you got hurt. I told you I was worried about if you were in shock, that’s what happens when people get hurt a lot.” And this looked like a lot of hurt.
The cut on his cheek looked different from the rest of these bruises and scrapes, but that was a whole other worry.
“On my way over, I heard someone got hit by a car. I thought, ‘That would be just Orien’s luck’. It’s not your fault.” Had he been hit by a car? Or fallen off a building, or slammed into the ground? None of it mattered as much as making sure he was okay after whatever.
“I want to hold you but I don’t want to hurt you.” He wanted to wrap him in bubble wrap to keep him safe. He looked up so he could kiss Arawn’s lips gently, just because he was pretty sure it wouldn’t hurt him to do so.
“You didn’t do anything wrong. I think it was really brave of you to come looking for me. I love you so much, you make me feel so safe. I don’t ever have to worry about anyone or anything when I’m with you.”
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Posted: Fri May 17, 2024 7:29 pm
A car? Had that been what happened?
Arawn held still as Laon kissed him. He wanted to kiss him back, but now he was sad and frustrated that he just didn’t know what happened.
He looked at Laon with uncertainty and fear in his eyes. Not for anything immediate, but because he didn’t think his memory was getting that bad. He felt guilty. He already felt like a burden on Laon, even if he said he felt safe with him. He didn’t feel brave.
“I think I should sit down,” he mumbled and glanced around at the mirrors for a few moments, before glancing back down at the ground. He felt shaky and unsteady. And he hated it. He didn’t want this. He didn’t want Laon to have to spend his time taking care of him on top of everything else.
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Posted: Fri May 17, 2024 7:32 pm
The fear made Laon’s stomach churn. He could have thrown up. He didn’t like seeing Arawn scared.
“Okay. I want to sit down, too,” he said, and offered both hands for Arawn to help him sit down. “I’m a little out of breath. I was–it’s been such a busy night. And I panicked some. And I don’t know about you but I’m a little dizzy.”
He wasn’t sure what was the truth and what was a lie, not really. He just wanted Arawn to be okay.
He wanted to believe that maybe it really was just shock and trauma stealing his memories but he knew Arawn struggled and no matter how much Laon was putting into it, he wasn’t sure if it was helping. All the healthy meals, all their vitamins, all him fretting…
It wasn’t Arawn’s fault, he just didn’t know if there was anything more that he could do.
…And he was scared to ask anyone else, or to do or say the wrong thing and upset Arawn. Who was absolutely not a burden on him, no matter how much he made himself upset thinking about things like that. Laon wouldn’t trade him for anyone, for anything.
…But he didn’t want Arawn to get worse. He knew how hard things were for him already. And if there was anything anyone could do to make him better…
Laon’s mouth was dry but he forced a little smile. “I have some water and some snacks. Are you hungry? Some water might be good if nothing else,” he said, ready to sit down on the floor with him as soon as Arawn was able to lower himself first.
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Posted: Fri May 17, 2024 7:36 pm
The adrenaline that had been coursing through his veins was fading. He could feel the ache now. The tightness of his skin over the unknown wounds.
Shakily he let Laon help him sit down. He hit the ground a bit harder than he’d intended because his leg wouldn’t bend like he wanted it to.
The worst part of all of this? Was the worry that made Laon’s face pale. He didn’t want to make him wonder each time he went out what was going to happen. He didn’t want him thinking he couldn’t trust him.
Then again, could Arawn even trust himself?
“Water. Thanks,” he agreed. He wasn’t thirsty but he knew it would help give Laon something to do. Something to distract him from whatever was going on.
Arawn wrung his hands together, not knowing what to do. The pain that was starting to bubble up around the bruises was enough to make him nauseous. He swallowed in an attempt to keep everything down.
The, quietly, and not sure of anything except that he didn’t want Laon to worry as much, Arawn asked, “Should we call Jett?”
He wasn’t sure what was going to happen if they did or didn’t call but if it would help Laon, then he was willing to suck up his pride and let someone else do the thinking instead of Laon, if only to give him a break.
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Posted: Fri May 17, 2024 7:37 pm
Laon made it to his knees before he flopped down in front of Arawn and pulled out a bottle of water. He uncapped it for Arawn and made sure it was comfortable pressed in both of his hands before he released his grip, but even then he still seemed ready to catch it if Arawn was trembling too much to hold it.
“Do you want to? I won’t if you don’t want me to. Your bruises are getting worse. They’re really fresh, Arawn.” Fresh meant that there could be something worse bubbling beneath. He was trying so hard to keep a straight face and not let his worry show but he knew he was failing miserably.
“If we do he’ll just say we have to take you to the doctor. I don’t think he has healing magic. He might,” he blurted. Maybe Jett had a lot of magic. Or knew people with magic. Or maybe he was studying to be a doctor so he could do a whole checkup right there and then he could tell them that Arawn was fine and they should go home and rest.
He just wanted to hear that everything was fine. He just wanted Arawn to be fine.
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Posted: Fri May 17, 2024 7:42 pm
He didn’t want to call Jett, because he knew Laon was right. He knew he’d just send them to the doctor, and something about that idea made his blood feel like it was ice. He couldn’t remember exactly why he was so against doctors, but he knew it must have been bad. Bad enough that he could feel himself start to panic at the idea of being in a room with someone other than Laon.
Arawn held the water as tightly as he could. His fingers twitched and trembled obnoxiously, and he tried not to squeeze the bottle so much that he crushed it, but nothing he did seemed to settle his shaking. <********>” he hissed, head lowered in shame. He didn’t want Laon to worry. He didn’t want to go to the doctor. “We can’t afford a trip to the doctor anyway. I don’t want to wipe out our savings.”
He remembered that much. He knew how hard Laon had been working to get them to a comfortable existence. Arawn squeezed his eyes shut and ignored the heat and wetness in his eyes. How pathetic. He couldn’t even remember what happened and he was making Laon worry himself sick.
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Posted: Fri May 17, 2024 7:49 pm
“I don’t care, there’s no point in savings if we don’t use them for important things. It’s just money. And we have health insurance.” He didn’t know the first thing about health insurance, but Jett said it came with the job. Somehow, Laon didn’t think he’d skimp on it.
“My semester’s ending soon. I can work more over the summer, I’ll have a lot of free time to pick up more hours.”
He moved closer and kissed the crown of Arawn’s head while it was bowed, and while he rested on his knees, he gently placed his hands on his shoulders.
“If you don’t want a doctor, we don’t have to go. I’m not going to force you. But I’m worried, Orien. I want to call Jett,” he admitted. “We could just tell him some really strong Senshi attacked you while you were gathering energy or something. Maybe he’ll feel so bad that he’ll give you tomorrow off. With pay.”
He was just talking. He didn’t know what he was saying. Arawn was trembling so much, he looked like he was so upset.
Laon kissed atop his head a dozen times to stop himself from rambling.
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Posted: Fri May 17, 2024 7:59 pm
It’s just money, Laon said. But it was more than just money. It was the difference between Laon being able to afford tuition or skipping breakfast to be able to have enough food for lunch and maybe dinner. And he was supposed to be eating healthy, since he was doing so much work for school.
Arawn made himself sip a little from the bottle, before he had to set it down. He didn’t want to pull away from Laon kissing his head, but everything was starting to spin now. The pain from whatever happened was catching up to him.
“Okay,” he weakly agreed, because maybe at least Jett would give him the day off, even if it wasn’t with pay.
“Sorry-- I need…” he mumbled and winced in pain as he shifted and allowed himself to lay down on the floor instead of sitting. He tried keeping his breathing even, but there was too much pressure on his body.
“Sorry,” he mumbled again. But then made a face as he thought about what Laon suggested.
“Make it, like… three-- no five. Really strong Senshi. Maybe a couple of those Knights. They have weapons don’t they? I could probably take on five, though. At least. I don’t think Jett would believe you.”
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Posted: Fri May 17, 2024 8:03 pm
“He’ll believe me. I’m good at telling stories, you tell me all the time. I’ll just start crying, he won’t know what to do. It’s fine, it’ll work out. I’ll tell him it was a whole team of them. But you managed to save your wraith. You got out of there alive. He’ll understand. You just stay put. I’ll take care of this. If it sucks–then–then it sucks, but we’re in this together. No matter what happens.”
If they went to the hospital–fine. They could do a payment plan. He’d seen videos online about reducing hospital debt. And he could ask Jett for help. This was important. It wasn’t them being pathetic or stupid, Arawn was really hurt.
He pulled out his compact and scooted close to Arawn’s head so he could play with his hair gently. He smoothed his fingers over his scalp and over his forehead. His hand was trembling as he held it because–what if Jett said no? What if he was too busy? What if he told them to get lost?
…
What if Arawn died?
Laon cleared his throat. “Remarque? Are you there?”
“Yes. Why are you, don’t you have finals coming up?”
“Can you come to Mirrorspace, to the Common Room? Arawn’s hurt. We don’t know how bad. But he was really brave, he was protecting his wraith. And there were so many,” he said quickly. The words were jumping together.
Remarque didn’t need an explanation; he wasn’t getting anything useful. “Give me a minute. I’ll be there. How bad is it?”
“We don’t know. He’s bruised. And scraped. He had to lay down. I don’t know. We need your help.”
“Is he conscious?”
“Yes. I think. Yes. He’s just tired.”
“Arawn.” He sounded firm but calm. “Talk to me, don’t sugar coat it. How bad do you feel on a scale from one to ten? Ten’s the worst. One’s a stubbed toe.”
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Posted: Fri May 17, 2024 8:07 pm
This was so stupid. He didn’t like this at all. He didn’t want Laon to worry. He didn’t want Jett to think he was weak and pathetic. Sure, they could probably convince him that there were a bunch that jumped him and he fought them off. That would be good right?
While Laon played with his hair, Arawn reached up to rest the back of his hand against Laon’s leg. He couldn’t get a good angle to hold onto him, but this had to be good enough for now.
He could hear everything Laon and Remarque were saying. He almost wanted to interrupt to make sure Remarque knew that he definitely could have handled a dozen or more enemies, just so he wouldn’t think they were a waste of his time.
But poor Laon sounded so upset. He just wanted to hold him, and he couldn’t.
Arawn grit his teeth when Remarque spoke to him. He’d closed his eyes, but it didn’t do much to stave off the pain.
He wanted to lie. He wanted to tell him it was a two. But he knew he’d be opening his eyes to a very upset and worried Laon.
Ten being the worst pain he’d felt?
“Seven,” he grumbled, and then winced as he tried to breathe. “But getting worse.” He’d already broken out into a cold sweat. At this point, a doctor’s visit seemed inevitable.
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Posted: Fri May 17, 2024 8:15 pm
Laon stretched his leg out beside Arawn, partly to give him something better to touch and partly because he wanted to make a safety bubble around him. It was the best he could do.
Seven, but getting worse. Okay.
His hand was trembling in Arawn’s hair but if he kept moving it, he doubted Arawn would notice.
“Okay. Stay powered up for as long as you can. Try to relax.”
Laon wanted to tell Remarque that he didn’t think Arawn could relax. He looked so pale. He was sweating so much.
He didn’t have to. A mirror rippled to the left of him and for a split second he was terrified it was someone else.
Remarque stepped through. Only an Eternal, but he didn’t even look worried. He saw Arawn and he didn’t even look worried. Not because he didn’t care–obviously–right? No, because he was probably so sure that everything was going to be fine. Okay, good. He had this under control. Everything was going to be fine, Remarque could fix all of this. He could–
Why was he pulling out a bone? A finger bone?
“Hey. This is going to sound really weird,” Remarque said. He knelt on Arawn’s other side. “Mirrorspace has a lot of weird s**t, though. So just pretend like this is some Alice in Wonderland stuff, okay? I’m going to break this, and I need you to breathe it in. You’re not going to smell anything. You’re going to feel a little less pain right off the bat, and then it’s going to help you. Just trust me.”
He cracked the bone and Laon watched as some purple mist came out of it. It didn’t seem like a lot, but it was so close to Arawn’s face that he suspected it would have been easy to breathe in a lot of it.
“Is it safe?” he blurted.
“Yeah, completely. You find them every now and then. If you’re ever exploring Mirrorspace and see something weird, pick it up and let me know.” Remarque didn’t take his eyes off of Arawn; he seemed to be waiting to make sure everything kicked in like it was supposed to. “We’ll give it a few minutes. Arawn, you’re going to have to keep giving us status reports. But you’re doing good. You look like you got hit by a bus. Must have been some fight.”
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