A Very Bad Day

[jiangzaid]

WHO: Xue Yang, Song Lan, Xiao Xingchen, and possibly Wen Qing
WHEN: May 22nd
WHAT: Xue Yang got a little more hurt than usual oops?
WHERE: Gazin
WARNINGS: Blood, violence possible, and possible mention of past trauma



Just another escort duty through the forest. Just.

Right.

Xue Yang leans against a tree, pausing for breath. He'd managed to stem the worst of the bleeding, but he can feel his strength seeping through the make-shift bandages the longer he's away from home. And it pisses him off. Which also doesn't help, and he knows it. Not that it changes anything at all.

He forces his eyes to remain open. One more breath, then he shoves himself upright again, left arm wrapped tight around his stomach wound and right clutching the sturdy branch he'd sliced into a staff. He's late returning, and he knows it. Fury burns hot, driving him forward.

But eventually he makes his way through the Vasari Forest and catches sight of the buildings telling him he's at least made it close enough if he falls now...he'll be found. And hopefully by someone friendly enough to take him home, if not to the doctor.

No. He bares his teeth to himself, latching onto his will to live and keep shoving one foot before the other. He can't fall. Won't fall. Xingchen and Zichen are waiting, and he refuses to hurt those two men ever again.

...He still feels himself stumble as the street ahead of him blurs.

Comments

[jiangzaid]

He should be on the ground.

Instead, warm arms wrap around him and his fall is cushioned as the staff does fall from slack fingers. The sharp voice lashes through the dark, dragging him back and he shakes his head with an annoyed growl.

Then struggles to push himself back to his feet through sheer force of will, distress at worrying this man, either of them.

"'m not done yet," he promises with something of a sulk. For once though, he has trouble looking at Zichen's face, not sure what he'd find and certain he doesn't want to find out. He hasn't lost Jiangzai, it's strapped to his back in it's resting position. And it's just as covered in blood as he is, and it's not just creature blood.

Still angry. Not at Zichen - no, never again. At himself. At the job. At the damn beasts that have started making his life harder.

[zichen]

He should have gone with him. This is the outcome he feared when he first heard of the job. Whether Xue Yang is ready to admit defeat or not, Zichen turns and drags him against his back, securing the other man's arms around his neck before he takes hold of his legs.

No, Xue Yang does not get a choice.

"Silence." though hearing the other's voice is comforting, "Hold onto me."

The beasts will do as they please; Zichen has no interest in them. His focus is on the man he is currently lifting. Once he is standing, he begins the trek to their home, his brow furrowing as he feels the blood seeping through his robes. How can he tell Xue Yang - Xue Yang - that such a simple sensation makes his blood run cold?

[jiangzaid]

Left arm grabbed along with the right, dragged away from his body and manipulated to another's will. He hisses before quieting in shock as Zichen settles him on his back before standing, lifting him off his feet. And scolding.

Xue Yang shudders and presses his face to the daozhang's shoulder, feeling his face flush in confused delight. The new rush of pain is worth it to be carried by this man, who'd once wanted to kill him.

It tamps back the anger, but that's...not necessarily a good thing, as he goes limp and falls unconscious by the time they reach their home. No more adrenaline to keep him conscious. No more anger to keep him crawling forward. No more strength, as blood continues to seep from wounds scattered across his body.

[zichen]

"Xingchen!" he calls, panicking when he feels Xue Yang go limp. His steps quicken and he is inside of the house.

"It's Xue Yang!" though who else could it be? Perhaps the healer? Now that he thinks about her, he really should contact her. Just the wounds he was able to see are beyond his skill.

Though Xingchen has always been better at this. Zichen lowers Xue Yang into a chair and, remarkably, without hesitation even, he begins to strip the man of his clothes. They need to see the gashes. Hopefully none of them are too deep...?

His fingers fumble at the task and he scowls.

[inwhite]

Xingchen knows that something is wrong even before Zichen calls out to him. He knew it before Zichen was even out the door, because Xue Yang was late, and he would never come home late to them. He would rush whoever he was escorting, make his own path, do whatever he had to do make it home in time.

So he's already been preparing, there by Zichen's side with a basin of water of some torn clothes. He tries to stay calm, but the hands that hold the basin tremble, causing some of the water to splash over the sides.

"Where is he hurt?"

He reaches over to place his hand on the other man's, reassuring him as he starts taking over the task. He can be strong, he can do this. He must, with someone he loves on the line.

[jiangzaid]

He wouldn't care about being laid bare before these two men even were he conscious. Not now.

Xue Yang continues to breathe, shallow but steady. No deep wound to the chest this time, though the worst of his wounds is to his stomach. The deep gashes there have been cauterized, mostly, but continue to seep blood, right along with mostly shallow slashes spread over much of the rest of him.

Pain isn't enough to rouse him, too familiar a companion. But it's enough to, along with the knowledge giving up would hurt people beyond forgiveness, keep him from taking his last breath.

[zichen]

With Xingchen at his side, he steadies and he is able to pull the clothing from Xue Yang's poor abused body. The stomach wounds get his attention immediately and he runs his fingertips along them, murmuring fearfully:

"Here. They need stitching. I can do it, but he needs to be held still." he glances at his soulmate, "If he awakens, you might need to be rough."

For his own good. Already Zichen is searching for a needle and thread, cleaning both thoroughly. The last thing Xue Yang needs is a violent infection.

[inwhite]

"I can."

His voice is soft but his will resolute. He must do whatever is best for Xue Yang, no matter how much his own heart is breaking. Zichen is there too, with sharp eyes and steady hands. Xue Yang is in the hands of the man that Xingchen trusts most.

He follows the scent of blood, cleaning the wounds while the other man prepares. He gives his soulmate a nod when he returns, then moves behind Xue Yang where he's both out of the way and can also hold him. Xingchen wraps his arms around him, bringing his voice closer to his ear. He doesn't even know if he can hear him, but maybe it will bring him comfort if he can.

"I know how much you hate a boring day. But isn't this taking it a little too far?" He turns his head, and presses a kiss against his hair. "It's okay. Just wake up and tell us the story. I'm looking forward to it."

[jiangzaid]

Zichen and Xingchen take such good care of him!

It's the warmth of familiar arms after the familiar sense of wounds being cleaned that starts to rouse him, and that voice speaking to him that has him press a little into Xingchen's arms. Head turning just a little, but not sure he wants such a nice dream to end.

Pricks of a needle to his stomach have him tense though, one eye forcing open to stare down...his cheeks flush when two things register: his own lack of clothes, and who is literally stitching him together.

Xingchen's arms around him, holding on. He won't throw him off, so forces himself to hold still as his gaze returns to Zichen.

[zichen]

With everything washed - his hands included - Zichen glances up at Xingchen, waiting for him to embrace Xue Yang from behind. Once he is certain his soulmate has a good grip, he gets to work, stitching the gashes neatly, his brow furrowed intently. Xingchen's words cause him to soften and his lips twitch faintly, hopefully.

"I would like to hear the story too." he admits, tying off one line of stitching to begin another. It is...difficult...to focus after the worst wounds are closed. Xue Yang is naked and he is touching his bare skin. No. The task is not done.

Then he realizes the man is conscious. Flushing, he glances up at him, forcing himself to breathe.

"You will be alright. But I insist on bed rest."

[inwhite]

He feels the tension in Xue Yang's body and knows he's closer to consciousness now. He doesn't tighten his embrace, but he is more vigilant. Pain could make him jerk without meaning to.

There are times when not having eyes to see are, at least in some way, beneficial.

"Zichen is right. These won't heal overnight." And he knows Xue Yang won't be happy about that, but he probably doesn't think about things like tearing his stitches open again or infection. "Just let us take care of you for awhile."

"Are you alright? Do you want me to take over?" This to Zichen. He may be slightly slower, but he heard the change in his breathing. He doesn't want this to be difficult for him.

[jiangzaid]

Yep. Face is definitely flushed by the time Zichen looks up and sees he's awake. It's more than enough the pain is ignored. Warm hands, from a man he'd always thought to be cold before. Now he knows better.

He huffs out a little breath at the orders and turns his head just enough to rub the top against Xingchen's. He moves his right arm up to rest over Xingchen's arms but otherwise forces himself to hold still as each wound is either stitched up, or simply bound.

"...Fine," he grumbles half-heartedly. He can't be too upset though, not with these two looking after him.

[zichen]

"I've got it." he assures Xingchen, his tone gentle and calm. Hearing his soulmate always has that effect on him and his hands feel steadier too. Even when he feels how warm Xue Yang grows and he is fairly sure the heat has nothing to do with a sudden fever.

With the last gash stitched, he wraps a clean bandage around Xue Yang's abdomen, keeping it snug but not tight.

"Have I missed anything?" that is directed at his patient after the grumbled reply, "I don't want to leave anything to fester. It's important."

Even the smallest of cuts needs to be cleaned.

[inwhite]

"Good." He smiles at Xue Yang's catlike affections. But Xingchen knows that it's going to hurt tomorrow, and the day after. Sometimes worse when the soreness settles and the healing begins.

He waits for Zichen to finish before he loosens his embrace, though he's reluctant to let him go completely. This is the life that Xue Yang has always lived, constant injuries that were sometimes life-threatening. He wonders if feeling his heart in his throat is something that he should get used to for the future.

"What did this? Is there something or someone out there that Zichen and I need to take care of?"

[jiangzaid]

Xingchen has a very good effect on both of them. Xue Yang relaxes, seeing that sweet smile and doesn't bother trying to keep from grinning himself. He can bear anything for that smile.

He also doesn't pull away when Xingchen loosens his hold, seeing no reason to even beside the simple fact he likes being this close to the other man. The hand on Xingchen's arms, lightly rubs in reassurance as he drags his attention to the question Zichen asked. He hums and shakes his head slightly.

"No, you got it all, Daozhang." He smiles shyly at Zichen. "...And no." He almost pouts at the suggestion he'd left whatever had beaten him up so well alive. "I dealt with the beasts. They won't be getting back up again."

[zichen]

The obvious affection between Xingchen and Xue Yang doesn't bother him like it did when he first arrived. He wonders what has changed in him - what has led to this acceptance - but he doesn't mind it. If nothing else, it makes it easier for him to stay by their sides.

"I will carry you to bed." he decides; he doesn't want Xue Yang stressing his body just to walk again, "There are herbs that will help your pain. The tea won't be good, but perhaps Lady Wen Qing can be of assistance?"

Rising, Zichen slides his arms under Xue Yang, lifting him against his chest.

"Xingchen, will you open the doors for us?" he requests softly, "I won't drop him."

[inwhite]

"She's kind and knowledgeable. She'll surely be a great help."

Xingchen's already thinking of ways to thank her, he's that sure of it. It'll make him feel better too. Even with Xue Yang's reassurance, it'll be days before he really breathes again.

He nods at the request, sliding his arms away and standing straight. He makes sure that the path is clear, and also that the bed is turned down and the pillow fluffed when Xichen brings him in.

"I'm going to have a word with your boss too. There must be safer routes for you to take in the future. His goods can be replaced, but you can't be."

[jiangzaid]

He could sulk at being picked up again, but the choice is taken from him before he can even protest. Xue Yang ends up settling against Zichen, letting his head rest on a shoulder. Trusting the promise of not being dropped.

"Wen Qing would help." She really has been acting the perfect Sect Sister, and he thinks, maybe, it's more than just because of their agreement. He knows his own reactions to her lately aren't just because of their shared history.

He rubs his cheek against Zichen's shoulder as Xingchen leads the way and makes sure everything is ready, feeling himself start to drift again when Xingchen speaks. He frowns.

"Or the three of us go on the trickier routes. It's not a bad job, A-Chen. It pays what we need..." But it also warms him that these two worry about his health now.

[zichen]

"She gave me that impression." Zichen pointedly ignores Xue Yang's initial reaction, positive or negative. He knows where the man belongs and he will carry him there. His arms are strong and there is little risk of him dropping his - strangely precious - cargo.

The pressure against his shoulder has him glancing at Xue Yang curiously. Is that...affection? He swallows the rush of nerves that follows that realization and he lowers the man into the freshly fluffed bed.

"Then we'll all go." he takes off Xue Yang's shoes and tucks his legs under the covers, "For the time being, if funds are needed, I will go in your place. Xingchen should stay here with you."

[inwhite]

"Zichen, there's no need to put yourself at risk. I will go. He may need more help like today."

In other words, a sighted man may be more helpful than an unsighted one. Xingchen is already used to fighting dangers as he is.

He covers Xue Yang up, but can't seem to stuff fussing over him, touching his hair and his arm.