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]

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.