[ UGH!!! SHUT UP!!! don't say he's afraid!!!! this ugh is lacking any heat at all. god knows if he was really against any of his he would've found a way to fling himself out of the nearest window, injuries be damned, but he's still here.
but, underneath this facade of his, his heart is racing just as fast as jiaoqiu's is. whereas jiaoqiu holds those feelings close, therion can't face them any further than he already has - he has to approach step by step, tentatively as opposed to embracing it head on. it's not that he won't let himself feel it, necessarily so much as he just has to take his time to get there, as he's had to do with near everything in their relationship.
he lets out a noise, a huff of agreement, at him making a fool of himself, but the missed syllable doesn't go unheard, either. home, he almost says. it makes his heart flip, nervously, anxiously, but he's - he's trying, he's fucking trying this time, and he's already here, so he sucks in a deep breath, eyes closing again, hand curling tighter in his shirt. ]
...Say it.
Edited (HITS ENTER EARLY TWICE!!! OK I GUESS) 2024-11-10 03:00 (UTC)
[ ah - he... hesitates, here. not because he doesn't want to say it, because he's also afraid of it. he avoided it because saying it makes it real, and it makes it something to look forward to, and he tries not to give himself anything to look forward to on purpose. he only ever lets himself think a day in advance, because anything past that is too much to expect.
he has to say it now, because therion asks. therion tries, and jiaoqiu wants to meet him every time he does, he wants to be right there. and besides, he's the one who suggested it in the first place, two weeks ago in the tavern.
but therion can hear it, probably - he can hear the touch of nerves in jiaoqiu's voice, because he wants it but the idea of it being within reach makes him feel like his limbs are going to fall off and fly away. he wraps his arm around therion's waist and holds him, arms thin and bony and trying so, so hard to be welcoming. ]
... Home.
[ he's the one putting his foot forward a lot of the time, holding out his hands to therion to help him get there, but it doesn't mean he's not absolutely terrified. it's just that most of the time he doesn't feel anything at all, so he can manage to do it, but. in this moment, where he's so awake that his fur is standing straight up, he's trying to hide the fact that he's nervous, because he doesn't want therion to get the wrong idea.
[ he can't be blamed for thinking that he would. after all, the last time, it was this very concept that made therion bolt, made him panic so hard he leapt right back into his old life and nearly got himself killed in the process. his recklessness here was his own fault, because he'd been so verklempt that he'd been careless. maybe it was self sabotage. god knows he does that all the time.
but, he's the one who committed to the phrasing - who didn't let jiaoqiu back out of it. they had a similar interaction nearly a year ago, if in a different context. therion, standing on the precipice of something. ready to step into it, if the door's open. he can see jiaoqiu stumbling forward again, past the same sense of fear that therion just had to trip over, and he can respect it. actions, words. if he's going to commit to this, he has to make sure that jiaoqiu's not going to balk at it, either, because if he offers it and takes it away, it's going to break things all over again.
but nerves. nerves, he can handle. god only knows he's fucking nervous, too, but he's already had his chance to run. and hearing that jiaoqiu still offers it even after therion was the one to nearly ruin things because of it is enough for him to be the one to hold out his hand. the arms around his waist don't feel like a trap, and he turns his face to look up at jiaoqiu for a long moment, his visible eye bright in the dim light of the safehouse, regarding him and his nerves, and the situation they're in.
therion takes a deep breath. he doesn't look away. ]
... yeah. [ his response is quiet, but it's steady. one more step forward. together, this time. once this comes out of his mouth, there's no taking it back. ] Home.
[ he can't maintain that eye contact any longer once the word's out of his mouth, and though he lets it hang in between them, therion drops his forehead back down and lets out a deep, shaky exhale, letting the word reverberate. hearing it again his head, home.
he's never had a home before, and the mix of - of want and fear are so violent and overwhelming together that it makes colors burst behind his eyes, and that's about all therion has in him for sincerity, because he cannot be much more sincere than that.
so, after that long moment of processing, he mutters: ] If we get out of this and you don't end up someone's fox skin rug.
[ it is absolutely not because he wants to take it away - he wants more than anything to have a home that therion can come in and out of as he pleases. he wants to have a base. a place of his own where they can be quiet, and they can be loud, and they can be just them, without a noisy tavern downstairs. where therion can brush his tail, and jiaoqiu can drag him down and spoon him, cover him in pink fur. he wants to welcome therion home with his favorite foods and a warm bed, he wants therion to have the ability to travel and go places but still always make his way back. he wants therion to come in through the front door.
he's nervous because it is what made therion run, the last time, but it's also because he didn't think about what would happen once he got it. a million fears pop up all at once - the most glaringly obvious one almost happened today, and jiaoqiu isn't sure he can forget finding a bloody and broken therion curled up and trying not to die. when therion looks up at him, jiaoqiu's ears press back against his skull, instinctive. he holds his breath, as therion takes a deep one.
and it turns out he doesn't have anything to worry about at all, because this time, therion picks him back up. home, he says. keeps eye contact while he says it. means it. and jiaoqiu's ears relax, his expression easing. neither of them are backing out or away. they are holding onto each other and helping each other through the door. the image of therion's bright and stubborn green eye staring up at him in the dim partially overwrites the bloody and broken form on the church floor.
he lets therion hide again, and rests his hand on therion's arm. if he's looking, he'll notice jiaoqiu's claws are painted black.
silence, and then a little shaky huff of a sound. almost a laugh. ]
I don't have nearly enough fur for that. [ ... ] I'd make a very fetching rug.
no, he knows he won't. it's wry, and frankly, he feels a little more normal for it. it helps him cope with the fact that when his eyes start to hurt again, he turns his head just so down and sees jiaoqiu's black painted claws, and it makes his stomach twist up like a dishrag. it cuts off whatever other shitty comment he was going to make, and he swallows, closing them again because it's easier to rest in the dark instead of get caught staring at jiaoqiu's hands. instead of getting caught thinking about the idea of having a place to come home to like a base. and instead, most of all, of thinking about how fucking stupid he is for ending up here in the first place.
maybe there wasn't anything to be scared of. maybe it just takes getting your ass thoroughly kicked to understand the things in life that are the most important.
so. again, he was stupid - which, honestly, makes a good reminder of their situation, too, because he groans a little, out of nowhere. it doesn't sound like a pained noise, just kind of. therion aggrieved. a therion complaining noise. ]
...Tell me you've got some kind of plan for getting out of here. [ because he has one and he really, really, really does not want to use it. ]
[ therion closes his eyes again, and jiaoqiu pulls the blanket up a little further to shield him from any light in the room. it's getting dark - there isn't exactly electricity in this building, so it's just natural light, but he knows therion's head is probably throbbing, so. he keeps his voice low, and rests his now warm hand on the back of therion's neck to try and give him a little relief.
the complaining noise gets him a little tsk sound in response. ]
I have the start of one.
[ he did a lot of thinking, while therion was passed out. probably too much thinking.
they have to rest, for at least a day or two. he plans to go to the bartender that helped him before, and ask for food and water. he plans to keep an eye on therion's wounds to make sure infection doesn't take hold, and once they are at bare minimum health, then he can move them. he should really call primrose. past that, though, he just figures he's going to have to figure out a way to carry therion to the next town over to take a train home. either that, or disguise them. he hasn't been able to look for options just yet. ]
However. You're not going anywhere for at least a day. You are severely concussed and you have a healing stab wound. I refuse to let your condition get worse.
[ he's open to ideas, since therion's pretty good at sneaking out of places, but he has put himself in charge of getting them out because he doesn't trust therion to not push the limits of his injuries. ]
[ well, the start of one is better than none. he hates the idea of being stuck here, but jiaoqiu is right - a day is manageable. they should be okay, unless someone starts banging on every door in town and breaking them down, but it does mean he'll be paranoid and twitchy for the next twenty four hours.
it's really hard to think for more than a minute or two though - his head hurts, and the warm hand on the back of his neck is deeply soothing, relaxing some of the extremely tense muscles there. he turns his head and ducks it into jiaoqiu's neck, burying his face there and ignoring any pain from the cut over his eye in favor of avoiding the light, muttering: ] Fine. [ to the day of waiting time, at least.
admittedly, jiaoqiu being here does ease some of his normal paranoid, overly cautious behaviors, because he does have someone he trusts (he thinks, with a slight flush of warmth in his chest) to watch his back so he can rest. and besides, jiaoqiu's smart. the odds are stacked against them, in general, but he does think he'll be able to find a way, just. maybe a way that doesn't end with jiaoqiu also getting hurt somehow would be nice, seeing as how he has a track record of doing just that. ] Don't get yourself killed.
[ he also remembers when jiaoqiu left the hotel and how that ended, so. therion chews the inside of his cheek, weighing his internal options. yes, he wants out of here. yes, he really wants jiaoqiu out of here. it's going to have to be worth the smug old man, isn't it.
there's another grumbly noise. ]
...'s someone you could call. After. I guess. Tomorrow. Whatever.
[ his poor banged up brain... jiaoqiu is going to force some painkillers on him at some point.
for now, he hides therion under the blanket and keeps his hand where it is, doing his best to ease the discomfort. concussions are no joke, and he's a little fussy about therion trying to make plans when he's obviously in pain. he needs rest, and jiaoqiu is going to make him do it. and... he sort of wins, here, as guilty as that makes him feel - therion's beat to fuck, but he gets to cuddle him, and that makes him feel warm. having therion safe and alive in his lap makes whatever tension he was carrying mostly fade. whatever comes next will be the easy part, he thinks.
as fro the don't get yourself killed, he makes a protesting sound, ear flicking. ]
I made it here without losing my head. I'll be fine.
[ he doesn't have an active death wish!! just a dormant one. he's committed to making it back. he won't tell therion that he doesn't care if he gets hurt making sure therion gets home because he knows therion will fuss, but he genuinely doesn't care.
a beat. he's going to very slowly slide them down a little so they're mostly laying down. not flat out, but more like propped up, therion's head resting against jiaoqiu's shoulder and chest. and then: ]
You literally just told me you almost attacked someone in a bar full of thieves, I don't want to hear it.
[ SIR!!! DON'T EVEN!!!! unfortunately he is more than aware of jiaoqiu's lack of self-care when it comes to things like this, which. fine. if jiaoqiu wants to be fussy over therion and complain and make sure he doesn't hurt himself worse or open an injury or get gangrene or something, then therion will be the one to grab him by the scruff of the neck and yank him away from getting hurt. mutual care!
he makes a little noise when jiaoqiu starts moving, but mostly because he's not ready for it - a soft hiss, but he settles after a second, still tucked against his shoulder, blanket now pulled up almost to his nose. between that and his bangs, he's relatively safe from the light burning his eyes out and making the concussion worse. his legs curl, until his bony knees are resting on jiaoqiu's thighs - curled up, protective of self, but with his underbelly turned directly towards the person beside him.
as for that oh - he makes another, aggrieved noise. ]
He's never going to fucking let me live this down. Again.
[ wow!! he sulks slightly at the accusation but it's not like therion is wrong, he did indeed do that. he's behaving himself now, though. maybe he doesn't have a lot of preservation, but he has enough to make it so that therion doesn't cut him loose. he can't be a hypocrite.
he also murmurs a sorry when therion hisses, petting him a bit to soothe. once he's settled again, jiaoqiu wraps his arms around him and keeps him warm. occasionally he reaches to gently make sure therion hasn't opened any wounds or isn't too hot in various places before resting his hand back on the back of his neck, right at the base of his skull. easy, now. rest. ]
Who are you talking about? [ he very nicely does not say that he'll probably join the not letting therion live this down crowd in the future. ]
[ it's a real big "i'll fucking do it but christ alive" kind of energy here
therion closes his eyes again - he'd grind his teeth if he felt any better - but the hand at the back of his neck is undeniably comforting, and jiaoqiu can feel even with his irritation about whatever he's about to tell him, his body is starting to slowly relax, piece by piece. he allows himself to be cradled, and in being cradled, some of that world weary, bodily exhaustion chips off. he's really made himself a home in the vulnerable places therion has, and it's one he's going to get to stay in.
therion's not gonna dally too much about this, so he just sighs and internally looks at the ceiling. ]
A butler. [ just. so deadpan. ] It's a long story.
[ okay, look, he is amused by this, he can't help it. ]
Ah... extravagant. [ he teases, gently. ] You can tell me the story when your brain isn't bruised.
[ it is nice to know they have some sort of help, though? he's not going to argue about who this person might be, because if therion trusts them, that's about all the reassurance he needs. therion's standards are much, much higher than his. ]
I will message him, then, if you think he can help. I certainly can't carry you for very long, so we'll need it.
[ yeah that sounds good. maybe he can rely on this concussion to keep him from having to say words.
as for the painkiller bit, though, therion finally opens his working eye to glance up at jiaoqiu from where he is just burrowed into the blankets. ] Are you going to keep asking?
[ he mutters, but it's not like there's any actual heat or anything to this - he just sounds resigned like. yes. okay. i am being nagged.
besides, it's not like he's going to feel any more paranoid than he already feels. that, and with the tentative feeling of allowing someone to have his back, maybe... maybe he doesn't actually have to be in pain. the normal level of pain is zero.
[ he says in response, voice light as usual. he peers down at therion when he looks, lips twitching a bit at the sight of him bundled like he is. like, therion's in pain, he knows, but he's kind of cute like this, too. maybe that's jiaoqiu's healer instincts kicking in.
thankfully, therion gives in - and jiaoqiu hums, reaching for his bag. he digs around in it for a moment, and finally pulls out a pill bottle. the bag's a little sparse as far as items in it - there's an extra pair of clothes for jiaoqiu and a lot of medical supplies, plus therion's scarf and knife, but not much else.
still. he's got enough painkillers for therion to not suffer too horribly. so, he taps out two, and then hands them to therion, with a water bottle. drink. slowly. ]
[ "you don't have to suffer" gets an eye roll, because he is not suffering, only the eyeroll hurts his head so he doesn't get to do it as much as he likes as he is, once again, immediately proven wrong. therion could probably learn a lesson from this. he will not.
and, he's about to take the painkillers dry when the water bottle appears in his vision, halfway to his mouth, and after a beat, he will take the water. and like a good boy, he will drink it slowly after he knocks back the painkillers properly, then slowly settle back down. his energy is starting to run out - jiaoqiu is right, in that his body needs to rest, recover from all the blood loss and the emotional and physical exhaustion - and he curls a little closer to him subconsciously, tucking his face against jiaoqiu's shoulder. he's still burrito'd up in the blankets, all of his sharp edges officially sanded out, and only half able to be a brat, so this is maybe the cutest he could ever be.
as he settles back into place, he thinks about that little bag, and when he thinks jiaoqiu's busy putting stuff away, he asks, a little hesitantly - ] ...When did you find out where I was?
[ yeah that's what he THOUGHT, you were gonna take them dry. not today!!
therion sinks back down and hides his face against his shoulder again, and jiaoqiu hums soft, tucking him in. he can relax. those painkillers are the heavy duty kind, and he's hoping it'll help him sleep, because he needs it. jiaoqiu probably needs to sleep, too. he hasn't since he got here, and it's starting to take its toll, but. he's okay for now.
the question gets a little eyebrow raise, as he's putting the painkillers away one handed. a beat. ]
[ it's not really surprising, but there's something about the image of jiaoqiu rushing here so fast he didn't bother to bring anything, really, that tugs at his heartstrings. he doesn't have much of an explanation for why he's asking, so he just makes a little noise, noncommittal, and fels that ache get even worse at being tucked in, of all things.
god. this is pathetic? it's the head injuries, definitely, and not that he is just deeply, deeply uncool and every bit of genuine sweetness is as new and novel as anything. so. he settles in like that, lightheaded and this time not at all from a concussion.
in a low grumble, eyes closed again, he presses his cheek to jiaoqiu's shoulder. ] 'm only gonna sleep if we do it in shifts.
[ not for himself - though it serves two purposes - but for jiaoqiu. ]
[ therion is so funny, of course he came running. if there was any sort of hesitation, it was gone by the time primrose looked even just the slightest bit worried. if anything, it made him more anxious to get to the train, to find his way here.
the noncommittal noise gets him to look a little like ? at therion, confused as to why he asked, but he doesn't press. instead, he rests his head against therion's, hugging him. ]
Yes, alright. [ he says, after a moment, with a sigh. ] You first, though. You'll heal faster if you allow your body to do so.
[ you can bet your ass he'll try to wriggle out of letting therion do a watch shift with a concussion, but for now, he can agree. he turns his head to press a kiss to the side of therion's head. ]
Do you want me to stay? I'd thought I'd try to find us food and water, but I don't want to leave you alone.
[ ughhhhhh he doesn't NEED to eat, he could just not eat. or drink. or do anything that could involve leaving this little safe zone for the next twenty four hours. that seems like a good idea to therion, but he knows jiaoqiu won't let it pass.
it hurts his head to think it over, but he's quiet as he does, feels that kiss reverberate far further than the top of his head. ]
They're going to be looking for you right now. [ is his eventual answer, the more pragmatic one. ] ... 'm not sleeping if you're not staying.
[ which. the second it comes out of his mouth, it feels a little embarrassingly childish, but maybe the underlying, threaded i want you to stay answer is enough to keep him out of harm's way for a few hours. if jiaoqiu disappears while therion's conscious of it, he's just going to want to get up and follow him. ]
[ he's not wrong. they will be looking for him, and it's not like he's hard to spot. he's not worried about that so much, but that isn't what makes his decision. what makes his decision is therion all but asking him to stay. if it means that therion will sleep if jiaoqiu stays, then he won't go anywhere. if it means therion is more relaxed, he won't go.
he can't say he blames him. if therion wanted to get up and go somewhere while jiaoqiu was out of commission, he'd protest it, too. sometimes it feels better to just... know exactly where the other is.
with a little hum, he sinks down further into the bed. ]
Then I'll stay. [ he says, soft. ] ... You do need to eat, eventually. It'll help clear your senses, and you'll be able to go home that much more quickly. But for now, I'm here.
[ therion generally doesn't like to eat, let alone when he's hurt, but he also knows jiaoqiu will continue to point this out because this is something he nags him about normally, let alone while he's got too much outside blood.
on the other hand, it's like. kind of nice to be nagged about something familiar? this is something that crosses his mind, and therion makes a face to himself, because fucking what. that's how he knows he has a head injury, because if he's enjoying being nagged, then something clearly has to be wrong. he makes a little disgruntled noise to himself and shuts his eyes, letting jiaoqiu sinking into the bed lead him down a little lower, too. curled up close, finally warm, and relatively safe, he says he'll stay, and that's good enough, for now. ]
Wake me up in an hour or two. [ though his tone suggests he doesn't think jiaoqiu will - he curls in close, cuddled into his side, finally actually getting (relatively) comfortable. ] If you don't sleep, you're going to start hallucinating.
[ like half of his existence has been trying to get therion to eat - mostly because he really does believe that eating food that tastes really good helps the healing process. it's part of his whole discipline, and therion gets the brunt of it because jiaoqiu is fussy about his health. he doesn't mind. it's part of taking care of him, and he likes doing it.
a huff, though, at that. ]
I'm not going to start hallucinating. [ he says, amused. he's not that far gone, he thinks, even though it has been at least a day or so since he's slept. he's been too anxious to. there's really nothing stopping him from dozing while he's curled up here, too - he'll try not to, because he does need to keep watch, but therion is so warm against him, and he's actually comfortable, despite their sort of dire residency, right this second.
he just hums, and strokes therion's hair until he falls asleep. keeps an eye out for fevers, for nightmares, too. ]
[ it's sharp, but like usual, its his way of worrying in return. though, his sarcasm is seriously limited by how downright sleepy he sounds tucked in here, all of his remarks starting to lose their usual bite when the painkillers take hold. but, now that he's comfortable - bundled up with jiaoqiu's tail draped warmly across his lap, his injuries tended to, and alive, and safe, the adrenaline crash finally hits him properly. what starts off as a doze lapses easier than he'd ever expect.
with the help of the medicine, and the help of safety, he's out. stone cold asleep, unbothered by a movement, by jiaoqiu adjusting or shifting - like being chosen by a particularly fussy cat, therion falls asleep curled against his chest. though he fusses occasionally in his sleep, this time, his free hand comes up and curls, unconsciously, in jiaoqiu's clothes, and holds there. ]
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[ UGH!!! SHUT UP!!! don't say he's afraid!!!! this ugh is lacking any heat at all. god knows if he was really against any of his he would've found a way to fling himself out of the nearest window, injuries be damned, but he's still here.
but, underneath this facade of his, his heart is racing just as fast as jiaoqiu's is. whereas jiaoqiu holds those feelings close, therion can't face them any further than he already has - he has to approach step by step, tentatively as opposed to embracing it head on. it's not that he won't let himself feel it, necessarily so much as he just has to take his time to get there, as he's had to do with near everything in their relationship.
he lets out a noise, a huff of agreement, at him making a fool of himself, but the missed syllable doesn't go unheard, either. home, he almost says. it makes his heart flip, nervously, anxiously, but he's - he's trying, he's fucking trying this time, and he's already here, so he sucks in a deep breath, eyes closing again, hand curling tighter in his shirt. ]
...Say it.
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he has to say it now, because therion asks. therion tries, and jiaoqiu wants to meet him every time he does, he wants to be right there. and besides, he's the one who suggested it in the first place, two weeks ago in the tavern.
but therion can hear it, probably - he can hear the touch of nerves in jiaoqiu's voice, because he wants it but the idea of it being within reach makes him feel like his limbs are going to fall off and fly away. he wraps his arm around therion's waist and holds him, arms thin and bony and trying so, so hard to be welcoming. ]
... Home.
[ he's the one putting his foot forward a lot of the time, holding out his hands to therion to help him get there, but it doesn't mean he's not absolutely terrified. it's just that most of the time he doesn't feel anything at all, so he can manage to do it, but. in this moment, where he's so awake that his fur is standing straight up, he's trying to hide the fact that he's nervous, because he doesn't want therion to get the wrong idea.
he clears his throat. bites his lip. ]
When... when we go home.
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but, he's the one who committed to the phrasing - who didn't let jiaoqiu back out of it. they had a similar interaction nearly a year ago, if in a different context. therion, standing on the precipice of something. ready to step into it, if the door's open. he can see jiaoqiu stumbling forward again, past the same sense of fear that therion just had to trip over, and he can respect it. actions, words. if he's going to commit to this, he has to make sure that jiaoqiu's not going to balk at it, either, because if he offers it and takes it away, it's going to break things all over again.
but nerves. nerves, he can handle. god only knows he's fucking nervous, too, but he's already had his chance to run. and hearing that jiaoqiu still offers it even after therion was the one to nearly ruin things because of it is enough for him to be the one to hold out his hand. the arms around his waist don't feel like a trap, and he turns his face to look up at jiaoqiu for a long moment, his visible eye bright in the dim light of the safehouse, regarding him and his nerves, and the situation they're in.
therion takes a deep breath. he doesn't look away. ]
... yeah. [ his response is quiet, but it's steady. one more step forward. together, this time. once this comes out of his mouth, there's no taking it back. ] Home.
[ he can't maintain that eye contact any longer once the word's out of his mouth, and though he lets it hang in between them, therion drops his forehead back down and lets out a deep, shaky exhale, letting the word reverberate. hearing it again his head, home.
he's never had a home before, and the mix of - of want and fear are so violent and overwhelming together that it makes colors burst behind his eyes, and that's about all therion has in him for sincerity, because he cannot be much more sincere than that.
so, after that long moment of processing, he mutters: ] If we get out of this and you don't end up someone's fox skin rug.
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he's nervous because it is what made therion run, the last time, but it's also because he didn't think about what would happen once he got it. a million fears pop up all at once - the most glaringly obvious one almost happened today, and jiaoqiu isn't sure he can forget finding a bloody and broken therion curled up and trying not to die. when therion looks up at him, jiaoqiu's ears press back against his skull, instinctive. he holds his breath, as therion takes a deep one.
and it turns out he doesn't have anything to worry about at all, because this time, therion picks him back up. home, he says. keeps eye contact while he says it. means it. and jiaoqiu's ears relax, his expression easing. neither of them are backing out or away. they are holding onto each other and helping each other through the door. the image of therion's bright and stubborn green eye staring up at him in the dim partially overwrites the bloody and broken form on the church floor.
he lets therion hide again, and rests his hand on therion's arm. if he's looking, he'll notice jiaoqiu's claws are painted black.
silence, and then a little shaky huff of a sound. almost a laugh. ]
I don't have nearly enough fur for that. [ ... ] I'd make a very fetching rug.
[ stop ]
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You are pretty good at laying around.
[ unbelievable. ]
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it's fine, he gets a very mild, cheerful: ]
If you weren't battered half to death, I would bite you hard enough to draw blood and undo all the work I put into your rescue.
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[ do it anyway, coward!!!!
no, he knows he won't. it's wry, and frankly, he feels a little more normal for it. it helps him cope with the fact that when his eyes start to hurt again, he turns his head just so down and sees jiaoqiu's black painted claws, and it makes his stomach twist up like a dishrag. it cuts off whatever other shitty comment he was going to make, and he swallows, closing them again because it's easier to rest in the dark instead of get caught staring at jiaoqiu's hands. instead of getting caught thinking about the idea of having a place to come home to like a base. and instead, most of all, of thinking about how fucking stupid he is for ending up here in the first place.
maybe there wasn't anything to be scared of. maybe it just takes getting your ass thoroughly kicked to understand the things in life that are the most important.
so. again, he was stupid - which, honestly, makes a good reminder of their situation, too, because he groans a little, out of nowhere. it doesn't sound like a pained noise, just kind of. therion aggrieved. a therion complaining noise. ]
...Tell me you've got some kind of plan for getting out of here. [ because he has one and he really, really, really does not want to use it. ]
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the complaining noise gets him a little tsk sound in response. ]
I have the start of one.
[ he did a lot of thinking, while therion was passed out. probably too much thinking.
they have to rest, for at least a day or two. he plans to go to the bartender that helped him before, and ask for food and water. he plans to keep an eye on therion's wounds to make sure infection doesn't take hold, and once they are at bare minimum health, then he can move them. he should really call primrose. past that, though, he just figures he's going to have to figure out a way to carry therion to the next town over to take a train home. either that, or disguise them. he hasn't been able to look for options just yet. ]
However. You're not going anywhere for at least a day. You are severely concussed and you have a healing stab wound. I refuse to let your condition get worse.
[ he's open to ideas, since therion's pretty good at sneaking out of places, but he has put himself in charge of getting them out because he doesn't trust therion to not push the limits of his injuries. ]
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it's really hard to think for more than a minute or two though - his head hurts, and the warm hand on the back of his neck is deeply soothing, relaxing some of the extremely tense muscles there. he turns his head and ducks it into jiaoqiu's neck, burying his face there and ignoring any pain from the cut over his eye in favor of avoiding the light, muttering: ] Fine. [ to the day of waiting time, at least.
admittedly, jiaoqiu being here does ease some of his normal paranoid, overly cautious behaviors, because he does have someone he trusts (he thinks, with a slight flush of warmth in his chest) to watch his back so he can rest. and besides, jiaoqiu's smart. the odds are stacked against them, in general, but he does think he'll be able to find a way, just. maybe a way that doesn't end with jiaoqiu also getting hurt somehow would be nice, seeing as how he has a track record of doing just that. ] Don't get yourself killed.
[ he also remembers when jiaoqiu left the hotel and how that ended, so. therion chews the inside of his cheek, weighing his internal options. yes, he wants out of here. yes, he really wants jiaoqiu out of here. it's going to have to be worth the smug old man, isn't it.
there's another grumbly noise. ]
...'s someone you could call. After. I guess. Tomorrow. Whatever.
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for now, he hides therion under the blanket and keeps his hand where it is, doing his best to ease the discomfort. concussions are no joke, and he's a little fussy about therion trying to make plans when he's obviously in pain. he needs rest, and jiaoqiu is going to make him do it. and... he sort of wins, here, as guilty as that makes him feel - therion's beat to fuck, but he gets to cuddle him, and that makes him feel warm. having therion safe and alive in his lap makes whatever tension he was carrying mostly fade. whatever comes next will be the easy part, he thinks.
as fro the don't get yourself killed, he makes a protesting sound, ear flicking. ]
I made it here without losing my head. I'll be fine.
[ he doesn't have an active death wish!! just a dormant one. he's committed to making it back. he won't tell therion that he doesn't care if he gets hurt making sure therion gets home because he knows therion will fuss, but he genuinely doesn't care.
a beat. he's going to very slowly slide them down a little so they're mostly laying down. not flat out, but more like propped up, therion's head resting against jiaoqiu's shoulder and chest. and then: ]
Oh? [ an ally, huh, mr. works alone, ]
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[ SIR!!! DON'T EVEN!!!! unfortunately he is more than aware of jiaoqiu's lack of self-care when it comes to things like this, which. fine. if jiaoqiu wants to be fussy over therion and complain and make sure he doesn't hurt himself worse or open an injury or get gangrene or something, then therion will be the one to grab him by the scruff of the neck and yank him away from getting hurt. mutual care!
he makes a little noise when jiaoqiu starts moving, but mostly because he's not ready for it - a soft hiss, but he settles after a second, still tucked against his shoulder, blanket now pulled up almost to his nose. between that and his bangs, he's relatively safe from the light burning his eyes out and making the concussion worse. his legs curl, until his bony knees are resting on jiaoqiu's thighs - curled up, protective of self, but with his underbelly turned directly towards the person beside him.
as for that oh - he makes another, aggrieved noise. ]
He's never going to fucking let me live this down. Again.
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he also murmurs a sorry when therion hisses, petting him a bit to soothe. once he's settled again, jiaoqiu wraps his arms around him and keeps him warm. occasionally he reaches to gently make sure therion hasn't opened any wounds or isn't too hot in various places before resting his hand back on the back of his neck, right at the base of his skull. easy, now. rest. ]
Who are you talking about? [ he very nicely does not say that he'll probably join the not letting therion live this down crowd in the future. ]
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therion closes his eyes again - he'd grind his teeth if he felt any better - but the hand at the back of his neck is undeniably comforting, and jiaoqiu can feel even with his irritation about whatever he's about to tell him, his body is starting to slowly relax, piece by piece. he allows himself to be cradled, and in being cradled, some of that world weary, bodily exhaustion chips off. he's really made himself a home in the vulnerable places therion has, and it's one he's going to get to stay in.
therion's not gonna dally too much about this, so he just sighs and internally looks at the ceiling. ]
A butler. [ just. so deadpan. ] It's a long story.
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Ah... extravagant. [ he teases, gently. ] You can tell me the story when your brain isn't bruised.
[ it is nice to know they have some sort of help, though? he's not going to argue about who this person might be, because if therion trusts them, that's about all the reassurance he needs. therion's standards are much, much higher than his. ]
I will message him, then, if you think he can help. I certainly can't carry you for very long, so we'll need it.
[ a beat. ]
Can I convince you to take a painkiller?
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as for the painkiller bit, though, therion finally opens his working eye to glance up at jiaoqiu from where he is just burrowed into the blankets. ] Are you going to keep asking?
[ he mutters, but it's not like there's any actual heat or anything to this - he just sounds resigned like. yes. okay. i am being nagged.
besides, it's not like he's going to feel any more paranoid than he already feels. that, and with the tentative feeling of allowing someone to have his back, maybe... maybe he doesn't actually have to be in pain. the normal level of pain is zero.
so, begrudgingly, he holds out his hand. ]
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[ he says in response, voice light as usual. he peers down at therion when he looks, lips twitching a bit at the sight of him bundled like he is. like, therion's in pain, he knows, but he's kind of cute like this, too. maybe that's jiaoqiu's healer instincts kicking in.
thankfully, therion gives in - and jiaoqiu hums, reaching for his bag. he digs around in it for a moment, and finally pulls out a pill bottle. the bag's a little sparse as far as items in it - there's an extra pair of clothes for jiaoqiu and a lot of medical supplies, plus therion's scarf and knife, but not much else.
still. he's got enough painkillers for therion to not suffer too horribly. so, he taps out two, and then hands them to therion, with a water bottle. drink. slowly. ]
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and, he's about to take the painkillers dry when the water bottle appears in his vision, halfway to his mouth, and after a beat, he will take the water. and like a good boy, he will drink it slowly after he knocks back the painkillers properly, then slowly settle back down. his energy is starting to run out - jiaoqiu is right, in that his body needs to rest, recover from all the blood loss and the emotional and physical exhaustion - and he curls a little closer to him subconsciously, tucking his face against jiaoqiu's shoulder. he's still burrito'd up in the blankets, all of his sharp edges officially sanded out, and only half able to be a brat, so this is maybe the cutest he could ever be.
as he settles back into place, he thinks about that little bag, and when he thinks jiaoqiu's busy putting stuff away, he asks, a little hesitantly - ] ...When did you find out where I was?
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therion sinks back down and hides his face against his shoulder again, and jiaoqiu hums soft, tucking him in. he can relax. those painkillers are the heavy duty kind, and he's hoping it'll help him sleep, because he needs it. jiaoqiu probably needs to sleep, too. he hasn't since he got here, and it's starting to take its toll, but. he's okay for now.
the question gets a little eyebrow raise, as he's putting the painkillers away one handed. a beat. ]
Not too long ago. A few days. Why?
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god. this is pathetic? it's the head injuries, definitely, and not that he is just deeply, deeply uncool and every bit of genuine sweetness is as new and novel as anything. so. he settles in like that, lightheaded and this time not at all from a concussion.
in a low grumble, eyes closed again, he presses his cheek to jiaoqiu's shoulder. ] 'm only gonna sleep if we do it in shifts.
[ not for himself - though it serves two purposes - but for jiaoqiu. ]
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the noncommittal noise gets him to look a little like ? at therion, confused as to why he asked, but he doesn't press. instead, he rests his head against therion's, hugging him. ]
Yes, alright. [ he says, after a moment, with a sigh. ] You first, though. You'll heal faster if you allow your body to do so.
[ you can bet your ass he'll try to wriggle out of letting therion do a watch shift with a concussion, but for now, he can agree. he turns his head to press a kiss to the side of therion's head. ]
Do you want me to stay? I'd thought I'd try to find us food and water, but I don't want to leave you alone.
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it hurts his head to think it over, but he's quiet as he does, feels that kiss reverberate far further than the top of his head. ]
They're going to be looking for you right now. [ is his eventual answer, the more pragmatic one. ] ... 'm not sleeping if you're not staying.
[ which. the second it comes out of his mouth, it feels a little embarrassingly childish, but maybe the underlying, threaded i want you to stay answer is enough to keep him out of harm's way for a few hours. if jiaoqiu disappears while therion's conscious of it, he's just going to want to get up and follow him. ]
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he can't say he blames him. if therion wanted to get up and go somewhere while jiaoqiu was out of commission, he'd protest it, too. sometimes it feels better to just... know exactly where the other is.
with a little hum, he sinks down further into the bed. ]
Then I'll stay. [ he says, soft. ] ... You do need to eat, eventually. It'll help clear your senses, and you'll be able to go home that much more quickly. But for now, I'm here.
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[ therion generally doesn't like to eat, let alone when he's hurt, but he also knows jiaoqiu will continue to point this out because this is something he nags him about normally, let alone while he's got too much outside blood.
on the other hand, it's like. kind of nice to be nagged about something familiar? this is something that crosses his mind, and therion makes a face to himself, because fucking what. that's how he knows he has a head injury, because if he's enjoying being nagged, then something clearly has to be wrong. he makes a little disgruntled noise to himself and shuts his eyes, letting jiaoqiu sinking into the bed lead him down a little lower, too. curled up close, finally warm, and relatively safe, he says he'll stay, and that's good enough, for now. ]
Wake me up in an hour or two. [ though his tone suggests he doesn't think jiaoqiu will - he curls in close, cuddled into his side, finally actually getting (relatively) comfortable. ] If you don't sleep, you're going to start hallucinating.
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a huff, though, at that. ]
I'm not going to start hallucinating. [ he says, amused. he's not that far gone, he thinks, even though it has been at least a day or so since he's slept. he's been too anxious to. there's really nothing stopping him from dozing while he's curled up here, too - he'll try not to, because he does need to keep watch, but therion is so warm against him, and he's actually comfortable, despite their sort of dire residency, right this second.
he just hums, and strokes therion's hair until he falls asleep. keeps an eye out for fevers, for nightmares, too. ]
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[ it's sharp, but like usual, its his way of worrying in return. though, his sarcasm is seriously limited by how downright sleepy he sounds tucked in here, all of his remarks starting to lose their usual bite when the painkillers take hold. but, now that he's comfortable - bundled up with jiaoqiu's tail draped warmly across his lap, his injuries tended to, and alive, and safe, the adrenaline crash finally hits him properly. what starts off as a doze lapses easier than he'd ever expect.
with the help of the medicine, and the help of safety, he's out. stone cold asleep, unbothered by a movement, by jiaoqiu adjusting or shifting - like being chosen by a particularly fussy cat, therion falls asleep curled against his chest. though he fusses occasionally in his sleep, this time, his free hand comes up and curls, unconsciously, in jiaoqiu's clothes, and holds there. ]
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