shatteredlenses | LifeAfter Inbox

[Ignis doesn't pull away from the hand that reaches for his, instead turning his hand to meet it and giving it a squeeze.]

We do have a little drinking water stored. I'll get some of it in a few moments.

[Once the world stops spinning and his legs don't feel like jelly anymore.]

The medical kit I got from the Jormun--ah, they are a friendly aquatic race who helped us when the sun died--has some gash treatments in it. They do have a magical healing aspect to them. Once we get it cleaned, it may be small enough now for that to cover it. If not, I will have to speak with Tataru about acquiring proper stitching tools.

[He hasn't had to deal with such a deep wound before. Honestly, Ignis probably should have thought to get the supplies before now, especially after losing his healing. How could he have been so careless?]

Okay... okay. It'll be fine. [He hated to use their drinking water but it was going to be the cleanest water they had available. Even without the threat of infection he was going to be laid up for far longer than he wanted to think about. Godsdammit.

And he was so tired, the adrenaline and fear winding down now that the wound was mostly treated and he had Ignis' comforting presence beside him. His eyes fluttered closed, two deep breaths and then he was forcing them open again.]

Laurent he- Ignis, all I did was touch his shoulder.

Of course you will.

[Ignis sounds almost insulted for a moment. As if he is going to let something like this take Gladio from him after they have finally been brought together again.

However, when he hears what Gladio did to prompt the attacks his head bows slightly and he frowns, thumb unconsciously rubbing over the back of the Shield's hand.]

You probably shouldn't have done that. He's had a rough life and even though you meant no harm, he may have seen it as a sign that an attack was coming. I wish I had more details, but he's far too much the politician to let go of information that easily.

[It will take a lot more than a knife to take him anywhere, even if the wound is in a horrible location.

Politician. Of course, why did Ignis have to surround himself with even more complicated people?]

He accused me of- gah [a pause to catch his breath, control himself so his breaths came shallow and high, trying to keep himself as still as possible.] Of treating him... like... a back alley whore and stabbed me because I touched... his fucking... shoulder!

[And Gladio had thrown Ignis to the ground and, had things played out just a little differently, potentially killed his pet because he forgot where he was for a moment. Was it really that different?

It was. Because Laurent knew where he was. There was nothing wild or panicked in his expression, nothing to indicate that he'd slipped into a memory of a different time or place. He had been fully aware and unapologetic for his actions.]

Gladio, please stay calm. You're going to make the wound worse.

[Without releasing the Shield's hand, Ignis rocks himself up to his knees, taking a moment to let his other hand find his friend's face so he can run his fingers lightly over his cheek.]

You've been prepared to fight and have fought all your life. You must know people who have been hurt and betrayed by those around them numerous times. Sometimes, after all that, a person decides they must start attacking first even at the barest hint of what they perceive to be a threat. It's the only way to survive.

[For a moment, Ignis thinks of all the times Laurent has compared himself to Ardyn. He still thinks the blonde is exaggerating, but...]

I say this not to excuse his actions. I've never harmed him and he should have realized a friend of mine would never do so either, however, I do think this may be the reason why he acted as he did. It makes sense that he would have been in a position to be betrayed, after all. For politicians and those they attend to, it is a constant risk.

[He understands, logically he does. It probably doesn't help that he is such a physically imposing man. But it's been so long since they've had to be worried about other people (except Ardyn) that he's forgotten the level of paranoia that goes along with the political structures.

It's a strange realization that, for how paranoid he can be, it's always situational, environmental. He expects attacks from outside but he's long stopped seeing people as a threat.

He tips his head, pressing his face into Ignis' hand, perhaps a gentle reminder that this is not the same man Ignis is entirely used to.]

I understand... I just don't like it. [A huff and he closes his eyes, relaxes into Ignis' touch, slumps heavily against the wall.]

Ig...? I'm tired. [Exhausted from the blood loss and the crash after so much adrenaline. It was starting to get difficult to keep his eyes open but he knew he had to. At least until he was fully patched up.]

Nor do I. Trust me. He and I will be having words.

[When that may be, Ignis doesn't know, but it will happen. In the meantime, he has a more important task to focus on. He leans forward, pressing a gentle kiss to Gladio's temple and then slowly pulls himself to his feet.]

Just rest for a moment then. I'll be back with the water and the supplies as quickly as I can be.

[Fortunately, he knows right were everything is. Unfortunately, his legs still aren't exactly trustworthy, so he's going to be moving slower than usual in an effort to not fall and worry Gladio more than he already has.]

[He wants to argue, wants to insist that he should be the one to talk to Laurent about all of this. But then Laurent may not be comfortable being anywhere near Gladio now if he really thinks he was going to-

He can't even finish the thought, not that it matters because Iggy's lips settle against his temple and, tired and strained as things have been that alone is nearly enough to make him cry. He melts into that gentle reassurance. No matter how worried he is for Ignis he's fighting a losing battle against his rebellious body. Tired and cold and his head is pounding with the aftermath of the endorphins and his own dehydration.

He ends up dozing, drifting in and out, startling himself awake every few breaths though it feels like a lifetime. It's only been a few moments, not that he can really tell when he lifts his hand, reaching out in the general direction Ignis had disappeared to.]

Iggy?

Shh, love. I'm right here. Just give me a moment more.

[The endearment slips out unconsciously, like they so often do when someone he cares for is hurt or upset, and Gladio is obviously both right now. While the Shield drifted, Ignis had stepped outside to get one of the containers that held their drinking water. Considering the last thing he wanted to do was leave Gladio alone for long, he was grateful to find it in the same place he remembered it being. Once he returned, he'd set it next to their best 'cup' and then moved to get the pouch with his medical supplies in it.

His fingers are moving over the items in said pouch when Gladio speaks, but considering how upset he sounds, Ignis decides to finish sorting once he's returned to the Shield's side. He moves the water, cup, and pouch over next to Gladio and then settles in front of him once more, catching a hold of his hand and pressing a kiss to the back of it.]

Some water to drink first. I suspect you need it.

[Without waiting for a response, he pours some water into the cup and then wraps Gladio's hands around it.]

Here. Can you keep a hold of it?

[It doesn't really matter what Ignis says, just the soothing cadence of his words ease some of the fear. The pet name is something that barely registers, a burst of something warm in his chest and a soft hum of appreciation. A sound that's repeated when Ignis takes his hand and kisses his knuckles and all he wants to do is wrap himself around his friend and pretend none of this happened.

But then Ignis is pressing something into his hands and he blinks at him for a long moment, confused and having trouble tracking. Water? Right... yes... drinking.

It takes a little bit of squirming to be upright enough to drink comfortably, each movement sending fresh lances of pain through his body. He has to take a moment to catch his breath before he can take a drink. A small sip at first, then a larger one. He shouldn't chug it and he knows that but what stops him is the way tilting his head back makes the world tilt unsteadily.]

shit... [Soft and his voice wavers just as much as the world is.] Mmm... got the water just- oh... just dizzy.

[It's a shame that Gladio won't remember the endearment. He's the only one Ignis has called it--all others being 'dear' or 'darling' if they don't have nicknames of their own--and it would perhaps put to rest some of his worries.

Life is rarely so easy, though.]

I'm not surprised. You've lost far too much blood for my liking and you're probably in shock. Just focus on drinking that water. Go as slowly as you need to.

[As he speaks, Ignis pulls free a container he keeps with the medical kit and pours some of the water into it. He drops a small square of cloth into it and then uses a little more to wash his own hands once his other glove has been removed.]

I'll try my best to be gentle. Please accept my apologies in advance.

[Ignis sets to work cleaning what's left of Gladio's wound then, working as quickly and careful as possible. The sooner he has it bandaged, the better.

He just hopes that Gladio is too out of it to notice how much his hands are shaking.]

[He's still drinking, slow and steady, when that first bit of water touches the wound. It's all he can do to stop himself from spluttering it all out and his head slams back against the wall as he tenses. It takes him a moment to swallow, to remember how to breathe. His next breath growls out between clenched teeth and he slams his free hand into the floor in a tight fist.]

Fuck! [Adrenaline spikes higher with the fresh wave of pain and he has a moment of clarity, a moment where he does, in fact, notice how badly Iggy's shaking. But he's no steadier and when he finally lifts his head to look down at the wound he grimaces.]

No stitches... should pack it, though. Till the deeper parts heal, so it can drain. [Which is gonna hurt like a bitch. ]

Gladio!

[The strength of the Shield's reaction catches Ignis by surprise. He'd hoped that his friend's exhausted state might dull the pain a little. Of course, it couldn't be that easy.

Adrenaline does a lot to push back exhaustion and clear the mind, even if it does leave it all the fuzzier once it's run its course. Still, Ignis is glad that the shock clears his mind enough that he draws his hands straight back away from the wound instead of jolting into it and causing Gladio more pain.

Carefully, he sets aside the cloth and the bowl, bring a damp hand up to cradle the side of Gladio's face.]

Easy. I'll be quite cross with you if you give yourself a concussion on top of this.

[His thumb rubs gently over the Shield's cheek, movements slightly unsteady as the short burst of adrenaline starts to fade already.]

There is enough healing magic in the bandages that neither stitching or packing will be needed. Just be strong for me a little bit longer.

[There's a small delirious part of him that almost lets foolish words tumble free. "Anything for you." Maybe an "Always" or some other sentiment that he can't let go of. Focusing on stopping those words takes up what little bit of clarity he had regained from the shock of pain. Instead all that comes out is a soft, mumble.]

Ah-huh [Meant to be an affirmative but perhaps to garbled for even that. What he does do, before he even realizes what he's doing, is turn his face into Ignis' hand, pressing into that comforting touch like a cat, tipping his head just enough to press a feather light kiss to his palm.]

[Though it shouldn't in such a serious situation, the mumbled assent and light kiss bring a smile to Ignis' face. There's something so innocent and open to it, things that Ignis is very unused to seeing expressed by Gladio.

Unconsciously, his thumb moves to trace lightly over the man's lips.]

I need to get back to work or we'll be here all day. Be good for me.

[Ignis pulls his hand away then, so he can return to cleaning and bandaging Gladio's wound. However, before he goes, he does pause to press a gentle kiss to the corner of the Shield's mouth.]

[This time it does slip out, the words, the kiss, it's too much and he's so very tired.]

Always...

[Be here for him, be good for him, be whatever Iggy needs. Always.

And before he's even done bandaging Gladio is drifting, barely aware of what's going on and mostly asleep. He'll move if prodded but getting a coherent response out of him isn't going to happen for hours yet.]

LifeAfter Inbox

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject