BALANCE.

he didn’t break his fall properly. stupid: he knows how to break a fall. it’s one of the first things you learn. don’t land on your elbow. don’t land on your fucking head. conor holds an ice pack there; it’s melting, and it feels like the blood is streaming through his fingers. it’s in his eyelashes. all he can see is blood. he wipes it with his other hand and it comes away red. it doesn’t hurt — at least, he doesn’t feel pain. if he stood up, would he be woozy? ‘it looks worse than it is,’ he says, and his voice comes out steady on its feet, if rough and drawn from the back of his throat. ‘you know head wounds bleed pretty heavy, right? i’m fine.’ what, does he want him to wear a helmet? he snickers, then groans. all right, it throbs a little.

daniel presses his lips together,  slowly kneeling on the top step to the sparring deck.   incidents like this make him wonder if dutch and kreese need active supervision during their classes.     ' believe me,  i am well - aware of that.   we’ve dealt with a fair share of them in our time. '     he reaches a hand towards the ice pack,  waiting for conor’s nod of permission before pulling it away from his forehead.   it could be worse.   it doesn’t look like he’ll need stitches.   but he would rather conor weren’t injured at all.   he tosses the ice pack into the grass,  holding out a white rag.   (  it’ll get grabbed in a little bit,  when they do their post - class sweep of the dojo.  )     ' hold this against it.   firmly.   gotta stop the bleeding. '     

starter call . ˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ @defenseonly

' yeah.   right after graduation. '     it’s still a little weird,  hanging out with sienna.   they spent so long at odds.   she’s made a point of being kind since he got back to school,  though,  and it doesn’t hurt to have a cobra by his side.   helps to keep the others in check.   (  if john hadn’t dropped out in the fall,  they would be attached at the hip.   daniel is sure of that much.  )   it’s nice to talk to someone besides his family, too.   even when her questions stress him the fuck out.   ' don’t have a place yet.   gonna stay at a hotel while we look. '     and burn through too much of their limited funds,  probably.     ' and we’re not takin’ a whole bunch of stuff with us. '

@defenseonly ₊˚⊹♡ starter call.

' oh,  good.   thought she might try to stay up until we got home. '       lauren’s done it before,  running out of her room upon hearing the door open,  launching herself at them to demand goodnight kisses.   she must’ve been extra tired.   between that and emma’s soothing voice  …  POINT,  NOLAN!     ' night of the ninjas?   been her favorite lately. '     daniel shrugs his jacket off,  setting it on the counter as he looks over the kitchen and living room.   there are no toys in sight,  just the snake and crane stuffies sitting on one end of the couch.   (  gifts from louie when antonio and lauren were born,  respectively.   they’re baby yous,  cuz!  )   and,  even with the TV playing an old episode of jeopardy!,  he can hear the dishwasher running.   emma might have to be their go - to babysitter from now on.     ' we had a great time.   the devils beat the penguins. '

i won't let you take it from me.