full flighted

… That’s right.  He was confined to this bed, unable to do anything for his fiance on the physical end of things.  His dreams of being a pilot?  Gone.  Chances at a normal life?  Out the window.  There was a sigh that left Joseph’s lips, the larger male chewing on his lip as Levi spoke.  … Could he really…

Blue eyes would snap back up to meet silvers once more, his expression changing from the smile he wore just a few moments ago.  There was a pain budding in his left arm, one that he… couldn’t describe.  It was different, it felt as if he had never lost that arm in the first place.  Instead, he felt as if it was horribly mutilated, and he felt that pain now.  Why?  Through grit teeth, he would speak.

"Nn… y-yeah.  Keep it."  He had no idea how to split his attention between that growing pain, and on the man that sat at his side.  It was hard, and growing more difficult with the pain.  "Hey… d-do you think we’ll be able to… y’know… do anythin’ like that?  Ever again…?  M’arms gone, Levi, I-I can’t afford no fake arm, y’know that.  I… ngh!"

Joseph would show weakness once more as he curled up, trying to cover that stump as if that would stop the pain.  The behemoth let out a shaky breath, barely finding comfort in the contact on his good arm.  Slowly, he looked back up at his partner, brows lifting in an apologetic motion.  For Levi to have to see this… was Joseph hurting him?  Surely, watching this couldn’t bring forth good emotions.  There was a lump in his throat at the thought, Joseph trying his hardest to swallow that, on top of the new-found pain.

With the sensation of little fingers intertwining with his own, Joseph would do well to maintain a weak grip on those hands, almost as if they were a lifeline.  As he continued with the stabs that Joseph had made in the fist place, it only provided a temporary distraction for the pain he felt now.  Another shaky sigh left Joseph as he brought his stump up to his arm, as if he could hold onto it with a nonexistent left hand.

Slowly, Joseph looked down again, fearful of meeting a hurt gaze.  There was a bitter laugh, before he was silent again.  Thinking for a moment, he would curl around Levi’s hand, despite injury, despite the pain in his chest.  Even through pain, that hand would continue to be a lifeline to the injured Joestar.

His partner's feeling pain.

Silver eyes dulled a moment, chin resting on both folded arms as the occupied hand maintains a constant hold on the younger male's hand. Pain is something he has no hopes of alleviating. This is the extent of his ability, and if he can't do anything about it now, then...

This isn't his strong suit. Moral support isn't something Levi's particularly skilled at. Taking action has always been the one thing he's good at. That skill has no place in this situation. The one thing he's good at has no place in such a delicate situation where even the slightest wrong move will upset any balance that exists between Joseph's security and sense of endangerment. What else could he do? What else can he do that won't worsen his condition?

He doesn't know. He doesn't know. He doesn't fucking know.

A tighter squeeze was made on the other's hand, his silver gaze long focusing elsewhere, dulled, flames long doused. This is the furthest extent a dog like him could go, isn't it? This is all he can do, isn't it? Watch as his partner writhes in pain? Knowing damn well that he can't take that pain away?

He's been trained to attack, not to comfort. All of this is so foreign to him.  All he knows is the ways of the assault. Intimidation. Violence. Peace is nothing he knows well to handle.

How does a dog handle his master in pain? Retaliation.

Brows knit together, a visible reaction to his own thoughts sifting through his mind's eye. That's right. Dogs don't sit and whimper while their owners lie in pain and agony. They stand idle and support them. In any way they can. After all, the pain only worsens when their comfort is gone.

He'll hunt down Kouha and take what he's taken. That will come in due time. For now, priorities lie only in Joseph's presence.

"Hey." 

Silvers flickered back upwards, full of resolve. An upgrade from maggot to dog is a pleasant one, at least. Joseph did say that he loves dogs.

"You don't need two hands to fuck, you know. Look, when you're all healed up and this hospital bill's paid in full-- whatever order it comes in-- I'll fuck you until you're blind."

"Our life isn't gonna suffer from a little missing limb." (I'll make sure of that.) A visage of uncertainty hides well behind a confident visage. That's what Joseph needs right now.

To Joseph, it was made pretty clear by those words alone that he would have to be the one to fix the mess that the one who had “raised” Levi had left behind.  Honestly?  He wasn’t complaining.  After all, hadn’t the same man that sat beside him now done so much to fix him?  It would be a lie for Joseph to say that he hadn’t become a better person since meeting the smaller male in that fated alley.  On that same note, there were some aspects that he might be considered a worse than before.  … Hopefully he could do good for Levi.  Hopefully.

He’d just have to recover, first.  For now, he would hopefully push Levi in the right direction as much as he could from his cot.

"Haha, god dammit, y’should know by now that y’don’t gotta get all fancy with me, y’know that, right?  All that "y’have m’word" shit?  I don’t need it.  We’re ‘bout t’get married, fer Christ’s sake, you wanna talk t’yer hubby like that fer th’rest of our days?"  Gentle teasing would allow Joseph to let out a warm laugh, bright blues staring over at Levi with their softest expression yet.  … Maybe the two of them weren’t so different, after all.

Truth be told, it was a small relief.  Knowing that he wasn’t the only one in his life that needed healing.  Was it really the case that he wasn’t actually as far behind everyone else as he thought?  A sigh left Joseph, eyes closed as he moved to think about that simple fact for longer.  Incredible, he needed to lose a forearm and most of his dignity in order to make the realization that he had.

There was something else, though, and that something else was making sure that he was still suitable in the looks department.  With a warning from his partner (that he, quite frankly, chose to ignore), Joseph hissed through his teeth at the absolute pain that he felt through his actions.

With a sigh, he lowered his hand at last.  ”Thank god,” he mumbled.  ”Wouldn’t want ya walkin’ ‘round someone who’s lookin’ like th’Hunchback o’Notre Dame.”  A grumble, though he paused to listen to Levi’s answer.  With the word ‘yes’, Joseph’s expression would light up, a proud grin spreading across his features again as he moved to speak.  "Haha, really, y’would, that’s—"

Woah.

"… D-Dude!!  Are you serious, we’re in a goddamn hospital!  … Wait."  … Huh.  That would be… Shit.  No.  Stop.  ”… Oooh my fuckin’ god.  Levi!  I can’t believe ya, y’shit!”  Actually, at this point, he could.  One of the things that kept their relationship going strong was Levi’s honestly and literal inability to put a filter on whatever spewed out of his mouth.

He sure did catch on.  Through those bright red cheeks of his, Joseph would continue his teasing.  He attempted to shift a bit on his side, only to give up and let out a grunt, rolling on his back once more as he raised a brow.

Joseph has shown him time and time again the life that could be lead if one slows down a little bit. As temperamental as he is, his presence and social company does well to teach him how to stop and smell the daisies, so to speak. Everything he has been taught growing up is slowly but surely being challenged, and slowly but surely Joseph teaches him how to slow down in life, how to take the nonviolent route, especially in a scenario like this. If he had not been raised so poorly, he wonders, would he have ever settled down to marry the man in the hospital bed? Most likely not. And for that, he is thankful.

"What do you want me to say, then? 'Word'? That sounds stupid. Point being, I swear to fucking God I'll keep your promise." 'This time', he was so close to finishing that statement with. Where did that come from? He isn't sure. "I'm not going after any pink-haired fuckers until you're well enough to go on a manhunt with me. How's that?" Well, he's trying.

He really does try for Joseph's sake. As much as Joseph had helped him in his own ways, Levi wanted to return the favor by practicing what he learns. He and Joseph were more alike than one could ever believe. Both are in dire need of recovery and healing, each in different departments both physical and emotional. The wrongs his caretaker had given him in his morals, Joseph could correct in time. 

Something that couldn't even have any hopes in correction is Levi's quick and thoughtless tongue. Whatever crosses his mind, he says without restriction. As expected his shameless words reach Joseph's ears and in turn, merits a very pleasant reaction.

"I'm being completely honest, too." A sure nod, and Levi's spare hand would reach up, fingers slow to drag down his good arm, silvers flickered upward to get a good look at him. 

What a piece of shit his fiance is.

A huff leaves Levi's lips as Joseph winds himself. Listen to him, talking all that shit about being an angel sent from above. Hell no, he's Satan incarnate. Two can play at that game. Though he has to admit, that gesture he just made-- cute as hell. It was like an actual kiss. Cute. Very cute.

But right. His own response.

Nudging the other's hand back down on the bed, his own fingers worked to intertwine proper. Those silvers never leaving Joseph's bedridden figure, he speaks in retaliation. "You talk a lot of shit for a kid in the hospital. You're more like... that angel that God himself kicked the fuck out of Heaven. But wait. You said something about me corrupting your angelic ass? Well, you see..."

… Well.  Until he was fully healed, anyway.  He still wanted to kick Kouha’s ass from Florida to Taiwan.  Maybe he should invest in some fighting lessons before he gets to that point, however.

With a sigh, he continued to stroke at Levi’s face, recieving his questions and nodding in return.  He… really didn’t know any better, did he?  Who the hell even raised him?  Did anyone raise him at all?  There were suddenly a lot of questions Joseph wanted to ask about his partner, realizing he knew… next to nothing about where he came from.  He decided now wasn’t the time, however.  The entirety of the situation the two found themselves in was too delicate to risk more stress on both of their shoulders.  Another sigh, and Joseph would answer.

"Yeah.  I know it sounds bad, but let’s just… focus on me, fer a lil’ while.  I know that sounds like me bein’ a baby, but… I can’t fuckin’ stand th’idea of you gettin’ yer ass hurt while I sit in th’hospital not bein’ able t’do jack shit fer ya.  So… thanks.  Fer not goin’ after ‘im, I mean.  Promise me you’ll keep yer promise, even if y’see ‘im somehow?"

Still… the topic of Levi’s upbringing just wouldn’t leave his mind.  Had Levi spent his entire life being as unloved as Joseph felt for those few years?  Brows lifted, lips parting for a moment before he stopped himself.  Now, more than ever, he craved to show Levi all of the affection he felt for him.  Even so, there was no way he could like this.  Not physically.  An irritated grumble to himself, just after he booped the other’s nose.  With a sudden realization that his noises could be taken the wrong way, he frowned.  ”— Shit, god dammit, fuck you, you ain’t no angel.  Yer a lil’ incubus demon sent t’ruin m’life.  Yeah, I might be fuckin’ gay, but y’seem t’forget yer the one who made me that way.  Piece o’shit.”

A big ol’ pout would find its way onto Joseph’s face, especially when he was given the news that, holy shit, he wasn’t attractive.  His lips parted even further, eyes widening like he had just been given the news that someone had just died.  God.  There was a point in his life where his good looks were the only thing he had going for him, and now…  "… Shit.  Okay.  Would y’still bang me, though.  Like.  Would you wanna have sex with this face.  Ooooh my fuckin’ god.  Shit.  You think I’m ever gonna be hot again?  He didn’t cut up m’face, did ‘e?"  Finally, his hand would part from Levi’s face, moving to— through grit teeth— pat at his face to assess the damage.  Clearly in pain, he had to make sure… bumps, bruises, and even a fucked up nose— maybe he’ll be okay.  … Maybe.  "Oh my god.  Levi.  Please tell me you’d still fuck me."

Priorities?  Maybe he didn’t have any.  No, he was still pretty damn upset about his arm.  God, did that make him less attractive too?  Jesus fucking Christ.  A nervous laugh would leave him, especially as he moved to answer Levi’s remarks— wait… That’s right.  He can be as much of a shit as he wants, and Levi couldn’t hurt him!  Here he goes.

"Well, I’m just glad I can be here t’make yer life hell like y’made mine hell.  I’m actually real surprised someone as hot as me managed t’fall fer ya.  Well, I mean, yer pretty hot too, but… I’m still more hot.  Even like this."  Joseph.  Shut up.  "I ain’t complainin’ or pesterin’, I’m just tellin’ ya what’s up!  S’okay, though, y’get t’spend yer whole life with me, you’ll get used t’it.”

Genuine questions were posed from Levi’s end, soothing gestures from a calloused hand encouraging a more free-willed pattern of speech. No, he really didn’t know any better. This was how he was raised, what encourages his mannerisms, what put together what Levi is. Joseph does well enough to work around his violence. Is this instance the day where he learns that Levi’s madness has a method? He wonders briefly if he would be questioned on why and how he doesn’t know things as basic as “let the authorities handle it”. In retrospect, he does understand the “stay with me”, seeing those words as a command to stand guard. Stand guard, he will.

A slow nod. He shouldn’t run into danger like that. Not with so much at risk. The last thing he would want is for his own casualties to worry Joseph. “I get it, I get it.” A promise to keep a promise— "I promise. You have my word." A promise he truly intends to keep.

Promises so mundane were unfamiliar to Levi up until mere months ago, up until this behemoth entered his life in the form of attempted pick-pocketing. All other instances, the promises he’s made were contracts of assault. Nothing more, nothing less. Even as a leader of a feared gang, he still took orders from an invisible source. In short, the figurehead to take the brunt of the assault against the gang he so “proudly” “lead”.

Brows furrowed together. What the hell is he doing? His head lifted, silvers locked onto the bigger male just went on about his usual horny teenager worries only to occupy that hand to—

"Be careful, Joseph." His voice raises, but he continues on. Assessing damages, isn’t he? Still, the obvious twists in his features suggested that he’s in a fair amount of pain as he does so…

"It’s just bruising and a broken nose. They’ll heal." He wanted a serious answer to those questions, didn’t he? Alright. He’ll give him those answers. "Yes, I’ll still fuck you. I could right now, but you need to recover first. When most of your injuries heal up enough, I won’t feel bad about fucking you into the cot." Doing something so lewd in a place as sterile and “pure” as a hospital… Whoops, better get that out of his mind.

Great. He caught on.

There was no way he could sit back comfortably, knowing that the next time he could see Levi would be in his coffin.

Joseph would respond to Levi’s squeeze with one of his own, bright blues on Levi’s silvers, watching his expression change.  With a sigh, he would pry his hand away, moving to brush his thumb against Levi’s cheek bone.  With a hum, Joseph would shrug.  ”Honestly?  I dunno… I mean, fer now, yeah.  If they can’t catch ‘em, we’ll just… I dunno.  We’ll wait n’see.  That guy probably lives in Kairos, with ‘is wealth n’all… I’m thinkin’ it’ll be a while before he shows up again, if ‘e ain’t tailin’ me now.  Just… stay with me.  That’s all I want from ya right now.”  He couldn’t help but laugh, noting how cliche his words sounded.  Cliche, but true, he decided that his revenge could wait until after he was recovered.  "I’d rather go after ‘im t’gether, if at all," he added, before he silenced himself to take in Levi’s words of encouragement.

… He always forgot how highly Levi thought of him.  There was a warmth in his chest, one that always exposed itself when Levi made clear how much Joseph meant to him.  For someone who had spent the last few years of his life feeling rejected, Joseph was quick to receive those words, and despite his condition, he smiled.  Completely genuine, a warm smile lit up Joseph’s face 

"… Yer too good," he murmured, his thumb finally pulling away from Levi’s cheek, and an index finger poking his nose in return.  "You and I both get us into a lotta bullshit… but somehow, y’always managed t’pick up th’pieces.  Y’might as well be m’lil’ gift from Heaven.  Or Hell.  I haven’t decided yet."

"Stop that.  Yer makin’ me gay.  Haha, god dammit, I love ya, yer th’best thing of m’life n’all that bullshit.  … Thanks.  I ain’t alone ‘cause o’you, y’know that?  Things’re finally fallin’ int’place, even when I don’t got no forearm, and it’s all ‘cause o’you.”

A content hum, Joseph closing his eyes— Oh.  Suddenly, they snapped open, staring at Levi in absolute horror at his reply.  With a whine, he moved to smack Levi’s cheek.  ”Holy shit, stop!  I’m hot!  Yer th’one who said so, fuck you— ngh!”  Oops, someone’s getting a bit too defensive over his physical attraction.  A groan, before he settled back down, snugging under the covers with a huff.  "Besides, y’didn’t even answer th’question.  Is m’cute face still cute?"

Unfortunately, Joseph’s face was probably the opposite of cute right now.  With a beaten face that only a mother could love, Joseph continued to grin up at his partner, that grin only widening as Levi had positively responded to his tugs.  As weak as he was at the moment, he could still initiate some affections, right?  He only paused at Levi’s words.

Grit?  That’s… for Levi to be looking at him with pride, rather than the pity he had expected, Joseph felt his heart soar.  Even from here, he could still maintain some level of strength…

“Hey,” he mocked.

Even then he isn't sure how to take action in a non-violent way. Guidance is a definite necessity, he felt. Pride has nothing to do with his initial reluctance of receiving aid, but a feeling of weakness when those concerns are bared. Weakness is fine, isn't it? It's okay to show vulnerability to someone you trust to an extent, right? 

Idly, he allows Joseph's actions to take place, feeling his thumb brush on his collar bone with surprising gentleness. "So we just do what we can and play the waiting game?" Waiting... wasn't much of a strong point for him. "I can do that. Alright, I'll promise not to pursue him." As difficult a promise that is for him to maintain, if it meant preserving what little chance of a normal life they could actually lead, then so be it. 

Go after him... together. "Sounds like a date."

A dog like him craved genuine affection. Joseph has been the only one, to this day, to give him the attention and positive reinforcement that he had wanted for so long without even realizing. He wanted more, simply put. Addicted to it. Craving more and more of the attention and love that his own old man had failed to give him. Those were the initial aspects, however. Definitely there's something deeper, something supernatural, that binds these two opposing spirits together, an unspoken condition that has yet to surface. Until then, those emotions will be translated into a term once used so meticulously but now abused by the populace: love.

Briefly his nose wrinkled at the shift in contact. Joseph, despite his injuries, maintains a playful attitude that seemingly remains unphased by it all. A fabricated facade of overzealous joy-- that's what he expected. No, this is genuine joy, Levi thought. Joseph had already let his fear known-- why hide it again if such ideals have already been sown into mind? "I'm a guardian angel, so. Heaven will do." 

"You're already pretty damn gay," Levi remarks, only to fall silent to allow Joseph's next set of words to seep into mind. That's right-- Levi's a part of why Joseph is no longer alone. Initially, he was the reason, but now he shares the responsibility with another. He didn't mind, really-- serving a single importance to Joseph's growth as a person is good enough. 

He received that smack on the cheek with a sneer. "What the hell was that for?" Oh, that's why. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

How does he go about telling the truth, he wonders... "You look like shit right now." If there's one thing anyone could rely on Levi for, it's his honesty.

Arms folded over the cot he partially rests on, silvers flickered up at such an inconvenient angle for looking Joseph in the eye. He couldn't even see his face very well from down here, but... ah, he's too comfortable to move. His definition of comfort needs fine tuning. 

"… You promise me y’won’t go after ‘im.  Promise me right now."  His worries were made clear, Joseph’s gaze one that would barely meet the determination that Levi showed in that moment.  ”He’s… more dangerous than y’could possibly be thinkin’ of right now.  He’s got this sword— it’s fuckin’ massive.  It cuts through concrete, n’metal too… just.  Don’t go.”

Even if Levi would fare better in a situation such as that, how could Joseph be sure that he would make it out with minimal injury?  What if he ended up like Joseph?  Or worse?  There was so much worry.  Too many worries over too many things.  Hell, it made him dizzy thinking about it so much, and so he closed his eyes, tightening his grip on Levi’s hand as much as he could.  With Levi’s suggestion, Joseph was quick to object.  ”… No.  We’re not usin’ that money.”  A deep breath.  "Trust me, I want to, but that money was gonna be fer our future, gettin’ a house n’all that.  It’s stayin’ like that, got it?  I ain’t messin’ things up more than I already have.  I’ll… find somethin’ t’do ‘bout th’money.  I’ll start stealin’ again."

There was a definite hesitance in his voice with that thought.  Looking down, he bit at his lip— only to recoil at how much that action hurt.  God dammit, how fucked up was his face?  A groan, before the first thought on his mind escaped his lips.  

"Am I still sexy?"  Thanks, Joseph.  Despite the sign that his personality was still there, Joseph couldn’t help but manage a grin at Levi’s words of commitment.  If this wouldn’t get in the way of that promise, then… that’s one of his worries gone, at least.  A sigh, and he tugged on Levi’s hand, trying to pull him closer.

Levi's gaze lowers. An impossible request, he initially thinks. There's no chance in Hell that he could promise such a frivolous thing. A human whose only known violence his entire life simply cannot sit idly by and watch as an unnamed assailant simply gets away with a heinous act like this. Though Levi's lips are quick to part in preparation to reject, he is silent. No, he can't reject such a thing. Not now. But what else could he do? To right this wrong, retribution must be given. Pain is the best form of discipline, after all. Pain as discipline... After years of following such a virtue, as he sits among medical equipment in the presence of his injured lover, he is given the opportunity to-- for the first time in a long time-- sit down and think. Such a virtue in his mind became a barbaric ideal. Animals teach each other right from wrong by biting, scratching, butting heads... humans learn by example or reason. 

That's... how humans work. Levi, he...

He has always been a dog in the outsider's eye. A dog needing to be leashed. Because pain had been his discipline for so long, he sees no other alternative. He still cannot, even to this day. A sigh, and a squeeze of the other's hand is administered. Brows knit together and for that instant, in that five-second window of time, Levi's guard fell.

He, too, is afraid.

With no malice nor volume in his words, he poses a soft-spoken question: "What do I do, then? If I can't hunt his ass down... I... don't know what else to do. Should I stand back and let professionals handle it?" Genuine questions from a young man who knows no better.

Soft-spoken words were slow to regain its original octaves as he retorts the other's quick words of rejection. "That shit's all cosmetics. You're worth more than a nice house and a fancy lifestyle."

"I can't live a normal, happy life if I know you're going to be carrying this weight by yourself the whole time. I'm prioritizing your full recovery before everything else. The shiny new house can wait. You matter way more than that. Always have, always will." A pause. "You've done enough struggling on your own, Joseph. You don't have to anymore. You're not alone anymore." Himself, Joseph's old friend... He doesn't have to bear everything on his own anymore.

"Huh?" Silver eyes cast a curious glance on the other's facial features in response to that question. He must have not seen his reflection lately. Levi doesn't blame him. "That implies that you were anything near attractive in the past," Levi remarks in his typical, venom-laced tongue. 

A tug was administered and Levi's form pivots closer to the other's bedridden figure. Briefly, Levi wonders just how much room is available on the cot, only to remember that he himself is a small figure. It didn't matter if he took up just a little more room on the bed's edge, right? "Yeah. I have no intention to run off with my tail between my legs just because we hit a little turbulence in our flight." Sure words, indeed.

"Hey."

Right now, he was a sitting duck for anyone who wanted to get to him.  While he could not protect himself, it was clear to Joseph that Levi wanted to fit this role more than anything.  With the lengths that the smaller male had gone to to ensure Joseph’s comfort and safety, Joseph… he actually did feel safe in that moment.  While he had never been taught to fight, and surely could not fight after this… would Levi do it all for him?

… That’s right.  He was absolutely pathetic like this.  Could he even keep running, if that’s what they would resort to?  There was the difference between functioning with two hands, and only having one to get by.  Accommodations would have to be made, even without the idea of them running being put into play.

While he understood that he couldn’t let this stop his life altogether, there was a doubt that would not leave.  As useless as he was to Levi now… would that ever change?  There was no way he could afford a prosthetic, hell, he had no idea how he was even going to afford this hospital bill.

He swallowed.  "… If yer sure," Joseph murmured, finally allowing himself to sink back into the cot.  As Levi left, he allowed his gaze to drift to the ceiling, thinking about the life that he would have to lead now.  With no prosthetic… would he be able to life the way he had before?  Was he to be crippled for the rest of his days?  As Levi made his way back into the room, Joseph blurted these thoughts out.

"I can’t afford no fake arm… Levi, I… shit.  What am I gonna do…?  It aint just me… yer gonna have t’spend yer whole life dotin’ on me ‘cause I can’t afford one.  Do y’really want that?" 

Finally, bright blues flicked to Levi once more.  With Levi’s hand in his, he felt a strange sense of protection and peace.  He listened to his words, slow and quiet breathing being the only thing to come from him as he considered the options he had been given.  With Levi’s change in disposition, he could only pray that the elder would want to stay with him, despite the new-found disability.  If that were the case…

He recalled what he had been feeling before all of this happened.  The feeling of freedom, the love of a simple life, feeling genuine peace for once in his hard life… wasn’t that what he really wanted?  Those thoughts had made him more happy than anything before.  That’s right, he was happy living like this.

With a breath, he would finally answer, his voice soft to the point where it seemed almost out of character for a man such as Joseph.  ”… I wanna be with ya.  My future or not, there’s somethin’ that wants me t’be with ya, n’I got no objections against it.  What I really want is t’stay with ya n’settle down.  Hell… I found m’best friend again, Levi.  I ain’t never been happier since we came here.  I… just wish I didn’t fuck it all up.”

Ah, that's right. He is a violent spirit after all, isn't he? Peacefulness is not a trait he knows very well, if at all. He has to wonder if his bouts of utter passiveness arise from. Could it be that Joseph's presence is the cause? The mere presence of the young man is enough to overall quell his vicious desires if only for the time being. Perhaps it's a mix of that and seeing him in such a vulnerable state that further encourages Levi to keep his cool.

Of course, that only fuels the flame to strike back where someone he cared so deeply for has been wronged so heavily.

He hears out Joseph's concerns with careful consideration, takes notes of the heavy worry in his voice. That's right, there's no way he could afford the hospital bill, let alone a prosthetic arm. Under normal circumstances, anyways. Levi's eyes closed a moment, thoughtful. "We still have the ten grand. That could cover the bill." As for the prosthetic arm, however, he'll have to think of something.

No, he knows exactly where and how to get the funds for those.

"I made a commitment. I'm not about to shove it aside just because you're banged up and missing half your arm."

Silence settles between the two again, Levi's actions now playing a more vital role than his words ever could. An act of comfort and calm as he continued to speak those soft words, to give a choice to the young man who's been wronged for so long. In the end, he wished him the choice that would make him the happiest.

And that choice was given. 

Joseph has more than enough reason to stay, and that'll be that. Something in Joseph's words stuck out like a sore thumb, but he wasn't about to get hung up on something so petty as a little false claim.

"Then we're not leaving. It's settled." All Levi could think of now, however, is to hunt down the assailant and beat him until he's too weak to plead for help.

name: dia age: 22 birthday: January 11!!! zodiac: Capricorn single or taken: Taken  height: 5'3 eye color: hazel middle name: jazmarie favorite color: puuuuuurple lucky number: uhh

SPECIFICS/DETAILS:

hogwarts house: hufflepuff favorite fictional character: jotaro kujo favorite television show: whats tv favorite season: autumn describe yourself in a few words: big gay bird bara weenie meaning of your name: short for "diatrice" aka a portmanteau of my two other biases, beatrice and diavolo  ultimate otp: .............jovi what do you plan to/do for a living: uh

THIS OR THAT:

It was only when Levi stood again that Joseph would be pulled out of his panic, blue eyes flicking upward to watch as Levi would grant his wish.  A shaky sigh of relief left him— though he continued to make his attempt at sitting up again.  He could only watch in shock as his partner took down the nurse, a startled expression making itself clear on his face while he reached for him an attempt to stop him.  "H-Hey— d-don’t…"  If Levi were to get kicked out of the hospital, or even worse, banned, how would he know he hadn’t been made a target, himself?

"STOP IT!!"

A yell, desperate to stop Levi and keep him out of trouble.  The thought was terrifying.  Not knowing if Levi would be safe or not out there was… shit.  Would Levi be put in danger because of him again?  Had he screwed up their ‘second chance’ with just an accident?  He drew in a deep breath, bright blues nervously making their way back to Levi as he circled around to his bedside.  By now, Joseph had managed to push himself up, his pain and nausea made apparent by the twisting and growing pale of his face.  What did his attacker look like?  … What did he look like…

It was a foggy memory.  On top of pain, confusion now made itself clear on Joseph’s expression.  "I… think… he had pink hair— no, he did.  Long n’pink… there were lil’ braids… I— he was tiny… that’s all I can remember.   … He looked at me like I was a fuckin’ piece o’meat when I was in pain— like a dude looks at a stripper, it was like that— ngh…"

Finally, his strength had given up, flopping back onto the cot with a grunt, only for his hand to make contact with Levi’s.  Encouraging words, words that would help calm him from his worries, if only for just a while.  He drew in a deep breath.  "… If yer sure."  He was honestly too tired to keep fighting it.  Physically, he had no choice but to believe Levi’s words of promised safety.  There was only one objection, one that was voiced in a quiet whisper.

"He said he wouldn’t let me get away."

Perhaps it was a mixture of those criteria that had encouraged the ravenet to snap the way he did. If he were any more violent he could have easily killed her. No, he would rather not spill unnecessary blood, especially not in a hospital setting. Joseph's pleas fell on deaf ears. He couldn't just let her go and risk being reported and escorted out by hospital security. Levi had to go the whole nine yards-- he had to knock her out so that their-- no, so that Joseph's security remains in tact. It's his turn to play the protector, and like hell is he messing that chance up.

A frown. Joseph's restlessness resulted in a reckless and painful action on his behalf. Levi hopes that he would at least lie down. A gentle nudge is out of the question-- he worries about agitating any of the existing wounds.

A vague yet specific description... Levi makes a note thereof. "Right. Okay. I'll call the cops and let them know."

Blatant disrespect for someone he cherishes so deeply... it simply did not sit well for Levi. It really didn't. That description gave Levi's mind the visage of an arrogant young man. A young man who managed to do so much damage to Joseph surely is a dangerous one. Unfortunately, or fortunately, Levi embraces the prospect of danger. 

Such thoughts were kept in. His body, a softening shell encouraging a light repetitious stroke of the other's thumb base, acts in contrast to the viciousness that infests Levi's mind. "I'm sure. You're safe. I promise."

A risky move is played. Could such a promise be kept? No. He'll make sure that this promise is one that he'll keep. He'll definitely keep it. He'll kill the pink-haired assailant and protect Joseph for good-- ...

Shit. The nurse. Without another word, instead a simple nod was given in response, Levi stands at last, circling around to arrive at the room's door. Stepping out briefly, moments later he returns with two other doctors to carry away the still-unconscious nurse. Only then did he lock the room again.

"I told them that she fainted. ..." His voice lowers. "Hey. Listen to me." With those words lingering in sterilized air, Levi draws to the bedside once again, his knees on the ground and his hand in Joseph's.What once housed a gentle disposition ignited with a determined flame. A currently-empty promise had been laid down moments before, however he fully intends to breathe life into it, or die trying.

There was a pause in his words as he took another moment to look around the room, to get a better grasp of where he had been dumped off.  Slowly, the memories of prior events would reappear in his mind, only as a blur, however.  There was one thing, though… that droning pain in his arm—  it wasn’t…

His eyes moved down to his left side, and a whimper left him as he raised the stump to get a better look at it.  For a moment, being strong for Levi was about the last thing on his mind.  What plagued his mind now was the sight of the missing limb.  "No… haha, no— no, no…" He pleaded with himself, as if this was some nightmare that could easily be awoken from.

"F-Fuck, that was—"  A breathy concern, eyes drifting back to Levi as he wore an expression that could only be described as fear.  What happened?  Is that what he asked?  His hand continued to grip at the sheets as if they were some sort of lifeline.  God dammit, he was scared.  Yes, he was in the hospital now, but would that pink-haired assailant peruse him even here?

"Levi— L-Lock th’door."  His words were hushed, desperate.  If he were to come back, would they come to hurt Levi as well?  "I-I don’t know if he’s comin’ or not, he kept chasin’ me n’chasin’ me, I—"  A strained noise as he moved  to sit up, feeling the pain stinging at his chest again, followed by a lightheaded sensation unlike any he had ever felt.  He had to endure, for Levi’s sake.

"I-I spilled oil on ‘is shirt, he told me I owed ‘im money, two thousand bucks— I-I tried t’run, n’then he… he cut off m’hand, n’kept cuttin’ me up n’kickin’ m’face in— Levi, he was chasin’ me, we gotta keep runnin’— I ruined it, I ruined everything, we gota keep goin’—"

Is there room to understand it, though? Brows lifted as he takes Joseph's motions into consideration. A pained arm lifting off of its original position as if showcased for the world to see-- namely the owner of the now-missing limb. Seeing the amputation so clearly now-- Levi's heart sinks behind the hardened shell he so reluctantly wears. The look of which the larger male wore was that of distress, fear, desperation. His request is responded to not by Levi (whom has stood from his seat by now) but by the accompanying nurse curtly stating that locking the door simply cannot be done.

Levi disobediently carries out his lover's request, the door now snapping shut with a distinct "click" of the inside lock. If any doctors were to come in, they would either need the key or simply to knock. He didn't care. The nurses and doctors have already done what they could.

Joseph continues to mutter about a "he". A "he" that targeted him over a simple accident. A frown lines the small male's features, his gaze shifting elsewhere, thoughtful. A he. A male had done this to Joseph. That's a start. 

However, his thought process interrupted by the nurse's frantic protests against locking the door. Arguments went back and forth between the two. The nurse, significantly taller, asserted authority and verbal dominance over the situation. Levi covers the physical aspect quite well; words were followed up with an inverted heel to the back of the nurse's knees, forcing her to collapse and to give Levi the height advantage, only temporarily. That temporariness has to be taken advantage of-- and quickly-- to accomplish such, he takes the rear-end advantage. One arm propped over the shoulder, looped around the neck akin to a typical choke-hold, the opposing wrist pressed into the palm. A struggle was put up, but within a little less than ten seconds, the woman was knocked out on the ground.

A necessary skill to learn when you wish to stop a fight.

A sharp inhale, and Levi stands up straight, hands shoved into his sweater pockets at last. An iron resolve solidifies in him. He may be a mere maggot, he may only know how to run away and hide, however... if need be... he will grit his teeth through any struggle. 

Running away is all he's good for, but who said you had to be good at something to do it?

"What did he look like?" A pause. "I can notify the police for a search warrant. There's no way in Hell that fucker's getting away with nigh-murder."

Even if the police won't do anything, he will.. He... definitely will.

That's what he'll continue to tell himself, anyways.

A cautious approach to Joseph's bedside precedes his knees meeting linoleum tiling. That single good hand was taken in Levi's and given a light squeeze, his chin resting on the bedside and his gaze lowering once more. "You're safe. The door's locked and hospital security's tough to bust through. I'm right here. I'm right here, Joseph.

"It's okay. I'm right here. We don't have to keep running. I'd rather save that energy for fighting back."

'I'll kill him', he repeats in his mind. 'I'll kill him. I'll kill him'.

Those were the last words uttered to one of the nameless paramedics who had found him on that abandoned street.  In the ambulance, there were only a few words exchanged between patient and savior, one of those being who he would like to make aware of the incident.  By then, he only had the strength to tell one name.

The name of the man he had let down.

It was a pain that was comparable to the physical agony he felt.  He was going to die, wasn’t he?  Die, and leave Levi alone.  Hadn’t Levi described his life without Joseph as a colorless novel?  Promising to add color in for the rest of his life, Joseph would only prove him point by taking all of that color away from the man he had promised he would marry.  With those last thoughts in his mind, Joseph had faded.

It would only be until hours of operation later that Joseph was promised life.  His outcome, despite the loss of a limb, was bright.  His agony spoke otherwise, however.  Continuing his time away from the world in a medically-induced sleep, Joseph would awake to a bright white surrounding him.  A groan of agony left his frame, being slow to wake through the influence of the medication that left him lagged.

His judgement hazy, Joseph glanced to each side, his once-bright eyes settling finally on a small figure beside him.  A squint, and it was only after a few moments of staring that Joseph could make out those blurs and shapes into a person.  A few more moments, and that person would register in his mind as the man he loved.

His lips parted, however he remained unable to speak.  There was a lump in his throat, tears stinging at his eyes as his right hand clutched the bed sheets.

"Oh god," he whispered.  ”This… this is Hell, right?  I died n’went t’Hell…?”  He swallowed, medication continuing to impair his judgement before he continued on.  "I gotta lookit yer face all sad like that— I— I died before we could— even get hitched, I’m…"  His words were slow, long and drawn out as he tried to think.  ”… You can’t be an angel, anyway, yer too much of an asshole!  I don’t wanna be in Hell, I don’t wanna have t’see ya like this—”

Someone in their right (or unstable) mind did this to Joseph. Deliberately broke him down to such a pathetic state that only pained him further to see. He had to endure. Driven by the relief to see his partner breathing and claiming life, he has to endure. 

Even so, to know that he was put in such a state...

How utterly powerless is Levi after all.

Ears were kept open to hear out Joseph's delusional ramblings. Somehow, Levi should feel the need to be offended by the mere presence of him to be synonymous to a presence in hell. Further explanation brought meaning to the younger's words. To see him in pain from an unfulfilled promise, his own presence being a consistent reminder thereof... is that Joseph's Hell? Is that what he's saying? 

Brows knit together. For someone's drug-induced words, they carried heavy weights with them. Levi's existence meant that much to Joseph that an unfulfilled promise would signify his own personal hell. A sigh escaped the elder's lips.

"Yeah, you're in Hell." His words held a flat tone not unlike his usual speaking voice. "And I'm your goddamn unholy ruler." Hands folded on his lap, Levi leaned over in his seat with a small frown. 

"You're not dead, dumbass. You're alive and breathing. Adding "well" to that would be a bold-faced lie. What the fuck happened to you? How? Why?" 

Questions fired a mile a minute before, with an agitated sigh, Levi's lips sealed. Silvers cast downwards, teeth gnashed together behind those very same lips.

Words that he had no reason to say slipped through those lips.

Send me your thoughts on my character so far!

Remember! This is an AU and aspects of a character’s personality can change, so bear that in mind!

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