It felt like an eternity. Nothing existed but him and the earth, and he gave himself over to it even as it began to pull him apart. He was nothing but sand, giving way to beach surf.

Distantly he thought of Don and Naru. He had to keep them safe. He had to protect them however he could.

The magic stones around him sat lifeless. He couldn’t draw from them. It all had to come from him.

On and on it went; he gave everything he had, and when there was nothing left, he dug deeper and gave more. The earth wasn’t below him–he was a part of it, feeling the particles and minerals all around him.

He distantly heard someone screaming. Was that him? Just a little longer…just a little more.

And then, everything stopped.

He was suddenly back in his own body, broken and full of pain. He collapsed, boneless, almost too exhausted to continue wheezing for breath.

For a while he floated there, somewhere between conscious and not, when something…someone? touched him. Cradled him. Even that gentle touch hurt. His throat threatened to close off in tears. ‘Don’t…don’t…’

“Chandler? Chandler…” Don’s voice swam in and out of his awareness. “Sweet Nayru,” he heard the blond whisper. “I never wanted you to move the literal earth for me.” Chandler couldn’t quite manage to open his eyes, but the words coaxed a wan smile from him. “T-too bad,” he murmured, his voice barely a whisper. “Did…d-did it, anyway.”

“Take it easy,” Don urged gently. “I’ve got you. I’ll take care of you.”

Chandler fought to stay awake, just a little longer. He knew he’d done the impossible. He knew he’d given more than was reasonable.

He knew chances were pretty high that he wouldn’t wake up, once he lost consciousness.

“Don?”

“I’m here,” the blond reassured, his arms tightening around him.

“I love you,” Chandler whispered. He felt his partner shudder. 

“I love you, too. You’re gonna be okay. Just hang on. You’re going to be fine.”

Chandler wanted so much for that to be true. He felt his grip on consciousness waning. He couldn’t fight it much longer. “Thank you,” he murmured, his voice slurring. Don’s grip on him tightened fearfully, and he heard the other man calling out for help, but the words were growing muffled. ‘I’m sorry,’ he tried to say, but he wasn’t sure if the words passed his lips before everything faded into static.

Febuwhump Day 10, Magic Exhaustion