#patching wounds

The click of the key in the door could be heard throughout your quiet home. You were on your feet in a matter of seconds.

John entered with a heavy bag slung over his shoulder and still in full camo gear. Through the darkness from outside, his form appeared scarily big in the doorframe. He only had time to throw the bag on the floor before you crashed into him. Your cheek pressed against his chest and arms squeezing him tight. He made a small oof but immediately engulfed you in his grip.

"I missed you too." he muttered with a slight chuckle.

You stayed in that position for a few moments. Basking in each other's presence. John breathed out heavily.

You loosened yourself slightly from him and instead raised your hands to cup his cheeks. His beard was longer than usual but tickled your palm in a familiar way. Your brows pulled together in concern at a scratch on his temple.

"Are you okay? Did something happen?"

John almost laughed. Of course something happened. It was the whole point of the mission to make something happen. You looked at him with such pure concern that he wondered how he deserved you. He slightly bowed his head down, making him look smaller than he was.

"I'm fine. Just the usual. Nothing major" he spoke softly.

You brushed gently through his hair. "Good. I'll take a look at that scratch though." It was almost a whisper. Your voice so delicate as if he could break in your arms.

"Yes ma'am."

Dark circles made his blue eyes stand out in the dim light. There was that worry line between his brows, which took forever to disappear whenever he got home. A small cut on his lip. Dirt in his beard. You couldn't help but smile at the sight.

"Your beard needs shaving again." You observed.

He chuckled and ran a hand over his chin. "I know, has gotten rather long hasn't it?"

John reluctantly untangled himself from you and lifted his bag into your shared bedroom to unpack. He unclasped the straps of his tactical vest and you helped him with one on the back. You observed how exhausted he was in the way he moved more sluggishly.

"Are the others fine?" You unpacked some stuff from his bag absently. You threw loads of used underwear and dirty shirts in the laundry basket. You'd have to make an extra wash for his clothes tomorrow.

He put his tactical gear in a grawer. "They're still kickin'. Though Kyle got hung from the chopper upside down. Left him quite shaken, I believe."

You shook your head with a sigh. "I'm gonna check in with him soon. He went home to his mum?"

John grunted which could be interpreted in various ways but you could identify it as an affirmation. Though you weren't sure if it was meant as an answer or as a result of his struggle to pull the shirt over his head without hurting his wounds.

"Let me help..." You tugged him to you by the front of his belt and brought the fabric over the wound on his rib. It looked like a nasty blow. Your brows creased in worry.

John observed you dumbfounded as you fussed over his form and followed your instructions when you mumbled at him to lift his arms. If his men saw him now, they'd never let him live it down. He must have looked pathetic, but as long as you looked at him with such tenderness he frankly didn't care.

Before you, he had never felt a tender touch like yours. It was unfitting for him. He was a big man; a captain. All he knew was roughness. A hard pat on the back or handshake. But for you, touching him so carefully was the most natural. He still didn't comprehend that he was married to you.

"I thought you said nothing major...that looks painful." You scolded him gently. John knew you enough to know that you were just looking out for him but he still felt as if he had disappointed you.

"I didn' want to worry you luv." His accent got thicker whenever he was tired, making it sometimes even difficult for you to follow along.

"You know I worry, no matter what." You could read his body language like an open book. He shrunk in on himself whenever he felt guilty and his tired eyes didn't meet your disapproving gaze anymore. "You sure that your rib isn't harmed?"

A featherlight touch went around the wound as you inspected it, making john involuntarily shiver.

"It's fine. They checked it."

You hummed before grabbing a pair of sweatpants for him. "I'll get the first aid kit."

John had changed by the time you got back and spread the supplies out on the bed. A wet cloth in one hand, the other placed delicately on his skin.

"How did you get that?"

He leaned his head back and sighed. "Hand to hand combat."

You wiped the wound clean. Some dried blood was around it, and a purple bruise was already building under his skin. You felt his muscles shift beneath your fingers and his chest moved with a deep inhale.

You glanced up at him through your lashes. "Do you need to sit down?"

"Darling m' good. Just tired. Been on my feet for ages." The reassuring smile made his eyes crinkle.

"Sit down then..." You gushed him onto the bed before stepping in between his legs and continuing your work.

John observed your concentrated expression with adoration. "I love when you do that."

"Do what?"

"Take care of me. I couldn't imagine a better welcome to come home to."

You stilled your movements momentarily as a light blush spread over your cheeks. "Well, I'm glad you like it."

A sudden tightness constricted his throat. The word like didn't capture the way he felt. Not even slightly. He thought about these moments when he was away a lot. Laying on the floor, wishing he'd be home with you, hoping he'd see you again, praying that you were doing okay. When he first met you he finally felt like his life had a purpose. All those years in training, going through hell and back in the military. He did it all to be able to protect you; serve you. Bloody hell what was he thinking. Soap was right: he really was whipped, even after all these years. The time apart when he was on a mission only seemed to worsen it.

He didn't say any of that. You could only see a small pull of his lips from the outside but you learned to interpret his actions as words.

To lighten the mood you prodded against his belly. "If I want to do a good job I'll need to put some meat back on those bones."

He giggled. Yes, john price giggled, though it sounded rather like a low chuckle from his mouth. He caged your hands in his and pulled you to him, making you stumble out of balance slightly.

"Good thing you like me too with all your food in my belly." a grin on his face, as he looked up at you.

"Just makes you more comfy." you gave the top of his head a kiss. "Nothing could make me change my mind about you anyway."

The look he gave you resembled a happy puppy.

It was about 3am when you stumbled into the kitchen of your apartment. This was the third time this week that you woke up at 3 in the morning and you couldn’t pinpoint why. Maybe it’s stress from your job, you were a doctor at a local clinic and you’ve been doing a whole lot of overtime for the last week and a half.

You pinch the bridge of your nose. No, that’s not it. You love your job, you love what you do. Maybe it’s something you ate. No, that’s sounds stupid. Maybe it was the feeling that you were being watched in your own home. Though you thought you were just being paranoid because you were half-sleep the few times you noticed but that feeling was still present even when you got a goodnights sleep.

Knowing you couldn’t go back to sleep since you’re already up and out of your bed, you decided to migrate to the living room maybe do some read. Turning on the lamp on the end table then going over to the window, unlocking it and opening it though you struggled with it, grunting a bit as you shoved up the window.

“I really should get this window replaced.” You mumbled to yourself then mentally noted to put it in your reminders so you don’t forget as you walked back to your bedroom to grab your journal that you write your notes to yourself in, among other things.

Walking over to the desk that you had, you sighed at the mess that you had. From sticky notes to Juicy Fruit gum wrappers, you have no idea how it got this messy after you cleaned it off just a few days ago. You decided to leave it alone for now and opened the drawer that held your journal.

Before you could reach into the drawer to grab your journal, you heard a loud ‘thud’ from the living room. You flinched, whipping your head around your shoulder. You harshly whispered a “what the fuck was that?” as you snatched your journal from the drawer and quietly shut it.

You moved quietly with your journal clenched to your chest debating on whether or not to use it as a weapon. In the kitchen you could see into the living room and something or someone was on the floor not far from the window next to your coffee table.

“What the hell?” You whispered as you slowly walked over into the living room.

Walking around the couch and over to the window, the crimson shade of blood was splotched on the windowsill. A trail of blood went from the window to whatever or whoever was laying next your coffee table. Getting a closer look, you noticed it was a someone.

It looked to be a monkey with black fur, a feathered red mark spread across his face. Tan skin covered his paws, face and ears. He had his eyes closed, he seemed to be in pain and not very aware of your presence.

You scanned over the monkey’s body and a one of his paws was over a bloody spot on his side. Your eyes widened as you kneeled down, not caring if your pajamas get blood all over them since your doctor instinct kicked in. Your hand reached over to where the monkey’s paw was to see the wound when another paw shot up, grabbing your wrist.

You gasped since it startled you but, that’s not what made you shocked the most. The monkey’s eyes glowed a shadowy purple and three ears appeared on each side of his head, they glowed their own colors. You snatched your hand away and fell back onto your butt.

“What the shit!” You exclaimed.

The monkey groaned as his features went back to “normal”. One of his paws were stained in his own blood. He probably was trying to put pressure on it so he didn’t lose too much blood, he’s not stupid at least. You should help him do something about that wound then ask him why he’s here.

“It’s looks like something got you pretty bad. What happened?” You asked him.

You heard him chuckle softly but grunted a bit from pain in his side. “You think so? It’s just a scratch.” He said.

He looked up at you. His golden eyes were half-lidded. He looked exhausted, probably from the blood loss and the pain he’s in. Though you didn’t like his remark back at you.

You frowned. “Well I guess you don’t need my help then.” You said getting up from your spot on the floor and started to walk away from the monkey on your living room floor.

“Wait..” He struggled out, he tried to grab at your pant leg but failed. “Hold on a second, doc.” He called.

That made you freeze. You rushed back over to him and squatted down next him. “How did you know I was a doctor?” You asked sternly.

“Well, you see. I’ve been sort of… watching you for some time now.” He said.

“Creep…” You said.

“True but you seemed useful so that’s why I’m here. So if you don’t mind,” The monkey lifted his hand from over his side. A large, bloody gash, it looked deep like it was from knife or he was grazed by a bullet.

“You need stitches. Wait here.” You said well you more like you ordered.

“It’s not like I’m going anywhere,” You heard him hiss underneath his breath. “Just don’t take too long, Doc.” The monkey said.

“Whatever. And we’ll talk later about your stalking habits, monkey face.” You hissed.

You walked out of the living room and made your way into the bathroom. You have stitch sewing material as well as other medical supplies in bag that you keep under your sink mostly for emergencies such as the one you found yourself in.

Fishing your medical bag out from underneath the sink then made your way back into the living room. When you returned the monkey was sitting up against the front of the couch. His black tail tapped the floor impatiently.

Moving the coffee table slightly, you sat on your knees next to him. Placing your medical bag to the side.

“I’m going to take off that top layer you have so I can take care of that wound of yours. And maybe I’ll be nice and patch that rip there.” You said.

“Woah~. Aren’t you moving a bit too fast there, Doc. Buy me dinner first.” The monkey smirked at you as you started taking off his top layer of clothing.

You scoffed. “Be mature. Or I’ll let you bleed out.” You threatened.

“Wow, you have some fire. I’m starting to like you.” The monkey said.

You rolled your eyes as you reached over into you bag and pulled out disinfectant wipes, scissors and a needle and spindle of thread.

The black simian inspected the items you had set out. He looked up at you with a smile. “Wow, you really know what you’re doing.” He said.

“Well yeah,” You said grabbing the scissors. “I went to school for this. Never thought I’d use my skills on a monkey who’s half dying in my living room. So, who are you anyway?”

His tail swished on the floor, looking off to the side then back at you. “Macaque. Just Macaque.” He said.

“Okay, Macaque. You’ll need to brace yourself ‘cause this is going to hurt.” You said.

Macaque grunted a bit. “I took the cut, I can take the stitch.” He said.

You smirked. “That’s what all the tough guys say.” You began, using the scissors to even out the edges of the cut, because it will heal better.

Macaque’s paw clenched the carpet, letting out a soft groan in pain. His tail flicked around in irritation. You decided to distract him with small talk, you still had questions to ask him.

“So, how’d this happen? Piss someone off?” You asked him, looking down at his wound to get to work.

A strand chuckle came from Macaque. “You could say that. Though I’m surprised I haven’t healed yet from this. Guess my power is weakened.” He said.

That caught you as you shifted your attention back to him. “You have a healing factor?” You sounded surprised when you asked him that.

“What makes you think I don’t,” Macaque said, he was slightly a amused by your expression you had when he mentioned it.

“Good point. You’re a talking man-sized monkey. I wouldn’t be surprised if you were immortal or something .” You joked, looking down back at his wound as you readied the thread for the stitches.

You felt a stare, you look back up at Macaque. A smirk was present on his face.

“Oh…” You trailed not saying another word to him. As you started sticking his wound, Macaque kept his eyes on you. You looked sleepy, light bags were visible under your eyes. You seemed very concentrated on your stitch job on him, you really know what you’re doing. He remembered that he doesn’t even know your name.

“Mac…aque… hey… Macaque!” Macaque flinched hearing you yell his name. He tilted his head to the left, pressing a paw to his ears. His ears rang a bit.

“I’m finished. You didn’t yelp in pain or anything. Did you zone out?” You asked as you put your things back into your medical bag.

“Maybe..” He said.

“Well, anyway, I think you should rest here until morning. I don’t want you stretching your stitches.” You said.

“Fine. Doctors orders, right.” Macaque said.

You rolled your eyes at him as you stood up from the floor with your bag in your hand. As you turned around, Macaque called you.

“Hey, Doc,” You turned back to look at him. “If I ever come back here. You mind telling me your name?” He asked.

Such an odd request, Macaque knew that. You’ve peak his interest not just because you seemed useful though he’d never admit that.

“My name is Y/n,” You smiled at him. “Just Y/n.”

_________________________________

This took too long to write. Though it’s done. Here y’all go!

“You know, Big V,” Finn said. “I scratched my leg pretty bad, too, getting over that fence.” Which actually wasn't a lie. It'd even actually torn a hole in his pants. If not for the fact Ratso could sew, he'd be madder about it. Also the fact that it did actually sting. Quite a lot.

“I'm hurt, too,” Ratso said with a noticeable pout in his voice. A guard had punched him real good in the chest before they got away. (With the cash, of course.) It seemed like only Tohru made it out of this unscathed.

“I'll get to you both,” Valmont said as he tied off the wrap. “There.”

Chow moved his arm to be sure it wasn't too tight and gave him a thumbs up when he determined it wasn't. “Thanks.”

Valmont only hummed, not really one for acknowledging gratefulness for something that he felt was necessary or obligatory– he was like Tohru, in that respect. Not that either disliked the gratefulness or that they wouldn't do these things if they didn't see them as necessary or obligatory. Just that they didn't see it necessary for the others to thank them for things that ‘of course they would do’. A corner of Chow’s mouth lifted in a smile and Valmont turned from him with an eyeroll and pinkened cheeks.

The scrape on Finn’s leg was perhaps worse than Finn had really thought at first, now that the adrenaline had worn off from their small heist. It pulsed slightly with his heartbeat. Though honestly that could just be in his head. Like when he had his period and thought he could feel his heart through his nether regions. Valmont kneeled between his legs, their first aid kit on the other side of Finn’s injured leg. He slid the bottom of Finn’s boxers up a little so he could access the full scrape. Finn hissed when Valmont started to clean it.

“Oh, calm down,” Valmont said, though his touch lightened.

“You know,” Finn said through his teeth in an effort to distract himself, “I kinda like having you on your knees between my legs.” He let his legs close a little and Valmont pushed at one with a glare, cheeks noticeably darker. It did make Finn feel better and he resettled in a comfortable position with his legs spread so Valmont could tend to his wound without being squished. As he worked, Valmont's blush lightened till it disappeared completely. Which was really a shame.

Valmont finished with the wrap and stood back up. He grabbed the first aid kit to tend to Ratso, but Finn grabbed his wrist to stop him. Once Valmont looked back at him with a raised eyebrow he gave his best puppy eyes. The ones that used to get his older sister to cave. “You're not gonna kiss it better, Big V?”

“Hey, hey yeah!” Ratso agreed. “Kiss mine better, too.”

Valmont sighed as loudly as he could. “I'm not going to ‘kiss it better’.” He made air quotes.

“Aww.” Ratso pouted.

Finn took Valmont's chin in his hands and directed his gaze back at him. While he couldn't see it, he could feel Chow’s eye roll. Well, he was just jealous he hadn't thought of this first. “What if I returned the favour?” He asked and leaned in to kiss the corner of his mouth, where it'd been split when someone punched him before Tohru could get there. When he pulled back, Valmont had gone a soft pink.

“Fine,” Valmont grumbled. “But just this once.”

“Sure thing, Big V.” Finn leaned back on his hands and stretched his leg out. Ratso cheered. There was some brief hesitation, before Valmont kissed the bandage on Finn’s upper thigh. It only lasted a second before he was up so fast he practically stumbled and he cleared his throat like that would distract from it. For once, Finn bit his tongue and Chow did the same.

“Alright,” Valmont’s voice barely skated the border of ‘squeak’ and ‘not a squeak’. Again he cleared his throat. He gestured at Ratso. “Take off your shirt, let me see the bruise.”

Ratso did as asked without hesitation, though it was with a flinch. The bruise on his chest wasn't exactly small. Of course it wasn't huge, either, spread out slightly past the shape of a fist like a starburst. It was already turning blue in the center, the edges still red.

“Oh, gnarly,” Chow said.

“Thanks,” Ratso said with a smile.

Valmont gently touched his fingertips to it. A wince flickered quickly past Ratso’s face, but Valmont still caught it via proximity and it being the exact thing he was watching for. He clicked his tongue against his teeth. So it still hurt, of course. Though since this bruise was taken for him, Valmont guessed he could give Ratso a small break. “I can’t do much for this except just give it time to heal.”

“And a kiss to help?” Ratso asked hopefully. Valmont dragged a hand down his face. Of course Finn had to start something, instigator that he was. But he still kissed the bruise at its edge, so the pressure of his lips wouldn’t pain Ratso. It made Ratso smile brighter and Valmont averted his gaze toward Chow.

“I suppose you want me to kiss your wounds better, too?” Valmont asked dryly.

Chow held his arm up with a grin. “Well, if you're offering.”

“Oh, oh, and don't forget Tohru!” Ratso said.

“Yeah,” Finn agreed.

“He didn't even get hurt,” Valmont argued, looking between the two of them.

“No, but we'd hate for the big guy to be left out. Right, guys?” Finn said.

“Yeah,” Chow said. When Valmont ducked to press his lips to Chow’s arm, Chow briefly brushed his fingers through Valmont’s hair. Somehow it always seemed to be free from tangles. Perfect even after a job. Most of the time Chow would roll his eyes at that, but he figured he’d leave Valmont alone since he did kiss his wound better. “Thanks.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Valmont waved him away, ignoring the growing heat in his cheeks, and walked toward Tohru. The single person who hadn’t jeered him into this. As well as the single person who didn’t actually get hurt. Though Valmont knew that wasn’t the reason Tohru hadn’t joined the other three– Tohru was the more serious one of the group. Strong and silent and dependable, like the foundation of the earth.

Valmont stopped a hair's breadth from Tohru’s cheek, which had pinkened. “Are you sure you didn't get hurt, Tohru?” He whispered so the others didn't hear.

“I am sure,” Tohru said just as quietly.

“Good.” Valmont kissed his cheek. Then he took Tohru’s head by the chin and moved him so their eyes met and pressed his lips firmly to Tohru’s. The kiss lingered a few seconds.

“Hey, how come Tohru got a second kiss and we didn't?” Chow asked.

“Because Tohru is being rewarded for not coming back injured,” Valmont said, giving him a pointed look. It was rare for Chow to shy away from anything, but he did with this, eyes downcast. Looking properly scolded. Good. That was the intention. He nodded to himself and began to pack up their first aid kit to put it back away within the ottoman.

"Alright." Finn stood up with a flinch. "Now's our turn."

"Your turn?" Valmont asked. The look Finn gave Chow, Ratso, and Tohru didn't answer him, but it did make him wary.

"Yeah, Valmont," Chow said. "We're not the only ones who got hurt, remember?"

"Ooh, yeah." Ratso moved toward Valmont.

"Wait-" Valmont went to move, but Tohru put a hand on his shoulder to hold him there. He made for a very handsome trap, as well as one Valmont knew he couldn't escape.

"They are right, we should check you as well," Tohru said. Apparently this had become one of those moments where Tohru went along with their nonsense.

"Finn already kissed it better," Valmont tried to bristle, but the hand he held over the injury on his mouth and the way his heart sounded loud in his ears probably didn't help. Physical affection wasn't something his parents were big on– really any affection wasn't something his parents were big on– and even with Tohru physical affection was fairly rare. Until these three joined them. It would be a lie to say Valmont wasn't jealous of how quickly Tohru adapted.

"But they didn't," Finn said.

"What's the point of everyone kissing it better?" Valmont deflected with a nervous laugh.

"It makes it more effective," Chow said.

Valmont, in his professional opinion, did not think that was true. In fact, he was pretty sure it was just an excuse.

"Was that your only injury?" Finn asked, gesturing to his split lip.

"Yes." Valmont glowered, fully aware of the bruise on his side from the vault door clipping him awkwardly and rather harshly. A rather stupid injury, really. He got distracted when he thought he heard a sound. (Of course, it turned out he did hear a sound– the two guards.) No personal vault should have a door that heavy anyway.

"I saw the door hit him in the side," Chow said and one of Tohru's hands drifted down to gently prod at Valmont's flesh. He couldn't help it, a hiss of pain escaped through his teeth in his surprise. Finn gave him a rather pointed look.

"I was going to take care of it later." Which was not a lie. After he was done with everyone else and away from prying eyes, he would've dealt with it. Afterall, it wasn't bad enough to be fussed over. The others clearly didn’t think so. He rolled his eyes.

Chow walked over and lifted his shirt up, drawing a sympathetic hiss from Ratso as well as a handy reminder of the other reason Valmont didn't want them to know. Sympathy was not something he was used to. He may love all his boyfriends, and was more used to many of the antics that came with Ratso, Chow, and Finn, but sympathy still sat as a mixed bag. Valmont looked down at it. Red bloomed in a line across his left side. Just like Ratso's, there was nothing they could do but let it heal.

“Really got yourself with that door, huh,” Finn said, the remark said in such a way that made Valmont narrow his eyes in a glare at him. The guards had caught him off guard. At least it wasn’t more sympathy.

“Can’t do anything to help it,” Ratso said.

“Nothing but this,” Chow agreed, and dipped down to kiss Valmont’s side, right over his ribs. The press of his lips was soft and brief, and expected, but it tickled as well and Valmont squirmed away instinctually. Though he didn’t see it, he could feel Chow’s smile.

"Right." Ratso said with a nod and bent to kiss a slightly different spot on the same wound once Chow moved away. It was a more sensitive spot and Valmont gritted his teeth instinctively despite the way the kiss gently fluttered. Because it was such a light press, he could only call it a flutter. Valmont could feel his heart pound harder. Especially with the way it pulsed through the bruise.

Tohru, when it was his turn, traced the wound's edge with his finger before he placed a careful kiss at the wound's heart– the very center where it radiated from. Valmont shudder in Ratso’s hold, though Tohru was also very gentle. None of the kisses exactly hurt. But he knew the area would hurt tomorrow, just as Ratso’s would hurt.

“Are you four done now?” Valmont said, cheeks warm.

“Yes,” Chow said and Finn echoed it, both smiling. Ratso dropped a hand from the hold on Valmont’s shoulder to his wrist to squeeze lightly before he let go entirely.

“Good.” Valmont stood up straighter and tucked his shirt back in before he readjusted his suit jacket. Then, just for good measure, he buttoned the middle two buttons. “Well, I’m going to check to see how much money we managed to abscond with.”

“Is it technically absconding if we got caught?” Finn asked quietly. Valmont saw Chow shrug in the corner of his eye. Both were ignored.

They both stopped as something behind them caught their attention. By the time they both turned around, they were surrounded. They both freed their weapons and stood back to back “congratulations, you get to be my dance partner, love” she smirked and grabbed his hand quickly and channelled aether through her body into his, linking the pair, as she quickly setup her dance to begin her attacks as Thancred did his best to pull all the attention onto himself while Leeja did her best to take down as many of the tempered Garleans as she could without killing them. However, they didn’t seem to understand they were trying to help, not if their fresh wounds were anything to go by. 

Leeja cried out as the swipe of a gunblade caught her face and neck, rendering them to bleeding. Thancred wasn’t fairing much better, despite his various mitigating attempts. Leeja growled angrily “get them in a line in front of me and then stand back, this ends now!” She dashed back slightly and waited as Thancred pulled them into position. She waited a single heartbeat before channelling her Crimson Lotus “move now!” She hardly gave Thancred enough time before she triggered the attack, taking out all of the tempered quickly. 

Once her attack finished, she crashed to the ground, panting hard and unable to heal her wounds properly while Thancred spoke on his linkpearl quickly before realising. “Send Urianger as well, quickly.” He crouched down and took over putting pressure on the wounds with the rags Leeja was already using. “Are you not about to heal yourself?” She shook her head.

“Too much energy went into Crimson Lotus. Don’t have the energy to heal myself” she murmured the words slowly. 

“Rest, Urianger is on his way and we’ll get patched right up. Let me take over holding these but you need to stay awake.” She looked him over and noticed his own injuries. “I’m fine, nothing serious that my armour hasn’t absorbed.”

Her ears flicked as she heard the sounds of approaching footsteps. “Urianger and others are here.”

“Thancred? Leeja?” Urianger couldn’t see them and sounded worried.

“We’re here, behind the rock. Can you come and heal Leeja first? She’s got a wound to her face and neck that won’t stop bleeding” he poked his head out from behind the rock.

“Aye. What happened?” He knelt down, noticing the blood soaked rags and focused on healing the injury quickly.

“Got ambushed. ‘M struggling to…” she bit her lip and lowered her voice. “My senses aren’t as sharp and I’m struggling to discern my surroundings. ‘S too much aether, I can’t focus.”

“I don’t have nearly as sharp senses but I didn’t sense anything wrong until it was too late and by that point, running wasn’t an option” Thancred stood and watched the tempered be taken away.

“I know Y’shtola’s having the same problem, it’s why she’s staying in camp” the wounds knitted together the best they would and the bleeding stopped. “Thanks, Urianger.” Leeja rose to her feet slowly, feeling achey and rolled her shoulders. “Let’s get back to camp, we can inform our comrades of what happened here, rest for a bell and get back to it. I should be fine to finish healing our wounds as well when we get back” she slipped her hand into Thancred’s and they made their way back with less of a delay. 

G’raha and Alphinaud immediately made a fuss of them upon their return. “What happened? Are you both alright?”

“We’re fine, a touch tired but we’re okay. Just need to rest for a moment” Thancred waved off their worrying quickly. “Come, let’s go warm up and finish patching the last of the damage” he tugged Leeja away gently as she grabbed her pack. They were given the privacy as they entered one of the smaller buildings.

“Coat off, love. Let me take a look” she pulled out her small medical kit as she sat down.

“Oh no, I’m fine. It’s you I worry for, your armour isn’t nearly as resilient as mine. Leather is fine to a certain degree but you took a fair few hits” he sat in front of her and shrugged his coat off. Leeja did the same and grimaced at the feeling as several cuts and bruises were pulled on. Thancred grabbed the kit from her lap and opened it on the table. “This is why. It makes me wonder why you don’t just wear your paladin armour.”

“Because plate is heavy and I can’t fight properly in it. And before you ask, no I cannot wear my gunbreaker armour as it’s back in the Rising Stones. I only have my paladin gear because someone insisted I brought something protective with me” she carefully removed the damaged chest piece and hissed quietly as it peeled from some of the wounds. She shuffled the leather pants down her legs, revealing the long slash on her thigh.

“I apologise for caring about your safety” he smiled a little. “This is going to sting and no, punching me isn’t an option” she pouted playfully. She hissed and hit the table hard as Thancred pressed against her thigh with the cotton boll and rubbing alcohol.

“At least it isn’t my previous dancer gear” she grit her teeth hard.

“No, that would would have been much worse since it offers you very little protection.”

“Doesn’t need to if I’m quick enough to evade attacks” she breathed out slowly as he carefully placed a clean dressing over it and covered it with a bandage, tearing it with his teeth as his breath tickled the sensitive skin of her thigh. Thancred smirked a little at the quiet moan he heard leave her throat.

“Not now, later. If we have time” he purred the words and kissed her quickly. She felt her face flush at his words, making him laugh. “Let me check your back and arms, I know how terrible you are for admitting your back hurts.”

“Aye but it’s not my fault. It’s a pride thing” she yelped as he pressed down on a bruise. “Arse.”

“Case and point, darling. You’ve got no terrible wounds on your back but your shoulder needs covering.” Leeja slid the pack back toward him with her less damaged shoulder and flinched when he began to clean it up. 

“I am getting you back for this” she groaned hard and bit down on her fist, fangs digging into her skin and piercing it ever so slightly. She felt him secure the dressing and watched him sit back down in front of her.

“Take it off, I’m checking you for injuries” Leeja stood and pulled the leather trousers back up, securing them once again and wincing as it pressed against the wound. 

“I am more bruised than anything, darling. You are fussing for no reason” Thancred indulged her, removing his chest piece and placing it off to the side after noticing the fresh cracks in it with a slight frown.

“I’ll repair it before we leave, don’t want you going out in damaged gear.” She took his arm in her hand and traced it lightly with the tips of her fingers. He looked a little confused for a moment before the warm flow of aether followed in their wake. He felt the stiff muscles relax and the bruised skin feel better. She repeated the action on his other arm before standing and moving behind him. “Take slow, deep breaths. This might feel strange and I apologise if it does. Do you trust me?” She leaned down and kissed his temple, resting her head against his for a moment.

“Of course” he breathed out softly. She placed her finger tips on his back and channelled the aether through them once again, trailing them down his back slowly. Every bruise, graze, break and fracture became non-existent as her aether found its way to each injury and healed it. He felt the spasm of the muscles ease and the tension leave at the same time. “Stand up for me, love” Leeja kissed his shoulder gently and removed her hands. Thancred stood and he felt her hands on his lower back and groaned softly as the tense muscles relaxed and the ache faded. She moved around to his front and placed her fingers just under his collarbones, channelling the aether again and slowly pulling her fingers downwards, fanning them out slowly to reach more of his chest. Thancred sucked in his breath sharply as she hit a particularly sensitive spot. “Sorry, I’ll be careful” she looked up at him and gave him an apologetic smile. Leeja’s fingers gently traced each muscle slowly, her aether seeping into his skin and helping to speed along his healing. Thancred leaned his head down and rested his brow against the top of her head lightly as her fingers glided slowly over his abs and down to his hips before stopping. “How does that feel now?”

“Much better” he tipped her head back gently. “Like the embrace of a warm blanket on a cold evening mixed with an incredible massage” he smiled softly as she chuckled lightly.

“Ah, the famous silver tongued bard hasn’t lost his charm, has he?” She teased him gently.

“I should hope not” he kissed her gently. “Thank you. We should probably rejoin everyone.” Leeja hummed slightly in disappointment as she grabbed his chest piece.

“Let me fix this and we can go.”