Back Again | Agnarr & Dhani
Agnarr moved off of the boat, letting out a low groan and closing his eyes. He rested on his crutch for a moment, trying to settle his rolling stomach. He really fucking hated water. Open water⌠Dhani had tried teaching him to swim once â he didnât remember much of it, but there was a pool. With a bottom. That he could see. That made it a little easier. Plus, Dhani was with him, helping him the whole time. A ship on the ocean was much different⌠and much more terrifying. If something were to happen on that damned boat, Gods forbid⌠He was fucked. He wasnât fond of this place, not in the slightest⌠but anywhere was better than that fucking boat.
As they arrived on the island⌠something felt off to Agnarr, something he couldnât quite explain. He remembered the island⌠the school and even the people, but he wasnât entirely sure why he had this sense of foreboding. Not until he stepped onto the dock and the memories came rushing back, things about the Institute that he didnât remember at all. He had been a slave. And now he was again. Fuck.
He hadnât put up much of a fight when the guards slapped a collar on him, not like he had last time. Too much effort and he knew heâd need his strength. Especially if he ran into Warren â or Gods forbid someone worse. He tugged at the thick leather band, face upturning in a small grimace as his piercing blue eyes gazed around the island; around the campus. Coming back during winter break was smart⌠Get some time off⌠He thought to himself before adjusting the strap on his bag, holding it tight as he moved a little; adjusting the pressure on his leg. The crutches were new⌠ish. And he was still getting used to them, but it was better than the last time he was here, using only his stakes to pull himself.
The man wasnât as quick on the crutches, but it was nice to be off the ground. Taking a slow breath, stifling a groan, Agnarr started to make his way towards the grant student dorms - cells. He was making good pace too until he felt someone slam into him full force. Grunting a little as he stumbled back, almost losing his footing. Canât fall. Falling hurts more than crawling. Falling makes you look weak. Do not fucking fall. DONâT! FALL!
He dropped his bag, freehand flashing out and grabbing the nearest wall and steadying himself, closing his eyes tightly and letting out a low growl as pain flashed through his lower limbs. Better than falling. Always better than falling⌠He held tight to the wall, adjusting his grip on his crutch before a low â almost animalistic snarl escaped him. âSe det! Fucking watch where youâre going! Is that too hard?â Blue eyes flashed over to the others face, filled with fury.
âShit!â Dhani exclaimed, feeling himself trip and slam into Agnarr, having run to greet the young man, excited as hell to see him. Today had started off bad. Warren was in a pissy mood and Dhani had nearly burned himself with his coffee in the kitchen when Warren grabbed him to take his frustrations out on.
âFuck, Iâm sorry!â Dhani said, genuinely worried that heâd caused Agnarr pain, or worse, fucking broken something with his clumsiness. But he couldnât stop the smile from his face, straightening up and touched Agnarrâs face, gently planting a kiss on his cheek, thinking that hugging him would be unwelcomed as he was trying to steady himself still.
âLook at you, you beautiful bastard!â He chuckled, âYouâre upright, holy shit! Iâm sorry youâre here but I am so happy to see you at the same time.â
Dhani was skinnier than Agnarr might have remembered. Not terribly but enough to be noticable, still fit, but thinner. Dark bruises against his dark skin littered his body, a fresh one against his cheekbone, a faded scratch and bruise at his eyebrow. The boxers and sneakers being the only thing he wore other than a thorned motif of a thin collar around his neck was rather notiable too.
âSorry. Are you okay? I-- just tripped, I guess, I was so excited to see you.â