minor injury meme.

[estivates]

You or your meme partner has been hurt, but don't worry! This time around it's not that bad. You can still limp your way out of this mess.

INJURIES.
1. Sprain/strain. How did you screw up walking?
2. Broken bones. Simple fractures still hurt.
3. Cuts. Hopefully one of you has a sewing kit.
4. Burns. Location, location, location. Let's pray this one isn't on your ass.
5. Concussion. No, they're most likely not holding up fifteen fingers.
6. Other. I'm not a doctor.

HOW'D IT HAPPEN.
1. Stupidity. You did this to yourself.
2. Accident. Is an unintentional attack still an attack?
3. Attack. Don't lie, you deserved it.
4. Other. It's probably still your own fault.

WHERE'D IT HAPPEN.
1. Home. Did you remember to invest in a first aid kit?
2. School/Work. This should be excellent for getting you out of doing stuff!
3. Outdoors. Predators like the smell of blood. Clean up asap.
4. In the water. Hopefully there aren't any sharks!
5. Other. Like a hospital. That'd be handy.

Comments

[notquitebeloved]

[For once Soubi had managed to get home after the latest battle without needing any help. Injured, yes. Of course he was. And it had been slow going, but he managed on his own.

But when it came down to dressing some of the wounds, he just stopped, shoulders slumping a little with a long quiet breath. His eyes were closed when he heard his cell beep to tell him he had a new text. Sliding down to the ground, he stares at the text for a long minute.

Ritsuka didn't ask for no reason. But he'd be angry...Again.]

Yes. Hungry?

[Because he'd make himself cook if Ritsuka wanted anything. Go through all the hoops he needed to, but this time he wouldn't shove him away. Selfishly he wanted to be punched for being stupid.]

[pictureslastlonger]

not really. are you doing homework, is it ok if I come over?

[Ritsuka isn't entirely sure why he asks, because he knows that Soubi would never tell him no.

...Well, no. Sometimes he did do that, when he wanted to hide something. And in that case, he'll want to find out what Soubi is hiding, anyway. Even if he might get a text response to the previous question, he sends his next text fairly quickly.]

I got kicked out.

[notquitebeloved]

[He almost wilted over at the reply. And the second. Irony at his awareness of what Ritsuka would do if he said to not come over twisted his lips before he went and stretched out on the floor right where he'd slumped.

It was easier, and harder at the same time.]

Hot chocolate will be ready by the time you get here.

[If he could stand in time.

No, he would. He had to, to at least keep one promise.]

[pictureslastlonger]

[No teasing, no cute emojis, nothing that meant that Soubi was in a good mood. Ritsuka stared at the phone as he walked, wondering what was wrong. Was he worried about Seimei, again? Sad, and feeling abandoned like before? Though, didn't Soubi usually come running to him when he was like that... He wearily knocks on the door when he finally gets there, and tests the doorknob. He rubs his hand against the shiner on his face, which was swelling up and making his vision blurry on one side.] Soubi?

[notquitebeloved]

[Distracted. Empty. Conflicted on everything.

But Ritsuka needed him, and that was what mattered. The phone lay forgotten on a table by the time the knock came, and the kettle just starting to whistle as the battered Fighter opened the door with the usual smile. So painfully a mask, but that wasn't unusual for him.

A mask that fell away at the sight of the black eye and swelling cheek.]

...Let's get some ice on that.

[As if he's not in worse shape. Only somewhat covered up and hidden by a fresh shirt, and the usual way he stood, ignoring any injury. But he'd forgotten to do any actual bandaging up, and the first aid kit was still just beside the door.]

[pictureslastlonger]

[Ritsuka gave a little half nod, but hesitated after a moment.] ...Is that blood? Did you cut yourself? [He could smell blood, he knew that smell pretty well. A frown immediately crossed his face, and he looked up at Soubi.]

[notquitebeloved]

[Soubi also hesitated before shrugging a shoulder a little. As if that motion didn't send pain through him.]

It's alright Ritsuka.

[Right back to the norm for him. He turned away to quiet the kettle as it was starting to grate on his nerves. Just enough to use it as an excuse to not look at Ritsuka as he just knew the boy would find the kit and realize he was right.]

Nothing to worry about.

[pictureslastlonger]

You're lying to me again! Did you get in a fight? [He's so frustrated, he can't believe that this has happened again. He doesn't want to grab at Soubi's arm and make him spill the kettle (they don't both need to have burns all over their arms), but he does grip the back of Soubi's shirt, tugging on it demandingly.] Why didn't you call me?? What's your reason, this time?

[notquitebeloved]

[Again and again and again. How much more could Ritsuka handle before he discarded Soubi just as everyone else had? He felt the demand in that grip, but carefully kept working. Poured the water into mugs and stirred.]

You didn't need to get involved. So I didn't call you.

[pictureslastlonger]

Why? Did you get in another fight? Of course I'd want to be involved, you got hurt! Didn't I order you to tell me?? [Ritsuka shouts, blinking a bit from feeling lightheaded but powering through with his anger and willpower. He can't believe that it's happened again, that Soubi wouldn't trust him with something like this.]

[notquitebeloved]

[Soubi froze at that, at the reminder. Waited a moment, half hopeful. But the punishment didn't come, and his shoulders slumped a little. He abruptly turned, leaving the cups behind, and sank down to the ground. Reaching out to rest hands on Ritsuka's waist, he looked up at the boy.]

Then punish me for disobeying. I was bad, and deserve nothing less.

[pictureslastlonger]

No! I'm not going to punish you! [Ritsuka immediately got onto his knees to be on level ground with him. He didn't want to stare down at Soubi.] Quit telling me to do that! I'm never going to raise a hand to you!

[notquitebeloved]

[He was disappointed, but not surprised. So tired of being directionless, clinging desperately to the last orders Seimei had driven into him. Soubi let his hands drop, ignoring the pain that flickered up through abused arms. He deserved the pain for being an idiot and so careless.]

Why?

[It was simply hard for him to understand, let alone accept.]

[pictureslastlonger]

You know why. [Ritsuka looked for the injuries, unbuttoning Soubi's shirt to find them.] Who did this? Who did you fight?

[notquitebeloved]

[Soubi frowned but let his head tip back to rest, arms limp at his sides. There was simply no energy left, even if there was any point in hiding the wounds any further. Ritsuka would find his side was a bit of a mess, and it really was rather surprising he'd stood as long as he had. And slices along shoulder, along with a clear few stabs.

Wounds that showed he'd not actually defended himself. Again.]

Doesn't matter. It's over.

[pictureslastlonger]

It does matter! Did you kill them? Did you run away?

[notquitebeloved]

[He flinched at the second question. Did Ritsuka really think...? Soubi's eyes closed, frown deepening. When he spoke next, his tone was colder than normal.]

I don't kill without orders.

[pictureslastlonger]

...I believe you. I trust you, Soubi. But why did you let yourself get this hurt? You know I hate that!

[notquitebeloved]

[...He was an idiot. Soubi bowed his head, shoulders slumping as a sigh escaped. The chill seeped out of his voice.]

You know why.

[pictureslastlonger]

I don't get it. I don't need to be hidden away from all of that. I don't need to be locked up and sheltered, I want to know the truth. Even if it's just a fight, you shouldn't be all alone. [Ritsuka tries to get the bandages out, intending to start the bandaging at least somewhat.]

[notquitebeloved]

I'm not alone now.

[Soubi dared to look at Ritsuka again, following his movements curiously.]

Am I not allowed to protect you?

[pictureslastlonger]

That's not the point! I can fight. Aren't I your Sacrifice?