AN: Inspired by a moment from the Cold Steel II drama CD (translation can be found on the official site and audio can be found on YouTube), here's a little Machias/Emma!
H-HEY WAIT WHERE ARE YOU ALL GOING
Unspoken
The relief that Emma felt when she saw her friends and the townspeople of Alster was short-lived, to say the least.
"Machias! You're hurt!" Millium exclaimed, her concern overpowering her natural exuberance, and the witch bit back a sharp gasp when she saw the crimson stain marring the side of the gunner's combat jacket.
"Y-Yeah… but don't worry," Machias managed, unable to keep from grimacing as his hand applied more pressure to the still fresh wound, protecting it from further exposure to the cold air. "It's just a scratch…"
He was lying, she realized immediately as she rushed over, paying no heed to the startled look on his face. Scratches didn't bleed like that and they both knew it.
"He ran into them during his patrol," Elliot added in reference to the jaegers that attacked the town, watching as Emma knelt beside him and laid her hands atop his own.
"Stay still," she told him, doing a remarkable job at keeping the worry out of her voice. "I'll try and ease the pain with my magic."
His eyes met hers with the barest shake of his head, and she had known him long enough to understand, combat link or no. 'It's not that bad. Don't waste the energy.'
She frowned, her thumb running along the rough skin of his knuckle. 'It's bad enough. You're still hurt.'
'You don't have to.'
'I want to.'
Machias shook his head again, more resolute this time. 'Emma – '
'Please,' her sapphire eyes implored, and she knew it was checkmate because he had never been able to deny her anything.
"… Thanks," he finally murmured, sheepishly averting his gaze.
She smiled at his concession before willing her power into her hands with a whispered "Lux solis medicuri eum!" and the sigh she heard when the healing light washed over him unwound the knot in her stomach and banished her unease.
There would be time to scold him for worrying her later. Right now, she was just glad he was okay.
'Better?' she asked with a caress of his hand, and his warm fingers slipping through hers told her all she needed to know.
