Rock Between Us
Here

"I'm here."

There was no mistaking the shock on his brother's face as he approached him. Yet, Yuichiro honestly didn't have time to think about whatever was going on in Sebastian's head at that moment. However, there was that one thought in the back of his head that this , the way Sebastian was right now, was definitely not usual, and he was definitely injured.

He turned, his hand resting on the handle of the blade Marlon brought him before he climbed over, thinking he wouldn't need it as he headed down the trail. Except he did. He moved forward, not hesitating, doing as his father taught him—taught Sebastian as well, yet it was ever so obvious Sebastian, who was always considered better at this, couldn't. And down the slimes went, splattering against the walls of the trail.

And—

"Now I can focus on him," the thought, turning, only—

He stared, feeling a chill run down his spine at how Sebastian was staring off into space, meaning he was likely in shock, but for how long he'd been in such a state—

"Sebastian?"

"I'm hallucinating, right?"

Yuichiro held back a sigh and instead went down on one knee, gently reaching out with a hand to cup Sebastian's chin, lifting his head so he could look him in the eye despite knowing how much he hated that, yet he needed Sebastian to know. "I'm real. I'm really here."

And then there was panic, a lack of understanding in Sebastian's eyes, and that fear of rejection he'd always caught a glimpse of whenever Sebastian looked him in the eye after something had gone wrong, never saying anything. Still, this time, he managed to squeak something out. "Why are you here?"

"You didn't read my message, did you?"

He suddenly didn't know if the labored breathing was because Sebastian was injured or because he was panicking. As Sebastian tried looking away, no did look away; he placed the blade on the ground, ready to pick up the sword at a moment's notice if he needed to. Gently, he cusped his brother's face, not at all liking what was going on, let alone how he was taking on the role of being the older brother.

Except, this time, it was different. "I'm not mad at you."

Sebastian didn't respond.

"Hear me. I'm not mad." He gently lowered his forehead to Sebastian, remembering how it was the one form of touch that Sebastian quickly accepted, as it wasn't too much touching. "I'm here. I'm here because I care, though I admit finding you like this isn't how I wanted to rekindle our relationship."

"I'm sorry," Sebastian muttered. "For being a lousy brother."

"You're just you. It took me a bit of time to realize that, but I missed you being you around me. And Sannon's waiting."

"Wh—mm." And there was another panic.

"Sebastian?"

"Don't want her…"

"I know. You don't want her to see you like this. Maru either, right?" He watched Sebastian's eyes clenched shut. "You're in a lot of pain, aren't you?" Silence. "Sebastian, please?"

"Yes. I'm in a lot of pain."

"Okay. Got it. Please be patient with me while I give you a once over, and let me know if I move you in a way that hurts?" To which no response came, so, "Okay?"

"Okay."

And he felt one of Sebastian's hands suddenly gripping his, an excellent firm grip meaning there was a definite fight there. Still, the other—Yuichiro didn't like how it was limp at his side, having dropped Sebastian's blade, meaning he'd have been struggling to fight with an injured arm, probably also some lower injury.

Which was when he saw the rope, his fingers hovering inches away. "Sebastian?"

"Yeah."

"You used old equipment?"

"No," came the mutter as Sebastian's head began to lull.

"Don't go to sleep on me just yet. This is new equipment that failed on you?"

"Yes."

"What the fucking hell. And, of course, he wouldn't have checked for wear and tear on new equipment he'd just bought! I'm going to…"

"I'm sorry."

"What?" His head jolted up. "What for?"

"You're mad at me. For not checking."

"No. I'm pissed at whoever sold you this shitty equipment. You might have gotten back down the trail on your own if they hadn't."

"I guess."

"It's going to be okay. Your arm and leg are injured?"

"Yeah. I don't think there are any internal injuries, but I've never heard from Maru what the symptoms would be. I'm just tired because the pain is driving me insane."

"I know. I know." He tried pulling away so he could release the flare, only to find Sebastian wouldn't let go. "Sebastian, I need you to let me go!"

"No!" Sebastian's eyes clamped shut. "I don't want to be alone! I hate being alone. But I've got to be alone because I'm so stupid and drive everyone away."

"No. You're not driving me away. I'm staying. I'm staying with you, and the sooner we get you to the hospital, the sooner we can hang out because that's why I came. I wanted to hang out with my awkward older brother who doesn't know which ways what in a relationship, and Sannon hero worships you, so put on a brave face. For her?"

He tried nodding, only to flinch. Then, his fingers tightened right before letting go, his hand dropping to his side, allowing Yuichiro to set off the flare, before sitting down next to him, waiting, tense in case of any more slimes slipping out onto the trail from wherever their disturbed nest was. Instinctively, despite being mentally prepared, he let one of his hands reach out toward's Sebastian's uninjured arm and—

Sebastian responded by entwining his fingers into his, making him turn his head. Sebastian's eyes were closed, his jaw drawn firmly as he mentally fought back the pain. He took a deep breath. "Do you want me to talk to you and tell you things to distract you from overthinking the pain?"

"Yeah."

"Well, let's start with Sannon. She's doing quite well, but do you remember that plushie you got her?"

"No." Sebastian's eyes opened. "Are you sure that wasn't you?"

"I know it was you, as does she. But she still has it. Brought it with you. She only has happy memories of you."

"Sure, I'm going to mess it up."

"Well, I warned her that you're a bit different than other people, so there's that. But she's super forgiving. I guess it's because of that age you're at."

"Stay with me."

"Huh?"

"When they come. I know I'm going to be airlifted."

"If they'll let me, I promise. I may need to do another flare soon."

"Got it."

"But Sebastian?"

"Yeah?"

"We're going to get you out of here."

"Sounds like you're the older brother, huh?"

"No. I'm definitely the younger brother."

"Sorry."

"You're going to be apologizing a lot, aren't you."

"Probably."

"Well, I'm going to keep talking, keep you distracted. So you hang in there. There are many people who are worried about you, so keep fighting." And he kept at it until the helicopter came.

It came, and Sebastian didn't want to let go.

"Don't worry," the rescuer said. "It's just until we can get you up into the helicopter; then, we'll get your brother up there as well."

"I promised you, Sebastian. If I can, I'm sticking with you, and they're letting me. Got it?"

"Well, we'd rather you not go back down the trail if there are aftershocks, but yeah. You can stay with him."

"I'm thankful I can."