The world moved in slow motion as Ikaris watched the love of his eternal life fall.
It was a day like any other, fighting off the deviants. Ikaris watching from the skies swooping in wherever he was needed; Sersi keeping her feet firmly planted on the ground using anything and everything around her however she may need it.
Everything was going fine, until it wasn't.
The team had split up with multiple deviants appearing around Camelot all at once.
Sersi was fighting off a deviant had broken off from the group. She touched along a tree line creating a barrier between the monster and the village.
Despite this, the monster merely saw it as another weapon at their disposal, as another deviant broke off from the group join the other rogue; catching Sersi off guard.
It all happened so fast before Ikaris' eyes, Sersi building a wall before being smacked into it by a deviant.
"Sersi!" Ikaris screeched in terror as he flew faster than he has ever flown before.
His cry caught the attention of the rest of the team, watching their second in command fly at a speed that they would dare say rivaled Makkari's.
Ikaris saw red and tore into the two deviants who were now both attacking Sersi.
Blazing yellow streams crossed the sky, as Ikaris fought harder than he ever had before.
After what felt like hours to Ikaris, but in reality was the fastest two deviants had ever been taken down by one eternal, he was finally able to check on Sersi.
He landed softly, scared to move to fast and fearful of the sight he would find.
"Sersi, love?" Ikaris said in a tone so soft it was rarely heard, and only ever used for Sersi.
He froze, she was covered in her own blood, so much so that he wasn't even sure where her wounds were.
Ikaris dropped to his knees and pulled her body closer to him; two fingers searching for a pulse. He let out a breath when he found the beat of her heart.
She was still alive.
Faint or not, she had a heart beat.
"Love, hey, stay with me," He begged softly as he kissed her forehead. "Ajac!"
"Someone bring me some water," Ajac commanded as she approached. "Ikaris, I need to find her wounds to heal her."
Ajac spoke softly to Ikaris, knowing he was in a fragile state. A state that was very rare for him, and he did not know how to handle well, especially without Sersi to help.
Ikaris nodded, keeping one hand around Sersi's shoulder holding her in his lap, and using the other to attempt to clear away some of the blood and find the sources.
"Once we have water I will be able to heal her, for now keep her calm and still."
Ikaris nodded, but as he did he felt Sersi shift in his arms.
"Ik-Ikaris?" She mumbled softly.
"I'm here love, it's going to be okay. I've got you. Just hold on. Ajac is going to heal you as soon we have some water to clean your wounds." Ikaris comforted smiling down at her and running a hand through her hair.
Weakly Sersi lifter her hand, Ikaris went to take it thinking she wanted the comfort, but instead the air began to form into water droplets.
"Sersi, no you're too weak." Ikaris admonished, but it was too late, she had managed to make enough water to clean her torso.
Ajac shook her head softly before spreading the water across Sersi's torso, revealing the wounds and cleaning away the dirt.
She held her hands over her once more and began to heal the wounds dealt by the two deviants.
"She'll be okay, but she will be weak for a little while. Even my healing is not instantaneous, especially with the severity of her wounds. She may have more injuries that are hidden, but we won't know til she wakes." Ajac told Ikaris softly.
He nodded softly, not taking his eyes off of his love.
"Take her back you your room. Keep her comfortable, and let me know when she wakes up." Ajac commanded though in a softer tone. She knew Ikaris well, and when things were uncertain he did best when he had commands and a list of items to do. He was a soldier, and he liked knowing exactly what to do and did not like being out of control.
Ikaris gently shifted Sersi in his arms and lifted her up bridal style in his arms. Instinctively Seris moved her head to weakly burry it in his chest.
His eyes gleamed with tears as he flew slowly back to the Domo.
The rest of the team watched from a small distance as he flew, worried for the members of their family. After a moment they went started to clean up the mess the deviants had caused. The remaining deviants have been killed whilst Ajac and Ikaris were side tracked with Sersi.
Ikaris landed in the ship softly, not taking his eyes off of Sersi as he walked the familiar path to their room.
He released her suits mechanism and watched as it faded off of her leaving her in just the t-shirt and leggings she had been wearing prior to the deviant alert.
Once the suit faded he grabbed a cloth to place beneath her head as he laid her on their bed.
He momentarily left her side to put water in a bowl and grab another cloth.
He dabbed the water across her face gently, cleaning the murk off of it before moving onto her hair. With her hair dampened her combed through it with his fingers getting any debris and blood out of it.
Once she was cleaned he pulled the blankets to the side before placing her under them.
Knowing she was as comfortable as he could make her he disengaged his own suit and took off his shirt. Using the cloth to clean his own face and hair before sliding into the bed next to her.
He sat up in the bed pulling her head into his lap and running his fingers through her hair as he awaited her wakening.
Hours passed before he felt her stir on him.
"Sersi?" He said tenderly.
"Ik..." She trailed off, her eyes beginning to flutter. "Ikaris?"
"Love, it's ok, just stay still."
"Ikaris." Her eyes fully opening as she realized where she was.
"It's me love, you were hurt."
Sersi winced as she tried to sit up, pain coursing through her as her stomach contracted.
"Hey, hey, don't move. Ajac healed you, but said it would be a bit before you are one hundred percent." Ikaris brushed his hand across her face moving away a few stray strands of hair.
"What happened?"
"You went after the deviant that broke off from the pack, but while you were dealing with it another broke off and caught you by surprise."
"So, that's why it hurts to much?"
"Two deviants means twice the pain." He attempted to joke but it fell flat.
"Did you just try to make a joke? It must have been really bad if you are that desperate."
"Sersi, you scared me. I wasn't sure if you were still going to be alive once I got to you."
"You can't get rid of me that easily, darling."
"Let's keep it that way, though I do prefer less scares."
"I'll do my best, but I make no promises, though that needs to go both ways Mr. Flies-straight-into-danger-without-thinking.
"I'll try my best love."
"You better."
"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you."
"Ikaris, you have nothing to apologize for. We were both in battle, we can't always save one another, no matter how hard we both try."
"You wouldn't be saying that if the roles were reversed."
"That's because I am a lot harder on myself, just as you are to yourself. So I am telling you now, it was not your fault."
"But you are my wife, it's my job to protect you."
"And you are my husband, and I would do the same for you. The only one to blame for these injuries is the deviants. So do not blame yourself love."
"I love you."
"I love you too."
"Though we do need to talk about you using your powers while gravely injured."
"He is right about that." Ajac's voice startled them both as she appeared in their doorway.
"Ajac." Sersi greeted.
"Your husband is correct, just because you can create water from thin air does not mean you should while you are injured and barely conscious."
"I vaguely remember it, I just remember someone asking for water."
Ajac just shook her head.
"Moving on, what hurt Sersi? Some injuries will take a little to heal despite my abilities because of their severity, but I don't know of any injuries other than those we could see on the outside." Ajac explained.
"My torso is the main source of pain. My head too, and my ankle, honestly, everything hurts." Sersi admitted.
Ikaris' eyes once more filled with sympathy as he looked at his wife, knowing there was nothing he could do to help her.
"Sersi, I am going to apply pressure along you body to try and find the sources, just tell me where it hurts." Ajac said softly moving the blankets off of Sersi.
Ikaris took one of her hands clasping it in his own.
"Squeeze my hand when it hurts, you know I can take it."
Sersi nodded holding his hand tight in her own.
Ajac began applying pressure along her legs, pausing only when Sersi's pain level increased. Knowing she had found a spot she needed to heal.
Eventually she made it to her head, touching it softly she began to heal what was most likely a concussion.
"Do you feel any better?"
"Much. I'm still hurting, but it's better than it was."
"That's to be expected, you injuries were severe. You need to rest for a few days, and you definitely can't go back in the field for a few weeks. For now stay in bed, and in your room. In a few days you will be able to move about the ship, but only if Ikaris is with you. We will play this by ear." Ajac explained.
Sersi nodded softly, beginning to feel sleep take her over once more.
"Sleep Sersi." Ajac said softly as she left the couple alone.
"Ikaris?" Sersi spoke quietly.
"Yes love?"
"Lay down with me."
"Of course." Ikaris smiled down at his love before sliding down to lay down next to her after moving her head off his lap.
Sersi slowly, obviously still in pain, moved to lay her head on his chest and her hand on his shoulder.
"I love you."
"I love you too, feel better."
Sersi quickly drifted off to sleep comforted by the soothing beats of Ikaris' heart.
In her slumber pain evaded her, but the moment she opened her eyes the next morning it all came rushing back at once.
"Sersi?" Ikaris woke up feeling her move.
She hissed in pain at her movement.
"Are you okay?" Ikaris knew it was a dumb question but he wasn't sure what else he could ask.
"Everything hurts."
"I'm sorry, is there anything I can do?"
"Hold me?" Sersi asked weakly. She didn't necessarily like admitting to pain, but Ikaris was different. She knew the rest of the team saw her as weaker because her strengths didn't lie in fighting. She could hold her own, but not like Ikaris or Thena. Her strengths were in her people skills and communication as well as her ability to create.
"Of course." Ikaris gently moved himself out from underneath her, helping her slowly roll on to her side before puller her towards his chest. She buried her face into his chest and let the tears of pain fall.
Ikaris slowly rubbed his hand up and down her back hoping to soothe her pain.
"I'm sorry you are hurting my love."
"It's not your fault, thank you for holding me."
"Anytime my darling."
Sersi smiled, she adored his accent. It was so calming and familiar to her.
"Anytime my darling" she mimicked.
"Are you making fun of me?"
"Never."
Ikaris rolled his eyes feeling her smiling against his shoulder.
He was just happy he could help in some small way. He couldn't take her pain, but he could try.
"Go back to sleep love, next time you wake up I'll get you some breakfast. Maybe Ajac or Phastos will have something to help with the pain."
"Ok, but don't leave me."
"Never."
Ikaris smiled before kissing her forehead and wishing her a goodnight once more.
"Sersi, you can do this, I've got you." Ikaris assured as he helped Sersi stand. She had been stuck in bed for the majority of the week and had just finally been cleared by Ajac to start moving around. Physically she was healed to where she could, but the pain was still there.
Sersi nodded as she began to take her steps, but as she began to bear her own weight the pain coursed through her.
Ikaris immediately took her weight as he wrapped her arm around her.
"How about we start with you walking with me like this. It's no different then when you stay attached to my hip when we walk around the cities and the ship and really everywhere." Ikaris suggested.
"Yeah, then it gives me another excuse not to leave your side." Sersi agreed.
"You've never need an excuse before." Ikaris smiled at her kissing her forehead.
"That's because I don't need one, you are my husband and I love you."
"And I love you too," Ikaris emphasized his words by kissing her softly. "Now, do you want to go see the rest of the team?"
"Sure, it will be nice to leave the room again."
Ikaris nodded as he took on most of Sersi's weight allowing her to use him essentially as a crutch.
As they entered the common room they were met with a series of greetings.
"Sersi!" Sprite yelled rushing up to hug her big sister figure.
Ajac and Ikaris had kept the others out of their room to allow Sersi to recover without so many people around.
Though Sprite had clearly not thought her plan through as she wrapped her arms tight around Sersi's torso in a hug.
Sersi's breath was knocked out of her from the pain, she quickly gripped on to Ikaris even tighter than she already was.
"Sprite!" Ikaris admonished.
Sprites eyes widened as she realized she was hurting Sersi.
"Sersi! I am so sorry I didn't think and-"
"It's ok Sprite." Sersi assured the smaller eternal.
While Sersi quickly forgave Sprite, Ikaris wasn't going to let her near Sersi again until she was fully healed. He knew Sersi was masking her pain for Sprite, but based on how tight she was still holding onto him, she was clearly in a lot more pain than she would ever let on.
"Sprite, just be more careful, Sersi is still recovering from her injuries." Ajac reminded.
Sprite nodded quickly before stepped away, fearing she would hurt Sersi more.
"How are you feeling?" Gilgamesh asked.
"Better than I did a few days ago." Sersi assured them.
"Before you know it you will be back out there fighting the deviants with us." Phasto's assured.
"Don't worry, we will save a few for you." Kingo winked.
"I appreciate it Kingo." Sersi lovingly rolled her eyes.
Meanwhile, Ikaris' thoughts were spiraling as he worried about the next time Sersi would step onto the battlefield. What if she got injured again? What if it was worse this time? Or what if... what if she died? Ikaris' couldn't live if Sersi died.
Sersi felt Ikaris tense in her grip.
She discreetly slid her free hand up to his chest, grounding him.
Ikaris was pulled from his thoughts, and looked down at Sersi and kissed her forehead in thanks.
Over the years they had developed their own unspoken language and knew each other better than anyone knew anyone. Their bond was timeless and eternal.
"Alright, I think that's enough action for one day, Sersi why don't you go back to your room and sit down. I'll be there in a bit to look over you again." Ajac told them seeing Ikaris tense.
They all bid them farewell as Ikaris helped Sersi back to their room.
"Something is on your mind, what is it?" Sersi asked softly brushing a few loose strands of hair out of Ikaris' face.
"I'm just worried."
"I'm fine Ikaris. I will be good as new soon. You know Ajac only sent us back here because she knew something was wrong."
"I know, but you may be fine this time, but what about next time? Or the time after?"
"Ikaris, I know you are worried, but I won't stop fighting deviants just because of this one accident."
"I know, and I am not asking you too. I am just... scared." Ikaris finally admitted. "Seeing you hurt, it reminded me of everything I have to lose."
"Oh, Ick, as long as it's up to me, we will never be apart. I promise."
"I promise the same to you. Together, forever and always."
"One more thing, promise me you won't fly too close to the sun." Sersi smiled, as Ikaris rolled his eyes.
"Sprite and her stories."
"At least they are entertaining."
"Entertaining? You aren't the one being described as a child who gets too ambitious and falls to his death after his wings melt."
"But she has a point, you don't need to fly that high, because if you are then you are that much farther away from me. You help me fly away-"
"And you keep me grounded. Don't we balance each other out pretty well?"
"We do."
"I love you."
"And I love you."
The days went on and Sersi was fully recovered and Ajac had cleared her for battle.
"Are you sure you are ready for this?" Ikaris asked for what Sersi was pretty sure was the thirtieth time in the past 5 minutes.
They were alerted of a deviant attack a few miles away and were on the Domo headed towards it. Despite Sersi's constant statements to being fine and ready, Ikaris was still worried.
"Ikaris, I am ready for this. Ajac herself said I am fine to go back into the field."
"But, what if-"
"Ikaris, I won't stop going out there just because I got injured once. We both go out there knowing the risk every time, and we always come back to each other."
"You're right, I am just..."
"Worried?" Sersi finished, Ikaris wasn't the best with his words. Communication wasn't his forte, he was a soldier not a diplomat like Sersi. "I am worried about you every time we fight. This time will be no different, but I also know that I will always do everything I can to have you back, and you will always do the same."
"I will always worry about you Sersi."
"Just as I always worry about you, now let's go take down a few deviants."
As the fight went on Ikaris' eyes rarely left Sersi, ready to rush over to her at any moment should he find any need to.