First, I need to remind you this chapter contains fem!Sorey.
Second, I ends up writing in past tense, but I'll stick to present tense if I write another chapter.
Tales of Zestiria is not mine
II
Scar
It was already evening when they decided to camp.
They were supposed to be halfway to Goddodin. But groups of hellion kept coming and slowing their pace. Not to mention a message came from Eguille, mentioning that Rose should come to Malory forest to check Scattered Bones' new hideout. A quick discussion ended with them agreeing to go to Malory forest first, mostly because Edna's getting impatient with all those hellions and Malory forest itself quite near from their position.
By the time they reached said forest, the sun was almost set. Lailah's suggestion for camping there with Sparrowfeather's member was accepted without much protest. Mikleo was helping Lailah cook when Sorey came to him.
"..Mikleo, can you help me?"
"Sure. Let me finish this first."
He finished quickly and stood up. His wondering gaze met with Sorey's embarrassed one and his shepherd shifted uncomfortably on her feet, making Mikleo raised one pale eyebrow. She then led Mikleo to far side of their camping site where no one would be able to see.
"What do you need my help for?" Mikleo's eyes narrowed. When his question was answered by Sorey's silence, his mind automatically remember their last encounter with a horde of hellion not too long ago. Most of them were covered in cut wounds from said hellion's claw and beak, and if Mikleo remembered correctly, Sorey got a nasty one on her back which also tore her cloak and shirt. "Is it about your wound? Does it start hurting again?"
"Yes and no.. I just need you help to rebandage it again. I think the knot's too loose..," Sorey squirmed. "And it's uncomfortable."
Mikleo's shoulders sagged in relief. "Alright. Do you want me to put some salve again? Or you need more apple gel?"
"No! It's just a cut. Maybe a bit deep but at least it stops bleeding, right?" she smiled sheepishly. "...but if you can clean it again, I appreciate it."
"Very well," Mikleo nodded. "Are you sure about the apple gel?"
"Yes, Mikleo. Here's the bandage. Wait a minute."
Mikleo prepared warm water as Sorey turned around and took off her top clothes. She then folded and put it aside.
Like she said, the bandage almost came undone. Slowly Mikleo pulled the bandage that Sorey's hastily put before. It revealed deep cuts on her right shoulder. Mikleo also spotted other cuts on her waist and some bruises. The cuts had stopped bleeding, but the skin around the wound was reddened. Fortunately, they didn't seem infected. Mikleo took a clean rag and wet it with warm water.
"I'll clean your wound first. Don't squirm too much."
Sorey chuckled. "I'll try."
Even she said that, Sorey still squirmed on the first three seconds. But it wasn't long before she got used. Mikleo worked in silence, checking his long time friend's back.
Sorey's skin wasn't as soft as other girls' skin in their party. It was neither pale nor peach colored. Scars littered her skin here and there, leaving thin pale lines on sun kissed tan. Perhaps the amount would be increased in near future with their journey.
Mikleo didn't like it when Sorey got new scar. It reminded him of his inability to protect her. Sure he was getting stronger, but not strong enough to protect Sorey if she still managed to get a scar. It pained him to see only Sorey, and Rose, will carry those scars since seraphim apparently unable to have scar. He could feel his chest throbbed in pain the more he thought about it.
"Mikleo?"
Mikleo recalled Sorey calling him. Maybe because his hands stopped moving and circling Sorey's waist instead. Maybe because Sorey felt little kisses he gave around her wound. Maybe because he was hugging Sorey, tightly but still mindful of her wounds. Mikleo's hug became tighter when her breath hitched.
"M-Mikleo?"
"I won't let you," he said. But he was unable to find appropriate sentence to end it.
Sorey seemed to feel his hesistance. Her calloused hand touched his cold one, grasping it lightly. "... for what?" she prompted.
"...I won't let you get hurt again," he said in the end. "...I'll take care of your back. I'll protect you, Sorey."
Sorey didn't answer. Instead, she tightened her grasp on Mikleo's hand. Mikleo himself didn't care, that simple gesture was enough. Sorey let his hug lasted for few more minutes before nudging Mikleo's waist.
"C'mon, you still need to bandage my wound."
Chuckling, he slowly released his hug. Mikleo felt somewhat better now.
"Yeah, yeah. Hold still or I swear I'll douse you."
"You won't!"
"I can and I will, now stay still!"
Mikleo worked quickly. Applying more salve and bandaged it, making sure it was not too tight or loose before knotting the bandage. When Sorey hummed in satisfaction, Mikleo stood up.
"Come on, we should go back."
"Sure. And Mikleo?"
"Yes?"
Sorey gave him wide smile. Quickly, she pecked his cheek.
"Thank you."
