Chapter 21
Healing Mikleo
Sorey remained quiet for a moment out of respect for Nadia's passing. He was saddened by the parting of the powerful seraph. She'd said many touching things, and had also saved their lives: and perhaps also the world, once she'd banished the malevolence from him. But more than that, the shepherd realized she'd clearly had a large effect on Mikleo. Moreover, he could tell that some of the pain his lover felt wasn't just because of the physical injuries he'd sustained. It was also because of Nadia's fading away.
But she at least got to be with her Ulric again. They'd be together once more. And Sorey knew that Ulric would be happy to see her again, after all of these years. Wherever they were, they were at least together. Sorey was sure of that.
The green-eyed youth looked down to the seraph nestled in his arms, and tried to smile.
"We've got to get you back up to the room," he said softly, readying himself to carry his love back to the Water Crest Inn. "I'll take care of you. And while you're resting and recuperating, you can read the book about Nadia and Ulric," he said, trying to give Mikleo something to look forward to after such a heavy and difficult event. "Is it okay to pick you up?" he asked, concerned that jostling his love would be painful. Even so...he wasn't sure how else they'd accomplish this.
Mikleo felt numb in Sorey's arms. So much had happened and so quickly. Everything from being attacked, to brilliantly performing powerful arts, to being tricked, held hostage, meeting an ancient water seraphim, and then watching her die, was just too much to take in all at once. He felt like he was still trying to catch up, both mentally and emotionally. He wondered briefly if he was in shock, and he wasn't sure how to start processing.
But when Sorey suggested they go back up to their room to rest, he nodded quietly.
Yes, that's what I need… he thought. Some quiet and some rest...
He found it difficult to speak all of a sudden, and as things finally started to settle down, he found he was far more emotionally distraught than he realized. With the adrenalin wearing off, and the threat of life and death fading away, he was left with the reality of what had just occurred.
Symonne's words were still ringing in his ears. And the burning of her flames still lingered on his skin. And as he closed his eyes to try and get a handle on himself, he saw the frightening expression on Lunarre's face as he threw him to the ground.
His heart still pounding in his chest, he struggled to contain his anxiety. But it was difficult. And with Nadia's comforting presence gone, his already full head was flooded even more so with the new idea that even seraphim died.
Against his will, he started trembling in Sorey's grasp. Then, silently, he reached out a dirtied hand to Sorey's cloak. Closing his fingers weakly around it, he gripped the fabric tightly.
"Take me to our room…" he almost whispered, his voice shaking like the rest of him.
Zaveid and Edna, also seeming like they were in a daze from everything that had occurred, finally seemed to snap out of their own shock when they saw the state Mikleo was in and heard the way he spoke. Quickly, they both rushed into action.
"I'll run ahead and grab all of our first aid stuff from our room," Zaveid said. "I'll have everything waiting by the time you get up there, and I'll find out what it is humans do for pain, since we can't use artes." And without even a second's hesitation, he turned on his boots and started to run toward Tolrin's gates.
That left only Edna. And Edna was looking very different from her usual self. There was no sarcasm on her face, no scowl or disinterested far off look. Instead, the same distress that was on her expression earlier took over her features. Both of her hands had closed tightly around the cloth of her dress, and with wads of fabric in each fist, she squeezed. Her turquoise eyes were more emotional than anyone in the party had ever seen them before.
"I…I'll…I'll open all the doors for you," she offered, clearly not knowing what else it was she could possibly do to help. "A…and you!" She snipped, looking to Sorey. "You be careful lifting Meebo up."
Sorey knew Edna didn't mean her harshness. Everyone had been through something terrifying; as such, there's no way he'd snap back at the small seraph. She was doing her best, just like everyone else.
"I'll be careful," he said softly, more to Mikleo than to Edna, even if he was sure to be loud enough for her to hear. There was fear in Mikleo's eyes, which he couldn't stand. All Sorey wanted to do now was wrap him up and take care of him as best as he could. Such actions would bring both of them comfort. Mikleo needed to feel safe and to have his pain lessened, and Sorey desperately needed his lover to feel alright.
And so, carefully, using his strong legs, the shepherd stood up as he cradled his love to him as carefully as possible. "I'll be careful not to jostle you, okay?" he asked, searching Mikleo's face, trying to be as positive as he possibly could. "It'll be okay," he promised. If he could remain calm, if he could appear like everything was going to be okay, maybe Mikleo would pick up on it and calm down some.
And with that, the three of them headed back towards the inn, Sorey doing his best to be swift but also careful with the injured seraph as they traveled.
Mikleo felt alright for the first half of their journey, but as they traveled, things seemed to get worse. The adrenaline was still fading away, and as it emptied out of his system, the true extent of his injuries started to make themselves known. His skin bit and burned, and deeper down in his muscles, he throbbed from where Lunarre had been kicking him. And his side…
In an absent minded way, his free hand went down to where it was really beginning to hurt. And it was only when his fingers slid into something hot and wet that he remembered the damage Lunarre's claws had done. He glanced down briefly, but when he glimpsed the dark red blood that was dripping down behind them as they walked, he quickly looked away once more, sucking air in through his teeth. If he didn't have to, he wasn't going to look at it.
"Don't touch it," Edna immediately instructed. "You'll only make it worse."
When they reached The Water Crest Inn, Edna kept her word and opened the doors for them. Their group ran right by the front desk, completely ignoring the hostess who had tried to greet them, then tried to ask what was wrong. They hurried up the long, winding flight of stairs, Sorey still trying his best not to move too jarringly. But with it being stairs, it was difficult to be as smooth as he would have liked. And there was one or two times when Mikleo let out a stifled cry, causing his heart to stop for a second.
Finally, they reached the top floor. Edna opened the door out and onto the landing, and together they all tried to hurry down the hall. It was at this moment that they saw Lailah standing outside the seraph's room, looking incredibly worried and confused. But when she saw Sorey rushing toward her, that expression plummeted to fear.
"Oh no, it's true?" she gasped. Immediately, she fell into step beside Sorey, and it was the first time she'd set eyes on her water seraph companion. As soon as she did, she let out a choked sob and her blue-green eyes filled with tears.
"Oh Mikleo…" Already crying, her kind eyes filled with anguish, she looked to Sorey. "Zaveid has all the first aid things in your room. And I know a little bit about how to do first aid without the use of artes. Let me help!"
Sorey winced when Lailah started to cry. This whole situation was nothing but painful for everyone involved, and he hated seeing his Prime Lord hurt like this. She must have been so scared when... But he couldn't think about her being alone in the room, and feeling the malevolence grow inside of her when he'd started to lose it. Sorey knew they'd have to talk about all of that later, but for now, this was about Mikleo.
"Please help," he asked, looking to Lailah with a begging look. "Even though Mikleo's always been the healer thanks to his artes, I did learn some basic first aid tips along the way. But I think we're gonna need your help, Lailah."
Within a few more moments they'd reached their destination, and the team of seraphs entered Sorey and Mikleo's room. The shepherd gently placed the groaning water seraph on their bed, taking the time to brush the sweaty, bloodied bangs off of Mikleo's forehead with care, then placed a swift kiss on his forehead.
"We'll take care of you, Mikleo. Don't worry," he said. "We're all gonna help." And with that promise, Sorey started to carefully remove some pieces of clothing, like his circlet and his boots, then he looked to Lailah as he focused carefully on removing his shredded outer clothing, so they could have access to Mikleo's wounds.
"Alright," he said to Lailah. "Let's do this." His hands wanted to tremble. Seeing his lover like this was impossibly painful. He'd never thought he'd see the day when Mikleo would have to suffer like this. And it didn't escape him that he'd just placed his battered and bruised love on the same bed they'd just made love in not even twenty four hours beforehand.
Sorey took a deep breath, and readied himself for what was to come. He didn't know if he was ready to see the extent of his love's wounds, but...well, he'd have to be strong.
As Mikleo was laid in their bed, he couldn't help but to noticed how all of his friends gathered round him. Edna, Zaveid, Lailah, and of course, Sorey, were all there. And all four of them were looking at him with these worried expressions he'd never seen on them before. Despite the pain he was in, it seemed instinctual for him to try and smile to reassure them.
"I'm ok, don't look at me like that," he told them. "The spell's supposed to wear off by tomorrow, right? I'll just heal myself then."
"Shut up Meebo!" Edna suddenly cried. "You're not ok! You're bleeding! And we can't heal you!" And quite suddenly, she burst out crying just as she had out in the field. And when she did, it was hard to see. She was always picking on him, always teasing. And sometimes…she could be really mean. But it wasn't until Lunarre had started to hurt him that Mikleo realized how much that was all just a rouse. Edna clearly cared about him. And he suddenly wondered…if she didn't treat him the way she used to treat her brother before he'd been corrupted by malevolence.
"Edna…" he said softly. Lifting her hands, she wiped at her face fitfully.
"Stupid Meebo!" she cried. "Stupid stupid Meebo!"
"Hey now…" Zaveid warned, but Mikleo wasn't upset by it. Instead, his face seemed to change into one of sympathy. He felt bad, and it showed.
"I'm sorry I scared you…" he said to her. "But really, I'll be fine. I'm not just saying that."
Edna continued to cry. Lailah walked up to her side, putting her hands on her shoulders. Comfortingly, she gave them a squeeze.
"Edna…I know this is terribly upsetting, but we have to tend to Mikleo's wounds right now. It might be a good idea if you weren't here when we take off his shirt, it might upset you even more. If you wanted, I think you should head back to our room and cry it out. Then, when you're feeling better, you can come back and see him. Ok?"
Edna couldn't speak through her sobs. But slowly, she nodded. She trusted that the others would know what to do, and that they would take care of Mikleo properly. After all, Lailah had already said that she knew some human medicine.
"Ok," she said, her voice quaking. "But you better patch him up properly!" Lailah nodded.
"We will."
Edna looked like she was ready to leave, but then she hesitated. Through her tears, she looked back to Mikleo. Then, with a quick decision, she suddenly hurried over to the side of the bed. Then, reaching out her arms, she wrapped them around his neck, giving him a brief, but gentle hug. While holding onto him, she said,
"Honestly…you make me feel like a little kid…" Then she released him. "Get better fast, stupid."
Then she turned and hurried out of the room. For just a second or two, it was silent after she was gone. But that was only until everyone turned back to Mikleo.
"Ok, let's get that off," Lailah said, referring to his black undershirt. Zaveid and Sorey nodded, their expressions grim. Zaveid took it upon himself to be the one to help Mikleo sit up. More gently than anyone thought was possible for the usually brusque wind seraph, he put a dark hand to his companions back. Then as gently as possible, he lifted him up.
Mikleo winced only briefly.
With Zaveid holding him, it was Sorey that came forward to remove his shirt. Using the same loving hands he'd used only the night before, he very carefully peeled the shirt up from its bottom, lifting it up and over Mikleo's head. It came away with a bit of difficulty, considering it was sticking to Mikleo's skin in places from his burns. But finally, with it removed, the total damage was finally clear.
Lailah let out a quiet, devastated sounding 'oh…' from her place. And for just a second, she turned away. The burns and bruises they'd seen on Mikleo's arms, were of course also all over his chest and torso. And the puncture wounds on his side from Lunarre, appeared much more devastating without the cloth in the way.
"Lailah," it was Zaveid that snapped the fire seraph back to herself. "There's no time to be squeamish right now. Tell us what to do to stop the bleeding."
And quickly, Lailah turned back around to face everyone.
"Yes," she said, her face becoming serious once more. "We need to apply a pressure bandage to that area. We'll gather up those gauze over there and press it into the wound. Then we'll wrap it with bandages and finally tape it down. That will stop the bleeding."
Her face all business, she turned to Sorey.
"Sorey," he stiffened when she addressed him, his green eyes snapping to attention.
"Yes."
"Since you're the only one of us that can be seen and heard, I need you to go out and buy some pain medication. Last time I checked, it comes in a bottle as a liquid. It's something Mikleo can drink to make him feel better. Zaveid and I can wrap this wound while you do that. Then when you come back, we'll address the burns."
While Sorey wasn't happy to leave Mikleo's side at this time, he did want to make himself useful. And it was true: he was the only person in the group that could go and purchase the much-needed pain medicine. So really, what else was there for him to do? Time was of the utmost importance, and he knew Lailah and Zaveid would take care of Mikleo while he was away.
Kneeling, he then reached out and carefully took one of Mikleo's hands in his own, careful to touch only where it wasn't burned, and offered a smile.
"I'll be right back, okay?" he asked, already knowing what his love would say. And once Mikleo nodded and gave him permission, Sorey stood up, and hurried out of the room and through the hallways, desperate to get out of the inn as quickly as possible. He thought he remembered a store he and Mikleo had spotted the night before out on their date that sold medicine. He remembered it, specifically because Mikleo had been interested in the ways humans found to heal themselves without the seraphic artes. It was only a few streets away. And so the shepherd broke into a run once his feet hit the streets, certain they'd have what he was looking for.
When Sorey returned a short time later, he found that Zaveid and Lailah had managed to bandage up the large wound on Mikleo's side. They'd also gotten a large bowl of cool water and some rags. Very, very gently, they were helping Mikleo clean off a lot of the mud he'd been covered in, and also some of the wounds which had gotten dirty. Some of his more severe burns had cool rags placed on top of them simply for relief. But it was clear to Sorey that even in how careful they were being, Mikleo was starting to look like he was in agony. Covered in a cool sweat, his face was tight with a grimace when his boyfriend entered the room, and it was only after he realized Sorey had returned that he tried to hide how much pain he was really in.
"Welcome back Sorey," he said, once again forcing a brave smile onto his face.
In seeing Sorey had returned, it was Zaveid who hurried over to him, taking the medicine. Then, quickly and wordlessly he hurried back over to Mikleo. As carefully as he had been, he helped the smaller seraph to sit back up.
If Sorey hadn't caught Mikleo's anguished face upon entry, he would have known by the way Zaveid was acting how things had really gone while he was away. Zaveid was tense, and he clearly wanted nothing more than for Mikleo to take the pain medicine.
"Bottoms up," he said to the water seraph, then tipped the liquid back and in. Mikleo drank eagerly: a little too eagerly. And by the time Zaveid put the bottle back down there was only one question on the water seraph's mind,
"How long until it starts working?" he asked Lailah.
"If I recall correctly the last time I did this, it was about twenty minutes to half an hour."
"Half an hour!?" Zaveid cried in shock, his orange eyes huge with disbelief. "That's outrageous!"
"No it's not Zaveid," Lailah explained calmly. "Artes work instantaneously, but human medicine does not. Human medicine works with the body. What Mikleo just drank still needs to go through his stomach and be digested. Only then will it get into the rest of him. So he won't feel it until later."
Mikleo was looking distressed at the news, and Lailah's heart throbbed from within her chest at the expression. Quickly, she smiled for the young seraph.
"Don't worry," she said. "Once it does start working, I hear it's very good! The previous time I used it, I was told it blocked out almost all discomfort."
"And when was that?" Zaveid asked. "Who'd you use this stuff on before?"
"What?" Lailah suddenly asked. "You said there's a bird outside the window I should go see? Where?" And immediately she turned and hurried toward the large window that overlooked the waterfall. "Oh there it is! Oh he's pretty! Thank you for pointing him out Zaveid!"
Zaveid sighed.
"There goes the answer to that." Turning away from the flighty fire seraph, Zaveid instead looked to Mikleo, who was still clearly struggling with his pain. "Nothing left to do but wait. Sorry Mikky…"
For just a second, Mikleo's distress remained on his face. But then, he turned his head and looked to Sorey. And even just seeing that his boyfriend was with him seemed to put him at ease.
"That's ok…Sorey's here." Then, propped up on his pillows, he reached out a hand toward him. "Sit with me?" he requested. "Hold my hand. If you do, time will pass more quickly."
Sorey immediately acquiesced to Mikleo's request. "Of course." In a flash, he pulled over one of the lounge chairs near the window and moved it to the edge of the bed, then plopped down in it and took Mikleo's offered hand very carefully in his own.
Sorey remembered being injured when he was little, before Mikleo had known his powerful healing spells. It had taken him two weeks to heal. It had not been easy to be discomforted for so long, and his wounds had been nothing like Mikleo's. He could only imagine what the water seraph was going through.
His heart thudded painfully in his chest. How could anyone have done this to him? Symonne was awful.
Sorey knew that he didn't need to focus on any of that, though. He needed to stay positive. Twenty minutes wasn't too long to wait for the medicine's effects to begin. He could keep his boyfriend company and make him feel better in other ways until then.
"Thanks Lailah, Zaveid," he said, understanding the gentle care they'd given Mikleo while he'd been away. "You guys did a great job," he said. "And the medicine will kick in in no time," he reassured, smiling softly at his love, determined to be strong for him. That's what he needed. He needed a support. Mikleo didn't need to worry about him worrying.
Seeing Sorey be his usual, kind and gentle self lifted Mikleo's spirits immensely. And having him hold his hand may have seemed simple, but it worked far faster than the medicine he was waiting for. A genuine smile replaced the brave one he'd just been wearing.
"Do you remember those few years when we were kids and you used to get sick frequently?"
"Yeah," he said with a chuckle. "I got sick a lot. Gramps was never sure why. Maybe because I was born prematurely," he said with a shrug. "But you used to nurse me and dote on me, every time I fell ill," he said, flashing Mikleo a bright smile, feeling gratitude for the other young man's kindness. "Even when I was sneezing and coughing my head off, or had an upset tummy and couldn't eat anything except broth or oatmeal." And he had a good chuckle at that one. "You were always there with me. And now, I get to be there for you too," he said, wishing he could squeeze Mikleo's hand, but knowing he'd better not. Still, the fond memories chased away some of his worry. Just being with Mikleo made him feel better, and it was nice to reminisce.
Mikleo's smile reached his lilac eyes.
"I used to hate when you were sick, because we couldn't play together. And I was always so worried. But…on another level, I kind of enjoyed it too. I liked taking care of you. Gramps said I was a natural nurturer. I think…he suspected I'd be a water seraph and a healer, even before we discovered my artes."
He took in a breath of air, held it, and then slowly let it go. His body let off a tremor, but only once. Then he refocused on Sorey and his smile remained.
"Remember that time I tried to make you soup?" he almost chuckled, his eyes squinting shut with delight, but he forced himself not to because he knew it would hurt if he did. "The broth was fantastic, but I burnt everything else that went in it. It was like a…a soup of charred vegetables." And then, despite himself, he did laugh just a little bit. "And you…even when you were sick as a dog…you were so sweet…you tried to eat it, just to spare my feelings."
Sorey grinned as he remembered just exactly how burnt those vegetables had been.
"Of course I ate it!" he proclaimed, eyebrows raising in mock surprise. "You made me soup, all by yourself," he stated. He'd known, even then, that to not eat Mikleo's food that he'd tried so hard to make him, would've been horrifically rude. "If you want to talk about sweet, let's talk about you, and how you made it for me in the first place. It's the thought that counts."
That perhaps was a bit of a stretch. It hadn't been very good soup. But he'd loved it, just because Mikleo had spent a long time doing his very best to make it for him, and that made it wonderful soup.
Mikleo chuckled again, despite the sting it caused in his ribs.
"You could've died. I'm surprised you didn't choke on it."
A content sounding sigh suddenly came from the other side of the bed, and when Sorey and Mikleo looked over they found Zaveid seated in a chair, resting his chin in his elbow as he listened to the two reminisce. But when he saw them looking his way, he blinked.
"What?" he asked. "Don't mind me. Please, keep going. What other cute things did you guys do as kids?" And really, he seemed far more interested than he should have been. "Did you guys have cute little crushes on each other even at that age?"
Normally, Mikleo would have gotten defensive, or short with the wind seraph. Perhaps he would have crossed his arms over his chest and told the other seraph that it was none of his business. But for some reason, he was starting to feel very relaxed. It was a gradual change, but the bite in his skin and muscles was starting to fade. And because of that, and everything that had just occurred outside with their enemies and with Nadia, he was feeling more open.
"Yes," he openly and fully admitted. "I've had a crush on Sorey for as long as I can remember."
"D'aww!"
Sorey flushed. He wasn't used to Mikleo being so open about their relationship, especially around Zaveid. But then, maybe he was starting to feel the effects of the pain medicine. Either way, he didn't mind. Actually, it was nice to have someone so interested in their relationship. Zaveid was clearly very supportive, even if he was sometimes a pervert. And knowing that Mikleo was okay with their relationship being a subject of conversation, he decided to pitch in too.
"S-same, actually," he said, looking to the side. "It's been there for a long time. I feel like I was pretty obvious about it too. I'm sure Gramps knew," he said, looking to Mikleo, even as he already knew the other youth's response.
"Mikleo used to wear these tights," Sorey said. "When we were little. He was really adorable in them and his little tunic."
A quick, hot blush overcame Mikleo's cheeks at the mention of that.
"O-oh yeah?" he stuttered. "What about you with your messy hair? Always with the messy hair. I swear you never combed it on purpose. You'd just run around Elysia all willy-nilly, free as a bird, never caring what you looked like. And you wouldn't let me comb it either! Not for the longest time."
But despite Mikleo's objections, it was clear that this was perhaps the thing he'd liked most about Sorey when they were younger.
Zaveid was looking delighted as the two bantered. His orange eyes aglow, grin plastered on his face, he only leaned further forward in his chair.
"Reeeally?" he hummed. "When did he start letting you comb his hair Mikky?"
Mikleo's blush grew a little darker, but his embarrassment didn't stop him from telling the story. At least not this time.
"When we were older and he started actually caring about his appearance. Actually, I remember almost the exact day. It was my coming of age birthday. Gramps had made me my cloak and had given it to me as a gift. I was so excited to be in some adult clothes. I went back and changed. And when I came out, Sorey looked at me…and he looked at me in this way that…"
But he stopped himself there, his voice drifting off into memory. It had been the very start of something so new and exciting. And the little crushes they'd had on one another had turned into something more, something more adult. It was the first time Mikleo had felt that pounding in his chest and that stir in his very core that let him know there could be more.
"Anyway…Sorey started caring about his appearance a little more after that." Looking to his boyfriend, he smiled. "Although if you ask me, he's still a total slob."
Sorey knew exactly the time Mikleo was referring to. That had indeed been the day that Sorey had suddenly and, to those who didn't understand his already-present crush on the water seraph, inexplicably began to greatly care about what he looked like. At least, much more than he had before.
The shepherd felt himself blush, and he had to clear his throat for a second before he could finish listening to the rest of Mikleo's story. And of course, right at the end, his boyfriend couldn't help but jab at him a little.
"H-hey!" he protested, feigning hurt at such a comment. "I clean up nice," he said stubbornly, pouting a little just for show. "I may not smell like a fresh rainfall on a summer's breeze all the time like some people, but I'm definitely not a slob." He stuck out his lower lip for further effects.
Mikleo smiled, his eyes crinkling with delight.
"You do clean up nicely," he admitted. "A little lipstick on this pig goes a long way."
Zaveid laughed outright, and even Lailah who had been trying not to eaves drop let out a small giggle. After all, she'd been there when Mikleo had first said such a sentence at the start of their journey. But as his friends laughed and as Sorey started to loudly protest, Mikleo turned his gaze away from them all and over to his blue cloak which had been discarded unceremoniously onto the floor during his undressing. With his physical pain finally starting to ebb, the medication numbing it, he had more time to focus on the other types of injuries he had: and one of those injuries was the trauma Lunarre had induced by destroying his cloak. His amethyst eyes rested on it woefully, sorrow overcoming his features.
"Gramps had worked on it for months…" he said quietly. Everyone stopped laughing and stopped fussing. The room fell quiet. Mikleo didn't need to explain any more for them to all understand how important his cloak had been. It had been a gift from his grandfather. It had also been a symbol of his coming of age. It had been what he had been wearing when Sorey first looked at him in a romantic way. And it had been a rite of passage into becoming a full blown water seraph.
Lailah, who was standing nearest to it, walked over to the heap it had become.
"Maybe it's not that bad," she said optimistically. "Maybe we can salvage it." Reaching out, she took it up into her hands. Lifting it by its shoulders she let it hang so they could all take a look at the damage. As she did…a piece fell off of it and to the floor. The cloak was in tatters. The two wings on its back were shredded, several of the belts on its sides had been snapped clear through, and there were tears in the rest of it, not to mention the blood, dirt, and grass stains it now sported. It certainly didn't look salvageable.
"Oh…"
Mikleo's face twisted. The sight of his cloak so destroyed clearly was devastating for him. But even as the others saw how it affected him, and even as he turned his gaze away, he mumbled,
"It's ok…it's just clothes…"
But the problem was, it was so much more than just clothes. Sorey knew exactly how much he loved his cloak. And he knew exactly how much Mikleo cared about his appearance. To lose such an item would be the equivalent of losing an important part of himself, and Sorey didn't want his lover to experience such a loss.
"I'm sure there's something that can be done," he said, his face earnest and full of hope. "There are so many fabric stores here in town. Maybe we can find a way to fix it." He'd mended things before. Actually, he was pretty good at making things with his hands. He wasn't as skilled as Gramps, not by a long shot, but Sorey knew how to sew a few things. And maybe Lailah could help. Sorey really wanted to fix this for Mikleo, and he made a mental note to head to town at some point if Mikleo fell asleep again.
No one else shared Sorey's optimism. All three seraphim looked at him with woe. Even if they bought more fabric, it was looking like they'd have to make an entire new cloak. If they tried to patch up the one they currently had, it would be a mess of crooked seams and patches of new cloth over the old.
Unless…It was Lailah that suddenly got a spark in her eye as she ran the cloth through her fingers.
"I think I've got an idea," she said. "But…please don't get your hopes up. I don't know if it'll work. I'm not even sure if it's possible." Turning to look at Sorey and Zaveid she quickly said, "Please look after Mikleo."
Then, without further explanation, she hurried out of the room with the shredded garment. All three remaining men looked to the place she'd disappeared with confusion.
"I wonder what that was about?" Mikleo mused out loud. But almost as soon as he said it, he let out a sudden yawn. He was clearly far more relaxed than before, and if he was tired from the sheer exertion from the day, then that meant the pain medication had finally kicked in.
"Tired?" Zaveid asked a grin overtaking his face. "That's good. That means your finally comfortable, right?"
Mikleo nodded.
"I can't feel anything anymore." And although such a sentence would have been alarming under other circumstances, in this case it brought everyone immense relief. Mikleo still looked like total hell, and so, hearing he didn't feel anything at all was a good thing.
Zaveid stood up from his chair. Walking over to Mikleo's bedside, he grinned down at his travel companion.
"You rest up," he said while reaching out a hand in order to playfully rough up his hair. And even in Mikleo's condition, the water seraph found it in him to wrinkle his nose and try to swat the wind seraph away. But Zaveid only chuckled.
"I'm going to go check on Edna. Seems like she's pretty traumatized after today too. In the meantime, I trust you'll be more than happy with just Sorey at your side."
His boots clunking against the floor, he made his way to the exit.
"Cuddle him up real good Sorey. He'll heal faster."
And before the two young men even had a chance to blush, Zaveid stepped out of the door, and they could hear him chuckling as he moved his way down the hall.
Sorey watched Zaveid leave the room, blushing the entire time. Why did he have to say stuff like that? It was probably true. At least, Sorey wanted it to be true. He felt like affection could at least make Mikleo feel better, even if it didn't actually heal any of his physical injuries. But maybe he could at least chase away some of his other woes.
"That Zaveid," he said once the other seraph was out of the room. "I'm glad he's supportive, but he's definitely sort of a pervert," he chuckled, looking at Mikleo for his reaction.
He seemed more comfortable now that the pain medication was working. But he still looked...dangerously injured. Sorey had never seen his love like this before, and it wasn't easy. He was suddenly glad Lailah had given him a task to do while she and Zaveid had started to bandage his wounds. If this was difficult for him to see, then seeing Mikleo wince or cry out in pain as they bandaged him would have been worse. He let his green eyes soften as he met Mikleo's gaze.
"I'm so glad you're okay," he said softly. Not being able to kiss or to hold his lover after such an ordeal was difficult. All he wanted to do was wrap him up in a blanket and hold him and drink some more of that tea or coffee they'd had the night before on their date, and forget about all of this.
"I know the spell's not worn off yet, but it will soon. Until then, I get to be your nurse. I'll get you anything you want, do anything you want," he promised. "Whatever that is." And he dared to bend down and kiss the top of the seraph's forehead, sure to place his lips on a place that wasn't injured.
Mikleo's eyes fluttered until they were halfway closed as Sorey kissed him.
"That's easy," he responded in a tired voice. "Zaveid already told you what to do." Reaching out his hand, he patted the mattress beside him. "I'm injured, not made of glass. Lay down beside me and I'll sleep through most of this."
Mikleo smiled softly Sorey's way.
"Zaveid's probably right for once: I'll heal faster this way," he said. "All you have to do, is be with me."
Now that he had permission, Sorey was more than happy to climb up on the bed next to his love. He was careful to not jostle Mikleo too much. But he did get as close as possible, needing to watch him, to be near him, so he'd know the water seraph was alright. The day's events had been hellish, nothing like their day before. They'd been through so much.
And as he started to think that too, the emotional weight of everything that had just happened threatened to sink in on him. The young shepherd suddenly felt exhausted. It was hard to believe everything that had happened to them in just under twenty four hours. Life as a shepherd, he knew, was never easy, but Sorey personally felt like today was one of the worst.
Looking to Mikleo then, he forced himself to smile, focusing on the positive in front of him, instead of wallowing in his thoughts.
"I'm here," he said softly. "And I won't leave your side." He brushed some disheveled bangs away from Mikleo's bare forehead, and smiled again, pleased at least that his companion seemed to feel more peaceful with him this close.