Blood Loss. Requested by Rachfielden-xo with Alan

Characters: Alan, Gordon, Scott

Warnings for mentions of injuries, blood, collapsed mine

'Al? Al, are you with me?'

'Urrrgh.'

'Come on, bro. Open your eyes for me.'

'Don't wanna. G'way.'

Tap. Tap. Tap.

'Alan, please.'

He couldn't resist a brother begging. He was so much like Scott in that regard. That thought caused Alan to frown. Where was Scott? No – a more pertinent question was where was he? And Gordon, Gordon was with him, but where were they?

Maybe he should open his eyes and see what was going on.

He opened his eyes but it didn't look any different than when they were closed.

'S'dark.'

'Well, duh. Mine.'

A mine? They were in a mine? Well, that explained the darkness. Wait – were they on a rescue?

'Re'cue?'

'Yeah. Ceiling came down.'

'Y'urt?'

'Nah. I'm good. Only a knock on the head which my excellent helmet deflected.'

'Ba?'

'I'm fine. You're the one that's injured.'

'Me?'

Alan went to move. It wasn't Gordon's hand on his chest that stopped him, however. It was the pain. And the fact that his lower body was trapped. Hie eyes widened and Gordon shifted his hand to grasp his shoulder.

'Hey, hey. Deep breaths, Al. Scott and Virgil are already digging down.'

He nodded. He was tired. Maybe he should rest his eyes for a little. Yeah, a great idea. Now, if only he could stop Gordon tapping on his cheek. Huh. When did his helmet get removed?

As Alan debated where his helmet had gone he became aware that Gordon had moved further down his side. The pain that shot through him told Alan that Gordon was pressing hard just above his hip.

It was then that Alan became aware of the smell

The smell of blood is unique. Rust, or copper depending on what a person relates to, but with that unique tang of sweetness…

Oh. Oh no.

Alan had been a Thunderbird for years. He had attended far more rescues than he could count. He'd helped many patients with severe injuries. Alan knew that smell.

He was bleeding. Heavily. And obviously for a while.

'Gords?'

'Just a minute, Al.'

'Gords.'

'Hey, Al.'

'How bad?'

Gordon paused, then sighed.

'Something has impaled your side just above your hip. I've patched you up, but whatever caused the damage is not there now to stem the bleeding. I can't check your legs as I can't get the bigger rocks off, but I know that you are bleeding there.

'Can smell it.'

'Ok. Ok. The smotherhens will be here soon. I just need you to stay awake, bro.'

'M'k. Stay?'

'Of course! Someone has to save you from…'

'Thanks.'

Alan smiled faintly and closed his eyes. He was so tired. Maybe, if Gordon was willing to stay behind and defend him from the smotherhens then he'd be alright if he slept in that morning. As long as there wasn't a rescue.

Oh wait – he was already on a rescue.

'Alan, you need to keep your eyes open.'

'M'tired.'

'I know, bro. But you gotta stay awake.'

'Kay.'

He drifted for a bit, only subconsciously aware of his brother murmuring and shuffling around him, but the next thing he was aware of was another tapping on his cheek and a voice he wasn't expecting.

'Hey, Sprout. Open them eyes for me.'

Scott? When did Scott get there?

'Open your eyes, Alan.'

'Sc't?'

'Hey, Al. Keep your eyes open.'

'Ti'ed'

'I know, but try. For me?'

'K, Scott.'

Blue eyes. His brother had such blue eyes. Sightly darker than his own. They were eyes that he had spent his life looking up to, looking in to.

Scott was here. Everything would be alright.