woodfortono | (no subject)

I pissed him off in the first place. [swiping at his split lip and making a pained little sound as he shudders, breathing hard] It was stupid. [looking up at you sharply] Kotoha, he wrecked me. It wasn't a matter of me not training enough when I was here, or some strategy I could have used--I didn't even see him move half the time.

Tono-sama warned me that he was trouble, but I didn't think that he'd be capable of that kind of thing.

Stop doing that, you'll split it further. [Moving his hand aside again, and holding it down while she dabs at the wound on his mouth.]

He could have killed me. [his voice very soft] It wouldn't even have taken him any effort, he could have just... done it. He didn't even break a sweat.

[She stops what she's doing, rather suddenly, and for more than just a couple of seconds -- holds her breath.]

No, Chiaki. [Her voice shakes, she doesn't mean it to but it does.]

Shit. Shit.

[stands abruptly and walks a few paces, his back to you as he presses the hell of his hand hard to his forehead, his shoulders tense and his chest screaming as he sucks in deep, ragged breaths, fighting dizziness]

Sorry. That was an awful thing to say. I just--sorry.

There's nothing to apologize for, you're just wrong.

[Takes a deep breath, draws herself up a little, moves to clear away some of the bloodier swabs and bandage wrappers so she can continue.] You're going to make yourself worse. Please sit back down.

I'm all right.

[sounding disgusted with himself]

He didn't even really hurt me that bad. He just wanted to make a point.

Then that makes him a coward, and he has to live with that.

And you still need to sit. If you won't let me tend to the rest you at least need to stay still and put ice on the worst of that.

I don't need ice.

[rubbing his forehead gingerly]

I just need to sleep. I'll be fine.

Yes, you do, but you still need to ice that or you'll feel much worse when you wake up.

Please sit.

[his back stiffening before he turns around, his face set]

Fine. [snapping, stalking back and throwing himself down in the chair again, ignoring how the movement jars his entire body, his ribs aching as he sits there and breathes hard, not looking at your face, his hands trembling faintly]

[She tenses only a little when he snaps, tries not to flinch when he slams himself into the chair, but she goes to fetch a cold compress rather dutifully, wrapping it in a hand towel so it won't be so harsh on his skin.

Her hands are still slow and gentle when she presses it to the worst of the bruising.]

[makes a soft sound when the compress touches his bare skin, his breath shallow and shaky as he closes his eyes, swallowing hard]

I know, but it'll help. All the books say deep bruises like this hurt so much because the capillaries under your skin burst. The ice will keep it from spreading and getting worse.

[She's mostly talking to fill the quiet and try to stave off some of the awkward tension.]

[swallows hard, and finally manages] ...thanks.

It's no problem. You said last time you didn't want a healer, so I figured something probably ought to be done about it sooner rather than later.

But if you are going to let it go on its own you might sleep better propped up. It'll hurt less.

[reaches up to grip your wrist, and he can't quite look up for a second]

...I mean it. [forcing his eyes up, his face exhausted and pained] Thank you.

I know. I know when you mean things -- and when you don't.

[She smiles a bit.] You're welcome. It really is no trouble for me. And less for you, now that I know not to use flour, right?

...one of these days I'll stop being a jerk to you when you're just trying to help.

[drops his hand and looks away again]

Not today, apparently.

You're not being a jerk, you're just hurt. And ... probably a little frustrated.

Please stop worrying. I'm not taking any of it to heart, neither should you.

[just closes his eyes, looking helplessly drained]

[Keeps the cold compress there for a few minutes longer before she pulls it away.]

If you want to lie down, I can keep this up a while, keep an eye on things.

...how long was I out?

I'm not sure exactly how long, but you still need to rest either way. You'll feel better.

Not ... great, but definitely better.

I mean--what time is it? Do you need to rest?