"No, you can't," she protested. "You're in love with me, so you can't call me out like this." * * * Thunder rumbled outside, and lightning flashed. She would hear the doorknob turn slowly, but it was as if the person on the other side lacked the strength to undo the latch.
He laughed aloud, turning to her. "I can and I will!" *** She looked up, getting up and opening the door.
"Oh, really?" she teased playfully, draping her arms over his shoulders. * * * Victor was leaning against the doorframe, his hand clutching his stomach. Dark blood coated his hand and he was shaking, incredibly pale.
"Yes," he said easily. "You're a liar." *** Her eyes widened and she cried out in fear, going to him and trying to help him. "Victor! Oh god, you're really hurt.. Come lay down."
She gave him a cheeky grin, shaking her head. "You've really hurt me," she said with mock sadness. "I would never lie to you." * * * He exhaled, pressing his hand against the wound. "It's not... it's not as bad as it looks..."
He rolled his eyes playfully. "Yeah, whatever." *** She went to help him to sit on the bed, then went to get the kit. "However bad. You're bleeding a lot. I-I need to help that."
She laughed lightly, looking at him contentedly. "Everything feels lighter," she said quietly after a moment. "Right?" * * * He winced as she set him down, swearing under his breath. "I... I can handle it, Nas."
His expression softened and he smiled gently. "Yeah." *** She looked intent on helping, frowning deeply. "No. Let me do it."
She rested her forehead against his, giving him that cheeky smile. "I love you." * * * He shuddered, his hand weakening. "A piece of metal... the thing humans use to bind sheets together. It was sticking out of the river and I got jabbed..."
He relaxed, smiling at her warmly. "I love you too." *** She sat beside him, her hands hesitant. "Let me see."
She paused before she kissed him, lightly the first time, but deepening the kiss the second time, her hand cupping the back of his neck. * * * He hesitated before removing his hands. The blood had soaked through his shirt, but when she pulled back the fabric, she would see an ugly gash on his abdomen. He inhaled sharply, trying to sit up. "I can do it.."
He seemed surprised, but didn't object, kissing her back. He wrapped his arms around her waist carefully, relishing the moment. *** She tried to coax him to lie back down again, clearly upset. "No, just let me. You need to relax. Just let me."
Her other hand cupped his jaw, but she laughed lightly against his lips, resting her forehead against his again. "This is so weird..." * * * His chest rose and fall with increasing breaths as he started to panic. "I'm okay. It's not... it's not that bad."
He grinned. "I know.. I'm not used to it." *** She noticed his panicking and scooted away, raising her hands in surrender. She looked scared and worried, and felt rather helpless. "You can do it yourself if you really want.."
"You're you," she said quietly, her thumb brushing his cheek. "You're my Osiris. This isn't where you normally are in my brain." * * * He tried to grab the gauze, but his hand flopped weakly, shaking so badly that he couldn't pick it up. "I... *squee!*."
He laughed, watching her appreciatively. "I know how you feel. It's very different." *** She hesitated, her expression upset. "Victor.. Please let me help you. I'm scared it won't get fixed if I don't do anything."
She rolled her eyes, raising an eyebrow. "I'm sure it doesn't feel that different for you," she teased. "I've always hugged you." * * * He exhaled shakily before nodding. "Okay. Okay. I'm sorry."
He tilted his head. "I just mean this whole thing. It's different, but good." *** She nodded, and went to help, gently going to clean it up a bit. Her brow was furrowed and she worked precisely.
"It's different, but good," she repeated, smiling up at him. * * * He was quiet, only wincing when she applied the antiseptic. "I'm so sorry, Nas."
