--Cultivate--

[eyesofaproxy]

[When Wise was very young, or at least younger than he is now, he'd gotten lost in the forest outside Helios. He was only saved by a passing wandering cultivator, and to this day he's wanted to meet the man again to thank him. It doesn't matter that Helios fell and he and Belle moved to Yunkui Summit, he wants to find that man and thank him for what he did that day. He changed the trajectory of Wise's life, he's pretty sure, and he deserves to know that.

Granted, a wandering cultivator isn't why Wise (and Belle) is now the heir to Yunkui Summit, that is entirely because of Yixuan-shifu and their own unique abilities, but all the same. That man inspired Wise to get with Belle to create Phatheon, a nameless somebody who is able to hire people to handle things the larger temples and sects can't or won't.

Right now, though, Wise is not acting in the guise of Phaetheon. Wise is acting in the guise of a very annoyed older brother being strongarmed into going down the mountain for an annual check up, since apparently the doctors are all afraid of coming up the mountain after last year's run-in with Eous the spiritual monster rabbit. Cowards.]

I don't need to go right now, Belle, really.

Yes you do! And because there's bandits on the road, I even hired you a bodyguard!

Belle...

Comments

[fuegor]

...

[Lighter took a minute to just look at the comb. It was pretty, much moreso than a gruff guy like him ever needed. With all his hair he had been needing a new comb since his last one broke.

So, he took it from Wise gently with an idle thought occurring in his mind: "Wise wouldn't have gotten hurt if I didn't get so close."

Even though he knew logically... that this would have happened anyway, just sooner.

For now, Lighter tucked the comb away. Securely under the red scarf he'd stake his life on.]

You didn't have to get me anything, you know? ... Thank you.

[He wanted to kiss Wise's hand, but he heard more Exaltists approaching.]

Go, now. I'll hold them off.

[eyesofaproxy]

I wanted to.

["I love you."

Inky shifts to make sure Wise is comfortable on his back before taking off. He'll get Wise to safety and then come back to help Lighter.]

[fuegor]

[As Inky rode off a fair distance with Wise:]

I love you.

[Lighter's stand here would not take the Exaltists out. They were way too big. But it would make a fair dent. It would send a message.

As more of them fell in, Lighter stood strong before them. He was massively outnumbered. But he didn't care. He'd tossed his blindfold and bamboo hat aside to be carried off by the wind. Said wind blew his hair to the side just so his anger would be seen by all.

And he approached the enemies, cracking his knuckles and lighting sparks that shot off of his hands.]

Just remember you all started this. You're not going any further. I'll take each and every one of you on.

So, who wants a taste of Hongse Sanren first? Bring it.

[eyesofaproxy]

[It is hours before the fighting dies down. There's an emergency field hospital not far from the town, treating everyone they can.

There is also a very annoyed Belle threatening to tie her brother to the pallet he's on to keep him from going after Lighter.]

I need to find him!

[fuegor]

[He won't need to search far. As a severely exhausted and injured Lighter is being brought in on Inky's back, then on a pallet himself. While doctors are tending to him, he was speaking at least somewhat clearly.]

Hey... if you guys see... the grey-haired gongzi from Yunkui, tell him I'll make it out okay.

[He was mostly coherent if nothing else. Hurt quite badly, sure. But coherent.]

[eyesofaproxy]

Oh thank god. Bring that one over here!

[Belle flags the healers down, moving to let them bring Lighter over by Wise.]

My brother's been going insane, wanting to find him.

[fuegor]

[Well, Lighter spoke coherently anyway. He took enough blows to the head that he was still a little out of it as he was brought next to Wise. He still spoke to the doctors more than Belle or anyone else.]

Yeah... that one, the one delicate one... with the real soft grey hair... and the prettiest damn eyes I've ever seen.

[eyesofaproxy]

[Wise settles down as Lighter is brought over. He is bruised and bandaged all to hell, but he is alive.

He reaches for Lighter's hand.]

Pretty eyes?

[fuegor]

[Lighter takes it, squeezing tight.]

Yeah... so pretty it feels like a guy like me shouldn't be allowed to look into 'em...

[eyesofaproxy]

Even if he wants you to?

[Belle makes retching noises.]

[fuegor]

... If he wants me to, I'll do whatever he wants...

[After Belle made the noise, Lighter felt himself blush.]

Ahem...

[eyesofaproxy]

Belle, when I can walk I am kicking your ass.

Well then stop being gay with a man who doesn't realize he's being gay at you!

[fuegor]

[Lighter could speak but he was clearly starting to become delirious from exhaustion alone. So he's mixing sentences he hears, oops.]

Don't kick his ass... I won't let you. I'm supposed to protect him... I was almost too late again...

[eyesofaproxy]

Lighter?

[One of the healers recognizes the delirium setting in and grabs a cloth doused in anesthetic to put Lighter to sleep. He'll wake up the next day at the Summit, in the healing rooms.

Right next to a sleeping Wise.]

[fuegor]

Mgh...

[He was slow to stir awake. The healers tended to his wounds but some still required to keep bandaging on for a while. It was better to let the smaller injuries heal on their own, after all, and use the spiritual energy on the more severe ones.

When he finally woke up and found Wise sleeping next to him, though, Lighter reached for his hand.]

Wise...?

[eyesofaproxy]

[A small, familiar vaguely bunny-shaped creature pops up from the floor and helps Lighter reach for Wise.]

Eh-nah-ah!

[fuegor]

Oh... it's you...

[That spirit from around Yunkui he'd seen a few times. When it helped him reach for Wise he smiled lightly.]

Thanks...

[He'll nudge Wise a little, wanting to be sure he's... well, still alive. Still breathing, still able to speak to him.]

Wise...

[eyesofaproxy]

Eh-naaaah! Eh!

[Eous bounces a little before climbing up on Wise's bed and poking him awake.]

Mm...Eous, what...?

[fuegor]

[There's a sigh from beside Wise. One of relief. Raw, painful relief. And then a voice.]

Morning, beautiful...

[eyesofaproxy]

--Lighter!

[He shifts a little to get a better look at his partner.]

You're okay. You're awake.

[fuegor]

Yeah... I told you I'd come back to you, didn't I?

[...]

I'm sorry. I shouldn't have let you get hurt like that... I should've known they'd try to stage a surprise attack.

[eyesofaproxy]

You couldn't have known, Lighter. None of us could have.

[A weak squeeze.]

We thought they'd moved on.

[fuegor]

I could've stayed with you. If I were any slower, I could have lost you. I don't wanna think about what I'd do if I did...

[Wise likely knew by now. What really happened to the Cultivation sect Lighter helmed before. They're dead. All of them except him. Because he made a critical error.

He squeezed Wise's hand as well.]

I'm glad I've still got you.

[eyesofaproxy]

You'll always have me, Lighter.

[A weak smile.]

...I can't leave the temple for a while.

[fuegor]

You'll always have me.

[No wonder Belle was wretching at them, good heavens. Lighter tried to work up a smile himself, though.]

... We'll have a lot of time to ourselves, then. As far as I know, my assignment's still going. So I still need to be at your side.