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Ellernate stood in front of the bathroom mirror, chest bare, one hand searching drawers for bandages or a first-aid kit or something, the other holding the wound to stop excess amounts of blood from falling.
He wasn't supposed to be wounded. He wasn't. He's only thirteen. But some admins spotted him and his friend's swords and demanded them returned, attacking - so Ellernate fought back. Of course he did. He wouldn't let iTrapped or Caleb get hurt if he can help it. So, he shooed them away, determined to fight them himself - even if it's 2am and he can barely see. He managed, though, didn't he?
But now Ellernate has a nasty wound and lots of scars, desperately in need of a shower or, or something - the pink-ish patterns on his skin glowing as a warning of sorts.
"Yes, yes, I know, I'm trying," Ellernate rambles out, almost incoherent. He really was trying to help himself, to stop the bleeding. "Where the hell does Twister's family keep first-aid kits?" He questioned under his breath, to himself.
As if he was summoned, there was a knocking on the door. "..Can I come in?" A slightly shakey voice came out, likely panicked from the situation at hand.
Ellernate felt so, so bad. Twister didn't - doesn't - need to see him like this. It's too late now, though - Ellernate already knocked on the front door, Twister already saw him, brought him in hurriedly and shoved him in the bathroom with a "be as quiet as possible, my parents can't know you're here."
That was worrying for Ellernate to hear, but he let it slide as he's currently dying. Slowly, but still on route to die if untreated.
He'll ask Twister about it later.
"Nate? Are you okay?" Twister's voice came again, urgency seeping inside it.
Ellernate forgot to respond, shit. "Y-yeah, I'm okay," He responded. "Come in."
The door opened, revealing Twister, and he quickly came in, shutting and locking the door. He had a first-aid kit in his hands, as well as a bottle of water.
He looked scared. Eyes locked on Ellernate's markings, squinting - why doesn't he have those? no, twister, stop it, this is your friend - but Twister looked away, shoving Ellernate to sit on the toilet so he can help bandage him.
"Stay," Twister said simply, handing the water bottle to Ellernate while setting the first-aid kit on the ground. He grabbed a washcloth from a holder, turning on the sink to submerge it in water.
Ellernate's body almost went limp save for the hand on the wound. He closed his eyes tight, teeth gritting.
Twister knelt before him, wet washcloth in hand, eyes full of concern. "Okay, I'm so sorry if this hurts, or stings, or whatever," He said, coaxing Ellernate's hand off the wound so he can clean it.
Ellernate's breath hitched, and Twister let out a quick but sincere "sorry," apologizing again.
Finally, Twister set the washcloth down, taking out a bit of ointment to put on the wound. Ellernate jolted, cursing, and started pushing away. "Fuck, Twister, that stings-"
"I bet, I'm so sorry," Twister said, trying to reassure as much as he could, "I'm almost done with this, then we can put bandages around it, then we're done fully. Promise."
Ellernate nodded, "Okay. I trust you."
Twister's hands paused for a quick second before resuming. Speaking of, Ellernate just realized they've been ever so slightly shaking the entire time, just like his voice. Goodness, Twister's genuinely scared.
As Ellernate looks off to the side, full of guilt, Twister picks up a roll of bandages and starts wrapping them around Ellernate's torso. He flicks his eyes up every now and then to make sure Ellernate's still alive awake - having him be asleep would make things after this harder than it should. That's all, that's the only reason Twister's so scared.
Ellernate's eyes return to Twister as the other finishes bandaging, putting everything back in the first-aid kit. Twister stares at him back.
Ellernate goes to thank him, but is only able to let out a "hey, thanks-" before Twister surges forward and traps him in a tight hug. Ellernate's eyes widen, confused and concerned. "Ryan?"
Twister startes shaking more, and Ellernate realizes he's crying. "Wait, no, no, don't cry, please don't cry," Ellernate says, wrapping his arms around the other boy. He feels even worse now. He didn't mean to make Twister cry, this is all his fault. He should've done this himself -
Twister shook his head frantically, hugging Ellernate even tighter somehow. "I thought you were going to die," Twister sobbed out. "I don't want you to die."
Ellernate rubbed Twister's hands comfortintly, shushing him. "I'm still here, aren't I? I'm not dead. Don't worry about-"
"I am worried!" Twister shouted, and immediately got quiet due to how loud he said it. After a beat, he continued, "I can't help but worry. You're always out on doing things by yourself, helping us - why can't you let me help you? I can be useful, I promise, I won't get in the way, just let me help, please. Please. This can't happen again."
Ellernate hesitated, furrowing his browns in inner conflict with himself. Heaving a sigh, he gave in, "Okay. I'll text you for help next time, okay?"
Twister nodded lots, letting out sobs of relief, "That's all I ask."
After a couple more minutes of hugging each other, Twister reluctantly pulled away. "I'm going to get you some pajamas to change into," he said softly, before adding, "and make sure my parents are still asleep. Actually, come with me to my room - you can stay. I'll make sure they don't find you."
Ellernate nodded, smiling at him. "Okay."
Twister shakily smiled in return.