#blood-matted hair
bleeding through the bandages | pressure| blood-matted hair
21st entry for @whumptober2021
Read it on ao3
Title: Just know that I tried
Pairing: 3zun
Rating: Mature
Warnings: Choose not to warn
Excerpt:
They find him in the deepest, darkest prison chamber of the Fire Palace.
Words: 1.942
Whumptober Day 21
“Justin, I’m gonna need more bandages,” Kai calls out. “Gauze, cotton, an extra t-shirt! Anything we’ve got!” He shifts his attention to Demetra, whose shoulder wound fills Kai’s first gauze with blood, what has not been soaked up spilling down onto her dark hair, which stands out against the blue (well, now red) rug. “I am going to put pressure on the wound, which will slow the bleeding, but it’ll probably hurt.”
“Keep moving.” Luigi growled at his sister. His arm was snaked across her waist and her arm was across his shoulder. He was barely keeping her upright. They came across an abandoned building. “Pavi, check if the place is clear.”
Pavi nodded and ran in; gun held before him.
Luigi could barely hold his sister up. He wondered if it was fatigue from running so long or if his sister was putting more and more weight on him.
Pavi ran out of the building and nodded. “It’s-a clear.”
Luigi followed him in and found a large empty room with no windows and a single door. “This should be secure enough.” He laid his sister on the ground.
Amber curled into herself and moaned.
“Let me see.”
Amber was bleeding from a bullet wound in her gut. Luigi removed his jacket and pressed it on tightly. His vision went white for a second. He shook it off. Adrenaline was quickly sapping out; leaving a cold fear in his stomach.
Two men had ran inside Amber’s office and shot her. Maybe they hadn’t realized he and Pavi were there. He wondered if there had been similar assassins sent to their offices as well. He managed to shoot the two rebels but it became clear that GeneCo was being overwhelmed. The GeneCops had been sent to quell a riot at the other end of town. It was a trap. They had no choice. He grabbed Amber and they escaped GeneCo. A hidden escape route that led them to the outskirts of town. Maybe it was a good thing Rotti was a paranoid bastard. Gunshots had surrounded them. He hadn’t had a chance to check if Pavi was shot either. But he was on his feet. Amber was the one in need of help.
Pavi ran up to him. When did he leave? “There isn’t-a anything in the building. Just a first aid kit but-a nothing we can-a use to stop the bleeding.” Pavi’s voice was low and serious.
Luigi pressed against the wound harder. Amber cried out in pain. “We don’t have a choice. Just bandage the wound tightly.”
Pavi did what he was told. He forced himself to ignore his sister’s cries of pain.
Luigi released the jacket and stood. He rubbed his temples as he felt a migraine come on. Fuck. Not now.
Pavi tightened and taped the bandage. “It should-a hold for now.”
Luigi nodded. He couldn’t think. The migraine was pounding in his head. He felt his vision flash in and out. The adrenaline crash plus lack of sleep must have aggravated it. “We can’t do anything but wait. We should take turns resting. Pavi, take the first watch. Keep an eye out for the rebels.”
“Si, fratello.”
Luigi laid on the ground. He gripped his head. It was getting worse. His vision kept flashing in and out. He shut his eyes tight. Why now? Why now when he needed to find a way out of this situation?
“How are you feeling, sorella?” He focused on the sounds of his brother and sister talking; trying to ignore the nausea the migraine was giving him.
“Better. It’s…it’s cold.”
“I know. Here.” There was a short period of silence, “Better?”
“Yes.” His sister sounded so weak. Fuck. What could they do? If the riots were a trap, how long would the GeneCops be distracted for? Would they have planned a bomb or explosion to take them out? Then how many men would be left? When they came back to GeneCo, would they be able to take it back? They couldn’t stay here for long.
“Just take a rest-a, sorella. Everything will-a be fine.”
***
Pavi watched his sister as her eyes drifted close and her breathing evened out. He lifted his jacket to see the bandages slowly soaking red. Fuck. He stood quietly, so he wouldn’t disturb his sister. He approached his brother who was gripping his head tightly. “Migraine?”
Luigi just grunted.
“There’s-a aspirin in the first aid kit. But-a seeing how long this place has-a been abandoned for, it’s-a likely gone bad.”
“It’s fine.” Luigi said shortly. He paused for a moment. “Are you injured?”
“No.”
Luigi blearily opened his eyes and looked at him.
“It’s just-a my shoulder. It’s-a not bleeding. I’m-a fine.”
Luigi shut his eyes again.
“She’s-a going to bleed out. The bandages aren’t-a doing anything.”
“What do you propose we do?”
“She needs a doctor or-a someone who can-a stitch her up.”
“GeneCo is overrun.”
“Maybe not-a GeneCo. The underground clinics.”
Luigi paused. “They hate us. If they’re part of the rebellion, what’s stopping them from killing us?”
Pavi looked at his sister shivering on the ground. “We may not-a have a choice.”
“It’s too risky. It’s better to wait…” Luigi grimaced, “Wait for the GeneCops.”
“She’s-a going to bleed out.”
“She’s not…going into shock yet. We can wait…till morning… See…if the GeneCops…managed to take back…GeneCo.”
“She needs-a help now!”
“I’m…tired…Paviche.” Luigi turned to his side, facing his back towards him.
“This conversation is-a not over, fratello. You-” Pavi paused. Luigi’s hair was strange wet. It hadn’t been raining has it? No, Pavi was dry. Pavi reached forward to touch it. It was thick and sticky. Pavi pulled back his hand to see it covered with blood. His heart sank. “Fratello?” Pavi pressed his hand against Luigi’s head and he felt the open wound. Blood seeped through his fingers. “Fratello?” When was his brother injured? Why didn’t he say anything?
He pulled his brother onto his back; ignoring the strain in his shoulder. “Fratello.”
Luigi’s eyes just stared upwards. Shallow gasps escaped his lips.
“Fratello, look at me. Fratello, look at me, please.”
But Luigi just stared upwards, unresponsive; the shallow gasps the only indication he was still alive.
“Fratello, you bastard-”
“Pavi? Brother, what’s wrong?”
Pavi froze. He forced his voice steady. “Nothing, sorella. Fratello’s just-a being stubborn. Go to sleep, sorella. Please.” His voice cracked and his hoped his sister didn’t hear it. He waited and listened until his sister’s breath evened out once more. He turned back to his brother. “Fratello,” He tried to keep his voice down. “Don’t-a you dare do this. Don’t-a you dare make me deal with this on my own.”
His hand was still cupped under Luigi’s head and he felt the blood pool. Pressure wasn’t going to help. Underground clinics weren’t going to help. They needed GeneCo. They needed GeneCo. “Fratello please. Just-a look at me. Just-a say something please.”
No response. No flicker of recognition. What could he do? He couldn’t carry Luigi out like this even if his shoulder wasn’t injured. And even if he could, where could they go? Back to GeneCo? They’d be shot dead. What could he do? What the fuck could he do?
Pavi couldn’t move. He couldn’t do anything but sit there just holding his brother. He couldn’t do anything but quietly beg his brother to move; to reply him; something. But Luigi did nothing but gasp quietly in his arms. Pavi could do nothing but just watch.
***
Pavi awoke with a start. He was still in the same position he was before. Luigi was cradled in his arms, his right hand cupped around his brother’s head. He was supposed to keep watch. He was careless. The blood on his right hand was crusted. It wasn’t wet. Luigi was still staring blankly upwards but the gasps were no longer escaping his lips. “Fra…fratello?” Shaky fingers reached for his brother’s face. He was cold and stiff. “Fra..fratello… No… No… Don’t do this. Fratello, don’t do this…”
“Pavi?” Amber. Fuck. She couldn’t find out. She couldn’t know.
“Give…give me a minute, sorella.” He forced his voice to steady. He forced his eyes to remain dry. He pulled his right hand back and shook at the blood that coated it. He scrubbed the blood off desperately. He had to pretend everything was alright. She didn’t need to know. Not now. Not while she was so weak.
He stood and his knees refused to support him. He had to remain calm. Amber would find out. He had to remain calm. He approached his sister. “Sorella?” His voice was tight.
“Pavi…is…something…wrong?”
“No, sorella. Everything’s-a fine. How-a are you feeling?”
She stared at him and blinked. “I..I’m thirsty.”
“We don’t-a have water, sorella.” He placed a hand on hers and froze. Her hand was cold and clammy. She was going into shock. “Sorella, I need to get-a you to a doctor. If I hold-a you up, can-a you walk?”
Amber stared at him. She blinked twice and slowly nodded. “Rebels…in…town…”
“I know. But we don’t-a have a choice” Pavi lifted his jacket and the bandages were soaked through. “You’re losing too much-a blood. We have to stop-a the bleeding.”
“It’s…cold…”
“You’re going into shock. We need-a to get you help before you collapse.”
“Rebels…”
“We have to risk it.” He placed his hands below his arms and pulled her up. Pavi bit back a curse as his shoulder protested.
Amber was on her feet but swayed.
He placed his arm around Amber’s waist. “Just-a lean on me.”
She leaned heavily on him.
“That’s-a it, sorella. I just-a need you to stay on your feet.”
“I feel dizzy.”
“Just-a lean on me. Everything’s going to be fine.” They headed out of the room.
“What…about…Luigi?”
Something tight clenched in Pavi’s chest. He forgot how to breathe for a second. “He…He wants to coordinate taking back GeneCo with the GeneCops. He will-a find us once it’s safe to get back to GeneCo.”
Amber’s brow furrowed, but she didn’t say anything.
By the time they reached town, Pavi was practically dragging his sister. “Just a bit more, sorella, please.” Pavi panted. His shoulder ached and protested but he couldn’t stop now.
“Rebels.” Amber muttered weakly.
Pavi’s eyes widened as he spotted them too. He pulled his sister into the alleyway.
Amber slumped further and further downwards. Her legs gave up and she sank to the ground. Pavi caught her and tried to pull her up. “Sorella, please. We’re already here. Just a bit more.”
“I…I can’t…hold…my….self…up.” Her words were beginning to slur. She leaned deeper into him.
Pavi caught her before she ended up on the ground. She lay against him, breathing heavily. He cradled her to him. “Sorella, please. It’s-a just a bit more. We’re just-a there.”
“I…I don’t…think…I…can…ke…keep…my…eyes…open.” Amber shivered in his arms. “It…it’s so…cold.”
“Please, sorella. Just-a hold on. Just a bit more. Please. Please, don’t-a leave me alone.”
“A…lone?”
Fuck. It slipped out. He hadn’t meant.
“Bro…brother…wh…what do you mean…alone?”
“Sorella, I…”
“Wh…what do you mean?”
“Fratello, he… he was-a shot. He didn’t… He’s dead.” Pavi shook as the words escaped his mouth.
“You…you said…”
“I didn’t-a want to upset you.”
“No.”
“I’m sorry, sorella.”
“No… He…he’s…not…dead.”
“Sorella, he’s gone.”
Amber raised a weak hand. “He…he’s ri…right th…there…”
Pavi grabbed her hand. She was so cold. “There’s-a no one there, sorella.”
“Pa…Pavi…” Deep gasps escaped Amber’s lips.
“Sorella, please.” He held her as she grew colder in his arms.
Her gasps grew weaker and more uneven.
“Sorella, please. Don’t-a do this.” Tear streamed down Pavi’s face.
Her gasps grew quiet as she shuddered and fell still.
Pavi held her tighter to him. Sobs wrecked his body. He couldn’t move. He refused to move. He just sat there cradling his sister’s body.
Footsteps approached him. Pavi still held his sister to him, tears long since dried. He just stared forward. He heard a gun cock. He looked up to see 3 rebels standing before him, gun pointed at his head.
“Do it.” He said hoarsely. He shut his eyes and waited.
Bang!
Note: In my defense, only Amber was meant to get hurt and everyone was meant to have survived. I… don’t know what happened.
Whumptober, Day 21 - Saiyo / Kazuko
Prompt:That’s where the blood is supposed to be (bleeding through bandages, pressure,blood matted hair)
Fandom:Naruto
Pairing:Saiyo / Kazuko (Healing Hands OC)
Rating:T (language)
Words:1229
Notes:For@cinlat who gave me this pairing and now I’m obsessed with them
———
It was either too early or too late for this shit, Kazuko couldn’t decide which. He rubbed his eyes to remove the sleep grit, but they wouldn’t focus. Belatedly, he remembered that he wore glasses and blindly fished for them on the nightstand. He felt hungover without the pleasure of drinking first. He hadn’t gotten enough sleep to be woken up by the urgent sound of his pager dancing on the nightstand.
The code didn’t tell Kazuko much beyond the fact that he was needed at the hospital. It wasn’t an emergency in the sense that everyone was being called in, though. Someone had requested him specifically and was making enough of a scene to get their way. Kazuko threw on some dress clothes since it was close enough to the start of his shift that there would be no point to come home after.
Fifteen minutes after he’d gotten the call, Kazuko made it to the hospital. The lights were lower at this time of night, but the same buzz of energy remained. He walked toward the nurse’s station to check in, but didn’t need to ask where he was needed. Growled threats echoed down the hallway, drawing Kazuko toward them. When he rounded the doorway, he found the attending doctor and two nurses arguing with a young woman.
“What’s going on in here,” Kazuko asked, keeping his voice calm in the chaos of angry voices.
An all too familiar face snapped up at the sound, and Saiyo grinned. “See? How hard was that?”
“Do you know this woman,” The on-call doctor asked, furrowing his brow as his gaze shifted between Saiyo and Kazuko with obvious confusion. At Kazuko’s sharp nod, he frowned. “Did you also know she’s a shinobi?”
“I was aware, yes.” Kazuko answered, eyeing Saiyo over the man’s shoulder.
Okabe-sensei proffered the medical file that he’d been reading. Kazuko took it and skimmed over the mostly empty page. The man tsked under his breath. “You understand that standard procedure is to refer them to the Anbu medic. We were going to page—”
“And, I told them no,” Saiyo growled, swatting at the nurse who was attempting to clean the blood off her face. “I don’t want to see her.”
“You don’t get to just pick and choose your medical care,” the remaining nurse snipped, still struggling to get a read on Saiyo’s vitals.
For a moment, Kazuko thought that Saiyo was going to stick her tongue out at the woman. He sighed. “No harm done.” The nurse made a disapproving sound under her breath, but Kazuko ignored it. “I can take things from here.”
Saiyo flashed a triumphant grin at the medical team surrounding her as Kazuko tossed his bag onto a chair and dug out his stethoscope. For a minute, he thought that Okabe would argue with him. It was still night shift, the man could tell Kazuko to leave if he wanted. With a final shake of his head, the man tucked a pen into the chest pocket of his lab coat. “Fine, she’s your problem now.”
Kazuko nodded and waited until the rest of the staff filled out to turn his gaze on Saiyo. Now that it was clear that Sakura wasn’t going to be called, the girl laid back on the bed with a sigh. Kazuko crossed the room to wash his hands, glancing over one shoulder. “He’s right, you know?”
“Blah, blah,” Saiyo mimicked, folding an arm over her eyes. “Can you get over here and give me something? My head is fucking killing me.”
Kazuko dried his hands and took in the state of the girl on the bed. Saiyo’s face was drawn and pale, blood streaking down the left side. Her hands rested on her stomach. Frowning, Kazuko lifted her shirt. The wound that he’d bandaged less then three days ago had a streak of crimson running across the gauze. He frowned. “You reopened your wound.”
“Yeah, sorry about that.” Saiyo closed her eyes, then pulled away when Kazuko’s fingers walked across her scalp. “Ouch, that hurt.”
“Lacerations tend to do that, especially somewhere sensitive like the scalp.” There were several shallow gasses hidden in the green tresses, but the blood had dried and reopened multiple times, making it difficult to tell where the wounds were. “We’re going to have to shave this.”
Saiyo peeked open one eye. “Do it and I’ll kill you.”
“If you’d stop picking bar fights for no good reason, I wouldn’t have to.” Kazuko chided and lifted a cloth to clean the worst of the blood away from the skin. He shook his head as he worked. “Whoever he is, he’s not worth it.”
Laughter slid through Saiyo’s lips, but she didn’t meet Kazuko’s gaze “You don’t know that. Some people are worth the hurt they cause.”
“Well, I may not know him, but he’s not worth getting yourself killed over.” Kazuko pulled the sodden bandage away from Saiyo’s midsection and frowned at the torn stitches. “And, that’s where this is going to lead.”
Saiyo offered a lazy smile, face relaxing as the numbing agent that Kazuko had injected took effect. “There are people worth dying for out there.”
Kazuko laid the hypodermic aside and studied the woman’s expression, wondering what the statement said about her mental state. He had no way of knowing if the words came from a twisted sense of humor or someplace darker. Kazuko dipped his head. “Sometimes you’re better off finding the person to live for.”
Silence answered the statement. When Kazuko looked up to check Saiyo’s vitals, he found the woman’s golden eyes studying him. Her lip curved into a smirk. “Is that your way of asking me out? Because, if so, it needs some work.”
Warmth rushed into Kazuko’s cheeks, half embarrassment and half discomfort. “No, that wasn’t what I meant.”
Saiyo chuckled as Kazuko finished tidying her stitches for the second time. As he started to rebandage the area, cool fingers brushed against the back of his hand. Kazuko jumped and dropped the gauze. Saiyo laughed. “So, what you’re saying is that I have to be the one doing the asking out?”
Kazuko frowned, trying to determine if the woman was making fun of him or not. Her lopsided smile suggested otherwise, but the words left him reeling. It hadn’t been that long since his last relationship failed, and that wasn’t counting the disaster with Sakura. He didn’t need more complications in his life.
“Come on, doc,” Saiyo prodded. “I can see the way you look at me.”
A hand caught Kazuko’s tie and dragged him forward. Before he could think of a convincing argument, Saiyo’s lips were on his. Colors flashed in his vision, and the stale taste of old tequila coated on his tongue. Kazuko’s lower lip ached from the tug of her teeth when he pulled back. Saiyo grinned. “Tell me you didn’t enjoy that.”
Kazuko shook his head and tightened his hand into a fist to stop the tremble that rushed through it. “I think that was unprofessional. This is my place of work, not some bar to hook up in.”
Saiyo cocked her head to the side, her grin morphing into a smirk. “That wasn’t a no, though.”
Laughter rumbled through Kazuko’s chest as he snipped off the end of Saiyo’s stitches. He inclined his head. “It wasn’t a no.”
Whumptober 2021
No. 21 - THAT’S WHERE THE BLOOD’S SUPPOSED TO BE
bleeding through the bandages | pressure |blood-matted hair
⚠️ Read the tags for warnings ⚠️
——————————————————
The mission had been a complete disaster. Kolivan had sent Thace, Regris and Keith out on a mission to a galra base that was supposed to be empty. Of course the second the trio arrived at the base it was clear that it was not empty.
The three blades continued on with the mission regardless of wether it was empty or not. They decided to spilt up that way they could cover more ground relatively quickly.
They had completed the mission and where now all making there way back to the rendezvous point. Thace being the team leader for the mission opened the communication line between the three of them. What he heard was a pained scream and a loud thud.
When Regris and thace arrived to where Keith was he was laying on the floor completely still and blood was pooling around his head. The blood had started to dry in his hair causing it to be matted. Regris lifted Keith up off the ground careful not to touch the cuts and bruises but also supporting him just enough. Keith’s head was dripping with blood as Regris carried him to the rendezvous point. They needed to get him into a healing pod and soon. No sooner did the blood dry matting Keith’s hair did it become dripping wet again.
[ Word count - 220]
“Don’t struggle too hard, whumpee… and you’d better not fall asleep.”
The rope restraints around your neck might not be so forgiving if you do.
