Who: Fitz, Sebastian and Daryn Where: Sebastian’s House When: March 19th, Early morning
It was the cold that woke him first, but sleep kept calling him. At some point he couldn’t ignore it any longer. Fitz opened his eyes and his breath smoked slightly in the freezing cabin. As he shivered, pain seared in his gut as an angry reminder he’d been shot. Looking down at the wound the bandage was red with blood and Fitz did the best job he could to re-bandage it, though his hands were shaking. He had to get help. Standing up, he moved to the door, leaving the first aid kit opened on the ground. He wasn’t sure how long he’d been out, not knowing it had been a little over a day, and wasn’t sure what had been reported. The tiger? The shooting of said tiger? He stepped out of the cabin and as he started down the stairs the orange tabby took the place of the man. It walked slow as if in pain, but the wound was not visible.
It took over an hour for him to walk the distance between the cabin and town- which never took that long. His mind was in a daze as he felt faint. Glancing at the houses he wasn’t sure where to go. He needed help, maybe Rose… but would that put her in danger. As he walked, down the street, trying to keep close to the buildings to not be spotted, he found himself on a little bit of auto pilot. He couldn’t risk anyone seeing the cat walk to a Faction safehouse, but he knew he needed medical aid more than he could do. Daryn? His mind called out, pleading. I have… I got… it hurts... Fitz found himself scratching at a door and meowing until it opened. The cat took three steps into the room and fell to the floor. As darkness took over him, the form of the cat was lost and instead an unconscious injured man was in his place.
Sebastian knew what the tiger meant. He knew that his information, as uninformative as it was, had dried up. The other mood of him was pouty about it too. He wanted his playmate. Sebastian knew it was a matter of time before Pierce was caught. What he hadn’t expected was the cat man to show up his house. He heard the mewing and opened the door, raising an eyebrow as the cat came into his house. He opened his mouth to ask Pierce what he was doing when the cat fell and turned into a man again. He made a face. The man was bleeding. Fine. He knew how to take care of him. He went to the bedroom, got a first aid kit and headed back. This man was seriously hurt. Perhaps he should call for real medical help.
The darkness faded and Fitz opened his eyes to see Sebastian. He was confused, it wasn’t the house he had intended but he’d been there enough that autopilot lead him there. Again, his mind reached out for help, carrying with it a picture of Sebastian. Daryn. I’m sorry. I can’t be a distraction anymore. He was in pain, but his worry was that his friends wouldn’t be able to finish getting the kids to their families safely.
Daryn had been at the clinic when she ‘heard’ Fitz call to her for help. Wrapping up what she was doing, she left quickly, leaving Matty in charge in her absence. Maybe not the best person to leave in charge, but Daryn thought he was sweet and would be helpful to anyone who came in until she came back. It took a few minutes for her to locate what direction the thoughts had come from, especially since they were weak and intermittent. She was just walking to the house when she stopped short, both hearing Sebastian’s thoughts and getting the second message from Fitz. Staying put for now, she glanced around as she replied to her friend. It’s alright. I’m nearby, I can help you if you need it.
As Sebastian attempted to move his clothes to get to the bandage, pain shot through him. Fitz let out a painful noise, his eyes looking to the other man though everything still felt hazy as the loss of blood had him light headed. “I didn’t mean to come here…” He said (and thought), his voice raspy as his throat felt dry. What he had learned about Sebastian, arriving bloodied at his doorstep would not be appreciated. I got shot. He thought, trying to keep focus now that he was stationary. I tried to patch up… He only had what he’d learned in the military, but that was more stabilize for transport type training. This wound was a more professional treatment required type. Thankfully, he’d find out later, no vital organs were hit (probably thanks to the form he’d been in when shot) and the damage was all something he could heal from.
“And yet here you are,” Sebastian said. Strange. Did he end up coming here because he saw an ally in Sebastian? Or he thought they were friends? Sebastian did not have friends. Friends were dangerous, after all but Bastian? He had people he probably considered friends. He knew Bastian liked playing with the kitty-man but was it enough to be friends? Did he come here for Bastian? His other half would have rather played in the blood than help like Sebastian was attempting.
He sighed softly, “Do you think I can get you up? I can move you to the couch? Maybe more comfortable than the floor?”
Although she should have been more cautious, Daryn moved straight for the house and to the door when she’d heard that Fitz was shot and in need of help. The door was still slightly ajar, and despite her better judgement, she stepped inside. Something told her Sebastian may not take kindly to her just walking into his home, but that could be dealt with later. She stepped over to the two men and knelt beside Fitz to assess his injuries as she ‘spoke’ to both of them. Don’t move yet. Let me check for internal injuries. Were you able to get the bullet out, and in one piece?
Fitz shook his head. “No… just tried to stop the bleeding.” He said, hissing slightly as every small movement seemed to be painful. He felt warm, but the sweat on his forehead made him feel cold. He tried to focus on Daryn and what she was asking and doing, but kept feeling light headed and distracted. “I’m sorry… I failed.” He said, his voice almost dream like which made it clear he wasn’t completely there.
Daryn frowned, gently examining the wound. When were you shot? This isn’t a fresh wound, there may be infection. I’ll have to remove the bullet, hopefully it’s intact, and heal you. She knew that neither of them knew about her healing ability, but now was not the time to worry about things like that. She ignored his comment about failing, that wasn’t even a consideration. He’d done what he said he would, that was not failure.
Sebastian moved back when Daryn arrived. He should have noticed the door but perhaps it was good it was opened. How else would Daryn gotten in? She knew what she was doing and he had no idea and missing half the conversation. So he stayed back, not really involved in this part. He could not heal. He frowned. He had not seen healing in her profile. Was she the mysterious healer in their mist? He would have to find out more later.
“What do you need?” Sebastian asked Daryn. Not that he had much to help her.
Fitz shook his head. “No… it’s still there. Stabilize and stop the bleeding.” He said as if reciting a mantra. “Yesterday? No… Day before?” Fitz winced. “What day is it? I don’t know… I blacked out.” He’d been running around for a week he’d lost track of the days in the first place, blacking out didn’t help, but he may not have known the day in the first place.
Looking up to Sebastian, Daryn hesitated before responding to his question. Tweezers, or something small like that so I can remove the bullet. Once I get it out, he’ll need rest and plenty of fluids, so I’ll probably need some help getting him somewhere. One of the safehouses would be best, but if not, she’d take Fitz to the clinic and do her best to keep him hidden there. Returning her attention to Fitz, she nodded in response to his reply. Don’t worry about it. It’ll just hurt for a little longer and then you’ll feel better and can get some rest.
Sebastian nodded. He got up and went to the bathroom. That he had something for her. He even had pretty knives if she needed it but he decided to keep that quiet. He found her tweezers, some clean bandaids and antiseptic. He paused, going to his room and pouring some holy water over the tweezers. He was running out but perhaps they needed some additional luck. He carried the stuff out and asked, “Do you need to do it here? Or some other surface?” Not necessarily the floor but at least the floor would be easy to wash.
Daryn nodded in thanks as Sebastian handed her the things she needed to clean the wound. It’s best to just do it here and now and then move him after the wound is healed. She returned her attention to Fitz, going to work quickly but with careful precision. She ripped a piece of fabric from her coat and handed it over to Sebastian. He might want to bite down on this, this is going to hurt. She carefully cleaned the wound and used the tweezers to remove the bullet, which thankfully, was still in one piece. Once she was sure there were no other bullets or wounds, and everything looked clear, she set the things aside and lay her hands directly on top of the wound. A cool, soothing feeling spread from the injury and outward across his whole body, and within minutes, the wound was completely healed.
Sitting back on her heels as the color drained from her face, Daryn’s jaw tensed as she took on the pain from the injury. She was sure that Fitz would be too exhausted to really process what she’d done and what she was saying now, so she directed her words to Sebastian, unsure why he would care. He’ll be weak from the blood loss, and need fluids and rest. I’ll bring him antibiotics just to be safe.
Sebastian watched Daryn heal Fitz. He ignored the bloodied instruments on the floor. They could be cleaned later. Perhaps now was not the time to bring it up but it wasn’t like Sebastian was going to go on Daryn’s turf later to have this conversation.
“You have healing abilities that you have not disclosed,” he said softly. Did he expect her to ignore his question. Yes, actually. Perhaps he should return his focus on Pierce.
The pain lessened and he wasn’t sure why. His brow furrowed at he looked up at Daryn. She’d just knowingly put herself at risk for him. But why? She had someone who needed her someone more important. The thoughts swirled around like swimming in water as he wasn’t as in as much pain, but was still a little out of it. “Daryn…” He started, not knowing what to say.
Taking a deep breath, she stood slowly, collecting the mess she’d made. Looking to Fitz, she offered a weak smile. Feeling a bit better now? Maybe now we should get you up and seated properly. Turning her attention to Sebastian, she just nodded to his observation. I suppose now I’ll have to disclose it. There were other secrets she was more invested in keeping at this point, even though reporting her unknown ability wasn’t likely to go over well.
Sebastian kept his gaze on Daryn and replied, “They are already watching you carefully. They will not like what secrets you have.” He turned his gaze back to Pierce. He supposed he had nowhere else to stay. He would not turn him away. Not yet.
Fitz slowly started to move, rolling to his side slightly to push himself up. “They’re looking for me. I should…” He tried to focus, but was too weak to change shapes. Of course none of the guards had actually seen him as a human, but changing from a large cat to small and vice versa had definitely let them know an rouge mutant was on the island. “Go…” he frowned. “I can’t change.” Fitz muttered to himself.
Daryn watched Sebastian for a moment before offering a slight shrug to his comment. I’ve never been one of their favorites so this won’t change things in my favor. She ignored the searing pain in her side and helped Fitz to move carefully. I’ll find somewhere for you to rest, you shouldn’t be changing or going far until you have more energy.
Sebastian rolled his eyes and said, “It would be unwise to move him. He can stay here. Both of you. It would be better for everyone.” He wasn’t suggesting. He supposed he could make up the couch for Pierce. He knelt next to Pierce, “Come. I will find somewhere soft for you.”
With Sebastian’s help Fitz got to his feet. It took him a moment before he felt stable. He gave Daryn a look and waited a moment before thinking directly at her. Did it help? Are they safe? His eyes flicked to Sebastian, he was half expecting guards to show up any moment since he’d stumbled to his house instead of Rose’s. But the man was offering him a place to stay. “Thank you.” He said softly.
Daryn just arched a brow at Sebastian and took a step back to let him help Fitz. She didn’t even consider responding to the man’s thoughts, not here and not now. I’ll go get you some medication from the clinic. Just rest, and plenty of fluids and you’ll feel more like yourself in no time. She turned for the door, planning to leave as suddenly as she’d entered.
“Daryn,” Sebastian said, “Perhaps you should stay.” He did not explain further until he got Pierce on the couch. He looked back to see if Daryn stayed or if she would leave. He looked to Pierce and said, “Rest.”
Pausing at the door, Daryn sighed and looked back to the two. It was getting more difficult to hide the pain now and she really didn’t want either of them to see that. I really shouldn’t, I have work to get back to. If either of you need anything, you know how to contact me.
Sebastian debated on pushing. He could lord the fact that he had something on her but he opted not to. Now was not the time. He would make decisions later. He nodded and said, “We should talk later then.” He doubted she would contact him but he would put it out there.
Fitz’s face made it clear how sorry he was for dragging Daryn into this now that the fog was slowly lifting from his head. He rested back onto the couch and fought his eyes closing. Daryn may have been right about the fluids, as the gut pain faded and the fog lifted he realized a headache was threatening on the horizon and it had probably been a day or so since he’d had anything to drink or eat.
Once Daryn was gone he looked to Sebastian. “Once I can change I’ll be gone. So, if you’re going to report me…” his voice was weak as he spoke but the words were certain.
Sebastian raised an eyebrow at Pierce and said, “I thought I told you to rest. We’ll worry about the rest later,” he paused and looked at Pierce, “You’re an idiot, by the way.”
He closed his eyes and let out a weak breathy laugh. “So I’ve been told.”