010 Omens of Crusnik
[A: Elementary School (OPEN)]
[What is that sound floating out over the playground at lunch? It's piano music, just basic tunes being repeated over and over again from the open window of the music room. Cain has retired there to study the books that Charles gave him, tireless in his pursuit of being the very best at whatever task was set to him ( Read more... )
[What is that sound floating out over the playground at lunch? It's piano music, just basic tunes being repeated over and over again from the open window of the music room. Cain has retired there to study the books that Charles gave him, tireless in his pursuit of being the very best at whatever task was set to him ( Read more... )
But losing Abel has shaken him to the core and left him with deeper wounds than he would ever admit, and seeing him injured is heart-stopping. He feels as though he's in a daze as he gathers up a bowl of warm water, a few cloths and the work basket.
This can't be happening... why is Abel hurt again?
His vision is blurred from tears as he sprints back into the bedroom and, for one frozen moment, he thinks Abel is dead for how still he is. But then he realises he is still breathing, he's just... asleep. God, brother, what have you done?!
It takes a long time, because his hands are shaking and he keeps stopping through fear of messing it up, but he peels back that shirt sodden in blood again and starts cleaning the wound. It's sad that even at ten he has stitched up his fair share of wounds in the past, though nothing ever this deep before.
Don't wake up, just sleep for now, Cain will take care of you... except this probably hurts like a bitch, and Cain's breathing is loud and stilted with sobs as he works.]
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...
[crying... it sounds like Cain is-- crying. the thought has him putting his head back together a little more, trying to sit up a bit to look at him.]
...Cain?
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Fingers pressing on Abel's shoulder as soon as he tried to sit up, leaving bloody fingerprints on his shirt, trying to force authority back into his voice.]
No... Don't move, stay still. I'm not... done yet.
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[it seems stupid, now -- a rather dumb observation, but it was true and it made his heart twist painfully. why is he crying...?
why does Cain care so much for him? even after everything he had told him... he is still... devoted.
he is ignoring the nudge at his shoulder, sitting upright a tad clumsily but careful not to tug at and undo his brother's work - stretching a hand for him.]
Why are you crying...?
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[There's a slightly unhinged quality to his voice as he pushed on Abel some more to try and get him back down onto his stomach.
It was a deep wound, there was internal injury that he couldn't even see, let alone deal with... he is doing the best he can, but he can't...
He just can't.]
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he looks a little taken aback-- like he'd been slapped in the face by that shrill desperate cry. the surprise is in his eyes, before he swallows hard against the lump in his throat.]
...It's... okay. I'm... okay, Cain...
[mmn. to humor his brother's insistence... he reluctantly shifts to slide his legs over the side of the bed, bearing back to his smaller twin.]
I'm okay. [;(((]
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Shaking fingers continue their work when Abel turns his back to him, pinching the skin together and sewing it up with tight stitches.
He's silent again except for the sound of his tears, although he's trying to get hold of himself.]
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needs to fix this... how can he fix it...? he told himself one of the reasons he made this choice was so his brother would never have to be afraid of losing him again, and despite that, Cain is still--
--ah...]
...I didn't... tell you.
[he hadn't, had he...? that was why his brother was so scared...]
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[He doesn't want to hear it. He doesn't want to hear whatever stupid comforting platitude Abel decided to come out with.
He just wants to stitch him up and watch him like a hawk.]
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[he tilts his head, looking at his brother over his shoulder. he's tired, and he feels as old as he is. it has nothing to do with what price he paid to get 02 back.]
...That's... why, I took the consequences. Now, I can't... die, no matter what they do.
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Can't... die?
He genuinely can't die? Not even if he were set alight or given the bubonic plague? How is this even possible? Yet... he can't deny there is hope in his eyes as he swallows.]
I don't... understand.
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his eyes fall back down into his lap, hands feeling numb around the rosary. he doesn't know when he'd picked it up, but he is so grateful it's there.]
Regeneration... immunities... unless the nanomachines are taken, I'm... I'll be fine.
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He doesn't say anything as he finishes up the last few stitches, but then his arms are squeezing around his brother carefully from behind.]
...I love you.
[Don't scare him like that.]
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he lifts a hand, resting it lightly on one of his brother's much smaller ones at his chest.]
I love you, too, more than... anything. That's why...
[he had to do it, and it was worth the cost. does he see, now...?]
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[He has to know. This wound goes so deep, and Cain can only do so much by cleaning it and stopping the blood flow, he has no idea if there is going to be internal haemorrhaging.
He's still frightened, still trembling slightly under Abel's hand, but it's slowly abating now.]
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he shakes his head, tugging on Cain's arm gently to try and get him to come around for a proper hug.]
Kidney, but-- thankfully, one of ours... does the job of two, anyway, right? [just. come give him hugs. he wants all the hugs.]
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