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... We need to get you taken care of.

[ he does not pull his hand away, even if it makes it a little more inconvenient to handle him.

thorns wants to ask what happened. ]

And don't say you failed me.

[ Thorns can say whatever he wants. It doesn't erase what Elysium saw or what he'd experienced. The wounds speak for themselves; that world was real, tangible, and had existed.

But he leans in anyway, pressing his forehead to Thorns' arm, the sleeve there growing damp for reasons far removed from the blood soaked through his clothing. He trembles, like he might lose that arm if he dares to let go, and he tries, truly, to hold on. But eventually his body gives out, surrendering despite his stubbornness.

He really does need to be taken care of. ]

[ it's an odd situation to be.

elysium is thorns' closest friend, despite their personalities being so apparently far from each other's. but they both share similar habits that aren't always the best or healthy. it's why he isn't sure how to react to this moment of emotional openness, and he doesn't believe elysium would want him to be a witness to this.

... well, he still needs to take care of more urgent matters. elysium has to somehow get into this damn water even though thorns doesn't know this. makes them trip and fall ]

[ I FORGOT ONLY ELYSIUM WOULD REALISE THIS

lets go as he's feverish and dying that's the new reasoning now. And although he's doing his best to keep his head bowed, the streaks along his ducts and cheeks are probably noticeable enough from Thorns' periphery. ]

We really aren't going to get anywhere if we keep blaming ourselves. [ will it stop either of them from doing it, though? absolutely not. ] But I mean it, Thorns. I would've been lost without you.

… Do you mind putting me down?

[ he won't argue with someone who is so injured (ignore that he was arguing a bit earlier). although hesitant, he will see elysium down, still hovering and keep his hand against his injury. ]

Do you need something?

[ yeah.

He will attempt to roll into the river. ]

[ OKAY

goes to jump after him to fish it out!!!!! oh my how he drowned his bestie ]

[ are we going to have to ask the mods what happens when someone who is perfectly fine jumps into the river

okay

But his wounds! Look! They're healing. ]

[ in tears

well, thorns isn't really noticing the miraculous healing because he is still panicking and trying to grab onto elysium to get him out.

YANKS HIM... ]

[ He yanks him, but it's a little like the river fights back—he's just so heavy, like Thorns is fighting against the most viscous fluid he's ever encountered in his life.

For all his valiant efforts, Elysium's body still completely submerges in the water, Thorns' hand suddenly holding onto air. Spooky. ]

[ it's like his heart drops down to his stomach, and all he can think of is all the ways he failed him. he thinks of elysium just, a few moments earlier, calling him his guiding star.

anyway he's just going to keep looking for him while elysium peaces out ]

[ Thorns…

The interminable amount of time passes. Elysium himself finds it difficult to stay awake through it, or maybe he is and he's just long lost all feeling. Somehow, it's comforting more than anything else. The numbness; the loss of self. It'd be nice to fall asleep forever. But he thinks distantly that he can't——because there's someone out there who'd blame themselves for something that was never their fault.

He might not be granted his wish, but his body does, eventually, bob up in the same place he'd initially disappeared. honk shoo… ]

[ ah. he immediately swims over to him and grabs onto him to bring him back to the shore.

unfortunately. unfortunately!!! thorns has no way of knowing he is simply asleep instead of being a drowning victim, so thorns will just start doing cpr as soon as he has elysium settled back on land. please wake up. ]

[ CPR? IN THIS SOCIETY?

The first compression pulls a crease across his expression, like he can't quite tell if the sensation is real. He'd been dreaming of something just out of reach, and with a few more seconds, he's sure he could've caught it. But then there's weight on his chest, a breath against his mouth, and whatever he was grasping for slips away entirely.

The second compression hits, and— ]

Woah, woah, woah—! [ —his eyes fly open to mid-third, expression almost comically surprised. ] What are you doing, man?!

[ lively for someone who'd just been at death's door! ]

[ oh my god he's alive

and, uh–seemingly fine? he is not really acting like someone who is on the brink of death. thorns freezes, staring down at him before leaning in again.

although this time it's to just stare at elysium. ]

What do you mean, 'what are you doing'? You just almost died like three times.

[ He looks up, eyes squinting. Just when he thinks he's regained his personal space, it turns out he hasn't—and he's quick to shove his face away with his palm, looking almost visibly uncomfortable by the proximity. ]

I'm fine, thank you! [ saying that aloud seems to knock some sense into him at least, leaving him blinking to himself in confusion. ] I'm——fine?

[ it's a little hard to deny things when your clothes is stained by dried, and now damp, blood. ]

Wha…

[ this is an odd turn of events, for lack of a better term. thorns glances over at the river, wondering what exactly happened there before turning his attention back to elysium. ]

How is your injury? Is it still bleeding?

[ since elysium is so energetic, thorns can only assume something happened in there. although he isn't sure how he would have known to go into the water, but he can push that away as some purgatory nonsense for the time being. there are more important things to deal with. ]

[ He gives himself a quick once-over, fingers pressing along frayed fabric where cuts and bruises should be, only to find no pain at all. He inhales, exhales; that feels normal enough, too.

But when his hand drifts to the base of his neck, his fingertips brush against small protrusions that absolutely weren't there before. His brows knit together for a split second before he forces a smile back onto his face, letting his arm drop back down to his side. ]

… Seems fine.

[ Seems fine. Something feels horribly wrong, but what? ]

Uh. You helped me out of there, right? [ he doesn't remember going into the river—but it wouldn't make sense if he hadn't, would it? ] Sorry for freaking out. I owe you one.

[ ... why is he acting so unfamiliar with him.

thorns just continues to look at him, not quite believing that elysium is fine. but he also doesn't want to worry him, so he'll just continue the conversation as casually as he can. ]

Why would you owe me anything?

You——helped me?

Not that I think relationships are transactional, but I should at least pay the favour forward. You went out of your way for me.

That is just what we do for each other.

[ thorns will kill elysium for thinking he owes him a favor. ]

Can you check your wounds to make sure they're fine?

[ There is a brief flicker of confusion at 'for each other,' but he lets that feeling pass. ]

Nothing hurts, I can tell you that. [ … ] The bite wound's all gone, too. It wasn't you, yeah?

No...

[ why does this feel kind of awkward. ]

Can you tell me how you got hurt?

[ because it is… ]

It's a long story…

[ ......

he glances at the water again, before looking back at elysium. ]

I don't mind listening. You were distraught, and we are friends.

[ normally he would not add the last part but he is so ??? at how elysium is acting right now. ]

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