Chapter Text
According to the medic’s advice, Gempa was only to be discharged after 24 hours of close observation.
According to Gempa’s audacity and preference to maintain his own bodily autonomy, he snuck out of the infirmary in less than 2.
Gempa walked into a room of chilled air, silence, and his lovers tucked away in bed.
22:32, read the alarm. Too early for them to be anywhere under the blanket unless they were engaging in a variety of private activities not meant for the general public, which clearly was not the case. He would know if they were in a compromised position, because by that point the room would’ve been flooded with static and radiation.
This time, only the still quiet greeted him by the door, the metaphorical and literal energy dim and lethargic.
The masses under the blanket shifted, but revealed only Solar. Piercing silver eyes narrowed at him from the bed, his body bent at an awkward angle to not disturb Halilintar, who rested on his arm. “You’re supposed to be on bedrest.”
Gempa shrugged, removing the outer layer of his jacket. As he made his way to his spot by Halilintar’s right, Solar raised a hand to stop him from advancing, brow raised in skepticism.
“You haven’t showered, have you?” he demanded, voice hushed. “You reek of iodine and isopropyl.”
“I’ll change the sheets tomorrow,” Gempa offered. “It’s only for one night.”
“It is for your own wellbeing that I am advising you to shower,” Solar declared sagely. “Halilintar would not be delighted if he woke up being smothered by a sanitized bear.”
Gempa ignored him anyway and crawled in, leaning over to peck Solar’s nose. “That’s a risk I’m willing to take.”
Solar’s face burned cherry red, but he returned a quick kiss on the corner of Gempa’s lip and shoved him back on his side. “We’re going to wake Hali.”
The mention of Halilintar clicked something in Gempa’s head. His eyes fell onto their third, whose brows furrowed ever so slightly even in sleep, and the earth elemental couldn’t resist the urge to brush his bangs from his face.
“What happened?”
Solar breathed out from his nose. “He insisted that he’d tell you himself,” he said. “The idiot foolishly believed you’d stay put in the infirmary until tomorrow, so he retired early. All I can disclose is that it’s related to what occurred earlier today.”
Today…? “The simulated tests?” Solar gave him a look so flat it rivalled an airport landing. “Nova and Blizzard?”
“It’s in the same vein,” Solar hinted.
Gempa clicked his tongue, the pieces falling into place. “Well, shit.” That would certainly explain it. Having their friends serve as walking reminders of their final and original forms would not be beneficial for their morale.
Solar sighed. “My thoughts exactly.”
“How bad was it?” The tight look on the light elemental’s expression said it all. “Maybe I should have returned earlier.”
“Maybe you two should stop making out above me.”
Double shit. “Sorry,” Gempa whispered, pressing his lips on Halilintar’s temple. “Didn’t mean to wake you.”
“See what you did, dumbass?” Solar mused, not the slightest bit apologetic.
“You too, asshole,” Halilintar crabbed.
“Oh no,” Solar snorted, putting his free hand on his chest. “My feelings!”
Halilintar, with bleary, blinking eyes, scooted off Solar’s arm and snuggled into Gempa instead. The crestfallen, betrayed look on Solar’s face was worth every penny and petty word.
(It didn’t matter where they slept, anyway; because they’d always find themselves tangled in each other’s limbs every morning.)