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When his senses came back to him, Veigas knew something was off.
He swore he could feel something grumbling around him but his eyes were too painful to open and check. Worst, he felt trapped like if he was back in the prison.
'What the hell?'
'what's happening?'
He couldn't remember when he slept. He was sure it didn't happen though, not if he considered his last memories. There was no way in hell he felt asleep in front of these low-lifes!
He was most likely lying on the ground which was probably why his back was hurting. The burning scent in the air was slightly comforting to him but it didn't dismiss his uneasiness. Where was he? He swore the last time he was conscious, he still was at the camp with the fools, laying on some tree branch and mocking their recklessness while they debated about what to cook. He also remembered Dio snickering in response. After this, everything was only blur.
He tried to force his eyes open and was instantly assaulted by dizziness. He couldn't believe how weak he felt right now. Even the seal never gave him such feeling and he hated this.
'What the fuck happened?!'
He blinked a few times, trying to open his eyes more and more, fighting against the drowning feeling. His vision first came blurry. He could already tell there was something above him... Wait... Wasn't it someone instead? He paled.
'Who dare...'
Alarmed, the demon tried to focus. Soon, he could define a face with a spiky mop of dark hair. It really was someone. And this someone was trapping him on the ground with its whole bigger body for some reason. His eyes crossed those of his captor and widened when he finally recognized the face of Sieghart.
A hand was instantly clamped over his mouth when he opened it to scream his indignation making him utterly shocked by the boldness of the act. After all the humiliations he endured lately, it definitely was the worst. He was a demon king for fuck's sake, no one was allowed to touch him, even less some lowly human.
The mind of the smaller man ran wild with rage, forgetting his dizziness for a second. He tried to remove the offending hand but he had never been physically strong enough and sure wasn't even better right now. He tried to bite the hand instead but the other shushed him with a finger to his own lips.
'The hell?'
Veigas could now see that the human was alert, seemingly listening around him carefully. There was a sudden leaves rustling and the nuisance quickly closed the gap between their bodies to hide to the demon dismay.
"Where are they?" An unknown voice shouted.
"I think they went this way!" Another voice answered.
'Were they hiding?' But most importantly...
His heart was beating hard in his chest, the anger rising up even more. No, no, the human was too close, the demon didn't like this one bit. He tried to break free of the hand without success.
"Stop moving, asshole..." The bigger male whispered, clearly annoyed.
The demon was just furious now but he stayed still, not really wishing to attract attention. They waited for the two voices to disappear then the Highlander lifted himself a bit.
"Get the fuck off me, bastard!" Veigas growled.
He pushed hard against the human and sat up, repressing a need to vomit because of the daze. The other complied and stared at him harshly.
"That's how you always repay those who save you. You insult them?"
"I didn't ask anything. What the hell is even happening anyway?"
"We're attacked, can't you tell?!"
"By whom?"
"Hell if I know! I can only tell it was some demon bastards like you!"
The small demon was feeling really sick right now. It really was the worst. He had many enemies and the last thing he wanted was to look weak in front of one of them. The human gave him a slightly concerned look.
"You okay? You're really pale..."
"I'm fine! Where are the others?" 'Where is Dio?', he especially wanted to ask.
"Don't know. I lost sight of them at the very second everything exploded."
Veigas gave him a very confused look.
"You... You don't remember?" Sieghart asked in disbelief.
"So far, the only thing I remember is you all acting like morons at the camp then the moment after, it was you lying down on my person! Why the hell did you do this anyway ? Do you have a fucking death wish?"
"Hey, calm down. I had no choice since our hiding place isn't really large!"
The demon could see it was true considering the small bush hiding them but it didn't lessen his offense.
"You really have no recollection of what happened since the attack?" The Highlander asked, unsure.
"..."
"I see..." Sieghart scratched his head "Well... You kinda flew and you lost a lot of blood so I guess it was predictable."
"Say what?!"
"The explosion, it blow us all. That's why I don't know where are the others..."
So that's why he was so light-headed. He checked his body but frowned because he could see the blood on his clothing but his injuries were nowhere in sight.
The demon watched the human suspiciously.
"Why did you help me?"
"Wasn't because I wanted to! I just happened to stumble on your sorry ass when trying to breach through our attackers."
"You still had the choice to leave me behind."
"Thanks but having Dio on my back because I let you die doesn't appeal me."
"So you fear him." The little demon smirked "Now that's pitiful."
"Oh, please!" Sieghart cringed "I'm more worried to have to deal with Elesis for disturbing the group."
"If you say so." Veigas continued grinning, not convinced at all.
"Stop that. I do not fear Dio nor you, I can kick your asses without a problem."
There was another sound not far from there and before the demon knew what was happening, he was yet again pinned on the ground. Before he could complain, Sieghart grimaced and told him:
"It makes me really uncomfortable too so bear with me for now!"
"You sure he went this way?" A new voice rose.
"Yes! We should find and finish that little shit right now!" The second voice answered.
"But Pino asked to not harm him." A third voice worried.
"To hell with what that freaky bastard want, we're doing this for the sake of our queen! "
"Yeah, the others are away and he must be injured, it will be an easy kill!"
The hunters went away.
"I think they're after you." The Highlander said while putting distance again with the demon. "You're not really popular even with your own kind, aren't you?"
Veigas brushed the mockery off.
"I swear, if you touch me again, you'll go back to your friends in pieces!" He snarled, trembling.
It was too much for him. Despite the explanations and the present situation, he still was at loss and even more angry. He was sure the human was messing with him to humiliate him further. They were enemies after all, it was more believable than having one of his sworn enemies saving him... Again.
"Don't be noisy or our enemies will come back! I still haven't got the time to rest since the attack!"
"You should have chosen a better place to hide to begin with."
"Well yeah, but it's hard to move with your unconscious ass without getting unwanted attention!"
"Don't use me to justify your own incompetence!"
"Tsk. I should have left you, so ungrateful..."
"Why didn't you do it then, you moron!"
"I wish I did, really!"
The Highlander looked around and got up.
"Since you're awake, it's time to move. We have to look after the others."
Veigas sighed. He tried to get up as well but the vertigo overtook him and he remained unable to push himself on his legs. It was so bad. He couldn't bear the idea of looking weak in front of his enemy. No more. It was mental suffering.
"You go ahead, I'll follow." He said, trying to look nonchalant.
"You sure?"
"Don't make me repeat again..."
Sieghart looked at the smaller male carefully. He turned to walk away but stopped quickly and came back with a frown.
"I can't left you there, it's the best idea to get you killed. I'll carry you!"
"Oh hell no!" The demon withdrew from the advancing hands.
"I saw you couldn't even lift yourself. You lost too much blood, I'm sure you'll not be able to move or defend yourself."
"Want me to blow you up so we can be sure?"
"Stop acting like a fucking child for once! I already carried you thus far so it's not like if it will be a first for you."
"Wait..."
"What now?"
"How long was I out?"
"A quarter of an hour, maybe twenty minutes? I didn't count. You were still conscious when I found you though."
The demon cringed even more. He didn't remember any of it. How could he fall unconscious in front of his hated ally? Since he had been sealed, his whole world was upside dow, still he had succeeded to keep some dignity, but now...
The Highlander crouched near him.
"Look, you hate me and I hate you, but we agreed to be allies, okay? So I can't leave you when you need help."
"... Fine."
"Huh?! Really?" Sieghart said, half surprised half relieved.
"You must be pretty pleased to see me at my worst, aren't you?"
"I would if I had been the one who to put you down. Which is not the case."
"... Don't tell a word to Dio and the others, or I'll kill you."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Here, let me help you."
Sieghart offered his back. The demon felt queasy, he didn't want to touch the human anymore but he couldn't let himself be killed at this place either. It was a though decision but he decided to let it go for once. He tried to haul himself on the Highlander back but it was way too difficult in his weakened state. Thankfully, the latter helped him then got up again. He secured his hand under the smaller male who secured his own arms around the neck of the other.
"Gosh, you're so small and light, I feel like I could drop you anytime..." The Higlander said without humor.
"Stop pushing your luck and shut up, bastard!" The demon said to the obnoxious human.
"Calm down! Okay, I'll stay quiet but shut the fuck up too!"
They walked quite a moment before a groggy voice asked :
"Do you even know where you're going?"
"I try my best to avoid our enemies, sorry if I have to take some detours... Would be easier if I could fight them but I have a dead weight on the back that can't walk... Or float in that case."
"Then leave me at a safe place and fucking go look after your friends! "
"I knew you were stupid but not that stupid."
In response, Veigas tried to strangle him with both his arms but he couldn't apply much force. Still, it was annoying enough to the human so the demon was satisfied. There was another set of insults then they went quiet again.
"You're really sure you don't remember anything since the attack?" The Highlander asked suddenly.
"I do not even remember the attack itself."
"I see..." The bigger man said again.
This rose the demon curiosity.
"That's the second time you ask... Is there something you're not telling me?"
"... No, nothing important, so don't bother yourself with that. We should go back quickly to our comrades, your head injury seems more serious than I first thought."
"Still trying to mock me, human?"
"I definitely think you're a moron but that's not the point. You may have a concussion or some shit like this."
"..."
Their walk was taking way too long and the demon felt even more light-headed than before, his head was bobbling despite his vain attempt to stay still. After a moment, he laid his head on the shoulder of the human, his consciousness slipping again.
"Oy, asshole!" He heard from afar but he discarded it " You're still with me, bastard? Veigas? ... Shit, do not faint on me like this! Shit, shit, sh..."
He heard no more.