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“I’m not angry, I’m cross.” Wide, mismatched eyes stared at the miqo’te, lupine ears flattened against the viera’s tousled hair as he remained locked in fear. “You decide to go romping all over creation, alone, with a fractured ankle, and have the nerve to come back half-starved, nearly hypothermic, only to try and sneak out again.” Lai’ello’s eyes flicked between the downright terrifying expression that Y’shtola wore, to the rhythmic sound of her twitching tail slapping against the chair, the motion offering an angry chorus that punctuated her every word. “And then you attempted to convince Estinien to aide in your escape, only for him to cart your, once again, nigh hypothermic and unconscious body back. Which led to him being set upon by both Krile and Tataru, at once, nearly scaring the poor man to an early death.” He felt damned powerless, and suddenly wished he could simply sink into the floor. He had no other avenue of escape, the elder Scion’s hand kept his weakened body pinned to the bed, a strength in her grip that seemed unthinkable until this very moment. “And THEN you had the nerve to go and develop a chest infection, as it seemed you weren’t quite done scaring us all half to death. And your delightfully manic husband all but shattered half of the Annex. And then you deign to ask if we’re … I’m angry?” Lai’ello could swore her felt claws digging into the meat of his shoulder as Y’shtola’s hand flexed around the muscle.
“Oh good, he’s awake!” An elezen head peered through the doorway, only to be joined by a near identical one. There was a brief commotion in the hallway before the doorway darkened, more forms seeming to fill the space as the Leveilleur twins proceeded the parade of ex-Scions that the viera could tell were lurking just beyond the door, and any hope of freedom.
“Nald’s balls.” Lai’ello hissed, his hoarse voice painful to his own ears. He could see the glint in Alisaie’s eyes, and the barely contained fury in Alphinaud’s, even from his prone position. He sincerely regretted waking at all, as Y’shtola released his shoulder and deftly side-stepped, allowing the twins’ access to their friend. The viera closed his eyes, his face scrunching up as if he could simply pretend to be asleep.
“Oh no you don’t!” A painful flick to his nose elicited a pathetic whimper, but still he stubbornly kept his eyes closed. Perhaps if he were convincing enough, they would think he had fallen asleep. He was exhausted enough to, at the very least.
“M’asleep, go ‘way.” He mumbled, attempting to prove his point by speaking. He heard Alphinaud snort a laugh, even as the bed dipped with another weight. A chill hand gripped his chin, gentle despite the curtness of the motion.
“We won’t traumatize you as much as Y’shtola here, but we do want to impress upon you just how deeply you—”
“—Fucked up.” Alisaie finished crassly, a soft thump of hand hitting cloth following the words. Lai’ello cracked an eye open, to see that Alisaie was rubbing her shoulder, eyes narrowed in a pointed glare towards her twin. It was her hand that held his chin in an iron grip, keeping his face pointed towards her. “After Ultima Thule, you’d think you’d have grown some sense between those long ears of yours, but you’re as thick as ever. It’s okay to ask for help, to lean on us, all of us.” Lai’ello scrunched his face up again, closing both of his eyes, wishing he could just sink through the bed to avoid everything. He felt Alisaie release his chin, only to let out an audible yelp as she painfully flicked his nose.
“You know better than to out-stubborn us, and you’re not fooling anyone by pretending you’re asleep.” Lai’ello groaned, of course Thancred had joined in.
“If I’m such an invalid, why are you all ganging up on me?” The viera whined, reaching up to drape his arm over his face. His attempt at a pitiful whine ended in a generous coughing fit, one that was painful enough that spots danced across his closed eyes.
“Because you’re well enough for stern lectures.” There was a hint of amusement in Estinien’s voice was a welcome change, even as a finger prodded his shoulder. He cracked his eyes open, and accepted Alisaie’s outstretched hand, accepting the help ti sit upright and the glass of water pressed into his hand. He gratefully drained the glass, and then sighed.
“Look, I’m sorry. I thought it was nothing, and I didn’t want to bother anyone by minor inconveniences I could tend to myself.” The water soothed his scratchy throat, even as he ducked his head in embarrassment.
“Anything we do to him now is going to pale in comparison when Kai and G’raha return.” Lai’ello groaned again, burying his head in his hands, even as Alphinaud patted his shoulder in a soothing manner.