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It was a sort of classic case of wrong time, wrong place.
Looking down underneath himself, Jimmy slowly inhaled shakily. Way beneath him, at the bottom of the cliff, massive crags of rock clawed at the sky. Small pebbles scattered down around him, bouncing off the sides of the canyon and disappearing into the darkness. Around his wrist, Scott’s fingers shifted slightly. Tightened desperately. Dragging his gaze from the rocky crags beneath him to Scott above him, Jimmy took a slow breath. Turned and met Scott’s gaze. His own hand was curled around one of Scott’s wrists, clinging desperately to him like Scott was to him.
“Don’t let go.” Scott begged. Eyes wide, he kept staring down at Jimmy. Shuddered slightly. As he did, his fingers slipped a little bit. Panicked, Scott shifted his grip again. Gasped. One of his shoulders was—it looked odd. Like it was about to pop out of its socket. He’s going to get hurt. Jimmy realized. Blinking, he looked from Scott’s hands where they were still locked around his own arm to Scott’s eyes again. Tears were welled up in the corners of Scott’s eyes, face pinched in a mix of pain and terror. “Jimmy, please.”
“Scott. It’s okay.” He said softly. Staring at him, Scott gritted his teeth. Held onto him a little bit tighter. “You’re going to be fine.”
“Yeah, yeah, we’re going to be fine. You just—you have to hold on, Jimmy. Just keep holding on, okay?” Scott asked, a panicked tone leaching into his voice. Taking another shaky breath, he winced as one of his shoulders pulled down on his body. All of a sudden, it jerked out of place. Scott yelled out. Ducking his head, he buried his forehead in the side of the cliff. Taking a slow breath, he shook his head. Let out a choked groan.
“Scott.” Jimmy whispered to him. Looking up, Scott let out a sobbing noise. Smiling, Jimmy said, “You’re going to be fine.”
“I’m not letting go of you.” Scott whispered. Somewhere beyond him, there was some violent fighting. Yelling and shouting. The hermits were battling alongside the other empires, trying to help them against whoever this was. Taking a slow breath, Jimmy kept holding Scott’s gaze. “Jimmy, no. I am not letting go of you. Not now. Not ever.” Gritting his teeth, he choked out, “I’m not losing you. Not again.” Jimmy looked up at him. Smiled softly.
“You’re going to be fine, Scott. I’m not letting you hurt yourself for me. Not again, okay?” Jimmy whispered. “Okay?”
“No.” Another sob shook Scott’s shoulders. Tears dripped down his cheeks, landed on Jimmy’s face. “Please, Jimmy. Please.” Looking at him, Jimmy smiled. Scott shifted his grip on Jimmy’s arm again. Squeezed a little bit more. His dislocated arm was bad, his grip with that hand was beginning to slip. “I’m not losing you again, I’m begging you.”
“Scott. It’s okay. I’m asking you to trust me, Scott. Please.” Jimmy said. Taking a breath, he continued talking, “I asked you to trust me in the past, when I was a red. You did then and you can do it now.”
“This isn’t right Jimmy. I can’t have you die on me again. Please.” Scott repeated, staring at him in dismay. Smiling, Jimmy kept hold his gaze.
“Scott, I’ll see you again. I promise. I saw you last time and I’ll see you again the next. Okay?” Sobbing, Scott shook his head. Cried a bit more. Tears kept running down his face, he was shaking his head and trying to hold onto Jimmy desperately. On Jimmy’s hip, his gun clanked in its place. Behind Scott, there was movement. Yelling warnings. Oh, no. Jimmy heard crunching in the dirt behind Scott. Grabbing onto Scott’s arm, Jimmy hauled himself up as much as he could, cupping Scott’s cheek with his free hand.
“Jimmy—” He started. Brushing his fingers through Scott’s hair, right by his ear, Jimmy met his gaze and smiled.
“I’m sorry, Scott. Ask Xisuma for help. He’ll know what to do.” Behind Scott, he could see someone walking up. The man wasn’t one he recognized, he had a sword in hand, and he had a wicked look on his face. Grian was sprinting over, panic painting his expression. Meeting Scott’s gaze, Jimmy said, “And for what it’s worth—I’m sorry. Bye, Scott.”
Grabbing his gun, he let go of Scott’s hand, aimed for the man behind him, and fired.
Scott screamed at the sound of the gun going off right by his ear. Clapping his hands over his ears, he turned away. The man coming for him stopped in his tracks, head snapping back. With no support, Jimmy felt himself drop back. Watched Scott’s eyes snap open as he realized what had gone on, watched him turn with horrified eyes to reach out with his uninjured arm for Jimmy.
Smiling, Jimmy met his gaze. Took a slow breath. Then, he closed his eyes. Felt the wind rush around him. For a second, he could almost convince himself he was flying.
And then he hit the ground, and he knew no more.
+++
When he woke up, it was to Scott cradling him in his arms, sobbing with his face buried in his chest.
“Jimmy. Jimmy, please. Please open your eyes, please show me something, anything. Please. I’m begging you.” He whispered softly. “You promised. You promised me, you said you were sorry. Please. Don’t let that be the last—please.” He kept repeating himself over and over again, rocking back and forth a little bit and sniffing desperately. “Please, I don’t think I’ll be okay if you don’t come back right now.”
Reaching up clumsily, Jimmy touched the side of Scott’s face. Scott stiffened. Cracking his eyes open, Jimmy turned his head. Looked up at him. Smiling weakly, he said, “And Joel calls me the dramatic one for protesting being called a toy.” He whispered.
Sobbing and laughing, Jimmy leaned forwards. Rested his forehead against Jimmy’s and slowly inhaled. “Jimmy.” He mumbled. “You’re—I hate you, I hate you so much.” He lightly nudged Jimmy’s shoulder with his hand.
“Well, I’m afraid I don’t share the same sentiment.” Jimmy whispered. Laughing wetly, Scott shook his head. Even at an angle that would be rather unflattering otherwise, Scott still looked pretty. Hmm. Taking a breath, Jimmy winced. “Oh, ow, Scott. Scott, you’re—you’re on my stomach. That hurts, get off please.”
“Are you saying I’m heavy?” Scott teased, moving to the side and then gently cupping Jimmy’s face. Snorting, Jimmy tipped his head to the side. Spotted people standing around them. Then, he looked back to Scott. “We have company.”
“We do.” Brushing a hand through Jimmy’s hair again, Scott sat up. Turned and grabbed something behind him. Turning, he handed Jimmy his guns, settled them on his stomach. “I’m not strong enough to move you on a stretcher, so I got some friends. Besides, some folks were worried about you.” Frowning, Jimmy tipped his head to the side. Turned and then looked over to see Joel. Eyes narrowing, he glanced back at Scott.
“I can walk.”
“Mmm, can you?” Scott asked saucily. Rolling his eyes, smiling, Jimmy threw an arm over his eyes. Sighed softly. Then, he spoke.
“Alright. Lift me up, Scotty.”