Work Text:
Adol is down.
Hummel crouches nearby, gun at the ready. He doesn’t dare put it away; the Saurians may not all be dead. With his free hand, he reaches for Adol’s neck, for the vein close under the skin. His pulse is too fast, but strong. Alive, then, and likely in no danger, but unconscious for the time being.
Unfortunate. They need to get out of here. It isn’t safe.
Hummel risks a glance over the brush. No sight of Saurians, and he can’t hear any, either. He’s not nearly foolish enough to believe they’re in the clear, but it’s a reprieve, at least.
Methodically, he checks Adol for injuries. Scratches and bruises, as expected. A knot over the temple; Hummel’s fingers come away sticky when he feels it. Blood, nearly hidden by Adol’s bright hair.
Head injuries are tricky, but there’s nothing Hummel can do for Adol here in the wild, especially while separated from their allies. They need to find the others.
With one last search for Saurians, Hummel ducks and pulls Adol over his shoulders. The extra weight will be dangerous if they’re attacked, but there’s nothing for it. He can hardly leave the boy out here alone, even just to look for help. There might not be enough time.
He tucks his gun in the crook of his elbow, pointing down. It’s too great a risk to holster the thing, with danger potentially lurking around every bush and outcropping, and his shoulder is rather occupied right now anyway. He’s transporting something very important; it would never do to fail the job by accidentally making the delivery with an extra bullet hole.
His throat gets oddly tight at the thought of Adol dead from a gunshot wound, or anything else, so he dismisses the idea.
On to business.
Hummel gets moving, keeping to the brush and jagged rocks as much as possible. It’s flimsy cover, but better than nothing. It could be the difference between life and death for Adol, if Hummel is forced to put him down, and there’s that odd throat-closing sensation over Adol’s hypothetical demise again.
He’s not going to die. Neither of them are. Hummel is the best around at this job; he’s not going to fail now.
He won’t delude himself into thinking it’s easy, though. Adol isn’t big, but he’s strong for his size — compact muscle, and muscle is heavy. If they’re attacked, Hummel will have to drop him to manage the gun. Even then, he’ll still be handicapped. He’s accustomed to moving freely during a fight, but he’ll have to stay close to Adol to keep any monsters from laying into him.
An oversight on his part, not to practice for such defensive fighting. He’s never really had to defend before — it’s only ever been his own skin on the line.
Something to work on later, once he’s gotten them both to safety.
One eye on the setting sun to mark his position. Hummel treks until his knees start to protest the difficult terrain and cumbersome passenger. No use wearing himself out and being helpless if things go south; it's time for a break.
Besides, Adol’s breathing has picked up, and he’s been groaning a little. Either he’s getting delirious, or he’s waking up.
Hummel slides the boy onto the ground in the shadow of a stunted tree, and watches.
Sure enough, Adol’s eyelids are fluttering. After several aborted attempts, he manages to open them.
Hummel says nothing. He waits.
Adol blinks rapidly before his gaze settles, a little hazily, on Hummel. “Ugh,” he says.
It’s not coherency. They’re not out of the woods yet. “How are you feeling?”
“Ugh,” Adol says again. “Like I got hit by a Saurian.”
“You did.” If it’s not a joke, Adol’s memory is intact. Hummel sits back on his heels, suddenly very relieved. “You have a thick skull.”
“So I’ve heard.” Adol turns his head, squinting painfully. “Where are the others?”
“Back at camp, most likely. I was sent to fetch you and then return. I imagine they’re wondering where we are right now.”
Adol sighs. “I hope they don’t come looking for us.”
“Hm.” Hummel scans the horizon for danger; he feels someone looking at him, but not a threat. He turns back to Adol, who is, sure enough, looking at him. “What.”
“Thanks,” Adol says. “I’m guessing you had to drag me all this way.”
“You’re deceptively heavy,” Hummel says.
“Heard that, too.” Adol drags himself up to sit. “Ow.”
Hummel hands him a water canteen. “I have nothing for the injury.”
“S’fine. I can handle it back at camp.” Already, Adol is casting about, assessing their situation. An adventurer indeed. “Really, though, thanks. I would have been some Saurian's dinner if not for you.”
“It’s nothing.” It wasn’t, really. “You would have done the same for me.”
Adol smiles. “Of course.”
“You can owe me one, then.” Hummel stands up. Adol, a little shakily, follows suit. “Can you walk?”
Adol considers this. “Can I use your gun as a cane?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Then I’ll have to ask to borrow your shoulder.”
Hummel offers it wordlessly. It’s more his elbow, given their disparate heights, but he won’t argue. “You owe me two now.”
Adol sighs theatrically as they start moving again. “Racking up debts on a deserted island with nothing to pay them. Dogi’s gonna have words for me.”
Hummel adjusts his gait a bit, slowing so he doesn’t drag Adol along. “I won’t tell if you don’t.”
Adol brightens at that. “Professional secret?”
“A Trabaldo never goes back on his word.”
“Then we have a deal.” Adol squeezes his arm companionably and sets himself to keeping a good pace.
And despite the general gravity of the situation, Hummel feels a smile coming on.
A secret with no great repercussions, and a deal freely offered. He can work with that.