Chapter Text
He can’t recall the mission right now. He had to- was it a retrieval? He can’t remember. Huh. He felt dizzy. He clutches at his rather wet torso. Keep pressure. Stay alive. Keep pressure.
He was close to the gates of the village. He…at least- he thinks so? The trees look familiar. He smiles despite himself. He just needed to check in, he’d remember his mission after checking in. It would come to him quite easily, he was sure of it.
He passes by…lots of trees. Was he moving forward?
His legs burned. He had to be moving. Right foot. Left foot. Right foot again.
Right foot…left foot…keep moving. He had to keep moving…it’s not like anything hurt anymore he was just tired. His eyes were more focused on his feet and the grass and…well, that looked awful comfortable didn’t it? Maybe just a little sit wouldn’t hurt, then he’d get back up and-and report in. Just a little rest.
It’s ungraceful how he sits down, it makes his wounds angry but the action of resting made it worth it. He let out a breath. Just…a little bit…
Lee opens his eyes, unaware he had even closed them.
“Jeez, Lee,” he hears a familiar voice say. “What the hell happened to you!?”
His vision was fuzzy but he finally manages to focus on the owner of the voice…Shikamaru! Shikamaru? Where did he come from?
“You’re lucky I was out looking for food pill ingredients,” he hears the other man mutter. The other man’s voice draws close, he feels them kneel beside him. “I see you’re bleeding. Let’s get you to the hospital.”
Hospital? He shakes his head. “No…I have to,” pauses, vision blurring again, “have to…check in.” He finally finishes in a whisper.
“Yeah, to hell with that. Paperwork can wait.” He feels fabric getting pulled aside from where blood had dried, it had stuck to the wound. He must have stopped applying pressure when he sat down to rest. He hisses reflectively. “Yeah. Hospital.”
“Just need to rest,” he insisted weakly. “Then…check in.”
“You’re so stubborn, in a different situation it might be endearing but not right now.” He feels the other man move and shift. Their hands held on to him. “Right now, you’re just being dumb.”
Lee didn’t argue. Too tired. Cold. Shikamaru’s presence was warm.
His vision shifts and oh- he felt nauseous. He was hanging off Shikamaru in a fireman’s carry. He focuses on the grass. Grass…green and soft…he liked…the grass.
“Sorry, sorry,” he hears Shikamaru say before cursing. “Just- just hang on, okay?”
Shikamaru smelled nice. Like…the woods and earth and- tired. He was so tired.
Lee’s eyes flutter close.
He opens his eyes again he immediately finds himself shutting them close. Too bright.
“Ah you’re awake,” he hears.
Slowly he reopens his eyes, quietly hissing as they adjust.
“You almost bled to death,” the unimpressed voice continued. “We made it in time.”
Lee smiled sleepily. “Shikamaru…hi…”
The other man is quiet for a moment before a weak smile breaks out on their face. “Hey, Lee.”