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It was getting quite late. Taiya and Ishiro were still awake, having been working on something. They were set up in the living room of Taiya's house as opposed to the base. It was just easier to work up here for the time being.
They were startled by the sound of the front door being unlocked and opened. There weren't that many people who had a key. Why were any of the options here this late, though? Normally they'd get a heads-up if someone was planning to drop by.
Taiya was the first to react, standing up and making a quick walk toward the next room. He entered into the hallway and his eyes met with Sakito's. The other had stumbled through the door quite literally just as he arrived.
Taiya wasn't sure what to make of the situation. Not that he had much time to just stand there and ponder anything. It all happened so fast.
Sakito started to take a step forward, and then suddenly he was heading toward the ground at an alarming speed. Taiya let out a startled cry and quickly closed the distance, catching him before he could hit the ground. He let out a small grunt of pain as Sakito's full weight crashed into him.
"What's going on?" Ishiro entered the hallway. His eyes widened as he took in the scene before him.
Taiya glanced over his shoulder at Ishiro and then started to do a look over of Sakito, holding him firmly against him. His appearance was ruffled. Every part of him was a mess.
"What happened to him...?" Ishiro whispered as he walked over, placing a hand on a bruise toward the lower part of Sakito's face.
"No idea, but doesn't look good, whatever it was." Taiya replied. "Can you help me get him to the couch?"
Ishiro nodded and got an arm under Sakito. The two managed to half-carry half-drag him to the couch in the next room. Ishiro said he would grab a first aid kit and left to go do so.
Taiya began to take a better look at the damage. He hesitantly removed Sakito's jacket, his face turning dark at the sight of what he uncovered. More bruises, some cuts. He was hurt. Bad.
Someone had hurt him...
But how? Sakito was fast. He was strong. Who could've managed to overpower him to do this much harm?
"That's... not good."
Taiya jumped slightly as Ishiro spoke. Ishiro mumbled an apology and then set the first aid kit down on the coffee table.
"Do you think it was a Hashillien?" Ishiro asked.
Taiya glanced over the injuries again. "I... I don't know... they seem..."
"Human?"
Taiya nodded, swallowing a lump in his throat. He didn't like the fact this didn't seem to be from their enemy. This was from a human. Just someone else in this town.
Why would someone do this...?
Ishiro took the initiative and started to clean up the wounds. Taiya took a minute and then began to help him. With the two of them working together, it didn't take long to treat all the wounds. It was an unnerving sight how much of Sakito's body became covered in bandages once they were done.
"Is there anything else we should do?" Ishiro asked.
"I don't think there's much else we can do." Taiya replied quietly. "At least, not until he wakes up and tells us what happened."
"I'm going to tell everyone what's going on." Ishiro left the room, already typing out a message on his phone.
Taiya let out a sigh and leaned against the couch. He didn't know what to do. His mind was racing with so many questions. Just what had happened? Was it as bad as he was thinking?
He heard a groan and quickly turned to look at Sakito. The other had his face scrunched up, looking to be in pain. Taiya placed a hand on his cheek.
After an agonizing few minutes, Sakito slowly opened his eyes. He blinked a few times, seeming dazed and unsure what was going on. There was clear pain in his expressions all the same.
"Sakito." Taiya spoke quietly.
At the sound of his voice, Sakito turned his head toward him. He seemed to be a bit more aware now. At least enough to acknowledge Taiya's presence beside him. He reached a hand up to place over Taiya's for a moment.
Sakito slowly began to push himself into a sitting position. Taiya quickly moved and aided him. Sakito didn't push him away. He ended up needing a bit of extra help to get himself up.
"How are you feeling?" Taiya asked.
Sakito placed a hand on his head and rubbed it a few times. "Dizzy... I don't... what happened?"
"I don't know. You came here and collapsed. You've been beaten up." Taiya replied.
Sakito was silent for a while, seeming to be trying to recall what happened to him. Taiya waited anxiously. Ishiro returned, having a bottle of water with him that he handed to Sakito. Sakito took a few sips, still seeming lost in thought.
"I... right... I got into a fight." Sakito finally said.
"A fight? With who?" Ishiro asked.
Sakito shrugged. "No idea. They were harassing someone and I just stepped in to help."
"But how did they hurt you this badly?"
Sakito frowned at the question. "I don't know. I don't really remember what happened. I was fighting them off and then it's just blank... The next thing I can remember is I was on the ground and they were all gone."
"Maybe someone got you from behind?" Taiya suggested.
Sakito shrugged. "Maybe... I thought I had them all in my sight but..."
"That might've not been the whole group."
"How did you get all the way here?" Taiya asked.
"It was the closest place I could think to go. Guess I just barely made it here..." Sakito replied.
"Where's Byun D in all of this?"
Sakito went silent for a while, before he answered very quietly. "We had a fight and I ran off to be alone for a bit..."
"You had a fight?"
"I don't want to talk about it..."
"Well, alright." Taiya didn't seem to like the hesitance, but accepted it for now.
Ishiro moved in closer, running a finger down some of the bandages on Sakito's arm. "Do you know if these wounds were before or after you were knocked out?"
Sakito studied his body, seeming startled as he realized how much had been done. It took him a while to actually give an answer. "I... some of this was before but... I don't think all of it was."
Ishiro grabbed his hand and squeezed it at those words. Taiya and him exchanged looks. If they ever found these culprits, they were getting revenge.
"I'm fine. You don't need to worry so much about me." Sakito said.
"You literally passed out in front of me. I think we have a right to worry about you." Taiya retorted.
Sakito opened his mouth to reply and then seemed to think better of it and instead just let out a huff. He crossed his arms, wincing slightly as he touched his wounds.
"Do you want anything right now?" Ishiro asked. "Pain meds? A different drink?"
"I'm fine..." Sakito mumbled.
"Come on. You don't need to keep up the tough guy act." Taiya poked his cheek.
Sakito sighed and avoided eye contact.
"What's wrong?"
"I just don't like you being all over me. I'm not helpless."
Taiya rolled his eyes. "I'm just trying to take care of my boyfriend. Is that wrong? You're the one who came here, after all. You can't blame us for trying to help you."
Sakito sighed. It was true and he knew it.
"Do you want pain meds?" Ishiro asked again.
"Maybe." Sakito mumbled.
"I'll get some then." Ishiro started leaving the room. Oh, everyone is coming over. I told them about you."
"Why?" Sakito questioned in distress.
"Because they're worried about you."
Ishiro disappeared into the next room. Sakito sighed and stared down.
"You can't blame us for being worried when you showed up like this." Taiya said.
"I know. I just... am still not used to all this attention." Sakito replied quietly.
"Only one way to get used to it."
Ishiro returned with a bottle of pills. He read the instructions and then handed Sakito two pills. Sakito took them without a word.
The doorbell rang not long after. Taiya went to go greet everyone. Ishiro stayed with Sakito for the time being.
"Do you want anything else before they all come in?" Ishiro asked.
"I'm fine." Sakito shrugged him off.
Moments later, the rest of the group came into the living room. Mira and Jou made a beeline to Sakito's side, asking him questions too quickly for him to even understand. Genba stood back with Taiya and watched the two with amusement.
"Hey, hey. Slow down." Taiya went and interrupted the scene. "He only woke up a few minutes ago. Give him some space."
"Sorry." The two backed off slightly.
"I told them the gist of what happened." Taiya said.
Sakito nodded. He glanced around at the five others.
"So, what are we going to do right now?" Genba asked.
"Well, he's pretty good. Why don't we just get some rest and decide what else we might do about this in the morning?" Ishiro suggested.
"All of us in one room?" Mira questioned.
"This room is big enough. We can easily do that." Taiya nodded.
Work began quickly afterwards to move things and gather whatever would be needed for them. Sakito awkwardly watched the scene. He wasn't allowed to help, not that he really wanted to. He still was struggling to get used to this dynamic.
"Can you get down by yourself or do you need some help?" Ishiro asked as the construction of the sleeping area finished.
"I... should be fine." Sakito said.
"I'll help you if you need it!" Jou offered, coming to stand by his side.
Sakito gave a small nod to acknowledge he heard. He began to shift and get himself to his feet. He was a little unstable. The pain shot through his body. He gritted his teeth and took a step forward. His balance swayed and immediately Jou had an arm around him, keeping him upright.
Sakito resigned to the fact he needed help and placed an arm around Jou for support. The two made a slow journey to the very badly put together mass bed. They got onto the floor and everyone began to settle into some area.
Taiya and Jou ended up on the sides of Sakito. Taiya was on his side, a hand resting on Sakito's chest. Jou was also on his side, gently moving his way to rest his head against Sakito's shoulder. Ishiro moved behind Taiya, mostly staying to himself with his hands, but did press close to his back.
Mira clambered next to him, forcing her way into a hug with him. Ishiro resigned to his fate and moved a hand to place over one of hers. Genba went on the other side of Jou, his arm dropping around him and managing to also find a way to rest toward Sakito's stomach.
Sakito was feeling a lot of emotions over the scene. He had been affectionate with them all and received affection back but... he was never the center of attention like this before. It was a lot to take in.
A chain of 'goodnight' started until everyone had said it and then silence fell around them. Sakito closed his eyes and tried to calm his pounding heart. Would he be able to sleep like this?
And... what was everyone going to decide to do about what happened tomorrow? And what about Byun D. He had to face him and apologize for their fight... and explain what happened.
Tomorrow was not going to be fun... but at least for now... things were alright.