Work Text:
Phos flinches as Rutile reconnects the arm they had shattered when they tripped over a rock in the Keen Wetlands earlier that day.
“Honestly,” Rutile says while inspecting the connection for any flaws. “I don’t understand why you keep going out if it always ends this way.” They sigh and turn around to grab something from the table nearby. “If you’re going to keep getting into trouble then at least clean off the rest of your pieces.”
Rutile sets two basins in front of Phos, one full of water and the other full of the gemstones that would become Phos’s legs as soon as they were cleaned. They set a couple of rags down a moment later.
“Oh fine. I suppose it is the least I could do.” Phos can practically feel Rutile’s withering look as they set to cleaning up their pieces. Honestly, calling them gemstones is generous. The Keen Wetlands are not known for being a pleasant place and the slime that Phos has to clean off is totally gross.
With a sigh, Phos gets to it. The sooner they finish the sooner they have legs.
Phos carefully picks up each piece and flicks off what they can before dunking it in the water. They take the rags and carefully clean each piece, taking care around the edges. Theoretically, they shouldn’t be able to shatter themselves, but if anyone could, Phos would be the one. They set each meticulously cleaned piece to the side so that Rutile can begin to put their legs back together.
The quiet process of cleaning each shattered chunk is only interrupted by the occasional, almost musical sound of Rutile piecing each leg together. They’re masterful at it by now. Phos can’t count how many times they’ve been put back together.
At last, their job is done and it’s simply up to Rutile to finish putting them together. Then they can finally enjoy having legs again, as long as they don’t shatter them.