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Tokoyami was doing his best to hide his limp. And he thought he was doing a pretty good job, too, even as he and Katsuki made their way through the rough terrain of the mountainside forest.
They had been sent to the crest of the mountain and into a tight, cavernous tunnel system in order to slay a creature that had been terrorizing the nearby town. No one was really sure what it was, but the chimera-like reptilian thing had been seen stealing chickens and attacking children, so the villagers didn’t care what they called it as long as it had been killed.
Katsuki was carrying its head by the horns as proof of its slaughter. It looked heavy, but he didn’t seem to have any trouble holding it over his shoulder as they walked.
But the creature had sharp claws and even sharper scales. Tokoyami of course had done his best to avoid getting hurt but…
Here he was, purposefully walking behind Katsuki to hide his right leg’s wound. He had tried to use Dark Shadow for support, but his worried whimpering was too obvious. If Katsuki knew of his injury, he might force Tokoyami to stop and treat it despite their lack of time.
If they didn’t get off the mountain by sundown, the creatures of the night would surely be attracted to the smell of Tokoyami’s blood. Especially the avian part of him that was certainly exuding the scent of scared prey.
But dizziness blurred his vision and the pain slowed him down too much. Part of him worried about venom, but they’d have to take care of that part later. Once they got paid, they’d be able to afford a visit to the local apothecary for healing.
He just had to keep going. No matter how much it hurt. And so he did. He kept walking, kept moving, kept following Katsuki down the mountainside.
Until he couldn’t.
“Kagehane?!” Katsuki turned on his heel as Tokoyami collapsed to the ground.
Tokoyami woke up somewhere hot with the heavy scent of herbs filling the air. He would recognize the smell anywhere. An apothecary. They had made it.
Well… Katsuki had made it, somehow, on his behalf. He must have dragged his useless body down the mountain. He was sitting with his legs crossed by the fireplace, though when he noticed Tokoyami staring, he grumbled, “Finally awake, idiot?”
Tokoyami rubbed his pounding head. Headache was a typical symptom of using too many healing herbs too quickly, and it was clear by both this and the squelch of a poultice along Tokoyami’s leg that Katsuki had put far too much of the stuff on his wound.
It wouldn’t harm him at all, though, so Tokoyami didn’t mention it. The fact that Katsuki had tried at all rather than letting the apothecary do it spoke volumes.
Katsuki turned and curled his lip at him. “You were passed the hell out for two damn days. You should have told me you were hurt!” He looked like he wanted to smack him so hard that his beak would fall off.
Tokoyami argued, “Forgive me, but it was imperative we get off the mountain before sundown.” He sat up a little, pushing himself up with a grimace. “My blood would have only attracted predators.”
“Tch,” Katsuki scoffed at him. “You definitely would have made it down the mountain by yourself with half your shin chewed off. The hell were you thinking?” He moved to stand over the cot Tokoyami was laying on with crossed arms. “If you told me you were hurt we could have done somethin’ about it instead of making me carry you all the way back to town.”
Guilt started to ache in Tokoyami’s chest. “You carried me?” Though it was obvious that’s what happened. Still… Tokoyami didn’t quite believe it.
Though they had been travelling together for a while, Katsuki didn’t seem like he cared about others. Especially not enough to go out of his own way to carry him for miles.
Perhaps Tokoyami was wrong.
“Duh.” Katsuki rolled his eyes. “Ain’t like anyone from the village would come rescue us in the middle of the night. Besides, it wasn’t that hard.”
Of course Katsuki would say that. He was always strong, always willing to work hard toward his own goals. It was something Tokoyami had always admired about him, even if Tokoyami often got caught in tough situations because of it.
Tokoyami finally noticed Katsuki’s bandages, too. He had them along both arms and one covering a scratch along his face. He hadn’t gotten those from the chimera-thing. They must have happened after he had passed out. “I’m sorry.” What else could he say? Tell him how guilty he felt, how he felt like a burden?
He was just so focused on getting off that mountain…
“It’s fine.” Katsuki turned away from him to stoke the fire.
“But…”
“Just shut up and rest.” Katsuki insisted. “Apologize or whatever the hell you wanna say in the morning. I’m tired.” He laid next to the fireplace, using his leather bag as a pillow.
Tokoyami thought about offering the cot, but he knew the offer would only be met with disdain and a complaint that he should mind his own business.
But the last thing Katsuki said before they fell asleep surprised him. “If we’re gonna be a team, you haveta take care of your damn self. Don’t you dare let this happen again.”
“I-” Tokoyami’s eyes widened. “I understand.”
Tokoyami couldn’t help but stare at his business partner. Or at least, that’s what he thought this was. A trade between Katsuki’s pure combat power and Tokoyami’s knowledge of healing techniques. But now… he couldn’t help but wonder if Katsuki had begun to care about him. Even just a little.
Perhaps in the morning, he’d find a way to inquire his feelings. But for now, his eyes drifted closed, comforted by the scents of the apothecary and the sounds of crackling fire.