Work Text:
the gravel path crunches softly beneath torch's boots. leaves tussle in the distance as the wind drifts calmly through the forest. the walk is quiet, almost eerie.
'it was just supposed to be a supply run," torch thinks. its true, they were supposed to be in, then out. but then, vultures swirled, calling out the undead army. one thing came to another, and they were under attack. they got out unscathed, barely.
torch coughs, leaning against a tree for support. he clutches his arm, blood oozing out of a wound punctured into his skin. he quickly straightens, hoping to brush it off without clancy noticing.
that never works out, though.
clancy stops ahead, snapping his head towards torch. he walks over cautiously, each step filling torch with more guilt. he leans forward slightly, looking down at him.
"whats wrong?" he asks, his dark eyes looming over torch in a way that makes him turn away.
"nothing, im fine." torch mutters, his voice rougher than intended. he glances at clancy, hoping he'll drop it.
clancy narrows his eyes, shaking his head softly while turning away to continue their walk. he doesnt respond, just walks away with the same knowing look torch hates. torch hurriedly follows, trying his best to hide his winces of pain.
--~--
they walk for a few more moments, emerging from the forest to the bandito camp. the banditos greet them, asking for details on the mission. clancy nods them away, collectively vaguely answering their questions enough to get them off their backs. torch keeps his head down, only looking up when necessary.
torch and clancy enter their tent, the warmth washing over torch. he collapses on his sack, leaning against the wall of the tent. clancy softly sits across from him on his sack, sifting through the pages of his notebook. torch watches him, the way he calmly scans each page, the gears in his head turning after every word. it makes him think of everything thats in that book. every mission, every thing they've learned and collected, everything they've been through.
torch looks down at his hand, the way it flexes as pain courses through him. what is he doing, hiding his injury from clancy? this is what he gets from clancy every time, vague responses and shunned reactions. this isnt right.
torch clears his throat, peering up at him with shame filled eyes. clancy pauses, slowly looking at him from his book. he raises an eyebrow, questioning the interruption.
"um, you havent been talking to me much today." he says, mentally slapping himself. torch shifts uncomfortably in his spot, hugging his arms closer to him.
clancy remains in his spot, no flicker of emotion running across his features. "i have a feeling you have been lying to me, torch." he say, his voice unwavering and stern.
"well, you see..." torch trails off, the words falling short on his tongue.
clancy stands up suddenly, taking the few steps towards torch in strides. he stands in front of him, eyes staring into his soul.
"take off your sweater." he orders, his arms crossed lazily in front of him.
"um- okay." torch slowly takes off his sweater, his hands trembling with fear and shame. he pulls it off, wincing in pain, and sets it aside, keeping his eyes anywhere but at clancy.
clancy kneels down, his eyes frantically scanning the wound. blood stains through his shirt, mapping out the severity of the damage. he reaches up, cautiously pulling his sleeve up. torch winces, gritting his teeth. clancy looks at him, grabbing his chin to guide his head towards him.
"why didnt you tell me?" clancy whispers, his voice softer now.
"i didnt want you to worry." torch responds, his eyes dropping to his lap.
"look at me." clancy orders. torch slowly raises his eyes to meet his. clancy sighs, pulling his mask off. he shifts his position so he's sitting in between torch's legs, hands on each thigh.
"you dont have to lie to me torch. you cant, I always know when something is wrong." he says, his voice and eyes laced with nothing but compassion. his thumbs trace absentminded circles on his thighs.
torch's breath hitches, he slumps his shoulders in shame. "im sorry, clance..." he mumbles.
clancy doesnt respond. he stands up, retrieving a kit from near his side of the tent. he sits down in front of torch, setting the supplies down next to him.
he stretches out a piece of cloth, motioning for torch to open his mouth. "bite on this, it is going to hurt." torch does as he's told, hesitantly biting down on the cloth. clancy brings out alcohol, giving a nod of sympathy before pouring it on his wound. torch groans, the sound muffled by the cloth. clancy quickly wipes up the blood, bandaging up the wound. he puts the supplies away, moving to sit next to torch. he wraps an arm around him, removing the cloth from his mouth.
"you did so good, torchy." he mumbles against his hair. torch whimpers, burying his head in his shoulder.
clancy pushes him down, urging him to relax. he lays behind him, wrapping his arms around his torso. he places a soft kiss to his shoulder, holding him in place.
"rest hun, you need it to feel better." he whispers, his breath against torch's ear.
torch sighs, relaxing against his touch. "thank you, clance, for everything." he mumbles, sleep creepily taking over.
"always, torchy." he smiles, torch's quiet snores filling the small space.