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The crash happened fast. Or, crashes. Five cars. Multiple pedestrians. Duang had never seen an accident that bad.
He jumped out of his car, hands flailing, turning this way and that, panicking. What to do? What to do? People were screaming and crying and Duang didn’t know what to do.
“She’s bleeding!”
His brain went quiet. Duang could help with that. He was a healer. But—He wasn’t good with seeing major injuries. What if—
“Help!”
Duang quit thinking and ran toward the crash site. The first person he came to was a pedestrian. Cuts and scrapes, holding their knee. Duang put his hands over theirs, then met their eyes. He gave a smile that was probably more of a grimace, then used his power. It only took a few moments for the pain in their face to clear, the abrasions on their cheek to vanish. Duang felt it when their body needed no more of him and stopped.
Gaping at him, the pedestrian managed, “Thank you.”
This time, Duang’s smile was true. “No problem!”
Then he went looking for the next victim, before his courage failed him. Next was a car, two people inside, driver and a crying child. Duang reached in through the open window.
“Take my hand,” he said to the child. Still weeping, she did. Duang also touched her mom’s shoulder, then started to heal. Two took more concentration than one, but he did it. In less than two minutes, they were okay. “You’re welcome!” he shouted before racing toward the next call for help.
Other people were getting the doors open on the crashed cars, so Duang went for the pedestrians. The crash happened while the crossing sign said Walk, so there were several. He headed for the ones with the most blood first, though he had to close his eyes and focus as much on not puking as on healing. By the time he finished with them, Duang’s head began to feel covered in cotton, and his hands shook from more than panic, but he wasn’t done. He hurried to the people being pulled from vehicles and healed them too, one after another.
“Anyone else?” he asked, when the last passenger was healed. No answer, so he raised his voice. “Anyone—!”
His head swam, his legs gave out, and he fell.
Three pairs of arms caught him, and then Duang was ushered over to the sidewalk to sit.
“Are you alright?”
“You’re okay. Everyone’s okay.”
“Do you need water?”
“Can we call someone for you?”
“Anyone have a drink for him?”
The world was still swimming, but Duang handed someone his phone, accepted a water bottle, put his head between his knees, and breathed. He wanted to lie down. He wanted a hug. He wanted Qin.
“Duang.”
Head snapping up, Duang was met with the dream-like visage of Qin, haloed by the sunset, face screwed up in worry. He smiled blearily and held out his arms. “Teeerrrrr~”
Someone smacked his shoulder and Duang realized Qin wasn’t alone. Jamie, Pae, Tong, and Kim were with him. Huh?
Glaring, Jamie said, “Don’t scare us like that!” He went to smack Duang’s shoulder again but Pae held him back. “Helping people is great, but look at you!” Look at Jamie, his eyes glistening with tears.
“I’m sorry,” Duang apologized, rubbing his arm. “Don’t cry.”
With a ‘tsk,’ Jamie turned away. Pae rubbed his back even as he spoke to Duang. “You were on the news. We got here as soon as we could. Are you okay?”
A nod and a shaky thumbs up. “A-okay,” Duang said with a smile, then held his head. “I’m tired.”
“I bet,” Pae said. “Do you know how many people you just healed?”
As many as he could. He didn’t keep count.
“Qin, can you take him home?” Kim asked. “We can practice another time.”
Qin hummed, nodded an affirmative, his eyes never leaving Duang. Tong placed a hand on his shoulder to get his attention, then said, “Let us know if you need help.”
With another nod, Qin, along with Pae and Jamie, helped Duang back to his car. Knowing he was no longer needed, that he was safe with Qin, Duang began to drift. He felt the rumble of the car through the window, the warmth of Qin holding his hand. Everything was okay.
Once they arrived, Qin said, “Duang, get up,” and Duang got out of the car. Then, “Walk,” and Duang, with his arm across Qin’s shoulders and Qin’s hand around his waist, stumbled up to Qin’s apartment.
Through the same directive-action steps, Qin got Duang fed, naked, showered, and in pjs.
That was Qin’s real power. He could tell Duang to do anything and Duang would do it. Unlike Jamie. Jamie was upset because Duang overexerted himself helping people with his power. Sure, it was because he cared about Duang, but still. He would probably tell Duang not to heal anyone ever again, but Duang didn’t have to listen to him. Now if Qin said it…Duang would only heal Qin for the rest of his life if that’s what Qin wanted.
After Qin put Duang in bed, he disappeared. For the first time, Duang wondered if Qin was also angry, like Jamie. He didn’t want that.
When Qin returned, Duang made grabby hands until Qin joined him. Qin immediately curled into Duang’s warmth, making Duang smile. Qin wasn’t mad.
“Today. What you did.”
Duang frowned.
“When they called me, I thought you were in the accident. I thought you were hurt. I was scared,” Qin admitted. “Knowing you helped people instead? I’m proud.”
“Proud?” Duang asked, heart fluttering.
A nod against his chest. “You did at good thing, helped a lot of people.”
Duang smiled drowsily.
“I love you, Duang. I don’t want to lose you.”
Quickly falling to sleep, Duang tilted his head down and pressed a kiss to Qin’s head. ‘You won’t lose me. I promise.’
Qin nuzzled closer, and Duang knew he’d heard.