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Gop is tired. He doesn't want to admit it, he wants to do well, wants to make Tusu proud of him. But it feels like Redline is draining him. His hands never felt like they were burning, but the scars of fire mar them now, and while Gop watches them shake, he can't feel it anymore.
So, yes, something was probably wrong. And Gop should probably rest, ask for help, do anything to fix this, really. Especially since the scars have been crawling up his arms. It's unnerving, enough so that he's started to avoid looking at them at all, trying to pretend like nothing is wrong. It's going badly.
Especially now that Nem has somehow caught a glance of the scarring. And they're worried. Really worried. Gop knows why, but there's something about it that still feels foreign and odd, the way that Nem is practically cradling one of his hands, carefully moving the fingers. Gop is pretty sure Nem doesn't have much, if any, medical training, so he's not entirely sure what they're trying to do. But if it makes them feel better, whatever. Gop will sit on their bed (They'd herded him over to it after they saw the scars.) and let them.
"Gop, can you… Actually, nevermind." Nem says, cutting themself off. They doubt the man in front of them would tell the truth, instead they start pinching the underside of his hand, waiting for him to say something. The longer he doesn't, the longer he keeps looking at Nem blankly, the more they're convinced this isn't exactly a skin deep issue. There's probably something funny about that line, but Nem doesn't care to figure out what the joke for it would be, not when Gop still has Redline pressed against his back, because while Nem isn't sure what exactly was burning Gop like this, they have a hunch that the fire based weapon might not be the best thing for him to have right now.
They let go of Gops hand, and it hangs in the air for a few seconds before Gop brings it back to his lap. Nem would bet so much on those few seconds being because Gop didn't notice that Nem had let go.
Nem reaches for Redline, and Gop flinches. Okay, not good. Fuck, what were they supposed to do? They didn't want to get Tusu involved, but they really don't know what to do, and he might. At very least, he'd definitely know more than Nem did.
"Gop, I need to.. Set Redline to the side, just, uh, for a test!" They're doing terrible at lying. Especially considering they aren't normally bad at it, even when nervous! Their eyes flicker back to Gops trembling hands. Maybe being worried for someone else just made it all worse. Yeah, that's probably it.
"… Are you sure I have to?" Gop asks, quieter than Nem expected, but they nod anyways. Gop hesitantly obeys, and.. Oh, oh fuck them, why couldn't this just be easy! Why was Gop shivering like he was dumped in a freezing river after just setting Redline to the side? "-How long do I have to stay like this for?" The question makes Nem jump, making it embarrassingly clear how absorbed in their thoughts they'd been.
"Probably like, a little bit." Nem says, trying their best to act like its not complete and utter bullshit. If Gop didn't believe them, he'd probably hurt himself more, and that was exactly what they were trying to avoid. They glance over the fox's shivering form once more before pulling on their shoes.
"Tusu told me to get something, I'll be back. Wait here for me, kay? Kay." Nems words are hurried. Gops eyes narrow in suspicion, but he doesn't move yet, just nods and frowns at them, which was almost worse. Nem hates seeing Gop frown. It sucks.
They utterly fail not to run out of the Syndicates base, nearly stumbling as they emerge into the streets of Soreia. They glance around, trying to remember where the healers were. They might have something that would help.
It takes a minute or two longer than Nem would like, but they manage to put together the correct route in their head and definitely totally not run the whole way there. They hear nervous whispers and feel concerned glances at their back, but dismiss them all. Gops health is far more important than the civilians, not that they would understand- or even know who Gop is.
They run a hand through their hair when they get to the door, a pathetic excuse for trying to look more put together before entering. It doesn't do anything, the medics turn to them like they can since the worry.
Nem heads to the pharmacist, and fishes out several diamonds, slamming them on the counter.
"I need something to help with burns. Bad ones, like, ones that make you not able to feel." They order, and the shock that crosses the mans face makes Nems worry flare up tenfold. Fuck, was whatever was wrong with Gop not able to be fixed? Notch, they hope that's not the case. They would really like Gop not to be kicked out of the Syndicate, especially when "being kicked out" really just meant that Tusu killed you so that you couldn't leak information. The image of Tusu ordering them to clean up Gops lifeless body flashes in their mind, and it sends a shiver down their spine. Fuck, that was horrible.
"Sir- Ma'am? Uh.. I have some things for you. I would need to see the actual burns to do any better than this, I'm afraid." The pharmacist informs Nem, who grabs the bag and ignores the fumbling. They didn't mind either, but this really wasn't the time for them to be talking about that with people.
Need to see the actual burns… Nem laughs under their breath, bitter and upset. Yeah, good fucking luck getting Gop there. He seems skittish with the people of Soreia at best, almost outright hostile at worst. Sure, he protects them, but the love for the city and its people most of the Syndicate has (… Or had) isn't there at all.
Nem is sure there's a reason for it, because of course there is, people don't act like that for fun, but they haven't pushed. Maybe once Gop trusts them more.
Gops ears twitch at the sound of quick and light footsteps coming to a stop outside the door, and hurries to put Redline back where Nem had left it. He felt pathetic, being unable to even handle being without the spear for a few minutes, but the cold had gotten unbearable.
Nem enters, panting slightly, like they'd ran back. Gop wouldn't be surprised, they seemed enthusiastic. Although, for enthusiasm… Their expression doesn't match. They look over Gop like they're scared for him.
"I got you a gift!" Nem declares, holding up a simple paper bag, a smile on their face, but their mismatched eyes—just barely so, one is lighter than the other—give away the fact that they aren't happy at all. Gop wishes he could think on it more, but a violent shiver wracks his body, the freezing cold feeling knocking away his thoughts.
The next thing he knows, Nem is standing right in front of him, one hand on his shoulder, the other on his forehead. The fake smile has disappeared, and Gop almost wants it back, because the look thats replaced it is definitely fear.
"Gop.. You're cold." Nem says. Gop nods, but when he does, Nem shakes their head violently. "No, like, really cold. Fuck, uhm-" They glance around, before looking down and hurriedly taking off their own purple-blue jacket and forcing Gop into it. It's warm, and smells like Nem. Gop can't deny that he appreciates it, although the fact that his tails are wagging is far less appreciated. He would rather voice that for himself, rather than having his appendages explain it for him.
He minds it a lot less when Nem lets out a nervous giggle. It's the closest to normal they've acted this whole time. Gop glances at the others arms, since he hadn't actually seen them bare ever before. They aren't much, pale and not particularly muscular, forearms littered with small healed slices, but Gop wants to memorize everything about how Nem looks. They're beautiful, and could die on any of the missions they're sent on. Gop doesn't want them to die and to be unable to remember them.
"Gop, Gopppp, Goppp, earth to Gopg?" Nem says, waving their hand in front of his eyes. Gop jolts slightly, glancing up at Nem. Its weird, needing to do that, considering they were around a head shorter than Gop (Not counting the ears.)
"H-Hi, sorry." Gop responds. The words feel weak, and despite the added layer, he still feels freezing. He reaches for Redline, but Nem slaps his hand away, and the look of terror is enough for him to stop. "I'm just cold, I'm sorry." Gop admits, hanging his head.
"That's not the issue, I just don't trust that thing. Uh, here." Nem sits down beside Gop as they finish speaking, awkwardly wrapping an arm around Gop. They don't want to overstep, and luckily that fear is quickly snuffed out by the man rolling onto them and seemingly making an attempt to burrow inside of Nem.
They yelp quietly, not expecting to be pushed over and turned into a pillow, but its nice. Gop seems comfortable, even if he's still shivering and way too cold to the touch. They should probably try to make Gop take whatever medicine they'd gotten, but… He finally seems calm, at least a little bit. Nem can't bring themself to interrupt that. They shift as little as possible, bringing a blanket up over the two of them.
It's oddly domestic, for two Syndicate members. They're meant to be soldiers, and yet they're cuddled up like lovers. The thought makes Nems cheeks go hot. They're glad Gop isn't paying attention, breathing even and deep in the rhythm of sleep.
They wouldn't mind staying like this… Maybe forever, honestly. It's nice. Sure, in ideal circumstances Gop wouldn't be trembling at the mercy of his own body, and Nem wouldn't be needing to worry about him, and they'd be in Nems actual house instead of their rarely-used Syndicate base room, but this was still nice.
They raise their hand up, and start softly scratching between the fox's ears. To their surprise, he starts to purr. It's cute, but also, what the hell? Since when could Gop purr?! And how come Nem hadn't gotten to learn this earlier!!
They keep it up as best they can, but the rumble of Gops purrs is comforting, and Nem finds themself drifting off. They vaguely know that Tusu is going to be pissed, but can't find it in themself to care. Whatever punishment he inflicts will totally be worth it for this. They yawn, hand stilling as they slip into sleep alongside their friend.