Work Text:
The longer it took for Lillium to appear beside them again, Urianger had been growing increasingly frustrated and concerned, in equal parts. He looked toward the blue starbird that Meteion had taken the form of and tried to keep his voice from wobbling as he spoke.
"Is thou utterly sure that our dearest companion was abaft to you ere you made your ascent to us?"
Meteion shuddered and let out the most mournful coo. "I swear it! I wouldn't lie about this, h-he is my friend!"
Urianger turned to the control panel where the Loporrit were. "Mayhaps we return to Ultima Thule with all haste and search for our erstwhile friend."
Oh Lillium, you must return… For my side is too bare without thine radiance to fall upon me.
Just as the Loporrit were ready to discuss a new plan, a flash of light filled the cabin before a sickening wet thud followed through.
Unshielding his eyes, Urianger almost collapsed where he stood when he took in Lillium's form. His skin was ashen grey and sweating in sick pallor. Hair matted and soaked, and his clothes were covered in holes and stained red instead of white. But it was when he looked down further that his breath caught in his throat.
Both his legs from just above his shin were missing.
He didn't hear Alisaie scream; it was as if he was underwater as he fell to his companion's side.
Who is responsible for thine state?
Looking at his chest, he saw the slow rise and fall- shallow and barely there. Next to his side was the teleport key… to know it had found its way back to him almost caused Urianger to sob.
But Y'shtola's fingers clicking in his face pulled him back from this dark reprieve.
"We can mourn what happened later. For now… we have to keep him alive."
Swallowing the lump that was forming in his throat, Urianger took a shaky breath and started to channel his healing, even drawing a card or two to help boost him (And encourage the stars to aid him in doing so).
Y'shtola let out a hum, pulling back on her own healing to turn to G'raha. "You need to help me. With the power of fire, I feel we can cauterise the wounds, then heal him until he is stable, and we can get more assistance when we land back in Old Sharlayan."
G'raha nodded, shepherding Alisaie over to Thancred before joining the other miqo'te by what remained of Lillium's legs. Urianger placed himself by Lillium's head, and Alphinaud knelt across from him.
"You'll be alright… Lilli." The younger elezen choked out. "I'll make sure of it… so Alisaie and I can both give you a stern talking-to."
I shalt do the same to you, I fear… for I cannot forgive myself for letting that teleport take us so far from you… Leaving you isolated and bereft of hope.
He continued to heal Lillium even as the acrid scent of burnt flesh began to fill the room. Alisaie had opted to join the others in healing and continued to sob as she did.
Lillium's face remained unmoving, but the parting of his lips and the soft wheeze that periodically followed gave him hope.
"By the stars and aether around thee, I continue to invoke the healing word that it will bring you back to us… "
Back to me. I cannot lose you again, my Starburst.
Urianger distantly noted that the aether from around them felt denser. Pulling upon it to further his healing prowess, the elezen found it to be quite unusual. While he had spent his time in the First studying the stars and how to divine them even when they were obscured by infernal Light, he had never felt close enough to them to really see how they were. How the aether felt as it passed between his fingers.
But now, it was clear to him. Aether so thick and tangible, it felt as though he was wading through a pond. Even specks of light seemed to flow out of him and the others like stardust.
"How queer." Thancred noted as he observed from afar with Estinien. "It's like he's being covered in stars, or am I seeing things?"
Urianger looked away from Lillium's pallid face and observed that his scarred body was softly glowing in constellation-like freckles. Gently, he moved the tattered robe up to see the expanse of his stomach and turned to the others in shock. "Thancred has the right of it. The aether around us seems to have a most intriguing reaction to Lillium's body."
Alphinaud mumbled, face pulled taut in stress. "Aye, Mayhaps it's a temporary reaction… we can always study more when we return… and when he…"
"Deep breaths," Urianger tried to reassure the other elezen, but his own words warbled as a tear finally broke free. "Lillium is a most resilient being. Ere long, he shall wake, and we… we will be able to enjoy in the radiance of his company once more."
Everything lapsed back into an uncomfortable silence as each person continued working to stabilize their dearest friend. And when the viera began to stir, Urianger held his breath.
"Star…" He choked out. "I beseech thee…"
Dull eyes opened and searched around him, seemingly not making sense of where he was. A harsh, rattling wheeze left his body as he began to choke on the air around him.
The elezen sprang to action, helping the viera sit up without aggravating his healing wounds further before rubbing the middle of his back. "Lillium, thou art safe within the confines of the Ragnarok. We were stabilizing you as you awoke just moments ago."
Lillium continued to cough and wheeze, arms hanging uselessly at his side. Urianger could see he was trying to speak, but the words would not come forth, and forcing it more would send him into a deeper spiral.
"Listen to mine voice, dearest Star." He continued to rub his back, and the rest of the ship looked on, letting them have this moment. "We know not what hath occurred to thee before you fell before us. But know that all are now accounted for, including that of Meteion." Pressing a kiss to the top of his head, Urianger had to swallow around the lump that had begun to reform in his throat. "Thou art safe. Thou shalt not be further harmed. But I cannot entreat thee enough that thou shouldst rest and sleep, so that we may continue in earnest to keep thee well until reaching home."
Lillium let out a keening whine; his fingers trembled as he tried to sign, resorting to using a finger to trace words on the floor of the ship.
<Is>
<Everyone>
<Alright?>
"You're asking about us?" Alisaie knelt closer, her eyes swollen red. "You… you're the one who was… was-" She clasped his hand, and Alphinaud took the other. "You are not allowed to ask that when you made us all go!"
"Alisaie… maybe we leave the tongue-lashing for when Lillium isn't close to passing out again." Alphinaud teased slightly, still channelling a small amount of healing into the viera.
She blushed and squeezed Lillium's hand. "W-Well, my point still stands."
G'raha nodded, tears rolling down his own cheeks. "Tis good to see you again, Lillium."
Urianger found his hand wandering up to Lillium's neck, feeling against the pulse point as the heartbeat of his lover thrummed under his touch. It was still a little uneven, but far more prominent than before.
He lives.
He yet lives and will continue to do so.
Hold fast, my Star.
He kissed his head again and let out a shaky breath. "Rest now, Lillium. We shall endeavour to keep thee safe until we return."
Lillium nodded, his eyes fluttering before he went limp in his gentle grasp.
Another tear left him as he began to heal again.
All will be well.
He yet lives.
He yet lives.