singularjustice | ♔ [Text]

[ If anyone is looking for N, he will not be easy to find. His Pokemon seem to be missing too, though his name still registers on the SFC. However, he does not seem to be answering messages, though one is free to leave one and try their luck.

He does, however, send out short messages to anyone he has made plans to meet with this week, leaving them a short message that simply says: I need to cancel this week. Sorry. ]

[Private Text to Red]
I'm sorry I upset you.

But I can't be sorry for fighting Silver. I'll leave him alone now. He's got his choices, and I said what I wanted to say.

But I couldn't just let him go like that. Let him take Feraligatr back and think he had won, that everything was going to be okay the way it was. Maybe it's not important to anyone else, what a trainer does to his Pokemon. Maybe to everyone else the rights of a human is more important. But not to me.

Green's right. I don't deserve you. I'm not like other people and I'm never going to be. This just proves it.

[ The message ends there, and then, a few minutes later: ]

Go to the Clinic if you're still feeling bad. And get some sleep.

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[ N does not protest, standing, though his shoulders slump with weariness. The Pokemon get up as well, recognizing their trainer is finally ready to leave. ]

[With the limited source of light, Red couldn't really see N's bruises. But to see his weariness now... it gave him the idea that N didn't even treat himself before running away. This could be bad.]

Hold on, all right...?

[Red decides to carry N in his arms once again. It's a familiar feeling... He's carried him before, after all... When N was also tired. He's definitely sick, but he didn't lie about what he said before. For N, he will know no pain and will be strong. A comforting smile follows after.]

Red -- !

[ At being picked up, N struggles to get put back down, despite the fact it only irritates the bruising farther. ]

No, no, you're sick -- I can walk!

I'm all right. You're in a worse condition than me. Don't move, or you'll hurt yourself more.

[Not to mention make it harder for him, too.]

No -- Red, don't carry me. We can walk together.

... Then if I do, at least let me support you.

Just...hold my hand? Please?

... Mm.

[Red gently sighs, then lets N down now. He offers his hand out afterwards.]

[ N takes his hand, then starts to walk out of the warehouse with him. ]

[Now that they're in a lighted area, Red glances over to N to observe his condition. It's worse than he thought... It's a good thing that they still had supplies of first aid at home. He'll treat N right the moment they both sit down...]

[ N is quiet on the walk home. As soon as they are in the door he kicks off his shoes and removes his hat, and then starts for the stairs.

All he wants to do is to go collapse into bed and sleep. ]

[Red doesn't follow. He allows N to head to his room while he fetches the first aid kit. Shortly, he follows up. He knocks on the wall gently to indicate the he's entering the room as well.]

... Don't mind me. Go ahead and rest.

Hnn?

[ N peeks up at him from a mess of green hair and pillows. ]

[After setting the kit down, Red sits by one side of the bed, on the floor. He opens the kit to slide out a clean towel, then starts cleaning N off first while he's lying down like that.

He brushes off dirt or dust, and makes sure that the bruise areas are properly cleansed as well. When that was done, he proceeds to apply antiseptic with careful pressure.]

[ N is quiet, letting him, though he makes a soft sound of protest when Red touches some of the darker bruises. ]

Sorry... Hang in there, okay?

[Red holds N's hand to assure him that he'll try his best not to make this hurt much. He continues to treat N afterwards. He had to remove N's white jacket eventually, setting it neatly at one side.]

[ When he gets that far, N makes himself move to help, removing his bracelets and then his undershirt, though the movement makes him wince. ]

[. . . ?!]

[This is the first time that Red witnesses N's scars, on his back and wrists. They look... painful. Red never thought N would have any. Is N's past truly that horrifying...? What else does he not know...?

However, he doesn't comment and tries not to let the surprise show on his face. He continues to work on those bruises instead, and eventually finishing up by patching them.]

[ N had looked up at Red at just that moment, however, catching sight of the subtle widening of his eyes. ]

...I don't look that bad, do I?

[Ah, he was caught either way...]

[Red gently strokes N's arm when he was done, then looks straight at his eyes.] ... That's not it, N. I just... didn't know that you had these old wounds.

Those...?

[ N looks at his own wrist. He is so used to them that it is easy for him to forget they are there, even though he used them to frighten Silver. ]

Oh. They don't hurt any more; don't worry.

[... Of course they don't hurt anymore. But—]

Really?

[Red moves to hold one of N's wrists, as gently as ever. But at the same time, he reaches his other hand out and presses it against N's heart.]

[ N manages a tiny, tired smile. ]

They were worth getting.

N...

[A wound worth getting? All Red can think of is that... maybe it's a sacrifice. But he doesn't question it and nods. In a way, it's good that they do have a better meaning. Red would... definitely cry for N, if it's something of abuse.]