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Techno is acting strangely.
That shouldn’t mean much- Tommy’s seen him in all kinds of weird moods- but this- this doesn’t feel right. He’s stumbling, barely staying upright, and the battle’s over but that doesn’t mean-
Tommy folds his wings, dropping gracefully to the ground. Landing amidst bodies and blood and gore, taking a few quick strides to where Techno is.
“Tech?” Tommy reaches for him. “You okay?”
His brother turns quickly, nearly unbalancing himself. He stumbles backwards, pressing one hand to his head. “Who- wha’s-” Techno shakes his head, wincing at the movement.
“It’s me.” Tommy holds up his hands placatingly, keeps his voice calm. Inside he’s in turmoil. No- he’s scared. Techno’s slurring his words, he looks lost and confused, and Tommy’s pretty sure there’s blood in his hair. “Techno, it’s Theseus.”
“I… huh?” Techno stumbles, nearly collapsing. Tommy reaches for him.
“Hey, hey, maybe let’s sit down, okay big man?”
Techno shakes his head again. “I… ‘ve gotta- they wan’ blood. Blood- blood f’r th’ Blood God-”
“Nope, we’re done with all that for now.” Tommy doesn’t sense the signs of an oncoming bloodwrath, but that doesn’t make him worry any less. “The fight’s done, Tech.”
“H- heh?” Techno shakes his head, blinking rapidly. “I c- can’ think…”
“I think you hit your head,” Tommy says, heart in his throat. “Just- c’mere, come to me, okay?”
Techno takes a step, another, and falls. Just collapses forward, right into Tommy’s arms. Tommy staggers under his brother’s weight, but stays on his feet.
-and on second thought, actually, he’s gonna sit down.
He lowers Techno gently to the ground, cradling his brother’s head in both hands. Delicately combing through Techno’s hair to find the injury- a lump on the side of his head, right near what Tommy realizes too late is the edge of his hairpiece.
Techno’s never let Tommy see the scars before, but he is looking at them now and they’re twisted, gnarled, ugly things- trauma engraved on Techno’s skin.
And he-
Gods, Techno was ten years old when this happened?
He doesn’t have time for this. “Techno,” Tommy says, voice shaking, “I need you to stay awake.”
Techno blinks up at him, bleary-eyed. “’m ‘wake,” he slurs.
“Good. Don’t close your eyes.” Tommy reaches anxiously for Shroud’s consciousness. She reaches back, pushing helpless-unsure through their connection. “You’re gonna be okay,” Tommy says, even though he can’t promise that.
Techno opens and closes his mouth a couple times. “’ll try,” he mumbles at last.
“Good.” Tommy’s hands are trembling. “Shroud, please, we have to do something.”
“He’s not going to die,” she says. “At least, I don’t think so.”
Tommy tries to take a deep breath. “That’s not reassuring at all.”
“I’m sorry,” Shroud says, and she means it. “I don’t know what to do. I don’t know very much about taking care of humans.”
“You do fine with me.”
Techno groans, and Tommy’s attention is pulled back to him. His eyes are unfocused, hands grasping weakly at Tommy’s wings. “D- dad?”
“No, Tech,” Tommy manages, softly. “It’s Th- it’s Tommy, remember?”
Techno doesn’t seem to hear. “M’ head hur’s…” He sobs softly. “M’ d- dyin’-”
“No, you’re not. You’re not dying.” Tommy’s heart clenches. He knows this isn’t exactly something he can promise, for sure, but- but he’s not letting Techno die if there’s anything he can do about it.
Mom, he prays, desperate, help me. Don’t let Techno die.
The only thing he can think to do is get Techno back to his tent.
Inside, Tommy settles his brother’s head on his lap, cupping the injured part of his head. Techno’s incoherent, dazed, reaching for Tommy’s feathers every time his wings get close.
Shroud joins him on the ground, changing back to human shape. She places her smaller fingers over Tommy’s. She’s worried, he can tell, and it takes him off guard for a second because she doesn’t show much affection for his family.
“Just try something,” she says at last.
Tommy takes a deep breath. Lets it out slowly, easing magic into the injury.
It seems to help, at least. Techno blinks, his gaze seeming to focus.
“T’mmy?”
“Yeah,” he breathes in relief. “Yeah, it’s me. How’re you feeling, Tech?”
He closes his eyes tightly for a second. “M’ head hurts.”
“I know. You’ve got a nasty bump, looks like somebody conked you on the head pretty good.” Tommy shifts. “Just- just try to relax, okay? You’re safe, I’m right here.”
“’kay.” Techno closes his eyes for a few seconds, opens them again. “Wan’ Wil.”
“He’s not here right now,” Tommy says softly. “You’re gonna see him as soon as we get home, I promise.”
“I don’ feel good.”
“I know.” Tommy glances at Shroud; she shrugs. “I- I think you can sleep for a bit now, okay?”
Techno’s eyelids droop. “Goin’ home?” he mumbles.
“Yeah, we’re going home.” Tommy sighs quietly. “You’re gonna be just fine.”