[ That's what he mentioned before, when he confessed that they might not have much more time to spend together once Oria started his university classes. ]
[He doesn't want to impose. But he doesn't want to leave Oria so soon either. He squeezes Oria's hand lightly. The game had made Oria honest about everything. It seems only fair to be honest himself]
Things were a mess for me on Tuesday as well. [He got kicked into some crates, barely avoided falling down the stairs...] So technically, I'm still on leave until Monday.
[ Oria just needs to adapt. Gentle cuddles. Sinclair leans back in when he's sure Oria wont try to grab his sweater again. He might regret this, but Oria looks so cute pouty...]
It looks worse than it is. I don't need to strip to prove that, do I?
[He will actually take off his top if it means Oria will feel better. But what if it makes it worse?]
[He'll lift up his shirt a little so Oria can see. Yep. Just a big purple-yellow bruise, maybe vaguely in the shape of a boot print. He drops his shirt again and reaches up to cup Oria's cheek with a tiny frown]
Not like I was shot.
[This time. He casts his gaze down at Oria's torso, as if he could tell where the bandages were from just looking]
[ Sinclair would be right. There are bandages tightly tied around Oria's stomach area, but the wound should have closer already even if its easy to open it again. ]
... Before you leave, I'm gonna give you an ointment, so you better use it on your bruises.
[ Though that boot-shaped print makes him think... ]
I thought you just did record keeping and cleanups. Why did you get hurt? Was there an ambush?
[ There's a wry look on his face as he puts his free arm over Sinclair's side again. He wants to pull him closer, but he's wary. What if there's a bruise on his back too? There is, but Oria doesn't know that. ]
[Sinclair doesn't care. He presses closer, tucking his face against Oria's neck. He brushes his hand carefully down Oria's side and when he feels the bandages, settles his hand above, just out of the way against the middle of Oria's back]
...it seems like it. I chose this for myself though.
[ Oria would obviously want Sinclair to be safe. This is why he's mostly against the revenge pact, even if it seems that Sinclair can handle himself. Even if all these bruises... what if it had been a blade instead of a bruise? It fills Oria with worry. ]
[He drums his fingers against Oria's back as he tries to put in words. Why had he joined?]
I was in the hospital for awhile after...[He trails off for a bit and frowns. Some of it had been because of his injuries. The other part of it] They approached me then. They said that if I joined them "we promise you, we will help you break free."
Page 13 of 22