;video | close to midnight

[fortheempire]

[The SFC comes on with a very noisy clatter. When the video evens out, Ioder can be seen looking down at it, huddled up with his knees to his chest. He looks pained, and there's a good reason for that - all the blood that's splattered the right side of his face, his shoulder and staining a good portion of his once-white shirt is to be blamed for that. The wound that's caused it currently has his hand clasped so tightly over it his knuckles are turning white, and he's clearly shaking.]

I... I need... some assistance... please... i-if anyone is awake... I'm at the coral...

[He pauses, breath hitching. He's trying to keep tears back, but he's not sure how much longer he can go without utterly breaking down. He doesn't bother turning the SFC off, instead just burying his face in his curled up arms as his shoulders tremble.]

Comments

[chosen_gigolo]

[...yeah there's no way Zelos can leave Ioder alone in some hotel. In fact, he's not even sure Ioder can make it that far right now in his mental state, let alone all the way to the place he shares with Zelda.

Sighing a bit, Zelos unceremoniously picks Ioder up, princess style, and takes to the air, setting an leisurely pace for home. He doesn't go too high, but the surprise at being flown, he hopes, will at least distract Ioder a little bit.]

It'll be quiet at home. I should have specified, but Duke's all comaed too, y'know? So no one'll but you but Zelda has some magical security of some kind so it's safe.

[fortheempire]

[It is a bit distracting. He certainly wasn't expecting that, and it gets him to stop crying at least. He sort watches the ground pass below them, distantly curious.

So Duke was in a coma too? That explains why he hasn't seen the other man around much lately. Odd to think about, in his current state, but a strange sort of comfort knowing that Duke is at least still around.

He finally gives a tired, distracted nod, trying to not doze off but finding it difficult to fight.]

Sooo sorry for the delay, but gonna handwave through the end if that's ok

[chosen_gigolo]

[Zelos does nothing to prevent the pint-sized royal from slipping into sleep. All he does is get him home and try to be as quiet as possible in tucking him in in their recently vacated guestroom. Whispered conversations are shared about what happened with Zelda and the now awake Duke, but Zelos, in an uncharacteristic display of caring, keeps it hushed for now, not wanting to wake the blonde with raised voices. He has a feeling Ioder may find sleep more difficult for a time.]