♚ tenth step ♚

[polarization]

[ Oh boy, it's been a while Plane! There is a good reason for this, and this reason is a doozy. This is quickly seen when Sefton appears; not only are his wrists strapped to the gurney that he's brought with him, but he's also dressed in a pair of scrubs, barefoot, and trying to wrest his hands free from the bindings in quiet panic. ]

Come on, come on, come on, come on...!

Agh! [ He flops back against the pillow, momentarily defeated and breathing heavily. Looking for all the world like the scared, helpless fifteen year old that he is. ] Dad... Dad... why would you do this...?

[ Standard Sefton disclaimer applies, yes. ]

Comments

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

[Kyouya doesn't say a word. He just starts undoing the straps.]

[polarization]

[ Sefton is tense - incredibly so, considering that it's Kyouya. The guilt slaps him in the face and as soon as one hand is free, he moves to free the other one himself. His fingers aren't as deft as he wants them to be and he has a bit of trouble, but eventually gets it done and shoves himself off the gurney.

He isn't expecting his legs to be so weak - adrenalin can only go so far, and he's still a little groggy under the panic - and only manages to catch himself on one of the metal crossbeams under the bed before shifting both of his hands onto the mattress.

Much like Kyouya, he says nothing. ]

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

[Kyouya looks at him almost blankly - obviously aware and intelligent, but like everything but the analytic part of him has been discarded as unnecessary window dressing. Clearly no bedside manner to speak of, or perhaps it's Kyouya's own mad breed of kindness when Sefton is so vulnerable.]

[polarization]

[ He flickers a look up to Kyouya then back down, and his hands shift to grip at the blankets after a moment. ]

Just gonna stare?

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

I'm looking for injuries.

[As best as he can without touching Sefton, anyway.]

[polarization]

[ His wrists are a little raw, unsurprisingly, but Kyouya might notice a needle mark on his arm, near the end of the short sleeve, and another in the crook of his elbow. ]

'm fine.

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

[Kyouya has a good eye for detail - he spots the one at the crook of his elbow, first (he thought Sefton was acting a bit drugged) and then the one at the sleeve.]

Sedatives?

[polarization]

[ Sefton frowns, his knuckles turning white from their grip on the blankets. ]

Maybe.

[ Yes. ]

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

Then you should sit. You won't fall into anyone, that way.

[polarization]

[ That gets some of his attention. He swallows. ]

... not gonna fall. Just—just go away.

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

I refuse. [His tone is polite but unwavering, formalized by the politesse and deference of his training, hardened by his resolve.] The kitchen will have a place to sit and food for your recovery. Please allow me to accompany you there.

[polarization]

No. [ If Kyouya is politely unwavering, then Sefton is rudely stubborn. ] Just—

[ His eyes shut tight and he quietly smacks his fists against the mattress, but doesn't finish whatever he was going to say. Closer inspection would show that he's begun to tremble. Whether from the exertion or simply stress is hard to say. ]

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

[Kyouya notes the tremble in his calm, analytic gaze, but he does not bring it up.] Sefton-kun. I will not touch you, but I need to see you to a place of rest and recovery.

[It's so obvious by now that Sefton hates physical contact. That's why Kyouya hasn't approached him since he undid the first strap.]

[It's also fairly evident to him that Sefton won't be returning to where he's from (one would assume a hospital) to get away, not this time.]

[polarization]

Need to, huh? [ The mumble is quiet, intended for himself. It's derisive, angry. His own fault.

Sefton stays still for a long moment, trying to work through the whirlpool of thoughts to consider Kyouya's offer. With slightly less urgency-laden panic comes a somber, smoldering mess of emotion underneath. Neither is less volatile than the other, but he thinks he prefers the panic, really. ]

... What if I just wanna stay here? [ (He doesn't.) ]

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

[flatly] It is not a very comfortable place to rest.

[polarization]

There's a bed. [ ... that he was just strapped to moments ago, but shhh ]

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

It is not a comfortable bed.

[polarization]

'n there's a better one in the kitchen? [ He's slowly losing the battle at properly holding himself up on the gurney. He's steady now, but tiring quickly. ]

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

[While that is a fair point, logic has never stopped a Host before.] Please accompany you before you fall and I am forced to catch you.

[polarization]

Could just let me fall.

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

That would be impolite.

[polarization]

[ There's a glare sent Kyouya's way. However, he then lowers his head to let some of his hair cover his face and hide the upset expression. He's really stuck himself between a rock and a hard place, hasn't he? ]

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

[with the hint of a sigh] I'll leave when you get there.

[polarization]

... Just like that?

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

If you prefer.