Hii! It's not taken. And oh I love this too much. Please enjoy.
Warnings: inexplicit injury.
"Roll call," Leader forced out to the earpiece. They couldn't hear anything else than their heartbeat. They had to get a hold of themselves, but their breath weren't enough, their arms shaking as they took support from the closest surface. They were drained, but at least they had managed to be the distraction, even if that wasn't the plan. Whumper had fled, but Leader had bigger concerns. Like their team. Dragging main forces didn't guarantee their team a safe spot.
"Right Hand here. Still standing."
Relief flooded onto Leader. They dropped down to the floor. Adrenaline crush, they thought bitterly. But it was worth it if they got to know the team was fine.
"Youngest here. I'm fine. Leader—?"
"Tech. System's a mess, but we're operational. Others are here too. Leader, your status?"
Leader exhaled slowly, pressing to the wall as they evened their breaths.
"All good. Took a hit, but nothing major. Just need a mokent." They made sure their voice was level, steady. "You all regroup and hold position. I’ll meet you at the rendezvous in a few."
"You sure?" Right Hand again, and Leader could practically hear the try to sound measured.
"Positive," Leader lied smoothly. "Stay put. If Whumper doubles back, I need you ready."
For a moment, the silence was too long. Then, grudgingly, "Copy that."
It was a temporary victory. Leader knew Right Hand wasn’t convinced. They knew Medic would follow up. But it bought them time. Time to get their legs under them, to push forward before their body made the decision for them.
One foot forward. Then another. They could make it. Just a little further.
By the time they reached the rendezvous point, the team was already scanning the area. Leader slowed their steps and forced their posture straight despite the ache settling deep in their bones. They had to look put together. They had to make this convincing.
Right Hand was the first to spot them, eyes narrowing. "Took you long enough."
"Had to be sure I wasn’t being followed," Leader replied easily, keeping their breathing controlled. The pain on their side screamed with every step, but they ignored it. "What’s the situation?"
"Clear for now," Tech answered. "But we should move. You sure you’re good?"
Leader ignored. "Let’s go."
Medic shot them a few sidelong glances, and Youngest, frowning, stepped a little closer than usual.
"You’re walking weird," Youngest muttered. "You sure you’re—"
"Tired," Leader cut in smoothly. "Like the rest of you. Let’s just get home."
The team exchanged glances but didn’t push further. That was good. They could hold it together until they got back. They had to.
The return to base was quiet, the weight of the mission settling over them. But as they stepped into the safety of home, Leader felt their body beginning to betray them. The dull ache in their ribs had sharpened. Their breaths came just a little too short. They fought to keep their posture straight, to keep their steps steady, but every movement sent another wave of pain rolling through them.
"Leader?" Right Hand’s voice cut through the quiet. Too sharp. Too perceptive. Sometimes their willingness to attend was too much for Leader.
"What?" Leader asked anyway, keeping their voice level.
"You’re pale," Tech observed. "Like, really pale."
"We just got out of a fight," Leader deflected, rolling their shoulders as if they weren’t stiff with pain. "I'll be back in shape for the debrief in the morning."
They turned toward their quarters, already willing their body to hold out just a little longer. They could make it that far. Just a few more steps.
Then the pain flared, sudden and brutal. Their stomach twisted, their breath caught—and before they could stop themselves, they staggered.
"Leader!" Right Hand was at their side in an instant, hands hovering as if unsure whether to reach out.
"Just—" Leader swallowed against the rising nausea, forcing a weak smirk. "Guess I overdid it."
Leader didn't realise that they were being surrounded by the team. Their vision blurred again, but this time they clung to Right Hand.
"That’s not overdoing it," Medic said sharply. "That's ignoring yourself."
"I’m fine," Leader started, but their voice wavered, and their legs followed suit. The room tilted, and before they could brace themselves, Right Hand lowered them to the ground.
"You’re not fine," Right Hand said, voice tight with frustration. "Sit before you fall."
Leader wanted to argue, but the ground was already slipping away. They were guided to lay down before they could hit the floor.
"I just need—" Leader started, but Medic was already crouching beside them, pressing fingers to their wrist, checking vitals.
"You need medical attention," Medic corrected. "Your heart rate’s off. Something’s wrong. How long were you going to keep this up?"
"Enough for it to pass," Leader muttered. They tried to offer a smile, but it fell away as another wave of dizziness hit.
"Idiot," Youngest muttered, running a hand through their hair in frustration. "You could've just said something, you know."
"Where’s the fun in that?" Their body felt heavier by the second, exhaustion hitting harder than they wanted to admit.
"Yeah, hilarious," Right Hand said, voice tight. "Just keep your eyes open."
"I’m trying," Leader admitted, blinking. "No promises."
Youngest shifted closer, watching them with something too close to fear. "You scared me," they muttered. "You scared all of us."
Leader exhaled slowly, trying to ease the weight pressing against their ribs. "Didn’t mean to."
Right Hand adjusted their grip to keep Leader upright. "Stop pushing yourself. We’ve got you."
Leader wanted to respond, wanted to brush it off with one last joke, but the fatigue was too much. They let their eyes close, just for a moment. Their team had them.
