Soleil wasn't the only one feeling worn out. More than the physical struggle, the emotional weight of being elsewhere when their home needed them had been pressing down on Tal. The fight, however short and dirty, had burned through his stamina as he wrestled with the intangible shackles of his old home and his new one pulling him in different directions at the same time.
He still had greater endurance than the young wolf woman, at least. Enough to keep himself from getting punched again as he struggled to keep her in place until she wore herself out. When the surrender finally fought its way clear of her throat he relaxed immediately, scrambling off her and flopping into the ground beside her. He panted for breath, groaning as his shoulder started to throb with the urgency of a bill too long ignored and now coming due with interest. She was crying, he knew, but he fucking hated showing his tears to anyone and figured she was the same, so he pretended he didn't see them.
And sure, it was weird seeing Soleil of all people having a breakdown, but maybe it was about time. Or even long overdue. At any rate, however awkward it was he wasn't about to just walk away and leave his best frenemy's daughter crying in the dirt and snow.
"Nah," he informed her, once he had his breath back enough to speak steadily. "Think y'broke my leg when y'kicked it." It was a leg sweep, Tal, but close enough. "Guess I'm stuck here with you til it heals up." He winced as he shifted his arm the wrong way and sent a fresh ache through his shoulder, then switched to fold the other one up to cushion his head as he studied the sky above them with pale eyes. A heavy sigh escaped the courier, but he was otherwise quiet as he lay beside his fellow Adventurer, giving each other company whether they wanted or not while they dealt with their inner guilt.
~Fin~
He still had greater endurance than the young wolf woman, at least. Enough to keep himself from getting punched again as he struggled to keep her in place until she wore herself out. When the surrender finally fought its way clear of her throat he relaxed immediately, scrambling off her and flopping into the ground beside her. He panted for breath, groaning as his shoulder started to throb with the urgency of a bill too long ignored and now coming due with interest. She was crying, he knew, but he fucking hated showing his tears to anyone and figured she was the same, so he pretended he didn't see them.
And sure, it was weird seeing Soleil of all people having a breakdown, but maybe it was about time. Or even long overdue. At any rate, however awkward it was he wasn't about to just walk away and leave his best frenemy's daughter crying in the dirt and snow.
"Nah," he informed her, once he had his breath back enough to speak steadily. "Think y'broke my leg when y'kicked it." It was a leg sweep, Tal, but close enough. "Guess I'm stuck here with you til it heals up." He winced as he shifted his arm the wrong way and sent a fresh ache through his shoulder, then switched to fold the other one up to cushion his head as he studied the sky above them with pale eyes. A heavy sigh escaped the courier, but he was otherwise quiet as he lay beside his fellow Adventurer, giving each other company whether they wanted or not while they dealt with their inner guilt.
~Fin~
