29 - [voice] Hospital time again

[forged_anew]

[There's a bit of silence, with just some quiet rustling for a few seconds, and then a soft sigh before Zuko speaks. He sounds somewhat resigned and really exhausted.]

I'm back. Sorry if I worried anyone. I'm fine.

[Another pause, and a muffled, strained cough. The next part is mumbled kind of quickly and sheepishly]

I... I'm... um, at the hospital. If anyone wanted to know.




Oh... Jackie, and Jackie's friends... Um, thanks.

Comments

[ Comment Log ]

[a-lone-flame.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I got "battered up" via nail bat, so I came in here for stitches. I know the guy who did it, too.

[ Comment Log ]

[forged_anew]

[Sorry, Kai, he's not gonna get that joke. In fact, Zuko doesn't even know what a 'nail bat' is and is... probably assuming it's an animal :| ]

I guess a lot of people were attacking their friends...

[ Comment Log ]

[a-lone-flame.livejournal.com]

[ ... I will explain what a nail bat is. ]

He's not my friend. He's... well, I tolerate him, but I'm pretty much indifferent.

[ Comment Log ]

[forged_anew]

[...you probably should. He's definitely imagining a weird animal of some sort. Silly Zuko]

Oh. But still...

[sigh]

I need to get my chip out. It seems like that's what caused it and I'm sick of these damn scientists messing with us like this!

[ Comment Log ]

[a-lone-flame.livejournal.com]

[ Since you're lost-- ]

--okay, so a nail bat is pretty much, you take a bat, hammer some nails in it, and you have a modernized medieval flail. That's the thing that went through my back.

[ And hurt like hell enough that I can't lay on it, and I'm too manly to ask for massages and general back support orz ]

You're not the only one who wants his chip out.

[ Comment Log ]

[forged_anew]

[assuming he knows a bat is a piece of wood Zuko winces, eyes widening slightly.]

...are you sure you shouldn't be staying here too, Kai?

[...]

Yeah, I know.

[ Comment Log ]

[a-lone-flame.livejournal.com]

[ Kai rubs at his neck a little. ]

I'm fine. Besides, no one's there to watch over my apartment, so I have to look out for it.

[...]

It would be nice to not be burdened by it anymore.

[ Comment Log ]

[forged_anew]

[Blink. No one's there...? No one? He just looks at Kai for a few moments, a little sadly.]

Were your friends... sent home?

[ Comment Log ]

[a-lone-flame.livejournal.com]

Mm. Boris was sent home a few weeks ago, and recently, Yuriy left.

[ Is that a sad? Yes, that's a sad. ]

[ Comment Log ]

[forged_anew]

[Zuko can totally see your sad, Kai. :| ]

That's... unfortunate.

[paaaause]

It must be a little weird... having the apartment to yourself. If you want to, you can always... stay over, you know.

Indefinitely, if you want.

[ Comment Log ]

[a-lone-flame.livejournal.com]

[ ... whoa, wait, I just- ]

...

Thank you, Zuko.

[ Comment Log ]

[forged_anew]

[Zuko just kind of shrugs, a little awkwardly. Oops, and then winces.]

It's no problem.

[ Comment Log ]

[a-lone-flame.livejournal.com]

I'll think about it. Kinomiya, Rei and Rin might also appreciate it, as well.

[ Kai catches onto the shrug, sighing. ] Don't move around too much too soon.

[ Comment Log ]

[forged_anew]

Friends of yours who can move in to your place?

[Yeah, you shouldn't be alone. It's not a happy state :(

Zuko kinda makes a face, sighing softly]

I know. I think the problem is I moved around too much in the forest and now I can't really move at all.

[grumble]

[ Comment Log ]

[a-lone-flame.livejournal.com]

Well, I got them an apartment next to mine. I check up on them every so often.

[...]

Or, in Kinomiya's case, every day.

[...]

[ I'm used to living alone. :( ]

Idiot. You overtaxed your body.

[ Comment Log ]

[forged_anew]

Have you thought about knocking the wall down between your apartments? I'm sure some of the construction people can help with that.

[a slight frown and eyebrow-raise at you, Kai.]

You're not really one to talk.

[ Comment Log ]

[a-lone-flame.livejournal.com]

I'd prefer the wall. Seeing Kinomiya all the time isn't my idea of a good time.

[ Kai makes a face, then looks away. ]

Oh, shut up and just eat.

[ Comment Log ]

[forged_anew]

Heh. You don't mean that.

[triumphant little smirk here and another, much slower shrug he learned his lesson the first time as he goes back to eating... carefully.]

Sure, Kai.

[ Comment Log ]

[a-lone-flame.livejournal.com]

Hmph!

[ Kai grumbles, glaring at nothing in particular. ]

[ Comment Log ]

[forged_anew]

[After a few more moments and some delicious foods, Zuko looks over again with a very small smile]

You are taking care of yourself, right?

[ Comment Log ]

[a-lone-flame.livejournal.com]

[ Kai's good at avoiding people's eyesight, although he looks up at Zuko, nodding. ]

Of course I am. Just because my dear lecturer went home doesn't mean I don't know how to take care of myself.

[ Comment Log ]

[forged_anew]

[ Hey, Zuko's good at that too! He raises an eyebrow teasingly]

I don't know. I seem to remember you're pretty good at getting yourself into trouble.

Seriously, though. Sounds like you got some pretty nasty wounds. Take it easy for a while.

[because he knows you and your compulsive need to train 'til you drop :| ]

[ Comment Log ]

[a-lone-flame.livejournal.com]

Tch, trouble follows me, unfortunately.

[ Kai sighs. Ugh, Yuriy was nicer in his lectures and actually gave me things, like hugs and augh. ]

I have been doing that. Thank you, mother.

[ Grumble grumble. Leave me alone, people. ]

[ Comment Log ]

[forged_anew]

[Zuko blinks, then looks away slightly]

Remember when we decided it wasn't nice to bring up people's mothers?

[He doesn't sound upset. Actually, he sounds rather amused, but his tone turns serious again.]

I'm sort of still getting used to this whole 'having friends' think, Kai, but I've decided I kinda like it.

[Translation: I don't want you to be hurt and/or die or something like that, okay, tough guy?]

[ Comment Log ]

[a-lone-flame.livejournal.com]

[ Kai grumbles more, although he notes the serious tone again, nodding. ]

Mm. Don't worry. It takes a lot to bring me down.