[Kitsumi]

For a moment, Ilias stared at the needle and suturing thread. Then his eyes widened, and he began shaking his head. "No," he said. "No, no, no. I don't need any of that." He tried to stand, immediately causing a gush of black liquid to flow from the wound, which had opened more from his movement.

[Kitsumi]

"Sit." The voice that Lael used was surprisingly stern, and offered no room for debate. The man immediately did as he was told, and she began preparing the tools. "Don't worry," she said. "I have minimal training in this sort of thing, so I know what I'm doing. I've had to stitch up a few of my own wounds before."

[Kitsumi]

Knowing that there was no sense in arguing, Ilias simply sighed and gave in. "Fine," he said. "I suppose I have to simply trust that you won't make things worse."

"See, that's the spirit," Lael replied sarcastically. "Now, let me see your wound." She had already threaded the needle, and was now debating on where to place the first stitch.

[Kitsumi]

It was gruesome work, but Lael did it without blinking an eye. Even when Ilias made low noises of pain, she simply gritted her teeth and continued stitching the wound closed. By the time she had finished, her hands were stained in the man's black blood, and they shook ever so slightly.

[Kitsumi]

"Done," she whispered. "The hard part is over, and now we just need to get it bandaged."

Throughout the process, Ilias had refused to look at his wound. But now he finally risked a glance, and was surprised at what he saw. The stitches were neatly, professionally done, and the wound already looked much better.

[Kitsumi]

As Lael began to turn away, Ilias caught her hand in both of his, stopping her. Unconcerned by his own blood on her fingers, he held them tightly. "Thank you," he said. "I am grateful to have such a kind person to care about me. And I am sorry that I troubled you."

[Kitsumi]

Gently, the woman pried her hand away from his. "Don't mention it," she said. Her gaze remained glued to the floor, unable to meet his. "After all, it's my fault that you were injured."

Ilias frowned. "You blame yourself for this?"

"How could I not? If it weren't for me, you never would have been hurt."