Hermitcraft Oneshots

The Before The Calm - EVIL X ANGST PT. 2

Ok, this is part two (Do I call it a two-shot?) I have a few other parts nearly written, and I reckon this will be in five or six parts.

TRIGGERS

-Deafness

-Illness

-Hurt/comfort

Let me know if I missed any triggers

Prompt: None

Ok, just a reminder of where we left off:

Warmth...That was the first sensation, then an overwhelming feeling of safety

He slowly opened his eyes a crack, squinting against the bright light. He took inventory of his body parts, slowly wiggling his fingers and toes, and was surprised to find that he could move them with minimum pain. He tried to roll on to his side before realising that was a very bad idea. He gasped as a stabbing pain shot down his side, and quickly fell back onto the bed, grateful for the mound of pillows. Opening his eyes fully now, he realised there was a person sat in the corner of the room, with an amused expression on their face.

And onto the one-shot!

Ex scowled, and pulled the blanket closer around him, as if it would protect him from the incoming conversation. What was his brother doing here?! Didn't he ban him in the first place?

Though it was hard to tell Xisuma's expression from behind the helmet, EX could almost taste the awkwardness coming from his brother in waves. His foot was tapping against the floor, while his hands were laced together, placed on his lap in an uncomfortably stiff position. His posture was almost too perfect, as if he had a rod stuffed up his back. Every now and then a quiet woosh would come from his helmet as he took a breath (imagine like soft Darth Vader)

Xisuma noticed his brothers movement and shifted slightly.

"Ex...found...hurt...OK?" Xisuma asked. His mouth was moving but Ex couldn't hear a thing he said.

Ex shrunk back into the bedsheets, his mouth agape. He gripped at the blankets, knuckled turning white. He gasped a little as he clicked his fingers next to his ear. He heard nothing. He clicked again and again, desperate for some type of noise, something to tell him it was all a mistake, that he was fine. He felt tears prick at the corners of his eyes, and he collapsed in the bedsheets, completely limp, sobbing in earnest down.

Distantly, he heard his own messy sobs, but everything was muffled, distant, and patchy. Everything hurt so much, both physically and mentally. He was spiralling, shaking and sniffling. Suddenly, he was back in the void, floating in the abyss, desperately trying to hold onto his last glimmer of hope, before he fell into the darkness forever.

Suddenly, he felt something he hadn't felt in a long time. Two arms wrapped around him, and pulled him close. It was so warm, and so safe. He melted at the touch, having not felt any type of contact for years. He buried his face into the warmth, and he felt the arms grip him tighter than ever before. He felt comforting vibrations against him, and a gentle hand rubbing circles on his back. (Can you tell how touch starved I am now lol) They remained in that position for what felt like years, X quietly cradling the broken man. After an eternity, his breathing began to even out, and he stopped shaking.

He glanced up to see Xisuma cradling him in his arms. His visor was up, showing his eyes, and small poof of fluffy brown hair. Ex realised with a start that he was in X's lap, curled up in a small ball. He unconsciously pouted, annoyed at being so vulnerable. Ex tapped his brother on the shoulder to get his attention, not trusting his voice. X looked down at him, smiling slightly to see his brother's improved mood.

Ex gestured weakly, trying to imitate a book and quill. He flopped weakly back onto the covers as soon as X let go of him, too weak to stay sitting. He pretended not to notice Xisuma's worried expression at his frailness.

Xisuma returned in a few minutes with a leather-clad journal and a pen. He pushed it into his hands, and nodded at him to write. Ex picked up the pen with weak trembling fingers and started to write

Can't hear. Unbanned? He wrote

Unbanned. Second chance. Mistake to ban you. Forgiveness? Pain? Xisuma wrote back

Ex thought for a minute. He glanced up at X, who's eyes were clearly full of uncertainty and guilt. Leave it to X to blame himself he thought. He met his brother's eyes, took his hand and squeezed it weakly, reassuring X.

What is void like? Why deaf? X wrote

Pain. Void sucks life. Soul empties out. Lucky to survive. No food or water in the void. Only pain. Constant ringing. Silence is very loud. One day the ringing stopped.

X's eyes tore down the page almost hungrily, desperate to know what the void was like, almost angry that his brother had to endure this pain. By the end of the page, his eyes had filled with tears, and he looked at Ex with an expression full of sadness. Ex took back the journal and pen.

I keep journal. Don't trust speaking.

X nodded at him

OK. You need food. I had to carry you here, You weighed almost nothing. I was scared. You lost a lot of blood. Soup?

Soup. Am I ill?

Not ill, just weak. Need rest and food. BED REST. Xisuma wrote the last bit in all capitals

Ok. Tired. Can I sleep?

Ex was struggling to keep his eyes open at this point. Everything seemed warm, and comfortable, and the pain was dulled. He looked up at X, asking the unspoken question.

X gave a very slight nod, and smiled slightly seeing Ex nod off almost immediately. Not all was forgiven yet, but it was a start. And Ex was safe, that was all that mattered.

Words: 827

I have part three nearly written, so expect that to come soon! Anyways, Thanks for reading, remember to drink water and take care of yourselves!