Xenomorph

Seen - Exertion

The original concept of the Xenomorph came from an AU art by @CreatureXIII for their RK800 Connor Xenomorph. JCK22 has since made their own interpretation of an RK900 version, which inspired this series.

The artwork is another work by JCK22.

Check them out on: @JasminCK3 on Twitter / JCK22 on Instagram / jceekay on Tumblr if you like their art!

Gavin struggled through the day, doing a lot more activity than he probably should have. He'd barely been back a day, and he was already pushing himself. After napping in the front parlour for a while with Tiny tucked against his chin and eating the breakfast Chloe brought through, Tiny had hoped he'd remain on the sofa resting. Sadly, Gavin had other plans. No sooner had he finished breakfast than he got to his feet and hobbled up to his room. Tiny followed, clicking worriedly as he staggered his way up the steep steps. Going down was far easier than going up.

"Don't you start! I get enough of that from Chloe!" Gavin grumbled as he entered his room and searched through his top drawer. Tiny chittered curiously, hopping up to watch. He didn't touch his pants or socks, and Tiny was curious. What was he looking for? He finally pulled out a set of light looking shorts. Tiny recognised them as swimming trunks. He was going swimming? Tiny wasn't sure that was possible. He clicked curiously as Gavin returned to the bed. "I can't exactly go walking yet. Being in the pool should help strengthen my muscles." That made sense, but was it really a good idea for his first full day home? Shouldn't he rest?

Changing was a slow and somewhat arduous process. His whole body shuddered as he sat down and rested a hand on his abs, gritting his teeth as he slowly edged his pants and boxers down. Tiny trilled worriedly as he padded over and rose to rest his clawed hands on Gavin's bare knees. He tilted his head, wondering if this was really a good idea. If he couldn't even bend down, then how could he swim? How would he climb into the pool? Gavin huffed softly as he rested a hand on Tiny's head. It was good to be back in Elijah's home with Tiny again. He was pretty sure he'd heal up much faster there than in the hospital.

"You going to help?" Gavin chuckled as Tiny let out a trill of agreement and started tugging at the loose material around his knees. He was careful with his claws. He didn't want to risk scratching Gavin or ripping the material. Gavin hissed as he shook his feet to get free. Tiny clicked worriedly as Gavin handed him the trunks. Are you sure? "I'm fine! Come on, give me a hand." Tiny chittered reluctantly as he did asked and pulled the material up to his knees. Gavin pushed to his feet with a groan and tugged them the rest of the way before pulling off his shirt. Tiny shrieked as he pulled off the bandages, revealing his wounds for the first time.

Hearing that Gavin had been shot and seeing the evidence for himself were two very different things. The wound was nothing like the neat little hole he'd imagined. It was a gaping, messy pit of warped flesh that had barely knitted back together, along with a long scar down his pelvis where he'd been opened up for surgery. Those wounds had closed after all the time he'd been sleeping, though the internal ache remained. The bandages had been there to cover the smaller, more recent wound that had been caused by the catheter. The small hole was scabbed over and unlikely to open, but it still looked fresh and sore.

"Hey-hey, I'm okay!" Gavin insisted as he noted the distress on Tiny's face. He patted the bed as Tiny screeched again and saline pricked his small eyes. Tiny hopped up immediately and greedily accepted the offered embrace as Gavin stooped down. He would have lifted him into his arms, only he knew he wasn't ready for that yet. Tiny wrapped his small arms around Gavin's shoulders and wailed into his shoulder. Gavin hushed him softly as he stroked his hair and spinal plating. He didn't even complain as Tiny's tail coiled around his waist, jostling his internal injuries. "Tiny, it's alright! I'm here, I came home!" But he almost hadn't. He'd almost died and left him after he'd promised he'd come back!