When You're a Mystery Kid

Bloodline

Disclaimer: I own none of the characters featured here.

Slipping on a fresh, new set of dry clothes simply felt amazing. Raz had always liked the feeling, but especially so after spending almost an hour walking back to the Mystery Shack in wet clothes on such a humid summer day. Not to mention that, after about half an hour, his arms had started to ache from carrying Lili in his arms for that long, not that he'd tell anyone that. The walk was slow, with almost half of their number suffering from some rather serious injury, but in the end, everyone was just relieved they made it back without any trouble.

Raz tucked in some loose strands of hair under his cap, adjusted his goggles, and stepped back to observe his reflection in the mirror. He had to admit, he looked good as new. At least, no one would be able to tell that he had bruises forming underneath his clothes.

Raz was about to turn the faucet on to splash some water on his face, before he suddenly decided against it.

Stepping out of the bathroom, he climbed up the stairs to the attic and made his way to the bedroom of the twins. He opened the door, and just like he expected, everyone was gathered here. Norman was lain down on Dipper's bed, shirtless, with layers of bandages covering his chest. It appeared Norman had regained consciousness in the time it took Raz to change his clothes. He would try to shift his position from time to time, hissing in pain everytime he did so. Neil stood not far from Norman, watching him with concern. Dipper sat on the foot of the bed, wrapped in a thick-looking blanket, a mug of hot chocolate clutched in his hands. All of that seemed to help him recover, and that's without mentioning the fact that Mabel had her arms wrapped tightly around him. The look on her face made it clear that she won't be letting go anytime soon. In the other side of the room, Lili had been laid down on Mabel's bed, with Coraline and Wybie hovering closely near her. The sound of the door opening made them look over to Raz's direction.

Raz made his way over to them. "How is she?"

"She's fine. I think." Coraline answered. "She woke up a few minutes ago."

Lili's eyes were indeed open, but they appear glazed over, unfocused. Raz sighed in relief. At least they weren't filled with red veins anymore. The veins all around her head that once threatened to pop out of her skin have now returned to normal as well. No more blood seemed to be trickling out of her nostrils.

"She's been kinda unresponsive ever since she woke up." Wybie nervously pointed out. "That's... bad, right? Or-?"

Raz gave him a reassuring smile. "She'll be fine. She just burned herself out. Everything's just gonna be a blur for her for the next few hours."

Raz sat down on the side of the bed next to her. He took her hand in his, his lips quirked up into a smile.

"She totally saved my ass."

"She does love that cute ass." Coraline remarked. Raz barked out a short laugh. Everyone was silent for the next few seconds.

"Raz."

Coraline's tone of voice was markedly different from before. Raz looked up to meet her gaze.

"You promised."

Raz looked around, finding that he had everyone's undivided attention. Even Norman had craned his neck to look at Raz. Coraline definitely already told everyone what happened.

He did promise. No use beating around the bush now.

"Short version, I'm cursed."

Just that was enough to cause a noticeable reaction. Dipper straightened up where he sat. Both Mabel and Neil's jaws dropped. Coraline and Wybie shared a look of wide eyes. They all still kept their silence, so Raz decided to continue.