Courageous Compassion | Illinois x Reader |

Stitches

Illinois continued to give me directions while I helped him walk. I breathed heavily while thinking about what I have just witnessed. It's such a fuck up for me and Illinois.

[Illinois] What happened? Ya know, when she-
[Y/N] Threw me off the waterfall. I had some experience with vines.

Illinois chuckled as we both slowed down our pace of walk.

[Illinois] Ya know, you could've walked away and ignored this whole mess. Why didn't you?
[Y/N] Because-

I sighed out.

[Y/N] You...you're...

I closed my mouth when my mind went to him in love with me. I was...embarrassed.

[Y/N] You are the only person who can bring me back home.
[Illinois] Oh. Nothing else?

He asked, winking at me, the whip crack sound playing in the background. My face turned hot and flared at him. He only laughed while I gave out a small snicker.

But my smiled faded. I wondered whether Illinois would abandon me if I was in need of help. It bothered me inside because not only he has helped me, but feelings were being bubbly inside. I knew what it was, but it kinda scared me.

Illinois noticed my sudden lost of happiness.

[Illinois] What's wrong?
[Y/N] Just...wondering...

I closed my eyes as we stopped walking.

[Y/N] Would you leave me?

Illinois was surprised and annoyed by the question. He put his hands on my shoulders, looking me in the eyes.

[Illinois] I would never do that. Why would I even think about it?
[Y/N] Because you did it before. Didn't you?

Illinois looked at me in sadness.

[Illinois] Believe me, I tried. I tried my hardest. But it wasn't enough. But you have to understand.

He held onto my chin.

[Illinois] Sometimes in life, some things aren't meant to be saved. I'm not saying Scarlett was not worth it. I was sloppy. And exhausted. And I couldn't save her. But I cleaned up my act after I thought I lost her. Now, I'm am willing to not be so arrogant and messy.

He looked deeply into my eyes.

[Illinois] Because I'm with you.

God what a cringe. I smiled and chuckled a little.

[Y/N] I'm sorry. I didn't mean to laugh. It's just...that was SO cheesy.

Illinois laughed as well as he still held onto my chin. I whipped my head softly away from his hand in a playful matter. We then continued to walk back to their...base? Camp? Whatever the fuck you want to call it.

-

We have arrived and it was a camp with an abandoned house nearby. Must've where they kept up prisoner.

I set down Illinois by the campfire and made sure he was alright.

[Y/N] I'm gonna find some supplies for that wound of yours.
[Illinois] What about yours?

I turned to him, confused.

[Y/N] What do you mean?
[Illinois] When you were knocked out, a cut formed on your forehead.

I touched around my forehead to see I was bleeding. I turned back to Illinois.

[Y/N] This is less serious than a knife to your leg. Just going to clean it and put a bandaid to it. I should be fine.

Illinois nodded as I headed towards the abandoned building. I walked through to see supplies everywhere. I walked into the bathroom and found alcohol rubbing and bandages. Though, a cut like that would need something to sew back together. I looked around some more and found a sewing needle.

I walked out and walked into the kitchen. After several days without food, we'd need something to get our strength back up.

I looked in the cupboards and found canned vegetables, fruits, bread, and water. It wasn't much, but it'll do for now.

I walked back out with the supplies and back to Illinois. He looked at me and I laid the supplies down, taking the alcohol and bandage.

[Y/N] You don't seem to have any string. Do you?
[Illinois] No. But I have fishing lines.

He pulled out a fishing line roll. As I was about to grab it, when a familiar white rat crawled up to Illinois's palm.

[Y/N] Faye?

She squeaked and ran up to Illinois's shoulders, squeaking in his ears. He laughed, causing me to chuckle.

I sat down next to him. He pulled up his pants to reveal the wound. I took the fishing line and tied the line and needle together. I set it down and opened the bottle of rubbing alcohol. I tore a piece of my clothing off and put the alcohol on the cloth.

I looked up at Illinois and he nodded. I gently applied the cloth to his wound and when I did, he hissed and balled his hands into fists. He groaned a bit but nodded for me to go further.

I gently grazed it over his wound and made sure around it was clean. I discarded the cloth and got out the needle.

[Y/N] You sure?
[Illinois] Yes.

I sighed out loud as I started to stitch up his wound. He grunted loudly and bit down on his lip, holding in his yelps. After I finished the stitches, I tore another piece of clothing off and began to wrap it around his leg.

[Y/N] That should do it for now.
[Illinois] Now your turn.

I sat beside him while he cleaned my wound and applied a bandaid he got from his bag.

I thanked him as we both sat there, awkward silence around us. We both didn't know what to say, since we already discussed most of things.

[Y/N] Uhm. Uh. Would you like some food?

I asked, trying the break the silence.

[Illinois] Sure.

I got out the cans of fruits and vegetables. I gave him cans of peaches, peas, corn, and strawberries. My cans was the same. I gave him his piece of bread and also the water.

We both eat the food and made sure to leave a piece of everything for Faye.

After we were finished, we both sat there.

[Illinois] Hey, (Y/N)?

I turned to him.

[Illinois] I'm...sorry. For everything. This whole mess was not what I wanted. Even for you. It's wrong of me to get you up into this whole thing when you don't have a role for it.

I frowned as he apologized.

[Y/N] There is nothing for you to be sorry about. Remember this whole 'getting into this mess' was also part of my doing. I...insisted that I should go with you.
[Illinois] But you're still a kid. Still learning. Still living. This is not what your life has to come to.

I could see Illinois become frustrated by him tugging his hair and seeing faint tears in his eyes.

[Y/N] I am glad that I'm with you. Only because...this is the most excitement I've had in a long time. And enjoy it.

I rested my hand on his shoulder.

[Y/N] I enjoy the company. Yes, you can be a bit irritating, but I appreciate your trying.

He smiled as he leaned in to hug me. I went wide eyed, but patted his back.

[Illinois] Thanks (Y/N). But, this mission isn't done yet. We have to get up early and get to that temple without anymore worries now.
[Y/N] Ain't that a relief?

He chuckled.

There was only one tent which meant we had to share it. We opened it up and crawled in.

I took one side while he took the other.

[Illinois] Good night, (Y/N).
[Y/N] Good night, Illinois.

I yawned as I closed my eyes, instantly going to sleep.