One True Queen: A Wings of Fire fanfiction

30.

Content warning: Very brief and non-graphic medical scene, depictions of grief and loss of a child, political conflict, stalking, brief and secondhand depictions of bullying and self-harm

(Basically Sharp-eyes is in this one, and so is Trailblazer very briefly, so be warned)

***

Clearsight

"All right. I want you to keep on top of changing those bandages, and make sure your wounds stay clean. I know you're the queen, but ideally--just try to take it easy on yourself for the next little while as you heal. I'm a bit worried about that bite especially, so keep me updated if anything weird happens. I'm gonna schedule you in for a checkup next week at six, can you make that work?"

"Um. Okay, sure. Awesome," I say, only half-listening as I glance at the door—I've been in here for a couple of hours, and poor Darkstalker and Nebula have been stuck waiting outside. "That's it?"

"That's it. You're free to go."

Oh, thank the moons. I hate doctor's appointments and rush out as fast as I can.

"Hey, honey. I'm so sorry, that took way longer than I thought--you really didn't have to wait out there for the whole two hours, by the way." Darkstalker and Nebula have set up a chessboard, and I can see Darkstalker's been tallying off who wins each match on a little notepad.

"Ha! I got you!" Darkstalker knocks over Nebula's king, and marks down his victory on the notepad while Nebula pouts.

"It's totally fine—we have been playing chess." He frowns. "Is everything all right?"

I see blood everywhere, blood on my talons, blood on the floor, I see the way they looked at me as I stabbed her again and again.

I take in a sharp breath. "You okay?" Darkstalker asks, frowning.

"Yeah. Yeah. I'm okay," I laugh. I am here, I am here, I am here. I brush my talons over my knife.

"Allknowing isn't gonna make you lose your arm?" Darkstalker laughs halfheartedly.

"Yeah. Yeah. I'm just supposed to take it easy while that bite is healing, and I have a checkup next week." I sigh, rubbing my eyes. "I'll have to make sure Heartfire writes that in my schedule, so I don't book a meeting then or something. Can you remind me to do that tomorrow?"

Darkstalker nods. Nebula yawns, stretching out his wings, and Darktalker sighs. "Aw, you're all tired. Do you want me to carry you back?"

"Oh. Um. That would be nice..." Nebula laughs nervously.

Darkstalker lets him climb up onto his back, and cling on tight to his neck. He closes his eyes. Darkstalker laughs. "Jeez, you're getting heavy. Not sure how much longer we're gonna be able to do this for."

"Oh. Sorry," Nebula says sheepishly, not opening his eyes.

"Nebula, I'm not mad at you for growing. I was just joking, bud. I'm gonna miss carrying you around when you get tired, that's all..."

I'm pretty sure Nebula falls asleep a couple minutes later--which might be one of the most precious things I've ever seen. I help (very carefully) lift him into bed without waking him up--he must be exhausted, because normally, he's a really light sleeper, but this time, he doesn't stir at all.

We both glance at Eclipse's empty room for a moment. I take in a sharp breath.

"She's gonna come back," Darkstalker whispers. "She has to, Clearsight. She's just--she's just taking a really long bath. Or hanging out with Whiteout for the weekend. That's all." He smiles, sharp and desperate.