Chapter Text
War time left little to no time to be with the ones you loved. A painful, and sad fate that you leave them and can only hope nothing goes wrong and one day can return to them again. Only for it to happen once more, over and over again.
For Gilliam and Garcia, however, they were blessed and cursed at the same time with the fate of loving someone in times of war. The two were deeply in love, warming up to one another and becoming very intimate during The War of Stones in Magvel. The two of them would often be able to be with each other and that opportunity was something they both knew that was a luxury.
On the other hand, they still had the presence of a war in their life everyday. Against men and creatures alike. Gilliam and Garcia both were very strong, talented men who would be able to hold their own against a small army at times. But it was never themself they were thinking about. Nor the mission they were sent out to do. It was where their partner was. Are they okay, are they hurt, are they alive even.
When helped, they nearly always were together to make sure these thoughts would never come to reality. A strong axe to crush foes and a stalwart shield to protect and advance. Often it would seem like little could stop them, but that is not the case. Not always.
A mission going arrey where innocents were put in danger by dark monsters risen by the now broken seal the Sacred Stones brought to their land. Gilliam and Garcia stayed back and fended them off, but only barely. Cuts that went inches deep covered their bodies, Garcia’s axe arm was limp when the fighting was done, and Gilliam’s shield barely resembled what it was before the battle. Nearly unconscious, the two were brought to a wing within the camp for their recovery.
“Both of you will be fine. But in time, magic can do little more to aid the pains and cuts. Limited physical activities, and no battles until we give our word. Now rest, both of you.” The army Celric demanded.
Garcia found it hard to breathe, but his mind was calming down. Both himself and Gilliam will be okay, regardless of how battered and beaten they were. Pain shot through him every deep breath he takes, and Garcia barely had the energy to open his eyes.
Gilliam himself was not doing much better. His armor protected his life but it could only do so much. Broken ribs and burns from some magic beast that burned off a layer of skin. His job was done well enough, but he could have helped Garcia more than he did.
Silence filled the room, the army went off without them and for the first time ever they were off duty. Gilliam craned his neck to watch Garcia attempt to rest. A scowl on his face from the pain and his right arm bandaged up in a sling to help the fractured bones. “Is there anything I can do for you, Garcia?”
He didn’t even open his eyes, and just let out a heavy sigh. Only to be followed by a wince of pain. “Help me by helping yourself, I’ll be fine, I just want you to be better now.” A sentiment that was nearly identical to what Gilliam was thinking. The other was the priority, then themselves.
The hospital wing was empty besides the two of them. And it was nearly unnerving from how quiet it was. Both Gilliam and Garcia had barely enough energy to even be awake, but they wanted to comfort one another.
Despite his broken rib, Gilliam managed to sit himself upright, and stand on his own two legs with the support of a railing. Garcia noticed this, and had an angry and confused expression on his face. “Gilliam lie the hell down right now.” This made Gilliam pause for a moment, but he stood up straight and grabbed the side of the bed. “Gilliam! Please… please just relax…” The angry undertone of Garcia’s voice left and it left almost a whimpering sound to beg his partner to not hurt himself more.
Gilliam’s heart pulled itself apart hearing Garcia be so worried for him. But that is exactly why he stood up. With a weak grip, he slid his own bed over, closer and closer to Garcia. Gilliam’s breaths were heavy but he almost didn’t feel the pain anymore through his determination. The two beds collided and Gilliam stopped. “If we get hurt together, we will heal together too.” Gilliam sat down on the bed and swung his legs over the top to lay down. Shifting his body so get closer to Garcia.
Once he was as comfortable as he could get, Gilliam brought his gaze to his partner. Garcia looked shocked, like the breath was taken right out of him. And tears silently ran down his face. Mouth agape and was looking at Gilliam like it was the key to life itself. “Gilly…” a choked up sob was held back, but Gilliam hushed him. “Do you feel better?”
Garcia gave a simple nod, still trying to hold back his sobs of happiness and affection that Gilliam was his. And that he was Gilliam’s. With their left hand, Garcia interlocked his hands with Gilliam’s, and gave it a tight squeeze. Gilliam was still in pain, but Garcia could not see any sign of weakness in his lover. He was strong, protective, and worth living for.
Blinking away the tears, Garcia soon closed his eyes, with Gilliam following suit right after. Their hands still intertwine as they begin to doze off together.