.

.

.

You

"Mmh... Thoma?"

You mumbled Thoma's name, your voice barely a whisper, as you slowly awoke from your slumber, surprising even yourself with how early you regained consciousness. The room was dim. 

Thoma, who had been right beside you, was fast asleep in a chair. His head rested heavily on the table next to your body, his hand still holding yours with a gentle yet firm grip. His hair was dishevelled, strands falling into his face. The toll of the last few hours was evident on him; his face was red and swollen from the countless tears he'd shed, and his breathing was deep, yet uneven as if even in sleep, he couldn't escape his worries.

The slightest movement from you—the gentle squeeze of your hand, a shift in your position—was enough to rouse him. His eyes fluttered open, the exhaustion still evident in his gaze, but as soon as he realized you were awake, he became more alert than ever.

Thoma

"You're awake!"

You

"Mhm..."

You slowly sat up from the table, wincing as your body protested the movement. Every muscle ached, sore from lying on the hard, unforgiving surface for so long. The room seemed to sway slightly as you adjusted.

Thoma, startled by your sudden movement, shot up from his chair, the wooden seat clattering loudly to the floor behind him. Panic flashed across his face, but he was by your side in an instant, his hands gently cradling the sides of your face. 

His touch was warm, and comforting, though his fingers trembled slightly as he tilted your head from side to side, inspecting you with an intensity that bordered on desperation.

Thoma

"How are- How are you feeling?"

He stuttered as his eyes scanned your face, searching for any sign of lingering pain or distress. His breath came in shallow, uneven bursts as if he was trying to calm himself but failing miserably. The closeness of his gaze, the way his eyes bore into yours, was almost overwhelming.

You

"Hehe..."

Your giggle was soft, almost sleepy, as you looked right at Thoma. His hands gently cupped the sides of your face, his thumbs brushing against your cheeks. There was also a hint of relief as he took in your small grin. Your eyes, still half-lidded, sparkled with a mix of amusement and fatigue.

Thoma

"The bleeding..."

You

"It's fine. I don't feel any pain anymore."

Thoma

"Do you want me to go get Tighnari? I think he's outside..."

You

"No need."

Thoma

"... Are you sure?..."

You

"Mhm."

.

.

.

"Where's Scara?"

Thoma

"Scara?... You mean Scaramouche?"

You

"Yeah."

You cluelessly scanned the room, your gaze unfocused and dazed. As you held both of Thoma's hands, his grip warm and reassuring, you struggled to steady yourself. Your legs wobbled, barely able to support your weight, and the soreness that radiated through your body made each movement a challenge. 

Yet, with Thoma's steady presence beside you, you managed to slip off the edge of the table. His arms wrapped around you in an instant, cradling you securely against his chest, making sure you wouldn't fall. The room seemed to sway slightly as you found your footing.

Thoma

"I believe he's outside with Tighnari."

You

"Wanna help me get out there?"

Thoma

"Of course."

Thoma assisted you tenderly, guiding your arm around his neck to offer the support you desperately needed. His hand rested firmly on your waist, anchoring you to his side as he matched his pace to your unsteady steps. Your legs, weak and trembling, barely lifted off the ground as you practically limped forward, leaning heavily on Thoma.

The world outside Tighnari's home seemed distant and hazy, the gentle rustling of leaves and the soft chirping of crickets mixing in with the dark nighttime atmosphere. As you made your way to the door, the wooden floor creaked beneath your uneven footsteps. Thoma's grip on your waist tightened with each wobble, ensuring you stayed upright.

With a final effort, you both crossed the threshold of Tighnari's home, stepping into the cool, fresh air outside.

You

"Hm..."

Thoma

"Uh... The last time I saw him he was sitting right over there. By those rocks."

"Perhaps he moved. Wanna continue looking?"

Thoma raised a hand and pointed towards the cluster of rocks where Scaramouche sat, his voice soft yet guiding as he directed your attention.

You

"Mmh... My legs are too weak for that."

Thoma

"I'll carry you!"

Thoma replied without a moment's hesitation, his voice tinged with urgency. The words came out firmly, leaving no room for doubt or delay.

You

"Let's just... Sit down here."

You glanced behind you, your eyes catching sight of a hollowed-out log nestled among the thick foliage. The log was partially covered in moss, but there was just enough space inside for both of you to squeeze in. It seemed almost out of place, although you were in a forest.

You

"Do you know where to find Lumine?"

Thoma's eyes widened, his breath catching in his throat as he processed your question. He turned his head slowly, his gaze meeting yours with a mix of surprise and disbelief. His brows furrowed slightly, and for a moment, he was at a loss for words. 

His reaction was one of stunned silence as if the very idea had caught him completely off guard. After a moment, he turned away, his eyes locking onto a nearby tree.

Thoma

"Why do you ask?"

You

"I just want to talk."

Thoma

"... I'm assuming that actually means you just want to kill her?"

You

"Bingo! You're too good at this Thoma."