IC; that one time in the Black Forest (Coulson)

[ognesperanza]

[this kid is slumped at the base of a tree deep in the forest, nodding off and trying not to fall asleep]

[as he is now, anyone could sneak up on him]

Comments

[avengeme]

[it would be but Coulson starts making his approach obvious when he's close enough (close enough to grab nico if he decides to run)]

[ognesperanza]

[his head snaps up--only to grimace and pout when he sees who it is. rubs an eye sleepily]

What are you doing here.

[avengeme]

Looking for you.

[his injuries are hidden under his suit at least]

[ognesperanza]

Congratulations. You found me.

[that does make it a little better, but he's still thinking about it]

[avengeme]

[crouches down across from him]

How are you feeling?

[ognesperanza]

Should be asking you that.

[looks like he hasn't slept well for days, if at all. and no eye contact]

[avengeme]

I'm fine.

Nico, look at me please.

[ognesperanza]

[a pause . . . and he does]

[avengeme]

I forgive you.

[ognesperanza]

[...what]

[avengeme]

Whatever happened wasn't your fault. Now find a way to forgive yourself.

[ognesperanza]

[sulks]

[avengeme]

All right?

[ognesperanza]

[deep breath, and exhales]

Okay.

[avengeme]

[expression softens and slowly reaches out to pat him on the head]

Have you been sleeping?

[ognesperanza]

[too exhausted to fight that, so getting patted. and only minimally stiffens at it]

Sometimes. Couple hours.

[avengeme]

You're going to need more than that.

[ognesperanza]

[shakes his head]

Not worth it.

[avengeme]

Nightmares?

[ognesperanza]

[...nods]

[avengeme]

I can keep watch if you want.

[ognesperanza]

. . . You would have to look out for a giant seahorse monster. And fight it off probably.

[avengeme]

[blinks] I'll bring my missile launcher.

[ognesperanza]

[a breathless chuckle]

[avengeme]

Come on. There's room at the Pool House or we can make a camp here.

[ognesperanza]

[camping out with an adult would be weird...]

I guess we can go to the Pool House.

[avengeme]

[and sharing a room with an adult isn't?]

[still. he just nods and stands, holding out his hand]

[ognesperanza]

[...okay so maybe his perspective is a little skewed, everything is just weird right now. but at least it's not being weird in a forest]

[hesitates for a moment before taking that hand and pulling himself up]

[avengeme]

[Once Nico is standing, he lets go and waits to walk alongside him to the pool house]

Did you find out what happened?

[ognesperanza]

[starts heading to the pool house, keeping his bubble]

With what?

[avengeme]

The whole incident. Your personality changed.

[ognesperanza]

Yes. It was the monster that attacked me. Poisoned me with something.

[avengeme]

[nods, frowning thoughtfully] Another one of Camp's monsters?

[ognesperanza]

Not sure. But it used vines.

[avengeme]

[nods and doesn't ask anymore :|]

[ognesperanza]

[is totally okay with that, and doesn't say anything else all the way there, if Coulson doesn't]

[avengeme]

[he doesn't. content to just walk beside him normally]

[ognesperanza]

[he's grateful for the lack of questioning. hesitates once they get to the pool house]

You sure you can handle this thing?

[avengeme]

We'll find out.

[ognesperanza]

That's reassuring.

[waits for him to go in first, very unsure. how do...people's houses...]

[avengeme]

[yep. going in and leading the way to his room]

Take the bed. I'll find another mattress.

[ognesperanza]

Uh. I figured I would be taking the couch.

[avengeme]

Surprise.

[ognesperanza]

[so unamused]

I'm not taking your bed.

[avengeme]

What's the problem?

[ognesperanza]

[looks back and forth between the bed and Coulson, trying to form words]

. . . It's weird?

[avengeme]

We're not going to share it. I'm getting another mattress.

[ognesperanza]

Fine.