Healing With Training [Cyno & Soth (Collab OC) scene Pt. 3/4]
[TW: implications of trauma, self hatred, and depression]
(Note 1: Soth is the OC belonging to @sothera the guy i'm collabing with. His page is catering more dowards adult audiance, so please be mindful if visiting it!)
(Note 2: This is still a rough draft, bound to change!)
As Tighnari promised, he did his best to look up places. Although Soth's only request was for it to have very minimal amount of visitors, he still wanted to make sure it's at least a decent one.
And thankfully, he found one like that. It has a 3/5 star rating, most of it due to the owner being a dushebag, and its inconvenient location. But no problem with the hygene, no faulty equipment either. So, knowing Soth doesn't have Mora yet, Tighnari gives him enough to cover the cost, and some extra just in case.
A few days later, Soth arrives there first, much earlier than what they agreed on. Having prepares everything he needed. He Fed, to have enough energy for his plan. He has the money Tighnari gave him. He also packed some Frostberry Juice, in case either of them would get overheated in this weather. It seems there will be a big storm soon…the air is chockingly heavy. Hopefully there will be some level of airconditioning inside.
At least…he's glad that Tighnari was able to find a place like this. It's clear that Cyno has the fighting spirit and the stubbornnes, both essencial to push forward and get better. And Soth can see that he wants to. But he's also holding in an alarmingly large amount of negativity. Whatever happened recently most likely played a big part in it, however, he's also certain that this isn't the doing of a few weeks or months of bad events in life. No, this was built up over a lifetime. Without ever releasing it in a non-toxic way. Or any kind of way, really.
Once Cyno gets the level where he could walk longer distances without too much trouble, he'll show him a method that will do just that. Come to think of it…WHY is there no mental healthcare in Sumeru? Not even for the Matra? The very people who protects the nation, and among the ones who develop mental health issues the easiest?
Like their very General, who just arrived. Originally neon pink stripes on the motorcycle are now turned off, and only the basic gray color remains. He also seems to have changed clothes. Instead of his recognizable dark purple jacket with the bright stripes, he's wearing a plain gray one, with the hoodie drapped over his head, all bits of white streaks carefully hidden under it. Even the pants have a different color from what he usually wears. If it's not for the guy calling Soth by name, he wouldn't even recognize him.
<Cyno> ,,You're really, Soth."
<Cyno> ,,Not so loud!" His own voice too, is a mere whisper-yell.
Why so secretive about this? Yes, he's clearly not at the top of his game, but he should't hide away because of that… Although…poor Will' was also like that… ,the runt of the litter' ,the black sheep of the family'. If you're being told enough, or even just being sent obvious signs and snarky remarks, that you need a better body, in order to have worth…you will start to believe it. You will start to believe the lies.
<Cyno> ,,Since I know you don't have-"
<Soth> ,,Don't worry about that!" Discretely pulls out a small wallet he recognizes to be Tighnari's old one. ,,Tighnari gave me enough to cover the costs."
Although he will still pay him back, once having the money.
But for now, let's not waste more time. With an excited hold on Cyno's arm, Soth pulls him like a kid in front of an amusement park, with a grin on his face, that still remains unreciprocated.
Inside, they're met with a…pretty normal interrior. Though, the reviews were right about the owner being rude. A balding guy, with the stature of a rum barrel sitting behind the reception, reading some kind of magazine or newspaper.
Okay…no big deal, they just swiftly pay for their current session. Not a full membership, as it would be troublesome to revoke it, once they stop coming here. However, what the guy says while they go further in, sends chills down Cyno's spine.
<???> ,, Don't let 3 push-ups break your nails!"
Waiting until they get inside the room itself, Soth asks…
<Cyno> ,,That phrase…the previous General Mahamatra used to say that… This guy was part of the Matra…"
<Soth> ,,I don't think he recognized you though."
<Cyno> ,,I'm sure he didn't…"
Before Soth could say anything to clear what he actually meant, Cyno already took his jacket and hoodie off. Looking back at Soth robotically. He also looks like he haven't been really resting for a long while.
<Cyno> ,,Anyways…time is limited. Do you have any fix plan, to drag me here instead of using the outside one?"
<Soth> ,,Yes, I have. Maybe somewhat different from Matra training, but can't hurt to change things up once in a while." Pairs it with a grin.
And so, they begin the workout. Now with Soth's new plan. Which…isn't THAT different from what he's used to. The start is the same. Stretching mostly, to… ,wind up the engine'…as Soth said. Just the basic procedure.
However, as he's ordered to go to the…bench…a pit of shame opens up inside of him. He can't do it. He doesn't have the strength for it. His arms would break before reaching halfway into the set.
<Soth> ,,Let's start with minimal weight, shall we?"
<Cyno> ,,Whatever ,minimal' means to you…"
<Soth> ,,Hey, I can still tell the weight difference!" Can't lie…he's a bit hurt… ,,Now get on, i'll hold it for you."
And he really does…but what surprises Cyno more, is that he was true to his word.
Soth holds the center of the barbell, giving Cyno as much weight as he feels comfortable with.... Which…isn't much...yet.
As he looks up, he gets quite a view...the... boy's...powerful frame looming above him. Childish twinkle and foolishness gone. Sent to the backstage, only taking a small peek here and there. Taken its place, is the stern, but genuine care of a mentor. Although he still feels uncomfortable looking up, so he looks more in front of himself, to the degree he can at least.
He can already feel his arms aching, a breath away from going fully limp. Sensing this, Soth immidiatetly restricts him from trying further. Literally stopping the bar mid-lifting.
<Soth> ,,Let's stop here."
<Cyno> ,,But…" …he's not done with the set…
<Soth> ,,Knowing when to stop pushing your limits is just as important as pushing through the obsticles. If you continue now, you will do more harm than good."
Looking down at the other, Soth can see the fighting spirit. Which is a good sign. But he can also see the strain. He's gasping for air, arms wriggling like jelly… If he would to allow Cyno to continue now, he'd destroy himself. And he has a feeling that that's how he's got to this point to begin with.
<Soth> ,,You still did very good, Cyno. Now it's a bit over half the set. Next time, it's almost a whole. The time after that, a whole set. Until you get to the point where it's all a mere routine again"
A small, reassuring smile tucks on his face, while Cyno's arms finally slip down from the handle, and he can put the barbell back to its place. Handling all 500 kg, like it's a small twig. But, while doing so, he catches a glimpse of the General wobbly sitting up. Hunched back facing Soth, he first thinks he's just drained. But, the barely noticable shaking of shoulders, and the sound of sniffing tell otherwise.
Taking a seat next to him, Soth reaches his hand towards Cyno. Having to restrain himself from bringing him closer. It would be wrong. Instead, he rests that hand on the guy's shoulder. Which still causes him to tense up. Forcing his whole body straight.
<Cyno> ,,I'm fine. I'm fine." He sounds robotic again. But the crack in his voice betrayes him…again.
<Cyno> ,,No." He sounds more broken than angry this time.
<Soth> Nods. ,,Then…let's take a small break. Hydrate some, and we will continue with the last part of the training plan."
And so they do. Although, to his disappointment, Cyno doesn't accept the other Frostberry Juice. Only looking at it suspiciously, before declining the offer and continues to drink the water he brought, which is already lookwarm.
He already knows Cyno won't like what he's about to say, and it's wrong to push personal boundries…but this one is needed, in order to see what he'll need to focus on healing first, apart from providing energy.
<Soth> ,,For the final part of the training…workout…I have to ask you to take your shirt off for a moment."
If look could kill, Soth would be screaming in agony, under the harsh stare of Cyno. Understandable.
<Soth> ,,You can put it back on immediately afterwards! I just…need to see what we're working with, and what should we focus on first."
He doesn't need to know the whole truth yet. It's going to be obvious eventually.
After some hesitation…a LOT of hesitation, Cyno finally gives in, and reluctantly takes his shirt off. The last line of defense, last layer of shield, that was covering his weakness. Hiding it from prying eyes. But now…it's all on full display in front of a stranger. To be made fun of. Or to recieve nothing but hallow pity. Or…to be used against him later on. Whatever this…kid…decides to do with the information.
On the other hand however, Soth is just…too stunned to speak. It's far worse than he initially thought. Already healed scars of varying severity littering his whole upper half, and he figures, there are more on his lower half too. They look like painful carvings, etched directly onto the bones. How is this man still alive?!
No. Questions can wait. His plan can't. Especially after noticing the, what once was a puncture wound. Dangerously close to the heart. That's most likely what's causing him the phantom pain. And that's what he'll need to focus on.
<Cyno> ,,Finished feasting on bones? Or do you need more time to finishing plotting something?"
However, much to his surprise, instead of prejudice, pity, or fake kindness, Soth only offers a slightly wet towel to wipe off with. At least that much Cyno does accept.
<Soth> ,,I AM plotting something, but you can't be covered in sticky, smelly glue for that!" Offers a grin. Which once again, isn't accepted.
At least the dry towel IS. Weirdly enough though, Cyno does ends up putting the shirt back on, which defeated half of the purpose of self-cleaning, but he won't question it. Sometimes…a lot of times, actually, the mind can make one do weird, or down right crazy things, to feel safe again. And so, he merely leads themselves to the mats, while tossing his own shirt near said mats.
<Soth> ,,Okay, for the final part of the workout, a simple sparrong sequence of 3-2-3. 3 to the left hand, 2 to the chest, and another 3 to the right hand."
<Cyno> ,,I am NOT going to hit you." Folds his arms. Then his eyes shift downward. ,, Although…not that I could…do any impact…"
To this, Soth decides to take a more…joking approach.
<Soth> ,,Don't underestinate yourself. Maybe you're a bit out of it now, but nothing that some good ol' training can't help with!" A huge grin spreads across his face, flexing one of his arm, then stretching them both out. ,,C'mon, get back on me for annoying you!"
Although his grin still doesn't coax any positive expression out of him, Cyno still nods slowly, getting into position. His whole upper half still somewhat sore from earlier, and his legs aren't the most stable either. How pathetic.
And as the first hit lands against the… ,tattoo'…it's almost like hitting a brick wall. But what surprises Cyno the most, is the small, almost Hydro blue light momentarily lightning up.
<Soth> ,,Don't back out now!" That same grin persists.
He will never. Never again.
Successfully snapping Cyno out of his momental shock, they spend the next whole hour sparring. Despite giving every ounce of strength he has into the punches, the…late teen…takes them, absorbs them, like an unmoving stone against the blowing winds.
He used to hunt down criminals.
They used to tremble in fear, upon the mere mention of his name.
Now he's the one who can barely hold it together.
Nothing but a pathetic failure. Whatever this adult-kid is planning…even if it ends up working, that still won't erase his failure. What's done, can never be undone.
While Cyno's mind is occupied with his thoughts, and hands with his actions, Soth is focusing on varying his Shaqarava's state between active and inactive. Each time Cyno's fist connects with it, a small, nearly invisible line of light travels from it to Cyno's chest, next to the heart. His current main focus. And although he's delighted to see that he's blissfully unaware of it, he also realizes two things. One, is that so much more Healing of this kind will be needed. And the other is…that… The phsychological wound runs far deeper.
And there's something…else… With each fist-to-Shaqarava contact, comes the familiar drain, as his strength gets transfered. And with each contact, he can sense an other presence. A murmur, alongside of Cyno's own thoughts. Neither a second personality, nor the dark thoughts materializing. No, it's…like two Spirits in one body. He needs to ask Cyno about this at some point.
For now, he's focusing on the sparring and the Healing process. Whatever the guy went through, was so much. Too much. Way too much, for a Pureblood. He can feel how much of his own strength needs to be delivered, in order to take effect. And he surely can feel the strain it takes on him…
That's okay. He can always just Feed, to gain that strength back. Humans can't. They have to work ten times harder, in order to achieve the same results his kind can in a few weeks at most. And so, saying nothing about it, be only offers encouragement to Cyno the whole way through.
<Soth> ,,Aaand, done! Nicely done for being your first time doing this!"
<Cyno> ,,It's not that much different from Matra training, so it was easy to get the hang of it. One thing though…was that…blue flash…what i think it was?"
He can feel himself…really tired, which is obvious, and to be expected after a workout in his state. But he also feels…strangely…energized. Yes, he's still a bit panting, but it is mostly caused from the whole swinging they had moments ago. Last time he felt anything close to this, was…
<Soth> With a frown, a sigh escapes him. ,,Yes, it was."
<Cyno> Eyes wide in shock. ,,I told you to be mindful who you offer your help to!"
<Soth> ,,And i told you that i am!" That twinkling grin again… ,,Now go hit the showers; no offense, you are a stinky Cyno now."
Sadly, no matter what he tries, all he can coax out of the guy, is a small huff, and a twitch in the corner of his mouth.
<Cyno> ,,There's still time…wanna eat when I'm done? I know a…relatively quiet place."
He's so hungry…in both sense… Well, a good meal will provide him enough fuel, to seek out an…other kind of meal afterwards. Maybe those vaguely Kuvog-like creatures. Oh, or those big cats. Well…maybe not worth it that much… Although, if he finds a smaller pack, then it would worth the trip!
And just as Cyno promised, they arrive at a small restaurant, actually not that far from the gym. The place itself is pretty pretty empty. A couple sitting at one table, and a small friend group at another, and that's about it. They themselves get seated in the corner. Furthest from both parties.
Soth feels himself so embarassed for ordering so much, compared to Cyno, but he can't help it. He wants to blame it on his need to repelish his energy, but at the same time…they just look so good!
That whole potato, stuffed with so much melted cheese, it overflows, and the burger? It's so simple yet they stuffed it so good! Although it IS kinda messy, but luckily they're sitting, and not walking on the streets.
In stark contrast to him, Cyno is chewing away on one single dish, and one cold drink. Logically, if you're sick, you shouldn't overburden your stomach, nor your overall body. But still, he can't help but feel somewhat self-conscious about it.
And at the end…he doesn't even give the chance to Soth, to pay for his part.
