section7mfu | Untitled - Short Affair

Prompts - Holster/Crimson
Word Count - 463

Napoleon jerked awake and quickly cursed as every joint and muscle protested the sudden movement. Falling asleep on the hard plastic visitor’s chairs in medical wasn’t the best of ideas, and Napoleon’s body was letting him know why. Stretching himself out, it took him a couple of seconds to realise the recipient of his vigil was missing from the bed. Panic gripped his heart and knotted his stomach as he jumped to his feet; dropping the holster he’d been holding on to since it had been cut from his partner.

The attack had been sudden and unexpected. Luckily for Illya, the knife-wielding mugger had chosen to strike as he was entering Del Floria’s. Unluckily for the mugger, two agents had been on their way out.

When Napoleon had seen the crimson stain spreading across the front of the Russian’s shirt, he had been certain the injury was life-threatening. The doctors were quick to reassure him that, although the wound was deep, it could be treated quickly and easily. Illya would be out of the field for a while, but he would be on light duties within a couple of days.

“Illya!” Napoleon called out.

Maybe he’d been hurt worse than had first been thought. Was in back in surgery? Or worse, had he died? Napoleon forced himself to calm down. Had either of those things happened he wouldn’t have slept through it. The bathroom door opened and Illya stepped out. Despite his injuries, he had managed to dress himself.

“Where did you get the clothes from?” Solo asked, trying to cover the worry he had been experiencing. “Yours were cut off.”

“I had a nurse bring them,” Illya replied. “She wasn’t happy about it, but I told her I was leaving regardless.”

“How come I never heard this conversation? I wasn’t sleeping that deeply.”

“Your snoring was rattling the windows,” Kuryakin stated. “If you are able, I need a ride home. I’ve been told that if I insist on leaving, I must keep up with my meds. Said medication precludes me from driving.”

“Tovarisch, you were stabbed not fourteen hours ago. As CEA I could order you to remain here.”

Illya glared at his partner; challenging him to give the order. Napoleon was sorely tempted, but decided against it. For one thing, their partnership didn’t work like that. For another, had the doctor’s thought it was dangerous, they would make him stay. Besides, Illya was stubborn, but he wasn’t an idiot. He would want to be back in the field as soon as possible, so he wouldn’t risk delaying it.

“Okay then, I’ll just inform the Old Man, then I’ll get you home.”

Illya smiled his thanks and slowly made his way to Napoleon’s car. Solo could only shake his head in wonder.

.