They all carefully made their way down the slope—it wasn't too difficult, but the rocky terrain meant a single misstep could lead to a nasty injury.
Venti was standing, his clothes covered in mud and his left knee looked as if it was bleeding. Xiao was first to approach him, inspecting him to make sure he's fine and then he swiftly got on his knees to bandage Ventis' knee with the emergency kit that they had bought.
"Forget about me, I got this, take a look at Aether." Venti points behind him as he takes the bandages from Xiao.
Aether laid face-up on the ground, soaked in rain, smeared with mud, and scattered with fallen leaves. Blood trailed from a wound on his head, painting a stark contrast against his pale skin—he had clearly passed out from the injury.
Kuni's heart dropped as he rushed to him, slipping slightly on the wet ground. Xiao was already there, cradling Aether carefully in his arms, his expression tight with worry as he gently patted his cheek, voice low and urgent.
"Aether… hey, wake up," Xiao murmured, trying to coax him back to consciousness as Kuni dropped to his knees beside them.
"Aether, can you hear me?" Xiao says urgently "His head is bleeding a lot."
The teacher proceeded to urgently tend to Aethers head injury as he ordered them, "Let's take him to the meds."
Before Xiao could pick him, Kuni swiftly swoops Aether up from Xiao's grasp, with a sense of pride, he informs "I got this." as he takes Aether towards the slope. There is actually a shallow area with a natural almost stairs-like structure he uses to climb up. The sight of Xiao holding Aether so tenderly definitely did not stir the jealousy inside him and it was obviously not fueled by the fact that Aether has a crush on Xiao. Kuni looks at Aether, despite all the mud, he looks like hes in deep sleep, but the blood on his head tells another story. Kunis' heart clenches at the sight and he feels disgusted with himself for even feeling jealous at this moment, this is not the time and Aether needs help.
"Aether." Kuni says as he carries him, the teacher and others follow beside him quickly. They easily reach the campsite where the meds are stationed and hand over Aether to them.
"Let's try to wake him, being unconscious with head injury is never a good sign" the medic comments as he taps Aethers face, making sure not to stir his head injury.
"Mhm" Aether says as he slowly opens his eyes, "huh"
"Oh my god Aether," Venti exclaims as Aether squints his eyes at the loud voice.
"Well that woke him up good." Kuni comments.
"Why are you all huddled around me like this?" Aether comments confused, looking at them one by one "Wait weren't we hiking?"
"Yes, we were, until a certain someone went missing." Venti sassed to which he received a nudge from Xiao.
The head teacher entered the medic tent to examine the situation, "Are you feeling okay Aether? Tell us what happened."
"I feel fine." Aether replied, "Umm-'
"Can you all leave so that we can patch him up and assess his wounds first?" One of the medic ushered them all out except for the head teacher.
"Wait, we are his friends and we found him?" Venti looked at his other friends questingly and they all shrugged. Teacher Ghanni asked them to take a break and wait for Aether at the campsite.
The entire campsite buzzed with conversation and various speculation. Some teachers were still talking with Aethers teammates while the students couldn't help but gossip. After all, each of the teammates had different things to say that made the whole situation more suspicious and confusing for everyone.
"Honestly, it always seemed like Milas has something against Aether." Kuni heard someone say as he was sitting and waiting for updates, he eavesdropped.
"Girll, I felt the sameee." the other gasped, "I thought I was the only one because Aether and Milas didn't really talk but it always felt like Milas had something against Aether."
"Okay guys" a teacher interrupts the gossips as he asks everyone for their attention, "I know things got out of hand because of all that has happened but rest assured, Aether is completely fine and the situation is under control." he pauses, "With that said, congratulations to the team for winning, we will proceed with the night as decided, lets have some barbeque and take a good night rest shall we?"
Hollering erupts and the students are eagerly gathering around for the barbeque, excited to fill their tummies and continue on with the trip. The head teachers called for a teacher to join Aether in his journey to the hospital. Everything looked fine but it never hurts to be too careful so they were taking him to the hospital to assess any kind of concussion or hidden injuries. Hearing this, they all ended up going inside the medic tent to meet Aether before he's taken to the hospital.
"Atherrrr" Venti whines as he goes in for a hug, "How are you feelinggg? These cruel teachers didn't even let us talk after you were found."
"Do you know how worried we were?" Xiao added. "What even happened?"
"I bought you some barbeque with your favourite russian salad and some coke," Kuni interrupts their questions as he takes space beside Aether bed and adjusts the tray for Aether to eat "Have some food and gain strength, they are gonna take you to the hospital so better eat before they feed you shitty hospital food."
"I cannot believe Kunni is being more considerate than us," Venti gasps "Is this a challenge?" he asks cheekly as he grabs the fork to feed Aether.
"Guys, I am completely fine, starving, yes but good enough to feed myself." Aether takes the fork away from Venti and stabs at the hot meat before stuffing it in his face. "This is heaven." he comments, mouthful as some sauce drips from his lips.
"And you're eating like a baby," Kuni gently wipes at his lips, "Might as well let me feed you."
"Eww Kuni what happened to you?" Venti exclaims "Why are you being so soft? Aww are you worried for Aether?"
"Yes"
"Oh my gawd," Venti fake barfs
"Did you guys eat?" Aether interrupts their bickering.
"Don't worry about that" Venti gets up to grab them food, "tell us what happened first, take me out of my mystery."
"Aether," teacher Ghanni peeks his head inside the tent, "Please be ready in 10 minutes, we are going to leave for the hospital."
"Can't we go too?" Venti chimed in.
"No can do," the teacher replied, "the hospital has no space for so many people."
"Then what if only I go?" Kuni looked at him seriously, "I'm pretty sure you are needed here Mr Ghanni, besides, we are both adults so we'll be fine. I'll take care of Aether."
Hearing this the teacher ponders, "You have a point but let me confirm with the head teacher first," he looks at Aether "10 minutes"
Hearing this, Aether starts stuffing himself with food and when the teacher leaves Kuni comments.
"I was worried about you," Kuni addresses Aether softly, "I am so glad you are fine, truely."
"I'm sorry for making you guys worry," Aether replied, a sense of guilt hidden within him but Kuni catches it.
"No," Kuni "Do not blame yourself for anything." Kuni stands up and gently hugs Aether "Take care of yourself or someone will die."
"Get a damn room." Venti gags and Xiao chuckles.
"God don't go killing around people now just because you couldn't find me." Aether laughs in his embrace, his voice muffled.
"Well, that purely depends on the fact that someone tried to hurt you or not." he lets Aether go and sits beside him, watching him eat blissfully.
"Uhh about that," Aether looks at Kuni nervously.
"That look tells me you did not get lost," Kuni concludes for him, "Did that fucker seriously tried hurting you.' Kuni fumes as he gets up, his emotions out of control.
"Jesus," Aether grabs at his wrist, "Sit down and listen to me first,"
"We are listening." Xiao's eyes pierce Aethers, it feels like he's the culprit being interrogated.