@chrumblr-whumblr day 3! The prompt is "carrying".
Fandom: Epic (2013)
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Ronin flew through the boggan base at speeds that would have impressed even Nod. Every so often he came across a boggan or two that spotted him quick enough to try and fight, but they posed no challenge. Or maybe they did. He was so focused on his mission, it was all a blur.
He hated Wrathwood.
He was heading for the lowest level of the enemy's stronghold, knowing that's where he'd find what he was looking for. It was a trap, he was certain, and he was walking right into it. He had to. Mandrake had gone too far this time.
Ronin finally jumped off his shimmering mount as he reached the lowermost level, not waiting for the bird to land before leaping to the ground.
“Nod,” he hissed, making his way down the long tunnel, peering into cells made of metal and rotting tree roots. “Nod, where are you?”
He was in such a hurry he almost missed the slight gleam of green armor in one corner of a cell, and a person-shaped lump in the other. He pulled out an arrow and used it to saw away at the weakest root he could find.
Crude, but effective.
He shoved the two pieces of root out of his way and rushed to the back of the cell, kneeling before a familiar figure.
“Nod,” he whispered, rolling him gently onto his back. “Nod, wake up. We have to go.”
The boy groaned softly, not opening his eyes.
“…Dad?” he mumbled, and Ronin almost smiled, brushing the boy's matted hair out of his eyes and wincing at the blue and purple bruises that marred his face.
“Not quite. Come on, we need to get out of here.”
Nod’s eyes cracked open, seemingly struggling to focus on the man before him.
“…Ronin? What are you doing here?”
“Saving your sorry self, what does it look like?”
Nod shook his head as he gained some clarity.
“No, you don't get it. You can't be here, Ronin, it's a trap. Mandrake doesn't care about me, he wants you!”
Ronin just looked at him.
“Are you done?”
“Ronin, I'm serious! You have to believe me, you-” he stopped as he understood Ronin's unfazed expression. “You knew.”
“I didn't earn the rank of Commander by being an idiot, Nod.”
“No, just by being cozy with the queen,” he retorted. “But then… why are you here?”
“See, that's why you quit the leafmen. You have no concept of anybody caring for anyone other than themselves. Well guess what kid, I lost your father in this hellhole and I'm not about to lose you.”
Nod was silent for a moment, then grinned slightly.
“Man, I knew you were getting old, but seriously? Ronin, what happened? You're getting emotional! I think it may be time you considered retirement.”
“You’re just asking to be left behind, aren't you?”
“Alright, sorry! Touchy subject, I see.”
Ronin shook his head.
“If you weren't as injured as you are, I'd smack you all the way to Moonhaven.”
“And if you weren't as old and weak as you are, I might actually bother to try and stop you.”
“Can you walk?” Ronin asked, electing to ignore that last comment.
“Hm? Yeah, yeah, I can walk. Just gimme a sec.” He tried to sit up and winced with a shout of pain.
“Oh, you can walk, can you?” Ronin couldn't resist asking.
Nod glared.
“I'll manage.”
“And waste time getting out of here? I don't think so.”
Ronin slid his arms under Nod’s back and knees and got to his feet, stumbling slightly.
“Hey, careful!” Nod exclaimed painfully. “I can do it, put me down!”
“No time,” Ronin said curtly, carrying him out. “What have you been eating, pebbles?” he asked when Nod turned out to be much heavier than he'd expected.
“You're hilarious, old man,” Nod said through gritted teeth, trying not to cry out in pain.
Ronin placed the boy on the back of his hummingbird, and he slumped forward as he climbed on behind him.
“Y’know… I didn't think you were coming,” Nod admitted as they took off.
“We're leafmen, Nod, we look out for each other. Not that you ever took that lesson to heart.”
“You don't get to use that anyway. I quit, remember?”
Ronin nodded.
“Fine, then how about you and me? We look out for each other.”
Nod was quiet, then nodded.
“I think I can work with that.”
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