#chase's arachnophobia was always an interesting part of the vn

[cursed-elements-blog]

SELFSHIPTOBER DAY 3 - Blood

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"It doesn't look like you'll need stitches at least..." I mutter to Chase as I begin cleaning the wound on his head. The fur around it is soaked with crimson blood, but the wound itself has stopped bleeding after applying pressure to it with a clean gauze which now sits crumpled off to the side, soaked completely through.

It was only a few minutes ago that I heard Chase scream, followed by a loud thud. Upon rushing to the source of the noise I found Chase on the ground, unconscious, with a noticeable amount of blood oozing from his head. He woke up to me kneeling above him, panicking and in tears. He wasn't even out for a full minute before waking up, but it was the scariest moment of my life. I'm still nauseous and my heart is still pounding with fear just thinking about it. For that one minute, I thought I lost him. He now sits on a stool in the bathroom as I stand next to him, helping tend to the injury. Chase winces as I dab away at the wound, cleaning it and the fur around it with a wet clean washcloth.

"Sorry..." I again mutter, pulling back to look him in the eyes before going back in to finish up cleaning. There's a bit of silence before Chase softly speaks, "...Is it still there?" I pause briefly, processing what he said. From what Chase told me, he saw a spider - an absolutely massive one - that jumped at him. He must've passed out and hit his head during the fall... To be honest, I have no idea where the spider is now. But given how severe his arachnophobia has proven to be, it's best that he doesn't know that.

"No. I killed it." I respond as I set the washcloth aside and take out an antibiotic. Chase visibly relaxes at the news, no longer worrying about the arachnid. I begin applying a thin layer of it to the wound on my otter's head, the scent of the medicinal cream is potent, causing my nose to wrinkle a bit as it overwhelms me. I always hated that chemically scent, but it masked the metallic scent of blood, and that's what I need right now. "Are you sure you're alright Chase? That thud was...loud. You must've hit your head hard."

Chase let's out a soft "Mhm" looking up to meet my eyes with his own. A small smile stretches across his muzzle, clearly trying to reassure me. "Yeah, I'm good. Not dizzy or lightheaded or anything. It doesn't even hurt that much anymore, El." He raises his arms a bit and I feel his soft paws on my torso, a nice gesture to remind me that he's here with me. While his words are nice to hear, it doesn't little to calm my nerves. "Well...I think we should still go to the doctor or somethin', just to make sure."

Chase pauses, considering the options carefully. I know I can't kidnap him and bring him to the doctor, but I'd sure as hell try if he refused. While the wound is ultimately small, there was just...so much blood. Eventually, seemingly aware of my conviction, he nods. "Alright, uh... want to head out now?" He asks. I hold up a finger, giving him a 'one moment' motion before taking a bandage and covering the wound. I throw the old soaked gauze I used to stop the bleeding into the trash, watching the blood-soaked cotton fall alongside the other disposed objects. It still makes me feel ill, thinking about all that blood. I take a deep breath and turn back to my otter, "Okay, now we can go," I say, planting a quick kiss on his cheek. Chase perks up at that, giving me one in return as he begins to stand. I hold him in an effort to stabilize him, even if he doesn't really need it. I watch him carefully, making sure he doesn't topple over again. "Come on Love, let's make sure your brain is intact." I turn, leading him out of the bathroom and to the front door, grabbing his keys on the way. "Those are-" "Yeah yeah I know, but mine is low on gas." I shrug, "and you're sure as hell not drivin'. Unless you want to get injured more than you already are." I turn to look at him, a smirk stretching across my snout. "Though I suppose you drivin' all delirious-like wouldn't too different from you drivin' normally." He scoffs in mock offense at my teasing, "I'll have you know that I haven't gotten in so much as a single accident! Spotless driving record right here!"

I just laugh softly at that, taking any moment of levity I can as the two of us step out of my dorm. It's needed after today's events.

I never did well with blood.

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