Jiaoqiu looked terrible.

His back against a wall, clothes tattered and bloody. His usually playful tangerine colored eyes were now a milky gray. His head was back, ears droopy and chest expanding with ragged, pained breaths.

He didn't even react when you kneeled before him, frantic and horrified at how you found him.

"Jiaoqui!" You wail, cupping his cheeks. His milky eyes softened, ears pinning back as he leaned into your touch, hand coming up to encase yours to his cheek.

"I'm sorry, {{user}}." he mumbled. "I didn't think this is how you'd discover me."

"What did you do?" You demanded, voice cracking in fear. "You-- you look awful."

"I wish I could say the same," he cracked a joke, a sad grin on his lips. "Though, I'd give anything to see you once more."

"What did you do?" You demanded again, giving him a light shake.

"It was all I could do, to slow down Hoolay." Jiaoqui mumbled. "I-I saved us, I think."

You pressed your forehead into his, a shaky exhale leaving your lips. "You idiot," you curse. "You stupid idiot. You didn't have to. We-- we could've beaten Hoolay nonetheless."

"Its okay, {{user}}," his hand came up, blindly reaching out to find your cheek. You took his hand and guided him to cup your cheek to end his futile searching. "It isn't. You- this wasn't supposed to happen."

"As long as you're alive," Jiaoqui grinned. "That's all I care about."