Bring Forth Heaven and Earth, and all contained therein.
one out of nine; Breathe On Me

leap
1 a : an act of leaping : spring, bound b(1) : a place leaped over or from (2) : the distance covered by a leap
2 a : a sudden passage or transition (a great leap forward) b : a choice made in an area of ultimate concern (a leap of faith)
-by leaps and bounds : with extraordinary rapidity
(Encyclopedia Brittanica)

.i
He coughed and held his side, leaning forward so the shower-spray hit his neck and back. Blood ran red from the bandages and pink down the drain, and he blinked to focus.

It was a lucky shot by some rookie Talon, but it still hurt like a bitch.

Piper called him from outside the door, something like are you all right in there? or does your wound still hurt?

He replied in kind, not caring what words passed his lips, and twisted the knob to stop the water.

.ii
All it took was one jump through the air with nothing to sustain that gave him the day's thrill. One flying leap across skimmer to skimmer with his swords drawn and a battle ready to meet him. So he jumped. Every. Single. Time.

Some might say this was a pathological need for an unnecessary risk, as he could just as easily fight from his vehicle and win. Others might just shrug and comment, it's his personal style.

But it was all for this, it was all for this.

.iii
He shouldn't be in the air like this, he shouldn't be battling like this, what did he think he was going to do? Save the day while coughing up blood, be the grand hero that everyone seems to think he will become with time and survival?

He sailed through the air towards the skimmer, blades not even drawn but securely strapped to his back. He didn't even think as he launched from his own vehicle, just tilted out of the seat with a push and aimed for the general area of Dark Ace below him, the general in front of his troop of aerial phalanxes.

A flash of surprise, a blink as head motions upwards against the falling threat, and he knows that if he were in full strength he could use this to his advantage, he could win this battle maybe probably assuredly. But he isn't, he's coughing up blood at his rival slash enemy and grabbing for a hold against the vehicle, certain it's going to do it's own tilt and dump him into the empty air.

Instead he was pulled up, pressed against Dark Ace securely, seated on the aircraft so he wouldn't dangle.

And then his vision blurred Gaussian, slightly out of focus with stark red standing out through it all. He coughed into his hand, shook in pain, and clutched at the warmth that was keeping him on the skimmer, arm wrapped around his torso pressing him into muscle and bone as the other arm kept the attached hand driving the aircraft.

A voice growled in his ear, Damn kid, getting blood on my uniform.

He coughed in return, Shut up, I don't want to be here.

And Dark Ace chuckled as he held him tighter.

.iv
He was dimly aware of conversation going on around him, of Piper's worried tone trying to sound strong against the Sky Knight's greatest enemy's amused lilt. A negotiation, a discussion, he couldn't be sure with the dried blood keeping his lips stuck together and the blindfold covering his eyes.

You'll take just the crystal in exchange for him?

Ah, something that makes sense, a sentence that he can understand. So a negotiation, he cracks open his lips to say. Just something to assure them he's fine and won't need to be bargained for.

He's healed, so you're getting a bargain.

Dry tongue licks bleeding lips as he tries to say something, anything, and all he manages is a croak that sounds something like Radarr on a bad day. He'd laugh if he could, but that would hurt, so he doesn't.

The voice again, the man he hates so much, Here's looking at you Aerrow, I'll kill you next time like a kiss against the shell of his left ear, and then he's thrust forward unto caring arms.

The blindfold is torn off, and he blinks in the light as a Cyclonian skimmer tears out of the Condor's hanger.

He coughs again out of routine, and falls back into unconsciousness.