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[ Thankfully enough Inigo is practiced enough with a blade that he's able to redirect the swing at the last moment - mostly because he hasn't seen in that split second yet that Cat is using the spear to guard him, and while Inigo can guess the other will attempt to do that, he doesn't want to risk it.

So he redirects the momentum of the swing of his sword upwards at the last moment. It's done quickly enough that it seems Inigo doesn't even suspect this may be some sort of distraction attempt on Cat's part. He just takes it entirely for what it is, dropping his sword on the ground to instead have his hands land on the other, one hand resting on Cat's shoulder and the other on his back. ]

Hey.

[ It's not said loudly, but there's an urgency in Inigo's voice. There's a worry in Inigo's eyes to match, even if Cat likely can't see it with the way he's doubled over. ]

Are you okay?

[It's too bad that there's no use to exploiting this reaction, in times where Cat doesn't actually feel like his lungs are too small for the breathing he needs to do. If anything, the reason he makes note of it is out of exasperation -- concern? -- over how trusting a boy this is. Every time they talk he proves to Cat that he needs someone to watch out for him before he gets himself killed, or worse.

He can't do too much about it now, though. Cat wants to jerk away from the touch, but it would only make it harder to catch his breath.]

Y-yeah... [Never mind that it took him some time to get that out, and that there's a little crackle on his inhale now.] Maybe I'm pushing it after all. Fighting already wore me out before all this, heh.

There's no shame in listening to what your body tells you.

[ Inigo isn't sure if the other is worried about that, but.. well, generally speaking, Cat does seem a whole lot more prideful than Inigo himself is. And Inigo already has a complex about often wanting to seem stronger than he really feels. He can't help but instinctively want to reassure the other because of it, his hands still not leaving the other.

Especially since he's thinking about maybe doing more here. Something along the lines of-- ]

Maybe you should sit down.

[ Not that he's guiding Cat to help him with that just yet. He first wants to make sure it's something the other actually wants before doing that, not wanting to force him. ]

Ugh.

[Underneath the privacy of his mask, Cat rolls his eyes. It's awfully patronizing...but at the same time, arguing would be a waste of breath, and he'll still fighting to catch that, so...

Leaning to rely more on his own feet and his longspear, he eases himself down with Inigo's help and splays his hand across his ribs as if looking for a piece sticking out he can simply press back into place and make everything better. Things are still a little tender, but from what he knows and can feel, the freshly healed break doesn't seem like it should be causing this current predicament. Why was he feeling so heavy and like he couldn't breathe?]

Just gonna take a few minutes, then... I hope you aren't thinking you can call this a 'win'. I was barely getting started.

[ Despite his worry for the other, Inigo does smile a little bit at the other when he also squats down to be on a more even level with Cat.

Unfortunately for Cat, it's a very sweet, sappy smile. And there's nowhere to run from it, given Cat's current state. ]

Don't worry, I will ensure you'll have plenty of time to kick my butt later. [ (Affectionate.)

Look, Inigo is not going to full on tease a friend after said friend has gone down, okay. This is a more fond joke than that, especially with the worry still on his mind. ]

Does it at least feel a little better now you're sitting down?

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