Chapter Three: Progress

Ackar sat by Mata Nui's bedside as he wrote away on his writing slap, carving tool in one hand while his other closest to Mata held the said snoozing Great Spirit's hand. It didn't bother him if it was his left hand doing the writing, he was ambidextrous naturally, so it wasn't that different.

It had been a few weeks since Mata Nui woke from his coma, while his energy regain was slow the Great Spirit's motivation to overcome it was greater, though he was reminded by many to not push himself of it.

During that time Ackar would find more time to stay by Mata Nui's bedside just so the said Great Spirit had some company to talk to as he didn't wanna bother Gali, Hahli, Nokama and Kiina from their work to pass some time. Last part was Mata Nui's words not his.

Currently the Veteran Glatorian was writing things down for Vakama. Thankfully the written language between the Agori and Matoran wasn't that different, the Agori's written alphabet was in hexagonal shapes to the Matoran's circles, so it wasn't difficult to translate.

Ackar heard a small grumble noise to his right and the hand he was holding recuperate with his making Ackar put down the carving tool and put both it and the writing slab aside as he looked at Mata Nui. Once he saw the golden bot's eyelids move Ackar gave a small smile. "Hey.." He spoke softly to Mata Nui while reaching his other hand to cradle the side of his face.

"How you feeling?" He asked him, shifting a bit to be more comfortable in his chair with his position. "The same drained... As always... You don't have to... ask every time you... visit..." Mata told him, tightening his hold on Ackar's hand a bit.

Compared to when he first woke up, Mata Nui's speech and talking had improved. Sure, his pauses in-between words were still there, though less frequent and he didn't have the slight stutter as well.

Ackar chuckled a bit, "Sorry, can't help it. Plus, it's nice to hear it from you." He apologized while stroking Mata Nui's cheek with his thumb, a soft smile painting his lips as Mata leaned into his touch slightly.

A cup of water mixed with Bulba Berry juice was placed on the small table by Kiina who was on the shift now. Ackar gave her a nod, "Thanks Kiina." He told her, pulling his hands back. Kiina nodded back with a small smile as Click left her shoulder to the small table as well.

"Easy..." Ackar told Mata as he sat him up a bit to sit behind him halfway to hold Mata Nui up the rest of the way with his person. He grabbed the cup from the table as Click jumped onto his arm and quickly climbed onto Ackar's shoulder. Ackar brought the rim of the cup to Mata's lips who managed to lift his hand up enough to hold the bottom of the cup as he slowly drank the liquid inside.

Ackar smiled softly as that as he traced circles on Mata Nui's arm with his thumb. While his progress to recovery was always a good thing to see, at times Ackar wished the Great Spirit didn't push himself so much. He knew Mata was just tired of being so weak, him pushing himself in his recovery could easily set him back in progress. He may be a practical god, but he still had health he needed to take care of, especially the horrible medical issues he gained during his first coma he was practically nearly dead, his death then sudden resurrection and then of course being sent to Bara Magna in the Ignika. It would've been more surprising if he didn't have any medical issues from it.

Mata soon finished drinking making Ackar put the cup down on the side table while Click carefully went to Mata Nui's shoulder and gently nuzzled against his mask. Mata chuckled quietly at that making Ackar notice and smile at the sight.

To Ackar's surprise though, Mata managed to open his eyes at least half lidded and bring his hand up a bit shakily to pet the Scarabax Beetle's head with his fingertips. Click froze at that and looked up at Mata making the said golden bot smile softly. Click immediately nuzzled his face again making Mata pet his head with his fingertips again.

Ackar smiled softly as he wrapped one arm around Mata's waist in a one-armed hug while holding the Great Spirit's free hand in his, stroking his against the top of hand. "Mata, as much as I love seeing progress on you getting better, I would rather you didn't push yourself for it." Ackar said to him as he rested his chin on Mata Nui's opposing shoulder.

Mata Nui sighed a bit at that making Ackar hug him a bit tighter. Kiina sighed from where she was as she walked over to the two. "Ackar's right on that Mata," she told the golden bot while sitting on the foot of the bed. "If you push yourself past your limits enough, you'll be in recovery longer. We know it's annoying being this drained and bedridden for so long but just don't push yourself so much for the progress." She finished while crossing her arms over her chest.

Mata Nui grumbled a bit at that though the two knew it was more like a child being told no on something. Ackar snorted a bit, "You're sounding Berix getting annoyed by something with that Mata." He told the Great Spirit.

Almost immediately a noticeable soft pink blush formed underneath the Ignika on Mata Nui's face making the Great Spirit look away.

Ackar and Kiina began to laugh lightly at that, lightening the once dark mood in the air. Mata Nui couldn't help but smile at the mood change though, he knew his friends, his people and his children were worried. He just wished to make them less worried without overdoing himself so much.