His brows knit themselves into a furrowed line as Prompto sputters and scampers up to him. The concern registers, but not the cause, as he briefly glances down at himself for any injuries he might have missed with the flow of adrenaline dulling his nerves. But no, there's nothing besides sweat and the grime of the river's edge and grass staining him. At least, where his own eyes can see. It's when Prompto is skirting around him, and looking over the mess of his back, that Ravus understands. Because he can't lie and pretend he's unaware of the state it's in.

The spines along his back settle back down, hot blood cooling at their base, and bracketing either side are deep, torn fissures along his back. Raw, freshly evolved muscle and the blue gleam of wing membranes shines slick and blood-wet within. Making no mention of how badly scarred his back already was, he's caught enough of his own reflection to know it's an unpleasant sight. But the pain is a dull, low frequency that reverberates through him. Easy enough to tuck away in his mind and ignore in favor of all else.

It's only the reminder that makes it flare up, and Ravus exhales a hard breath.

"I apologize if it is disturbing." Ravus shifts his posture just enough to turn his back away from the fretting blond. "For as frequently as I bathe, that is simply the nature of it. Activity naturally impacts blood flow. It will look worse in these sorts of scenarios. You needn't concern yourself with it."