Injuries

[for_everyone]

It's never good when one of the crew takes an injury on a job, but close-range blaster-fire leaves some of the worst marks.

Which is why Hera's currently carrying a tray into Kanan's bunk, loaded up with food that's a little tastier than nutrient paste, as well as replacement bacta and bandages.

"Are you awake?"

Her voice is soft, which means that if Kanan is asleep, the question won't startle him awake (unlike knocking).

Comments

[notallofus]

"I'm working on it."

He's been blinking, a little bleary-eyed, at the wall for several minutes. There aren't a lot of comfortable positions when you've recently taken a blaster bolt to the back of your shoulder, and Kanan has attempted something partly on his side. He'd been exhausted enough that it had worked, for a few hours.

Still, a few centimeters difference and it could have hit his heart. He's keeping that in mind, and even manages an also somewhat bleary smile for Hera when she enters.

[for_everyone]

"Hey," Hera says, smiling back only a little tremulously.

It was really close.

"I've brought food with some flavor. And, sadly, another bacta treatment. Can you sit up?"

[notallofus]

"I think I can manage that."

Sitting up isn't any less comfortable than lying back right now, and he doesn't evince much pain as he moves, though he does press his hand against the wall to help steady himself.

[for_everyone]

Hera's there a moment later, having set the tray carefully down on a shelving unit first -- one hand extended to support Kanan's elbow and keep him from pitching sideways.

"You're not supposed to try to pitch yourself out of bed, Kanan."

Dammit.

[notallofus]

Kanan lets out a low gasp. "I was doing all right."

Though he's not exactly pushing away her help, either.

[for_everyone]

"You always say that, and that's exactly when I know you're hurting."

Her hands are gentle in support, though, and she helps him ease back against his pillow -- which she has propped up against the wall.

[notallofus]

He moves with her hands, slowly settling back again.

And once he's done that -

"You don't think you're being a little overprotective?"

[for_everyone]

Hera just looks at him, then stands up to get the tray and bring it over.

"Overprotective would be me setting Chopper on you, so he could let me know every time you decide to do something stupid."

Like sitting up unaided.

[notallofus]

"You don't already do that?"

Kanan might be smirking a little bit. It's a more effective distraction that staring at the wall.

[for_everyone]

"Well, sometimes you let me know when you're going to do something stupid, so I don't always need Chopper."

Yeah, take that, Kanan.

"Do you want your bandages changed first, or eat and then prepare to take off your shirt?"

[notallofus]

Kanan glances over at the tray. "I think we'd better get the bandages over with first."

[for_everyone]

"All right. Do you want to get your good arm out first, and then I'll help you maneuver things over your bad arm?"

See, she's letting you have some independence, Kanan!

[notallofus]

That sounded a lot more like instructions than an actual question.

But regardless, Kanan mutters, "All right."

Still, this time he waits to move until she does.

[for_everyone]

Hera appreciates it, even giving him a slightly rueful smile as she moves around to support his wounded side while he gets out of his shirt.

She knows she's being a little ridiculous, but --

Well. It was close.

[notallofus]

He moves slowly, breathing deeply to try to keep any reactions to a minimum. Once they've got the shirt off, Kanan lowers his head, his eyes focusing on the floor.

It helps him concentrate on something other than the ache in his shoulder.

... and maybe, no matter how he tries to ignore it, he's feeling a little self-conscious.

[for_everyone]

Hera isn't feeling self-conscious, but that's because she's breathing slowly, focusing on picking up the bacta and bandages.

Right. There's work to be done.

"Here, hold this for me for a second while I unwind what's already on . . . you."

She's careful to not be too overconscious of touching his skin, behaving like this is just business as usual and everything is perfectly normal here.

After a minute or so -- once the blaster wound is fully in view -- it really is.

[notallofus]

He takes what she hands him, eyes not flickering from the floor.

"How does it look?"

[for_everyone]

"Well, it's not infected."

She hisses a short breath through her teeth.

"And the edges look better. The middle's still a mess, though. Hand me the bacta, please?"

[notallofus]

He carefully lifts his good arm to hand the bacta back to her.

"I think that counts as good news." All things considered.

[for_everyone]

"It does," Hera agrees, mouth downturned in what isn't quite a frown.

"I just hate -- "

She shakes her head, lekku twitching faintly with all the things she's not going to say so Kanan can understand.

"Try not to flinch."

Bacta's cold.

[notallofus]

He takes another sharp breath, but stays still.

"I was trying not to think about it," he admits. "Maybe not the best thing to be doing, but..."

Dwelling on almosts doesn't seem like a good idea, either.

[for_everyone]

"No, I try to do the same."

Her fingers are gentle as she smooths on the bacta, her own skin shivering just the slightest bit.

It's definitely to do with the bacta's chill. Yes.

That.

"Bandages, please? I keep thinking it'll get easier."

[notallofus]

He's not quite as prompt this time, breathing slowly and deeply for another moment before he seems to hear her, and hands back the bandages.

"I should be thinking about what I did, or should've done differently, but -"

Being shot at is an inevitable hazard in their line of work.

[for_everyone]

"It'll just be something more unexpected next time."

She sounds tired, reaching up for the bandages and starting to apply them to his freshly bacta-ed wound.

"I know there'll be a next time. For all of us."

[notallofus]

Kanan's quiet for a moment after that.

"It's true," he says, finally.

"We can't always rely on Stormtroopers being terrible shots."