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

[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."

[for_everyone]

Hera snorts, tugging a little on the bandages -- but not too hard.

"Unlucky ricochets happen, love. Especially to you."

Obviously.

[notallofus]

"Ow -"

As he's half-laughing, it's not that convincing.

"Yeah, and dodging a squad of blasterfire isn't exactly easy."

Especially when deflection isn't an option.

[for_everyone]

"Maybe you should practice more."

Hera smiles a little, shaking her head and tucking in the end of the bandage.

"I'm sure the crew would be glad to help. Especially Zeb."

[notallofus]

"All right," Kanan sighs.

"I shouldn't have called you overprotective."

[for_everyone]

Hera smirks for a second, then picks up Kanan's shirt and arranges it to make it easy to get it over his wounded shoulder.

"I suppose I am, a little. I just -- keep it until the mission's over. And how much it annoys you is a great side benefit."

[notallofus]

"It definitely annoys me."

Again, it's not all that convincing.

[for_everyone]

She cups his cheek in her hand for a moment, gently shaking his head back and forth.

"That's why I keep doing it."

(His griping about it ineffectually is definitely not comforting, either.)