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]

"Well, maybe it's true -"

He has to pause, as they manage to get the shirt over shoulder and then his head, but -

"- I know I can be distracting."

[for_everyone]

Kanan has no idea how true that is. Hera keeps her face turned downward, very carefully studying the movement of Kanan's sleeve over his shoulder.

Nothing to see here, definitely no flush along her cheekbones.

"It's when you start electrocuting people to get their attention that I'll start worrying. We only need one Chopper on this ship."

[notallofus]

With another grin, "It looks like I could always try getting injured."

[for_everyone]

Hera looks up at him, caught somewhere between a smile and a growl.

"Next time I will leave you to Chopper's nonexistent mercy."

[notallofus]

Kanan tries to raise his hands in surrender...

... and then again remembers that he shouldn't do that. Ow.

[for_everyone]

Hera snorts, trying to muffle it in her shoulder and failing.

"Here, if you move yourself this way a little -- "

Right. Getting the shirt all the way to 'on' will count as a triumph in a second here.

[notallofus]

Kanan moves with her, and eventually his arm gets through the right sleeve, so that he can finally pull the shirt down.

He doesn't bask in this success for very long. "How many more times do you think we'll have to do that?"

[for_everyone]

Hera just looks at him.

"Maybe three or four? Unless you want whatever's under there to get really gross, and I don't think you do."

She doesn't, anyway, and since she's the captain, that's what counts.

[notallofus]

"Fair enough."

Pause.

"How long do you think before you'll let me sit up on my own again?"

[for_everyone]

"When you stop wincing when you're not paying attention."

[notallofus]

"That could be a while, Hera."

He could stop forgetting that he's injured, but.

[for_everyone]

"We'll just have to cope with that, Kanan."

Though maybe she really will ask Chopper to help.

Or . . . maybe not.

[notallofus]

Kanan takes a slow, deep breath, lets it out.

"I guess that means I'm eating now, Captain."

[for_everyone]

"Please, before your stomach starts growling. You know I hate that sound."

She's already lifting the tray to set it on his lap.

[notallofus]

He glances down at the tray, eyebrows raised.

"We could afford this?"

[for_everyone]

"I know a guy."

Shut up, Kanan.

She didn't need that replacement pair of gloves just yet, anyway.

[notallofus]

"Um -"

Kanan stares down at the tray for another moment.

"Thanks to your guy."

[for_everyone]

"My guy appreciates it."

Her voice is only a little dry, and she grips Kanan's good shoulder for a second as she stands up.

"Do you want company? I can always come back for the tray later."

[notallofus]

"I think I've had enough time to myself."

It's casual enough, though his eyes follow her a little quickly when she stands.

[for_everyone]

"I'd say scoot over, but you'll just hurt yourself again."

Hera smiles to take the sting out of that -- or most of the sting, anyway, and settles down at the foot of the bed, one hand resting on the blanket over Kanan's ankle.

Purely accidental. Really.

[notallofus]

Kanan, meanwhile, carefully adjusts so that he'll be moving his good shoulder to eat.

Then he lifts a fork, poking at a chunk of what appears to be an actual vegetable.

"So how are things running?" The without me remains unsaid.

[for_everyone]

"Very smooth. No one's talked back to me in hours, at least."

Her smile is crooked, and she leans back a little, resting her weight on the hand that's not on Kanan's ankle.

"There are some repairs to make, but Chop's got that in hand. We'll need to get more fuel in the next couple of weeks, but other than that . . . "

[notallofus]

"Doesn't sound like my talents are being missed," he says with a chuckle.

[for_everyone]

"I don't know. I came in here, didn't I?"

She's just saying.

[notallofus]

"Yeah," he agrees, still smiling.

"Getting a little boring without the back talk?"