unbr8kable | IC Inbox

Replace it? Unless you wanna double-down on that pirate life.

[Comes in close, fingers almost touching his face but not, doing their best to be delicate. Her swipes are quick and efficient, clockwise then counterclockwise.

Then she retreats, turns to toss the swab in the trash. It takes her a minute before she turns back to him, eventually offering the cotton on his own time]

[During the cleaning, he loses what little color he has, until his face has an unhealthy kind of pallor. He is not quite steady on his feet - looks like he might pass out, honestly.]

[It takes him a second or two before he can manage:]

What. You don't think I could pull off an eye patch?

[Shrugs]

Just think there's something to be said for depth perception. Are you gonna hurl or can I wrap you up for now?

Yeah, I'm good. I'm - good.

[He is so good that he shifts to lean most of his weight against the counter.]

...Sit down. You slip and crack your head open, we’ll just have to do this over again.

[Helps him get settled before searching the kit for smelling salts]

...Nobody did anything for the pain?

Took some aspirin.

[It's a little mumbled, somewhat indistinct - now that he's seated, he drops his head so it rests on his knees.]

For real?

[Hovers a hand over his head, hesitant]

For real.

[After a second, kind of strained:]

Should've maybe done one more.

[Does pet his hair this time, incredibly soft and ready to pull away if he seems uncomfortable]

I got a bottle back in the room. Once I wrap you up you can have as many as you want.

[He doesn't pull away - and after a second or two, he leans into it, a little.]

Pretty sure a whole bunch is like. Not a great call?

But a couple doesn't sound bad.

Who needs a stomach lining anyways?

[Keeps combing through his hair, apologetic]

Maybe next time get the numbing thing.

...yeah. I was kinda worried I'd accidentally mess it up somehow if I couldn't feel it to tell, but.

[A beat or two, while he just closes his eyes and breathes.]

Y'know what they say about hindsight.

Yeah...

[Sighs]

...Sorry.

S'cool. Last thing I need's it getting infected, right?

[He manages something like a smile, though his face is still waxy-pale.]

Pretty sure I couldn't've pulled it off myself. So.

Probably not. But for more than just that.

...you don't gotta say sorry for anything else.

[His throat works as he swallows.]

This was on me.

No.

[Her fingers press into his skull, not hard, but present. Her voice isn't as steady as she wants it to be, but she pretends]

This's on that guy for--for using us. We're the victims here this time.

[He's quiet for a long, long couple of beats.]

[Then, finally:]

So what're you saying sorry for?

[She breathes in, and out, and in again.]

Yeah... Yeah.

[The hand on his head drifts over a bit so she can lean over to hug him best she can]

[He takes a shaky breath in - rearranges his legs, some, to make it a proper hug, and curls in toward her.]

[Presses him in, and holds him, and breathes, and that is enough for a little while]

[More than enough.]

[As the seconds drag by, the shaking subsides a little at a time. He turns his head so that the damaged eye faces outward - presses his cheek on the uninjured side against her shoulder.]

[Her breath hitches, softly, and she pulls him in tighter, angling her head to press against his and fingers knotting in his shirt.

At one point she makes a little noise like she's going to say something, but doesn't in the end.]

[He doesn't, either. He just holds on.]

[At length, one of his hands smooths across her back, careful - like he's confirming to himself that she's here, and in one piece, and as close to okay as she can be, given the circumstances.]

[Her breath catches again, a voiced little hiccup, but she presses closer still, enough that he can surely feel her heart pounding in her chest. Her one hand stays over the middle of his back, counting his breaths]

Re: [Day 169, after they have left the theater]

Re: [Day 169, after they have left the theater]

Re: [Day 169, after they have left the theater]

Re: [Day 169, after they have left the theater]

Re: [Day 169, after they have left the theater]

Re: [Day 169, after they have left the theater]

Re: [Day 169, after they have left the theater]

Re: [Day 169, after they have left the theater]

Re: [Day 169, after they have left the theater]

Re: [Day 169, after they have left the theater]

Re: [Day 169, after they have left the theater]

Re: [Day 169, after they have left the theater]

Re: [Day 169, after they have left the theater]

Re: [Day 169, after they have left the theater]

Re: [Day 169, after they have left the theater]

Re: [Day 169, after they have left the theater]

Re: [Day 169, after they have left the theater]

Re: [Day 169, after they have left the theater]

Re: [Day 169, after they have left the theater]

Re: [Day 169, after they have left the theater]

Re: [Day 169, after they have left the theater]

Re: [Day 169, after they have left the theater]

Re: [Day 169, after they have left the theater]

Re: [Day 169, after they have left the theater]

Re: [Day 169, after they have left the theater]