text: Agony glazed his eyes as he stumbled over. His new wound was ugly, a gash through the stomach still fresh, clearly exacerbating one barely much older. “... Jeez.” Already she held bandages and morphine, the smile on her lips fading quickly at his plight. The fall into her arms was unexpected, but she responded easily, clinging back onto him as his arms draped weakly on her shoulders. “That looks... bad...” The white linen was draped over quickly, tightened and secured as blood soon coated them crimson. Morphine loosened the fire that consumed his eyes, and they shut somewhat as he rested his head into her side. “Y... Yeah,” He finally choked out. “I didn’t... expect that one.” The wound seemed to hold as she let go, though she knew it wouldn’t for long. “I... don’t think I’ve seen you this bad since...” “Since a long time ago. Yeah. But we were different people then.” He plucked at her sleeve, the pain dwindling gratefully. “How’re you holding up?” She frowned. Bandages set aside she took his hand, setting it for pressure on the wound. “You’ve got more things to worry about than that.” “Yeah. But... You know I want it that way.” The softness, the vulnerability in his face convinced her. She helped him sit up, letting him gaze at her own injuries. “They’re healing fine. Still... Still bleeding though.” He tested the yellowed fabric carefully, noticing her flinch. “Still hurts?” “I can’t deny that,” She shrugged with heavy shoulders. “Morphine works well on it, thankfully.” He glanced over the rest of her body. Scars and cuts pockmarked the damaged skin, burns thankfully healing with good progress. His cheeks rose as he observed one, the distinctive mark reduced to memory. “Stop that. You must rest.” “I am.” She sighed at the response, offering him another vial of painkillers. They shared this one, and she let him lean against her body. The silence was musical. The comfort of companionship worked its magic, consciousness drifting as the agonies faded, even temporarily. His voice trembled slightly even in secure softness. “This might be the last one, you know.” “Don’t say that.” Her response was flat, a spark of emotion bubbling even with her own voice pacified. He shifted on her shoulder. “You know the truth. The last two were already bad enough. This one may seal my fate.” There was no response. The silence turned heavy till he spoke again. “S--sorry.” “Don’t be. You know what I’d say already.” He did. His hand grasped at hers, warm palm resting on her fingers. She gave him a squeeze as she stared into the moon’s glow. Moonlight lit the sea as they rested, feeling the soft comfort of each other’s backs. ---------------------------------------------- She awakened to a cold touch, blinking tiredly in the morning sun. She rose slightly, staring still into the distance in denial. She let herself take a moment to mourn, slipping his body off hers to lay on the warm sand. She gazed at his face, finally at peace, a smile formed even at rest. Lifting his body in her arms she barely struggled. The bandages and morphine she set on his stomach as she looked for green grounds. She glanced at the newly-gaping hole in her chest, and ignored it as she walked away with him.