"Shut up," she muttered, looking back up at him.
His eyes were crinkled in a smile. "So you're okay? Not in too much pain, I mean?"
"Nothing I can't handle."
I cleared my throat, feeling increasingly uncomfortable “excuse the interruption but…you two fucked?”
“What a nice way to put it.” Stryker mumbled “so, when can I be out of here?”
“A few days with an injury like that.” Octavia raised her eyebrows.
Stryker snorted “yeah, okay, I’m checking myself out. Theo, help me up.”
My brow furrowed slightly but I aided Stryker to sit upright.
“Thanks.”
“Stryker-“ Octavia started
“What you gonna do, watch me and pump me with pain meds? I can do that in my own bed.”
“Theo’sgoing to watch you?”
“You know each other?” Stryker asked.
I rolled my eyes “yeah, she’s actually my neighbour. And have a little faith, okay?” I grumbled at Octavia “how’s the elk wound, hotshot?”
Stryker’s eyebrow raised at the nickname before replying “painful.”
“Hah. Oh, Jack’s totally freaking out about you.” I spoke as he pushed the blanket down from his waist and swung his legs over the side of the bed. He was still wearing torn clothes.
“Poor thing. I’m fine.” He replied, one hand fisting the bedsheets as he spoke. His expression stayed neutral for a moment but he betrayed himself by wincing, colour draining further from his already pasty face.
“Are you sure you should be leaving…?” I trailed off at his glare.
“Okay then.” I crouched down to slide Stryker’s boots on and tie his laces.
He offered a tense thanks once I was done, allowing me to aid him to his feet. He swayed where he stood, swallowing convulsively a few times before offering a thumbs up “good. I’m good.”
Octavia’s nose had crinkled in disbelief but she didn’t comment, reaching to take a bowl from his bedside table and holding it out for me to take. There was some kind of pasty, green mixture inside. I pulled a face.
“It’s ointment for his injury.” She explained “to apply twice a day. He can take painkillers. Numbing cream. Whatever he wants.”
“Great.” I mumbled, patting Stryker on the back “off we go, then.”
“Bed rest!” Octavia shouted.
“Yeah, yeah.” Stryker muttered under his breath. I didn’t comment.
He staggered his way back to our unit, glaring at me every time I tried to comment on it, insisting he was fine. Jack spotted them as soon as they opened the front door, scrambling to his feet, eyes dark with concern.
"Out already?"
"I'm fine." Stryker grumbled.
"Yeah, and dressed like shit." Jack scoffed, lingering in the hallway.
I kicked my boots off and patted Stryker on the back "bed."
