Ava sighed.
She, once again, was sitting on a white bed; waiting for Mari to gather her supplies. She had previously decided that she didnt want to focus on the gash on her leg since focusing only made it hurt more. Thats why she was watching as the older medic went through several drawers in the little medbay of their bunker.
Ever since the apocalypse, getting injured regularly had become the new norm. The reason was the zombies at first, but then the bounty hunters stamped them out. Afterwards, the reason became the judical system, or the lack thereof. Realising there was no law, people began to do whatever they wanted, forming gangs, becoming snatchers or marauders.
However, that still didnt mean it hurted any less, Ava tought. She had cutt her leg while running away from some pillagers during a supply run.
She glanced up to Mari, her mentor, who was pouring what was left of their antiseptic to a rug. The medic had bags under her eyes and seemed to be quite tired, which was partially Ava’s own fault, Ava knew. They had collectively decided to change cities, trying to get to Higaria which was rumored to be a safe haven. However, the journey was taking its toll on everyone, especially Mari. Being on the move meant a higher injury ratio, and that also meant many sleepless nights for the medic.
Thats why Ava had promised herself that she was going to try and be extra careful to spare her mentor a few resting nights but had failed spectacularly, being the team klutz.
“A little sting.” Mari’s warning interrupted her toughts. She drew in a sharp breath as the antiseptic burned her skin.
“Thank you. You work so hard, to make sure we are alright. We would have fallen apart without you. I would have fallen apart without you.” Ava wanted to say.
“You are the cup you know? You carry the coffee.” She ended up saying, because even with their close relationship, she couldn’t voice her emotions.
“Whats that supposed to mean?” Mari laughed.
“Well. If the whole ‘get to Higaria’ deal is coffee, then you’re the cup. Since, uh. You hold everything together.”
Mari shook her head fondly, smiling at her mentee’s metaphor while continuing to fix her leg.
“Well, then that makes you the coffee bean, doesnt it? Very bitter when alone but absolutely necessary for the coffee.” The medic replied.
Ava gasped at the accusation. She was not bitter! Mari only laughed when she voiced her toughts, tough.
“Yes you are!” She said, “You’ve been moping around since you came here.” Mari teased, her smile growing a little more when Ava pouted like a five-year old.
“Having your leg bandaged isn’t the exact definition of fun, is it?” Ava replied, voice full of sass.
“I guess not. However, I still can see somethings bothering you.” The sudden change in Mari’s voice startled Ava, “What happened?”
Ava sighed again. No point in hiding it. “Honestly?” she started, “No offence but I don’t think I have seen anyone else with eyebags as dark as yours, Mari.”
“I cant help but think that-nnh!” Ava gasped as bandages around her leg tightened, arousing the wound.
“I tought if I was careful enough I could spare you a good nights sleep but… I’m right here, aren’t I?” She laughed mirthlessly.
Mari, who was now done with the bandages, slumped to a chair next to Ava. “Thanks for the concern coffee bean, but there is no point in beating yourself up over something you dont have control over, okay? Everything will be much easier when we get to the city anyways, you don’t need to worry about me. ”
She caressed Ava’s cheek.
“You focus on yourself, yeah?” Ava nodded before her brows furrowed, “Hey! You called me a coffee bean!”
“Yes, I think it will make a good nickname, coffee bean.” Mari laughed.
“No, it won’t! Because I am not bitter!” Ava resisted only to have her reslution curmpled when Mari raised her eyebrows.
“You know what? I accept it. I am a coffee bean so I may at anytime-uhh… “Ava fumbled, trying to find a way to finish her sentence.” Steal your chocolate ?” She finished, her tone making her sentence sound more like a question, making Mari chuckle amusedly.
Much later, the two would be found right next to each other, asleep with a smile on their faces.