Even In The Grave, All Is Not Lost

Survivor's Guilt

A/N: to that person who made that tik tok of Luna and Nyko from this fic, that was honestly so touching to see, thankyou! If you guys ever edits/art for this fic PLEASE let me know, I would love to see them! I love knowing that my writing means enough to inspire you guys to do stuff like that

 . . .

'You are so brave and quiet I forget you are suffering.'

- Ernest Hemingway

 . . .

The fever was unrelenting. Continuing to rise against Raven's best hopes. She bit her lip, watching the blood pool in Luna's cheeks, the deepening flush to her skin as she lay sprawled upon the bed, breathing heavily. She'd risked laying a hand against that skin only minutes before. Had come away feeling like she'd reached into an open fire.

It was the shivering that distressed her the most. The violent vibrations consuming Luna's body as sweat beaded on her forehead. Raven wanted to try and warm her up, considered ordering Murphy to get some more blankets, maybe a heat pack, but she didn't know if that was smart given the climbing fever.

What the fuck was the right course of action here?

She was a mechanic, not a doctor - and for good reason! Sick people freaked her out. And a sick Luna freaked her out more than most.

"You look worried."

Raven struggled to trample her nerves, to force some degree of levity into her expression. Though Luna seemed to be managing that well enough for the both of them. Compared to Raven, she was the picture of unfazed. There was even a weak note of amusement touching her eyes.

"Well, your fever's higher. Some would call that grounds for worry."

"I've had worse."

Sure, but this time Luna's blood wasn't going to protect her - the only benefit of radiation poisoning. Against this, her blood was powerless.

"That time I was sick as a child, I nearly died. I fell into a four-day sleep. Wouldn't eat or drink, threw up anything and everything that they tried to force down me. Everyone thought I would die. But I didn't." Luna's eyes were firm, though they did little to counteract the relative weakness of her voice. "I'll be okay."

Yeah, well. . . Raven would believe it when she saw it.

"You've had way too many near-death experiences for one person."

Luna smiled a little. "What's that phrase? Pot calling the kettle black?"

She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, okay. Good point."

Fingertips brushed lightly against Raven's and she froze.

Luna continued to smile. "One good thing about having so many near-death experiences? You know just how much you can survive. " Those fingers drew closer again, twitched - and Raven had the distinct impression that they were seeking to close the distance, to take hold. But they didn't. "Trust me when I say you have nothing to worry about."

The statement might have been successful - if it wasn't followed in the next instant by a hacking cough. The worst one yet, by Raven's estimation. Luna's body heaved with the effort, curling in on itself as she fought to cover her mouth. Grimacing, Raven massaged her back, feeling the force of her convulsions.

"Well, that sounds terrible." It took a lot of effort to keep her voice bland - dry even - but somehow she managed it.

Luna snorted, then choked. The next cough to devour her was sharp and her whole body jerked. Raven knew, just from the sound, that it had to hurt like hell.