Shadow and Bone - One shots!

Alina - Battle Wounds

Alina, during battle, had done something deliberate that caused overwhelming harm to herself. She threw herself in the way of another soldier to protect and shoot at the opposing side. While doing so, she fell to the ground, making it so she couldn't move by herself. In such great timing, you dragged her to safety and were to take care of her. For days, you tended to her, fixing her bandages, tending to her wounds, and looking after her. She made many attempts to sneak out to help in the war, where you'd have to drag her back to her cot. Still, Alina would often argue with you she needed to help while you'd convince her she needed to heal first. But yet again, she'd remark that they needed her and would try to coerce you to let her help.

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"Alina, you need to get back in your cot," I argued with her. "You're going to hurt yourself again!"

"My presence is a must! I am determined to attend." She stood her ground, but I sighed, picked her up bridal style, and laid her back on her cot.

He annoyingly grunted and allowed me to set her back down. I went and grab the med kit so I could replace her bandages and clean her wounds. I walked back over to her and gently picked up her leg, moving up her uniform pant leg. I carefully removed her wraps and cleaned the wound with antiseptic to stop infections, then re-wrapped it.

"They've almost healed," I said while picking up her arm to wrap it. She took a sharp breath in and I moved my hands away. "My apologies. Is it still sensitive?"

"I can take the pain," she grunted and allowed me to continue. "As long as you are there to soothe me." "I will always be here to take away your troubles," I responded and we sat in silence while I moved to her leg to clean up.

"You're an ignorant one, but brave too. Throwing yourself at gunfire makes you a hero, but risks yourself." I told her.

"The risk is the fun part." She winked down at me while I wrapped her leg.

"Fun, yet stupid. Now I'm stuck caring for you while you continue to be a pain in my ass." I giggled, and she hit my head in retaliation. But I heard a snicker as she did so, but her laughter died down and her eyebrows furrowed.

"Still in pain? Shall I get you ointment?" I was concerned, but she shook her head.

"The pain is still there, but annoyance is all I feel." She mumbled. I shook my head and sighed.

"You need to feel relaxed and restful," I said softly to her and sat back, looking at her.

"I want adrenaline, I want action–not resting and tranquility." Alina spat and fell back against her cot. I laughed at her irritation.

"You cannot expect such excitement without the patience to heal. Take this time to be mindful and worry about yourself," I said to her, smiling softly. "I need to get back to my camp before nightfall."

I rolled down her uniform pant leg and stood up then noticed she had sat up. Her eyes filled with longing, eyebrows scrunched together and she was tightly holding her hands. I swiftly moved towards her and gingerly clasped her hand before her knuckles could turn white.

"Why the long face?" I said, and she sighed.

"Would you mind staying with me tonight?" I heard a shake in her voice as she weakly spoke as if she expected rejection. But I smiled and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

"Of course, I'll set up a spot on the floor beside you," I said, but she shook her head again.

"I'll request a cot for you to sleep alongside me." She said, making me chuckle.

"Don't be ridiculous. I'll get one myself. I cannot have hard workers so inadequate tasks that I could do myself." I said, smiling at her, then walked to exit her tent. "I'll return soon," I reassured her and walked out.

I walked through the site and made conversation with the other soldiers, quizzing them on their daily activities and how they've been. These distractions kept me away more than I would have liked. I made a mental note to grab the cot and go, but every time I turned–there seemed to be a new person to talk to. I got a favor from one of them to deliver the cot for me, so I had time to speak and enjoy the time of the others.

Before I knew it, the sky had become dark, and I was hungry. I went to the food tent, grabbed two trays, and headed to Alina's tent. She sat on her cot, restless and holding a book. Alina excitedly shut it when she saw me and tried standing up to come and greet me.

"Sit, please. I'll come over to you." I said and quickly rushed over to her to not make her walk further.

"I must look terribly for you to be so persistent." She softly laughed and slowly sat back down.

I stood in front of her, setting the food on my cott, and helped her sit back down, then checked her wounds. Noticing her bleeding through her bandages, I went to grab the med kit to re-wrap them. Alina sat leaning on her arms with her legs over the side of the cot. I knelt down and gently took off her bloody bandages.

"You look outstanding, as always, Alina. Rest is all you need." I responded and looked up at her, then looked back at her wound. When I wrapped it up, I stood up and sat beside her on her cot. She leaned her head on my shoulder and sighed.

"Depending on you makes me feel as though I am useless, or that I shall never recover." She softly said, and I looked down at her on my shoulder.

"I don't mind you counting on me when you are in need. Being needed by you is a delightful feeling," I said, trying to comfort her by smoothly intertwining our hands.

"So you're saying it is quite depressing for me to be dependant and you like it?" She said and quietly giggled.

"No, no no! I mean–I like us being close together is all." I muttered, feeling my face flush as I defended myself.

"I have to admit, I want to be in your company rather than anyone else." She whispered in my ear and used her thumb to rub the back of my hand.

She moved her head from my shoulder and looked into my eyes. A small smile spread across her face, making her eye crinkle and a light blush fell on her cheeks. I looked away from her to stop my face from turning a deeper shade, but I felt her eyes trail me. Then she used her index finger and thumb to grab her chin and make me look at her. I let out a soft gasp as she did so.

"Can I.. kiss you?" Alina whispers, and I slowly nod at her.

She stares at me for a little longer, then hesitantly leans in for a kiss, moving her hand from my chin to my cheek. I shakily move my hand to her waist and pull her closer to me. We continued to kiss and I let her hands roam on me before she gently pulled away.

"Your lips are lovely, Alina," I whispered as my eyes flickered from her eyes to her lips, then she whispered back.

                                                             "I could kiss you forever."