Through The Ashes

28

Mara stood over Jorn, gently parting her hair to get a better look at the wound on her head. Despite the sting of the injury, there was something almost comforting about the way Mara's fingers brushed against her scalp.

"Hold still," Mara murmured, her brow furrowed in concentration. "This is going to sting a bit."

Jorn grimaced, bracing herself. "I've been through worse," she muttered, trying to keep her tone light. "I'll survive."

Mara shot her a quick look, lips twitching with amusement. "You say that like you're invincible. You're still human, you know."

"Yeah, well," Jorn smirked slightly, her voice teasing despite the discomfort. "Don't tell anyone. I've got a reputation to uphold."

Mara chuckled softly as she dabbed a damp cloth against the cut, careful but firm. "Your secret's safe with me. As long as you stop squirming like a child every time I touch your head."

Jorn grunted in response, shifting just a little despite herself. "I'm not squirming," she protested, though the faint wince on her face said otherwise. "You're just... bad at this."

"Oh, is that right?" Mara's voice held a playful edge now, her eyes glinting as she looked at Jorn. "Would you like to try patching yourself up? I'm sure it'll go great with the eyes you don't have on top of your head."

Jorn couldn't help but laugh, the sound catching her off guard. It felt good, even if it made her head throb a little more. "Alright, fine. You win. Just... don't make it worse, okay?"

Mara smiled softly, her touch more gentle now. "I'll do my best."

For a few moments, there was a comfortable silence between them.

"You don't have to fuss over me, you know," Jorn said after a while, her voice quieter now. "I'll be fine."

Mara paused, her fingers lingering just above the wound, before looking at Jorn with an unreadable expression. "I know," she said softly. "But I want to."

Jorn swallowed, her stomach fluttering. She wasn't sure how to respond to that, so she settled for something lighter instead. "If I end up with a scar, it's on you."

Mara grinned, the tension between them easing. "A scar would just add to your tough-girl persona. You'd look even more intimidating."

"Great," Jorn muttered, though she couldn't hide the small smile tugging at her lips. "Just what I needed."

"Hey, it's better than being known as the girl who almost got taken down by a bump on the head," Mara teased.

Jorn groaned dramatically, rolling her eyes. "You're never going to let me live this down, are you?"

Mara's smile widened as she finished tending to the wound, giving Jorn's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Not a chance."

Jorn shook her head, but the warmth in her chest lingered long after Mara pulled away, her touch leaving a soft imprint that eased some of the ache.

Mara leaned back, satisfied with her work as she packed away the cloth and balm she'd been using. Jorn found herself watching her more closely than usual, taking in the small, soft details—the way Mara tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, how her lips curved in that subtle smile that was just for her.

"You're staring," Mara said without looking down, her tone teasing.

Jorn blinked, feeling a sudden heat rise to her cheeks. "Am not," she mumbled, crossing her arms defensively.

Mara's smile grew, but she let it slide. "You should rest more," she said, voice gentler now. "Your body's working hard to heal, and you're not exactly helping it by refusing to slow down."