Red Horizon (The Martian Fanfiction)

Chapter 10

Olivia shifted slightly, a sharp pain shooting through her ribs and leg as she tried to find a more comfortable position. The meds had dulled the worst of it, but her body wasn't letting her forget the trauma it had endured. She winced, pressing a hand gently against her side, the ache in her ribs making every breath feel shallow and strained.

Mark, who had been staring out toward the window, caught the movement from the corner of his eye and turned toward her, concern flickering across his face. He didn't need to ask if she was in pain—he knew she was. Instead, he moved closer, his voice low and careful.

"Want to sit up a bit? Might help with your breathing."

Olivia hesitated for a moment before nodding, knowing it would be better than lying flat. "Yeah, that might help."

Mark reached out to her, his movements gentle but deliberate as he placed one hand behind her shoulders and the other under her arm, mindful of her ribs. With a slow, controlled effort, he helped her shift into a more upright position against the thin mattress. Olivia let out a slow breath, the new position easing the tightness in her chest just a little.

"Better?" Mark asked, his gaze steady on her.

She nodded, offering him a small, appreciative smile. "Yeah, thanks."

Mark gave her a quick nod but didn't pull away. Instead, his eyes flicked down toward her leg, which was still elevated in its makeshift splint. "You should let me take another look at your leg," he said, his voice softer now, less of a suggestion and more of a gentle insistence.

Olivia sighed but nodded, knowing he was right. "Fine, but after we take a look at your side. You've been bleeding through that bandage."

Mark snorted softly, shaking his head. "Always have to go first, don't you?"

Olivia's lips quirked into a faint smile despite the pain. "Perks of being the doctor, Watney."

Mark moved closer to the edge of the bunk as Olivia leaned forward slightly, her ribs protesting the motion, but she pushed the pain aside. Her gaze was focused on his side, where the bandage had clearly seen better days. Dried blood had stained the material, and there was fresh red seeping through—evidence that it hadn't healed as much as they'd hoped.

"Let me take a look," Olivia said softly, her tone slipping into the calm authority she used when in medical mode. She gestured toward the bandage, waiting for Mark to give her a nod before she carefully peeled it back. The skin beneath was swollen and red, though thankfully, there was no sign of infection yet.

"Doesn't look too bad," she muttered, more to herself than to him. "But you need to stay off your feet as much as I do, or this thing's not going to heal right."

Mark chuckled softly but winced as she wiped the area with disinfectant, the sting causing his muscles to tense involuntarily. "That's going to be a challenge, seeing as I'm the only one here who can walk."

"Yeah, yeah. Stop being a hero and listen to your doctor," Olivia teased, her fingers working swiftly and with precision. She applied a fresh bandage, her touch as gentle as it could be, knowing even the slightest pressure had to hurt.

Mark let out a slow breath when she was done, his body visibly relaxing. "You're way too good at this," he muttered, giving her a lopsided grin. "If you weren't stuck on Mars, you'd be patching up everyone in the ER right now."

Olivia smiled at his attempt to lighten the mood, even though her ribs screamed at her for trying to laugh. "Well, lucky for you, I'm here to keep your reckless ass alive," she said, her voice warm but laced with just enough exasperation.