Page 85 of Resurgent

“Yeah.”

His fingers barely brush my skin and my stomach knots. I try to focus on something else—anything else.

Korr steps closer, his voice calmer than I’ve heard it all day. “You’re doing so good. Just keep breathing. They’re almost done.”

My breath hitches as I look up at him. He isn’t talking about the uncomfortable sting of the sealant being applied, and we both know it. Still, his eyes hold mine as he gives me a small nod, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at his mouth as I match my breathing to my insufferable roommate’s, just like we did back in the infirmary last semester.

“You’re going to feel some pressure. Tell me if it hurts,” Ian says.

“It doesn’t.”

“Good.” He leans closer, lowering his voice into a whisper that is absolutely loud enough for everyone to hear. “You know, when I got hurt, you did a much better job than this. Maybe we should stick to me being the patient from now on?”

“Or maybe we just leave injuries and healing to everyone else?”

“It’s a deal.” He grins.

As soon as he’s done, Theo moves in to clean the excess from around the wound.

Once.

Twice.

A third time.

I stare at him. “Seriously?”

He doesn’t even look up. “It needs to be clean before we apply the bandage and dressing.”

“Aren’t those practically the same thing?” Ian asks, barely containing his laughter.

Theo’s head snaps toward him. “No. They aren’t.”

“It’s the size of a paper cut,” I point out, but he ignores me, still stuck on Ian’s sarcastic commentary.

“And I hope no one ever trusts you to be their healer.”

“I think you’re underestimating my bedside manner.”

“I think you’re underestimating infection.”

“You’re both pissing me off,” Korr cuts in. “Do what you need to do so you can stop touching your patient."

Theo pointedly returns to cleaning it…Again.

Matt watches for another few seconds before shaking his head. “I've never known a cut so small to require this much attention.”

Korr grunts from beside him. “Neither have I.”

Ian looks between them. “At this rate, we should probably notify the Academy she’s down for the count.”

“Done!” Theo shouts, as his fingers finally release my side.

Looking down, I’m filled with surprise and horror. I stare at it in silence as Ian clears his throat. “Very…professionally done, Theo.”

Matt’s serious expression cracks first, and before long, the rest of us are laughing right alongside him.

The bandage is covering practically half my torso, practically taking away any chance I have at mobility.