//Bad first impressions.
Marie rushed to him, getting the slightest of an eyeful of the damage done. Her mind spat out several ‘oh no’s’ and ‘oh dear’s’ racing over to him. She kneeled before him, easily setting down the few things she had grabbed. He was making it difficult to look him over, covering up what looked scratched. How silly to be so modest now, but of course, it helped her to see other points of interest. All up his arm consisted of the pulpy pink flesh that lay beneath his tanned epidermis. And goodness! His cheeks looked like two fresh tomatoes, bits of the clinging Earth still attached after plucking! Did he scrape up his face, too? She was a bit reluctant to start caring for him, but she knew she had to make up for her mistake some way. With shaky hands, she reached over and picked up the damp towel, which had been trying to soak the dry ones below it.
“T-to be h-honest….” She bit her lip in dismay, trying to pull out the truth. “I-I’ve….n-never t-treated a-a-anyone before…. B-besides m-myself…m-maybe…”
Unsteady hands stretched up, carefully caressing away the dirt and hopefully the coloring as well. All the while, she muttered apologies, collecting a gentle shade of pink along her face. It was a moment of firsts for her. She was always so good at waiting for someone to allow her to touch them. She was especially comfortable with that as well since most times contact would make her shrivel away. Nursing wounds that weren’t her own was also completely new. The few people she’d ever been around usually were good about staying out of harms way.
Eventually, there wasn’t even a speck left. A wonderful job had been done, despite her useless hands in the situation. She was very lucky she didn’t poke his eye out by accident, but to be fair, his glasses were an amazing blockade. They were so massive, but fit him well. She couldn’t imagine they’d look too grand on her tiny face. Probably wouldn’t be able to sit there at all.
“M-maybe….w-we sh-should….m-move…i-into your t-tent…?” she suggested, her hands resting in her lap with the wet and dirty cloth. “Y-you could…a-ah….l-lay d-down….a-and rest…wh-while I…cl-cleaned you up…. I-I c-c-could…h-help you i-in…”
It had to be better than letting him lay topless on the cold, hard ground. At least in his tent he had some cushioning. She was almost afraid to touch him anymore than she already had, but somehow was able to coax herself into grabbing his hand. Little tears tried to drip out, but she forced them away. She could be strong. She just had to wait a bit. Fix him up and head inside; that was the new goal because she doubted she’d be even willing to sample his food anymore.
Never treated anyone before? The thought worried him a little. What if she somehow messed up and he was always scarred with dirt on his body from this night and never lived it down from anyone ever again. How would that make Marie feel? How would he feel? Honestly, people already bagged on him a lot. He'd probably be fine. But he didn't know about the girl gently dabbing at his flushed cheeks. He avoided eye contact out of embarrassment, "Ah.. well I bet you'll do jus' fine.." He blush only deepened. There was that stupid accent.
Benjamin shook his head and smiled, "I t-trust ah--" he winced a little at the stinging sensation, "I trust you.. Marie. If you can keep yourself looking so pretty, I can make it out just fine too!" He tried to be enthusiastic regardless of how much pain he was in to give her a little reassurance. He didn't want to see her cry or be so sad. It would just break his heart to much and she already seemed to be getting so close!
Ben tried to keep as still as possible while Marie carefully worked on him, "It's okay.. it really is.. you're doing really great..!" Trying to be cheerful as possible so that she wouldn't frown so much. But it honestly wasn't helping, if at all.
He moped a little, but quickly expression lit up as she mentioned the tent. Perfect! Why didn't he think of that before! "That's a great idea, Marie! Ah--" His face burning up as she gently grabbed his hand. He squeezed it lightly, eventually (and with more effort than he usually needed) stood up and let Marie lead the way into the tent. It was nice and warm in there too from being closed for a while. He made sure not to trip this time, watching his feet as he stepped in then carefully sat down on the blankets, "I have.. a first aid kit too.. over there." He pointed to his overstocked first-aid kit before wincing as he lay down, "Just in case you run out of bandages.. or something."
Ben lay on his side so the she could work more easily on the throbbing flesh. The feeling made him shudder, but probably with the help of the cold air against his bare body as well. His shirt had been tossed to the side since he didn't exactly need it at the moment, in fact he almost wanted to deem it unlucky for not protecting the both of them.
"P-please be.. g-gentle.. it hurts.. a lot.." He whimpered quietly, but looking back at Marie's tortured face made him only worry more, "Please don't blame yourself, Marie! I fall all the time.. I really am clumsy.. I fall all the time! I'm sorry if I upset you in any way.. I'll be sure to take my leave when the sun comes up.. I don't want to be a burden on you or anything..! R-really." He pouted a little, his eyes watering at the sight of her eyes watering. Her expression. Oh, how his heart took a beating so hard when he was around her! He loved and craved it with all his being but at the same time wished it didn't torture him so! "I'm so sorry.."
