Enjoy a small snippet from my @aftgreverse bang!
Neil’s face was in ruins. Bright red fresh cuts overlaid layers of old scars, a palimpsest of violence and neglect. Jean reached out with trembling fingers to push the red curls off Neil’s forehead and check the stitches around his eye. The swelling had yet to go down but there was no heat from infection and the prosthetic hadn’t shifted. It was as good as Jean could make it with his limited skill and it was out of his hands now.
“I’m sorry, Neil,” Jean whispered. “You deserved more from me.”
Neil’s eyelids fluttered, like he was beginning to come out from under the anesthetic. Jean waited for a moment, hoping he could at least say goodbye, but Neil soon settled back into a deep sleep and Jean knew he was running out of time. Riko would be entering the med bay at six bells, Neil having reached the maximum amount of time allowed for recovery from any injury, no matter how serious.
Jean steeled himself. It was his steady hands, even in the face of stitching up those he cared for, that had made Kengo allow him to study medicine, and it was those hands that Neil needed most. He picked up the syringe from the table beside Neil’s bed and inserted it into the IV, depressing the plunger and watching the blue liquid travel into Neil’s veins. He put the syringe into the incinerator and pushed the button. Light flared and he looked away as the evidence went up in flames.
Neil’s eyes shot open for a mere instant, terrified eyes finding Jean’s in that instant, one hand breaking free of the restraints and flailing around, looking for some kind of comfort. Jean clasped it in his, Neil’s face blurring as he stopped trying to hold back the tears. Neil relaxed, harsh breath evening out, pulse slowing, eyes drifting closed, grip loosening, and the heart rate monitor settled into one even tone as Neil’s heart stopped beating.
Keep an eye out in mid March for the rest of this fic and some amazing art by @adverbialstarlight!
