Who: John Sheppard & Jo Harvelle What: a little hurt/comfort Where: Jo's place When: backdated to fight night Warnings: references to injuries Status: complete gdoc
While there was healing available for the more serious injuries, most of Jo’s were superficial, and she’d decided to let the healers’ energy go towards others who needed it more. Instead, she’d accepted the offer of a ride home from John, and now she was unlocking her door so they could both step inside as she sent him a tired smile.
“I don’t know if I want an ice pack, hot shower, or long nap more, but I don’t think I can even lift my arms enough to get undressed,” she commented with a laugh, then winced at the pull of the bruise on her side that caused while kicking off her boots and tossing her jacket across a chair, keys, phone, and wallet inside.
John was glad that he hadn’t gotten too banged up this evening so he could take care of Jo. “Sit down,” he said, his hand moving to her elbow to guide her over to the sofa. “I’ll get you water and painkillers to start.” The sooner she took something, the faster it would work. He figured then they could figure out the rest.
After grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge and a bottle of pills from the medicine cabinet, he returned to the living room and sat carefully next to her, not wanting to jostle or bump anything that might exacerbate her injuries. “Here.”
It was damn nice to have someone taking care of her, for once, and so Jo eased down onto the couch and lay her head back while she waited. When he returned, she took the pills and shook out a couple to toss in her mouth, then drank the water. “Thanks. There are a couple ice packs in the freezer, and the bathroom first aid kit has some arnica gel,” she told him. Both would help with swelling and bruises, though her tongue absently brushed against a cut on her lip that had, thankfully, already closed up.
“I know I look like crap, but I still think I held my own out there tonight.”
If he was honest, John thought it was pretty hot that she could fight like that. This didn’t seem like the right time to express that opinion though so he went to collect the ice packs and the first aid kit without comment. When he rejoined her, he leaned in and gave her a quick, light kiss on the forehead. “You were amazing out there,” he said. “Us mere mortals are lucky to survive against some of those opponents.” That was a slight exaggeration since he knew that there were rules in place to prevent serious injury.
“Where do you want these?” he asked, holding up the ice packs.
Jo smiled at the kiss, then took another sip of water and set the glass down on the table. “Shoulder and left side,” she decided after a moment, shifting a little so he could help position them, then settling back against the cushions. Reaching out to catch his hand, she tugged him down to sit beside her.
“Gonna stay the night? You don’t have to leave on my account,” she said.
“Don’t have anywhere else to be,” John said, letting her pull him down after he got the ice packs in place. “And what kind of boyfriend would I be if I left you alone when you’re all banged up like this?”
She might need some assistance in the middle of the night and the last thing he wanted was for her to end up hurting herself worse by stumbling around in the dark.
“Not a very good one,” she said with a faint smile. Though she wanted to just nestle against him, instead she grabbed the tube of arnica gel and squeezed a little onto one hand, then lifted her ice pack to start rubbing some into her shoulder to take care of the bruising that had begun to form.
“Maybe one of these days I’ll actually win that thing.”
John held out a hand to take the tube of gel in case she wanted him to rub any on some of the places she couldn’t reach. “Seems like we’re at a serious disadvantage against people with superpowers and enhanced strength,” he said. “Though we can always get a lucky shot in here and there.” Some non powered folks had won before.
“You want some food or anything?” he asked. “I can see what there is to cook or order something.”
Jo handed the tube over and shifted a bit so he could handle some of the rubbing. “A little bit, but I’m used to it. It’s nice to have someone to help with this part, though,” she told him honestly with a smile over her shoulder.
“Food later - I’m not really hungry.” Not for that, anyway, and though her body mostly hurt, Jo still shifted a little closer to John with a smile.
That smile made it pretty clear to John what Jo was thinking and he raised his eyebrows at her. “We could watch a movie,” he suggested, unsure if it would be wise for them to indulge in anything more physical, even if his body was very interested in that possibility. The last thing he wanted to do was accidentally cause her more pain.
Of course, that didn’t stop him from leaning in and kissing her.
"We could," she acknowledged, but in general she was more interested in making out with John while he tended her wounds. Turning carefully, she met the kiss with a deep, hungry one of her own, reaching out to grip his shirt.
At the very least, Jo was hoping he wouldn't be leaving any time soon, and wanted to keep him there, with her on the couch, not caring if she felt the occasional sting on her cut lip or throbbed in a sore muscle.
“Or we could go get comfortable in your bedroom,” John murmured against her lips. He had no intention of leaving while she was in pain and was happy to stay the night and play nursemaid. Or do whatever else she wanted.
“I like that plan better,” she replied, kissing him again and then slowly breaking it. Carefully, she sat up and picked up her ice packs, then the water bottle as she stood. “Come on, let’s head in there,” she told him.