Work Text:
Every first responder had gone through first aid training. They were the ones who knew how to deal with almost every emergency that they could be presented with in their lifetimes. From hurricanes to terror attacks. First responders are the ones trusted with saving lives.
First aid was about following the basics until the doctors and nurses could take over. The ones trained to fix the human body, not to maintain it. First aid was there to make you survive short term; it wasn’t there to keep you going forever.
But the most essential thing about first aid, is that it never turns out right when it’s done on yourself. Shortcuts and liabilities are taken. Survival rate goes down. Bleed outs happen more often. Steps are forgotten.
Looking in the medicine cabinet mirror, (Y/N) hissed as she swiped the alcohol wipe across the split in her lip. She would need stitches; not many, two maybe three. But she needed them.
“That looks like it hurts.”
Turning round, she saw Buck leaning in the doorway, his expression unreadable. She tuned her back to him once more, continuing to wipe away the blood and disinfect her face.
“Here, let me.” He moved to place his hand on her shoulder. Once (Y/N) stopped moving, he took the rubbing alcohol and cotton pads from her and finished cleaning the blood away. “You don’t have to talk about it.”
(Y/N) cast her eyes away from his deep gaze. Buck already knew what had happened. She got cocky on the job and paid the price. “There’s nothing to say.”
Placing the cotton down, he reached for the suture kit. “There’s everything to say. Tilt your head up slightly.”
The first pierce of the needle was the worst. The others then seemed to blur into each other. (Y/N) was glad that she couldn’t move her lip whilst he was so close. It gave her reason not to talk.
Soon enough, the needle clattered down into the sink basin. (Y/N) turned towards the mirror once more, looking down at the stitches. They were neater than what she could’ve done, probably wouldn’t even leave a scar.
“Thank you.” She whispered, meeting his gaze once more in the mirror.
“You’re welcome.”
She wanted to speak more but the words were caught in her throat. She had the words but didn’t know how to say them.
“I know.” He sighed and turned to leave the bathroom. “I love you too.”