Work Text:
Plo knew that the senate didn't consider the clones as much more than another form of recourse, but how they were handeling his Commander's case was, frankly, a bit ridiculous.
Wolffe was certainly injured in a way so that without proper treatment he would not be able to fight anymore. Ventress had almost killed the Commander, but Plo's intervention saved his life. It did not, however, save his right eye. The large wound went down the entire lenght of his face, it was rather gnarly before the medics stitched it up. He recieved a cuncussion, but a minor one. Everything would heal just fine, except for the eye. He would need a cybernetic replacement, and that was the current topic of his meeting with a nat-born Official that seemed intent on not providing said cybernetic eye.
"It will only take a ten-day to get a replacement commander," the Official argued, "while it may take months for CC-3636 to adjust to the new cybernetic." The man had gon from arguing about it being a waste of recources, to it being preferencial treatment from the jedi master, to it being a waste of time for the 104th battalion to not do any missions for 'months'.
"The Commander doesn't need to be on the battelfeild to strategize or give orders over comms," Plo argued back, "and months is an overestemation. Our CMO espects him to be battle ready in, at most, 60 standard rotations. Once the cybernetics arrive he would be able to begin training imediatly. The only reason we are losing time is because you haven't sent it to us yet." At this, the Official frowned over the holo. He seemingly thought it through and sighed.
"Very well, your request will be approved," the Official grumpily agreed and promptly ended the meeting.
Once the holo had been turned off, Plo let out the breath he'd been holding and turned to leave the meeting room. He made his way through the halls of the venator, towards the medbay and a man who was waiting to hear if he'd live or die. He quickened his pace, to put the man out of his missery in a more preferable way than being decomissioned.
The jedi stood before the medbay's double doors and breathed in one big breath before entering. The lights were as blindingly bright as ever, Plo recieving some protection from his goggles. He made his way through the same rows of beds he had walked past plenty of times now to visit Wolffe, who was staying in one of the smal private rooms reserved for officers. As he passed by the beds and waved hello to plenty of the men, but the air was tense. The fear of possibly losing their Commander was everywhere in the Force, but Plo could sense that the biggest amount of fear came from the Commander himself. So he did not slow down or spend the time to explain what would happen to any of the troopers. He even passed by the medics, knowing they would recieve the message of approval any moment now. Then, he was at the door of Wolffe's room and silently knocked before entering.
-----
Inside the room the lights had been dimmed as low as they would go. Wolffe sat in a standard medical bed, staring at the ceiling. He was wearing standard patient clothes and looked overall misserable. He shifted is gaze to look at his General, who slowly made his way to sit on a stool beside the bed. The Commander's worry, fear and near-panic radiated through the Force, unbeknownst to Wolffe.
He had spent the past days since his injury convinced he would never be sent back into battle. Without depth perception he wouldn't be abel to aim as accurately, without half his vision he would be unable to see any bullets coming at half of his body. If he was lucky he would train cadets or clean the halls they lived in. More than likely they would simply be rid of him, his disability too much of a bother. Few considered him a sentient being deserving of basic rights.
He had been sceptical, he rememberd, of his General when they first met. He'd never really believed the jedi when he said he cared for all living things, Clones included. But he'd realized over time that he did treat them better than most. Even if he didn't believe the man really cared about them, and that eventually the limits to the kindness would be found, he could accept that. But after the Malevolence it became glaringly clear exactly how much he cared for them. Their General saved everyone he could, including the Commander himself, and supported them in their greif. Three soldiers and one general remained of a whole battalion. It was a difficult time, but he learned he could always trust Plo Koon during it.
And his General continued to support him the same ever since. No matter if it was blaster bolts, flimsy-work or never-ending nightmares, the Kel Dor would be by his side doing what he could to help.
Now, as he looked over at the jedi, he couldn't help but wonder if this was finally the thing his General couldn't save him from. And he couldn't continue looking at him as his eyes began to water.
"It took some arguing," the General began, his tone was soft and carefull, "but they will send the cybernetic eye with the next supply transport. I suspect you will recieve the operation imediatly upon arrival. You will be out of the medbay before you know it."
As soon as he realized he'd survive, Wolffe breathed out a sigh of relief. As his General continued describing his recovery plan, he came closer and closer to shedding tears. He hated being vulnerable, but found it wasn't as bad when it was just the jedi in the room with him. Once he finished speaking Wolffe looked at him with the most gratefull eyes the General had ever seen. He tried, Wolffe really tried to say his thank you out loud, but couldn't. Some part of the Kel Dor hurt over the fact that his men had to be thankfull to recieve this basic amount of kindness, but he pushed it away at this moment.
As tears actually started to roll down Wolffe's cheeks Plo reached out to grab his hand and Wolffe closed his eyes. They sat in silence for a long time, Wolffe crying silent tears of relief and Plo holding his hand while altering between stroking his hair and wiping his tears away every once in a while.
Eventually, the crying slowed and then stopped. Wolffe had a small smile on his lips now, an even rarer sight than the tears these days. He uttered a small thank you, to which Plo leaned forward and gave him a proper hug. They stayed like this for some time, too. Both so very gratefull to have eachother.
-----
Later, when Wolffe had his eye back and was fighting on the frontlines with his General again, he swore he would do everything in his power to return every bit of kindness Plo gave him.