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The raid was a success, total bloodshed by the end of it, and luckily most of it didn’t belong to the Revenge crew. Jim felt alive, excitement buzzing through their veins as they all travelled back to their own ship. Izzy even gave them a pat on the back, his way of telling them that they’d done a great job. Everything would be perfect if it wasn’t for the damn stab wound in their side.
Yes they probably should’ve told the crew about it, let Roach patch them up. But sometimes pride gets in the way and you end up sitting in a rowing boat hiding an injury with gritted teeth, praying that you don’t pass out. Olu glances their way as if he knows they’re in pain, but they know he doesn’t because otherwise he’d be fussing.
Archie is sat beside them, chattering on about how she apparently saved Lucius from being gut stabbed. Jim thinks to themself that it would've been nice if someone had saved them from being stabbed, not that they need saving though, they’re totally fine. They just need to get back to their room and patch themself up, a little bit of rest and they’ll be right as rain.
As soon as they reach the ship, Jim slinks off before anyone notices. They steal some supplies from Roach’s infirmary before heading straight to their room. They remove their shirt, wincing slightly as the action pulls on the wound. It’s deeper than they’d expected, deep enough that for a second they even consider just going to Roach. No, they can do this.
Jim takes off their glove and puts it in their mouth before pouring a copious amount of alcohol over the wound. The burning is so intense that they have to sit on the bed to stop them from passing out. Tears sting their eyes but they blink them away, concentrating on the task at hand.
They grab the gauze and bandages, placing the gauze over the wound before wrapping the bandages around to keep it in place.
“Babe, Stede said we could go-“ Olu stops as he examines the situation.
Jim had been so busy concentrating that they hadn’t even heard the door open.
“I’m fine.” They manage before Olu can say anything.
“You don’t look fine, you look like you’re hurt and trying to hide it from us, from me,” he adds.
Jim feels their heart clench at Olu’s downtrodden expression, it’s even worse than the look of pity they were initially trying to avoid.
“I’m all good, patched myself up.”
“Let me look,” Olu insists, joining them on the small bed.
Jim relents, knowing that there’s no point in arguing.
“Shit babe that’s deep, it definitely needs stitches.”
“Fine,” they say through gritted teeth, knowing that if they didn’t agree then Olu would end up carrying them there if he needed to. To save themself some embarrassment they decide to just follow him to Roach.
“There you two are!” Archie exclaims, “Shit what happened?” she asks when she gets closer, noticing the pair’s expressions.
“Jim got stabbed and failed to tell anyone.” Olu replies.
“I’m fine!” Jim adds.
“They need stitches.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Archie pouts.
Jim sighs, this is what they wanted to avoid, now they were getting disappointed faces from two of their partners, at least Zheng isn’t around.
“What’s the commotion?” Zheng asks, appearing from who knows where, with Lucius beside her. It was becoming a damn party down here.
“Jim got stabbed.” Olu and Archie say in unison.
“And you didn’t tell us?” Lucius asks, Jim’s not sure if it’s all concern or also a bit of Lucius’ need to know about every single thing going on.
“I’m fine!” Jim insists, again.
“You’re an idiot,” Zheng concludes, “I hope you’re on your way to Roach?”
“On our way now,” Olu confirms.
“I don’t need babysitting,” Jim grumbles.
“Either I go with you, or we all do, which would you prefer?” He teases.
“Come on then, let’s get this over with.” Jim sighs, dragging Olu away.
“How may I be of service?” Roach asks.
“Jim got stabbed.”
“You’re getting very repetitive,” Jim retorts.
“Come on, up you get,” Roach says, gesturing to the bed. Jim always appreciates his no nonsense approach.
“You did a good job,” Roach compliments as he removes the bandages. “Don’t look too pleased with yourself, you still should’ve come to me instead of stealing my supplies.”
Roach gets to work diligently stitching them up, at some point Olu reaches for their hand and they let him. Roach thankfully doesn’t say a word.
“All done. Now go rest up, and remember light duties for two weeks. Don’t look at me like that, you know the rules.”
“I’ll make sure they do,” Olu confirms.
Jim allows themself to be guided back to their room, eyes feeling heavy from the day’s events. They’re relieved when they finally reach the bed, letting out a sleepy sigh as their head hits the pillow. They pull Olu down beside them, he lays down carefully trying not to disturb the wound.
They lay in silence, Olu’s arm carefully draped around them, his soft breath in their ear.
“Promise me you’ll always remember that you’re never alone?” Olu whispers.
“I promise,” Jim replies, how could they ever forget when Olu always gives them these gentle reminders.