Page 48 of Wicked Healing

He took a moment to think about it. “Not bad, actually. My body is recovering like it used to, before I was injured. The dryness here messed with my lungs for a while but after a month they’ve pretty much gotten acclimated. My ribs don’t ache any more.”

“Yeah, the dryness messes with you and the elevation. That’s good about your ribs. Were they broken in the explosion too?”

“Yes. Crushed. I thought you knew?”

She shook her head. “I knew you had pain but not the cause of the pain.”

“Most of my ribs were broken on this side, I had shrapnel all through my body. My bicep is fucked on this side.” He pointed out the surgery scars on the muscle. “And leg. Obviously.”

“When I see you running now I can tell which leg you lost but your rhythm has gotten so much better from when you first started.”

Luca smiled at that. “Thank you. Partially it’s the blade. It has more spring like a natural foot. I can feel the change in my body, too. I’m finally not feeling like an invalid.”

“Which makes you feel better emotionally which makes you work harder for that physical high.”

“Exactly,” he said, grinning at her.

The fact that she understood at least a little bit of what he was feeling made him feel… not so alone. He was fighting this physical journey for himself but it was nice to have support. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and squeezed her. “Thank you for being you, Erin.”

She leaned into his hug for a minute, even wrapped her arm around his waist to squeeze, then she pulled away. Luca tried not to be hurt by her withdrawal. He was the one that had wanted the distance, and she was giving him that.

They separated a little awkwardly, both of them looking out into the night and watching the playing dogs.

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