A spoonful of sugar // open+checkups // helps the medicine go down

[jacob w.c.]

Jacob's gaze was first drawn to London and an easy smile came to his maw as he moved towards the girl. He'd heard about what happened and he'd meant to thank Killua but he hadn't been able to. He would. At least, he told himself he would. But there was another part of him that wasn't so sure. It wasn't because of anything Killua had done to make him distrust the other boy but there was a part of him that felt the same way he had the night after the fire. Like he should have done more. He was supposed to protect these people and he'd failed again. What made him think he'd be a good doctor, a good frosthealer, for these people if he couldn't even save his own family? No, those were ridiculous thoughts. He had done his best. He couldn't be everywhere all the time. That was what his Ma had told him, anyway. Then she'd been killed too. No, no, no, there he went again. He couldn't think things like that People like him weren't meant to think things like that. Considering his Babbo though, maybe people like him were exactly mean-

No. He needed to stop. He needed a distraction. And he had one. Right here, right now. His work. It was as simple as that. London was just someone who needed his help and he would help her. That was all. He moved forward, quick to look at the bandages Killua had set. He pulled out some clean supplies before speaking up, "Of course I can. I'll have ta' remove these, though. It shouldn' hurt but it might be kinda' uncomfortable after they've been covered so long." With that, he reached forward and gently removed them, his eyes covering the wound. He was silent, digging around in his bag and retrieving some herbs and new gauze. "Killua did a good job. 'M jus' gonna' put some new herbs on it n' cover it up with some clean bandages. If it starts bleedin' again or anythin', ya' jus' let me know," he assured her before going about just what he promised the do. He put some of the herbs on her and then carefully wrapped the wound before his eyes were drawn to Ivylee. He could hardly hold a sigh of relief.

There was no guilt associated with Ivylee. She was innocent, he hadn't failed to protect her. She was only a child. He gave her a wide smile and hurried t oher, looking her over carefully. It was clear she was fine, she showed no sign of injury or sickness. Still, he supposed he should make a bit of a show out of it, if only to entertain her. "Alright, Ivylee, 'm gonna' need ya' ta' open your mouth wide n' say ah for me so I can get a look inside, okay? Ya' seem well on the outside but I wanna' make sure you're okay on the inside too. Don' wan' nothin' sneakin' up on us. Have ya' been feelin' good? Has your stomach hurt or anythin' or have ya' been snifflin' at all?" he asked. He then noticed slight movement out of the corner of his eye and his gaze fell upon the little bird he'd found all those weeks ago. "I don't suppose you'll let me look at ya' now?"

★ though the scars remain and tears will never dry, i'll bless my homeland til i die ━