Work Text:
Juniper missed a lot of things. She missed her parents. Missed being able to talk without a constant worry of reveal. Missed the quiet moments of peace in the archives when they didn’t feel like a glorified secretary. Missed the soft patter of rain on the ground while she sat in the doorway of her family’s home.
And most importantly, she missed the perpetual cloudy sky that made sunburn the least of his worries.
Badly.
Juniper had just gotten back from a lake trip with some of the other Vulpes. She only went because it was for “dorm-bonding” or something like that but it was mainly her dorm mates trying to teach Drift to swim while Juniper did her own stuff. Not that Juniper really minds, she’s pretty used to it by now. And anyways it’s been a while since he could go for a swim but Juniper was not used to the sun.
She did apply a crude lotion Graecie made. Said it was something they used to make back at the Flock when they had to tend to the sheep to help prevent sun damage but Juniper didn’t account for one important part.
Their back. More specifically, their inability to reach her back.
While at the lake, Juniper noticed it. But it seemed like an impossible ask. Sure, Shelby was leaning all of herself on Scott’s shoulder when she was tired. Drift would hold on to Pyro’s arms while trying to paddle. Cambam didn’t care whoever was closest to him to get his back. Their dormmates were all so… touchy with each other but Juniper couldn’t. They are comfortable in a way Juniper thinks she could never be. At least not with them.
So now Juniper is twisting her body in the mirror to see the harsh red tan lines that etched themselves on their back. Just because they couldn’t ask someone to help them.
She takes a shower to wash off from the lake and dresses in her softest clothes, a simple sleep dress, and tries to rest.
Yet slumber seemed impossible. No matter how she positioned herself, her back would ache. After an uncomfortable hour of it, Juniper couldn’t take it anymore and decided to try her luck for a remedy at the infirmary.
Grabbing a jacket, Juniper sneaks to the Main Hall. He almost made it all the way to his goal but at the end of the hall someone came up.
The last person he wants to see like this.
AJ.
“Loving the outfit, tree.”
“Not in the mood AJ.”
AJ feigns hurt, “Can’t I tell someone they look good anymore.”
“I have places to be so if you excuse me,” Juniper mumbles out as he tries to pass AJ in the hall.
“Don’t want some company?” AJ starts walking right beside the growth mage. “Could be useful for whatever little adventure you are going on.”
Juniper speeds up to avoid the other but AJ keeps up and wraps her arm on Juniper’s shoulder. The painful sensation was immediate.
“Get off!” Juniper yells without thinking as he shakes AJ’s arm off.
AJ grins, “Ohhh I see. Need a nurse?”
Juniper glares in response.
“I could be your nursemaid. I could kiss it better?”
“AJ, please just go.”
AJ seems to finally relent and cackles as she walks away.
Juniper reaches the bottom of the stairs and Nurse Violet… is nowhere to be found.
He walks past the full beds of civilians resting to where the nurse is normally sat. Yet all that’s left of her is a note taped to the barrel nearby.
Out to get bandages. -V
Typical. Juniper’s not even sure why he tried. Nurse Violent has never been much help so why would this time be different.
Back in the main hall, Juniper was able to walk back to his dorm but a flash of white and purple recalled right in front of her.
“Juniper! Are you okay?” Ros exclaims, grabbing the mage in front of her.
The hold pulls on Juniper’s dress uncomfortably. In gritted teeth he answers, “I’m okay!”
“Oh good, good! AJ made it seem like you were dying. I was so worried!”
“AJ?”
“She bumped into me on her way to her dorm and said you were deathly ill!”
“Right. She’s just messing with you,” Juniper says with an eyeroll.
Ros looks Juniper up and down, the growth mage still trapped in her hold. “But you look uncomfortable.”
“I’m fine!”
Ros cocks her eyebrow.
“Okay fine… I got sunburn. And the fabric is rubbing on it.”
Ros lifts her hands up, “Oh I’m so sorry!”
“It’s fine Ros. It’s nothing really.”
“No, no. You need to take care of yourself,” Ros starts walking off, “Come on, I think the garden has some aloe vera.”
Juniper brightens, “Ros! You are a genius! I should have thought of this.”
“Your welcome,” Ros giggles.
“I don’t know what I would do without you.”
Ros flashes her a wide smile in response.
They make their way to the greenhouse and quickly find a small aloe plant in the corner.
Ros cuts off a small piece and offers, “Want some help?”
“W-What?”
“Oh I was just saying, I could um… if you needed help with putting it on. Like I could help.”
Then like an idiot Juniper says, “No! I’m good.”
Her next action was even worse. Juniper ran off.
She collects the plant and walks off without as much as a goodbye. Embarrassing mumbling to herself the whole walk back to the dorm.
It’s just the thought of Ros helping her… it made Juniper anxious.
That’s too much. Too close.
But no matter how Juniper feels about Ros, he can’t fix what got him into this position in the first place. He can’t reach his back.
He twisted and turned every which way but no matter how hard he tried… it was impossible.
He needed help.
None of her dorm mates could help. He’s too distant and would probably say no if he asked so why even bother.
Maybe Legs. Juniper trusts him and he would help her but Juniper would rather suffer with the pain then give Legs something to tease her with. So no Legs.
For a split second, Juniper considers AJ but that was disregarded quickly after.
So that leaves one person.
Ros.
Juniper tries to shake off all the jitters and hypes themselves up as they go into their secret passage.
They wait a moment in the passage. Listening to the soft footfall of Ros walking around her dorm.
Juniper peeks up, “Ros?”
Ros turns to the noise, “Juniper! Did the aloe help?”
“About that…” Juniper climbs out with the aloe in hand.
“What’s up?” Ros tilts her head.
“I um..” Juniper turns and drops her jacket off her shoulder so her back is exposed, “I may have been hasty with your offer.”
“Oh no! Yeah, I can still help if you want! I know it’s hard to reach.”
Juniper gives a nod and fully removes her jacket. “Sorry for um.. running off earlier. I think I was embarrassed.”
“It’s okay! Nothing to be embarrassed by!”
“Yeah…”
“You know, it will be like I’m your nurse hehe!” Ros giggles as she starts to cut up the aloe.
“Ha ha… right…” That was all Juniper could manage in response because his mind wandered back to AJ’s comment. I could be your nursemaid… kiss it better.
Before Juniper could help himself an image of Ros kissing his back flashes in his head. He’s embarrassed to admit that he feels a little dizzy at the thought.
“Wanna lay down for this or..?” Ros asks.
“Oh um sure! If that’s what's easiest for you. To be honest, I never had to have help with sunburn before.”
“Really?” Ros says as she places a stool next to her couch.
The life mage pats on the cushion and Juniper complies immediately. “I guess I spent too much time in the archives to get too much sun,” Juniper counters as she tries to make herself comfortable.
“Let this be a good lesson then! You can always rely on others to help you, don’t be scared to ask for it.”
Juniper tries to smile at the thought but it doesn’t reach her eyes.
Ros seemed to understand, “You will always have me at least.”
Juniper wants to believe it. The earnest look in Ros almost makes her think it’s true.
“Right.”
“Right!”
They both linger in that notion before Ros starts to gently move Juniper’s twin braids out of the way. “Is this okay?”
Juniper nods, trying to act like Ros’ brief touch isn’t sending electricity through her.
“It looks pretty rough,” Ros gathers some of the aloe vera into her fingers, “you really got to take care of yourself.”
“That’s what I get for trying to befriend my dormmates.”
Cold gel is smeared on Juniper’s back, “Well, you can swim with me next time.”
“Hm.”
The relief is immediate. It’s like a wave of healing keeps washing over her damaged body in each rub Ros makes. Every inch of his burn gets Ros’ attention. Ros is very thorough. Very.
And it’s driving Juniper mad.
Gentle featherlight strokes litter her back. Ones where you barely even feel it. When her fingers edge towards a ticklish area, the sensations take over her whole body.
Ros also makes deep soothing circular motions on Juniper’s shoulder blades. Juniper can’t tell which is worse. At least before, she could pretend it wasn’t Ros. The touch too light to truly feel all the small details that make the hands on their back Ros’.
But it’s nice to learn so much about her touch like the calluses on Ros’ hand catching the corners of her back. Makes Juniper wonder how she got it. Intensive writing? Maybe from being an archer?
The worst of her offenses come when Ros dips down enough to reach the bottom of the burn, Ros’ soft hands inch their way under the neckline of Juniper’s dress. Juniper knows it’s wrong of her to twist such an innocent gesture but her brain can’t help but blush at the notion.
Juniper only hopes it's not apparent on her face.
When Ros finishes, it's the lack of touch ripping Juniper at the seams. Without thought, he arches his back a bit at the empty air. Even his own body yearns for her.
“I hope that helps.”
“It helps more than you could imagine,” Juniper blurted out.
“I’m um…” Ros shies away, busying herself by grabbing a rag to wipe her hands, “I’m happy to hear that.”
Juniper can only cringe at himself in response.
“Well, you know I’m never busy. I mean I’m always working on preparations but you are umm my room is always open.”
Juniper nods.
“If you need… anything, I can help.”
“Thank you. Truly,” Juniper finally responds. “I’ll be back tomorrow.”
Juniper doesn’t know it’s her own imagination hoping for it but he swears some color rose to Ros’ cheeks.