Mathew, the tribe healer, was checking on Ves's wounded leg which had started to bleed again due to her sudden movements back at the rite. Luca looked worriedly at Ves as Mathew tended to her.
Ves was still unhappy about how this healer had caused her too much pain when applying ginger garlic to an open wound as if it was a sane choice. Hence, she resisted and only agreed because of Luca's worry.
Once Mathew cleaned her wound and ensured it was no longer bleeding, he gave Luca the same instructions as before about how Ves should rest and not put too much pressure until it fully heals and more of such words making Ves roll her eyes.
"Now can you check on Luca too? He was injured at the ritual..." Ves more like demands, pulling Luca to sit beside her.
Mathew is surprised by her demand as no female ever truly cared about how a male was doing. Even so, he nodded slowly and checked on Luca's wounds.
At this moment, Ves realized that she had not seen Mathew at the rite and grudgingly asked, "Did you not attend the ritual?"
She thought maybe Mathew did not want her here and disliked her. It could explain why he applied such a brutal paste on her wound when she first arrived. Thinking of this, her dislike for the healer only grew.
She had done absolutely nothing to offend him, and he just straight up did everything he could to make her life difficult.
When Mathew heard her question, he paused his movements before continuing inspecting Luca's wounds, "I am just a mere healer, I am of no use at the rite," He simple stated.
Ves said no more but quietly thought, 'Considering the nature of the rite, should the presence of a healer be a must?'
She also wondered why none of the injured beastmen were here, 'Shouldn't they also be seeking treatment...?'
Just before she could ask any of this to either of them, she noticed Mathew about to put the same ginger garlic paste on Luca and immediately shielded Luca behind her, pushing Mathew away.
Mathew was startled by this push and moved away but immediately looked her leg to make sure it hadn't reopened.
Luca was also shocked and pulled Ves onto his lap, "You must be careful."
Ves glared at Mathew, "I get that you don't like me and wish to cause me pain but isn't Luca part of this tribe? Why would you deliberately harm him?!"
Mathew and Luca, both were surprised by her words and Luca immediately turned her to him, "Wh- when did he hurt you?" He looked at Ves with worry clear in his golden eyes.
Meanwhile, Mathew's ears drooped as he heard how the female thought he wished to harm her and even Luca. He didn't understand what he did for the female to think so low of him.
"That paste, it is not supposed to be applied on open wounds. This crazy man here just wants to cause you pain!"
"But female, it is to prevent the wound from worsening. I know it hurts but it is for your own good and recovery," Mathew explained sadly and looked at the floor when he saw Ves glare at him.
"Let's go Luca, I will treat you. At least I will not wontedly cause you pain." Ves's sharp words break Mathew's heart.
He had heard about everything that happened during and after the ritual and also envied Luca for having such a caring female but he would never harm another beastman deliberately out of spite. This would go against his principles as a healer.
He watched Luca carry the female away and quietly cleaned the floor and picked the bowl full of the paste, clenching the bowl tighter in his hands.
He was a healer, bound to ease pain, not cause it. Yet, her sharp words cut deeper than any wound he had ever tended to. He did not inflict any pain on her deliberately, he could never do that, not to her at least.
As Mathew remained lost in thought, Luca carried Ves to the quiet safety of his den
Meanwhile, Luca sets Ves on the hay bed in his cave and brings the glowing orb so that Ves would not completely lose her sight in the darkness.
After confirming that her wound had not reopened, he sighed in relief and gently patted Ves's head, "You should be more careful about yourself," he says gently.
Ves looks at Luca's wounds worriedly. Most of them had healed due to his healing abilities and strong beastman but Ves was unaware of this and hence searched around for her bag, "Luca, can you see my bag?"
Luca immediately brought her bag and placed it beside her, "Is this what you are asking for, my little female?"
She rummaged inside, pulling out the first aid kit she'd taken from her car. Carefully, she began tending to Luca's wounds. She gently blew on his wounds when disinfecting them so that he would not feel much pain, but Luca didn't even flinch at all.
She gently blew on his skin when applying the disinfectant, her soft breath cooling the sting. Luca didn't flinch, though he didn't fully understand what she was doing. He didn't mind. Her attention on him, her touch, her care, but it was enough.
Once Ves applied the ointment, she put away the first aid kit in the backpack and put it aside. She gently hugged Luca from the side, "Thank you." Her was barely a whisper in the quiet night.
Luca hugged her back and said he will prepare dinner for her, before getting up and heading out. However, just as he stood up, Ves grabbed Luca's huge hand with her small ones and tugged him making him stop, "I don't want you to leave..."
Luca smiled softly and kneeled before her, he bumped his nose with hers like when they first met. Ves giggled softly before she slowly after to sniffle. She hugged Luca tight, her arms wrapped around his neck, "I was so scared... Please don't ever scare me like that again..."