Kanan swallowed thickly before responding in a stilted manner. “I was going to the fresher and I tripped.” His jaw clenched tightly as he hissed, “I don’t even know where that kriffing tray came from.”

“Sabine brought it in earlier, when you missed dinner.” she told him gently. Kanan’s jaw didn’t relax. “Why didn’t you call for help?”

“I shouldn’t have to!” he exploded, wrenching his hand from her grip.

His words were like a slap to the face. “I-I’m sorry.” she fumbled at the intensity of his anger. He had become more and more withdrawn as the days progressed but he had never been so outwardly angry at her before. It made her stomach twist uncomfortably. “If I had known I would have helped you.”

“That’s not-” Kanan sighed, his chin dropping to his chest. “That’s not what I meant.” He turned his head towards her. Even in the dim lighting Hera could see the bandage around his eyes had become soiled with an unpleasant yellowish brown tinge. The surrounding skin still looked red and inflamed, no doubt burning with a pain that not even bacta could dampen. “I shouldn’t need help getting to the ‘fresher.” he said quietly.

Hera felt her heart splinter.

She reached up and cupped the side of his face, her thumb resting just below his wound. “Kanan,” she said. “You’re still healing, it’s okay to ask for help.”

“I could walk the Ghost blindfolded before all this.” he guestered weakly at his face. “Now I can’t make it two steps without falling over something.” he paused, his frustrations palpable. “It doesn’t make any sense.”

“Walking around blindfolded isn’t the same thing.” she told him. “You went through a trauma that impacted more than just your sight. Remember what the doctor said? It’s going to take time for you to adjust.”

Kanan nodded, but from the frown on his face, he didn’t seem convinced. “When was the last time you changed your bandage?”

He shrugged. “I don’t remember.”

“C’mon, I’ve got the stuff in my cabin. I’ll help you.”

He let her pull him to his feet, their hands intertwined as she led him around the mess on the floor and into her room. He looked small, sitting on her bed as she drug through the medpac, it was unsettling. Kanan had always been this unshakable presence in her life, seeing him suffer as he was, struggling to adapt to his new way of life made her heart ache and her eyes to sting with tears but Hera pushed them away. Crying wasn’t going to help him heal. He needed support and Hera was more than willing to give it to him.

She’d do anything to make him feel like himself again.

Hera knelt down in front of him on the cot, his long legs brushing against her own. She could see that he was still trembling but it wasn’t as violent as it had been before.

“I’m sorry.” Kanan said as she began her work. She resisted the urge to wince as she peeled the bandage back, exposing the charred wound that cut across his face. Bacta might be a miracle worker but she doubted even it would be able to completely erase the damage Maul had caused.

“There’s nothing to apologize for, love.” she said, gently applying the thick gel like substance to his burned skin.

“I shouldn’t have yelled at you.”

“No you shouldn’t have, but I can understand why you did.”

“That doesn’t make it right.” his hand caught hers, stopping her ministrations. Eyes that were once a vibrant blue-green now a milky white born into her. “I’m sorry.”

Hera leaned forward and kissed him gently on the lips. “I forgive you.” she said. “Your healing is going to take time, love. And I know you're frustrated but please don’t pull away from me. Let me help you. I want to help you. Can you promise me that?”

“I can try,” he said, resting his forehead against hers.

“That’s all I ask.” she breathed. “Now let me take care of you.”

Kanan nodded, his forehead moving against hers. “Aye, Captain.” he said with a ghost of a smile. Hera kissed him again, longer this time just to prove her point.

“I love you Kanan Jarrus.” she told him, wishing he could feel just how much she meant those words. He was the center of her universe, the very air in the lungs, her weakness and her strength. He was everything to her.

She loved him totally, completely, unconditionally. She loved him.

Kanan’s grip on her wrist tightened ever so slightly before he let go, letting her finish.

As soon as she had applied the fresh bandage, Kanan pulled her down into his arms, tucking his head under her chin. Hera’s arms wrapped around him on instinct, holding him close. She carded her fingers through the long strands of his hair, letting the sound of his breathing lull her to sleep.

“Thank you.” she felt him say against her skin as she drifted off.

"For what?" she asked, barely conscience.

"For not giving up on me." he shuttered in her arms.

"I'll never give up on you, love." Hera pulled him closer, kissing the top of his head. "You're stuck with me until I say so and I don't feel like giving up up just yet."

"Because of my good looks?" he teased.

"Damn straight." Hera replied.

"I knew you only wanted me for my body."

"Kanan," Hera said. "Please shut up and go to sleep."

She felt Kanan smile against her collarbone. "Love you." he mumbled.

"I love you too." Hera replied.