#sidestep:carter

Carter telepathically communicating: Why? I'm not damaged enough to require fixing?

Maryam, while bandaging Carter's injury: Because you are hurting (gives Carter peck on cheek to help him feel better), and I want to make it hurt less.

(Maryam smiles up at Carter while he blushes in confusion but starts smiling back)

Some more @fallenhero-rebirth fan art of my Sidestep Maryam Qadir and my talented friend @puggart Sidestep Carter Krane. Some concept doodles of the two of them back when they were wee baby Farm Cukoos on assignment together.

Considering Maryam has such high empathy, it makes her useful for gathering Intel and blending in with other people to mimic them. The downside is that she also feels when others are hurting. Sure, Carter was injured, but it wasn’t badly enough to trigger his pain gate or require replacing limbs or organs. As long as the mission was successful and he's not bleeding enough to leave behind evidence or a trail, the Handlers don't care.

Still, Maryam can't ignore that Carter is in pain. So she mimics something she saw a couple of kids on the playground do when someone got hurt. Bandage the wound and kiss it better. Such an innocent little gesture ment for comfort it's a shame she gets pushed so severely for the act.