Francis is trying to take care of him. Raju's surprised to feel his lips curling up just a little into a small, fond smile. He recognizes, by now, the careful way that Francis shakes his head, but he's trying to take care of Raju anyway. His friend's generous, kind nature is wasted on these people.
His smile fades and he looks down at his hands, one holding the rag in place against his middle while the other tries to tie it. This isn't long enough to do it himself. He allows himself to follow the pull toward Francis to move closer to his chair, crouching in front of it and setting his hand on the armrest next to him. "Help me tie these, then I'll rebandage your ribs. Then we'll have tea."
It's a pitiful plan, set against everything they'll need to prepare for — everything, now, that they can't count on backup or support for at all — but it's enough to get them through this moment now. His free hand takes up one end of the rag underneath his other but his gaze gets caught on Francis' face again. "We'll manage," he insists, voice forceful and low, free hand moving to Francis' knee. "We'll make do without any of them. You'll see."
no subject
His smile fades and he looks down at his hands, one holding the rag in place against his middle while the other tries to tie it. This isn't long enough to do it himself. He allows himself to follow the pull toward Francis to move closer to his chair, crouching in front of it and setting his hand on the armrest next to him. "Help me tie these, then I'll rebandage your ribs. Then we'll have tea."
It's a pitiful plan, set against everything they'll need to prepare for — everything, now, that they can't count on backup or support for at all — but it's enough to get them through this moment now. His free hand takes up one end of the rag underneath his other but his gaze gets caught on Francis' face again. "We'll manage," he insists, voice forceful and low, free hand moving to Francis' knee. "We'll make do without any of them. You'll see."