Title: There Is No Burden In Friendship
Summary: Spoilers for 'HMS Surprise'. After a near fatal blow from Diana's lover, Stephen struggles to survive. In the same instance, Jack grapples with his sudden, inexplicable apprehension over Maturin.
Note: This is a drabble. It's MEANT to be a drabble. It's exactly one hundred words long, so it serves it's purpose: merely to express (what I believe to be) a completely possible sentiment during one of my favourites of the series. My only qualm is that I couldn't have put this up sooner – travels of late have prevented me from doing so, and I apologise. Much love to you all, and I hope you enjoy it, length despite.
He was right. If there was anything he could do to help, he ought to do so.
Stephen's slim fingers slipped over Jack's paw-like hand and pressed them to his bare stomach. For a moment, the captain thought he felt a trace of desperation in that touch, of helplessness, but it vanished as the doctor applied the necessary pressure.
The sight of bare bone against flesh and the cold deliberation was little more than Jack could stand. A weary sensation of surrender overthrew his rationality that protested against this folly; but the compassion stood strong, even as Maturin's face paled.