#50 - Cut

Taking a Tumble

Segment Notes: Another piece inspired by real-life, believe it or not.

Radley was alarmed when he was reading a book one night and suddenly heard a horrific crash from the direction of the stairs. "Kalin?!" He got up in concern and hurried to the door in the kitchen. The night had been peaceful until then; apparently it couldn't last.

He really hoped he was being too much of a Papa Wolf. Maybe Kalin had just dropped something or it had fallen over by itself. But instead he found his first concern was correct—Kalin was sprawled at the bottom of the staircase.

Immediately Radley ran down and knelt beside him in horror. Kalin hadn't moved and it was impossible not to fear the worst. What if . . . what if Kalin was really . . . ? But as Radley knelt there, reaching to check for a pulse, Kalin suddenly moved with a grunt and pulled away.

"Kalin, it's me," Radley frowned. "Are you hurt?!"

Kalin sighed and rolled onto his side. "I don't think so. Now it's apparently my turn to have an embarrassing household accident."

Radley gently brushed the hair away from Kalin's face. "You're cut!" he exclaimed, seeing a wound on Kalin's forehead.

Kalin sat up. "Bad?"

"I hope not, but really, I should call the doctor," Radley cried.

Kalin pulled himself upright, wavering slightly before steadying himself on the wall. "I'm fine," he insisted. "I don't need the doctor." He limped through the basement to their second bathroom and turned on the light. After studying himself in the mirror with annoyance, he took a washcloth to dab at the forming blood.

Radley followed him to the doorway. "If this situation was reversed, you'd be insisting on the doctor," he pointed out.

Kalin grunted. "I know." He kept cleaning the cut in annoyance. When the blood stopped, he patted it dry and reached for the first aid kit. "They always say shallow cuts bleed a lot."

Radley sighed. "Yeah." He went to the sink and washed his hands. "At least let me put that on for you."

That finally brought a bit of a smile. "Alright."

Radley carefully took the bandage out of the wrapper and placed it on Kalin's forehead. "You're embarrassed, aren't you?" he said.

". . . Yes," Kalin sighed. "I don't even know how it happened. I just slipped."

"Honestly, that can just happen, especially on carpeted stairs," Radley said.

"It never happened to me before," Kalin countered. "If I had been that clumsy in the Enforcers, I never would have been taken seriously!"

"You're not clumsy, just human," Radley said. "If it happened to you all the time, then yeah, that would be pretty klutzy. But once in a blue moon is hardly the same thing." He stepped back, surveying Kalin with a scrutinizing eye. "You're sure you're okay, though? The truth now."

"Yes, I'm sure," Kalin grunted. "I'm not dizzy or sick."

Radley sighed. "You just let me know, okay? Don't try to hide it if you end up feeling awful later."

"You'll probably know it before I say anything," Kalin said.

Radley chuckled. "That's always possible." He sobered. "But it's also possible I wouldn't."

"I'll let you know," Kalin promised.

They headed back towards the stairs. Radley watched Kalin like a hawk, alert for any wobbling or swaying or other indications of dizziness or a concussion. Kalin moved slowly, but remained completely upright. He held a hand to his ribs as they started up.

"Did you get hurt there?" Radley frowned.

"It's just sore," Kalin grunted. "It's probably a bruise."

When they reached the top of the stairs and Radley had the door safely shut, he reached over and gently touched along Kalin's ribcage. Kalin let him, flinching when he hit a specific spot. Radley pulled Kalin's shirt out and lifted it up, frowning at the sight of the purple skin.

"It didn't even stop to be red a while first," he commented. "It just went right to bruising!"

Kalin scowled. "Let's not tell the Bunch."

"If you can hide it," Radley said. "Although I have the feeling that in your case, it's more about embarrassment than not wanting to worry them."

"You're right," Kalin admitted. "It's really both, though. I don't want them to worry, either."

Radley smiled. "You're a good guy." He patted Kalin on the shoulder.

"I guess," Kalin grunted.

"You are," Radley insisted.

Kalin finally smiled a bit. "Alright. Have it your way."

Radley winked. "I do, whenever I can."

Kalin soon readied himself for bed, moving slowly so as to hopefully not aggravate the bruises. When he was ready, he climbed carefully into bed. The soft mattress and covers felt so good against his aching body.

Radley came in to say Goodnight and to check on him again. "How are you feeling?" he asked.

"I'm alright," Kalin said. "Sore, but alright."

"I'm glad," Radley smiled. He paused. "I don't wanna risk rolling over and bumping into all your ouch spots, so I'll just go to my own room tonight."

Kalin nodded. He had suspected as much. "Thanks," he said.

Radley patted him on the shoulder. "Just come get me if you need anything," he said, although he was sure Kalin wouldn't. "Or I could make up an ice pack or something now."

"I'll try to sleep without one for now, but I might take you up on that later," Kalin said.

Radley nodded. "Okay. Goodnight, Bro."

"Goodnight," Kalin echoed.

It was strange how lonely it felt to lay down alone. They really had mostly stayed together these days, for fun as well as comfort. But each knew it was for the best tonight and Kalin just tried to close his eyes and sleep. He would probably feel fine tomorrow. . . .

Radley too was finding it very lonely. He missed the sweetness of Kalin being there, of knowing they might innocently roll over by each other and drop to sleep with the comfort of feeling them close. He turned onto his side, hugging his pillow as he tried to doze.

He was still half-awake when he felt the bed move. He turned, sleepily focusing on Kalin climbing in beside him. "Kalin?" he mumbled. "What are you doing?"

"I feel better this way," Kalin grunted, and draped an arm over Radley.

Radley had to smile, deeply moved. "Okay, Kalin," he said, and rested a hand over Kalin's as he dozed for real.

It definitely felt good.