Rehab is hard work. Dolph watches on, a sympathetic gleam in his eye as the specialist puts Zack through his paces. He'd never had an injury bad enough for lengthy rehab like this, so he hadn't known fully what to expect when Zack was injured. Watching him unable to use his arm for the last few weeks had been frustrating and painful, and leaving him behind to travel to the weekly events was even more aggravating. Rehab appointments themselves are a special kind of torture, watching Zack in so much pain and not being able to do anything to help, aware that it's something he just has to work through and endure.
"Breathe in, and out," the man guides Zack calmly, easing his arm out of his sling. "We're going to do rehab without the sling today. But first, I want you to try something for me." Zack watches warily as he steps closer and grips his elbow. "Just go with me, if it starts to hurt too much, tell me."
Zack nods, biting his lower lip in a way that Dolph would normally stop before he makes himself bleed, but he keeps quiet as his arm is guided up, slowly lifted up above his head. Zack's breathless and sweaty by the time his arm is placed back down by his side, chin pressed to his chest as he tries to get over the sharp pain that had left him cringing and grimacing. Dolph paces a couple of steps back and forth, hating the pain on Zack's face. "That's good, right?" he finally asks, voice trembling as he runs his fingers through his sweaty hair sticking to his forehead, looking up.
"Yes," the specialist tells him. "You're on schedule with your rehab. It's looking good. Now, let's get onto the regular rehab, alright?"
Zack nods and Dolph reclaims his position by the doorjam, leaning against it with his arms crossed over his chest, watching closely as Zack's arm is manipulated and stretched, still clearly causing him pain but maybe not as bad as the first rehab appointment Dolph had gone to. He's feeling shaky so it's hard to remember clearly. Wonders if it was this hard for Zack during his concussions, watching him in pain and unable to do anything to help. Probably worse, he thinks, picking at his fingernails.
Zack sighs once the half hour session has passed, Dolph helping him into his coat and guiding him to the car. "I need a shower," he sighs, turning his head to stare at Dolph as he settles in the driver's seat. "Every time it gets more intense... but that's good, right? Means there's a good chance I'm going to skip needing the surgery..."
Dolph smiles at him, reaching over to squeeze his good hand. "Yeah, kid. Looks like it." He lifts Zack's hand and carefully kisses it before letting it go. "What do you say we rest for awhile, you can take a shower, and I'll find something stupid to watch, and then we can go out somewhere special to eat. Gotta celebrate your progress, right?"
"Special, huh? Like where?" Zack asks with a sleepy sort of smile as they drive towards the apartment.
"Special as in, you pick and I won't complain once or try to talk you out of it. How's that sound?"
Zack's smile turns into a full fledged grin as he nods, eyes open just a slit. "Sounds pretty perfect, bro."
Dolph's eyes rests on his face for a minute before he turns back to the street. "Yeah, kid, it does," he says softly.
