Crossposted on AO3.

June/July Prompts
• Proposal
• Downpour
• Vacation Together
• Stars

Whumptober
• No. 15: Makeshift Bandages
• Alt. 7: Examination

This takes place in 1896. Martouf and Rosha are young (around seventeen).

Rosha and Jolinar were very excited.

Today was the day!

They had asked for the wedding crystal. They had selected a blue ribbon. Selmak had made sure they had a few days off. Yosuuf had even surprised Rosha with a dress from their home world.

After checking into a hotel that was little more than a bed, they briefly parted ways to dress for an evening date, a simple walk through some woods.

"You look very beautiful," Martouf said, glancing down at his simple tunic and pants. "I didn't realize our date was to be so special." He took her hand.

"I felt pretty," she excused, slipping her hand into her pocket. She felt the engagement crystal, wrapped in the ribbon.

"You and Jolinar are both much more than pretty. On my entire homeworld, there were no women as beautiful as you."

Rosha stopped walking to kiss him, and the tips of his ears turned pink.

He's such a virgin. It's adorable, Jolinar laughed.

As opposed to me? Rosha mocked.

You no longer are. I took it myself.

Rosha laughed. Masturbating doesn't count!

Martouf smiled, obviously not knowing what they were saying, but he knew it was something between them.

"Jolinar was claiming to have taken my er…innocence."

Martouf bowed his head, and Lantash took over. "While speaking of Martouf's, I am sure."

"Yes."

"You like making him blush."

"You've made me blush often enough."

Lantash kissed her gently. "You are no longer so innocent."

"No." She smiled in memory. She had given herself to Lantash and his previous host, Setta, a woman whose life had been far too short.

I still love her too, but this moment is for Martouf, Jolinar reminded gently as she gave Rosha warm and fuzzy feelings.

Lantash smiled.

Thank you. Rosha held his hands, then guided him towards a lake. "Lantash… You make us happy and warm."

Thunder cracked suddenly, and without warning, it was pouring rain. Rosha sighed.

"We didn't pay attention to the weather," Lantash said as he looked up.

Rosha was surprised to hear Lantash laugh. She saw him looking at her.

"What's so funny?"

"You are pouty and adorable."

Rosha smiled.

"Do you have any idea how beautiful you are right now?"

"I'm cold."

Lantash took her hand, quickly guiding her. She followed, not knowing where they were going, but she didn't care.

They entered a leaky, abandoned cabin where Lantash quickly started a fire.

Rosha could help, but watching him was much more entertaining.

We get to huddle for warmth, Jolinar thought with an excited wiggle.

Lantash began stripping off his clothes and hanging them up to dry.

He's gorgeous, Rosha thought as she admired Martouf.

Yes. He's purple and silver, Jolinar thought, referring to Lantash.

He's beautiful too. She had seen his pictures, and because Jolinar was older, Rosha had more than images. Jolinar's memories of little larva Lantash, before he had taken that name, made Rosha smile.

"Rosha?" Lantash looked over. "Your clothes will not dry on you."

"Sorry, I was just…admiring you."

Lantash smiled. "You would make him blush again." He brushed wet hair back. "Though he doesn't mind."

"Him too, but I was also picturing you and your beautiful fins."

He glowed his eyes as he walked over, touching her sides.

"I love you."

He kissed her softly, holding them close.

Jolinar hoped that he would reach over her, but he did not. He hadn't since blending with Martouf.

I'm sure they have their reasons, Rosha thought.

Rosha took his hands. "Lantash, you are…"

The rain suddenly grew louder, falling into the cabin. The walls cracked, and the ceiling caved in little warning. Without hesitation, Lantash shielded Rosha as they were buried.

It became dark and heavy, and Rosha felt dazed. Her eyes stung slightly when she opened them, and she realized it was from debris. When she tried to move, she felt a sharp pain in her left leg.

Careful. It's broken, Jolinar thought.

"Lantash?"

That fire isn't out yet, Jolinar thought. We have to move.

"Lantash? Martouf?" She was worried that they weren't responding. She felt for them, unable to see in the darkness. As expected, Martouf was on top of her. She felt wet stickiness.

Blood, and it's not yours.

Rosha felt the heat of the fire nearby.

We have to get out, Jolinar said as she dulled the pain of the broken leg.

How is that fire alive in the rain? Rosha was able to push debris away, inching away from the fire. She dragged Martouf with her.

For the same reason we aren't being rained on. We are both under the building, at least what used to be a building.

Rosha made her way through an opening, but pushing her way through loosened the rubble, and it was on her again.

I suggest you hurry, Jolinar thought as the heat approached quickly.

I'm trying! She snapped her eyes shut when another small collapsed sent dust into her face.

Debris was all around her, scraping at her skin, catching her clothes. She winced as she scratched her leg on a nail. The rain, at least, was starting to get through. No more dust clouds.

Ug. Keep Martouf closer on us. He's burning.

What is that smell? Rosha thought fearfully as she kept going. Finally, in reaching, she felt grass. They were almost out.

As I said, Martouf is burning.

Rosha struggled to pull him almost on her, then dragged them both out. She winced as the fire reached her feet.

I can heal that. Just keep going.

Rosha finally got them all free, making one last drag away from the collapse building for good measure.

"Martouf." She winced as she turned, then reached for a healing device.

He had the healing device.

Rosha looked to the rubble, then sighed. She could still see the glow of fire under what used to be a roof.

Summom for help.

Rosha reached for her communications device, feeling worried when she realized it wasn't there. She began searching frantically.

It probably fell away when we were dropped. Check on Martouf.

She edged towards Martouf, examining him.

Rain washed away blood, but his head was still bleeding. She used a fancy scarf she had worn to wrap around his head.

Check on Lantash.

Rosha moved her hand behind his neck. "Lantash, can you hear me?" She felt dread when there was no wiggle.

He was hit on the back of the head. That could be enough for both to lose consciousness.

When Rosha began crying, Jolinar took over and continued examining them.

We lost Setta only seven months ago, and now we might lose Martouf too…and Lantash?

Lantash will heal Martouf and himself even when he is unconscious. It's automatic for us. Jolinar checked on Martouf's legs and feet, seeing that they were burned pretty badly. She heard Rosha gasping in fear. Lantash can heal him.

He can? Martouf won't lose his feet?

No, Martouf won't lose his feet. Jolinar was thankful that Rosha had worn layers as she made more bandages. She carefully and loosely wrapped his burns. She then checked for other injuries. Aside from a broken arm, he seemed fine.

Can we set it?

With what?

I don't know.

Jolinar went back to the building, looking through the debris. She grabbed a small board, then dropped it when it burned her hand. She braced herself, grabbing it again, but tossing it away. Out in the rain, the fire died quickly.

Will that work?

It is good enough. Jolinar carefully reset Martouf's arm, then made a splint. After, she kissed Martouf softly. "Just heal, my heart. I must retreat to heal Rosha."

Rosha took his hand as soon as she was given control.

~+~+~.

Rosha tended to him from time to time, but mostly she stayed close, holding him close as they shivered. They were both soaking wet in the rain.

"Martouf, you can't die on me. I can't take another loss so soon." She held him close. "I'm sorry. Coming here was my idea. I just wanted a… I wanted to go somewhere nice with you… Ask to marry you, then spend our vacation celebrating." She kissed him softly.

~+~+~.

"Rosha."

Rosha sat up, then immediately began checking on him. She smiled when she saw him slowly open his eyes.

"Rosha…"

"I'm here."

"Are you…injured?"

"Jolinar is healing me, but unfortunately, I can't walk yet."

Martouf took her hand. "Yes."

"Yes what?"

"I will be your husband."

Rosha cried, then kissed him. "I love you."

"I love you both." He smiled, though it was pained. "It's cold."

Rosha laid over him.

He frowned slightly.

"You have never been this close to a woman before, have you?"

"No…and I'm in my underwear."

"You are also shivering. Think of me as a blanket."

He smiled slightly.

"Are you warmer?"

"Yes. How long was I unconscious?"

"Most of a day."

"Have you slept?"

"No."

"Try…even if it's raining." He smiled. "Lantash says I'm stable now." He wrapped his good arm around her, then surprised her with a kiss.

Rosha kissed him in return.

"Since we are officially betrothed now… Would it be inappropriate to feel Jolinar?" He asked nervously.

So that's why he hasn't, Jolinar thought in amusement.

"No."

Martouf carefully touched over the back of her neck, and his expression was pure joy when he felt Jolinar wiggle under her skin.

"I feel scandalous," he admitted.

Rosha laughed. "I won't tell on you."

He smiled. "Thank you."

She rested her head on his shoulder after. She saw him drifting off back to sleep again, and that worried her.

If Lantash says he is stable, he'll be fine. Lantash might even be making him sleep in order to heal him faster, which is what I'm going to do with you.

Will we be safe?

Even if anyone happens to come across us, they are a peaceful people. Besides, I'll be awake and listening. I can take over your body if I need to.

Rosha gave a short nod. She kissed Martouf again before letting herself drift off.

~+~+~.

Rosha jumped awake when she noticed someone walking near them.

"Rosha?"

She saw that it was Martouf, then realized it wasn't raining. She was laying next to another fire.

"Are you well?" He asked.

"How can you walk? Your feet and legs were severely burned."

He bowed his head, and his eyes briefly glowed. "Burns are easier to heal than broken bones," Lantash answered in pride. He walked over and offered her some food on a large leaf.

"How?" She asked as she immediately began eating. She realized how hungry she was. It smelled and tasted wonderful.

"The berries were nearby, and the rain drove the little critters up out of the ground. I just gathered them up." He lifted his arm slightly, indicating to the splint. "Thankfully. I wouldn't be a very good hunter right now."

Rosha smiled.

"Then I cooked them. Well, Martouf cooked them." He knelt, offering water in a hastily done, makeshift bowl. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm almost healed." She drank.

"I know why it rained," Lantash said when she was done eating.

"You…know why it rained?" Rosha laughed. "Not clouds?"

"No." Lantash moved closer, holding her side with his good arm. "See, it was night, and the stars became jealous when they saw your beauty, so they hid you under the clouds."

Rosha smiled, and her body felt warm to his touches.

"But then they couldn't resist you, so they parted the rains."

Rosha kissed him, and it sent a warm shiver down her spine.

"I love you." Lantash held her close. "As much as I want to show you this love, Martouf feels he must be married first."

"I understand. My people were the same way."

"We must marry quickly then."

"Very quickly," Rosha agreed.

They kissed again.