deadlilmoon:All idea described here - link They were taking a much-needed break after judging

All idea described here -link

They were taking a much-needed break after judging that where they stood would be safe from the vampires. Jason stuck a hand under the waterfall then took off his hat to run his wet fingers through his hair. The cool water felt good on his sweaty body. He turned to check on Salim and found the Iraqi rubbing his hands.

“You cold or somethin’?” Jason asked him. Salim glanced up and stared for a moment before ducking his head and shaking it. Jason cracked a grin. “Givin’ your mouth some rest, I see.”

“I was just thinking how strange it is to see you without your hat,” Salim informed him. “I thought it might be glued to your head.”

“Like I ain’t heard that one before,” Jason snorted. Salim smiled and Jason returned it, feeling warmth in his chest. “Seriously, what’s up with your hands?”

“I learned the hard way that the vampires burst into flame if exposed to sunlight.”

“Let me see,” Jason insisted. Salim hesitated but something in Jason’s eyes must have moved him, as he held out his hands for the young marine. Jason studied the other soldier’s hands, running his fingers along the injured skin. He only had the most basic medical training so there wasn’t much he could do.

He shouldered off his backpack and looked around until he found some cloth he could use as a makeshift bandage. He stuck the cloth under the waterfall then came back to Salim, methodically wrapping each hand.

“That feels good,” the older man noted. “Thank you, Jason.”

“You ain’t much good as a sword if your hands are too fucked up to even wield one,” Jason said with a shrug. He finished the wrapping and ran his fingers along the bandages to make sure they were secure. “Flex your fingers,” he instructed, and Salim did. “Now make a fist. How’s it feel?”

“Bad,” Salim admitted, “but a little better.” He wiggled his fingers as a demonstration.

“You ain’t FUBAR yet,” Jason agreed, grinning at the other man. The Iraqi responded with a puzzled frown.

“I’m not what?”

“Fucked Up Beyond Any Repair. Or sometimes it’s Beyond All Recognition.”

“I’m guessing that’s an American thing.” He was smiling as he said it, and the way it made his features soften gave Jason that warm feeling again. Jason realized too late he was still holding onto Salim’s hand and let go.

“Think we rested enough. Let’s move on.” He grabbed his hat and settled it back on his head with Salim taking up his weapon again. Jason tugged the brim down a little to hide the tint of red that had risen on his cheeks. He felt Salim’s eyes on him and turned to briefly catch the other looking at him before Salim turned away and headed forward. Jason would swear that the older man was blushing, too.

Jason didn’t bring it up, though. He wasn’t sure he was ready to face what it meant.