He smiles into the kiss and it's a little silly, a little hopeful. Chuck leaves and Raleigh's left to his own devices and he goes into the room, where Yancy is still in bed.

The machines click and whir and buzz; machines that are keeping him alive and mmachines with electrodes stuck all over his arms and legs, working muscles so that when - when, Raleigh has always refused to believe that Yancy was like this forever - the atrophy wouldn't be so horrible.

Raleigh sits down next to his brother in the customary spot and leans on the bedrail, lacing his fingers together.

"And they tell me I have bad timing," he muses, smile pulling at his lips. "One of the first nights I stop spending my days in here, you move. Of course you do. You know what I was doing, dude?"

No, of course he doesn't, but Raleigh feels compelled to pause, like he's giving Yancy a chance to answer and then he barrels on.

"I was getting laid, man. You know how long that's been?" He sighs. "Years. Five years, four months - if not longer. Jesus, Yance."

He groans, and drops his head onto his hands.

"Everything is fuckin' nuts. I sure wish you'd wake up."

He doesn't stir and Raleigh sighs, dragging his hands through his hair.

"I don't know what to do anymore, man. Chuck's here and...he wants me to leave. Live part time here, part time there. I can't...lose him again but I don't want to leave you. And the crazy thing is...we were drunk and...and you remember that ring I bought? Brought it out and proposed. Haven't seen him in years and the second I do I lose my shit and ask him to marry me."

He drops his head and swallows because...Yancy doesn't respond, he never responds. He hasn't responded in five years, why would he start now?

Except there's a distinct brushing of fingers and Raleigh's a little creeped out, looking up slowly and meeting Yancy's eyes, fucking Yancy looks right at him and wheezes--

"You have the worst timing, kid."

...

Raleigh screams. Sorry bro.