It's been a while....

[simplepuzzle]

 It's been five years since Chuck left. Left his home, left his dad, left his dog, left Raleigh. 

And he hasn't looked back.

Because if he looked back he'd have to think about what he's left behind and if he thinks about it he'd have to do something about it. But it didn't work and they tried, they tried so hard. And it didn't make a damn bit of difference, so Chuck...throws himself into school. And he tries. 

Occasionally, he tries to date. A girl here, a guy there. Every time he tries to make an effort at a relationship it ends with a lot of anger. Chuck's not really good at this. Nothing's compared to Raleigh, and Chuck's not sure he'll ever have something like it again. And he refuses to settle. 
Love isn't everything. Chuck focuses on school. It's okay. 

And he's good. He's really good. That and the occasional one night stand satisfies him. 

And then he gets a call from Herc. Yancy's been in an accident. He's broken a few limbs, and he hasn't woken up. Herc isn't saying he should come back, and Chuck's been staring at Raleigh's number when Mako calls him. 
He needs you. 
Come home. 

Comments

[unbreachable]

"Yeah. I don't think I can drive."

His car hasn't moved from the hospital lot on days. It'll be fine.

"Thanks, Chuck. Seriously."

[simplepuzzle]

"It's no problem." He takes care of lunch and walks Raleigh to his own car.

He's just all right enough to get them to Raleigh's place (once he gets the address), and he's seriously considering passing out in the backseat of his car.

[unbreachable]

"Come inside?" He says, leaning a little on the door of the car, giving Chuck a slightly guarded but hopeful look.

"You look exhausted."

[simplepuzzle]

"Shouldn't."

They're still not really--they haven't talked really, about...what they are now.

.....but he so. Fucking. Tired.

"..okay, thanks." It's helped by a giant yawn.

[unbreachable]

"C'mon."

He pulls Chuck's door open, and offers a hand to pull him out, smiling faintly.

Stay with him.

[simplepuzzle]

Chuck follows Raleigh in, looking around his place a little.

But mostly focusing on his couch. He would love any soft surface that he could bed on.

[unbreachable]

"Want a pillow...?"

He'd like Chuck to curl up in bed with him but that's inappropriate, right?

Right.

[simplepuzzle]

It'd be.........

.....not on. They haven't talked about that. About them. And this isn't the time, either, not with Raleigh's brother laying in a hospital bed.

"Yeah, thanks." Maybe a blanket. He's sort of just about to unconscious with little warning.

[unbreachable]

"Sit, babe," the word slips out and he doesn't even notice. He reaches for chucks arm, guides him to the couch.

"Sit before you fall. I'll be back."

And be bringing pillow and blanket.

[simplepuzzle]

Chuck barely twitches at the name, like he wants to say something but doesn't.

All he can do is couch right now. And Raleigh's in a rough place so he's got a couple passes.

It's not that Chuck doesn't want to sleep curled around Raleigh like they used to, it's that....it's been five years.

[unbreachable]

They...may have to talk about things. Certain things.

Later. When Raleigh isn't emotionally fucked up.

He gives Chuck both pillow and blanket and resists touching him, then practically crawls into his room to collapse.

[simplepuzzle]

Maybe. Or they could keep stretching it out.

Chuck can't stay here for the whole time he's in town. But tonight's okay. He may be curled around a pillow as he sleeps heavily.

[unbreachable]

Can't he? Can't he stay with the emotionally destroyed ex boyfriend the whole time? Doesn't that sound like fun?

He crashes hard, sleeps for ten hours and wakes up groggy, stumbling into his kitchen to start coffee.

He might've forgotten Chuck is there.

[simplepuzzle]

Nnn...noo. No. Not without talking.

Chuck'll be up before then. He doesn't want to just leave, yet. Not without saying goodbye.

So there's already a pot of coffee. And Chuck might have helped himself to food (if Raleigh gets his panties twisted he'll replace it), and made a grilled cheese. He might make another for Raleigh if he wants.

[unbreachable]

"...hey."

He didn't expect to see Chuck and his presence in Raleigh's kitchen sends a warm tingle down his spine.

"Morning."

[simplepuzzle]

"Morning." Chuck moves to pour him a cup. "I didn't want to leave before you woke up. You were sleeping pretty hard."

...so he can go home now right so to don't have to talk right

[unbreachable]

He won't stop Chuck if he wants to leave. He'll just shower and dress and go back to the hospital and sit some more.

"Appreciate it. Haven't slept like that in a while."

Since Chuck left.

"Thanks." He takes the offered coffee, curling his fingers around it and inhaling deeply.

[simplepuzzle]

...well at least he spent a full night away from the hospital.

"It's nothing." He washed the dishes and now...

"I'm gonna get going, I'm staying with my dad." He runs his fingers through his hair. "You can call me." And he means it, as weird as it is.

[unbreachable]

"...Okay. I'm gonna dress and...head back to the hospital."

He wishes Chuck wouldn't go, but.

Raleigh can't stop him.

[simplepuzzle]

"Don't spend all your time there. Come back here sometimes. To clean, if nothing else." There's a layer of dust that Chuck's trying to ignore.

He's still going to be in town, available for the next couple weeks if--when Raleigh needs him.

"I mean it about calling me," he says sharply.

[unbreachable]

"Yeah. I'll try."

He just -- can't leave Yancy. Can't leave him like that. What if he goes downhill suddenly?

...His movements suddenly become more hurried.

"How long are you in town?" He's practically chugging his coffee.

[simplepuzzle]

Ah crap. Chuck gets a hand around Raleigh's shoulder to still him.

"You want a ride to the hospital? Your car's still there, right?"
Slow, babe. Slow.

"A few weeks."

[unbreachable]

"Yeah it's still there." He slows but not by much.

"Weeks? Really?"

He didn't take all that time off for Raleigh...right?

[simplepuzzle]

"Finish your coffee and have something real to eat first."

M a y b e?
He had the time saved up shut up.

[unbreachable]

There's hints of a smile tugging at his lips, eyes brightening, just a little.

"Alright."

Cereal. That's good right? He can inhale some cereal.