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]

"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.

[simplepuzzle]

No. No it is not.

"I made some grilled cheese earlier, you want some?"

Real food.

[unbreachable]

"That sounds good."

Warm and filling and it'll give sleigh time tongi put some clothes on.

"Thanks."

[simplepuzzle]

"Go put some real pants on."

He'll make him a sandwich. Which is weird and domestic but he's going to do it anyway.

[unbreachable]

He smiles and gets up, then without thinking, reaches and gives Chuck's arm a squeeze before taking his coffee mug and going back to his room so he can put some real pants on.

[simplepuzzle]

Chuck doesn't know what to do about that. Like the pet name.

It's why he's staying with Herc and not Raleigh. He wants to help Raleigh, be there for him, but he can't let Raleigh fall into a domesticity that neither of them can keep.

[unbreachable]

He dresses quickly, gets himself together and reminds himself not to touch Chuck like that, because Chuck isn't his to touch.

No matter what he wants anymore.

He comes back out, fully clothed and hair damp - he took the worlds fastest shower ever.

[simplepuzzle]

It's not that it's--

They're so complicated. No matter what they both feel.

The sandwich is about done by time he gets out and Chuck's just sticking the frying pan in the sink to soak.

[unbreachable]

Incredibly so, though Raleigh might still hope, after all this time, that maybe they can uncomplicate things.

He comes back out to a ready made sandwich that he is going to basically inhale, though -- it's damn good and exactly what he needed and wanted.