simplepuzzle | It's been a while....

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It's been a while....

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.

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Chuck whines when Raleigh answers the phone, even mutters a 'leave it' before pressing his face into his neck because--yeah. Of course he needs to answer it.

.....but godfuckingdammit he is still inside of Chuck and he's moving and Chuck's brain is kind of dribbling out of his ears.

He thinks about not answering. He's balls deep inside of Chuck and this is the first time they've really fucked in years and he doesn't want to stop. Doesn't even pull out when he fumbles with the phone and picks it up.

His hips are still absently moving when he speaks, but he stops immediately, eyes sharpening in the light of the fireplace.

"What?"

Whoever is on the phone repeats what they're saying and Raleigh's pulling free of Chuck and scrambling up, eyes wide.

"Send a cab. I'll be there soon. No, I can't drive--just send a fucking taxi!"

He ends the call and tosses the phone and grabs at his clothes, tossing Chuck his.

"C'mon. We gotta get to the hospital. Yancy moved."

He sort of lays sprawled there for a second before Raleigh's words penetrate (hah) and then he's pulling his clothes on a little awkwardly.

"Time for a quick cold shower?" he asks a little bitterly--He knows, he knows how important he is he does which is why he's not objecting to stopping now, to high-tailing it over to the hospital.

It doesn't mean his body's not aching, not crying out for Raleigh's touch. For his dick back inside him no no he's all right he's cool he just needs to cool off.

Raleigh feels bad, really -- he does and he looks guiltily over at Chuck and nods. Yeah, they've got time for that - a quick one, anyway.

And maybe once they're in the shower Raleigh will jerk him off, because he knows that this isn't fair and Chuck is being spectacularly good about it.

There's time before the cab comes, at least.

And if he were a better person he'd probably push Raleigh's hand off and tell him he doesn't need to but he's drunk and horny and stupid and he's leaning into him with a desperate whimper and reaching to jerk him off in return, mouth against his shoulder.

It's just some quick relief before getting dressed proper--even if they're going to be freezing as soon as they get outside and into the cab.

It's okay. Raleigh's drunk and horny too and he's glad that Chuck's giving him a hand job in return and when he comes it's with a shudder and a whimper of Chuck's name and it's you, it's always been you.

By the time they're out the cab is outside and honking and Raleigh's dragging Chuck along with him.

Chuck's wrapping and re-wrapping a borrowed scarf around his wet face, sliding into the cab against Raleigh's side and pressing his face against the side of his neck.

He doesn't want to sober up, doesn't want to think about the repercussions of tonight, that's mostly why he's on the cranky side. This isn't going to work but he wants to pretend it can for as long as possible. He's gripping Raleigh's hand, squeezing it in encouragement.

They get to the door of Yancy's room and Chuck stops. "You want a moment alone, I can go get us some coffee," he says quietly.

Of course it's going to work. They've talked about it...it'll be fine. Everything...it'll be just fine.

He can't lose Chuck again.

"...Yeah, that'd be great, babe. Thanks."

Coffee will give them a chance to sober up and give Chuck some time to breathe.

He squeezes Raleigh's hand again and kisses him before pulling away, casting a look over his shoulder.

It's not a super busy time at the hospital but Chuck takes his time, going to the cafeteria instead of to the nearest coffee machine.

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.

Chuck hears the scream from down the hall and he straight up drops the blessed promised coffee and sprints, thinking the worst, thinking--

--Yancy's movement was a fluke, he's slipped into a worse coma he's dead he's worse than dead Raleigh's dead, somehow, some delayed reaction from the crash--

And skids to a stop in the doorway because Yancy is trying to sit up he's awake and he's is he talking?

"Yance?"

Raleigh is frantically buzzing nurses and trying to get Yancy to lay the fuck back down what are you doing.

"Look who it is," Yancy rasps, vocal chords rusty from years of none use. "The prodigal son. Heard you're trying to steal my brother away." He's faintly smirking, like he's entertained by this though there's a lot of fucking disoritentation. Ugh, what's happened?

"I--"

He looks at Raleigh. He guesses he deserves it, after what happened with Raleigh, but it wasn't like it was all Chuck's fault.

"Been awake thirty seconds and already trashing your brother's fiancee?" he says instead, voice rough.

Yancy laughs, though it sounds strained because -- well. It is. He's been asleep a long time and he's still kind of delisional.

"Ngh. Might be a little."

Raleigh smiles weakly and stays hovering over his brother with shaking hands but in actuality, he's about to faint.

Chuck's by Raleigh's side, gently tugging him aside and holding him up as the doctor comes in to check on Yancy.

"He's gonna be okay," he murmurs in his ear while the doctor's do their thing.

...And the two of them should talk but. Not now.

He ends up pushed aside by the doctors and nurses and thank God Chuck is there to help support him, because otherwise he's pretty sure he wouldn't just crumpled to the ground right there on the spot.

"Yeah," he mumbles, roughly fisting at his eyes, he's not crying, of course he's not. Today hasn't been emotionally draining or anything.

"Yeah, I think he is."

He can cry, Chuck won't judge or even make snide remarks. He's got his hand rubbing Raleigh's back in smooth strokes, mouth pressed to the top of his head.

Hell, he's so relieved he's practically holding onto Raleigh for support. He and Yance had had their arguments sure but the thought of losing him was unbearable.

He can't help it. He is crying a little, wrapping his arms around Chuck and sobbing into his shoulder.

It seems surreal-- like a dream. Impossible.

Yancy is awake, Chuck is his again. No wonder he feels like he might faint.

They have to leave the room for a little while, just while they run some tests, and Chuck takes Raleigh to get some replacement coffee.

The heat and the caffeine ground Chuck, at least, and it gives Raleigh something to focus on.

They don't get to take him home immediately, the doctors want him around to make sure he doesn't slip back into the coma and to start his physical therapy. But it's something.

He appreciates everything Chuck is and is doing. He's a godsend, keeping Raleigh in line and well caffeinated through all this.

It's more than something. Yancy is awake and alive and things are going to be fine. Just fine.

Chuck leaves when it's clear the brothers need some time. He presses a kiss to Raleigh's mouth and leaves him to explain to his brother how he ruined himself financially to keep Yancy's life going.

Chuck goes home, because he needs some proper shower and he needs some proper sleep. He manages to hide his left hand from Herc and stares at the ring in the shower.

He squeezes Chuck as he leaves, then he's left to fend for himself against his brothers raised brows and questioning eyes.

It's a long talk. A lot of are you sure? He left you. He wasn't coming back. He's only here because of guilt, baby bro. I don't want you hurt.

In the end though, Yancy knows Raleigh has to make his own mistakes, possibly again and again and again before he learns those grand old lessons about life. Yancy knows sleigh is a grown man and it's time to spread his wings and leave, if that's what calls to him. Yancy won't stop him, but he does make him promise to visit.

After, Raleigh's exhausted and takes a can back home, texting Chuck on the way Going home, need shower and rest. Call me.

It's not that Chuck wants to claim alcohol and pretend it didn't happen. He wants to be with Raleigh as much as Raleigh can't lose him again.

But as he's sobering up he starts panicking on the inside. So Raleigh said yes to following him to California when he was drunk, what if he hates it? What if he resents Chuck for making him move so far from what remains of his family?

He's confused. And hungover. And it's a pretty shitty feeling all around.

Still. He gets the text and calls him, flopping back on his bed and rubbing a hand over Max's head.

Raleigh is resting on his back and nursing a headache when Chuck calls. He's running low on sleep and energy, but he figures that talking on the phone will be fine.

Right?

"Hey, babe. How're you feeling?"

They didn't go light on the wine.

"Awful. Did you wanna talk now?"

If he wants to sleep Chuck more than understands it, he's been up for so long.

They can talk later.

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