Under The Mistletoe

[simplepuzzle]

 
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Comments

[getcocky]

Of course it is. Its always Raleigh's fault. It's always his problem. It's always because of him.

Which is why he's gone.

"Here."

Passing him a box, eyes down.

[simplepuzzle]

Goddammit that's not how it is. He had two people in his life who didn't care, who loved him and tried to make sure he was happy.

"...Don't suppose you wanna stay friends."

[getcocky]

It's exactly how Chuck makes him feel, regardless of if he means to or not.

"I wouldn't mind."

[simplepuzzle]

Then he didn't just leave because watching Chuck with Yancy tore at him, he left because Chuck was bad for him.

"...not for a while," Chuck adds, looking down again. "I gotta--I need time to get over you two."

He hates this. He hates this so fucking much.

[getcocky]

Chuck you blow everything up. If you'd call him...

"I..yeah. Same."

This hurts him too. He didn't just lose his boyfriends. His brothers disappeared, too.

[simplepuzzle]

Does Raleigh actually want to hear from him?

"I'm sorry." He does surge forward to hug him tightly, face in his shoulder and arms around his waist.

[getcocky]

Maybe.

"Hey..I know, kid. I know. Me too."

He's wrapping Chuck right up and holding him tightly, pressing his nose into his hair.

[simplepuzzle]

Then he shouldn't have broken up with him and left.

At Christmas, either. Come on.

Chuck doesn't want to go, he wants to stay, he wants to be with Yancy and he wants to be with Raleigh and he can't have that so he's leaving. "I'll see you around the business," he says, finally pulling away from Yancy and picking up the last box of his crap.

[getcocky]

All his fault. Maybe this is best.

"You can call," he says quietly. "Any time. For any reason."

[simplepuzzle]

"Sure."

He doesn't plan to.

He makes the arrangements to go home, sets up work, tries...tries to remember how to be with two pieces of his heart missing.

[getcocky]

Same for Yancy. It feels like two chunks of his soul have been ripped out.

It's like Raleigh vanished.

[simplepuzzle]

Chuck refuses to be worried.

...He worries. He worries a hell of a lot. He hates not knowing if he's okay.

He dives into work, unable to sit still and do nothing. He needs to do shit.
...some of that shit ends up in the tabloids.

[getcocky]

Yancy does the same, just...less self destructive. Every so often he texts Chuck, just to see how he's doing.

[simplepuzzle]

Well at least he can see firsthand how well Chuck's getting over them, right?

Depending on Chuck's mood he might text back with a biting retort or a careful fond response.

It's. Hard. He's never tried to be friends with an ex before, and the whole situation is just...uncomfortable.
And Chuck still hurts. No matter what he does, he just...he hurts.

[getcocky]

Yeah, great.

He keeps trying in that calming, gentle way of his. When Chuck bites back Yancy backs off and when he gets a good response, he's kind and patient.

And Raleigh...Raleigh stays painfully absent. The tabloids question it and when questioned, Yancy smiles and deflects the questions.

It's hard for everyone.

[simplepuzzle]

Chuck aches for Yancy's calm, Raleigh's fire. He can't count how many times he's stared at Raleigh's contact, at the last texts sent between them, wanting to send him--something.

But Raleigh left. He doesn't want to hear from Chuck, he's sure.

But the New Year comes and Chuck at least texts him a happy new year, not expecting anything back. He wants to add 'i miss you' but...he's still angry. Still upset.
Even if he misses him like fucking air.

[unbreachable]

It's...about twenty minutes later that Raleigh responds.

Happy New Year, Chuck.

[simplepuzzle]

Chuck's still partying pretty hard so it's a couple hours before he sees the text and when he sees it he's had a lot of champagne and other drinks so, his reaction--well his first reaction is warmth, relief, some happiness, but then...

WHAT THE FUCK

[unbreachable]

Well now Raleigh's asleep and that wakes him up and he's so confused.

wha?

[simplepuzzle]

OVER A FUCKING MONTH NOT A FUCKING WORD

Sorry Raleigh this is what happens when you go radio silent on the people in your life. Even if you don't want them in your life any more.

[unbreachable]

He needed a break. God forbid anyone understand that.

I'm sorry.

[simplepuzzle]

Chuck hella fucking understands but there's taking a break and there's making no fucking ripple wherever you disappeared to.


Raleigh'll get a series of texts in the next minute or so.

jesus i thought you were fucking dead you weren't replying to yancy he was worried

sorry

drunk

worried

happy new year

i'll leave you alone

[unbreachable]

I'm sorry.

He is.

And Chuck gets a few more back.

I'm okay. I'm sorry I worried you.

[simplepuzzle]

can you text yancy back too i think he's sad.

Just that one more. Sorry.

[unbreachable]

Yeah.

A beat.

I miss you.