Under The Mistletoe

[simplepuzzle]

 
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[simplepuzzle]

"And you don't get to get on my arse about the stupid shit I did," he says, gripping Raleigh's hands tight enough to hurt. "It was one thing and it was an accident. If you get to get on my case I get to be on yours."

....no, Chuck, that's not how it works.

[unbreachable]

"That isn't how it works," Yancy says, coming to sit next to him. "This could have killed you, Chuck. If anyone at all had decided to try and let you sleep it off, you'd be dead."

He sighs.

"And throwing things in each other's faces...that isn't going to work either. Chuck, you fucked up. Raleigh, so did you. Accept it and move on, otherwise this is doomed."

[simplepuzzle]

"Hey, I was the one who told them to take me to the hospital," Chuck snaps up at him. "I did one stupid thing, Raleigh disappeared for a fucking month, I feel enough like shit and I'm not doing it again, I don't want to fucking hear about it any more!"

Tell that to Raleigh Yancy, Chuck just wants a shower and to go to bed.

[unbreachable]

"Yeah you know what-- he's right."

Raleigh brows his hands up.

"He's never gonna forgive it or let me forget."

[simplepuzzle]

"I wasn't going to bring it up, except in talking about what we're doing," Chuck says, trying for snappish but just coming out as weak as his head hangs. He still feels like shit, weak and tired--and maybe this just doesn't work.

"Are you going to leave again?"

After promising he'd try? After begging Chuck to take him back? So easily?

[unbreachable]

"No!"

He's tempted.

"No. Let's just get you to bed. You need rest and liquids."

[simplepuzzle]

"What do I have to do to keep you both?" he mumbles, almost like he hasn't heard Raleigh, using the bannister to support himself as he stands up.

"What do we have to do to stop you leaving?" He'll do almost anything, Raleigh. Please.

[unbreachable]

"..Chuck." He can feel his anger ebbing, and he comes to wiggle under chucks other arm to help.

"I love you. I'm not leaving. I promise."

[simplepuzzle]

"You almost just did, didn't you?" It hurts. It hurt so badly again to know Raleigh was about to give up so easily and Chuck can't live like that, not if he's going to threaten to leave every time Chuck gets a little rough around the edges.

Because, to be frank, that's who he is.

[unbreachable]

"The room, maybe. To get some air because you drive me nuts."

Come on Chuck. You need to lay down.

[simplepuzzle]

Chuck's going to be incredibly insecure for a while, Raleigh, you're going to have to be able to handle that because he hates feeling vulnerable and it comes out a little viciously.

He leans on him. "Shower first." He's gross. He smells like hospital.

[unbreachable]

He does. Antiseptic and bleach and hospital.

He reroutes them to the bathroom, Yancy trailing along behind.

"Shower or bath?"

[simplepuzzle]

"Shower." He just wants to feel sluiced clean, not comforted. "I've got it from here," he suggests, leaning on the doorjamb. "If you guys wanna get settled or something."

[unbreachable]

Why not both?

Raleigh fidgets.

"Sure. Where do you want us to wait for you..?"

[simplepuzzle]

"Wherever you want?" Chuck bites back the unkind comment that it's not him they need to worry about. "I just want to wash, you guys...I don't know, eat. Make out. You're staying here, if you both want, just...consider it home."

Treat it as such.

But a home you respect.

[unbreachable]

"Are you hungry?"

Yancy leans in behind Raleigh.

"We can order something. Have it waiting."

[simplepuzzle]

"There might be something in the fridge, but if you can't find anything yeah, Indian."

Which will work out so well with a tender stomach but he needs something more interesting than pizza.

He leans in to kiss them both on the cheek. Raleigh first, then Yancy.

[unbreachable]

"Indian it is."

Raleigh smiles at him, thumbs his cheek before backing up. He can handle getting Indian delivered. He's got this.

[simplepuzzle]

Good, he figured he'd be happy getting kissed first.

....They really need to go over stuff. Maybe after food. Things that set Raleigh off, what they can do to sop him being upset.

But first, Chuck takes a luxurious shower in his luxurious shower that turn people shower-sexual. Nevermind boys he's marrying the shower.

[unbreachable]

They would totally understand if he married the shower.

Meanwhile, they're downstairs and ordering dinner and getting it set up while they wait. They're quietly talking, and maybe Yancy sneaks a kiss or two. He's missed you, Rals.

[simplepuzzle]

Chuck comes down in his softest pajama pants and most comfortable sleepy shirt, making no sound as he walks barefoot.

He sees Yancy sneaking a kiss and leans against the cabinet, smiling faintly.

[unbreachable]

It's an emotional moment. Raleigh looks like he's been crying and Yancy's eyes are red. They quiet when Chuck comes in, and Raleigh moves first.

"Feel better?"

[simplepuzzle]

"A little. Do you guys need some time alone?" Or with Chuck present but silent? He can do present but silent.

He reaches for Raleigh when he comes to him, just curling his fingers in his shirt and tethering him close.

[unbreachable]

Raleigh wraps him right up.

"It's okay. Don't go anywhere."

[simplepuzzle]

He goes ahead and tucks his face against Raleigh's shoulder, breathing him in slowly.

"...Did you get saag?" he mumbles into his shirt.