[Close Encounter...]

[dr_robchase]

On the third day, Chase awoke feeling rested -- awoke to the sun already hanging precariously high in the sky, betraying the later hour of the day. He turned, sitting up and grasping his t-shirt. In the heat of the night, he'd thrown it off.

Craning his head, he tried to check the colouring of his back -- damn pale skin betrayed bruises too easily. He sighed and got up to pack up the bag, ready to head back to responsibility. As it turned out, he couldn't even escape properly for two days.

"Jay," he murmured, leaning back down to kiss Jay awake, soft kisses pressed to his shoulder, jaw, lips. "Hey, angel," he added with a smirk. "Time to go."

Comments

[emo-mutant.livejournal.com]

"Joshua Guthrie," said Jay trying not to blink. "I, um, got here all bleedin', an' you fixed me up an' I prolly fell in love with you shortly thereafter. I started makin' some moonshine that people bitch about but drink anyways because that shit would give an elephant a buzz. Uh, an' now I'm being checked out 'cos I attacked a dinosaur."

[dr_robchase]

Chase eased into a kneel, giving Jay a surprised and touched look. "You fell in love with me just after I patched you up?" he inquired softly, blinking in awe.

"I think you've got a concussion," he said, more professionally.

[emo-mutant.livejournal.com]

It was that Irish-Kentucky background that allowed him to go bright red again. "Well, uh, mebbe I did, but I din't figure it out until later. You know. Do concussions always make you say embarrassin' things?"

[dr_robchase]

"Typically just make you wish your head were exploding to rid the pain," Chase said sympathetically, easing up and kissing Jay's forehead slowly and softly.

"Just a concussion," he said gratefully.

[emo-mutant.livejournal.com]

Jay smiled, also grateful. "If'n you're gonna fuss, ain't so bad. The concussion part. Din't mean to scare you any." He'd thought Chase had looked pretty freaked, even if he'd handled it really well.

[dr_robchase]

"You did, a little," he admitted. "It was the part when you just lunged for a dinosaur, Jay! That's...not exactly normal."

[emo-mutant.livejournal.com]

"It coulda hurt you," said Jay softly. "I..."

He shuddered as Julia's dead face came back to mind.

[dr_robchase]

Chase frowned, stroking Jay's cheek. "Could have run," he pointed out. "Wouldn't have gone without you is all."

[emo-mutant.livejournal.com]

Jay closed his eyes, leaning into the touch. "Scars, is all. On the mind."

[dr_robchase]

"The past?" he asked softly. "Jay, what's in that head of yours?"

[emo-mutant.livejournal.com]

"I had to try," Jay said softly. "Even if I couldn' do anythin', I had to give it a try." He opened his eyes, the image of Julia remaining on retinas even then, standing behind Chase and looking reproachful. He blinked several more times.

[dr_robchase]

Chase watched Jay carefully. "Nice and deep breaths, this might still be shock from blacking out."

[emo-mutant.livejournal.com]

"Is that why I'm seein' things?"

[dr_robchase]

Must have been a harder knock to the head than he'd seen. "You might hallucinate depending on the severity of the blow, yeah."

[emo-mutant.livejournal.com]

"Okay," said Jay, staring to the right, just behind Chase's shoulder. "Yeah, okay."

[dr_robchase]

Chase glanced over his right shoulder. "What are you seeing?"

[emo-mutant.livejournal.com]

Jay swallowed, willing his voice not to shake.

"Julia."

[dr_robchase]

Chase nodded, simply stroking Jay's cheek. "It'll fade."

[emo-mutant.livejournal.com]

"God, I hope so," whispered Jay, finally tearing his eyes away and scooting forward to hide his face on Chase's chest.

[dr_robchase]

Chase wrapped his arms around Jay, tugging him closer. "Hey," he whispered. "It's okay," he promised. "It'll fade."

[emo-mutant.livejournal.com]

Jay nodded, relaxing into Chase's grasp. He was warm and solid and breathing, and Jay pressed his mouth against the pulse in his neck, just to feel it.

[dr_robchase]

Chase delicately felt for the bump, just to see how badly it was. "I've got you."

[emo-mutant.livejournal.com]

A shot of pain raced through Jay, and when he glanced up, Julia was gone.

Exhaling with relief, he leaned forward to kiss Chase earnestly, fiercely.

[dr_robchase]

Chase wrapped both arms around Jay's neck, kissing back as fiercely as the kiss was given, gently nipping at his lower lip as he brought him closer, eyes closed and indulging.

[emo-mutant.livejournal.com]

"Suppose we gotta get back?" asked Jay, still not thrilled about the idea, but more willing to go.

He stroked one of his thumbs just behind Chase's left ear.