Calm Before the Storm

[notjustaface]

They're alive.

Some how, they're alive. They flew a fucking tank and they're alive in an abandoned cottage outside of Berlin.

The house crackles with their energy, but nobody's feeling it more than Murdock - clearly, he's about halfway off the rails.

"Boss, I'm gonna talk him down." Face offers, nodding to where Murdock was turning giddy circles around the living room, loudly describing the whole experience to BA again.

At first, the colonel doesn't respond, but then he nods slowly and says; "Keep his head on straight, we've got a big day tomorrow."

He nods quick acceptance - understanding the unspoken threat loud and clear, don't break him. "Come on, Murdock... time to get some shut eye." He claps his friend on the shoulder, the first honest to god close contact they've had in six months. "Let's get some rest."

Comments

[notthatcrazy]

He accepts the contact with ease, wrapping an arm around Face's shoulder in return, but he's still pretty hyper.

"Can you believe we did that?"

[notjustaface]

His ears are still ringing and body's pumping like crazy - but he knows if he doesn't come down soon that he won't.

"I know, man... some crazy shit..." he laughs, sliding his arm around Murdock's waist tentatively to lead him toward an empty bedroom. He leans in close to his ear and murmurs; "Let's go blow off some steam."

[notthatcrazy]

"Now you're speakin' my language."

By the time they get to bed, some of the adrenaline is starting to wear off.

"Missed you..."

[notjustaface]

The door is barely closed when Face pulls him into his arms, holding him as tight as he can as he presses soft kisses against his ear.

"Yes..." he sighs. It feels like it's been forever, not just six months... and they left on such a sour note with so many questions still between them.

"Yes."

[notthatcrazy]

"Reunited and it feels so good," he sing-songs, swaying in place.

"Wasn't sure I'd ever see you again."

It's kind of painful to admit that now, after he's kept his promise, but it kind of needs to be said.

[notjustaface]

He can't help himself, and he doesn't know if it's right or not, but he kisses away the confusion before whispering; "I promised."

His fingers tighten against the soft t-shirt, almost shaking as he inhales the scent of sweat and fear and just... Murdock.

The words come naturally, and he's not sure what part of him is talking when he says them - only that it's meant.

"I love you."

[notthatcrazy]

"Took ya long enough."

But there's no bitterness to it, and he easily presses against his side for another kiss.

"Love you too, Temp."

[notjustaface]

"I've had a lot of time to think about it," he sighs, letting his forehead rest against Murdock's, kissing him much more gently than before.

"I tried... I... I was so close to doing it on my own when Hannibal grabbed me." He laughs, just a little bitter.

[notthatcrazy]

"Shh, I know."

He leans against him, his manic energy almost entirely gone.

"I don't wanna think about that right now."

[notjustaface]

His arms squeeze tighter, guiding him toward the dusty bed.

Lips stretching wider with each gentle kiss, he murmurs; "I want you to know, Murdock. I... I had a plan. Just you and me and... breaking you out to go to EuroDisney."

[notthatcrazy]

He smiles, stretching out on the small bed.

"And then what?"

[notjustaface]

"I don't know..." he murmurs, climbing on top of him with another smattering of sweet kisses.

"I was thinking maybe a little house in the suburbs... doin' the civilian thing."

[notthatcrazy]

Wow... he really has had a long time to think.

"... I would've liked that."

[notjustaface]

He's tired of it, he thinks - tired of orders and red tape and bullshit.

"We still could, you know..." He presses another kiss against his lips and then slides down comfortably beside him. "Clear our name, give that bastard Pike a big-ass fuck-you and then retire to some island in the Pacific."

[notthatcrazy]

He gives him a long look.

"Who are you and who have you done with our Face?"

He couples it with a squeeze around the midsection.

[notjustaface]

"I'm tired," he admits, brushing a kiss against Murdock's cheek. "This has been... the most insane year I've ever had. And it's only gonna get worse."

He's not sure how, but it can't go well.

[notthatcrazy]

Always the pessimist. Though he has to admit, he's got plenty of reason to be this time.

"We'll get through it together."

He presses against him, resting his head on his shoulder like he's done so many times before.

"So... how'd you finally figure it out?"

They left each other with so much uncertainty...

[notjustaface]

He can only hope. And grapple blindly for an answer to that question.

"I... don't know if I have." He chuckles dryly, offering a slightly forced smile; "Kinda flyin' by the seat of my pants here... little faith."

[notthatcrazy]

"Seems like it's easier to say it now."

And the whole picket fence, house in the suburbs thing... he's happy to hear it, more than he can say, but he never expected him to say it after six months apart. He's tempted to ask if they brainwashed him.

"You okay?"

[notjustaface]

Part of him feels like he is - the other part... it's just feeling damn good to say the crazy shit that's been bouncing around his brain.

"Yeah... good... just... a little freaked out and... this is happening." He laughs halfheartedly, kissing him again.

"What about you?"

[notthatcrazy]

"Hmm. 'Bout the same."

He's shaking a little bit though, and it's pretty plain to see that the day's taken its toll on him as he reaches down and pulls the blanket up over them.

"Can we just... stay like this for a while?"

[notjustaface]

"As long as we can..." Face purrs against his ear. "Anything, anything you want."

It's almost perfect to nuzzle up against him, better than the girls... all the girl's he's had in the last six months. It feels like the good thing to do.

"Can I ask you a question?"

[notthatcrazy]

"Mmm.. missed you so damn much."

He knows they'll eventually have to rejoin the rest of the world - they have a mission to finish. But right now this is all he wants.

"What?"

[notjustaface]

It can wait until morning, all of it. But there are things he wants to know.

"Did they treat you all right, in the hospital? I want to know what it was like."

[notthatcrazy]

He's quiet for a few minutes before answering. "It wasn't too bad. They weren't nasty or anything, mostly they just get so busy you don't get a lot of attention."

For someone as outgoing as he is, that can be tough sometimes. And then there's the ECT, but even that's not really as bad as it sounds.