She looked down at the man crying on her shoulder. All she could see was his dark brown hair. She gently ran her fingers through it. She'd never seen a man cry like this. She'd never imagined he could be like this when he cried. So weak, so frail. She rubbed his back lightly, just enough to comfort him with her touch. She noticed the shoulder of her shirt was soaked through entirely. "Shhh," Brennan whispered softly, so softly he could barely hear it. A bit louder, she tentatively said, "It'll be fine."
"No it won't Bones."
"It'll get better, it has to get better."
Turning his head, he pressed his face into her neck. "I guess," he lied carefully. If he didn't think about what he said, she'd easily see right though his lies. He was seriously regretting teaching her how to understand people.
"You're lying," she defiantly exclaimed.
All she heard from Booth was silence. Soon, the evenness of his breath let her know that he was asleep. She carefully laid him down on the couch, got him a blanket, and tucked him in. She walked to the door and went to leave, when she heard Booth mumble, "Don't leave me now Bones."
"Okay, I'll stay." He noticed her rainbow striped socks as she quickly walked back to the couch. He adjusted quickly so she could sit. She grabbed the pillow and let him rest his head on her lap.
"I have got such a headache," Booth moaned.
She pressed a cold hand against his forehead and he sighed. He stretched out a little. "Your hands are so cold," he moaned and grabbed her hands to warm them as he sat up.
"That was meant to try and soothe your head."
"I want you to be warm though Bones."
"Then snuggle with me." The moment it came out of her mouth she wished she hadn't said it.
He didn't put up a fight, just let her tuck her legs under herself and lean against him. "Can we please watch a movie Bones?"
"What do you want to watch?"
"Something scary," he replied, and she went to browse his movies for something that would scare her or both of them. She really needed an excuse to not leave him alone tonight. She finally decided to just choose the one that looked most interesting, and she popped it in the DVD player. She settled back against him. They watched the movie in complete silence, but a few times Booth's hand found hers during the scariest parts. He never grabbed her hand, just made sure she knew it was there if she needed something to grab on to. In some spots, she happily accepted his offer.
"Should we get something to eat?"
"Chinese food. Please."
"Okay Booth," she replied as sweetly as she could and picked up her phone to call for Chinese. 15 minutes later, they had white cartons filled with Chinese food sitting in front of them. They were eating quietly, and she was waiting for him to talk.
"I really loved her you know?" he said finally.
"I know you did."
"I…I don't trust myself to be alone tonight."
"I'll stay."
"Thanks Bones."
They finished the Chinese and headed off to bed. She slipped into one of his old t-shirts while he threw on pajamas. He climbed into bed first and she tentatively crawled in on the other side. She slid into his arms quietly. For once, she wasn't fighting an overwhelming desire and neither was he. For once, it was just a friend comforting a friend, and all lines blurred. This was how it was supposed to be. This was how every little thing in their lives should be, with the other right there to support them.
Brennan realized, this was everything she would ever need, simply his existence.