The first time it happens, it's an accident, or that's what Hawkeye tells himself. Accident, momentary loss of concentration, just... it just happens, and he has no desire to interrogate himself about it.
It's been a long day, and they're too exhausted even to pour drinks, and it's so, so cold. Hawk doesn't have it in him to be alone, even if alone doesn't mean a lot in quarters like these. Frank is off inflicting himself on Margaret, so when Beej falls face first and still fully dressed into his cot, Hawkeye follows him in, curls into his back and tugs the blanket over them both. BJ doesn't seem to mind, or at least is too tired to object.
It's comfortable and cosy, BJ smells warm and familiar, and Hawkeye falls asleep quicker than he ever has in his own cot, or even than when they've scrounged up a few days leave from this hellhole.
Beej feels like home, and Hawkeye sleeps well for the first time since he was last there.
Neither of them mentions it the next morning, even though Hawk wakes plastered to BJ from head to toe, his face buried in BJ's shoulder like he can't get close enough. It's just one of those Korea things.
It becomes a habit. Hawkeye sleeps so much better when he's wrapped around BJ. Beej still hasn't mentioned it, but nights when it's cold or it's been a rough day or they have the tent to themselves, he shifts over in his cot and leaves a space Hawk has the irresistible urge to fill. Sometimes he'll grasp Hawkeye's hand where it's wrapped around his waist. Other times (Hawk's favourite, if he were admitting things to himself), he turns over and pulls Hawkeye closer, and Hawk gets to press his face into BJ's neck and get a full on dose of Beej that makes him spend the next three days resisting the urge to sniff BJ in the middle of the OR.
Sometime in January, BJ whispers, "I love my wife," into Hawkeye's hair.
"I know," Hawkeye murmurs against the hollow of BJ's throat. "I know."
He doesn't say, "Would Peg mind if I borrowed you for the rest of the war? Can we pretend you're mine for a while?"
He doesn't say, "You're the only thing about this country I'm gonna miss."
He doesn't say, "The sun comes out when you smile."
He doesn't say, "I love you, Beej."
He figures BJ already knows.
~ fin ~