A/N: special thanks to all of you who take the time to review, and everyone who has put me on their alert list. You guys make me feel so awesome.
Disclaimer: see ch 1
Prompt 7: Days (Morgan/Reid) Part Two of miniseries
Day one dawns as a wet, cold, miserable Sunday. The older man wakes suddenly, surprised to find that he is alone. It takes him some time to gather the energy to get up; he cannot face the world and its consequences just yet. There are no side effects from his drinking. A half-hour's drive away, the younger man groans, holds his pounding head. He has never felt sicker in his life. He thinks maybe the older one will call (and the older thinks the same, for a while) but the phone remains silent until dusk arrive, signaling sleep time again.
Day two is a Monday, and they can no longer avoid it – the inevitable meeting and awkwardness that thereby comes. The others cannot help but notice the politeness, the discomfort, the avoidance of eye contact, but they think nothing of it (maybe the older man has been teasing the younger one too much again). He feels so bad for ditching his friend, his comrade, and it makes his heart ache, but he cannot bear the idea of facing the man. He forces himself to throw up secretly in the bathroom, and leaves, claiming illness. It's not so hard to fake.
Day three arrives, and once more the younger man calls in sick, saying he is not over his upset stomach from the day before. The older man comes in right on time (well, a couple of minutes late), notes the empty desk. He carefully avoids asking about it, does not want to seem too concerned, too anxious. A new case comes in – only just up the coast, thankfully. The younger man will be able to join them when he is better, their boss assures them (him). Rather than relieved, the older man thinks he is beginning to feel ill, too.
On day four, just as the younger man is considering calling in again (flu, maybe?), the phone rings. It is his boss, demanding in that oh-so-calm voice that he must stop acting like a child or get out of the unit. Shortly thereafter, he's in his car and headed toward the crime scene, about fifty miles away. The older man acts like nothing happened, and he's immediately at ease. As the day ends, they head back to the hotel (easier than driving each day), where they are to share a room. Inevitably, it turns out they need only one bed.
Day five feels like it should be awkward, but it isn't. This time when they wake, they are together, each holding on to the other. The younger man does not try to run this time, but rather relaxes and enjoys this feeling, this unavoidable circumstance. They cannot deny the attraction, and for the most part they do not want to. Instead, early in the morning, before they are called away to duty, they work out the details. They agree they must not tell anyone, and they must be circumspect. As long as they can be together; they will not falter.
