10. "Promise Without Forgetting"
A/N: Post 1x13, part 3 of 3. Shameless fluff and friendship feels. I hope you enjoy! :)
Russ stood in the doorway a moment, observing his partner. The younger man was sitting up in the hospital bed, and looked markedly better than the last time Russ had seen him.
The detective leaned an arm against the doorframe. "You look good," he remarked.
Milt, noticing him there, brightened considerably.
"Hey," he greeted. "I-..." the agent faltered, stopping short. "I didn't think you'd come here," he finished awkwardly. "Today, I mean."
Russ frowned.
"Where else would I be?"
Milt shrugged one shoulder, avoiding the detective's gaze.
Russ watched him carefully, eyes narrowing. He pulled up a chair by the bed, sitting in it as though he hadn't been planted there for the better part of four days. Speaking of plants...
"Looks like the whole station sent you flowers," Russ remarked, glancing at the impressive number of vases lined up around the hospital room.
Milt gave a small smile.
"Yeah," he said.
Russ frowned. His eyes searched the other man's face, before wandering over to the thick bandage that was still wound tightly around Milt's chest. The agent fidgeted under his scrutinizing gaze. Russ cleared his throat awkwardly.
"So how's..." he gestured vaguely.
"Doctor said there's no permanent damage," Milt replied, a little too quickly. "And she has me going to therapy, now."
"Yeah?" Russ asked. "How's that?"
"It hurts, but it's necessary," Milt replied. Then, meeting the detective's gaze, he added wryly, "The sessions for my shoulder are pretty rough, too."
Russ managed a tight smile.
Milt glanced down at his hands, and the detective tilted, trying to catch hold of his gaze.
"So, uh... how are you doing?" Russ tried. "I mean, aside from the obvious. Are you good?"
Milt shook his head sharply, releasing a heavy breath.
"No," he answered honestly. "But I think I'll get there."
"That's good," Russ said, "because I brought you something."
At that, the detective reached down and carefully pulled a brown paper bag out of his backpack. Milt glanced over at him, curiosity piqued.
"I was going to wait until after you were out of here," Russ explained, "but I thought now would be as good of a time as any." He grinned slightly, pulling one, then two beers from the paper bag.
"Here. They're non-alcoholic," Russ said, handing one to Milt. "Your pain medication," the detective explained, "and I've gotta drive."
Milt turned the bottle in his hands, a slow smile spreading on his face.
"You snuck these in for me?" He asked. "I'm touched, Detective Agnew."
"Think of it as incentive," Russ replied smoothly, popping the top off his beer. "But you'd better drink it before the nurses see and attack me with... I dunno, syringes or something."
Milt laughed.
"Syringes?"
Russ put on his best affronted look, secretly reveling in the fact that he'd finally gotten the man to smile. They sat like that for a moment, simply enjoying the drinks and each other's company.
Suddenly, Milt glanced over at Russ.
"Thank you," he said.
"For what?" Russ asked, pretending not to know.
The agent gave him a meaningful look.
"For staying," he replied.
"Yeah, well..." Russ cleared his throat. "You're my partner," he said, just as determinedly as before.
Milt smiled, and this time, it was bright and genuine. Warmth filled Russ' chest, and the detective found himself smiling, too. He turned, giving Milt's good shoulder a light squeeze.
The next few weeks would be rough, Russ knew. But no matter what happened next, he would have his partner's back. He would do whatever it took to get Milt through this and, in the end, their friendship would be stronger for it.
Poor emotionally traumatized Milt... ;_; but no worries, he has Russ there to help him through it now :D
I've enjoyed writing this story so much, I'm sad to be finishing it! A huge thank you to everyone who followed/favorited/reviewed, you guys are awesome! :D
There may or may not be one more itty bitty, bonus "thank you" chapter coming... :)