There are some adult situations in this chapter, there will be more to follow. There will be full blown scenes coming up in the next few chapters, but for now enjoy some softly detailed interactions. Lots of fluff in this chapter!

CH 14 Sweet Sentiments

Raylan woke up alone, something he wasn't accustomed to anymore. He shivered and pulled the blankets higher, his side still burned and his ribs had a dull ache to them but at least he didn't feel like he'd been run over by a truck anymore. He propped up on an elbow,' Maybe Tim went for a run,' he remembered how Tim went for a run on their days off. Rain or shine he was outside in his favorite t-shirt and sweats, the thought of Tim coming back in glistening with sweat and glowing with runner's high made him smile. He ran his hand through his hair, wincing as he remembered his forehead had stitches in it still.

He pulled the blanket back and put his feet on the floor, noticing Tim hadn't bothered to put his clothes back on while he was asleep. He preferred to sleep naked but Winona always hated it, so he'd gotten accustomed to wearing boxers to bed. He stood up, carefully and slowly, his chest aching and his side keeping him from straightening his body completely. Shakily he walked to the bathroom, as he passed the mirror he saw his face for the first time since he'd been abducted. Deep purple bruising around the stitches, which were covered by a very neat bandage that he was sure Tim had taped in place, his eye was blacked, small cuts littered one side of his face where he'd been thrown into the back of the van. He washed his face with his hands, avoiding his forehead entirely and braced on the sink to catch his breath.

"Ray, what are you doin' out of bed?" Tim slid his arms around Raylan's chest," You need to rest."

"Just went to the bathroom, I'm okay."

"Your knuckles are white," Raylan looked down, he hadn't realized he was gripping the sink so tightly," C'mon back to bed."

"You comin' with me?"

"If you'll eat something," Tim pulled blankets over him," You want some clothes?"

"Do I need any?" Raylan flashed bedroom eyes and Tim felt his face get hot.

"I hope not," Tim ran his eyes over his lover's hungrily," I'll go get you a plate," he tossed the tv remote on the bed next to Raylan," I'll be back in a sec, put it on whatever you want," Raylan nodded and started flipping through channels. Tim went into the kitchen and started plating breakfast,' The bruises and cuts and that large bandage covering his side,' he shook his head,' Ray, you're so lucky to be alive,' he grabbed a paper cup and put the morning's meds in it.

"Wow darlin'," Raylan was surprised to see Tim come back with a tray. The eggs, bacon, and toast smelled delicious and his mouth watered," I had no idea you could cook."

"Gets tiring eatin' the same shit every day in the Army," Tim set the tray down and got the box he'd put wound care supplies in to keep Raylan's bandages fresh," Take those meds, you need new bandages and I need to clean those wounds so you don't get another infection."

"How're you feelin'?"

"M'fine."

"Tim," Raylan's voice demanded him to look at him," you're a shitty liar."

"So are you," Tim snorted," really, Ray, it's not bad at all. I'm about to dress my shoulder while you eat."

"No, you're gonna let me do it because you're right handed."

"If it makes you feel better, princess," he rolled his eyes," just take your meds before they lapse and you start hurting again," he didn't add how much he hated seeing Raylan in pain. When he'd first woke up in the hospital after Doyle shot him and Tim had seen him struggle after backing off the pain meds to talk long enough to give a coherent statement, his stomach did flips.

"It would," Raylan swallowed the pills in the cup," When can I get off…?"

Tim knew what he was asking, Raylan hated taking the Suboxone. The high wasn't worth it and he felt like a junkie, he decided to play dumb instead and try to avoid the conversation," I'll take care of that whenever you want," he leaned in and nipped Raylan's shoulder.

"Don't play dumb, darlin'."

"Oh I'm not playin'," Tim grinned," I'm an idiot, you can ask anybody," this drew a laugh from Raylan, immediately after he grit his teeth and a hand went to his side," Sorry."

"Worth it," Raylan smiled weakly and went back to his food," but you know what I'm askin'."

"I know," Tim propped pillows up and sat beside him," I don't want you hurtin', Ray."

"There's a difference between pain meds to keep me from bein' in agony and dopin' me like I'm a junkie."

"Ray, please," Tim stretched his arm, rolling the sore shoulder and feeling the wound move with it.

"I'm sorry," Raylan finished his toast," by the way, breakfast was delicious."

"I'm glad you liked it," Tim popped his neck and felt almost instant relief.

"C'mere and lemme look at your shoulder," Raylan grabbed his bicep and pulled him closer.

"It's not bad," Tim turned and took his shirt off.

"Bleedin' a little," Raylan peeled the tape away.

"Normal."

"Tim, I've been shot a few times now," he saw Tim's face when he said it and regretted it," I meant, let me take care of the one thing that I can right now," his hands were gentle as he cleaned and re-bandaged the closing hole.

"I hate that you got hurt," Tim stretched again," your turn."

"I'm gonna be okay," Raylan leaned back on the pillows, Tim seemed to have an obsession with them.

"If you listen and take your meds," Tim pointed to his side," this one first or your head?"

"Meds haven't made me dizzy yet."

"Forehead it is," he used q-tips to get the crusted blood away from the stitches and put antibiotic cream in between them.

"I got a look at myself in the mirror this morning," Raylan's eyes were closed.

"It always looks worse than it is," Tim put gauze over the wound and started taping it down.

"I look pretty rough," Raylan frowned," you still gonna love me if it scars my face?" He opened his eyes a little and added," My good looks are my best asset."

"I don't give a shit about scars," Tim smiled, Raylan felt something stir in him that he hadn't felt in years," It's you I love, not your looks," he kissed him, pulling away before it got too passionate," but they sure don't hurt," he winked.

"Always did have a thing for blue eyes," Raylan drawled.

Tim took note of the slur in his speech," Lemme have a look at your side, you look like you're feelin' a little more relaxed," he pulled the dressing away from the skin, careful to pull towards the wound to keep it closed as much as possible. Despite the pain-killers he squirmed as Tim cleaned him up, the packing was bloody but there was no pus," It's not infected anymore," Tim started repacking it and Raylan held his hand up.

"Hang on," he shifted and caught his breath," Okay."

"I'm almost finished," Tim taped a fresh dressing down," There," he propped on his elbow and put his hand in Raylan's," You okay?"

"Now I am," Raylan snuggled into him," still hurts a lot. It will for another month or so, I need to put a gun back in my hand soon."

"Yeah, you gotta make sure your body can handle the kickback first. One step at a time, lover," he traced the lines of Raylan's chest and down to the scar on his other side," Remember how long it took for this one to heal."

—His eyes opened slowly, Winona by his bed and sharp stabbing pains in his side. He grit his teeth and arched his back a little to try and compensate, she put her hand on his,' Please stop actin' like you still care,' his head swam with the pain meds he was sure they were pumping into his veins.

"Raylan?" There was concern in her voice although he couldn't tell if it was real or if she was just putting on a show. He looked around, searching for one of his partners or his boss or really anyone except Winona," How're you feelin'?"

"M'fine," his head pounded, he wanted to add,' You left me, now please go away before I start to believe that you give a damn.'

"I told you not to go, Raylan dammit," she started nagging at him, not really fussing over him but probably more annoyed she had to put on a show and be here for him," What were you thinking?"

"M'fine," he repeated, wishing she'd go away and either send in one of his coworkers or just leave him alone so he could sleep or at least fake sleep to keep people away from him.

"This is what I always worried about," she was going on," when we were married I always worried when the phone rang, I just had some officer pull me over and…"

"Win'na," he groaned," please," his muscles tensed, she did know how to stress him out.

"Do you have any idea…"

"Ray?" Tim's voice, the tension in his body eased," Art said you were awake. I hope I'm not intruding."

"No, s'fine," Raylan slurred.

"They rubbin' your feet for you, princess?" Tim poked his foot, Raylan realized to check his reflexes.

"Mmmhmmm, one of th'nurses even offers happy endings if you ask nice," he winked.

"Raylan!" Winona was even more angry," How can you joke about this?!"

"Part of th'job," Raylan sighed.

"It's not part of the job! You shouldn't have—"

"Win'na, y'knew what I was," he put his hand over the wound and spoke through gritted teeth," when y'married me."

"You should really try to get some rest," Tim sensed he wanted her gone and Raylan could tell he was tired of listening to Winona bitch at him too," Art wanted to talk to you."

"Tired…" Raylan closed his eyes.

"Well, buttercup, I'm workin' detail and they got me in here with you all night."

"Y'piss off Art?"

"Somethin' like that," Tim settled into a chair and pulled out a book," so he's got me babysitting your stupid ass tonight."

"I'll be back in the morning," Winona threw her hands up," Apparently you two would rather joke about how fuckin' stupid you were today," she stormed out.

"Thank you," Raylan grabbed a handful of the sheets.

"I was serious," Tim pushed a button and Raylan felt like the room was spinning," you should rest."

"Please—stay—" he was in too much pain to feel stupid for asking.

"I'm not going anywhere," Tim scooted the chair next to Raylan's bed and lay his head on his arm next to Raylan's.

"Good," Raylan closed his eyes.—

"Yeah, I remember," Raylan wondered how he'd missed the fact that Tim had been in love with him for so long," When does Art want you back at the office?"

"I don't know, he said he'd stop by this evening after work and check on us then deci—" there was a knock at the front door, Raylan jumped," It could be Rachel," he patted Raylan's shoulder," can you get dressed?"

"Yeah, it doesn't hurt right now," Raylan grabbed a pair of boxers and some sweatpants.

"Don't bother with a shirt, if you stretch wrong you'll tear those stitches," Tim called back as he walked down the hall. He grabbed his gun on the way, truth was he was worried the guys who'd abducted Raylan would send more men to finish the job," Who is it?"

"Boyd Crowder."

'How does he know where I live?' Tim opened the door," What are you doing here?"

"Ava and I came to check on Raylan," he acted like this should explain everything.

"He's fine."

"My aren't you protective," Boyd didn't move, when Tim didn't either he added," Raylan saved my life, I figured I'd at least pay him a visit and thank him."

"I brought some fried chicken," Ava held out a basket.

"Tim?" Raylan's voice," Who is it?"

"Boyd and Ava," Tim called back.

"What?"

"Doctor said he's not to be stressed," Tim growled," if he starts hurting you make yourselves scarce, y'hear?"

"I have no intention of upsetting my dear friend," Boyd put his hands up defensively," I just wanted to wish him well, if he's not up for visitors we completely understand."

"He's not really."

"I hear you were injured in the line of duty as well," Ava started," Please, let me come in and help you out a little?"

"Raylan gets uncomfortable and I kick your ass, got it?" Tim looked at Boyd.

"Duely noted," Boyd held up his right hand," I won't do anything out of line, scout's honor."

Tim went back to the bedroom," Boyd and Ava brought some food over, Boyd says he wants to talk to you," he helped Raylan into one of his shirts," I can get rid of him."

"Nah, unless you're takin' me to bed to take advantage of me."

"Keep it up and I might."

"Raylan!" Boyd opened his arms as Raylan came and sat in Tim's recliner.

"Hey Boyd, Ava," he nodded to them.

"Funny seein' you without your hat," Ava smiled.

"It's in the bedroom," Raylan pushed his hair out of his eyes.

"I'm glad to see you're up and moving around," Boyd started.

"M'fine."

"I am sure glad to hear it, I was worried about you. Heroin and oxy are not easy habits to kick."

Raylan raised an eyebrow," I do not have a habit."

"You *didn't* have a habit," Tim stood beside the recliner and glared at Boyd," but I was surprised at your tolerance for the drugs, they shot you up with some very generous doses."

"Boyd," Tim warned.

"I'm okay," Raylan leaned forward, to Boyd it would look intimidating but Tim knew it was from the pain in his side and not wanting to sit straight up," Boyd, I have never done a drug in my life and, until I was forced to, I never planned on it."

"I know someone that works at the outpatient clinic was all I was offering, I'm sure they have you on something for the withdrawals. You look like you're feelin' too good to be goin' through them unassisted."

"Boyd weren't you just leaving?" Tim was furious.

"I know what it looks like," Boyd stood," but if you need someone to go pick up his meds for him, I'm offering. I'm sure a Deputy U.S. Marshal doesn't want to be seen at a place like that."

"No thank you," Tim said through his teeth.

"Thank you anyway," Raylan was starting to fall asleep, the drugs pulling at his conscious state.

"Well, I see he's tiring out, love," Ava picked up her purse," We best be goin'," she went to Raylan and squeezed his hand," I'm glad to see you're doin' all right."

"I could beat the shit outta that backwoods, redneck—" Tim started cursing once they'd left.

"Tim," Raylan interrupted," I believe you were about to take me to bed," he flashed bedroom eyes again.

"Ray," the look in his eyes was feral," you're tempting something that your body can't keep up with right now."

"We'll see about that," Raylan reached out his hand, Tim took it and Raylan pulled to get him closer. Tim caught himself on the back of the recliner, Raylan was surprisingly strong even on pain meds.

He looked down and was about to say something smart when he felt Raylan tug his pants past his hips," Ray, I told you," He started to fuss and pull away when Raylan's hand grabbed him. Surprised he stopped talking and froze, then hot breath on his bare skin made him moan softly. He was about to summon the rest of his willpower and make Raylan stop before he hurt himself when he looked down in time to see Raylan swallowing his length," Jesus Raylan!"

"What? Am I doin' it wrong?" Raylan looked up at him," I mean this is my first time and…"

"God no, you're driving me crazy," Tim pushed his hair back," if you're hurting I understand but…"

"Just teasin' you," Raylan licked from base to tip, Tim moaned and his legs threatened to give out. Raylan went back to work and Tim ran one hand through his hair and the other along his jawline. For a first time he was surprisingly good, even if he was half drunk on all the meds Tim had given him earlier.

"I'm…close…" Tim had no idea how Raylan would handle a climax in his current state. He was already trying not to choke him. Raylan nodded slightly and moaned a small 'mmhmm', Tim felt tension and pulled out before finishing, catching most of himself in his hand. He staggered to the bathroom to clean up before getting Raylan and bringing him back to bed, when they lay down he saw a few drops of their previous engagement on Raylan's cheek," You have some ummmm…" he was awkward, like he was the inexperienced one. He remembered the first time Jesse had given him head, but Jesse was experienced and he'd swallowed.

"Love you," Raylan smiled, eyes falling shut.

"Love you too, Ray."

"C'mere," Raylan reached for him and put his leg over Tim's, he curled up favoring his bad side, and lay his head on Tim's chest. Tim slid an arm under Raylan and kissed his forehead," I'm tired," he heard a hint of pain in his voice.

"You hurting?"

"A little."

"I told you you didn't have to—"

"I wanted to," Raylan wrapped his arm over Tim's stomach," It's all I've thought about actually. Never done this before."

"It's okay," he lightly rubbed around Raylan's side," how's that feel?"

"Heavenly," Raylan closed his eyes," please don't stop."

"Go to sleep, lover," Tim smiled into his hair.