Let It Rain

(A response to the prompt "thunder." Post-war, but ties in to the episode "Out of Sight, Out of Mind.")

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As the low rumble faded into the distance, B.J. looked at Hawkeye and said, "I love thunder."

"You do?"

"I do." He sat down next to Hawkeye on the couch, absently taking hold of his hand. "Every time I hear it, I think of what you said… back in Korea, when you had your accident and you were blinded…? You told me how you listened to a storm, and your senses were so heightened, you felt like you were a part of that storm. You said the thunder seemed to echo forever. It was… oh, I don't know… poetic. Beautiful." He smiled as he looked into Hawk's eyes. "You remember that?"

Touched, Hawkeye nodded and said, "Yeah, I do. I didn't know that you remembered it… and so vividly."

"I lived through that experience with you, Hawk. It had an impact on me too."

"Evidently."

"Actually, that might've been when I started to fall in love with you," B.J. noted with a small laugh, as if this were dawning on him for the first time. "I remember thinking, what an extraordinary man. No self-pity, no ranting against God or circumstance. You dealt with that whole thing in such a surprising way. It was… inspiring, if that doesn't sound too corny."

"No. Not too corny." Hawkeye stared at B.J., a slow smile spreading across his face. Outside, thunder clapped again. And echoed…

The lights flickered, but didn't go out.

"I love thunder, too," Hawkeye continued, leaning in to give B.J. a quick kiss on the mouth. "From now on, it's always going to remind me of this conversation."

That statement was punctuated with yet another boom outside. The heavens opened up and rain started to pour down, sounding every bit like steaks barbecuing as it hit the ground, and Hawkeye pulled B.J. to him, kissing his neck, nuzzling, burrowing a hand underneath his shirt. Then B.J.'s mouth was on his, demanding and warm, and he was gently pressed backward onto the couch.

Oh yeah, Hawkeye thought. Let it rain…