Chapter 2 is here! I hope you all enjoy, honestly, it's pretty fluffy There's not any smut, I just wasn't sure about adding it, but if people want it I would be happy to write one more chapter with some smut, just let me know. Thanks for reading!

I do not own MASH.

Chapter 2

Hawkeye found himself in something of a dilemma and he just wasn't sure how to handle it. Ever since he had been sick, and Charles had taken care of him he had been seeing the other man in a different light. Though, if he was being honest with himself, and he generally tried to be, there had been something bubbling under the surface for a while when it came to his feelings for Charles.

The other man was pompous and full of himself, but he had a good heart. He was kind and really cared about his patients, not to mention he was a great surgeon. One of the best Hawkeye had ever seen.

But now that these feelings of strong affection, dare he say it… love had been realised he had no idea how to act around the other man. He had never been in love before, never wanted anything serious, but now when he looked at Charles, he couldn't help but imagine a whole future together, spreading out before his very eyes. He found himself smiling goofily as Charles hummed along to a record, he tried to sit next to him as often as possible when they happened to find themselves in the mess tent together, even now he was laying in his cot listening to the other man snore softly from across their tent.

It had been a week since he was sick and he had been hoping the feelings would fade, but instead they just seemed to be getting stronger. Now, that Hawkeye was finally acknowledging them they refused to be put off any longer. His hands ached to reach out and touch the other man, his lips and groin tingled at the thought of them kissing. He shook his head vigorously to rid himself of those thoughts. He knew from experience it was a slippery slope to venture down, as his longer than normal showers this week could testify to.

However, now that his feelings had been realised and acknowledged he didn't know what to do. He wasn't sure if Charles felt the same way about him and he didn't think he could take the rejection if he confessed to the other man and was turned down. Not to mention the fall out from such a venture. No thank you, he would rather spend the rest of his life pining then have to cope with that.

He rolled over restlessly on his cot. He supposed he could talk to Beej, try to get some advice. Afterall the man had got Peg to marry him; he must know what he's doing, if even a little. Hawkeye also had a feeling that BJ wasn't as blind to his developing feelings as he liked to pretend, if all the knowing looks he kept throwing Hawkeye's way were anything to go by. Sure, he'd have to put up with all the teasing, but he could do it if it meant he stood a chance with Charles.

Mind made up, he rolled over again and got comfortable, feeling more settled now that he had some kind of plan in place.

Hawkeye woke up early the next morning and crept across the Swamp to gently shake BJ's shoulder. Now that he had some kind of a plan, he was keen to get moving on it.

BJ let out a groan of protest as he was shaken awake.

"What is it, Hawk?" BJ asked, eyes still closed and voice rough from sleep.

"Need to talk to you, can you get up?"

"I can, however, I just don't want to." BJ responded.

Hawkeye let out a little groan of his own.

"Come on BJ, please. It's important, I need your help with something" Hawkeye wheedled.

BJ blinked his eyes open, perhaps noticing the seriousness of Hawkeyes voice.

"OK…OK I'm up" BJ said as he sat up and rubbed his eyes tiredly.

He obediently followed Hawk out of the tent, even if inside he was cursing the other man to hell. He knew Hawkeye wouldn't ask for his help unless it was something serious. He wondered if they had had more wounded come in during the night or if Hawk just need his opinion on a patient. He was therefore surprised when he was led to the supply tent, where he was promptly pulled inside, and the door locked firmly behind him.

BJ raised his eyebrows in question at Hawkeye and was surprised to find the other man shifting nervously. BJ's interest was piqued.

"I need your help" Hawkeye muttered.

"Yes, you've said that already" BJ said bemusedly. He didn't think he had ever seen Hawkeye so flustered.

"I- I like someone but I'm not sure what to do about it" Hawkeye said, carefully not meeting BJ's eyes.

A smile started to spread across BJ's face as understanding lit his eyes.

"This wouldn't have anything to do with a particular surgeon who recently nursed you back to health, and who gifted you that robe you now where everywhere?"

Hawkeye looked down and realised that he was in fact wearing his new robe, he clutched it tighter to himself.

"Maybe."

BJ let out a chuckle.

"I figured it was something like that. So, what's the problem? Just charm him like you do all the nurses you want to sleep with, even if he isn't interested, I doubt he would hold it against you."

Hawkeye grimaced.

"See that's the thing" he began as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I don't want to charm him. I mean, I do! I just don't only want to charm him." Hawkeye took a deep breath, like he was about to admit his biggest sin. "I think I actually like Charles, possibly even L-O-V-E him."

BJ stood frozen in shock for a moment before letting out a crow of laughter.

"Oh, Hawkeye, look at you growing up and developing real feelings for someone" BJ laughed as he ruffled Hawkeyes hair.

"Ha ha. Laugh it up."

"This is great news" BJ said sincerely. "I did think something was going on."

Hawkeye nodded, "I figured you had an idea, that's why I came to you."

"So, what exactly do you want from me, Hawk?"

Hawkeye looked unsure. "I guess, just some advice on what to do? I'm not sure how he feels about me and I wouldn't want to risk everything by telling him and have him be disgusted with me or something."

BJ paused at that; he knew Hawkeye had some deep seeded insecurities, but he had never seen him be so vulnerable before.

"Hey" BJ said gently. "No matter what happens, Charles will not be disgusted by you. In case you missed it in the way he doted on you when you were sick, Charles cares about you, a lot."

Hawkeye nodded; logically he knew Charles cared about him, unfortunately he was rarely logical.

"Maybe you should try spending a bit more time with him, one on one. I can try to clear out of the Swamp a bit more, give you some privacy." BJ hummed thoughtfully. "Perhaps even some gentle touches, just to see if he's receptive?"

Hawkeye nodded seriously, he looked like he was a few seconds away from pulling out a notebook and starting to take notes.

"Just be yourself, I'm sure Charles will L-O-V-E you."

Hawkeye made a derisive noise but didn't openly object.

"Now, lets go get some breakfast!" BJ said as he threw his arm around Hawk's shoulder and guided him out of the supply tent and over to get some food.

They didn't notice as they walked away, another person swiftly exit the supply tent behind them.

Now it was Radars turn to feel conflicted. He hadn't meant to overhear Hawkeye and BJ's conversation, but he hadn't felt like he could interrupt to let them know he was there once they had started talking. So, he had found out something he was never supposed to know. Hawkeye was in love with Charles. The mere thought of it was mind boggling. The question was, what should he do with this information?

Hawkeye decided to start working on his plan that very same day. Granted it wasn't much of a plan, but it was all he had so he was going to run with it. He started by wearing his new robe to breakfast, it was subtle, but he wanted to show Charles how much he appreciated the gift. Unfortunately, that backfired because Charles wasn't at breakfast when he walked in. He sighed, getting his own breakfast and collapsing in a heap next to Klinger, ignoring the conversation around him as he ate. Because of this, it was halfway through the meal, and a jab in the ribs from BJ before he noticed that there had been an addition to their table.

Hawkeye couldn't help the grin that spread across his face as he spotted Charles sitting a little down the table talking to Margaret. Charles looked at him, giving him a small smile before returning to his conversation. That was all it took, and Hawkeye was grinning like a loon. Joining in the Colonel's and Klingers conversation with a laugh. He watched Charles out of the corner of his eye before he realised what he was doing and turned his attention back to his meal.

He was surprised when later that day he found himself on post op with Charles. There was only usually one Dr on at a time and that was only if it was busy, very rarely were there two.

"Fancy seeing you here" Hawkeye said with a grin.

Charles smiled back. "You are indeed fortunate. Radar asked me to go through the inventory of supplies in post-op this afternoon, so here I am."

Hawkeye grinned at his luck.

"Well, lucky me" he teased.

Hawkeye started making his round on the few patients that were in post op, as Charles started inventorying all the supplies. Hawkeye looked over as heard an annoyed huff.

"This place is an absolute shamble; it will take me days to get a proper inventory of supplies."

"Well, I'm on post op the next few afternoons if you'd like some company?" Hawkeye offered, then seeming to realise what he'd done he quickly turned back to his patient, trying to hide the blush that was staining his cheeks.

Charles looked perplexed for a moment, his eyes running over Hawkeyes hunched form.

"Some company would be appreciated" Charles said softly, causing Hawkeye to smile.

"So, tell me, what is the great Charles Winchester the thirds favourite food?" Hawkeye asked, deciding there was no time like the present to start getting to know the other man better.

Charles smiled, making another note before answering with shepherd's pie.

Hawkeye rolled his eyes fondly as Charles expounded the virtues of a good shepherd's pie.

"The mash has to be just right, and you need both peas and carrots!"

As they parted ways at the end of the shift, Hawkeye heading for food while Charles went back to the swamp, he couldn't help but feel that had gone really well.

Minimal casualties came in the next few days, so Hawkeye and Charles were able to keep their post op dates and Hawk used this opportunity to start introducing small touches. Clasping his shoulder, brushing against the other man as they passed, he even started sitting close enough that their legs would sometimes touch while they were eating meals. Charles didn't initiate the touches, but he also didn't move away from Hawk when he did them, so he counted that as a win.

Even when Charles had finished inventorying post-op they found themselves more often than not on the same shift, even if two Drs weren't strictly needed. They also found that their time off was falling at the same time, so the men were spending more time together then they ever had before. Rather then diminish his feelings for Charles, they just served to increase them.

Most evenings were spent pretending to read while watching Charles as he listened to a record and sipped his wine. Hawkeye could nearly pretend they were a couple, relaxing in their own home after a long day at work. It was so domestic, and he loved it.

Perhaps a little less when they both found themselves rostered on for night shifts, that clearly didn't need two people on.

"It's not that I don't enjoy spending time with you Pierce, but just what the bloody hell is going on? Two people on this shift is completely unnecessary, one of us should be asleep in his cot right now" Charles grumbled angrily.

Hawkeye just shrugged his shoulders helplessly, "I'm not any happier about this than you are" lies, even when he was cranky Hawkeye loved spending time with the other man, though, he could agree two people was completely unnecessary.

There was little for them to do and Hawkeye paced nervously, trying to keep himself awake.

"Come here Pierce" Charles grumbled patting the spot next to where he was seated on a cot reading a new/old medical journal.

Hawkeye hesitated for a moment before making his way over and sitting beside the other man. He didn't touch, but he sat close enough that he could feel the heat coming off him and that was enough. They spent the rest of the night, what wasn't spent taking care of the wounded, quizzing each other quietly about new medical procedures. Hawkeye couldn't wipe the ridiculous grin off his face. They wandered into breakfast together and that's pretty much when everything went to shit.

The mess tent was pretty quiet when they made their way in, Hawkeye went to get his food and then returned with a cup of coffee for both of them.

Charles was barely awake, but he took the cup gratefully into his hands.

"Thank you, Pierce."

He quickly flicked his eyes back to his plate, ignoring the knowing smirk on BJ's face as he ate his own breakfast. He felt Charles shift beside him and looked down to find a large thigh pressed firmly against his own. Charles was still drinking his coffee with his eyes closed, but Hawkeye noticed the soft blush that stained his cheeks.

About halfway through the meal Radar wandered in and was quickly accosted by Charles.

"Radar!" Charles shouted, causing the younger man to jump in surprise. "Just what the bloody hell is up with the roster lately? You have two Drs on when there clearly only needs to be one."

Radar spluttered going bright red as his eyes darted quickly to Hawkeye then back again to Charles.

"I-I um…"

"You what?" Charles snapped impatiently; the man did not function well on no sleep.

"I was just trying to help!" Radar yelped.

"Help how? By making Pierce and I so tired we can't even function?"

"I h-heard Captain Pierce and Hunnicutt's conversation in the supply tent last week and I just wanted to help!"

Charles eyes narrowed and swung around to look at Hawkeye. While Hawkeye felt like he might throw up, his face paled and he clutched the side of the table where he had stood when Charles had started this conversation.

Charles eyes swung between, Radar, BJ and Hawkeye. "What conversation?" he asked tensely.

"It was nothing" Hawkeye, tried to sound unconcerned but the nervous tremble of his hands gave him away.

"It doesn't seem like nothing" Charles said tersely, Radar twitched nervously. Charles sensing weakness turned his attention to him.

"Radar, what did you hear?"

"Don't tell him, Radar" Hawk practically begged.

"Tell me now, Radar" Charles narrowed his eyes angrily.

Hawkeye had been on the receiving end of one of Charles glares so he couldn't really blame the kid for what happened next.

"Hawkeyes in love with you!" Radar cried helplessly. "They were talking about ways he could win you over."

The whole tent fell silent, and Charles' eyes widened in surprise; he had thought there was something developing between the two of them but had been too unsure to approach the other man.

He swung around to look at Hawkeye, to find him flushing a dark red, his face was twisted up and before anyone could say anything else he had hurried out of the mess tent.

Charles paused for a moment before he was off after him. He pushed his way out of the tent but couldn't see Hawkeye anywhere, that man was quick when he wanted to be. He headed for the most obvious location, the Swamp. He wasn't overly surprised to find it empty. He decided that rather then run all over the compound looking for Hawkeye, he would just sit and wait. They had been up all night; he was willing to wager that the other Dr would come searching for his bed sooner or later.

Charles changed into his pyjamas and robe as he waited, he could feel sleep pulling at him as he tried to keep his eyes open and wait for Hawkeyes return. His eyes jerked open as the door banged shut and he jumped to his feet as he found himself face to face with a startled Benjamin Franklin Pierce.

The other man seemed to deflate slightly at the sight of Charles.

"Thought you'd be asleep," he mumbled.

Charles took a step closer, his heart pounding in his chest. Now that Hawkeye was in front of him, he was unsure how to proceed. Unsure how to explain the depths of his own feelings for the dark-haired man. How his thoughts were consumed by him, how his heart raced every time they touched.

"I was waiting for you, I-I thought you may want to join me?"

Hawkeyes eyes nearly bugged out of his head at the announcement, "what!?" he choked out.

It was Charles' turn to flush and Hawkeye couldn't help but find the sight of the usually composed man all flustered, to be endearing.

"I thought, maybe, you might like to join me?" Charles repeated, though this time he looked more unsure.

Hawkeye felt his whole-body tingle at the thought.

"Yeah" he said breathlessly. "Yeah, OK."

Charles went and climbed into his cot, averting his eyes as Hawkeye changed. He knew it was going to be a tight fit, but the thought of having the other man safely wrapped in his arms would make it all worthwhile.

Hawkeye shuffled over, looking nervous as Charles ran his eyes over him, drinking in the tall lean lines.

"It might be a tight fit" Charles explained awkwardly as he patted the space on the cot beside him.

"I don't mind" Hawkeye said as he slowly lowered himself beside Charles, twisting until he lay with his head against Charles' chest, their legs intwined.

"Is this, OK?" Hawkeye asked.

"More than" Charles said, as he wrapped his arms around Hawkeyes' lithe figure.

Charles was so tired, he felt sleep pulling at him the minute he closed his eyes. He pulled Hawkeye in closer, bending slightly to whisper in his ear.

"I love you too." Before placing a soft kiss on the delicate skin below his ear.

He felt Hawkeye freeze for a moment, before relaxing and if possible, burrowing himself in even closer in Charles' embrace.