Best-Laid Plans

[notthatcrazy]

It was supposed to be an easy job. At least that's what Hannibal had said, with his usual bravado. All they had to do was tail the guy who'd been stealing corporate intel from their client and report back when they found his base of operations - at least that was the plan, until they'd been spotted and he'd gotten the drop on them before Face could take him out.

So now he's got a possible concussion and a probable - ow, no, make that a definite broken arm and a very worried partner to deal with.

Comments

[notthatcrazy]

"Wasn't quite like that."

His head's pounding, and it's all he can do to stay conscious and focused on his boyfriend.

"Never knew my dad, and my mama died when I was real little. Was just me and gramma and grandpa after that."

[notjustaface]

His fingers grip tighter and Face lets it sit with him a moment before brushing another kiss against Murdock's temple.

"They treat you all right?"

[notthatcrazy]

"Yeah, they did their best."

There's a somewhat wistful look on his face now.

"I wasn't the easiest kid to raise, y'know?"

[notjustaface]

"Oh, come on..." he grins, leaning against him as much as he dares. "I'm sure you were adorable. Probably had a whole unit of jet planes and helicopters out in the yard, right?"

It's a cute mental image, a little mop-headed kid running circles in a flying-ace cap on some well-manicured lawn.

[notthatcrazy]

The thought makes him smile. "Nah, but I wanted to."

He sighs, snuggling against him as best he can.

"Grandpa built me a tire swing in the front yard... used to stay out there for hours. They had to come haul me in at bedtime."

[notjustaface]

And that's enough to draw up a small chuckle.

"Probably so filthy they had to throw you in a tub to hose you down." He grins, lifting his free hand to wipe away a drip of blood on the other side of Murdock's temple.

"Gonna need a long one after this scrape."

[notthatcrazy]

"Yeah, pretty much. I was kinda a wild little kid."

He smiles at the touch, relishing it even though it hurts.

"'Course, then I turned into a teenager and things really started gettin' interesting."

[notjustaface]

He squeezes Murdock's hand tighter before quietly asking; "Tell me about it?"

It's not just to keep him talking, not even to keep Face of the subject of his own childhood, he's genuinely curious.

[notthatcrazy]

"Mmm. Hormones, y'know? They didn't always play nice with the old gray matter."

He still kind of feels bad for what his grandparents had to go through, even though it wasn't really his fault.

[notjustaface]

Hormones? Now that he's an expert on.

"What?" He grins almost shyly; "Like sneaking away to do crazy stuff with girls?"

His brain just functions in a very linear fashion.

[notthatcrazy]

"More like mood swings and hallucinations."

He says it mostly without bitterness. He's come to terms with his issues, for the most part, long ago, but some of the memories are still hard to bear.

"Got so bad I had to leave school... Gram tried to homeschool me, bless her heart."

[notjustaface]

And that sets him awkwardly quiet, because there's nothing he can really say to that.

After a few drawn out moments, he says softly; "Wow... I guess I always kind of thought it was Iraq, you know? That sort of scrambled your brains."

He means it with love, Murdock.

"I... uh... I guess I don't really know a lot about that." Or him. Or anything but living in the moment.

[notthatcrazy]

"Just made it worse. I was always a little off-center."

He knows he means well. Mostly.

"Wasn't all bad, y'know? Gram taught me to cook, and Grandpa was the reason I wanted to join up in the first place."

[notjustaface]

"Was he a pilot too?"

Face visually checks over the broken arm, trying not to dwell on the swelling or how much it must be hurting him.

"I took the exam when I was in high school, placed high enough for Navy intelligence but they said my record wasn't good enough for anything higher than the front lines - I was too much trouble." He chuckles dryly; "If my recruiter could see me now."

[notthatcrazy]

"The best kinda trouble, Faceman."

He's trying for a reassuring smile, but it comes out a little crooked.

"Yeah, Grandpa was an airman from way back. Even when he couldn't fly any more, he still loved it."

[notjustaface]

Best kind? Yeah, he kind of doubts that.

"Must be in your blood," he replies easily, adding; "guess that's why you're the best."

[notthatcrazy]

Well, mostly the best.

"You say the sweetest things."

[notjustaface]

Definitely the best.

"It's nice to mean them."

He doesn't always, part of the gig - but with Murdock he's more than happy to tell it like it is.

[notthatcrazy]

"I know you do."

He whimpers, the lingering pain wearing heavily on him.

"Keep talkin', Temp? Need to stay awake..."

[notjustaface]

"Cavalry will be here before you know it." It's not exactly a lie, he's gonna probably start slipping in and out after a while and time gets a little bet wonky after the first few times.

"Sure... sure. Uh... what about pets? You ever have any pets growing up?"

[notthatcrazy]

"Gram used to raise chickens in the backyard."

He smiles at the memory of chasing the birds around and watching them peck for bugs in the grass.

"Used to cry when they died, 'til she sat me down and explained the connection 'tween the birds and Sunday dinner."

[notjustaface]

He chuckles under his breath, giving Murdock's hand a much tighter squeeze to keep his attention.

"I always kinda pictured you as a dog guy, you know? Rolling around with some playful mutt."

[notthatcrazy]

"Wanted to, but Gram was allergic."

The comforting presence is noted and appreciated.

"What 'bout you? You have pets anywhere you stayed?"

[notjustaface]

It's digging deep, things he shut away on purpose. But for Murdock? Worth digging.

"I started boarding school when I was like twelve, but I remember a couple years before that I stayed with this one couple for a few months that had this really great boxer named Baby." He chuckles, closing his eyes a long moment as he dug out the memory. "One day I took her out for a walk and just didn't feel like going back so I didn't stop until we hit the county line."

[notthatcrazy]

His heart aches for that lonely little kid, but he knows it won't help to say so.

"We should get a pet. Y'know... once we're settled."

It's a nice dream, anyway.