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The door to Tank's apartment slammed open. Tank's arm was thrown around Sam's neck as he supported them. They had gained yet another injury, this time on their upper left leg. A nasty, deep gash had been cut into the flesh of their thigh, and was bleeding profusely.
"Fuckfuckfuck! We almost had him!" Tank roared. Not from pain. From rage.
They had managed to actually get a solid lead on Quinn, and came up with a plan to confront him. It should have gone smoothly. Key words: should have. But of course the bastard was a step ahead of them. Always one step ahead, and it infuriated Tank.
Sam helps them limp over to the couch. A scream ripped from Tank's throat when they put pressure on their leg. It pained Sam to see them in so much mental and physical anguish. Yes, he could help with the physical healing, but the mental side was a completely different beast.
"I'm gonna start healin' your leg, alright Darlin'?"
They ignore his statement, the fight with Quinn replaying over and over in their mind. The fucker enjoyed toying with them. Got a sick thrill from seeing them so . . . so . . .
"Darlin'!" Sam's voice had cut into their thoughts.
"What!?" they harshly snapped.
"I need to heal your leg, before you bleed out on your couch, again." His bedside demeanor had gone out the window.
"I don't need your help," they growled.
Sam let out a bitter laugh. "You don't need my help? Bold of you to say, considerin' the amount of blood you're losin'." He places a hand on their thigh, and pushes a pulse of healing magic into it. Another scream escapes Tank's throat as their wound begins to close.
"I was doing just fine before you came along into my life, and I'll be just fine once you're out of it."
The words stung Sam's heart as badly as his healing magic stung Tank's leg. He pushes another pulse of healing into them before responding.
"Why are you being so goddamn stubborn? I'm just tryin’ to help!" Sam's voice was raised. He considered himself a patient man, but he was at the end of his rope with Tank and their hard head.
"Well stop trying, because I don't need it!"
"If you don't need help, why have I been the one to patch you up whenever you get into trouble?" To emphasize his point, he pulses another healing wave into them.
"I don't know! You're the one that seems to care so fucking much!" Tank was yelling now.
"I care because I love you, damn it!" Sam yells back, looking directly into Tank's eyes. The words spill out of Sam's mouth before he could even think about holding them back.
Tank was immediately silenced, their eyes growing wide. They looked like a deer in the headlights. Sam finally realized what he had just confessed. At that moment, he wished he could take it back. Not because it wasn't the truth, but because it wasn't the right time. Their fight with Quinn was far from over, and they both knew it. Adding unsaid feelings would just complicate things even more.
A wave of exhaustion washed over Sam. He hadn't realized how hard he was pushing himself during their argument. Looking at their leg, the cut was mostly healed, except for a scar.
"It's gettin' early,” Sam murmured. "I best be goin'."
As Sam stands to leave, a warm hand catches his wrist. He was surprised by the action, and turned to look at Tank. Tears were welled up in their eyes, threatening to spill over.
"Sam I . . ." Their voice cracks as they let out a sniffle. "I'm sorry," they say, tears starting to fall.
"Oh Darlin'," Sam says, pulling Tank up to stand. He engulfs them in a hug, letting them just cry it out. "It’s okay. I know you didn't mean it," he assures, gently stroking their hair.
"I didn't, I didn't mean it." Tank's voice was muffled from their face being buried in Sam's chest. "I do need you, my life is better with you in it. I . . ." They give Sam a tight squeeze. "I love you too."
Hearing those words brought a true smile to Sam’s face. “Feel better now?”
He feels Tank nod as they finally look up at him. Their eyes were red and puffy from crying, but they conveyed every feeling that they were still holding on to. Sam places a soft kiss on their forehead.
“Hey Sam?”
“Yeah Darlin’?”
“Think we’re gonna be okay?”
He gives them a soft smile. “I think we’re gonna be just fine.”