Cry, Take Two

He couldn’t stand it anymore. There was no love in their relationship. Maybe there was once, but it was gone. Grif could remember when he would fall asleep in his lover’s bed after a long night to waking up in comforting arms. Now he found himself pushed out the door into the dark hallway, staring at Tucker’s door, confused and hurt.

What had he done wrong? He had bitten back smart-ass comments, had practically stopped drinking. He even remembered his birthday for three years.

Grif turned from Tucker’s door, making his way down the hallway. He didn’t hear the man moving about in the kitchen until they were standing face-to-face.

“Can’t sleep?” Church asked in surprise.

The orange private didn’t answer, but the tears in his eyes told Church everything. The blue walked away from the open cupboard and pulled out a chair.

“Have a seat.”

Grif was too miserable to consider saying no. He dropped into the hard wooden chair, wincing. He blinked in surprise as a package slid across the table towards him.

Church muttered. “Go ahead. None of us like them all that much anyway.”

The package of Oreos was untouched. Grif took it into his lap, tearing it open. Church completely ignored him as he reached into the cupboard for something to eat.

“Do you like pancakes?”

Grif looked up in surprise. “Um, yeah.”

The red expected a box of mix to be pulled out and made, but Church surprised him by picking out every ingredient.

“Do you wanna help?”

“I can’t cook.”

“C’mere. I’ll show you.”

Church motioned for Grif to stand beside him. “Open up that drawer. The middle one.”

Grif did so, and Grif continued. “Pull out… hm. Half cup and third cup. “

“Which ones are…?”

“The ones that say half and third.” Church pointed to said cups.

“Oh. Yeah.”

They worked mostly in silence, Grif putting ingredients away as Church was done with them. Church glanced over to see Grif watching him intently. The blue did each step deliberately so that he could see.

It took Church longer than usual. Finally he placed the first pancake on a plate and handed it to Grif.

“Syrup’s in the cupboard.”

Grif found it and sat at the table. Church dropped a fork beside his plate.

“Do you always make pancakes at midnight?” Grif asked.

Church glanced at him. “No.”

The blue looked back to the pan. Grif finished his pancake and stood beside Church, feeling incredibly awkward as he did so.

“I can go if-“

“You can stay. I’m not being bothered.”

Church turned from the other soldier. He took Grif’s plate from the counter, dropping a pancake onto it before handing it back to Grif, who sat back down at the table.

They heard a door open and footsteps go through the hallway, past the kitchen, and to the bathroom. Grif glanced up as Tucker passed.

“I’m surprised he didn’t look for you.” Church mumbled.

A lump formed in Grif’s throat. “He knows I’m not sleeping in there.”

Church looked at him. “Hey, you okay?”

“I…” Grif blinked. “I’m fine.”

“I thought you left.”

They looked up at the accusing voice. Tucker stood in the doorway, hair slightly sleep rumpled. He stared at Grif, who avoided his gaze and instead stared at the table.

“Tucker?” Church asked in confusion.

“Get out, Church. I need to talk to Grif. Alone.”

Church crossed his arms and leaned against the counter. “What the hell is going on here?”

Grif muttered. “It’s nothing.”

“Is that what we are? Nothing?” Tucker growled.

“You told me to leave!”

“You wanted to!”

“Is that so.” Grif’s voice was flat.

“Yeah! It is!”

“ENOUGH!”

Church angrily threw his measuring cup at Tucker. It impacted his face, a loud “That hurt!” passing his lips.

“What the fuck?” Church glared.

Grif said nothing until Tucker left. “He kicked me out.” He swallowed. “All there is to it.”

“But I thought-“

“Yeah, well, so did I!” Grif yelled at him.

Church knelt beside him. “Hey, calm down.”

“I don’t wanna go back to my base.” Grif mumbled.

Grif barely realized he was crying. Church wiped away salty tears with his thumb, other hand resting on Grif’s knee.

“It’ll be okay.” Church whispered. “You don’t wanna be alone, right?”

Grif nodded. Church walked from the kitchen into the living room. Grif followed to see Church swearing at the couch.

Grif had never in his life seen so much glitter. Church stared in horror at the mess before stomping down the hallway. Grif followed as he didn’t know what else to do.

“Damn rookies. That’s the last time they ever have an unsupervised sleepover.” Church waited until Grif was in his room before slamming the door shut.

The re soldier looked around the bare room. Church made a short groaning noise as he threw dirty clothes to the floor.

“Damn Caboose.” Church cursed again

Grif looked curiously at him. Church ignored him and pulled back the covers. Church glanced at Grif before crawling in.

“Um… Church?”

“Lay down if you want to stay. If you’d rather go back to your base, I’ll understand.” Church told him.

Grif hesitated. It didn’t feel so odd, being in Church’s room. He glanced back at the door before laying down beside him. He couldn’t see it, but the blue was smiling.