(Untitled)

[out_of_realm]

On the couch in the common room, Tom was sprawled out in sweatpants and a wife beater, blankets pooled around his hips and an old buddy cop movie flickering on the projector screen. He wasn't used to this, being so god awful sick. Once in the last five years, maybe, and that had been when the flu had hit him in the middle of snow storm out in the

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[little_moons]

It's been going on a week now, and no matter how much he tries to shrug it off, I know he's gotta feel like total shit. Can't fuckin' believe it. A goddamn winter cold in the middle of a fuckin' tropical island. Former tropical island. It'd be sorta funny if I wasn't worried for the guy. No matter how much I don't wanna be, I can't really help it.

Giving the other guy a glance, I sit down on the tiny bit of empty couch in front of Tom's hips, lifting a corner of the pillow and peeking up under it. "Hey there, sunshine."

[out_of_realm]

"Hey there, nurse McCormick," Tom said, managing a grin in spite of himself. He let his hand fall on Neil's side, just brushing.

"How's it going?"

[little_moons]

"Nurse McCormick? Don't I need a little uniform for that?" I say, reaching up to lay a hand on his cheek, and damn right I'm checking for fever. Warm, sure, but he's been worse.

"I'm okay. What the hell are you watchin'?"

[out_of_realm]

Tom skin was warm and sticky to the touch, but Neil's finger felt amazing smooth and cool.

"I dunno about that," Tom said, grinning a little. "Maybe back at your place. You walk around in white fishnets here, people might get the wrong idea."

"I have no idea," he admitted, wriggling around on the couch to make more room. "There's lots of explosions and bad language. But it was either this or the Playboys the shelf gave me, and this is less effort."

[little_moons]

"Like they don't already got the wrong fuckin' idea," I laugh, pushing sweaty clumps of hair off his forehead and wincing at all the congestion in his voice.

"So, is that it's way of tellin' us you miss boobs and gunfire?"

[out_of_realm]

"I haven't thought about boobs and gunfire in months and you know it," Tom said, grinning to himself. "Honestly, I was kind of hoping to find a few Playgirls in there, see what all the fuss is about." He squeezed Neil's forearm gently. "You don't have to stick around, you know. I'm doing okay like this."

[little_moons]

"Shut up, I just got here," I say, tugging at the strap to his undershirt and arching a brow, "Do I even wanna know why that guy over there's wearing your shirt?"

[out_of_realm]

"Because he cheats at cards," Tom said immediately, snaking a look at the other man. "Whatever. I also ended up getting Mike to walk his dogs for a week by accident."

He crossed his arms over his chest, adding plaintively, "I was bored."

[little_moons]

Laughing, I say, "So, that obviously means you need me to stick around here and keep you outta trouble."

[out_of_realm]

"If you're willing to put up with me," Tom murmured, grinning up at him. "And you can't complain if I get you sick."

Yawning, he made more room for him on the sofa. "This movie's almost through," he said, nudging Neil with his foot. "You wanna do the honors and snag the next one?"

[little_moons]

"You been sleepin' in my hut, man," I point out with a snort, "Snottin' all over my bed sheets. If I don't got it yet, I think I'm probably immune."

Hand resting on his leg, my thumb brushes over the sharp bones of his ankle and his skin practically burns my palm. "Came in here to see if you wanted somethin' to eat. You know you're not gonna get another opportunity for me to wait on you like this, you better fuckin' take advantage."

[out_of_realm]

"I'm okay," Tom assured him, "Marion came by and force fed me some soup before."

"You can rub my feet and feed me grapes if you want to feel taken advantage of," Tom offered magnanimously, giving Neil a sleepy grin.

[little_moons]

"I think I'll pass," I smirk, sliding my hand up a little higher on his calf, the moment completely innocent. Mostly. "'Least not while we're in public... and you're still all contagious."

Looking toward the shelves, I say, "So, whatcha in the mood for?"

[out_of_realm]

"Something dumb and easy," Tom suggested. "My heads too thick to follow any complex plot, let alone anything else."

"It's your pick. Nothing that says Harsh Realm, not today."

[little_moons]

"You know that's all we're gonna get now," I point out, pushing to my feet and wandering over to the bookcase. Mixed in with the horror movies and old westerns, copies of Veronica Mars and yeah, a few things labeled Harsh Realm, there's Die Hard and Mad Max and Point Break.

"Bruce Willis, Mel Gibson, or Patrick Swayze surfing?" I ask, smirking at him over my shoulder.

[out_of_realm]

"Ugh, what the hell," Tom sighed, stretching out on the couch. "Mel Gibson. Hook it up."

"Which one is it?"