[CLOSED] and aim for my heart.

[deacon reid rudman]

Deacon got out of his car, just coming home from work. He ran a hand through his no-longer-styled hair and put his key into the door, opening it as he unlocked it. He tossed his keys on the table, then slipped out of his bloody lab coat. He hung it on the coat rack, remembering he needed to wash it. He looked down at his bloody shirts, and gore covered jeans and sighed.

"New jeans, too. Fuckers." He mumbled, about to walk upstairs when he saw something on the couch. He looked over and smiled, seeing Connor asleep there with Bandit on his chest. He walked over, kissing his forehead gently.

'Thought they wouldn't be home this early.' He thought, making his way up the stairs.

[connor crayze sykes]

Connor heard movement, stirring faintly with a groan. He yawned, snuggling into the sofa further, an arm wrapped around Bandit protectively even in his sleep. It was hard to say if they had been there long, Connor's shallow breaths remaining unchanged despite his movement.

He'd had a good day, but his sick body exhausted far too easily, and now he was paying for it.

[deacon reid rudman]

Deacon finished his shower and walked downstairs in a pair of sweatpants. He smiled, loving that Connor was such an amazing parental figure to Bandit. He picked her up gently, hugging her close as he walked upstairs, laying her in her crib. She whined a bit, then turned over, falling back asleep. He walked back downstairs, smiling over at Connor.

"You guys tired her out, huh?"

[connor crayze sykes]

Connor opened his eyes as Bandit was lifted off of him, watching Deacon come back. "Mm..yeah" He mumbled with a faintly crooked smile, wincing as he shifted his weight. He felt bruised, but didn't know why. He hadn't been hit or run into anything.

Gently lifting his shirt, trying to keep it discreet so Deacon wouldn't worry, he grimaced at the dark bruising over his stomach. Brief panic washed over him and he slid the shirt back down.

[deacon reid rudman]

Deacon returned from putting his lab coat on to wash, and sat at Connor's feet. It still felt strange, having him around. "So I talked to the surgeon.." He said, propping his feet up on the table. "And I told him how much you hated hospitals, so he said you have one of two choices. You can let me do all the poking and probing and stuff, and just go for a full body scan, or he can do it for you. And don't even try to put it off saying I shouldn't pay for it because I am and you're going to like it. So it's up to you. But he said he should be able to get you fixed as soon as you're cleared." He leaned back, laying his head on the back of the sofa.

[connor crayze sykes]

Connor bit at his lip. He didn't want someone else touching him...but he didn't want deacon seeing how fucked up he really was, inside and out.
"You can.." He mumbled softly. "H-he won't be able to fix me though Deac-con..maybe certain things...m-maybe temporarily..but i-it doesn't matter...I've tr-ried..."

He swallowed. "I-it's not gonna be different a-and I don't have my hopes up..." a tear rolled down his cheek. "You shouldn't e-either."

[deacon reid rudman]

Deacon crawled over to him, kissing him gently on the lips. He tipped his chin back, looking down into his eyes. "Stop saying that, Connor.. I would give you forever if I could but I can't. This is the next best thing, okay? Maybe you'll at least get to see Bandit go to kindergarten. Because, to be honest, I don't see you watching her ride the bus her first day of school the way you are now.." He bit back tears, not wanting to admit he loved his boy more than he had ever loved anyone.

"You're all I got, Connor.. You're my one shot at love.. I'm not letting that go.. I need you, Bandit needs you, and Christy needs you. And I'm not going to let anyone take you from those little girls, you understand me? No one. Not even God."

[connor crayze sykes]

Connor cried softly, hugging him close, avoiding any contact against his stomach. "I'm s-sorry," He whispered brokenly. The thought of the things he said were scary honestly. He swallowed, jaw trembling as he kissed along Deacon's jaw. "I'll let y-you guys try okay? F-for you, Bandit, Chr-r-risty..but that's i-it...not for myself, n-no one else."

[deacon reid rudman]

Deacon held him close, wrapping his arms around Connor's neck. He kissed the top of his head, then stroked his hair gently.

"I love you.." He whispered, cupping Connor's cheek gently. He pressed his lips gently to the boy's, realizing just how much he had missed him while he was at work. He ran his thumb across his cheek, pulling away slowly. "I really do." He looked down at him, then got off of him, taking his hand gently. "Come on. It looks like Christy wore out my entire house today."

[connor crayze sykes]

Connor met the kiss gently, sighed. "Love y-you too.." He whispered, clearing his throat. He nodded faintly, managed a smile. "sh-she made me swim with her.." he huffed.

Gently he took his hand, getting to his feet, and drew in a sharp breath, ran a hand through his hair. "Where we g-goin'..?" He coughed huskily into an arm, the place quiet without Bandit.