Work Text:
Pete yawned and slowly shifted on the bed when he felt something moving and for a few moments he laid like that. He didn’t feel like opening his eyes, he felt exhausted – he still hadn’t been able to completely recover, but a little smile spread across his face when he felt the familiar warmth gently grazing against his cheek and he lazily looked up and smiled when he saw Vegas looking down at him, his eyes carefully watching him and Pete pressed his lips together.
Pete didn’t remember falling asleep. He was supposed to be watching over Vegas, but he figured that at some point the tiredness got to him and he felt a wider smile tugging at the corners of his lips when Vegas continued staring down at him in complete silence. Pete glanced down and slowly reached out with his hand, placing it on top of Vegas’. Vegas gasped softly, but turned his hand around and took Pete’s hand into his own one.
Pete still felt a bit groggy, so it took him a little while to realise that it was only the two of them inside of the hospital room and he slowly sat up, glancing over to the window. The sun was already starting to set and Pete knitted his eyebrows together - how long was he out for? Pete glanced back at Vegas, who slowly shifted back on the back, but didn’t say anything. His eyes were still only observing, watching him… as if he was trying to make sure that Pete truly was there with him. It was as if Vegas was scared that he’d disappear and Pete forced himself to say something.
“How long was I sleeping?” asked Pete, his voice low and raspy. Pete cleared his throat and saw Vegas looking over to the clock, smiling softly when he glanced towards Pete again.
“A few hours,” said Vegas, his eyes again glued onto Pete, who slowly sat up properly and massaged his aching neck. The position that he happened to fall asleep in wasn’t ideal and he sighed, narrowing his eyes as Vegas was sitting there in silence, again still watching him and Pete cleared his throat again.
“Where’s Macau?” asked Pete curiously.
“He got bored being stuck in here with me,” mumbled Vegas and Pete knitted his eyebrows together. “He left about half an hour ago. He should be back soon; he said that he’d go on a walk and he promised to bring us dinner,” said Vegas and Pete slowly smiled and gave him a little nod, slowly shifting closer to Vegas, his eyes travelling to the bandages and Pete felt his heart twisting in pain.
But Vegas was going to be just fine. He’d recover just fine.
“Should I get you something?” asked Pete, his eyes travelling to the glass of water that Vegas kept by his bed. It was empty now. “Thirsty? I’ll go get you more water and-” started Pete, but never got to finish his sentence. Just as he was about to stand up, he felt fingers curling around his wrist, a hand preventing him from standing up and he turned around. “Vegas?”
“I don’t need water,” said Vegas and Pete huffed.
“Vegas-”
“Stay,” said Vegas, his voice again sounding so broken that it made Pete completely unable to leave. Even if it was only to get Vegas some water. But, he knew that Vegas’ plea was much more than that. Vegas had been cruel to him, he’d done horrible things and yet… Pete was unable to bring himself to hate the man. He was unable to leave him alone and even though he made sure to let Vegas know that a few times so far, Vegas was still not completely comprehending that. So, Vegas asking him to stay was-
Vegas felt broken, he’d lost everything… yet he gained everything. Knowing that Pete wasn’t leaving was a strange concept to him. Everything that he loved had left him, walked out of his life. But, Pete was staying. That was what made him almost afraid to hope for a better future. But…
“I’m staying,” said Pete, Vegas’ eyes slowly travelling up to him. His gaze was unsteady, eyes glazed over with tears and Pete leaned closer, his hand going to cup Vegas’ face, holding him by his chin gently as he leaned closer to him. “I’m staying, Vegas,” whispered Pete yet again. The chains that Vegas put around his heart weren’t allowing him to leave.
Vegas’ eyes slowly fell closed, tears rolling down his cheeks and he didn’t do anything to stop them. Pete had been the only one who had seen him break like that. The only one that Vegas couldn’t keep up the facade he was expected to wear. A soft sob escaped past Vegas’ lip when he felt Pete pressing his lips against his forehead and his eyes slowly fluttered open.
Vegas couldn’t understand how Pete could still care for him after everything and yet, there they were. “I’m staying,” said Pete again because he knew that Vegas needed to hear it. Over and over again. Vegas’ eyes were looking up at him, red and full of tears again. Life hadn’t been kind to either of them, but two broken hearts managed to find each other and things felt just a little bit easier. “Vegas,” said Pete and Vegas glanced at him again.
“Why?” asked Vegas again. He didn’t deserve this, he didn’t-
“I told you-”
“You follow your heart, yes,” said Vegas, laughing in between the sniffles and he shook his head.
“Starting over,” said Pete and Vegas looked at him again, his smile slowly disappearing and a look of seriousness replaced his broken laughter. “Didn’t you say that?” he asked and Vegas pressed his lips together, trying to prevent his lower lip from shaking. It sounded too simple. “Just you and me?” he asked and felt his voice shaking a bit as well. “Mn?”
Pete’s hand slowly travelled to the back of his neck and gently pulled him closer. Vegas liked the sound of that. Only the two of them. No main, no minor family. Only the two of them. Starting over. Vegas slowly nodded and Pete smiled, tears still present in his eyes as he leaned closer and pressed his forehead up against Vegas’, who was now shuddering against him.
“Only the two of us,” repeated Vegas and Pete nodded, hugging his face and he allowed Vegas to pull him in for a kiss. Pete smiled into their kiss, gasping softly. Vegas was holding him as if he was made out glass, gently pulling him in for another kiss and Pete tipped his head to the side as he allowed Vegas to deepen their kiss just a little bit.
“Yes,” said Pete as a smile tugged on his lips when they parted, but not for too long and he shuddered when he felt Vegas’ hand going behind his back, pulling him down in for another kiss. Pete obeyed, allowing Vegas to take control of their kiss, gently placing his hand against Vegas’ cheek, feeling his own cheeks heating up when he felt Vegas deepening their kiss again, slowly licking himself inside of his mouth and Pete did nothing to stop him.
Vegas’ heart was pounding against his chest as he held onto Pete, trying to make sure that this was reality. His reality. That he was really allowed to be happy for once in his life. Vegas slowly moved his hand lower, placing it over Pete’s chest and he chuckled when he felt how hard the other’s heart was pounding.
“Pete,” said Vegas softly and Pete slowly opened his eyes, his eyes flickering down onto Vegas’ face and he slowly nodded. Vegas’ thumb was now gently caressing his cheek and Pete nuzzled into the touch. “I love-” he started, but he didn’t finish his sentence as Pete leaned closer and kissed him again, crushing their lips in a desperate kiss.
It was easy to smile through the pain, it was easy to wear his heart on his sleeve, but it was hard for Pete to- “Me too,” mumbled Pete against Vegas’ lips, Vegas’ lips again chasing after Pete’s and the other one submitted immediately, allowing Vegas to kiss him again. Pete was careful, Vegas was still in recovery and he gasped softly, pulling back as he kissed Vegas one final time and he felt warmth fluttering from within. Pete placed his hand over his chest and smiled brightly, looking down immediately.
Vegas’ eyes were on him again and he reached up with his hand, gently holding Pete’s cheek. Vegas loved Pete’s smile, always shining so brightly, melting the walls that he had around his heart away. Vegas’ chest felt so full, to the point of bursting and he bit into his lower lip.
Starting all over again.
Just them.
A knock was heard against the door and Pete lifted his gaze, looking over at Vegas, who smiled.
“Macau must be back,” said Vegas and knitted his eyebrows together when he saw the door opening only slightly. Macau took a peek inside of the room and Vegas rolled his eyes. “Macau, what are you doing?” asked Vegas and Macau started cracking up as he slowly opened the door and stepped into the room.
“Making sure I’m not interrupting something again,” said Macau and Pete felt his cheeks heating up again immediately. He looked over to Vegas, who smiled and shook his head, signing his younger brother to come closer.
Macau closed the door and stepped into the room. Just as he promised, he was back with dinner for the three of them. Only the three of them. Vegas glanced at Macau now poking fun at embarrassed Pete and a fond smile spread across his lips.
A future like that… wasn’t bad.
It wasn’t bad at all.