The Two Kings - Zack x Hodgins one-shots

the blue blanket

- Hodgins, can I stay at your place tonight? I have nowhere else to go - it was the first thing Zack said after leaving the psych ward for his weekend pass.

- Are you kidding me? Of course! Here, let me take this for you - Hodgins answered, taking his friend's bag. They walked over to Jack's car and got in, then drove away as fast as possible. For obvious reasons neither of them liked this place.

- You wanna visit the lab now? It's not that late, the rest might still be there - Hodgins asked, looking at his wristwatch. It was almost 6 pm.

Zack shook his head.
- I'm afraid I wouldn't be much fun to be around, the doctors insist on giving me meds that make me sleep much more than usual.

- What's your usual?

- Four hours.

Hodgins glared at him slightly worried. As a scientist working with doctor Brennan he didn't often get as much sleep as he'd like to, but four hours? That definitely didn't sound healthy.
- Why so little? Is there something wrong?

Zack mumbled something about it being nothing important, looking out the window.

- Okay, so we'll go straight to my place, you'll get some rest, maybe eat something and you'll meet the others tomorrow. How's that sound?

- Good, thank you - Zack answered, focusing on the buildings they were passing.
After a while, they reached the Hodgins family's estate and crossed the ornamented gate, following the long driveway. Zack looked at Jack confused when they passed the garages.

- You missed my stop, you'll have to turn back.

- Yeah, very funny - Hodgins answered, grinning slightly. - You haven't left the loony bin for weeks now, I'm not letting you stay above the garage. Besides, the FBI guys swept the place clean, no one really wants to go up there.

Zack frowned, processing the situation.

- Oh, don't look at me like that - Hodgins smiled, stopping the car. - You're my friend, I can no longer treat you like a freaky grad student.

- Doctor. I have a PhD - Zack corrected him, getting out of the vehicle.

- Yes, I remember. Come on, let's order some food. Thai? Chinese? - Hodgins suggested, leading Zack to a fairly big mansion.

- Anything will be fine.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After the meal Hodgins guided Zack to the guest room and made the bed for him.

- Great! Now get some sleep, we're gonna have so much fun tomorrow. Everybody will be so happy to see you! - he said, heading for his bedroom.
- If you need me, I'll be...

- Wait.

Hodgins turned around.
- Yes?

- I haven't seen you in a while and I don't feel comfortable staying in this room by myself - Zack said shyly, looking at his feet. - Could you... Stay here with me?

Hodgins looked at him for a moment, then gave him a warm smile.
- You missed me, admit it! No problem, I'll sleep on the floor. Let me go get a pillow and some blankets.

- Thanks, I appreciate it.

A few minutes later Hodgins was back, and a cozy sleeping place on the floor was ready.
- There. You happy now? - Jack asked, lying next to Zack's bed, covered with a fluffy, navy blue blanket.
- Just don't step on me when you wake up!

He heard a small giggle from Zack.

- Thank you, Hodgins. I won't.

- Nighty, Zacko! - said Jack, turning off a small lamp on the nightstand.