The Gloves are Off

Untitled Part 20

You head home a bit early, needing to run a few errands and get things sorted. As much as you love hanging out with Vik and Misty at the clinic, you still have to prep for this upcoming gig.

Still not much info on it yet, but there's some basic shit you gotta get before almost every gig – the routine stuff, just topping off your supply more than anything. It doesn't take long, but you end up swinging into a food joint and grabbing something real quick, makes for an easy dinner so you and Vik can have more time focused on each other rather than cooking. Just weren't in the mood to be in front of the stove with your still sore side and so much on your mind.

Vik had texted he would be a little late, that he had a last-minute emergency client towards closing, and still needed to run by his own place to grab a few things before heading over, but that he would keep you updated when he left and his ETA.

Still, as the time ticks by you begin to worry a bit. Vik is a respectable guy, well-known, can definitely take care of himself, but that doesn't mean the job isn't still dangerous – especially in this city.

Reaching out to check in on him would be pointless though, you're sure he's still at the clinic – he said he would call when he left, and you know he will.

You sit on the couch and find something to watch, passing the time, popping one of the pills really quick so you don't forget later.

A soft voice and warmth envelopes you, coaxing you lightly from the slumber you unintentionally slipped into.

Vik's arms tighten around you, pulling you against his chest as he carries you to bed, "I got you, doll."

You nuzzle against him, not sure when you had fallen asleep, "thought you were gonna call."

"Did," he gently sets you on the bed, stripping his clothes as you slid beneath the covers before joining you, "you were fast asleep, love, must not have heard your phone."

"Those meds..." you trail off, feeling him pull you close.

"They make you sleepy, darlin'?" He kisses the top of your head as you nod, barely coherent and eyes still closed and he chuckles softly, "go back to sleep, love. I'm right here with you."

You mumble a bit, meaning to say goodnight and tell him that you love him, your brain not quite processing it properly.

His arms tighten around you, heart skipping as he tilts your head up, your eyes barely fluttering open to meet his, "you love me?"

VIK POV:

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I get worried not hearin' from her, knowing she can take care of herself, but still feelin' weird about the phone continuing to ring. I'm sure she's in the shower, or just fell asleep, but I hadn't heard from her since I told her I'd be runnin' a bit late tonight. She'd already made it home, didn't mention leaving again for anything – she's gotta just be asleep or distracted with a loud movie.

Still, it's a relief when I walk in to see her peacefully knocked the fuck out on the couch. She's damn near coma level passed out – not an uncommon side-effect from the medicine, it speeds up the healing process but definitely makes people tired, some more than others.

"Sweetheart," I whisper, leanin' over her and trailing my hand along her cheek lightly, but she doesn't wake up, "love?"

She only barely stirs when I lift her into my arms, "I got you, doll."

"Thought you were gonna call..." she mumbles, still half-asleep and eyes closed, the medicine working its magic but keeping her borderline unconscious.

"Did," I lay her on the bed, grinning to myself in the dim room as I barely make out her figure lazily slipping beneath the blankets as I toss my own clothes to the side for now, just ready to be curled up in the sheets with her, "you were fast asleep, love, must not have heard your phone."

"Those meds..." she trails off mid-sentence, her eyes still closed and I lay beside her and pull her real close, feelin' her warmth against me as she sleepily drapes a leg across, curling up to me and making my heart swell.

"They make you sleepy, darlin'?" I kiss the top of her head and she manages to nod just barely, a soft chuckle passing through my lips as I fully relax into the bed, "go back to sleep, love. I'm right here with you."

She mumbles again, and I barely catch the words of 'goodnight' and 'love you', making my heart hitch in my chest, damn near feeiln' like a heart attack...

Everything tightens and slows down, feelin' my heart pound against my rib cage now as I tuck my hand under her chin and tilt her head up, makin' her face me as those beautiful eyes of hers barely open just a sliver, reflecting the tiny bit of light in the room. I study her face for a second, feelin' the heat of my cheeks and thankful for how damn dark she keeps this bedroom.

I barely manage the words, my throat suddenly dry and the weight of a goddamn truck on my chest making it hard to breath, "You love me?"