Title: only fools rush in
Rating: G
Pairing: Reaper/Soldier:76
Summary: gabe visits jack after a mission they just barely completed. 
Notes: i’ve been feeling anxious all day so i wrote something soft and fluffy and cheesy to make myself feel better LOL also you can listen to the elvis song here

Gabriel’s body was drenched in cold sweat and blood, his hood heavy around his neck. “Don’t try to fucking stop me!” His voice was hoarse and raspy. Ana had his arms locked behind his back, the only thing keeping him from throwing wild punches at Angela’s calm, stern face.

“He needs his rest. Gabriel, please.”

“Don’t you ‘Gabriel, please’ me. I’m going to see him, and if he doesn’t give me a goddamned incredible excuse-”

“Gabriel.” Ana’s voice shot needles up his spine. “Behave.”

He slumped over like a reprimanded teenager, snatching his arms away sullenly as Ana relinquished her grip.

“Just let him in, Angela.” Gabriel snapped his head back to see a quick flash of a crooked grin before Ana turned, waving them off.

“But…”

“You know he’ll just sneak in anyway.”

Angela squinted with doubt, but she gave in. “I will escort you.”

“No.” Gabriel took off at breakneck pace down the infirmary corridors to the intensive care unit at the end of  the hall. His veins felt icy even though his nerves burned hot.

The sight of Jack on the hospital bed, his wounds stark against the blinding whiteness of the room, knocked the breath from his lungs. The right side of his body was bound tightly in browning bandages, and his left hand was uncomfortably stark straight next to him. The parts of his face not covered in dust looked ashen.

Gabriel broke into an awkward half-run, his strides too long for the distance between them. He fell forward desperately, gripping Jack’s bare shoulder with white knuckles. “Wake up, Jack, damn you!”

Jack cracked an eye open immediately. “No consideration for the injured, huh?”

Almost yelping, Gabriel recoiled in shock. He recovered quickly though, anger still pulsing in his ears. “What the hell were you thinking? What kind of idiot are you?”

Jack just shrugged.

A prickle of anger coursed through Gabriel’s fingertips, his body tingling restlessly. “You-”

“I didn’t want to lose you.” Jack turned both his eyes on Gabriel now, his gaze piercing and serious.

“Don’t you dare use your commander stare on me. I wasn’t even close to it.”

It was an obvious lie. Gabriel expected some sort of cheeky response.

“I couldn’t take that chance.”

A big lump formed in Gabriel’s throat. He turned away, unable to keep his brow from knitting. “You’re so fucking reckless. Jesus. I can’t believe you.” Selfish as always. Jack never considered the consequences of his actions, and it pissed him off.

From the corner of his eye Gabriel could see him smiling. He relaxed his shoulders, utterly defeated. “… You okay?”

“Yeah. But it’s freezing in here. Hand me my coat?”

“Don’t you want something cleaner?” Scrunching up his nose, he thought about giving Jack his hoodie, but that really wasn’t any better. Instead he gestured to the multitudes of cabinets and closets that took up most of the space in the room. “I’m pretty sure there are blankets in here somewhere.”

“Too much of a hassle.”

“Fine.” Begrudgingly Gabriel stood, retrieving Jack’s dirty, singed duster from the counter where Angela had attempted to fold it neatly. The once-white collar was almost black. He doubted it would help, but he unfurled it and laid it across Jack’s lap.

Jack caught him by the wrist. “Thanks.”

The air in the room felt off. Gabriel pulled away, humming warily in response. He pulled up a stool, the sound of metal on the tile floor leaving awkward silence in its wake. Jack fixed him in an unreadable gaze, and he felt oddly like some sort of animal’s prey.

“Wise men say, only fools rush in.” Jack sang softly, suddenly. He was more out of tune than usual, cracked lips straining against bloody teeth in a wan smile.

“You’re fucking terrible. Stop.” Gabriel barked a laugh in disbelief, dropping his forehead into Jack’s bandaged shoulder. As if Gabriel was the one who needed to be comforted, Jack began rubbing his back with his good arm. Gabriel batted his hand aside weakly, but found himself smiling.

“But I can’t help falling in love with you.”

Something hard and velvety was being pushed into his palm. He gulped, his body seizing up with nerves. “Now? Seriously? You think now is an appropriate time?”

“Shall I stay, would it be a sin… If I can’t help falling in love with you.”

“Jesus Christ, Jack. This is so corny. God.” His voice was catching in his throat now and his face was burning painfully. Stubbornly he refused to pull away from the crook of Jack’s neck, not wanting to see what he knew was coming.

“Like a river flows, surely to the sea.”

“Why are you always like this? Why now? You almost fucking let yourself die out there.”

“Darling, so it goes. Some things are meant to be.” Was Jack even listening? Gabriel’s thoughts were clouded with frustration, frown lines deepening across his forehead as Jack entwined their fingers. This was absolutely not the time. “Take my hand.”

“Jack.”

“Take my whole life too.”

“Stop.”

“'cause I can’t help falling in love with you.”

The sensation of cold metal was the death knell, and it tore through him. It fit perfectly snugly. The sly, sneaky, absolute dumbass. Gabriel let himself catch a glint of silver on his left hand, shiny and painful.

“Gabe, will you-”

“Promise me something.”

Jack grinned stupidly, pressing giddy kisses to his wrist. Gabriel could feel all the cracks in his skin, and it was sticky with coagulating blood. He felt too hot. “Anything. I love you, Gabe.”

“Don’t you ever try to sacrifice yourself for me again.” Jack looked up, but Gabriel spoke again before he could protest. His voice was softer, weaker than he would’ve liked. We’re in this together now. I can’t lose you either. Idiot, idiot, idiot. The words burned on his tongue.

He could see Jack’s gaze soften, like a scolded dog.

“Well, you’re definitely a fool. A complete and utter fool.”

“So are you.”

He let Jack kiss him again. “Yes.”