Save Me, Oh Save Me (James/Luke)

[CASEY BAUER]

The young hunter was on the verge of a panic attack. He felt his muscles stiffen and his whole body spasm for a few minutes from the stress. Casey forced himself to calm down as much as possible, but his hands were gripping the sheets tightly as if he was going through shock. A couple of the nurses came in to check on him but, of course, found nothing wrong other than his nerves. Casey gave them weak smiles, trying to act normal, but barely spoke and nonverbally wished them away. The company only made this harder to deal with.

He kept his eyes closed for the second half of his wait, unable to really function. Casey knew it was ridiculous… that this was probably just a heightened case of post-traumatic stress but he had dealt with his mother’s death just fine (it was a tragedy definitely but he had recovered) and everything else in his short but full life. He was very frustrated that he got this worked up only from Luke leaving a few minutes. He tried some deep breaths in and out, not even noticing that Luke had returned.

[LUKE DALE]

Luke sat everything he had brought back with him on the table near the door and made his way slowly over to Casey. He did not want to startle him at all, but he was a bit unsure of how to actually accomplish that. He steps were light but he still wanted Casey to hear them, he wanted to give him some kind of gentle sign that he was there. He stepped towards the bed and reached his hand out, not intending at all to reach out and grab his boyfriend, but to place a gentle hand on him.

"Casey, it's me"

He could see Casey panic and jump up and he reached forward and rested his hand gently on his forearm, running his hands soothingly up and down his arms until his boyfriend raised his eyes to meet his own. Once again, he felt his heart sink into his chest. Casey was usually so tough, he had a way about him that usually left a message that he was not to be messed with. Right now however, he was scared and fragile and Luke felt anger boil in his stomach again towards James, but he pushed it down and kept himself present, wanting Casey to know that everything was going to be okay.

"I brought you some stuff"

He whispered quietly.

[CASEY BAUER]

Casey brought his arms up, ready to attack and flee when he felt someone’s hand on his arm but then his eyes met Luke and he immediately calmed down. At least physically. His mind was reeling with thoughts of shame now. He wasn’t supposed to be afraid or frightened of everything. And at the same time though an apology hovered above his lips he wouldn’t say it because it was something not needed. It was unnecessary and a possible sign of even more weakness.

“L-luke…” He sighed out in relief, wanting to grab his boyfriend and force him to allow Casey to hide in his arms but he kept it to himself. His self-control was strong even after this traumatic experience. “H-how was the break from my craziness?” Casey tried to laugh and make it a joke, his attempted smile more of a grimace.