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If Chuck disliked Sword so damn much... Why did he even agree to go out for supplies with him? At first he convinced himself it was only to make Cal and TNT stop worrying about him so much, and that was true, partially at least.
Sword was an outsider amongst the Redcliff wranglers. Everyone was wary and cautious of him, which was deserved. If so, then why did he feel bad for the city slicker when Bee snapped at him? Probably because he knew all too well how she gets when she's really pissed... That's what he told himself.
When the bomb exploded and the cave collapsed on him, he wasn't expecting Sword to rush to his side and help him free his leg, and not only that, he dragged him out of that trap as if Chuck wasn't giving him mean stares and telling him to shut his mouth at the other's pathetic attempts at small talk earlier that day. He never thought he'd say that, but he asked Sword to stop the bleeding. He trusted him with his life, passing out on him without knowing whether he's even going to wake up again or not. But he did.
And when he did, the pain in his leg was way less and Sword was napping next to him, looking even more beat up than before.
Chuck didn't know what happened while he was unconscious, and it's better if he doesn't, really.
Sword was no healer, and the gory sight was making him afraid of messing up. Because he knew how close the wrangler was to dying. His blood was everywhere... All over his pants, all over Sword's hands, it even stained his torn cape which he used as makeshift bandages.
Oh, his cape.
A gift from Venomshank.
One he held dear the most. The only thing reminding him of home and helping him feel grounded during especially anxious times, is now ruined beyond repair.
But does it really matter? Sword had to do it. He had no other choice. And in the end, he saved his life only to witness a vulture being literally seconds away from eating Chuck alive like that desert scorpion he saw the creepy birds munching on. And Darkheart wasn't exactly helping him, either. In fact, what he was saying was only frustrating him more and more, his fists clenching so tightly out of anger that his nails started digging into his palms. In the end Darkheart's ragebaiting became the one thing that pushed Sword to act.
He KNEW what Venomshank told him about using his most powerful moves first, about reserving his energy, but a single phinisher move was more than enough for him to prevent a death... For the second time that day, but also to cause one. Sword wasn't happy he had to resort to killing... But hearing Chuck's story did make him feel a little better.
Though the wrangler still couldn't fully understand why Sword was so shaken up after he woke up, he didn't ask about it yet. Was it the exhaustion, or something that happened while he wasn't conscious? It's unlikely Sword is telling him any time soon, so for now Chuck just has to pretend like nothing happened.
He could try asking of course, but not now. Not while they're still not close... And what the hell does he even mean by 'close'? Whatever, it doesn't even matter anyway-
Chuck's eyes fluttered open at the sound of footsteps approaching the medical tent he was resting in... It's only early morning right now, so besides the quiet ambience of the desert and his own thoughts, there was really nothing else to hear. He turned his head to the side reluctantly, dreading to see the medic which is going to bother him about his leg again.
To his surprise, it was none other than the city slicker.
"What do ya want?" Chuck blurted out quickly, more defensively than ever. While seeing him was already much better than a medic, he still wanted to be alone for some time.
Sword pushed past the tent flap awkwardly, stepping in slowly. "Hey, Chuck... I uhh... I just wanted to check in on you, y'know?" He smiled nervously, stopping at the wrangler's bedside. "To see how you're doing."
Was he... Was he fucking kidding him right now? How was he doing? Had he already forgotten yesterday's events or is he just that stupid?
"Fucking awesome, thanks for asking."
"..."
Sword didn't say anything, he just sighed and averted his gaze down towards the ground. He never had it easy with keeping the conversation going, especially with people he wasn't close to AND who were being rude as hell. He fidgeted with his hands a little, thinking on how to approach this.
"Listen, I..." He started, lifting his gaze again. Upon seeing Chuck's not so satisfied expression, it made him feel even more nervous than he was before and he seemed to forget every single thing he was planning to say to him. "I'm sorry for yesterday."
Chuck blinked. "Sorry? Why? It wasn't yer fault"
"I know! I know, but... I still feel like I could've done more to help..."
Sword's words were as genuine as ever. He could have done more. He could've patch the wrangler up better, he could've chosen a different route avoiding the vulture encounter completely... So many things he could've done differently, and yet each decision he made seemed to be the wrong one in his eyes.
"What more could ya have done?" Chuck sat up, one of his hands gripping the blanket tightly... Perhaps he was still in pain, but trying to hide it. "Ya saved my life, and like I said, I owe ya one."
They simply stared at each other. Chuck's words seemed to hang in the air, more around Sword specifically... The look on his face remained the same, though the smallest hint of realisation seemed to appear as well.
He owed him one.
That means they're on good terms now, right? It definitely does, otherwise he wouldn't say it if they weren't-
"You owe me one?"
Sword asked hopefully, clasping his hands together as if the other's response would determine how the rest of his life goes. A smile returned to his face, a hopeful one.
"Uh... Yea? That's exactly what I told ya."
"Oh, okay. Can we kiss?"
What the hell Sword.
He didn't even THINK once before saying that?
"What."
Chuck's eyes narrowed, and he sat up even straighter than before, which was definitely not recommended with how much rest he needs to get during recovery but he didn't care about that right now. Screw the medic's words.
"I mean-"
"I heard you the first time."
Silence again. Though this time it's even more awkward than before. MUCH more awkward even. And with Chuck cutting Sword off like that? Yep. Not helpful at all.
"So-"
"Fine."
Now it was Sword's turn to blink. He blinked once, twice, thrice, and many more times before the realisation dawned upon him. Chuck had agreed, although reluctantly. It still counts, and he couldn't believe he heard that right.
Neither of them said anything after that. They were simply looking each other in the eyes... Now that Chuck's hat wasn't on, Sword could actually be able to see the other's eyes fully, and oh was he captivated by them. He'd most definitely start drooling like an idiot if his gaze didn't lower, down to his lips.
Sword took a few hesitant steps closer to the wrangler's bedside, sitting on the edge of the bed making sure to be close to him, but still keeping a respectful distance. He was a gentleman after all.
Chuck simply kept half glaring at him this whole time, anticipating his next course of action and whether he's going to be bold or not. Obviously, he won't. He's only known him for a day, and he already knows damn well about how socially awkward the city slacker is sometimes. Not like he's any better himself but that's a topic for another time.
The wrangler moved just a few inches closer, raising his hand up to cup Sword's cheek. Neither of them expected this, but it was definitely welcome. Not even a second after, Chuck winced and his free hand gripped the blanket tighter than before, an obvious display of suppressed pain that spiked after moving after his own body told him not to.
Sword didn't have the time to welcome the affectionate gesture properly before worry washed over him. He placed his hands on either of the cowboy's shoulders, gripping just a tiny bit in an attempt to keep him grounded.
"Hey... Take it easy, Chuck. You're still recoveri-"
Chuck leaned in and pressed a firm but gentle kiss to Sword's lips, keeping his hold on his cheek.
The inphernal was in total shock. Too many things were happening all at once, and he didn't get any chance to react to any of them properly.
A few seconds into the kiss, he started to relax, his grip on Chuck's shoulders becoming more gentle as he pulled him closer to himself, holding him as they kissed.
Chuck kept the kiss going, his thumb brushing over Sword's cheek in a loving gesture. The intimate moment they shared was enough to drown out any pain in his leg he was feeling before.
Neither of them knew how to kiss actually, and neither of them have ever been kissed before so this was all new to the both of them. Doesn't mean the kiss sucked though. Sword was melting second by long second, already starting to run out of air but not giving a damn, the air in the tent seeming to grow hotter than the scorching desert sun in the middle of the day at Redcliff.
Eventually Chuck broke off the kiss, pulling back and leaning against the back of the bed. After the kiss ended, the pain returned, and he let out a few quiet suppressed coughs, covering his mouth with his hand.
Sword's face was still flushed after all that, but upon seeing Chuck in pain, worry washed over him all over again as he leaned closer, taking his hand gently.
"Be careful..." He said, his brows furrowed in deep concern and care for the other, hating to see him in so much pain.
" 'M fine, just leave me alone."
The wrangler coughed a couple more times before being able to somewhat relax. He really needed to be careful, didn't he? After just one day, his injury can't magically get better. At least not enough to be able to move around as much as he does for someone who's supposed to be bedridden and taking it easy.
Sword didn't comment on that, even though he desperately wanted to protest and insist on staying by his side. He could and definitely could take care of him. He'd do whatever the hell he needed and wanted, in fact. But he also knew that he wouldn't accept his help so easily, and he didn't want to stress him out even more when he was already very visibly in pain.
"Alright, if you say so..." With a sigh, Sword slowly got up from the bed, letting go of Chuck's hand in the process. "I'll... I'll come by later!" He added with a smile, now full of enthusiasm and determined to keep his word.
Chuck wanted to physically facepalm at this... Seriously, what part of 'leave me alone' did he not understand? But he guessed he couldn't really blame him or expect anything different. He was persistent as fuck.
"Just go already, will ya?" He crosses his arms, shooting him a dangerous smirk, indicating that he was starting to run out of patience and wouldn't take any more bullshit from the other.
Sword gulped and nodded his head frantically. "Y-yes, of course! I'm going!" He stepped out of the tent in a hurry in order not to face Chuck's wrath, stopping just a few feet before the entrance and turning around. "Uhm... Take care." Sword spoke one last time before disappearing out of line of sight.
Chuck let out a loud sigh, rubbing his temples as he stared at the ceiling of the medical tent. Just what was he gonna do with that idiot?