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Mason isn't aware of how hurt he is until they're back at base. The adrenaline having done it's job and not allowed him to feel it until now.
It's Woods that points it out, his face going pale as he moves in front of Mason and carefully cups his cheeks. "Shit Mason, did I do that?"
Mason blinks slowly at Woods' words, but then the pain becomes known to him. A dull ache around his eyes and bridge of his nose. He winces at Woods' touch and tries to get away. "Fuck, ow. I didn't feel it before.."
"Are you feeling okay? Sick? Dizzy? I headbutted you quite hard." Woods wants to touch him again, but he doesn't dare to since Mason pulled away.
"It didn't feel that bad until now, I'll go to the sickbay." Mason promises, hating the guilt on Woods' face. "It's okay, you didn't mean to hit me, I know that."
"I could have broken your nose, fractured your skull…" Woods trails off, the guilt gnawing at him.
"I feel fine, Frank. I promise." Mason reaches for one of Woods' hands. "I am going to be okay."
Woods just looks at him doubtfully, but doesn't pull away from Mason's touch. Mason counts that as a good sign.
The doctor in the sickbay checks Mason out, making a hum of annoyance as he glances at Woods. "Good thing that there is no sign of concussion or broken bones." He looks at Mason and hands him an ice pack. "Ice your face and take pain killers, it will heal up on it's own."
Mason thanks the doctor and walks out with Woods. "See? Nothing to be worried about."
"I still never should have lashed out at you." Woods shakes his head, jaw tight. "I lost control and fucked up not only the mission….I hurt you."
"Hey…" Mason turns around and places a gentle hand on Woods' arm. "I've been there before, I know what it's like to be in that mindset."
Woods looks pained, his expression filled with grief. "You never hurt me though."
"Maybe not, but I know what it feels like to lose that control." Mason moves closer to him, not caring who sees as he cups Woods' cheek. "I love you, I'm okay. I am here and I am safe. None of this was your fault."
Woods looks like he is about to argue, but then he sighs quietly, his shoulders sagging. "Fuck, okay you're right…"
"I'm always right." Mason gives him a gentle smile. "Follow me home? We could use some downtime right now."
Woods gives him a small smile and nods, before following Mason towards their parked cars.
Mason feels himself let out a deep breath as he climbs into his car, checking that Woods was following in his own as he leaves the base.
Maybe one day Woods' recklessness would come back to haunt them, but today wasn't that day.
When they get to Mason's place, he puts on a terrible action movie and climbs into Woods' lap as they watch it. He finally feels at peace being here with Woods where no one could see them.
He feels Woods press a gentle kiss to the top of his head and he looks up, giving Woods puppy eyes until he gets the kiss he had been looking forward to.
Right here and now they were good, they were fine. Mason would make sure that this would be the case always. They deserved a soft epilogue in the shitshow that was their lives.
Mason would protect what was theirs until the end of time itself.