Bobby From High School Chapter Five: I've Got You
Pairing: Bob Floyd x Reader
Word Count: 6.4k (I had a lot to say, and I'm not sorry about it)
Previous Chapters: Chapter 1 Of All the Gin Joints, Chapter 2 Two Coffees, Chapter 3 It’s Not Prom, Chapter 4 If Life Were a Musical
Summary: After the bird strike, Bob and Nat end up in the base medical center. As Bobby's local emergency contact, you get a call letting you know that he's sustained injuries. Your afternoon becomes a whirlwind of emotions as you and the rest of the team rally together to care for them. Bob's lucky to have a pilot that's also his best friend, and he's lucky to have such a great girlfriend. It's a rough day but it's easier with the way you all have each other - Hangman included.
Author’s Note: We get a little angsty this chapter but it all works out, I promise. This chapter is so long but means so much to me. Thanks for sticking around for it. You may have noticed that I increased the chapter count. It just felt like this wasn't how this story was going to end. I promise I'll break everyone's hearts (mine included) less next time. I have so so many thoughts and feelings about this chapter and as always, would love to hear yours. xoxo As a reminder, if you find yourself thinking "that's not exactly how it works", this is fiction and I'm doing this because I love it, not because it has to be perfect. Divider credit: @/saradika
tw: mention of injuries, mention of doctors/hospital.
You’re hitting your afternoon slump hard . It’s not just you – it’s your coworkers as well. You’ve all been working so hard on polishing up your latest draft report that handing it over to Captain Tompkins just before lunch means you barely know what to do with yourselves now.
Mark is regaling you and Cynthia with a story of his latest bad date when the phone on your desk rings. While you almost never use it, your email signature lists your office extension so it wouldn’t be unheard of for someone to try to get a hold of you this way. You’re not expecting a call and you can’t immediately remember if you’ve sent anything out that might prompt someone to call you anyways so your attention is elsewhere as you answer.
“Good afternoon.” You pick up the phone with one hand, twirling a pen aimlessly with the other.
Even when the voice on the other line asks for you by name, you don’t immediately think anything of it. You work on a Navy base, you’re used to the formalities. At every turn, it’s “Ma’am” this and “Miss” that. So while you confirm that yes, that’s you, you’re still half-listening to Cynthia and Mark.
“This is Lieutenant Sanchez at the Naval Medical Center at Miramar. I’m calling in regard to Lieutenant Robert Floyd.”
“Sorry, what? What was that?” At the desk opposite yours, Cynthia looks over, drawn in by the shock in your voice and watches as your pen slips out of your fingers and onto the desk.
“I’m with the Naval Medical Center at Miramar. I’m calling on behalf of Lieutenant Floyd, you’re listed as his local emergency contact.”
“Yes, that’s correct.” You sit straight up.
“Lieutenant Floyd has sustained injuries and is currently in our care.”
You miss his next sentence entirely, too focused on the phrase sustained injuries. The man on the other end of the phone – Lieutenant Sanchez? — is telling you what entrance to use to get to the base hospital and what kind of ID you’ll need to get in, when your brain starts working again.
“I’m on base now. I work here. I’m a contractor.”
“Okay.” He says, altering his instructions. “You can use your base badge but I recommend bringing your civilian ID as well since you work in a separate area and they’ll want to verify your identity at the front desk.”
You nod and then remember he can’t see you, so you thank him for the information and hang up. You look at Cynthia who has been looking at you with concern. Even just hearing your side of the call, it’s clear something’s wrong.
“Is everything okay?” She tentatively asks. Mark has gone quiet.
“No, I don’t know. Bobby’s in the base hospital. He’s hurt.” You slowly stand up, in a daze.
Cynthia’s hand flies to her mouth in shock before she starts to collect herself.
“Alright, let’s go.” She stands up and shakes her head at Mark to let him know that she’s got you.
“What are you doing?” Your brow furrows.
“Walking with you. I can’t get back there with you but I’m not sending you alone.”
While you grab your purse and lock your computer, Cynthia ducks into Captain Tompkins’ office to let him know that she’ll be back but that you’ll be out the rest of the afternoon. Mark chimes in to indicate that he’s available if the Captain needs anything. You follow Cynthia’s lead as she guides you out of your office and towards the hospital.
You’ve only been Bob’s local emergency contact for a few weeks. He had asked somewhere around your fifth date. The two of you had been officially dating for a few days, and were laying on your couch watching tv when he turned to you with a question.
“Hey darlin’, I was wondering,” he started nervously, “and you can say no if it’s weird. Would you be interested in being my local emergency contact? We can list someone in the area we want contacted in an emergency who can come visit and get information. It’s not the same level as a next-of-kin, or anything.” He rubbed the back of his neck, and you could practically feel the tension radiating off of him. You didn’t even have a chance to reply before he barreled on with more information, hoping to reassure you in case he’d already overwhelmed you. (He hadn’t.)
“I’m not asking as your boyfriend. Well, I am a little bit. But mostly because you’ve known me forever, and it would be nice to have someone local to be able to put down. Not to guilt you though. Just if you want.” Bob shrugs.
Gently, you grabbed Bob’s face with both hands. “Bobby, hey, it’s okay. I know what you mean. Yes, you can absolutely put me down. Thank you for asking.” You pressed a kiss to his cheek. “That’s actually a great idea, I don’t think I’ve updated mine since I moved. Is it alright if I list you, too?”
You could practically see the tension melt away from your boyfriend as he agreed.
That’s one of the best things about your relationship – you two get each other. Even in a situation like that where you might be a little worried that it could be construed as too soon, you’ve known the other long enough to know that they’ll get what you mean. It’s why you decided to make it official after four dates instead of possibly waiting longer. You got the surface level, laying the groundwork, attraction-defining stuff done ages ago.
Besides, even if you weren’t official yet, you couldn’t think of anyone you’d feel more comfortable with in an emergency than Bobby. It’s a relief for him, too, to be able to list someone local after bouncing around from place to place for years. It’s even better because it’s you.
You both knew there was the chance you could get a call like this, though you both prayed you wouldn’t have to. You certainly didn’t think it would happen so soon.
You’re thinking back to that conversation while Cynthia leads you through and around base. You focus back on her as she’s in the middle of a sentence.
“– take care of the rest of the day.”
“Sorry, Cyn, what?”
“No worries, honey. I was just saying that Mark and I can take over for the rest of the day. No matter what, you focus on that sweet boyfriend of yours.”
“Thank you.”
You’re not sure what else to say, not sure what you’ll be walking into. Cynthia seems to pick up on this, changing topics entirely.
“So how long do you think it’ll take us to get feedback on our draft this time?”
You’re thankful for the distraction, thankful that you’ve worked together long enough that she knows what you need right now. You let Cynthia steer you where you need to go, and just focus on your conversation so you can avoid panicking. For all you know, things could be fine. Maybe it’s just a minor injury and this is protocol. You’ve been around the Navy long enough to know how protocol can be (which is to say, a massive headache).
Finally, the two of you arrive at the medical center and Cynthia walks you right up to the main desk before giving you a hug and departing.
“May I help you?” The nurse at the desk greets you.
Out of habit, you offer her your name and base ID.
“I’m sorry, Ma’am.” She says after swiping your ID. “It doesn’t look like you have access back here.”
“Oh, right.” You say, pulling your wallet out to get to your driver’s license.
You’re too frazzled to elaborate further, you just silently present her with your license.
“Ma’am, I can’t let unauthorized individuals back there.” She continues sternly.
“I understand that. I’m not trying to access the hospital in my role as a contractor, I got a call as an emergency contact.” You’re trying to remain calm, you know the nurse is just doing her job but you’re overwhelmed and you want to scream fuck protocol. Just take me to Bobby!
It’s as if the words “emergency contact” are a magic password, and suddenly her tone changes entirely.
“Oh, absolutely. I can help you with that. Apologies, Ma’am.”
Your head is still swimming as you sign in as a cleared visitor. Eventually, she points you in the direction of Bob’s room and lets you know that the doctor will find you with an update.
The walk through the doors behind her, down the hallway, and through to the wing that allegedly contains your injured boyfriend feels like the longest drag of your life. Eventually, you turn a corner and find a familiar face.
“Hey there, Tiger.” Jake greets you, and your knees almost buckle.
You had still been hoping this was all a big misunderstanding, that you were going to get here and find Natasha waiting for you with an explanation, something less serious – a nosebleed, a rolled ankle on the tarmac, anything other than an injury sustained flying. But it’s not Nat standing in front of you, which means she’s hurt too. It’s the only reason she wouldn’t be standing here outside Bob’s room. You haven’t known her nearly that long, but you already know enough about her to know that.
“Jake.” His name is the only thing you can figure out to say at first. “Are you okay?” You say after a moment of staring at one another.
“I’m alright. How are you doing?”
“I don’t know. I don’t really know anything right now.”
“Shit, has nobody talked to you yet?” He rubs a hand over his face, clearly exhausted.
“No, not yet. I only just got back here. They said the doctor would come find me shortly.”
“Alright. Come on Tiger,” Jake places a steady hand on your back, “let’s go take a seat. They’ll know to look for us over here.” He guides you towards a waiting area where you’re greeted by Mickey, Reuben, and Javy.
You nod at the guys as you take a seat next to Mickey. You have so many questions but you don’t know where to start. You also don’t know how much they can tell you. You wonder if they watched whatever happened, you almost feel selfish for being so scared. An hour ago, they were probably up in the air, just as at risk as Bobby and Nat while you were safe and sound in your office with Cynthia and Mark. Realistically, you know it’s not that cut and dry but your mind is spiraling, trying out every scenario it comes up with.
Jake sits across from you, next to Reuben and Javy. Maybe it’s because he’s the one who greeted you, maybe it’s because he’s sitting across from you, but you don’t know how to look away from him, from the way he seems to be the calm to your chaos right now.
“Jake, how do I do this?” You blurt out.
“You can be scared, Tiger. He’ll understand. You’re here. That’s what he needs.” The others all nod in agreement.
“I haven’t told him I love him yet. I didn’t want to scare him, it’s so soon. But of course I love him, how can you not? Do I tell him now? I don’t want him to think I’m only saying it because of this. But I don’t want to not say it after this. Jake, what do I do?” You bring your hand up to your chest, grabbing tightly onto the top of your blouse as if you can physically grab hold of the weight that feels centered right on top of you while you let loose your every thought at your boyfriend’s teammates.
“Alright, come here.”
Instead of answering your question directly, Jake just kneels down in front of your chair and pulls you into his chest. For the first time since you answered the call, you start to cry. For his part, Jake just sits there silently, letting you hold onto him for dear life. You feel a hand on your shoulder that probably belongs to Mickey, and someone offers a quiet “it’ll be okay” from behind Jake.
“It’s alright. You can be scared. You can tell him you love him. Or you can wait. Either way he knows.” It’s the kindest thing Jake’s ever said to you, and somehow exactly what you need to hear.
The two of you sit there for another minute as your tears slow down. With some of the tears gone, the immediate weight on your chest feels lighter, you feel like you can at least make it through the next minute. And maybe even the one after that. You sit back in your chair and take a deep breath.
“Well shit, Bagman. I didn’t know you had it in you.” Rooster says as he walks up.
Jake immediately turns around, ready to scold him. He’s ready to tell Rooster that it’s too soon for you to make jokes, that this might be the reality they face every day but it’s not yours.
But then you laugh. Loudly. Loudly enough that Reuben starts checking to see if someone is going to come out and quiet you all down, and suddenly they’re all laughing with you.
“Nat’s going to be so pissed she missed Jake being a human.” You joke as you gently pat Jake’s shoulder in a thank you.
“How’re you doing, Tiger?” Bradley asks.
“Oh you know, I’ve had better days. But I’m okay, just a lot of uncertainty. How are you guys?” You look around earnestly. It’s one thing to hear their stories day in and day out, and to work on base and logically, conceptually understand the risks they take every day. It’s another thing entirely to sit here next to them after two of their own have gotten hurt doing it.
“She’s still waiting for news from the doc.” Jake tells the guys, who all missed your first conversation in the hallway.
“We’re okay. We just want information too.” Reuben says, answering your question.
“Do you want to wait for the doctor or do you want us to tell you what we know?” Javy asks.
“I’m up to it if you guys are. But if you’d rather not, that’s okay.” You’re trying to be considerate, trying to walk the line you can’t locate between thoughtful and not treating them like they’re made of glass.
“Phoenix and Bob were up in the air with me, so was Mav.” Javy starts.
“Coyote went into G-LOC and almost crashed and then almost as soon as everyone was in the clear, there was a bird strike.” Mickey takes over telling the story.
“Bird strike?” You’ve listened to them talk about work enough to understand most of what they’ve said until that point.
“It’s sort of what it sounds like, Tiger. A bird hits the plane. It can be a bigger deal than it sounds sometimes.” Rooster chimes in and you appreciate his attempt not to scare you but still tell you what you need to know.
“Oh. Okay. So what happened?”
“It got sucked into their engine. They did everything they could to recover but they had to punch out. Phoenix and Bob had to eject.” Jake steps in with the worst part of the story, leaving out the gorier details regarding the fire. A look passes between the four men as they all silently agree you don’t need to know more than that right now. Nobody is going to tell you how scared Phoenix and Bob sounded, how scared everyone was that they weren’t coming home.
“Oh my God.” For a moment, you’re frozen. Just long enough for the team to start to worry that they’ve told you too much. Then you straighten up and say “okay. That sounds really scary for all of you. I really appreciate you guys being here and telling me. I know Bob and Nat will too.”
Then, because you’re so glad they’re okay and thankful for them, you launch yourself at them one at a time. Javy gets the first hug and you make sure to tell him that you’re glad he’s okay too. Then Mickey, and Reuben each get a hug. Next is Rooster and you know just enough from Bob to understand why he holds you a little tighter than you might expect, why today’s hard for him. Then it’s Jake, who has somehow become the glue holding you together.
Stepping back, you thank them all again, right as the doctor appears. Hearing your name, you turn around and identify yourself.
“Hi, that’s me.”
“Great, follow me please. I understand you’re Lt. Floyd’s local emergency contact.”
“Yes, ma’am.” You nod as you walk towards the doctor, following as she leads you back down the hallway by the patient rooms.
“I’m not sure how much information you’ve been given, so I’ll cover the basics. During training this afternoon, Lt. Floyd and his pilot were involved in a bird strike. Their engines caught on fire and they were forced to eject. As far as ejections go, they’re doing alright. Lt. Floyd has some superficial lacerations from the landing, bruised ribs and he’ll likely have some bruising and soreness. Ejection is hard on the body, even if they’re ‘lucky’ enough to get by without any breaks but he didn’t sustain any injuries from the fire.”
“Okay. What will he need, medicine wise? Or treatment?” There will be time later for you to focus on the words fire and landing, but for now your priority is learning everything you can to help Bob.
You listen while the doctor explains that the medicine they’ve given him will make him a little bit groggy for the rest of the day, and that barring a bad reaction during the concussion testing you can probably take him home in a few hours.
The doctor lets you know that the nurses around can help if you have any additional questions and that you’re free to visit Bob. You don’t waste any time thanking her before letting yourself into his room.
Unsurprisingly, Bob is asleep. You take a minute just to look at your sweet boyfriend. Someone must have already cleaned him up, all of his cuts and scrapes have been tended to but that doesn’t hurt you less to see. In a way, you’re glad you got your tears out in the waiting room because you don’t think you’d want him to wake up to that – you’re determined to set aside your fear in front of him as best as you can, and just be there for him.
You pull up a chair next to his bed, so you can be as close to him as possible and sit down. Now that you have some answers from the doctor and permission to be there, you’re not going anywhere.
You think about calling Allie but decide to wait and see what Bobby says when he’s awake. The med center has probably already contacted his family, and you really don’t have any more information to offer yet. You’re trying not to stare at your watch, but roughly half an hour after you sit down, Bobby starts moving. At first, you stay silent, not sure if he’s really awake and not wanting to risk waking him if he’s not.
Finally, he groans and slowly opens his eyes.
“Hi there, handsome. I heard you had a rough day at work.” You’re not quite sure what the protocol is for greeting your boyfriend after he ejected from an airplane, but figure that maybe a little levity is okay.
“Hi, darlin’.” He groans again as he tries to adjust his position in bed.
“Hold on, sweetheart. Let me help you.” You gently place one hand on his back and one on his arm to help him sit up, trying to avoid putting any unnecessary pressure on his injuries. There’s a cup of water next to his bed, so you offer him some and sit silently while he drinks it.
“How’s Nat? Is she okay?” He asks. It’s so typical of Bob to be thinking of someone else at a time like this. It’s partly the bond between a pilot and their WSO, and partly just the kind of man Bob is.
“I haven’t heard much yet, they really only told me about you but as far as I know she’s alright. Want me to ask the guys if they know anything yet?”
When Bob nods, you pull out your phone to send a quick text to Jake and Rooster asking for an update that they’re quick to share.
“It sounds like she had a slightly better landing than you, honey. She’s sore, but she’s alright. Bradley and Jake are in with her now. Do you want to see them?”
At the news that Nat is doing okay, Bob relaxes, as much as he can given his injuries. You know it’s just the lighting, but you almost swear that some of the color returns to his face.
“Not yet. Can you sit with me?”
It almost breaks your heart how softly he asks. You don’t even take the time to answer out loud, you just immediately slide over and gently sit down next to him on the bed, making sure not to put too much weight on him.
“I’m sorry if I scared you. I can’t imagine what getting that call was like.” Bob says, and you think back to your conversation with Jake.
“That’s part of loving someone, honey, being scared when something happens to them. It was scary, but I’m okay. I can’t imagine how it was for you. I’ll be honest, this is all new to me. I don’t know if you want to talk about it, or not talk about it, or how best to support you. But I’m here for whatever it is.” You lean back against the bed and Bob leans his head against your shoulder.
For a moment, you think that maybe the first part of your sentence slipped right by him. But even given his condition, on medicine and so injured, you should have known he’d have heard you.
“Part of loving someone?” It melts your heart the way he perks up, fighting against the exhaustion.
“Yeah, Bobby, loving someone. I know it’s soon but I think I’ve loved you for quite a while. Don’t you dare think this is just because of today.”
“Yes ma’am.” He says with a smile and as much of a salute as he can muster. “I love you too, honey. Thank you.”
As gently as you can, you lean over and press a soft kiss to his forehead. The two of you just sit there silently for a while, holding onto one another until Bob finally breaks the silence.
“Okay. I think I’m okay to see the team. Do you mind getting them?”
“I can do that. They’re probably all with Nat, so just give me a second.”
As soon as you leave the room, Bob wants you back with him. He doesn’t know how he got so lucky. All he could think about as he was ejecting was how badly he wanted Nat to be okay, how badly he wanted to come home to you, and how scared he was that he wouldn’t get to tell you he loved you. Waiting for S&R, he couldn’t help worrying about you, about how scared you’d be getting the call. He’s glad you’re here with him, loving him the way you do.
He knows ejection and injury are possible. It’s a reality he faces every time he gets in the plane, he just hoped he’d never have to experience it. He knows there was nothing they could do and that they’re safe now, but that he’ll feel a lot better when he can lay eyes on Nat again and confirm for himself that she’s okay. He’s glad that you seem to understand when his first question is about her, when it’s clear that you care about her, too.
You’ve already told him that the doctor tentatively cleared him to go home later and that, in no uncertain terms, you’ll be inviting yourself over to take care of him. He wonders if maybe he can convince Nat to spend the night, too, so neither of them have to be apart from each other yet.
It doesn’t take too long for you to return with the entire team in tow. Including Nat.
“The doctor said I could only leave my room if I did it like this.” She gestures down at the wheelchair that Javy is pushing her in. “But, she didn’t say anything about when I got here.”
The second she stands up, the entire team encourages her to sit back down. The only person who doesn’t, is you. Instead, you take a step forward and silently offer her your hand. The guys all watch, shocked, as she accepts, letting you lead her right over towards Bob and helping her get settled next to him, right where you were sitting before.
“We got you something.” Hangman says with a smirk, holding something behind his back.
“Do I even want to know?” Bob asks dryly.
Suddenly, Hangman reveals a teddy bear and a card. He hands Phoenix the bear and Bob the card. The front of the card reads: “Woah, Baby!” and underneath, someone has added “On Board!”. Before he can even read the message on the inside, Bob starts laughing. It hurts his ribs but that’s okay right now. He’s alive, and his friends are assholes, and his pilot is okay, and his girlfriend is perfect, and he’s alive.
Leaning over to read the card, Nat throws the bear at Jake.
‘You’re such a dick, Bagman.” Bob says, but everyone knows that he really means thank you .
At some point, while you’re telling the guys secondhand gossip about Mark’s disastrous date, Bob gently nudges Nat and whispers to her.
“Hey, you okay?”
“I don’t know. Are you?”
“I don’t either. But I think we will be.”
“I trust you.” Nat says, and they both know she means it implicitly.
“You’re my partner. I trust you.” Bob watches Nat breathe a sigh of relief at the news that he doesn’t blame her, doesn’t harbour any animosity about needing to eject. Bob laces his fingers with hers and gives a quick squeeze. There’ll be more to say later, but for now they each know what the other means. It means we’ll be okay, you’ve got me and I’ve got you, we’re in this together.
It’s been one hell of a day, but everyone is alive and you’re all here together. One of his hands is in yours, and the other’s is in Nat’s and you all sit that way for a little while, just holding onto one another.
When the doctor stops by an hour later, if she’s surprised to see the entire squad in the room, she doesn’t say anything about it. Natasha is still perched on the bed next to Bob, and you’ve moved your chair to the other side of the bed where you’re nestled as close as you can, still holding his hand.
“Alright, well that would explain why Lt. Trace isn’t in her room.” Nat shrugs shamelessly. “Can I have all of you clear out so I can check Lt. Floyd out one last time?” Everyone else stands up to go back to the waiting room, and Bob maintains his grip on your hand so you stay. This time, Rooster guides Nat back into the wheelchair and helps her back out into the hallway, towards her own room.
While Bob and Nat are busy signing their release forms and changing out of their hospital gowns, you make your way back to the waiting area.
“So, good news is that I get to take these two home. The bad news is that my car is all the way on the other side of base by my office.”
Silently, Reuben holds his hand out for your keys. You already knew they were a team, but after today it’s clear that they’re a family and that you’ve become part of it so you don’t ask any questions as you hand them to him. You just tell him your license plate number, make and model, and he and Mickey set off to get your car.
“We’ve gotta wheel them out to the car, but otherwise the doc says they’re okay to walk around. I’ve got the instructions on how to check for a concussion or any other concerning signs over the next few days and instructions for medicine for both of them.”
Rooster grabs the paperwork out of your hands, looks down at both packets and hands you back Bob’s.
“I’ve got Phoenix.” You recognize the look in his eyes, if you had a mirror right now you’d see it reflected in your own. There’s nothing more to say so you just nod.
When the nurses handling their discharge papers poke their heads into the hallway to summon you and Rooster, Jake and Javy tag along.
“Do y’all want to come over for dinner? We can order something.” Bob asks as you all head out to the parking lot, where Reuben has your car waiting.
“Sure thing, Baby on Board. My treat.” Hangman says.
“I can do it, Seresin.” Rooster offers, and you and Nat roll your eyes simultaneously at their antics, even though you’re both glad that things seem okay enough for them to go back to normal.
Even though they don’t need to, the guys help Nat and Bob get into your car.
“Why don’t y’all head over to your own cars and meet us at Bobby’s? I’ve got them.” You say, grabbing your keys back from Reuben. “Maybe later a few of us can swing back and pick up Bobby and Nat’s cars?”
With everyone in agreement, it’s your turn to get in the car and you start driving. Nat and Bob are both in the back seat, where it was easier for everyone to help them in. You put some music on and let the two talk to each other, trying not to listen in. You know they need this time, whether they’re talking about this afternoon or not.
When you get to Bob’s house, you’re wholly unsurprised when Nat bounds out of the car, as quickly as her body will allow without help. Bob waits silently for you to walk around and open his door. You both know he’s just as capable as Nat, but is trying to give you the chance to help, to do something .
By the time the three of you make it up to the door, Nat announces that she’s going to change out of her flight suit.
“Does she have clothes here?” You ask, amused. “I feel like I would have noticed them at some point.”
“Probably. I stopped questioning it a while ago.” Bob shrugs, unbothered by his best friend’s antics.
You and Bob head to his bedroom in silent agreement to also change – you out of your work dress and Bob out of his own flight suit. Just like at the car, Bob lets you help him more than is strictly necessary. As you unzip him and help lift off his undershirt, you softly place a kiss on each of his collar bones and then pull him in for a hug.
He’s shirtless, with his flight suit around his waist and you’re still in your dress but you don’t care. Well, at first you don’t, until the overwhelming need to feel him, to have his skin against yours takes over. You take a step back, quickly discarding your dress before stepping back into his arms.
You lay your head on his chest, lightly adjusting until you can hear his heartbeat. In reality, you probably stand that way for a minute or two, but it feels like a lifetime of just holding onto one another. Bob lets out a big exhale, the kind that just indicates pure, deep exhaustion.
“I love you. Thank you for being here.” He says into your hair.
“You couldn’t get rid of me if you tried, Bobby. I’m not sure if you know, but I’m pretty stubborn.”
This time when Bob laughs he instinctively places a hand over his ribs, trying to minimize the pain.
“Alright, sorry, sorry, I’ll have to rein in the funny tonight.” You joke. “Seriously though honey, you tell me what you need. If you want to talk about it with me, or specifically with the team but not me, you just tell me. I’m out of my depth here, Bobby. I’m just really glad you’re okay.” You’re trying your hardest not to cry again, but you can feel the tears welling up in your eyes.
“Thank you. I don’t really know right now.” He admits.
“And that’s okay.” You reassure him. “Do you want to finish getting dressed and go get comfy on the couch?”
Bob just nods, and you resume your efforts to help him get dressed. If you stop every few seconds to sneak another kiss, neither of you are going to say anything about it.
You’re delighted when you get to the living room and Natasha tells you that Jake and Reuben are going to pick up dinner on the way and that everyone else is almost there.
Bob sits next to Nat on the couch. Close enough that they could reach each other without much effort, but far enough for the pretense of space. It’s another way that they’re saying I’ve got you, and you’ve got me . They stay that way all through the night. It’s easy when you and Rooster insist on getting them everything they could possibly need. Eventually, even Nat stops fighting you guys on it.
As if by unspoken agreement, the team stays the perfect amount of time before departing in duos. First, it’s Jake and Reuben. Jake grabs Bob’s keys and the two head back to base so Jake can drive Bob’s car back while Reuben heads home for the night. A few minutes later, Mickey and Javy make a similar journey in Mickey’s car for Javy to drive back Nat’s car. If you ask Bradley, Nat’s car will stay in Bob’s driveway overnight. If you ask Nat, she’ll drive it home today. It’s anyone’s guess which one of them will win out. Well anyone but you, you’re already planning on where you’ll hide her keys.
It’s a complicated game of musical cars, but everyone’s more than happy to do it. To go above and beyond for each other, even if they spend half their time bickering.
When Jake returns, you meet him on the front porch.
“Thank you for today. I don’t know how you knew what I needed, but you did. You’re a good man, Jake.” You say, offering him another hug.
“Don’t mention it, Tiger. Seriously, don’t. You’ll ruin my reputation.” He jokes, as he returns the hug.
“Nah, you can’t stop me.” You tease.
“Bob, your girlfriend is bullying me.” He calls through the door into the house.
“Good, someone should.” Bobby calls back.
You wish Jake goodnight right as Javy returns with Nat’s car. You toss him his keys in exchange for Nat’s and while everyone’s busy saying goodnight to Javy, you hide Nat’s keys in Bob’s pantry.
Eventually, it’s time for Nat and Bradley to leave. Rooster declares you his favorite when it’s clear that you know something about Nat’s missing keys, and you laugh and blow Nat a kiss when she says you’re undermining feminism. Later, you and Bob will agree that you’d both love to be a fly on the wall when those two arrive at Nat’s house.
You and Bradley exchange numbers and promises to keep each other updated while Bob and Nat do the same. Nat threatens to steal the Bronco to check in on Bob if she thinks he’s hiding something, and Bob just rolls his eyes and pulls her in for a hug.
Finally, Nat and Bradley leave and Bob’s house is silent. It doesn’t take too long for the two of you to decide you’re ready to call it a night.
“I’m so tired, but I can’t even think about climbing into bed without a shower.” Bob says once you two are in his bedroom.
“I know what you mean. Why don’t I hop in there with you?”
“That sounds nice.”
Sex is the furthest thing from your minds right now, but the room is heavy with the intimacy of you two caring for one another. First, you help Bob undress and then he insists on helping when it’s your turn. While he goes to turn the water on, you grab the towels and turn on a playlist, silently navigating around each other. Once you’re in the shower, you hum while you wash Bob’s hair. Bob argues but eventually acquiesces to letting you wash your own hair, with a promise that he can do it once his ribs aren’t hurting so bad.
When you delicately trace the bar of soap over his torso, as careful around his injuries as can be, Bob finally cries. You notice immediately, you’re so tuned into him, you notice the second he starts shaking. But you know what he needs, so you let him get it out and just keep taking care of him.
Once you’ve finished with the soap, Bob pulls you into his arms and just holds you. He’s getting you all sudsy but neither of you care. You just stand there feeling the warm water, and each other. It’s the most important thing either of you have done all day.
“I love you. Thank you.” He says again.
“I love you, you’re welcome. I’ve got you, Bobby.”
Eventually, Bob releases you and rinses off what soap is left that the water couldn’t reach. You quickly turn your attention to cleaning yourself before following suit. By the time the two of you are done, the water runs cold. It’s soothing though, so you stay a little while longer – not saying anything, just being together.
Bob knew he loved you long before today, but after today he can’t imagine a world without you. For your part, you’re feeling the same way. By the time the two of you crawl into bed, all you can each think is I love you, I’ve got you, we’re in this together.
