Coming to Grips

[Archer Keating]

The kisses on his jaw had Archer lifting his head a little so he could revel in those touches. Talking ruined the moment though and Chase had to go and correct him about babying Chase. But then Chase sealed his doom. He just nodded, a grin on his face. "Right." He was agreeing with the impossible comment. Chase had dug his grave on that one and Archer would use that at some point. Rest assured!

Fingers finally eased a little and then Archer's hand dragged over Chase's shoulder to come to rest on Chase's chest. He felt the rise and fall and then the rumble of Chase's voice as he related about the agency and how Antmann had gotten away. There was a distinct sense of loss that the mad doctor had survived. He wasn't sure about what two agents had survived and he didn't press Chase on that point.

"Just do me a favor, man. Don't run off by yourself again." He knew he couldn't keep Chase from doing it though. It was something in Chase's DNA. He had to do what he had to do. He didn't figure he could get Chase to make that sort of promise. His head tipped back and instead of letting Chase speak, it was Archer's turn to shut him up. His hand moved back to curl around the back of his neck. Archer claimed Chase's mouth and just poured it all into that moment; still tinged with desperation but not nearly as much. This was more need; just reaffirming that Chase was alive and there and he wasn't going anywhere too soon.

[Chase Benjamin]

[Archer Keating]

Even explained every day for the rest of his life, Archer wasn't going to like having Chase run off to save the world. They each had their quirks. Maybe that made them perfect for each other; or maybe they were a ticking time bomb. Who could really say? Archer didn't have any opinions. He was really trying not to think at the moment. The only thing there was worth anything was Chase right there against him.

And when it seemed Chase was content to be silenced, Archer pressed his advantage. Being nudged in closer encouraged Archer to shift carefully until he was gently resting right against Chase. One hand behind his neck and the other holding the side of his face while that kiss was given a good long chance to live. He let it linger on, the grip at the small of his back causing a grin. Teeth caught at Chase's lower lip, fingers tugging lightly at Chase's ear in fun.

"I'm going to baby you just so you heal up fast." He spoke those words with his own lips brushing against Chase's own. "And you're not going to fight it because once you're better, you're going to be bed ridden for other reasons. And you won't complain about it either." There was welcoming home that had to happen but life had to be dealt with too.

His mind jumped forward; there was work to be done but the crew could handle things without him for a couple of days. Nobody had to know at first that Chase was here until Chase was better and able to defend himself. He trusted the guys and Mercy but time and events had given Archer a more cynical side. Why take unnecessary chances? Why give people a reason to betray you?

His fingers stroked Chase's cheek. "You get my meaning?"

[Chase Benjamin]

[Archer Keating]

Peace. That would be awesome. But isn't the phrase what doesn't kill you makes you stronger? Not that Archer was out there looking to get all strong. He and the others had hunkered down to chill and try to let things pass over them. The garage could be a safe harbor for them all to get some much needed peace.

"I'm saying it's so." Archer liked the sleepy look because it did seem something like peace and if anyone deserved it, it was Chase. So what if Archer was being a nervous Ninny and wanted to take care of him? He had ulterior motives. He didn't move until after Chase got all coy. Archer pretended to move but wasn't really going anywhere with the grip at the small of his back. He nuzzled into Chase and nibbled at his neck. His words whispered, "Shower, you. then we can figure out how much babying you need." He lifted his head so he could try to catch Chase's eyes if Chase would open them.

After the shower and a clean up, fresh bandages and even clean clothes .. then Archer could see about food for Chase. He probably had some canned chicken soup somewhere.

[Chase Benjamin]

[Archer Keating]

Archer had a lot of potential even if he hated hearing it and honestly, hurt someone who was dear to him and he might just get that cold edge. And who knew if he could come back from that? He was already thinking negative things about the people who had hurt Chase but he was assured those people were taken care of. He didn't have to do anything.

Nothing except nibble and nuzzle and try to get Chase to comply with the shower idea. Archer was upset that Chase was gone and had come back injured but he was glad that Chase had come back. The hurt of being abandoned was being pushed aside when held like he was close against Chase and well yeah the kiss had done wonders.

"Of course I'm not going to like it. I feel blood, you look like hell and I can only imagine what your clothes are hiding." He knew how to call 911 but he figured that hospitals were not what Chase wanted or he would have crawled his sorry ass to one of them. Fingers brushed along Chase's cheek bone. "Yeah, I have to get up only if you want me to get that shower started for you." He smiled and gave a little shift of his weight to see if Chase would let go. He liked Chase having that hold on him. "The quicker we get you clean, the faster you heal and then .. well, other stuff can happen." Truth be told, he didn't want to go anyway but getting Chase in the shower had become a priority. "I do have some clothes of yours here. Unless you want to run around nude." His tone was slightly teasing, brow lifting a little in question.

[Chase Benjamin]

[Archer Keating]

There were moments when a glimpse within showed something scary lurking under the surface and you know what they say about the quiet ones. Archer had been shot when the war broke out at the other place and had not been in any shape to get revenge on anyone until much later and by then things had mostly blown over and the retreat seemed the smarter option for the group.

"I might. I promise not to haul you off to the hospital, though, unless you flat-line on me." That was a promise he meant even if he wasn't sure how he was going to keep it if all he saw was hamburger where he thought parts of Chase's body should be. He chuckled, pleased that he had gotten Chase to laugh a bit. Once the grip loosened, he carefully pushed himself up and off Chase. He even held out a hand although he doubted that Chase would take it. Then he changed his mind and just took him by the arm and helped him get off the couch. "Come on old man. Time for your hose down."

He didn't keep holding onto Chase once he was up; he didn't want to damage that pride too much. "Me a super healer? You're the super one. Figured that was built in." He kept out of reach in case Chase was going to smack him for that comment. "Bathroom's this way." Archer led the way to the bathroom then turned on the shower. It was pretty standard fare except the tub and shower were separate. The shower was a stall with glass around it and plenty of room for scrubbing off the grime of working in the garage. The tub was closer to a whirlpool than bathtub. That was Archer's touch. He let Chase get his clothes off while Archer got some towels for Chase to use. "You want me to hang around in case you get light headed?" Maybe that was just an excuse to hang around and watch.

[Chase Benjamin]