Work Text:
Roach didn't find Crow anywhere on base, training room? No one, the mess hall? Why would he even be here. Every single usually place he goes, even the med bay, there was no Crow. He really didn't want to have to go check his room. But it was worrisome. He's been looking for him all morning.
So here he was, standing in front of his room, not knowing if he should knock or not. But he had to, when no one answered he sighed and entered without permission and he was glad he did, because Crow couldn't go out of this mess on his own this time. His room reeks of cigarette, making Roach gags, and the man he had been searching all morning was on his own bed, puffy red eyes, trying to wipe away his tears, but he mostly looked like he was fighting with himself. His usually black shirt was off, tossed on the bed like some trash and his hair were untied and messed up. He was still wearing his binder, and another one on top of it. It was one of those day.
Roach sat next to him, patient, calm. And he started patting his back, guiding him into a deserved hug. Crow finally let himself cry all the tears he had in his body, soaking Roach shoulder, but Roach didn't care, if his friend needed to cry, he was his shoulder to cry on. He knew it was harsh, someday everything come crashing down for no particular reason. He put Crow's legs around his waist to make him more comfortable. And he let his harsh throat whisper some words. "You're strong, don't forget to love yourself… I love you…" He let his fingers run along his back, writing down the last words on his skin and Crow wished nothing more than have those words carved into his body.
His breathing started to steady, and Roach helped him remove one of his binder, finally letting himself breath. With a saddened gaze, Roach looked at his arms, the scars were open and blood run down on the sheet.
Roach patted Crow's back and took some bandages, he cleaned the wounds and dressed them. 'Did you eat something today?' he signed and Crow shook his head. Gary sighed and put him down on his bed, putting his blanket over him. He came back with a sandwich and some snacks, Crow thanked him and started to eat, little bit per little bit, his body protested, he probably skipped his meals a bit too much.
Roach let him eat, silently, before clearing up his throat, "You're a pretty boy…"
Crow looked at him with big shocked eyes and laughed it off. "You're joking I'm an ugly mess, you're the pretty boy!" And he booped Roach's nose.
And Roach went back to being silent but with a big smile this time, he made his friend laugh, and he had the most beautiful man he ever saw in front of him, it was all he ever wanted.