((Okay, this one actually falls under 500 words, so it can be counted as a flashfic ><; ))
The sound of heavy boots upon the wooden floorboards was accentuated in the walls and ceiling as Gene stepped into the room, his exhaustion evident in the quiet groan as he unhooked his gun from its holster, placing it wearily on a nearby table before opening dreary blue eyes as Jim approached him, his young face mounted with curiosity and concern.
"Gene?" he asked tentatively, but leapt forward in an instant as the older man began to fall, his knees buckling beneath him...Jim caught him with some effort, his slender arms struggling to take Gene’s weight, and he felt a gloved hand on his forearm as his partner tried to steady himself. A light groaned escaped him, and Jim craned his neck, trying to peer into Gene’s face as his hands rested on the man’s shoulders, pushing him upright.
"...I'm okay..." Gene muttered, his eyes closed as Jim’s knuckles brushed his forehead. "It's nothing, I'm okay."
"The Tao found you again, didn't they?! They hurt you...Gene-,"
And he let out a little gasp as Gene collapsed again, falling onto Jim heavily as his consciousness abandoned him.
“You can’t keep doing this, Gene,” Jim whispered as he stood there holding up the 6'2 man with his small frame, his head resting upon Gene’s limp shoulder. "You're...burning out. I know it." He closed his eyes as tears threatened to spill from them, holding him to his and burying his head in his shoulder for a moment. "Gene...”
He felt the man stir slightly, and pulled away.
"C’mon, idiot," he whispered, disregarding his own tears and smiling at Gene reassuringly. He put Gene’s arm around his shoulders and guided him slowly, carefully...the couch was not far, and as they approached it Jim turned to him, laying him gently upon it as best he could and looking down at him from where he stood, his eyes evident with regret. Jim left him ther for a moment, returning with a small bowl of water and a torn, tattered cloth. He brushed the side of Gene’s face gently with the back of his hand, knowing he'd have the fever even before he touched him…
"How are we gonna break this Tao curse on you?" Jim muttered, though by now Gene had slipped away again again, back into the realm of his subconscious, and did not flinch as Jim squeezed the water out of the cloth and pressed the damp material to his forehead, watching rivulets of liquid trickle down the sides of his face. Gene’s marred skin seemed dark, almost blue in the light of the moon, revealing the shadows beneath his eyes, and for a moment, Jim’s eyes flew to the man’s chest to make sure he was still breathing, frightened by the look of death illuminated upon his partner's features. He closed his eyes, bowing his head and letting it rest against Gene’s shoulder again...perhaps, if he stayed that way long enough, it would all go away...
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