Cut and Run 1 - Cut and Run

anything.
    Shamelessly exploiting Ty's slight weakness, Zane wrapped both arms around him, pulling him against his chest. “Are you awake now?” he asked, trying not to laugh.
    "Yes,” Ty whimpered pitifully. Zane grasped his chin and tilted it up to look at his eyes, looking at the pupils in the brighter light. Ty just blinked at him miserably, allowing the manhandling without so much as a frown.
    "You're looking a little better,” Zane said. “So no cold shower. But you do get to sit over here and let me wash the blood off,” he said, plucking at the stained shirt.
    "Peroxide gets the blood out,” Ty offered, not thinking that peroxide would be slightly difficult to come by right then.
    "Sure thing,” Zane said indulgently. “But warm water will be fine for your neck and back.” Zane led him over to the cushioned chair at the stainless-steel counter and got him sitting before going to the sink to soak a washcloth. “Haven't you ever had a concussion before?” he asked.
    Ty finally cracked a slightly tired, mischievous smile and answered, “Not that I can remember."
    Zane grinned over his shoulder as he wrung out the rag. “Shirt off, please."
    Ty groaned, smile faltering as he shrugged out of his bloody shirt with difficulty. He examined it with a distant frown. It was a plain brown shirt with crossed paddles on the front in white. The words read, “Schitt Creek Paddling Co.” The white of the letters was marred with dried, dark blood stains.
    "What?” Zane asked as he walked over and started wiping the crusted blood off Ty's neck.
    "I like this shirt,” Ty answered softly.
    Zane looked down at Ty's hands and just kept wiping. “I'd rather have the shirt be bloody than you."
    Ty frowned as he looked at the dried blood and felt Zane's gentle swipes clean the back of his neck. Finally, he looked down, finding a spot of interest on the floor instead, and he asked, “Were you worried?"
    Zane pressed his lips together, deciding what to say that would offend Ty the least. “Nah. You're tough. I knew you could handle it.” But his voice was soft, no edge or joking to it. Ty's expression was hidden from him, and the only response Zane could see was Ty's head lowering so the cloth could slide more easily against his neck.
    Rubbing gently, especially close to the wound, Zane took care of the rest of the blood he could reach. At the last moment, he sighed, leaned over, and pressed his lips to the back of Ty's neck. “There you go,” he murmured, unable to explain the unusual gesture.
    Ty lowered his head further and shivered again, finally turning his head to brush his cheek against Zane's.
    "Are you cold?” Zane asked, frowning a little, but rubbing his cheek lightly against Ty's in return.
    "Quit rubbing cold water over me and I won't be,” Ty murmured in answer, his head turning just a little bit more until his lips moved against Zane's skin.
    The wet cloth was still warm in his hand, but Zane pulled it away from Ty's neck anyway, carefully not moving. He closed his eyes as he held still, letting Ty do as he liked. Ty's entire body trembled as the cool air hit the wet skin on the back of his neck.
    Feeling Ty shiver again, Zane went down on one knee beside him. He wasn't sure what to think. Zane knew a concussion could make you really feel off—Lord knows he'd had enough of them himself—but the shivering was new. Maybe Ty was still hurting? He had a lot of injuries to deal with, and being in pain could do odd things to your body. “I feel like I'm not helping a lot here. Warm shower?” he suggested
    "That's a big change from the hard-ass cold-shower threats,” Ty muttered.
    Zane smiled fondly. “Worked, didn't it?"
    Ty groaned and closed his eyes, leaning over until his chin rested on top of Zane's head. He closed his eyes, fully prepared to sleep just like that.
    Zane sighed. Ty could be so damn difficult to deal with, mainly because even when he was being stubborn it was almost endearing. “Up you go. You need to stay awake at least another half-hour. Lord. How am I going to entertain you for that long?"
    "Shadow puppets?” Ty suggested as he stood carefully.
    Chuckling, Zane got to his feet, giving Ty some room but staying close by. “How about food? I'll order us some burgers. We missed breakfast."
    Ty frowned as he turned his clunking mind to food. “Sounds good,” he said in a slightly surprised voice.
    Zane smiled. “Good.” He walked back to the bedroom, got the menu, and