It's four days after the accident - Hughie's abdomen still throbs, but the prescribed medication takes the edge off a little.
For safety purposes, he'd been transported to Mallory's house after barely twenty-four hours in the hospital. Uncomfortable as it's been, they just can't risk Vought getting at them when they're vulnerable.
Hughie's just waking up when Butcher steps into his room, ever-present frown on his face. "Mornin', lad," he says gruffly.
"Hey," Hughie mutters, struggling to sit up all the way. "It's early."
"Yep," Butcher agrees, walking closer to Hughie's bedside. "Careful. Don't tear anythin'." He puts his hand on Hughie's arm, steadying him.
Hughie shivers, Butcher's touch warm on his cool skin.
"Let's take a look, shall we?" Butcher pushes back the blankets from Hughie's body and carefully lifts the hem of his t-shirt.
Hughie inhales sharply - the shock of Butcher's fingers grazing his belly sends a flash of warmth down his spine.
"Bleedin' a bit, Hughie," he murmurs. He touches the gauze cautiously.
"Oh," Hughie mutters. "I didn't notice. It's not - I mean, it's uncomfortable, but it doesn't hurt. I'm not in pain right now." He's fidgeting, Butcher's warm hand still splayed on his stomach.
"Let's change it anyway, yeah?" He starts peeling back the gauze, and sure enough, there's a little blood seeping between the stitches. He clicks his tongue.
"Nothin'. You're healin' well, actually. Just a lot of bruising, lad. And you're gonna have a gnarly scar."
Hughie watches Butcher disappear and come back with a washcloth, rubbing alcohol, and fresh bandages. It doesn't take long to clean him up, and Butcher is so gentle that it causes Hughie to ache in other ways.
"Thank you," he whispers.
"Hughie - " Butcher starts, unsure. He lets his hand rest on Hughie's belly, damn well aware of how intimate it is.
Hughie closes his eyes, leaning back against the pillow. "I like that. It feels like my own personal heating pad."
Butcher snorts. "Glad to be of service." He pauses - oh, this is a bad idea - and then gets on the bed, next to Hughie, keeping his hand on his stomach.
Hughie feels himself flush, but instead of blurting out the first awkward thing that comes to mind, he keeps quiet.
Butcher leans in, lips close to Hughie's ear. "You have no idea how glad I am that you're okay, love."
Hughie finally looks at him, eyes wet. "I - uh - y-you -"
"Get some more rest. Need your strength up." Butcher reaches for the remote control and clicks on the TV at the end of Hughie's bed.
Hughie stills, relaxing against Butcher.
He has a lot of questions, but he doesn't want to ruin the moment. So he turns his eyes toward the TV and lets himself drift.