Title: The Depth of a Scar
Pairing/Characters: TJ/Jase (OMC)
Rating (Word Count): R (5x100)
Warning(s): None
Author's notes: This is set in the It's That Pivotal Moment verse after the sequel which is in the editing process right now. It is a direct sequel to One Shot and My Lover Goes Down and The Damage Is Damning Us Down All you need to know is Adam and Sauli are together and Tommy is dating an Army Doctor. Thanks to lovenhardt1 for the preread and leela_cat for the beta <333



The Depth of A Scar

Tommy stared at the silvery puckered skin on his neck in the mirror. He rubbed his finger over it, grimacing when there was no feeling other than a weird bit of pressure. In the big picture it wasn't a large scar, nowhere near the size of the one on his leg, but for reasons he refused to give word to, this one went far deeper.

Hands slid around his waist, and Tommy closed his eyes as he felt lips press against the scar.
Silently he reached his hand up, wrapping it around the back of Jase's neck, holding him there.

^v^

Tommy turned easily in Jase's arms, burying his face in Jase's neck, inhaling the familiar scent, feeling calmness and relief wash over him. Jase must have felt the tension leave Tommy's body because he tightened his arms around him, just like he did every night he woke to find Tommy in the bathroom staring at his scar.

They never talked about these nights, just like they never talked about the nights Tommy woke to Jase bolting upright in bed, body drenched in sweat. Nights Tommy distracted Jase from his nightmares with kisses and whispers of love along his body in the darkness.

^v^

Later, lying in the dark, staring at the ceiling, Tommy's fingers drifted back to the scar. It might be on his neck but it marked them both. Jase's hand found his, twining their fingers together, pulling Tommy's hand away from the scar and toward Jase's chest, right over his heart. Tommy knew what Jase was saying without even hearing the words. Biting his lip, he turned into Jase's embrace, resting his head on Jase's chest.

"I love you, no matter what. We'll get through this, I promise," Jase whispered.

"I know," Tommy replied, still feeling like he'd let Jase down.

^v^

"Stop beating yourself up."

Tommy snorted. "Says you."

They lapsed back into silence, Jase stroking his hand up and down Tommy's back.

"Yeah, well, I have every right to," Jase finally said.

Lifting a shoulder, Tommy shrugged. "So do I."

"So we're each beating ourselves up because we couldn't keep the other one safe. We're a fucking pair, right out of a Joss Whedon show."

"Did any of them get happy endings?" Tommy asked quietly.

"Simon and Kaylee did, and he was the ship's doctor."

"It's a sign." Tommy rolled his eyes.

"Joss is a genius. It's totally a sign."

^v^

"I love you, you big dork." Tommy kissed Jase's chest before laying his head back down.

"I love you too, rockstar. Now, how about we stop whipping ourselves for one night, enjoy the fact that we're both alive and together and try to get a good night's sleep."

"Save it for the therapist?"

"Something like that, yeah."

Tommy thought for a moment. "Yeah, okay."

Silence reigned again. Tommy knew the topic was far from over. They were both damaged enough that it wouldn't be for a long while. He hoped it would heal, eventually.

With nothing left but a scar.

The End