Work Text:
Getting hurt by somebody that you thought had your back is one thing, but getting punched in the face by somebody that you love is hurting you on a completely different level. Butcher left them. He left them all alone, fighting for themselves, getting almost killed, getting shot at and kidnapped and he just left them.
Laying on the cold street, Hughie felt his face throbbing and pinching. Butchers fist was the size of a fucking sledge hammer after all. Feeling a fist that size punching you in the face wasn't a piece of cake. But even then, Hughie knew that Butcher was holding himself back when he popped him one. It could have been a lot worse for him if Butcher wouldn't have controlled himself.
While slowly pulling himself up Hughie reminiscenced how Butcher and him met. How he saved him countless times and told him about Becca. So a part of Hughie could understand that Butcher was pissed at him for throwing away a chance at finding her. Especially after Butcher told the team how she supposedly is still alive.
Finally standing up right again, his head throbbed and his sight was dizzy. Hughie was just so fucking fed up with the way his life turned out. He saw more death, lies and destruction in the couple of months since he met Butcher than ever before. And he was done, just done with it. Being the counterpart of Butchers craziness and fuck-it-all-attitude would take its toll sooner than later.
Deep down Hughie knew very well that he was projecting his abandonment issues on Butcher. Just like his mother has left his dad and him, Butcher left too. As if the things he sacrificed for that man didn't mean anything at all. He once again wasn't good enough for someone to stay. Sure, he agreed to help Butcher, he wanted to be part of the Boys. Hughie never had a place where he really fit in and with Butchers arrival in the little, run-down electronic shop, he unknowingly offered Hughie a way out. Away from the suicidal thoughts after Robins murder. He offered more than just help. For Hughie it was the kick he needed to come up for air instead of drowning in ordinariness.
„Hey kid, you coming?“, MM asked while leaning out of the driver’s window.
Hughie turned his head and looked at him. In just a millisecond Hughie’s decision was made. No, no he wouldn't take this shit anymore. No more snarky comments or cussing him out. If there was one thing Butcher was a master at, it was seeing someone’s weakness and using that against them. Manipulating the people around him to get what he wanted. When Butcher left him on that dusty parking lot, Hughie finally opened his eyes and saw how little Butcher really cared for him. Or for what happened to Robin. In the end, all Butcher said to Hughie was a lie. Noone and nothing mattered to this man but getting his revenge. Hughie sincerely wasn't sure if Butcher wanted to find Becca and face the outcome of Homelanders cruelty or rather kill the supe to get revenge and kill the part that was guilty for not protecting his wife.
Hard pass on that. He looked at MM, shook his head and started walking in the opposite direction. Pondering if he could be faster than the others, Hughie decided against going back to the hideout. He heard MM call his name one more time, but continued walking. After faintly hearing Butcher growl at MM that Hughie made his decision to finally fuck off, the van started driving away.
Alone on the street, it was abnormally silent. So, Hughie walked faster and stayed in the shadows. He walked in the direction of the hideout, not knowing where he would stay the night. Same as the others, he was burned and on Vought’s and the CIAs radar. Quickly he decided there was no other option for him than to squat in an empty building. He couldn't go home – wherever that was. He couldn't stay at Annies obviously and his dad was in witness protection. Hughie really was alone now.
Walking around aimlessly, he ended up in the park where he met Annie for the first time. Hughie sat down on a bench and pulled out his phone. A couple new messages popped up on his screen. Frenchie asked where he was. MM said he was worried and to please call him. His dad wanted to know how he was doing. Nothing from Butcher.
It was late and most of the city’s inhabitants were at home with their families. The air turned colder and dense around him. But the silence was, what finally got to him. The days events played out before his mind's eye like a movie. Silent tears gathered in his eyes and ran down his cheeks. Hughie wasn't ready to admit that it might have been a mistake not to stay with the others. On his own, he was an easy target for Vought. Homelander wouldn't even break a sweat if he took Hughie down.
But Hughie couldn't take it anymore. He simply couldn't swallow all the anger and disappointment that Butcher's return had triggered in him. Above all, he could no longer ignore the real reason that had made him so angry. The realization that Hughie had fallen in love with Butcher almost crushed the young man. He knew that for Butcher, there would be no one else but his wife. And Hughie was content with that. He didn't want to have to think about Butcher while he was with Annie. But despite that, he couldn't deny the thoughts that rose up in him. Instead of small, delicate hands tenderly caressing him, there were large, rough paws on his hips. Not soft lips kissing him, but clumsy kisses through a scratchy beard, he imagined.
Hughie knew for sure that if Vought showed up right now and grabbed him, Butcher would never give him more than a passing thought. He would be nothing more than a fleeting memory. And yet, he longed for the oversized presence of the man who had hurt him.
Wearily, Hughie closed his eyes and immediately opened them again. He couldn't stay here. It would be far too dangerous. So, he hoisted up his tired, battered body and stumbled out of the park toward the docks. There were enough abandoned buildings there where he could spend the night.
On the way, he passed an open trash bag with pieces of clothing sticking out of it. He quickly looked around but saw no one. Without hesitation, Hughie pulled a shirt and a dirty jacket out of the bag and quickly changed. With a heavy heart, he threw his old clothes in the trash.
His phone vibrated as new messages came in from the others. Again, he ignored them and arrived at an abandoned building, exhausted and tired. Waiting, he checked to see if anyone else was inside and stumbled almost blindly through an abandoned office.
The others must have returned to the hideout by now. They were probably just as exhausted as Hughie. But as much as he wanted to be back in the filthy basement with the others, he couldn't be near Butcher anymore. Nothing would be more painful than looking again into the face of the man who couldn't care less about him.
Just before Hughie could fall asleep, exhausted, crouching against a wall, he heard slow footsteps. His heart racing, Hughie woke up and silently tried to get closer to one of the shattered windows. Perhaps he could climb out from there.
Just as he stretched one of his long legs out the window, he lost his footing and fell against the window frame. The shards, glinting in the streetlight, cut deep into his flesh. Blood instantly soaked his already soiled jeans and clung unpleasantly to his skin. The cut in his leg burned painfully hot.
The footsteps were getting closer, so Hughie hurried to climb out the window to freedom, and once again, shards of glass cut into his body. Dazed, he fell to the dirty ground behind the building as the footsteps also headed toward the window.
Dizzy, Hughie got to his feet and stumbled as fast as he could back toward the park. From there, he would have a better sense of direction. With any luck, he would be able to reach Annie to help him bandage his wounds.
But the wound on his leg was deeper than Hughie had thought. His entire trouser leg was already deep red. Blood wasn't absorbed; it simply dripped down the fabric onto the floor.
In the darkness, Hughie fell over something and landed hard on the ground. He tried with all his might to get up, but his strength was exhausted. By now, not only did his leg and side hurt. His head was also throbbing painfully. The blood on his lip had dried and itched terribly.
Dazed, he lay on the ground, simply hoping no one was looking. The first dark spots clouded his vision as a pair of worn boots came into view. „Fuck, Hughie. What did you do?“ the voice asked before everything went black around Hughie.
Gentle slaps on his cheek woke Hughie from his unconsciousness. Closely followed by burning pain that seemed to lick at his skin like flames. Whimpering, Hughie tried to escape the pain somehow, only to find himself trapped in a pair of strong arms that didn't allow him an inch of freedom of movement.
„Sh, it's okay, Hughie. It'll be over soon,“ a deep voice growled in his ear. „Fuck, MM. Will you damn well hurry up? We don't have all fucking night.“
„Fuck you, Butcher. It's going as fast as I can. I'm sewing deep into the skin here, it's taking time. I don't want to risk him losing feeling or limping. Do you, asshole?“ came the grumpy reply. „Not to mention that this is entirely your fault.“
„My fault?!"
„Yeah, damn it, your fault. Was what Hughie did stupid? Sure. Was it reason enough to punch him just because you didn't get your way? Certainly not! You saw, as we all did, that the boy isn't like us. He doesn't take that kind of thing so easily.“
„Sooner or later, he was going to have to take a beating anyway, wasn't he? Occupational hazard, I'd say.“
„Fuck you, Butcher. You know perfectly well that's not what this is about. Hughie's only here because of you. He's always stood by you despite all the shit you've put him through. Now he's standing up for Kimiko, and you're freaking out.“
„He almost ruined my chance to get Becca back. That's what this is all about. I don't exactly see standing in my way as having my back. Do you?“
„It's about him still realizing what's right. Handing over Kimiko's brother isn't right. The kid still has a sense of justice that we assholes have been lacking for a long time. Especially you.“
Silence fell as both men fell silent. Only Hughie's soft whimper could still be heard.
„You know that smacking him isn't exactly going to make Hughie stay, right? Even if he's in love with you. Even someone as submissive as Hughie reaches his limit at some point,“ MM explained quietly.
„I know, MM. But fuck, even if he and I... even if she's not anymore... I'm no good for him.“
„No, but he is for you. He forces you to look at things differently, whether you want to or not.“
Several moments passed, and Hughie slowly came to. Confused, he looked around. The filthy basement came into view. He lay openly on the couch while MM knelt in front of him, stitching the cuts on his leg and side. Butcher sat at the end of the couch, holding Hughie's head in his lap.
Long fingers, capable of inflicting just as much pain, gently stroked Hughie's curls. Brown eyes gazed into the tired blue ones. A gentle smile played around his hard mouth, almost hidden by his unruly beard.
„Welcome back, princess. Finally finished with your beauty sleep?“
„Butch... Butcher...“ whispered Hughie.
„Sh, no need to get excited. I tracked your phone and followed you. Good thing I was there to catch your clumsy ass before you bled to death, huh?“
Hughie chuckled softly and immediately grimaced. The stitches were stretching uncomfortably against his skin.
„How much longer?“ whispered Hughie.
„That's the final stitch, Hughie. All done. The wounds still need to be cleaned and dressed,“ replied MM.
„Take him to my room, where the large first-aid kit is, okay?“
Both men carefully lifted Hughie and helped him into Butcher's room. He was gently laid on the bed.
„I'll take care of it, MM. Thanks,“ Butcher said, giving MM a look that indicated he and Hughie needed some time alone. MM nodded and closed the door behind him on his way out of the room.
Neither of them said a word as Butcher carefully removed the remnants of Hughie's pants and T-shirt. He cleaned the stitches and grimaced repeatedly as Hughie winced in pain.
His gaze lowered and his focus entirely on his task, he finally said, „I'm sorry, Hughie. I shouldn't have popped you one. So close to the finish line, there's no time to weigh right from wrong. I know you were trying to help Kimiko, but there's more to this. And even if you think I don't understand, a Supe is still a Supe. They're dangerous, and only a dead Supe is a good Supe.“
„We are, too. Dangerous, I mean. She would never have seen him again. Just like I'll never see Robin again. I wouldn't wish that pain on anyone.“
Butcher nodded thoughtfully and finally looked up at Hughie after applying the last bandage to the wounds.
„Hughie... You... I... We can never be.“
„I know,“ Hughie whispered sadly, turning his gaze away from Butcher.
Rough hands suddenly cupped his face. Plump lips pressed against his, and the untamed beard scratched his chin. With light pressure, Butcher kissed Hughie, searchingly running his tongue over his lower lip. Whimpering, Hughie opened his mouth and willingly welcomed Butcher's tongue. Hughie tentatively ran the tip of his tongue along Butchers.
Butcher's taste of ash and whiskey exploded on Hughie's taste buds. The kiss became more insistent, and both men were breathing heavily. Lust swelled between them. As Hughie's cock twitched with pleasure, he realized he was wearing nothing but his boxer shorts.
Ashamed, he wanted to cover his groin so Butcher wouldn't notice how much their kiss was affecting him. But, as always, Butcher's attention was everywhere. Without breaking the kiss, he gently ran his hands down Hughie's arms to his chest.
With perky fingers, he cupped a nipple and gently pulled on it. Hughie involuntarily let out a moan. „God, the sounds you make, princess,“ Butcher moaned into his mouth.
Hughie definitely didn't want this to end here, so he rather hesitantly placed his hand on Butcher's cheek. When Butcher made no move to end the kiss, Hughie tangled his fingers in the hair at the nape of Butcher's neck. He groaned as Butcher gently tweaked his nipple again.
With a groan of his own, Butcher retaliated, trailing light kisses down Hughie's neck to his chest. He licked first one nipple, then the other, sucking on them delightfully.
Hughie's moans became more breathless, the more Butcher caressed his body. „Please, please, Butcher,“ Hughie begged between his moans.
„What do you want, princess? Moanin' so beautifully for me. Drivin' me crazy. Every moment I look at you and want to bend you over the nearest surface and just take what I want. So very distracting, luv.“ Butcher grumbled between kisses on Hughie's chest and neck.
„Yes, please. More. I need more. Butcher, I need you,“ Hughie whimpered.
„I'm here, baby. Takin' what I fucking want.“
Hughie was so focused on the feeling of Butcher's lips on his skin that his mind didn't register until a large hand moved toward his groin.
With every kiss, every touch, Hughie's cock had grown harder, bulging completely out of his boxers. The head of his cock was already leaking precum onto Hughie's lower abdomen.
„Butcher, please.“
Slowly, as if not wanting to startle Hughie, Butcher pulled Hughie's boxers down and freed his hard cock. Ashamed, Hughie wanted to turn his face away.
„Don't, Princess. Look at me. Watch me take what's mine.“
Hughie moaned again, shamefully loudly, as Butcher carefully wrapped his large hand around his wet cock. With controlled movements, Butcher caressed Hughie's hard length.
Hughie whimpered with pleasure as Butcher played with his wet cockhead. He could barely think straight from sheer desire. Desperately, he tugged at Butcher's ugly Hawaiian shirt.
„Off, please. I want to touch you.“
Butcher grinned mischievously and quickly took off his shirt. He unbuttoned his jeans to give his own hard cock a little more room. Hughie whimpered again when he saw the large, hard bulge protruding from his open pants.
„Like what you see, baby,“ he smirked.
Hughie nodded desperately. He wanted to feel Butcher's skin against his. Butcher seemed to be able to read his mind. He removed his jeans and black boxer shorts. With deliberate movements, so as not to hurt Hughie, he climbed onto the bed. Hughie's lust-filled gaze wandered over Butcher's body.
Butcher also pulled the last of Hughie's clothes off his body and then spread Hughie's legs. The large man carefully lay on top of Hughie. Hungry kisses filled the room. Hughie's whimpers interrupted the otherwise lust-filled atmosphere. He pressed desperately closer to Butcher as Butcher once again let his mouth wander over Hughie's neck. Dark spots were sucked into milky white skin. Rough, large hands roamed the young man's chest, pulling on his hard nipples while soft hands caressed wide shoulders and a strong, freckled back.
With a deep growl, Butcher reached between their bodies and finally cupped both their cocks in his hand. He rubbed their wetness all over them.
„Come on, beautiful. Moan for me. Give me what's mine, baby.“
With firm, quick strokes, Butcher worked their cocks, pressing them together again and again. Hughie could do nothing but writhe beneath the large man, whimpering and begging for more. His abdomen contracted with pleasure.
„Butch... Butcher, please. Please,“ Hughie whimpered with pleasure.
„I got you, baby. Daddy, will give you what you need. I know you're close,“ Butcher moaned softly.
Before Hughie could come, Butcher let go. He licked his hand and let it wander between their bodies again. But instead of torturing it with harsh strokes again, he let his fingers wander under Hughie's balls and gently pressed his fingertip against the tight opening below.
Sobbing, Hughie moaned again and gently pushed himself into the movement. Slowly, Butcher pushed his finger through the tight ring of muscle. Hughie tensed involuntarily.
„Shh, baby, just relax, let Daddy handle everything,“ Butcher whispered.
He kissed Hughie's swollen lips while simultaneously penetrating him deeper. His other hand wrapped around Hughie's wet length again. After a few strokes, Hughie's body tensed with desire. He was about to come.
„Butcher, please, please. I'm... I'm close.“
„I know, baby. Give me everything. Let got for me, luv.“
Hughie moaned desperately as hot pleasure coursed through his entire body, and he came all over Butcher's hand as he penetrated Hughie with slow, deliberate thrusts of his fingers.
While Hughie recovered, breathing heavily, Butcher wrapped his hand around his own length. With hard strokes, he sprayed his cum onto Hughie's chest and stomach after just a few touches.
Breathing heavily, Butcher lowered himself onto Hughie and kissed him deeply again. Both men were exhausted and sated.
Butcher slid down next to Hughie and pulled the young man to his chest. He slowly ran his fingers through Hughie's tousled curls.
„I'm really sorry, Hughie. Please believe me, when I promise to not be an absolute cunt anymore. Well, at least I try. Sleep now, baby. You need it.“
After a few moments, Hughie's eyes drifted shut. Turning away from Butcher would always bring him right back to this man, it seemed. But that didn't mean Hughie would simply give in if Butcher acted like a caveman again. He just hoped to continue to have a place at the side of this man who held him in his orbit like a cosmic force.