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The two had been yelling at one another since their missions had come to a stop for the moment, both cleaned up now but neither letting the other go after, that was until Richtofen suddenly snapped out, “I care for you too much- That’s why!” Richtofen looked towards Dempsey angry, the two just having been in an intense argument over how Richtofen had handled a previous situation in such a dangerous manner, “I can’t stand you getting hurt or risk losing you when I know I won’t die!” The German doctor was ready to go off more, but when he came to the realization of what he had just said, he stopped himself and looked away from the American Marine that was just standing there with a look of shock. In a panic, Richtofen was quick to try and walk past Dempsey, but had to push into Dempsey lightly just to leave the room, quietly saying, “I’m sorry.” And leaving.
Dempsey was at loss of words and thought, trying to take in what he heard and just come up with good words because this was going nowhere and now it seemed to boil over, Dempsey finally having some other sort of reaction in the form of quietly cursing at himself for freezing up. So he turned around to go after Richtofen and calm himself down while doing so, but it was hard not to be upset in a situation where someone you want to hold so close and never get hurt again just willingly threw themselves into danger and nearly died. Just because Richtofen was lucky enough now to not die because some nonsensical book said so, doesn’t mean that will always be the case. Dempsey refused to accept that the book was actually protecting Richtofen, and instead knew the book could change on a moment’s notice. Now the hard part was to lay that into Richtofen’s head in a way that didn’t turn out into a fight. But how?
Dempsey sighed as he realized he had been walking around for a moment and could not find Richtofen, so he looked for the other two of the group, finding Takeo and Nikolai at a campfire they made and talking while cooking up some fight and canned food. Dempsey felt bad he was not contributing but making sure Richtofen was more careful would save them all some headache, “Hey you two, happen to see where Richtofen ran off too?”
Nikolai started to flip one of the fish, “He stomped past not too long ago, looked like he was about to cry. What did you do Dempsey to upset Richtofen so bad?”
The marine sighed, “It’s complicated, but the talk is far from over, I need to know where he went.”
“He was heading towards the dock we were fishing not too long ago.” Takeo pointed towards a building not far off, “The dock is behind there.” Keeping his eyes on the food.
“Thanks Tak.” Dempsey headed quickly there and tried to collect his thoughts better, it helped to take a moment to talk with the others to bring his frustration down to a more controlled level. As Dempsey approached the building and headed around the side of it, he quieted himself more, only to stop right before going around and look around the side to see if Richtofen was at the docks and do his best to make sure the other wouldn’t try to run again. He saw Richtofen sitting there on the edge of the dock looking out at the water in a defeated state, slumped and from what Dempsey could see having a deep frown. Dempsey didn’t need to be ready to run at the other, it seemed Richtofen felt he already lost. So Dempsey took slower time to approach Richtofen, when close enough to to start talking, Dempsey opened his mouth to do so but Richtofen beat him to it, “I am sure you are here to fight with me more, yes? It’s fine, do as you please.” Richtofen waved his hand some before letting it fall back on his lap and not even looking at Dempsey.
It was quiet still, the only sound was Dempsey walking up next to Richtofen before sitting down and sighing, looking out at the lake ocean now. Both were quiet, neither wanting to seem to start the conversation but knew it was going to happen either way. Richtofen couldn’t bear the silence as much as Dempsey, “Why are you not yelling at me?”
“There is nothing wrong with caring for others, especially those you've spent a long time with and want to trust. But how you are handling it is not caring for yourself and it’s not good for you or anyone else.” Dempsey glanced at Richtofen who was looking frustrated again, but Dempsey decided to continue, “You need to have more trust in us, I don’t expect you to change your ways overnight but you’re not going to be able to take on every hit and punch. That’s why there are four of us, not just you. So think more of us as a group and rely on us, the better we work together the better we can get to saving the universe.” Dempsey reached with his arm and put it around Richtofen’s shoulders, giving the doctor a light shake, “You don’t think I or the other two feel the same for you as well?”
Richtofen began to look defeated again, “To be quite frank I felt you all hated me and were suspicious I was using you.”
Dempsey shrugged, but kept his arm around Richtofen, “Maybe a bit at the beginning, but you’ve proven you are taking great risks for us and everyone honestly, the world may not know it but we do and we are thankful for that. But we can share this burden, not leave it all to you. Then maybe that brain of yours can get some rest.” Dempsey chuckled some, trying to keep light with his talk, though Richtofen only grew frustrated more.
“It’s not that easy!” Richtofen snapped and tensed up, Dempsey able to feel Richtofen’s body start to shake, “You don’t understand at all what I mean!” Richtofen then put his head in his hands to hide his face, leaned over and seemed like he was ready to cry. Dempsey moved his arm alone with Richtofen’s body to keep it there, “I don’t, no, but if you could help me try to understand more and tell me what is going on in that big old head of yours. Then maybe I can see why it’s not so easy.” Dempsey was still trying his best to be calm but his tone was serious now.
Richtofen sighed, his hands dropping from his face again and kept his eyes towards his feet, looking past to the water that swayed, “I care about you all, yes, though I’ve had people I worked with and those I was close to. It’s never been like this, I never thought- Or well any of us truly, that things would be like this. I’ve been with you all so long, with you, that I’ve come to find myself caring so much it hurts. And it’s not fair or proper for anyone.” Richtofen bit at his lip, trying hard to keep some words in.
On the other hand, Dempsey’s brow furrowed as he looked at the doctor's face, trying to read over it and put the puzzle pieces together. Though it could be simple as Dempsey was thinking, maybe it wasn’t or Dempsey was over reading. He hoped though it was the more simple route, “You’re feelings are not alone, I care for you, all of you even as well.” Dempsey sighed, “I just don’t want you to risk dying for me. At least let us try to take it together.” The marine looked out to the waters, “You’re not as invincible as you think you are, so please let us help you with this burden.” Then looked back to Richtofen who’s eyes met with Dempsey. The two stared at one another, Richtofen unable to move or say more. So Dempsey decided to take the step and leaned in, giving Richtofen a gentle kiss then moving back a tiny bit to speak, “It’s not fair to me if you keep doing this to yourself.”
Richtofen’s eyes lit up, he looked at Dempsey almost dumbfounded and not moving anymore. Was he even breathing? Dempsey gave Richtofen a little shake, “Sorry Doc, was that too much?”
Richtofen snapped back, “Sorry- Did you just kiss me?”
“Was that too far?”
“No, actually can you do it again?”
Dempsey chuckled a bit, “Sure.” And leaned in giving Richtofen another long and sweet kiss, pushing himself more against the other who did the same in return. After a few moments the two pulled back.
“Can you try to rely on me a little more then?” Dempsey asked Richtofen.
The doctor looked away, giving a small pout with flushed cheeks, “I see your point now, I will try my best.”
“Trying is better than doing nothing at all!” Dempsey laughed, his stomach started to grumble, “Augh, shit I am starving. Let’s go see if the other two have finished the food.” Getting up and putting a hand out to Richtofen.
“They were cooking?” Richtofen looked curiously to Dempsey, taking the marine’s hand and standing up.
“Yea but you only get canned peas.” Dempsey teased which made Richtofen huff and give a light kick back. The two headed back in hopes to enjoy a good meal and some quiet while it lasted with the others.