Bryce has always felt responsible for Chuck. Why, he’s not sure. They’re the same age and Chuck is probably the smartest guy he’s ever met.
Hell, it’s the reason he’s gotten Chuck into this mess in the first place.
The intersect backfired. It uploaded wrong, too fast, there were files missing. The reason doesn’t matter. It didn’t work and it cost Chuck his mind and his freedom.
Because of Bryce, Chuck ends up in a CIA hospital with no memories of his past. (No memories of Bryce Larkin being his greatest nemesis)
In the end, it's just one more mistake in a long line of things Bryce thought he was doing for Chuck’s own good.
+++
The first week Bryce can’t even bring himself to see Chuck, let alone talk to him.
He paces outside Chuck’s room while he sleeps and tries to think of a way to ask for Chuck’s forgiveness that won’t make him hate Bryce before he even gets to know him.
+++
Bryce introduces himself under the guise of being one of Chuck’s doctors. (Hi, we were best friends at Stanford for three years before I got you kicked out for cheating probably wouldn’t get him very far)
Chuck doesn’t talk much those first few days.
What is there to say?
Chuck doesn’t remember his family, his friends or his job. He doesn’t even remember his favorite song. He tells Bryce as much and buries his head in his hands.
“I’m sorry,” Chuck sighs. “It’s not your fault. Hey, I guess this is as good a time as any to just pick a new favorite song, right?” he laughs, a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.
Bryce’s chest aches.
+++
Chuck wants to be pissed, but mostly he’s just confused. He feels like all his thoughts are on the tip of his tongue and the whole world is just out of his reach.
The feeling is worse when Bryce is there.
Chuck can tell Bryce wants him to remember. He can see it in his eyes and hear the desperation in his voice.
Every once in a while Chuck considers making memories up, but something stops him.
Somehow he knows Bryce would be able to tell if he was lying.
+++
Bryce spends weeks trying to jog Chuck’s memory. He tries recalling Chuck’s memories to him as if they’re his own.
He even tells Chuck about the best friend he had in college. They’d fooled around a few times and it was probably the first time Bryce was in love but he’d never had the stones to actually do something about it.
“Too late now,” Bryce shrugs.
+++
Chuck is pretty sure that the stories Bryce tells him are things he’s never told anyone else. It’s moments like those that Chuck wishes, more than anything, that he could remember. Just so he could return the favor.
He kisses Bryce instead. Chuck expects Bryce to push him away but instead feels Bryce’s hands twist through is hair, tugging him closer.
Chuck leans back, pulling Bryce on top of him. He feels stubble scratch his lip.
Bryce’s mouth and solid warm weight on top of him are the first things in months that feel even remotely familiar.
+++
Bryce buys Chuck a copy of Arcade Fire’s first album.
“42 minutes and 15 seconds of awesome,” he says tossing the case on Chuck’s bed.
An auditory aphrodisiac. Chuck’s words from what might as well be another life.
“You’ll have to let me know which track is your favorite,” Bryce says and kisses Chuck’s smile.
Whatever his life was before this, Chuck hopes Bryce was in it.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
i remember hearts that beat; chuck/bryce; amnesia + music
Date: 2010-04-20 03:43 am (UTC)Hell, it’s the reason he’s gotten Chuck into this mess in the first place.
The intersect backfired. It uploaded wrong, too fast, there were files missing. The reason doesn’t matter. It didn’t work and it cost Chuck his mind and his freedom.
Because of Bryce, Chuck ends up in a CIA hospital with no memories of his past. (No memories of Bryce Larkin being his greatest nemesis)
In the end, it's just one more mistake in a long line of things Bryce thought he was doing for Chuck’s own good.
+++
The first week Bryce can’t even bring himself to see Chuck, let alone talk to him.
He paces outside Chuck’s room while he sleeps and tries to think of a way to ask for Chuck’s forgiveness that won’t make him hate Bryce before he even gets to know him.
+++
Bryce introduces himself under the guise of being one of Chuck’s doctors. (Hi, we were best friends at Stanford for three years before I got you kicked out for cheating probably wouldn’t get him very far)
Chuck doesn’t talk much those first few days.
What is there to say?
Chuck doesn’t remember his family, his friends or his job. He doesn’t even remember his favorite song. He tells Bryce as much and buries his head in his hands.
“I’m sorry,” Chuck sighs. “It’s not your fault. Hey, I guess this is as good a time as any to just pick a new favorite song, right?” he laughs, a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.
Bryce’s chest aches.
+++
Chuck wants to be pissed, but mostly he’s just confused. He feels like all his thoughts are on the tip of his tongue and the whole world is just out of his reach.
The feeling is worse when Bryce is there.
Chuck can tell Bryce wants him to remember. He can see it in his eyes and hear the desperation in his voice.
Every once in a while Chuck considers making memories up, but something stops him.
Somehow he knows Bryce would be able to tell if he was lying.
+++
Bryce spends weeks trying to jog Chuck’s memory. He tries recalling Chuck’s memories to him as if they’re his own.
He even tells Chuck about the best friend he had in college. They’d fooled around a few times and it was probably the first time Bryce was in love but he’d never had the stones to actually do something about it.
“Too late now,” Bryce shrugs.
+++
Chuck is pretty sure that the stories Bryce tells him are things he’s never told anyone else. It’s moments like those that Chuck wishes, more than anything, that he could remember. Just so he could return the favor.
He kisses Bryce instead. Chuck expects Bryce to push him away but instead feels Bryce’s hands twist through is hair, tugging him closer.
Chuck leans back, pulling Bryce on top of him. He feels stubble scratch his lip.
Bryce’s mouth and solid warm weight on top of him are the first things in months that feel even remotely familiar.
+++
Bryce buys Chuck a copy of Arcade Fire’s first album.
“42 minutes and 15 seconds of awesome,” he says tossing the case on Chuck’s bed.
An auditory aphrodisiac. Chuck’s words from what might as well be another life.
“You’ll have to let me know which track is your favorite,” Bryce says and kisses Chuck’s smile.
Whatever his life was before this, Chuck hopes Bryce was in it.
-fin