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fellowshippers2005-10-24 08:21 pm
sairalinde.livejournal.com) wrote in fellowshippers2005-10-24 08:21 pm
A Different Light Chapter: 7
A Different Light Chapter: 7
Authors:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
sairalinde & anorienbean
Pairing: David Wenham/Craig Parker
Rating: Adult for graphic m/m sex
Archiving: Saira’s Library, Here With Me, Mirrormere, OEAM, others please ask first
Feedback: Yes, please. We live for it. Send to: sairalinde @ hornofgondor.com, or thechroniclesofosgiliath @ yahoo.com
Disclaimer: None of this happened except in our fantasies. We are in no way are implying anything about the sexual preferences of either of our main characters, or any other peripheral characters used in this story.
Summary: A wealthy businessman is forced to do volunteer work and meets a handsome social worker who changes his views about the homeless and about love.
//Indicate thoughts
Craig closed his office door, still toweling his hair dry from a quick shower. He’d been unloading a truck full of supplies for the past two hours, and his back was aching and sore. Yet the smile was still on his face…the smile that had been there all morning. He’d thought about David since their last, lingering goodbye kiss that morning, and wondered how he would ever get to sleep tonight. They’d decided they both needed to catch up on some work and would be working late, but had made a date for the next night. Thinking that he’d never wanted time to speed up as much as he did right now, he leaned back against the door and sighed. //God, I miss him already. And I can’t seem to think about anything but him.//
A soft knock jarred him out of his reverie and he opened the door to find Karl standing in the hall. “David called,” Karl grinned, causing Craig to blush. “He sounded…..strange. I told him I hadn’t seen you for a while and he just hung up. He didn’t leave a message though.”
“Oh?” Craig said, raising his eyebrows. He wished he hadn’t missed the call….it had only been a few hours, but, damn if he didn’t want to hear his voice again already. “Thanks, Karl. I’ll give him a call. I was out at the storage unit. How long ago was it that he called?”
Karl couldn’t help but grin at the way Craig’s eyes sparkled when he’d mentioned David’s name. “About half an hour ago. I’m sorry I didn’t come and get you, but no one seemed to know where you were. I didn’t even think to look out back.”
“No problem,” Craig said, shaking his head. “I’ll catch up with him.” With a final smile at Karl, Craig shut the door and crossed over to his desk. //I’ll *gladly* catch up with him.// He moved some files from his desk to the top of the filing cabinet and turned back to his desk, planning on calling David at once.
David arrived at the shelter faster than he thought he might, considering traffic. He looked around the street but didn't see anything unusual, but that didn't mean anything. This was New York after all. Muggings, like the one he'd heard about on the radio, were almost more common than rain, particularly in this part of town. He had barely switched off the engine before he scrambled from his car and punched the locks on his key chain.
Shoving open the door to the shelter, he practically ran toward Craig's office. Without knocking, he pushed the door open and nearly ran right into Craig, who spun around from the file cabinet he was standing in front of. David had been so worried about Craig ever since he'd heard the report that there had been a mugging close to the shelter that he couldn't even get any words out. He simply wrapped his arms around him and held him close. "Are you okay?" he asked quickly and then drew back to look at him as if to assure himself that Craig was really standing there in front of him.
Craig’s eyes widened in shock as David burst into his office and grabbed him. His arms automatically wound around his lover and he shook his head, trying to figure out why David was pale and sweating, his beautiful blue eyes frantically searching Craig’s face, and his breathing ragged. “I’m fine,” he murmured, running his hands over his lover’s arms. “What’s the matter? Are *you* ok? Did something happen?”
"That's what I'm trying to ask you!" David said quickly. "You *are* ok? God, it scared the hell out of me," he said shaking his head. "Are you sure?" he asked again worried that Craig was just trying to hide that something horrible had happened. He even found himself worrying that it was one of the shelter residents. The report had said it was so close. David didn't even realize that he was shaking or that he was griping Craig's shoulders so tight.
//He may not love me, but he really *was* worried….and scared. He was scared something had happened to me. I wonder if he even realizes that?// Craig put his hands on each side of David’s face and waited until his lover’s eyes met his own. “Sweetheart, look at me,” he said softly, gently brushing his thumbs over David’s cheeks. “I’m fine, I promise. You must have heard about the mugging… but it wasn’t me, and it wasn’t anyone from the shelter, I promise.” Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes. “I’m so sorry you were worried. I should have called you….or let you know it wasn’t me. I didn’t even think about you hearing about it and thinking it would be.”
David was so relieved his brain didn't even register the endearment that Craig had spoken. "Oh God, Craig. I was so worried that it was you...or even one of the residents here. I knew if one of them had been hurt you'd be upset. Scared the hell out of me the way they described the location, it sounded like it was back by the supply shed. When I called and Karl said he didn't know where you were. I got scared. You won't believe how fast I drove getting here," he said leaning his forehead against Craig's.
Sliding his arms underneath David’s dark jacket, Craig could feel how his thin dress shirt was sticking to his back. David really *had* been scared, and was still shaking even now. He could only imagine how he’d have felt if their positions had been reversed, and didn’t even notice that he’d finally let go and called David ‘sweetheart.’ If he had, he’d probably have panicked….they’d decided ‘boyfriend’ was acceptable, but Craig simply wasn’t sure David was ready to hear an endearment that involved feelings…something they’d not talked about at all. “I’m sorry you were scared,” he said softly, letting his hands rub soothing circles over his lover’s back. “But, I’m touched as well. I’m usually the one who’s worrying about everyone else…it’s kind of nice to have someone actually worried about me.”
David started to relax a bit as Craig wrapped his arms around him and he released his grip on his shoulders and slid his arms around him. "I do worry about you. I told you that I don't like thinking of you walking alone in this neighborhood. It worries me....and hearing that report..." David said then trailed off and pulled back looking at Craig curiously. "Did...did you call me sweetheart?" he asked surprised as he replayed Craig's words earlier to him.
Craig’s mouth fell open and he felt his face turning a dozen shades of red. //Oh, God. I did. I let it slip. Shit! You idiot, you don’t call a man who doesn’t want a relationship sweetheart, even if he *is* worried about you!// “I….I did,” he said, looking down and avoiding David’s gaze. “I’m…I’m sorry. It just kind of …slipped.”
"Sorry?" David asked tipping Craig's head back up to look into his eyes. "Don't be...I...no one has ever called me that...asshole is as close to an endearment I think I've ever gotten before," he grinned. "Sweetheart," he whispered. "I'm glad it slipped then...I *do* care about you Craig. I wouldn't run out in the middle of a lunch meeting to race across town for just anyone you know."
Craig let out a sigh of relief and smiled at his lover. //Caring is a good start to loving someone, David. Definitely a good start.// “I care about you too,” he whispered. “You really ran out of the middle of a meeting to check on me? I think that’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for me.”
David laughed and nodded, "Marton and Dom probably think I've lost my mind. We were having lunch and going over some paperwork for this merger we've been working on and I had the radio on. The report came on and I heard the street name, I turned it up and they both looked at me like I lost my mind. I grabbed the phone and called and got Karl. I just grabbed my jacket and told them I had to go. God, I'm not used to this at all. You've turned my entire world upside down, and I wouldn't have it any other way," he said smiling. "God I'm glad you are ok and that no one here at the shelter was involved.
Craig buried his face in David’s neck, unable to stop smiling. //He wouldn’t have it any other way…Thank God. I’ve been so worried I’d scare him off, and *he’s* saying I’ve turned his world upside down? He has no idea what he’s done to mine!// “I wouldn’t have it any other way either,….sweetheart,” he grinned, holding his lover close and feeling his heart pounding in his chest. “We’re all fine, I promise. I’m actually better than fine. I thought I wouldn’t get to see you again until tomorrow night.”
David smiled as Craig called him sweetheart again and pressed a soft kiss against his temple. "Yeah about those plans....can we change them a bit?" David asked remembering they had planned to see each other Tuesday night but not tonight. He had planned to work late and get caught up on some paperwork, but he suddenly had a better idea. This was, after all, the electronic age.
Craig pulled back and looked at his lover. “Of course we can change them,” he laughed. “What exactly did you have in mind?”
"Well, if you don't mind my hanging around, I'll call Dom and ask him to bring me my laptop and I can just do the work here. After that scare, even if nothing really happened, I don't think I want to let you out of my sight for a little while," David said softly hoping that Craig would agree. He didn't have to be *at* work to get his work accomplished after all.
At that moment, Craig fell even more hopelessly in love. His heart melted and he placed a soft kiss to David’s lips. “I would love nothing more than to have you hang around for as long as you like,” he smiled. “And keeping you in *my* sight will make my day infinitely better.” He lifted one hand to gently tuck David’s hair behind his ear and rested his fingers on the back of his lover’s neck. “Want to get him to bring you some clothes as well? That is, *if* I could interest you in sleeping next to me for the third night in a row?” He shouldn’t feel nervous asking, but he couldn’t help the fact that his stomach jumped and his lungs refused to draw in another breath until David answered.
David smiled and pressed a soft kiss against Craig's lips. "That sounds wonderful. I have a feeling we are both going to need to keep some clothes at each other's homes in the future," he said with a grin. He had never had that with anyone he ever dated. The one relationship that had lasted a few months never progressed to that level, and he was very excited about it.
Placing soft kisses along David’s jawline, Craig pulled his lover closer and smiled. David’s words meant more to him than he would ever have imagined, and he looked forward to spending many, many nights with David, no matter where they were. “I like the sound of that,” he said softly, as he nibbled on David’s neck. “I like the sound of that *very* much.”
~~~
Dom pushed open the door to the shelter and looked around. Spotting the office he headed toward it still a bit shocked that David had taken off the way he did. He suspected why he had, the report on the radio had seemed to rattle him pretty badly. Thinking back he didn't remember ever seeing David like that in the nearly three years he'd worked for the man. Now he wasn't returning to work, rather he'd called Dom and asked him to bring his laptop to him. Ever since he had started volunteering at the shelter David had changed, and he wasn't sure why. He had his suspicions but wasn't sure. As he approached the door marked office he saw that it was open and a pretty blonde woman was filing some papers in a large black filing cabinet. "Can you tell me where I can find David Wenham?" Dom asked.
Miranda turned and smiled at the young man dressed in a nice dark suit, "He's in the kitchen with Craig," she said stepping to the doorway and pointing toward a swinging door across the room.
"Thanks," Dom said, turning and making his way toward the door. As he walked he looked around the shelter and thought it was a lot different than he imagined it to be. For what it was…the place seemed…happier than one might imagine. As he approached the door he heard laughter inside, and realized that it was David's laughter. //David? Laughing?// That was more common these days but rare until the last few weeks. Pushing open the door he was stunned to see his boss, sans suit jacket and tie with his sleeves rolled up kissing a dark haired man's cheek while making what looked to be…cookies. //Well that's a sight I never thought I'd see.//
"David?" he asked crossing the threshold into the warm kitchen.
"Hey Dom, thanks for bringing that over for me," David said turning away from Craig for a moment though their shoulders were still touching. "Dom, I'd like you to meet Craig Parker…he's the director of the shelter, and…my boyfriend," David said with a grin knowing how the latter would produce a nice shocked look on his assistants face.
Craig’s eyes sparkled and he wiped his hands on the towel that lay on the counter in front of them. Offering his hand to Dom, he couldn’t keep the smile from his face. He *loved* the way that sounded….’boyfriend.’ And, *David’s boyfriend* at that. It was the first time he’d been introduced that way, and he couldn’t help but think that it was something else he could get used to. As he shook Dom’s hand, he could see the shock in the younger man’s eyes as he looked from Craig to David, then back to Craig again. “Nice to meet you,” he said, releasing Dom’s hand and wrapping his arm around David’s waist. “I understand it’s you I should be thanking for sending David down here.”
"Uh, yeah...glad to know I'm not going to lose my job over it now...don't think he didn't threaten me with that at first. Guess I now know why he hasn't threatened me any more," he grinned. In a million years he never would have thought that David would call anyone 'boyfriend' and certainly not someone who ran a shelter. He was so deadset in his beliefs how'd they keep from arguing the roof down?
David laughed, "Yeah well I'm sure you'll do *something* that warrants future threats." David wiped his hands on the same towel Craig had as he remembered he had a file in the car he needed to give to Dom. "Are you heading back to the office?" David asked. Dom said he was so he went on, "Well I need to get something from the car and have you take it back to Marton for me. I won't be in again till tomorrow and I'll be leaving early because it's my day here at the shelter. Oh, did you remember to grab that bag in my office?" he asked.
"Yep, it's in my car, wasn't sure if you were staying or not," Dom answered and then trailed off as he saw David turn and kiss Craig telling him he'd be right back.
Craig returned David’s kiss and smiled, his eyes staying glued to his lover as he crossed the kitchen and walked through the swinging door. When he was out of sight, Craig turned his attention back to Dom and blushed. “Sorry,” he chuckled. “I can’t seem to…..to *not* watch him. He’s just so…..so perfect.”
Dom blinked for a moment and then shook his head, "Wow...never thought I'd see that," he said setting the laptop case on a counter. "So you and he...wow. Unbelievable," Dom mused mostly to himself.
Craig laughed and sat on the stool behind the counter. “What did you think you’d never see?” he asked curiously. “David with some who runs a shelter? I guess I’m not the type he usually goes for, but…here we are.”
"No...I mean yeah, there's that. I figured you two would argue the roof down seeing how set in his ways he is...but...well...he called you his boyfriend. I've known the man three years and he just doesn't say stuff like that...and...and kissing you in FRONT of me...wow. Whatever the hell you are putting in the water here keep doing it. Seriously I've never seen the man this happy which is a good thing...makes my job much more pleasant," Dom said grinning widely.
Craig arched an eyebrow and laughed. David had been very affectionate since their first kiss, but he did remember him saying that he’d never held hands in public before. And obviously he didn’t make a habit of kissing in public either? “I….I’d think David would be the best boss in the world,” he said softly. “I couldn’t think of anyone I’d rather be around all day. I bet you’re the envy of half the business world, getting to work with him all the time. He’s just so…..” Pausing, Craig looked back down at the counter and sighed happily. “I know I already said it, but…..he’s just perfect. I can’t believe he happened to be single when we met…but, I’m damn happy that he was.”
Dom wondered if Craig was talking about the same man he knew. "Um...he's a demanding boss, but I wouldn't want to work for anyone else. I've learned a lot from him, but...I think you probably see a side of him I've never seen until the last few weeks. He...has never been particularly friendly, or even laughed all that much, but the last few weeks he's...changed. For a man who says he doesn't believe in love, he sure as hell seems taken with you," Dom said rubbing the back of his neck. The man he'd known for three years was totally different than the man David had become just since he started volunteering at the shelter. Craig apparently was the reason for those changes in the normally aloof and sometimes even harshly competitive man.
Craig couldn’t have been more shocked by Dom’s description of David. He didn’t know whether to be happy or crushed as the younger man said that David didn’t believe in love, but seemed to be taken with him. “He…he doesn’t believe in love?” he asked softly. “How can he not believe in love? I mean…..I….God, I…” his voice trailed off and his fingers wrapped around the towel in a death grip. //He *has* to believe in love. Because I love him too much to think that he’ll never love me back.//
Dom stared at Craig for a moment thinking that maybe he should have kept his mouth shut from the look on the other man's face. "I...I dunno. He's always said that he didn't believe in it. I dunno why he would say it, but yeah he always said it. I guess over the years I just came to think that where love was concerned that David would just never have time for it. That his company and his work was all that he would ever care about...but he does seem to care about you. I...I didn't mean to upset you," he said feeling horrible about the stricken look in the other man's eyes.
Taking a deep breath, Craig forced a smile on his face and looked up at Dom. “You didn’t upset me,” he said, shaking his head. “I was just…just shocked that he felt that way. He’s so loving and gentle with me, I guess I just thought….well, anyway. He told me he doesn’t *do* relationships. Maybe I’ll change his mind about that, and about love as well.” He reached across the counter for one of the cookies they’d already taken out of the oven and offered one to Dom. “Wish me luck?” he asked, hearing David’s voice speaking to one of the residents as he came back in the front door.
Dom smiled and took the offered cookie. "He's loving and gentle with you huh? The last few people he dated would never describe him that way but then the way he's behaved the last few weeks...I don't think you need luck, Craig. I think you are well on your way to changing his mind. A mind that I *never* thought would change. He's quite stubborn, your David...I've worked with him for a while now, and I honestly never thought I'd see him this...happy," Dom said raising the cookie as if in a toast before taking a bite. "Like I said the side effect of that happiness helps me...so if you ever need anything from me...just ask," he added with a wink.
Craig returned Dom’s wink and grinned. “He deserves to be happy,” he whispered as the kitchen door swung open and David backed through, still talking to someone on the other side. “I mean….*look* at him. Someone that perfect deserves nothing less than happiness and laughter and….and love, Dom. Lots and lots of love. I want to give him all of that.” He straightened up as David finally made it through the door and caught his bottom lip between his teeth as his lover turned toward him. //I want to give you all of that and more, David.//
Dom smiled happily as Craig spoke. He had always thought that David just needed to meet the right person and maybe now he had. He had someone standing right there, that would love him and from the look in Craig's eyes...already did love him.
David turned and smiled at Craig happily and handed off the file to Dom. "There ya go. Marton will need that for the afternoon meeting tomorrow. Just email me the notes and I'll go over them and send back any changes and then we can meet early Thursday morning to go over the last few details with McKellen's legal department," David explained. He had become quite adept to juggling his work between the office and the shelter, and delegating more responsibility to others. Something advisors had always told him he should do more of. "So has Craig convinced you to come volunteer here?" David asked figuring that they had talked about the shelter while he was gone.
Dom smiled and shook his head, "No...we were just discussing...how good these cookies are. Never thought I'd see you baking cookies...almost disturbing. Go from multi million dollar business deals to baking cookies for the disenfranchised....gotta say I never thought you'd get into this as much as you have," Dom said smiling.
"Oh God you are going to be insufferable now aren't you?" David said laughing and rolling his eyes.
"Pretty much, yeah," Dom teased with a grin, grateful that he and David *could* do this now. They'd always had a sort of banter between them but it had gotten a lot friendlier the last few weeks. Now that he had met Craig, he knew where that had come from.
“You’ll just have to keep Dom supplied with cookies then, and hope he’ll cut you some slack,” Craig laughed, moving closer and wrapping an arm around his lover’s waist. He turned back toward the counter and ran his index finger though the flour, then grinned wickedly as he let his finger trail over David’s chin. “Though, I *will* have to see if I can’t help you be a little neater when you make cookies, sweetheart. I mean, *really*, you’ve made quite the mess. I’ll have to spend the rest of the afternoon cleaning you up.”
David laughed and slid his arms around Craig's waist. "I suppose so," he grinned, never feeling more relaxed. Completely forgetting their audience, David leaned forward and pressed a tender kiss against soft perfect lips. Hearing Dom clear his throat, he drew back and grinned. "I guess you need to bring that bag in and then be getting back to the office?" he asked arching an eyebrow at Dom.
Immediately the younger man straightened up as if at attention. "Yes, sir...and I guess you'll be getting back to your cookies," he said barely keeping a straight face even as a towel went flying past his head. "Going...going...was nice to meet you Craig," Dom said as he moved through the swinging door.
“Nice to meet you too, Dom,” Craig called over his shoulder before moving to nibble on David’s bottom lip. “Nice kid,” he murmured softly. “With the best job in the whole world….getting to be around the sexiest man in the world every day for three years. Think he minds that I’m stealing you away lately?”
David laughed, "I think he loves that I'm not there to keep an eye on him....he's probably downloaded at least, oh I'd say 100 CD's worth of illegal MP3's to the corporate server by now," he grinned as his hands roamed along his lover's back. "Ya know, I'd love to take you back to your office and make good on that discussion we once had about your desk...but we still have work to do," he teased.
Craig looked down at the mess on the counter top and sighed, even as his cock twitched in anticipation. “Hey,” he said, brightening noticeably, “I bet if we both tried really hard, we could set a world speed record for making cookies. Or maybe we can luck out and find Hugo. Then we can lock my office door and….see just how sincere you are about making good on that discussion.”
"Oh I do love the way your mind works," David teased and pressed a quick kiss to the tip of Craig's nose just as Dom walked in.
"I'm not here...I do not see you molesting the poor man that runs this place. Here is your bag...I'm going back to work now," Dom announced as he walked in, set the bag on the counter and walked out again, chuckling as he headed back to the office. No one would believe him. No one.
~~~
TBC
Authors:
sairalinde & anorienbeanPairing: David Wenham/Craig Parker
Rating: Adult for graphic m/m sex
Archiving: Saira’s Library, Here With Me, Mirrormere, OEAM, others please ask first
Feedback: Yes, please. We live for it. Send to: sairalinde @ hornofgondor.com, or thechroniclesofosgiliath @ yahoo.com
Disclaimer: None of this happened except in our fantasies. We are in no way are implying anything about the sexual preferences of either of our main characters, or any other peripheral characters used in this story.
Summary: A wealthy businessman is forced to do volunteer work and meets a handsome social worker who changes his views about the homeless and about love.
//Indicate thoughts
Craig closed his office door, still toweling his hair dry from a quick shower. He’d been unloading a truck full of supplies for the past two hours, and his back was aching and sore. Yet the smile was still on his face…the smile that had been there all morning. He’d thought about David since their last, lingering goodbye kiss that morning, and wondered how he would ever get to sleep tonight. They’d decided they both needed to catch up on some work and would be working late, but had made a date for the next night. Thinking that he’d never wanted time to speed up as much as he did right now, he leaned back against the door and sighed. //God, I miss him already. And I can’t seem to think about anything but him.//
A soft knock jarred him out of his reverie and he opened the door to find Karl standing in the hall. “David called,” Karl grinned, causing Craig to blush. “He sounded…..strange. I told him I hadn’t seen you for a while and he just hung up. He didn’t leave a message though.”
“Oh?” Craig said, raising his eyebrows. He wished he hadn’t missed the call….it had only been a few hours, but, damn if he didn’t want to hear his voice again already. “Thanks, Karl. I’ll give him a call. I was out at the storage unit. How long ago was it that he called?”
Karl couldn’t help but grin at the way Craig’s eyes sparkled when he’d mentioned David’s name. “About half an hour ago. I’m sorry I didn’t come and get you, but no one seemed to know where you were. I didn’t even think to look out back.”
“No problem,” Craig said, shaking his head. “I’ll catch up with him.” With a final smile at Karl, Craig shut the door and crossed over to his desk. //I’ll *gladly* catch up with him.// He moved some files from his desk to the top of the filing cabinet and turned back to his desk, planning on calling David at once.
David arrived at the shelter faster than he thought he might, considering traffic. He looked around the street but didn't see anything unusual, but that didn't mean anything. This was New York after all. Muggings, like the one he'd heard about on the radio, were almost more common than rain, particularly in this part of town. He had barely switched off the engine before he scrambled from his car and punched the locks on his key chain.
Shoving open the door to the shelter, he practically ran toward Craig's office. Without knocking, he pushed the door open and nearly ran right into Craig, who spun around from the file cabinet he was standing in front of. David had been so worried about Craig ever since he'd heard the report that there had been a mugging close to the shelter that he couldn't even get any words out. He simply wrapped his arms around him and held him close. "Are you okay?" he asked quickly and then drew back to look at him as if to assure himself that Craig was really standing there in front of him.
Craig’s eyes widened in shock as David burst into his office and grabbed him. His arms automatically wound around his lover and he shook his head, trying to figure out why David was pale and sweating, his beautiful blue eyes frantically searching Craig’s face, and his breathing ragged. “I’m fine,” he murmured, running his hands over his lover’s arms. “What’s the matter? Are *you* ok? Did something happen?”
"That's what I'm trying to ask you!" David said quickly. "You *are* ok? God, it scared the hell out of me," he said shaking his head. "Are you sure?" he asked again worried that Craig was just trying to hide that something horrible had happened. He even found himself worrying that it was one of the shelter residents. The report had said it was so close. David didn't even realize that he was shaking or that he was griping Craig's shoulders so tight.
//He may not love me, but he really *was* worried….and scared. He was scared something had happened to me. I wonder if he even realizes that?// Craig put his hands on each side of David’s face and waited until his lover’s eyes met his own. “Sweetheart, look at me,” he said softly, gently brushing his thumbs over David’s cheeks. “I’m fine, I promise. You must have heard about the mugging… but it wasn’t me, and it wasn’t anyone from the shelter, I promise.” Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes. “I’m so sorry you were worried. I should have called you….or let you know it wasn’t me. I didn’t even think about you hearing about it and thinking it would be.”
David was so relieved his brain didn't even register the endearment that Craig had spoken. "Oh God, Craig. I was so worried that it was you...or even one of the residents here. I knew if one of them had been hurt you'd be upset. Scared the hell out of me the way they described the location, it sounded like it was back by the supply shed. When I called and Karl said he didn't know where you were. I got scared. You won't believe how fast I drove getting here," he said leaning his forehead against Craig's.
Sliding his arms underneath David’s dark jacket, Craig could feel how his thin dress shirt was sticking to his back. David really *had* been scared, and was still shaking even now. He could only imagine how he’d have felt if their positions had been reversed, and didn’t even notice that he’d finally let go and called David ‘sweetheart.’ If he had, he’d probably have panicked….they’d decided ‘boyfriend’ was acceptable, but Craig simply wasn’t sure David was ready to hear an endearment that involved feelings…something they’d not talked about at all. “I’m sorry you were scared,” he said softly, letting his hands rub soothing circles over his lover’s back. “But, I’m touched as well. I’m usually the one who’s worrying about everyone else…it’s kind of nice to have someone actually worried about me.”
David started to relax a bit as Craig wrapped his arms around him and he released his grip on his shoulders and slid his arms around him. "I do worry about you. I told you that I don't like thinking of you walking alone in this neighborhood. It worries me....and hearing that report..." David said then trailed off and pulled back looking at Craig curiously. "Did...did you call me sweetheart?" he asked surprised as he replayed Craig's words earlier to him.
Craig’s mouth fell open and he felt his face turning a dozen shades of red. //Oh, God. I did. I let it slip. Shit! You idiot, you don’t call a man who doesn’t want a relationship sweetheart, even if he *is* worried about you!// “I….I did,” he said, looking down and avoiding David’s gaze. “I’m…I’m sorry. It just kind of …slipped.”
"Sorry?" David asked tipping Craig's head back up to look into his eyes. "Don't be...I...no one has ever called me that...asshole is as close to an endearment I think I've ever gotten before," he grinned. "Sweetheart," he whispered. "I'm glad it slipped then...I *do* care about you Craig. I wouldn't run out in the middle of a lunch meeting to race across town for just anyone you know."
Craig let out a sigh of relief and smiled at his lover. //Caring is a good start to loving someone, David. Definitely a good start.// “I care about you too,” he whispered. “You really ran out of the middle of a meeting to check on me? I think that’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for me.”
David laughed and nodded, "Marton and Dom probably think I've lost my mind. We were having lunch and going over some paperwork for this merger we've been working on and I had the radio on. The report came on and I heard the street name, I turned it up and they both looked at me like I lost my mind. I grabbed the phone and called and got Karl. I just grabbed my jacket and told them I had to go. God, I'm not used to this at all. You've turned my entire world upside down, and I wouldn't have it any other way," he said smiling. "God I'm glad you are ok and that no one here at the shelter was involved.
Craig buried his face in David’s neck, unable to stop smiling. //He wouldn’t have it any other way…Thank God. I’ve been so worried I’d scare him off, and *he’s* saying I’ve turned his world upside down? He has no idea what he’s done to mine!// “I wouldn’t have it any other way either,….sweetheart,” he grinned, holding his lover close and feeling his heart pounding in his chest. “We’re all fine, I promise. I’m actually better than fine. I thought I wouldn’t get to see you again until tomorrow night.”
David smiled as Craig called him sweetheart again and pressed a soft kiss against his temple. "Yeah about those plans....can we change them a bit?" David asked remembering they had planned to see each other Tuesday night but not tonight. He had planned to work late and get caught up on some paperwork, but he suddenly had a better idea. This was, after all, the electronic age.
Craig pulled back and looked at his lover. “Of course we can change them,” he laughed. “What exactly did you have in mind?”
"Well, if you don't mind my hanging around, I'll call Dom and ask him to bring me my laptop and I can just do the work here. After that scare, even if nothing really happened, I don't think I want to let you out of my sight for a little while," David said softly hoping that Craig would agree. He didn't have to be *at* work to get his work accomplished after all.
At that moment, Craig fell even more hopelessly in love. His heart melted and he placed a soft kiss to David’s lips. “I would love nothing more than to have you hang around for as long as you like,” he smiled. “And keeping you in *my* sight will make my day infinitely better.” He lifted one hand to gently tuck David’s hair behind his ear and rested his fingers on the back of his lover’s neck. “Want to get him to bring you some clothes as well? That is, *if* I could interest you in sleeping next to me for the third night in a row?” He shouldn’t feel nervous asking, but he couldn’t help the fact that his stomach jumped and his lungs refused to draw in another breath until David answered.
David smiled and pressed a soft kiss against Craig's lips. "That sounds wonderful. I have a feeling we are both going to need to keep some clothes at each other's homes in the future," he said with a grin. He had never had that with anyone he ever dated. The one relationship that had lasted a few months never progressed to that level, and he was very excited about it.
Placing soft kisses along David’s jawline, Craig pulled his lover closer and smiled. David’s words meant more to him than he would ever have imagined, and he looked forward to spending many, many nights with David, no matter where they were. “I like the sound of that,” he said softly, as he nibbled on David’s neck. “I like the sound of that *very* much.”
~~~
Dom pushed open the door to the shelter and looked around. Spotting the office he headed toward it still a bit shocked that David had taken off the way he did. He suspected why he had, the report on the radio had seemed to rattle him pretty badly. Thinking back he didn't remember ever seeing David like that in the nearly three years he'd worked for the man. Now he wasn't returning to work, rather he'd called Dom and asked him to bring his laptop to him. Ever since he had started volunteering at the shelter David had changed, and he wasn't sure why. He had his suspicions but wasn't sure. As he approached the door marked office he saw that it was open and a pretty blonde woman was filing some papers in a large black filing cabinet. "Can you tell me where I can find David Wenham?" Dom asked.
Miranda turned and smiled at the young man dressed in a nice dark suit, "He's in the kitchen with Craig," she said stepping to the doorway and pointing toward a swinging door across the room.
"Thanks," Dom said, turning and making his way toward the door. As he walked he looked around the shelter and thought it was a lot different than he imagined it to be. For what it was…the place seemed…happier than one might imagine. As he approached the door he heard laughter inside, and realized that it was David's laughter. //David? Laughing?// That was more common these days but rare until the last few weeks. Pushing open the door he was stunned to see his boss, sans suit jacket and tie with his sleeves rolled up kissing a dark haired man's cheek while making what looked to be…cookies. //Well that's a sight I never thought I'd see.//
"David?" he asked crossing the threshold into the warm kitchen.
"Hey Dom, thanks for bringing that over for me," David said turning away from Craig for a moment though their shoulders were still touching. "Dom, I'd like you to meet Craig Parker…he's the director of the shelter, and…my boyfriend," David said with a grin knowing how the latter would produce a nice shocked look on his assistants face.
Craig’s eyes sparkled and he wiped his hands on the towel that lay on the counter in front of them. Offering his hand to Dom, he couldn’t keep the smile from his face. He *loved* the way that sounded….’boyfriend.’ And, *David’s boyfriend* at that. It was the first time he’d been introduced that way, and he couldn’t help but think that it was something else he could get used to. As he shook Dom’s hand, he could see the shock in the younger man’s eyes as he looked from Craig to David, then back to Craig again. “Nice to meet you,” he said, releasing Dom’s hand and wrapping his arm around David’s waist. “I understand it’s you I should be thanking for sending David down here.”
"Uh, yeah...glad to know I'm not going to lose my job over it now...don't think he didn't threaten me with that at first. Guess I now know why he hasn't threatened me any more," he grinned. In a million years he never would have thought that David would call anyone 'boyfriend' and certainly not someone who ran a shelter. He was so deadset in his beliefs how'd they keep from arguing the roof down?
David laughed, "Yeah well I'm sure you'll do *something* that warrants future threats." David wiped his hands on the same towel Craig had as he remembered he had a file in the car he needed to give to Dom. "Are you heading back to the office?" David asked. Dom said he was so he went on, "Well I need to get something from the car and have you take it back to Marton for me. I won't be in again till tomorrow and I'll be leaving early because it's my day here at the shelter. Oh, did you remember to grab that bag in my office?" he asked.
"Yep, it's in my car, wasn't sure if you were staying or not," Dom answered and then trailed off as he saw David turn and kiss Craig telling him he'd be right back.
Craig returned David’s kiss and smiled, his eyes staying glued to his lover as he crossed the kitchen and walked through the swinging door. When he was out of sight, Craig turned his attention back to Dom and blushed. “Sorry,” he chuckled. “I can’t seem to…..to *not* watch him. He’s just so…..so perfect.”
Dom blinked for a moment and then shook his head, "Wow...never thought I'd see that," he said setting the laptop case on a counter. "So you and he...wow. Unbelievable," Dom mused mostly to himself.
Craig laughed and sat on the stool behind the counter. “What did you think you’d never see?” he asked curiously. “David with some who runs a shelter? I guess I’m not the type he usually goes for, but…here we are.”
"No...I mean yeah, there's that. I figured you two would argue the roof down seeing how set in his ways he is...but...well...he called you his boyfriend. I've known the man three years and he just doesn't say stuff like that...and...and kissing you in FRONT of me...wow. Whatever the hell you are putting in the water here keep doing it. Seriously I've never seen the man this happy which is a good thing...makes my job much more pleasant," Dom said grinning widely.
Craig arched an eyebrow and laughed. David had been very affectionate since their first kiss, but he did remember him saying that he’d never held hands in public before. And obviously he didn’t make a habit of kissing in public either? “I….I’d think David would be the best boss in the world,” he said softly. “I couldn’t think of anyone I’d rather be around all day. I bet you’re the envy of half the business world, getting to work with him all the time. He’s just so…..” Pausing, Craig looked back down at the counter and sighed happily. “I know I already said it, but…..he’s just perfect. I can’t believe he happened to be single when we met…but, I’m damn happy that he was.”
Dom wondered if Craig was talking about the same man he knew. "Um...he's a demanding boss, but I wouldn't want to work for anyone else. I've learned a lot from him, but...I think you probably see a side of him I've never seen until the last few weeks. He...has never been particularly friendly, or even laughed all that much, but the last few weeks he's...changed. For a man who says he doesn't believe in love, he sure as hell seems taken with you," Dom said rubbing the back of his neck. The man he'd known for three years was totally different than the man David had become just since he started volunteering at the shelter. Craig apparently was the reason for those changes in the normally aloof and sometimes even harshly competitive man.
Craig couldn’t have been more shocked by Dom’s description of David. He didn’t know whether to be happy or crushed as the younger man said that David didn’t believe in love, but seemed to be taken with him. “He…he doesn’t believe in love?” he asked softly. “How can he not believe in love? I mean…..I….God, I…” his voice trailed off and his fingers wrapped around the towel in a death grip. //He *has* to believe in love. Because I love him too much to think that he’ll never love me back.//
Dom stared at Craig for a moment thinking that maybe he should have kept his mouth shut from the look on the other man's face. "I...I dunno. He's always said that he didn't believe in it. I dunno why he would say it, but yeah he always said it. I guess over the years I just came to think that where love was concerned that David would just never have time for it. That his company and his work was all that he would ever care about...but he does seem to care about you. I...I didn't mean to upset you," he said feeling horrible about the stricken look in the other man's eyes.
Taking a deep breath, Craig forced a smile on his face and looked up at Dom. “You didn’t upset me,” he said, shaking his head. “I was just…just shocked that he felt that way. He’s so loving and gentle with me, I guess I just thought….well, anyway. He told me he doesn’t *do* relationships. Maybe I’ll change his mind about that, and about love as well.” He reached across the counter for one of the cookies they’d already taken out of the oven and offered one to Dom. “Wish me luck?” he asked, hearing David’s voice speaking to one of the residents as he came back in the front door.
Dom smiled and took the offered cookie. "He's loving and gentle with you huh? The last few people he dated would never describe him that way but then the way he's behaved the last few weeks...I don't think you need luck, Craig. I think you are well on your way to changing his mind. A mind that I *never* thought would change. He's quite stubborn, your David...I've worked with him for a while now, and I honestly never thought I'd see him this...happy," Dom said raising the cookie as if in a toast before taking a bite. "Like I said the side effect of that happiness helps me...so if you ever need anything from me...just ask," he added with a wink.
Craig returned Dom’s wink and grinned. “He deserves to be happy,” he whispered as the kitchen door swung open and David backed through, still talking to someone on the other side. “I mean….*look* at him. Someone that perfect deserves nothing less than happiness and laughter and….and love, Dom. Lots and lots of love. I want to give him all of that.” He straightened up as David finally made it through the door and caught his bottom lip between his teeth as his lover turned toward him. //I want to give you all of that and more, David.//
Dom smiled happily as Craig spoke. He had always thought that David just needed to meet the right person and maybe now he had. He had someone standing right there, that would love him and from the look in Craig's eyes...already did love him.
David turned and smiled at Craig happily and handed off the file to Dom. "There ya go. Marton will need that for the afternoon meeting tomorrow. Just email me the notes and I'll go over them and send back any changes and then we can meet early Thursday morning to go over the last few details with McKellen's legal department," David explained. He had become quite adept to juggling his work between the office and the shelter, and delegating more responsibility to others. Something advisors had always told him he should do more of. "So has Craig convinced you to come volunteer here?" David asked figuring that they had talked about the shelter while he was gone.
Dom smiled and shook his head, "No...we were just discussing...how good these cookies are. Never thought I'd see you baking cookies...almost disturbing. Go from multi million dollar business deals to baking cookies for the disenfranchised....gotta say I never thought you'd get into this as much as you have," Dom said smiling.
"Oh God you are going to be insufferable now aren't you?" David said laughing and rolling his eyes.
"Pretty much, yeah," Dom teased with a grin, grateful that he and David *could* do this now. They'd always had a sort of banter between them but it had gotten a lot friendlier the last few weeks. Now that he had met Craig, he knew where that had come from.
“You’ll just have to keep Dom supplied with cookies then, and hope he’ll cut you some slack,” Craig laughed, moving closer and wrapping an arm around his lover’s waist. He turned back toward the counter and ran his index finger though the flour, then grinned wickedly as he let his finger trail over David’s chin. “Though, I *will* have to see if I can’t help you be a little neater when you make cookies, sweetheart. I mean, *really*, you’ve made quite the mess. I’ll have to spend the rest of the afternoon cleaning you up.”
David laughed and slid his arms around Craig's waist. "I suppose so," he grinned, never feeling more relaxed. Completely forgetting their audience, David leaned forward and pressed a tender kiss against soft perfect lips. Hearing Dom clear his throat, he drew back and grinned. "I guess you need to bring that bag in and then be getting back to the office?" he asked arching an eyebrow at Dom.
Immediately the younger man straightened up as if at attention. "Yes, sir...and I guess you'll be getting back to your cookies," he said barely keeping a straight face even as a towel went flying past his head. "Going...going...was nice to meet you Craig," Dom said as he moved through the swinging door.
“Nice to meet you too, Dom,” Craig called over his shoulder before moving to nibble on David’s bottom lip. “Nice kid,” he murmured softly. “With the best job in the whole world….getting to be around the sexiest man in the world every day for three years. Think he minds that I’m stealing you away lately?”
David laughed, "I think he loves that I'm not there to keep an eye on him....he's probably downloaded at least, oh I'd say 100 CD's worth of illegal MP3's to the corporate server by now," he grinned as his hands roamed along his lover's back. "Ya know, I'd love to take you back to your office and make good on that discussion we once had about your desk...but we still have work to do," he teased.
Craig looked down at the mess on the counter top and sighed, even as his cock twitched in anticipation. “Hey,” he said, brightening noticeably, “I bet if we both tried really hard, we could set a world speed record for making cookies. Or maybe we can luck out and find Hugo. Then we can lock my office door and….see just how sincere you are about making good on that discussion.”
"Oh I do love the way your mind works," David teased and pressed a quick kiss to the tip of Craig's nose just as Dom walked in.
"I'm not here...I do not see you molesting the poor man that runs this place. Here is your bag...I'm going back to work now," Dom announced as he walked in, set the bag on the counter and walked out again, chuckling as he headed back to the office. No one would believe him. No one.
~~~
TBC