A Different Light Chapter: 9

[sairalinde.livejournal.com]

A Different Light Chapter: 9
Authors: sairalinde & anorienbean
Pairing: David Wenham/Craig Parker
Rating: Adult for graphic m/m sex
Beta: Jeff M.
Warnings: None for now,
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





David walked out of the board meeting with a smile on his face and Marton looked at him strangely.

"You're going over to that shelter for lunch again aren't you?" he asked, knowing that David only had that smile when he was going to that place. He'd changed a lot since he started volunteering there. He wasn't sure if he was entirely pleased with it though. This new David seemed softer...he wondered at times if he'd stand up for their company the way he should sometimes.

"Yeah I am. Today is supposed to be my last day but I'm planning to stay on. I...I never thought I'd say this but Craig has changed my mind about homeless people...or maybe not so much he has but just being around them. A lot of them are good people with just really shitty luck. I never believed much in luck before either...but how else can you describe my meeting Craig?" he said happily.

Marton frowned slightly. "Never thought I'd hear you say that. But then...everyone is entitled to a little change in their lives."

David smiled and patted Marton on the back. "Glad to hear you say that since I want you to take the lead on the Marquez file." He knew that Marton had been wanting to take point on the merger. It had been dragging out, and David was quite frankly tired of dealing with McKellen's demands on Antonio Marquez. Let them hash it out under Marton's watchful eye.

"Really?"

"Yeah...just keep me in the loop. Now I have a lunch date...I'll see you tomorrow?" David grinned.

"Long lunch," Marton mused and David winked at him as he took off.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Arriving at the shelter later that day, David bumped into Karl. "Hey...Craig in his office?"

"Yeah...you DO still have a job right?" Karl asked as he headed toward the doors to go to his job.

"Yeah I do," David laughed. Crossing to Craig's office he smiled when he saw him sitting at his desk. "Hey you," he grinned glad to see the shock in Craig's eyes.

Craig smiled and felt his heart race when his eyes met his lover’s. Today was supposed to be David’s last day at the shelter. They hadn’t talked about what would happen after this, and he’d been unwilling to broach the subject. He hoped and thought he could reasonably assume that they would still see each other after hours, but it would be a big change not to see him in this office, not to sit side by side next to his lover and exchange soft kisses and gentle touches as they filled out paperwork and cooked meals for the residents. David had worked hard to lessen the burdens from Craig’s shoulders and it was incredibly easy to simply share the day to day work and not feel so bogged down like he had before David had showed up in his office.

Standing, Craig quickly crossed the room and wrapped his arms around David’s waist. “Hey yourself,” he grinned. “I didn’t expect you for a couple of hours yet, but I’m incredibly glad to see you. I was just thinking that our goodbye kiss this morning was about to wear off, and I needed another one for the afternoon.”

David grinned and slipped his arms around Craig's waist. "Hmm, is that so...well we can't have that," he teased leaning in and kissing Craig tenderly. As always he felt his heartbeat quicken in his chest and heat rush through his body from just the simplest of touches. "Do you know why I'm here early?" David asked wondering if Craig had remembered their bet all those weeks ago. They hadn't mentioned it since, but he had remembered.

Craig tried not to frown but couldn’t help looking down a bit. He hadn’t forgotten about the bet, but his worry over this being David’s last day had overridden any thoughts about it. He wondered if on some level, David wasn’t glad to be out from his obligation to the shelter. “It’s your last day here, I know that. I guess you’re here to…..celebrate?” He gave his lover a weak smile and made a mental note to move the chair next to his own back to the other side of the desk. Or maybe just put it away and keep it for the times that David would visit him strictly as his boyfriend, not as a volunteer.

"Hey...don't look so sad....you did win ya know. That's why I'm here, taking you out to lunch. I said if you changed my mind and you did...well...the people here did. And, since we are on the subject...I...well...I was thinking that this doesn't *have* to be my last day. You do still need help here, and if I want to keep seeing you as often as I do...well you are going to need someone to take my place to free up your time so you can come home with me at night or I can go back to your place. So I was thinking..." he trailed off as he saw Craig's eyes seem to light up and he smiled.

Craig bit his bottom lip and stared into his lover’s eyes, telling himself not to jump to conclusions. But David *had* said this didn’t have to be his last day. “What were you thinking?” he asked, trying not to grin. When David simply looked at him, he laughed and shook his head. “You’re torturing me now. What’s going on in that gorgeous head of yours?”

David laughed and pulled Craig a little closer. "Well I was thinking that nothing had to change. If you can continue to put up with me several days a week...well I'd be happy to come here and work with you. I've started giving Marton a bit more responsibility at work, so that frees my time up quite a bit really. So...do you want to collect on your bet?" he asked smiling.

Craig’s grin spread from ear to ear and lifted one hand to rest on the back of David’s neck, pulling him down into a deep kiss. When he pulled away breathlessly a few minutes later, his eyes were sparkling and he could have danced for joy. “I can definitely put up with you anytime you want to come by, and I am definitely ready to collect on our bet. Where are you taking me? Maybe someplace with a nice, large restroom, so I can lock the door and show you just how happy I am?”

David melted into the kiss and once they finally pulled away from one another, they were both breathless. He couldn't stop smiling from the look in Craig's eyes. "I am taking you to a rather nice place in Manhattan, but don't get that look you don't have to change clothes," he said with a grin. "And I think that the bathroom...well I think it has a lock."

Craig laughed and pulled his lover closer, simply holding him for a moment and resting his head on David’s chest. David never failed to surprise him, and whether he admitted it or not, David *was* romantic. “I’m all yours, you sexy beast,” he teased. “Take me where ever you like…though I can change clothes if you like. I wouldn’t want to embarrass you in case anyone you know is there.”

"Not necessary," David grinned. "So...are you ready to go or do you need to finish anything up first? I know I kind of just dropped in on you," he asked hoping that Craig liked what he had planned. He had been thinking about it the last several days and had planned this day. Dom had even laughed at him when he suggested the idea and David had asked him if he was being too...cliché. Dom said "It's not cliché, David...it's romantic, Craig will love it." David still had his doubts, he was horrible at coming up with things like this but he'd wanted to do something special.

“I wasn’t doing anything that I can’t do later, now that you’re here,” Craig said, releasing his lover and walking back to his desk. He quickly stacked the files spread across his desk and shoved them into the nearest filing cabinet. Grabbing his jacket, he crossed back over to his lover and held out his hand. “Ready when you are,” he grinned. He still loved the shelter, but realized that his job had been easier and with fewer headaches and hassles now that the shelter no longer ruled his life. Everything was more….balanced now, and things had never been better.

David took Craig's hand and led him out to his car. The drive across town was a bit slow because of the lunch hour traffic, but neither of them seemed to mind. Arriving in front of the restaurant David smiled when he saw the look on Craig's face and immediately he saw him looking down at what he was wearing. "I told you, you look fine," he whispered squeezing his hand gently. David didn't want to give away the surprise but feared he might have to.

Craig straightened his shirt and looked over at David. He knew he wasn’t dressed well enough to go here, but he trusted David implicitly. “Ok,” he sighed, running his free hand through his hair as he brought their joined hands up to his lips and placed a soft kiss to the back of David’s knuckles. “I trust you. But if they turn me away at the door, I’m gonna say ‘I told you so.’ Fair enough?”

David laughed, "Fair enough then." Getting out of the car, David handed off the keys to the valet and rounded the car to take Craig's hand. "I remember you told me that you liked Italian food, and I took a wild guess, figuring you'd never been here before," he grinned. He knew that even if Craig were feeling very indulgent he'd never come here. Stepping up to the doors he saw Craig tilt his head as the sign read 'Closed for private party". As they walked inside the hostess smiled and greeted David. "Good afternoon Mr. Wenham, your table is waiting," she said smiling and leading them to a table tucked away in a corner.

Craig looked around the room in amazement. Every single table was empty and the lights were turned down low. Soft music played in the background, and he had a sneaking suspicion that the music came from a live orchestra somewhere behind them. As they reached their table, the hostess tried to contain her smile, seeing just how stunned Craig was. “Antonio will be with you momentarily,” she said, with a slight nod of her head before walking away.

Looking around the room, Craig moved closer to his lover and squeezed his hand. “You…..We…..*We’re* the private party? You did all this for…..for me?” he asked in astonishment.

David smiled and pulled Craig's hand up to his lips. "Yeah, it's not too much is it? I kept asking Dom if he thought it was too much but he kept saying you'd love it..." David trailed off for a moment, "So...you do love it?" He couldn't believe he was suddenly so nervous. He guessed that he had gone a little overboard but he wanted to enjoy a quiet meal with Craig without being interrupted every few minutes with business, or simply having a large noisy crowd around them. Besides, David was never very frivolous with his money and what good was it if he didn't enjoy spending it once in a while. Craig was more than worth it.

“It’s perfect,” Craig smiled, running his thumb over David’s knuckles. “Just like you. Dom was right….I love it. No one’s ever done anything like this for me in my life. It….it’s not too much at all. I can’t thank you enough. I’m amazed that you’d go to this much trouble.” He wondered how on earth David hadn’t been snatched up already if he was always this romantic…anyone who couldn’t see that had to be an idiot. Smiling at his lover, Craig vowed then and there to do everything he could to hold on to him. It wasn’t the money….he didn’t care about that. It was the thoughtfulness, the very idea that David would do something like this for him….it spoke volumes, and made Craig feel cherished and treasured beyond his wildest dreams.

Feeling relieved, David smiled. "I'm glad, guess Dom gets to keep his job a little longer then," he teased. The waiter came up and David looked up at him as he gave them their menus. David asked for a few minutes and the waiter quickly disappeared. "So...you won the bet...so you get to pick anything you like," he said smiling.

~~~

Several days after their private lunch date, Craig stared dully at the medicine bottle in his hand. His eyes were red and swollen, his nose felt as if it had alternately either been pinched shut or had a faucet installed, and his head ached. He’d already taken two of the pills his doctor had prescribed for this sudden onset of allergies and they didn’t seem to be helping. He looked around at his desk helplessly, seeing countless stacks of paperwork and files that needed to be taken care of, but he simply couldn’t make his mind bend to the task.

He grabbed a Kleenex and rubbed his nose gently. //I’m never going to get this done. And I don’t want David to see me this way. I don’t *ever* get sick. Why does it have to happen now? Why not months ago, before I found David, when it didn’t matter what I looked or felt like, because there was no one to care?// He figured David would take one look at him and decide it would be safer, not to mention much less disgusting, to go home and maybe give Craig a call when the allergies had passed. //Though maybe I just didn’t take enough of these pills. Maybe if I take a couple more, I’ll at least be presentable when he gets here.//

His attempt to open the bottle again were hampered by several rather nasty sneezes, but he finally managed to twist the top off and take two more pills…then threw in one more for good measure. Crossing his arms on the desk, he rested his head against them and closed his eyes for a moment, hoping they’d at least stop itching and tearing. He somehow managed to doze off, only to be interrupted by Mirry, or Hugo, or the phone, every other minute or two. //Dammit, if I can just rest for a few minutes, maybe I’ll feel better! I *can’t* look like this when David gets here!// With a resigned, stuffy sigh, he answered each of the questions as best he could, even though his brain seemed foggy and his eyes refused to stay open. He even thought about asking David to wait and come the next day, but couldn’t stay awake long enough to make the call. Finally, he managed to fall into a fitful sleep, after begging Hugo to ask everyone to leave him alone for just half an hour.

David smiled at Karl as they passed one another. Karl was on his way to his job, and David was on his way in to see Craig, it seemed to be a sort of ritual between the two men in recent days. David had planned to take Craig out to dinner and a movie. When David approached the office he saw the door shut, which was unusual this time of day. Pushing the door open and peeking inside, he felt his heart melt as he saw his lover with his head rested on his arms asleep. //Maybe we should stay in tonight if he's sleeping at his desk? He's always saying I work too hard, but I really think it's the other way around.// David closed the door quietly and crossed to the desk and rested his hand on Craig's back. "Craig?" he asked softly not wishing to startle him. Part of him wanted to let him sleep, but experience told him that Craig was going to get a backache laying that way.

Craig felt a soothing hand on his back and sighed in his sleep. He thought he heard a familiar, soft voice calling to him, but couldn’t seem to wake up enough to answer. //Must be a dream. It’s still early. I’ve only been asleep for a couple of minutes.// Burrowing his face deeper in his arms to avoid the light, he mumbled incoherently and wiped at his nose with the Kleenex still clutched in his hand. //Just a few more minutes. So my eyes won’t be red for David.// Smiling softly at the thoughts of his lover, he drifted back to sleep, unconsciously leaning back into the gentle touch that still rested on his back.

David frowned as he watched Craig burrow into the nest of his arms and looked around his desk. The waste bin next to it contained what looked to be a half a box of used tissues and then he leaned over and saw an amber colored prescription bottle. Leaning over, he picked it up and read the label. //Allergies? I didn't know Craig had allergies.// Turning the bottle in his hand, a bright yellow label declared 'May cause drowsiness.' Looking back at Craig who was lightly snoring and 'snuffling' he shook his head. "Craig?" he tried again, speaking softly next to his ear. "Come on, this is gona kill your back," David said shaking him gently to try and get him awake. The pills were obviously pretty strong because Craig was never this heavy of a sleeper.

Vaguely hearing the words, Craig shook his head. “Don’t care,” he murmured. “Just let me rest for a few minutes so I won’t look like this for David.” He stopped and smiled sleepily, even though his head was still buried in his arms, and no one could see it. “He’s m’ boyfriend, you know…can’t let him see me like this…” He wasn’t even sure who he was talking to, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t seem to wake up. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he remembered something about a warning label on the pills that said something about drowsiness, and wondered if that was why he was so sleepy and lethargic. //Nah….I’m just tired. Just need to rest.// “Please….just a few more minutes….he’ll be here soon and I need to…..” His words trailed off into a slight snore and he smacked his lips. “He’ll be here soon…”

David chuckled softly from Craig's mumbled response and decided that simply waking him wasn't going to work. He stepped back and took off his jacket and tie laying them on the corner of the desk. Then he reached around Craig, sliding his arm under his knees beneath the desk and used his other arm to pull Craig up from the desk top to lean against his chest. "Let's get you laid down someplace more comfortable," he whispered picking him up and carrying him around the desk and over to the small couch Craig had sometimes used when he slept at the shelter. He shifted one of the throw pillows with his knee and lowered Craig onto the couch, resting his head against the pillow. Kneeling down beside the couch he pressed a soft kiss against Craig's forehead.

Craig’s arms automatically wound around his lover’s neck and he was dimly aware that he was being carried. The familiar, delicious scent surrounding him told him that he was in David’s arms and he relaxed. Moments later, he was gently lowered to the couch but stubbornly refused to release his arms from their hold around David’s neck. “Hey,” he murmured, feeling his lover’s lips against his skin. He forced his eyes open and smiled sleepily. “’M sorry….give me a few minutes and I’ll be ready. Just…just don’t look at me. I know I look like hell. Or do you want to go home and try again tomorrow night?” He reluctantly loosened his hold around David’s neck and tried to curl away from him, knowing how disgusting he must look. “Yeah, ‘m sure you don’t want to be seen with me tonight….” His words were lost in another violent sneeze, and he realized that David had been right…sleeping on his desk like that was *not* good for the back, especially when one was sneezing like a demon with a pepperseed stuffed up his nose. His already sore back spasmed and he closed his eyes in misery. “Shit…”

David winced when Craig sneezed, moving back to the desk he grabbed the box of tissues and lowered himself next to Craig again. "Whatever is in those pills has you pretty loopy," he grinned. "I'm *not* ashamed to be seen with you Craig, ever. I don't think going out would be the best thing for *you* right now though. You need to sleep off those pills, and maybe you'll start feeling better," he said softly handing him a tissue. "Just rest for a while, I'm not going anywhere," he said smiling.

//’I’m not going anywhere?’ He’s staying? But…I don’t think I can….// Craig wiped at his nose and tried to clear the fog from his mind so he could think. No matter what else the two of them had done, they’d always ended their days by making love, and it was obvious that he couldn’t do that tonight. Hell, he could barely talk, let alone make love. He rubbed at his eyes and focused on David, speaking slowly, but still finding that his words were slightly slurred. //Damn pills. Should have a warning label. Or, at least, a bigger one. In neon. That flashes.// “Sweetheart, I…I don’t think I can….that *we* can….” God, it would be so easy to say make love, but he didn’t think David realized that’s what they had been doing. “I know I’m disgusting. You can go home and I promise to be all better by tomorrow. It won’t hurt my feelings if you leave….I know I’m not going to be the most exciting company tonight.”

David stared at Craig for a moment trying to figure out what he was talking about and then realization hit him like a ton of bricks. //God he thinks the only reason I'm here is for sex?// "Craig," he leaned forward and took Craig's face between his hands and tried to get his lover's eyes to focus on him though they were already trying to drift closed. "Baby, I'm here because I *want* to spend time with you...not just sex. I know you aren't feeling well...anyone could see that. If you want I'll drive you home, and we can just curl up on the couch or in bed, and you can rest. I'm...I don't...you do know that what we have is more than sex right? I mean...at least it is for me," David said trailing off wondering if maybe that's what Craig considered their relationship to be based on.

Craig’s eyes widened and he stared at his lover for a moment in shock. //He called me Baby. And he *does* know this is more than sex? And he’s *really* going to stay with me?// Craig had always taken care of everyone else, and having someone taking care of him was new and….and wonderful. He leaned up and wrapped his arms around David’s neck, his eyes filling with tears. “David, I…well, yeah…” he said softly, pulling his lover close. “It’s more than sex for me too….so much more. I just…I wasn’t sure if you felt that way too. I’m sorry.” The adrenaline rush from David’s words was already starting to wear off and his eyes grew heavy again. “I’m so sorry. Forgive me? And…just hold me for a minute? Please?”

David was thrown off balance for a moment when Craig's arms flew around his neck and he smiled. He realized that he hadn't exactly given Craig the impression that he *did* see their relationship as more and decided to try and fix that if he could. "Forgive you? There is nothing to forgive," he said softly. "I'll hold you as long as you want me to," he whispered. Craig shifted on the couch and David sat down pulling his lover over to rest his head in his lap. "Just get some sleep."

Craig turned on his side and moved to wrap his arms around David’s waist, snuggling tight against him. He’d known David cared, but had been afraid for…for *this*. For what happened, or what could happen when they couldn’t make love. This part where two people who cared for, even loved, each other, could just be together because it was what they both wanted. Exactly like this. His eyes closed and he smiled, feeling loved, even though David hadn’t said the words. Just as he started to doze off, he heard a knock at the door. Stifling a groan, he turned toward the door and opened his eyes.

Hugo poked his head in, murmured an apology and gave David a smile when he saw Craig curled up and holding on to him. “Sorry, guys, but I need someone to sign for this delivery.” He crossed the room and offered the clipboard to Craig, who simply stared at it and blinked. He started to sit up and reached for the pen, but couldn’t seem to get his body to move.

Craig was just getting settled in his arms when someone knocked at the door. As Hugo came in asking for Craig to sign for the delivery David watched him struggle and couldn't help glaring at Hugo a bit. Couldn't he see that Craig was too out of it for this? "Can't anyone else sign for it?" David asked impatiently. He was tempted to yank it away from Hugo and sign it himself

Hugo blinked at David and shrugged. “Well, Craig *always* does it,” he said. He could see that Craig was sick, but….it was Craig. “He does everything around here…always has, even when he’s sick, so what’s the big deal? It’ll only take a second, anyway.”

David sighed and grabbed the clipboard. Quickly glancing over the shipping manifest, he grabbed the pen on the little string and signed it himself. "No rule about who signs it, as long as *someone* accepts responsibility for the shipment. Next time do it yourself and just bring the packing slip in here," David said shortly. "And...you know what? The big deal is that Craig's obviously sick and trying to get a little rest," he went on irritably. He didn't like seeing Craig being made to feel guilty over *not* being able to do his job just because he wasn't well. He shouldn't even *be* at the shelter in this condition. "Actually....I think I'm gona take him home," he said looking up at Hugo who was looking at him as if he had grown horns and maybe in some ways he had. He'd never gotten short with anyone at the shelter because he knew Craig wouldn't like that, but damn it the more he thought about it, the angrier it made him.

Craig looked up at David in surprise and simply rested back against him in relief. He didn’t feel like working, didn’t even feel like being here, but they were both right. He’d always been here, even on the rare occasions when he was sick, but for the first time ever, he didn’t *want* to be here, trying to work when he ached all over and could barely see through swollen eyes. He wanted to go home with David, sink into his arms, and just enjoy being held for a while.

Hugo took the clipboard back with a sigh and exited the office. He’d given Craig fifteen minutes over the half hour he’d asked for, and he simply didn’t see what David was upset about. It was Craig…and Craig *was* the shelter. Just as he was about to close the door behind him, one of the residents reached past him to knock on the door.

“Craig, I need to talk to you about that job you lined up for me,” the man said, ignoring David and crossing his arms as he sat down on the chair across from Craig’s desk, completely ignoring the fact that Craig’s head was hiding against his lover’s neck as if he were simply trying to disappear. “It’s just not working out and I need you to find me something else. Like…today.”

Craig clung to David a moment longer then rubbed at his eyes as he turned to look at his latest visitor. Astin. Astin, who was *never* satisfied with any job that Craig managed to get him. //*SO* not surprised.//

David rolled his eyes and looked down at Craig, "I'm taking you home," he whispered. Helping Craig sit up, David turned and laid him back down on the couch, "You rest while I get things wrapped up here," he whispered pressing a kiss against his forehead. As the young man who had walked in the office started to say something David spun and grabbed him by the arm. "Hey!" he started to protest but David just hauled him out of the office shutting the door quietly behind him. "Look I don't know who the fuck you are and quite frankly don't give a shit, but he's sick, he's going home, so I suggest you be grateful that you have a roof over your head, and that you have three meals a day, and that you have a job right now. I think Craig has more than done enough for you, now it's time for him to go home and rest. You think you can handle that?" David hissed quietly.

Craig was already almost asleep as David pressed him gently back on the couch and kissed him. With a soft smile, he closed his eyes, already forgetting about Astin and his job troubles. Before David had even left the room, he was asleep, simply unable to think about what was going on just outside his door.

Astin thought seriously about pushing the red haired man away from him, but one look into furious blue eyes made him look down immediately. “I….yeah,” he mumbled. “Fine. Whatever. I’ll catch him later. Or call him at home. No problem.” When the other man’s grip tightened on his arm he looked up with surprise. “Let me go, man. Shit, who are you anyway? You don’t work here!”

"No, you will *NOT* call him at home, ever. Got that? Once he leaves this building he's on HIS time and you will NOT disturb him. And who am I? I...I'm his boyfriend and I do volunteer here, though mostly in the kitchen or office. You need a fucking job, then come see me tomorrow," David said yanking a card out of his pocket. When the young man saw the name of the company on the card, he paled. "Now I'm taking him home, he's sick, and he's not going to get well and be able to help you or anyone else if he's stuck in bed now is he?" The young man nodded and David released his arm and stalked back into Craig's office. Taking a deep breath he picked up his jacket and tie from the desk and threw them over his arm before going back to kneel beside the couch. "Come on, baby, I'm taking you home," he said softly brushing a lock of hair behind Craig's ear.

Craig opened one eye and stared at his lover. He knew he was being a pain, but he’d never been this exhausted in his life. And his nose was still running and sore. And his eyes hurt. And he just wanted to sleep. A soft smile touched his lips as he saw David looking down at him with such gentle concern and he nodded. “Home,” he agreed solemnly. “And you’re going to curl up with me and I can sleep?” His voice carried a thin ray of hope that he could maybe sleep more than five minutes undisturbed.

"Yes, I am," David said with a smile. Craig looked absolutely exhausted and all he wanted to do was wrap him up in his arms and hold him and keep the entire world at bay for him. He made a mental note to turn off not only his own cell phone but Craig's and planned to unplug his house phone too. "Now come on...can you walk?" he asked unsure if Craig could. He'd been so limp earlier when he'd carried him from his spot at the desk. David wondered vaguely if Craig had waited the specified six hours between doses on the prescription bottle.

Craig nodded and curled his fingers around David’s hand. He took a deep breath and pulled himself into a sitting position, waiting for the room to stop spinning around him. “I can walk,” he said as he yawned. “I need to get some files to take with us…I’ll have a lot to do when I finally manage to wake up.”

"No, you aren't taking anything from here. I'm not even bringing in my briefcase and laptop tonight. We are *both* taking the night off, Craig," David said softly but sternly. "I'll talk to Hugo before we leave and I saw Orli and Mirry talking to some of the residents. Everything will be handled just fine while you are gone," he said wanting to reassure Craig that he had nothing to worry about other than getting well.

Craig started to protest but saw that David meant business. Besides, if David could take the day off, Craig certainly could as well. “Thanks,” he said softly, resting his head against his lover’s chest. “It’s kind of nice to have someone looking out after me for a change.” He pressed his lips against David’s neck and sighedly. “I’d kiss you but I’m all gross right now….how about a raincheck for when I’m better?”

David shook his head and laughed softly, "Gross? You aren't gross," he whispered. Leaning back, he looked into Craig's eyes and smiled, feeling his heart tighten in his chest at how red and swollen they were. "You are always beautiful to me," he whispered, pressing a kiss against Craig's lips. "Hang onto me, ok?" Standing up, he helped Craig to stand as well and slipped an arm around his waist. "We'll get you home soon, baby," he whispered pressing a soft kiss against his lover's temple. David was fully prepared to scoop Craig into his arms if he had any difficulty making it to the car, but he didn't want to embarrass him in front of his staff and residents. He intended to get Craig to the car and come back inside to tell the other's what was going on.

Craig blushed at David’s words and stood slowly. He certainly didn’t feel beautiful, but he could see nothing but sincerity in his lover’s eyes, and he felt his heart jump. He forced his eyes open with every last ounce of willpower he had and leaned against his lover. “Maybe we can use the back door?” he asked, laughing at himself as he wrapped an arm around David’s waist. He thought he could make it to the car, but not much further. The thought occurred to him that *maybe*, just maybe, five of the allergy pills within an hour was a little much, and should probably not become a habit. But at least he could breathe. As they headed slowly toward the door, Craig squared his shoulders and tried to look half way conscious, not wanting anyone in the shelter to see him like this. It wasn’t that they would worry, necessarily, but if they saw him leaving, he knew they’d think of a million things he needed to do for them before he left. And right now, he simply couldn’t.

As they walked out into the main room David held Craig close and he saw a few people look over at them with *that look* that he knew meant they wanted to asked Craig a question. Propelling his lover toward the door, he glared at anyone who even looked at them. As quickly as they could, they got out to David's car. Helping Craig get in, he fastened his seatbelt for him and pressed a quick kiss against his lips. "I'll be right back," he whispered closing the door and running back into the shelter. He immediately found Mirry and Orli and told them that he was taking Craig home and that anything here at the shelter was their responsibility - that Craig was taking the night off due to illness and that he wasn't to be disturbed unless the place burned down. Mirry agreed and Orli simply nodded. Quickly he made his way to the kitchen and caught Hugo. First he apologized for being so short with him, and asked him to just grab Orli and maybe one of the other residents to help with dinner that night. Once he was done he made his way back out to the car. He grinned as he crossed to the drivers side and he saw Craig asleep again. //How many of those pills did he take?// Once they arrived at Craig's house he hated having to wake him again. "Hey...hey sleepy head, we're home," he said giving Craig a tiny shake.

“Five more minutes?” Craig asked hopefully. When he heard David laugh, he sighed and rubbed his eyes again. Unhooking his seatbelt, he looked toward the house and thought about the bed inside that was waiting for him…for him and David. Nice, cool sheets, David’s warm, strong arms around him, curled up against him and making the world leave him alone for a few hours. He realized that because of him, they were going to miss dinner. “We can fix something to eat before we lay down if you’re hungry,” he said as he yawned. “Or we can order something. I know I’m making you miss dinner.”

"I won't starve," David said softly as he got out of the car and ran around to Craig's side to make sure he didn't fall *out* of the car trying to get out. He offered his hand and helped steady Craig as he got out. Finally they made it up the steps and David kept his arm tight around Craig's waist as he waited for him to fish his keys out of his pocket. Craig seemed to have a bit of trouble and David grinned, "Here...let me," he whispered reaching into Craig's pocket and retrieving the door keys. //Have to try that again sometime when he's not about to fall flat of his face.//

Craig giggled and wrapped both arms around his lover, thinking that those strong hands fishing around in his pockets could be very interesting if he felt a little better. Hell, it was interesting now…..Shaking his head, he waited for David to open the door and lead him inside. He felt almost drunk, and still couldn’t think straight. “You’re a good taker-carer, you know….um…care-taking….care-taker….That’s it. You’re a good care-taker. But not like a grounds keeper…not one of those. Good at taking care of me, I mean. But…oh hell, I don’t know what I mean. Can we go to bed now, please? And will you take off your clothes so I can feel you next to me? I mean, feel you naked, next to me….and I’ll be naked too, and….shit. I can’t think. Are you laughing at me?”

David couldn't help it, the more Craig babbled the more he found himself laughing, "I'm not really laughing *at* you, more...like...um...yeah I'm laughing at you," David admitted honestly. "How many of those pills did you take? It said two every six hours on the bottle," he asked as Craig tripped over essentially nothing. David leaned down and slid his arm behind his legs and lifted him into his arms. "This way is faster," he stated as he carried Craig the rest of the way through the living room and into Craig's bedroom.

Craig felt the room moving around him for a moment before he realized David was carrying him. Snuggling closer, he yawned and nuzzled against his lover’s neck. “I just took two,” he said seriously. “But they didn’t help. So I took two more. And one more for good measure.” He felt proud of himself for thinking ahead and grinned. “I wanted to be better by the time you got here. But I wasn’t,” he added sadly. “I was just sleepy.”

David was stunned as Craig said how many he'd taken, "How far apart did you take all of those?" David asked worriedly.

“No clue,” Craig sighed. “It was at least half an hour later, cause I looked at the clock and remembered that you’d be here….um...there, in less than an hour. So I wanted them to hurry and work. Don’t think they did though. My eyes are still red, aren’t they?” He moved one arm from around David’s neck and rubbed at his eyes. “Yeah, still red. I can feel it. Really gross. And did I tell you my nose hurt? How is it possible for a nose to hurt, sweetheart? It’s so little. It shouldn’t hurt so much, ya know?”

"Jesus, Craig. Five in an hour? You're lucky I'm not hauling your ass to the emergency room to get your stomach pumped," David grumbled. Setting Craig on the edge of the bed, he looked at the phone. "In fact, I'm gona give the pharmacy a call and make sure that isn't what I need to do." Picking up the phone, David fished the pills out of his shirt pocket and dialed the number. Once he spoke to the pharmacist and was assured that Craig would be fine, but that it would take several hours for the effects to wear off and to definitely *not* allow him to take any more David felt a bit better. Hanging up the phone, he reached down and unplugged it. "Don't *ever* do that again, please? I don't care how you look...well I do...but...shit, what I mean is I don't expect you to be anything but yourself. If you are sick, have allergies, have the flu...whatever, it doesn't change how I feel about you," he said softly. "Do you understand?" he asked knowing Craig probably didn't, and that he wouldn't remember most of this later.

Craig nodded and started to ask exactly *how* David felt about him. But some little part of his mind that wasn’t quite asleep yet screamed at him to keep his mouth shut. That little part of his mind was almost unconscious though, and wouldn’t’ be around for much longer. “I understand,” he yawned. “My being gross and nasty doesn’t change the way you feel. And I also understand that you’ve still got your clothes on and I want you to lie down with me.” His hands reached down and began to fumble with the buttons on his own shirt. “Did you do something to my shirt?” he asked gravely, knowing he was on the verge of whining, but not really caring. “Cause it won’t….work. It’s stuck or something. I think I broke it.”

David snorted and leaned his forehead against Craig's for a moment feeling his heart clench in his chest. In the back of his mind, he could feel the words that he'd avoided his entire adult life, just begging to be said. He closed his eyes for a moment and smiled at his lover, "Here, let me," he whispered, drawing back and unbuttoning Craig's shirt, almost laughing at the amazed look he was given as if he'd just performed an elaborate magic trick. Sliding the shirt off his lover's shoulders, he tossed it aside and set to work on his shoes, socks, and then his jeans. Once Craig was completely naked, David tucked him into bed and then quickly removed his own clothes, ignoring the fact he'd become half aroused just from *that*. He crawled into the bed and pulled Craig into his arms resting his head against his shoulder. Kissing his temple he whispered, "There. I've got you, baby, go back to sleep."

Craig closed his eyes and melted against his lover. “Mmmmm….I love it when you call me baby,” he said softly as what was left of his mind began to shut down completely. He bent his leg up to rest across David’s thighs and sighed happily. “In fact, I love you,” he murmured softly. “I love you very, very much. And I have for a long time now….” His words trailed off as he gave himself over to sleep, not even realizing what he’d said. He’d have been scared to death if he’d realized that he’d finally, after all these weeks of loving David, confessed that love. But he was blissfully unaware and drifted off into a peaceful, deep sleep, where he knew nothing but the safety of his lover’s embrace.

David felt his heart stop beating in his chest as Craig said that he loved him. He closed his eyes for a moment as the words rang in his mind. //I think I love you too...but I don't know if I can ever say it. I've never believed in it before, and now...now I don't know what to think.// David felt Craig relax and drift off in his arms and he held him a little tighter. Pressing a soft kiss against his forehead David closed his eyes and whispered against smooth skin, "I don't know if I'll ever find the words but I need you, and I want you in my life. I hope that will be enough."

~~~
TBC