Here With Me Chapter 21/?
Author: Anorien and Sairalinde
Type: RPS
Pairing: Craig/David
Rating: NC-17
Beta: Ourselves
Warning: Abuse described in later chapters not between the main pairing.
Disclaimer: This never happened. This was written in fun that's all.
Feedback: Yes please send to sairalinde @ hornofgondor.com
or thechroniclesofosgiliath @ yahoo.com
Archiving: OEAM, Mirrormere, The Chronicles of Osgiliath, Saira's Library, CxD Archive, other's ask.
Summary: A.U. Two University Professors try to overcome their pasts and find love and healing.

//Indicate thoughts

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

It had been four days since Craig had been released from the hospital and in those days numerous messages had been left from friends at the University. David's Mom, his Aunt...and his father. David had made sure that Craig never heard the messages that his father had left. The rumor that he and Craig were married had gotten back to him of course and he was more than a little upset. David had erased the tape but knew he couldn't put it off forever. He knew that Craig had been worried about the hospital bill and about his job at the University. He'd called Peggy and made an appointment to pick up some paperwork for Craig so he'd be paid for the time off, and decided that he would see his father while he was there. He didn't want to have this conversation with him, but he knew that he needed to clear the air. Tell him the truth even though he wished that he really was married to Craig. He had told Craig that he needed to run a few errands and would be back soon. Pulling up in front of the admissions office David decided to see his father before he went to see Peggy about the paperwork. Get it over and done with. As he approached the door to his father's office he took a deep breath and knocked.

John put the file he’d been reading down on his desk and straightened his jacket. His secretary was out to lunch, and he knew he didn’t have any meetings scheduled for the rest of the afternoon. //Who the hell could that be? I don’t have *time* for people to just drop by my office all the damn time! Besides, I *have* to track down that foolish son of mine and pray to God it’s not too late to get this ridiculous marriage annulled!// With a deep sigh, he put on his ‘professional, friendly, dean-voice’ and pasted a smile on his face….just in case his unscheduled visitor was someone wanting to make a donation, or the son of someone important. “Come in,” he called out loudly.

David took another deep breath to steel himself and opened the door. Stepping inside he saw the smile his father had slip from his face but David went ahead and smiled in return anyway. "Hello, father," he said softly. "I got your message the other day but I've been a bit busy taking care of Craig." He knew that probably wasn't helping his cause any but his father needed to realize whether or not Craig really was his husband he *was* a part of David's life. And if David had his preference he would be from now on.

John shook his head and stood up, crossing his arms over his chest and glaring down at his son. “Dammit, David, when I tell you to call me, I want you to *call* me,” he growled, his ‘nice’ voice completely forgotten in the wake of yet another mess he was apparently going to have to clean up after David. “I don’t give a damn if your precious little boyfriend is on his death bed….*he* is not my concern. I’ve had to find someone to cover for both of you, though it’s beyond me why his being sick means *you* have to miss work anyway!”

David felt as if he'd been slapped by his father's words and glared at him. "Craig *is* my concern, my first and only concern. I'm sorry that our being absent is such a bother but he has little choice does he? And...and I am taking care of him...because I love him and I'd rather be the one caring for him than hiring some nurse to come do it," he said defensively.

Sitting back down, John ran his hands over his eyes and felt his anger at his only remaining son only burn brighter. //How can he not *see* that his Parker-boy is using him? He barely meets our dress code standards…and I know for a fact that he doesn’t have a dime to his name! I wish to God I’d never hired him! If David insists on being with someone, I can certainly find someone better than that boy! // With an effort, he forced himself to stop gritting his teeth and look up at David. “Oh…you *love* him….and you really think he loves you back? You really don’t think he’s after your name and your money? God dammit, David, why can’t you see what he’s doing? He’s using you, and you’re letting him! And what is this I’m hearing about you being married to him? If you did marry his sorry ass, you *WILL* have it annulled by the end of the day. Are we clear on this?”

David sighed heavily. "First of all yes, I do love him. Second he is not after my money...he pays his own bills, he insists as a matter of fact of paying as much of the bills as he can afford on what he makes here which you damn well know isn't much. Third we aren't married. Never were. // Not that I don't wish we were.// I told them at the hospital that to get past all the paperwork. He nearly...for God's sake are you so cold hearted that you don't even care that he almost died? If I hadn't gotten him to the hospital when I did, he could have died!" David finished the last shaking violently even at the mere thought of losing Craig. He felt tears sting his eyes but forced them back as he glared at his father.

Relief washed over John as David said he and Craig hadn’t gotten married. He’d take care of the rumors himself…tell everyone it was David’s little way of avoiding some paperwork. He almost felt sorry for his son…almost. How could one feel sorry for someone who was blindly letting some Casanova worm his way into their lives even as they were speaking? // My God…he’s probably at David’s house stealing the silverware right now! // It took a moment for the rest of David’s words to filter through his mind….”So, the boy almost died, did he?” he asked, rolling his eyes and glaring at David. “That’s what he’s telling you anyway…I bet he gave you some sob story about needing money for the hospital bill, didn’t he? How convenient…he just *happens* to be living with the one of the wealthiest men in town…”

David shook his head and gritted his teeth. He knew there was little hope of getting through to his father but couldn't help himself. "No, that isn't what he told me it's what Dr. Clayton told me. You don't fake appendicitis or emergency surgery and if you think that then *you* are the one with a problem!" David snapped off turning for the door. He knew when he came here today that it would end this way. He wished just once...just once his father would just be happy for him. Would stop trying to run his life. "He didn't want me to pay the bill, I didn't give him a choice. So if you want to blame someone, blame me," he said starting to pull the door open. Suddenly he stopped and turned back to his father, "And even if it were true it's *my* life. The only time you pretend to act like a father since Jonas died is when you perceive I've done something wrong or not up to your standards...I'm sick of it. Craig is a part of my life, a big part of my life, and you are just going to have to get used to it, or get out of my life. It's your choice father. If you want to lose another son it's your choice. I've done all I know to do."

John’s mouth fell open and his eyes narrowed. “How *dare* you speak to me that way?” he ground out. “I’m trying to help you….to keep you from making a fool out of yourself with this man! And I’ll tell you one damn thing….when he leaves you and takes every dime you have, don’t you even *think* of coming to your mother and me to clean this mess up! I’ve spent the last few years trying to make things easy for you, but you always turn it around and try to make me the villain here, David! Well, fine! You want me to just stand by and watch you being used? Fine…I’ll do just that! Just don’t say I didn’t tell you so when he finally walks out that door!”

David nodded sharply, "Fine," he snapped opening the door and slamming it shut before heading to Peggy's office. //That couldn't possibly have gone worse.// He sighed and tried to push his father's words out of his mind. He knew without a shadow of a doubt that his father couldn't possibly be more wrong. Craig wouldn't ever take his money...he could very well leave one day, which was David's biggest fear, but he knew deep down when that time came that Craig would leave with only what he came with. His lover had one of the deepest senses of honor he'd ever seen in his life, and David loved him all the more for it. He wanted to help Craig financially but he wouldn't hear of it...and he could think of no possible way to prove that to his father. That's all he seemed to care about was David's money. His father didn't care about him at all, just the money and the name. Part of him wished he could just give it all up, just walk away from everything except Craig. Nearing Peggy's office he tried to put on a fake smile so he could talk to her about the paperwork for Craig.

~~~

Returning home David picked the folder up from the passenger seat and got out of the car. Peggy had given him a list of instructions that seemed a mile long and he almost felt a bit dizzy from it all. Especially after having dealt with his father before hand. He decided on the drive home to not mention *that* to Craig. He hadn't went through all of this paperwork when he'd been in the hospital last year, though he could have. He knew that Craig was already worrying about the money and time off work so he thought this might help ease his mind at least a little bit. As he walked through the door he smiled when D'Artagnan bounded up and he rubbed him between his ears before walking into the library where Craig was curled up on the couch reading. "Hello, love," David said softly kissing him on top of his head. "How are you feeling?" he asked walking around the couch and sitting down next to him laying the folder on the coffeetable.

Craig smiled up at his lover and reached out to hold his hand. “Much better,” he said. “I’m not even really sore any more.” He looked toward the folder David had carried in, ready to ask a million questions, but then his attention was diverted, as always, by the blue eyes sparkling down at him. “Missed you though,” he said softly. “And, by the way, you look gorgeous.”

David laughed feeling his face flush, "Well...um, you must be feeling much better already teasing me," he grinned settling back on the couch curling his fingers around Craig's. "Sorry I had to go out and run a few errands," David said softly. "I um, I know you've been worried about being off work so I went and picked up some paperwork from Peggy. All you have to do is fill it out and the university will pay you for the time off...part of the benefits package when you started working there," David explained.

Craig sat up and studied his lover’s face for a moment. He’d tried not to say much about the bill, but hadn’t been able to stop worrying. Much of his monthly paycheck went toward his father’s care, and he was quite adamant about sharing the household expenses equally with David. Missing two weeks of work, which is what the doctor advised, would have been a definite hardship, plus he was determined to pay his lover back for the hospital bill. David had stayed true to his word and not left his side since he'd gotten sick. As someone who’d grown used to taking care of himself, Craig was finally learning what it felt like to be cared for, for a change….really cared for and loved. And now this….David had taken the time and to do something about Craig’s worries over his salary. “I….I’ve tried not to mention it much, but I have been worried," he smiled. "Thank you, sweetheart.”

"It's ok, only a phone call or two and a trip down to talk to Peggy. Besides I want you to heal and not worry about things like money, your health is more important," David said softly. "I just...I knew that your father's bill was on your mind...you haven't mentioned it much...I could just *tell*," he explained pulling Craig's fingers up to his lips and kissing them gently. He knew that Craig worried about paying for his father's care, and he wouldn't allow David to help so this was the only way David could think of to help.

“You know me so well,” Craig smiled, running his thumb over the back of David’s hand. Leaning up to wrap his arms around his lover, Craig held him tightly. “I’m sorry you missed work, but I’m glad you stayed with me. I’m sorry if I’ve been a little…..strange. I’m just not used to being taken care of.”

"It's alright. I can't say a few times you didn't frustrate me," David grinned, "But...I love you, Craig. I told you I wasn't leaving you and I'm not. I'll return to work when you do, besides my working is a different situation than most. I work because I like it, not because I need the money," David shrugged.

Craig pulled back to look at David and grinned, knowing that he could be frustrating as hell sometimes, especially when he was sick. But David had shown nothing but patience and love, even when Craig knew he was being unreasonable. He looked down and took both of his lover’s hands in his own. “I know you don’t need the money,” he began, feeling his face flush in embarrassment. He *hated* talking about money period. He’d grown up with it, taken it for granted, and now…now he was practically broke. He’d been so very grateful that David had finally given in and let him share half the expenses, even though he knew his contribution was probably nothing in the great scheme of things. But, this was important to him. He hadn’t known David was rich when they met, hadn’t cared, and didn’t care now – but he *never* wanted his lover to even think that he was using him. “I….sweetheart, we need to talk about the hospital bill. I know you paid for it, and I…..I want you to know I’m going to pay you back.”

David started shaking his head as soon as Craig started talking about the hospital bill. "No, please, love. I...let me pay for that please? I don't want you to pay me back, I don't," David said softly. He knew this would be coming, and had already been trying to think of *something* some way that Craig wouldn't insist on paying him back. He didn't want it but he knew Craig wouldn't give up on this easily.

“Just try to understand," Craig pleaded. "Your father thinks I’m using you. You told me Ri….your ex used you. I don’t ever, ever want to do anything that will make your father think he’s right, or make you think I’m anything like your ex. I…I have a little money put back. It’ll pay for at least half of my bill. I’d like to do that, at least. Please?”

David frowned, "Craig, I don't give a damn what my father thinks because I *know* it isn't true, and Richard...was a mistake from day one. I don't want you to use your savings for this. It isn't like you plan appendicitis, love," David grinned. "Look, I just...I feel very uncomfortable taking money from you...but if you feel you *have* to pay something then you can make me very happy by just donating some money to the hospital's charity fund. It's a private hospital but will treat anyone, the charity fund is used to pay the bills of those who can't. It's...it's where my pay checks from the University go, plus ninety percent of the proceeds from my books," David explained. "So if *that* is what you want to do, if you insist you have to pay for it...then do that. I'd rather see the money help someone else than just go to me because I don't need it...and I don't want it."

Craig shook his head and sighed. “You’re stubborn, you know that?” he asked fondly. “I’ll give it to the hospital charity then. I just never, ever want you to think I’m using you. It would break my heart.” He reached under the couch and brought out his checkbook, looking at his lover sheepishly. “I was planning on writing you a check, so I brought this down with me. I’ll call the hospital and see if they can draft it out of my account right now.” He reached for the phone and started to dial out. This was over half of the money from the sale of his mother’s ring, but he had no regrets. His mother would definitely understand. She would have adored David and done everything in her power to help Craig make David understand how much he was loved. Loved for himself, not his money, or his name.

"I'm stubborn?" David chuckled, "Now isn't that the pot calling the kettle black," he teased. As Craig picked up the phone David shook his head and sighed, "Fine...hand me the phone and I'll dial it for you," David said relenting and taking the phone. He pushed in the number and waited until it was picked up, "Hey, Dom...it's David, yeah...um...oh not long," David said looking at Craig almost laughing when Dom had told him congratulations and asked how long he'd been married. "Um...thanks...my husband wants to give some money to the charity fund for his care at the hospital. Yeah...here he is," David said handing Craig the phone and shrugging.

//<b>My husband.</b> David, do you have *any* idea how much I wish that were true? Do you like the sound of that even half as much as I do?// Taking the phone from his lover, Craig gave him a soft smile, the mental image of David wearing his ring sending him off into a mini-day dream. When David looked at him strangely, Craig cleared his head and held the phone up to his ear. After a few minutes of small talk and congratulations from Dom, Craig gave him the necessary routing and account numbers, asking that the money be transferred to the hospital at once. With that done, he said goodbye and put the phone down. “I wish you’d let me pay you, but at least I feel better now.”

"Good, besides if you'd paid me I'd have given it to the charity myself, so we cut out the middle man," David grinned. "I love you, Craig, and I just want you happy...if paying for that bill however you do it makes you feel better...then that's all I want," David said softly.

“*You* make me happy,” Craig said. “I know it seems ridiculous to you – especially since you don’t even see your own paycheck, but thank you for understanding why I need to do this.” He looked down and shook his head. Something was nagging at the back of his mind. Something about the hospital….He tried to piece it all together, but most memories from the previous days were a blur. Something David had said………wait…that was it….he’d said he ‘could’ complain about the less-than-friendly physician because his name was on the doctor’s paycheck. What the hell did *that* mean? Looking back up at his lover, Craig tilted his head to the side. “What did you mean when you said your name was on Dr. Moore’s paycheck? I remember you saying that, but I never got the chance to ask you much about it.”

"Hmm?" David asked a little confused by the question and then realizing that Craig really didn't know, "Oh...I...well my name *is* on his paychecks. Umm, you were at Wenham Memorial Hospital...I'm on the board...actually um...the chairman. My grandfather... when he died, he turned over his seat on the board to me...that charity fund you just donated to is named after my brother Jonas," David explained. "I...I just assumed you knew, I keep forgetting that you aren't from around here. My grandfather left a great many things to me...that seat on the board being one of them." David had never really talked to Craig about those sorts of things before, he knew that Craig knew he was quite wealthy but it just dawned on him that he probably had no idea *how* wealthy.

Craig’s mouth dropped open and he blinked a few times. “Wenham Memorial Hospital? Chairman? I….” Settling back against the arm of the couch he shook his head a few times. “I had no idea. I guess all my talk of sharing the bills sounded pretty ridiculous to you all this time. I……I don’t even know what to say now.”

"No, was frustrating but not ridiculous, love," David said softly taking Craig's hand. "I think that you are the most honorable and most noble man I've ever met, you looked at the bills as your responsibility and just wanted to do what you felt was right. I just...I just want you to understand...to *know* that I don't see you the same way I did Richard. I never offered to pay for anything to him because I didn't *want* to, I knew deep down how he was...where his priorities were, but with you, I want...to take care of you, Craig. I want to help, and I want to share everything with you...everything," David said softly looking down. He wished he could have the courage to say more...to tell him how much he loved the idea of being his husband but he was afraid Craig would think he was out of his mind.

Craig squeezed his lover’s fingers, still a bit stunned. “I don’t want this to change anything, though,” he said softly. “I want to share everything with you too – everything. I know you don’t need the money, but…..I just need to do this. I want to take care of you too. I can’t do it financially, that much is obvious, but I want to in every other way possible. David, I want….”// I want you to marry me. Oh, *yeah* Parker…that’ll go over well. He’ll definitely want to marry someone who has no money and an insane father to take care of. Gee, *that’s* just something he’ll jump at. // “…..us to share everything for the rest of our lives."

David grasped Craig's hand tighter. "I do understand why you feel you have to share the bills...and as frustrating as it is sometimes that sense of honor is one of the things I love most about you...but you *do* take care of me Craig. In every one of the important ways, you listen to me, you care about me, you even cook for me, you pay attention to what I want and what I like, and you make me feel loved...loved like I've never felt before. No one has ever cared for me the way you do, and that is worth more than all the money in the world. We could be living out of a card board box in an alley and those things would still hold true. I love you, and I do want us to share everything...but if helping you financially makes you too uncomfortable we'll work something out...but I don't want you to need for anything."

Craig reached up to trail his fingertips along the side of David’s face. “How could I ever need anything when I’ve got you?” he asked softly, his heart filling with tenderness at David’s words. “The money…we’ll work that out. I don’t want either of us to be uncomfortable about this, or unable to talk about it. I’m ….shocked, to say the least, but I don’t want it to change anything.”

David smiled and leaned forward to press a soft kiss against Craig's lips. "I don't want it to change anything either," he whispered softly. "I know nothing is going to change one thing...the fact that I love you, Craig, and I will always love you."

Craig wrapped his arms around David’s neck and held him close. “I love you too,” he said against his lover’s lips. “You’re just full of surprises, you know that?” He pulled back and grinned at his lover. “First you shock the hell out of me and ask Dr. Clayton when we can make love again, and now this.” Unable to suppress a soft chuckle, he shook his head. “I was going to ask him the same thing, but *never* expected you to do it first. I almost fell out of the bed I was so shocked!”

David felt his face color as Craig mentioned asking the doctor about *that*. He giggled and shook his head, "I...it...I didn't expect to say it actually, just sort of slipped out," David said, laughing softly. "I'm glad you didn't fall out of the bed though," he laughed again, his grin turning mischievous, "And you know...it has been four days."

“Yes,” Craig said, licking his lips suggestively. “It has. And he said whenever I felt like it….and…well, guess what?” Without waiting for an answer, he leaned forward and kissed his lover deeply. “I feel like it…Do you, Dr. Wenham, think you feel like making love to…..your husband?”

David felt his heart leap in his chest at Craig's gentle tease wishing with all his heart that those words were true. Trying to keep from blurting out something stupid David gently pulled him close kissing Craig again drawing back he whispered, "My husband" he whispered wistfully, "...I...// I want that so much Craig. I want to be yours and you to be mine for all eternity and want everyone in the world to know it.// I...do feel like it, Dr. Parker. Would you rather go up to a nice soft bed...or are you comfortable here?" David asked still concerned that it might hurt Craig.

Craig’s eyes closed as David whispered to him. // God, I love the way you say that, sweetheart. Would you? Would you possibly consider it? // Pulling back to study his lover’s face for a moment, trying to decide just how serious he was, Craig was silent for a moment. “Maybe we could go upstairs?” he asked, finally deciding that no, he couldn’t be that lucky. Not to have David *really* want to marry him. There’d seemed to be something in the way he said ‘my husband’, but….maybe it was his imagination. “I’d love to have plenty of room to curl up with you afterward….and…..” he hung his head, his voice trailing off. “We can shut the blinds up there. I know these stupid scars aren't exactly a turn on.”

"Hey?" David said softly lifting Craig's chin to stare into his eyes, "I love you, scars, no scars, I even love your appendix wherever the hell it ended up ok? I love you, Craig. All of you, with all of my heart, and always will. Even when we are wrinkled and gray haired I'm going to love you," David said seriously.

Craig couldn’t help but laugh at David’s words. “Well, my dearly departed appendix loved you too,” he chuckled. He leaned in for a deep kiss, his worries about money and scars and everything else drifting to the recesses of his mind. After a long moment, he pulled away, slightly breathless. Turning to place his feet on the floor, he smiled. “Still ready to take me upstairs? And I *don’t* mean for a nap…”

David smiled happily as Craig pulled away from the deep kiss, "Yes I want to take you upstairs and I want to show you exactly how much I love you. Bear in mind though it may include a nap...and we can wake up and I can try and show you all over again..." David grinned standing up and taking Craig's hand to help him up.

Craig stood up slowly, and smiled. “Promises, promises,” he said, reaching around to slide his hand suggestively over his lover’s groin. “I think that’s the best medicine I could ask for. I’m feeling better already….but you may have to show me a few dozen times before I fully recover, you know.”

David grinned shivering slightly from his lover's touch, "Hmmm, we'll see then," he said softly as he tangled his fingers with Craig's and began to lead him upstairs to their bedroom. "And you know...we are off for a little over another week...I think we can definitely try for that few dozen goal," he grinned bringing Craig's hand up to his lips and kissing it softly.

Still slightly weak, Craig used the excuse to stop on every fourth or fifth step to steal a kiss. As they entered the bedroom, he felt himself already aroused, which wasn’t surprising, with David this close to him. “Why, Dr. Wenham,” he said in a good imitation of a southern drawl. “I do think you’re flirting with me. And I *must* say, I’m quite in the mood to be flirted with.”

David began to laugh and shook his head, "Are you? Well...Dr. Parker," David said gently pulling Craig close and kissing the tip of his nose, "You bring that out in me ya know?" David's hands trailed down the front of Craig's soft dark green flannel shirt. Grinning he unbuttoned the top few buttons, "You know...dressing in the same colors...no wonder everyone in town thinks we’re married," David grinned, "Though I guess my telling them at the hospital we were didn't help matters." His fingers found the last button and very gently he pushed the shirt off Craig's shoulders to land in the floor. Reaching down so Craig wouldn't have to stretch David pulled his own dark green sweater over his head and tossed it on the floor.

Craig reached out to run his fingertips of the expanse of his lover’s chest. “Yeah, I’m sure that made the whole hospital buzz,” he laughed.” Leaning in to lick at his lover’s neck, he took a deep breath. “David,” he said softly. “Do you have any idea how much I love hearing you …..//say we’re married?//………laugh?” Pulling him closer, Craig tried to cover the long pause with a kiss, hoping David wouldn’t even notice or figure out what he’d been ready to say.

David bit his bottom lip as Craig licked his neck and closed his eyes wrapping his arms around his lover. As Craig spoke he thought it seemed like he'd meant to say something other than laugh but lost all other thought in a deep kiss. "I love to hear you laugh too," he whispered, "You know you have the most amazing smile I've ever seen?" he asked kissing the corner of Craig's mouth softly then shifting and running his tongue over his bottom lip. "I...I don't want to accidentally hurt you, love...so just tell me if you can't go on. I don't ever want to cause you pain," David whispered seriously still a little worried.

Craig closed his eyes and sighed softly as his lover’s tongue trailed over his lip, one hand sliding between them to cover the uppermost scar which was still a bit red and swollen, still feeling a bit self-conscious. “Just go slow, sweetheart,” he murmured, as he reached down to unbutton David’s jeans with his other hand and pushed them to the ground. He unconsciously looked down at his own stomach and winced. No matter what David said, looking at *that* couldn’t be turn on – four small, angry scars that stood out like neon lights. He looked into David’s eyes for a moment, hoping he hadn’t noticed, then looked away just as quickly. “Maybe you could just make love to me up against this wall, you know,” he asked softly.

Frowning and turning Craig to look into his eyes David shook his head, "Is that really what you want, or are you trying to hide again? They don't bother me, Craig," he whispered softly. "I love you, all of you," David whispered, "but if you want that because it will be more comfortable we can. I just…I love to see you, to look into your eyes and...to kiss you."

Craig had to bite back the tears that sprang to his eyes at David’s words. David knew him so well; it was as if he could see into his very soul. Which was probably true, he thought with a smile. He gazed into the depths of his lover’s eyes, holding his breath. Seeing nothing but love and concern, not the disgusted expression he’d feared, he reached up to touch David’s face. His mind went back over the past few weeks. Making love to David, kissing him, holding him, soothing him…..David flirting and laughing and teasing….rushing to his side as he’d collapsed in the bathroom floor…never leaving his side at the hospital…smiling patiently each time Craig had been unreasonable…David reading the poem – ‘his’ poem to Craig, their eyes locking from the first word…and, the look in David’s eyes as he’d said he believed in forever. God, he’d wanted David to believe in him so much, Craig only now realized that he’d been the one who didn’t believe in David’s forever. His head began to spin and he released his breath in a long hiss. “You…..do…..really love me, don’t you?” he whispered with what could only be described as awe. “You really *don’t* mind the scars.”

David smiled, "I don't mind them, no and I do love you, I really do," David said softly gazing into Craig's eyes and seeing *something* there. "You...you just realized. You just realized how much I really love you didn't you?" David said, unable to not smile at the realization - the same realization he'd felt a short time ago when he realized that when Craig said he loved him and would love him forever he had truly meant it. "Oh, Craig, oh God, I love you so much it aches when you aren't near me," David said softly brushing his hands through his lover's hair.

Craig nodded, his stomach feeling as if a thousand butterflies had been set free inside. “I….I *did* just realize it,” he said softly, still staring into his lover’s sparkling blue eyes. “I knew *I* always meant forever, and wanted you to believe that so much, but I’m just now realizing that you mean it too.” Feeling his knees grow weak, Craig wrapped his arms around his lover and clung to him, burying his face in David’s neck. “I…..I know what you mean about aching….I really do….it’s like a part of my heart is missing when you’re not beside me. It’s like I can’t breathe without you……..and I don’t even want to. I love you David. I love you so much I can’t even find the words to begin to describe it.”

David felt tears well up in his eyes as Craig wrapped his arms around him and spoke softly. // it's like a part of my heart is missing when you're not beside me. It's like I can't breathe without you...and I don't even want to.// Trying to swallow past the lump in his throat David caressed Craig's back gently. "I can't either, love. I'm a poet and I can't even find the words to describe everything I feel about you. You have no idea how with a look you can make me weak in the knees, and your kisses steal my breath every single time. Just seeing you across a crowded hallway I feel as if the rest of the world just disappears except for you and me. I've never loved like this before, and I never will again. You are it for me, Craig. This is my forever, YOU are my forever," David whispered unable to stop the tears of happiness from falling.

Craig’s own tears flowed down his cheeks and landed softly on David’s shoulder and he held on even tighter as his lover’s words washed over him. If he’d had a ring, he’d have gotten down on his knees and proposed then and there. But David deserved more. He deserved a romantic setting, a beautiful ring, and a proposal from a man without tears and a runny nose, none of which were exactly available at the moment. // I want to marry you David. Just give me time to do it right. I want the world to know we belong to each other.// “I’m so glad we finally found each other,” he said softly, wiping away his tears and pulling back to look at his lover. “I’ve been looking for you for such a long time.”

"And I've been looking for you," David whispered gently wiping tears from Craig's face. "Tá fíorghrá agam duit go doimhin, go deimhin is go deo. Mo ghrá, mo anamchara," he whispered softly. "That means I am madly, truly, deeply, completely and eternally in love with you. My love, my soulmate. That's what you are, Craig, my soulmate, the other half of my heart."

Craig smiled and ran the tip of his fingers through the trail left by David’s tears. “As you are mine,” he said softly. “My love, my life, my everything.” He gently tugged his lover toward the bed where he lay down and opened his arms. “You’ve told me how you feel,” he whispered. “Now will you show me?”

David looked down at Craig smiling and nodding, "Yes," he whispered crawling onto the bed carefully and laying down beside his lover. Leaning over David kissed Craig tenderly though the kiss turned more and more passionate as his fingers trailed across his muscled chest. Careful not to press his body against any of the small incisions from Craig's surgery, his hand traveled down to his lover's shaft, stroking it firmly and rubbing his thumb over the already leaking tip. Pulling back from the kiss David whispered breathlessly, "Tell me what to do, love...I don't want to hurt you, so just tell me what you want."

Craig closed his eyes and marveled at the care David took as he touched him. Gasping as his lover touched his aching arousal, he leaned up despite the soreness in his stomach to kiss David’s neck. Nothing mattered, he thought, nothing but touching and being touched, loving and being loved by this man with whom he planned to spend the rest of his life. His own hand trailed down to touch David’s rigid cock, feeling that it was as hard as his own. “I love feeling you inside me,” he whispered. “That’s all I want right now. I need you, love.”

David nodded feeling slightly dizzy at the thought, Craig was the first person to ever want him in that way, and he always felt honored that Craig wanted him to make love to him that way. David sat up on his knees and reached for the lube in the nightstand drawer then moved between Craig's legs gently settling on his heels and looking down at his lover. Slicking his fingers he leaned down and licked a slow trail up from the base of his lover's rigid cock to the tip tasting the thick liquid gathered there while his hand trailed down to caress the heavy sac before slipping further to press a finger against the tight entrance. Pausing for a moment David leaned down and licked and teased the head of Craig's thick cock while his finger pressed inside past the tight ring of muscle, moving slowly and gently the entire time.

Craig gazed up into his lover’s eyes and smiled, biting at his bottom lip to contain the moan that threatened to escape as David’s finger carefully entered him. As the warm tongue moved over the tip of his cock, he pressed his hips down, driving the finger in deeper, one hand curling in David’s hair as the other curled in the bed sheets. He spread his legs further apart, his cock already twitching and his muscles contracting around David’s finger in anticipation of what would follow. “Please, love,” he whispered. “Please hurry. Need you.”

David pulled back and added a second finger working carefully to stretch and relax the tight muscle, curling his fingers he brushed them over his lover's prostate before dragging them back one final time. Sitting back on his heels he slicked his already aching cock quickly and leaned forward lifting Craig's legs slightly as gently as he could and positioned himself at his lover's entrance. Slowly pressing forward he slid deep into the tight heat and then paused to allow Craig to catch his breath and to gain control of himself. "I love you," he whispered softly.

Craig made an effort not to wince at the very slight pain in his lower stomach as his lover lifted his leg. It was forgotten immediately as David pressed forward, filling him completely, his body welcoming the pressure and fullness, causing him to moan and open his legs wider. “I love you too,” he whispered. His arousal lay heavily on his stomach, dripping steadily. It had been a long four days…since he’d met David, they’d barely been able to keep their hands off each other, and Craig realized that he needed David, *craved* him, with every cell in his body. “You have no idea how much I love feeling you inside me,” he whispered.

David smiled down at his lover as he began to slowly pull his hips back and thrust forward gently, setting a slow but steady pace. "I love that feeling too...feeling you inside me, and feeling you surrounding me like this," he whispered softly. Very carefully he leaned down and pressed his lips to Craig's. For someone who had never really enjoyed sex before since meeting Craig he was unable to keep his hands off his lover. Some days they could barely even wait to get in the door before they were all over each other and they had made love in practically every room in the house. Craig's teasing about lube in every room turned out to be quite necessary. He'd never loved anyone or wanted anyone this way, and he knew with every fiber of his being that this was going to be the way he felt for eternity.

Craig wrapped his arms around his lover and pulled him closer. He knew David was worried about hurting him, but he needed to feel the brush of his lover’s skin against his own, the exquisite sensation of their hearts pressed together, beating as one. He was completely lost in their lovemaking, and that’s exactly how he wanted to stay. They moved together slowly, as soft moans and whimpers of pleasure made their way past Craig’s lips, his eyes falling shut again and again, only to open and find his lover gazing down at him. He slowly brought one finger to his mouth, wet it, and let his hand trail down over David’s hip to gently part his cheeks. As David moved within him, Craig slowly pressed his finger forward, leaning up to kiss soft lips when David moaned at the sensation. Pressing steadily forward, he brushed his fingertip across David’s prostate just as he sunk into Craig as deeply as possible, causing Craig’s body to clench around him and another soft moan to escape.

David moaned as he felt Craig's finger enter him and nearly lost any semblance of control - the feeling was incredible and he knew that he looked completely shocked. Concentrating to keep his movements from hurting his lover, David found himself quickly coming undone. Putting his weight on one hand, his other reached down and began to stroke Craig's leaking cock in time with his thrusts. The sensation of a finger delving inside him while tight muscles clenched around him and the sounds of soft moans from his lover were quickly driving David over the edge. "Oh God!" he cried out staring into his lover's eyes and unable to hold back any longer, feeling his release spill deep inside the tight channel, his own muscles clenching around the delving finger.

The flood of warmth that filled Craig’s body caused him to find his own release almost immediately, his muscles clenching around David’s cock as it pulsed inside him, milking him even as Craig spilled over David’s hand in thick bursts. His finger pressed squarely on his lover’s prostate and they both cried out as their orgasms seemed never-ending, all encompassing. “Oh, God, love,” Craig whimpered, sliding his finger out of his lover’s body and wrapping his arms and legs around him, needing to feel him as close as possible.

Careful not to collapse onto his lover as Craig wrapped his arms and legs around him, David shifted and rolled quickly until Craig was on top. Trying to catch his breath he lay back against the bed panting and smiled up at his lover, "That was...incredible," he said softly.

Craig smiled down at David, and snaked his tongue out to lick gently across his lover’s lips. “It was incredible,” he agreed breathlessly, feeling his body still trembling. He finally rested his head on David’s chest and tried to get his heartbeat back to normal. He was still weak, and simply closed his eyes until he finally regained control and calmed his breathing and heartbeat. “I don’t think I can *move*,” he laughed softly. “And it’s not because of the surgery.”

David laughed softly, "Mmm, don't think I'll have much luck either," he said softly and reached for the comforter pulling it over them. "We can stay just like this if you want...I certainly don't mind," David said smiling and kissing Craig gently. The feel of his lover's body pressed against his felt more than perfect. Brushing sweat dampened hair off Craig's forehead David whispered softly, "I love you, I've never loved anyone this way. Thank you, for showing me what true love is."

Craig nodded and collapsed back onto his lover, not even having enough strength to roll off him even if he’d wanted to. “I’ve never loved anyone this way either,” he murmured against the warm skin of David’s neck. “Thank you for teaching me *how* to love.” Closing his eyes, Craig pressed his lips against the strong pulse in his lover’s neck. “And thank you for taking such good care of me.”

"It’s an honor to take care of you," David said softly feeling himself getting sleepy. "I love you, and will always take care of you...even when you fuss," David teased rubbing his hands over Craig's back. "Let's get some rest...we still have a goal we set downstairs earlier," he grinned closing his eyes.

Craig relaxed under David’s touch, a soft smile on his face. “I didn’t fuss *that* much did I?” he asked. “Oh, please don’t answer that….I’d rather go to sleep thinking about that goal.” He yawned and snuggled in closer. “Might need to go buy some more lube. There might be a closet or two downstairs that needs a tube….”

"You might be right," David said laughing and refraining from telling Craig that he was a horrible patient. David didn't want to say it because he loved that about him too, loved that stubborn streak he had, loved his sense of independence. He didn't want Craig to know he even loved those things because he liked when Craig would finally give in and depend on him. He knew it wasn't an easy thing for Craig to do that, and David felt blessed that he would depend on him even just a little bit. Taking a deep breath he smiled, "Sleep well, love," he whispered already feeling himself start to drift off.

Craig smiled and placed a final kiss against David’s neck. “I always do, when you’re beside me,” he said softly letting his lover’s strong arms carry him off to sleep.

TBC