Title: Here With Me 3/?
Author: Anorien and Sairalinde
Type: RPS
Pairing: Craig/David
Rating: Explicit Sex
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.

// Indicates thoughts.

Chapter 3

"Do you like to swim?" David asked as they stepped out the glass doors.

"I love to swim," he said, spying the pool and smiling. "I used to swim fifty laps each morning, then another fifty at night. It always seems to help me sleep. I guess this means you swim a lot too?"

"Yeah I do, swimming and riding...about the only outdoor activities I do besides playing frisbee with fuzz face here," David said grinning down at D'Artangan who'd followed them the entire time. "Oh...guess I need to tell you the schedules too, almost forgot that. I have a cleaning lady who comes in once a week on Wednesday's and the gardener comes on Friday's. I know it seems a bit much, but the place is far too big for me alone, just didn't have time to keep it neat and I could just feel my grandmother rolling over in her grave if I let the gardens go, so I had to hire the help," David said shaking his head embarrassed.

"Hey," Craig smiled, tugging on David's hand until he grinned too. "We used to have the same problem - huge house, small family. I grew up hanging around our housekeeper - well, she was *supposed* to be our housekeeper, but I think she was secretly hired to be my nanny. She was the one who taught me to cook. Even taught me to swim too. She was……." Craig looked down and sighed, before turning his gaze back to the pool. "Anyway, I'll keep the room I'm in clean, so I hope it won't add to her work load. And I'll do the cleaning of the kitchen after I cook, so maybe your housekeeper won't hate me too much."

David laughed softly, "I don't think Meg can hate anyone to be honest, she's sweet really. You do not have to clean...well I mean I do a little too just so she doesn't think I'm a complete slob, but mostly she does a lot of dusting...so much to dust in that house. Just stay out of Patrick's way, Meg's husband does the gardens, and he is very particular. Part of why I had to work so hard on getting D'Artangan trained, dug up some roses when he was a puppy and I thought Patrick was going to have heart failure," David laughed. "Anyway so this is the pool, and back there is the stable," he said leading Craig toward the stable. "I only have three horses, my grandfather had several but I only kept the three, one for Diana, and the other two are mine but sometimes Mom likes to come out and go riding, so kept one for her. Father doesn't like horses, never has," David said softly. "The man doesn't like *anything* that I do I think."

Craig noticed the instant change in David's posture and the tone of his voice as he mentioned his father. His fingers tightened around David's unconsciously as he wondered how the Chancellor could possibly not see how perfect and amazing his son really was. "Father's don't always know best," Craig said in a low voice. "They sometimes fuck things up beyond all repair, and don't even realize it until it's too late."

David paused and looked back at Craig for a moment, "Sounds like the voice of experience?" he asked softly knowing that look on Craig's face because he'd seen it on his own when he looked in the mirror. He squeezed Craig's hand gently hoping to let him know that he was here for him, if he wanted him. "If you ever need to talk you know I'm here right?"

Craig's head jerked up and he looked at David, surprised that he'd let himself become so lost in memories - memories he thought he'd pushed far enough away that they could no longer hurt him. There was so much he wanted tell David. But there was no way he could explain the whole story without making it look like he was using his friend. He felt his fingers begin to ache as he realized how tightly he was holding on to David's hand. Forcing himself to relax, he nodded. "It's nothing really," he said softly, making sure the practiced smile was on his face. "It doesn't matter anyway." Taking a deep breath, he avoided David's eyes, knowing already that David could read him better than anyone else, even after less than a day. "Now - let's see those horses, shall we? I bet you've got a lot of room to let them have their heads and run to their heart's content here, don't you?"

David frowned knowing that it wasn't nothing but not wanting to push Craig. If he wanted him to know he'd tell him. David nodded, "Yeah...plenty of room to lose yourself when you feel like it," he said walking over to the first stall and releasing Craig's hand so he could reach up to the beautiful bay and rub his ears. "This one is mine, though I think it's the other way around, I belong to him. His name is Oberon," David grinned.

Craig reached to gently run his hands along the sides of Oberon's head. He spoke softly and rested his forehead against the horses'. "Hello," he whispered, closing his eyes and running his cheek up and down the horse's nose. "You are gorgeous, you know that? You remind me of a horse I used to love very much." He turned to look over at David after a moment. "He says he loves you very much," Craig smiled, reaching down to gather some hay from the floor and feeding it to Oberon. "And that he's very happy."

David laughed, "He does huh? Well that's good to know," he grinned at Craig enjoying watching him with his horse. One of the other horses made a soft nickering sound and David laughed, "I think this one is getting jealous," he said walking over to the next stall. "This is my Aunt Diana's horse, she just stays here, she decided to be coy and named the horse Tatiana." David laughed.

Craig gently repeated the process with Tatiana. He'd always loved animals, had grown up having them around as pets and had always felt a special bond with almost any animal, especially horses. "Ah," he grinned. "Tatiana is quite the flirt. But I think she's quite happy and loved herself, so she's not getting *too* out of line." Kissing Tatiana on the nose, he moved down to the next stall. "And this must be your mother's, yes?"

"Yeah, that is Brodie," he said grinning. "Mom doesn't come out much to ride him, so if you ever want to ride he could use the exercise," David said smiling as Craig walked over to the stall.

Craig looked up in surprise, knowing that it took a lot to trust someone you didn't know with an animal that could be so strong, yet so fragile at the same time. "Are you sure, David?" he asked. "I mean, I've got a lot of experience on horseback, but….well, God, I'd *love* to ride him. Maybe we could……I don't know. Go riding together one day? Unless you prefer to ride alone?"

"I'd love to have company, sometimes Diana comes out and we ride together...I know I talk about her all the time. She's my mother's youngest sister, owns a rare bookstore just down from the cafe we were at yesterday," David explained as he leaned against the railing of one of the stalls.

"I'd love to meet her one day," Craig said softly, walking back to gently run his hand down Oberon's nose. "Sounds like you two are close. And anyone who has *anything* to do with books is someone I'm sure to like. Plus she likes horses. Yeah," he grinned, "we already have a lot in common - we're both obviously very partial to you, books, horses……I think she and I will get along just fine."

David smiled and looked down at the ground when Craig said he was partial to him, feeling warm inside. "I think you'll like her...she's a little eccentric, but I think you will find her interesting," David shrugged. "So it's starting to get dark...you want to go back to the house?" he asked softly. He kept fighting the urge to wrap his arms around Craig, he wanted to hold him so badly his arms almost ached. // Don't ruin it, David,// he said to himself.

Craig nodded; suddenly realizing it had gotten chilly. "Yes," he smiled. "It's still early. We could relax and read or go catch a movie or rent a movie or…..something. I mean…it's up to you…." He started to reach out for David's hand again, but changed his mind at the last moment, noticing that David looked cold too. // Well, after that pathetic attempt to ask him out, you may as well just dive right in and do it. In for a penny, in for a pound. // Taking a deep breath, he moved to David's side and snaked an arm around his waist, fully expecting David to push him away.

David smiled at Craig, "I think we have some popcorn, I'm not really up to going out anywhere...mind an old movie? I have some in the den?" he asked smiling more when Craig put his arm around him. He slid his arm around Craig's waist and pulled him a little closer. "We better get back before our teeth start chattering though."

Craig closed his eyes and breathed in the scent of the man beside him. A scent he was already addicted to, already loved, and craved. He threaded his thumb through the belt loop of David's jeans and fought against the urge to wrap his other arm around him and kiss him senseless. "I love old movies," he said softly. "Good company, good movies, that nice warm blanket I spied on the back of the couch…..sounds like I'm set." He looked over at David and smiled again. "Thanks again for letting me stay here…..and for……..well, for letting me do this," he tugged gently on David's belt loop, pulling him closer. "And I don't mean just for the warmth factor. I'm not trying to push you, I swear. I just like this - touching you. Thank you for that."

"I like feeling you near me, Craig. I can't explain it, I don't understand it, we only met yesterday but I feel...I feel like I've known you my whole life, // that I've been waiting for you my whole life //" David said softly, adding the last silently to himself. "I don't mind you touching me, it isn't you who hurt me. I know that...I'm just trying to get past it all, ya know?" David asked trying to explain. Hoping it made sense. He wanted Craig in more ways than just as a friend, than even as a lover if it came to that. That is what scared him, he wanted so much more, and so soon.

Craig looked deep into David's eyes for a moment, seeing so much pain that he wanted to erase. If he could just take it into him self, and away from his beloved David, never to have to see the fear in those glittering blue eyes again, Craig knew he would do it in an instant. "You know I'm attracted to you, David," he said softly. "And I know you've been hurt so badly. Please tell me you know that I honestly enjoy this - just holding your hand, wrapping my arm around your waist, pulling you closer. Don't feel like you have to push yourself for my sake. I won't lie to you and say it's easy - I won't *ever* lie to you. You are the most gorgeous man I've ever laid eyes on. But I'm honestly happy that you trust me enough to let me touch you like this, and every time I touch you, it makes my heart feel like it's going to fly right out of my chest."

David blushed and looked down at the ground and smiled, "I...God, Craig. I...don't think you are pushing me. I'm attracted to you too, you are such a beautiful person, yes outside and I'm learning with each moment we spend together on the inside as well. I wish I could give you more because I want to, but...I'm so afraid of losing you. I'd rather stay safe, with friendship than risk you not being in my life now. I know that sounds ridiculous after we've only known each other a couple of days now...but it's the truth. I can see myself falling in love with you easily, but I've been hurt so many times." David stopped and turned to face Craig as they stepped onto the patio. "It wasn't just that guy last year, I said I've got a bad track record and I do. He was the third person to break my heart, and I couldn't stand it if I lost you and I...well I hardly know you. That's why I'm scared, but I don't want you to have to wait. I wish I had the answers but I don't."

Craig turned to face David and pulled him close. After a moment's hesitation he reached up to gently run his thumb over David's cheek. "You….you could fall in love with me?" he asked softly, scared that he'd misunderstood. // God, David, if you only knew how much and how deeply I've already fallen in love with you. // "David…..I know how you feel. I feel the same way. You are….God, you are so amazing. I can't believe anyone would ever hurt you. I simply can't wrap my mind around that. You are amazing, and I love…..love every moment I'm around you. I wish I could take all this pain away from you, so you wouldn't have to hold anything back. But I understand. It's not ridiculous at all. I'm already scared of losing you too. I…..honestly, I've never had my heart broken before. But that's because I've never loved anyone before, ever. So, it scares the hell out of me too. You, David, already have the power to break my heart, and I'm just as afraid as you are. So I'm not *having* to wait for you. I think we're both waiting for each other."

David leaned into the gentle touch and closed his eyes for a moment just enjoying Craig's soft touch and his softly spoken words. "Maybe we've both been waiting for each other for a long time. Even...even before when I thought I was in love or was in love, I'm not sure anymore I didn't feel this...connected...the way I do with you. I don't want to ever see you hurt, ever," David whispered as his hand reached up to brush his fingers through the soft dark hair he'd longed to feel for what seemed a lifetime. "We just have to be patient with each other," he said softly. He wanted so badly to lean forward and capture Craig's lips under his own, but still held back.

As Craig felt David's fingers brush gently through his hair, his knees grew weak. Unable to speak, he merely nodded. He'd felt this connection immediately too. He'd meant it when he told David he'd never been in love before. But somehow, he *knew* this was what love felt like. He felt it in every cell of his body. Craig felt as if he would die if he didn't kiss those perfect lips in front of him. He'd never wanted anything as badly in his life as he wanted that kiss, at that moment. He finally drug his eyes up to David's and saw the uncertainty that lingered there. // Don't push. Don't push. Don't think about those lips touching yours, that tongue sliding into your mouth….just…don't. It'll hurt too much if he pulls away. // After a long moment, Craig saw something change - the uncertainty left David's eyes, and he swallowed the lump in his throat.

David could feel the warmth of Craig's body so close and finally decided to give in to what he felt; he'd lived with regret before, and didn't know which was worse. The regret of not doing this or the regret later when it all came crashing down. Moving forward his arm snaked around Craig's waist and pulled him close, their bodies fitting together as David's lips descended upon Craig's in a soft and tender kiss. Not pushing for more, but when Craig's lips parted David felt as if a million butterflies had taken flight inside his stomach. Tilting his head and slipping his tongue into Craig's mouth he couldn't prevent the soft moan that escaped. He was so perfect, so beautiful, and he knew he was lost.

Without thought, Craig wrapped his arms around David and held him tightly, even now afraid that he'd pull away and leave. He parted his lips and welcomed David's tongue into his mouth, his own tongue softly caressing, sliding and tasting the man who had so effortlessly stolen his heart with one look. This was his heaven. This was what it was like to kiss the man he loved. And he never wanted it to end.

As Craig kissed him back David felt his entire body was tingling, a kiss had never made him feel *this* way, ever. Was this the way it was always supposed to feel? He felt as if he'd never really kissed before, one hand was buried in Craig's soft hair and the other was splayed against his lower back, holding him close, feeling his body pressed against David's. Never had anything felt so right before. His heart was racing and his body was reacting to the warm body pressed against his own. Finally he drew back only because he was in need of a breath, his knees felt weak and he could feel his own arousal pressing against Craig, just as he felt Craig's against him. "I...I'm sorry...I just...you, God you are so perfect, Craig," he said softly unable to really think what he wanted to say. It seemed like all the words he knew in his life all paled in comparison to what he felt right now.

Craig moaned as David pulled away, breaking the kiss and drawing in a deep breath. Realizing that he was breathless as well, he rested his forehead against David's, still holding him close. He lifted a hand to gently brush his fingers through the hair on the nape of David's neck, as the other arm stayed wrapped securely around his waist. He found himself aroused, wanting, needing, aching, and feeling so incredibly happy as he felt the strong arms around him. "Don't be sorry. Please, don't be sorry for kissing me," he whispered. Before David could answer, Craig lowered his lips again and pressed them to his love's, his tongue gently sliding along the seam for a brief moment. "Please, don't be sorry for that."

"A kiss has never felt like that before," David admitted softly leaning back to look into Craig's eyes. He was still out of breath and aching with need. Finally he pulled back from Craig and opened the door to the house. "We are going to stand out here and end up catching pneumonia or something," David said, trying to make a joke to steady himself. He reached out and took Craig's hand again and they stepped back into the den. David closed the door and turned on a lamp casting a soft glow across the room. He turned back to Craig smiling, "So we were going to have popcorn and watch an old movie? You still want to do that? Seems I remember you liked to cuddle," he grinned feeling happier than he had in what seemed a lifetime.

Craig smiled, feeling warm and happy and….just …..wonderful. The kiss was everything he'd dreamed it would be. Everything and so, so much more. There was so much he wanted to say to David. He was right - a kiss *had* never felt like that. Everything in his entire world was made right by one simple kiss. Everything had turned upside down and been rearranged in perfect order. And he wanted more. So very, very much more. And he would wait forever if it meant David could someday love him. Smiling happily, Craig squeezed David's hand and reluctantly released it heading for the kitchen. "I'll pop the corn if you'll please chose a movie," he said over this shoulder. "And I'm hoping for a nice, long, warm cuddle, if you don't mind."

David smiled "I don't think I mind," he said as he walked over to the shelf by the TV and began searching for a movie. By the time he settled on one and had the disc in the DVD player he turned around to see Craig bringing in a large bowl of popcorn and some sodas. He crossed the room and took the drinks. "You should have called for help," he said grinning as they sat down side by side on the couch. David pulled the blanket around them and they snuggled up next to each other as the movie title came on. "I think this is the most enjoyable Saturday evening I've had in a really long time," David said softly as he tangled his fingers with Craig's under the blanket.

Craig smiled and snuggled closer, reaching around to find the extra pillows and placing them behind David's back. He slid his arm around him, and held him close, squeezing his hand and pulling the blanket up around them. "I agree." Craig said softly. "It's the best evening I've had too. This is perfect….everything is perfect. And you are a cuddler of the highest order. That's coming from a cuddle whore you know," he laughed. "Do you need anything? Are you comfortable?" he asked.

"I'm glad you approve of my cuddle skills and yes, I'm fine," David grinned, slipping his arm around Craig and pulling him closer placing a soft kiss against his forehead. "Relax, watch the movie," he whispered. He couldn't get over how perfect Craig was, how beautiful and kind. As they watched the movie begin David found himself wishing he'd met Craig years ago, his life might have been so much different if he had. He took a deep breath and squeezed Craig's hand enjoying the feel of him near, the warmth of his body next to David's felt...*right*.

Craig smiled and rested his head on David's shoulder. Tilting his head back to look up at him, he sighed happily. "Tell me if you need anything, ok?" Craig said softly, finding that he wanted only to take care of this beautiful man beside him. He ran his thumb over the back of David's hand, marveling at the thrill that seemed to race through his arm up to his heart as skin met skin. He tried to concentrate on the movie, but found that he couldn't seem to think with David this close. He brought David's hand up to his lips and kissed it softly. "This is wonderful," he whispered, tightening his fingers around David's. He eyed the popcorn, realizing that he'd either have to let go of David's hand or move his arm from around his waist. He suddenly decided that he didn't really want the popcorn after all, and snuggled in closer.

David looked down at Craig beside him and smiled, "It is wonderful," he said softly. //*You* are wonderful. // Turning toward Craig slightly he noticed that Craig was looking at him and not the screen. Staring into the sparkling blue eyes he leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss against his lips. He was already falling head over heels in love with this beautiful dark haired man and there wasn't a damn thing he could do about it, nor did he want to. The movie forgotten, he shifted slightly and deepened the kiss, pulling Craig closer as his tongue slowly slid along Craig's tasting and committing to memory his unique flavor, his warmth, everything. Everything perfection.

Craig lost himself in the warmth of David's kiss, feeling nothing but David's arms around him and his tongue gently exploring his mouth. // I love you, I love you, I love you, my beautiful David. God, how I love you. // Leaning back, Craig wrapped his arms around David and held him close. His hands found their way underneath his love's shirt and pressed gently along the warm skin of his back, feeling as if he could never get close enough, could never touch him, or be touched by him enough to satisfy this need, this all consuming desire that had taken over his body. Moaning softly into David's mouth, Craig tentatively let his own tongue press forward, gliding slowly over the slick teeth, gently probing and tasting, and thinking that he'd never tasted anything sweeter than this beautiful man in his arms.

David felt as if he were in Heaven as Craig pulled him close and kissed him back. Slowly David pulled back slightly, kissing a trail down Craig's neck. "You are so beautiful, so perfect," he murmured against warm skin his mind hardly able to focus at all on anything but the feel of Craig's body against his own. Finally he pulled back and looked into his friend's eyes as he tried to regain his breath. "I've never felt this way before...never felt this *need* to touch someone like this," he whispered softly.

Craig lifted both hands to gently cup David's face. He tilted his head so that the soft light from the lamp shone into his eyes, wanting, needing David to see his sincerity. "Please believe me," he whispered softly, gazing up into David's glittering blue eyes. "I've never felt this way either. I've never wanted anyone like I want you. You are gorgeous, and perfect and I can't get enough of you. I can't *ever* get enough of you." Lifting up to lock his lips with David's once again, he welcomed the slick tongue back, gently sucking and licking as a low moan escaped his lips, only to be lost in David's warm mouth. // God, I want him. I *need* him. But I can't push him….let him take the lead. Let him decide how far this goes. //

David lost himself in the kiss, and when Craig moaned he felt as if he might explode from need. Moving his hands down to the waist of Craig's jeans David wondered for a moment what exactly he planned to do. He'd never really been the one in control in situations like this. His hand stopped with that realization and he sat back breathing heavily. "God, I... I want you so much, Craig but," he trailed off as he looked into Craig's sparkling blue eyes. He reached out and ran his fingers through tousled hair. He couldn't bring himself to admit he had no idea what he was doing, but decided to just go with whatever came naturally. Leaning forward he kissed Craig again, and this time when his hand reached his waistband he didn't stop. He unfastened the jeans slowly, never breaking the kiss and wrapped his hand around the hard length exposed there, stroking slowly as he kissed this beautiful man. He wasn't sure what else he was going to do at this point, but he wanted to please Craig any way he could.

Craig looked up at David through lust-darkened eyes as David spoke softly. Before he could answer, he found his lips captured in a kiss that made his head swim and his heart seem ready to fly out of his chest. He felt David's hands unfasten his jeans and stroke him as Craig's own hands did the same, quickly pushing his lover's jeans down his hips. Arching his back as David touched him, Craig used every ounce of willpower within him not to come undone then and there - the simple touch that he seemed to have been waiting for all his life enough to send him over the edge. "God, David," he moaned, reaching between their bodies and closing his fingers over David's arousal. One arm wrapped tightly around David as his other hand caressed David's hard shaft, their movements in perfect rhythm as their legs tangled together and their tongues tasted and licked and savored.

David moaned as Craig's hand wrapped around him stroking in time with his hand's movement on Craig's hard length. He wasn't sure what he was doing anymore, all he knew was he'd never felt this driving need to be with anyone in his life. It was as if he'd never been touched before, and he found any ideas of control slipping from his grasp. Leaning forward, he pressed his lips against Craig's again, licking along his lower lip then feeling himself spiraling closer to the edge of oblivion. "God, Craig," he moaned as he felt himself spill over Craig's hand. Wishing he'd been able to last longer, but it had been so long since anyone had touched him…and he'd never in his life wanted anything, anyone the way he wanted Craig. Trembling he continued to move his hand along Craig's hard length, gazing into lust darkened blue eyes he lost himself. David had never felt anything that powerful, that intense, from a simple touch like that...he vaguely wondered what it would be like if they actually did have sex.

Craig stilled as he felt David's release spill over his hand. Looking into the breathtaking blue eyes above him, he arched up into David's grasp, crying out softly as every muscle in his body clenched and his own release covered his lover's hand and Craig's own stomach. They both froze for a moment, staring deep into each other's eyes before Craig leaned up to press a soft kiss to the full lips that smiled down at him. Pulling David down to lie beside him, he tried to focus and breathe normally again. After a long moment, Craig reached out to grab the small hand towel that lay next to the popcorn and gently began to clean David, barely having the strength to move, but wanting his lover to relax into him. Quickly cleaning himself, Craig pulled the blanket over them both and wrapped his arms around David. "My beautiful David," he whispered, pressing his lips against his lover's temple. "You make me crazy with wanting you."

David closed his eyes and grinned when Craig kissed him tenderly. "I've never felt that way before," he whispered, "never *needed* someone that much." He was still trying to recover from it and he didn't know what to think. It was far too soon, but yet at the same time not soon enough. He rested his head against Craig's chest and tried to will his heart back to a normal pace. "You...you have no idea what you do to me," he said softly, snuggling closer.

"I do have an idea," Craig whispered, tightening his embrace, afraid to let David go for even a moment. "Because it's the same thing you do to me. God, David - just you *touching* me was all it took. It felt like…..like I've waited my entire life for that touch." He trailed his hands softly up and down David's back. "Stay here with me, please?" he whispered softly. "Just a little longer? I….I don't want to let you go. I'm sorry…..I know that sounds needy, but…..God, David. This just feels so good."

"I'm not going anywhere," he grinned and looked up at Craig, "it's my couch remember?" He couldn't help but smile when Craig looked at him. Getting a more serious look he ran his hand through Craig's hair. "I can't say I'm not scared, because I am, but I can't help myself...there is just something about you. From the first moment we met there was just *something* there and I don't know what it means yet, but I want to be with you, Craig." he said softly.

"Oh, David," Craig whispered, holding his love so tightly he was afraid he couldn't breathe. "I'm scared too, but I feel that same *something*. I can't help myself. It's like…..I lost you long ago, and now that I've found you, I can't make myself let go. I'm so afraid I'll lose you somehow. That I'll fuck up or say or do something and you'll hate me, and I can't stand that." Lifting his hand to softly caress David's face, he gazed into sparkling blue eyes. "I'll take whatever you can offer. We can take this one day at a time. I just….I just don't want to lose this. I don't want either of us to get so scared that we can't turn to each other. Please? I need you in my life, David. However you can manage it, I *need* you."

"I'll never hate you, that is the one thing I *know*. No matter what, no matter what happens, I'll never hate you," David said softly wrapping his fingers with Craig's. "I think I didn't know I needed you in my life, and now that I have found you I don't want to give that up. I feel like my entire life I've been treated like what I wanted or needed was never important, and I don't feel that with you. For the first time in my life I feel like someone besides my mother and my aunt, cares about me, really cares. I don't understand it at all, but I want you in my life, Craig."

Craig pressed his lips softly against David's, smiling as he gazed into the mesmerizing blue eyes. "What you want and need are all that matters to me," Craig whispered. "You have no idea how much I care about you. And I want to be in your life for as long as you'll have me. Please…..if I start to screw this up, please tell me. Or if you want someone else, please just tell me that too. I've never felt this…..vulnerable before, David, and I know how scared you feel. But, I know that you're worth it - there's no doubt in my mind about that that."

David laid his head against Craig's chest and took a deep breath. "As long as I'll have you?" he grinned. "I like the sound of that," he said softly. "We will take it one day at a time, but I don't see a time when I wouldn't want you in my life," David said sleepily snuggling closer. "Is this couch ok to sleep on or would you rather go up to your room?" he asked, worried for a moment.

Craig stifled a yawn and kissed the top of David's head. "I don't want to move," he whispered, letting his fingers rub small, soothing circles over David's skin. Already it hurt to think about tomorrow night - when he would probably be alone in his bed, his arms aching to hold his lover. Holding him even tighter, he closed his eyes. "I don't ever, ever want to move."

David settled against Craig, feeling his touch moving over him and soothing him to sleep. He already knew in his heart that he loved Craig, probably had since the moment they looked into each other's eyes; his mind just wouldn't let him admit it. He sighed softly as he began to slide into sleep praying that he would always feel the way he did right that moment; safe, and loved. Craig hadn't said he loved him...but for the first time in someone's arms he *felt* loved. He smiled as sleep overtook him.

Craig waited for David's breathing to slow as he took a deep breath and looked up. "Please, God, don't let him regret this in the morning," he whispered softly. "And please, don't let him run away from me."

Continue to Chapter 4