Title: Here With Me 8/?
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.

//Indicates thoughts

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

Craig sang softly as he rinsed the shampoo from his hair, unable to wipe the smile from his face. His classes had seemed to last forever, and he would have sworn that time had completely stopped there for a while. But as soon as he walked into David's office and David turned to smile at him, Craig had hurried across the room to hold him close and place a soft kiss on his lips. They'd talked of everything and nothing on the way home, holding hands and relaxing…..and *that*, Craig thought, was just the way it should be.

They'd decided on simple sandwiches for dinner, so they could cuddle up in the library and relax afterward. As soon as they walked in, Craig had hurried upstairs to shower and change clothes, planning on making quick work of dinner while David took his shower and changed.

As Craig stepped out of the shower a few minutes later and began drying off, he hummed to himself and listened for any sign that his lover was coming up the stairs. //If I time this just right, maybe I can sneak in and pounce on him as soon as he steps out of the shower…..Oh, HELL, Parker, you're turning into a nympho!// Deciding there were far worse things to be, he searched for his pajama pants and kept an ear cocked toward the hallway.

David looked at the flashing red light on the phone and rubbed his hand over his face. Three messages. One of them he knew who it was from but had been putting off checking it. Craig was upstairs taking a shower and David wanted to check the message without him hearing it just in case it was as bad as he feared it might be. //No way to find out, David if you don't check the damn thing. // He sighed and pushed the button. The first message was from his Aunt Diana telling him about some new books in her shop. He smiled listening to her rattle on about them as she was cut off by the machine. // That explains message number three, // he thought trying to steel himself for the next one. The beep sounded and just as he knew it would be his father's voice resonated from the small machine…

"David. You are to be at dinner Friday night, no excuses. Your mother wants to see you, therefore you WILL be here. And...this *thing* with the new anatomy professor. I'd like to discuss it with you. Public displays of affection between professors does not look professional. Richard never did that. Damn it, David why can't you do ANYTHING that doesn't embarrass your family? Now you are involved with someone else at work after all the rumors from last year still being spread! Do you KNOW what that looks like? I'm...I'm not going to talk to you on your fucking answering machine. You be here Friday night. ALONE. Good day." David stared at the machine as if it were some sort of monster feeling tears prickle at his eyes. "Good day?" he whispered not able to believe how much venom could come from those words.

David was still staring at the machine when the third beep came on and his father's voice not his Aunt's came booming out of the tiny speaker. "David. Your mother just got a call from Mrs. Gadden -you know Congressmen Gadden's wife of all people? She and her sister Mavis saw you and Dr. Parker at Romero's last night. Do you know how embarrassed I was hearing her tell your mother how *cute * you and he looked feeding each other? For Christ sake David can you NOT keep things like that private?

And why haven't you called? And for God's sake I better be wrong about this, but Peggy said that Dr. Parker changed his address on his staff file to YOUR address. You have him staying in your grandfather's home? He just arrived here last week! For God's sake you claimed Richard only wanted you for your money and he had to ask you out six times before you even gave him the time of day but this Dr. Parker certainly made fast work of your weak nature. Jonas would have NEVER behaved this way, David. Why can't you even TRY to live up to half the man your brother was?!" With that the message clicked off as tears rolled down David's face, his heart breaking as he tried to hold back the sob that was making his chest ache and throat burn. He had to say those things? Couldn't he just let him live his own fucking life? He reached out blindly and brushed everything off the table allowing it to crash to the floor, not even slightly appeased when the lamp shattered. He turned and raced upstairs, not even sure what he wanted. Turning away from his own door he burst into Craig's room without knocking. Seeing the bathroom door closed he just threw himself onto the bed clutching Craig's pillow to him.

Craig jumped as he heard the door to his room slam open and the springs of his bed squeak loudly. // Well, guess he was feeling a bit randy too. Who needs dinner when we can have each other? // Throwing his towel on the counter, he quickly tied the strings of his pajama pants and opened the door with a grin. Seeing his lover lying facedown on the bed, Craig's smile faded immediately and he rushed across the room, his heart in his throat, to sit beside him. "David?" he said softly, feeling as if he could barely breathe. "What's the matter, sweetheart? Are you ok? Did something happen?" His hand slowly rubbed over David's back, feeling how tense the muscles were beneath his white shirt.

Hearing Craig's voice, David tried to swallow the sobs that were nearly choking him but he couldn't. As Craig's hand moved over him he trembled as the sob finally broke free, closing his eyes tight as the tears ran down his face into the pillow and swallowed convulsively trying to make his voice work to no avail. Turning toward his lover he realized he ran to Craig's room without thinking, automatically came to *him* - came to the one he loved for solace. As he turned he reached out blindly, unable to see for the tears, and wrapped his arms around Craig's waist while tears ran onto his lover's dark blue pajamas, the drops falling and spreading out on the cotton. David fully expected Craig to pull away, and tell him to stop crying like Richard always did, but he couldn't help himself. He needed to feel him near.

Craig would have sworn his heart stopped beating as his lover held on to him tightly, feeling the warm tears seeping through the thin material of his pants and touching his skin. His arms wrapped tightly around David, holding him close and rocking him back and forth, seeing that he was unable to talk just yet. // At least he's not hurt. Physically, anyway.// He leaned down and rested his head on top of David's, pressing his lips into his lover's soft hair. "It's ok, baby," he whispered, holding him tighter and feeling the tears gather in his eyes, brought on by the agonized sobs coming from the man he loved. "Shhhh…it's ok. I've got you." His own tears began to fall unnoticed, dampening David's thick hair as he closed his eyes and tried to find the words to let David know he was there.

David took a deep shuddering breath and swallowed, trying to will himself to stop crying, but feeling Craig holding him and whispering to him made him feel safe. Made him feel that it was alright to cry, to let the pain out. "S...s...sorry," he mumbled trying to catch his breath. "'m...sorry," he tried again. Shifting slightly but still holding tight to his lover he looked up into Craig's eyes and was shocked to see tears there. "W...why are you?" David mumbled and cleared his throat, "Why are you crying?"

Craig lifted one hand to gently brush away David's tears with his thumb. "Because you are," he said softly.

David stared at him trying to blink away the tears still streaming down his face and reached out to brush away a tear from Craig's face. No one had cried with him...cried *for* him before. Swallowing and trying to will the tightness in his chest away, David pressed his hand against the side of Craig's face, rubbing his thumb through trails of salty tears. "Don't...please, I'm sorry," he whispered.

Craig slid down in David's arms and pulled him even closer, wrapping him in the safety of his own arms and never wanting to let him go. "Don't be sorry," he said softly, leaning over to kiss away his lover's tears. The first time he'd tasted David's tears, he knew they weren't from sorrow or pain. These……..these were something else entirely, and every single tear seemed to tear away a piece of his heart. "Let me cry with you…let me share your pain?"

David stared into Craig's eyes not knowing he could fall even more in love with someone from such a gesture of compassion. He loved everything about Craig he thought before now and now he had found another reason to love him. Suddenly realizing that being held by Craig made him feel not only safe but stronger somehow. Wrapping his arms around his lover David kissed him softly, not a kiss of passion but of pure love. Chaste, yet filled with the depths of his love for this perfect man who seemed to have come into his life out of no where. David rested his head against Craig's shoulder and sighed softly. "Thank you," he whispered softly.

Craig held his lover tightly with one arm as his other hand reached up to card through soft hair. "No need to thank me, sweetheart," he said softly.// This is simply what you *do* when you love someone, my sweet David. You don't even think about it. You just hurt when they do, even when you have no idea why. // He pressed his lips against David's temple and closed his eyes. "Take all the time you need. I'm not going anywhere."

Curling against Craig he simply closed his eyes and held on as the tears finally began to fully subside. After long minutes David finally raised up and looked at Craig. "I...I am so glad you are here with me. I have," he said looking down, "I've never had anyone be there for me when I cry besides my brother, Jonas. I...I had a few messages from my father. I knew they would upset me but the last one..." David trailed off not even wanting to think about what he'd said.

// His Father. God, how can he do this to his own son? And why am I not surprised? // "I'll always be here, David," he said quietly, wiping away his lover's final tears and tracing his finger down the shiny trail left behind on the flushed cheeks. "Can…….can you tell me what he said to hurt you so badly?" He clenched his jaw, forcing himself to bite back the words he knew would want to spill from his mouth. // This is still his father. He probably won't want to hear how badly you already want to tear him apart. Just let him talk…..that's what he needs now. Just to talk. You'll know if he needs more. //

David looked up at Craig his eyes flashing with pain and looked back down again. "I...I don't...know if I can," he said softly. "He...he was upset about our holding hands at the staff meeting...and...he heard about us from a friend who saw us at Romero's and...well Peggy in administrative must have told him that you changed your address on file in personnel," David said quickly all the words overlapping and almost unintelligible as he tangled his hand with Craig's and held it tight.

"Oh, God, David," Craig said softly. "I'm so sorry. I was trying to help at the staff meeting- and I made it worse for you. I'm so, so sorry." He pulled David's shirttail up with his free hand, needing to feel the touch of skin on skin as he ran his fingers in soothing circles over the tensed muscles of his lover's back. "I didn't mean to….…….wait." he said, squeezing David's hand tightly. "Wait a minute. We didn't do anything wrong. Not at the staff meeting, not at the restaurant, and not here. He has no right to try to control you, sweetheart. I know he's your father, but………God, please don't hate me for saying this, but, he's way out of line here. You ………no, ….*we*………were happy and having a good time and were enjoying ourselves and enjoying each other. There's nothing wrong with that."

David nodded "I didn't say I felt that way, I don't. You are right we didn't do anything wrong. I love...I love being near you, holding hands, just...just being with each other. Here in private at home or in public. He worries what everyone thinks...and honestly it wouldn't have hurt me if he hadn't said what he..." David explained lowering his eyes and whispering softly. "He...does it all the time, reminds me how I don't measure up to the man Jonas was. I loved my brother, Craig, loved him dearly but...but I'm not him, I never will be, and father reminds me of it constantly. Reminds me how I'm never good enough, said that I wasn't half the man Jonas was and that he would never do those things, and he had the fucking gall to bring up Richard and accuse you of...of the reason you were here was because I was too weak to see you only wanted my money, and that...God that just broke my heart because *you* are nothing like Richard."

Craig's face flushed and his hands clenched at his lover's words, his fury at David's father mounting. "He thinks I……..that I would sink to……" He took a deep breath, and forced himself to relax. "I don't know anything about your brother, David," he said quietly reaching down to tilt his lover's face up until their gazes met. "But please, please don't ever let anyone convince you that you're not wonderful and perfect and special in your own right. Please try to do that for me. It breaks my heart to even hear you say those words. It hurts me like you can't even imagine." He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to David's lips. "As for……..Richard……I don't even know how to explain how I feel about that. It makes me mad, no, it makes me *furious* to think that your father would ever think I would use you that way. I want…………Frankly, I want to shake some sense into him. But I also want to speak to him. Maybe if I can just talk to him rationally, he'll see how much I care about you. Surely he'll want that, won't he? He'll want to see you happy? If he'll just listen to me, I'll make him see that I truly….care…. about you with everything that I am?"

David stared into Craig's eyes and when he kissed him he snuggled closer just holding onto him. He knew Craig was nothing like Richard and it hurt him to even tell him the horrible things his father said. His father didn't know, couldn't see what David could when Craig looked at him. He saw that he cared, perhaps wasn't in love with him but certainly cared about him. That was enough for him to still be here wasn't it? Feeling his lover's anger David pulled back and looked up at him, "I'm sorry I upset you...he...he wasn't always this bad. Really...I disappoint him, and this month most of all. I'm...I...he blames me for Jonas dying. It...it should have been me that night," David whispered.

Craig stiffened and placed his hands on David's shoulders, unable to speak as he gazed at his lover in anguish. The words were like a knife to his heart, the very idea of anything happening to his beloved David already unthinkable. Closing his eyes against the tears that gathered there, he swallowed the lump in his throat and wrapped both arms tightly around his lover. "Please. Please. Don't ever……..don't ever say that," he whispered, burying his face in David's neck. "Don't ever even *think* that. I couldn't stand it if……" His entire body shuddered at the thought of life without this man whom he so dearly loved. "Just…….don't, David. Please."

"I'm so sorry, Craig, but it's true. I blame myself enough but father...It's why he hates my poetry. I was supposed to go to New Haven to take care of some business for him, but my publisher called at the last minute and wanted me to fax him some new poems I had sent him samples of. Jonas was there when I got the call and I had said I would go to New Haven for father and then stay up all night to get the poems out to my publisher by the deadline. Jonas wouldn't let me, said he could take care of the business for me said I should get my poems in. He wanted to see me published. He'd always supported me in that, always encouraged me. He…" David paused swallowing and trying to finish the story. "When he left the weather was horrible that night, raining like hell, and his car...MY car hydroplaned off a bridge just south of New Haven. When I arrived at the hospital my parents thought it was ME since it was my car and me that was supposed to go. The Police had called my parents thinking it was me because the car was registered in my name. Then the hospital called me because they found Jonas wallet on him when he was brought in. When my father saw me and realized it was Jonas and not me…his eyes just...I don't know it's like something just clicked off in them and he turned his back on me.

// '… something just clicked off in them and he turned his back on me.' How could his father…....how could turn his back and…... // Craig's arms tightened around David as he gently lay him back on the bed, pulling away only far enough to study the glistening blue eyes that gazed up at him. "Your father was wrong, David. He was hurt and out of his mind with grief and probably scared as hell. If, God forbid, it had been you, he would have been just as hurt, just as angry. He would have missed you, would have been furious and heartbroken. It doesn't make it right, but, I *know* that he has to love you, David. There's no way on earth he can't *not* love you." Letting his fingertips trace lightly over his lover's face, Craig sighed deeply. "It was an accident. Your brother wasn't *supposed* to die. And neither were you. It happened, and it hurts and it's not fair. But you're still alive. You're here and you have your whole life ahead of you. I think your brother would be brokenhearted to know you feel this way……..and that your father makes you feel even worse."

David stared up at Craig hearing echoes of his mother and his Aunt in what he'd just said, and finding it hard to believe any of them. "If he loved me he wouldn't say those things…he wouldn't have turned away. I felt guilty enough on my own without him making it worse. Hell I don't...know what to feel anymore. I know what you are saying is the right thing...but...until *he* forgives me...until I forgive myself I don't think I'll ever be able to see it any differently. I can't tell you how much it hurts, but you just listening, and...and trying to help that means more than anything I could ever say. God I just wish it had all been different. I miss Jonas, we were very close, and well and father was close to both of us at one time. I miss him...I miss my father, it's like he died that night too, he isn't the same man he was before. I...I think that hurts just as much as losing Jonas," David said sadly taking Craig's hand. "I'm so glad you are here with me, don't let what he said get to you too. He doesn't know you...but he will. I'm not...I'm not backing down this time. I want you in my life, I want you living here with me and I want you beside me. I...he wants me to come to dinner Friday night. I...I'd like you to go with me." David said worried that after all this Craig wouldn't want to.

Craig kissed David's forehead softly and reached down to unbutton his shirt. Laying his hand over his lover's heart, Craig felt it beat reassuringly underneath his palm. "I would love to go with you," he smiled. "You are *so* stuck with me. You'll have to pry me away from you with a crowbar if you ever want me to leave. I want be in your life, in whatever capacity you need me. I'll be your friend, your lover, your….."// everything. The man who will love you for eternity and beyond. //"…whatever you need me to be." He reached down to bring David's fingers up to his lips and kissed each fingertip softly. "We'll fix this, sweetheart. Somehow, we'll get this straightened out. And we'll do it together - I'll be right beside you all the way, no matter what."

David smiled for the first time all evening as Craig kissed his fingers tenderly, "I'll never want you to leave," he whispered softly. "Never." Taking a deep breath when Craig spoke of fixing this between him and his father, "I don't know that it can be fixed...but if you are beside me it won't be so hard. However I think that lamp downstairs isn't going to be so lucky," he sighed sitting up and propping himself against the headboard pulling Craig with him. "I got pretty upset...got quite a little mess to clean up later," he said softly wrapping his arms around Craig and holding him close.

Craig wrapped his whole body around David and pressed tender kisses over his throat and chest. "Then we'll do that together too, my l……..sweet David."

David looked at Craig a moment certain he'd nearly heard him say something else but the soft kisses distracted his mind from anything except the feel of Craig's lips warm and tender against him. Tipping Craig's face up to his own David leaned forward kissing him gently, trying to show him with a kiss exactly how much he loved him and wanted him. He'd never been so enthralled with a single person in his life until he met Craig. He was so beautiful, inside and out and he prayed that Craig's words were true that he was stuck with him. He couldn't imagine anything better.

Craig *felt* something in the kiss. Something different, something…..// No. He can't love me yet. He said he needed time. Keep your mouth shut, and give him that.// He kissed his lover back softly, tasting and caressing David's tongue with his own, loving the feeling of just being in his arms and holding him close. After long minutes, he pulled away, dragging in a deep breath. "Are you ok?" he asked softly, searching the beautiful blue eyes for any traces of the anguish he'd seen there earlier.

"Yes, because of you being here...right here beside me. You...no one's ever really listened to me like that before," David said looking into the beautiful eyes of the man he loved more than he'd ever loved anyone or anything in his life.

Craig smiled and placed a soft kiss on each of David's eyes. "I'll always listen to you. Always. Right here, next to you." // I love you so much, David. I'll make this better. Somehow, I'll make this better for you. //Sighing, he pressed his lips to his lover's. "Do me a favor?" he asked softly.

"Hmm?" David asked smiling softly enjoying the soft kisses his lover was bestowing upon him.

"You change into something more comfortable, and I'll be back in 10 minutes?" Craig managed between kisses. "Wait for me here on the bed?"

David smiled cheekily, "Right here? How am I supposed to change into something more comfortable then?" he teased, glad to laugh a little after such an emotional thing.

Craig leaned back to regard his lover with a laugh. "Well, aren't you the feisty one now?" he said, rolling his eyes and smiling. "How about I rephrase - will you please get OFF the bed, change clothes and do *something*, but do you think you can possibly manage to be back here in the bed, waiting for me in 10 minutes?" He leaned down to let his tongue trail down David's chest, making his way down toward his navel, trying not to laugh. "Otherwise, I *might* just have to resort to another raspberry. And honestly, sweetheart, do you *really* want to go there?"

All humor leaving him as he arched into his lover's touch David frowned when he mentioned another raspberry. Sighing softly he shook his head seriously, "No...don't want to go there. I'll be back here in ten minutes." Cupping Craig's face he stared into his lover's sparkling eyes. // I'd wait for you forever if you asked me to.//

Craig sighed softly, regretting having to pull away. He let his tongue dip into David's navel, blowing on the wet skin softly. Pressing his cheek to the smooth skin of David's stomach, Craig closed his eyes for a moment, loving the feel of the warm skin beneath his own. "I'll be right back," he said softly, reaching up to place a final soft kiss to his lover's lips before crawling off the bed and heading toward the bedroom door. "And I'll miss you."

David smiled as Craig crossed the room when he turned back at the door and said he would miss him he felt his heart beat stronger in his chest. "I'll be waiting," he whispered to the empty room. Sitting up from the bed he felt his head ache a bit from crying so hard but knew it would go away soon. He walked across the hall to his room and grabbed his pajama bottoms and went to Craig's bathroom. He looked in the mirror and frowned. "How he could miss that," he murmured looking at his eyes still puffy from crying. He washed his face and changed into the pale blue pants. Crossing into the bedroom he straightened the covers on the bed and sat down waiting.

Craig hurried downstairs and rummaged through the refrigerator pulling out cheeses, cold meats, and condiments. Taking down two plates, he put together several sandwiches, not certain which combination David would prefer. He reached for glasses and a jug of iced tea, set everything on the tray he'd placed on the counter, and looked down at D'Artangan, who was looking up at him with large eyes. "Let's feed you, boy," he said softly. "I don't want David to have to worry about anything tonight.

Quickly opening a can of dog food and setting it in the food dish, Craig scratched the satisfied animal on the head for a moment. He headed up the stairs, stopping only long enough to gather a few cd's, candles, and a pack of matches, and to sweep up the remnants of the shattered lamp. Setting the tray in the floor just outside of the bedroom door, he grinned. "I'm back!" he announced as he entered the room, seeing David sitting on the bed waiting for him, just as he said he would be.

David looked up at Craig who came in carrying a few things. "What's all this?" David asked curiously as Craig crossed to the low dresser and set down some things and then started back toward the doorway. David started to stand up but Craig looked over at him and shook his head. David raised an eyebrow and settled back on the bed curiously waiting to see what his lover was up to.

Reaching down to pick up the food-laden tray, Craig grinned. "This, my sweet David, is our dinner." He sat the tray carefully on the end of the bed urged his lover to lean back against the headboard and get comfortable. Unable to resist pressing his lips against those of the man he loved one more time, he turned to set the tray on his lap, and crawled off the bed to gather the candles and CDs. He handed the discs to David, who was looking up at him with a strange look on his face. "What?" he asked, smiling as he sat the candles on the headboard and lit them. "You chose the music, I'll put it on, and we'll relax and have our dinner in bed. Is that ok with you?"

David watched Craig walk into the room with the tray completely shocked. When his lover questioned him he looked up at Craig curiously. "No..no one has ever...I've...thank you," he said at a loss. No one had ever done anything so...sweet. He looked at the CD's and picked the second one in the stack handing it back to Craig. "Um, this one?" he asked unsure. His taste in music wasn't always everyone elses. Richard hated any music he enjoyed it seemed...after three years of that he figured he must have really horrible taste.

Craig watched as the emotions passed over David's face, wondering what he was thinking. "Perfect," he said, turning to put the CD in the player. "One of my favorites." He turned the volume up just enough to fill the room with soft music and crawled into the bed next to his lover. "I hope it's ok," he smiled, leaning over to press his lips to David's bare shoulder. "I wasn't sure what you'd like, so I made a little bit of everything."

Hoping that Craig hadn't said that he liked that CD just out of kindness David looked down and laughed softly as he looked at the tray laden with food. "It's...it's wonderful. I...no one has ever done anything like this before. I...I don't know what to say," he said softly turning to Craig and staring into his eyes. Leaning forward careful not to upset the tray he kissed Craig softly. "Thank you, sweetheart."

Craig reached out to cup David's face in one hand. "You're just gonna have to get used to this," he whispered, looking into the sparkling blue eyes. "Because I plan on spoiling you - just like you deserve, every single day." His thumb softly caressed his lover's face as their gaze locked for long moments. He looked away with great effort, moving closer on the bed and wrapping one arm around David's shoulders, singing softly with the song that was playing. "I've always loved this song," he said, embarrassed when he realized he was singing out loud. "Sorry about that."

Blushing David shook his head. "Don't know if I deserve it or not," he whispered softly. As Craig began to sing, David sat smiling at his lover, surprised yet again by his singing, his voice was beautiful. "Don't be sorry...you have a beautiful voice," he said softly.

Craig looked down, his finger fiddling with the edge of the blanket. "I've not felt like singing in a long time," he said softly. "But …..thank you. You make me…..happy. Content. You make me feel like singing."

"I hope you feel like singing more often then," he said softly and smiling as he saw his lover's cheeks tinge pink.

Craig reached down to squeeze David's hand and sighed, wishing he could just tell him how much he loved him, how he would love him for all time. Instead, he simply let go and reached for a sandwich. "So…..tell me what you like. We have ham, cheese, roast beef, turkey…..a little bit of everything."

Looking down at the tray David laughed. "Ummm, I'm pretty boring...ham and cheese," he said smiling. "I still can't believe you did this, lo...sweetheart," David said still unable to believe Craig had went to all that trouble for him. "What do you like?"

// Did he just say…….Dammit. If only I *knew*.// He bit his lip and sighed. "I like everything," he said, forcing himself not to dwell on the "if only's". He reached out for the sandwich on top, lost in thought, unable to stop dreaming of the day when David would say he loved him. If *only* he could be so blessed. After a few minutes of silence, he looked up at David, noticing that he looked tired. "You sure you're all right? We could just curl up here after we eat and go to sleep early for a change if you like."

David nodded tiredly, "Yeah, I'm all right, and that sounds perfect, sweetheart...I am tired. Long day today, plus what happened earlier...I'd love to just curl up with you and forget the world for a while."

Craig leaned over and rested his chin on David's shoulder. "I think that sounds perfect," he said softly. "I want that too. Just to lie here and hold you and think about nothing but the two of us."

"That does sound perfect, love, just the two of us," David said sliding his arm behind Craig to wrap around him then freezing as he realized what he just said.

Craig's eyes widened and he completely forgot to breathe. He turned slowly to look at his lover, his heart in his throat. //Love? Oh God…Did he mean it? Does he love me? *COULD* he love me?// I….David….did you……." His voice trailed off, afraid to continue, terrified that he was hearing things. Hell, for all he knew, David called all his friends 'love'. But what if…….// Please. Just……please. //

David looked at Craig seeing his own shock reflected back in his lover's eyes. This was NOT how he intended to tell Craig that he loved him. He was just so tired and emotionally drained that he couldn't hide it anymore. "I...I know this is going to sound completely insane since we've not even known each other a full week...but...I...I love you," David stammered feeling his heart racing in his chest. This was NOT how he wanted to say those words to Craig, he deserved so much more.

Craig finally remembered to take a breath, sure that his lightheadedness was from David's words, and not the lack of oxygen. He swallowed the lump in his throat and reached over to pull the tray from David's lap. Setting it on the nightstand with shaking hands, he turned back to his lover. He looked deeply into David's eyes and couldn't keep the smile from his face. "I love you too, David," he said softly. "I love you so much. I've almost let it slip a hundred times. I. Love. You."

David felt as if a million butterflies had taken flight within his stomach when Craig looked at him, and then when he softly said those three little words he'd longed so much to hear he felt his heart stop and restart again within his chest. Turning and wrapping his arms around Craig he stared into dazzling eyes, "I think I've loved you before I even met you, I've never met anyone like you. My beautiful, perfect, love," David said softly as he leaned in and captured his lover's lips under his own in a passionate kiss, his tongue sliding along his lover's and rapidly stealing his breath away.

Craig held David close, his hands traveling over smooth skin as he felt his heart race. He put everything he had into the kiss, closing his eyes and feeling as if he had just died and gone to Heaven. He shifted his hips over to gently sit in David's lap, wrapping both arms and legs around his lover, never breaking the kiss, never wanting his lips to leave David's perfect mouth. He pulled back after long minutes, breathless, and looked into David's blue eyes. "Remember I told you that I felt like I've been looking for something my whole life?" he said softly, unable to keep his hands from traveling over every inch of his love. "It was you. I knew it the moment you looked up at me in the hall. I was totally, utterly, and completely in love with you. I even….." he looked down, embarrassed. "I even wrote about it in my journal."

As Craig wrapped himself around him David buried his hands in soft dark hair. When Craig pulled back to stare into his eyes as they both gasped for breath David felt his heart skip a beat as Craig told him he'd loved him since the moment they met. "You did?" David asked amazed that this beautiful, sweet, intelligent, perfect man loved him. Loved *him*! "I...I've written about you too, that first day in the kitchen when you saw me close my eyes? The words that came to me...were about you...and every day since...everyday I've written about you," David whispered seriously. "I've never felt a connection like this...ever," he said softly leaning forward and pressing his lips to Craig's gently.

Craig's tongue pressed forward slowly, exploring every centimeter of David's mouth…..every centimeter of the mouth of the man who loved him, he corrected himself. //He loves me. I cannot BELIEVE he loves me. I don't know why, or how, but, I will never, never make him regret this.// After thoroughly tasting his lover, Craig sighed and coaxed David's tongue in. Long minutes passed as they simply kissed and held and caressed each other, moaning softly. Craig sighed happily into David's mouth, unwilling to pull his lips away long enough for a proper breath. "I've almost let it slip so many times," he whispered against kiss-swollen lips. "I just *knew* you'd catch me and think I was crazy. Hell, *I* thought I was crazy. I've…….I've never told anyone I loved them before."

David stared into his lover's eyes, "Never?" he asked softly amazed a person so loving and generous had never told anyone that he loved them. "This is the first time I have ever truly *meant* them," David whispered seriously.

"Never," Craig whispered. "I never thought I would be lucky enough to find *this*, but I knew I could never say it unless I meant it. Everything…..everything before you - it was all just casual, meaningless, just……nothing. *THIS* is what I've been waiting my whole life for." Craig's grin spread from ear to ear. "*You* my love, are what I've been waiting my whole life for."

David gazed into enchanting blue eyes and smiled, "I don't think I ever knew what it was to live before I met you. I have never fallen in love so quickly nor as hard, you are everything to me, and you have me completely," he said softly.

"Then that makes us even," Craig smiled. "Because you have me completely too." Running his hand softly over David's neck and letting his fingertips trail over his face, he sighed happily. "Last night…when I was kissing you all over? With every kiss, I was saying that I loved you a million times over."

David smiled lovingly, "I have never experienced anything like this. Do you believe in destiny or soul mates?" David asked gazing into beautiful eyes. "I had a hard time believing in it before I met you, but now...now I know it is real."

Craig nibbled lightly on David's bottom lip. "if you had asked me that a week ago, I'd tell you you were crazy," he whispered. "But the very instant I looked into your eyes, I became a believer. I honestly believe - no, I *know* - you are my soul mate, my only love, my everything. And nothing will change that, ever."

David reached up and ran his fingers through dark hair as he leaned forward to press his lips against Craig's. "I love you," he whispered just before his lips moved against his lover's. Kissing him deeply, feeling Craig's tongue slip against his own seemed to shoot sparks right to his core. *This* was what it felt like to be truly loved. After what seemed an eternity in purgatory *this* was heaven on earth; being in Craig's arms and being loved by him.

Craig closed his eyes and moaned softly, wrapping his arms around his lover and holding him tight. Nothing had ever felt so right or natural or perfect in his entire life, and he knew he could easily lose himself in David's arms for eternity. His breath was lost in his lover's mouth, as were the soft murmurs of "I love you," that he couldn't seem to stop saying. After long moments, he buried his face in David's neck, breathing heavily. "In case you didn't hear me," he said softly, "I love you."

Laughing softly David held Craig tighter and closed his eyes taking a deep breath, caressing his lover's smooth back. Shifting slightly he kissed Craig's neck moving his lips over the mark he'd left there just the day before. Licking and nibbling at the smooth skin, he smiled as he felt Craig shiver slightly, amazed this beautiful man had ever even paid him the time of day in the first place. Had helped him when he was crying, and at his lowest points. Held him and gave him strength. Pulling away slightly he whispered, "Show me...show me love. Le do thoil, Creag, tá gá tú luí le chéile le liom. Please, Craig, I want you to make love to me."

"Yes," Craig whispered, his breath ghosting softly over the shell of David's ear. "Let me show you." He pulled away slowly, his hands traveling over his lover's chest and arms, wanting to touch him everywhere at once. Leaning back to gently tug at David's pajamas, he kissed a slow trail down his stomach as he slid the soft material down long legs. He drew away only long enough to reach for the oil they'd used the night before and quickly slicked his fingers. His hand ran gently over David's balls as he slowly licked and kissed the length of his rigid shaft. "It'll be even better this time," he whispered. "Because I don't have to hide how I feel."

David shivered as Craig's hand and mouth moved over him. "Yes," he whispered. Unable to take his eyes from his lover, he watched as Craig moved and he tried to focus on the love he saw in his eyes.

Craig lowered his mouth over David's cock, his tongue laving and tasting, as his fingers trailed down to the tight entrance, softly circling and teasing as he concentrated on getting his lover ready. His lips traveled up and down the length of David's arousal as he slowly and carefully pressed one finger forward. "You are so perfect," he said softly, raising his head to gaze into his lover's eyes. "And so incredibly beautiful."

David watched as his cock disappeared into the warm cavern of his lover's mouth and fought the urge to thrust up into the welcoming heat. Feeling his lover's finger press against him he tried to concentrate on not tensing up but it was a lost cause, too many times in the past being hurt. He knew with his mind and his heart that Craig would never hurt him purposefully but his body hadn't quite gotten that message yet. As Craig raised up to speak to him he smiled down at him feeling his face flush from the compliment. "It's you who is the perfect one, the beautiful one. Mo hálainn ghrá. My beautiful love." He closed his eyes for a moment to try and relax his body for his love.

Craig felt already tight muscles tense around his finger, his heart breaking at the thoughts of anyone ever hurting such a gentle soul as David. He began slowly circling his finger, gently pulling back and pressing it forward. His other hand gently circled over his lover's legs and hips, soothing and caressing, his mouth slowly lavishing attention to the hard arousal as his finger worked patiently at the guardian muscle, stretching, touching and preparing him. "It's ok, love," he whispered. "I'm never going to hurt you."

David felt his body relax slightly as his love patiently and gently touched him, soon the tension began to melt away into another sort of tension as Craig's mouth moved on his aching cock. Shifting his hips slightly he felt Craig's finger slide further inside him as his body finally relaxed completely and he moaned softly. "Please," he whispered, "I need you."

"I need you too, love," Craig whispered as he gently inserted a second finger, needing to be inside his lover, yet vowing to never cause him the slightest bit of pain. He carefully twisted and scissored his fingers, feeling almost no resistance as David's body relaxed under his touch. His fingers continued to work at their task as his other hand tugged down his pajama pants and reached for the lube, slicking his cock as his breath came in harsh gasps. As soon as he felt David was ready, Craig removed his fingers, and moved between his legs. He pressed his cock head to his lover's quivering entrance, his eyes meeting David's in a slightly unfocused haze. "Are you ok?" he asked softly, trying to quell the trembling need that threatened to overwhelm him.

As Craig inserted a second finger David moaned softly. Never in his life had he enjoyed this so much as with Craig. Sweet, tender, loving, Craig. He watched as Craig slicked his thick cock and moved between David's legs. He spread his legs wider in invitation to his lover. When Craig asked him if he was ok David stared up into his lover's eyes and nodded, "Yes, love," he whispered.

Searching the beloved face for the slightest sign of hesitation, Craig leaned over his lover and with glacial slowness let his hips descend, his cock sliding slowly and gently into the man he loved. Fighting the urge to close his eyes, he held his breath and moaned softly, feeling himself engulfed in the welcoming heat of David's exquisite body. When he was completely sheathed inside the tight channel, he leaned down and licked at his lover's lips. "Now I can show you how much I love you," he whispered softly.

Gazing up at the man he adored David curled his hands into the sheets as the thick hard length slid inside him slowly. He wrapped his legs around his lover and licked his lips after Craig did. "Show me," David whispered wrapping his arms around his lover pulling him back down to kiss his perfect full lips. His tongue slipping along his lover's for a moment before he lay back rocking his hips slightly.

As his lover began to slowly move beneath him, Craig smiled softly and placed a tender kiss on his lips. Drawing his hips back and pressing forward again slowly, he leaned down and kissed David, his tongue sliding into his lover's mouth as carefully and lovingly as his cock was sliding into his body. He was unable to suppress the deep moan that escaped, only to be lost in the warmth of his lover's mouth.

Moaning softly as his lover moved into him again David's mouth was captured again by Craig's kissing each other slowly as their bodies moved as one. Running his hands down the smooth muscular back David rocked his hips to meet each one of the long slow thrusts that felt like pure perfection. Moaning as he shifted his hips and his lover's thick shaft bumped the tiny bundle of nerves sending jolts of pure pleasure throughout his body. As the need for air grew too much they broke the kiss and stared into one another's eyes. David could see love and lust mingled in his lover's eyes, and it felt incredible to know that *he* was the reason those emotions were there for him to see.

Craig set a slow and steady rhythm, wanting this to last, yet knowing that the look in David's eyes would quickly send him over the edge. "God, I love you," he whispered softly as he struggled to maintain control. David somehow seemed to *know* exactly how to move with him, as if they had long ago been as one, and were only now finding each other again. Arching his back to allow his hand to reach between their bodies, Craig wrapped his fingers around David's thick arousal, the feel of the moisture gathered at the tip causing him to bite his lip and thrust even deeper.

"Tá mé thar a bheith i ngrá leat," David said softly and then repeated in English, "I am so in love with you." He felt himself spiraling closer and closer to the edge. "Oh God, Craig!" he called out as his lover shifted and wrapped his hand around his aching shaft. Tipping his head back in the pillows a low moan escaped as his lover's cock brushed his prostate again causing stars to form behind his eyelids.

Craig's thrusts became shallow and rapid as his ability to think seemed to leave him, his body seeming to take over and switch to auto pilot. One arm slid under his lover's neck as other hand moved in time with their bodies, stroking David's cock with slick fingers. "Please, love," he moaned, tensing his muscles and holding back for as long as he could. "Let me feel you come with me."

David moved his hips to meet his lover and shuddered as Craig whispered. Feeling his climax building his muscles clenched around the thick shaft deep inside him and crying out with his release as it spilled warm and slick over his lover's fingers. "I love you," he gasped breathlessly as he trembled from the force of his release.

Feeling his lover's seed spill over his fingers, Craig gave a final thrust and cried out David's name, feeling his own release spill deeply inside the hot channel. He lay there shuddering, sliding his other arm beneath David and holding him close as he placed soft kisses over the damp skin of his neck. "I love you so much," he breathed. "I will *always, always* love you."

David smiled wrapping his arms tightly around his lover, "I will always love you too," he whispered shakily still trembling from his own release. Rubbing his hands up and down his lover's back he just lay there enjoying the feel of their bodies still pressed together. Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath he smiled again, thanking God for this beautiful man.

Closing his eyes and taking a deep, shaking breath, Craig prayed that David would never change his mind, never stop loving him. They lay together like that for long minutes, simply enjoying the feel of their bodies entwined, as they both tried to relax and regain their senses. Pulling his hips back slowly, Craig gently slid from David's body and rolled over onto his side, pulling David with him. "I…..God, love, I don't even know what to say," he murmured softly, running his hands gently over his lover's back. "That was…was like nothing I've ever felt before."

Smiling at his lover David caressed Craig's back tenderly, "I've never experienced anything like that either...I never knew it could *be* that way until I met you," David whispered. He had never truly enjoyed sex until he met Craig, and never felt this connected to anyone in his life. Craig was everything to him, like the poetry he had began to write about him that first night in his kitchen...Craig had come into his life and rescued him. He knew he had so much to learn, to stop being afraid of, but each day in this perfect man's arms made those fears and doubts start to break away. Holding his love close he kissed his forehead and smiled. "I love you more than I ever thought possible."

Craig nibbled gently at his lover's neck and pulled him closer. Pulling back to stare into sparkling blue eyes, he brushed the damp hair back from David's forehead. "I love you with all my heart," he whispered, curling contentedly around his lover's body and smiling. "Mmmm…I don't even want to move. This is perfect. I love being in your arms, here in………well, in *our* bed."

David looked at Craig seriously for a moment. "Ours..." he murmured and then looked into Craig's eyes. He loved him, he knew he did, and Craig said he felt the same...and he could *feel* that Craig loved him. He had known he cared, but now David knew without a doubt that Craig loved him. So what was holding him back? "Let's stay tonight here...I don't feel like moving...but...tomorrow night? Will you...will you move across the hall?" David asked softly, unsure if it would even make sense to Craig why they hadn't been in David's bed all along.

Craig's eyes widened as he locked gazes with David. "I….God, love, I wasn't hinting at that," he stammered, knowing what a huge step the offer was for his lover. "I just……I know you said you'd never shared your bed, and I don't want to make you think that's what I was pushing for. I don't care where we sleep as long as we're together. I don't want you to look back and think you were just caught up in the moment and regret asking me later."

"Craig...I don't think you were hinting, not at all. I want you to share my bed, share...my life, for as long as you want. As long as you want to be here with me, in this house. Before you came here this was just my grandfather's house, it wasn't until you came to live here that it started...well it started feeling like it was my home," David said softly still running his hands over his lover's back. "I love you, and...and though I've fallen in love quickly, what I feel for you is more strong than anything I've ever felt. I want this. I want you."

Shifting up on one elbow, Craig propped his head on his hand and stared down at David. His other hand traveled over every inch of his lover's face as he smiled softly. "For as long as I want?" he whispered. "Then I'll be here forever. This feels more like my home already than the home I grew up in. It's my home because *you're* here." He trailed the hand down from David's face to rest over his heart. "My home is *here*." Placing a soft kiss on the full lips beneath his own, he studied his lover's eyes seriously. "I would be honored to share your bed, my love."

David smiled and pulled Craig back down for another kiss. "Thank you," he whispered. "So...the original plan was cuddle and sleep...wanna give that a shot?" David asked sleepily.

Craig laughed and pulled the sheet over his lover, snuggling in closer. "Sounds like a plan," he said softly, pressing his lips to David's temple. "Sleep well, love. And remember that I love you."

"You too, love. Sweet dreams, mo ghrá" David whispered snuggling into his lover's embrace.

Craig smiled and closed his eyes, feeling sleep slowly overcome him as his felt his lover's body relax. This was completely new to him, but it felt so right. He was totally captivated by everything about David. Even the sound of his lover's deep breathing, as they slowly drifted off together. //Thank you for believing in me, David. For giving me the chance to love you as you deserve to be loved. I swear I won't let you down. //With that final thought, he gave in to the fogginess in his brain and drifted into a peaceful sleep.

David closed his eyes as sleep began to claim him feeling more at ease, and more loved than he ever had in his life, Craig's soft breaths against his neck lulling him deeper into sleep. // You have no idea, Craig. No idea how much I adore you...but I promise I will show you each and every day as long as you want me. // Finally succumbing to sleep David snuggled closer to his lover even in his sleep.

Go to Chapter 9]