by Sean Michael
“I’m not giving up on us this time, Simon. Not ever.”
“Thank you. Me either. Not ever.”
12
Todd looked at his watch yet again, then listened for the telltale sound of Bill’s ’copter. It was time already, but the sky remained stubbornly quiet. Damn it.
He’d been patient for over two months, putting up with Skype calls and texting and his own hand, and he was more than ready for Simon to be here. Long-distance relationships were fucking hard. Like really.
He just wanted to be able to hold Simon. Just hold him.
Simon had sent him three big boxes—one of which had dog treats, because Smokey had immediately tried to get to it—but he’d promised to bring fresh veg for their Easter. As if having Simon in person wasn’t treat enough.
Smokey came bounding up to him, barking.
“I know, girl. He’ll be here any minute. I promise.”
Still, she bounced and danced, telling him all about it.
“I know!” He laughed and grabbed up some snow. He formed it into a ball and tossed it for her.
She ran and caught it midair. He cheered and clapped for her.
The sound of the chopper was all the applause he needed. Smokey knew it, too, running in circles around him and barking.
“I know. Come on. You need to heel now.”
She fell into place at his side, staying with him as he walked to the clearing to meet his lover.
Simon was skinny as a rail but smiling wide, eyes focused on him. He had a duffel and a huge box, along with a box of doughnuts. Bless him.
Todd spared a moment to wave at Bill, then his focus was entirely on Simon. He could feel his smile pulling at his cheeks so hard it almost hurt.
The helicopter took off, and Smokey bounded over to Simon, reaching him first. Todd wasn’t very far behind, though, and he wrapped his arms around that skinny frame and did what he’d needed to do, holding on.
“Love.” Simon wrapped around him, barely keeping hold of the box.
“I’d say let me take that box for you, but then I’d have to stop hugging you and I’m not ready to do that yet.” Todd knew it made sense to step back and get Simon home, and then they could spend as much time as they wanted holding each other in warmth and comfort. He couldn’t quite bring himself to do that yet, though. Even with Smokey bouncing around them, barking excitedly.
“I brought all sorts of green things and doughnuts.” Simon kissed him, tongue dragging along his.
Groaning, he focused on the kiss, which made him tingle all over. They rested their foreheads together once the kiss was over.
“I can’t wait to open the boxes and see. I kind of have to let go of you first, though, eh?”
Before Simon could answer, Smokey jumped up, paws on their shoulders, so he could lick Simon’s face.
“Hey girl! I missed you.” Simon handed him the sweets and turned to love on Smokey, scratching her belly.
He grabbed the big box, too, and headed toward the cabin, knowing Smokey and Simon would follow as soon as Smokey thought she’d received her due. He couldn’t keep the smile off his face.
His man was home.
He stomped his boots off, putting the box and the sweets on the table.
As soon as Simon came in, he glomped back on again. He told himself he wouldn’t. He told himself he’d let them get their winter gear off first. But he didn’t. He just held on tight.
“Oh, hey.” Simon leaned into him, resting hard. “I made it.”
“You did. I may just need to hold on for a while to know it’s really true.” He chuckled at himself, but didn’t let go. He knew it was silly, but it had been nearly three months since he’d last been able to hold onto his lover.
Simon kissed his jaw, brushing his lips up to one ear.
“You going to whisper me sweet nothings?” he asked, a shiver going through him as Simon’s breath wafted across his earlobe.
“I’ll nibble on you.” Simon’s teeth brushed his ear.
Another shiver rocked his body. “I think I should let go long enough for us to get undressed.” He wanted Simon so badly.
“Already? You don’t want Timmies first?”
“I want you and Timmies. I know you got me a honey cruller or three, eh?” He could totally chow one down while they got undressed. “Will the box of fresh veg and fruit be okay for a bit if we just leave it on the counter?” He kind of wanted to have fun discovering everything in it, taking his time with it.
“There are ice packs. They’ll be fine.” Simon grinned at him. “Home home home.”
Todd undid his laces and toed off his boots before shucking his hat, gloves, and coat. “Grab the box of doughnuts and meet me upstairs!” He had lube and plenty of it, and the bed was freshly made.
Simon pulled his gloves off. “Silly man. I’m going to steal them all.”
“I’m going to nail your ass to my bed and take them while you’re passed out from my amazing lovemaking.”
Simon’s happy laughter was muffled under the layers of scarf and coat and sweater. He pulled Simon’s hat off and grabbed his scarf.
“Bed. Bed bed bed.” Simon reached up and cupped his cock.
“You keep touching me and we’re not going to make it upstairs. Besides, you’re supposed to be grabbing the doughnuts.”
“Right. Doughnuts. You’re not worried about crumbs in the bed?”
“Nope. Come on.” He pulled off his shirt and walked backward. “Look at what’s waiting for you up there.”
“You’re beautiful. I want you so much.” Simon grabbed the box and followed.
Todd pondered taking off his pants, but then he hit the steep stairs and figured he was better off just going up them and stripping the rest of the way when he was safely upstairs.
Simon followed, putting the box on the bed table before getting naked himself.
Todd pounced as soon as Simon was naked, sending them both onto the bed. The sheets were cold against his skin, but Simon was hot, and he rubbed them together.
“Hey, stranger.” Simon wrapped around him, kissing him with a wild, deep hunger.
He kissed back, just as eagerly, simply starving for the contact. They’d spoken often via Skype, but nothing beat the glide of skin on skin, the taste of Simon filling his mouth.
Simon wrapped one lean leg around him, dragging them closer together. He rocked against Simon, pressing down as he took kiss after kiss. The more he kissed, the more Simon leaked against him.
This was going to be hard and fast, and he didn’t care because they had five whole days to do it again and again. So he continued to rock, driving them together.
“Love… so close, love.” Simon arched up with a cry.
“Me too. Need to smell you.” He was pretty sure that was all it was going to take to push him over.
Simon’s lips wrapped around his shoulder, sucking as he thrust, bucking hard. It only took a few motions before Simon shot. And he was right, that wonderful scent of Simon’s pleasure pushed him over and he came, too, spunk flying out of him.
He collapsed onto Simon, breathing heavily.
“Mmhmm… Hey there. So glad I’m here.”
“Me too.” He rubbed his beard against Simon’s neck. Then he stretched over to grab the box of doughnuts. “Half of them are crullers! You do love me.” Laughing, he grabbed one and bit into it. Sugary, airy, it was delicious.
“More than anything.” Simon settled close, twining their fingers together.
He finished up his doughnut, then grabbed one of the powdered cream-filled ones and offered it to Simon. “So what’s going to squirt out?”
“Banana. Creamy banana.” Simon lapped the cream from the hole.
“Look at you—trying to get me hard again.” Or keep him hard, really, because he hadn’t gone down at all after coming, his cock still hard between them.
“I’m just enjoying my snack and you. Mostly you.”
“I enjoy watching you use your tongue on that doughnut—very
much enjoy.” There was also powdered sugar all over Simon now, so he leaned in and started licking it off.
“Love.” Simon wiggled, melting down with a hum.
“You always taste good, but the powdered sugar adds a nice sweetness.” He chuckled, his beard dragging across Simon’s skin.
“That tickles so good…” Simon wriggled underneath him.
“Yeah? How about this?” He brushed across Simon’s nipples, making sure to press harder than when he’d been licking up powdered sugar.
“You—you know how I feel about this.”
“Uh-huh. I know this—” He did it again, then to the other nipple. “—makes you crazy.” And he liked making Simon crazy. He loved knowing what buttons to push to send Simon flying.
“You makes me nuts.” Simon chuckled and kissed him softly. “I’m so glad to be here, to be home.”
“Yeah, me too.” He grabbed another honey cruller, happy to eat this one more slowly. He even offered a bite to Simon.
Simon nibbled, humming softly. “Yum.”
“God, you’re sexy. And it’s so nice to have you here, in person. You feel good in my arms. So good. Would it be wrong to spend the entire five days here in bed?”
“Nope. Although it’ll make hiding eggs a little bit of a no-brainer.”
“You brought eggs to hide?” Todd laughed. “I hope they’re chocolate, and that you plan to hide them out of Smokey’s reach.”
“I brought two kinds—one is totally puppy safe.”
“You are such a good man—no wonder I love you.” He rubbed Simon’s nipples with his beard again.
Simon groaned and went still, watching him close.
“Are you waiting for me to do it again? Or should we go rescue all the fresh food you brought with you?” He could tease, now that the edge was off.
“You are a butthead. You know I’m waiting. I’ve been waiting.”
“I know.” He very slowly dragged his beard along Simon’s skin.
“I need you, love. All the time.” Simon melted with a soft, happy moan.
“I know the feeling. I miss you so bad.” He took Simon’s right nipple between his teeth and bit.
Simon’s answer was a soft, happy little cry. So he did it again, sucking strongly as well. Simon’s hand tangled in his hair, holding him right there. He licked and sucked and bit, knowing if he worked Simon’s nipples enough now, they’d be nice and sensitive the entire trip.
“Making it ache so good…” Simon’s whisper was sweet as sugar and better than any doughnut.
“Gonna make sure you super sensitive all holiday, and for days after.”
“Not fair.” Simon tugged his hair, just enough to sting.
“Ow!” He frowned up at Simon. “Why is that not fair?”
“Sorry. I was going for ooh, not ow.” Simon stroked his hair. “Because I have to wear shirts and jackets at work.”
He nuzzled into the touches. “But that’s the point. You’ll feel me with every breath you take.”
“Uh-huh. But…” Simon moaned softly.
But nothing. He knew how much Simon loved the nipple play and how much he’d enjoy feeling it once they were apart.
He didn’t want to think about that yet, about Simon leaving. But he was totally down with thinking about making Simon nip crazy. The thought made him laugh and bite harder at the swollen flesh in his mouth.
“Oh fuck. So hot, love. So fucking hot.”
He wanted more of Simon’s random needy words. He wanted to hear them ringing in his head. He wanted them to drive them both crazy. He wanted it to fill him up.
He was almost frantic with it all of a sudden. The need to do it all in the next few days driving him and riding him hard.
“I love you.” Those words came with a gentle touch to his shoulders.
It calmed him, took away that frantic edge, and he nuzzled into Simon’s hands. “I love you, too, babe. It makes me so amazingly happy to have you here with me.” Imagine if Simon lived here with him full-time?
“Yes. I wanted to be here. So bad.”
“I’m so glad you came.” He tilted his head and chuckled. “Both ways.”
“Oh, there are a few more ways to come…”
He cackled. “Uh-huh. Lots more, but I meant… never mind.” He snuggled and nibbled on Simon’s nipple some more. God, he loved this, being able to actually touch Simon.
“I know what you meant, love. We just need to learn each over again.” Simon was so smart, so aware.
“Yeah.” He bit at Simon’s nipple once more, making his lover jerk and moan. “Should we go unpack your goodies? Let the need build again?”
“Have you opened any of the boxes that I mailed?”
“You mean the chocolates to die for and the dildo from hell?” He actually loved it and couldn’t wait to fuck Simon with it.
Simon’s cheeks went bright red and hot. “That is what I meant. God.”
He laughed and nipped at Simon’s nose. “Come on. The box of veggies first, then we’ll play.”
Simon grabbed Todd’s long sweatshirt and tugged it on. “I brought all sorts. A little of everything.”
“I like how you look in my clothes.” It was sexy as hell.
“I like how they smell.” They headed down—him in sweatpants, Simon in nothing but his shirt. The fact that Simon liked how his clothing smelled made him warm all the way through.
He opened the huge box. “All right, let’s see what goodies I have in here.”
Simon had spoiled him—spring onions and celery, tomatoes and radishes, eggplant and courgettes, and lots of lovely greens.
“Look at all these amazing veggies. Seriously, amazing.”
Simon beamed. “I tried to get you a nice selection.”
“This is perfect. I see a lot of salads in the next few days.” He loved a good vinaigrette.
“Excellent.” Simon helped him put everything away.
“So, we did what I wanted to do first—now it’s your turn. What do you want to do first?”
“Can we have some cocoa? Sit together.”
“Yeah, I’d like that. I made the base for the cocoa in anticipation of your visit.” He grabbed the pot of cocoa mix from the fridge, along with the milk.
“Oh, wow. Yay. Really?” Simon bounced and went to grab mugs.
“Of course really.” He grabbed the mugs, filled them with milk, and poured them out into a pot before adding some of the prepared cocoa mix in. Then he turned on the gas and started stirring.
“God, it smells so good. I feel like I could cuddle for hours.”
“Your wish is my command. I’ve got a fire ready to be lit as well. The blankets on the couch are freshly washed.” He’d gone all out to make sure he was ready for anything Simon might want or need.
“Oh…” Simon went to light the fire, pretty ass bared as he bent over.
Todd licked his lips and nearly let the milk burn, he was so distracted by the pretty. He turned the heat off beneath the pot and stirred like mad.
He thought that Simon ought to go about like that always. It was so lovely, so tempting, so fine.
Now that the heat was off and their cocoa wasn’t in danger anymore, he let himself just watch. Simon belonged here, it was as clear as the nose on his face; Simon fit.
That awful worry was faded from Simon’s face, the tension easing. Simon was happy, laughing.
He wanted to keep Simon here with him, keep Simon unstressed and feeling good. It was just a matter of convincing Simon it was what he needed.
“Cocoa’s ready, babe. How’s that fire coming?”
“Blazing along. I’m going to curl up on the sofa.” Simon climbed up, wrapping himself up in one of the blankets. He bet five minutes after they’d finished their cocoa, Simon would be asleep.
He brought the mugs over to the couch and handed one over before sitting next to Simon.
“Mmm…” Simon put his face over the mug, inhaling deeply.
He slid a hand around
Simon’s thigh, holding on. “You approve?”
“Yes. Oh, I’m home.” Simon sipped happily.
He squeezed Simon’s thigh. “You are.” He took a careful sip of his own cocoa. It was just barely drinkable. He preferred to wait until it was just a little bit cooler.
Simon leaned back against him, a satisfied moan leaving his lover. “This is perfect.”
“It is. It’s exactly how I imagined it when we were Skyping.” Only even better.
“Yeah. Yeah, me too. But better.” It was like Simon had read his mind.
“I was just thinking exactly that.” They really were made for each other. How crazy were they that they’d try to pretend this wasn’t how things belonged?
“Mmm… See? We’re starting to remember how to be together.”
“Yeah. When you got here, all I could think of was to touch you and make love to you, but yeah. This is good too. This is amazing, just holding you in my arms as we sit together.”
“What’s best is that you know I’m coming back, so you’re not making up for lost time.”
“Well, I think I kind of was. And I’ll probably fall into that mentality again.” He leaned their heads together. “You’re so much better at thinking like that.”
“I’m a brainy bastard.” Simon rubbed their noses together.
Todd nodded, perfectly comfortable to admit that Simon was the brains. He wasn’t stupid by any means, but Simon was wicked smart.
“God, this is heaven. Just being here with you.”
“I know. I feel like I can breathe properly for the first time in I don’t know how long.” He stroked Simon’s arm. “Tell me your highlight of the week since we last saw each other on our laptops.”
“Coming home.” That was what he needed.
Simon kept melting his heart. He turned Simon’s head and took a long, soft kiss. He kept it soft, his lips on Simon’s, as if they were simply breathing together.
Then he sat back again, resting on the couch, with Simon in his arms. It wasn’t anything huge or explosive or out of the ordinary. But it was him and Simon, Smokey in her bed in front of the fire, and it was perfect. It was home.
13
Simon woke up to the smell of coffee and bacon. The sun was up. He was warm and comfortable and happy.