Chapter 38
Howie finally pulled out of AJ and dropped to his side, completely drained of energy and awed by what they had both just experienced. They were content to lay in silence for a long time, holding each other close and occasionally dropping a soft kiss on the others face or lips.
"You know what?" AJ asked quietly.
"What?" Howie replied.
"I'm glad we insisted these bedroom areas were soundproofed."
Howie giggled. "Yeah. Or I'd never be able to look at Jack again."
AJ laughed as well. "You're cute when you do that. You should do it more often." He told Howie.
"What? Giggle or make love to you?"
"Both." AJ grinned. "But I actually meant giggle."
"I only giggle when I'm happy." Howie told him.
"Are you happy now then?" AJ asked, seriously, needing to know the answer.
"More happy than I ever thought I could be." Howie answered just as seriously, knowing what AJ was asking. "Are you happy?" He asked.
"More happy than I ever thought I deserved to be." AJ answered back truthfully, feeling the tears come to his eyes at the admission.
"Oh Alex. You deserve all the happiness in the world. You just have to believe it." Howie told him, pulling him closer.
"I didn't believe it for the longest time. But now I know it's true. You've shown me that it's possible. As long as I am in your arms and in your heart."
"You always have been, and always will be. You will never be sad or alone again."
"Neither of us will. Cos you will always be in my arms and in my heart too."
"Then we will always be happy." Howie smiled, kissing AJ's nose.
"The others will be happy too." AJ grinned.
"Specially Brian." Howie agreed.
AJ laughed. "Yeah. Specially Bri. You gonna let him off now or you wanna torture him some more?"
"I'm not sure. I mean, he's always been there for me, but..."
"...He just doesn't know when to back off." AJ finished the sentence for him.
"You noticed that too huh?" Howie laughed.
AJ just grinned.
"What are you thinking?" Howie asked him, recognising the mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Me? What makes you think I'm thinking anything?" AJ replied, trying to look shocked and innocent.
"Cos I know YOU."
"Well if you know me so well, then you tell me what I'm thinking."
Howie leaned up on one elbow and stared into AJ's eyes, as if trying to read his mind.
"Hmmmm."
"See anything good?" AJ joked.
"The sexiest man on the planet." Howie replied.
"Where?" AJ asked, turning to look behind him. Howie laughed and smacked AJ on the arm. AJ responded by grabbing Howie's arm and pulling him close, ruffling Howie's hair, which started an all out wrestling match. Eventually Howie won and pinned AJ on the bed.
"So. You gonna tell me what you're planning?"
"Oh. I think I can be persuaded."
"Yeah?" Howie asked, lowering his head and kissing AJ passionately.
"Oh Yeah." AJ smirked.
Time seemed to stand still for them as they gazed into each other's eyes.
"I love you Howard." AJ whispered.
"I love you too Alexander." Howie whispered back as he smiled down at his lover.
AJ smiled. "I don't think I'll ever get tired of saying it."
"Good. Cos I know I'll never get tired of hearing it." Howie replied.
Their lips met once again in a soft, loving kiss. AJ gently pulled Howie down on top of him, before rolling them both onto their sides. They lay there for a while, listening to the hum of the engine and the sounds of each others breathing as they continued to hold each other. AJ yawned, suddenly tired from the events of the last few days. Howie saw this and smiled.
"Sleep love. We'll both still be here in the morning."
"And every morning after." AJ added.
"For ever and ever..." Howie whispered.
"...And ever after that."
Howie pulled AJ back into his warm embrace, wrapping his arms around the younger man, and AJ rested his head on Howie's chest, sighing in contentment at how right this felt.
"Aje?" Howie whispered.
"MmmHmm" AJ replied sleepily.
"We gonna let Brian alone or not?"
AJ tipped his head back and looked at Howie; his broad grin the only answer Howie needed.
"Tell me later." Howie told him, as he yawned himself.
"Mmmkay." AJ replied, lulled to sleep by the steady beat of Howie's heart under his ear. Within minutes both fell into a deep peaceful sleep in each other's arms.