When Night Comes

"When night comes."

Finn's last words echoed inside Munch's head as he stood beside his partner on cold, chilly Park Row. Only a couple blocks from headquarters, they waited for a nervous informer to meet them about a possible suspect.

Munch looked up at the clear, twinkling sky with remorse. It was already night, and they were still on the job. Would be for hours. Earlier on in the day the unit had been called to a case in Soho that had turned out to be related to an already full case, the Park Bench Raper. After the call, Munch had a growing premonition that the vow his partner had made would soon be turning into a raincheck. Now, though neither of them wanted to admit it, they would most definitely be sleeping alone.

As if Finn shared his thoughts [something that John often thought of as a true possibility] he glanced at the man and lightly rubbed his arm. From a passerby's standpoint, it wasn't much contact, but for the two men it served as a gentle reminder of what they had experienced together. That single touch caused his stomach to lurch pleasantly, and his skin to become hot. He smiled at his partner then took a deep breath, letting his mind wander to this afternoon. He had almost admitted his feelings for Finn, not to the man but to himself. He didn't know whether or not he really wanted to be in love, all it ever seemed to bring him was pain. But he knew he'd soon have to fully admit to himself that he might be falling for the ex-Narc. First, however, he wanted to know exactly where Finn saw this... this relationship headed and then go from there. He had never been in a sexual or romantic relationship with a man before, [and he was willing to bet that Odafin hadn't either], so this was new territory.

His partner's movements caught his eye, and he turned slightly to see Finn rubbing his sore neck. He'd always noticed how quickly anxiety seemed to spread through Finn, and before the sudden turn in events in their partnership, he had always ached to use his own hands to relieve some of that stress. Now that he knew his feelings were mutual he knew that it would be possible, and that stirred more than just his stomach. His mind filled with thoughts of running his hands up and down his partner's athletic body; kneading the tense muscles beneath the skin; kissing and seducing away all of the worries that being a cop can bring.

Suddenly grateful that it was as cold as it was, Munch cleared his throat and tried desperately to clear the mental images.

+_+_+_+_+

"So he knew nothing?" asked a grumpy Cregan.

Finn had just spent more than half an hour on the streets trying to keep his mind [and his hands] off of Jonathan Munch. The last thing he needed was to be reminded of the hopeless case that all four lead detectives were working.

John sat down in his chair, rubbing his frozen hands together. "The bum just wanted a couple extra bucks."

"That," Finn started, making two cups of coffee. "And to freeze a couple of cops that pulled him in for sodomy and assault last year. Dude didn't have to be twenty minutes late."

Munch took the coffee with a nod of acknowledgement, then turned to his captain. "Elliot and Olivia?"

Cregan filled them in, then for the next hour the two detectives called possible leads and ran through the files. With three new pieces of evidence from the latest victim, they had to run through all of the files looking for signs of similarity, transfer evidence, and the like. They had several victim files to painstakingly comb through, and they were mentally tired and physically antsy.

Finn, who had been reading and copying from the same page for about twenty minutes felt something brush briefly against his foot and thought it was another rat. They had found a dozen of them in the last two months in this squadroom alone. He thought for a moment of ducking under and finding the disgusting animal then felt the pressure reappear. A thrill of sexual adrenaline started like a lit fire from his ankle and ran up through his body as the pressure started to travel up his leg. He had felt the cottony texture and knew what it was immediately. He looked at his partner's exhausted but grinning face.

"Just thought a little footsy was appropriate under the circumstances." Munch pointed at their captain's door. Finn turned and saw exactly what he meant. Though the blinds were closed there was a single slat that had been bent. Through that little sliver he could see the SVU captain sitting at his desk and the Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Cabot in his lap. The two were getting pretty hot and heavy with Donald's hands roaming around under the counselor's shirt.

"A lot of view for such a tiny peephole."

"Definitely." He heard a chair squeak and felt Munch's foot travel quickly up his shin and to his knee.

He turned back towards his partner. "But why should they have all the fun, right?" he whispered hoarsely, closing his eyes.

"My thoughts precisely." He could hear the humor and hunger mixed in his partner's voice as his foot traveled now slowly past Finn's knee. He suddenly hated the material of his pants, and of John's sock, wanting bare skin on the like. He wanted to be making love to his partner right now, just as he had promised, not stealing moments at work. He gripped the edge of his desk, his breath becoming more shallow thanks to the pictures that were springing to mind. Thoughts of letting his hands roam all over, grabbing what he pleased and teasing. John crying out his name while Finn drove him to ecstasy.

John knew what he was doing to the other detective, could feel it against the side of his foot, and yet he wouldn't allow Finn the gratification of a little pressure on the throbbing cock in his pants. He instead rubbed his foot into Finn's inner thigh, down the upper leg, back up, then down again. Finn squirmed around in his seat, and tried to push his hardened member into the foot, but Munch removed it, causing a stifled moan of disappointment from Finn.

When night comes. His own words ran through his head tauntingly. He had promised Munch, but it seemed that Munch was the one keeping the pledge. He felt Munch's foot back, but this time it went a little further. John's toes started playing with the head of his erection and stars shot behind Finn's tightly shut eyes, as he struggled to breath.

"Odafin."

If he had felt himself reacting to the exploration, his desire increased tenfold at his partner's hushed voice calling his name. His head felt heavy, breathing labored and by now he was fully hard, pressing uncomfortably against the zipper in his pants. No longer able to put up with John's provoking manner he grabbed the foot with both hands and pulled it into his crotch, at the same time pushing himself in. Unfortunately the action was not as gratifying as he had hoped and, instead, made the torment even worse.

"Hey guys." Olivia's voice cut through the moment, and stopped Finn's heart as surely as a bullet would have. He could hear her and Elliot walking in. Wanting desperately to beat his head on something hard, he opted to quickly and discreetly put his hands back on the surface of his desk, not yet able to open his eyes. There was hope that what they were doing would go completely unnoticed. The desks were facing each other and touching, so not only would it look as though John was merely slouching, but there was no way that anyone could see what was happening underneath. He felt Munch stir slightly, and Finn could tell he was trying, however unsuccessfully, not to move or wiggle the foot as he did so.

"Hey, Liv," came Munch's unsteady reply.

Taking a calming breath, Finn opened his eyes to see Munch pressed up against his own desk and staring at the files on his desk, slightly panicked. To Finn's great relief, John had resisted the urge to jerk his foot away and thereby becoming incredibly conspicuous. Finn pushed his chair closer in, as if he wanted to study his work more closely. He had to suppress the low growl that threatened to erupt thanks to the foot grinding roughly into his erection. It was a challenge to keep a look of calm on his face, but he held through.

"Hey." His voice was considerably weaker than John's, barely above whisper.

Benson walked sat down at her desk and turned to him. "Sounds like you could use some rest, Finn."

Not quite what he himself had in mind, but it didn't sound half bad.

Elliot walked to his own desk. "Looks like it, too. You look like you're about to drop."

He saw a miniscule smile begin to form on his partner's face, and felt the foot start to move back to its owner. A part of him wanted to take the foot back, but it was luckily not too big a part.

"What do you think, Munch?"

He looked up, serious. "I can handle the files by myself. We're almost done."

Finn nodded thankfully, knowing that his partner was far more tired than he. "Wake me in 30 and you can take your time out."

Munch gave Odafin a heavy look. "Oh, I'm hoping to be home by then."

Finn could think of nothing that he could safely reply with in front of the other two detectives. Did his partner still want to go home with Finn? As tired as his puffy red eyes shouted that he was?

"I hear that," laughed Elliot, clueless.

Finn looked to his partner. "Need a ride?" he asked unnecessarily. Anyone who knew Munch had recently put up with a lot of bitching on the man's part about how much his car was currently costing in auto repairs. But at least this way, if he was heard offering a ride home, no one could assume anything.

"Yeah, thanks." A second later Munch stood up and quickly turned to refill his coffee. He did not turn quickly enough to keep Finn from noticing a bit of a bulge in his pants, revealing his own concomitant of desire. So, he though, smiling to himself. Et tu.

Munch poured coffee into an already half full cup, then grabbed Finn's jacket, using it practically to conceal a certain liability. Finn realized as Munch sat down and handed him the jacket, that the coffee trip had been a ruse to give Finn something to cover himself with. His heart puttered a bit at the thoughtful man now smiling at him.

"Little heat in there you know." It was true, the room could simulate the temperature of ice at times. "So, go get your rest," his partner stated innocently enough. Finn left the squadroom wondering whether or not there was a hint of suggestiveness in that voice.

+_+_+_+_+

John stretched his arms above his head and decided to call it a night. He had done a little more than he had planned by finishing the last of the files then going over the ME's report, but it was all necessary. Looking at his watch he found that forty-six minutes had passed since Finn had gone to the bunkroom. Damn, he thought as he flipped off the lamp. Well, Finn wouldn't kill him for giving him a little extra time.

He cleaned up quickly, grabbed his partner's things as well as his own, and said goodnight Elliot and Olivia. They seemed to have worked things out, even if the tone between the two was somewhat melancholy. He wondered what exactly had gone down, but knew better than to ask.

Munch got out into the hall and headed towards the bunkroom. He took what he hoped would be a calming breath, then winced at the thought of how close he and Finn had come to getting caught. If Olivia or Elliot had been just that much more observant then...

Then what?

He opened the door to the room where his partner lay sleeping on a bottom bunk, then closed it behind him. Finn was the only person in the room, so Munch took his time, and stood above him for a moment seeing the peace on the sleeping detective's face. 'If' and 'Then what?' are never worthwhile, he told himself. He bent down to shake Fin lightly, then when he didn't budge, shook harder. "Come on. Wake up."

Looking as if the very task of opening his eyes was a struggle against all odds, Odafin finally met John's gaze. He seemed to wake up quicker when he realized who exactly had woke him up.

"Heavy sleeper?"

Finn smiled at him. "Always have been." His voice dropped to a whisper as his eyes widened and abruptly traversed Munch's body with delicious greed. "Listen, I know I shouldn't, but... I mean is anyone else here?" He sat up swiftly, glancing around the room.

The fire that had sprung up in the black man's eyes had caught John by surprise, and lodged a lump in his throat. He was wondering what exactly Finn "shouldn't" do, doubting very much that he would object to whatever was on the other man's mind. Unable to speak, he instead just shook his head and Finn didn't wait for anything else from his partner. He stood up quickly and grabbed the other man by his suspenders, pulling him firmly to him and looking into his eyes with a smug smile. "This is what I've been waiting for for about-" he grabbed Munch's wrist, tracing his thumb delicately on the inside and checked his watch. "50 minutes."

At that his full and needy lips found John's and forced his mouth open, overtaking the older man instantly with his passion and energy, ravishing him. John held on tightly, his sexual instinct kicking in, and responded to the kiss with force of his own. Finn pushed him back against another bunk in the room, pressing him urgently against the pole at the foot of the bed. His hands traveled vigorously down Munch's back then up again, creating a fire of friction. His hands then pushed down inside of Munch's pants and grabbed on to his ass, squeezing with intensity. Munch could feel Finn's hands skim under his boxers and the fingers start to pull the cheeks apart. Finn's mouth ended its assault as a finger slid slowly around Munch's anus. He was surprised to feel himself quiver in expectation and he leaned his head back against the bunkbed. He let out a low cry as Finn's finger started a sweet and gentle massage, then gasped sharply as it entered him. He shivered in unexpected delight, and squirmed against the submerged finger.

A moment later, Finn withdrew his finger and their mouths met. Their tongues still dueling for command elicited winded but excited moans from both. Breathing became staggered and Munch could think of nothing else for the duration of the kiss. When they finally broke apart, both were completely breathless. He felt Finn's forehead against his own. "We better go," came the strained voice that had become so familiar.

"Yeah."

+_+_+_+_+

They had hurried to Finn's car before Cregan could tell them to stay. On a normal basis they wouldn't have been sprinting to get away, but this wasn't exactly what either of them would call a "normal basis". In the car Finn watched with dismay as John's eyes began to droop, then close, and as his head finally fell. He knew his partner had been tired, but had hoped that the promise of more heated moments to come would have energized him.

The man now asleep, Finn sighed and tried to go through the current of thoughts and emotions he was drowning in. Everything was happening so very quickly, and he wasn't sure that John really, fully appreciated exactly what kind of situation this was. But how was Finn going to make it clear? He was in love. Plain and simple. But then again, he was gay, and had excepted that a long time ago. Jonathan Munch, for all and everything that Odafin knew about him, was straight. Or at least he had been.

Finn sighed again, thinking about last night. He had just been helping an intoxicated Munch get up to his apartment when his partner had tried to kiss him. A few minutes later came their first real kiss in his bedroom. Then the file room earlier today, and then the game of "Where's my foot?".

Finn felt himself becoming heated at the thought of the file room fiasco and what John had done to him. Before the two had become sexually involved, he had often thought of taking John into a private area of the unit and performing just such a service on him. He'd had more wet dreams, daydreams, and sudden hot flashes with dirty thoughts than many sexaholoics put together. But had he ever thought it would actually happen? No. Seeing John go down on him, taking him into his mouth, his own hands tangled in the other man's hair, the absorption John had been capable of... He could remember the feeling of the wet mouth on his heated cock, sucking him dry, struggling to not hump that sweet, sweet mouth. Just remembering it was enough to...

He kept his eyes on the road and tried to refocus, well aware of the sudden tightening in his stomach and groin. While the two AM traffic was not troublesome in the slightest, it was something to pay attention to.

So, he thought. John keeps instigating these adventures. Could that mean...

He looked over to his exhausted and unconscious partner. Munch had been the one to approach Finn each time, and each time there was such tenderness and sincere affection. Not to mention undiluted passion and incredible sexual appetite. Was there any possible way that maybe the sentiments Odafin felt were mutual? A shared sense of pathos?

Finn smiled, suddenly finding himself much braver, and kept driving.

+_+_+_+_+

He was having major d�j� vu. He was dizzy, and being helped out and around a vehicle at his apartment building. He looked to the person helping him out and for a moment Munch thought it had all been a dream. He moaned in momentary desperation, causing Finn to stop walking and look at him, worry creasing the man's handsome face. The intimate expression on Finn's face and the cold night air finally reaching his senses brought reality back to him. It was alright, everything had really happened, it had not been a dream. He laughed lightly and kissed Finn casually on the mouth, stepping away from him stronger in the brisk atmosphere.

"Care to share?"

He glanced back at Finn and found the look in his eyes... bizarre. Part sweet, part smug in only the sexiest of Finn-ways, and part... knowing. He suddenly had the feeling that Finn could see not only into his mind, but into his heart, soul and every secret.

He gave his partner a simple smile. "Nothing, really. D�j� vu."

Finn nodded, seemingly very serious. "Then I suppose you're going to need help remembering where your apartment is."

Munch started to shake his head, until he caught the double meaning. Finn was not only joking about last night, he was asking if Munch wanted him to come with him, and this time, stay the night.

Munch didn't know if his body could handle anything without giving it much needed sleep. "I can't promise to be interesting company. I'm too tired."

Still, the look persisted. "I understand."

Munch frowned, unsure of what exactly Finn could see within him. "I can't even promise that I'll stay awake."

Finn nodded.

"I'll probably go to sleep. And not even on purpose."

Finn smiled mysteriously at him and nodded. He then grabbed him pulling him into and embrace around the waist and pressed his cold face to Munch's warm neck. "Then I'll probably go to sleep beside you. If that's what you want."

If that was what he wanted? If? Who was Finn trying to kid? His eyes said he damn well knew that was what Munch wanted. That was all he wanted. Companionship.

But what was Oda asking exactly? Munch realized with a jolt that this was the most intimate and romantic moment he'd had in more than a decade, and he wrapped his arms around his partner. He could feel Finn's cold face pressed into his neck, his strong arms wrapped around his waist moving soothingly up and down his back. His stomach felt warm and fuzzy, and he could feel barriers breaking down. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply, smelling Finn all the way. The look in the man's eyes had said something to Munch. Maybe he was wrong, but he'd never cared more about anyone than he did at that moment about the man in his arms. "Odafin?"

The man shivered, but from the cold or hearing his name, Munch knew not. "Yes?" came the muffled reply.

No hesitation. "You know I love you, don't you?" Finn was silent for a moment, but Munch did not doubt himself. This was the time and place.

Finn lifted his head a moment later, kissing Munch on the jaw. "I was hoping I had that right." They looked at each other for a moment then kissed, eyes open, staring into each others souls. When Finn pulled away he whispered, "And you know I love you."

"Well," started Munch. "Obviously. I mean, how could you not? I am me after all."

Finn smiled and shook his head slowly. "Ready to get some sleep, old man?"



FIN