Title: Only Together
Author: Pretzelduck
Author's e-mail: [email protected]
Author's URL: http://www.geocities.com/pretzelduck
Date: Posted to EntSTSlash 10/21/2003
Archive: Permission to archive granted to EntSTCommunity, Tim Ruben, and WWOMB
Fandom: Star Trek:
Category: Slash
Rating: PG-13
Status: Complete
Pairing: Archer/Reed
Main character(s): Archer, Reed
Summary: A sleepless night for Jon and Malcolm brings tranquillity.
Warnings: None
Series: n/a
Sequel to: n/a
Spoilers: None
Disclaimer: Guess what?
I don't own the Star Trek franchise.
Author's Notes:
-------
"Come on...come on...Harder!"
"Jon..."
"Come on..."
"Jon!"
"Faster!"
That was it. He'd had enough. Malcolm rolled out of bed, stumbling a bit from drowsiness and carrying a pillow.
Thwack!
"Owww...Malcolm, that hurt." Jon idly rubbed the side of his face that Malcolm had deemed fit to roughly introduce to the pillow.
"Frankly, I don't care." He set the pillow on top of the console at the desk. It was just big enough to hide the water polo game from Jon's view.
"I've been waiting for this match forever. And with all the ruckus lately..." Jon blushed slightly at Malcolm's glare. Just because 'all the ruckus' translated to actually having to deal with unfinished paperwork and unread reports didn't mean it wasn't a good excuse to use. "It's one of the most competitive tournaments of the year."
"It's also zero two hundred."
"Malcolm..."
"It's a bunch of boys half your age in a bloody pool."
"But..."
"Fine. You might have the day off tomorrow but I have a morning shift." Malcolm walked toward the other side of the bed, narrowly avoiding his lover's outstretched hand trying to grab his ass. Opening the closet, he pulled out a pair of sweats and an undershirt that were identical to what Jon was wearing and quickly put them on.
"What are you doing?" Jon was sitting in the desk chair, staring at the now-dressed Malcolm.
"Going to sleep in my own quarters." That was enough to send Jon flying out of the chair so fast he tripped over one of his own feet. A pair of strong hands caught him, keeping him from landing on a sleeping Porthos, and pulled him upright before releasing him. Malcolm was glaring at him; ineffectively, thanks to the smug smile on his face.
"I think my foot fell asleep."
With a snort, Malcolm continued to glare. "At least something in this room was able to sleep...and Porthos doesn't count."
"You'd think we'd wake him up one of these times. We both cry out kinda loud..." Not even the barest hint of a smile graced Malcolm's face.
Jon winced inwardly. He was really upset. Reaching out, Jon cupped the side of Malcolm's face with his hand and gently stroked it with his thumb. Malcolm was still blearily glaring at him; his eyes hadn't softened at all. Jon placed his free hand on Malcolm's back, drawing them closer. Using his hand, he pulled Malcolm's head closer and kissed him. Or at least, he tried to. Malcolm wasn't exactly cooperating. He continued to press his lips against the other man's, trying to pry them open. Nothing. He backed away, confused at the blank look on Malcolm's face.
"I'm sorry, Jon. I'm just exhausted." Malcolm took a step forward and kissed Jon lightly on the cheek. "Enjoy the match. I'll see you later."
"Don't even think about it." Jon grabbed a hold of his lover and held him expertly in place. It was the same grip he used when Malcolm tried to escape from sickbay.
"Jon..."
"Malcolm..." Unable to help himself, Jon had tilted his head and replied in the same sing-song whining voice that Malcolm had used. The tiniest smile appeared on Malcolm's face. A sparkle in Jon's eyes was the only outward sign of his sense of nearing victory. Malcolm was starting to smile. Keeping one hand on Malcolm, Jon maneuvered around until he was standing behind him.
They stood there in silence, as Jon wrapped his arms around Malcolm and gently caressed his arms and chest. The still-playing match provided a background hum as his hands slipped underneath the newly acquired shirt and wandered aimlessly over soft skin until Jon felt the tension drain out of Malcolm. Until he felt him relax.
"Why do you want me here so badly?"
Jon could hear the self-doubt in the almost pitiful tone of Malcolm's words. Was he uncertain of his welcome... his worth? It frustrated Jon just how much his lover was able to keep inside. It bothered him more; however, that Malcolm seemed to think so little of himself. At times, he seemed to doubt his place on Enterprise. When they became involved, Jon was shocked to discover that Malcolm appeared to regard himself as broken. Although he never said the words out loud, a part of Jon knew that Malcolm believed that he needed Jon more than he could possibly need him.
Answering Malcolm's question would take all of his command of the English language. Each word and inflection had to be just right; anything to prevent Malcolm from getting the wrong idea about what he was trying to say. A romantic relationship with the withdrawn armory officer, Jon had quickly learned, took more effort than any of his previous ones. But the rewards were so much greater than any he had ever known before. Only minutes before, Malcolm had smacked him with a pillow, argued with him, and glared at him. Acted as if he believed they were equals. A few nights ago, snuggling had turned into the tickle fight to end all tickle fights. It had eventually ended with Malcolm straddling him, pinning his arms above his head, and both trying to contain their laughter.
Even the doubt and uncertainity that Malcolm showed him were rewards. Proof that Malcolm was starting to truly trust him. Showing him parts of himself that Jon thought that perhaps no one but Malcolm had ever seen before. Jon knew he had to show Malcolm what he saw. How much he needed and loved the strong, compassionate, handsome man in his arms.
"Let me show you."
Stepping out of their embrace, Jon led Malcolm into the small bathroom, pulling at him until they were facing the mirror. He stood behind his lover and once again wrapped his arms around him, pressing a kiss into Malcolm's hair.
"What do you see, Malcolm?"
"I don't... I don't understand..."
Jon was insistent. He needed Malcolm to grasp this. "Tell me what you see."
"I suppose... the two of us?"
"Exactly. I'm not complete without you, Malcolm. I need you to make me whole..." Jon knew he was getting emotional but there was such joy in the reflection of Malcolm's eyes that he couldn't stop the flow of words. "And I want you here because when we're apart, I miss you and I can't stop thinking about you. And I'm sorry I kept you up. All I want to do is make you happy..."
Malcolm turning around stopped his speech. His hands traveled up Jon's chest and eventually snaked around his shoulders, lightly stroking the back of his neck.
"I never knew true happiness, Jon, until I found it in your arms."
Unable to find the words to express how he felt, Jon leaned down and covered Malcolm's lips with his own. Their mouths and tongues dueled as their movements transformed from gentle to passionate. Malcolm took the lead, pulling Jon out of the bathroom and toward the bed. They stopped at the edge of the bed as they broke their kiss. Both of their bodies were smoldering in waves of desire.
Panting as he tried to recover his breath, Jon stared at the flushed face and swollen lips of his lover. Only he got to see Malcolm like this.
"I thought you were exhausted."
With a wicked grin, Malcolm pressed forward so their groins rubbed against each other. "I suppose we could sleep if you really want to."
Jon's response was to turn off the water polo match and dim the lights. "We can sleep some other time."
-fin-