Rating: PG
Series/Sequel: Sequel to No Wonder
Pairing: Greg Maddux/Tom Glavine
Summary: A shared car ride home from the airport.
Author's Notes/Setting: post road trip, two days before the start of their
homestand against the Astros.
"You look tired," Maddux remarked, as they sat in the darkened car on the
fairly lengthy ride from the airport.
"Shouldn't be. It's not like we do much on days we don't pitch."
"Being on the road just wears you down, though. I'll be glad for the off day."
"Mm. I rather like being away from home."
"I know you do," Maddux murmured, giving him a sympathetic look, despite the
fact that Glavine was staring out the window.
"Don't look at me like that," said Glavine, knowing him too well. "I don't
need your sympathy."
"You do, though. You do. You need someone's anyway, and I think I'm handy."
"Ah, fuck you," Glavine sighed, without conviction.
Maddux grinned at him. Again without looking at him, Glavine said "And keep
that train of thought closed."
"Well, you shouldn't say words like 'fuck,' then, should you?"
"God, are you insatiable?"
"Hell, no. I'm old. But I'm rather fond of you."
"Rather fond, huh?"
Another grin. "Or something."
Sighing as if giving in, Glavine slid over on the seat until he was pressing
against his lover, who wrapped an arm around him. "So what are you up to
tonight?"
"I'm going home. I haven't seen my kids in way too long. And they go back to
Las Vegas for school in a few days."
"So it'll be a few days before I can...see you again?"
"Yeah," said Maddux knowing to what he was referring.
"Kiss me, then."
The star pitcher obliged him, kissing him deeply and tenderly. When they
broke, he trailed his fingers gently along Glavine's face. "You really do
look tired. Get some rest tomorrow."
"Yes, mom."
"Really. I'm worried about you."
"I'm ok, Greg."
"Ok. Just..."
"I will. Assuming I can be left alone long enough to actually sleep."
"And that's why I'm worried about you. Tommy, you can't go on like that.
You've got to talk to her - do something!"
"What is there to do? Get a divorce?"
"If that's what it takes. You've got too much to worry about to have to worry
about her, too!"
"Are you actually selfish enough to think that I should only care about you,
then?"
"I'm not just talking about me, Tommy, and you know it. You've got your team
to worry about. It's your job to pitch as well as you can, and you can't
do that if you're exhausted all the fucking time!"
"My contract's up this year. Maybe I'll just..."
Maddux swiftly looked away. "You're 35."
"I'm old. Get out while I can."
"Tommy, you've got at least 3 more years, probably 5!"
Glavine just shrugged, prompting his lover to look back at him. "You wouldn't,
would you? Walk out on me - us?"
"And so it is about you."
Maddux was silent a long moment, before replying softly. "I love you, you
idiot. Don't you think I'd care if you walked away and retired somewhere?
I'd never see you...don't you know what that would do to me?"
But Glavine had retreated back to the other side of the seat, and was staring
stonily out his window into the darkness.