Anniversary

[notthatcrazy]

It's early, and the sun is just starting to filter in through the blinds as he wakes. He's always been something of a morning person, when he sleeps at all, and though he's gotten better at resting during the night he still has his morning routines.

Leaving Face to sleep a while longer, he slips away to the kitchen for breakfast. He briefly takes note of the calendar on the wall, but it's not until he's poured himself a bowl of cereal and settled in for morning cartoons that the significance of the date sinks in.

Ten years. It's been exactly a decade since Mexico. Since his life was immeasurably changed for the better, despite the hardships and roadblocks along the way.

He'll have to mark the occasion with the others later, but right now there's only one place he wants to be. His breakfast finished, he returns to the bedroom, slipping back under the covers next to his still-sleeping partner. Not wanting to wake him, he contents himself with pressing against his back, letting his fingers trace the tattoo on his bicep before coming to rest on his chest. They've come so far, but sometimes he still wishes he could somehow telepathically communicate the depth of everything he feels.

I love you and I won't ever leave you.

He doesn't even realize he's whispered the words out loud until he feels Face stir in his arms.

Comments

[notjustaface]

Part of him doesn't feel like he was ever young, but Face takes the reassurance for what it is and nuzzles tenderly against Murdock's cheek.

"You lit me on fire." He chuckles under his breath.

[notthatcrazy]

"And you're never gonna let me forget it."

He shakes his head.

"Who'd have thought... ten years later..."

[notjustaface]

Hey, it's not every day someone says "I like you" by lighting you on fire.

Still a little sleepy, and a lot ragged from the road, Face snorts and shakes his head; "Laying in a cheap motel with a broken sink we can't complain about because they might pull my fake ID."

[notthatcrazy]

"At least we're together."

If he hasn't made it clear, that's kind of a big deal.

"I know it's not where you wanna be, but we'll make it there someday."

He's being overly optimistic, he knows, but he'd rather not be sad right now.

[notjustaface]

The optimism can be a little infectious - and he smiles a little wider, kissing him again.

"Yeah... I guess so. It could be worse."

[notthatcrazy]

"Yep."

He rolls over onto his back, pulling Face along with him until he's half on top of him. It's only a little awkward.

"Ain't ever lettin' you go."

[notjustaface]

Speak for yourself, Face is rather used to being on top and expresses it with a gleeful kiss on Murdock's stubbly chin.

"Nobody said you have to."

[notthatcrazy]

He grins, kissing him back.

"Okay, but people might ask questions."

[notjustaface]

"Fuck 'em..." he laughs under his breath, then shifts to a more comfortable position with his knees at either side of Murdock's hips - rather comfortable.

"I've got you."

[notthatcrazy]

"Always and forever, darlin'."

He's still smiling, but there's a somewhat serious look in his eyes.

"Pretty sure Hannibal thinks we're joined at the hip already.."

[notjustaface]

He can't help but be warmed by the sentiment, contrary to his frequently un-sentimental tendencies.

"He's over it," Face answers with only a little certainty - over it or not things are what they are. "We made it this far, right?"

[notthatcrazy]

He sighs a little bit - he really doubts that the colonel is over anything about what's going on between them - but he puts it out of his mind.

"Yeah, you're right."

He holds him closer, enjoying the way they fit together in the all-too-rare moments when they can relax and not have to worry about anything.

"Don't know what I'd do without you."

[notjustaface]

Letting his weight push down slightly against Murdock's familiar frame, Face nods into his cheek and murmurs; "You'd be fine."

It's something he thinks about a lot, it's kind of hard not to given their circumstance.

"I think I'm the one who'd be lost."

[notthatcrazy]

"I think we both would," he says quietly.

Sure, they'd survive - they're nothing if not survivors - but fine is another thing entirely.

[notjustaface]

"Enough of that..." he rolls his eyes, nuzzling against him again before pushing up on his knees - letting the blanket drop down to Murdock's knees.

"We should celebrate."

[notthatcrazy]

Quite enough. Now's not the time to get maudlin.

"What'd you have in mind?"

[notjustaface]

"Well... we are already naked..."

He is capable of thought that doesn't involve his penis, really. It's just tough when he happens to be naked and on top of someone he'd quite gladly have sex with.

[notthatcrazy]

"Mmhmm. Seems like a shame to waste it."

He takes his hand, pulling him down until they're lying chest to chest again.

"Can we stay like this a while first? I like holding you."

[notjustaface]

"For you?" He murmurs, brushing kisses against Murdock's scruff; "I think I can handle that."

And it's sad to admit that for most people, he couldn't. Cuddling felt awkward, like a waste of time between having sex and not having sex. But for some reason with him it felt right.

[notthatcrazy]

And Murdock, who's friendly and affectionate with just about everyone, has never had an easy time just being still. But when they're together it's easier to let his racing mind slow down just a little.

It's pretty special.

"Thanks, babe."

He reaches up to touch his face, running a thumb along his cheekbone.

[notjustaface]

Leaning into the touch, his muscles relaxing until more of his weight pressed down into Murdock's arms, Face lets out a soft pleased sigh.

Pretty damn special.

"Any time..." He looks back at him with a somewhat dopey, honest grin - hair poking up every which way.

[notthatcrazy]

He welcomes the close contact with a warm kiss, continuing the soft touches. Not for the first time that morning, he wishes he had the words to express everything he's feeling.

Face has always been an 'actions speak louder than words' kind of guy, but he still wants to say it.

"You're pretty amazing, you know that?"

[notjustaface]

With his best 'who, me?' innocent look, he really can't even claim that he doesn't think he's at least a little bit awesome. But, still...

"Nah... now you... you are the one who can fly anything from a kite to a jumbo jet you built out of spare parts. That's pretty amazing."

[notthatcrazy]

"I have my moments," he allows with a grin. "But that doesn't mean you're not."

And he doesn't quite know how to say 'You've been through things that a lot of people couldn't handle, and you're still here trying to make things right.' In lieu of the right words, he lets his hands trail down his back, pressing kisses against his shoulder.

[notjustaface]

The touch, at least, is something he can handle - warm skin against skkin telling him what he can't say.

"Mmmm." He murmurs soft agreement, kissing along the curve of his ear. "I love you, you know that right?"