Alone Time

[notjustaface]

Alone time is rare at best, and as he clutches the co-pilot's seat of the salvaged Cessna - only a little nervous each time Murdock tries a trick - the fact that they're getting almost a whole day to themselves is more or less the best thing on his mind. They're on a job, of course - they're coming more frequently over the last few months and while the pay seems to be lower at least it's keeping them moving since their close call back in Chicago - but he'll take what he can get.

Even if what he can get is spending the night together in a lean-to in the backwoods of southern Oregon with a few sleeping bags and a cooler while they wait for the boss' call to pick up the other half of the team in northern California. It's still nice to have a little downtime.

Comments

[notjustaface]

Grabbing to pull him closer, Face's voice drops to a reassuring timbre.

"Hey, I had a plan, remember? Get my parole, finagle a little Deutschland trip to get a job where you were."

He offers a fond squeeze. "Only difference is we wouldn't be doing this - hopping from job to job, watching over our shoulders for the feds."

[notthatcrazy]

"Guess there's no point in wondering about it. We're here now."

He looks up at the breeze making the tops of the trees sway.

[notjustaface]

Face lets a quiet moment pass, listening to the light crackle of the fire against the breeze.

"We'll get there, you know? We can't run forever."

He doesn't know how, but if anyone can figure out a way to beat the rap for escaping custody - twice - it'd be Hannibal.

[notthatcrazy]

"Yeah, we will."

It's weird to be on the receiving end of the reassurance.

[notjustaface]

They both need a reminder from time to time.

Curling onto his side, Face rubs a gentle hand over his lover's side, stopping at the stiff waistband of his jeans.

"What's got you up in your head? Thought that was my job."

[notthatcrazy]

"Dunno."

He shrugs, reaching for his half-forgotten sandwich.

"Guess it's just easier to think when you're out in the middle of nowhere."

[notjustaface]

He brushes a kiss across the bridge of Murdock's nose - catching an age old scar. "You let me do the worrying."

A small smile stretches his lips and he rolls once more onto his back, stretching his legs out toward the fire.

"Wouldn't wanna wrinkle your brows."

[notthatcrazy]

"Says the man with the five-part skin care routine."

He absentmindedly licks a dab of grape jelly off his lips.

"Sometimes you worry too much, though."

[notjustaface]

Face grins a little wider, letting the lingering afternoon sun warm his cheeks.

"Gotta keep myself looking my best so you don't turn your eye toward the younger boys." He chuckles under his breath, turning his head to press a small kiss Murdock's direction.

"Don't worry about me, babe."

[notthatcrazy]

"Nuh-uh."

Mature, the both of 'em.

"I'm always gonna worry about you."

[notjustaface]

Face lets out a hollow groan, narrowing his eyes at his lover.

"Guess that's probably for the best. Gotta have someone watchin' my ass, may as well be the same person who wants to tap it."

[notthatcrazy]

"Well, you know what they say... hate to see ya go but love to watch ya leave."

He does have a really nice butt.

[notjustaface]

His grin spreads; "Is this flirting? Are you flirting? You are... you've learned a new trick."

He can't help teasing, it's practically in his DNA.

[notthatcrazy]

"Just 'cause you flirt like you breathe..."

He gives him a look that's slightly reproachful but mostly just amused.

[notjustaface]

Laughing, he cuts through that nearly-reproachful look and presses a kiss to his peanutbuttery lips.

"Self preservation, man. Just one of many skills."

[notthatcrazy]

"I think we can safely say false modesty isn't one of your hang-ups."

[notjustaface]

"Hey..." He shrugs, batting his eyelashes.

"I've got plenty of modesty... I just don't let it get the better of me."

[notthatcrazy]

He laughs softly, rolling over to rest on his stomach.

"Since when do you have any modesty?"

[notjustaface]

Hey, that's easy to say to a naked man in front of a fire...

"I do... from time to time. When I'm getting praise I don't think I deserve." He kisses him again, more to wipe the smug grin off his face than anything else.

"Keeps me humble."

[notthatcrazy]

"I'll take your word for it."

It's getting on toward evening as the fire crackles and sputters. It's probably time to think about what else they plan to do tonight.

[notjustaface]

Of course, he doesn't mind letting the quiet linger and allowing his brain to rattle around with nothing worse than the breeze on his skin and fire against the soles of his feet as he curls up close against his partner.

It works for them, the quiet - the knowing that for the moment nothing particularly terrible could happen.

"Think Billy took off on us."

[notthatcrazy]

It is pretty nice. They don't need to fill up the quiet time with small talk and things that don't matter.

"Probably off chasin' squirrels. He'll be back."

[notjustaface]

They spend so much of their lives together, small talk is mostly pointless. They already know what the other did all day... every day...

"I'm sure we've still got some quiet time..."

[notthatcrazy]

"Is that a suggestion?"

Again... like he has to ask.

[notjustaface]

"Maybe..." he shrugs again, sitting up and arching his back into a stretch.

"But not a solid one. I'm open to s'mores."