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

[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."

[notthatcrazy]

He's slightly surprised to hear the suggestion from him, but he's pleased by it nonetheless.

"Sounds good to me. Then we can cuddle up and wait for the stars to come out while we see what happens."

He... kind of has a thing about stargazing. It might need to be explored.

"Just out of curiosity, are you planning on being naked for the rest of this trip?"

He reaches for the cooler and pulls out the marshmallows and graham crackers and large bars of Hershey's.

"'Cause I don't really have a problem with that."

[notjustaface]

They've got time, and he knows he doesn't have a reason to rush. Even if the guys show up early they'll still find a way to connect. They always do.

He lets out a soft laugh, eyeing the provisions before pushing up on his feet to dig a couple acceptable sticks out of the kindling.

"I might. My tan could stand a little natural sunlight." He half-shrugs, returning to the blanket. "Knife?"

[notthatcrazy]

He hands him his. He was never a Scout, but in Hannibal Smith's unit you learn pretty fast that it pays to be prepared.

"Always knew you were a closet nudist."

[notjustaface]

His, of course, is still handily located in his pants - some several yards away. Still, he's not shy about stripping the ends of the sticks down to green wood that won't burn when skewered with marshmallows.

"Closet? Man, this is the freaking life. Letting it all hang out... nothing to hide." He's not trying to be anyone else, and it feels good.

[notthatcrazy]

'"Mmmhmm."

For as much as he's not shy about showing off his... assets, he knows Face has plenty of secrets.

Taking the sharpened stick, he grabs the bag of marshmallows and scoots closer to the fire.