Built A Better Bear (For Love!)

[notjustaface]

He's been trying, and he knows Murdock has been trying too, but the longer the rift between them continues the more Face feels like it'll never end.

The idea had come to him watching Murdock fret over a small pile of stuffed animals at a thrift store - again - coming back empty handed when none of them "fit" with his current plush posse. Something special, something they could do together where there was no pressure to be romantic, but Murdock would know that he meant it as a genuine gesture.

Which is exactly what had led him to The Build-A-Bear workshop on a Saturday morning when it was overrun with children and exasperated parents with Murdock staring out the windshield as they pulled in.

"Surprise?" He smiles softly, looking at him from the driver's seat as he nervously taps his rings against the steering wheel - still getting used to the weight of wearing them again, if nothing as a reminder to himself.

Comments

[notthatcrazy]

He leans in close to his ear. "Don't tempt me, baby."

He pulls back then, because if they keep teasing each other they might not actually make it out of the theater.

[notjustaface]

That is completely and totally unfair...

He lets out a low, audible groan - thankful that the theater's empty.

"Tempting? should we talk about tempting?"

[notthatcrazy]

"Sorry." He grins sheepishly. "I'll be good."

He's still kinda proud of himself, though.

[notjustaface]

"You'll be amazing..." he mutters, kissing him quickly before forcing himself up and out of the seat with a slight adjustment.

"Come on," he offers a hand up; "let's get the new COs back to the barracks."

[notthatcrazy]

"Let's get the troops movin', then."

He takes his hand, kissing his knuckles briefly as they head out.

[notjustaface]

Driving back isn't exactly easy, but he keeps the needle on the speed limit with minimal glances at his partner.

"This is crazy, you know that right? I'm racing back to the hotel for the sheer purpose of having sex with you."

[notthatcrazy]

His laugh is a bit nervous. "I know crazy, babe."

He has to resist the urge to touch him, not wanting to distract him while he's driving.

"It has been too long."

[notjustaface]

Part of him, the part he knows he needs to work on suppressing a little more than he does, wants to tell him that's it's not just been too long - it's been excruciating MONTHS of self-denial. Instead, he laughs weakly and grips the wheel tighter before saying; "It's been as long as you need for it to be right."

[notthatcrazy]

He swallows. "I know you screwed up bad, and you're on the hook for that. But I know we both want this."

[notjustaface]

"As bad as I want this..." his voice cracks and he adds; "...and I really, really want this... I want you to be happy more."

He dares a quick glance as they pull into the hotel parking lot, the drapes in the team's other room still drawn, "I don't want anyone else in my life. Not right now... hopefully not ever."

[notthatcrazy]

"And that's exactly why I'm ready to do this."

He reaches for the back seat, grabbing their new fuzzy companions.

[notjustaface]

Face slips out of the truck as Murdock unbuckles the seatbelt the plush are buckled into and runs to open the passenger side door for them, grinning madly.

"A hand with the children?"

[notthatcrazy]

"Certainly, darling."

He hands him his bear as he hops out to join him.

"You know, after everything that went down on the cruise, I don't think you ever did carry me across the threshold."

He's teasing, mostly, but he kind of wants to see if he'll do it.

[notjustaface]

"I've just been waiting for the perfect opportunity..." He grins wide, sweeping one arm down' Murdock's back.

"But... if you insist..." He finishes with a low grunt, his other arm quick to catch under his legs and hoist him up with some effort.

[notthatcrazy]

He giggles as they make their way slowly into the room.

"You do know how to sweep me off my feet."

[notjustaface]

"Well, a gentleman does try." He chuckles, tilting him slightly to kiss the bridge of his nose.

However, reaching the heavy hotel door does pose a certain problem.

"Uh... little shift here, the key is in my pocket..." Hefting his weight, he slings Murdock over his shoulder in a fireman's carry to dig the key card out. "Still technically counts as carrying you."

[notthatcrazy]

He yelps, somewhat startled at the change in position, but he knows he's in safe hands.

"I'll allow it."

[notjustaface]

"Thought you might..." he laughs, kicking open the door before sliding him back down into a proper carry - grinning to see him still clutching the bears.

"Now, my bride..." He grins even wider, leaning in to kiss him. "To bed? Or shall I ravish you on the table?"

[notthatcrazy]

"Bed," he says immediately. "We're gonna wanna be comfy, 'cause we're gonna be there a while."

[notjustaface]

"Mmmm... now we're talkin' my language..." he purrs, hefting him toward the bed and laying him down before climbing on top of him.

"Now... where were we?" He cocks an eyebrow; "I'm pretty sure we were close to consummating our relationship - take two?"

[notthatcrazy]

"It's nice to know you understand the seriousness of the situation. Now take off your pants."

[notjustaface]

"Pretty sure that's an order I can take..."

Of course, that means moving when he'd rather be kissing. Fumbling open his fly with one hand, he forces open the fastener and zip as he kisses him deeply.

[notthatcrazy]

He's rather good at sex-related multi-tasking.

"Love you so damn much."

Pants. Pants are in the way.

[notjustaface]

Bucking his hips up, he manages his trousers down his hips - which is good enough despite the briefs between them.

"Love you..." he groans, refocusing his attentions on Murdock's jeans.

[notthatcrazy]

He presses a hand to his chest, slowing him down a little.

"Easy there, tiger."

He shimmies out of his jeans, followed quickly by the shirt.