seemssopleasing | open post

[Even though Max can feel the draw on his energy due to the way he's made, and the fact that he has a reserve of power that's tapped into the world around him-- he doesn't feel like it's the right time to mention it to Jamie yet. He can sense through their bond that Jamie seems unaware, or unconcerned in the least.

He figures that he can bring it up when they are tucked into bed together later, and have time to talk about the day. Max has no intentions of doing anything but being by Jamie's side. It's obvious by the way he only uses one hand to guide the truck, and keeps the other settled on Jamie's thigh-- his fingers soothing back and forth in a soft, comforting pattern.

There's the same need to be connected, no matter what. It doesn't matter who needs it more, right now it's the same need.

Max stops at a local drive thru fast food joint and grabs them some food, drink. He grins across the way at Jamie, sipping on a soda he got. ]

Almost home babe. Then we can strip down and lay in bed naked while eating, and snuggle up completely touching. Nothing keeping us apart.

[There's not much in the world that helps him relax more than that touch, Max's hands warm and familiar on him. His fingers skim against his boyfriend's wrist occasionally, a little bit of affection, but mostly he's content just to sit there and wait, however long it takes. The energy drain eventually fades out to almost nothing, just a faint tickle because of the pain, the stress that kicked it into high gear settling the longer they're alone.

He returns that grin with a slightly sleepy one, leaning across to butt a kiss against Max's shoulder.] I really like your ideas, have I mentioned that? [A little laugh in his voice.]

[It's nice to know that whatever the need for energy has faded the longer they are together. Max feels like his strength is enough, making him feel even more like this partnership, that this love was somehow fated-- like they were meant to be together. It makes his heart feel light, whether it's true or not.

Glancing over to see the sleepy look on Jamie's face, Max grabs a fry and feeds it to Jamie at a light.]

A few more seconds, love.

[It really was exactly that. They pull up to their place only a few moments later. Max hurries over to Jamie's side of the truck and helps him out before grabbing the food with his other hand. He keeps one around his beloved and then helps him up to the elevator so they can take it to their apartment. ]

Gimme a second, and I'll get us both to the bedroom and undressed so we can crawl into bed and eat there. Then you can get some much-needed sleep.

I'm okay, really. I promise.

[It's quiet, not exactly a protest so much as a sheepish reminder. Mostly Jamie feels bad, because he really doesn't need all this taking care of. He's used to injuries, has had much worse than this, even if it's been a while since it's happened.

But it's nice. The way Max takes care of him -- there haven't been many people in Jamie's life who wanted to do that. He feels cherished. It's not like he ever doubts how much Max loves him, or how wanted he is, but there's still something particularly nice about this. He knows Max will be able to feel that, that there's no hiding how much he likes it, and he feels a little guilty about that. He doesn't want to make Max feel like he has to drop everything if Jamie needs him, like he doesn't have a choice.

None of that stops him from leaning into Max as they wait, or letting himself be guided through the hall as the elevator leaves them off on their floor. He's definitely not saying no to it as long as he has the option.]

[Everything is still new between them. They may have been dating for a while, but things have really opened up and become serious lately, so it feels like this is the first time either of them has been injured since they've been together. It may or may not be true, but it still feels that way. They might each find themselves at the end of more serious injuries in the future, but Max can't help but dote on Jamie.

This is also their first time being tied together, which intensifies their relationship. Their need for one another is nearly insatiable. They'll grow more and more used to the feeling of the other humming gently in their minds and hearts as things go on, but it's still bright and flashy among all the rest of their emotions. Add all that up, and it's no wonder they both want to go back to their apartment and snuggle up tight.

Guiding Jamie into the apartment, Max pauses by the kitchen and gathers some powdered donuts to go along with the food they got to eat and then takes them both to the bedroom. The food is stashed on the bed's edge so they can both get undressed. Max keeps his boxer briefs on while they eat -- because it makes sense. ]

Can I help you into bed? Or, if you hop in, I can lay out the food and then pull up a movie for us to watch.

[Jamie's mostly with it enough after walking a little, but it takes a little bit of focus to get things off without instinctively using his right hand. It's lucky that he's pretty good with his off hand; it's just going to be a matter of ignoring his instincts while things get better. He'll let Max help him as much as he wants, though, partly because that's a good excuse to allow it and partly because he's just not inclined to say no.]

I can get in, that's fine. [He takes one more look at the reddened sleeve of his work shirt before reluctantly tossing it towards the trash, making a little face when it doesn't quite land in before fully turning his attention back towards Max. He reaches out with his good hand to draw him in first, kissing him softly.] Thanks. [He knows he said it before, but he feels like it's worth saying again. It's not like Max can probably miss the appreciation pouring off of Jamie every time he looks at him, Jamie feels like he's lighting up with it, but he still wants to show it every way that he can.]

[Watching the shirt miss the trash, Max grabs it up so he can stick it in the trash for Jamie. It's an easy enough thing to do. Having only one arm is difficult. Max has had to work like that before, and he gets it. He's had to work with plenty of injuries on the job. All of them suck-- so it's not that he pities Jamie; he mainly wants to help and take care of Jamie because he loves him more than life itself.

Pants are harder one-handed, and Max helps with the shoes and the pants before pulling down the covers and helping Jamie in anyhow. He knows he asked, but Max is kind of stubborn as a care-taker. He will help until someone tells him to stop. He does enjoy the thanks and the kiss that comes with it. That's one of the best parts of helping Jamie get into their bed. He kisses him sweetly and bumps their noses together softly. ]

Okay, the donuts are in the middle here, and your drink is open next to you. Your fast food is there, and I am here. Now the important things. Movie. What movie do you want?

[It's hard to mind the way Max moves to help anyway. Jamie still feels a tiny bit bad for how much he likes being taken care of, but it's being taken over more and more by just enjoying it. He'll find ways to make it up to him in the future, do his best to help Max out more.

(He does anyway, in all the little mundane ways he can manage, making sure that the apartment's clean for Max to come home to, feeds him to the best of Jamie's limited cooking abilities, tries to help him relax if he seems stressed. Really, it's just an excuse to do more, because he also likes helping Max however he can.)

He hums a little at the rundown, moving to pick at fries as he considers.] Nothing new, I don't know if I'm gonna stay awake for a whole movie... [He pauses, tipping his head with a little grin. It's almost sheepish, because there are certain movies Jamie puts on so often that Max has probably gotten used to overhearing them, but he's tired enough to want something he knows well.] Sweet Charity?

[Look, some people have comfort movies, and other people have comfort choreographers. Or maybe that's just Jamie.]

[It's a blessing for Max to care for Jamie like this. He doesn't mind it at all. It's an extension of the deep love that lives in his heart. It's as satisfying as the sex that they have but in a different manner. Intimacy comes in all forms. Max loves all the little things that Jamie does for him, and he will always do his best to take care of Jamie in return. All that he has belongs to his lover, and it always will.

Stripping down, Max crawls in beside Jamie and gets settled. He opens up his sandwich and begins picking at it while Jamie works to decide what they'll watch for the evening. It doesn't surprise him much when he picks one of his favorite comfort movies. Max smiles. He enjoys Jamie's tastes. Max might not have seen all these movies before, but he's enjoyed them all as he's gotten to know Jamie. They're a part of him, and for that reason alone, Max also finds comfort in them. ]

When you start to get really sleepy, let me know so I can move your fries.

[He jokes and scoots over in the bed to slip an arm around Jamie and pull him against Max's chest. They can still eat like this; Max has one hand free, and as long as he's neat, there's no worry. Flipping to the movies they have saved on their TV, Max starts up Sweet Charity and pops a fry in his mouth, caressing Jamie's side with his other hand.]

I love you.

M'not promising anything. [It's mostly a joke, because he's at least not falling asleep where he sits at the moment. He's just drained, body recovering from the weird energy fluctuations and mildly annoyed at the way things went off the rails. There's things to worry about that he doesn't really want to bother thinking about, about how work's going to be affected and trying not to make things worse, and he's too tired to try to work that out now.

He'd be a lot more frustrated if not for Max's company. At least this is a good way to end up, and Jamie's cuddling close into his boyfriend's chest as soon as he's given the option, more eager for the contact than the food right now.

He turns a little to nuzzle a kiss against Max's jaw, affectionate and grateful.] I love you too. You're just -- really wonderful, have I mentioned that?

Okay, you can fall asleep on your fries if you want. That just means I get to bathe you in the morning.

[Such a terrible task really. The sling can be removed. Thank goodness it's not a cast. Max still wishes that he'd been there earlier to heal things up before Jamie had gone to the hospital. Maybe after he's worn the sling for a little bit, Max can heal him and say that Jamie heals quickly. It would be easier on his beloved. It's hard to stand by and watch him be hurt, even if it's not that bad.

Kissing Jamie's temple, Max nuzzles his nose against the area and closes his eyes to inhale Jamie's essence. Without much thought, Max moves his hand to where his mark lies on Jamie's chest and presses his fingers to it. They glow softly and renew their bond. He knows that it really hasn't faded, but it feels right to have that freshly renewed tie-- Max can't stand to feel even slightly apart from Jamie.

A part of him still feels cautious about how much he truly loves Jamie, but he does his best to keep it tight to his chest. As long as Jamie loves him, and stays with him-- he'll be alright. ]

You're my wonder. I don't know what I'd do without you.

Sure. Not like I'll ever complain about getting you in the shower with me, anyway. [He grins a little, playful.

He feels particularly sensitive to the way the bond being renewed hits him right now -- aftereffects of the channel of his power being opened again. Max's presence feels so strong, not just physically but in every part of him. Jamie lets out a little, pleased hum, sighing as he sags a little more into Max. He's quickly gotten used to this, gotten to love it, the way he can feel Max imprinted into him; he'll never have a problem with more.

The urge to thank him for it is strong. Jamie doesn't say it out loud, but that gratitude is right there, radiating through him.]

Me either. You're my whole world. [Softly.]

[There's a thought to bring up what he felt tonight, but perhaps it's better left for morning's light when Jamie's rested and has a better head about it. The fatigue that his beloved carries beats at Max enough to make him feel sluggish. Max had never felt a bond like this but would never want anything different. He will give all he can to Jamie and more if possible.

With the gratitude, Max only returns love and the intensity of his need for Jamie. It's so powerful. He truly has no thoughts about his life now without the younger male. If it were his choice, they'd bind their lives together tomorrow and never see another day apart.

Fingers stroke along Jamie's strong jawline; a thumb humbles itself over a plush bottom lip. ]

Then let us never, ever part my beloved. I will always keep you with me.

[He leans into the touch of Max's hand, eyes dropping closed, appreciation clear in his expression. A little smile curling up the corner of his mouth at Max's words. It's strange, maybe, that he still feels so affected by the things Max says when they're so closely tied together that he can already feel everything he needs. Still, it always hits him. Probably it's admiration, more than anything else, but there's something about hearing it aloud.

He turns into Max's hand, kissing the tip of his thumb, his palm, soft and sweet.] I hope so. I don't want to go anywhere. Not without you.

[Max sometimes doesn't even think about the words he says or how they sound. He's read so many books of poetry and literature. Being a writer is a part of his being, just like being a sheriff. They are there within his blood, and he could no longer separate them than he could his alien genes. At times, it offers him words of love and longing, of comfort and gentleness.

They aren't always there, as no one always has words to speak. There are always times when words can't be spoken, but here with Jamie, Max does his best to put the enormous depth of his undying love into words. There's a bond that he knows he's never shared with another person that he has with this man in his arms.

Sighing at the touch of Jamie's lips, Max brings his other hand to run through the soft drift of Jamie's hair, gently running through the short strands. He can feel his heart pounding out a storm cloud of unimaginable emotion, but it's there. Lips replace fingers, touching the corners of Jamie's mouth before gently kissing the center. ]

You are mine, as I am yours. I swear we will always be together. I will find a way that we can bind one another together, even closer, somehow.

[It's hard to imagine anything closer is even possible. This bond between them is already something Jamie doesn't think he could have dreamed up if you gave him years to try. It still feels impossible, sometimes, that Max had offered him this, that it's even there to have. Fuck, sometimes it just feels impossible that anyone could love him like this.

But then again -- if Jamie believes in anything, he believes in Max. It's even harder to imagine there's anything his love can't do.]

I would. Whatever you could find or do -- but even if you didn't. [He's tripping over his words, a messy contrast to Max's poetic declarations, but it's what he has. And whatever he has, he wants to give.] I would follow you anywhere. I'd do -- anything for you.

I feel the same way. I'd do ..anything for you. Anything. I have the power to do so much, and I'd burn down the world for you.

[All his life, Max has been searching for a purpose, and he's had to follow along a line to his destiny. He fought it and twisted this way and that in trying to figure out if there was any choice in life, and now that he has it, Max knows that Jamie is exactly the purpose that he desired. No world matters now that he has the man that he loves.

Thinking about it, the one thing that he might want to do is bring him home eventually and have Jamie meet his family. Beyond that, he knows that he wants to marry him. However, he doesn't want to scare him with such declarations so soon. Jamie's much younger than him and has so many other attachments. ]

Maybe we can talk about visiting my family one day, but I don't think we have to do anything else. You know you can rest tonight. It's been such a long evening, and I want your body to heal. It needs energy.

[...and Max imagines that it needs it not only in the way most people do. He can feel the small difference in the air about them. Jamie needs the rest to replenish what his body did tonight, whatever it was-- at least, he thinks it will help. He's really not exactly certain.]

[It's a heavy statement, especially coming from someone who's a lot more capable of destruction than most. It sends a little shiver through Jamie, but the reaction is nothing but pleased.] All I want is you. [Soft and genuine. There's nothing he needs Max to do for him, except to stay.

He perks up a little at the suggestion, a little distracted by the thought even as he nods his agreement.] I know. I'm not planning on doing anything else.

[And Max isn't wrong, exactly. If Jamie knew what he was doing, he could run for a long, long time on borrowing other people's energy without a hitch -- but right now, when all he can do is reach out in desperation, that's not an option. Unless something else happens to spook his system into opening that valve again, it won't do him good for much longer.]

--But, uh. I think I'd like that, sometime. Visiting your family.

[It's not like it's going to happen immediately -- and with Jamie's next semester creeping up quickly and preparing to make him even busier than before, probably not any time soon. But he still likes that Max might want it.]

[It's the pureness with which Jamie needs and wants Max that always does him in. There's never anything there but an intense, genuine need --. How can Max do anything but return it in kind? It makes Max want to give Jamie the world on a platter, along with everything he ever desires. Max will cling to Jamie, and there will never be a day that he lets go. He will follow Jamie to the ends of the world and beyond. There's no one else for him.]

Is there anything else I can get you before you do sleep tonight?

[Making sure that Jamie has everything for bed, Max begins to clean up the remainder of the food they didn't eat and tosses it in a nearby trash bag that he'll take to the kitchen in the morning. Then they can throw it down the garbage chute when it's all full later. Tonight's for being lazy and for wrapping themselves up together. ]

It's still off in the distance, but we'll plan to get to Roswell one day. First, we'll have to take our own weekend away, something romantic where we forget to wear clothes and make love the entire time.

[Teasing, Max crawls back into the bed and lays his hand over Jamie's hurt paw. He pushes only the slightest bit of his healing power into the damaged hand, wanting to take the edge off so Jamie can sleep tonight. It will still be injured, but it will heal quicker and not hurt much above the painkillers. Jamie will notice the glow of Max's hand, a small blue light-- but not much else.

Sheepish eyes meet his lovers, and Max leans over and kisses Jamie.]

To take the edge off. I want you to sleep without it throbbing. I promise I didn't heal the whole thing.

I'm good, baby. You already got me everything I need. [He smiles a little, warm and affectionate, watching Max as he cleans up. Normally he'd get up and try to help out, always trying to make himself useful; but at the moment, he figures Max will chase him back into bed anyway. It saves them both time if Jamie just stays put.]

Yeah. Even though I'm pretty sure you could get me to do that anywhere. [There's a little trace of a laugh in his voice, eyes bright.] But we should anyway. Maybe I can take you to the mountains someday, too.

[Visiting his family isn't a question. Jamie doesn't even want to know what the explosion would be like if he finally came back home, only to bring another man with him. But it'd be a little like bringing him home. And there's people he thinks he'd like Max to meet someday, even if it's not the same thing.

That awareness is still with him, making him glance down automatically when he feels Max's powers spill into him. He didn't plan on asking or making Max fix anything, but he clearly doesn't mind the help; there's nothing but warmth in Jamie's expression when he glances back at his boyfriend, smiling into the kiss when he leans forward.] You're so good to me. [Soft and adoring.]

The mountains sound nice, but which ones? [It's a great big world out there, and there are a few sets of great mountains in the United States, too. Max can admit to having been to the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans now, but he's not spent any time in the mountains. He would love to do something where there's a small town and a mile or so away a little cabin where no one can hear them think, much less do everything else they want to do. It was one of the reasons he loved the desert]

Is that where you grew up?

[They haven't talked much about Jamie's past, barely mentioned it even. Max knows where Jamie is in life now, and he hasn't bothered to pry. He doesn't want to be too much. He knows their emotional bond will soon start telling them things in a way that they can't hide a lot from one another, and so he wants them to get used to that first.

The kiss is gentle and sweet. It's not too lingering, but Max can never help himself. He wants this evening to be over and for them to wake up feeling better-- especially Jamie.]

There's nothing too good for you, and I mean that.

Oh, uh-- [He nods at the second question, before he backtracks a little with a slightly sheepish smile.] Yeah. Tennessee. I mean, I wouldn't mind exploring somewhere else, either. I just haven't been in general in... a while. It always felt really peaceful.

[He doesn't seem to mind talking about it, really. It's just weird to bring it up sometimes. Almost everything from growing up is completely out of his life now, and Jamie only has so many pleasant things to say about it. And since he doesn't like to dwell on the unhappy stuff, it's just easier not to bring it up. But he doesn't want to keep anything from Max, either, not actively.

He shakes his head slightly at that, not arguing, just happy disbelief.] I already have the best, though. I've got you.

[Sliding fingers up and down Jamie's back, Max nods. He knows about what the mountains there are like. He hasn't been there, but he's seen pictures and heard about places like Rock City on top of Lookout Mountain. There were signs for it for a long while when he was driving across the country. He caught glimpses of the smokies but mostly drove around them. ]

Then we can visit Tennessee. Isn't there a place called Dollywood out there near the mountains? It's like a theme park about Dolly Parton, right? Sounds like a good time. I'm sure we can find a nice little out-of-the-way cabin, too.

[Max can feel the give and take in Jamie's feelings about home. Now's not the time to get into it, but he can tell that Jamie means it about the mountains; the feelings easily translate and soften Max's heart as they do. How can Max not love Jamie this much when he makes it so fucking easy. The way their hearts entwine now, and emotions intermingle makes Max want to be closer to Jamie than ever before. ]

...and I you. Are you feeling sleepy yet, or do you want to keep talking?

[Max doesn't mind it but doesn't want to keep Jamie from getting some much-needed rest. They'll have plenty of time in the morning to continue talking about everything in the morning. ]

Without much trouble, yeah. We can find somewhere quiet without a problem. Drive in and check out some stuff, too. [He smiles, pleased that Max is willing to go along with it. Not that he didn't think he would, but it'd be nice to show him something. Share a little bit of what life was like, before Jamie found him.

He hums a little in response to the question, seems a little unsure for a moment as he considers.] I think -- sleep might be good. I don't know. I feel kind of wiped out.

[He's reluctant about it, enjoys curling up and talking too much to ever really want to end it, but it's been a weird evening. And it's not like Max is going anywhere, or ever seems to mind talking. Another thing Jamie's a little amazed by sometimes. Part of him's pretty sure he's going to get boring at some point, but it means a lot that it hasn't happened yet.]

That sounds nice. We can talk more about it in the morning. I can feel how tired you are. Let's sleep, and then in the morning, when you're a little less worn out, we can talk more. You know I can talk to you forever.

[It's true, there's always so much to talk about between them. In many ways, they're still partially strangers to one another. They may be close and feel all that there is, but their pasts and much of who they were before coming together still lay hidden.

Max has no fear that they'll get there and eventually know one another inside and out. He wants to rest right now, so he gathers Jamie closer and nuzzles in, closing his eyes until he finally dozes off for the night.

There's nothing until morning comes, and he's blessed to watch Jamie as he sleeps, still wrapped partially in Max's embrace. Sure, his arm is mostly asleep, but he doesn't move beyond a slight touch of his lips to his lover's forehead. There's nothing more beautiful -- more perfect than this, right here. Max wishes he could hold this moment in a bottle and keep it forever.

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