Title: With You

Author: Elandae

Pairing: Craig/Karl

Rating: NC-17

Disclaimer: Don’t know, make no profit from this.

Feedback: Always welcome!

Author’s Notes: Nothing but sap, interrupted with brief periods of smut. Then more sap, then some of the two mixed. You get the idea.

Dedication: For Daea, who really is the most adorable person!

            The sun was just rising in the sky, glazing the dark waters of the lake with a rosy wash when Karl woke Craig with a soft kiss on the lips.

“Good morning,” he whispered as Craig stretched lazily, his body loose and warm from sleep.

“G’morning,” Craig replied sleepily, smiling up at Karl who had seated himself next to Craig on the bed. “You’re up early,” he added, feeling familiar fingers smoothing his hair, rumpled from sleep, back from his forehead.

“I am,” Karl replied with a grin, much too perky for this early in the morning Craig thought with a wry grin. “I even have breakfast ready.”

“You do?”

“I do, so get out of bed, you’re wasting this beautiful morning.”

 

“You sound like my mother.”

Karl gave him a look at that but couldn’t help smiling when faced with those blue eyes that sparkled merrily at him. It was too early in the morning to be able to resist those eyes. Not that time of day ever seemed to play a role in that.

“You know there’ll come a day when those eyes won’t be able to get you your way,” Karl warned, getting to his feet so Craig could slide out of the bed.

With a soft laugh, Craig pulled his lover close to him, the warmth of his body melting any minuscule amount of resistance Karl could summon against those blue eyes. 

“Aww, don’t be like that,” he said, nuzzling Karl’s neck, the stubble on his jaw tickling sensitive skin.

“Come on, there’s coffee ready too.”

“Well, why didn’t you say so before?”

Karl grinned and led Craig down the hall to the kitchen, a compact but sunny room filled with the rich aroma of brewing coffee and French toast.

“Mmm, you made French toast!”

“Course I did, it’s your favorite. Now go and sit down,” Karl instructed, gesturing to the table on the patio, visible through the sliding patio door of the cabin. “I’ll bring you your breakfast….and the coffee,” he added when Craig opened his mouth to speak.

“Oh, you’re too good to me,” Craig said with a playful smile making Karl roll his eyes as he headed across the kitchen floor in his bare feet, slipping easily out onto the deck and settling himself in one of the chairs.

            Karl hummed softly to himself, a tuneless little ditty as he went about putting the finishing touches on breakfast. He poured a cup of black coffee, mixing in the amount of cream and sugar that Craig liked, before pushing the patio door open farther with his hip.

            He set the plate down in front of Craig, smiling as he headed back into the kitchen to grab the other plate, and dropping down into the seat next to Craig.

“Crispy,” Craig said with a smile, raising one eyebrow. He eyed Karl before hesitantly taking a bite. “Mmm, it’s good!”

“You don’t have to sound so surprised,” Karl said with a mock injured air. Craig took his jaw firmly in one hand, planting a firm kiss on Karl’s lips, a kiss that tasted lightly of maple syrup.

“I do though. Remember last time?”

“I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Karl replied loftily, busying himself with his own plate as Craig’s laughter rang out, the only sound other than the soft musical chirping of the birds calling back and forth across the water. Karl preferred the sound of Craig’s laughter by far.

“Really? I distinctly remember the smoke alarm going off….ring a bell there?”

            Karl shoved a large chunk of French toast into his mouth, mumbling something through it that Craig couldn’t quite understand.

“What was that?” Craig asked, cupping a hand around his ear as he leaned closer to Karl.

“I said there’satinychancethatmaybeyou’reright,” Karl said into his coffee cup.

            Craig leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smile spreading across his face as he popped another bite of French toast into his mouth.

*   *   *

            The air was still except for the occasional birdcall. Craig lay stretched out in the hammock that was set up on the porch, the combined weight of his and Karl’s bodies making it sag farther then could good for it, but neither man paid any notice to that. The smell of pine resin floated on the air, blending with the soft smell of Karl’s skin. Craig loved that smell.

            Karl shifted next to him, no easy task in the confined space and ended up with his elbow in Craig’s side.

“Ow, don’t move any more, Karl.”

“But I was uncomfortable.”

“Well now I am,” Craig replied with a grin as he wiggled about trying to get into a position that didn’t include any elbows poking anywhere on his body.

“So basically you’re saying I should sacrifice my own comfort for yours.”

“Yeah, that’s pretty much it,” Craig said with a nod, looking over at Karl with an innocent expression.

            Karl grinned at him flashing his dimples, a look in his eyes that Craig had long since learned not to trust.

“Karl, don’t look at me like that. I don’t even want to know what you’re-“

Before Craig could finish speaking, Karl quickly rolled to the side, right out of the hammock and onto the ground, sending Craig tumbling after him. Karl scrambled quickly to his feet, unable to hold back his laughter at the sight of Craig sprawling in a heap on the wooden surface of the deck

Craig looked up at him, the look of surprise in those blue eyes doing little more than making Karl laugh even harder, his body shaking with mirth. His eyes widened as the look in those blue eyes changed, suddenly racing off the deck with Craig hot on his heels.

            Karl may have had the advantage, having gotten both a head start and having longer legs, but Craig wanted it more and followed hot on Karl’s heels as they tore across the deck. Down the steps and across the loose sand of the beach, the pace slowing as the fine grains slipped beneath bare feet. Karl raced onto the dock his feet pounding across the wooden boards, making it sway beneath him.

            His shirt was pulled quickly over his head, tossing it heedlessly over his shoulder, almost hitting Craig right in the face with it. He didn’t stop when he got to the end of the dock, but dove right off the edge, his body cutting cleanly through the chill water. He barely even heard Craig following, the sound muted by the water surrounding him.  

            He kicked out, feeling the pull of muscles as he pushed himself forward in the water, breaking the surface of the water as he finally gave in to the insistent burning in his chest. He breathed deep, the air rushing into his lungs as he gulped for breath. He tread water, glancing around warily for Craig. He ducked down in the water, wetting his hair so that it didn't fall right into his eyes.  Still no Craig. His brow furrowed as he looked for any sign of bubbles, but saw nothing. Craig was a good swimmer, but this was just weird. He kicked harder, pushing his body farther out of the water, trying to see farther, but without his glasses, it was no use.

            Something cold and slimy trickled across Karl’s shoulder and with a yelp of surprise he spun around in the water, turning to face a broad grin and two very mischievous looking blue eyes. Craig looked steadily back at him, water beaded on his eyelashes, flicking his wrist and tossing away the seaweed he had in his hand.

“You scream like a girl, you know.”

“Do not.”

“Oh, but you do,” Craig replied, the amusement evident in his tone.

“It was very manly yell.”

Craig snorted, “Over seaweed…..”

“Hey, don’t forget I was there that time you freaked out at the seaweed. I distinctly remember you screaming like a six year old girl.”

“I thought it was a snake!” Craig protested.

“Oh, but you don’t deny it.”

“I…,” Craig started, but knowing there was nothing he could say to convince Karl, he simply reached out and pulled the other man to him, feeling wet skin, slick beneath his fingers as his lips pressed softly against Karl’s. He pulled back, tasting the lake water on his lips, and while Karl was distracted he called out, “race you to the platform.”

            He swam off, knowing that Karl had forgotten about the seaweed incident. Okay, so maybe he had sounded like girl, but still….it really had felt like snake he remembered with a shudder, speeding up his strokes as he heard Karl approaching behind him as they moved closer and closer towards the wooden platform that floated farther out on the lake.

            Craig reached it first, only two strokes ahead of Karl. He pulled himself over the side, dropping onto the bleached wood with a sigh. Karl dropped down next to him.

“Cheater,” he whispered, poking Craig in the side.

“It’s called playing to the advantage,” Craig said with a knowledgeable nod.

“Is it now?” Karl asked rolling over onto his stomach, his arm draped carelessly across Craig’s stomach as he studied his lover’s face.

The sure smile on Craig’s face faded as he looked up into hazel eyes, his hand reaching up the curve around the line of Karl’s neck, fingertips tracing lazy circles in skin suddenly covered in goosebumps.

Karl lowered his head, feeling the warmth of Craig’s mouth against his own. Firm lips pressing together, slipping open, tongues tracing over the slippery surface of teeth. He felt his pulse trip when Craig sucked softly on his bottom lip. He moved, shifting so that more of his body was aligned with Craig’s, fingers tangling in dark strands, feeling the icy droplets of lake water beaded there, slipping over his hand, warming against his skin.

*   *   * 

            The heat of the sun made every inch of exposed flesh tingle pleasantly, a soothing heat that made Craig sleepy. His head rested on his arm set between his skull and the hard surface of the platform. Shielding his eyes with one hand, Craig peered over at Karl lying next to him. He looked to be asleep, judging by the slow steady rise and fall of his chest. Craig shifted to his side, ignoring the discomfort of soft flesh against hard wood as he studied Karl.

            The brilliant sunlight gleamed off tanned skin, caught glowing highlights in his dark hair. Craig’s eyes drifted back to Karl’s chest, watching the rhythmic rise and fall as he breathed, the way he could just make out the softly curving lines of Karl’s ribcage when he inhaled. He unconsciously timed his breath with Karl’s so that both of their chests rose and fell in unison.

            Karl’s shorts were still damp from the last dip into the lake, and Craig’s attention drifted slowly downward, one eyebrow arching as he noticed the way the material formed to the contour of Karl’s hip. His mind drifted, imagining warming cool skin with the heat of his mouth, tasting Karl’s skin and the faint taste of lake water that would linger on his body.

“I’m not a piece of meat, y’know,” Karl said, without even opening an eye.

“Mmm, what?”

Karl finally opened his eyes long enough to cast an exasperated look at Craig, who simply smiled sweetly back at him. “I was just lookin’….”

Karl heaved a deep sigh, “Ahh, good looks are such a burden,” he said with a melodramatic pout. “No one ever loves me for my mind….”

Craig snorted, “Can ya blame them though?” he asked with a grin, and was rewarded with an elbow to the ribs. 

“Ow,” he said, rubbing at his ribs even though Karl hadn’t hit him hard enough for it to really hurt.

“Nervous twitch.”

“Uh-huh.”

“You don’t believe me?”

“And what exactly do you have to be nervous about?”

“I’m sensitive about these things, y’know.”

Craig threw his head back and roared with laughter at that, the sound echoing across the water. “You? Sensitive?”

“What? I am!”

“That time you almost cried ‘cause the game was canceled doesn’t count.”

“Why not?”

“It just doesn’t.”

“Well, still. I happen to be very in touch with my feminine side.”

“Actually touching women doesn’t count either.”

“Well it should, it’s technically in touch is it not?”

“Well, yeah,,,but it still doesn’t count. Come on, if you’re so sensitive, give me some examples here.”

Karl brow furrowed as he concentrated on this.

“I’ve got all day, Karl. Just take your time here…..”

“Well there was that one time…”

“Acting doesn’t count.”

“Oh. Shit.”

            Laughing softly, Craig sat up, his head swimming for a moment from the sudden change in position.

“’S okay if you’re not sensitive….I still love you,” he said, turning to smile at Karl who squinted back up at him silhouetted before the sun.

Karl sniffed, “Yeah, but just because I’m pretty.”

“True.”

“Eh, I’ll take what I can get.”

Craig smiled as he finally got to his feet, reaching back down to Karl who still lay sprawled across the platform.

“Come on, let’s go back in…..I’m getting really hot.”

“Getting? You’re already there….oh you mean from the sun, eh?” Karl asked, his expression the picture of innocence.

“Come on…get up.”

“I’m comfortable here.”

“Fine, I’ll be back,” Craig said, stepping to the edge and making the platform list to the side. Karl put out a hand to keep himself from rolling towards the edge as Craig dove off, the see sawing motion sending small ripples through the water. Karl shaded his eyes, watching for a few moments as Craig swam, clean strokes cutting through the waters before he lay back down. Already drowsy from the heat he drifted off quickly, a small smile on his lips.

            Craig, finally cool, headed slowly back towards the platform eyeing the still figure on it with a smile. He was careful not to splash, making as little noise as possible. He studied Karl for several moments, sure that he was really sleeping this time.

            Knowing he really shouldn’t, but still unable to resist, Craig swept his arm back, sending a sheet of water cresting over the edge of the wooden deck and onto Karl’s sun heated body. Karl awoke with a start, sitting straight up with his wet hair hanging limply in his eyes.

“Parker, you better be praying that that was a freak tidal wave,” he spluttered, pushing dark strands off his face.

“You looked pretty hot to me,” Craig said with a small nod, spitting out a mouthful of lake water. “Consider that payback for the hammock,” he added with a grin.

“Fine…we’re even….for now.”

“Aw, I thought this weekend was supposed to be all about the loving.”

“It is…but do that again and you’ll have some fun things to explain to makeup on Monday morning,” Karl said, wiggling his eyebrows.

“Really?” Craig asked, the one word at once intrigued and teasing.

Karl got to his feet, shaking his head and sending droplets of water flying through the air and catching the sunlight, soft explosions of light flying against the summer sky.

“You bet,” he said, diving into the water and breaking the surface near Craig.

“Shit that’s cold.”

“Want me to warm you up?”

Karl laughed, “Something better done where we don’t have to worry about drowning.”

“Good idea…..and here you say I don’t appreciate your mind!” Craig said, ducking the wave of water that was suddenly heading towards him.

*   *   *

            The shower was located outside on the deck of the cabin. Two pairs of wet shorts lay on the deck, the water from the lake pooling around them, darkening the sun bleached wood. Two trails of footprints led across the deck, the faint remains of moisture quickly disappearing in the heat of the day.

            The water had started out hot, steam rising gently from the shower though no one noticed that. Karl barely even noticed the steady streams of water that slid beat down on his shoulders, sliding in graceful rivulets down his bare chest, the slick contours pressed firmly against Craig. The soft sound he made as Craig’s tongue slipped along his was swallowed up by the steady sound of water. His hands slipped over the wet contours of Craig’s back, fingertips tracing the gentle dip along Craig’s spine as he pressed forward into Karl.

            Karl’s mouth was sliding along Craig’s jaw now. One arm wrapped securely around Craig’s waist as his head fell back, giving into the insistent heat of Karl’s mouth as it slid fluidly down his throat, suckling softly on sensitive skin. He realized that Karl had been wrong. They may not have been in the lake but surely he was drowning. He couldn’t seem to draw a full breath, his chest, hell his whole body was tight, muscles tensing at the feel of Karl’s hands, his mouth against his body.

            Craig hips pressed forward into Karl, feeling the hard sure pressure of his erection pressing into tender skin. He shifted slightly, needing the slight friction of slick skin against overheated flesh. He could feel the rumble in Karl’s chest as he moaned, desperate for more contact. Understanding the wordless request, Craig shifted, the sudden cool of the shower wall against his chest after the heat of Karl’s skin making him hiss between his teeth, his body instinctively pressing back into Karl. 

            He could feel the soft caress of Karl’s mouth against the nape of his neck as lukewarm water continued to slide over them. Slicked up fingers were pressing into him now, first one, a slow, sliding rhythm that had his head falling back onto Karl’s shoulder, too breathless to be able to say anything other than “more.”

            Karl obliged, another finger pressing gently inside him, then one more, ghosting over nerve ends and making Craig’s back arch. The shock of the cold wall against hot skin mixed with the fiery jolts pulling a jagged groan from deep in Craig’s throat.

Karl’s mouth was at his ear whispering “You’re so beautiful,” each word dropping delicately against downy skin, barely discernible over the sound of Craig’s racing pulse.

            Karl pulled his fingers out, needing Craig so much it was a physical ache. A raw throbbing need, heat radiating insistently from his groin, spreading slowly throughout his entire body. He pressed the head of his cock against Craig, the heat of his body making Karl’s breath catch. With one long slow stroke he slid all the way into Craig. He could taste the light metallic tang of blood on his tongue and realized that his bottom lip had found its way between his teeth. Pulling out slowly, almost to the very head before he thrust fully back into Craig, his breath hot against the wet skin of Craig’s shoulder.

            The tight heat surrounding his cock was overwhelming, long sure strokes quickly growing faster, needier. His hand slid around Craig’s waist, wrapping around hot eager flesh, stroking rapidly as he steadied himself on the wall with his other hand. His strokes becoming shorter and shorter, his pulse racing faster and faster.

            He could feel the muscles in Craig’s body tense, his low moan punctuating the air. The intensity of the sound made Karl lose the last ounce of control he had, thrusting forward into Craig. He was close, thrusting deep once, twice more before his teeth sank into the skin of Craig’s shoulder muffling his hoarse cry as he came, his body sagging against his lover’s as the aftershocks rushed through his body.

            The water ran cool now, quickly clearing both men’s heads. Karl reached out, shutting the water off. With a sheepish grin, Karl pressed a soft kiss to the red mark on Craig’s shoulder.

“Sorry about that.”

Craig grinned back at him, “why?”

Karl pulled him closer, kissing Craig softly on the mouth until he squeaked.

“’S cold,” Craig explained gesturing over his shoulder to the wall of the shower making Karl laugh. He kissed Craig again softly on the lips.

“I love you.”

Craig grinned and wiggled his eyebrows. “But only cause I’m pretty, right?”

And he pulled Karl closer once more.

The End.

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