Chapter 1: What Could Have Been

He brushed a soft kiss over his lips, the taste of the rain still strong in his mouth. His damp hair dripped onto the other man's face. It had been raining outside for a few hours, and from everything they could see, it could be for a while. Cupping the second man's jaw, he kissed him again, this time more deeply. His eyes were slitted, and a drop of water ran slowly down his face, almost as if it were a tear. Slowly breaking the kiss, the first man ran his thumb smoothly over Jeff's cheek, a soft smile curving his lips. He crouched down, his right hand sliding over Jeff's body and resting lightly on his hip.

Jeff smiled a little and tilted his head, bringing his right hand to meet the other man's left on his face. He took the first hand and brought it to his lips with a gentle kiss, and then stroked his thumb over the back of the wrist. 'Charlie, ' he whispered, 'what're you doing here? What about-'

Charlie took his hand from Jeff's and placed a single finger over the second man's lips. 'Shh, ' he said quietly. 'Don't worry about that. That's not important.'

Jeff raised an eyebrow, confused, but then nodded and complied with a soft smile. He watched Charlie's eyes for a moment, a sparkle of anticipation there before reaching up with his right hand and running it over the top of the first man's head, the water from the rain spiking his hair slightly as Jeff moved his hand backward. He lay his hand on Charlie's shoulder and squeezed softly, leaving a wet handprint on Charlie's jacket. 'Glad you're here, ' he siad simply, his voice just above a hoarse whisper.

Charlie grinned lightly, then placed his hand under Jeff's chin, holding it with the first two fingers and thumb as he leaned down and pressed his lips to the Carolinian's. 'I thought I would surprise you, ' he said.

With a soft chuckle, Jeff quirked an eyebrow briefly. 'Well, Mr. Haas, I can certainly say that this is one hell of a surprise.' He grinned softly, tilting his head slightly. 'But not one that I mind, of course.'

Jeff's words were met with a devious smirk. Charlie leaned back a little and slipped out of his jacket, a tan t-shirt beneath. He stood, kicking his shoes off and crawled to the bed next to Jeff, slipping his hand under Hardy's shirt, his hand resting against the warm skin of his side. He lay, pressing his forehead against Jeff's, bringing his body close and whispering his words. 'Go back to sleep.'

He simply chuckled with a hint of a grin playing his expression, then nodding, nestling himself against Charlie, reaching his right hand back and taking Charlie's in his own, lacing their fingers together. He sighed softly and closed his eyes, wrapping his other arm around Charlie's waist and holding him against himself.

Charlie smiled softly and closed his eyes himself, pleased, and let himself be taken by Jeff's presence. In a few moments, both slept soundly, still wrapped in each other.