Title: Alone
By: nancy
Pairing: Tucker/Reed
Fandom: Star Trek Enterprise
Rating: NC-17
Summary: After encountering their descendents in the Expanse, Malcolm's knowledge of his future brings his feelings to Trip's attention.***
Trip looked around the mess and found Hoshi and Travis having breakfast together. The room was mostly put back together and people looked like they were also returning to normal. It was definitely a strange and somewhat disturbing thing to meet up with older selves. Or offspring that would now, most likely, never be born. He walked over to them and asked, "Either of you seen Malcolm?"
"Not recently, Sir," Travis answered.
Hoshi frowned. "Not since yesterday, come to think about it."
Trip's frown echoed hers and he said, "I can't find him and he's not answering me."
"Should we tell the Captain?" Travis asked.
"Tell me what?"
They all looked behind Trip to find Jonathan walking towards them.
"I can't find Malcolm," Trip answered, worried. "No one's seen him since yesterday."
Offering a reassuring smile, Jonathan pointed out, "It's only 0600, Trip, relax. He's probably getting ready for the day. You know he doesn't show up here until 0700 at the earliest unless there's an emergency. Which there isn't anymore."
But it didn't reassure him as much as it should have, the feeling that something being wrong persisting inside Trip. Still troubled, he conceded, "I suppose. I'm going to try his quarters again. I'll see y'all later."
There were goodbyes called out, but Trip hurried away only with a wave. He did hear Travis and Jon start talking and briefly wondered if he'd have to knock their heads together to get them over their shyness. Snorting in dry amusement at the thought, he headed for the lift.
* * * *
Malcolm was tempted to again ignore the pounding on his door, but he could hear the honest worry in Trip's voice this time as the other called his name. Sighing, he scrubbed his fingers through his hair and hauled himself out of bed where he'd spent the last fourteen hours. It was a foolish thing to do, considering that he had so much work to do, but he'd absolutely needed the space. He'd needed to be alone with his misery in order to at least attempt to control it.
As it was, he knew that Trip would know the second he saw Malcolm that something was wrong. He could only try and steer his friend away from the truth to some less damaging half-truth. Taking a breath at the door, Malcolm closed his eyes and composed himself. Opening them again, he turned on the light, allowed his eyes to adjust, then hit the door panel and it slid open.
Trip was surprised to see him, no doubt about that, and demanded angrily, "You've been here the whole time?"
"Pardon me if I didn't feel like answering the banging on my door once in forever," Malcolm snapped, turning back into the room. Best to go on the offensive right away. Keep Trip off-balance.
"It could have been an emergency," Trip replied, still angry.
Snorting, Malcolm flashed him a look that called him an idiot and replied, "If it had been an emergency, you would have said and the Captain would have followed up the summons with one of his own. Now what is so bloody important that you keep disturbing the sleep that I've been trying to get."
The anger faded to a hurt guilt and Trip said, "I'm sorry, Malcolm, I didn't...I was just worried when I couldn't find you."
"It's not as if there's anywhere I could go, Commander," Malcolm pointed out. "And I was uninjured in the last encounter. There was no reason for you to worry."
Trip sighed. "You're right. I'm sorry. I guess I messed up again. Look, I'll let the Captain know you're off-duty for the day so you can get some uninterrupted sleep. God knows you deserve it, Malcolm."
"Thank you," Malcolm said evenly, offering a small smile of gratitude. "Please turn off the lights when you leave."
There was a brief hesitation, then Trip nodded awkwardly and left the room, doing as requested. When the door hissed shut behind him, Malcolm did a slow collapse back onto his bed and curled up into a ball. Everything he ever wanted was so close and that was the torment of it. It was the oldest and most bitter joke of all...he loved someone, who loved someone else. The ache of it brought tears, but Malcolm refused to let them fall.
Instead, he closed his eyes and tried not to think.
* * * *
Outside in the hall, Trip didn't move. A severe frown creased his face as he mentally reviewed the entire conversation that he'd just had with Malcolm. His gut was screaming at him that there was something much worse than interrupted sleep going on. The security Chief's words had been too sharp, too designed to put him on the defense. Malcolm was nothing, if not the master of obfuscation, and could easily befuddle the entire situation, masking the real problem.
Deciding that he had to find out what was really going on, Trip took the sneaky approach this time. Ordinarily, he'd never violate Malcolm's privacy knowing how much the other man valued it, but there was more going on here and politeness was just going to have to be a casualty.
Trip walked to the door and overrode the security code, manually opening the door and pushing it open so as not to give that tell-tale noise. He closed it slowly behind him and looked around the dark room. He moved over to the bed where he figured Malcolm would be, and was disturbed to find his friend curled up in a ball, facing the wall. Everything about him screamed fragility and pain, and for a few seconds, Trip was held motionless by the sight.
Then, unexpectedly, Malcolm somehow twisted and leaped from the bed, tackling Trip to the ground. He grunted in pain when his head connected with the floor and stared up at Malcolm as the other's hands gripped his throat.
Shocked, Malcolm didn't move at first, straddled over Trip with his hands on, but not tight around, the engineer's throat. Then he slid sideways off and crawled a few feet away, rasping, "Damn you, Trip! What the bloody hell are you thinking, to sneak in here like that!?"
Trip forgot, a lot of the time, that there were many excellent reasons that Malcolm was Security Chief of Enterprise. He never liked to think of his friend dishing out violence, Malcolm's innately gentle nature seeming to contradict his chosen profession, but it was a fact that Malcolm did so very well. Swallowing against the instinctive fear that lingered, Trip pushed up into a sitting position and answered, "I was worried."
Eyes rolling in exasperation, Malcolm exclaimed, "I was simply trying to sleep, Trip! What part of that don't you understand?"
Shaking off the remains of his shock, Trip countered stubbornly, "There's something wrong and you don't want me to know what it is. It's something big, I know it. Malcolm, it's just me, I'm your friend! Why won't you talk to me about this, whatever it is?"
In the darkness, it was impossible to read any expression on Malcolm's face as he replied, "If you must know, was a little...distraught...to discover that I spent the rest of my life alone. Not surprised, mind you, just..."
"Distraught," Trip supplied.
"Exactly."
Frowning, Trip said, "That's not going to happen now. We're heading back to the Federation once we kick the Xindi's collective reptilian and insect asses, and there'll be plenty of women who'll want to spend their lives with you."
A bitter smile crossed Malcolm's face as he replied, "I don't want to spend my life with any of them, Trip. I know exactly who I want to spend my life with and that person is simply...unavailable. That's why I wasn't surprised to find out that I'd wound up alone."
Trip sighed heavily, knowing that he wasn't prepared for this conversation. He'd been afraid that Malcolm held some feelings for T'Pol, but the other man had insisted that he didn't. He'd been nothing but supportive in Trip's quest to win over T'Pol, even as the engineer had figured that he'd never actually win the Vulcan over. He hadn't realized that Malcolm's feelings were strong enough to prevent him from seeking a life mate with someone else.
He, on the other hand, liked and respected T'Pol, and loved having sex with her, it had been incredible without a doubt, but there were no heartfelt feelings between them. Coming to the only conclusion he possibly could, Trip said gently, "I'll step back, Malcolm. She's all yours, buddy."
At that, confusion entered Malcolm's face. "What are you talking about?"
"T'Pol. I didn't realize that you still liked her so much," Trip explained. "I won't stand in the way, I promise. I like her, but, you know, I don't love her. We're friends who just had a night together. I've pretty much been going after her to soothe my pride after her rejection."
Malcolm's lips twitched and then he grinned outright, shaking his head as he stood and offered a hand down to Trip. Taking it, Trip got to his feet and echoed the grin, even though he didn't know where it was coming from. It was such a relief that the bitter expression had disappeared that he almost didn't want to question it.
"You are without a doubt the most irritating and incredibly selfless man that I've ever met, Commander," Malcolm observed.
Arching an eyebrow at him, Trip replied wryly, "You're welcome."
Malcolm chuckled softly and said, "I do thank you, but the gesture, as heartwarming as it is, is unnecessary on your part. It's not T'Pol with whom I'm in love."
"But if it's not her..."
"No, please, Commander. No more speculation and no more offers of assistance," Malcolm interrupted firmly. His smile softened the words as he continued, "I appreciate it, Trip, honest, but you don't need to worry about me. I'll be fine."
Especially if I don't try to help, Trip finished to himself, dry. You handled that so well, Tucker.
"In any case, I do believe that sleep has been well and truly chased away, so if you'll hang on while I change, we can get some breakfast," Malcolm suggested.
Knowing the only thing he could do, at least for the time being, was nod and agree, Trip did just that. "Sounds great."
For the time being.
* * * *
"What has been eating you?"
Jumping in surprise at Jon's amused question, Trip flashed his other best friend a glare and replied, "None of your business."
"Ah. Heart troubles."
"Damnit, Jon, stop sounding so smug," Trip snapped.
Looking surprised at the response, which was so out of proportion, Jonathan replied, "I'm sorry, Trip. Is there anything I can do?"
"What do you do when someone you know is in love with someone, but that second someone is in love with someone else?"
Wincing, Jon answered bluntly, "Stay out of the way. Trip, whoever you're talking about, there's nothing you can do. The heart isn't something to interfere with."
Trip sighed and slouched down further into the mess seat. "I can't just stay out of it."
"Why not?"
Here, Trip hesitated. He didn't want to betray Malcolm's confidence, but there was no doubt that he needed help with this. Now that he'd been paying attention, Trip had noticed the perpetual tightness to Malcolm's expression and knew it had nothing to do with Jon's foul temper. Or, not all of it, anyhow.
"Is it you?" Jon questioned softly. "Are things not working out with T'Pol?"
Startled, Trip shook his head. "No, no it's not me. And no, things aren't working out with T'Pol, but I'll live."
Jon half-smiled at his dry tone and replied, "I'm glad to hear it. That you'll live, not that things aren't working out, I mean."
"I knew what you meant," Trip assured him.
They sat in silence for a few minutes, and Jon's eyes roamed over the crewmembers who wandered through the mess. Trip's gaze followed his, knowing exactly what his friend was thinking. Most were talking and laughing, despite the insane situation they were all in. Anyone of them could be dead by the end of the day and Trip knew it. That was why he didn't understand why Malcolm was so reluctant to go after the person he really loved.
Finally, Jon said, "If you're going to insist on getting involved, then make sure you have your facts straight. Know all the players and how they feel, about whom, before you try anything. And Trip, I really advise you just stay out of it."
Trip offered him a twist of the lips that could almost be called a smile. "So noted, Sir."
* * * *
Malcolm had the distinct feeling that someone was watching him, but whenever he looked around, no one's eyes were on him. He was starting to think that paranoia was more than just a psychosis, but a survival trait, when he finally caught Trip looking at him intently a couple of days later. Groaning to himself as the engineer's eyes quickly flickered away, Malcolm suddenly realized that Trip hadn't dropped the matter at all, he'd just gone underground with it.
A subtle Trip could be a very scary thing.
Concentrating on the task at hand, Malcolm returned to his area scans for hostiles and ignored the weighted gaze that he could feel. Once he was done with this, he could escape to the gym and have a go at Major Hayes. They'd gotten to be pretty decent friends, though the professional antagonism was still there. Beating each other into a pulp was both a privilege and a stress release valve. It didn't matter so much who won, just as long as they were both exhausted and bloody at the end of it.
Today, however, Major Hayes was caught up in some internal exercise with the MACO's and unavailable for sparring. Sighing in disappointment, Malcolm turned to leave when he found T'Pol entering.
"Have you completed your workout, Lt. Reed?" she questioned.
Shaking his head, Malcolm replied, "Major Hayes is unavailable."
"I would be happy to stand in for him."
Malcolm's gaze narrowed and he asked, "Did Commander Tucker put you up to this?"
Arching an eyebrow at him, she answered, "He did not. If you prefer not to spar, I can use the weights."
"No, I'm sorry, I just...forget it. I'd be honored to spar with you," Malcolm assured her.
It was a hard, fast, and almost brutal match. He and T'Pol were fairly evenly matched, despite her superior Vulcan strength. He had cunning where she had logic, and he had instinct where she had none. They fought hard and met blow for blow, neither shirking or giving any quarter. It was almost as good as fighting with Hayes. When they came to a natural conclusion almost forty minutes later, both were breathing heavily and sweating. A round of solitary applause startled Malcolm and he looked over to find Trip watching him avidly.
Flushing at the smirk on Trip's face, Malcolm replied crossly, "Sod off, Commander."
Trip laughed, completely not offended, and said, "Nice to see that a girl can't completely kick your ass, Malcolm."
"Lt. Reed was a most satisfying sparring partner," T'Pol informed him as Trip approached, holding out their towels.
"Oh, I bet he was."
Something in Trip's voice caused Malcolm to swallow nervously. It was the tone that said Trip had just figured something out and was about to wreak havoc in exchange for being kept in the dark. "Ah, I'm just going to shower. Thank you for the match, T'Pol."
Ducking into the locker rooms proved a short respite, though, because Trip was still waiting for him when he got out.
"So tell me something," Trip greeted.
Malcolm looked around the empty gym for witnesses and found none. Wary, he asked, "What?"
"How is it that you've been in love with me for the last who knows how long and I never even noticed?"
"Really, Commander, I don't know where you..."
"Cut the crap, Malcolm and answer the fucking question."
He was sure that the angry tone had more to do with Malcolm's betrayal by omission, than the actual feelings he had for Trip. Sighing, Malcolm said, "Because you're a blind bugger who can't see what's right in front of him."
"That's what I thought," Trip agreed, grim. "And since you knew that, you want to tell me why you didn't just open my eyes for me?"
"Because first you were chasing after the Captain, and then T'Pol! When the bloody hell was I supposed to say, ‘oh by the way, I love you more than life?'" Malcolm snapped.
Unable to deny either charge, Trip just sighed and said, "You always settle, Malcolm. Why don't you ever go for what you really want?"
"Because I never get it," Malcolm stated evenly, stifling the emotions struggling to get out. "From my father on down the line to you, I never get what I want, so it's simply easier not to try. I love my job, Trip, and I love Enterprise. It would have been enough for me, if you hadn't decided to stick your nose into this."
Closing the distance between them, Trip whispered, "Why did you think you couldn't have me?"
Startled, Malcolm couldn't form a response as Trip took his hand and laced their fingers together. The other man's eyes were wide and serious and there was something in them that Malcolm hadn't before seen. Trip's face showed just about everything, even more than usual. Shaking his head, knowing that this couldn't really be happening, Malcolm took his hand back and stepped out of reach. "No, Trip, don't do this. Don't feel sorry for me. I can handle being alone as long as your friendship doesn't change."
A wry smile surfaced and Trip answered, "Too late, Malcolm, it's already changed."
Malcolm tried to leave, but Trip blocked his way. He tried again, and was blocked again. Frustrated, he exclaimed, "Damn it, Trip, get out of the way!"
"No. I'm not going to let you run away this time. Forget it, Malcolm," Trip stated, stubborn. "You been running for way too long and now it's time to step up. I love you. Better than that, I like you, Malcolm. I like your weird sense of humor, I like the way your forehead crinkles when you're puzzled about somethin,' I like how you always know the answer to everything, and I like how you like me right back. I am not letting you get away from me because you're afraid to change things."
His stomach felt like it was about to lose what little was left in it and panic ran up and down his spine as the words really sank in. Malcolm shook his head again and said, "You don't feel that way, you just feel sor...umph!"
Trip had shoved him against the wall, which he hadn't realized was so close, and sealed their mouths together. The other man's natural enthusiasm was tinged with need and desperation and Trip's mouth took his in a long, deep kiss. When Malcolm opened his mouth to catch a breath, Trip's tongue slid inside and they both moaned at the intimate contact. Malcolm's hands finally settled on the other's waist his head lolled back against the wall, opening to his would-be lover.
Taking the opportunity, Trip mapped out Malcolm's mouth, gently running his hands up and down Malcolm's arms. Malcolm could feel the other man's need like a physical thing, and not just in the form of the erection that pressed into his hip. Gasping, he pulled away from the kiss, dazed and confused and needy as he exclaimed in a low, pained voice, "Please don't do this and then leave me. I can take anything but that."
Trip nuzzled against his ear and whispered, "Ain't never going to leave you, Malcolm, never. I'm gonna love you and I'm gonna do it until you can't even move, or think for that matter. I'm gonna make sure you feel it, here, that I really do love you."
Putting his hand over Trip's, which now rested over Malcolm's heart, Malcolm whispered back, "That could take a long time."
The closest that he could get to admitting how insecure he really was. Showing emotions was next to impossible for him, unlike Trip, and it was more than likely that he'd do something to test Trip's declarations and supposed devotion and love.
Smiling, Trip stepped back, lacing their fingers together again as he said, "I'm hopin' it'll take the rest of our lives."
Malcolm ducked his head, flushing, and muttered, "We'll see."
Trip just laughed and tugged him towards the door.
* * * *
Trip had watched Malcolm closely over the last couple of days, trying to figure out who the hell his friend was in love with. He'd been discreet about it, never getting caught until just that morning on the bridge. The encounters with Hoshi and Travis, the words exchanged with the Captain and Phlox, and a chess game with T'Pol. He'd never seen a flicker of repressed emotion, no sign that Malcolm felt anything for any of them except friendship and loyalty and over-protectiveness.
It hadn't been until Malcolm had caught him watching on the bridge, however, that the knowledge had slammed through him. The Englishman's face had flushed and he'd looked quickly away. Malcolm had been more than just disconcerted by the discovery of Trip watching him, he'd been disturbed and flustered. It had taken a good five minutes for the red hue to leave the downcast features and when Malcolm had gone looking for a steam valve, Trip had followed.
His heart had been beating heavy in his chest and his head had pounded at the knowledge that it was him that Malcolm loved. How long? he'd demanded silently of himself. Why? And why hadn't Malcolm said anything?
But Trip had known why Malcolm hadn't said anything, even before the thought was completely finished. Despite his confidence in his skills and abilities to protect the crew, Malcolm was one of the most fragile men Trip had ever met when it came to his own self-worth. There had been more times than Trip could count that he'd cursed his friend's father for instilling such uncertainty and insecurity.
Now, though...now Trip could start to really work on that. There were things that lovers would accept and take to heart, that friends wouldn't; compliments and assurances, the shoring up of confidence, and words of support. He should've been surprised by the thought of how easy it was to realize his love for his friend, but really, they'd been joined at the hip for so long that he wasn't.
A day without Malcolm, was like a day without the other half of himself.
Looking down at the bare, slender body in his bed, Trip ran his hands over the smooth skin and smiled, meeting Malcolm's uncertain gaze. They were both naked, but unlike Malcolm, Trip had no qualms about his appearance. Not that the other man had any basis whatsoever for such insecurity.
"You're perfect," Trip said, leaning down to kiss the nearly hairless chest. "Steel under warm flesh, so strong, Malcolm, so perfect."
Goosebumps erupted over the skin Trip licked and Malcolm gasped, shifting restlessly under him. Trip grinned against the abs and nuzzled the belly-button. "Cute as a button, Malcolm."
"God, Trip, that was so bad," Malcolm groaned.
Laughing, Trip looked up, more than pleased to find the glint of humor in the other man's eyes. "Now there's the man I love."
Eyes rolling a bit, Malcolm was about to offer a retort, Trip was sure, but it turned into a choked off cry when Trip sucked on the head of his cock. Malcolm sagged back onto the bed as Trip proceeded to devour the stiff shaft. It was just as slender and long as Malcolm, very properly proportioned. Trip almost grinned around the mouthful at the thought. Instead, he pulled off and licked up and down the cock, provoking a moan from his lover.
Malcolm's legs splayed apart further, one hooking over Trip's back, and he gasped, "Please! Trip, I need you!"
"Easy, Malcolm, you've got me," Trip promised, rubbing his hand over the abs quivering with strain. "I'm not goin' anywhere. I'm just taking my time with you, is all."
"Don't. I need you too bad."
The words were said calmly, but Trip could see the urgency in Malcolm's wide eyes and so nodded. He moved up and kissed him, taking his mouth slow and deep and thrilling to the way Malcolm just opened up to him with a moan. He could get lost just in kissing Malcolm, but there were other things on the agenda.
Breaking off the kiss, Trip reached over for the lube and coated his fingers, carefully probing inside his lover. Malcolm's breath hitched, but there was only pleasure on his face so Trip kept going in and out, deeper and deeper. Malcolm arched up suddenly, his mouth open in a silent cry, and, with a wicked grin, Trip made a mental note of what angle to use. Aloud, he encouraged, "That's it, Malcolm, open up for me, lover, take me in. Gonna be inside you soon, you're gonna feel me all the way."
Malcolm shuddered and ordered hoarsely, "Now, damn it!"
Grinning at the order, Trip replied, "You got it."
Slicking his cock, Trip leaned over Malcolm, lining up to the small hole, and pushed carefully inside. Malcolm groaned, but it was a wanton sound, not a pained one, and Trip's cock twitched with eagerness. Panting, keeping himself restrained, Trip was finally buried all the way in, staring down at the other man with all the love he felt inside.
Malcolm's eyes were steady on his, searching, and then a shy smile surfaced and he whispered, "You really do love me, don't you?"
"That's what I've been saying," Trip teased lightly.
"Now's not the time for I told you oh! Dear Lord!"
Trip grinned fiercely as Malcolm's words stopped, his hands clutching at Trip's shoulders as he started moving in and out of his lover. He thrust in, hard but controlled, loosening the incredibly tight hole with each movement. It was all he could do not to just ride the willing body beneath him into oblivion, but he wasn't going to hurt Malcolm. There'd been far too much pain in the other man's past as it was.
"Oh my, Trip, oh yes," Malcolm groaned, his legs winding around Trip's waist.
Dipping down, Trip captured Malcolm's mouth and sucked on it, thrusting his tongue inside for another kind of intimate dance as breath and spit were exchanged with abandon. Urgency beat at him, throbbing through his body and his cock, and Trip moved faster, though not with any more force. Malcolm arched up into the contact, gasping into the kiss.
Trip dropped from hands to arms, putting most of their bodies in contact as he changed angles to rub over Malcolm's prostate as often as he could. Jerking in response, Malcolm's arms wrapped just as tightly around Trip as his legs, moaning continuously. Trip knew the end was coming for them both and no longer cared. He rocked in and out of Malcolm, barely withdrawing before plunging back inside the hole now slick with his pre-come and the lube.
Malcolm came silently, muffling his cries by mouthing a patch of Trip's shoulder. His arms tightened so much that a shoulder pressed against Trip's throat, momentarily choking him, but only until Malcolm collapsed, limp to the mattress and breathing hard with his eyes closed. The sight of his lover, sweaty and complete tipped Trip over the edge and he pushed one last time into the pliant body and came, deep inside Malcolm. Panting, Trip just rested on Malcolm, face pressed to the damp chest as he was unable to do anything else, devastated by the release.
Gentle fingers combed through his hair and warm lips touched his temple as Malcolm whispered, "Thank you."
A tired chuckle escaped and Trip managed to push himself onto his elbows again. "I think that's my line."
Smiling in return, Malcolm cupped his face and shook his head, wordless. It was easy enough for Trip to read the fear in those incredible eyes and he leaned into the caress, closing his eyes before settling back down on his lover. He let Malcolm pet him for a long time, the strong, hands running over his back and elegant fingers carding through his short hair, knowing that the contact was soothing to the other man.
Trip finally pulled out of Malcolm and whispered, "Don't go anywhere. I'll be right back."
A tired smile was given, but it wasn't much of one. Silently cursing that insecurity, Trip hurried to the bathroom and grabbed a washcloth, wetting and returning with it in less than thirty seconds. Malcolm seemed surprised and Trip grinned, teasing, "I know you won't feel comfortable enough to sleep without being clean, but I don't feel like a shower."
Eyeing him with something akin to suspicion, Malcolm allowed Trip to wipe him down, squirming when his cock and balls were treated to a teasing rub down. Tossing the cloth into the laundry bin, Trip urged Malcolm under the covers and then got in there himself. He tugged the other man into his arms so that Malcolm lay face down on him as the covers were tucked up around them.
With a deep sigh of contentment, Trip kissed Malcolm's forehead and said, "We'll talk about you moving in here tomorrow, since I'm too wiped to do it now. Or, hey, we can apply for bigger quarters since we'll be sharing! How much you wanna bet T'Pol throws a fit when she finds out? That'll be fun. She's been eyeing those bigger quarters for a while now, let it slip in one of our sessions."
Malcolm put a hand over his mouth and, amusement lacing his voice, ordered, "Hush and go to sleep. I'm tired."
Chuckling, Trip nodded and stole another quick kiss before closing his eyes. "You better still be here when I wake up, Malcolm."
"I will," Malcolm promised softly.
Trip yawned and muttered, "Good," tightening his arms around his new lover and drifting into sleep.
* * * *
Malcolm wasn't surprised to find himself used as a teddy bear, Trip's arms not faltering even once he fell asleep, but he was surprised to discover how much he liked it. A smile curved his lips as he sighed deeply, relaxing utterly into the embrace. The whole night had been so different and so incredible that it all felt like a dream, even though he knew it wasn't.
The fact that he wasn't alone anymore hadn't yet sunk in, but he knew it would eventually. Trip was nothing, if not stubborn. The thought caused his smile to grow and he hooked a leg possessively over his lover, closing his eyes. His backside was sore, but it was something he rather relished, reminding him that Trip really did love him and want him.
When sleep finally claimed him, the smile was still there.
***