by Sorcha
Editor: Anglofans
Disclaimers and Acknowledgements: I don't own FAKE or any of the characters, Sanami Matoh does and would probably laugh if she caught me in her playground, since I'm not making money in any way, shape or form here. Soundtrack for this one: "It Just Won't Quit" by Meatloaf, "Kokomo" by the Beach Boys and "Somewhere in the Night" by Barry Manilow. Quoted song is After Midnight by Mercedes Lackey and Leslie Fish.
According to my editor, I was influenced by a song I've never even heard yet! Look up Summerfling by k.d. lang and add it to the soundtrack.
My beta, Anglofans, moved up in the world, see editor credit above.
Sighing, JJ traced a raindrop down the window with his finger, leaving a smudge on the smooth glass. He liked the rain usually, but on this last day of vacation, without all his favorite distractions, he was bored. Bedroom sports only went so far.
JJ turned to look at Berkley who was reading in a chair by the couch, as casual as he ever got in a white shirt and tan slacks. For crying out loud, who packs books on their vacation?~ "Hey!" JJ said. Rose marked his place with his finger and looked up. When JJ saw he had Rose's attention, he continued. "Let's go for a walk."
Rose stared at JJ for a moment. "JJ, it's raining," he finally said in a level tone.
"Oh, I know that, but it's warm here. Don't you just want to walk in the rain sometimes?"
A faint smile graced Rose's face. "Not in a very long time." JJ went over and took his hand, trying to pull him out of the chair. "Wait, wait." The smile turned into a laugh. Let me at least get a bookmark."
As predected, the rain was warm and while the pair were soaked in moments, it wasn't really uncomfortable. They walked along the beach for awhile, feeling the sharp kisses of the rain on their skin. JJ had gone barefoot, discovering wet sand was a completely different substance than dry sand. He reached for Berkley's hand, but stopped at the distant look he saw on the other man's face. As the two of them continued their walk, JJ watched the distant look turn into a small frown. Oh man, I haven't seen that look in days. It's just like at work when he's upset by the lack of progress on a case. I'll bet his mind's already back home
He was distracted from that line of thought when he noticed that the rain had turned Rose's white shirt almost transparent. The wet fabric clung to his skin as he moved, and JJ found his good humor restored as he covertly admired his companion.
JJ did a great Gene Kelly imitation, but in the absence of puddles and a convenient lamppost he contented himself with singing. Turning his face to the sky and spreading his arms wide, he belted out the first few lines.
"Singing in the rain,
just singing in the rain.
What a glorious..."
The impromptu concert was cut short when he was grabbed from behind and pulled into a fierce hug.
"You are such a fool," Berkley murmurred into his ear, the fond amusement in his voice taking any sting from the words. JJ turned lithely in his arms and reached up for a kiss, sliding his arms around the taller man's neck. They stood for a long moment, rain sheeting down on their private world. Maybe bedroom sports should get another chance
Later, JJ sat in bed picking at an invisible spot on the covers. Mentally sighing, he decided not to put it off any longer.
"What happens now?" he asked.
"Hmmmmm?" Berkley was half-asleep, lying on his stomach with his head cradled on his arms.
"What happens when we get back?" JJ continued, keeping his voice even. "Are we going to see each other again, or was this all just a brief interlude, a midsummer night's fling?" One day he really would have to stop dropping song quotes into his conversation, but not today. Now, while he was courting rejection, he needed their familiar comfort.
"JJ?"
JJ kept silent, his attention seemingly absorbed by picking at the nonexistant lint on the covers. After a long moment, Berkley's hand covered his, stilling his movement.
"JJ," Berkley repeated. He looked up reluctantly, to meet the other man's gaze. "I'm not leaving. I won't deny it's... problematic to have a relationship with someone you work with. But this isn't a game." There was no denying the sincerety in his level gaze. "I hope you don't expect a declaration of love." Fleetingly, JJ wondered at the faint bitterness in Rose's voice on the last word. "What I do enjoy is spending time with you. I like the way you laugh. I even think you have some talent with that pervasive camera of yours. I like..." He was silent for a moment. Still looking into his eyes, JJ thought he was searching for something.
"I love the way that whatever you're doing, you do it completely," he continued finally. You're so intense, JJ and I need that." Rose looked away. Now it was his turn to seem to be fascinated by an imaginary spot. "God, that was hard." he whispered.
"And besides," JJ added, with a shaky little laugh, "the sex ain't bad either."
Rose looked at him, shocked, then relaxed as he belatedly recognized the humor. The corner of his lips turned up. ~He is so good looking when he does that~ JJ thought in relief. He leaned down to brush a kiss along Berkley's mouth, then he turned off the light and snuggled in close.
JJ's dreams were chaotic, as always, but now they were filled with a man who made him feel warm and loved.
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