I'll be home for Christmas

By: Stefani

Rated: Slash/NC17

Disclaimer: Don't own

Distribution: DreamLand, Slash Central, and Storm. All others, please ask

Part: 1/1

Shannon sat at the table in his and Jeff's home watching dinner get cold. It was December twenty-fourth, and Jeff promised he'd be home tonight. Shannon hadn't gotten to see him for weeks. He'd been on the road, catching up, and doing a handful of other odds and ends. HWA had let out a week and a half ago, so since then, Shannon had been moping around their Cameron home, waiting for tonight. And yet, once again, he found himself alone.

Jeff was three hours late. He hadn't talked to him all day. Jeff had used to call the moment he woke up, before he left the hotel, and left small loving messages on the voicemail during sporadic times of the day. They had spoken the night before, and Jeff said he'd be back no later then nine. So Shannon had pulled out all the fixings, making a wonderful Christmas dinner. He hadn't had time to cook much before while he was busy, but he had slaved away all day, wanting tonight to be perfect. He had spent all week decorating the house and putting the tree up, knowing Jeff loved Christmas decorations, but never had time anymore to do it. He had lit candles, and even dressed up for the occasion.

So now he sat in a pair of dress slacks with a black cotton turtleneck. His hair was combed nicely and pulled back, and he had dabbed bits of his favorite cologne on his wrists and neck. He had on his good watch and their engagement ring on his left ring finger. The deep red tablecloth slung unto his lap, the food on his plate was getting cold, and the candles were burning out. The house was dim except for the soft luminance of the table candles and tree. And three hours ago, everything was perfect. Shannon looked at the bottle of champagne, the one he had been saving for a special occasion, growing warm.

A soft tear slid down his face. Jeff had fucked up a lot lately, running late, forgetting to call… but this was the big one. Christmas was supposed to be a time when you hold your loved one and all wrongs suddenly don't matter any more. With every car that drove down their secluded road, Shannon felt his heart leap. He then felt his heart shatter after car after car, it wasn't for him. It was someone else returning home. It was someone else who cared enough for their lover to stop at no costs to return home. It was someone else… and he remembered a time when that someone else was Jeff.

The presents under the tree seemed worthless suddenly. The ring on his finger felt as if it were digging into his flesh, and the vacant table was a painful reminder of how he had spent the past months. Closing his eyes, and trying to keep his head high and a little dignity, he stood up and started to wrap the plates, with the intention of putting them in the refrigerator. But before he could start the journey to the kitchen, he felt his knees buck, as they crashed into the hardwood floor. His eyes cried out uncontrollably. Raw emotion poured in his eyes.

"God… Jeff. You promised never to hurt me." He whispered as he covered his eyes with his hands, "You promised…" He squeaked. His back shook and body trembled, and he had half a mind to get a baseball bat and one by one destroy everything in the house that reminded him of Jeff. But he was too broken down to do much more then cry. He couldn't take his heart being broken, and he found himself toying with his ring.

How he wished he could rip it off his finger and hurl it across the room. But something was stopping him. Something wouldn't allow the gold to budge. His love for that man. And as much as he doubted it sometimes, he knew his heart was true and wouldn't lie to him. And the most painful thing of all is doubting if the man you love, loves you back.

Shannon slowly stood up, not even having the heart to clear the table. He blew out the candles as the smoke coiled along the air; Shannon slowly walked on and passed the tree. Suddenly it didn't look so warm and loving. It was mocking. It was a slap in the face to all he had been telling himself to excuse Jeff. He could have called and said he was late. Traffic was backed up; he got conned into going somewhere for some odd reason… but no. He hadn't even bothered to tell Shannon he wouldn't be there... He left Shannon to worry, let his imagination wonder again… doubt again. His feet, in his nice dress shoes, walked along the soft carpeting until he reached their bedroom.

He had made the bed up with the nice red silk sheets that Jeff said felt almost as nice as Shannon's skin. Of course it had been a while ago he had said that. Back in the day… in fact, Jeff had bought it especially because he claimed that when they were apart; he could lay on it and feel Shannon curled against him. But tonight the cold sheets matched the feeling in Shannon's soul. He pulled his shoes off, setting them by the bed, and unsnapped his watch, setting that too on the dresser.

Once again he found himself holding the ring in his fingers, he had never taken it off since he was presented with it. And tonight was no exception. He slowly pulled his shirt off, setting it on the back of the desk chair, along with his pants. He had taken special time making the bed up. Most of the time he hadn't even bothered to make it, but on top of changing the covers, he had actually made it look nice. Pillow arrangements and a light dusting of white rose petals- Jeff's favorite. Tonight was supposed to be special. It wasn't supposed to be like this.

He pulled back a section of sheets big enough for his small body, and crawled in. He shivered now at the coldness against his warm flesh, and rested his head on a pillow, before he cried himself to sleep.

Meanwhile, Jeff found himself speeding along, the rain pelting on his window. He had left the hotel with enough time to be home, but nothing had gone right. He looked in the backseat, filled with gifts for his baby, the bouquet of dying flowers resting on top of the boxes. It had taken him twenty minutes to find a flower shop open; of course that was after he had gotten lost. And his cell phone's batteries had died. Nothing seemed to be going right at all. He had wanted so bad to be home on time, to hold Shannon in his arms, and make love to him all night long. Just like he had planned. And he swore to himself that by the time the day was over, he would have done just that… even if it killed him.

And it ached Jeff's heart to imagine Shannon at home alone. He found himself pressing on the accelerator harder, only another hour or so. Each drop of rain that fell reminded him of what Shannon must have been going through. His ring glistened on his finger. The reminder of his love.

"I'll be there soon, Shan." He said, wishing that only he could deliver the message faster. When he pulled down their street, he saw the white lights hung along the gutter of their house, the rest of the home black. He pulled his car into the driveway slowly; not bothering to open the garage, knowing it would wake Shannon. And that was a job he wanted to do personally. He got his key out; glad it had stopped raining, and walked to the front door. He opened it, and put the lever in to keep it ajar. It was after one in the morning, a time far from what Jeff had planned on being home.

Inside, he saw a tree, still glowing with lights. He smiled a little, and in a few trips got everything, tucking them underneath the tree. Last, he got the flowers, coming back in, and shutting the door. He walked into the kitchen to get a vase, when he saw the abandoned table, food still on it, one plate halfway covered in plastic wrap. He wiped at his nose, and set the bottle of champagne back in the fridge, leaving the food. He was worried now, Shannon was never one to leave a mess. He quickly shimmied out of his coat, resting it on the back of one of the chairs at the table. He held the flowers tightly in his hand and walked towards the bedroom.

The door was wide open, and despite the darkness he could see his baby tucked away in the bed. With closer examination, he saw that they were his sheets… He slowly took his shoes off, resting them aside. Shannon's face glistened with a thin layer of tears. He licked his lips, and inched closer to the bed. Shannon's bare chest slowly rose and set. Jeff swallowed the lump in his throat. He knelt down beside his baby, so his mouth was right by Shannon's ear.

"I'll be home for Christmas, you can count on me. Please have snow and mistletoe, and presents on the tree. Christmas Eve will find me where the love light gleams. I'll be home for Christmas, in much more then your dreams." He softly whispered, his hand reaching out to hold Shannon's. Shannon slowly blinked his eyes open, Jeff holding up the flowers.

"I'm so sorry baby… there were so many problems… I love you." Jeff spoke gently, letting his lips touch Shannon's lightly. Shannon sighed as Jeff stood up, pulling his lover up with him, "Can you ever forgive me? I never wanted to hurt you." Jeff's intent eyes gazed into Shannon's.

"Of course." Shannon whispered back, catching Jeff's lips once more in his own. Jeff reached down to spoon Shannon up against him, and let both their bodies hit the bed. Their tears mixed together as they kissed, the salty emotion seeping to their joined lips. Jeff's hand spooned Shannon's face, his thumb nudging at the wet cheek. Lightening shot up Shannon's spine from the soft touch, reminding him all over again why he went through what he did. For moments like this. Jeff held Shannon's face in his hand, wishing they could lay and kiss forever.

Shannon crawled onto Jeff's chest, kissing him lightly, a small amount of light from outside coming in now. Jeff allowed his hands to roam along Shannon's back and run through his hair. Everything felt so right when they were together. And the chance of living life without that feeling would be hell. And they knew that they could only get that feeling from one another.

"Tell me you love me again." Shannon said quietly, pausing to take a breath.

"I love you. I love you so much, Shannon." Jeff replied; Shannon's lips now just resting against his so they could breath one another's souls. Jeff let his lips delicately and briefly rub up against his lover's.

"Now show me you love me." Jeff smiled and turned them around, so he was atop Shannon.

"That was my plan all along." He added, letting his mouth kiss along the younger man's jaw line, so he could whisper loving words in his ear. Jeff's tongue swiped along Shannon's neck, before his lips sucked the sensuous skin. An uneasy sigh escaped Shannon's lips, egging Jeff on to make it all up. Make up the past month, make it all seem right. Jeff looked up into the soft eyes of his fiancée as he kissed down his chest. Jeff's hot mouth covered Shannon's right nipple, heat enveloping the nip.

Shannon's hands now found Jeff's silken locks, and he pulled the rubber band out, so he could watch the clash of blues fall down and in his face, the ends tickling his chest.

"You're beautiful." He murmured. Jeff turned his head to the side, nuzzling his head up Shannon's chest, his cheek brushing against the whole way up.

"If I'm beautiful, there can't even be a word to explain yourself. Angels can't compare." Their lips captured briefly again, before Jeff peeled off his sweater, throwing in aside. He pinned Shannon's arms to the bed and straddled him, rubbing their erections together. A gasp came from Shannon, who withered beneath Jeff.

"Oh God, Jeff… I need you." He said.

"Calm down, I want to please you far more then that." Jeff replied. He set his tongue where it was now, just below Shannon's right shoulder, and trailed it down until he encountered the elastic of Shannon's black boxers. He laid butterfly kissed all over Shannon's stomach, his hands trailing about. Able to resist no longer, he pulled Shannon's shorts off, throwing them off the bed. He bent his neck so soft, delicate kisses cold be placed along the side of the length.

Shannon spread his legs, Jeff's detailed pecks continuing, allowing his left hand to roam from Shannon's balls to his entrance, a sensitive area Jeff knew of.

"You know just where to touch me." Shannon added, gasping in lust as his head was covered by Jeff's lips, slowly sinking his mouth down, his tongue teasing the underside of his cock. Jeff's head bobbed, electricity shot through Shannon's body wildly, his heart thumping madly. Shannon's hands fumbled, trying to seek out Jeff's head, but through the delusion of ecstasy, he couldn't find it, settling to hold sheets in his sweaty hands.

Jeff pulled his head up, the loss of heat smacking Shannon. Jeff stood up off the bed, unbuckling his belt as slow as he could, taunting Shannon, making the minutes stretch on. His thumbs caught his pants and boxers at the same time, yanking back down. His cock glistened with pre cum. He kicked off the material and got back on the bed.

"Get the lube." Shannon said huskily, pointing to the bedside drawer where they always kept it. Jeff pulled it open, seeing several bottles of half-empty various lubricants, knowing that Shannon probably had so many lonely nights. He selected one that was cherry flavored, knowing it was Shannon's favorite. He closed the drawer softly, crawling back to where Shannon's body lay strewn on the silken sheets, his body already glistening with sweat.

They kissed once more, Jeff's fingers fighting to open the bottle. He gently guided Shannon on his side, as was he, as he left a trail of saliva down Shannon's spine to where his two perfect globes met. Jeff lubed up his fingers and teased once along Shannon's hole, before softly pushing it in. Shannon moaned as Jeff pushed his digit in farther, gently trying to loosen his baby up.

He didn't want to stimulate his prostate quite yet, wanting to save that for a more intense time. Right now he just wanted to make Shannon feel full and loved. He sunk another finger in, his lips glued to Shannon's sweaty back.

"Jeff…" The begging continued, and he caved, knowing exactly how to angle his finger and what he was looking for. His finger hit the spongy love button, a heavy gasp coming from Shannon, while he was continuing to be stretched and prepared. Jeff had a slow, intimate motion going, taking his time to feel every slick inch of Shannon's insides.

"Are you ready?" Jeff asked him lovingly.

"More then ever." Shannon replied. Jeff got Shannon's left leg, which was resting atop the other, and instructed him to hold it up.

"I want to fuck you slow…" He added, while lubing himself up. He carefully aimed himself and pushed his head into Shannon. Jeff closed his eyes tightly, feeling the pleasure he knew all to well, but hadn't been able to feel in the longest time. He penetrated Shannon a little at a time, careful not to hurt him, until he was in all the way. His belly was against Shannon's back, and Jeff used his overpowering height to nip at the back of Shannon's neck.

He took another mouthful of flesh, licking and sucking, gently beginning to roll his hips ever so slightly. Shannon's breathing was heavy and fervent, coming out in ragged gasps. Jeff reached his left arm over to hold Shannon closer to him, meshing them together. He continued to gently push in and out of Shannon, each thrust deep, slow, and meaningful.

Jeff wanted to sit there and love him all night, make up for it all. Though he knew that one night could never make up for the months apart. They had promised each other they would make this thing work, no matter what. They were in it together till the end… a few hundred miles was nothing compared to their undying love for one another.

Jeff stopped a moment and let go of his tight hug to re-angle himself, allowing his cock to hit Shannon's prostate with each deep push. Shannon screamed out, Jeff biting playfully at the skin on Shannon's side, grunting with every thrust. Shannon's once hot and heavy moans were now softer; he was coming to the edge. Jeff reached around and found Shannon's cock, hard and leaking. Jeff rested his had on Shannon's side as he pumped him, Shannon puffing words of encouragement and need.

"Come with me." Jeff tempted. Shannon let out a grunt of his own, and Jeff could feel his muscles contracting around his cock, still buried deep within his lover. His cock was thumping with a deep need for release, contracting back against Shannon's walls.

"Jeff!" He yelled out, hot spurts shooting over Jeff's hand and onto the sheets, his body shaking about. Jeff responded with his own orgasm, flooding Shannon with his salty seed. They cried out each other's names as they reached the peak of their climax, and came back down. Jeff pulled out of Shannon, licked the little of Shannon's cum that was on his fingers. He turned Shannon on his back and kissed him deeply.

"I told you I'd be home." He whispered as he pulled Shannon close and under the covers. They shared another kiss, Jeff holding Shannon tightly against him, and sleeping until Christmas morning would awake them to a whole new day together. Another day of the rest of their lives.