(Coming Home featured Ivan and Maddoc from Pump Me Up.)
“Ivan, I’m home,” Maddoc called as he dragged his bags inside, setting them in a heap in the hallway, too tired to carry them any further. “Where are you?” Nothing, not a sound. Ivan knew the time he’d be home and after 24 hours of flying, he was completely dead on his feet. Thankfully the planes had been on time, so he hadn’t had to wait around in airports. But a fourteen hour flight from Brisbane to Los Angeles topped off with another flight across the country had worn him completely out. Leaving his bags where they were Maddoc climbed the quiet stairs to their bedroom. He was definitely disappointed that Ivan wasn’t home, but Maddoc was too tired to really think about it right now. All he wanted was a shower and then to collapse into bed.
In the bedroom, Maddoc stripped out of his clothes and walked into the bathroom. Starting the water, he let it warm before stepping under the hot spray. Muscles that had been cramped in planes for hours finally released their tension and Maddoc sagged against the cool tile, barely able to keep his eyes open. He washed slowly before rinsing himself. Then he turned off the water and dried himself with one of the towel. Somehow, he managed to make it into bed before he fell asleep.
The room was still light when he woke a couple hours later. He listened for movement in the house, but heard nothing and he wondered where Ivan could be. He knew Maddoc was getting home today. Getting up, Maddoc pulled on his robe and wandered downstairs. In the kitchen he found a note on the counter.
Tiger
I had to take care of some things at mother’s. I’ll be home as soon as I can.
Love you
Ivan
Dropping the note back on the counter, he opened the refrigerator door and poured himself a glass of juice, carrying it into the living room. Curling up on the sofa, Maddoc turned on the television and dozed off.
This time when he woke, it was to a soft kiss from warm lips. “You’re awake,” Ivan told him with a soft chuckle.
‘I am now,” Maddoc replied groggily. “When did you get home?”
“Just a little while ago. How was your flight?” Maddoc scooted back on the sofa and Ivan sat next to him. It felt nice to have his lover with him again. After three weeks on business in Australia, Maddoc was happy to be home and to have Ivan close to him once again.
“Long but uneventful,” Maddoc answered as he stretched and Ivan slipped his hand under his robe, making small circles on his belly. “They barely fed us though and I tried to get food in LA but with all the moving around and trying to go from one terminal to another I didn’t get a chance to eat there either.” Ivan continued his gentle caresses and Maddoc stretched and yawned once more, soaking in the touch he’d been denied for weeks. Once he stopped moving. Ivan leaned forward, kissing him deeply.
“I missed you,” Ivan told him and Maddoc wrapped his arms around Ivan’s neck, returning his kiss.
“I missed you too.” They kissed for a long time and Ivan stretched out on the sofa next to him holding Maddoc close. “I never want to be gone that long again, but I’ll probably have to go back in two months for another couple of weeks.” Maddoc tried not to make it sound like a groan, but the last thing he wanted was to be gone like that again.
“How about if I prep my boss and maybe we can tack on a week’s vacation together the next time you go. I’ll fly out and can be with you for the last week of your business trip and then we can have a week together just the two of us.”
Maddoc sighed softly. “I’d love that. I can take you to this place that has koala cuddling. I’d love to get a picture of you holding a koala.” Maddoc yawned yet again and Ivan got up off the sofa. Maddoc immediately missed his warmth but stifled a groan when Ivan spread a blanket over him.
“I’ll make you something to eat and then you can go back up to bed,” Ivan said and Maddoc was too tired to argue about anything. Pulling the blanket up around his shoulders Maddoc closed his eyes and easily fell back to sleep.
Ivan woke him once he had food ready, bringing it into him. The scrambled eggs and ham tasted good and once he’d eaten Maddoc’s eyes felt heavy again. He was about to lay down on the sofa, when Ivan sat next to him. Maddoc curled into his warms, enjoying the warmth of his lover and partner.
“Let’s get you upstairs,” Ivan said as he turned off the television and practically carried Maddoc up the stairs before tucking him into bed. Then Maddoc felt Ivan join him. Maddoc expected Ivan to leave the room and let him sleep, but he heard continued movement, but was way too tired to open his eyes to see what Ivan was doing. The bed dipped behind him and the covers lifted, cool air kissing Maddoc’s skin. He shivered slightly and groaned, but then the coolness was replaced by Ivan’s warmth and hot bare skin.
Maddoc scooted back toward the warmth and was immediately spooned against Ivan’s hard, sexy body. Maddoc groaned softly as he felt Ivan wrap him in his arms, stroking his belly gently. “This is what I missed most, being able to sleep with you,” Maddoc moaned sleepily as he slowly began to slip deeper into sleep.
“I missed it too, Tiger” Ivan whispered softly and Maddoc felt a soft kiss against his shoulder before Ivan pulled him a little closer. Maddoc let go of his last hold on consciousness and let sleep take him completely. He was warm, fed, and above all loved. He was home.