Birch '03: Maybe More (sequel to Strays)

JD pulled away to look at Buck. He sighed softly. Happily.

He had no idea what was going on. Not quite. But whatever was happening he wasn't going to fight or question it. It felt balanced and right and good. He'd learned awhile ago not to go against those opportunities.

Maybe it was just more of those strays. Maybe more of Buck's protectiveness and need to reassure both of them he was okay. He knew that was true, in part. But he also had the murmur inside something else was true here. JD felt he wasn't wrong thinking... maybe more.

After he and Buck had sobered from the food fight, his bunkmate had hauled them to their feet and they'd stood looking at the wreck of their kitchen for a few moments. The lanky man had shrugged, grinning at him.

The computer expert smiled. Buck had been right. The fun of making the mess more than made up for having to clean it up.

He'd moved to get started on that but a firm hand had wrapped about his forearm. He'd turned back, waiting. The ex-marine had whispered it was probably best they start with themselves.

JD had shivered then. He didn't know what caused it exactly. Maybe a combination of things. The sudden flash of something more in those blue eyes. The heat of the hand around his arm. The whispery, husky voice making a shower to get crusted and sticky cake ingredients off them sound like the best come-on he'd ever heard.

Whatever it was he'd shivered. To his surprise that flash showed itself again then Buck shivered too.

After a long, breathless moment he'd snapped himself loose, made for the bathroom. His friend had followed right on his heels.

It wasn't any big deal really. Having grown up in the military academy and then his short stint in the service itself had cured him of all modesty. It had to have. You couldn't survive even a day if your reaction to showering with other boys then men made you flush all awkwardly and prevaricate at the tiled entrance. You just did it and it just was.

That's what JD had decided they were doing. Just getting it done.

He'd stripped while Buck fiddled with the taps. Peeled off the cracking - once gooey - shirt and jeans. He'd already been barefoot, thank goodness. He didn't want to think about what it would take to work a rue with butter smeared over the top out of his boots. Then he'd just stepped inside. Ducked his head under the water. Shampooed and scrubbed himself clean.

Right after he left the shower Buck got in. There was a shuddering, weakening, heating moment when his bunkmate's swinging hand had brushed against his wet butt. He'd almost frozen in place but managed to catch himself. Managed to keep going, grab a towel, rub himself dry.

Buck had said once the marines had made him fast at everything. If the man wasn't reminded dinners were wolfed down in a few minutes. Decisions were usually snap - and usually right. The man had slowed some after 'retirement,' but it was still in him if he wanted to call on it. When JD's towel was whipped from his hold from behind, the water now silent, he knew Buck had done just that.

He'd shrugged and grinned then headed to his room. Light searching revealed a slightly worn tshirt, a pair of sweats he'd cutoff into shorts. He'd been about to turn back around and leave when Buck had entered. His friend was in that same ubiquitous white undershirt. A pair of loose fitting blue pajama pants. JD watched when a long finger reached over, flicked off the overhead light.

The computer expert hadn't raised his blinds that morning. Had just stumbled around then headed for the kitchen. There was something calming for him about maintaining the gentle darkness - something secretive and enjoyable about being in the bunk filled with shadows and half light as he puttered around. The switch going off had plunged the pair back into those shadows, that half light.

Strong hands had banded around his arms, propelling him backwards towards his bed. He'd sat on it without hesitation when his knees hit the side. Buck had leaned over him, the determined set of the handsome face revealed to him because of how close they were. An arm had reached around him, flipped back his sketchy version of making the bed.

Then Buck had backed away. JD had felt a deep pang. More than just a stray. It was a spike through his gut followed by disappointment, confusion and even a touch of shame. Ashamed that maybe what he'd felt and believed he saw wasn't what Buck could ever want from him.

The ex-marine had stood for a moment looking down at him, then a soft caress had trailed down his cheek. As his friend had rounded the bed to the other side Buck's quiet voice - still in that heated whisper, part concern, part sweet innuendo - had floated to him.

"You're still so tired, JD. Don't try to tell me otherwise. I know it. You need this."

The bed had dipped and he'd fallen a bit backwards as the mattress tipped under Buck's weight. Those strong hands were back, strong arms following this time. He'd been turned. Brought close to the muscled chest, his own head tucked under Buck's chin, his blankets brought close to tuck them both in. Falling to sleep had been so easy. He hadn't even thought about it, had just let go.

The last thing he'd heard before drifting off was, "I need it too."

Buck grunted in sleep, hands tightening around his waist. The leg that was thrown over him curled closer, reasserting its hold. The head cradling his nuzzled, seeking.

He patted his friend's back. "I'm right here Buck. Right here."

JD pressed back into the waiting shoulder. Wrapped his own arms back around Buck. The man sighed and the arm his head was pillowed on twitched as it circled to hold his shoulders. He risked a kiss - so light and fleeting - against Buck's neck. He swore he felt his bunkmate grin. Swore he felt the man flush with pleasure, even in sleep.

A very mumbly voice slurred, "Staying that way too..." then it subsided again into the deep and rhythmic breathing.

JD let his eyes close. He oozed a fraction tighter against Buck and smiled. He whispered back, "I know." Then drifted right back to sleep again.

End