“Alright. Keep your head down,” Mark said. Heyawned and hung up the phone.
***
Mark waited anxiously by the Gate. Dallas-Ft.Worth airport had the guys coming through customs. He had to giveit to the USO people. They were always there. No plane was evergreeted by silence. Ever. It was going on three am and they werestill cheering and screaming for every soldier who came down thewalkway.
His gaze darted to each face. One by one faceswent past him. One by one he checked them off as not beingPatrick.
He was starting to worry that he had the wrongtime. Even the nice ladies from the USO were starting to think hehad the wrong time.
Two more guys walked out together and Markdismissed them both.
The shorter of the two blinked and held up hishand. “I know I'm looking rough, but damn.”
That voice was undeniable, unmistakable.“Patrick!” Mark jumped the guard rail and pulled Patrick into hisarms. “BABY!” He lifted up the shorter guy, who laughed and triedto wiggle out.
“Mark, put me down, I'm not a fucking girl,Mark, I'm gonna kick…” He didn't get to finish because Mark laid akiss on him that made nearly everyone there swoon.
It was an odd feeling for Mark. He was neverinto PDAs. EVER. That was a Phillip and Ryan deal. But he couldn'tstop kissing Patrick. His hands slid over the warm body beneathhim. He had to touch. He had to taste. When they broke apartPatrick was breathing heavily.
“Mark, babe...the fuck was that?” Patrickgrinned.
Mark took one look at Patrick and started tocry. He was blaming stress. He was blaming the fact that he hadspent the better part of a month worried about his best friend.Patrick put his arms around his boyfriend and soothed him.
Mark was the go-to guy. Mark was laid back,strong enough to handle everything and then some. But even he had abreaking point. And this was it. Patrick was safe. He didn't haveto be strong anymore.
Patrick led them out of the building and intothe drizzle of rain. “I missed you,” he whispered.
“Missed you too.”
“How is he?”
Mark cleared his throat and shrugged. “Nochange. He's not worse, and he's not better,” he said. “It's thesame shit.”
Patrick grimaced. “No change? Fuck.”
“Yeah. The burns on his back and legs arehealing. The doctors said that he was lucky there wasn't anyinfection.”
Patrick nodded.
***
They drove home quietly, just looking at eachother. Well, Mark was darting quick, small glances when trafficpermitted.
Once they got home Mark was all overPatrick. The door banged open and Patrick practically fell over hisown feet while he was being pushed inside. Clothing was dropped ontheir way to the bedroom. Mark was the aggressor, which madePatrick tease him.
“Aww, you feeling lonely?” Patrick twitted.
“Fuck off, Smith-- and get naked or I swear toGod you're going back with one less uniform.”
Patrick chuckled, but knew Mark was serious. Hediscarded his boots, pants and the undershirt. Mark was nearlypurring with happiness when Patrick stood naked in front ofhim.
Carefully Mark took stock of every ding. Everycut. Every single little bruise. He kissed and licked his way allover Patrick's body.
Patrick didn't say anything. He allowed Mark tolook him over. He understood. It was Mark's way to make sure he wasokay.
“I know,” Patrick murmured. He did know. He hadno doubt that Mark loved him.
They fell to the bed together. Soft little Ilove yous. were exchanged. Hands slid across dry skin. Even tears.They were desperately trying to keep the ghosts at bay. The whatif's or coulda beens.
