Fic: Gathered Together, 6/7, Rated R
Title: Gathered Together
Author: Courtney
Email: css576@yahoo.com
See part one for additional disclamiers and all that jazz.
David Cook's first thought the next morning was that he wasn't waking up alone.
He opened his eyes and looked down at the man curled against him and smiled. David Archuleta had wrapped himself around Cook in his sleep; his head was resting on Cook's chest and his fingers were bunched in the fabric of the older man's tee shirt. His left leg was thrown over Cook's right leg, effectively twining their bodies together.
Cook pressed his lips to David's hair and wished that they could stay there forever. Unfortunately, Michael and Carly might be offended if they stayed in bed all day and missed their wedding, so Cook knew that they would eventually have to disentangle themselves. He was thinking about how he should wake his companion when he felt the younger man stir.
Turning his head slowly towards Cook, David opened his eyes and smiled sleepily up at the older man. "Hey," he said shyly, his voice even more hoarse than usual as he pulled himself from sleep.
"Hey," Cook replied. He brought his hand to David's cheek and ran his thumb reverently over the ridge of his cheekbone. "Sleep well?" he asked.
"Mmhmm," he murmured. He had released Cook's tee shirt from his hand and now brought that hand up to rest on Cook's forearm, rubbing lightly at the dusting of hair. "How'd you sleep?" he asked.
Cook smiled softly and replied, "Best night of sleep I've had in five years." He bent forward, catching David's lips in a gentle kiss. It was chaste when compared to the kisses they'd shared the night before, but Cook's heart still pounded as they finally pulled apart. "I wish we could stay here all day," he admitted.
David grinned and said, "Michael and Carly probably wouldn't like that." They fell back into a comfortable silence, both content to hold one another for a little while longer. Finally, David said, "We better get moving before we fall back to sleep."
Cook looked down at him petulantly and replied, "Yeah, but I don't want to."
Then, before he knew it, David was crawling further up on the bed, bringing the two men face to face. He hovered over Cook, so close that their lips brushed as he spoke. "You can't always get what you want." Cook didn't get a chance to reply before David brought his lips down on Cook's in a kiss that was sure to fully wake the older man.
As the kiss deepened, Cook thought that this time he'd definitely gotten exactly what he'd always wanted.
* * * * *
The wedding was scheduled to start at five o'clock that evening, and by lunchtime the living room had already been transformed into a makeshift chapel. The fireplace had become the altar, complete with several large sprays of flowers and at least a dozen artfully placed candles. The lodge has sent over an army of staff members to move furniture and set up a few rows of chairs for the handful of guests. It was going to be a simple affair, just as Carly and Michael had planned.
Cook stood in front of a mirror at four o'clock, trying to tame his hair into something presentable. Unfortunately, it didn't seem to be working. He'd spent the morning with the rest of the houseguests going over the last minute details and assuring Carly that everything was going to be fine. Cook knew that no matter how small or low-key the wedding, there was always one rule; the bride was nervous. Michael was nervous, too, of course. He just hid it by cracking inappropriate jokes.
So, with the bride and groom both getting ready in separate rooms downstairs, Cook had come upstairs to get himself ready. He was halfway there, wearing his black pants and white dress shirt, although the shirt was still unbuttoned and he was barefoot. But hey, it was a start. At that moment he was actually more concerned with his hair, which seemed to be rebelling against him. He kept re-wetting it and trying to dry it into submission, so far with minimal results.
"It looks fine," David said as he walked over and leaned against the partially opened bathroom door. Cook looked over at the younger man and smiled. He felt like he hadn't seen him all day. Sure, they'd both been in the same house since they woke up together that morning, but they'd been so busy getting prepared for the wedding that they'd barely even touched one another since leaving the warmth of their bed. Seeing an opportunity to remedy that, Cook set aside his hairbrush and moved forward to drape his arms around David and press a sweet kiss to his lips.
David smiled and eased his arms around Cook's waist. "All that for saying your hair looks fine?" he asked.
"No," Cook replied. "My hair still looks like shit, but I'm working on getting my priorities in order."
"And I'm above your hair on the list?" David asked with a giggle.
"Every time," Cook confirmed and he leaned in for another kiss, this one lasting just a bit longer.
"Mmm," David groaned as he pulled away reluctantly. "I have to get dressed."
Fixing him with a suggestive look, Cook asked, "Need help?"
David blushed and giggled again, looking somewhere between slightly uncomfortable and completely turned on by the suggestion. "I think I can manage," he finally said.
Cook nodded. Then, after giving his hair one last look, decided it wasn't getting any better and sighed in defeat. "I guess I'll surrender this fruitless effort and go find my shoes," he said. He smiled one last time at David, then slipped past him back into the bedroom, closing the door softly in his wake.
By the time that David emerged, Cook had found his shoes and was standing in front of the dresser mirror buttoning the last button on his shirt. He heard the bathroom door open and turned around, saying, "Hey, do you think I should wear the tie or-" He stopped in mid sentence when he saw the man before him. "Wow," was his only response.
David was dressed in black dress pants, a black button down shirt and a black silk tie. It wasn't flashy or overdone, just simple and appropriate for the occasion. But damn, he looked hot. In fact, Cook couldn't remember ever seeing him look hotter.
"This looks okay?" David asked.
Instead of answering, Cook crossed the room in several long strides and pulled David forward, kissing him deeply. When the kiss ended, they both had to take a moment to catch their breath. "Um, I guess that's a yes?" David asked with a grin.
Cook chuckled and scrubbed his hands over his face. "Yeah, Archie, it's definitely a yes. Definitely." It was all he could do to break away from David and head downstairs to the festivities below.
* * * * *
Cook was glad to see that the wedding plans seemed to be going off without a hitch. The justice of the peace had already arrived and everyone was dressed and ready for the ceremony to start. They were about ten minutes out and Syesha, radiant in a cerulean blue dress that cascaded over her expanded figure, got up to go and check on the bride. Cook figured it was probably his job to do the same for Michael, so he walked over to Brooke and Dave's room, where Michael had been sequestered until the ceremony, and knocked on the door. "Mikey, it's me," he called out.
The door opened and the Australian waved him inside. "Please tell me there's not a catastrophe," he said as they moved to sit, Michael on the bed and Cook in a nearby chair. "Did Syesha go into labor or something? Oh jeez . . ." He was teasing, but Cook could tell he was also trying to hide how nervous he was.
"Bite your tongue," Cook told him. "No, nothing's wrong. I just came to see how you're doing."
Michael breathed out slowly, trying to calm himself, and said, "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm good. How's Carly?"
"Syesha just went to check in on her but I'd wager she's about as terrified as you are right now."
"Terrified? Who's terrified? I'm marrying the woman I love . . . what's there to be afraid of?" He was trying to convince himself, but the shake that Cook could hear in his voice told him that he wasn't doing a very good job.
"I know you, Johns. You're sitting in here going over in your mind all of the things that can possibly go wrong. You're worrying that, even though it's what you both want, that getting married is somehow going to change what you and Carly have." Michael looked up then and Cook could see in his eyes that this was exactly what Michael had been thinking. "It's not," Cook assured him. "You love Carly and Carly loves you. You'll be fine. Trust me." He reached out and clapped his friend on the shoulder and gave him what Cook hoped was a reassuring smile.
Michael released the breath he'd been holding and nodded. "Yeah, I know. I know you're right. It's just . . . argh! You know?"
Cook chuckled. "Strangly enough, that makes perfect sense."
Michael smiled and Cook could see just a little of the tension leave his face.
"So, look, while we're in here," Michael began, "there's something I wanted to say to you. I . . . I know I said this before, mate, but I'm really glad that you could make it this weekend."
"Hey, man, I wouldn't miss it," Cook assured him. "You're my friend, you know that."
"I know, I just . . . you know how it is with friends. You're busy and they're busy and before you know it there's no time left in the day and . . . well, I just want us to keep in touch. All of us. I think it's important."
Cook nodded. "I couldn't agree more."
"And, uh, there was one other thing," Michael said. "You and little Archie . . ." he smiled over at Cook and the younger man sighed.
"He's not exactly 'little Archie' anymore," he felt the need to point out, although he knew as he was saying it that the words were just ammunition.
"Oh really?"
"Not like that, perv," Cook admonished. "He's an adult, not a little kid."
Michael's expression seemed to soften as he said, "Hey, I know that. I was actually, uh . . . I don't really know what's going on with you two, but I wanted to tell you that I hope it works out. I know how you've always felt about him." He held up a hand as Cook started to speak and added, "Don't try to deny it. Mikey sees all. But," his tone turned serious again, "I also know that Archie feels the same way about you. He loves you, Dave," Michael finished sincerely.
When Cook looked up to meet his friend's gaze, he was smiling. "Yeah, he does."
Michael returned the smile. "Well now, sounds like you two kids are coming along just fine without any help from Uncle Mikey, huh now?"
Cook rolled his eyes and said, "Shockingly enough."
There was a knock on the door and Jason stuck his head in. "It's time," he announced and both men nodded and stood to leave.
When they got to the door, Michael reached out and laid his hand on Cook's arm to stop him. Cook looked at him questioningly and Michael said, "When you find the right one, you have to hold onto them."
Cook smiled at his friend and said, "That's just what I plan to do,"
* * * * *
Michael was standing by the fireplace next to the justice of the peace when the music started. It was an instrumental version of Elvis Presley's 'Can't Help Falling in Love With You'. Cook thought it was fitting.
Carly walked out of the other downstairs bedroom and all eyes in the room turned to watch her approach. She wore a simple white, empire waist gown and white sandals; her hair fell in loose waves over her fair shoulders. She looked radiant as she made her way towards the hearth; her eyes never left Michael's as the distance between them closed.
Michael clasped her hands in his when she reached him and brought them to his lips for a kiss. He was already crying before they'd ever even spoken a word.
The song ended and the officiate began to speak. The ceremony was pretty standard from that end; Carly and Michael had wanted it to be simple. They'd each written their own vows to each other and, by the time they'd finished reading them, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. David, who was sitting beside Cook, reached over to place his hand on Cook's thigh. The older man smiled, placing his hand over top of David's and giving it a squeeze.
Soon enough, Michael and Carly were proclaimed to be man and wife and everyone in the room let out a loud cheer. The happy couple kissed deeply, their arms twining around one another with natural grace. When they parted, Michael turned towards his friends and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, my beautiful wife!" Carly laughed through her tears and kissed him again.
The party afterwards was small but nonetheless a celebration. Everyone sat down to dinner, telling stories about Michael and Carly and offering their congratulations to the newlyweds. Then there was cake and a champagne toast, given by Cook, and once again the whole crowd was smiling through their tears.
Michael had Jason put Harry Connick, Jr's version of 'This Guy's In Love With You' on the cd player so that he could dance Carly around the living room and sing along to it.
"I need your love," he sang. "I want your love . . . say, you're in love, in love with this guy . . . if not, I'll just die."
"Aww, baby," Carly gushed as she pulled him down to her. "I love you so much." Cook thought that Michael had never looked as happy as he did in that moment.
The music played on, a selection compiled by Michael and Carly, and everyone ended up dancing and singing along to most of the songs. Cook even pulled David out onto the makeshift dance floor when Bryan Adams came on, wrapping his arms around him as he sang, "Love is all that I need, and I found it there in your heart, it isn't too hard to see, we're in heaven." David smiled and joined in as they swayed together.
Later, after everyone had had their fill of cake and the music had finally stopped, Michael came up to Cook as he and Carly were heading off to bed. Bringing his mouth down to Cook's ear, Michael whispered, "By the way, mate, your boyfriend is hot."
Cook laughed and shook his head. "Go have sex with your wife, old man," he replied.
Michael nodded as he moved over to lift Carly into the air, carrying her towards the stairs as she shrieked and laughed. "Don't you worry," Michael called over his shoulder, "That, I already planned on."
* * * * *
Cook was surprised that no one else had really mentioned anything about he and David. It wasn't as if they were trying to hide anything; they just didn't feel the need to make a formal announcement. Besides, he didn't want to make David uncomfortable. But these were some of their closest friends and he didn't want to pretend in front of them, either. Luckily, it hadn't seemed to matter. He'd even caught Brooke watching them with that fond grin she always got when she was happy to see other people happy.
"I had so much fun tonight," David said as he sat down on the bed and began pulling off his shoes.
"Yeah," Cook agreed, "So did I." He unconsciously began unbuttoning his shirt, not noticing the other man's reaction to this. When Cook looked up again, the last button slipping from its hole, he saw David. He was sitting on the bed, one shoe in his hands, and his eyes were glued to Cook, watching each button spring free. His lips were slightly parted and his eyes looked a little glazed. When he noticed that Cook had stopped moving, his gaze flicked up to the older man's face and he realized that he'd been caught. David looked away immediately, his face suffused with color.
Cook swallowed, suddenly acutely aware that he was not the only one trying to hold himself in check. He moved towards the bed, his shirt still hanging open and forgotten, and took a seat beside David. David's skin was so pink that he actually looked sunburned, the color reaching all the way to his hairline, and Cook tried not to notice how incredibly sexy that was. "Hey," he said softly. David didn't respond. He reached over and gently took David's chin in his hands and turned David's head until they were eye to eye. "Hey, don't be embarrassed," Cook told him.
"I just . . ." he uttered, his voice barely loud enough for Cook to hear. "I haven't . . . I mean, I didn't mean to, uh . . . oh gosh, this is embarrassing."
"You're embarrassed that you like looking at me?" Cook asked with a teasing smirk.
"What? No! I just meant . . ."
Cook chuckled and laid his hand on David's shoulder. "Archie, there's nothing to be embarrassed about. I *like* having you look at me that way. In fact, I like it a whole lot. Besides, do you know how many times I've had to talk myself out of jumping you tonight in that freaking outfit." He reached around to finger the silk tie for emphasis.
David's blush deepened, but a grin lit his face when he looked back up to Cook. "That would have made for an interesting reception."
Cook barked a laugh. "Yeah, I'll say." Then he sobered and added, "I'm so completely in love with you. It scares the hell out of me," he admitted, "But I can't help it."
David beamed and his eyes welled with unshed tears. "I've waited a long time to hear you say that," he told Cook. "I . . . I have a confession to make." Cook looked at him quizzically and David continued. "I, uh . . . I came here this weekend with, um . . . with the intention of telling you how I felt about you." He was looking at his own hands and Cook reached down to clasp them in his own as the younger man continued. "I wasn't sure how you'd react, I just . . . I had to tell you."
He looked back up, meeting Cook's eyes again as he said, "I've never really loved anyone but you."
Cook wasn't sure who kissed who first, but in the end it didn't matter. They ended up tangled together on the bed, Cook's shirt discarded and David's unbuttoned, his tie hanging loose around his neck. Cook hovered over him, peppering his face with kisses as both men moved their hands over every available inch of skin within reach. When Cook turned his attention to David's neck, the younger man arched beneath him and gasped, his eyes fluttering closed as Cook's lips found his pulse. Cook knew that there would be evidence of this tomorrow and the idea made him unendingly happy.
David's nails scratched sharply at his shoulders and one of his legs wrapped around Cook's to pull him closer. He had his eyes screwed shut, his head thrown back in a look of wanton pleasure as Cook sucked and licked and kissed his tender flesh. Raising up to look at the man beneath him, Cook took in this sight and was rendered breathless. His pure, sweet, innocent Archie . . . caught up in the throes of passion. He groaned at the picture before him, leaning up to capture David's mouth in a searing kiss.
"Guhh . . . you drive me crazy," Cook growled.
"Mmm," David panted.
"Tell me when to stop. I swear I will," Cook promised as they locked eyes, both hazy and half-lidded with desire. David nodded, reaching up to kiss Cook again, letting him know that he wasn't ready to stop just yet.
Cook ran his hands down David's sides, savoring the feel of the soft, porcelain skin he'd always longed to touch. He had to force himself to stop when he reached David's waistband. He clutched at the tender flesh, trying to will his own pulse to slow. He could feel his body reacting to their intimate dance, but he didn't want to take things too far. He knew that David wasn't ready for that.
David shifted beneath him and his leg brushed Cook's inner thigh, just grazing that spot, and Cook couldn't stifle his strangled groan. He met the younger man's eyes, which widened in shock, then almost immediately melted with passion. Tentatively, David reached down and ran his hand down Cook's thigh, stopping just short of the ultimate goal. Cook's eyes rolled back and he struggled not to buck forward.
"I want . . . I want . . ." David stumbled.
Cook shook his head. "I don't want to rush you," he managed to say.
David stuttered out a breath and said, "Please, I want to touch you. I want you to . . . touch me. Please . . ."
"Are you . . ." Cook swallowed deeply. "Are you sure, Archie?" Please be sure, he thought.
David nodded, rubbing his hand up and down Cook's thigh. "Yeah . . . Yes, I'm sure. Just . . . yes."
It took every ounce of control in his body for Cook to reach down and still the hand that was moving on his upper thigh. He pulled it up and kissed David's palm as he rolled sideways so that they were lying side by side. "We'll take it slow, okay? Any time you aren't comfortable . . . just say the word." David nodded and Cook bent forward to kiss him softly.
Carefully, Cook slid his hands over David's shoulders, pulling his shirt down as he went. He tossed the garment aside, moving his lips down over the younger man's jaw, across the perfect column of his neck and finally coming to rest on his chest. "So beautiful," he murmured against the pale planes of muscle. He felt David arch into the touch.
Moving his hands slowly down David's perfect body, Cook reached the button of the black pants, stilling his movements to rest there. Again, he looked at David and asked, "Are you sure?" David met his eyes and nodded, his tongue sneaking out to lick his full lips. Cook bit his own lip and slid the button free.
David lifted his hips automatically to allow Cook to push the pants down and off, leaving him in only his plain, white briefs. Cook smiled. Of course he still wore tightie-whities.
Cook reached down and quickly shed his own pants, leaving only his black boxer briefs. He pressed another kiss to David's lips as he moved his hand down to caressed David's bare thigh. David's eyelids fluttered as he strained towards the touch. His hands were both fisted in the sheets and his struggle for control was written all over his face.
Keeping a slow pace, Cook moved his hand up to David's hip, then back down to his thigh, avoiding the area he longed to touch. He could tell that that particular touch might have this whole thing over before it had a chance to begin.
David loosened one hand from the bedclothes, moving it tentatively to rest on Cook's stomach. He watched his own hand with fascination, inching it lower at a shaky pace. When his fingers grazed the elastic waistband slung low on Cook's hips, the older man groaned. "David . . ." he choked out.
"Can I . . ." David stammered. "Can I touch you?"
Cook looked up into his companion's eyes and felt his whole body tingle at the thought. "Yes," he breathed. "God, yes."
He had prepared himself for this. It was far from the first time that someone had touched him so intimately and he wasn't some sixteen-year-old in the back of his dad's Cadillac. He was the experienced one, the one in control. But, all of that flew out the window as he felt the feather-light touch of David Archuleta's hand.
"Oh God!" he cried, biting his lip to keep from bucking forward. He forced his eyes to meet David's and nodded, assuring him again that this was okay. The pressure increased slightly, David seemingly emboldened by the look of complete pleasure that infused Cook's features.
Cook didn't want to push too fast, but he had to do something to distract himself from the sensation of David's hand exploring him through the thin later of cotton. His hand, which had been clutching David's hip, moved slowly down, ghosting lightly over the heat below. David keened, clamping his eyes shut, his own hand stilling momentarily. The sight was more than Cook could handle and he surged forward, capturing David's full lips in a rough kiss.
They were both so close to the edge that Cook knew they weren't going to get very far that night. He wasn't even sure that they should. He wanted to savor their first time together, not just lose control in an instant. And, perhaps more importantly, he wanted David to be completely ready. He didn't want them to look back one day on that time and ever have any doubts, to ever wish that it had happened any other way.
They ended up pressing against one another, running their hands over each other's bodies as they clung together and kissed desperately. David lost control first, stilling in Cook's arms as a spasm of pleasure shook his body. After that, Cook wasn't far behind.
They cleaned up, changing into clean pajama pants and spreading a quilt over the bed before they fell back into it, finding one another in an instant. Cook lay on his side, pulling David close to spoon against him, his arms wrapped protectively around the slightly smaller man. David sighed contentedly, his arms covering Cook's as they lay in silence. The sound of them, breathing in time with one another, pulled both men quickly into a peaceful sleep.
* * * * *
Part 7
Author: Courtney
Email: css576@yahoo.com
See part one for additional disclamiers and all that jazz.
David Cook's first thought the next morning was that he wasn't waking up alone.
He opened his eyes and looked down at the man curled against him and smiled. David Archuleta had wrapped himself around Cook in his sleep; his head was resting on Cook's chest and his fingers were bunched in the fabric of the older man's tee shirt. His left leg was thrown over Cook's right leg, effectively twining their bodies together.
Cook pressed his lips to David's hair and wished that they could stay there forever. Unfortunately, Michael and Carly might be offended if they stayed in bed all day and missed their wedding, so Cook knew that they would eventually have to disentangle themselves. He was thinking about how he should wake his companion when he felt the younger man stir.
Turning his head slowly towards Cook, David opened his eyes and smiled sleepily up at the older man. "Hey," he said shyly, his voice even more hoarse than usual as he pulled himself from sleep.
"Hey," Cook replied. He brought his hand to David's cheek and ran his thumb reverently over the ridge of his cheekbone. "Sleep well?" he asked.
"Mmhmm," he murmured. He had released Cook's tee shirt from his hand and now brought that hand up to rest on Cook's forearm, rubbing lightly at the dusting of hair. "How'd you sleep?" he asked.
Cook smiled softly and replied, "Best night of sleep I've had in five years." He bent forward, catching David's lips in a gentle kiss. It was chaste when compared to the kisses they'd shared the night before, but Cook's heart still pounded as they finally pulled apart. "I wish we could stay here all day," he admitted.
David grinned and said, "Michael and Carly probably wouldn't like that." They fell back into a comfortable silence, both content to hold one another for a little while longer. Finally, David said, "We better get moving before we fall back to sleep."
Cook looked down at him petulantly and replied, "Yeah, but I don't want to."
Then, before he knew it, David was crawling further up on the bed, bringing the two men face to face. He hovered over Cook, so close that their lips brushed as he spoke. "You can't always get what you want." Cook didn't get a chance to reply before David brought his lips down on Cook's in a kiss that was sure to fully wake the older man.
As the kiss deepened, Cook thought that this time he'd definitely gotten exactly what he'd always wanted.
* * * * *
The wedding was scheduled to start at five o'clock that evening, and by lunchtime the living room had already been transformed into a makeshift chapel. The fireplace had become the altar, complete with several large sprays of flowers and at least a dozen artfully placed candles. The lodge has sent over an army of staff members to move furniture and set up a few rows of chairs for the handful of guests. It was going to be a simple affair, just as Carly and Michael had planned.
Cook stood in front of a mirror at four o'clock, trying to tame his hair into something presentable. Unfortunately, it didn't seem to be working. He'd spent the morning with the rest of the houseguests going over the last minute details and assuring Carly that everything was going to be fine. Cook knew that no matter how small or low-key the wedding, there was always one rule; the bride was nervous. Michael was nervous, too, of course. He just hid it by cracking inappropriate jokes.
So, with the bride and groom both getting ready in separate rooms downstairs, Cook had come upstairs to get himself ready. He was halfway there, wearing his black pants and white dress shirt, although the shirt was still unbuttoned and he was barefoot. But hey, it was a start. At that moment he was actually more concerned with his hair, which seemed to be rebelling against him. He kept re-wetting it and trying to dry it into submission, so far with minimal results.
"It looks fine," David said as he walked over and leaned against the partially opened bathroom door. Cook looked over at the younger man and smiled. He felt like he hadn't seen him all day. Sure, they'd both been in the same house since they woke up together that morning, but they'd been so busy getting prepared for the wedding that they'd barely even touched one another since leaving the warmth of their bed. Seeing an opportunity to remedy that, Cook set aside his hairbrush and moved forward to drape his arms around David and press a sweet kiss to his lips.
David smiled and eased his arms around Cook's waist. "All that for saying your hair looks fine?" he asked.
"No," Cook replied. "My hair still looks like shit, but I'm working on getting my priorities in order."
"And I'm above your hair on the list?" David asked with a giggle.
"Every time," Cook confirmed and he leaned in for another kiss, this one lasting just a bit longer.
"Mmm," David groaned as he pulled away reluctantly. "I have to get dressed."
Fixing him with a suggestive look, Cook asked, "Need help?"
David blushed and giggled again, looking somewhere between slightly uncomfortable and completely turned on by the suggestion. "I think I can manage," he finally said.
Cook nodded. Then, after giving his hair one last look, decided it wasn't getting any better and sighed in defeat. "I guess I'll surrender this fruitless effort and go find my shoes," he said. He smiled one last time at David, then slipped past him back into the bedroom, closing the door softly in his wake.
By the time that David emerged, Cook had found his shoes and was standing in front of the dresser mirror buttoning the last button on his shirt. He heard the bathroom door open and turned around, saying, "Hey, do you think I should wear the tie or-" He stopped in mid sentence when he saw the man before him. "Wow," was his only response.
David was dressed in black dress pants, a black button down shirt and a black silk tie. It wasn't flashy or overdone, just simple and appropriate for the occasion. But damn, he looked hot. In fact, Cook couldn't remember ever seeing him look hotter.
"This looks okay?" David asked.
Instead of answering, Cook crossed the room in several long strides and pulled David forward, kissing him deeply. When the kiss ended, they both had to take a moment to catch their breath. "Um, I guess that's a yes?" David asked with a grin.
Cook chuckled and scrubbed his hands over his face. "Yeah, Archie, it's definitely a yes. Definitely." It was all he could do to break away from David and head downstairs to the festivities below.
* * * * *
Cook was glad to see that the wedding plans seemed to be going off without a hitch. The justice of the peace had already arrived and everyone was dressed and ready for the ceremony to start. They were about ten minutes out and Syesha, radiant in a cerulean blue dress that cascaded over her expanded figure, got up to go and check on the bride. Cook figured it was probably his job to do the same for Michael, so he walked over to Brooke and Dave's room, where Michael had been sequestered until the ceremony, and knocked on the door. "Mikey, it's me," he called out.
The door opened and the Australian waved him inside. "Please tell me there's not a catastrophe," he said as they moved to sit, Michael on the bed and Cook in a nearby chair. "Did Syesha go into labor or something? Oh jeez . . ." He was teasing, but Cook could tell he was also trying to hide how nervous he was.
"Bite your tongue," Cook told him. "No, nothing's wrong. I just came to see how you're doing."
Michael breathed out slowly, trying to calm himself, and said, "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm good. How's Carly?"
"Syesha just went to check in on her but I'd wager she's about as terrified as you are right now."
"Terrified? Who's terrified? I'm marrying the woman I love . . . what's there to be afraid of?" He was trying to convince himself, but the shake that Cook could hear in his voice told him that he wasn't doing a very good job.
"I know you, Johns. You're sitting in here going over in your mind all of the things that can possibly go wrong. You're worrying that, even though it's what you both want, that getting married is somehow going to change what you and Carly have." Michael looked up then and Cook could see in his eyes that this was exactly what Michael had been thinking. "It's not," Cook assured him. "You love Carly and Carly loves you. You'll be fine. Trust me." He reached out and clapped his friend on the shoulder and gave him what Cook hoped was a reassuring smile.
Michael released the breath he'd been holding and nodded. "Yeah, I know. I know you're right. It's just . . . argh! You know?"
Cook chuckled. "Strangly enough, that makes perfect sense."
Michael smiled and Cook could see just a little of the tension leave his face.
"So, look, while we're in here," Michael began, "there's something I wanted to say to you. I . . . I know I said this before, mate, but I'm really glad that you could make it this weekend."
"Hey, man, I wouldn't miss it," Cook assured him. "You're my friend, you know that."
"I know, I just . . . you know how it is with friends. You're busy and they're busy and before you know it there's no time left in the day and . . . well, I just want us to keep in touch. All of us. I think it's important."
Cook nodded. "I couldn't agree more."
"And, uh, there was one other thing," Michael said. "You and little Archie . . ." he smiled over at Cook and the younger man sighed.
"He's not exactly 'little Archie' anymore," he felt the need to point out, although he knew as he was saying it that the words were just ammunition.
"Oh really?"
"Not like that, perv," Cook admonished. "He's an adult, not a little kid."
Michael's expression seemed to soften as he said, "Hey, I know that. I was actually, uh . . . I don't really know what's going on with you two, but I wanted to tell you that I hope it works out. I know how you've always felt about him." He held up a hand as Cook started to speak and added, "Don't try to deny it. Mikey sees all. But," his tone turned serious again, "I also know that Archie feels the same way about you. He loves you, Dave," Michael finished sincerely.
When Cook looked up to meet his friend's gaze, he was smiling. "Yeah, he does."
Michael returned the smile. "Well now, sounds like you two kids are coming along just fine without any help from Uncle Mikey, huh now?"
Cook rolled his eyes and said, "Shockingly enough."
There was a knock on the door and Jason stuck his head in. "It's time," he announced and both men nodded and stood to leave.
When they got to the door, Michael reached out and laid his hand on Cook's arm to stop him. Cook looked at him questioningly and Michael said, "When you find the right one, you have to hold onto them."
Cook smiled at his friend and said, "That's just what I plan to do,"
* * * * *
Michael was standing by the fireplace next to the justice of the peace when the music started. It was an instrumental version of Elvis Presley's 'Can't Help Falling in Love With You'. Cook thought it was fitting.
Carly walked out of the other downstairs bedroom and all eyes in the room turned to watch her approach. She wore a simple white, empire waist gown and white sandals; her hair fell in loose waves over her fair shoulders. She looked radiant as she made her way towards the hearth; her eyes never left Michael's as the distance between them closed.
Michael clasped her hands in his when she reached him and brought them to his lips for a kiss. He was already crying before they'd ever even spoken a word.
The song ended and the officiate began to speak. The ceremony was pretty standard from that end; Carly and Michael had wanted it to be simple. They'd each written their own vows to each other and, by the time they'd finished reading them, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. David, who was sitting beside Cook, reached over to place his hand on Cook's thigh. The older man smiled, placing his hand over top of David's and giving it a squeeze.
Soon enough, Michael and Carly were proclaimed to be man and wife and everyone in the room let out a loud cheer. The happy couple kissed deeply, their arms twining around one another with natural grace. When they parted, Michael turned towards his friends and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, my beautiful wife!" Carly laughed through her tears and kissed him again.
The party afterwards was small but nonetheless a celebration. Everyone sat down to dinner, telling stories about Michael and Carly and offering their congratulations to the newlyweds. Then there was cake and a champagne toast, given by Cook, and once again the whole crowd was smiling through their tears.
Michael had Jason put Harry Connick, Jr's version of 'This Guy's In Love With You' on the cd player so that he could dance Carly around the living room and sing along to it.
"I need your love," he sang. "I want your love . . . say, you're in love, in love with this guy . . . if not, I'll just die."
"Aww, baby," Carly gushed as she pulled him down to her. "I love you so much." Cook thought that Michael had never looked as happy as he did in that moment.
The music played on, a selection compiled by Michael and Carly, and everyone ended up dancing and singing along to most of the songs. Cook even pulled David out onto the makeshift dance floor when Bryan Adams came on, wrapping his arms around him as he sang, "Love is all that I need, and I found it there in your heart, it isn't too hard to see, we're in heaven." David smiled and joined in as they swayed together.
Later, after everyone had had their fill of cake and the music had finally stopped, Michael came up to Cook as he and Carly were heading off to bed. Bringing his mouth down to Cook's ear, Michael whispered, "By the way, mate, your boyfriend is hot."
Cook laughed and shook his head. "Go have sex with your wife, old man," he replied.
Michael nodded as he moved over to lift Carly into the air, carrying her towards the stairs as she shrieked and laughed. "Don't you worry," Michael called over his shoulder, "That, I already planned on."
* * * * *
Cook was surprised that no one else had really mentioned anything about he and David. It wasn't as if they were trying to hide anything; they just didn't feel the need to make a formal announcement. Besides, he didn't want to make David uncomfortable. But these were some of their closest friends and he didn't want to pretend in front of them, either. Luckily, it hadn't seemed to matter. He'd even caught Brooke watching them with that fond grin she always got when she was happy to see other people happy.
"I had so much fun tonight," David said as he sat down on the bed and began pulling off his shoes.
"Yeah," Cook agreed, "So did I." He unconsciously began unbuttoning his shirt, not noticing the other man's reaction to this. When Cook looked up again, the last button slipping from its hole, he saw David. He was sitting on the bed, one shoe in his hands, and his eyes were glued to Cook, watching each button spring free. His lips were slightly parted and his eyes looked a little glazed. When he noticed that Cook had stopped moving, his gaze flicked up to the older man's face and he realized that he'd been caught. David looked away immediately, his face suffused with color.
Cook swallowed, suddenly acutely aware that he was not the only one trying to hold himself in check. He moved towards the bed, his shirt still hanging open and forgotten, and took a seat beside David. David's skin was so pink that he actually looked sunburned, the color reaching all the way to his hairline, and Cook tried not to notice how incredibly sexy that was. "Hey," he said softly. David didn't respond. He reached over and gently took David's chin in his hands and turned David's head until they were eye to eye. "Hey, don't be embarrassed," Cook told him.
"I just . . ." he uttered, his voice barely loud enough for Cook to hear. "I haven't . . . I mean, I didn't mean to, uh . . . oh gosh, this is embarrassing."
"You're embarrassed that you like looking at me?" Cook asked with a teasing smirk.
"What? No! I just meant . . ."
Cook chuckled and laid his hand on David's shoulder. "Archie, there's nothing to be embarrassed about. I *like* having you look at me that way. In fact, I like it a whole lot. Besides, do you know how many times I've had to talk myself out of jumping you tonight in that freaking outfit." He reached around to finger the silk tie for emphasis.
David's blush deepened, but a grin lit his face when he looked back up to Cook. "That would have made for an interesting reception."
Cook barked a laugh. "Yeah, I'll say." Then he sobered and added, "I'm so completely in love with you. It scares the hell out of me," he admitted, "But I can't help it."
David beamed and his eyes welled with unshed tears. "I've waited a long time to hear you say that," he told Cook. "I . . . I have a confession to make." Cook looked at him quizzically and David continued. "I, uh . . . I came here this weekend with, um . . . with the intention of telling you how I felt about you." He was looking at his own hands and Cook reached down to clasp them in his own as the younger man continued. "I wasn't sure how you'd react, I just . . . I had to tell you."
He looked back up, meeting Cook's eyes again as he said, "I've never really loved anyone but you."
Cook wasn't sure who kissed who first, but in the end it didn't matter. They ended up tangled together on the bed, Cook's shirt discarded and David's unbuttoned, his tie hanging loose around his neck. Cook hovered over him, peppering his face with kisses as both men moved their hands over every available inch of skin within reach. When Cook turned his attention to David's neck, the younger man arched beneath him and gasped, his eyes fluttering closed as Cook's lips found his pulse. Cook knew that there would be evidence of this tomorrow and the idea made him unendingly happy.
David's nails scratched sharply at his shoulders and one of his legs wrapped around Cook's to pull him closer. He had his eyes screwed shut, his head thrown back in a look of wanton pleasure as Cook sucked and licked and kissed his tender flesh. Raising up to look at the man beneath him, Cook took in this sight and was rendered breathless. His pure, sweet, innocent Archie . . . caught up in the throes of passion. He groaned at the picture before him, leaning up to capture David's mouth in a searing kiss.
"Guhh . . . you drive me crazy," Cook growled.
"Mmm," David panted.
"Tell me when to stop. I swear I will," Cook promised as they locked eyes, both hazy and half-lidded with desire. David nodded, reaching up to kiss Cook again, letting him know that he wasn't ready to stop just yet.
Cook ran his hands down David's sides, savoring the feel of the soft, porcelain skin he'd always longed to touch. He had to force himself to stop when he reached David's waistband. He clutched at the tender flesh, trying to will his own pulse to slow. He could feel his body reacting to their intimate dance, but he didn't want to take things too far. He knew that David wasn't ready for that.
David shifted beneath him and his leg brushed Cook's inner thigh, just grazing that spot, and Cook couldn't stifle his strangled groan. He met the younger man's eyes, which widened in shock, then almost immediately melted with passion. Tentatively, David reached down and ran his hand down Cook's thigh, stopping just short of the ultimate goal. Cook's eyes rolled back and he struggled not to buck forward.
"I want . . . I want . . ." David stumbled.
Cook shook his head. "I don't want to rush you," he managed to say.
David stuttered out a breath and said, "Please, I want to touch you. I want you to . . . touch me. Please . . ."
"Are you . . ." Cook swallowed deeply. "Are you sure, Archie?" Please be sure, he thought.
David nodded, rubbing his hand up and down Cook's thigh. "Yeah . . . Yes, I'm sure. Just . . . yes."
It took every ounce of control in his body for Cook to reach down and still the hand that was moving on his upper thigh. He pulled it up and kissed David's palm as he rolled sideways so that they were lying side by side. "We'll take it slow, okay? Any time you aren't comfortable . . . just say the word." David nodded and Cook bent forward to kiss him softly.
Carefully, Cook slid his hands over David's shoulders, pulling his shirt down as he went. He tossed the garment aside, moving his lips down over the younger man's jaw, across the perfect column of his neck and finally coming to rest on his chest. "So beautiful," he murmured against the pale planes of muscle. He felt David arch into the touch.
Moving his hands slowly down David's perfect body, Cook reached the button of the black pants, stilling his movements to rest there. Again, he looked at David and asked, "Are you sure?" David met his eyes and nodded, his tongue sneaking out to lick his full lips. Cook bit his own lip and slid the button free.
David lifted his hips automatically to allow Cook to push the pants down and off, leaving him in only his plain, white briefs. Cook smiled. Of course he still wore tightie-whities.
Cook reached down and quickly shed his own pants, leaving only his black boxer briefs. He pressed another kiss to David's lips as he moved his hand down to caressed David's bare thigh. David's eyelids fluttered as he strained towards the touch. His hands were both fisted in the sheets and his struggle for control was written all over his face.
Keeping a slow pace, Cook moved his hand up to David's hip, then back down to his thigh, avoiding the area he longed to touch. He could tell that that particular touch might have this whole thing over before it had a chance to begin.
David loosened one hand from the bedclothes, moving it tentatively to rest on Cook's stomach. He watched his own hand with fascination, inching it lower at a shaky pace. When his fingers grazed the elastic waistband slung low on Cook's hips, the older man groaned. "David . . ." he choked out.
"Can I . . ." David stammered. "Can I touch you?"
Cook looked up into his companion's eyes and felt his whole body tingle at the thought. "Yes," he breathed. "God, yes."
He had prepared himself for this. It was far from the first time that someone had touched him so intimately and he wasn't some sixteen-year-old in the back of his dad's Cadillac. He was the experienced one, the one in control. But, all of that flew out the window as he felt the feather-light touch of David Archuleta's hand.
"Oh God!" he cried, biting his lip to keep from bucking forward. He forced his eyes to meet David's and nodded, assuring him again that this was okay. The pressure increased slightly, David seemingly emboldened by the look of complete pleasure that infused Cook's features.
Cook didn't want to push too fast, but he had to do something to distract himself from the sensation of David's hand exploring him through the thin later of cotton. His hand, which had been clutching David's hip, moved slowly down, ghosting lightly over the heat below. David keened, clamping his eyes shut, his own hand stilling momentarily. The sight was more than Cook could handle and he surged forward, capturing David's full lips in a rough kiss.
They were both so close to the edge that Cook knew they weren't going to get very far that night. He wasn't even sure that they should. He wanted to savor their first time together, not just lose control in an instant. And, perhaps more importantly, he wanted David to be completely ready. He didn't want them to look back one day on that time and ever have any doubts, to ever wish that it had happened any other way.
They ended up pressing against one another, running their hands over each other's bodies as they clung together and kissed desperately. David lost control first, stilling in Cook's arms as a spasm of pleasure shook his body. After that, Cook wasn't far behind.
They cleaned up, changing into clean pajama pants and spreading a quilt over the bed before they fell back into it, finding one another in an instant. Cook lay on his side, pulling David close to spoon against him, his arms wrapped protectively around the slightly smaller man. David sighed contentedly, his arms covering Cook's as they lay in silence. The sound of them, breathing in time with one another, pulled both men quickly into a peaceful sleep.
* * * * *
Part 7