FIC: The Long Way Home, 1/4, Rated NC-17

[courts]

Title: The Long Way Home

Author:courts

Email: css576@yahoo.com

Rating: NC-17

Word Count: 14,700 At least they are getting shorter, right? ;-)

Disclaimer: Cook is Archie's and Archie is Cook's. Nothing is mine.

Summary: Picks up a few months after Gathered Together. Cook and Archie start their relationship and find out that nothing worth having ever comes easy. Archie's POV.

Notes: I did research the religion stuff on Wikipedia, but I am in no way an expert on Mormons or LDS or any of that. I apologize in advance for any inconsistencies. Also, the song lyrics in the second part belong to the Counting Crows.

Thank you: To the best beta ever in the world, mrs_viola_swamp. This story would NOT have been finished without your help and I want to say a big, huge thank you for all of your help. You rock!!

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April Fool's Day started quite well for David Archuleta that year. He woke up to the feel of a warm body pressed against his own. Soft, brown hair tickled his nose and, looking down, he caught sight of the man who never failed to take his breath away.

David Cook lay curled against David Archuleta, his cheek pressed to the younger man's chest. One of Cook's arms was splayed out to the side away from David and the other was tucked neatly around him, Cook's fingers pressed to the warm skin of David's lower back.

David's first thought was that he had never realized that love was going to be so wonderful and complicated and fulfilling and terrifying. The concept seemed so simple, but that was the farthest thing from the truth. Falling in love was simple; being in love, staying in love . . . that was probably the hardest thing he'd ever done. And, David had to admit that it was also probably the best.

He had loved Cook for what seemed like forever. Loving David Cook was like breathing or sleeping; it wasn't something that he had to grow accustomed to. But being loved in return, so completely and without exception was something very new indeed. David still caught himself wondering how Cook could look at him the way that he did sometimes, like David was the best thing that had ever happened to him. David worried that Cook would wake up one day and wonder what he was doing with someone like him, someone who had never quite outgrown all of his awkwardness. Someone who didn't drink or smoke or curse, someone Cook must always feel like he was teaching about the world around him. Wouldn't Cook get tired of that eventually? Wouldn't he want an equal; someone more like himself?

But, so far, that didn't seem to be the case. Cook didn't care if David had never smoked a cigarette, or that he had spit out the only taste of beer he'd ever had. He didn't seem to mind that David hadn't seen most of the movies he liked, or that he blushed at the drop of a hat. Cook said that he liked their differences as much as he liked their similarities. Cook didn't want to be with someone just like himself. He wanted to be with David, and that was all that really mattered.

He reached down and ran his hand over Cook's hair, the long spikes now completely out of control after a night of sleep. Then again, David figured the state of disarray might also have had something to do with David's hands fisting in it the night before, tugging gently as Cook had knelt before him. The act was exciting and still so new to David, but he was definitely getting used to it.

As he felt his bedmate stir, David refocused on the man in front of him. He watched as Cook yawned, nuzzled his face against David's chest, and finally raised up just enough to meet the younger man's eyes. Cook smiled. "Morning," he said in a voice still rough with sleep, his lips curving into an easy smile. Again, David thought about what those lips had done to him the night before and his body flooded with heat.

Cook, still pressed against him at various points, immediately noticed the change as David went from the half-mast of 'morning wood' to full attention. "Mmm, look who's awake," he purred as he crawled forward, catching David's lips in a kiss. "My bed-head must be more of a turn on than I ever realized," he teased. Before the younger man could respond to the words, Cook's hand snaked down between their bodies and wrapped around David. He arched his back, letting out a strangled moan that was all Cook needed to catch up to him.

He kissed David again, moving his tongue in time to the movements of his hand. Breaking away, Cook looked down into his lover's face and declared, "God, you're so freaking sexy." David laughed then, or at least it started as a laugh, but ended in a groan. He loved that Cook tried so hard not to curse in front of him, even when he was holding David's dick in his hand.

Cook's hand pumped faster, his fingers knowing just where to touch to drive David wild. David wondered sometimes how he'd lived before he knew what it was like to be touched by Cook this way. Now that he did know, he was sure that there was no way he could ever live without it.

David could feel his release closing in and tried to push at Cook's chest, telling him to slow down. "Close," he gasped. "Ohhhhh."

Cook didn't stop, though. Instead, he ducked his head and whispered right beside David's ear, "Let go for me, baby."

And that was all it took.

He'd always thought that stuff about seeing stars was ridiculous, but he'd come to realize in the past few months that it was actually a point of fact. It wasn't exactly bursts of fireworks, but he'd grown accustomed to the tiny pinpoints of light that danced beneath his lids whenever his pleasure reached its peak. That day, they were in full effect.

David's head fell back against the pillow. His energy was sapped for the moment, every muscle in his body completely relaxed. He'd never get used to this, this feeling of complete wonder every time they did this. No matter what type of touching was involved or how far it went, David was constantly in awe of what they had become. He'd never realized that he could feel so close to another person, so much a part of their very being. And he'd certainly never dreamed that someone else would see him the same way. But, every time that Cook looked his way, every time their skin came into contact, David could see the way his eyes seemed to melt, his emotions projecting outward and pulling David into his soul. What they shared was more than love. It was more than David could even find words to describe.

Cook reached over and snagged his boxers from the floor, using them to wipe his hand and both his and David's stomachs clean, then tossed them back to the floor. He leaned back down and kissed David again, keeping it quick to allow the younger man to catch his breath. "Good morning," Cook said again.

David's lips turned up in a grin as he replied, "I'll say."

"Do you know what today is?" Cook asked, his eyes dancing with excitement as he stared down at the man beneath him.

"Hmm, let me think," David teased. Like he wouldn't know what Cook was referring to. It was only all that the two had talked about for the past month. That day, the first day of April, was now affectionately known as Hiatus Day.

When they'd returned to Los Angeles after Michael and Carly's wedding, Cook and David had allowed their relationship to develop slowly. Cook hadn't wanted to push him and David had appreciated that. He was twenty-two years old but, the truth was, before that weekend he'd only ever kissed two people in his life and they were both girls. And neither of them had known how to use their tongue the way that David Cook did.

So, they'd taken it slow, going on real dates and staying up late at night talking on the phone. David worried that Cook would grow tired of this seemingly juvenile dance, but he had never showed a single sign to indicate that. He'd been gentle and sweet and patient with David. And, everyday, David loved him more.

They'd been together for three weeks the first time that David saw Cook naked. They'd touched that night, finally with nothing between them, and David had savored the feel of Cook's skin. Then, when Cook's mouth had closed around him for the first time, he'd had to bite his lip hard to keep from screaming. Cook had later run his tongue along those deep indentions in the tender flesh of David's lips, chasing away the coppery taste of blood with the taste of David himself.

For several weeks there after, the two men had been content to continue at the same moderate pace, taking their time to explore one another and not feeling the need to rush ahead too quickly. In fact, when David was finally ready for the next step, it was he who had to seduce Cook. He smiled as he recalled the look on the older man's face when he'd arrived home from some press obligation to find David waiting for him, curled up in Cook's bed wearing only a beguiling smile.

One hour was all it took. David had spent the first twenty minutes convincing Cook that, yes, he was ready and, yes, he was sure. He'd spent the next twenty tangled up with Cook, their bodies pressed together in the foreplay that David had come to love so much. The twenty minutes after that had changed his life forever. Losing his virginity to David Cook had been the best decision that David Archuleta had ever made.

David had known by then that Cook would make it special. He knew that this was important to David and Cook wanted to do everything that he could to make that first time something that his young lover would never forget. He hadn't needed candles or rose petals or Al Greene music to make that happen; Cook had only needed his own knowledge of the man that he loved.

He had laid David down on the bed, taking his own clothing off one piece at a time as the younger man watched. Cook had crawled onto the bed still wearing his boxer briefs, moving on his knees from the foot of the bed until he was straddling David's hips, the cotton of his boxers providing a delicious friction. He'd leaned forward, bracing his hands on either side of David's head and captured the younger man's lips in a slow, sensual kiss.

David had responded immediately, his hands coming up to travel the smooth expanse of Cook's bare back. He'd wriggled beneath Cook, groaning at the pressure of his erection meeting Cook's through that thin barrier of fabric. "I want this . . . so much," David breathed. "Please . . ."

Cook had brought their mouths together again, cupping David's face in his hands and licking at David's lips. They were still kissing fervently when David, suddenly emboldened, let his hands slip under the waistband of Cook's boxers to cup his bare ass. He groaned into David's mouth, lifting his hips so that the younger man could remove the last barrier that lay between them.

They had spent an interminable amount of time just exploring each other with their hands and mouths. Cook had kissed over every inch of skin on David's torso, traveling downward at an excruciatingly slow pace. When he'd reached David's navel, Cook swirled his tongue into the small space, that action alone causing David's hips to buck forward. Cook had smiled against the pale skin, his hands gripping David's thighs to spread them a little wider.

As his kisses moved down the barely there trail of hair that led down from David's navel, the younger man propped himself up on his elbows, holding his breath as he watched his lover descend. David's lips were parted and his breath came out in short bursts as Cook ran his tongue along the groove where his thigh met his groin.

Cook moved his hands to the back of David's knees, hitching his legs up until they rested on Cook's shoulders. When David felt Cook's hot breath against his burning flesh, he nearly lost control. His teeth sank into his bottom lip and his eyelids fluttered as he struggled to keep them open. Cook's tongue flicked out to lick a stripe of moisture down his shaft, his hands holding David's hips to the bed to still them. Traveling back up his length, Cook planted sucking kisses along the way. By the time he had finally taken David into his mouth, the younger man's whole body was on fire.

He had to close his eyes for a moment then, letting his other senses take over as Cook's hands and mouth brought him to the brink of ecstasy. When David finally opened his eyes again, he looked down to see Cook watching him, his hazel eyes dilated almost completely black with want. It was nearly enough to make David lose control and he reached down, tugging Cook's shoulder to indicate that he didn't want things to end quite so soon.

Cook smiled as he released him, moving back up David's body to lie beside him. He peppered kisses over the younger man's brow, giving him a moment to get himself back under control. When David felt the urgency subside, he turned to Cook and their mouths met again in a searing kiss. Breaking away, David said breathlessly, "There's stuff in the top drawer." He gestured towards the bedside table on Cook's side of the bed and Cook nodded.

After reaching over to retrieve the items, Cook looked down at his partner. With eyes full of concern, Cook ran his hand along David's cheek and asked, "Are you absolutely sure? Because I don't want you to do this for me. It doesn't change anything, no matter how long we wait. I'm not trying to rush you, Archie."

David smiled, laying his hand over Cook's as it covered his cheek. "I know. I'm ready, David. I love you for waiting for me to be ready and now I finally am. I want to give myself to you." Their gazes locked and David could see the moisture gathering in Cook's eyes. Cook leaned down and kissed him tenderly and David tasted salt as a tear rolled past his lips. He wasn't sure if it was Cook's or his own.

"I love you, Archie," Cook said into his mouth. "I love you so much."

"I love you, too," David echoed, kissing him again.

This time when they parted, Cook asked, "Do you know how you want to do this?"

David hadn't actually considered there being choices involved, but he already knew what he had envisioned for this moment. "I want to see you," was his only request. Cook nodded, taking David's hand in his own and turning it palm-up, squeezing lubricant onto the surface. He watched as David moved his slick hand down to touch him, David's fingers gliding over the hard heat of Cook and making him moan.

Cook pulled David's hand away gently after a few moments, saying something about not wanting this to end before it began. Then, squeezing the substance onto his own fingers, Cook brought his hand down to David's entrance, gently circling the thin layer of muscle. He met David's eyes and watched as the younger man's tongue peeked out to wet his own lips. "Ready?" Cook asked in a soft voice, his right hand reaching up to lace with David's left. David nodded, his eyelids heavy and his breath once again coming in short bursts.

Cook moved to lie beside him, pulling their clasped hands up to kiss David's knuckles and keeping his eyes on his young lover as his first finger slid slowly inside. He stopped only halfway in and David's eyes screwed shut, as he was hit with a sudden spike of pain. The feeling subsided quickly, though, and was replaced by a strange feeling of fullness.

"Okay?" Cook asked.

David nodded immediately and breathed, "Yeah, yeah."

He slipped the digit in inch by inch until it was full encased, then stilled as David adjusted to the sensation. When David's hips bore down slightly, Cook began to move a little. Then, pulling all the way out, he pushed slowly back in, this time adding a second finger. David grunted at the intrusion but quickly spoke to urge his partner on. "M'okay, keep going."

"Archie . . ."

"Cook, please . . ." he whimpered and the sound seemed to spur Cook onward. He scissored his fingers, stretching David a millimeter at a time. It felt strange, having someone's hand inside his body, but it also felt incredible. He had never felt so close to anyone and all he kept thinking was that he was so glad that Cook was the one he was doing this with. Then, just as he was getting accustomed to the feeling, Cook's finger brushed something inside him that sent sparks bouncing through his body. He let out a hoarse cry as the sensation repeated and ground his lower body onto Cook's fingers.

"Easy," Cook whispered, pressing a kiss to David's open mouth. David's only response was another choked whimper. Cook brushed over that spot several more times until David had to close his eyes because his vision was blurring. He felt his body straining towards Cook, seeking that sensation again and again. When Cook pulled his fingers free again, David moaned in protest at the loss.

David didn't know when Cook had rolled on the condom, but when he looked back down it was already on and Cook was positioned at his entrance. He braced himself against the bed, pulling David's legs up to drape over his forearms. Cook sought out his gaze and held it for a long moment, blue meeting hazel and David felt like he was falling. "David . . ." Cook breathed and David could hear the question in the word.

"I'm ready," he whispered into the stillness that surrounded them. Cook remained motionless for another moment, his eyes still boring into David's, before he nodded.

He reached down with one hand to guide himself. His eyes never left David's. "Look at me, baby," he commanded and David complied. As Cook's hips pushed slowly forward, he whispered, "I love you, Archie . . . God, so much." He slid into David's body on those words, stilling instantly and watching David's face. This felt very different from Cook's fingers. It was warmer and fuller and just . . . more. He could feel Cook shaking to stay still, but he never said a word to David. He never tried to move until David nodded his consent.

Then, as he inched further into David's body, he turned his head to kiss the side of David's knee, rubbing his face over the soft skin and allowing his own eyes to flutter closed for just a second. David watched him, overcome with so much love that tears welled behind his eyes. He pushed them back quickly, though, not watching Cook to think that he was hurting him.

David reached up and clutched at Cook's fingers that were wrapped around his leg, needing to touch as much of him as possible. As the last traces of discomfort subsided, David felt the urge to move and ground his hips down again. Cook took the hint this time, beginning to move as well, his eyes still seeking out David's as they rocked together. Soon, Cook hit that same spot and David felt the same intense pleasure course through him. He arched upwards and Cook repeated the action again and again until David thought he would die from it. He could hear his own ragged breathing in his ears and hear the needy grunts that were spilling forth from him as Cook continued to move within him.

Finally, David knew he was close and he clamped his hand onto Cook's wrist, his nails digging into the flesh as he bore down. Cook groaned then, too, and David wondered if it was the first sound that Cook had made or just the first one that he had been able to hear over his own voice.

"Oh, oh, oh," David chanted as he felt his whole body tighten. He had had enough orgasms with Cook already to know what the approach of one felt like, but this was definitely something different. He'd never felt his release rushing at him quite this fast, threatening to overtake him like a tidal wave and pull him under. "David!" the younger man ground out as his pleasure crested and his body jerked with the force of it. He felt a warm wetness hit his stomach and his body clamped down on Cook. Every nerve in his body tingled and his skin suddenly felt hypersensitive to the air around him.

Looking up at Cook, David saw the older man's face contort, the pleasure washing over him just as quickly as it had David himself and he jerked once, twice, before his arms gave out. He collapsed onto David, their bodies still connected, and buried his face in the space between David's shoulder and his neck. David could feel a warm moisture against his neck as Cook struggled for breath. Finally, as he lifted his head just enough to look at his partner, Cook asked, "Y'Okay?"

David nodded, his lips curving up even as tears flooded his cheeks. He pulled Cook's head closer and met his lips in a frantic kiss. When they broke apart, Cook touched David's cheek and asked what was wrong. David just shook his head, so overcome with emotion that he couldn't speak. Cook's concerned eyes stayed glued to him, his warm hand stroking David's cheek and his lips kissing away the salty tears. "Baby, talk to me," Cook pleaded.

"I just . . ." David croaked, struggling to find his voice amidst the torrent of feelings that swirled inside him. Finally he managed, "I just never knew that I could love someone so much."

"Aw, Archie," Cook crooned as he pulled the younger man against him, wrapping him in his arms in a fierce hug. David could hear Cook chanting into his ear, "Love you, love you, love you so much," and it made him feel like he might burst with joy.

They stayed that way for a long time, clinging together and whispering to one another. David didn't remember half of what they said, but he would never forget the feeling of being so close to Cook, almost like they were two halves of the same person. When Cook had eventually moved, slipping completely from within David, he'd wanted to cry again at the loss. But then Cook was there in an instant, pulling David onto his chest and touching his hair and rubbing his back and kissing his face. And David felt safe and loved and like nothing in the world could ever be bad as long as they had this. As long as they had each other.

That had been five weeks ago. David had lost count of how many times they'd been together since that night, but none of them had ever ceased to be just as amazing. He loved the way that Cook touched him, the way that they moved together, and the taste of himself on Cook's tongue. He loved waking up in the middle of the night and feeling Cook's arms around him, Cook's breath ruffling his hair slightly as he slept. He even loved those first kisses when they woke up together, morning breath and all. It didn't matter because it was Cook, *his* Cook. David smiled to himself at that thought.

They both had busy lives and so many commitments to keep up with that finding time to be together hadn't been the easiest thing in the world. But, somehow, they'd made it work. About a month before, Cook had decided that it was high time he took a vacation. He'd been releasing albums and touring pretty much nonstop since Idol had ended and he thought it was about time that he took a well-deserved break. He had broached the subject with David over dinner one night, asking how David felt about the two of them possibly taking some time off together. David had smiled immediately and told Cook that it was the best idea he'd heard in a long time.

And so, Hiatus Day was born.

Hiatus Day was the first day of a two-month long break from work for both men. They determined that they would spend at least the first day in bed, then they would see what happened from there. David hadn't thought much about the other fifty-nine days. He'd been too focused on that first one.

Cook smiled down at his lover and said, "Happy Hiatus Day." David returned the smile and pulled him down for a long kiss.

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Part Two