[Secret Santa Fanfic] Keep the Home Fires Burning part 2
Now on with the rest of the story
Sergeant Major Alfred F. Jones arrived at Massport’s Logan Airport at 1:23A.M., Christmas morning. He stepped off the plane in is dress blues, brass shining, white cap in hand and his carry on G.I. backpack slung over one shoulder. It had been a long trip, Alfred had pulled a lot of strings, and called in almost every favor owed him, but the he had made it home in time for Christmas!
He smiled and breathed deeply over nine months away from home even made the stale air in the airport smell sweeter.
Arthur was going to be so happy, and he couldn’t wait to see Arthur!
But before he ran home to Arthur he needed to go through customs and stop by the baggage claim.
He set off in that direction, the airport was still a bit busy despite it being early on Christmas morning.
***
Arthur looked up with wide eyes at the airport, then turned back to see Madeline and Kiku smiling knowingly at him. They had parked in the arrival pickup zone, the four conspirators stood around the car, Levi lighting up a cigarette.
He didn’t have to ask the question, Madeline just nodded.
“Go get him.”
Arthur did not have to be told twice, he took off heart pounding in his ears.
***
His duffle bag slid out of the shoot and onto the bag train caught between a hot pink rolling suit-case and a set of golf clubs. Alfred stood at easy with the other passengers and waited for his bag to trundle past. He wanted to fidget he could feel the stares of passersby on the back of his neck. Not, bad stares or the stares of people who didn’t want him here. They were just the stares of the overly curious. They were the same wide-eyed looks he had received when he had stepped out of the air plane bathroom in his dress blues twenty minutes before the plane landed. They asked what’s a soldier doing here.
He snatched up his bag as it passed by. Out the corner of his eye he saw a couple greeting one another with a kiss. And just for a moment wished for a moment that he had told Arthur that he would be coming home, but he had been the one dead set on surprising Arthur for Christmas. Even Madeline had told him it was a stupid idea, over the phone when he had called her to ask for a pick up from the airport. But he had ignored his sister’s pleading to just ‘be a normal person for once,’ and-
“Alfred!” The voice cut through his thoughts like a sharp knife though something soft.
No it couldn’t, be could it? He turned and saw-
***
Arthur felt his breath catch, Alfred stood there in with his back to him in front of the baggage claim. His hair was slicked back, but Arthur would recognize that cowlick that would not lay flat no matter how much hair-gel was used, anywhere.
“Alfred!” The name left his lips before his mind could register what his heart had decided.
Alfred turned to sound of his name and for the second time with in as many seconds felt his breath catch again and his heart ponding somewhere in his throat.
Alfred’s blue eyes met his, they were wide behind his the wire frames of his glasses. As if he didn’t believe Arthur was really standing not ten feet away.
And suddenly he was there, they were there. Whether he had run to Alfred, or Alfred had run to him, or if they had met somewhere in the middle, he couldn’t be bothered with figuring out. All Arthur cared about was that, he was throwing his arms around the Marine’s neck, and Alfred had wrapped his arms tightly around Arthur’s waist. He was aware of a couple of heavy thumps as Alfred picked him up and spun them in a wild circle while one of them chanted “You’re here, you’re really here!”
Alfred smiled as he set Arthur back on his feet but did not release his hold. Relishing in the feeling of have Arthur in his arms again! He looked down into green eyes, whose mere thought of, had kept him sane during his darkest hours. He could feel his eyes watering as he cupped the side of Arthur’s face and tipped him back, kissing the man in his arms with all the pent up passion of nine months.
This was happening, really happening! He wasn’t dreaming. Alfred was really here holding him and kissing him in that truly iconic (embarrassing) manner, that never failed to turn his world on its head. He kissed back, not really caring for once who saw them, the law had changed after all. Though despite the overwhelming joy he felt, there was something nagging at the back of his head.
After a long moment Alfred righted the both of them still smiling. He tried to form words but found he couldn’t, because it was that moment that Arthur chose to slap him across the face so hard that it knocked his glasses askew.
“That’s for not telling me you were coming home you git!” Arthur said feeling his mild anger subside.
He placed both his hands on Alfred’s face turning it back to him. He then adjusted Alfred’s glasses till they sat ruler strait on his nose, smiling. He stood on tiptoe (sometimes that half inch of height difference was a bit of bother) and kissed the cheeked he had struck .
“And that’s for coming home,” He said in a voice barely above a whisper.
Arthur then hid his face in Alfred’s collar, his modesty finally catching up with him.
Alfred his face still stinging, chucked regardless. He rested head against Arthur‘s, aware of his shoulder becoming damp, but he didn’t say anything about it.
“I missed you too sweetheart.” He said kissing Arthur’s temple.
Arthur pulled away from his just enough to look upwards into the smiling blue eyes he had fallen in love with all those years ago on that rainy day.
He rested his fore head against Arthur’s .
“You look cute in my jacket by the way.” He said in sing song voice that made Arthur roll his eyes.
“Oh hush, you!” He said rubbing at his eyes, in an attempt to get rid of the tears that had gathered at the corners of his eyes, “It’s not like I had much choice before I was brought here.”
A polite cough brought them both out of the private world they had lost themselves in; sounds and people returning in an instant. They looked to see Madeline standing with her hands on her hips next to Kiku, who looked to be stashing a camera in a pocket, both wearing matching knowing smirks.
Alfred looked back to Arthur thoroughly confused, while Arthur shrugged.
“They kidnapped me.”
“I told you, your plan was stupid Alfred,” Madeline said stepping forward, “And this way you were both surprised.”
The Marine stared his twin down, a stare that was easily returned. Alfred let Arthur go and step forward, towering over his sister
“Stupid was it?”
She nodded, “Yep, my plan was better.”
He glanced sidelong at Kiku who had decided not to say anything at this point, and then back to his sister.
“Well then.” Alfred’s face broke into a grin, as Madeline felt her blood run cold. She didn’t have time to run before her brother tackled her around the middle picked her up with little effort and spun her around like a top.
“Alfred, put me down right now!” She shirked, “You’re making a scene!”
“Nope, this is punishment and thanks Maddie”
Arthur laughed as slightly disheveled Madeline was set back on her feet. Kiku was not spared from Alfred’s exuberance either, he was swept in a hug as well that made the Asian man go beat red.
“Thank you both,” Arthur said once Alfred had let go of their friend before he lost the ability to breathe.
Madeline smiled at him in a way that not quite said I told you so.
“You’re Welcome.” She then turned to her brother, “Al, you need to pick up your stuff and go, Levi’s parked side and we don’t want to hold up traffic longer that we have to.”
Alfred nodded, picked up his bags and placed his cap on his head. He took Arthur’s hand and laced their fingers together, which the Englishman smiled and squeezed tighter.
“Let’s go home.
***
The ride back to their Boston brownstone was quiet, Alfred and Arthur spending most of time cuddling in the back most row of the van. It was nearly 2:30 in the morning when the door closed behind them. But still they lunched themselves at one another, pulling at clothing trying to get at the skin underneath. They left a trail of clothing from the door, up the stairs, to the master bedroom.
Alfred had latched himself to Arthur’s neck sucking on spot that drove him wild. He staggered backwards until the backs of his knees hit the edge of the bed. Arthur let himself fall over backwards pulling Alfred with him. For the first time in a long time, Alfred hovered over him in the darkness or their room, looking at him with such, love. He reached for him, panting, “Love you, missed you. Please.”
His hands savored the feeling of Alfred’s bare skin, as he wrapped his arms around his shoulders. The Marine ducked down to kiss him in the way that left him breathless. They spent the rest of evening, morning reaquainting themselves to one another.
When their passion had been spent, Arthur was pleased to fall asleep holding Alfred and not his pillow. He breathed in his scent, something made up of mild soap and aftershave, leather, and something that just couldn’t be named, and was more of feeling than a scent. Rejoicing in the feeling of warmth and safety those arms provided.
***
It was Alfred who woke up first later Christmas day, to the daylight streaming through the window. He blinking in the light, he yawned and pulled Arthur tighter against chest burying his nose in Arthur’s hair. How happy he was to be home!
Arthur stirred in his arms and blinked bleary green eyes open.
“Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”
The man yawned then smiled, “Happy Christmas, love.”
Oh how he missed the way that Arthur would crinkle his nose in the morning when he yawned. He placed a kiss to Arthur’s lips, nothing more than a peck and felt Arthur smile.
Alfred pulled away, “I love you.”
Arthur ran his fingers the muscled plains of the Marine’s chest, “And I you.”
He left the statement hanging in the air, and bit his lip; a little worm of a thought wriggling its way to the forefront of his mind. Arthur didn’t want to think about this now, not when he had just got Alfred back, but it was a question that he knew he had to be asked sooner or later.
“What’cha think’n about Arthur?” Alfred asked when he felt Arthur still in his arms.
He looked up into those blue eyes, he reached up to brush aside the hair that fell across Alfred’s forehead to see them better. His hand slid down the side of his face as he leaned in for another kiss.
When they pulled apart Arthur bit the bullet, “How long do I get to keep you this time?”
Alfred sat up pulling Arthur up with him. But the Marine’s face was not set the usual dejected expression he wore whenever the subject of the length of his leave was brought up. Instead Alfred was smiling a smile that nearly reached his eyes.
“Stay here kay, I’ll be right back.” Alfred said with another kiss as he leapt out of bed. He picked up a discarded pair of boxers and tugged them on as he left the bedroom.
Arthur sat there blinking and feeling as though he had been caught in the wake of a barge. He cringed at the thumping that was the sound of Alfred running down the stairs, and sighed. He flopped back on the mattress arms spread eagle wondering what Alfred was up to.
A fuzzy head pressed itself into his hand and he looked to see Baxter, the kitten sitting on the side of the bed Alfred, had abandoned temporarily. He looked expectantly in the way kitten’s do when they want something. He scratched the small ball of fluff behind the ears, setting the creature purring like engine.
“Here, we go! Hey who is this little guy?” Alfred said upon reentry presenting him with a large envelope, of the kind used by people and government agencies who couldn’t be bothered with the folding of paper. Arthur sat up, picking up Baxter as he did so. He traded the envelope for the kitten, and Alfred face went from giddy to soft.
“This is Baxter,” Arthur said as Alfred sat on the edge of the bed petting the kitten excitedly, “he’s the newest member of the family.”
Alfred cooed as Baxter chewed playful on his fingers.
“Hey there Baxter,” Alfred said as held the kitten up to his nose, which Baxter licked and pawed at the side of his face.
“So this is the kitten you mentioned in your last letter?”
Arthur hummed in reply, “Yes, though I’d be careful he may be friendly, but Ignatius has become very protective of the little ankle bitter as of late.”
Alfred placed Baxter back on the bed, playing keep-away with hands, which the kitten found to be great fun. “Aw I’m not afraid of old Iggy. So why Baxter, it a good name but a little odd.”
“Well it was either that, or leave the poor thing christened ‘Hamburger’. I mean honestly who in the right mind names a cat after a foods stuff.” Arthur groused.
He was met with a laugh , “I like hamburgers.”
Arthur sighed, “Yes, I know, but ‘Hamburger’ does not make a good name for a cat.”
“Now,” he waved the envelope, “what is this?”
“Your Christmas present,” Alfred said with a strange look of glee.
To which Arthur raised an eyebrow and looked at the envelope as though it might explode.
“Go on open it !” Alfred urged, when he felt he was taking too long
With a long draw out sigh, he took his time opening the package enjoying the sight of the Marine fidgeting. A packet of papers slid out and he set the envelope aside. The top most sheet looked a bit like a diploma, all curly writhing and stiff paper. He scanned the sheet once looked up wide eyed at Alfred, and scanned the page again just to make sure that the words on the paper were really and not just something he had willed into existence.
Emblazoned across the top of document were the words ‘Honorable Discharge’. Oh, there were other phrases on the paper as well like ‘The United States Marine Core’ and ‘Graciously, presents Sergeant Master, Alfred F. Jones with an Honorable Discharge…’,
A hand flew to his mouth and he felt the tear begin to gather at the corners of his eyes. He felt Alfred slip an arm around his shoulder and tug him into a one armed hug, and he leaned into the embrace.
“How? I mean t-this is real right ? Not just some kind of joke! Well no of course not, but but this means what I think, no ,no not think, what I know it means right?” Arthur rushed out, all of his thoughts that had surged into his mind the moment he read the document, exiting his mind viva the path of least resistance. He searched Alfred’s face for confirmation, because he couldn’t believe this until he heard Alfred say it loud.
The now ex-Marine nodded, “Yep, you don’t have to give me back this time, I’m yours to keep!”
Arthur threw his arms about Alfred’s neck the force of which sending them back into the mattress. The paper’s flying off the bed with Baxter in pursuit. He didn’t bother about the tears that rolled down his cheeks, they were good tears! Alfred reached out laughing to wipe his cheeks, and whispered sweet-mindless things in his ear.
“How?” he mouthed.
“I can’t tell you much,” Alfred began, “special opts stuff. But let’s just say that if it wasn’t for me and a couple of buddies, some not nice things would have happened, International incident type stuff that would have made our jobs over there a whole lot harder. Afterwards the tops brass over there wanted to reward, i.e. keep us quite, because they couldn’t give us metals for something that didn’t happen on paper, and they told us name to our prices. And some of my buddies got made officers, but I told them I wanted my walking papers and to be by home by Christmas.”
He took Arthur’s hand and kissed it, “Originally I had planned to show up on the door step in my dress blues holding the discharge certificate, but Maddie had other ideas. I’m glad I told her though, you got to greet me at the airport in my uniform because of it!”
“Git,” Arthur said though it was used a more of an endearment than an insult, “I wish you would have told me as opposed to going through all this secrecy it would have saved me an awful lot of trouble.”
Blue eyes crinkled around the edges “I know, but I really, really, wanted to surprise you!”
Arthur rolled his eyes, but stilled kissed Alfred’s nose. “Alright love, you’re forgiven.”
He moved to straddled Alfred’s hips the blankets that had been covering his lower half fell away. He leaned over the ex-soldier as Alfred took hold of his hips. Blue met green as Arthur’s lips hovered a hair’s-breadth above Alfred’s.
“So what shall we do now, love, on this Christmas day?”
Alfred sealed their lips together, his hand rubbing up and down his lover’s back as an answer. The kissing grew more heated, and Arthur pulled away before things got too heated, causing the ex-solider to whimper in manner that was all too cute.
“Well?”
Alfred sighed but said in a happy tone, “I want to hold you for the rest of the day, and catch up on everything I missed while I was gone, and then I want to talk long and hard a about the future, our future, preferably while holding you in front of a fire. But right now, I want you to kiss you, and tell you how much I love you and missed you while I was away!”
The Englishman gave the ex-Marine a smirk that he was sure that Arthur must have inherited form those pirate ancestors he often bragged about. One that spoke of a fun time ahead, but there was also something there in the underlying expression, that spoke of a great happiness. He felt it in the way that Arthur kissed him.
“I missed you.” He whispered into his skin. “So much.”
And much later, Alfred would hold him in front of the fire place, wrapped up in blankets. And he would whisper sweet nothings into his ear. They would make plans for the future, and the knowledge that Alfred would not have to leave him again would make those plans, seem all the brighter.