Reunited

A/N: yes, it is a litttle choppy. there is a small section missing between this and "Hello", mostly because Hello was written as a kind of prequel to this story. they are almost finished, but i had more important things to do before i started working on them. so, this is technically the 4th part of the series. sorry! i'll have the rest up later.1

Andrew’s POV2

I was next to the baggage claim at the airport, and at any moment I was sure I was going to faint. Really, I was. I hadn’t seen Zach in three years, and out of the freaking blue, he calls and tells me he’s coming back home-our home.3

Three years. Three years since the person I was in love with left for London without so much as a decent good-bye. Three years since I had checked the only message on the answering machine to hear his stupid message.4

“Andrew, I’m sorry I’m not telling you this in person. I left for London tonight. I’ll miss you, I love you. Good-bye.”5

And just like that, I never heard from him again. I letter, once or twice. And I think a phone call, but he hung up right as I said “hello?”. Otherwise, nothing. 6

Until now, that is.7

He’s due any second. I figured I’d be easy to recognize. I hadn’t changed much. Well, my hair is longer. As for him, I had no idea. Last time I saw him, his eyes were brown, his hair was brown, and he was pale. He couldn’t have gotten any tanner in London, at least I was certain of that. There is no sun in that place. 8

I was about to give up when I heard a familiar voice say “Andrew? Andy?” I turned around, and there he was. Still pale, still a brunette, still…gorgeous. He smiled at me.9

“Long time, huh?”. He was as nervous as I was, thank God. 10

“Yeah, long time,” I answered. We awkwardly hugged, and he turned to get his bags.11

~~~12

In the car, you could’ve heard a pin drop. Neither of us would talk, and we still had a good half-hour drive in front of us. But come on, what was I going to say to him? Nice to see you, how long has it been since you left me? I don’t think so. 13

I ended up saying “So, London…what was it like?”14

“Great! It’s really different from the U.S,”15

“Really? You still couldn’t get a tan, couldn’t have been too different,”16

That broke the ice. He started laughing. His paleness had been a constant source of amusement for us. We would be getting dressed, and I would tell him he had to be a vampire to be that freaking pale. Suddenly, I noticed we had both stopped laughing. I don’t know about him, but I was thinking of the shower that we shared before we got dressed, and exactly where he was so paper white. I tell you, I know every hair and mark on that body, no joking. And he knows each one on mine if you ask him. I turned to look at him.17

“Zach…why did you leave?”18

“Don’t start this Andy,” He answered, not looking at me.19

“I just wanted to—“20

“NO! We don’t need to talk about this right now!”21

“Yes we do! Look, I waited three fucking years. I might not get another chance! We could get hit by another car ten seconds from now, and I’d die without knowing why you left me. Did I do something wrong?“22

“No.”23

“I want an explanation! We had that fight, then you left.” 24

“Such a stupid fight. Made no sense at all,” he mumbled, more to himself than me.25

“Is that why you left?”26

“No. I had a chance to work at a firm in Europe, Andy!”27

“You could have refused.”28

“No, it was just what I wanted. A dream job.”29

“So you left and didn’t speak to me for years because of a job? Is that what you’re saying?” He looked at me for a second, then shook his head no.30

“Then why? I think I have the right to know! You didn’t even properly break up with me. Just said “I’m leaving for London, bye” and I never heard from you again! It took me forever to get over the fact you we gone! It was like you’d be back any moment, it was torture!”31

“I’m sorry.” he whispered. He was crying. “ It’s just that…it was too much for me.”32

“What?”33

“You, me, ‘love’, everything. There were to many emotions, and things to worry about, and it unnerved me. You were suffocating me…I had to get out.”34

“But three years? Not a call, a letter, or anything? I didn’t even know if you were alive!”35

“Look, we’re home. Let me get a little sleep, then we’ll talk.”  36

I let him go inside and sleep. I wasn’t going to get much out of him while he was in this mood.37

~~~38

A few hours later, when he had slept, I pulled him into the kitchen to get something to eat. As he ate his sandwich, we sat in silence, staring at each other. Finally, he sighed and took my hand.39

“We can’t do this all night,” he said.40

“What?” I asked, pulling my hand back.41

“Shoot daggers at each other. You haven’t said a thing since we got out of the car.”42

“I thought you didn’t want to talk, Zachie.” 43

He was silent for a moment.44

“Don’t call me that,” he said quietly.45

“Why? You called me Andy.”46

“Everyone calls you Andy.”47

“Everyone calls me Drew. You call me Andy.”48

“Andrew, please!”49

“What are you asking for, Zach? And why now? You didn’t ask if I wanted to be left alone, or if I wanted to hear from you, or if you could come back. If I wanted you back.”50

I knew I was torturing him, but hey, I went through it for 3 years, he could surely take a few minutes of it. After looking at him, though, it was obvious he couldn’t. He was already crying in big, heaving sobs, and probably about to fall out of his chair, being slumped over so far. I couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for him.51

“I’m sorry, Zach.”52

He looked up at me. He’s beautiful when he cries, even if he is upset.53

“Andy…you didn’t want me back?”54

“Of course I wanted you back! I have since the day you left, silly. Don’t you get it?” I leaned over and took his hand. “I love you.”55

He stopped crying. In fact, I think he stopped breathing altogether. His eyes widened a little as he stared at me. Then, in a low whisper, he said, “You…still?” 56

“Of course. Don’t you still care about me?”57

“Yes…yes, very much.” He was still whispering.58

“That’s good. I was hoping you did.” I said, standing up. He stood up, also. I looked into his eyes for maybe half a second before I kissed him, pulling him as close to me as I could. Which would have been a lovely gesture if the sudden movement hadn’t caused us to fall over each other’s feet. I landed on my ass, with him on top of me. It took no time at all to join lips again. Hell with the fact I had smacked my head on the floor, I was in heaven. I was breathing him, and his kisses, and touches, and sounds. We slowly rolled over so I was on top of him, and I looked down at him for a second and smiled, working my way down his neck and leaving little wet marks on his skin. I pushed up his shirt and sweater so I could get to his chest and stomach, and the entire time he was letting out the sweetest little moans I’ve ever heard in my life, urging me on.59

“Andyyyy…. God, Andy, I missed you so much…yeah, there…. God...An-ANDY, STOP, NO!”60

I looked up at him, alarmed. I had reached his belt and pants, dead set on getting them off. He looked into my eyes, cupping my cheek with his hand.61

“Not yet, Andy. Just kiss me for now. I’ve just gotten back…this has to be done right. Please?”62

He gave me his ‘please agree with everything I say’ look, and I sighed, nodded, and stood up. He looked at me.63

“Huh?”64

“Couch.” I said.65

“Oh, okay.”66

He stood up with me, and wrapped his lithe little arms and legs around me, leaving me to get us to the living room. I lied on top of him on the couch, and parted lips long enough to get a good look at him. His liquid brown eyes stared back at me, and I’m telling you, he was dazzling. His pale skin was blushed pink, and his pupils were huge. It took my breath away, really. He looked confused.67

“Why are you looking at me like that, Andy?” he whispered.68

“Because you’re so beautiful, Zachie...”69

“Oh….”. He blushed even more, and I leaned down to kiss him.70

*~~~*71

Zachary’s P.O.V.72

I hadn’t originally planned to stop Andrew. In fact, after he told me he loved me, and then gave me that glorious kiss, I had a vision of us having sex on the kitchen table--which we’ve actually done. Hey, it might not be the most comfortable place in the entire world, but we were in a part of our relationship where some things just couldn’t wait. Such as getting to the bedroom. Anyway, it just didn’t feel right to do it not yet. We still had wounds, and things to fix. I didn’t want to sleep with him in that a mindset. 73

I was so happy when he called me beautiful--not because of what he said, although that was nice, but because of what I saw. I looked up into his sparkly eyes, and saw…love. Then I knew he was honest, about loving me. It wasn’t lust, but LOVE, capital letters and everything! He must have missed me as much as I missed him.74

I woke up late the next morning. 75

I got up out of bed, and, hearing noise, I pulled on a shirt and padded into the kitchen, where Andrew was trying to make breakfast. Judging from the smell, trying was the operative word. He was staring at what was supposed to be food, a large scowl adorning his face. I could hear him muttering curse after curse, so I slid up behind him, wrapped my arms around his waist, and hugged him, squeezing tight. “You cook now?” I asked. He never could before, and I doubted he had learned.76

“Humph. No. I burn. Not cook, burn,” he sighed, leaning against me. “Can you order a pizza at 9 in the morning?”77

“Hon, don’t worry about it.” I totally saw this coming, considering it took him a whole 5 months to figure out how to use the toaster. It’s quite endearing, actually, one of those unbearably cute things that people do.78

I turned him around so I could chase away his frown with some playful little kisses. He smiled ever so slightly. “I’ll never learn to cook.” he whispered. “And I really wanted to make things special.” The poor thing looked so upset.79

“Oh, sweetie… Just being back is special. Come on, get dressed, and we’ll go out somewhere for breakfast. Hell, lunch and dinner, too! As long as I’m back, we’ll make a celebration of it!”80

He smiled, and it was settled. We showered and dressed, and set about finding a place to eat.81

We finally decided to go to a restaurant that was a favorite of ours before I left. We used to go there practically everyday. We ordered, and as we sat eating, we discussed the day’s events. I took a sip of my orange juice, and asked, “Can we go to the aquarium? I haven’t seen it in so long. Remember, when we used to go all the time?”82

“Of course, Zachie. How could I forget?” He was gazing at me, smiling. God, I love when he does that! I smiled back at him.83

“What else do you want to do today, Andy?”84

“I don’t care. I’m just glad you’re home.”85

Now, normally, a comment like that would have me running. I’d be thinking he cares about me too much. I have to get out; I have to get away, it’s killing me. Before I left, that happened a lot. It was like I had a plastic bag over my head, and I was still trying to breathe. But, I realized that for the first time in a long time, I wasn’t uncomfortable, I wasn’t suffocated. It was lonely in London; I hadn’t realized I would miss him so much. 86

I reached across the table and lay my hand on top of his. He looked up at me, lifted my hand, and kissed my ring--the ring he gave me. I’ve never taken it off in the 5 years I’ve had it, a little under a quarter of my life, and his also.87

Such a simple little thing to mean so much. He looked into my eyes, amused.88

“I can’t believe you still have this.”89

“Why wouldn’t I?”90

“I dunno. I figured you would have gotten rid of it.”91

“I’d never do that. I knew one day I’d come back, and you’d be upset if I didn’t have it.”92

“Oh…well you’re right. I would’ve.” He smiled at me.93

“Shall we go?”94

The aquarium was just as beautiful as I remembered. We walked around outside a bit, then, going under and inside, we stood in front of the big tanks. The way the place is built, you go into a large tunnel with water and fish all around you. Technically you’re underwater, because the tunnel is built through the bay. 95

As we watched the fish, Andrew stood behind me, arms around my waist, and put his head over my shoulder.96

“You haven’t said if you’ve forgiven me or not…that night I called, when I got here…you’re acting like I never left.” The second I said it, I wanted to take it back. What if I had just changed his mind?97

He gave me a kiss on the cheek, and squeezed me a little tighter.98

“In my opinion…you haven’t left,” he whispered back. 99

I leaned against him, sighing happily. He whispered in my ear, “This is where I gave you that ring.”100

“I remember.” You don’t forget something like that, no matter what. I had cried so much that day. It was almost like getting married or something. He had given me a small kiss, then slipped a thin, silver ring onto my finger. My very favorite memory.101

I looked at him, smiling. “Ready to go?”102

“Yeah. Hey, you wanna go see a movie or something?”103

“Can we rent some?” I’d rather stay home, so I can get up without missing the movie.104

“Of course! Let’s go.”105

We walked out of the aquarium with his arm around my waist, the perfect Kodak moment. 106

Of course the movies were a blast. We rented three; a funny one, a scary one, and a romantic one. I love funny movies, whereas he loves the scary ones. Scary movies creep me out so much. I remember when we were dating, he would let me get absorbed in the movie, then shout and make a scary noise, and I’d jump about 10 feet in the air.107

It was no different this time.108

We were watching some movie; I don’t know which one. All I know is, this woman was walking into a room with a lot of things covered in sheets, and there were these really scary voices. I was leaning forward in my seat, waiting for something to happen, and wouldn’t you know it, Andrew just grabs me, making this loud noise. I jumped about 12 feet in the air! And he just sat there, laughing!109

The funny movie we got was good, but the best was the romantic one. We sat cuddled up together under our old, soft blanket. I must have fallen asleep, because at one point I opened my eyes, and the volume was turned down way low. I could feel his hand playing with my hair, his fingers making little circles on my scalp. It felt delicious. I looked up at him, and he smiled at me. I smiled back.110

“Hey, sweetie. How long have I been asleep?”111

“Only about half an hour.”112

“You poor thing, up all alone.”113

“It’s okay, I like watching you sleep.”114

That was so sweet. I gave him a smile.115

“Am I cramping your arm?” I had fallen asleep on the crook of his shoulder, with my arms around him.116

“No, you’re light as a feather.”117

“Yeah. In deep space travel,” I snorted. I pulled him close for a kiss. Instead of the warm, open mouth kiss I wanted, however, I got a chaste little close-lipped kiss. He was teasing me. I let out an offended “Hey!”118

“What?”119

“That’s not a kiss.” I smiled. “This is a kiss.” 120

I leaned forward, capturing his mouth, and sitting on his lap. As soon as I felt his arms around me, I straddled him, working my hands under his shirt, then let them trail from there to his belt. He stopped me, more than a little surprised. 121

“Are you sure you want to do this, Zach? I won’t if you aren’t ready.”122

I looked into his eyes. It’s now or never, Zachary.123

“Yes, Andy, I’m sure. I want you.”124

*~~~*125

The first thing Andrew thought was that he didn’t want to have sex in the living room.126

“Bedroom?” he panted. Zach nodded, and he let Andrew pull him up and into the dimly lit room.127

“Do you remember how much we used to love this?” Andrew whispered as they stripped quickly.128

“Yes, Andy, I do.”129

Zach put his arms around Andrew’s neck and sat on the bed, pulling Andrew with him. Wrapping his legs around Andrew’s waist, he pressed up against him.130

“Come on, Andy, I want it, now!” he said. He grasped Andrew’s head with both hands and kissed him, hard. “I missed you so much, baby.”131

“Oh God, I missed you, too! But, are you sure you want this?”132

“I want it so bad it hurts! Please, hurry up, or I’ll come from your voice alone!” he moaned, pulling him closer. He tilted his head back, leaving his pale neck open for kisses. As Andrew attacked his neck, Zach took one of Andrews fingers and put it in his mouth, sucking on it until it was coated in saliva, then took it from his mouth and pushed it lower.133

“C’mon, Andy.”134

Andrew smiled a little. “Slow down, baby, we’ve got all night.” He very slowly pushed the finger inside of his lover, watching his dark eyelashes flutter seductively. Zach didn’t even flinch, just pushed back, moaning quietly that it had been “too long”.135

“I don’t need that, Andy, I need you.” he said, desperately wiggling. Andrew repositioned the both of them a bit, then pushed into Zach carefully. This time, Zach didn’t just flinch, he stiffened all together, and just about stopped breathing. His teeth and eyes clenched tightly.136

“Holy…fucking…shit.” he hissed.137

“Zachie, baby, you’re okay just relax, okay?”138

“I’m trying,” he said, hissing again.139

“Zach, you have to relax, come on.”140

Zach took a deep breath and pushed back. As soon as Andrew was fully seated, he held as still as possible, waiting for Zach, who was still clenching his teeth and eyes. After what seemed like an eternity, he finally mumbled something to Andrew.141

“What?” he asked, kissing the side of Zach’s mouth.142

“Don’t leave me waiting, Andy.”143

~~~~144

“Andy…Andy, I’m almost there, just a little more…there! That’s it, just a little harder… no, harder!”145

“Fucking Christ, Zach!” Andrew panted. He could hear the headboard hitting the wall, and under any other circumstances, he might have been worried about the damage. In this case, though, his mind was on other things. 146

They rode out their climaxes. Andrew rolled over onto his side, and smiled as Zach yawned and stroked his hair.147

“Mmmm…god, Andy. That was great. I mean, it’s always great, but this time was…great!”148

“Yeah…um, Zach?”149

“Yes?”150

“Not that you have to answer…unless you want to…but…have you…while you were in London…”151

Zach smiled. He could see where this was going. “No, I didn’t sleep with anyone in London,” he said, resting his head on Andrew’s shoulders.152

“Really?” Andrew said, astonished.153

“Why are you so surprised? Did you think I was whoring around or something?” Andrew shook his head, still a little amazed. “Well, what were you doing while I was gone?”154

“Nothing…but I’m not dependent on sex like you are. Besides, I always had this…dream you’d come back.”155

“Well, I knew I’d come back.” Zach answered. “And I knew I didn’t want anyone except you around my ass. It’s got high standards.” He started giggling. Andrew smiled, but he still had an uncertain look on his face.156

“Andy? What is it?”157

“You’re staying, right? You aren’t going back to London?”158

Zach stayed silent. Andrew read his thoughts.159

“Zachary! You can’t leave me now!”160

“Andy, please try to understand, I can’t just quit my job!” Zach said. “Can’t we just be happy I came to visit?”161

Andrew got out of bed, one sheet wrapped around his waist. He walked out of the room, not saying anything. Zach called after him. “Andy, please, I was going to tell you. Please, listen to me.”162

Andrew came back into the room. He hugged himself tightly, closing his eyes.163

“Leave. Go to the living room,” he choked out.164

“Andy…please.” Zach whimpered, trying to hug him. Andrew just backed away. 165

“Get out, Zachary. I’ll talk to you later, but right now I can’t bear to look at you.”166

Zachary left the room, and Andrew lay on the bed, sobbing and trying to think.167

~~~~168

Andrew finally centered himself and went into the living room, the sheet still wrapped around his lower body.169

Zach was sitting on the floor in front of the couch, crying hard in big, hiccuppy sobs. Andrew stood next to him, watching and wondering why he was down there. Suddenly, Zach looked up at him, eyes wide and wet from crying. He reached forward and wrapped his arms around Andrew’s knees, making him fall on the ground.170

“Christ, Zach, that hurt!”171

Zach quickly crawled over him, embracing him and burying his teary face in Andrew’s shoulder.172

“Forgive me, Andy, I’m so sorry! I’ll never hurt you again, I never meant to, not at all, I swear! I love you so much, Andy, I really do! I’m sorry! Just please don’t hate me, please…please…”173

Andrew watched him ramble. “Zach, I can’t do this again,” he said quietly. “I can’t go through this again. I thought I was enough to keep you here, but, obviously, I was wrong. If your job in London is so important-”174

“I’LL QUIT! I’ll come back for good, as long as you’ll forgive me.” Zach sobbed. The words were muffled almost beyond recognition, because he was still resting his head on Andrew’s shoulder. Andrew was silent for a moment.175

“You’d quit…for me?” he asked, confused.176

“Yes, anything.” Zach said, kissing his collarbone, and wiping away some of his tears.177

“But, Zach, it’s a huge job…your dream.”178

Zach stopped crying for a second. He gave Andrew a look of disbelief.179

“Baby…it’s just a job.” He cupped Andrew’s head with both hands. “You are my dream, Andy. I love you, I want you. I’ll call them right now and tell them I’m moving back, and I’ll have my stuff shipped over. Just say you forgive me.”180

“I…I forgive you, Zachie.”181

Zach smiled and gave him a long kiss, wrapping his arms around Andrew’s waist. “Thank you, Andy. I’ll call first thing in the morning, I promise, okay, baby?”182

“Okay. Let’s go to sleep, huh? It’s late.”183

“Just sleep?” Zach joked, rubbing a leg on his sheet-covered crotch. 184

“Yes, just sleep. You wear me out, you always have,” Andrew said quietly.185

“Oh, alright.” Zach said, pressing against him in a sort of spooning position.186

“Well, I’m not gonna sleep on the floor!” Andrew protested.187

“Why not, we’ve got a sheet, and there’s blankets on the sofa. And I’ll keep you warm, too,” Zach said, unwrapping some of the sheet from Andrew’s waist and snuggling close.188

Andrew, defeated, finally just sighed an “okay,” and reached up for the blanket and a few pillows. Zach held tight to Andrew, resting his head on a pillow. Andrew turned to face him.189

“I missed this. So much.” he whispered. 190

“Me too. But you won’t miss it any more, Andy…I promise.”191

Andrew smiled, brushing some of Zach’s hair from his face. 192

“Now this is a nice way to sleep. Although I’d prefer a few certain actions first,” Zach purred, kissing Andrew’s nose.193

“Hush, you libido driven maniac. Go to sleep.”194

“Only with you am I libido driven. Therefore, it’s your fault. You’re gonna have to get ugly, mean, and straight if you want me to stop,” Zach mumbled back.195

Andrew burst into quiet laughter. “Good night, Zach.”196

“Good night. I love you.”197

“I love you, too, hon.” He gave Zach one last hug, then let himself fall asleep.198