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Harry leans back on the sofa, sweaty and so massively blissed out. The weight of his taller lover is pressing down heavily on top of him. It's the best feeling in the world to hold the man he loves in his arms again.
"Oh, my sweet Harry, good God," James gasps once he gets his bearings back and has opened his eyes to look at Harry. It makes Harry chuckle and he plants a deep kiss on his boyfriend's perfect mouth.
Damn right 'Good God'! It was perfect. They still got it – not that Harry ever had any doubts about that!
James stumbles up off of Harry's lap letting out a low mewling groan like he's a hundred years old or something. It's no surprise though: those slim legs just got themselves a pretty decent workout. Harry can even see how they're shaking a bit.
They have been tangled in with each other in a burning hot loving embrace, thrusting and grinding on the sofa for – Harry can't even tell how long they've been going at it. All he knows is how amazing it was and how much he missed them being together.
He stays sitting on the sofa grinning proudly, watching his boyfriend gingerly trying to not look like he's run a marathon even though he's just been bouncing in Harry's lap back and forth. But to be fair, Harry's legs are shaking a bit as well, James definitely wore him out too.
Still, he cannot not tease James about looking so incredibly worn out – in the best possible kind of way. "Aww. Did I wear ya out, you old Roister Doister you?" He laughs and smacks James lightly on his lovely butt, earning a high pitch humph and pleased grin in return. It has been way – WAY – too long since the last time they made love.
Everything just exploded tonight. All that deep longing and yearning that's been piling up over days and weeks and building into this huge desperate pent-up craving they so badly needed to deal with.
It was actually a really interesting thing that happened in court earlier: it was like Harry could see a switch being flipped in James when he won the trial. It was like his boyfriend came back to him again. The case was over and James could finally forget about all that stress and just allow himself to live his life to the fullest like he used to.
The way James looked at him again was bloody amazing and everything Harry's been missing. James, the wild tiger, came out to play again with all that 'voracious carnal appetite' – that James had called it once. And that's exactly what Harry got back: his sexy wild tiger – and his sweet boyfriend too.
That's why their bags were dropped the second they got inside the cottage. James's hungry mouth was on him before the door even closed behind them and his hands were desperately tugging on Harry's clothes. They didn't even make it to the bedroom and the super king bed like Harry had planned.
Harry drags a hand through his hair thinking about it. Thirty-four days and no sex.
It's been thirty-four very long exhausting days. That bloody defamation case James has been working on for the past month has been stealing all his boyfriend's attention – and his own! He's been helping the overworked solicitor with all sorts, practically becoming his personal assistant. Fixing lunches, rescheduling meetings, answering emails, and getting those fancy suits from the dry cleaners. He's been running all kinds of errands back and forth.
Harry got really lucky with the timing of it all at least – he's really grateful for that. He didn't have much else to do this summer than just wait around for the uni autumn term to start up anyway. Plus, the biggest perk of becoming James's PA was the fact that it was the only way he could actually catch a glimpse of his boyfriend since he had taken the case on.
Not only has James been working nonstop every day but he's been taking the work home with him every night too. Harry can't deny that they have been having a few dips in their relationship and a lot more arguments because of it.
James has been so stressed and Harry hates to watch him work himself into the ground. All because of the case: a high-profile case, one that could really put Dee Valley Law on the map. All the amazing opportunities it could bring the law firm was James's defence for working around the clock and obsessing over every little detail.
Harry knows how important it was to James but that doesn't mean that James should have to sacrifice everything around him to make it happen. There has to be another way, a middle ground somehow. It's not healthy. All Harry wants is the best for James and that means less stress. He's been trying to get that through his boyfriend’s stubborn head all month.
Sure there's been some improvements – like James's diet: living off more than just triple espressos and bananas every day. But there's still a long way to go until James will start to have a more healthy working relationship with those high-pressure court cases. Harry won't give up on him. One step at a time. It'll get better. He's sure.
The most bizarre – and funny – moment happened last week. He found James, at four in the morning, down on his knees on the living room floor frantically rifling through his huge CD collection – showing his age – looking for the perfect song to be the 'inspirational soundtrack' for the closing argument.
James's CD collection was so much bigger than Harry ever could have imagined. He had only seen the CDs sitting on the bookshelf in the living room and figured that was it. But it turns out that James got a whole massive cardboard box filled with them too.
There was no point in trying to stop James so Harry decided to help him instead. He grabbed a random stack of CDs and flicked through them. It really was all sorts: classical music, boy bands, Cher, and Texas Country Classics.
He continued scanning through the droves of albums for ten minutes before 'Thinking of you (I Drive Myself Crazy)' on the N'sync album caught his eye. For Harry, the song was spot on: James was driving himself crazy thinking about the case.
Of course, James had snatched the album out of Harry's hands and put it in the 'NO' pile and told him to leave if he wasn't going to help. Instead of leaving, Harry rolled his eyes and got up and made them some scrambled eggs and toast. At least he could feed James while he was obsessing over the strangest details.
An hour later James finally decided on a song: Puccini's 'Nessun Dorma' – even Harry knows the lyrics now even though they're in Italian.
All'alba vincerò!
Vincerò!
Vincerò!
Okay, he'll admit it, his boyfriend got a pretty good knack for picking out inspirational music. It was the perfect song with lyrics about being a winner in the end - James translated the whole thing for him. The title literally means 'none shall sleep' which was unfortunately super fitting for James too - And the music was really uplifting and got them both pumped for the trial.
The song has been on repeat 24/7 this last week with the solicitor’s hands flying in the air pretending to be directing the orchestra like he always does when he's really getting into his favourite music. It's really cute, actually, seeing James so engrossed in something that makes him happy. It makes Harry happy too.
So it's not all been arguments and eye-rolls and no sex – it's been fun too. A lot of fun actually. Harry's been feeling quite useful and James has been telling him how much his help has mattered – which is really nice.
But at the same time, getting to see James in his full hotshot lawyer mode has been a HUGE extra turn-on. Which unfortunately made the fact that James didn't have time for sex anymore even more painful to muddle through. Harry's been horny. And moody. And very horny.
"Thirty-four days. We're never going that long again. Promise me." He stares up at James, eyebrows raised in a mix of begging and demanding. Whichever way he hopes it works.
"It's really been that long?" James frowns, looking both stunned and a bit sheepish. "I'm sorry I've been so distracted. You didn't deserve that." James lifts his hand and cups Harry's jaw, sliding his thumb softly across his cheek – it's been a while since James had time to do that too. The green eyes grow softer as they gaze down at him. "I'll do better next time, I promise. You do matter the most to me," James says and Harry can tell that James really means it.
Harry watches on as the tall man stretches his long arms up high above his head, fingertips nudging the low ceiling of the cottage. With the big stretch comes an even bigger yawn from James and Harry follows suit. He's tired too. It's been a really long day. They left as soon as the trial finished and drove two hours straight to get to their long-awaited romantic seaside retreat.
James desperately needs to catch up on his sleep – Harry's been telling him that every day for a month now without much success. At least he knows James won't say no this time.
He strokes a hand down James's naked thigh, pleased to feel that the shaking has stopped. "You go to bed," he tells James and pats him on the bum again.
"Aren't you coming?" James looks at him as if he's just got the worst news EVER and Harry chuckles. He tugs on the taller man's hand pulling him down for a kiss before letting him go off.
"I promised Romeo I'd call. He needs some expert luuurve advice." Harry wiggles his eyebrows and grins.
Harry really wants to be there for his stepson. He actually feels quite proud that Romeo has turned to him for guidance. Romeo's been wanting his advice on dating someone more than a decade older than himself and Harry feels like he's already put it off for too long. Both he and James have been so wrapped up in the last days of the trial all they've done is eat, and sleep – well not really – and talk shop.
James looks at him and Harry knows exactly what the teasing grin and the devilish glint in his boyfriend’s eyes mean. They always pop out when James is about to say something clever. "From you?" James snickers and raises his brows for extra dramatic effect – Harry predicted that too.
Harry rolls his eyes at James and then points up at him. "Oi, I bagged you: the hottest , most eligible bachelor in Britain, didn't I?" He's gotta have some advice up his sleeve for a successful relationship when he's managed to get it so right with James. Sure, it's been really messed up and complicated between them too but being with James is still the happiest he's ever been in his life. There's no contest.
The older man grins widely at him, teeth showing, crinkles forming around those pretty green eyes in genuine happiness. Harry loves that look. He loves making James happy.
"That you did. I'm a very, very lucky man." James smiles and leans down again and kisses him tenderly, cupping Harry's cheeks between his warm hands. Harry's heart flutters happily in return. He's the lucky one.
If they weren't so knackered right now he'd pull James down on top of him again for more than just kisses. But they got all the time they want for that later. They got the whole week, just the two of them, to enjoy each other's company. He's been fantasising about them and the super king bed for weeks. But right now there's nothing he wants more than to get a good night's sleep next to the man he loves.
"I won't be long, promise." He gives James one last kiss before sending him off.
Harry's not going to let Romeo down but he's going to keep it short and sweet, give him a few pointers and then say goodnight. It's not rocket science falling in love with someone older than yourself. If you fit you fit. It's pretty obvious from the start if it's gonna work out or not with the age gap and everything else. The most important part is probably not giving a toss about what anyone else thinks. How they feel about each other is all that matters. That and accepting your differences and being willing to make compromises because you love each other. It's not really that different from any relationship.
He smiles to himself as he watches James wander off towards the bedroom all naked and cute. James turns around and smiles at him sweetly one last time before disappearing around the corner and Harry's smile grows even bigger. He's so happy. He's so in love. James is the best thing that's ever happened to him.
The arguments and frustration they've been dealing with this past month feel like a faded memory. James and he are right back where they wanna be. Lessons learned and they can go on together even stronger.
He knows how important James's career is to him and how long his boyfriend has dreamt of having his own law firm. Harry's dead proud of him for taking the leap and setting it up. But James's mental- and physical health is really important to Harry too. Ambition sure doesn't come cheap.
He doesn’t want James to change who he is – that's not it at all – Harry just wants his boyfriend to not drive himself crazy over those high-profile cases. He loves James more than anything. He just wants to take care of him.
********
Harry flicks the light off in the livingroom and the cottage goes pitch black – he can't see shit. He's left his phone to charge in the kitchen so he's just gonna have to make his way to bed by forcing out some photographic memories from the pics and videos he saw on the website when he booked the rental. Shouldn't be too hard – hopefully.
If he remembers it right, the bedroom should be around the corner and then the second door on the left. And his side of the bed should be closest to the door – they always sleep the same way no matter where they are, it’s just how they like it.
He manages to tiptoe through the living room and into the bedroom decently enough without bumping into anything big. He leaves the light off in the bedroom too. He doesn't wanna wake James if he's already asleep. He really wants his boyfriend to finally get a full night's sleep again.
Besides, they're both gonna need their energy for tomorrow morning. There's a window in the ceiling above the bed and he can't wait to make sweet love in the warm glow of the sunrise beaming down on them.
Harry's had all kinds of hot fantasies about them on the extra large bed. And loads of romantic ones too: like long breakfasts in bed, lazy kisses all over each other's bodies that go on for hours and hours, counting stars at night – James knows all about constellations and can point them out to him. Bathing in sunlight while exploring each other's bodies all over again and really taking their time to adore each other. Looking up at the light blue sky or the starlit night in the height of passion.
There will be no interruptions this week, the phone and the emails have all been turned off. He's got James all to himself, just like he so desperately been wanting – like he always wants.
He's been counting down the days until they could just be together again without any stress getting in the way. It's gonna be so romantic! Soft white sheets and golden glow. He’s got champagne and chocolates specially delivered and waiting for them too as a nice little treat. He can't wait!
Harry slowly continues his way forward tiptoeing as quietly as he can. His eyes still haven't adjusted to the dark. It's all just a black blob of emptiness. He's got no idea where he is in the unfamiliar bedroom. The stars gleaming above in the night sky are all he's got to go by to guide him the right way over to his lover.
When the bed frame suddenly knocks into his shins he knows he's finally found the right spot. He carefully lifts the duvet and slides into bed. But it's empty – at least that's what it feels like. The sheet is cold.
He reaches his hand out fumbling in the dark but he still can't find James there. He can't even feel James's usually cold feet anywhere.
"Where are you?" He's too shocked to keep his voice down. How can his boyfriend just disappear?
"I'm right here," James's voice breaks through the darkness and Harry keeps scooting over and over until his boyfriend’s hand finally touches his arm.
James wraps his arm around Harry's shoulder and pulls him into a hug. Relieved, Harry sinks down against the warm hairy chest and closes his eyes. Finally, the place he's been looking for.
He's missed this – them sleeping together like this. They've had the most random sleeping schedule this last month. He's mostly been napping on and off and trying to get James to do the same – without much success though.
One of the – many – things he had on his list of priorities when finding them somewhere nice to stay this week was the massive super royal extra king-size bed. He imagined the ridiculously super-sized bed would be great for making love and rolling around in doing all kinds of fun stuff with each other – which it probably will be perfect for – but it turns out it's WAY too big to sleep in. They're just gonna end up rolling away from each other.
He doesn't like it. It's not as he imagined it at all. Getting into bed and having to go on a search party to find his boyfriend is the last thing he wants. He doesn't want to go to sleep without being able to feel James next to him. At home, if they're not spooning or hugging in bed then some parts of their bodies are still always touching more or less – hands, feet, and legs. That's how he wants it. Always.
Next time they're off on their hols he's definitely gonna get the queen size, or smaller – that single bed in the spare room wasn't that bad at all actually.
Harry finds James's hand and holds it tightly. "I was wrong. I don't want this," he sighs a bit bashfully. He knows he can be kinda clingy and needy sometimes but he just really wants to be as close to James as possible, especially this week, after being apart for so long.
The older man stiffens around Harry. "What?" There's a pained crack in James's voice and it hits Harry straight away why James has reacted in that way. Harry rolls his eyes so hard at himself it's almost painful – God, he's SO stupid! He just made it sound like he wants to break up.
Harry sits up in bed and shakes his head before he realises that James can't even see him in the pitch-black room. "No-no! Not us, James! Okay?" He needs to make sure James knows he absolutely DOES want to be with him. All he wants is to be with James forever.
He tries his best to find James's cheeks in the darkness and after two failed attempts – almost poking James's eye out – he finally gets to stroke his fingers down James's beard. "I mean this stupid massive bed. Okay? It's too big!"
A very audible sigh of relief comes from his boyfriend and Harry lets out a relieved breath of his own, dragging a hand down his face. Crisis averted, thankfully. Just a stupid case of miscommunications – he blames it on their mutual sleep deprivation.
Harry can feel James relax next to him. He snuggles down against the older man once again, draping himself over James, even closer this time. He slings his arm around James's shoulder and burrows his nose deep into the crook of his boyfriend's warm neck. Harry loves it there. It's kind of his safe place. He breathes James in, deep pulls down all the way into the bottom of his lungs, keeping it there for as long as he's able. There's no better scent in the world than his James.
James's fingertips dance softly up and down Harry's back, drawing patterns along his skin, making him feel warm and cosy all over. Harry knows for sure he'll sleep great tonight, and James will too.
Before sleep claims him though, Harry needs to explain his dramatic weirdness about the bed being too big. No wonder James misunderstood him when he had been telling James ALL about the amazing super king bed during the car ride over.
Harry trails his hand down to rest over his boyfriend's unique heart. He loves him so much. "I wanna feel ya. Ya'know? I wanna know you're right here next to me," Harry says and places a light kiss on James's shoulder.
James's lips press softly against the side of Harry's head. "I feared you were finally getting sick of me," James hums and Harry immediately shakes his head, making sure James can feel it against his skin this time. "-And my cold feet," James adds and chuckles lightly.
The cold feet that Harry couldn't find earlier slowly slide in with Harry's warm ones. Harry chuckles too. "Never," Harry promises. James’s feet are as cold as ice but Harry doesn't care at all. He really does love ALL of James.
Harry lifts his head up – with just the stars guiding his way – and plants a kiss right smack down on James's lips, feeling so very lucky.
Harry knows he and James fit together, even with their eleven-year age gap – he's always known that. Getting to tease his older boyfriend about his massive CD collection is just an added bonus.
THE END