Lying curled on his side, Jesse never thought that he could experience such contentment. His whole body seemed to thrum with energy, despite being squashed into a space less than a foot wide. Jesse was hot; heat seemed to shimmer above his head, damp and humid, pressing down against his sweat-slicked body. Sounds seemed muted, tiny drifts of noise that floated on the heavy air, unconnected to the here and now.
Lights were dimmed except for a small lamp that stood alone in a corner, casting a sliver of light across the room, just bright enough so he could drink in the person who lay beside him. Shifting slightly Jesse turned until he could see the face of the man next to him, taking in the beautiful features. Greedy with longing he propped his hand under his chin and just looked, accepting his fill while Brennan lay asleep.
Dark eyelashes lay spiky against flushed cheeks, and dark hair stuck up in tufts, stray strands sticking to Brennan's heated skin. The temptation to kiss Brennan's full lips was immense, all Jesse wanted to do was lean over and press his own lips against those that called him so, scattering gentle kisses from mouth to neck. Not yet though, not when Jesse had this chance to just look, doing nothing but watch.
Jesse smiled as Brennan muttered in his sleep, nonsense words with no meaning, hands moving slightly across the bedcovers. Soon even Brennan's hands stopped their restless shifting, fingers relaxing as deep sleep claimed him once more.
Moving, slightly, slowly, Jesse eased back down until he was curled up against Brennan once more. Inch by inch, until at last he lay tight against the other man, skin against skin. Jesse's head was next to Brennan's on the pillow, so close he could feel every breath softly on his own skin.
Shifting closer still, Jesse gently placed his arm over Brennan's chest, cuddling as close as he could be. It was times like this that Jesse would treasure, quiet times when he felt secure and content. Knowing that nothing could hurt him in this dark, warm room.
Here he was safe.
Created on ... April 29, 2003