~Every time we say goodbye I die a little


Sean slowly opened his eyes and looked around, wondering why the king-sized bed suddenly felt as vast as the Sahara desert. The pillow next to him was still slightly warm, so he knew Dave hadn't been up for long. He closed his eyes again, wishing that he could turn back time, that he could go back to Tuesday, wishing that Dave didn't have to leave. With a heavy sigh, he rolled over and grabbed the pillow next to him, breathing in the scent of his lover, hoping to secure a place in his memory where it would last forever.

~Every time we say goodbye I wonder why a little


Four days wasn't nearly long enough. True, that was the longest stretch of time they had been together in a while, but to Sean, it seemed like mere moments. Since getting sent back down to OVW, he had been in a mood. They weren't even using him for shows yet - just stuck him in the training facility and had him "teaching" the other guys. Sean had to laugh at that one. If he wasn't good enough for Vince, what made them think he was good enough to teach anyone anything?

He didn't have the patience to explain to them - for the 900th time - how to do a body slam or a takedown. He didn't have the desire to help anyone climb higher, or reach their potential. What about all the potential he had? He was so lost in thought that he didn't hear the bedroom door open. Dave stood there for a moment, watching Sean snuggle closer to the pillow.

~Why the gods above me who must be in the know


Dave quietly crossed the room and slipped into bed behind Sean, wrapping an arm around his waist. Sean jumped, then relaxed back into the warmth and comfort of Dave's chest. He sighed again as Dave kissed his shoulder. "When do you have to leave?" Sean asked, the sadness heavy in his voice. "Around noon," Dave replied, his lips moving across the warm skin of Sean's back.

Sean made a small sound of protest. "But it's only a 2 ½ hour drive!" he said. Dave couldn't see his face, but he was sure Sean was pouting. "I know that, sweetheart," he said, his hand tracing circles around Sean's chest. "But there was more snow overnight, and the roads are bad." Sean cursed - the weather, Vince, the idiot at the grocery store, whoever popped into his head.

~Think so little of me they allow you to go.


Awkwardly, Sean turned and looked into Dave's chocolate eyes. "I don't want you to go," he whispered, afraid that if he spoke again, the tears welling up behind his eyes would break free. It was Dave's turn to sigh. "If I had a choice, I'd take you with me," he replied softly. Sean grunted. "Yeah, and if I had a choice, I'd be on some tropical beach right now with you next to me in the sand."

Dave chuckled, leaning down to capture Sean's lips in a slow, gentle kiss. When their lips parted, he looked into Sean's eyes and whispered, "If I had a choice, I would never leave this bed." Sean turned his head, staring out the window at the falling snow. With a heavy sigh, he looked back at Dave. "You better go," he said, his voice choking. "Looks like the weather's getting worse." Without a word, Dave reached down under the blanket, pulling Sean closer.

They lay there for a moment, arms wrapped around each other, legs twined together, just enjoying the feel of their bodies pressed together. Sean raised his head slightly, placing a soft kiss against Dave's lips. Dave smiled, returning the kiss just as gently before deepening it. Sean moaned into Dave's mouth as their kisses grew deeper, hungrier. It was as if they were both dying of thirst and the only thing to quench it was the moisture from each other.

~When you're near there's such an air of spring about it


Dave rolled Sean onto his back, hovering over him as he studied the face of the man he loved. Sean looked up at Dave, wishing he could freeze this moment in time. Their lips met again and Sean rocked against the thigh wedged between his legs, trying to get as much contact between them as he could. Dave gasped sharply as he felt the cool wetness oozing from Sean's cock onto his leg.

His tongue found a hardened nipple as he reached blindly to the table beside the bed, fumbling for the bottle of lube they left there the night before. Sean's head lolled to the side, his eyes partly closed, soft moans coming from his parched lips. Dave's mouth slid across his chest, finding his other nipple as his hand closed around the bottle it sought. Sean's hand moved to Dave's head, grasping his short hair between his fingers, pulling him closer.

Teasingly, Dave kissed a trail down Sean's chest and stomach, blowing gently on the wet skin as he went. Sean shivered, his skin tingling. The blanket was tossed aside as Dave continued his exploration of Sean's body, and the jolt of cool air didn't slow either of them down. Sean's hands roamed from Dave's head to his shoulders, digging at the flesh there before moving lower.

~I can hear a lark somewhere begin to sing about it


Sean growled as Dave's lips closed over the head of his erection. His mind and body were at war with each other. The feel of Dave's lips and hands on his flesh made his body sing, made the blood rush to already heated skin. But, even as the blood flowed south, he couldn't help think that one day, one of them would wake up and it would all be gone. Dave would get tired of traveling back and forth to Louisville, get tired of the extra hassle it now presented and he would once again be all alone.

When Dave entered him slowly, tears pooled in the corners of Sean's eyes. Dave smiled softly, kissing away the moisture. As they moved together, he whispered words of love and comfort, thinking he knew the reason for Sean's sadness. He didn't want to leave either, but the world outside the safe confines of Sean's bed - and body - was calling and Dave knew he had to answer it eventually.

~There's no love finer, but how strange the change
~From major to minor...


Dave watched as Sean's head thrashed from side to side, smiling at the pleasure he was giving his lover. All coherent thought left Sean's head as Dave's hand wrapped around his cock, stroking him hard and fast. Then only sounds in the room were the soft moans and loud pants, skin slapping against skin as the two men raced toward total ecstasy. Sean looked into Dave's eyes as his orgasm was ripped from his body and he smiled. Maybe, just maybe….everything would be alright.

Dave kissed Sean, relishing the feel of his full lips covering his own. Sean's sigh of happiness turned melancholy as he looked out the window, watching the snow falling. Dave followed Sean's gaze and sighed himself. "I know, baby'," he whispered softly, kissing Sean's cheek. Sean turned away as he said, "You better get ready. Don't wanna be late." Dave reached for him but Sean refused to move, refused to look as Dave slipped out of bed and headed for the shower.

Dave looked around the room, checking once more to make sure he had everything packed. Sean wasn't on the bed when he had come out of the bathroom and Dave hadn't gone to find him. He didn't want to admit to himself that this was getting harder and harder for him to do. He hadn't been home in three weeks, couldn't even remember the color of the carpet in his dingy apartment.

And now, he was about to leave the only thing that made him smile, the only thing that gave him any pleasure any more. And he knew it would be a long time before he was here again. Sighing heavily, he closed the bag on the bed and slung it over his shoulder, walking out of the bedroom. He found Sean sitting at the kitchen counter, noting the fact that Sean's apartment was almost a carbon copy of his - a place to live that could never pass for a home.

Sean was reading the paper, drinking a cup of coffee. Dave dropped his bag on the floor and walked over, standing behind Sean's chair. "Anything exciting happenin' in the world?" he asked nonchalantly. Sean shrugged, never looking up. Dave walked over and leaned down, wrapping his arms around Sean's shoulders. "I gotta go in a few minutes," he said and felt Sean shaking.

Dave sighed, moving around to kneel next to Sean's chair. He reached up, cupping Sean's chin and turned his head to look into his eyes. "I meant what I said earlier," Dave whispered. "I wish I didn't have to go, but we both know how it is." Sean closed his eyes, nodding slowly. "And I meant what I said too," Sean said, his voice choked with emotion. "Think about it, Dave. White sand, cool water, me, you…"

His voice trailed off as the tears threatened to fall once again. Dave smiled at Sean. "That's what I'll think about while I'm on the plane," he replied. "Maybe I can get some time off in a few weeks. Maybe we can go somewhere together, just me and you." Sean nodded. "Sounds good to me." Sean stood, grabbing Dave's hand and pulling him to stand. They stood, staring deep into each other's eyes before Sean threw his arms around Dave's neck.

"Don't want you to go," he whispered against Dave's shoulder, making Dave smile. "I know, baby. I know." Dave pulled back, kissing Sean deeply, hoping the simple act would convey all his feelings and emotions. When they pulled apart, Sean looked at Dave. "I love you," he said firmly and Dave grinned. "I love you, too…sweetheart," Sean growled, softly punching Dave's shoulder.

Sean watched as Dave slipped his jacket on and he picked the bag off the floor, holding it out to Dave. The electricity that passed between them as their hands brushed together caused both of them to smile. "Be careful," Sean said as Dave reached for the door. "Always," he replied. "I'll call when I get there, to let ya know I made it." Sean nodded, then moved closer for one last kiss.

Opening the door, a blast of cold air and snow chilled the room and Dave hunched down, protecting himself from the bitter cold. Sean stood, barefoot, on the balcony, watching as Dave ran down the stairs and brushed the snow off his car. He watched as Dave started the car and waved as he pulled away. Long after Dave's car had disappeared from sight, Sean just stood there, his fingers absentmindedly rubbing his lips and remembering the feel of Dave against him.

Walking back inside, Sean shivered against the cold as he closed the door. He checked the clock, figuring how long it would take before Dave called. He sat back down at the counter, picked up the paper and began to work on the crossword puzzle. After a moment, he allowed the tears to fall. Maybe someday, it would get better. Maybe someday, he wouldn't be sitting here, waiting for the man he loved to call and let him know he was okay, that he was safe, that he was coming back to him. Until then, Sean would just sit here and remember how good it felt to have Dave back in his arms and he would forget what it felt like to let him go.

~Every time we say goodbye.