2. Lauds (dawn) - PG
Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 6:07 pm
Title: Lauds
Author: redwinter101
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I don't own Moonlight or any of its characters
Note: this is the second story in the Divine Office series - there is a separate A/N here explaining a bit more - and it takes place at dawn. This story also follows on from Homecoming and Stealing Home.
The office of lauds is traditionally a service of praise and joy at the coming of a new day and that's very much the theme here.
*************************************************************************************************************
--- Lauds ---
The still, warm hush held Mick close as he sped towards home.
Three a.m.
His winding-down.
Another bad guy taken down; another innocent safe; job done.
His former, solo routine of home, booze, blood, patch-up, freezer, now seemed so distant, another lifetime, as he pressed a little harder on the throttle. The engine growl rose to a roar as he neared home, newly-formed muscle memory negotiating unlit curves and straights.
It was a time of day few humans saw, even fewer appreciated, lost to their dreaming. Out here, away from the polluting glow of smog-bound streetlights and the perpetual hum of the city, the night was crisp and clear, a light breeze ruffling roadside trees, the chirp of cicadas and the faint lick of the ocean against the shore.
The headlamps cast their halogen arc over cool concrete as the Benz swept up the driveway, extinguished with a flick as Mick slowed to a crawl, deadening the soft crunch of gravel beneath warm rubber. He killed the engine and coasted to a halt. No lights, no sounds, no disturbance; all was calm. Still-knitting muscle groaned as he levered himself out of the car, easing the door shut.
Keys hushed in his fist, a tiptoe to the door, over the threshold. Home.
Twin heartbeats sighed their greeting. Their pull, enticing. He wanted to run up the stairs, rush to his goal but he had matters to attend to first.
Silent steps to his bathroom, off-limits to everyone else apart from Beth. He pushed the door closed and pulled on the light, wincing at the battered reflection caught in the starkly-lit mirror. Fluorescence had a way of making everything look worse, highlighting livid pools of healing bruise, picking out the sepia streaks of dried blood across his skin. Once-vibrant, life-filled scarlet, now dried, dead, brown.
His coat had survived intact; he shrugged it off and hung it on the hook by the door. The henley hadn't been so fortunate, a bullet hole matching the smear of dried blood on his belly. It disappeared into the trash with a swish. Boots unlaced, inspected, set aside. Jeans, scuffed and bloodied but otherwise undamaged, into the laundry. Belt rinsed and wiped clean.
Stripped, he turned to complete his inspection; one shot was all the mark had got off before Mick took him down. The wound already healed, he could feel the slug working its way deeper; he'd have to wait for it to wend its slow path to the surface. No other repairs required; just a little blood to renew and revive. Unclicking the adjoining door he stepped through to the freezer room, fished a flask from the refrigerator and filled a glass. Down in two gulps, mere healing nourishment, no time to savour as other priorities beckoned.
Pulsing shower jets washed away more than blood and sweat. As the water flowed and cleansed, the Mick that belonged in the world outside, the world safely sequestered beyond the threshold, was renewed, transformed into lover, husband, father.
One final inspection. Teeth cleaned, mouthwash gargled, hair raked into some kind of order, damp tendrils curling at his neck. A brisk shave, running his hand over his now-smooth jaw. Clean tee-shirt and pyjama pants, barefoot. Glass cleaned. Work done. He ran it off like a checklist, his ritual, making himself clean, ready.
A final cast around the bathroom to ensure all was neat, orderly, and then Mick was free to climb the stairs, to rejoin his women, to become family once more.
Andi's door was open, her Peter Pan nightlight spilling Tinkerbell shadows out into the hallway. The bed was bare, covers thrown back. Mick paused, scented, listened, a sense picture forming: a nightmare's jagged shock dragging Andi from sleep, tears and fear, Beth running, holding, soothing, carrying her back to their bed. Memories of his long-ago vigils at Beth's window, the pain of watching her night terrors, the wish he could bundle Andi away, keep her safe, fight her dreaming demons.
He straightened the covers, turned off the light and headed for the master bedroom, two pulses almost indistinguishable now, as he drew near. He slipped through the doorway, wrapping himself in the captivating sensations within. Andi's breath, fast and light, even in deep sleep; Beth's smooth and regular, each other's counterpoint. A few, swift paces drew him to the bedside and he crouched down next to Andi, curled against Beth's body like an apostrophe. Serene and peaceful, he wondered what her sweet dreams held now. The gentlest caress over feather-soft curls, a kiss on her cool brow, his smile broad in the darkness. Happiness surged like an ache in the back of his throat, welcome, overwhelming. Every night the same joy, the same wonder, the same peace.
He circled to the other side of bed and peeled back the comforter, releasing a blast of warmth. Easing down, he waited as the reflected heat warmed him.
Inching closer.
Closer.
Watching, feeling, his senses filled with them. The sweet scent and lilting rhythm of peaceful sleep.
Closer.
Closer until he could sink his face into Beth's hair, splayed out across the pillow in a golden halo.
Closer.
Their points of touch, his knees tucked in behind hers, her unconscious settling against him, shoulders pressed against his chest, spine curling into him. A perfect fit. He could lie with his beloved in his arms, watch her dreams writ large, feel the strength of her body, her spirit.
Propped on one elbow, he watched them as the almost imperceptible change in the light signalled the sun breaching the horizon. Dawn. A couple of hours until they woke. Precious, peaceful time, no sights or sounds intruded; nothing else mattered. His chance to wake with them, cherished beyond measure. Their own normal, miraculous daybreak.
Author: redwinter101
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I don't own Moonlight or any of its characters
Note: this is the second story in the Divine Office series - there is a separate A/N here explaining a bit more - and it takes place at dawn. This story also follows on from Homecoming and Stealing Home.
The office of lauds is traditionally a service of praise and joy at the coming of a new day and that's very much the theme here.
*************************************************************************************************************
--- Lauds ---
The still, warm hush held Mick close as he sped towards home.
Three a.m.
His winding-down.
Another bad guy taken down; another innocent safe; job done.
His former, solo routine of home, booze, blood, patch-up, freezer, now seemed so distant, another lifetime, as he pressed a little harder on the throttle. The engine growl rose to a roar as he neared home, newly-formed muscle memory negotiating unlit curves and straights.
It was a time of day few humans saw, even fewer appreciated, lost to their dreaming. Out here, away from the polluting glow of smog-bound streetlights and the perpetual hum of the city, the night was crisp and clear, a light breeze ruffling roadside trees, the chirp of cicadas and the faint lick of the ocean against the shore.
The headlamps cast their halogen arc over cool concrete as the Benz swept up the driveway, extinguished with a flick as Mick slowed to a crawl, deadening the soft crunch of gravel beneath warm rubber. He killed the engine and coasted to a halt. No lights, no sounds, no disturbance; all was calm. Still-knitting muscle groaned as he levered himself out of the car, easing the door shut.
Keys hushed in his fist, a tiptoe to the door, over the threshold. Home.
Twin heartbeats sighed their greeting. Their pull, enticing. He wanted to run up the stairs, rush to his goal but he had matters to attend to first.
Silent steps to his bathroom, off-limits to everyone else apart from Beth. He pushed the door closed and pulled on the light, wincing at the battered reflection caught in the starkly-lit mirror. Fluorescence had a way of making everything look worse, highlighting livid pools of healing bruise, picking out the sepia streaks of dried blood across his skin. Once-vibrant, life-filled scarlet, now dried, dead, brown.
His coat had survived intact; he shrugged it off and hung it on the hook by the door. The henley hadn't been so fortunate, a bullet hole matching the smear of dried blood on his belly. It disappeared into the trash with a swish. Boots unlaced, inspected, set aside. Jeans, scuffed and bloodied but otherwise undamaged, into the laundry. Belt rinsed and wiped clean.
Stripped, he turned to complete his inspection; one shot was all the mark had got off before Mick took him down. The wound already healed, he could feel the slug working its way deeper; he'd have to wait for it to wend its slow path to the surface. No other repairs required; just a little blood to renew and revive. Unclicking the adjoining door he stepped through to the freezer room, fished a flask from the refrigerator and filled a glass. Down in two gulps, mere healing nourishment, no time to savour as other priorities beckoned.
Pulsing shower jets washed away more than blood and sweat. As the water flowed and cleansed, the Mick that belonged in the world outside, the world safely sequestered beyond the threshold, was renewed, transformed into lover, husband, father.
One final inspection. Teeth cleaned, mouthwash gargled, hair raked into some kind of order, damp tendrils curling at his neck. A brisk shave, running his hand over his now-smooth jaw. Clean tee-shirt and pyjama pants, barefoot. Glass cleaned. Work done. He ran it off like a checklist, his ritual, making himself clean, ready.
A final cast around the bathroom to ensure all was neat, orderly, and then Mick was free to climb the stairs, to rejoin his women, to become family once more.
Andi's door was open, her Peter Pan nightlight spilling Tinkerbell shadows out into the hallway. The bed was bare, covers thrown back. Mick paused, scented, listened, a sense picture forming: a nightmare's jagged shock dragging Andi from sleep, tears and fear, Beth running, holding, soothing, carrying her back to their bed. Memories of his long-ago vigils at Beth's window, the pain of watching her night terrors, the wish he could bundle Andi away, keep her safe, fight her dreaming demons.
He straightened the covers, turned off the light and headed for the master bedroom, two pulses almost indistinguishable now, as he drew near. He slipped through the doorway, wrapping himself in the captivating sensations within. Andi's breath, fast and light, even in deep sleep; Beth's smooth and regular, each other's counterpoint. A few, swift paces drew him to the bedside and he crouched down next to Andi, curled against Beth's body like an apostrophe. Serene and peaceful, he wondered what her sweet dreams held now. The gentlest caress over feather-soft curls, a kiss on her cool brow, his smile broad in the darkness. Happiness surged like an ache in the back of his throat, welcome, overwhelming. Every night the same joy, the same wonder, the same peace.
He circled to the other side of bed and peeled back the comforter, releasing a blast of warmth. Easing down, he waited as the reflected heat warmed him.
Inching closer.
Closer.
Watching, feeling, his senses filled with them. The sweet scent and lilting rhythm of peaceful sleep.
Closer.
Closer until he could sink his face into Beth's hair, splayed out across the pillow in a golden halo.
Closer.
Their points of touch, his knees tucked in behind hers, her unconscious settling against him, shoulders pressed against his chest, spine curling into him. A perfect fit. He could lie with his beloved in his arms, watch her dreams writ large, feel the strength of her body, her spirit.
Propped on one elbow, he watched them as the almost imperceptible change in the light signalled the sun breaching the horizon. Dawn. A couple of hours until they woke. Precious, peaceful time, no sights or sounds intruded; nothing else mattered. His chance to wake with them, cherished beyond measure. Their own normal, miraculous daybreak.