Title: All This Time
Authors: sairalinde and anorienbean
Pairing: David Wenham/Craig Parker
Rating: NC-17 for graphic m/m sex
Archiving: Saira's Library, Here With Me, Mirrormere, OEAM, others please ask first
Feedback: Yes, please. We live for it. Send to: sairalinde @ hornofgondor.com, or thechroniclesofosgiliath @ yahoo.com
Disclaimer: No money was made from this, and this in no way is meant to imply anything about the sexual preferences or practices of anyone mentioned within this story.
Summary: Craig knows that the only person he can really talk to about his string of failed relationships is his best friend, David, who's always been there for him.

................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................

Craig pulled the covers up under his chin and stared up at the ceiling. It was past 2 in the morning and Stuart still wasn't home, hadn't even bothered to call, though that was no longer anything unusual. With a deep sigh, he rolled over onto his side and wrapped his arms around the pillow beside his own.

When he and Stuart had first moved in together, almost a year ago, the pillow always smelled like him, even when he wasn't there. Come to think of it, Craig realized, back then, Stuart was home every evening, never letting his shooting schedule interfere with their time alone. Craig always found himself curled up beside Stuart in bed, sleeping, laughing, talking, touching each other. Now, the pillow simply smelled like the fabric softener they used in the dryer. It seemed Stuart had pulled everything away…even the comforting scent that used to cling to his pillow.

Shoving the pillow away, Craig rolled over again and stared at the large, red numbers on the clock beside him. 2:18. 2:20. 2:40. And still no Stuart. Finally forcing his eyes away from the mocking numbers, he simply stared at the bedroom door, telling himself not to worry…Stuart was fine. He'd just found something….or someone?…that had kept him out late yet again. Same as he'd done every night for the past month.

Stuart walked up to the front door of the house and unlocked the door as quietly as he could. Once inside he moved silently toward the bedroom, without flipping on any of the lights. He hoped that Craig would be asleep this time. When he opened the bedroom door he was glad to see Craig was already in bed, and seemed to be asleep. He undressed quietly and slipped into bed beside the other man, careful not to touch him. His hair was still damp from the shower he'd taken only a half hour ago and he shivered slightly as the cool hair pressed against his neck. He pulled the covers close and closed his eyes.

His eyes were long used to the dark, and Craig simply watched as his lover undressed in complete silence and climbed into bed. There was so much he wanted to say, so much he wanted to ask, but Stuart never seemed to give him a straight answer, and it was too late to fight tonight. Instead, he simply rolled over and curled against Stuart, trying to ignore the fact that he'd obviously showered already….again. He didn't want to think about *what* it was his lover did that required him to shower before coming home. Not tonight anyway. "Hey," he whispered, trying to slid his arm around Stuart's waist. "Late night again, huh?"

Stuart shifted away from Craig and tugged the covers closer. "Sorry, I thought you were asleep," he said softly into the darkness. Feeling Craig's arm slip around his waist he sighed heavily. "Craig...not tonight. It's been a fucking long night on the set and I've got a headache," he said tiredly. He knew it would be easy enough for Craig to learn that shooting had wrapped hours ago, but he simply didn't care anymore.

Pulling away as if stung by his lover's words, Craig moved back to his side of the bed and closed his eyes. "You've had a headache every night for three weeks, now," he said quietly. After a moment, he opened his eyes and turned toward Stuart, propping his head on his hand and staring down at the man he didn't seem to know at all anymore. "I wasn't trying to molest you, you know. *You* were the one who used to wake me up in the middle of the night, every single fucking night, all horny and hot and ready for anything. Shit. I….Listen….do you want me to go sleep on the couch or something? You make it seem like you can't even stand to touch me anymore."

Stuart gritted his teeth but remained exactly where he was. "I've had a headache for weeks and you know what? You're just making it worse," he complained. "I didn't say you were molesting me...fuck, just go to sleep, Craig. I'm too tired to argue with you...again," he said sighing dramatically. They had been arguing more and more in the last few months, even before he'd started staying out late. Their relationship used to be fun...but it seemed the longer they stayed together the worse it got. Stuart didn't *want* to be tied down in anything 'permanent'. This thing with Craig had definitely run it's course, but he didn't want to fight about it at half past three in the morning. "Just...go back to sleep. We can talk in the morning," he said knowing he had an early morning meeting with his director.

"Fine," Craig said as he rolled over and faced the door once again, turning his back on the man beside him. "Maybe next time you can take some fucking aspirin before you drag your ass in at 3AM." He still wasn't sure what, exactly, he'd done wrong, but it seemed that nothing he did pleased Stuart anymore. And he was getting damned tired of trying. Of course, he thought, why did he think Stuart would be different? He'd been in several relationships before, and not a damn one of them had worked….he shouldn't really be surprised. Tomorrow, he'd take the day off, ask Stuart to do the same, and maybe they could just talk….see if they could work it out, or if it were really over and time to move on. And maybe, just maybe, he could find out what it was about him that seemed to piss Stuart off every time they looked at each other.

Stuart scooted closer to the edge of the bed and snapped back at Craig, "Fine." He was grateful that Craig had given up so easily this time. He just didn't feel up to arguing again. Not tonight. Stuart pulled his arm up from under the covers and looked at his watch, making sure the alarm was set and then closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Biting his lip to keep from saying anything else, Craig stared at the clock again for almost an hour before his eyelids finally got too heavy to stay open, and he drifted off to sleep. His last thought was that maybe he could send an email off to David in the morning, and tell him that he was right yet again. David had been his best friend since college, where he'd majored in history and Craig had majored in English. He'd been the only constant in Craig's life, and, even though David had warned him that Stuart wasn't the right person for Craig, Craig had let himself be romanced into offering to let the dark, brooding young actor move in to his home.

Working as a screenwriter, Craig came into contact with every type of actor and actor-wanna-be known to man, and he always seemed to pick the worst of them to fall for. Maybe he'd ask David to set him up with someone this time…someone nice, someone…permanent. Someone he wouldn't drive away. If someone like that actually existed.

~~~

David walked in the door of his small house, glad to be home for the weekend. The students were always a bit distracted on Fridays, especially this time of year, and even though he loved his teaching job, he couldn't wait to come home. Walking over to his desk to set his books and papers to grade that weekend down, he bumped the mouse and saw a YM offline message from Craig.

*Hey Daisy. I need to talk, whenever you have a minute. I'll know for sure tomorrow, probably, but, all signs point to your being right again. Ping when you have time.*

David stared at the message and shook his head. "Shit…I'd really hoped I was wrong," he said sadly to himself. Sighing, he slid into his chair and replied.

David: Hey Craig…I just got home. You still on?

Craig: Hey Daisy. I'm here. How's it going?

David: Great now that the week is over. I saw your message. I'm sorry.

Craig: You tried to warn me. I should have listened, but you know me. I'm not sure yet what went wrong this time. I took the day off so S and I could talk, but he left before I woke up this morning.

David: Damn. I really had hoped I'd be wrong. I...don't know what to say. Does he know you wanted to talk?

Craig: Well, I've only asked him about a hundred times in the past few days, so yeah, I'd say so. What is it about me that drives *everyone* away, Daisy? And....thanks. For not saying you told me so.

David: Craig, you don't drive everyone away...you just, well, you just haven't found the right person. I'm not going to say I told you so, I really, really wish I'd been wrong this time-- for your sake.

Craig: Yeah, I wish you'd been wrong too, just this once. I thought it might work this time, but....hey, can you hang on for a minute? Someone's at the door.

David: Sure.

Craig: Well. Shit. I suppose that talk with S is pretty much a stupid idea now. Someone just sent him two tickets to Paris. Along with a note that says, "I can't wait for the weekend...you're going to tell him right before we leave for Paris, right? Then come back to me for good?" Shit. I can't believe this...the fucker didn't even have the balls to tell me...he has to do it all behind my back. I can't believe this! Just....hell.

David: What? He's cheating on you!?

Craig: Apparently.

Craig: This is just....shit. I don't even know what to say.

David: My God. I'm so sorry, Craig.

David: You *are* kicking his ass out right? Like as soon as the fucker walks in the door?

Craig: Yeah. I can't stand to even look at him. Dammit, how could I not have *seen* this? It's probably been going on for weeks...it's been over three weeks since he's even touched me!

David: What? He's not touched you in three weeks? And...you didn't find that odd?

Craig: Well, yeah. But...well, I thought....hell, I don't know what I thought. STUPID STUPID STUPID!

David: No. You aren't stupid. Stop that.

Craig: Well, what do you call it, Daisy? WHY can no one care for me? Or, if they do, why do I always fuck it up after only a few months? The longest relationship I've ever had was 3 years, and that even went all to hell after the first 2. I don't even know what I did wrong this time!

David: Craig, you aren't stupid. I honestly think you just pick the *wrong* type. It isn't your fault, though. It isn't. He's the one who didn't have the balls to come to you and just tell you it wasn't working out. Instead, he cheated on you and, I just...God if I was there I'd beat the shit out of him FOR you, and you know I'm the least likely person to DO that sort of thing. There isn't ANYTHING wrong with YOU though. There isn't. We've been friends for years, and I...I honestly think you just pick the type of guys that don't want long term relationships.

Craig: So who *is* the right type of guy, David?? Although, at this point, it might not matter....it's pretty damn obvious I'll be alone for the rest of my life, so I might just as well stop trying to find someone and learn to be happy by myself. I'm tired of nothing ever working out, and of always worrying that I've fucked up yet again. It's getting really, really old.

David stared at the screen for a moment. "So who *is* the right type of guy, David??" The sentence seemed to glare at him. For about ten seconds of insanity he typed the words ME! I'M THE RIGHT TYPE! and erased them.

David: I don't know, Craig. I don't think you'll be alone for the rest of your life. I honestly don't think you fucked up. I don't know why S did this, I have never understood why anyone cheats on another person, but I really don't think it is your fault. You didn't fuck up the other times either. It kills me when you say stuff like that. --- Have you thought of what you are going to do? I mean...aside from throw him out?

Craig: Thanks Daisy...I mean that, really. I know you must get tired of listening to me, but....anyway. Thanks. As for what I'm going to do? I have no idea. I've got a few more days of meetings, then I was going to just stay at home and write for a while. I've got 6 months to get a book into script form, and I've been working here alot lately.... of course, after I kick his ass out, I'm not sure I'll even *want* to stay here day after day. Knowing me, I'll just sit here and feel sorry for myself and obsess over everything. Maybe I should just move? Sell the house and move...somewhere....?

Craig: Any ideas?

David stared at the screen and felt butterflies in his stomach as he realized what he wanted to say. Craig had just asked him for ideas...and now what could he say? He closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath before typing the next words onto the screen, telling himself over and over again 'all he can say is no.'

David: Why don't you come home? You *could* stay with me until you found a place if you wanted.

Craig: Home....God. I've not been home in so long! Maybe that's not a bad idea, come to think of it. It's been....God, how long? Talking to you over the computer and phone just isn't the same. Are you serious about staying with you though? I don't mind getting a hotel or renting something. I don't want to cramp your style or drive you crazy (well, any crazier than I already drive you).

David: LOL You don't drive me crazy. Ok well maybe a little bit. I honestly don't mind or I wouldn't have offered. I do miss you, it would be nice having you nearby again. Plus I'm sure you can write just as well here as you can in LA. And you should know I have no style to cramp. I'm a high school history teacher, YOU'RE the one with style.

Craig: You know, Daisy, I love talking to you. No matter what's going on, you always know just how to make me laugh....you always have. I think....no, I'm not thinking about this. I'm going with my gut feeling for once. I'm going to kick his sorry ass out tonight, and then I will be on the next plane out of here! I'll find someone to take care of the house and everything else. I miss you. Alot. So many times I'll see something and think "God, Daisy would laugh his ass off at that!" Consider yourself saddled with a houseguest!

David: I have always loved talking to you too, Craig. You know that. I can't tell you how happy I am that you are going to come stay here. I miss you a lot too and everyone still asks about you. Just let me know your flight plans and I'll pick you up at the airport. And don't say it. That *won't* be any trouble to me.

Craig: LOL....You've got a deal, my friend. I'll let you know when to expect me....and I think I'm going to go pack S's clothes and shit up right now. Know what's funny? I don't think I'll even miss him....what does that say about me?

David: It says that it wasn't meant to be.

Craig: I think you're right....Again. I shouldn't be surprised at *that* though, should I? And Daisy? Thanks. I really mean it. You have no idea how much you mean to me. You're the best friend anyone could ever want.

David: And you know what? Make him pack his own shit. Tell him either he gets it tonight...all of it...or you are burning it, and you go out somewhere...hell go to the park, or a movie or SOMETHING. Make him pack it up. You shouldn't have to.

Craig: You're right. I'm going to sit here and pack *my* stuff and get ready to come see you!

David: You have no idea how much you mean to me either, Craig. None. You've been my best friend for so long. I...anyway. Just get rid of him and get your butt here.

Craig: I'll do it, Daisy....I'll do it tonight and see you in about 2 days! I can't wait! Damn, I'm not even upset anymore...you seem to have that effect on me.

David: Good. Please don't get down on yourself later either. Call me if I'm not online or something if you need me. You know I'm always here for you. Always. See you in a few days. And I can't wait either!

Craig: I will call....I promise. You're the one person I know I can count on to be there when I need you. I'll send my flight number to you tonight...I'm going to book it now...and I won't be changing my mind, so don't think you'll get out of my company. See you soon!

David: See you soon!

~~~
TBC…