Discovered in a Box of Baubles - "Together"
Bodie frowned. It was supposed to be their first Christmas “together”, but they weren’t. Together that is. He considered that thought as he got out of the car and locked it. They had been together since they were first partnered. Even over Christmas, they always found some time to spend together, negotiating space around work, family and birds to exchange small gifts and more importantly some small measure of time. Is that where it started? From together to “together?”
He put that thought aside as he entered and browsed the aisles of the market. For no rational reason he could think of, he was looking for food to celebrate Christmas. Alone was what he was, but that was not how he was shopping.
This was not what they had planned at all, but when their case suddenly came to a head last week, it found Bodie in Dover and Doyle in Scotland, to see it through. Bodie’s end had come to an abrupt conclusion just hours ago, but still no word from Doyle on when he would make it home. But there was no chance it would be tonight - Christmas Eve..
And likely not tomorrow either. Bodie sighed as he finished his shopping and headed for home. He had enough food to feed an army for Christmas, but no-one at home to share it with. Well it was home when Doyle was around. Now…….
They had planned to do all this together. The shopping, the gifts, the tree. Doyle had decorations from family that he had never used. He carried them from flat to flat and Bodie had often teased him about it. “When the time is right”, Doyle would say, “when it’s with the right person, then we will decorate together.” Bodie smiled as he remembered when Doyle had told him one quiet night, that Bodie was that right person. And tonight was supposed to be that time, together….
He amazingly found a parking space outside his flat - well their flat - mainly because Doyle didn’t use his much anymore, and still immersed in this thoughts, trudged up the stairs. As he opened the door to their flat however, well-honed instincts kicked in and he quickly and quietly put down his shopping and drew his gun.
“Put the shooter away sunshine,” came the voice from the lounge, followed by a cheeky smile and curly hair. “Ray?,” Bodie asked in disbelief, “you’re here?, even as he put his gun away. The grin grew wider. “Great observation skills, love.” Seeing Bodie still staring at him, unmoving, Doyle took charge.
“I finished up a bit earlier than you”, he said, giving Bodie a quick kiss before picking up the shopping. He turned and headed to the kitchen. “From what Cowley said, what happened at my end, started what happened at yours.” Bodie had to follow so as not to miss a word. “I didn’t beat you home by much, but I found out from HQ that you gone and I knew you would go for food - hope you got enough for two.” He turned to his lover and grinned again, Bodie could only beam in return.
He continued, “So I came here to get organised instead.”
His love was here and safe and smiling and they were going to have Christmas after all. At least he hoped they were. His hopes were answered with Doyle’s next words. “Cowley has given us off until the day after Boxing Day, but we have to be in at 7am.” Bodie looked at him in disbelief. “Both days and Christmas Eve too?” he wanted reassurance. Doyle grinned again. “We’ve both been very good lads.”
He turned to put the last of the shopping away, when Bodie finally caught up. “Get organised?” he asked. Doyle turned from the last task and nodded. Taking his lover’s hand, he drew him into the lounge. In the corner a large Christmas tree stood proud, but bare. Boxes littered the floor around it, unopened. Doyle drew Bodie to the tree and turning, took Bodie in his arms. “The time is right, I’m with the right person and we do it together.” Bodie gave his love a deep kiss, full of all the love, hope and delight he could express before looking back to his dazed partner. “Together”.