The Sentinel/General/'Operation Valentine'
Title: 'Operation Valentine'
Fandom: The Sentinel
Characters: Jim Ellison/Blair Sandburg
Prompt: 078. Kitchen
Word Count: 1519
Rating: FRAO
Summary: Jim is planning the perfect Valentine's Day celebration with Blair.
Author's Notes: I don't own The Sentinel or any of the characters. Written for 100_situations Prompt Table
'Operation Valentine'
Debbie
Jim looked around the loft once more. Everything was in place and ready to go. The casserole was simmering in the oven, the flowers were perfect, even if they were only made of silk, and the candles were ready to light. The only thing missing was his partner and lover, Blair. Blair was supposed to be home by 5:00. Jim had requested that Blair be home, that he was planning a special Valentine's Day meal and something special afterwards. Jim could tell that Blair was curious when he heard that.
Jim had taken the day off to plan and execute 'Operation Valentine', as he dubbed it. It was a hokey name, but it was far from a hokey idea. Jim loved Blair with every fiber of his being and giving the younger man a perfect Valentine's Day was one way Jim was willing to show his love. Blair always seemed to be the one giving and Jim felt it was about time the tables were turned.
Jim heard the unmistakable sound of the Volvo coming down Prospect Avenue. He moved over to the entertainment center, pushing the button for the CD player to start. Soft chords of instrumental music began, filling the loft. Jim moved over to the candles, lighting them one by one, while still keeping an ear on Blair's progress towards the apartment. He had just pulled into the parking lot. Jim still had a little time.
He ran upstairs to their bedroom, grabbing the small box from top shelf of the closet. He had it wrapped in red paper with a white bow. He went back downstairs, hearing Blair as he reached the elevator and got inside. Jim was practically bouncing as he waited. He stopped himself as he realized what he was doing.
~*~*~*~*~*
It wasn't a surprise when the door opened as Blair reached it. He looked up to see Jim standing there, waiting for him. There was even a little bounce as Jim stood there, but Blair wasn't about to make mention of that little fact.
"Honey, I'm home!" announced Blair as he moved past Jim into the loft.
"I'm glad you made it okay. It wouldn't have looked good to be injured on Valentine's Day with your lover waiting at home."
"I'd never do that to you, babe." Blair turned to give Jim a welcome home kiss.
Jim leaned into the kiss, putting his arms around Blair's waist and pulling him close. If it were up to him, he'd stay like this all night. But he did have other plans.
"Take your coat off and get washed up. Supper is ready."
Blair took off his coat, hanging it up on the hook beside Jim's coat. As he turned around, he saw all of the preparations Jim had done to the place. Deep down, Blair knew Jim was a romantic at heart. It was just a matter of getting through the gruff exterior, which for Blair hadn't taken a long time. He had Jim pegged almost from the first day they met. Of course, getting to the point of being lovers took a lot longer. However, it was definitely worth the time and effort.
Blair sniffed the air, smelling the chicken casserole. He walked over to the kitchen area, where Jim was taking the dish out of the oven.
"It smells great, Jim. What did I ever do to deserve you?"
"I think you have that backwards, love. I'm the lucky one here."
"We're both lucky. It's a big universe out there. The odds of us meeting up, let alone getting together, are astronomical. We beat the odds."
"Let's eat. Everything is ready."
Jim brought the casserole dish over to the table and put it down. Blair sat down opposite Jim's seat and started dishing up the casserole. It looked delicious. Jim poured wine for each of them and then sat down.
After a few bites, Blair spoke. "Do you think we can cuddle after supper? It's really cold outside and I need my *blanket* to warm me up."
"You looked warm enough in your new fleece-lined coat when you came home a while ago, but yes, we can cuddle and snuggle later. It'll be the perfect thing to do."
"I just didn't know how much you had planned out for us tonight."
"Well, I don't think we'll be leaving the loft anytime soon, at least until morning."
Blair smiled. It was just what he wanted to hear, that he'd have Jim to himself for the night. Sometimes being in love was the best thing in the world.
~*~*~*~*~*
After dinner, Jim and Blair cleared the table together and Jim told Blair to leave the dishes. Blair almost dropped the plates he was carrying.
"We're not doing the dishes?"
"It's not in the plans, love. I have something for you."
"More than a candle-lit dinner with flowers and soft music? Wow! I'm impressed, Jim."
Jim took Blair's hand and led him over to the living room, gently pushing him down to sit on the couch. Then Jim reached over to get the wrapped box, which he had placed on the table in front of the couch. He sat down beside Blair and handed him the box.
"I hope you like it. It took me a long time to decide on which one to buy."
Blair was already tearing into the paper, revealing the jeweler's box underneath. He slowly opened the box and gave an audible gasp. He looked up at Jim, a surprised expression on his face.
"Jim… how did you? Where…?" Blair was sputtering, unable to express himself.
"I have contacts and people who owe me favors. Do you like it?"
In answer, Blair launched himself into Jim's lap, kissing him. "I love it, Jim. But you couldn't have gotten it here in Cascade."
"Don't worry about where I got it, love. Will you let me put it on you?"
"Yes. Then I have to go get your present. It's not as nice as this, but…"
Jim cut off Blair's words with a kiss to those luscious lips. "I'm sure, coming from you, that it is perfect."
Jim lifted the necklace out of the box, fingering the wolf figurine dangling from the chain. "I was pleased to find so many varieties. I'll have to take you to the shop on our next vacation." Jim put the necklace on Blair, kissing his neck as he finished fastening it. "It looks perfect, just like you."
Blair squirmed off Jim's lap and got to his feet. "I'll be right back." He went over to his office, what had been his bedroom early on in their relationship. He got the wrapped box out of the closet and brought it out, handing it to Jim. "I hope you like this."
"Blair, you've always been the most considerate and thoughtful gift giver. I'm sure I'll love this."
Jim tore into the wrapping, quickly getting rid of it. He opened the box, seeing an over-abundance of bubble wrap. He gave Blair a puzzled look. Blair only smiled back at him. Jim pulled out the bubble wrap, seeing the reason for it all. He smiled at Blair.
"Gosh, love! Where in the world did you get this? It is excellent craftsmanship and such detail!"
"I have contacts and people who owe me favors, too. Actually, a friend of mine is into sculpture now. He went to Rainier and I helped him graduate. I told him what I wanted and he was able to deliver. You really like it?"
"Blair, that's a silly question! I love it. Our spirit animals intertwined in a sculpture is perfect. Thank you!" Jim reached out, pulling Blair back down on his lap. They kissed again.
Blair burrowed closer to Jim, twining his arms around his neck. He loved it when they cuddled. He was content with this evening and his life with Jim.
Jim held Blair close, loving the way his senses responded to his lover. Jim was happy all had gone well with the evening. He had planned for them to make an early evening of it and go upstairs, but they could cuddle for a while, since Blair loved it so much.
~*~*~*~*~*
As they lay in their bed, Jim knew Blair was already asleep, exhausted from their lovemaking. He smiled to himself as Blair shifted slightly, and then settled down. Jim never thought he'd be comfortable sharing his bed. When he had been married, he and Carolyn slept apart, not cuddling like him and Blair. Blair had taught him so much over the years, including what love really was.
After what they had gone through, it was astonishing that they were still together. But Jim realized it was because Blair wanted it. If Blair hadn't of cared about Jim, he would have left in a heartbeat and they never would have become lovers. Jim was eternally grateful Blair did care and eventually got Jim to care also.
Jim rested his head on Blair's chest, letting the soft thump-thump of his heart lull him to sleep. It had been the perfect Valentine's Day.
Fandom: The Sentinel
Characters: Jim Ellison/Blair Sandburg
Prompt: 078. Kitchen
Word Count: 1519
Rating: FRAO
Summary: Jim is planning the perfect Valentine's Day celebration with Blair.
Author's Notes: I don't own The Sentinel or any of the characters. Written for 100_situations Prompt Table
'Operation Valentine'
Debbie
Jim looked around the loft once more. Everything was in place and ready to go. The casserole was simmering in the oven, the flowers were perfect, even if they were only made of silk, and the candles were ready to light. The only thing missing was his partner and lover, Blair. Blair was supposed to be home by 5:00. Jim had requested that Blair be home, that he was planning a special Valentine's Day meal and something special afterwards. Jim could tell that Blair was curious when he heard that.
Jim had taken the day off to plan and execute 'Operation Valentine', as he dubbed it. It was a hokey name, but it was far from a hokey idea. Jim loved Blair with every fiber of his being and giving the younger man a perfect Valentine's Day was one way Jim was willing to show his love. Blair always seemed to be the one giving and Jim felt it was about time the tables were turned.
Jim heard the unmistakable sound of the Volvo coming down Prospect Avenue. He moved over to the entertainment center, pushing the button for the CD player to start. Soft chords of instrumental music began, filling the loft. Jim moved over to the candles, lighting them one by one, while still keeping an ear on Blair's progress towards the apartment. He had just pulled into the parking lot. Jim still had a little time.
He ran upstairs to their bedroom, grabbing the small box from top shelf of the closet. He had it wrapped in red paper with a white bow. He went back downstairs, hearing Blair as he reached the elevator and got inside. Jim was practically bouncing as he waited. He stopped himself as he realized what he was doing.
~*~*~*~*~*
It wasn't a surprise when the door opened as Blair reached it. He looked up to see Jim standing there, waiting for him. There was even a little bounce as Jim stood there, but Blair wasn't about to make mention of that little fact.
"Honey, I'm home!" announced Blair as he moved past Jim into the loft.
"I'm glad you made it okay. It wouldn't have looked good to be injured on Valentine's Day with your lover waiting at home."
"I'd never do that to you, babe." Blair turned to give Jim a welcome home kiss.
Jim leaned into the kiss, putting his arms around Blair's waist and pulling him close. If it were up to him, he'd stay like this all night. But he did have other plans.
"Take your coat off and get washed up. Supper is ready."
Blair took off his coat, hanging it up on the hook beside Jim's coat. As he turned around, he saw all of the preparations Jim had done to the place. Deep down, Blair knew Jim was a romantic at heart. It was just a matter of getting through the gruff exterior, which for Blair hadn't taken a long time. He had Jim pegged almost from the first day they met. Of course, getting to the point of being lovers took a lot longer. However, it was definitely worth the time and effort.
Blair sniffed the air, smelling the chicken casserole. He walked over to the kitchen area, where Jim was taking the dish out of the oven.
"It smells great, Jim. What did I ever do to deserve you?"
"I think you have that backwards, love. I'm the lucky one here."
"We're both lucky. It's a big universe out there. The odds of us meeting up, let alone getting together, are astronomical. We beat the odds."
"Let's eat. Everything is ready."
Jim brought the casserole dish over to the table and put it down. Blair sat down opposite Jim's seat and started dishing up the casserole. It looked delicious. Jim poured wine for each of them and then sat down.
After a few bites, Blair spoke. "Do you think we can cuddle after supper? It's really cold outside and I need my *blanket* to warm me up."
"You looked warm enough in your new fleece-lined coat when you came home a while ago, but yes, we can cuddle and snuggle later. It'll be the perfect thing to do."
"I just didn't know how much you had planned out for us tonight."
"Well, I don't think we'll be leaving the loft anytime soon, at least until morning."
Blair smiled. It was just what he wanted to hear, that he'd have Jim to himself for the night. Sometimes being in love was the best thing in the world.
~*~*~*~*~*
After dinner, Jim and Blair cleared the table together and Jim told Blair to leave the dishes. Blair almost dropped the plates he was carrying.
"We're not doing the dishes?"
"It's not in the plans, love. I have something for you."
"More than a candle-lit dinner with flowers and soft music? Wow! I'm impressed, Jim."
Jim took Blair's hand and led him over to the living room, gently pushing him down to sit on the couch. Then Jim reached over to get the wrapped box, which he had placed on the table in front of the couch. He sat down beside Blair and handed him the box.
"I hope you like it. It took me a long time to decide on which one to buy."
Blair was already tearing into the paper, revealing the jeweler's box underneath. He slowly opened the box and gave an audible gasp. He looked up at Jim, a surprised expression on his face.
"Jim… how did you? Where…?" Blair was sputtering, unable to express himself.
"I have contacts and people who owe me favors. Do you like it?"
In answer, Blair launched himself into Jim's lap, kissing him. "I love it, Jim. But you couldn't have gotten it here in Cascade."
"Don't worry about where I got it, love. Will you let me put it on you?"
"Yes. Then I have to go get your present. It's not as nice as this, but…"
Jim cut off Blair's words with a kiss to those luscious lips. "I'm sure, coming from you, that it is perfect."
Jim lifted the necklace out of the box, fingering the wolf figurine dangling from the chain. "I was pleased to find so many varieties. I'll have to take you to the shop on our next vacation." Jim put the necklace on Blair, kissing his neck as he finished fastening it. "It looks perfect, just like you."
Blair squirmed off Jim's lap and got to his feet. "I'll be right back." He went over to his office, what had been his bedroom early on in their relationship. He got the wrapped box out of the closet and brought it out, handing it to Jim. "I hope you like this."
"Blair, you've always been the most considerate and thoughtful gift giver. I'm sure I'll love this."
Jim tore into the wrapping, quickly getting rid of it. He opened the box, seeing an over-abundance of bubble wrap. He gave Blair a puzzled look. Blair only smiled back at him. Jim pulled out the bubble wrap, seeing the reason for it all. He smiled at Blair.
"Gosh, love! Where in the world did you get this? It is excellent craftsmanship and such detail!"
"I have contacts and people who owe me favors, too. Actually, a friend of mine is into sculpture now. He went to Rainier and I helped him graduate. I told him what I wanted and he was able to deliver. You really like it?"
"Blair, that's a silly question! I love it. Our spirit animals intertwined in a sculpture is perfect. Thank you!" Jim reached out, pulling Blair back down on his lap. They kissed again.
Blair burrowed closer to Jim, twining his arms around his neck. He loved it when they cuddled. He was content with this evening and his life with Jim.
Jim held Blair close, loving the way his senses responded to his lover. Jim was happy all had gone well with the evening. He had planned for them to make an early evening of it and go upstairs, but they could cuddle for a while, since Blair loved it so much.
~*~*~*~*~*
As they lay in their bed, Jim knew Blair was already asleep, exhausted from their lovemaking. He smiled to himself as Blair shifted slightly, and then settled down. Jim never thought he'd be comfortable sharing his bed. When he had been married, he and Carolyn slept apart, not cuddling like him and Blair. Blair had taught him so much over the years, including what love really was.
After what they had gone through, it was astonishing that they were still together. But Jim realized it was because Blair wanted it. If Blair hadn't of cared about Jim, he would have left in a heartbeat and they never would have become lovers. Jim was eternally grateful Blair did care and eventually got Jim to care also.
Jim rested his head on Blair's chest, letting the soft thump-thump of his heart lull him to sleep. It had been the perfect Valentine's Day.