Valentines
In honor of Valentine’s Day. A few months after the end of the book, Laurie goes to visit Ralph up North (where Ralph has been transferred upon the end of his courses). This is the first Valentine’s Day Ralph and Laurie have celebrated together. So I suppose that makes this story AU, since Renault never told us what happened after Chapter 17.
Feedback is appreciated
Title: Valentines
Author: poicale
Book: The Charioteer
Pairing: Ralph/Laurie
Rating: adult
Disclaimer: I don’t own these characters and make no profit from them.
Valentines
Laurie got on the train straight from work but he knew he wouldn’t arrive until after Ralph had left for his shift at the station. When he got to Ralph’s rooms, letting himself in with the spare key he had from a previous visit, there was a note on the bed for him.
Spuddy,
I should be home around three. Don’t wait up.
Ralph
It was almost nine and he decided to change into his pajamas, listening to the wireless for a little while, before climbing into Ralph’s bed. He read a book, before turning out the light an hour later.
He woke when Ralph slipped into bed with him.
“Ralph.” Laurie sighed, turning into the welcoming embrace. Kisses were clumsily exchanged; Laurie was still muddled with sleep.
“I’m glad you’re here.” Ralph said softly, tightening his grip.
“Love you.” Laurie murmured sleepily, nuzzling into Ralph’s warm skin. Slowly he woke, noticing something different. “You’ve grown a beard.”
“I told you I did.”
“You did not.”
“Didn’t I?” Ralph rubbed his cheek against Laurie’s. “Meant to do.”
Laurie twisted to get away and turned on the bedside table light. Ralph blinked owlishly as Laurie looked down at him.
“You look different.” Laurie scrubbed a hand over the bearded cheek and chin.
“Gets cold at sea in February, Spud.” Ralph laughed.
“I’ve never kissed anyone with a beard.”
“You just did.”
“And it was different! I don’t know that I like it.”
“No?” Ralph asked, a smile still curving his lips as he stroked a hand up and down Laurie’s side.
“No.”
“Won’t be different once you’ve done it a few times.”
Laurie looked down at Ralph’s mouth, now framed by fair hair. Unconsciously, he wet his lips before bending down to kiss Ralph lightly. The hair tickled his face, as it had done before, and he was about to pull away when Ralph opened his mouth. Laurie deepened the kiss instinctively, stroking his tongue into Ralph’s warmth, feeling himself grow lightheaded.
“Well?” Ralph asked when they had parted for much needed air.
“I think I need to kiss you more to really decide.” Laurie said seriously, leaning in for another.
“Need me to kiss you anywhere else to help your decision?” Ralph asked, both hands gripping Laurie’s hips.
Laurie gasped breathlessly, pressing hard against Ralph’s thigh.
“Yes?”
“Yes.” Laurie wound his arms around Ralph’s neck.
Laurie awoke to Ralph’s hand stroking his hair.
“Morning.” He mumbled. “Shouldn’t you be getting more sleep?”
“I’ll take a nap later.” Ralph answered softly.
“I brought you some things. Mother and Straike sent books, and Mother insisted you needed a thick sweater, she knitted it herself.” Laurie smiled as he remembered the difficulty she had had doing so.
“That was nice of them,” Ralph said. “What’d you bring me?”
“Writing paper and envelopes. Cigarettes. This.” Laurie reached out and tugged Ralph down for a kiss.
“How much of this do I get?” Ralph murmured against Laurie’s lips.
“As much as you want, it’s not rationed.” Laurie replied, arching against Ralph’s hips.
“I meant to get you something.” Ralph said, pulling back slightly.
“What? Why? You’re the one who’ll be at sea for only God knows how long.”
“Well…” Ralph ducked his head, kissing Laurie’s neck and murmuring something that sounded a lot like ‘ballet lines’.
“I didn’t catch that.”
“Oh, Spud. It’s…I didn’t know. Well, it’s Valentine’s Day today and I thought, maybe, that was why you wanted to visit this weekend and- I never celebrate it, never have. It’s a bloody silly holiday.”
“Oh.” Laurie was speechless.
“I thought-“
“Ralph,” Laurie held back his laughter with great effort, Ralph looked so serious. “I didn’t think about it being Valentine’s Day, honestly I didn’t. I just wanted to see you and I didn’t want to wait until next weekend. However, now that you mention it-”
“Spuddy.”
“Would you be my Valentine?”
Ralph looked distressed.
“All you have to say is yes, silly boy.” Laurie kissed him soundly, “You won’t have to do anything romantic.”
“You have to be my Valentine as well, then? Is that how it works?”
“Generally.”
“All right then.”
“Well, I’m glad that’s settled. Do we have breakfast now, or do you want to stay in bed?”
“I’ll make breakfast, you rest.” Ralph kissed him and climbed gracefully out of the bed.
Laurie resisted the opportunity to tell him how romantic he was.