Quarters for a Five Dollar Bill

Chapter Three

Warning: Sexual content.

Stan was able to stay an extra week in Colorado. His agent called him to see how things were going and noting Stan's tone she suggested he head back on a late Saturday flight. Stan helped his mother with some heavy lifting during the days and would make the drive to Denver to have dinner with Craig. And by dinner he meant a lot of sex. Well, he'd be lying if he had only been interested in the sex. There were a few hours each day where they just sat around; Stan would keep up with his stretching routine while Craig fiddled with his guitar. He liked watching Craig when he got lost in strumming his guitar; it felt nice and cozy. Craig said he never wrote anything, just liked playing to relieve stress and clear his mind before working on new lesson plans.

Stan had learned so much about Craig in just a few short days that he was genuinely worried about what would happen when it was time for him to leave. When he told Craig about his scheduled flight, a disappointing silence fell between them.

"Well," Craig sniffed dismissively, "guess you'll be glad to get back to training and all that."

Stan frowned and reached out to turn Craig's face towards his. "If I was, would I have even come over tonight?"

Craig's eyes widened slightly before his face slowly morphed into one of his smirks. "So where do we go from here?"

"I don't want to pretend none of this happened," Stan said with absolute certainty.

"I thought we'd treat it as purely physical?" Craig raised an eyebrow.

Stan swallowed the lump forming in his throat. "I don't think I can settle for that, Craig. I don't think you can either."

Craig looked down as his hands. "Stan, I just don't see how it will be possible. I want you here not on the other side of the country."

Stan felt a flash of hope fill him. "You want me here?"

Craig opened his mouth to say something and caught himself, making a small choking sound. "I'm a little attached to you now."

Stan watched Craig unbelievingly; the whole drive he had been thinking the same thing. How stupid was it that someone could come in and intrude on his life the way Craig had done? He thought back to when he wondered about each other filling their voids and realized that it had actually happened. Maybe not all the way, but enough for this inevitable separation to be very tough for the both of them.

"Do you understand how big a deal that is for me?"

"Yes," Stan sighed. Craig looked at him sadly and crawled into his lap wrapping his arms around Stan's neck and resting his cheek on top of Stan's head. Stan put a hand on Craig's leg, thumb tracing the outline of his kneecap through the fabric of his jeans. He wrapped his free arm around Craig's waist and turned his head to put his face in his shoulder. They sat like that until Stan had to drive back to South Park.

Craig insisted he spend his last day with his family but promised to meet him up for lunch at the airport. They decided to try the long distance thing. Craig called Stan on weekdays since he had the most irregular schedule out of the two. Stan phoned on the weekends, looking around his empty condo and feeling his chest ache without Craig around.

"I know what you mean," Craig sighed into the phone while he was grading papers after school. "I was having the best dream when I went to reach out and I fell off my bed flat on my face."

"Fuck that," Stan laughed, he was sitting in his living room doing arm curls. "Tell me more about this dream."

Craig made a dismissive laugh and mumbled softly into the receiver. "There are still students in here doing make-up work."

Stan grinned mischievously. "Then let me guess. Since it has been a few weeks, I must have been on top. Were you face up or face down?"

Craig cleared his throat, amusement in his voice. "Up."

"Mm," Stan switched the phone from one ear to the other as well as his weights. "I like that best when I can see everything you're doing and all the faces you make. Do you have any idea how crazy you drive me when you throw your head back and practically scream my name?"

"Watch it," Craig hissed but Stan could tell from all the miles away that this was getting him worked up.

"Like a wanton whore," Stan smirked. "You know, for someone so anti-religious you sure do call out to God, Jesus, and all of the heavens a lot."

"Mr. Tucker?" Stan had to drop the weight to prevent an injury as one of Craig's students' voices came through from a distance. "Are you okay? You look like you're about to shit yourself."

"Fine," Craig's voice was forcefully chipper which was so out of character that Stan clutched his side laughing. "That was not cool," he hissed into the phone.

"Not my fault you choose to call me while you had students in the room," Stan wiped at his eyes. "I miss you."

Craig stayed silent on the other end; Stan listened as he flipped over papers and wrote on them. "Me, too."

That was their pattern for many weeks.

Once the team was cleared from end-of-season training, Stan booked a flight to Denver. Craig bemoaned on the phone how he'd have to actually buy groceries that were good for you, that he had gotten used to sprawling out across the entire bed, and Stan had better take him out to dinner. Stan promised him dinners out and dinners in and long drives in his rental and pretty much anything else Craig wanted.

"I don't want your money, Stan."

"Just me, right," Stan smiled into the phone as he waited at the terminal. He couldn't even sleep on the flight and for the first time in probably ever he was excited to be heading to Colorado.

At the airport he quickly made his way towards baggage claim, where he and Craig were supposed to meet up. He purposely took his time getting there wanting to see if he could catch sight of Craig without him knowing. When he did he was surprised to see that Craig was huddled up eyes darting around anxiously for any sign of Stan. It made him smile ridiculously wide and he took pity deciding the sooner he had his arms around Craig the better they both would be. He wondered if Craig would run to him or even call out to him. He knew neither would happen and sure enough the only public excitement Craig showed when their eyes met was to break out into a relieved smile. Stan wasn't beyond that other emotional stuff, however, and nearly knocked Craig over with a huge hug.

"God I missed you," he breathed in Craig's scent.

"I was hoping you'd make it to the car first," Craig groaned. "Now we have to walk through the parking lot like we aren't a couple of fags."

Stan laughed and reluctantly let him go. They waited fifteen agonizing minutes before his suitcase popped up then made a beeline for Craig's car. Craig talked about how he gave the administrators at the school a good scare when he asked for three days off. He had never used a single one of his sick or vacation days. His students were distraught.

"You really didn't have to," Stan playfully reprimanded him. He wanted Craig to change absolutely nothing about his life for him even though he knew it was impossible. Part of him was selfishly glad that he'd taken time off.

"I've resorted to phone sex and worked my ass off for too long to settle for half days with you," Craig retorted and glared at the traffic daring it to get in his way. Stan had to look away to hide his ecstatic grin.

They didn't bother hauling Stan's suitcase in when they got to Craig's and didn't even make it to his bedroom before clothing was clawed off with two and a half months' worth of pent up want. They pretty much spent the rest of the day alternating fucking and snoozing on Craig's couch. Stan's favorite part was crushing Craig between himself and the cushions when they were laying there touching each other. Craig would wriggle out an arm and let his hand fall with a loud smack between his shoulder blades.

"How is it even possible you've gotten bigger?"

Stan laughed and took the opportunity to show Craig what all he could do with his new muscles.

It was the third night he was in town when he made the suggestion that Craig move out to where he was. Craig stayed silent for a long time while Stan talked about the area.

"It's sunny so you'd have to get used to that but I checked around and there are quite a few places I think you'd like. They have this bar with your kind of music. I go there when I miss you too much."

"Stan," Craig sighed. "What about my job?"

"There are plenty of schools you could teach at. They have better funding but there are students in the same situations as the ones you teach now. A few of us on the team do volunteer work at the youth centers in the city. The kids could use someone like you out there."

Craig looked at him and bit his lip thoughtfully.

"You don't have to answer now," Stan gave him a small smile. "It's impossible for me to come back here since that's not how things work for players so I thought maybe I could get you to go—"

"Yes," Craig blurted.

"What?"

"Yeah," Craig smirked. "I want to go."

Stan sat up and took both of Craig's arms in his hands. "Seriously?"

"Didn't I say yes already, Stan?" Craig looked irritated and embarrassed. "No need to be such a chick about it."

"This is great," Stan beamed and kissed Craig. "I can't believe it."

"It'll have to be at the end of the school year," Craig threaded his fingers in Stan's hair. "I can't just leave like that."

"Of course not," Stan said quietly. "Tell me whatever it is you need, okay?"

"Well," Craig drew Stan closer and lowered his voice. "I'm going to need a place to stay."

Stan smiled and looked him dead in the eye. "How about with me?"

Craig took a deep breath and made a face. "But you snore," he teased. "And you have the worst bathroom habits."

Stan nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, you'd have to suffer through daily meals with me, joint showers, and making purchasing decisions with me."

Craig snorted and shoved at his arm. "It'd be the worst." Stan kissed Craig's smirk away.

When he went back home he excitedly looked around to see what he could do to make Craig feel like it was his home too. He knew Craig had a lot of books so he decided that he could take over Stan's poor excuse for an office and use it as a library. He told Craig his plans and spent half an hour holding the phone slightly away from his ear as he raged a seemingly endless stream of expletives. Stan didn't care; he was too excited for the move and actually ticked off his calendar making sure to throw it away before Craig arrived.

Stan drummed his thumbs on the steering wheel; unable to keep his smile off his face as he drove Craig home from the airport. Home, he glanced over at the passenger seat to see Craig rub sleepily at his eyes. The dumbass had insisted on paying for his plane ticket. He originally wanted to drive himself and all his things but Stan wouldn't have been able to drive with him. So they compromised. Stan had Craig's things sent in via trucking company and Craig got to buy his own ticket for the flight. He shook his head Craig could be ridiculously stubborn.

He let Craig doze until they got nearer to his condo. Craig balked at the building and grumbled under his breath as they pulled up the car. Stan smiled and watched Craig as they entered the house. Craig's eyebrows furrowed and he continued his grumblings as he explored the condo. Stan caught some of Craig's words remarking on all the waste and disbelieving that someone actually lived in a place like this. Once Craig began spying some of his own belongings (which Stan promised he could move anywhere he wanted) he started to relax. They returned to the living room and Craig put his hands in his back pockets as he turned to face him.

"This place is too fucking big, Stan."

Stan simply laughed.

"Seriously, how could you stand being here by yourself?"

"I don't have to worry about that anymore, right? Be honest, you must like something around here."

Craig shifted from one foot to the other and nodded at the floor where a huge soft rug was spread out. "I like that carpet."

Stan grinned and tackled him onto it attacking Craig's sides with his fingers.

The thing Stan was most looking forward to in living with Craig was all the new things he was going to learn about him. He had often compared Craig to a cat and marveled at exactly how accurate that was. Whenever he came home from training he found Craig curled up on the floor with a book next to him in front of the ceiling to floor windows of his living room. He decided one day before heading out for training to move one of his plush chairs closer to the window so Craig wouldn't have to use the floor again. Craig showed his appreciation that night by coaxing him outside for some sexy fun time in the pool.

One curious thing Stan did learn about Craig was that if the man was able to fuck music he would. He figured this out one morning on the weekend when he woke up in an empty bed. He wandered through the rooms until he heard a faint humming he recognized as belonging to Craig along with the buzzing of guitars and drums from a pair of headphones covering his ears. He was rummaging through the kitchen, helping himself to whatever was stowed away in the pantry and refrigerator and Stan's insides warmed at the sight. Craig's presence felt so right here.

Stan leaned in the shadowy doorway watching his lover tap his foot to the beat in his ears as he made himself some breakfast. Stan's stomach complained with hunger as the smell of batter hit the frying pan but he told his stomach to chill because Craig was doing the most amazing thing at the moment. Usually, Craig kept himself collected, unless they were fucking each other's brains out or shoving their tongues down each other's throats like horny sixteen year olds. He would hold himself a little stiffly, broadcasting that others should keep their distance. Stan wondered if he'd ever get to see Craig loosen up outside of the bedroom… or the dining room table… or the backseat of a car… or…

Stan shook his head and smiled. Craig was in nothing but a pair of sweatpants that rode low just barely holding up despite the taut string around the band. He had a serious case of bed head and his neck was littered with pink marks that Stan had placed there thinking "Mine, mine, mine" each time he made one. Craig had fastened his iPod to one of those jogging bands around his arm and tossed the cord of his headphones over his shoulder.

Stan heard a loud guitar riff from one of Craig's favorite indie bands and watched as his lips mouthed the lyrics. Craig's eyes fluttered closed and he took sharp breaths as his hips moved to the music. He was totally having a moment, melding his mind with the melody and Stan would have felt incredibly jealous if Craig hadn't slid his fingers over every mark made by Stan on his body, smirk playing on his lips between verses. He would have been completely content with Craig doing this all on his own but Craig bit his lower lip showing just a hint of teeth and Stan knew he had to get involved.

He waited until Craig's back was turned towards him then sneaked close enough so his body heat wouldn't warn Craig to his presence. He reached out and lightly ran his fingertips over Craig's hipbone causing Craig's eyes to fly open and head jerk around to face him. Craig's face flushed red and mouth gaped in alarm and embarrassment.

"Jesus Christ, Stan! You nearly gave me a heart attack," Craig breathed and reached for his headphones. Stan firmly clapped his hands over Craig's, pulling one side of the headphones down enough to whisper in his ear.

"Leave them on," he felt Craig shiver and moved the headphones back into place. Stan kept Craig's back to his chest and soothingly ran his hands over Craig's hipbones. As more of the song played he felt Craig relax and reached over to turn off the stove so neither would be distracted. He helped steer Craig's waist back into his writhing dance and guided him towards one of the vacant counters. Craig placed both of his hands on the countertop and pushed back onto him, eyes fluttering closed again as he lost himself in the music and feeling of Stan's fingers brushing everywhere.

Stan observed Craig's reactions as he stroked his ribs, ran warm thumbs over his nipples, and palmed just above his growing erection. Craig refused to open his eyes and the combination of loss of sight and intensity of sound made his body sing for Stan in a way it never had before. Stan undid the string of Craig's sweatpants letting them slither to the floor and was struck with a wonderful idea. He began whispering things against Craig's skin, just little things like how sexy he was and how turned on he made Stan. Knowing Craig couldn't hear any of it made it all the better but he did shiver at the feeling of Stan's warm breath. Stan grinned and dropped his own pajama bottoms. He was going to have fun with this one.

Craig didn't hold a single noise back as Stan began slow and steady thrusts. Stan purposefully took his time, running his lips over Craig's neck.

"I want you," he breathed.

Craig made some indiscernible noise as he pushed back on Stan sending him deeper inside. Stan slid a hand from Craig's navel up over his chest and cupped his chin gently directing Craig's head back. Stan refused to change his pace, wanting to take his time. Craig yelled as he came faster than he ever had before. Stan wasn't anywhere near done and continued his steady thrusts.

"I need you," he buried his nose in Craig's hair, hands sliding down to stroke the skin near Craig's rehardening cock. Craig reached up and around his own head to grab at Stan's hair, encouraging him on with his pushing. Stan continued to run his hands over Craig's skin and slid it back lower; teasing and stroking more mouth watering sounds from Craig. He couldn't last much longer no matter how long he wanted to hold out. He grunted and increased his thrusts and stroking of Craig's dick, when he felt like he was about to come he nosed off the headphones on Craig's left ear.

"I love you," he confessed huskily. Craig moaned and the two came at the same time. Neither could stay on their feet so Stan set them both down on the floor, using their discarded pants as cushions. Craig gasped loudly while they were pooled on the floor, their clothing now sweat and semen stained. He looked at Stan with a vulnerable expression despite the fact they were both panting from exertion.

"Are you serious?"

Stan didn't feel like moving because fuck it all if each time they had sex it wasn't better than the previous but he leaned forward anyway and cupped Craig's face with his hands.

"Absolutely."

Craig made a sound like a gasp crossed with a sob. Stan felt his eyes soften and tenderly kissed Craig's lips.

"I love you, Craig Tucker."

"Me too," Craig sniffed and rolled his reddening eyes in frustration. He wiped at his nose and looked Stan in the eye. "I'm so fucking in love with you. I can't believe I'm here. I can't believe I packed up my life and moved out here because of you."

Stan could only smile and softly kissed Craig's jaw as all the pent up emotions came streaming out of his eyes and mouth.

"All because you looked at me with those fucking unbelievable eyes and said you wanted me here and I've never been happier. Seriously, why – no – how did you do this to me, Stan?"

"Some closed off prick once told me it was because people change," Stan pulled him closer.

Craig chuckled and wiped at his face before leaning into Stan's chest.

"You better not change any more."

"Not even for the better?"

Craig threw his sweat covered arms around his neck and kissed him breathless.

"It couldn't get any better than this."

A/N: The end! Um… I hope it was satisfying. I don't really see anything else to add to it so there it ends. Kind of a stupid ending but… it was just an exercise in writing some porn to be honest and… I feel successful in that respect. Thanks for all the reviews and I'll see you next time!