"AU where Kieren and Simon go away and buy a beach house and Simon grows a beard and they have tons of sex and they cuddle under the stars and everyone's happy" – the really helpful prompt from my amazing friend bcrnesbucky on tumblr. I hope I did it justice.
Chapter 1 - I Bet You Look Good With A Beard
Kieren sat on his bed, mindlessly watching the ceiling. It had been a long day with Amy and Philip's wedding, the after-party and all the new changes.
"Do you think she's completely human now?" He was thrilled for Amy – she always talked about weddings and glorious romantic trips. But he couldn't bring himself to stop worrying.
"The doctors said so." Simon sat next to Kieren, admiring all his new drawings and paintings – mostly portraits of Simon, Amy and Philip and a small drawing of Jem. He was really good. "How's the trembling?"
"Worse." Kieren stretched his arm over his head, observing it in the pale light. "Amy said this was her first symptom before all the other changes." His stomach got assaulted by a nauseating feeling – like the one he'd get if he'd eat or drink something.
"That's a good sign." Simon turned to look at him. His eyes were sparkling with affection and the usual Simon-y mysticism. He was definitely trying his best to be 'normal', for Kieren, but his years with the Undead Prophet left a deep influence on his character. Kieren shivered. The thought of being human again was overwhelming. He never expected something like that to happen, and he was completely taken aback when Amy turned up to his doorstep with a. a pulse, b. warm skin, c. killer appetite. He wasn't sure how exactly to react. It's not like there was a "How to handle coming back as a PDS then eventually becoming human" manual – not yet, anyways; TPTB were very creative nowadays.
"Where would you like to go?" Simon broke the deafening silence.
"What?" Kieren's gaze moved back to the oh-so-fascinating ceiling.
"Once you're human again you can visit every place you wish, not only the 'PDS-friendly' ones." Simon's hand fumbled around the sheets until it found Kieren's. He squeezed it gently, trying to assure Kieren that he was there for him.
"France was nice." Kieren smiled, finally turning his head and looking at the other man. "You were nice." The ghost of a smile lingered over Simon's lips as he remembered their weeks in Paris. Kieren shrugged. "I don't know. Is it weird that I've never been to the sea before? Not that I could in my 'treated state' anyways, since it wasn't PDS-friendly." He thought about the waves crushing mildly into his sun-heated skin, the tide moving the hot sand under his feet, the scent of salt, sizzling summer air and ice-cream; Simon grumpily sitting in the protective shade of their beach-house front porch, refusing to sit in the sun because it diminished his mysticism. Kieren chuckled. "Yeah, I would definitely love to visit the sea."
Simon pursed his lips in an approving gesture. "The sea is nice. Any particular sea you have in mind?"
"It doesn't matter as long as you're with me." As sappy as it sounded, Kieren was happy with his remark. He stretched his neck, finding Simon's pouty lips. The kiss was chaste and quick, a mere peck, but it was enough to bring the biggest grin on Simon's face.
"Alright." Simon stood up on his elbows, gently grabbing Kieren's shoulders and pinning him down to the mattress. He moved quickly, claiming his lover's lips in a long and passionate kiss. In his PDS sufferer treated state he couldn't feel anything and that kept saddening him. He wanted to feel Kieren's touch so badly. He wanted to know how Kieren's kisses felt, how his caress would affect his skin, or how only thinking about him would make his stomach shrink and heart skip a beat. But he couldn't – not yet.
"Mmhmmh" Kieren tried to pull away from the kiss before it got too intense. Simon stood up. "My parents are in the next room."
Simon dropped to his back, chuckling sadly. "It's not like we would be too noisy." He pinched Kieren's arm as hard as he could to prove his point. "We don't feel anything."
Kieren shook away his fingers. "I know. That's why I- oh don't give me that sappy look." Simon was watching him with big dreamy eyes. "I want to feel it- you. And-and if this is really us turning back into humans" he lifted his shaking hand so Simon could see it. "- then I want to wait a little while longer."
"Okay." Simon shot him a loving smile. "I should go."
Kieren looked at the clock, mindlessly discarded on the floor amongst his formal clothes; it was a little after 3 a.m. "Will you be alright walking alone this late?"
"What could possibly happen?" Seeing Kieren's frown, Simon regretted saying that. "I'll be fine. I promise." After all they both have been through – or after what all three of them have been through – he had to know that this was a sensible subject. "I'll see you at breakfast."
"That's around 1 in the afternoon right?" Kieren handed Simon his coat, smiling again.
"Sure. Get some sleep." Simon cupped his lover's face, kissing him goodnight.
After Simon closed the door behind him, Kieren let himself fall into the bed. He was exhausted – all the worrying, happiness and future-planning would have that effect on everyone. He closed his eyes and the relentless wings of sweet sleep cloaked him in peaceful dreams of a bright and careless future.
xXx
"There, he's awake." Kieren walked down the stairs with shaky feet. The whole process of re-humanization – or whatever it was – affected him considerably. His father smiled in his direction, leading him to the kitchen where his mother and Simon were already seated around the table.
"Good morning, sleepyhead." His mother smiled affectionately before disappearing into the kitchen.
Kieren's eyes stopped on Simon. He was infinitely grateful he was there. "I hope you slept well?" Simon sent his charming smile in his direction.
"Yeah. I dozed off right after you left." He sat down on the chair next to Simon.
"And when was that?" Steve raised his brows questioningly, passively pressing them to answer.
"It was Amy's wedding, luv!" Sue waltzed into the dining room with a tray of food, breaking the awkward moment. "They celebrated and had a good time, that's what's important."
Kieren smiled innocently, watching as his father dropped the subject in favor of the crunchy bacon and eggs.
"So how was it – the party?" Sue took a hearty sip of tea.
"It was nice. Amy was very happy to leave on her honeymoon." Kieren chuckled.
"Ah, where'd they go?" Steve asked, between bites.
"Ireland, then France and Netherlands. Amy loves trips." Simon was feeling more at ease now among the Walkers. He had been offered a warm welcome since day one, but now they all got to know each other better, and after the rabid-Kieren incident, their gratitude was not only visible, but also tangible. They made him feel part of the family.
"That's nice." Steve looked at Sue. He always did that, whether to seek her approval or observe her reaction, Kieren wasn't sure.
Sue smiled. She picked the kettle and poured her husband some tea. "What about you Keir? Do you have any travel plans, luv?"
Kieren shrugged his shoulders. "Not really."
Simon leaned towards the table, turning his head and watching Kieren as he spoke. "Actually, we have a plane for Devon tomorrow." He smiled nonchalantly as he watched the Walkers stop eating and stare at him.
"What- We have?" Kieren frowned, a little confused, but still unable to control the smile that haunted his pale lips.
"That's wonderful news, son." Steve looked at his wife – the usual reaction. It was obvious they were deeply in love, and Simon wished something like that for Kieren and him – hence the trip.
"I heard it's wonderful this time of the year." Sue reached her hand for Kieren's, giving it a little reassuring squeeze.
Steve pointed the fork excitedly towards hid son. "Yeah, lots of water too."
"Water – around an island? Amazing." Kieren, as surprised as he was, couldn't help it. Sarcasm was his best defense mechanism – something he couldn't get rid off from his days with Rick.
"Oi, you know what I mean, young man." His father tried to look intimidating – he still had to work on that.
After breakfast, Kieren took Simon's hand and dragged him in his room.
"When did you decide we're going to Devon?" As soon as he closed the door behind them, Kieren cornered Simon with his back to the wall.
Simon was calm – as per usual – sending his loving, charming smile in Kieren's direction. "Last night, after you told me how you've never seen the sea. I called the airline agency this morning."For a moment Kieren was breathless, frozen in place. With a swift movement he closed the small distance between him and the taller man. The kiss was short but full of obvious affection. When he took a step back, Kieren had a huge grin on his lips, making him look – now more than ever – like an adorable puppy.
"Thanks." Kieren said as Simon took his hands in his, caressing them with his thumbs. "We should look for PDS-friendly B&Bs and-"
"I already took care of that." Simon pulled Kieren in his arms, kissing him.
Kieren pulled back, just like the night – well, morning – before. He whispered. "We'll have enough time for it in Devon." Simon nodded, already eager at the thought of Devon – more accurately: at the thought of what they'll do in Devon. He hoped that Kieren's humanization process would be completed while there, so they could enjoy every aspect of being alive.
"Help me pack?" Kieren opened the closet door. "The bag's under the bed."
Simon pulled out the bag, placing it on the bed. "What are your plans for Devon?"
Kieren smiled. He was rummaging through his closet. "It's going to be warm…" He took out a few clothes and folded them, neatly placing them in the bag. "How long are we staying?"
"As long as you wish." Simon leaned against the headboard of the bed, watching Kieren. "It's a one-way ticket."
Kieren nodded. That was an extremely thrilling idea. He took more clothes and examined them. It was summer, so there was no need to take all those sweaters. Although, sweaters were the most appropriate thing to wear in summer around his parts. "I want to spend a long time on the beach – star-gazing, I don't know. But I guess it doesn't really matter? As long as I'm with you." That came out really corny, again, but it was the most honest thought he could form into sentence at the moment.
Simon's face lit up. "I'm-"
"Wait -" Kieren caught the other man's gaze questioningly. "You said you already planned everything. When did you find the time? Did you sleep?"
"I wasn't tired." Simon held his gaze, the smile still embed in his pale skin.
With a sigh, Kieren went back to packing. "I suppose you packed too?"
"I did." A rather smug smile appeared on Simon's lips.
Kieren shook his head, chuckling softly. "You're amazing Simon Monroe."
After almost two hours, a lot of swearing and panicking, Kieren finished packing. Their work at the hospital – the echo of the former PDS Give Back law (which was soon to disappear and was still around just to mask the actual incompetence of the powers that be) – ended around noon so they just hanged out together. It was getting late and the sun was ready to sink behind the horizon. They were following the main road, without any destination in mind. They spoke about the sea and reminisced about Paris ("I told you those clown mannequins were not a metaphor for PDS sufferers. It was a theme park. And they kicked us out, for crying out loud!") until they reached the empty amusement park.
"I came here with Amy the first day we officially met." Kieren smiled. The place was deserted and in dire need of someone to take care of it.
"Why is it abandoned?" Simon looked around. It was the kind of place perfect for a horror movie: abandoned game booths, spooky merry-go-rounds and weeds all over the place, covered in the rusty-gold rays of the summer sun.
"The owner is a PDS sufferer. With the whole Maxine-Second-Rising crap he decided to leave." Kieren led them to the big panoramic wheel where they sat down.
"It's a shame." Simon meant it. Roarton could have used a little distraction from all the drama.
"Yeah." They sat in companionable silence for a while, fingers entwined in an affectionate grip. Eventually Kieren broke the silence. "So you used to have a beard?" He watched Simon with squinty eyes. Trying to imagine him in anything else than a fugly sweater and neatly parted hairdo turned out to be rather hard – especially when the image of him naked and sprawled on a bed kept stabbing his mental eyes.
"Well, I was high most of the time. I didn't exactly have time to shave."
Kieren burst out in a fickle laughter.
"What?" Simon tilted his head.
"Nothing. Just that – don't shave." Simon lifted his brows questioningly, a big smile on his face. Kieren punched him playfully in the arm. "I mean, after the humanization process starts."
"You're so sure it will start for me too?" Simon wasn't smiling anymore and Kieren wanted to bite his tongue – not that he'd feel that anyway.
"Of course it will. You heard the doctors. They said that all our tests show the same science-y results like Amy's. I'm already showing the symptoms… For the first time in a very long time I'm confident in this – whatever this is. I know everything's going to be fine."
Simon nodded. "Okay." To his ears and partially deceased brain, everything Kieren said was pure gold. He couldn't find it in him to disapprove or say otherwise. "Okay." He bumped his shoulder in Kieren's, trying to deal with the painful subject jocularly. "I promise I'll grow a beard."
Kieren rolled his eyes. "Fuck off." He stood up, his hand in Simon's. "We should head home. Tomorrow's a big day. Want to come over for dinner?"
"Nah, I should get some rest. We both should." Once they reached the main road again they stopped. Pulling Kieren to his chest, he enclosed him in a gentle hug, kissing his forehead, cheek and eventually lips. "Goodnight!"
"Goodnight." The blond lingered in the other man's embrace for a moment before letting go.
With hurried steps Kieren made his way back home; dinner was almost ready and he didn't want his parents to worry about him – never again.
xXx
It was around 10 pm when Kieren decided it was time to sleep, and about midnight when he understood that there was no chance for him to actually fall asleep. He was too excited. All he could think throughout dinner was Simon – Simon in a bathing suit; Simon with a beard, Simon naked sprawled on a bed – and the hypnotizing atmosphere of the sea. Deciding that any attempt at trying to fall asleep was futile, Kieren turned on the light. If those images were the ones keeping him awake, he should at least put them on paper. With lazy steps he walked to his desk. Paper, pencil, and eraser he searched them in the disarray on the desk, pushing all the other drawings aside to make some space. His hands had been shaking all week, but now they were surprisingly steady, so putting his thoughts into shape came rather easy. With confident lines, Kieren drew the rough shape of a torso, strong legs, muscular arms and intimidating jaw, adding muscles, shadows and details. He couldn't help himself but draw a beard for his nsfw-Simon, ruffled hair and too many details to his muscles face and cock. Muffling his chuckles, Kieren hid his drawing in his bag. That wasn't exactly a family-friendly drawing.
At last, the heavy waves of sleep finally washed over him, and Kieren fell on his bed, cuddling the sheets and pillow. He was at peace. It took him long to accept, but things were indeed alright: Amy wasn't dead anymore – thanks to the weird Second Rising that was actually PDS sufferers becoming humans again – Simon wasn't away heaven's know where, following a mad Undead Prophet, and Jem was on her way to better – getting help in a safe and positive environment (away from Gary and Roarton). Everything was fine, and Kieren Walker was eager – once again – to feel (and be) alive.
A/N: Yup, this is going to be multi-chapter because In the Flesh is perfect and everything that has to do with this marvelous show is gladly welcome! So stay tuned for the next chapter when our boys catch the plane for the beach and… stuff happens. *whispers* Also, reviews are more than appreciated? :)