Title: It Is So Ordered
Rating: M (Explicit sex)
Pairing: David Rosen/Jake Ballard
Disclosures: This story is SLASH. Don't like, please don't read. Constructive feedback on the writing is appreciated; but no hate allowed, only love. If you do read, please consider leaving a review! I do not in anyway own the characters - we have beautiful Shonda to thank for them! I'm just playing with these slashy tidbits I'm making up. Thanks too to my kick-ass beta.
Story: Current day, June 25-26, 2015. Established relationship. Several chapters, stand-alone for now. David and Jake manage their way through the week that ends with the SCOTUS decision to uphold same-sex marriage.
Spoilers: None
They went home after their exchange and had a regular evening. They made dinner side-by-side, a normal number of touches and caresses and sweet kisses throughout the evening. They ate, cleaned up, watched a movie and went to bed.
Laying there next to Jake, David wanted him to know something.
"Jake, I love you more than anything in the whole world. You've been my heart for longer than I knew I had a heart." David cuddled up into the crook of Jake's shoulder, his arm behind him. David caressed Jake's chest, and torso, and settled into his lover's embrace. "It can wait... we should be able to have another conversation soon."
They slept, embraced in one another's arms. When one moved, the other followed. When the other moved, the other followed.
When David woke, Jake was still sound asleep. He laid there for a while, taking Jake in. David moved up on his side, and moved closer to Jake who was on his stomach. He lightly stroked Jake's body. His back, his arms. He felt the rise and fall of his breath, felt the surprisingly-soft skin over strong muscles. While David stroked Jake's body, he communed with his spirit.
I need this to happen today. I need to come clean with Jake soon. I feel like I'm lying to him, and even though I'm not... It's not going well. He knows. He knows there's something I'm not telling him and he probably knows whatever it is, I'm nervous to tell him. David let out a huge sigh and decided he would just go into work early. It was better that way.
As David went into the master bath, Jake opened an eye and watched him go. What is going on with you? Jake stayed in bed as David dressed and left for the office. David needed some kind of space, and as hard as it was to give it to him... He would do his best.
David finished getting ready, leaned in and kissed Jake's temple, and left for work. He decided to walk that day, as he needed to expend some energy. It was nice out. Maybe it was just him, but the whole city seemed to be on the brink already this morning. When he got his paper, his coffee, when he walked down the street... It was the air of anticipation.
And if there was anticipation on the street, the buzz at the Department of Justice was even higher than it had been all week. It was finally Friday, SCOTUS was supposed to hand down their decision today. It had been close, word in the halls of every building was that it was going to pass. But it wouldn't be official until the decision was announced.
There wasn't a lot of work getting done around the office. He had asked Alissa for three files an hour ago and he hadn't received one of them. His private line rang and he picked it up. "David Rosen." He listened, agreed, and gathered a few things for his messenger bag. The Marshal of the United States Supreme Court requested his presence at the Supreme Court Building. Apparently they were expecting a slough of demands and cases as soon as the Court announced it's decision and his presence was requested.
David grabbed a quick cab to the Supreme Court Building, when he got out there, he found it more hectic than the day before. There were not only people gathered in the courtyard, but effectively masses crammed into what had turned into a very small space. He paused, watched, took it all in.
Everyone cared about something. Unlike yesterday, when it looked and felt more 50-50 'for-against', there was now was mostly pro-equality advocates. "Love for all" and the Human Rights Campaign 'equal signs' donned hundreds of posters and signs. There were flags and banners and balloons. People passionate enough about the issue that they were all in the middle of DC on a Friday in June... waiting for it to happen.
David made his way to the State Employee entrance to the side of the courtyard. He needed to get inside and check in with the Supreme Court Police. Just as he reached the other side of the crowd, he saw a handful of interns running toward the media outlets standing out front. Traditionally, interns were sent with the press releases for decisions that merited a high stake of public opinion. He waited ten more seconds and the crowd erupted.
"It passed," David whispered to himself. He stood in awe, watching the celebration and jubilee in the courtyard. Shouts of joy, balloons released into the air and singing and dancing ensued. It passed. He couldn't make himself move. His cell was blowing up with HRC alerts and Huff Post updates. It passed.
The pride that David felt was unlike anything he had experienced. He'd finally had some professional successes, and he knew what it was to pursue justice and go after what he needed to get done. He was proud that the highest court in the nation decided it was right and just to provide equality for all persons in regard to marriage.
David had never even considered marriage for himself. A life of basically knowing he was attracted to men, a life around his unhappy parents with their bickering and separate lives. He knew he wanted more, wanted better for himself. But he had never been able to picture himself married. Tears formed in the corners of his eyes, he concentrated on breathing deeply. He wanted more, wanted better for himself. And Jake.
He hadn't been able to tell Jake about the hope it sparked in him to possibly see this decision pass. It felt too personal to share, even with the person closest to him. He didn't even know if he wanted to get married. But the possibility. Knowing there was the possibility had consumed him the last few weeks, moreso the past few days. As the decision inched closer, it made David almost dizzy.
"Hey," Jake appeared, right in front of him. It was not Jake's usual out-of-nowhere appearance, but clear to David he had been spaced out and missed him approaching.
"Hey you," David turned to Jake. He wondered how long Jake had been there, if he had seen his reaction.
"I heard the decision was rendered. I came right down," Jake looked down. "Well, I called Alissa then came here to find you," he smiled and approached David by another half-step.
"It's a big day," David offered. He took another deep breath and avoided Jake's stare.
"It is, for sure." Jake waited. Hearing no more from David, he closed in the remaining step. He discretely took one hand. "It's probably okay for us to do this, here, today?"
David looked down at their joined hands, elated and reminding himself to not be terrified. "Yeah. Probably okay today," he smiled and squeezed.
"Do you really have to work any more today?" Jake looked up hopefully at David. There was long-enough pause Jake was going to take a chance. "Can we at least go celebrate?"
"Really?" David asked incredulously. And for the first time David noticed Jake was dressed in a very nice suit, looking very handsome. Just as handsome as always, yet more than usual.
"Really. Come have lunch with me and celebrate this amazing day," Jake took David's other hand. "This is history. History happened here today. Please, let's go celebrate."
David's breath caught, he smiled. Something was different. Good, but different. "Absolutely."
Jake took David's hand and led him out and back down the steps of the Supreme Court. They walked through the US Capitol courtyard, out to Constitution Avenue. Another block west, and to their right on Louisiana, they arrived at Charlie Palmer Steak House. Even in broad daylight the ambiance spilled out into the street.
"Wow, really?" David felt like it was all he was able to say this day. But he looked up at Jake, and he understood.
"Yes, really. I have a reservation and everything," he opened the door for David. "Like I said, today is history." He smiled and ushered him through. The white linen of the tablecloths contrasted with the wooden chairs and teal upholstery, was striking. The bright white lights contrasted the day that had clouded-over outside. They were seated at a small table in a front corner of the restaurant, by the window, without wait.
"Thank you, Jake, for showing up today. I don't know...?"
"Didn't know? How I knew I wanted to be with you today?"
David nodded just a bit, and Jake continued. "I might not know everything that's going on in that wonderful head of yours, but I will always try to know what you need." Jake took David's hand atop the table and ran his thumb over David's knuckles, then the soft skin above. "I'm here because I know today was important to you," he smiled. "It's important to me too."
David squeezed Jake's hand in comprehension and gratefulness. The server appeared with two Bibb Salads, and David looked up at his lover questioning since they hadn't ordered.
"I may have taken... liberties... since I didn't know how much time you'd have for lunch," Jake explained as they ate their salads. He looked up and rolled his eyes a bit. "You will have the choice of steak or salmon for the next course. Both with potatoes, asparagus and mushrooms."
Just then their meals arrived. He took the salmon that was closest to him. "We're not going to have to eat tonight," David laughed. The pair laughed and uttered their appreciativeness for the food before them. They enjoyed the rations, the company, the vitality of the day.
"Will you do me a favor?" Jake ventured as the meal wound down. David returned his look affirmatively, and he knew he would be heard. "Will you tell me why today was so meaningful to you? I really want to know, I want to understand." Jake had a feeling he knew what David was thinking, but he wanted David to let him know in his own words.
A/N: Please consider reviewing... I would greatly appreciate it!