ajremix | [fic][DCU, Ted, Booster, Dan, NC-17] One Year Later

Title: One Year Later
Fandom: DCU
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 4178
Characters: Ted, Booster, Dan and references to various others
Summary: Sequel to A Night with Prince Charming. Just as the title suggests, it's one year later.

The significance of the upcoming date didn't hit Ted until, as he was leaving a meeting with Bruce, the other man slid a gilt-edged birthday invitation across his desk and said with a knowing little smile, "I assume you'll be bringing Michael again this year?"

Ted accepted the card with a grin saying, "I'll see if I can't get him dressed up for it. Maybe something in chiffon."

Much later, when Ted was at his own desk, twirling the invite between his fingers idly, he realized what Bruce's birthday actually meant. His brain began working over time and he reached for his PDA, bringing up a schedule that held more than just his own. It was wirelessly connected to Michael's, updating automatically with each new entry. It had surprised Ted at how much Michael did- asides from the escort service he took part-time courses at Gotham U (business and history which Ted would've found odd if he hadn't had a more eclectic course load), played on a local football team and still did modeling on the side. Their shared schedule was probably more Michael's than Ted's.

A quick look at the day's schedule had Ted shooting off a text to Michael. He didn't expect a call back almost immediately.

"I thought you had a photo shoot," he said in greeting.

On the other end Michael laughed, "/You got me on a break. They're adjusting the set now./"

"So what do they have you modeling today?"

"/Sports gear./"

A warm tingle went through Ted's body. "Oh please tell me they have you all oiled up."

Michael laughed again, making the warm tingles spread. "Winter sports, I'm afraid. It's difficult being sexy when you look like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man."

"Ha! Last time you had a winter themed shoot, they had you bare chested with your jacket wide open and pants falling off your hips!" The make-up department had done a wonderful job putting a warm flush on Michael's face and the way he looked at the camera had never made Ted want to go up to the mountains just to ravish Michael in the snow so much in his life.

"/Difficult, I said. Not impossible./" There were faint voices on the line and Michael called out to them with an agreement. "/I've got to go in about five minutes- what's this about Bruce's birthday?/"

"It's next month, I've got the invite in my hand as we speak. He asked if you were coming this year."

"/Unless you have another date lined up, I don't see why not./"

"I also realized it'll be our one year anniversary."

There was a teasing note in Michael's voice, "/You mean you forgot our one year?/"

"No, no- I mean I can't believe it's only been one year." Ted leaned back in his chair, looking at the pictures that sat on his one photo-less desk. Some had Ted in them but they all had Michael. "I feel like I've known you forever."

"/Well, that just means this'll be an extra special anniversary. Actually, would our anniversary be on Bruce's birthday or the day after? Because technically we didn't actually get together until after midnight./"

"I distinctly remember a pre-midnight blowjob."

"/That doesn't count- you thought I was being paid to do that./"

Ted laughed at that. "Alright, I'll concede that point. But if we decide to have it on Bruce's birthday, we can pretend he's throwing the party for us and we don't have to worry about set up or guest lists or clean up or, better yet, paying for it!"

Michael's laugh is loud and warm and makes Ted's chest swell to hear it. "/We can pretend that anyway. Besides, I'd much rather spend our anniversary night with just you than with you and everyone Bruce invited./"

"Alright, day after it is, then. Do you have anywhere you want to go for it?"

"/You took me to Paris for our six month and Monte Carlo for my birthday and New Years. You've taken me places I never dreamed I'd go to and done things I never imagined anyone would do for me. Even if it's just spending the whole day at your place, I wouldn't care so long as I get you./"

"I'm putty in your hands, you know that? You say things like that and it makes me want to pamper you even more."

"/I won't say no to being pampered,/" Michael said slyly, "/but I'm sure I'll love whatever you have planned. I need to get going, are we having dinner tonight?/"

Ted sighed. "Not tonight, there's a project in R&D that's struggling so I need to see if I can't figure out what's wrong with it."

"/I can bring you dinner, you know./"

"You don't have to- I'll just grab something from the vending machine."

"/Maybe I should rephrase this- would you rather have a Hot Pocket all by yourself or would you rather watch me lick hummus off vegetable sticks until you decide to ditch work and fuck me?/"

A hard shiver went down Ted's back. "Oh, tough decision."

"/I'll see you tonight, Ted. Love you./"

"Love you, too."

~*~*~*~

Michael did bring dinner to Ted and Ted did watch Michael lick hummus off vegetable sticks but, unfortunately, he was too busy dismantling and examining the prototype to do anything more. Michael sat with him the entire time, letting Ted use him as a sound board and, in the early, early hours of the morning- after Ted had revised the plans entirely -Michael took Ted back to his office and unfolded the couch bed. He tucked in the sheets, laid an undressed Ted on them and sucked him long and slow so that after Ted came, he fell asleep. Michael snuggled up next to him and when they woke in the morning they discussed ideas for their anniversary before Michael went to class and Ted back to work.

It really was hard for Ted to remember they'd been together for just under a year- he'd never connected with anyone the way he did with Michael. Even all of Ted's friends liked Michael. Dick liked him because they could flirt harmlessly with each other. Barbara liked him the moment she found out he was making Ted eat healthier. Karen, Dinah and Diana found him amusing, the Dibnys had a new person to banter with and, after Michael suggest Barda join his football team (where she apparently made a natural tightend), the Frees often invited the two to dinner. Even Vic, who was usually hard to read, openly liked him.

Even more surprising, Ted seemed to get along with Michael's friends just as well- Guy, Dimitri and Gavril, all linemen on Michael's team; Bea, a friend Michael made while modeling and her best friend Tora (who was somehow also Guy's girlfriend); Kyle, an artist Michael occasionally modeled for; Trixie, Michael's agent and one of his closest friends; the Reyes family in the next apartment who seemed to have adopted Michael somehow and, most importantly, Michael's twin sister, Michelle.

Ted had never had such a successful, unstressful relationship in his life- he didn't know such a relationship was actually possible outside of fiction, but it was happening. There was Michael who was intelligent, loyal, fun, caring and one of the most handsome people Ted had ever laid eyes on and somehow he was Ted's boyfriend and they'd been going out for almost a year. He indulged in Ted's quirks- he didn't complain when Ted would wake up in the middle of the night and jot down ideas on the notepad he kept by the bedside; he didn't do more than shake his head and laugh whenever Ted start spouting out ideas for a prank. Hell, ever since Ted (unintentionally) told him how much the idea of Michael in erotic underwear turned him on, Michael would wear them randomly and whenever Ted found out he'd just kinda stare stupidly until Michael sat on his lap and offered him a chance to touch.

In short, Michael was the greatest thing that ever happened to him and Ted needed to do something on their anniversary that could communicate that. The solution didn't hit him until, a week before the impending day, the two were curled around each other on Ted's couch, laughing at 10,000 BC with Michael, being the anthropology major and all-round history buff, tearing into the historical inaccuracies, Ted doing the same to the technical flubs and both to the movie in general. They were discussing the physiological problems of wooly mammoths being used as labor animals in Egypt when Ted suddenly turned to Michael and asked: "Do you want to go to Chicago for our anniversary?"

Michael looked down at him blankly for a moment. "Sure. What did you have in mind?"

"It's a surprise. I'll fly us out after Bruce's party."

Arms tightened briefly around Ted's middle. "You won't be too tired?"

"We'll leave earlier than last year. And I won't drink." Ted hummed thoughtfully, reclining across Michael's lap as he did so. Michael let out a huff of laughter, carding his fingers through Ted's auburn curls. "The Wayne airfield would be closer than my company's, I could probably ask Bruce if I could store my jet there for the night. "

"You think he'll say yes?"

"Good thinking- I'll get Dick to ask him for me."

Michael laughed, leaning down to press a kiss to Ted's forehead. "My genius at work yet again." Then Ted leaned up for a proper kiss and the movie was promptly forgotten.

~*~*~*~

They climbed out of the taxi and looked up the flights of stairs at the Neoclassical building that sat at the top. Michael sent Ted an amused look from over the top of his sunglasses. "The Field Museum?" He asked with a wide grin. "You brought me to Chicago just for a museum?"

Ted took Michael's hand to hook it in the crook of his arm. "Ah, not just for any mere tour of a museum. Come, my dear," he said with great flourish, "and I will show you the great secrets that lurk within these walls."

Michael shouldered his bag and walked close, smiling in anticipation. "I'm all a-tingle."

Inside the building Ted made his way to the information desk and said, "My name is Ted Kord, I have an appointment with Professor Garrett." The woman behind the desk dutifully passed on the word and scant seconds later a side door opened, letting out an older man with strawberry blonde hair and glasses who was smiling broadly.

"Ted! It's great to see you again!"

"Hey, Dan! I really appreciate this."

"It's no problem at all," the two men embraced for a brief hug. Dan turned to Michael with a knowing look. "So this must be him."

"Yup. Dan, meet Michael Carter, my boyfriend. Michael, this is Dan Garrett. He was my archeology professor way back when." The two were in the middle of shaking hands when Ted added, "He's agreed to show us the pieces they're studying in the back."

Michael whipped his head around to stare at Ted in shock. Then back at Dan with a disbelieving, "Really?" When Dan nodded (with barely contained laughter), Michael broke out into the widest, giddiest smile Ted had ever seen on him. "Wow, I mean- thank you!"

"Like I said, it's no problem. Ted tells me you're an anthropology major at Gotham U?"

"Oh yes- I'm only a part-time student, though, so I probably won't be graduating for another three years." Michael held Ted's hand a little too tightly, but judging from how little-boy-excited he was, Ted felt he was excused.

It seemed to take all of Michael's control to not bounce from one item to the next and he tried so very hard not to inundate Dan with questions. After some time, Michael calmed and his questions became more pointed and specific and while Ted knew that the man was intelligent, hearing him rattle off complex theories and quoting texts and other things Ted absolutely didn't understand about was such a turn on. Ted couldn't help stealing little caresses every now and then, just so the other man was aware of what it was doing to him.

Dan answered what he could and, when he couldn't, introduced them to other researchers that did. He focused mainly on Egyptian artifacts- as it was his specialty -and was ready to bounce ideas off Michael, their energies feeding off each other. They seemed happy to spend hours talking to each other until late in the afternoon when Michael's phone suddenly went off.

An alarm, as it turned out to be. He gave a quiet curse and gave Dan an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, this has been an incredible experience, but I'm afraid we need to go."

Ted blinked. "We do?"

"You're not the only one with an anniversary surprise," Michael said importantly, slipping off his bag just enough to open it and pull out Ted's Patrick Sharp jersey. He raised an eyebrow in expectation.

"You got us tickets to the Blackhawks game," Ted said, somewhere between accusing and reverent.

"And it's starting in an hour and a half."

"Good thing the United Center isn't far from here," Dan told them, "I'll call a taxi for you."

They both gave the older man grateful smiles. "Thanks, Dan. This was really amazing."

"I'm glad you've enjoyed it," he told them, escorting them back to the entrance. He gave Michael a card with his phone number and email and told them both to keep in touch. He was waving as they went out the door and to the taxi waiting out front.

~*~*~*~

Michael was half carrying, half dragging a warbling Ted into the suite- not because Ted was particularly drunk, but because he was just so unspeakably happy. Hanging out with Dan, watching the Blackhawks beat the Penguins in a shoot out, dinner at The Berghoff and through it all, Michael was with him, enjoying every minute as much as Ted was.

As Michael lowered his deliriously happy boyfriend to the couch, Ted stole a kiss from him and said, "I love you, in case you forgot."

He got a laugh in return, "I had the feeling."

Ted stretched out in contentment, something suspiciously like a purr rumbling in his chest. "This has been, hands down, the greatest anything I've ever had." Music started up and it wasn't until the soft baritone began singing that Ted could place it. "Nat King Cole?" He asked with a grin.

"We're in Chicago," Michael explained, drawing Ted up to dance, "it's fitting."

"With your taste in music, I'm not surprised."

They swayed more than danced, holding each other close and lost in each other's gazes. "This has been a perfect day, Ted," Michael said softly. "You've never been anything less than amazing to me."

Ted tilted his head up, placing a soft kiss to Michael's lips. "I only give you what you deserve to the best of my abilities."

They traded lazy little kisses that gradually grew longer and more intense. Somewhere between "You're My Everything" and "Because You're Mine" they stopped swaying and let their hands roamed intently. Ted shuddered as Michael's hands found their way under his jersey and against his skin.

"We should take this to the bedroom," he mumbled against Michael's lips.

"Yeah," the other man agreed and it took a couple false starts, but they managed to get to the bedroom door which Michael broke away long enough to open.

Ted froze at the threshold, jaw dropping. "What in the... When did you set all this up?"

Michael grinned impishly. "That day I said I had to write a midterm paper? Might've been a lie. I brought in all the supplies and asked the staff to set up the room while we were gone."

A disbelieving smile lit up Ted's face. "You flew all the way to Chicago just to do this?"

"It's our anniversary," Michael said, hugging Ted from behind, "it's supposed to be ridiculously grandiose." The room was filled with electric candles and flowers and rose petals littered the bed. It was so deliberately cheesy and over the top, but the sentiment behind it was genuine- just like Michael. And Ted loved him for it.

He turned in Michael's arms, kissing him until they were both breathless. "I love you," Ted told him, lost in the blue of Michael's eyes. "Every time I think I love you as much as I possibly could, you do something that makes me love you more."

"Funny," Michael walked Ted backward, a private little smile on his lips, "I think the same thing about you every day." Ted's knees hit the bed and petals fluttered as he sat on the mattress. Michael stepped back and pulled his shirt over his head in a long, languid stretch as Ted watched appreciatively. Hands at the waist of his pants, Michael turned so when he bent over, Ted got the best view as the slacks slid down long, tanned legs inch by inch.

When Michael stood turned again, Ted's mouth went dry and his cock achingly hard. "Oh God," he muttered, eyes glued to canted hips, the way shadows danced on warm muscles just within reach. "Oh God."

"Like it?" Michael asked, as if the answer wasn't obvious in the way Ted was entranced by him, in the way Ted's pants were straining hard. "Got them just for today." Michael's hands traced over the waistband of the low cut lace thong, tied together in front by a ribbon that couldn't hide the hardness beneath it. Ted stared as if he thought it would all go away if he didn't.

Blindly he groped for Michael's hips and, once he had them, tugged the man forward until he could bury his face against his crotch, numbly saying, 'ohgodohgod' over and over.

"Ted," Michael whispered, "I need you inside me. I need you so bad it hurts. Fuck me, Ted. Make me scream."

Ted moved in an uncoordinated flurry, pulling off his clothes while trying to pepper kisses over Michael's abdomen. It really didn't work out too well, but eventually he kicked the last article of clothing off and pulled Michael to the bed where he lay beautifully golden on blue silk sheets (definitely not the hotel's and Ted really wanted to wrap Michael in them until it smelled like the man). He kissed Michael deeply, letting his tongue explore as his hands moved over the lace thong. He was pretty certain he could feel Michael's heartbeat as he pressed his palm into the seam where leg met pelvis. Michael made small, needy little noises, trying to thrust into Ted's hands. Ted just leaned back and marveled at the beauty that, for whatever reason, was in love with him and couldn't even begin to describe just how damn lucky he was.

His hands danced over Michael's pelvis, slowly tugging the ribbon undone then pulling it, lace by lace, free of the thong. Michael's cock rose from the lace, dark and thick in the candlelight and Ted groaned at the sight. "You're so beautiful, Michael."

Michael just flushed and smiled, raising his hips up in a silent hint. Ted drew the thong off, pressing intermittent kisses to Michael's leg as he did. He dragged his tongue up Michael's length, from balls to head and when Ted closed his lips around the tip, Michael fairly sobbed and said, "No- stop."

When Ted looked up at him, Michael was shuddering hard and biting on his lower lip. "I'm going to come if you do that," he admitted a little shyly. "Please, Ted," he raised his hips again, "I want you in me."

"Anything," Ted promised, kissing Michael's knee again, "God- anything you want." He grabbed the condom and lube from the nightstand (out in the open and within easy reach- Ted wondered if Michael specified that or if whoever fixed up the room knew what was going to happen) and coated a finger in the cool gel. He pressed against Michael's opening, letting the lube smear a bit before pushing in. And in. And relishing the feeling of Michael's body clench around him.

He stroked with one finger until Michael was trembling all over, until precome began dripping down his length and it took so much damn willpower for Ted not to lick it up, not to just take Michael in his mouth and suck until the taste of him flooded Ted's mouth. Instead he twisted a second finger in and when Michael had to clamp down tight around the base of his own cock, Ted slipped in a third and finally pressed at that spot which made Michael yelp and shudder.

The man was normally so quiet during sex- his vocabulary shutting down everything that wasn't a gasp or whisper and Ted loved milking every sounds he could out of Michael. But sometimes when Michael was desperate- needed it so bad it hurt - he'd beg and cry and he'd come with a sob and Ted took such perverse pleasure out of it when he could. Michael's hips were rocking onto Ted's fingers, chanting out 'yesyesyes' with each thrust. Ted would've been happy to fuck Michael like that until he came but his own painful erection was demanding satisfaction.

His hands shook at he rolled the condom over his dick, palm slicking himself up in just a few strokes and when his tip rested against Michael's entrance, Michael didn't even give him a moment to pause, just hooked his legs around Ted's back and pulled-

Ted let out a string of incoherent curses, forehead braced on Michael's chest and he tried so hard not to come right then. They both kept still, trembling as they tried to get under control. But then Michael's hands swept over Ted's back and shifted his hips and whispered Ted's name and Ted lost it. He thrust in hard and quick and Michael made a choked sound and every time Ted did it again, that choked sound became gasps, then soft cries and then Michael all but shouting, "Yes Ted more please harder Ted yes". Ted's hands were pressing fingerprints into Michael's hips, utterly lost in his voice, his scent and taste. In the way he clenched tight around Ted's cock, heels digging into his back, hands fluttering around Ted as if they were trying to memorize the way they moved together. Ted drank in the sight of Michael arching hard, the line of his neck as Michael tossed his head back, of teeth biting back whimpers into his lips and eyes rimmed with a blue that practically glowed in the dark, unable to pull away from Ted's and saying all the things Ted felt in his own heart.

One last thrust, one last clench and Ted was coming so hard his vision exploded into white heat and he didn't feel his arms give out or was aware of Michael's chest beneath his cheek until he came shivering back down. When he did he realized Michael was working frantically at his own cock and Ted, in a daze, thumbed at Michael's slit, pressed a soft kiss to his ear and whispered, "I love you", and felt wet heat splash against his hand.

It could've been anywhere between seconds and hours before either managed to get their brains and bodies in working order again. They made an attempt to clean up but it was half hearted and ultimately abandoned in favor of just curling around each other. Ted settled his head on Michael's chest, sighing happily. "I've never had a one year anniversary even half as great as this."

A finger trailed lightly over Ted's shoulder. "I never actually had a one year anniversary," Michael admitted.

"Really?" Ted tilted his face toward him. "Why not?"

He got a shrug in reply. "None of my relationships lasted that long. Relationships were never really that important to me, anyway."

"You're a maneater, aren't you," Ted accused lightly. "One day, after I will my fortune to you, I'm going to wake up dead, aren't I?"

"Waking up dead would be quite an accomplishment."

"One someone else can earn."

"Good. I refuse to be known as a necrophiliac."

"You'd still love me even if I was dead? Awww," Ted gave a big sappy grin, "you're so disturbingly sweet."

Michael laughed, causing Ted's head to bounce on his chest. "Just don't turn into a zombie. I can't vouch for the power of love if you try eating my brain."

Ted put a big, sloppy kiss to Michael's chest and said, "You have the most charming pillow talk, you know that?"

Michael let out an indignant scoff before grabbing a pillow and smacking Ted in the face with it. Ted retaliated with his own pillow and they rolled and wrestled, dissolving into a pile of laughter and limbs. They calmed, gradually, and just looked at each other with soft, soppy smiles.

"Love you."

"Love you, too."