Archive of Our Own ^beta

Shawn was back at the airport. He was waiting at the arrivals gate.

And he was terrified.

Illinois had been gone for a month now, working hard to fully document the temple they’d explored together, this time with a full team. They’d been disarming traps, mapping out the surrounding area, even uncovering new artefacts to explain the way of life of the peoples long gone. From their few calls and texts, Shawn had heard about different discoveries and difficult days, and he’d heard many a good word about the Colonel who’d been in the midst of it all. He hated saying he was jealous, but it was true. He’d missed Illinois sorely, and this other man had had him all to himself.

It wasn’t fair.

But now he was coming back. His plane had landed safely, everyone was starting to disembark. And Shawn was waiting at the gate with flowers in hand, waiting to pull Illinois into his arms and never let him go. Hopefully, he wouldn’t have to leave again any time soon,

As the first few people started to trickle in, Shawn froze in place. He was watching for a glimpse of Illinois, the edge of his hat, maybe his winning smile. It took a few minutes, but Shawn was persistent. And eventually, after what felt like a hundred hours, Shawn saw him.

His Illinois.

Time seemed to stand still, but then Illinois was running towards him, sweeping him up in his arms, spinning him around. Shawn laughed, trying to keep the flowers from being crushed as the two of them embraced.

“There you are! I was scared a trap got you.” Shawn nuzzled into the crook of Illinois’ neck as he was slowly returned to the floor. He felt Illinois chuckle more than he heard it, felt his grip get tighter, and he sighed happily.

“That’s not happening. Not now, not ever,” Illinois responded, pulling back so he could cup Shawn’s cheek gently. “We’ve still got the rest of our life together before that.”

Shawn blushed, still awkwardly holding the flowers. He couldn’t stop his anxious thoughts from tumbling out of his mouth.

“The rest of our life? There’s no one else you want to spend it with?”

The words hung heavy between them for a couple of seconds, before Illinois shook his head.

“No. This trip really showed me what I want. Who I want. And that person is you Shawn. Every cold morning, every difficult day, the only one I wanted was you. It’s always been you. It always will be you.” Both of them had teared up by the end of Illinois’ confession. Shawn blushed as Illinois brushed a tear off his cheek, and moved to do the same.

“I love you too.” And that was the truth. As Illinois pulled him into a kiss, Shawn knew there was no one else in his life who could mean as much to the man in front of him. He didn’t want to pull back for air, but found the need to breathe become too prominent, slowly drawing away with a soft smile. Shawn looked up at Illinois, before stepping back, holding the thankfully not crushed flowers out in front of him.

“It’s not much, but I got these for you.” He smiled, letting Illinois take them from him.

“You got me flowers?” his boyfriend asked, looking like he was tearing up. Shawn tried to get out a response, thinking he may have done something wrong.

“Yes, I’m sorry, did you not want-”

“No one has ever gotten me flowers before,” Illinois said with a shaky smile. Shawn stepped closer again, pulling Illinois into another gentle kiss.

“I promise, any time you have to go away, be it for work or other commitments, I’ll be waiting with flowers for you.” He smiled, laughing softly as Illinois pulled him into another kiss.

They were okay. They could get through anything.

Because they had each other.