Above The Clouds, The Sky Is Always Blue

Title: Above The Clouds, The Sky Is Always BlueChapters: One ShotRating: PG13Pairing: Xabi Alonso/Steven GerrardDisclaimer: Never happened.Warning: Slash, fluff and a bit of angst.Author’s Note: I wrote most of this as I was sitting at Arlanda Airport on Saturday, waiting two hours for my flight home. Xabi’s thoughts on airports and flying are mostly my own, I don’t actually know if he likes it or not. And the angst just wrote itself, I didn’t plan on it at all.Oh, and this is not beta-read. I couldn't be bothered to wait (sorry, _iseemonsters!) XDHe listens to all the foreign languages floating in the air. French, German, something that is either Swedish or Norwegian, he can't really tell the two apart. Some Spanish words make him turn to see who it is. For some reason, he does that every time. It is interesting to see what other Spaniards are out travelling at the same time as him. Hearing the language spoken is a little bit of home he muses, and feels more at ease for some reason. People are spread around, pulling luggage, carrying Tax Free bags, some running from gate to gate, some lounging, some have even occupied three seats. He looks up at the screen above the sleeping people. DL 8510 Los Angeles LAX 11:15Delayed New time 22:55He checks the time. It's half nine. He smiles slightly and silently feels sorry for them, having stayed here for more than ten hours already. No wonder they are sleeping. He knows exactly what it is like. When he and his dad were going to the '94 World Cup in the US, they had to wait for hours and hours for a delayed flight. At a point, he had been afraid they would miss Spain's opening match against Korea.He walks past several gates and shops, checking the information boards unconsciously to make sure he is on the way to the right gate. He enjoys airports. The atmosphere there is unlike anything else, the stress and excitement almost tangible. When looking at all the people crossing his path, he sometimes wonder where they are off to, who they are going to meet, if they are as relaxed about travelling as he is or if they are doing their best to hide their fear. He has never been afraid of flying. When he was a kid, he would sit with his nose pressed to the window during take off and landing and the turbulence whenever they flew through the clouds was brilliant fun.Not that he ever got to fly much, only the odd trip. It was when he began his career at Liverpool that he started to actually travel a lot and he finally understood the meaning of the term 'jet-lag'. As a kid, the journey to the US hadn't made any impact on him at all and he couldn't for the life of him understand how his dad could be so worn out after 'just sitting on a flight for eleven hours'. He had too, and all he wanted was to go and see a match right away.No, the jet lag is a well-known thing to him now. Still, he usually enjoys travelling all the same. Not that he doesn't get sick of it at times. It is tiring stuff, but he has gotten used to it now that he has settled into a routine.As he arrives at the right gate, he sees some of the others sitting around, trying to kill time. Carra and Peter are in a deep conversation, Peter throwing his arms up in exasperation at something. Rafa is reading the paper, something Xabi knows he is not very good at. He will most likely read the Sports-add and then pass the paper on to whoever may want to read it. Not Mark though, he is asleep with the Ipod in his ears. He wonders how anyone can sleep with music in their ears. Robbie, Dirk and John Arne are nowhere to be seen. Probably spending some time in the Tax Free area as they always do. It is a wonder they still haven't had secret meetings with The Liverpool AA. Or maybe they have. He spots an empty seat by the window at the back row, and makes his way over."Hello there," Stevie says as he sits down next to him, a tired smile on his face. Xabi smiles back as he locks eyes with his captain."Hey," he says in a low voice and takes Stevie's hand in his, careful to hide it from the general view. Just holding his hand is more relaxing than anything Xabi can think of right now and that is when he realizes how knackered he actually is. He tries to stifle a yawn, but fails badly and Stevie chuckles."How're ye goin' to survive this flight if ye're out of it already?" he smirks."I'm not. I'll probably be asleep before we're off the runway." Xabi yawns again and shivers."The hell ye are. When have ye ever slept durin' a take off?" Stevie asks, his thumb moving in slow circles on the back of Xabi's hand. "What're ye thinkin' about?" he asks after a few moments of silence with only blue connecting with brown over entwined hands. "All the things I'd rather be doing with you right now," he says softly and grins as he notices Stevie's expression change ever so slightly. "Get your mind out of the gutter!" he exclaims and Stevie snaps out of it."What gutter?" he asks, trying to gain composure, but Xabi is already laughing, reluctantly letting go of Stevie's hand."Who said I was thinking about that sort of things? I was merely thinking about how you could help me re-furnish my apartment when we get home. Perverted Brit." Stevie simply snorts."That's rich, comin' from ye. Yer mind is fuckin' stuck in that bloody gutter. Or how would ye explain the fact that ye pulled me into a fuckin' broom cupboard three minutes after our last game?" he says and Xabi feels heat rise to his cheeks. "Totally besides the point," he tries but Stevie has got the 'Smirk of the Century' plastered on his face, so Xabi ignores him and turns away.Looking out the window, he sees their aircraft taxing towards the gate. Aircrafts are amazing things, he muses. So unbelievably huge and yet so swift. He travels a lot and he never stops wondering how such big things can actually stay in the air the way they do. "Ye want to come around to me place when we get home?" Stevie's voice pulls him out of his reverie."Now who's mind's in the gutter?" he asks and turns around to see Stevie roll his eyes, "I wasn't complaining, just stating the facts," he continues and smiles."Since ye're not sayin' no, I'll take that as a yes." Stevie looks content."Alex isn't home?" "Xabi -""...Sorry."Silence.The unspoken agreement. Don't mention the missus. Not yet. Not until they know that this is something that would last. That it is more than a fling. Only thing is, this 'fling' has lasted for three amazing years already and they both silently wonder how the hell they have managed to keep it from the public eye. He knows how bad Stevie feels about the whole deal; after all he himself ended his relationship with Nagore because he couldn't continue being dishonest with her. He also knows that the only reasons why Stevie is still holding on to his old life are called Lilly and Lexie. And he doesn't blame him. Those are exceptionally gorgeous girls after all.At the other hand, Stevie is perfectly aware of how much Xabi wants him to admit to Alex that she isn't right for him anymore, so that it would only be the two of them. No lies. No hiding. No secrecy.Xabi knows how much Stevie wants to give him exactly what Xabi has given him; his undivided attention and love. But he doesn't want to pressure him. He can continue like this if that is what Stevie wants.They get up and he puts a hand on Stevie's shoulder, stopping him from walking towards the entrance of the gate."I'm sorry," he says gently, "I didn't mean to be blunt." Stevie shakes his head. "Don't be. It's me that has to stop actin' like a priss." He forces a weak smile that only makes Xabi want to pull him into a comforting hug, but he can't. Not here at the airport, as they are about to board. You're not a priss, you're just afraid of the unknown, he thinks as Stevie hands his passport and boarding card to the airhostess.They sit down next to each other on the plane, Xabi taking the window seat as usual. Stevie takes his hand again, not caring who may notice them. It is not like the other guys don’t know anyway. He leans in and presses a soft kiss to Xabi's cheek. "Thanks for bearin' with me," he mutters as Xabi turns to look at him, concern vivid in his eyes. "I know I can be a complete idiot sometimes," Stevie continues and looks down at their hands.With a hand on his neck, Xabi forces Stevie to look at him."You're right. You can be an idiot. But not a complete one." He pulls Stevie closer and brushes his lips against his, softly, almost timid at first, before Stevie takes charge and almost forces him to part his lips, deepening the kiss urgently. As their tongues slide tentatively against each other, Xabi is very happy that they are sitting at the very back of the plane. Not that he cares about what the others may see, but he really doesn’t want to be disturbed. Not now.Not as he feels the racing pulse under his hand on Stevie's neck. Not as he feels the sudden desperation in every one of Stevie's movements. Not as he feels the way Stevie is trying to bring all his thoughts and feelings to life. The way he tries to show Xabi exactly what he means to him. The way he desperately tries to transfer all the words he wants to say aloud, but can't. Because they are too scary, too important, too serious.I'm sorry.You're the one constant in my life.I'll break without your support.I love you.Please believe me.Xabi pulls away slightly, only to place a kiss on Stevie's neck. A soft, lingering kiss, trying to calm down the chaos he knows is wrecking havoc in the other man's mind."Xabi, I -""Shh..." he whispers as he rubs soothing circles over the tense muscles in Stevie's back, "You don't need to say anything. I know."He leans his forehead against Stevie's, their breath mingling; Xabi's is calm and comforting, Stevie's is a bit rushed, almost like he is trying to force himself to calm down, but Xabi can feel the insecurity radiating off him."It's okay," Xabi mutters and he feels Stevie nod slightly, "I know things are difficult and confusing. I know that you sometimes want to run away from all of it, but you stay because you don't want to be alone."He pulls back slightly and looks deeply into Stevie's eyes, making sure his message gets across. "I'll never leave you. I love you too much." As he gently brushes his lips against Stevie's, he can feel the other man relaxing under his hands, letting out a deep sigh of relief."I'm yours, Stevie," he whispers against him and is answered with demanding lips on his, the sincere gratitude leaving him absolutely breathless and he doesn't regret anything he has ever sacrificed for this man.He knows exactly where he has got Stevie. Stevie just needed a reminder of where he has Xabi. The blue sky outside darkens as he falls asleep on Stevie's shoulder, their entwined hands never letting go of the other.