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smallfandomflshTitle: Crazy Ideas and All
Author: Kat Lee
Fandom: Modern Family
Character/Pairing: Mitch/Cam
Rating: PG/K+
Challenge/Prompt:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
fan_flashworks #135: Amnesty and #133: Date and smallfandomflsh #160: Tumescent
Warning(s): None
Word Count: 1,860
Date Written: October 26, 2015
Summary:
Disclaimer: All characters within belong to their rightful owners, not the author, and are used without permission.
He sighs as he almost collapses into his chair. He sinks a little lower, not wanting to be seen. Although his mind tells him it's impossible -- he did make sure to shut the door to his office on the way in, after all --, he still feels like it's too far a probability. He doesn't want to hear one more person say his name. He doesn't want to hear one more person say anything today.
The hands Mitch runs over his face are almost as tired as his face and as aching as his feet. He's signed his name on so much paperwork today he feels like he might well scream if he has to pick up another pen, and yet, there's still more paperwork to do. More paperwork to sign and file, more calls to make, more clients to see. Work is never ending, and all he wants to do is scream.
No, all he really wants to do is to retire for the evening and go home, but there'll be no peace at his house this evening, either. He could go to his father's, but then he'd have to explain to Jay why he doesn't want to be home for Lily's birthday party. He had wanted to be home, until Cam had made it such a ridiculous extravaganza. They were having everything from the traditional cake and ice cream to balloon popping contests (only a farm boy would come up with such a loud notion!) to a damn petting zoo! It was going to be a mess when he got home, and he'd have to clean that, too.
Hearing a sound in his otherwise still office, Mitch stills suddenly, shoulders squaring as he tries to prepare to meet another barrage of work. It takes him nearly a full minute to realize that the sound he's hearing is his own self moaning. He shakes his head, rubs his hands over his face again, and finally looks to his clock. It's only three in the afternoon -- the party hasn't even started yet --, but he's so exhausted it's ridiculous.
Maybe if he rents a hotel room for the night? He can call Cam and tell him he's working late. Even just a few hours of peaceful sleep would help so much to rejuvenate him and make him feel like he can organize the world again. He's seriously considering the idea when his eyes fall upon the small, Word of the Day calendar next to his clock. He hasn't even changed the date.
He reaches out and rips the page off, but as he does so, he remembers that Cam is the one who gave him this small present that reminds him of him every day he sees it. Knowing how Mitch loves education, and enjoys showing off his intellect, Cam had bought him this calendar last year as a stocking stuffer. Despite his exhaustion, Mitch can't help grinning as he remembers some of the other things his husband had stuck into his stocking, both the one their family had seen him empty and the one he'd snuck onto his bedpost.
Mitch's red brows raise slightly at the day's word. Tumescent is a mouthful. Its first definition, pompous and pretentious, makes him think, with distaste, of some of the more unsavory people with whom he's dealt with today, but he reads the word's second definition twice. His eyes linger on the last few words, many ideas or emotions, and slowly, he smiles. That is definitely his Cam!
Bless his heart, every time his husband tries to do something special for their family, it flies out of control. Lily's party, just for the most recent example, started with nothing but an idea to get a few of her friends -- or, rather, classmates (Mitch is afraid their daughter has little more luck in making friends than he himself does) -- together for cake, ice cream, and presents. Since its initial idea, it snowballed until he and Cam were arguing about it again just this morning, and now, this evening, Mitch would rather be anywhere than at his daughter's birthday party.
Scratching his head, Mitch eyeballs the calendar, no longer seeing the page, the word, or its definition. Instead, he's still thinking of Cam and how sad and hurt he looked this morning when Mitch walked out of their home. He'd only wanted to make Lily's birthday memorable, and this is certainly a day Lily will never forget.
But Mitch will, he realizes suddenly. To him, his daughter's birthday is just going to be another long and grueling day spent trapped at the office. It won't be a day filled with laughter and smiles shared with his family. He won't see Lily open her presents, or Cam putting on his annual, one-clown show. It won't be a day made memorable or remarkable at all, unless he recalls how callously he hurt Cam today.
Mitch is pushing away from his desk and getting to his feet before he even fully realizes what he's doing. He looks around at his office and shakes his head. He doesn't want another day spent here. He doesn't want another hour, not here, not working, not not being with those he loves. Quickly, before he can realize the money he's missing and change his mind, Mitch calls to his secretary, clocks out for the day, and almost runs from the building.
It's been a long time since he's taken the drive in such a hurry, but he does make one stop. He keeps checking his mirrors to make sure no cops are following, but despite going five to ten miles over the speed limit and bypassing a red light, he doesn't draw any attention until he pulls up at home. He throws open his door and instantly spots his mountain of a man making a swift beeline for him.
Mitch grins. Cam's weight has never really bothered him, and the way he's running toward him makes him feel very special indeed. He leans over, grabs what he bought at his single stop, and then steps out.
"Mitch! Mitch, you made it!" Cam stops, his mouth still open to say more, when he spies the bouquet of red roses.
"These," Mitch declares, setting the first bouquet in Cam's arms, "are for you . . . " His grin turns a little self-depreciating as he continues, " . . . for putting up with an old fuddy duddy who doesn't always have his priorities straight."
Cam throws his beefy arms around his husband and squeezes him so tight and hard that he lifts Mitch up into the air. Mitch laughs and, for the first time in a long time, doesn't slap at him or tell him to put him down. Instead, he just hugs him back as hard and tightly as he can. Cam is full of ideas and is always bubbling over with emotions, but Mitch has realized again today just how lucky he is to have him.
Without Cam, his life wouldn't be anywhere near as colorful or as fun. He'd never know such ecstatic, energetic, never-ending love. His life . . . Hell, his life would be stuck at the office, never living, never loving, never having fun, but Cam makes certain he has fun and loves him no matter how much he complains. He knows he has to be trying on his lover's nerves, just as Cam often is on his own.
They're so very different, and yet -- Yet, Mitch doesn't even really want to think about what his life would be like without Cam in it. Cam, and their daughter, too, make everything worthwhile. No matter how many hours he does spend at that damn office, it's all worth it, because it's for them, but what really makes his nights shine and his days memorable is the time he gets to spend with them.
Cam kisses him, but it's a quick peck, and Mitch realizes there are other things on his love's mind. "I've got to go get ready," he tells him. "The other kids will be arriving any moment now. The petting zoo's setting up, but they've lost Clifford -- "
Mitch tenses in Cam's arms. "Tell me Clifford isn't a snake."
"Of course not!" Cam laughs, but it sounds strained. "He's just a baby crocodile."
Mitch's eyes go wide. "How the Hell do you lose a crocodile?!" Cam's set him back on his feet, and he has to resist every urge to climb up to make sure the crocodile can't reach him.
"He's just a baby, Mitch! He can't do any harm!"
"Daddy gets to put another nickel in the bad word jar!"
Mitch goes from glowering at Cam to looking sheepish. He hadn't realized Lily was anywhere nearby, and he certainly hadn't wanted for her to hear him cussing again. He turns swiftly, slipping out of Cam's arms as he does so, and holds out the second bouquet to her. "Pretty flowers for a pretty birthday girl." Lily rolls her eyes. Mitch follows her gaze and winces at the crushed flowers. "Well, they were pretty," he mumbles.
Shouts punctuate the air. He recognizes the barking of his dad's dog, Stella, and Gloria's high pitched scream. Gathering Lily protectively up into his arms, Mitch glowers again at Cam. "I thought you said Clifford couldn't do any harm?"
Spanish rips through the air.
"He can't," Cam insists. "He's just a baby."
"Well, I'd better go get that baby before Gloria makes him into a new pair of shoes."
"What do you . . . ?" Lily starts to ask, but both her fathers look at her and simultaneously give her the same answer, "Not now, Lily."
"I've got to go get into costume," Cam says again as Mitch is starting to walk away from him and toward the commotion.
"Cam?"
"Yeah?" He looks hopeful.
Mitch steps back, Lily still in his arms, leans over, and kisses him. He smiles up at him as he pulls back and temporarily away. "I love you," he tells him and grins wider when Cam's smile bursts across his jovial face.
"I love you, too!" he says, ignoring Lily rolling her eyes again.
Still grinning, Mitch heads toward the rest of his family. He's got his hands full again, as always, and it's true that a lot of it is because of Cam, but it's also true that it's his husband who is again making this day a day to remember, as his light, love, and laughter makes all of Mitch's days memorable. He faces the crocodile and his screaming family with a smile bursting on his face.
It doesn't matter what else the world or Cam's over exuberant ideas throw at them, rather it's a crocodile or clients that never stop. What matters is that his man loves him, and that's what makes this day and all the rest of his days oh so much more than just worthwhile. Cam makes everything bright, and Mitch knows again that he's lucky to have his love. He's lucky to have him, crazy ideas and all, and he's never going to let him go.
The End
Author: Kat Lee
Fandom: Modern Family
Character/Pairing: Mitch/Cam
Rating: PG/K+
Challenge/Prompt:
fan_flashworks #135: Amnesty and #133: Date and smallfandomflsh #160: TumescentWarning(s): None
Word Count: 1,860
Date Written: October 26, 2015
Summary:
Disclaimer: All characters within belong to their rightful owners, not the author, and are used without permission.
He sighs as he almost collapses into his chair. He sinks a little lower, not wanting to be seen. Although his mind tells him it's impossible -- he did make sure to shut the door to his office on the way in, after all --, he still feels like it's too far a probability. He doesn't want to hear one more person say his name. He doesn't want to hear one more person say anything today.
The hands Mitch runs over his face are almost as tired as his face and as aching as his feet. He's signed his name on so much paperwork today he feels like he might well scream if he has to pick up another pen, and yet, there's still more paperwork to do. More paperwork to sign and file, more calls to make, more clients to see. Work is never ending, and all he wants to do is scream.
No, all he really wants to do is to retire for the evening and go home, but there'll be no peace at his house this evening, either. He could go to his father's, but then he'd have to explain to Jay why he doesn't want to be home for Lily's birthday party. He had wanted to be home, until Cam had made it such a ridiculous extravaganza. They were having everything from the traditional cake and ice cream to balloon popping contests (only a farm boy would come up with such a loud notion!) to a damn petting zoo! It was going to be a mess when he got home, and he'd have to clean that, too.
Hearing a sound in his otherwise still office, Mitch stills suddenly, shoulders squaring as he tries to prepare to meet another barrage of work. It takes him nearly a full minute to realize that the sound he's hearing is his own self moaning. He shakes his head, rubs his hands over his face again, and finally looks to his clock. It's only three in the afternoon -- the party hasn't even started yet --, but he's so exhausted it's ridiculous.
Maybe if he rents a hotel room for the night? He can call Cam and tell him he's working late. Even just a few hours of peaceful sleep would help so much to rejuvenate him and make him feel like he can organize the world again. He's seriously considering the idea when his eyes fall upon the small, Word of the Day calendar next to his clock. He hasn't even changed the date.
He reaches out and rips the page off, but as he does so, he remembers that Cam is the one who gave him this small present that reminds him of him every day he sees it. Knowing how Mitch loves education, and enjoys showing off his intellect, Cam had bought him this calendar last year as a stocking stuffer. Despite his exhaustion, Mitch can't help grinning as he remembers some of the other things his husband had stuck into his stocking, both the one their family had seen him empty and the one he'd snuck onto his bedpost.
Mitch's red brows raise slightly at the day's word. Tumescent is a mouthful. Its first definition, pompous and pretentious, makes him think, with distaste, of some of the more unsavory people with whom he's dealt with today, but he reads the word's second definition twice. His eyes linger on the last few words, many ideas or emotions, and slowly, he smiles. That is definitely his Cam!
Bless his heart, every time his husband tries to do something special for their family, it flies out of control. Lily's party, just for the most recent example, started with nothing but an idea to get a few of her friends -- or, rather, classmates (Mitch is afraid their daughter has little more luck in making friends than he himself does) -- together for cake, ice cream, and presents. Since its initial idea, it snowballed until he and Cam were arguing about it again just this morning, and now, this evening, Mitch would rather be anywhere than at his daughter's birthday party.
Scratching his head, Mitch eyeballs the calendar, no longer seeing the page, the word, or its definition. Instead, he's still thinking of Cam and how sad and hurt he looked this morning when Mitch walked out of their home. He'd only wanted to make Lily's birthday memorable, and this is certainly a day Lily will never forget.
But Mitch will, he realizes suddenly. To him, his daughter's birthday is just going to be another long and grueling day spent trapped at the office. It won't be a day filled with laughter and smiles shared with his family. He won't see Lily open her presents, or Cam putting on his annual, one-clown show. It won't be a day made memorable or remarkable at all, unless he recalls how callously he hurt Cam today.
Mitch is pushing away from his desk and getting to his feet before he even fully realizes what he's doing. He looks around at his office and shakes his head. He doesn't want another day spent here. He doesn't want another hour, not here, not working, not not being with those he loves. Quickly, before he can realize the money he's missing and change his mind, Mitch calls to his secretary, clocks out for the day, and almost runs from the building.
It's been a long time since he's taken the drive in such a hurry, but he does make one stop. He keeps checking his mirrors to make sure no cops are following, but despite going five to ten miles over the speed limit and bypassing a red light, he doesn't draw any attention until he pulls up at home. He throws open his door and instantly spots his mountain of a man making a swift beeline for him.
Mitch grins. Cam's weight has never really bothered him, and the way he's running toward him makes him feel very special indeed. He leans over, grabs what he bought at his single stop, and then steps out.
"Mitch! Mitch, you made it!" Cam stops, his mouth still open to say more, when he spies the bouquet of red roses.
"These," Mitch declares, setting the first bouquet in Cam's arms, "are for you . . . " His grin turns a little self-depreciating as he continues, " . . . for putting up with an old fuddy duddy who doesn't always have his priorities straight."
Cam throws his beefy arms around his husband and squeezes him so tight and hard that he lifts Mitch up into the air. Mitch laughs and, for the first time in a long time, doesn't slap at him or tell him to put him down. Instead, he just hugs him back as hard and tightly as he can. Cam is full of ideas and is always bubbling over with emotions, but Mitch has realized again today just how lucky he is to have him.
Without Cam, his life wouldn't be anywhere near as colorful or as fun. He'd never know such ecstatic, energetic, never-ending love. His life . . . Hell, his life would be stuck at the office, never living, never loving, never having fun, but Cam makes certain he has fun and loves him no matter how much he complains. He knows he has to be trying on his lover's nerves, just as Cam often is on his own.
They're so very different, and yet -- Yet, Mitch doesn't even really want to think about what his life would be like without Cam in it. Cam, and their daughter, too, make everything worthwhile. No matter how many hours he does spend at that damn office, it's all worth it, because it's for them, but what really makes his nights shine and his days memorable is the time he gets to spend with them.
Cam kisses him, but it's a quick peck, and Mitch realizes there are other things on his love's mind. "I've got to go get ready," he tells him. "The other kids will be arriving any moment now. The petting zoo's setting up, but they've lost Clifford -- "
Mitch tenses in Cam's arms. "Tell me Clifford isn't a snake."
"Of course not!" Cam laughs, but it sounds strained. "He's just a baby crocodile."
Mitch's eyes go wide. "How the Hell do you lose a crocodile?!" Cam's set him back on his feet, and he has to resist every urge to climb up to make sure the crocodile can't reach him.
"He's just a baby, Mitch! He can't do any harm!"
"Daddy gets to put another nickel in the bad word jar!"
Mitch goes from glowering at Cam to looking sheepish. He hadn't realized Lily was anywhere nearby, and he certainly hadn't wanted for her to hear him cussing again. He turns swiftly, slipping out of Cam's arms as he does so, and holds out the second bouquet to her. "Pretty flowers for a pretty birthday girl." Lily rolls her eyes. Mitch follows her gaze and winces at the crushed flowers. "Well, they were pretty," he mumbles.
Shouts punctuate the air. He recognizes the barking of his dad's dog, Stella, and Gloria's high pitched scream. Gathering Lily protectively up into his arms, Mitch glowers again at Cam. "I thought you said Clifford couldn't do any harm?"
Spanish rips through the air.
"He can't," Cam insists. "He's just a baby."
"Well, I'd better go get that baby before Gloria makes him into a new pair of shoes."
"What do you . . . ?" Lily starts to ask, but both her fathers look at her and simultaneously give her the same answer, "Not now, Lily."
"I've got to go get into costume," Cam says again as Mitch is starting to walk away from him and toward the commotion.
"Cam?"
"Yeah?" He looks hopeful.
Mitch steps back, Lily still in his arms, leans over, and kisses him. He smiles up at him as he pulls back and temporarily away. "I love you," he tells him and grins wider when Cam's smile bursts across his jovial face.
"I love you, too!" he says, ignoring Lily rolling her eyes again.
Still grinning, Mitch heads toward the rest of his family. He's got his hands full again, as always, and it's true that a lot of it is because of Cam, but it's also true that it's his husband who is again making this day a day to remember, as his light, love, and laughter makes all of Mitch's days memorable. He faces the crocodile and his screaming family with a smile bursting on his face.
It doesn't matter what else the world or Cam's over exuberant ideas throw at them, rather it's a crocodile or clients that never stop. What matters is that his man loves him, and that's what makes this day and all the rest of his days oh so much more than just worthwhile. Cam makes everything bright, and Mitch knows again that he's lucky to have his love. He's lucky to have him, crazy ideas and all, and he's never going to let him go.
The End
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