Disclaimer: These characters are mine, thank you. Please don't hurt them.

A/N: Erm. Not sure who to blame for this insanity -- namely, a semi-erotic (hahaha, even that is SERIOUSLY stretching the term here, believe me - it's like "Wait, are they -- no, they -- argh, I can't TELL") Michael/Paul fic written as a string of haiku. I wouldn't have put the ------ in between haiku because it breaks the flow, but as FP.C now removes blank lines, I needed a way to distinguish when each was finished.

I classed this in 'fiction' rather than 'poetry' because, though it has a specific poetic structure, there aren't any other poetic conventions, and it was written not so much to convey a certain emotion or whatever, but used as a medium to express what happens when Michael and Paul are together. Look, it makes sense to me, all right? So please don't go reporting this as a category violation.

In His Touch

The baby’s asleep

Homework finished for the night

They watch each other

------

Night belongs to them

Soft kisses, gentle touches

In each other’s arms

------

Whispered “I love you”s

Clothing rustles as it falls

They move together

------

Clumsy, sweet and still

Fingers tangle, noses bump

Hear muffled laughter

------

Mutual consent,

They move toward the bed now

Eyes glow with promise

------

Michael’s hand, Paul’s chest

They meet with gentle pressure

Pushing Paul backwards

------

Paul sighs and lets him

Slowly moving down, down, down

His back hits the bed

------

“I want to touch you,”

He never takes; always asks

Paul gives permission

------

Michael’s touch is skilled

Light and tender, never rough

He has artist’s hands

------

Paul closes his eyes

Fingers trail across his chest

He moans Michael’s name

------

“I’m here,” the other smiles,

Kisses firm and sweet at once

They overwhelm him

------

The hand slides lower

Paul’s hips jerk into the touch

His breath is catching

------

He can’t speak, can’t think

Sensations build, crescendo

Coming to a peak

------

Finally Paul gasps

A light touch sends him over

He sees the heavens

------

His eyes won’t open

Paul can barely say his name

He feels Michael’s smile

------

Arms wrap around him

A warm body covers his

“Sleep now,” says Michael

------

Paul tries to protest

“I didn’t get the chance to —“

Michael shakes his head

------

“Tomorrow,” he says,

“Tonight was just for you, Paul”

Lips brush Paul’s eyelids

------

He wants to argue

But sleep presses on his lids

And Michael is here

------

Paul turns and snuggles

Murmurs, “Tomorrow,” softly

Hears Michael agree

------

After Paul drifts off

Michael watches in silence

Wonders at his luck

------

Paul’s so beautiful

And Michael feels unworthy

How did he get here?

------

Years of chasing Pete

So many, many blunders

And yet, here he is

------

Paul nestles nearer

Sighing softly in his sleep

Michael holds him close

------

It doesn’t matter

How many times he faltered

They are together

------

Whether he deserves,

The proof lies in his arms now

Negating all doubt

------

Early birds’ sweet song

The sun creeps in the window

A soft morning glow

------

Outside, the cars honk

People scream obscenities

They are unaware

------

Two boys lie sleeping

His head on his chest

Their limbs intertwined

------

Behold how they smile

Peace lies not in solitude

But in these moments