Title: Lodestar
Author: Mareel
Author's email: Mareel@earthlink.net
Author's URL: http://www.geocities.com/bdebpr
12/24/2003
Archive: Permission to archive granted to EntSTCommunity, Archer's Enterprise, Reed's Armory, Others welcome, please let me know.
Category: Slash (m/m)
Rating: G
Status: Complete
Pairing: Archer/Reed;
Sequel to: Gift Exchange
Spoilers: none specific, reference to Season 3.
Disclaimer: They all still belong to Paramount, or to themselves, but I need them.
Summary: An anniversary, a smile, an affirmation.
Author's Notes: In addition to the anniversary being celebrated here, this story marks my first anniversary as a writer. I thought it appropriate to make it a follow-up to that first drabble of a year ago. My thanks to all of you who have been such a warm, receptive, and supportive community of readers.
A year ago, Malcolm offered me an extraordinary gift. His love.
I feared I'd lost that, somewhere back in the early days in the Expanse. I nearly lost myself then. Would have, without the lodestar he became to me—without question…without judgment…without reservations.
I fled the holiday music, tinsel, and glitter, certain he shares my need to be alone together tonight.
Malcolm's smile lights my darkened cabin with the luminosity of dawn.
"I wasn't sure you'd find your way in the dark, love."
I know he doesn't mean tonight.
"Malcolm, I'll always find my way back to you."