“Ha!” Nick barked a laugh. “What made you think of that?”
Todd shrugged. “I don’t know. One of those things, I guess.”
“You loved it that I was looking at you. I could tell by the way you kept smiling at me.” Nick drew in a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “You brought me some of that candy.”
“Luckily I found out early plying you with sweets got you talking…and other things,” Todd said and chuckled. “C’mon, it’s getting dark, and your light pillars will show up soon. I’m sick of being inside. I want to be outside, under the stars one more time.”
“Todd, don’t talk like—”
“Nicky, you’ll be fine. I promise, and I’ve never broken a promise to you, not in nearly seventy years. You stopped needing me or anyone to take care of you half a century ago.”
He heard Nick swallow heavily, and when he spoke, his voice was thick and wet. “That doesn’t mean I still don’t want you to.”
Todd reached for his mug. “Let’s go outside. It’s a nice night.”
Nick let go of Todd and leaned to the side, picking up the mug.
“What’s this?”
“Tea.”
“Since when do you drink tea?”
“Since coffee started turning my stomach,” Todd said.
Nick sniffed at the mug, wrinkled his nose, and pulled his head back. “Todd—”
Todd turned and faced Nick, laying a hand on his forearm. When he closed his eyes, Todd could still see Nick’s smooth, tanned skin and the muscle that slipped underneath. For Todd, Nick’s body, which had become so familiar to him, would always bring him comfort. “I want to go outside and sit in that chair—” Todd motioned out the window with his free hand “—and sip my tea because that’s all I can do anymore.”
Nick nodded and held the mug out to Todd. He put his arm around Todd’s shoulders and used his other hand to help balance and support Todd. They made their way outside. What once was a journey of a minute or two now seemed to take forever. How many times had Todd chased Nick as he bolted across the grass until Todd caught him and pinned him to the ground? They’d make love out there under the stars and fall asleep wrapped in each other’s arms. Tonight it was one slow, painful step after another.
Todd wanted to fall asleep with Nick, their arms wrapped around each other, one more time.
“Want a fire?” Nick motioned to the fire pit.
“Nah, I’m good. Unless you want one,” Todd said. Nick shook his head. Stars began sprinkling the sky, and a soft glow was barely visible across the entire horizon. Another hour and it would be completely dark, and their show would begin.
When they finally reached the wide lounge chair, Nick eased Todd into it and took his husband’s mug, placing it in the cup holder. Todd held out his arm and waggled his fingers, then patted the spot beside him with his other hand.
“It’ll hurt you too much if we’re both in the chair,” Nick said softly. He stood with his hands hanging at his sides and his gaze landing everywhere but on Todd. The last few months, Nick had lost weight, probably stress from worrying about Todd and his condition. More and more Nick was reminding him of the lanky, awkward, very young man of their first months together.
“I’m gonna hurt anyway.” Todd waved his hand again and dipped his head to the empty place beside him.
Nick smiled and seemed to relax. A calmness appeared to take hold and settle over him. He carefully positioned himself in the big chair beside Todd and gently laid an arm across Todd’s waist. Todd shifted around so he could get his arm around Nick and run his fingers through Nick’s hair when Nick’s head rested on Todd’s shoulder.
“The pillars are starting,” Nick said softly. He pointed to the pale ripples of light.
Todd nodded and took the mug, taking a few sips of the warm liquid. Nick reached up and took the mug. “Nicky,” Todd said softly.
Nick shrugged. “If you can’t have coffee, neither can I.” He took a few sips and settled more firmly against Todd’s side. “We’re in this together, remember?”
“Always,” Todd murmured. “Always.”
Crickets chirped and a warm, easy breeze caressed them. Todd pulled in a deep breath and sighed it out slowly. He’d close his eyes for a few minutes until the pillars reached their full brightness. Nick’s breath was soft against Todd’s chest.
His mind drifted back, and the sound of crickets was replaced by laughter from his father and the other men. A fire crackled close by. Todd could still feel Nick’s warm skin when he curled his fingers around Nick’s neck that first time. He had loved touching Nick from the very beginning and remembered being so pleased that Nick didn’t shy away, but appeared to enjoy Todd’s advances as well.
A slight bit of pressure against Nick’s neck when Todd leaned closer made it easy to pull Nick toward him. Todd knew he had to be slow and gentle. Todd started by nuzzling Nick’s cheek and rubbing his hair. Nick relaxed and Todd turned his head, pressing his lips to Nick’s. He’d licked along Nick’s lower lip. It was all he could do to not snicker when Nick started as Todd eased his tongue into Nick’s mouth. Moving slowly, Todd wound his other arm around Nick’s waist and gently, slowly drew Nick flush against him. The feeling of Nick’s firm body conforming to Todd’s own form was sheer joy.
When they’d separated, Todd remembered how he took Nick’s face in his hands and simply sat gazing at his Nicky. He wanted to memorize every tiny detail of Nick’s face so he’d have it forever.
For a second time, Todd pulled Nick close, thinking back to how thrilled he’d been when this time Nick mimicked Todd by slipping his tongue into Todd’s mouth.
Todd raked his fingers through Nick’s hair as he eased away. They were both panting. Todd smiled and kissed Nick’s nose lightly, then his cheek, murmuring in Nick’s ear, “You taste so good. I’ve been waiting forever to do that.”
That night, that first kiss, was a memory Todd carried and cherished his entire life. He was determined never to let it go.
Nick grew heavier against Todd’s chest. Todd’s eyelids were drooping, and keeping them open was too much effort. It was time to sleep. The night was nice, the sky clear, and the light pillars rose in thin bands of purple, blue, and a silvery white that shimmered across the sky. The stars were over their heads, twinkling through the light pillars.
Todd tightened his hold as much as he could on Nick and nuzzled Nick’s hair as he drifted farther away.
I’ve waited forever to do that.
Tonight they were together under the stars. Todd and Nick had been given the gift of each other long ago, and they’d cherished every minute and loved each other completely and without reservation. Devoted to each other, they were in this together, forever. That was the right way, the best way, the way they were always meant to be.
THE END
ABOUT ELIZABETH NOBLE
Elizabeth Noble started telling stories before she actually knew how to write, and her family was very happy when she learned to put words on a page. Those words turned into fan fiction that turned into a genuine love of M/M romance fiction. Being able to share her works with others is really a dream come true. She has a genuine love for a good mystery complete with murder and twisty plots as well as all things sci-fi, futuristic, and supernatural and a bit of an unnatural interest in a super-volcano in Wyoming.
Elizabeth has three grown children and is now happily owned by an adorable mixed breed canine princess, a spunky Welsh corgi and their sidekick, tabby cat. She lives in her native northeast Ohio, the perfect place for gardening, winter and summer sports (go Tribe and Cavs!). When she's not writing she's working as a veterinary nurse, so don't be surprised to see her men with a pet or three who are a very big part of their lives.
Elizabeth received several amateur writing awards. Since being published several of her novels have received honorable mentions in the Rainbow Awards. Her novel Jewel Cave was a runner up in the 2015 Rainbow awards in the Gay Mystery/Thriller category. Ringed Love was a w
inner in the Gay Fantasy Romance category of the 2016 Rainbow Awards.
For more information, visit elizabeth-noble.com.
ABOUT JMS BOOKS LLC
JMS Books LLC is a small queer press with competitive royalty rates publishing LGBT romance, erotic romance, and young adult fiction. Visit jms-books.com for our latest releases and submission guidelines!
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