Comfort by Charley Descoteaux

Author:Charley Descoteaux
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: family, christmas, contemporary, erotic romance, gay romance, musician, mm romance, established couple, past assault

It was late by the time they closed the boys’ room door. Sam embraced Charlie just inside, but had to release him when he wouldn’t move the picture frame out of the way.

“Thank you.”

“I love you.” Sam guided Charlie to the bed and sat him down. “You know I didn’t mean this as a gag present.”

Charlie smiled through the tears that he didn’t appear to be fighting at all. He nodded and let Sam take the frame and prop it on the bedside table.

“I missed it, that picture.” Sam took both of Charlie’s hands in his and rubbed them gently. “I hope you don't mind—”

“Of course not. I love it too.” He smiled wider and rested his head against Sam’s shoulder.

“We were so young. We look like babies.”

“Speak for yourself. I was très sophistiqué, mon amour."

Sam held Charlie as tightly as he dared. "I’d give a lot to get that innocence back.”

Charlie sighed and Sam fought to keep it together. He fought so hard he didn’t notice at first that Charlie was pushing at his arms. Sam still felt a crushing guilt that time had barely begun to lessen: he’d been away visiting the LA branch when the three looters had broken into their apartment and assaulted Charlie. Maybe the thing most difficult for Sam to accept was the desperate tone of Charlie’s voice that had only stretched thinner with each refusal to tell him exactly what had happened—his inexorable insistence that he didn’t remember anything, not even how he had ended up in the hospital. When Sam realized Charlie wanted to be released he jerked his arms back so fast Charlie almost slid to the floor. He laughed, sounding almost giddy and startling Sam speechless. He hadn’t heard Charlie make a sound like that in a very long time. Charlie stood up and took a step toward the bedside table. Sam reached out to bring him back but didn’t rise.

Sam watched Charlie carefully, resisting the urge to stand up and be at his elbow should he need any support. He began to tremble when Charlie moved to stand in front of him, both hands on his shoulders.

“Honey, I'm sorry.”

Sam opened his mouth but Charlie kept him silent with a look.

“I gave you such a hard time freshman year for being uncomfortable with public displays and now I’m the one pushing you away.” Charlie brushed Sam’s bangs off his forehead. “I love you.”

Sam smiled up into the face that had changed his life and as he reached for him it got closer. His eyes fluttered, ready to close, but Charlie didn’t kiss him. Sam opened his eyes and saw Charlie down on one knee.

“You've said you loved me since the day we met. Every day since then you’ve showed me what love is. I know, we’ve talked about this, but…I love you and I… Please say you'll marry me, Sam.”

Sam sat still for a long moment, stunned, working to keep a handle on his emotions. Not the least of which was outright shock at the force with which they’d hit him.

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