A Bid For Love

gifted Asher with. Asher swallowed the sudden accumulation of emotion clogging his throat. He had to find a way to hold this, keep it strong.
    Scott leaned across him to look out the window. "Nah, definitely a dragon. No big horns to get confused this time." A grin played across the Texan's lips as his voice dropped to a whisper. "I didn't wake you up too early, did I, darlin'?"
    "Not at all." How could sleep possibly compare to loving Scott with a depth of passion that still shocked Asher? "I...I'll miss waking up with you when we're back in DC." Back to separate beds in different parts of the city. The thought chilled him.
    Scott's grin froze. "Uh, yeah." He sat back in his seat, shifting a bit as if to get comfortable. "Hey, listen, thanks for upgrading my ticket. I've never flown business class before. Makes sense now why they charge so much for it."
    "I wanted you with me." The coming weeks would be hellish enough. "It's a long, long flight. We can have these hours together like we did in Italy. I'm completely yours until the plane touches down."
    Bright blue eyes clouded over, the light going out of them as if a switch had been tripped. "Yeah. Until the plane touches down." Strong fingers gripped Asher's tightly, Scott's throat working hard over a swallow.
    What? Ah, of course. "Yes. D.C. I'm afraid I don't relish returning in the least. I could quite happily remain in some small Italian village with you, and never worry about facing Noah or the team or anything else again." Asher sighed. "I hate the thought of what that will be like."
    "Don't imagine your folks will be all that happy, either." Scott shifted in the fine leather seat again. "Even if they can handle you being bi, I'm not exactly upper crust." He blinked several times in rapid succession, but the early sun caught a crystal drop in the corner of one eye.
    "Scott? Love?" Asher reached to capture liquid sorrow. "What? I don't care if you're a prince or a pauper. You know that. And I'm quite used to being a failure in my parents' eyes. What's one more?" He tried to be light, but a shudder forced its way up his frame. "They'll probably complete whatever plans they have for disowning me." At least he'd have the compensation of someone who truly loved him, faults and all.
    "Then..." Dark brows drew together over those beautiful eyes. "Darlin', what are you say-- Never mind." Scott drew in a breath and seemed to force himself back into the seat. "I promised myself I wouldn't push you, and I'll promise you the same now." He looked up as the flight attendant stopped to ask if they wanted something to drink. "Michelob, honey. Please."
    Asher raised an eyebrow at the tone. Scott sounded as though he needed the beer more than wanted it. "Look, I'm not worried about my parents. I don't see them often, and they aren't an immediate concern." He had a sudden wish he'd ordered a Scotch. Or two. "But the office is going to be a horror. Maybe we really should've just stayed in Italy."
    "I don't care about the office." Scott waited until the attendant finished with his drink and moved on to the next passenger before he said anything more, his voice rasping. "But I don't want you to feel like you have to hide. I never wanted that, Asher. I..."
    "I don't care. But you might find you do. Noah's still your best friend. And I'm used to the innuendos and hazing from the Neanderthals. They've accused me of being gay for years. They'll just pat themselves on the back and declare they knew so all along. But you'll be, pardon the expression, fresh meat." He sighed. "It's going to be miserable for you." And likely prove more than even the resilient Texan could take. Asher would deal with that ache when it came. At least he'd have this short time to know real love.
    "Miserable would be losing you." A quick sip of his beer and Scott pulled in a breath. "Sorry. Didn't mean that to come out. I'm not pushing, I swear. I just...I don't give a damn about the gossip. And if Noah can't handle it, I..." Scott stopped and one corner of his generous mouth quirked. "Darlin', are we sitting here arguing about who's going to get more shit about us being together? We're pathetic."
    Asher considered a moment, Scott's evaluation making perfect sense once he realized. A grin stole out, along with his rendition of Scott's twang. "We're in love for sure. So much so we're plumb terrified of what the other might face." His hand stole out to take Scott's again. He'd never had anyone begin to care for