Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 3

them, he had to admit, he wasn't all that proud. As he sat on his couch, watching the opening screen of Halo 3 repeat itself again and again, he swore he could almost hear his mother's voice telling him that he could be so much more. He could be saving lives and fulfilling both their dreams.
    With that thought echoing through his mind, Charlie grabbed his laptop and pulled up the UW School of Medicine home page. He spent the next few hours looking into courses, financial aid options, and the application requirements laid out by AMCAS. It felt as if he was being driven by some unseen force and now that he'd started, he couldn't stop himself.
    Charlie was registered with AMCAS and reading through the 'How to Apply' section before it really hit him how serious he was about this. His heart was beating fast with excitement and fear. If he did this, it would be even harder than before, both financially and emotionally. More importantly, going back would mean having to finally let go of the guilt he felt for his mother's death and his failure to help prevent it. Could he do that?
    Niko's face came to his mind and, in that moment, Charlie felt as though some weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He hadn't been able to save his mother, probably couldn't have even if he'd somehow convinced her to get looked at sooner, but he had taken care of Niko. Not only that, but he'd faced down men with guns and hadn't fallen to pieces. He was strong and capable and letting his guilt cripple him was only hurting himself and the patients he could be helping. There was still time to make it right. Charlie could finally become the man he always wanted to be. Be someone a man like Niko would be proud to date. Most importantly, he could still make his mother proud.
    His resolve strengthened, Charlie took a deep, steadying breath and clicked 'apply'.
    ****
    Two days later, Charlie paused his game of Skyrim and went to answer his door. He wasn't sure what he was expecting, but it certainly wasn't to see Niko standing there with a tentative smile.
    "Hi."
    "Hey," Charlie breathed, still not sure he wasn't imagining things. "What are you doing here? How do you know where I live?"
    Niko let out an awkward chuckle and ran a hand through his hair. "I may have used police resources to look up men by the name of Charles Jones living in the area and then cross-referenced the info with the location of the bank and the nearest Game Stop. By the way, I took care of that old parking ticket for you."
    "Wow… that's…."
    "Creepy and stalkerish?" Niko supplied.
    Charlie laughed, thinking of his own failed “stalking” attempt. "I was going to say 'kind of hot'."
    "You think my abuse of police resources for the purpose of invading your privacy is hot?"
    "What can I say? I have a power kink," Charlie said, shrugging as if his heart wasn't racing excitedly in his chest. He'd given up any hope that he'd get to see Niko again and now not only was he here, but he'd gone out of his way to find him. It was surreal to think that a man as perfect as Niko had gone to such lengths just to see him again.
    "So… can I come in?"
    The question brought Charlie back from cloud nine and made him blush in embarrassment. "Fuck, yeah, sorry, of course you can. Come on in."
    He moved aside and made a grand sweeping gesture. Niko stepped inside with a barely-perceptible limp and took a look around. Seeing him standing there in his tiny hallway, all long legs, broad chest, and muscular arms, made Charlie's mouth go dry and his palms itch to touch. Resisting the urge, Charlie shut the door behind him and led Niko farther into his apartment.
    "It's not much, but it does the job."
    "It suits you," Niko replied, smiling as he caught sight of Charlie's paused game. "Skyrim?"
    Charlie blinked. "You play?"
    "Some. Fus Ro Dah!" Niko did a tiny fist pump that made Charlie flail inwardly.
    "Did you just…. I can't…. Oh my god. Marry me? I don't even care if I have to be Charlie Snuffleupagus."
    Niko chuckled and shook his head, a light blush tinging his cheeks. "I think it's a bit too soon to be thinking about marriage, but I like where your head is at."
    Charlie grinned and ducked his head, rubbing nervously at the back of his neck. "So… would you like something to drink? Tea? Coffee? Beer?"
    "I'll take a beer if you're having one."
    "Sure. Make yourself at home."
    Charlie hurried to the kitchen and grabbed two bottles of beer. His hands trembled ever so slightly as he popped the