Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 5

then start it up. I have plans and the means to do them, but they're kind of contingent on someone I wanna spend more time with. Do you believe me now?"
    Scott wasn't ready to concede defeat, but he was almost there. He ignored Devon's question and continued his interrogation. "Anything else I should know before I decide your fate?" Being in charge was very cool.
    Devon narrowed his eyes in thought. "If you googled my name you might freak out a little."
    "More than finding out you're a rockstar?"
    "Maybe. Probably."
    "Something nasty or criminal?"
    "No, not quite."
    "So no jail time or prostitution?"
    Devon's snicker sounded like a strangled mouse trying to squeak. "No, sorry. I don't even jaywalk."
    "What might I find then?"
    "Hmm, let's see. There's a foundation for cancer research in the name of Rosemary Ducaine that just might have my name attached to it."
    "Charitable and loving to family. Nice."
    "Devastation Caine might have some charity work he does too, maybe in the wards of children's hospitals and hospices. Something he does twice a year at least."
    "So Devastation is actually a good guy, too? Another nice."
    Devon laughed. "He is. Just not so nice when his lover accuses him of doing nasty things with his groupies."
    "Groupies? That's way more intense than just fans."
    "Still haven't slept with any of them."
    "Anything else Devastation Caine might be known for?"
    "He has a moderately large bank account that he has to share with Devon Ducaine, plus a house on Maui, a condo in Venice, and a penchant to spoil those he loves."
    "Now you're just trying to win points."
    "Devon Ducaine, on the other hand, once won a high school science fair, likes spending Sundays in bed or on sunlit porches, and he thinks nerdy nature shows are keen. He also hopes one day to learn why list-making is so important and how he can offer his help when the people he loves are overcome with anxiety."
    Scott didn't know what to say. The word perfect came to mind but hell if he was going to say that to Devon. The man did not need his ego stroked anymore than he'd just done himself. Instead, he told the truth. "I'm speechless."
    Devon groaned. "Damn. That's not so good. I really need an answer before I pass out."
    "What was the question?" Scott tangled his fingers with Devon's on his shoulder.
    "Do you believe I love you?"
    "How can you say it so easily?"
    "Not everything in life has to be hard, babe."
    "You want a pre-nup, don't you?"
    Devon groaned again. "Scott."
    "I'm just… it's just that…" Scott sighed, moving their entwined hands between them. "The world can be a really ugly place. Do we even have a chance?"
    "All we can do is try." Devon's reassuring smile made Scott want to either smack him upside the head or kiss him until he turned blue.
    He chose cynicism over both. "You sound like you're going to burst into some God-awful Beatles song."
    Devon faked a gasp. "You don't even like the Beatles?"
    Scott finally returned Devon's smile. "I liked their matching outfits, very OCD."
    Devon closed his eyes, bringing Scott's hand to his lips. "I have a lot of work to do, don't I?"
    Scott moved in closer, rubbing his nose against Devon's in what was probably the biggest chick-move he'd ever made. "I believe you love me. I'm not over the shock that you do, but I believe you."
    "Do you forgive me?" Devon asked, his eyes blinking slower than before, heavy with sleep and more than likely tinges of concussion as well.
    Scott paused before letting his lips curl. "I forgive you."
    "And the love part?"
    He answered with a kiss, desperate, hungry but sweet at the same time. After pulling away, he rested his forehead against Devon's. "I love you, Devon, but if you ever lie to me again I swear you'll have to work the word de-nutted into your stage name."
    "Wow, vicious. I like."
    Scott noticed the increased heaviness in Devon's eyelids. Winding his hand around the back of Devon's head, he pulled him closer. "Perfect. My plan is working."
    "I love you," Devon slurred, "but I think I'm gonna pass out now."
    "Sleep."
    "…be here when I wake up?"
    "Probably."
    More slurring. "Shkott…"
    "I'm not going anywhere. Tomorrow's Sunday… best day of the week."
    THE END
    Author bio: K-Lee Klein has lived in one part of Western Canada or another for her entire life. She's a doting mother of three now-grown kids and has had characters and plots running around her head for as long as she can remember. She dipped her toe into the m/m authors' pool in August