Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 5

aides came and went all night, checking Travis's vital signs and his neurological status. By around four in the morning, Aaron was ready to just take Travis out of the hospital against medical advice. They weren't doing anything for Travis that Aaron could see except interrupting his sleep. Hell, Aaron could have woken him up every few hours and checked his eyes with a flashlight. At least at home they'd have both been a lot more comfortable.
    The only thing that stopped him was the lack of ready access to a vehicle of his own. Taylor texted him at five to let him know that Mr. and Mrs. Morris would be showing up at the hospital around eight, and if he'd already sprung Travis would he please let them know.
    Aaron laughed.
    Travis rolled over to peer at him blearily. "Aaron, why're you in m'room?"
    Aaron snorted through the last of his laughter. "T, we're at the hospital."
    Travis looked past Aaron's face to take in the ubiquitous hospital décor, and then down at himself and the embarrassing hospital gown he wore. "Oh. D'ya know what happened? Wassit a bar fight?"
    Travis grinned at him impishly just as Aaron started to get worried.
    "Cause it feels like a bar full of pissed-off linebackers stomped me into the pavement…seriously, though…sorry about the Miata. I know you loved that little car."
    Aaron shook a finger at Travis. "Damn it, T, you're supposed to be the responsible one. What were you thinking?"
    The grin slid from Travis's face. A shiver shook his frame, and his voice, when it came, sounded hollow. "Was thinking you're a dick and I'm tired of you fucking with my head."
    Aaron didn't remember moving. One second of looking into Travis's eyes and watching as their normal warm brilliance turned cold and hard had him on his feet. Another second had his hands cradling the younger man's face. By the time his heart beat the third time after Travis spoke, his lips were pressing against Travis's and someone was moaning.
    A fist ploughed into the side of his face.
    "Fucking brat."
    Aaron grabbed both of Travis's wrists, pinning them carefully to the bed above his head. Then he leaned back in, rubbing his stinging right eye against the edge of Travis's jaw. Travis heaved against him wildly. Aaron leaned a little harder, the bedrail digging into his waist as he pushed his chest down on Travis to hold him still.
    "Get off me, Aaron. Just—"
    Aaron cut him off. "Shut the fuck up and kiss me, you moron. I'm not fucking with you. I wasn't fucking with you yesterday. You took off before I could talk to you. I—you came in and you weren't supposed to be there, T, and Wasserstein was telling me to picture the face of someone I wanted badly enough to fall from heaven for and—I sure as fuck wasn't going to talk about it in front of Wasserstein, but it was you, T."
    Travis stilled. "You—"
    Aaron cut him off again. "Jesus, T. You talk too fucking much."
    Then Aaron moved his mouth from Travis's ear to his mouth, falling into the slick hot perfection he'd been dreaming about all night. He pushed a little too hard, and the coppery taste of blood filled his mouth. Travis flinched. Aaron gentled his touch.
    "Shh. Shhh. Sorry, T. I'll go easy 'til you heal up. Promise."
    A cough from the door drew both their attention.
    Taylor stood there, a huge grin on his face. "I so won that bet."
    Travis's face flushed red around the bruises. Aaron and Travis spoke at the same time.
    "Bet?"
    "You guys are betting on us?"
    Taylor chuckled, tossing a set of keys toward Aaron. "Yep. I was the only one who thought you guys would take this damn long to see it."
    If Taylor hadn't been holding a carry-out tray with three tall cups of love from the gods of caffeine, Aaron would have ended him right then. But he knew Travis took his coffee every bit as seriously as he did, and the logo of the favorite local coffee roaster was prominently displayed on the side of the cups.
    "Dick. You know we're only letting you live because you were knowledgeable enough to bring good coffee."
    Taylor shrugged. "Yeah. I figured I should hedge my bets, and I know how much Travis loves his post-migraine coffee drinks." He set the carrier on the over-bed tray, pulled out one of the cups, and backed toward the door. "Mom and Dad are bringing him some clothes. I gotta run or I'm gonna be late to work."
    Aaron nodded, his eyes locked on Travis's face. "Yeah. Thanks for bringing the keys to the truck. Jim bring you?"
    Taylor paused in the doorway. "Nah. Tristan brought