Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 8

couldn't imagine his life without the man in his arms. Harlan wasn't just his lover, he was his best friend. There was no one he confided in, trusted with his life, would do anything for, more than Harlan Mackay, and he would happily spend the rest of his life proving it, if that's what it took. Before he knew it, he had drifted off to sleep, and for the first time in his life, he slept peacefully.
    CHAPTER 6
    The next morning, when Harlan woke up, Nathan was gone.
    He was ashamed to admit, his first reaction had been fear, and it had taken a hell of a lot for him to convince himself that Nathan hadn't made tracks. Despite their reconciliation, he knew worrying about losing Nathan to his old ways was a battle he would always be fighting, but as Julius had stated, it was one that was worth it. Even if the guy did drive him off his nut at times.
    With a groan, he sat up, his muscles protesting every movement. It was only when he rubbed his neck that he noticed the terribly illegible note on Nathan's pillow.
    At the office. Something I have to do. Breakfast is in the refrigerator, make sure you wash the dishes and take out the trash. x Nate.
    "Dammit, I hate washing dishes." Grumbling to himself, Harlan got out of bed and started his day. After a somewhat abridged morning routine, he left for the office, unable to keep himself from wondering what could possibly be of such importance, it had Nathan up and out so early.
    Nathan hated mornings. As it was, Harlan was always the one having to drag his partner out of bed. And, in the winter it took double the amount of time, with Nathan clinging to him for warmth. It took nothing short of a crowbar to detach him. Of course, Harlan was a resourceful sort, and he quickly learned how to efficiently remove Nathan and deposit him beside the radiator. It usually earned him a dirty look, but at least it worked.
    Less than two hours later, he was sitting at his desk, filling out a report on the raid at Shifty's, when someone knocked on his door. Looking up, he found himself frowning.
    "What can I do for you, Agent Brogan?" Harlan asked, turning his attention back to his paperwork. When he heard the door close, he sighed, and shut the file before him. Just what his morning needed. Folding his arms over his chest, he leaned back in his chair, and met Danny's gaze.
    "Nate asked me to meet him early this morning," Danny replied in quiet voice, taking a seat in the chair across Harlan's desk, looking sharp as usual. The agency was rather empty at this time of morning, but that didn't mean they could take any chances. It helped that Harlan and Nathan had a decent sized office all to themselves at the end of the floor, even if it had been the result of their supervisor attempting to keep Nathan as far away from his own office as physically possible. "Frankly, I was a little surprised, considering his aversion to waking up before noon."
    It wasn't so much what Danny said, as how he said it. It was clearly meant to rile some response out of Harlan. He refused to take the bait.
    "Other than the fact that it left me to do the dishes, what's your point?"
    Danny looked a little surprised by that but quickly recovered. "Look, what happened was my fault. I didn't mean to cause any trouble between you fellas."
    Harlan gave a nod and leaned forward, his elbows on the desk and his fingers laced. "I appreciate you saying so, Danny Boy, but you see, the thing is, I don't believe that for a second."
    "Harlan, I just wanted—"
    "I know what you wanted," Harlan interrupted, his narrowed gaze not leaving Danny's. "I'm telling you right now, you ain't getting it. I respect what you boys had, but the key word there is had . You try something like that again, and the next time I won't be so respectful."
    Danny nodded his understanding and gave Harlan a small smile. "That's sort of what he said." At Harlan's puzzled expression, Danny elaborated. "This morning's little rendezvous was him laying down the law. I could be a part of his life again, as long as I understood we would never be more than just friends. He also said if I did anything to hurt you like that again, he'd break my legs."
    Harlan couldn't keep the dopey grin on his face from getting dopier. "He'll do it, too."
    "You ain't kidding," Danny said with a laugh. "I remember when we were ten years old, I used to jump out of the bushes to scare him, and one day, he warned me not to do it again. Well, the next time I did it, he socked me so hard, he