That added the pressure.
Instead of saying anything back, he simply nodded. All he wanted was for this to happen fast, and for whatever lurked down there—as a vengeful spirit—it left his man alone.
Was that so much to ask?
“He’ll be okay,” Finn said, trying to help.
“Let’s just get this over with,” Graham offered, heading to the side of the lake D’Artangnan stood at. The more they talked about it, the twitchier he became.
When he reached there, he needed something.
“Can I have a moment alone with D’Artangnan?” he asked, as Gryphen was waiting to help him the rest of the way into his wetsuit.
The man nodded, and wrangled Gabby and Ian away from them so they could talk.
“Breathe,” Michael said, seeing the panic.
Oh, he was trying.
“I just want to tell you that I love you, and that no matter what happens, we’re either going together, or staying together,” Graham said.
Michael took his hand and placed a kiss in his palm before placing his hand over his own heart.
Graham could feel it kick against his hand, and it wasn’t pounding.
“I’m not afraid,” Michael said. “I’m calm. I’ll get what I can, and that’s the extent of it. Don’t panic, don’t worry, and if you see the bubbles go crazy, get in and get me the hell out,” he said.
Graham moved at him, and threw his arms around his neck. The love of his life held him.
“I love you, D’Artangnan.”
He found his mouth, and despite them having an audience, he kissed him.
The hell with it.
This was a PDA that needed to happen for both of them.
Besides, Michael loved everyone there. Gryphen and Ian were family, and Gabby was part of his life too. Once he married Graham, he’d inherit his best friend, Finn.
This was his new circle.
What he’d learned in life was that family mattered. The Blackhawks taught him that. If he and Graham were staying here, he would have a new family to surround himself with, and that would be Graham, Gabby, and Finn.
Slowly breaking the kiss, he stared into Graham’s eyes.
“No fair giving me the mother of all hard-ons while I’m wearing a wet suit, Babe.”
It made him laugh.
“My bad?” he asked.
Michael winked at him.
Now, Graham had a question.
“Can I ask you something?”
The man zipped up his wet suit with his fiancé’s help. When he was in it, he faced him.
