He was a very giving, sweet man under that bulk and military fade.
“D’Artangnan, please,” he said.
The man paused.
“What?”
Graham stared into his eyes, and he kept fighting to change the outcome. Maybe he’d wake up, and this was a dream. Maybe he’d come out of that coma, the one he likely was in, and he could have that man back.
As his.
“Promise me that you’ll love me forever,” he whispered. “Promise me that when I disappoint you, and I’m sure I will, you’ll keep fighting for me. Promise me that no matter what, you will always remember this moment, and hold onto it in your heart, knowing I loved you and always will.”
D’Artangnan rested his forehead against Graham’s, and he told him the God’s honest truth.
“I’d die for you,” he whispered. “You’re my soulmate, Graham. I’ll always fight for you. We’re going to get married and have the most beautiful life, if you can just give me a year to make it happen. I promise I’ll come back for you.”
And that nearly killed him all over again.
Because had he just put his faith in this man’s love and fidelity, this brave and loyal Marine, he would have come back.
He would have made that life for them.
Without.
A.
Doubt.
When Graham opened his eyes, he found his mouth, and he kissed D’Artangnan with all he had. This would be their last moments together, and he wanted to give himself this memory.
He needed it.
This moment wouldn’t change what had happened between them, but for his soul, for wherever he was, he wanted this alternate outcome.
This one could haunt him every single moment of his time in purgatory, and he’d carry that burden.
He’d do anything not to be faced with the one of him walking out the door and leaving him behind to die a slow, painful death over the years.
The kiss rocked both men, and D’Artangnan rolled, putting Graham above him.
The Scottish man’s hands wandered, and before Michael knew it, his lover had his fatigues open, and his shirt pulled up.
“Graham,” he whispered, breaking the kiss as his body reacted to his hands on it.
All around Graham, he could smell the cologne, the scent of his skin, and the aroma of his shampoo.
Graham clung to this moment, and as he did, the Scottish man stared down at him.
“I will love you for the rest of my life, and nothing will ever change that, D. You are and always will be the love of my existence. Without you, I’d be nothing. I’ll die with this tattoo on my thigh, and your name on my heart, M'eudail.”
The Marine smiled up at him, and the dimple in his cheek made Graham want to hold onto this moment even more.
God.
He loved this man, and he never understood how lucky he truly had been with him in his life. They’d had everything they needed, and they had been together.
Lesson learned.
