“Yes.” Julien took a step closer. “I can’t concentrate. This thing between us feels so big, it’s taking over my mind. Are you attached to your home?”
Emory smiled. “Not particularly.”
“We can still date. Still learn about each other. But I want you in my bed and in my home. I want to see you in the mornings and fix you tea.” He took another step. “I want quiet evenings with you, and I want nights filled with passion. And days filled with passion. I know we’re still stuck here for now, but when it’s over, I’d like you to live with me.”
Emory studied him, taking in the hint of vulnerability that Julien was allowing him to see. His heart turned over. He opened his mouth, but Julien held up one hand.
“I told you I’m difficult, and I’m warning you that’s true. I’m not an easy man.”
“It’s a good thing I am, then.” Emory straightened off the wall and walked to this man he loved. “Julien, I like you just the way you are. I’ll probably drive you nuts because I’m disorganized and can change my plans on a whim. I’m used to being alone.”
“So am I.” Julien wrapped his fingers around Emory’s biceps. “I thought love would bring chaos, but I was wrong. I don’t want to be alone anymore. I want to spend my life with you.”
“It’ll be a long life, so you need to be sure about that.”
“I am.” He pulled him close, then wrapped his arms around Emory’s back, his fingers brushing Emory’s wings. “So… Will you?”
“Yes, Julien, I’ll move in with you.” He kissed Julien’s jaw. “But you’ll have to put up with my television.”
“I was thinking of getting one anyway.”
Emory kissed his neck. “It’s big. Huge. I like my movies on a big screen, and I like surround sound.”
“No problem. I do like movies, but like I told you, I just usually watch them on my laptop.”
Emory shuddered and pulled back enough to meet Julien’s eyes. “I’m turning your living room into a theater. And… We’re going to need more comfy furniture.”
Julien gave a sharp nod. “Done. You can even pick it out.”
“We’llpick it out. Are you sure you’re up to changes like that? I’m talking major changes here.” Emory studied him closely because this was the man who had moved a candlestick to its exact former location.
“My life could use a little shaking up.”
Emory lifted an eyebrow. “Really? After what you told me about your parents?”
His face fell. “That’s right. You’ll be taking on that chaos when they show up. They’re going to drive you crazy, so I’m sorry ahead of time.”
“I look forward to meeting them. Sort of. I’m still angry over what you told me about them, but they’ll be my family because you are my family, Julien. From here on out.”
Julien stared at him for several moments, his blue eyes full of emotion. “I love you, Emory. I’ve never loved anyone before. Didn’t even think I was fully capable of it. But I do. And even if we didn’t have this long lifetime you told me about, I’d still want to be with you for as long as I live.”
Warm affection surged up through Emory, and he couldn’t stop himself from leaning in to press his lips to Julien’s before pulling back again to stare into those beautiful blue eyes. “I predict years of getting on each other’s nerves, then making up rather spectacularly.”
“I can live with that,” Julien whispered. “And I do mean right away. Not weeks away or even days.” He cleared his throat. “From now on, I don’t want us to sleep apart.”
“Being kind of insistent, aren’t you?”
“It’s a part of thatdifficultI warned you about.”
Julien was truly worried. Emory could hear it in his voice and see it on his face. He’d known Julien long enough to understand this wasn’t something he usually felt. He was a decisive man, used to making big decisions in his work and life. The fact he was showing this more vulnerable side to himself told Emory his feelings ran very deep. The day he’d met him, he wouldn’t have thought Julien capable of such deep feelings, but now he knew differently.
Julien needed him.
And he was showing that to Emory. Sharing this part of himself. Emory felt humbled all of a sudden. He’d somehow earned the love of this reserved man who normally hid his emotions. Kept them private. This wonderful man who had made Emory realize he did want a forever love.
“Julien,” he said quietly. “I’ve been alone a long time, and I thought I liked it that way. What you make me feel changed that.” He shook his head. “No, that’s not exactly right. What you make me feel made meunderstandthat I did want more. Fuck, I’m actually giddy with the knowledge that I get to spend my life with you because I want you. With everything I am. I want those quiet nights and those times of passion. I want the days we’ll argue about where the candlesticks go. I want it all, and I want it just with you.”
A dazzling smile settled onto Julien’s face. One that completely transformed him. One that Emory knew he was going to want to see as often as possible over the many years he was committed to spending with Julien.
