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At that hour of the morning, his thoughts weren’t exactly clear, but the one that filtered through his head at that moment made perfect sense to him in his sleep-befuddled state.
It didn’t matter if Yuri was real or not. Having him there was better than being alone in the dark.
He was asleep in seconds.
Closure
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
“Keith? Can you hear me?”
He felt as though he was swimming in deep waters, struggling to rise higher, desperate to reach the surface and break through. The voice was muffled, but he homed in on it, pushing upward, higher, higher...
He was in his bed.
Keith caught sight of Anna leaning over him, but when he tried to greet her, no words came out. Then he realized why.
They did a tracheostomy, remember? That surgeon came in, told me it was my best option, and explained exactly what he was going to do— then did it right there at my bedside.
Keith had known it was coming, but realizing he was no longer able to breathe sufficiently unassisted was still a blow.
Anna nodded. “All over now. When we’re happy with your progress, we’ll change you over to the porta-vent. I showed that one to you, didn’t I?”
He nodded. The mini vent would allow him to speak, but he’d be fed through a nasal tube.
Anna squeezed his hand. “How’s the pain?” He squeezed it back, hard, and she gave another nod. “I’ll give you something for it. Then I want you to try and rest.” Keith gestured to the tube, and she gave him a sympathetic glance. “I know, it’s not easy, but right now, rest will bring you closer to getting off the ventilator.”
That was all the incentive he needed.
Keith closed his eyes, and waited for the glorious feeling of pain diminishing.
He knew it was a dream, but Lord, it was wonderful.
Keith held Michael in his arms, they were in the middle of a dance floor, and they were moving to something slow and sensual. He recognized their surroundings immediately, and realized his brain was creating an event that had never happened.
We couldn’t have done this, not then.
Dream Michael smiled. “When did you learn to dance?”
“Never had a single lesson. I’m a natural.”
Michael laughed. “Yeah, right.”
“No, really. Besides, this isn’t dancing. We’re just holding each other close and moving to the music, while avoiding stepping on each other’s toes.” Keith grinned. “Which is no mean feat. It requires intense concentration.”
“Do you think all these people would be scandalized if I kissed you now?”
If this had been real, then yes, that was definitely a possibility, but Keith knew they were safely locked in a dream.
And in a dream, all things are possible, right?
He closed the gap between them, shivering at the jolt of static electricity when their lips met. Michael claimed his mouth with a fervor that sent heat barreling through him, and Keith pressed closer, aware of the warmth of Michael’s body radiating through his white shirt.
When they broke the kiss, Keith smiled. “In case I forget to tell you, you’re the sexiest man at this wedding.”
Michael’s eyes sparkled. “Funny. I was thinking the same thing about you.” Then he froze, mouth open, and it was as if unseen hands yanked him back, forcing them apart, the ballroom gone.
“Michael!”
