Brian blinked a couple of times when he finally came to. He was still on the floor of his bedroom, but he had his throw from the recliner draped over him and a pillow had been placed under his head.

Sway.

Brian swallowed hard and moved to sit up. His head wasn’t pounding as hard as it usually did after an attack, but it didn’t mean a damn thing for his pride, which was wounded. His next immediate thought was: is Sway still here? The smell of frying meat hit his nose and the faint sound of soft jazz met his ears. Not knowing if he felt relieved or upset that he had to face him after ruining another night, he got up and made his way to his bathroom, wanting to rid himself of the sweat that’d dried on his face and neck. He started the shower, making it quick, wanting to hurry back to Sway and… and thank him… again.

This was becoming redundant.

Brian walked with dread through his home and into his kitchen to find Sway barefoot, with flannel lounge pants and wearing one of Brian’s Notre Dame t-shirts. It stopped mid-thigh on him, almost swallowing him up. He seemed at ease as he moved around Brian’s kitchen like he’d been cooking there all the time. Sway swayed to the soft instrumental coming from his phone while he flipped the thick pieces of chicken breast in the cast iron skillet. When he finally caught Brian in his peripheral, he didn’t startle, he didn’t look sad, or pitiful… he appeared happy to see him.

“Hey, you woke up,” Sway said softly—as if Brian had simply taken a cat nap—coming up to him and slowly rising on his toes to touch Brian’s lips. “I started dinner. I hope that’s okay?”

Wow. And he can cook. Brian nodded somberly, not knowing how to say what he needed to.

“Brian. I know you’re upset. But, please don’t—” Sway stopped as if he was searching for the right words.

Brian didn’t want Sway tiptoeing on eggshells around him. Despite his fragile state of mind lately, when in Sway’s presence, he wasn’t weak. He wouldn’t break. But, Sway couldn’t be so wary of his feelings either. They had to be able to communicate.

Brian took Sway’s hands from around his neck and held them clasped against his chest. He frowned trying to find the right words, but there was only two that kept resounding in his mind.

‘Thank you.’ He barely moved his mouth, but Sway still understood.

“You don’t have to thank me for that. You know that, right?” Sway’s big brown eyes pleaded with Brian to understand. “I’m… I’m your boyfriend, right?”

Sway said the word ‘boyfriend’ so shyly, it was effective in making a small smile tug at the corners of Brian’s mouth. He nodded. He liked the sound of that. He’d never really had one, if he was being honest. He’d gone into the military at age eighteen, following his big brother. Before that, his father hadn’t allowed them much social time, they had a farm to run and money to scrounge for. Of course, in the military, during DADT, gay relationships weren’t common and even less common when it was repealed. His fast romps in secrecy were exactly that. Quick and noiseless. There were no conversations or getting to know each other. Brian’s particular work in the military caused for all work and no play. Now, at forty-four, he finally had a goddamn boyfriend. And he liked the sound of that.

Sway’s smile reached from ear to ear. Brian still found it refreshingly different that Sway was able to understand his body language so easily. Brian knew no other way to be around him. He was honest and true with Sway, always would be.

Sway confessed, “I haven’t had a boyfriend since freshman year in college. I’m a bit out of practice.”

“We can learn together,” Brian signed.

Sway laughed as if understanding that Brian was admitting his own ignorance in relationships. “Okay then.”

They were silent for a moment. Brian couldn’t resist running his thumb down Sway’s cheek. God, he was so beautiful, and his. Sway leaned forward and rested his forehead against Brian’s sternum, then tilted his head up as if he wanted something. Brian stared down at him, mesmerized by those soulful eyes and supple mouth. Sway lifted his hand and smoothed it over Brian’s hair which was still damp from his shower. If he wasn’t mistaken, it was Sway who was watching him in awe. He didn’t know why, it hadn’t been Sway on the floor like a child, shaking and terrified, unable to breathe.

“Come on, let’s eat before the food gets cold.” Sway took Brian’s hand and to his surprise led him to the table, while he prepared a heaping plate of golden fried chicken, baked potato, and broccoli florets. Glad he’d finally managed to go grocery shopping, he made a mental note to find out what else Sway liked to cook. He’d stock up, immediately.

They ate with little conversation. Both of them too hungry to stop to discuss anything. When Brian finished, Sway was only half done. He liked the wide-eyed stare and chuckle he got before Sway asked if he wanted seconds. “There’s one more breast left.”

Brian stopped Sway from getting up and went and retrieved the last piece himself. He opened his breadbox and pulled out the loaf of white bread. He popped the last piece between two slices, doused it with Texas Pete hot sauce and sat back at the table.

Sway’s amusement was all over his face when he shook his head and laughed in that tender bass tenor of his, “I’m learning so much.”

Brian laughed—a full on stomach muscles twitching, and husky sounds leaving his throat laugh—as Sway stared at his sandwich in disbelief, especially when he started to inhale it like the rest of his food. “This is good.”

“I’m glad you liked it. My mom used to cook a lot when we were younger and sometimes I’d watch. I grew up in the South, so I learned to cook that way too. But, having Tweetie around for so long, I’ve gotten used to her soul food. Everything is deep fried and or smothered.” Sway wiped away some of the grease from his lips. “I broil and roast a lot of meat now, though. Especially recently. My mom’s cholesterol level was a concern at her last visit.” Sway continued to talk while he took the dishes to the sink and began to clean up their mess. Brian just watched his boyfriend… and listened to him talk. As if a panic attack had never happened.

“I wanted to ask you something,” Brian signed. They were lying in bed, facing each other. The fire crackled in the background, leaving enough romantic light in the room so he could still feast on Sway’s beauty. Everything had been locked up for the night and from what he understood, Sway’s mom’s nurse, Tweetie, had volunteered to stay with his mom for the entire weekend. She’d been on speaker and Brian remembered thinking that she sounded just like he’d imagined. Compassionate, understanding, and funny with a tad of wrongness. He had no clue why she’d asked Sway what kind of lube he’d gotten. Sway had told her he loved her before quickly hanging up. Brian raised a brow at Sway in fun but didn’t comment. Instead he was more focused on something else the nurse had said.

“Your mom’s nurse said you’d had a trying week. Today you text and said today was weird.” Brian caught Sway’s chin with his palm and lifted his head when he tried to avert his gaze. Brian had to see those eyes in order to read them. There was something Sway didn’t want to tell him.

“It was nothing. Just um. It’s not a big deal, really,” Sway stammered nervously.

Now Brian was really intrigued. “Tell me anyway. I’ll decide what’s a big deal.”

Sway flushed, then a flash of heat flared in his eyes at Brian’s seriousness. Sway would be wise not to diminish Brian’s capabilities. His mutism didn’t weaken his skills, it sharpened them. If anyone was threatening what was his, he’d identify it, and eliminate it.

“Oh. I um. I was just steering clear of my boss today. This week, he’s um…”

He. Brian’s feelers went up immediately.

“Cayson?!” Brian finger spelled rapidly, in disbelief. Couldn’t be. The man was head over heels in love with Quick. He’d never hurt him like that. He knew the doctor. But, he wouldn’t doubt Sway.

“No! Cayson is one of the lead physicians. Only one.” Sway chewed on his bottom lip for a moment then added, “There’s another. He heads up Nephrology.”

Brian rubbed Sway’s neck in encouragement. He could see Sway didn’t like admitting to this.

“He just gives me a bad feeling.” Sway hurried to say, as if he was trying to find the right words. “He gives me these weird looks. Then in the showers tonight—”

Son of a… Brian shot straight up in bed, glaring down at Sway. Shit, was he going to have to get up right now, at midnight, and hunt a motherfucker down?

“Jesus. Lay down. I’m fine, nothing happened. I decided to simply shower here at my boyfriends’ instead. No big deal. And, so much better by the way.” Sway smiled. It was weak and one hundred percent not genuine. Brian easily recognized it. Sway was bothered by this.

It absolutely is a big deal. No one is supposed to be harassed at work.

“Brian please, lay down. I’m a big boy too. If there’s a problem, I’ll handle it.” Sway pushed on Brian’s chest until he relented and eased back down. Sway laid his head on Brian’s left pec, draping his arm and leg over him as if to pin him. “Nothing happened in the showers. He just seems to always magically show up when I’m in there.” Sway looked as if he was thinking of a particular incident. “And, the way he removes his—”

Brian’s chest rumbled with anger, cutting Sway off.

“Let’s not think about that anymore. I’m here with you… I’m good, now.”

Brian continued to caress Sway until he heard his deep breaths and his weight settle fully on him. With one hand still possessively wrapped around Sway, he reached over with his other and removed his phone from the night stand. In seconds he was on Emory Hospital’s website under ‘staff’. Brian scrolled through the pages, his eyes narrowing with each swipe of his thumb. It’d been a long time since he had something to protect so fiercely. It was bringing out his true nature. Under Nephrology he saw his boss’s—Quick’s—partner picture, Dr. Chauncey; the next photo was of a Dr. James Dominick, MD, FACP. Brian’s finger stalled as he continuously stared at the one photo. He wasn’t sure how he knew it was the guy, he just did.

Got you, you fuckin’ snake.

Brian held Sway closer. He released a satisfied moan against his throat and settled right back into sleep.

Mine.