“Wanna get ready?” Brian asked. He and Sway were stretched out on the chaise in his library. He’d been in there reading while Sway had gone to pick up his tuxedo from the rental shop. They’d lounged around his home all weekend. They’d worked on his house a little, but Sway had been too distracted by Brian in a tool belt. Needless to say, not much got done as far as projects were concerned. They cooked together, they ate, they ordered in, they relaxed on his deck, bundled up close to each other around the fire pit. They’d kissed for hours, tongues lazy and passionate. But, the best part of the weekend was when Sway relentlessly begged Brian to hunt him again, contending that he’d found some good hiding places. It hadn’t taken much convincing after Sway started to taunt him. Then the hunt was on. Only when Brian caught him that time, he’d taken his prize just as vigorously as before.

As soon as Sway got back to the house after his errands and saw Brian in there enjoying a good book, He quickly found himself a thriller and nestled beside him. And, they’d been like that the last two hours. Simply enjoying the peace and serenity of being together. He’d been talking more, but his sentences were still short. His speech pathologist told him to do what was comfortable. If his throat was irritated, then it was okay to sign. Colton agreed. He didn’t want Brian putting unnecessary stress and pressure on himself. Signing now was about comfort, no longer required for him to communicate.

“I don’t even want to go.” Sway didn’t remove his eyes from his book. “Besides. This is really getting good. You can’t get up from a book when it’s getting good.”

“You can when you have a formal to attend.” Brian smiled down at him and kissed his forehead.

“I’m taking a knee on this issue,” Sway griped.

Brian laughed deeply. “You’re boycotting?”

“Yes. Why would they even make this a formal if it’s to appreciate nurses? Not only do they make us buy expensive tickets, then they make us get all dressed up in clothes we can’t afford. That hardly sounds like appreciation, it sounds like more work. This is our last night before I have to go back to work tomorrow. Let me play hooky, please. Let me be bad just this once.”

“No,” Brian said.

Sway feigned as if he was so distraught.

Brian ran his hand over Sway’s soft waves. “Would it make you feel better if I went with you?”

Sway sat up so fast he almost fell off the side of the chaise. “What?!”

Brian casually reached over to his side table and retrieved the plain white envelope sitting atop a couple of magazines. He opened it and took out his own ticket.

Sway groaned. “Dammit, Cayson.”

Brian didn’t have to confirm. Of course, Cayson had insisted Brian escort Sway to the gala. “Now go. Get ready in the guest room. One hour.”

Brian got up and left the library. He was across the hall in his bedroom when he heard Sway’s hurried footsteps coming after him. His bare feet slapping against the hardwood flooring. Brian’s heart stuttered. He’d never get tired of that simple sound. It meant he wasn’t alone.

“You have a tux?” Sway asked watching Brian.

“I have formal wear. Yes.” That’s all Brian said.

Sway kept standing there, watching Brian gather his things for a shower. When he turned to look at him in the doorway, Sway had put on the best pouty face he could muster, including the huge, brown doe eyes. Brian laughed out loud again and strolled over to him. He pulled Sway against him and bent to press his mouth against his ear. He spoke in the voice that made Sway’s breath hitch. “We stay for one hour. I promise to make it worth it.” He turned Sway around after a couple more kisses and swatted him hard on the ass. “Now go get sexy for me.”

Sway

He used up ten minutes of his hour trying to think of another tactic to use to get Brian to agree to ditch the function. He also wasn’t interested in running into Dr. Dickhead. All night Friday and most of Saturday morning, Sway had thought for sure that a cop would ring Brian’s doorbell and haul him away for battery and assault. But it had never happened. They’d both called the doctor’s bluff, just like he’d called Sway’s. Neither of them made any calls. Last night, Sway had decided he was going to report the harassment when the trial ended. There was no statute of limitations on reporting abuse, according to the hospital’s bylaws. Brian wasn’t crazy about the idea of waiting, but when Sway thought of Ms. Debbie’s hopeful face… and all the other patients; the decision was easy. Besides he didn’t think Dr. Dominick would mess with him anymore, after being choked and handled that way. However, a tiny beatdown wasn’t good enough. God only knew how many other nurses he’d made feel trapped. Justice would come to Dr. Dominick, but Sway was going to let him save Ms. Debbie first. He’d use the doctor the same way he used people. Sway was willing to put himself last and the needs of others before himself. It was called being a nurse.

He was running a little behind and he couldn’t care less. That was until he finally emerged from the guest room. His tuxedo was pretty standard, wasn’t designer. He fiddled with his bowtie as he walked, his shiny dress shoes clacking noisily on the hard floor. He hoped Brian was ready because he was already over this night. The sooner he got there and showed his face, the sooner he could leave. “Okay. This is as ready as I’m going to—” Sway’s words died on his lips when he turned to go into the den. Brian had his back to him, staring at the pictures of his SEAL team on the wall. All Sway could do was stand there speechless until Brian turned to face him and that was when he thought his knees would give. Brian stood tall and regal in his formal, dress white military uniform. When his boyfriend had said he had formal wear, he hadn’t expected this.

Sway could barely get his feet to move. It wasn’t just seeing Brian in his uniform, it was all the medals, pins, the ribbons, the honors that decorated his chest and neck. Sway’s eyes filled with moisture as he stood in front of Brian. His lover hadn’t said a word, just let Sway breathe and take it all in. It was all so much. He started at the bottom and worked his way up. Brian’s pants were pressed and sparkling white, including his shoes. It wasn’t until Sway got to the heavy white dress coat that his hands started to shake. He traced the shiny gold buttons, up until he got to the bottom row of medals, yes, there was more than one. Sway’s eyes lingered on the various ribbons, his throat blocked while he tried to voice his appreciation for Brian’s service. Four medals hung on the bottom and just above that row, three more medals hung against Brian’s broad chest. The gold collar insignia and the thick, black and gold shoulder boards told of his distinguished career and elevated rank.

Sway finally met Brian’s eyes when his hands came up to Brian’s neck covered by the standing white collar. Sway swallowed roughly and cleared his throat before he asked, “When did you get this?” Sway whispered in amazement. He’d seen the picture, but he hadn’t seen the medal.

“Twenty twelve. When I got home.” Brian said, his voice raspier than it had been.

Sway finally got up the nerve to touch the gold Navy Medal of Honor star, clasped around Brian’s neck by a light blue silk ribbon. In the center of the ribbon were thirteen white stars in the form of three chevrons. The Navy star had the word VALOR in all caps just above it. It took him a while to move his eyes away from the military’s most prestigious award. Sway couldn’t help but wonder what else Brian had received for all he’d endured for his country. On the other side of his chest Brian had two more rows of colorful board ribbons. Each one representing one of his many skills.

Brian was regulation all the way. No cologne, just all man. All him. An alluring fragrance in itself. He’d cut his hair even lower on the sides and shaved his beard. Sway had never seen him this bare and exposed. The scars and craters in his face were more noticeable but they only added to his dangerous appeal. Sway was almost hesitant to ask, but he wouldn’t be a good boyfriend if he didn’t. He didn’t know if the uniform could cause triggers, or the many questions that would come from Brian wearing the uniform could cause a trigger. “How do you feel putting this back on?”

“Strong.” Brian didn’t have to even think about. Not only did he look strong, but he sounded it. Brian leaned down and gently kissed Sway’s forehead. “Don’t worry. You ready?”

“Oh, I’ve never been readier for anything in my life.” Sway beamed, knowing he had the bravest, baddest, sexiest man in the world on his arm. And, just in case anyone wanted to doubt that, all they had to do was open their damn eyes. Brian wore it all over him.

“Good.” Brian turned back to his display stand and retrieved a small black felt box from the top shelf. “I got a little hardware for you too.”

Sway blinked at the box. It wasn’t a ring box, but it didn’t stop his heart from fluttering. Brian opened the flat compartment and took out the shiny gold object. Sway stared fascinated. It was a nurse’s pin, the Maltese cross, gleaming and gorgeous. However, it wasn’t a typical one. The cross was made to be pinned to a lapel. “Is this a real diamond?” Sway blinked, as Brian pinned the Masters of Nursing, 24k gold pin to his black silk lapel. It stood out beautifully.

“Of course, it is. This is all about your superpower tonight, baby.” Brian said, completing his job. He surveyed the pin and nodded as if he was satisfied. He and Brian were still standing there staring and dishing out numerous compliments—about fresh haircuts and neatly groomed beards—when he heard a car pull up. “Time to go.”

Sway put on his all-weather coat, he didn’t have an expensive, wool overcoat like Brian, but he didn’t mind. Brian could make anyone look good on his arm. Sway was helped into his winter coat before Brian put on his. He completed his uniform with the traditional, white formal combination cap with the Navy emblem. Sway was gonna strut like a peacock when he walked into that hotel ballroom.

He stepped out into the wintry night air to a shiny, black stretch limousine waiting for them at the curb. He almost tripped down the stairs when he saw it. Brian had really gone all out for this and Sway was thankful, if slightly overwhelmed. “Brian. This is too much… I—”

“You deserve all this and more,” Brian signed. “Let’s go have a good time.”