When they arrived—an hour and a half into the event—the limo let them out in front of the InterContinental hotel in Buckhead. The lobby was luxurious and not what either of them were used to, but Brian stood as tall as he could and entered the dimly lit ballroom with Sway clinging to his arm. They checked their coats and Brian’s cover with the attendant, then surveyed the room for their assigned table. Everyone was dressed to the nines in glittery gowns and tuxedos.

Gold and silver draped the opulent ballroom. Candlelit centerpieces glowed on tables arranged around a decent-sized dance floor. The small band played light jazz while people conversed, mingled and finished eating. Some were already going back to the lavish buffet spread for seconds. Sway never let go of Brian, waving every few seconds at someone he recognized. He smiled from ear to ear and there was no way he missed that all eyes were on them. Brian was the only one dressed in military regalia.

They made their way to the left side where he’d spotted Quick. His long hair was out and hanging over the chair, while he leaned in saying something in Cayson’s ear. He must’ve spotted Brian in his peripheral because his head snapped around and his mouth spread impossibly wide, his eyes large and overflowing with excitement. Cayson picked up on Quick’s expression and turned, spotting him and Sway walking towards them. Quick was on his feet in a second, his electric green eyes on Brian. They hadn’t seen each other since the hotel fiasco, since Brian had immediately gone on vacation after.

“Hell-fucking-yeah, man! That’s what I’m talking about, King!” Quick’s hand was outstretched, and Sway eased off his arm to give them room. Quick pushed his palm inside Brian’s. He clasped it tightly and let his teammate—brother—pull him into a deep hug. Brian accepted the embrace. He understood Quick’s excitement. The uniform and everything Brian had been through wearing it, was not lost on him. However, Quick wasn’t one for solemnity. He was a Grandmaster, he celebrated trials and tribulations, especially when one emerged victorious. And, Brian had conquered his enemy in the depths of hell and rose a king. Now, here he stood, with the highest honor a warrior could receive in his country around his neck, and the most beautiful man in the world on his arm. “I’ve never been prouder to shake your hand, Brian.”

Brian and Quick stood at almost the same height, Brian just an inch over him. He noticed Sway beside him beaming with pride, his chest as far out as he could stick it. This is why he knew wearing his uniform here wouldn’t trigger anything. He had family here, people he trusted… and furthermore, he was at peace.

Quick stepped back to get a better view. “A goddamn beast,” Quick rumbled, staring at Brian’s Prisoner of War medal. “You gotta come back down to my dojo, Brian. Soon, man. I got some real talent down there that might even impress you.”

Brian grinned and nodded. That was a Grandmaster’s way of saying ‘thank you for your service’. Quick’s dojo and his students were everything to him—second, just behind Cayson. Brian was going to take him up on that offer. He would love to learn from Roman Webb. A man who’d done nothing but study martial arts since he was eight years old.

“It’d be an honor, Roman,” Brian said in his raspy voice, speaking to Quick for the first time since he’d met him, three and half years ago.

Quick blinked at him, then shook his head as if he couldn’t take it. “A goddamn savage!”

They both laughed and hugged again, having drawn quite a bit of attention in the process. Cayson stood and hugged Brian, his eyes dancing over his chest. “You guys both look amazing.” After he hugged Sway, Cayson’s eyes went to the bronze cross. “This is pretty and masculine. What’s this one for, Brian?”

“That’s a Navy-fucking-Cross, babe!” Quick grinned.

Cayson shot his eyes up at Quick, smiling affectionately. “You wanna keep your voice to a dull roar, Roman? It’s a formal.”

“I’m just saying. Is no one else seeing what I am?!” Quick stressed.

“Ford has one, too. Got his way before I got mine,” Brian smirked.

“I bet his overachieving ass did.” Quick turned, picked up his drink and stood next to Brian.

Brian laughed huskily. Despite the high-class society they were in, Roman Webb would always be himself. It was funny how Cayson kept trying to shush him and mute his cursing. They were bad boys. Right now, they were just dressed-up bad boys. Brian was glad Quick was there. He would’ve told Cayson yes to escorting Sway, anyway, but when he said Quick was accompanying him as well, then it’d been even easier.

Sway laughed, then leaned in and whispered, “You’re going to be the center of attention soon, babe.”

“You okay with that?” Brian asked.

“Sure am. Even the unwanted attention.”

Brian heard the warning in Sway’s voice and followed his eyes. Dr. Dominick was approaching the table with a young woman in a shimmering, gold mini dress on his arm. He was smiling and walking confidently until he saw Brian. His steps never faltered but he wasn’t able to hide his pinched expression.

“Problems?” Quick’s lips barely moved, nor did his eyes, but Brian’s body language was easy to read. Quick could tell the man approaching wasn’t a friendly.

“Snake,” Brian hissed.

“Good evening.” Dr. Dominick shook hands with the men who stood around, making his way to Brian and Sway. “Nurse Hamilton. Evening.”

Sway lifted his chin, “Good Evening.”

The vain doctor tried not to acknowledge Brian, but Sway wasn’t having it. “Dr. Dominick, you remember my partner, Brian King, I’m sure.”

Dr. Dominick’s face turned red, and his date fidgeted like the young girl she was. “I um. I do believe, I remember…” Dr. Dominick cleared his throat and nodded at Brian’s uniform. “Navy? I didn’t quite remember that.”

“United States Navy, honorably discharged with the highest level of honor,” Quick simmered next to Brian. His voice was low, deadly like him, and centered on the doctor for only him to hear, “So, show some goddamn respect and shake his hand.” Quick stepped in, making the conversation personal. “Or, I can make it so you’re never able to use that hand again.”

Dr. Dominick’s eyes widened before he shot a panicky glance around them, then reached his hand out and held it in front of Brian. “Yes. Um. Thank you for your service.” Brian clasped his hand and squeezed until the doctor gritted his teeth. When he pulled away, he cut his eyes back to Sway who was still glued to Brian’s other side.

“Sway. Oh my gosh, you look amazing.” A couple of ladies and three men came up to them, with cocktails in their hands, practically pushing Dr. Dominick to the side. “Hi! Do you remember us? We’re on Sway’s team. We saw you before.”

“I do, yes. It’s nice to see you all again. Sway talks about you guys a lot.” Brian smiled and played the part for Sway. He did it all for him. Sway had hated everything about this event… up until Brian had said he was going with him. Now on his arm, Sway glowed.

“You look very handsome.” A firecracker who’d reintroduced himself as Adam said, inching closer. He had on a gray tuxedo, with metallic silver lapels. His hair had been dyed a startling white and it fit with his gray eyes. He was a cutie pie, if Brian had been into that type. He seemed to act like the spokesperson of their clique. Sway gripped his arm tighter making him have to suppress his smile.

“Thank you,” Brian said, making the man’s eyes light up.

“You’re welcome.” The flirty nurse inched even closer. “We were over there watching you guys when you came in. We didn’t know your man was in the military, Sway. We were wondering what all these medals and ribbons meant. You sure have a lot.”

“They represent my expertise and years of service.” Brian said casually.

Quick downed his scotch and was pulled away from Brian’s side when the band began to play another slower jazz instrumental. Several couples headed out to the dance floor. Sway leaned close to him as he watched the couples embrace and rock in each other’s arms.

“Oh, what’s this one?” Flirty ran one glossy nail over Brian’s Joint Service Commendation medal. “You know what, just tell us what all of them mean.”

Sway stood silently, but with a possessive arm hooked around Brian’s elbow. He wanted to show Sway that he’d always be the center of his attention.

“Maybe later. Right now, I want to dance with the most beautiful man in the room.” Brian gazed down at Sway and gave him an affectionate smile. “Aimerais-tu danser, mon beau?”

Sway gaped at Brian with amazement and heat. Brian hadn’t told his boyfriend that he spoke multiple languages, including French. He didn’t sound as suave as he used to, but it felt good to speak it again, especially to Sway. The women gushed, watching Sway get treated like the prince he was. “Are you ever going to stop surprising me?”

Brian shook his head. “I asked you to dance, beautiful. Are you going to make me go out there solo?”

Adam piped in before Brian could even finish his sentence. “If Sway doesn’t want to g—”

“I’d love to, Brian. Thank you,” Sway cut Adam off, giving him a warning eye. The guy sneered at Sway, like a kid who would tease their older sibling, and sauntered off with his followers.

Brian subtly winked at Dr. Dominick when he walked past with Sway, leading him to the dance floor beside Quick and Cayson. Brian heard what the arrogant doctor had said to Sway in his office. About, Brian not being good enough to escort him to a black-tie affair. He’d never been happier to prove someone wrong.

“This almost doesn’t feel real.” Sway whispered, leaning close to him so his forehead rested against his shoulder.

Brian held his hand firmly around Sway’s back. He wanted to bury his mouth behind his ear, but he would respect he was in uniform and limit the PDA. “This is all very real.”

Sway pressed his cheek against Brian’s shoulder, his hands clasped around Brian’s neck. They danced through that song—merely rocking in each other’s arms—and into the next the one. This song had more saxophone and piano, making it sound more romantic, like a Kenny G ballad. Brian brushed his hand over Sway’s tamed waves. “You want to eat?”

“No. It’s a lot of hoity-toity stuff this time. I really feel like a beer and some wings.” Sway gazed into his eyes. He felt his chest lighten at what he saw. “I say two more dances, because I feel a little like Belle right now… I’m not gonna lie.”

Brian chuckled.

“But I will deny it if you ever tell anyone I said that,” Sway glared. “We dance. Then we sneak out. We text Quick and Cayson bye once we’re in the car. Then we stop at Hooters and get some wings, to go. Since gay men never eat their wings inside, Hooters.”

“I eat inside.” Brian laughed full-on, drawing Quick’s attention and a knowing smile before he turned back around. “You’ve been around Tweetie too long.”

Sway grimaced. “Maybe. But no one eats inside Hooters wearing a tuxedo.”

“True. Go on with your plan.”

“Yes. So, we take the wings home and eat them in front of the television and watch the last Olympic hockey game.” Sway threw in his trump card. Brian didn’t like much television, but he loved sports. Sway was really getting to know him. “So, what’ll you say?”

“I say you’re beautiful.”

“I say…” Sway stopped in the middle of his thought. As if what he was about to say caught him off guard.

“Sway.”

“Brian.” He whispered like he was in pain.

He bent and kissed Sway’s temple.

“I’m falling for you.” Sway tucked his head in Brian’s chest; then steeled his shoulders and looked him in his eyes and said it again. Only this time with more conviction. “I am. I’m falling so hard.”

Brian ran his thumb down Sway’s cheek. “Good. Because I don’t want to fall alone.”