Defined By Deceit

Llew said a quiet prayer for Jeremiah before standing and coming over to his brother. Llew squatted and put his hand on Ace’s shoulder. This wasn’t Ace, this was Robert. They no longer had to wear the tough armor required to survive in prison. They were out of that hell and both had men that loved them; they could be who they were meant to be now. He respected Ace very much, he’d always be his best friend, but Robert; he loved him, that man would be his brother for life.

Robert stood and let Llew hug him to him. “I can’t replace him, Robert. But let me love you like he did. Like a brother.” Ace squeezed him back, hugging him for a long time, purging all that pent-up guilt. After a few more moments, Jessup stood and Shane followed, going to join them. The comforting touches of their lovers’ hands on their backs made them both sigh and relax in each other’s arms. When they finally all moved apart, Robert looked like a weight had been lifted off him and Llew only hoped he’d helped with that. After pulling themselves together, Llew clamped Jessup on his shoulder. “Tell me about this dream house. I’d be honored to design it for you.” Shane squeezed Roberts’s hand, and added with all sincerity. “And I’d be happy to build it for you.”

Robert laughed, hugging Shane to him. “You’re alright, brother-in-law.” They grabbed a few more beers from the fridge and headed to Llew’s brand new drafting office.

The End