Five weeks had passed, though it felt closer to fifty. I arrived in the city just before noon, a stretch of gray clouds hanging low over the water. The air smelled of brine and diesel, and the wind coming off the harbor bit through my jacket. I checked into the hotel, showered, and tried to eat half a sandwich before heading to the campus. I didn’t taste any of it.
Justin was waiting for me outside the library, bundled in a gray sweatshirt and jeans. When he saw me, his face lit up, and for a second, I forgot how to breathe. He was across the walkway in an instant, and we hugged like it had been a year instead of a few weeks.
“You look good,” I said. “Tired, but good.”
He laughed, stepping back. “I could say the same. You look like a man who’s been counting days on a wall.”
“Guilty as charged.”
We walked along the main campus path, hands brushing occasionally, as he filled me in on classes, professors, and late-night study sessions. There was an edge of nervous energy under his words, something unsaid, but I didn’t press.
It wasn’t until dinner that it came out.
We were sitting across from each other in a quiet restaurant near the hotel, the kind with creaky wooden floors and the smell of butter and garlic woven into the walls. He was playing with his fork when he said it.
“I got offered a job,” he said finally, not looking up.
“That’s incredible!” I leaned forward. “Justin, that’s amazing news. When did this happen?”
He shrugged, eyes still on his plate. “Yesterday. Remember that project I told you about? The one with the logistics firm? They said they want me after graduation. It’s a management trainee thing. Good pay. Benefits.”
“Justin, that’s everything you’ve worked for. You should be proud.”
He looked up then, and the expression on his face stopped me cold. “It’s not here, Phillip. It’s three hours ease. I’d have to move. And it’s even farther from home.”
“Oh.” I leaned back, trying to process. “Well, that’s… that’s not too far for airplanes.”
“It’s far enough,” he said quietly. “I don’t want to go. I’d rather sweep floors in your office building or clean the toilets if it means coming home to you.”
“Justin,” I said gently, “you can’t throw away a good opportunity. You’ve worked too hard for this. I can get another job. I know how to sweep floors. I ran a cash register in high school.”
He shook his head. “You shouldn’t have to.”
The silence that followed stretched long and tight. The restaurant’s noise filled in the space between us, the clink of glasses, the low murmur of conversation, but I barely heard it. I reached across the table, covering his hand with mine.
“We’ll figure it out,” I said softly. “We always do.”
Later, in the hotel, we ran the oversized tub full of hot water and bubbles, the kind that caught the light like tiny shards of glass. We sank into it together, the steam curling around us. For a while, neither of us spoke. He rested his head against my shoulder, eyes closed, and I could feel the tension in him begin to loosen. I rubbed slow circles along his back until he let out a small, contented sigh.
“See?” I whispered. “The world’s a lot less complicated when you’re not trying to solve it all at once.”
He smiled faintly. “I guess.”
But even as he smiled, I could tell his mind wasn’t quiet.
“Justin, we’ll make it work. We are more important than any one thing.”
“But I love our apartment; it’s our home.”
“It’s our home because it’s you and me together. That can be anywhere,” I said.
The next day we walked along the city’s waterfront. The wind had died down, and gulls floated lazy circles above the pier. We found a little food shack that served grilled shrimp and fried oysters, and we sat on a bench watching the boats move in and out of the harbor. The salt air was crisp, and he looked happier than I’d seen him since I arrived.
“This feels right,” he said softly. “Simple. You. Me. Food that’s probably terrible for us.”
“Oysters? Terrible. I don’t know. I guess we’ll find out tonight.”
“That’s raw oysters,” he countered. “And it’s a myth anyway.” He laughed.
“It is perfect,” I agreed.
Dinner that night was at a small Cajun place not far from the hotel. We shared blackened snapper and alligator tail, laughing when he declared that the tail “tastes like chicken’s tougher cousin.” For a while, it was easy again, warmth, good food, the rhythm of something familiar.
But back at the hotel, the lightness faded. Justin sat on the edge of the bed, his head in his hands.
“I keep wondering,” he said finally, voice muffled, “that maybe you want me to take the job because it’s an easy way to end things. You’d never say it, but…”
“Justin.” I knelt in front of him, taking his hands. “Look at me.” He did, eyes wet and uncertain. “That is not what this is. I love you. I want you to succeed. That’s all this is about.”
He tried to nod, but his mouth trembled. “I’m so tired, Phillip. I study all day. I don’t go out. I tell myself I’m doing it for us, for the future, but what if…”
His voice cracked. The rest came out in sobs, raw and unrestrained. He folded forward, his forehead against my shoulder, shaking. I held him as tightly as I could, whispering nonsense words, the same way you might calm a child after a nightmare.
“It’s okay,” I said. “You’re okay. You’re safe.”
I felt his tears soak into my shirt, hot against my skin.
When he finally quieted, he pulled back and wiped at his face. “Sorry,” he murmured. “I didn’t mean to fall apart.”
“Don’t apologize for feeling,” I said. “You’ve been holding everything in. You’re allowed to let go.”
He nodded, exhausted. I pulled him into bed and held him until his breathing slowed and the tremors subsided.
Outside, the wind rose again, whistling against the hotel windows. I listened to it as he slept, his head against my chest, and thought about how overworked he’d been. Fatigue can make you think crazy things. How could he possibly have thought that I would want to get rid of him. He’s insecure. I began to wonder what those monster parents could have done to him. He’s bright, funny, engaging, super easy to look at, but he’s harboring something that eats away at confidence.
Well, I decided, if there’s a storm on the horizon, I was willing to weather it. We were worth it.
By Monday morning, I was back in the familiar hum of the office, keyboards clacking, phones ringing, the muted chatter that fills the space between emails and deadlines. It should have felt like normalcy returning, but the quiet in my apartment the night before had carried into the day, a kind of ache that followed me like a shadow.
Justin’s tears still haunted me. I’d held him until dawn, promising things I wasn’t sure I could keep. But I meant every word when I told him I’d try.
So I did what I always do when life feels too big to manage: I made a list. Item one: find out if there’s any chance of transferring to Lafayette.
I waited until mid-afternoon, when the HR office usually hit that lull between morning fires and end-of-day rushes. When I stepped inside, Cheryl, the HR manager, was staring at her computer screen with the look of someone calculating exactly how much longer she could tolerate humanity before coffee or retirement intervened.
“Hey, Cheryl,” I said, keeping my tone casual. “Do you have a second?”
She blinked up at me, forcing a polite smile. “Sure, Phillip. What can I do for you?”
“I was wondering if there were any opportunities around Lafayette. Internal transfers, new positions, anything like that.”
Her expression changed instantly. The smile faded. Her eyes narrowed. Her tone unpleasant. “Why do you ask?”
Caught off guard, I hesitated. “Well… my boyfriend got a job offer there, and I’m considering relocating if there’s a chance to stay with the company. I figured it couldn’t hurt to ask.”
She leaned back in her chair, studying me like I’d just stepped into a trap I didn’t know existed. “What have you heard?”
“What?”
Her voice lowered. “Phillip, what have you heard, and who told you?”
Now I was completely lost. “I haven’t heard anything. I’m just trying to see if there’s work in Lafayette.”
Her lips pressed into a tight line. She swiveled toward the phone on her desk. “Wait here.”
Two minutes later, she’d summoned someone from the executive floor, a man I’d only seen in meetings and on organizational charts. Mark Ellison, Director of Operations, known for his starched shirts and poker-face professionalism.
“Phillip,” he said as he entered, offering a hand that felt firm enough to break concrete. “Let’s step into the conference room.”
My gut knotted. Maybe there’s a grocery store in Lafayette that’s hiring. This definitely felt like a termination meeting.
Cheryl followed, closing the door behind us. Mark sat across from me, hands folded on the table. “All right,” he said evenly. “What have you heard, and from whom?”
I looked from him to Cheryl, bewildered. “I honestly have no idea what you’re talking about. I asked if there might be positions near Lafayette because my boyfriend was offered a job there, and I’m determined to go with him. That’s all.”
Mark’s eyes searched my face for a long moment, then he leaned back, exhaling through his nose. Some of the tension drained from the room. “All right,” he said finally. “I believe you.”
He glanced toward Cheryl, who nodded slightly.
“Phillip,” he continued, “I’m going to swear you to confidentiality, understood? What I’m about to tell you isn’t public knowledge—not even close. If word gets out before the board makes its announcement, it could jeopardize the entire expansion.”
I nodded. “You have my word.”
He folded his hands again, voice lowering. “We’re opening three new branch offices in the next six months. Lafayette is one of them. Right now, only senior leadership and HR know the locations. Cheryl thought maybe someone leaked it to you.”
My heart skipped. “No leak. I swear. I just—wait, Lafayette is one?”
He nodded once.
“And there are… positions?”
“Not officially,” he said carefully. “But between us—yes. I’ll tell you something else, Phillip. You’re on the short list for assistant regional manager at one of those offices. It’s early, and nothing’s finalized, but your name’s in the mix.”
I sat back, trying to process the words. Assistant regional manager. Lafayette.
“Can I…” I swallowed. “Can I ask if it’s possible to be considered for the Lafayette location specifically?”
Mark smiled faintly, the first sign of warmth I’d ever seen on him. “You can ask,” he said. “And I don’t see why not. You’ve earned a reputation here for being steady, dependable, good with people. That’s exactly what we need to launch a new branch.”
“When will decisions be made?”
“Within a month,” he said. “But keep this between us. No emails. No hallway chatter. Understood?”
“Understood,” I said. “You can absolutely trust me.”
He stood, offering his hand again. “Then I’ll wish you good luck. Quietly, of course.”
When I left the room, I could feel Cheryl’s eyes on me as I passed her desk. Her tone was softer now. “Sorry for the confusion, Phillip. We’ve been keeping this under wraps for months.”
“No harm done,” I said. “Guess I just have good timing.”
But as I walked back to my desk, I couldn’t stop the grin spreading across my face. For the first time in weeks, the future didn’t feel like an obstacle course.
Maybe, just maybe, Justin’s happiness, and mine, were part of God’s plan.
My heart raced as I pulled into the parking lot in front of the dorms. I scanned the crowd of students loitering at the entrance until my eyes finally landed on Justin. A wide grin spread across my face when I saw him. His handsome features far surpassed those of the men around him. I couldn’t wait for him to spot me, so I quickly jumped out of the car and rushed to meet him.
"Justin!" Several people turned to look at me, and most smiled as I ran to him and wrapped my arms around him, pulling him into a tight embrace, not caring who might be watching. "I've missed you so much! More and more each day."
Justin returned the hug, his own arms tightening around me. "I've missed you too," he murmured into my hair. "Three weeks is way too long."
As we pulled apart, I could see the fatigue in Justin's eyes, the long study sessions were evident in the slight slump of his shoulders. I reached out, gently tucking some stray locks of hair behind Justin's ear. "Someone needs a haircut.”
“You’re talking about you, right? You’ve got enough for a pony tail.”
“I was thinking of a buzz cut,” I replied, “but I wanted your opinion first.”
Justin knew when I was teasing him. “Shave it all off,” he said.
I laughed. “Come on, let's get you home," I said softly. "You must be exhausted."
The drive back was filled with a comfortable silence, broken only by the occasional question or shared laugh. I stole glances at Justin, taking in every detail, from the way his hair fell across his forehead to the curve of his smile. I felt a deep sense of contentment, knowing that he was finally back where he belonged.
As we pulled into the parking space in front of the apartment, I turned to Justin, a serious tone in my voice. "I'm so happy you're home," I said.
With his voice thick with emotion, he replied, "And I'm more excited about the job in Lafayette. I’ve heard more about it, and it's going to be amazing. For both of us, right?"
“I’m working on it.” I nodded; I wanted so badly to tell him what was happening behind the scenes, but I couldn’t. Without lying, I said, “No job offers yet, but I promise you that I’ll get something even if it means being a Walmart greeter.”
Justin's brow furrowed, and he squeezed my "What is it? You can tell me anything, you know that, right?"
I hesitated, the words catching in my throat. I wanted to share my secret, to lay bare his deepest fears and hopes, but I had given my word. Instead, he leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Justin's lips. "I love you," he whispered. "That's all that matters right now."
Justin returned the kiss, his fingers tangling in Phillip's hair. "I love you too," he murmured. "More than anything."
The next morning, I woke with a start, the sun already streaming through the windows. I turned to find Justin still asleep beside me, his face peaceful in slumber. I took a moment to study him, tracing the line of his jaw, the curve of his lips. He felt a surge of love and longing, a deep-seated need to protect and cherish this man.
Gently, Phillip shook Justin awake, leaning in to press a kiss to his forehead. "Good morning, sleepyhead," I said softly. "I have a surprise for you."
Justin's eyes fluttered open, and he blinked up at me , a sleepy smile spreading across his face. "A surprise? What is it?"
I grinned, reaching into the nightstand and pulling out two plane tickets. "We're going to Disney World!" I announced, my voice filled with excitement.
Justin sat up, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Disney World? Really? But how? When?"
I laughed; my heart swelled with joy at Justin's reaction. "I've been planning it for weeks. We leave today, and we'll be there for the whole week. Just you and me. Well, a few million other people."
Justin threw his arms around me, pulling me into a tight hug. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "This means so much to me; it’s always been a dream."
The flight to Florida was turbulent, the plane bouncing and shaking through the clouds. Justin gripped my hands tightly, his knuckles white with tension. I hadn’t realized he’d never flown before. I tried to ignore the queasiness in my belly and to call him. I let him know that it wasn’t usually this bad, but that it sometimes happened and we would be alright. The woman across the aisle, who screamed at every little bump did not help the situation. As we finally landed, Justin let out a sigh of relief. “I’m thinking about walking home,” he laughed.
The bus ride to the Port Orleans Resort was uneventful, the gentle sway of the vehicle lulling us into a state of calm. As we checked into their room, I could feel the anticipation building, a mix of excitement and nerves churning in his stomach.
Once inside our room, I turned to Justin, his heart pounding in his chest. "I love you," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "More than anything in the world. I hope I don’t tell you too often."
Justin reached out, cupping my face in his hands. "I love you too," he replied, his eyes shining with emotion. "Forever and always. And you can never say it too often."
Our lips met in a deep, passionate kiss, our bodies pressing close as they explored each other's mouths. My hands roamed over Justin's body, feeling the firm muscles beneath his shirt, the smooth skin of his back. I could feel Justin's erection pressing against my thigh, and I ground against it, eliciting a low moan from him.
We stumbled to the bed, our clothes falling away in thrashing of limbs and desperate kisses. I rolled onto my back, pulling Justin on top of me, our bodies aligning perfectly. We kissed and touched, our breaths coming in ragged gasps as we built the heat between us.
I stretched and reached in my pants pocket for my emergency lube, my fingers trembling with anticipation. I coated my fingers, reaching between my legs to prepare myself, my body arching at the intimate touch. Justin watched, his eyes dark with desire, his own hand stroking his cock in time with Phillip's movements.
As I was ready, I pulled Justin close, our bodies pressing together. "I want you inside me," I whispered, my voice husky with need. "I want to feel you filling me completely."
Justin positioned himself at my entrance, pushing in slowly, inch by inch, until he was fully sheathed inside me. I moaned, my body stretching to accommodate Justin, the sensation of being filled so completely sending waves of pleasure through me.
Our love-making was intense, a deep, emotional connection that went beyond the physical. We whispered words of love and devotion to each other, our voices filled with emotion. The room filled with the sounds of our pleasure, our bodies slick with sweat as we moved together in perfect harmony.
As my climax built, I could feel Justin's cock swelling inside me, and I knew he was close. I reached back, grabbing Justin's ass, urging him deeper, harder. "Come inside me, Justin," I begged. "Fill me."
With a final, powerful thrust, Justin came, his body shaking with the force of his release. I could feel the hot, pulsing jets of Justin's seed filling me, and it sent me over the edge, my own orgasm spilling forth in waves.
We collapsed together, our bodies still joined, our breaths coming in ragged gasps. Justin rolled us onto our sides, his arms wrapped tightly around me, holding me close. We stayed like that for a long time, basking in the afterglow of our love-making, our hearts beating in sync.
Eventually, I stirred, rolling over to face Justin. A soft smile played on my lips as I looked into his eyes, seeing the same happiness and love reflected back at me. "I love you, Justin," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "More than words can express."
Justin's thumb brushed gently against my cheek, and he returned my smile, his eyes shining with emotion. "I love you too, Phillip. Forever and always."
We dressed slowly, our movements lazy and content, our bodies still humming with the aftermath of our love-making. As we headed out to Disney Springs, our hands were entwined, our fingers laced together in a silent promise of our love and commitment.
The evening was a blur of colors, sounds, and sensations. We walked through the shops, marveling at the unique items and trinkets. Laughter and kisses were shared freely, stolen moments of intimacy amidst the crowds. The air was filled with the scent of popcorn and exotic foods, the sounds of distant music and laughter creating a lively atmosphere.
As the night wore on, we found a quiet spot to sit and watch the fireworks. The sky was a canvas of colors, the explosions of light reflecting off the water of the lagoon. I leaned my head on Justin's shoulder, my eyes closed, a contented smile on my face. "I'm so glad you're here with me, Justin," I said softly. "I don't know what I would do without you."
Justin pressed a kiss to the top of my head, his arms tightening around me. "You'll never have to find out," he replied. "I'm always here for you, Phillip. Always."
We took the boat back to our room, the calm waters a stark contrast to the excitement of the evening. As we stepped off the boat, I felt a deep sense of peace, a knowledge that no matter what challenges lay ahead, as long as we had each other, we could face anything.
Back in the room, we undressed slowly, our movements lazy and content. We climbed into the king-sized bed, our bodies pressing close, our limbs entwining. I felt Justin's morning erection pressing against my thigh, and I ground against it, eliciting a low moan from my lover.
Pulling back slightly, I looked into Justin's eyes, my own filled with a mix of love and longing. "I wanted you to breed me, Justin," I said, my voice low and breathless. "I wanted to feel you inside me, filling me completely."
Justin's eyes darkened with desire, and he nodded, his hands already moving to explore my body. We kissed again, our hands roaming and caressing, building the heat between us. I rolled onto my stomach, presenting myself to Justin, my body trembling with anticipation.
Justin took his time, his hands and mouth exploring every inch of my body, teasing and tantalizing until I was a writhing, begging mess beneath him. Finally, he positioned himself at my entrance, pushing in slowly, inch by inch, until he was fully sheathed inside me.
I moaned, my body stretching to accommodate Justin, the sensation of being filled so completely sending waves of pleasure through me. Justin began to move, his hips rolling in a steady, rhythmic motion, each thrust sending sparks of pleasure through my body.
Our love-making was slow and intense, a deep, emotional connection that went beyond the physical. We whispered words of love and devotion to each other, our voices husky with emotion. The room filled with the sounds of our pleasure, our bodies slick with sweat as we moved together in perfect harmony.
As our climax built, I could feel Justin's cock swelling inside me, and I knew my lover was close. I reached back, grabbing Justin's ass, urging him deeper, harder. "Come inside me, Justin," I begged. "Fill me up."
With a final, powerful thrust, Justin came, his body shaking with the force of his release. I could feel the hot, pulsing jets of Justin's seed filling me, and it sent me over the edge, my own orgasm crashing over me in waves of pleasure.
We collapsed together, our bodies still joined, our breaths coming in ragged gasps. Justin rolled us onto our sides, his arms wrapped tightly around me, holding me close. We stayed like that for a long time, basking in the afterglow of our love-making, our hearts beating in sync.
Eventually, I stirred, rolling over to face Justin. I smiled, my eyes shining with happiness and love. "I love you, Justin," I said softly. "More than words can express."
Justin returned the smile, his thumb brushing gently against my cheek. "I love you too, Phillip. Forever and always."
We showered and dressed slowly, our movements lazy and content, our bodies still humming with the aftermath of our love-making. As we headed out to Disney Springs, our hands were entwined, our fingers laced together in a silent promise of our love and commitment. Our afternoon and evening at Disney Springs was a blur of colors, sounds, and sensations. We explored the various shops and sites, tried not to munch on junk, and marveled at all the examples of commercialism on display. Laughter and kisses were shared freely, stolen moments of intimacy amidst the crowds. The sun was warm on our skin, and the air was filled with the scent of popcorn and exotic foods.
As the day drew to a close, we found a quiet spot to sit and watch the sunset. The sky was a canvas of oranges and pinks, the colors reflecting off the water of the lagoon. I leaned my head on Justin's shoulder, my eyes closed, a contented smile on my face.
"I'm so glad you're here with me, Justin," I said softly. "I don't know what I would do without you."
Justin pressed a kiss to the top of my head, his arms tightening around me. "You'll never have to find out," he replied. "I'm always here for you, Phillip. Always."
As we watched the last rays of sunlight fade, I knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, as long as we had each other, we could face anything. And with that thought, I leaned into Justin, “I think it’s time to eat some real food. There’s a future out there for us to conquer, and we can’t do it on an empty stomach.”
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