Page 22 of Capturing Perfection

Logan smiled and crooked his finger at Clay.

Clay crossed to the side of the bed and glanced out the door to check for any imminent intruders. It looked as if the coast was clear. He bent over Logan, placing a chaste kiss on his cool lips. Their hands threaded together on Logan’s mattress. Clay wanted to extend the kiss but felt they'd taken enough of a risk as it was. He pulled back and revealed his gift to Logan. He could tell Logan was trying to focus on the title of the book. Clay turned Logan’s head so he could see him better.

“Dizzy?” Clay asked.

“Yeah. They said it would pass, but I feel like I’m on a never-ending carnival ride at the moment. That's why I bought myself an overnight stay. They gave me some meclizine, but it hasn't kicked in yet. Sorry if I yak on you.”

“Just rest. Before you know it, we’ll be on our way home.”

Clay sat in the chair beside Logan’s bed. He was happy to see a little smile on Logan’s lips as he slipped into a restful sleep. The anti-vertigo medication was one Clay was familiar with from Logan's stash at home. One of the side effects was fatigue, but at least it helped the nausea.

The next morning, when Clay woke in the hotel bed, he reached for Logan, only to find the space beside him empty. The hospital staff hadn't allowed him to stay in Logan's room. His heart ached not having Logan beside him, but his back appreciated the thick mattress. Since he and Logan had confessed their love four months ago, he’d never slept alone. It’d only taken a couple of days before Clay craved the warmth of Logan’s body curled up next to him during the night and slumberous early morning kisses as they greeted the new day.

He jumped in the shower, eager to return to the hospital and check on his lover. When he passed the reception desk, the kid who’d checked them in was there.

“Morning, Mr. Phillips. How’s your partner?”

“He’s doing great. Had some minor side effects from the procedure, but everything went as planned. I'll be bringing him back here today.”

“Congratulations! I don’t mean to be noisy, but may I ask what he had done?”

“Logan is a veteran. He lost his hearing from a head injury while deployed. The surgery was to give him cochlear implants in both ears, so he can hear again.”

“Wow. I’ve heard of those. Saw a Snap where this kid talked about wanting to rip his implants out of his head because they're eradicating Deaf culture.”

“Yes, well, the devices aren't for everyone and people's choices should be respected. Anyway, thanks for your help.”

“Tell your partner I hope everything works out.”

“I will.”

Clay left the hotel with a smile on his face, shaking his head at how the youth of today relied on social media to teach them about life. Logan had sat down with mentors from both the hearing and Deaf communities as part of his candidacy process. Because his loss was so sudden, Logen wasn't ready to identify as Deaf. He hungered for sound and voiced communication. He knew listening through the cochlear implants was going to differ greatly from natural hearing, and it would take time and practice for his brain to make the connections between what he heard and associate it with meaningful information. But he was willing to put in the work. There was a fantastic support group for the hard of hearing in Boston, and they'd been to a couple of their social events. Logan had even gone to a Deaf Night Out event to experience interacting with those who communicate by sign language. Clay had learned so much about resources available, it was all a little overwhelming. He and Logan talked about signing up for an ASL class at some point in the future, but they needed to focus on this surgery and his rehabilitation first.

He pulled into the hospital campus a few minutes later and jogged through the parking area, impatient to see Logan again. When he arrived at Logan’s room, he laughed at the mound of pudding cups on the wheelie table beside Logan’s bed. Logan sat up in bed, reading the book Clay had left. Clay sauntered over, intent on snagging one the cups for breakfast. However, his plan was foiled when Logan’s hand slapped his away before he could pick it up off the table.

“Mine. I captured them fair and square.”

Clay crossed his arms over his chest. He picked up the dry-erase board and wrote,“I gave you the guide to score your booty. That entitles me to a ten percent finder’s fee.”

Logan swiped the board clean and responded,“Five and a good morning kiss.”

Clay took a quick peek out the door. He bent and placed a kiss on Logan’s warm lips. Slipping his tongue inside the moist cavern, he tasted the flavors of previously devoured treats.

“Seems to me like you’ve already imbibed on some of your stash. How many have you had?”

“Only two.”

Clay arched his eyebrow.

“This morning.”

He chuckled. Confiscating one cup, he sank into the lounge chair beside the bed. He removed the cellophane covering and took the first spoonful of creamy deliciousness.

Moaning, he closed his eyes. When he opened them, he saw Logan was watching him with fire in his blue eyes.

Logan’s hand flew over the board, then he flipped it around to show Clay.“You have the same look on your face when I’m sucking you.”

Logan felt a blush creep up his cheeks. “Thisisyummy, but I can think of a couple of tastes that are better.”

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