Page 49 of Capturing Perfection

"Yeah. Off and on for a couple of years. And yes, there are times I still feel his brain matter sliding down my forearm."

He, Anthony, and Eric all paused for a moment. Memories of that day reflected in their eyes. Maybe at some point they could talk through the experience from their individual perspectives, but not yet.

"In full transparency, I'm demi." Anthony said.

"And I'm bi. I only ever talked about my girlfriends because it made it easier."

"Okay, so you started a vacation fling and realized your love for each other had lurked under the surface, waiting for the right opportunity to bloom?"

Anthony waved his hand back and forth. "We spent all our time together, reconnecting. There a lot of moments of vulnerability, of honesty, and shared hopes for the future. By the end of the week, Eric and I knew each other on a whole new level. As someone who's demi, I don't date. Never saw the appeal. But between our history in the Rangers and the confidences we'd shared on the cape, I felt a pull to explore a more intimate connection."

"I had to go back to DC, since my PTO was up. Anthony came back with me since he was footloose and fancy-free. I always thought he was hot, but he was also Red Ranger. Then he became Anthony. And now … now he's my everything."

Logan watched as his former squad leader and riflemen shared a kiss. It was still weird. Then he stepped back from watching through the lens of Eric's team leader and Anthony's direct report. He observed two men sharing an intimate moment. And then it made sense. Logan understood how their journey led them to this moment. Survival laid the foundation of their relationship. Friendship, respect, and empathy added layer after layer, leading to the capstone of love. The building blocks of their story differed from his and Clay's but the elements were identical.

"I'm happy for you guys—still a little shocked, but if I've learned anything in life, it's to be grateful for the gift of someone's love and to do everything you can to share what's in your heart. Opportunities like this don't always come around twice."

"Is that why you went dark after what happened to Adams?" Anthony asked.

Logan took Clay's hand. "Yes, and no. Like I said on the phone, I got lost." He looked across at Eric. "Not like you. After the Army gave me the big fat kiss off, I was lucky Clay took me in. Especially after … well, that's a story for another time. But theviperous bitch TKO'd me too, and my head injury caused all kinds of problems. Spent a couple months in a rehab unit re-learning how to be a functional adult. I had all kinds of short-term memory issues, but constant flashbacks of the attack. I couldn't concentrate for shit and my decision-making ability was on par with a tween. Some of my motor functions were affected, and I had to do physical and occupational therapy to regain strength. I didn't speak for months. Not because I couldn't physically, but because I was locked in a world of silence. I am deaf. Hearing my voice was impossible. I was terrified what came out wouldn't match what I said in my head, and since I couldn't hear the other person anyway, I figured why bother? But now I have my implants, a great job, a circle of friends I'd love to introduce you to, and most importantly, I have Clay."

Clay leaned forward. "I know I'm kind of a fourth wheel to this conversation, but can I just say I'm so glad the three of you have risen from the ashes of that day? I don't know the two of you well, but I hope to change that. Logan has embraced my circle of friends, but he needs his brothers in arms. I'm so glad you've found each other again. So, the two of you live in P-Town?"

Anthony smiled. "We moved into a restored waterfront warehouse a couple of months ago."

Logan whistled. He looked around his and Clay's humble apartment in Southie. This apartment was his sanctuary. He and Clay had confessed and explored their love within its walls, but a multi-million dollar abode it was not.

"I can see your wheels spinning, Logan. My grandpa, who served in the 1st Ranger Battalion in WWII, left me a trust. He survived North Africa, Sicily, and Italy then came home to start an electronics company. He developed chips that are still used in modern electronics. His company is still around and now specializes on neurotransmitter design. Don't ask me anything more because I don't understand any of it. I only ever lived offmy pay from the Army. But now that I have Eric, I'm willing to spend every penny to make sure he'll thrive. He drug himself up from the dark filth laden streets into the light. He's my brother. My heart. My future. Our love deserves a safe place to flourish in community that embraces us."

"I don't disagree. But are you sure you want to hitch your wagon to his? I mean, this is Eric. He once bent over and split his trousers so far we all got to see if he used Charmin that day."

"Hey! I keep my ass so clean you could eat off it. In fact, just the other day Anthony—"

"And that's my cue to ask if anyone needs a refill." Clay said, standing up.

Logan stood and stepped around the coffee table. Eric and Anthony rose from the sofa and they wrapped their arms around each other in a huddle, like so many times in the field. Logan had convinced himself that they didn't need him and vice versa, but hearing their voices and stories, seeing their faces and feeling their embrace made it crystal clear that brothers formed or found centered him in this turbulent cycle called life. He'd make sure to never forget that again.

"I'm so glad you found your way out of the darkness, Eric. Promise me you'll reach out if you feel it tug you backwards. I can't lose you again."

"You too. It's not been easy, and not without a slip here and there. What can I say? One could write an entire book about my rise, fall, and redemption."

Logan looked at Clay over his shoulder. "I know exactly what you mean."

Epilogue

Clay rolled over in bed. His hand stretched out, only to find space where Logan should be. The sheets still held the lingering warmth from Logan’s body, so he knew his lover hadn’t left their nest too long ago. He sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. The air in their bedroom was chilly despite the heater running at full steam. He heard sounds coming from the living room and, drug himself out of the warm covers to investigate.

After a quick stop in the bathroom, he donned some flannel sleep pants and entered the living room to see Logan kneeling in front of the Christmas tree, shaking boxes.

Clay laughed at the childlike behavior. Logan remained fixated on the shiny packages, and then Clay noticed his lover wasn’t wearing his speech processors. He slipped back into the bedroom and saw them in the case on Logan’s nightstand. Normally, Logan slipped them first thing. Their absence was a real testament to Logan’s sense of security and excitement on Christmas morning.

Clay slipped the devices into his pocket and retrieved Logan’s special gift from its hiding spot in his closet. He crept up behind Logan—who now stood at the fireplace, moving stuff around on the mantel—and wrapped his arms around his love.

“I knew you were there,” Logan said, leaning back into Clay’s embrace.

Clay attached Logan’s processors and watched as Logan adjusted them to his liking. A quick blink of the LED indicator told Clay the power supply was active. He turned Logan in his arms and planted a kiss on the pliant lips waiting for him.

“Merry Christmas, honey.”

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