Page 72

Epilogue

The low thrum of music pulsed through the club and formed a steady heartbeat beneath the murmur of conversation.

The scent of leather and warm skin filled the air, mingling with the faint traces of alcohol wipes and polished wood.

It was familiar, a place Henry had been a hundred times before, but without Lincoln by his side these past few years, it had never truly felt right.

Now, as they sat at the bar, drinks in hand, that hollow space inside him finally felt full again.

Scott leaned against the counter, arms crossed, watching them with an arched brow. “So, you’re really back, then?” His gaze flicked to Lincoln, assessing.

Lincoln smirked, raising his glass of cola zero. “Think I need a few more visits before I earn my old parking spot?”

Scott snorted. “I’d say you need a few more scenes before you earn anything.”

Henry chuckled, rolling his own glass of sparkling water between his palms. “That’s not wrong.

” He met Lincoln’s gaze, something warm curling inside him at the way his boy held steady, relaxed but present.

Stronger than he had been in years. “We knew we had to do something before stepping back into our dynamic here. Something for us.”

Scott lifted a brow in question.

Henry smirked. “Finish your drink.”

Lincoln arched a brow but obeyed, tipping back the rest of his cola zero in one smooth motion. Henry mirrored him, draining the last of his water before setting the glass down with a quiet clink.

Scott’s gaze sharpened as Henry straightened, a knowing glint in his eye.

“Can you lower the music?” Henry asked.

Scott didn’t hesitate. He turned toward the sound system, fingers adjusting the controls. The steady bassline softened, the murmur of conversation dimming as the subtle shift in atmosphere rippled outward.

Henry reached for Lincoln’s hand, curling his fingers around his. A slight squeeze. A silent question.

Lincoln exhaled, then nodded.

With that, Henry pulled him to his feet, guiding him onto the dance floor—though no one would be dancing now.

The club atmosphere around them shifted, attention drawing in their direction as murmurs faded into silence. One by one, people turned, watching, waiting.

All eyes were on them.

And that was exactly as it should be.

Henry swallowed against the knot in his throat, reaching down to brush his fingers along Lincoln’s cheek.

“You once told me that you saved my life.” His voice carried through the quiet of the club, the gathered members watching with reverence, a hush of anticipation settling over them.

“And you did. The young, headstrong man who stood in that courtroom, fighting for justice, didn’t just defend me—he changed me.

Inspired me. Loved me when I wasn’t sure I knew how to love myself. ”

Lincoln’s throat bobbed as he swallowed, his hands resting on his thighs, steady despite the emotions brimming in his gaze.

Henry exhaled slowly, his fingers sliding from Lincoln’s face to the nape of his neck, holding him gently.

“You have supported me, challenged me, stood by me in the hardest moments of my life. And I have loved you through every single one of them. I have loved you that little bit extra each day, and I will continue to love you more and more until the day we die.”

A shudder passed through Lincoln, his lashes fluttering, but he didn’t look away.

“I know I haven’t always been good with words,” Henry continued, his own voice growing rough.

“I know that when you got sick, when we got lost, I didn’t say what I should have.

But I see you, Lincoln. I see your strength, your resilience.

Long Covid took something from you—took years from you.

But you fought, you fight every day, and I have never been prouder of you. ”

Lincoln’s lips parted, his breath a little unsteady, and Henry traced his thumb across his cheekbone catching the stray tear that threatened to fall.

“Loving you has taught me to slow down. To appreciate the now. To listen to my body and respect its limits. You have taught me how to live in the moment.” Henry dropped his hand, stepping back slightly. “And I will spend every moment I have left loving you exactly as you deserve.”

Lincoln let out a soft, uneven exhale before straightening his spine.

His voice was steady as he spoke, clear and full of conviction.

“You have given me a life I never dared to dream of. A home, a love so deep it still takes my breath away. And I trust you with everything I am.” Slowly, deliberately, Lincoln lifted his hands to the collar at his throat, unfastening it and holding it out in both palms. A gift.

A vow. “I kneel before you freely, Daddy, giving you my body, my mind, and my soul. To serve you, as I know you will serve me. To know your wants and needs before you speak them, just as you do for me.”

Henry took the collar with reverence, his throat tightening.

“And I, in return, will protect you, cherish you, honor you. Until my last breath.”

A thick silence stretched between them, then Henry stepped forward, lifting the collar and fastening it around Lincoln’s neck once more.

The quiet click of the buckle sent a ripple of energy through the room.

Lincoln let his eyes flutter shut for a moment, sinking into it, before looking up at Henry with nothing but love in his gaze.

Henry cupped his face, tilting it upward before leaning in, their lips meeting in a kiss that sealed everything between them. It was slow and deep, an unhurried claiming, a promise given and returned.

When they finally parted, the club erupted into applause, cheers rising around them as the music swelled.

He recognized the eighties rock ballad even before Jimi Jamison sang the first lyrics of The Search is Over.

Henry huffed a quiet laugh against Lincoln’s lips, brushing a lingering kiss to the corner of his mouth before pulling him up into his arms. Around them, people pressed in, offering congratulations, well-wishes, hugs, and slaps on the back.

From behind the bar, Scott lifted his glass in silent salute.

By the bar, Connor, Suzie, James, and Laura were already gathered, their drinks in hand.

“Hell of a speech,” Connor said, clapping Henry on the back as they joined them. “Didnae know ye had that in ye.”

Henry rolled his eyes. “I can be eloquent when the situation calls for it.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Suzie said, waving a hand. “Romance is great and all, but what I really want to know is whether this means Lincoln will be back at the club more often.”

Lincoln chuckled, shooting a look at Henry. “I think that can be arranged.”

James smirked. “So, this whole vow renewal thing—does that mean you two are finally coming on the couple’s retreat next summer?”

Henry groaned. “One major milestone at a time, James.”

Laura laughed, sipping her drink. “I think that’s a yes.”

Lincoln leaned into Henry, their bodies fitting together perfectly, naturally, as they always had. And Henry, with his husband back in his arms, his boy back at his side, knew without a doubt?—

This was exactly where they were meant to be.

THE END