Page 65 of Men of Fort Dale: The Complete Series

Troy listened to them squabble back and forth, smiling as he felt Oscar’s fingers press against his.

When Dean turned the conversation back to Oscar, asking what sort of ‘heavy muscle’ he’d had to employ, Troy listened.

Troy already knew the story involving a ‘drunk in the middle of the day’ private, who apparently thought he could just walk into General Winter’s office and had to be dragged out by Oscar.

His attention was on Oscar, holding his hand.

Not quietly sneaking a kiss in the shadows of some alcove or even under the table where someone might have to guess what they were doing.

No, his boyfriend had purposefully taken hold of his hand and put the whole thing on display for anyone walking by.

Troy didn’t even care if someone walking by took notice.

It was the realization that Oscar had done it and seemed to grow more comfortable with it despite being nervous.

Troy leaned in, speaking softly so only Oscar could hear him. “You okay?”

Oscar smiled. “I’m alright.”

“You spoke to Gabriel again?”

“I did. And my prediction that you’re going to be facing the third degree when the family shows up is almost guaranteed. I guess everyone wants to know about the guy who somehow managed to ‘tame me,’ as Gabriel puts it.”

Troy laughed. “Aren’t I supposed to be the one who needed the taming?”

“Not according to my brother.”

Troy searched Oscar’s face, still finding faint tension in the man’s brow. “You sure everything’s okay? Gabriel didn’t...say anything bad?”

Oscar shook his head. “Gabriel is...well, he’s Gabriel. Trust me, if my brother had a problem, he would have said so.”

“Like, the problem he had that you didn’t say anything before now?”

“A problem like that, yeah.”

Troy smiled hesitantly. “So, you’re happy?”

Oscar winked, squeezing Troy’s hand. “I’m...hell, I don’t know. I’m relieved that he knows. It’s like I’ve been carrying around this huge weight on my shoulders for who knows how the fuck long, and now it’s gone.”

“Isn’t that a good thing?”

“I don’t know. I guess when you get used to the weight, it’s weird having it gone.”

Troy frowned, not quite sure if he liked the sound of that. He was, after all, glad Oscar didn’t feel the pressure anymore, but if he somehow felt unfulfilled by its absence, what did that mean for them?

Oscar pulled Troy’s hand closer, yanking his attention from his head.

“But it’s a weight that needed to go. Gabriel and I have a lot of catching up to do, and he’s probably going to call me an idiot a thousand more times, but.

..he’s my brother, my family, and he knows.

And better yet, he’s happy for me...for us. ”

Troy tried to find something to say that would match the magnitude of whatever relief and wonder flooded Oscar’s mind and heart. Yet, nothing came to him, and he fell oddly silent, staring at their joined hands.

Oscar’s hand squeezed again, grabbing his attention. “Hey.”

Troy blinked, looking up as he realized he’d once again zoned out. “Oh. Uh, what’s up?”

Oscar’s eyes were wary, and he nervously looked toward the back of the hall. “You like this song?”

Troy cocked his head, straining to catch the music. It was some cheesy love ballad, one whose name escaped him. Troy wasn’t exactly what he would call romantic, and love music most certainly wasn’t his thing.

“It’s alright. Why, do you like it?” Troy asked curiously.

Oscar cleared his throat. “Well, I wondered if you’d want to dance...to it.”

A zing of excitement shot through him, and Troy had no problem answering with a hasty, “Hell, yes!”

Oscar chuckled, swallowing hard and pushing out of his chair.

Troy quickly followed suit, glancing back at the table where Dean raised his hands to shake them as though he were holding pom-poms. Troy snorted, allowing himself to be dragged by Oscar as they walked hand in hand toward the dance floor.

The soft music was still playing when they reached the floor, and Troy turned to face Oscar as they stepped onto it.

Immediately, he could see the worry and concern stitching into Oscar’s brow, and Troy smiled understandingly.

“It’s okay, Oscar, you don’t have to,” Troy assured him.

“Shut up, or I’ll lose my nerve,” Oscar muttered, reaching out to hook his hand around Troy’s waist.

Dutifully shutting his mouth, Troy sidled closer to Oscar and took his position against him.

The two of them moved slowly at first, as Troy had never danced with Oscar before and was trying to learn the rhythm of his steps.

But much like it had taken them no time to discover each other’s rhythms in and out of the bedroom, Troy also found himself keeping up with Oscar at just the right pace.

They moved slowly, and Troy couldn’t help but sweep the room with his eyes as they danced. Not a single person was paying attention to them, at least none he could see. In fact, the only person watching him intently was Oscar.

“Thank you,” Oscar said softly.

Troy looked up, surprised. “For what?”

God, he should have been the one thanking Oscar.

“For giving me another chance, for not letting me give up that easily,” Oscar said.

Troy’s smile was soft. “Of course. There’s no way I could let go of you without a fight. I love you, Oscar.”

“And I love you,” Oscar whispered.

Troy’s heart sped up as Oscar leaned forward and kissed him.

It was soft, gentle, and didn’t linger, but it was done right in front of everyone.

Troy’s heart swelled to what felt like an impossible size as he returned the kiss, overwhelmed by the gesture.

The kiss told him everything really would be okay, that they didn’t have to hide or fear being found out.

They could simply be themselves.