I Need Your Love

    “So it’s okay if I’m queer, it’s just not okay if you are,” Mitch said, staring at him with those eyes that understood everything and saw even more.

    “I didn’t say that,” Avi said, trying to avoid those eyes.

    Mitch’s flirtatious smile, as ever, turned up his sweet mouth that tempted Avi even now.  “You didn’t not say that.  And yet I’m pretty sure you enjoyed last night.”

    “I was there, remember?  I still can’t believe you got me there, never mind that you got me off like you did.”

    “Oh, you were more than there,” Mitch said, blowing on his fingernails and buffing them on his shirt.  “I rocked you hardcore, Daddy, and you know it.  As for how, it’s a gift.  What is amazing is that your virgin self did the same for me.  You really rose to the occasion.”

    “Very funny,” Avi said, trying to hide a smile.  “Mitchie, it’s just, last night changed everything for me.  How I see myself.  Who I believe myself to be.”

    “No, it didn’t.  Everything is the same.  You’re the same man.  I’m the same man.  Is it so weird and strange that you enjoyed making love with me?”

    “No!  Look, I’m not a prude.  I have a fantasy life.  Most people fantasize about the same sex.  But it was more than that.  Really.”

    “It was a lot more than that for me, too.  So now you find out the dark truth – that most men are a little more queer than they appear.  It’s like the distance in the mirror thing.  It’s closer than you think.  So now you just know you’re a little more now than you were yesterday.  Big deal.”

    Avi shook his head forcefully.  He looked up into the other man’s bright, shining eyes.  “That isn’t what I realized.  What I realized is that I’ve never before been in love like this.  Or maybe that I’ve never been in love at all … before now.”

    Mitch’s eyes slowly opened wide.  They glistened at first and finally filled with tears.  His smile shimmered with a first fragile hope.  

    “Sweet angel Gabriel in the bright blue morning,” Mitch called out, his voice filled with laughter, “did you just say what I think you said?”

    Avi looked him straight in the eye.  He didn’t waver.  He didn’t look away.  He wasn’t ever going to play that game again.  “Yes,” he said firmly.

    

    Mitch swept a tear off his face, then walked over to where Avi was sitting, reaching up to touch the other man’s leather jacket.  Mitch’s slender fingers crawled up to enclose his neck.  “You already know you have my heart.  You think I could share yours with Scott, too?”

    Avi considered a reply for a good while.  Finally, he nodded.  “Yes, I can.  But this isn’t easy for me.  I don’t let people in –”

    “I know that, boo.  I know that better than anyone.  But if you did, you know how much sweeter your world would be and ours?  You need the love we can give you.  You need our love.  You always have.  That’s why, when we’re together, we make magic happen.  And other wonderful things.”

    Mitch reached up and pulled the man’s hat off his head, and then flung it aside.  He ran his fingers through the dark mysteries of Avi’s hair.  He lifted a bearded chin until their eyes met.  

    “Who knew,” Mitch said softly, so that only Avi could hear.

    “Who knew what?” Avi said, no longer fighting his smile.

    “Who knew everything Scott and I ever needed was wrapped up in a beautiful, hairy, 5’11” marginally straight Jewish boy from California?  There’s one thing, though?”

    “Which is?” Avi asked, letting him see his love.

    “We just have to do something about your wardrobe, boo.  The Dead Parrot sketch called and they want their lumberjack costume back,” he said, before ending the other man’s chuckle with a long and thorough kiss.