A Grateful Heart (ONC 2023; manxman)✅

Chapter 12

While I lounged on the bed, Teddy was at his desk with his pen and ink, thinking of what to write. I missed ballpoint pens. They weren't invented until the 1940s. As a lefty, it was hard for me to write with a fountain pen, so I preferred writing with a pencil. Either way, I made a mess.

"I don't know what to write," he said.

"I'm stumped, too," I said, biting the tip of my pencil. "Okay... I'll try."

Dear Teddy,

If there's such a thing as a soulmate, you're it. I never believed in fate, either, but I believe we're fated to be together. When I'm with you, I feel complete. I feel like nothing else matters but us. There is no past or future, only us.

Choking back sobs, I folded the paper and put it on the nightstand. I went to Teddy, cute and sexy in only his shirt and underpants. I stood behind him and ran my fingers through his hair, planting a kiss on the top of his head. He spun around, pulling me into a hug and burying his head into my lower stomach.

"What was your friend's name?" I asked, patting his back.

"Herman," he said, sliding his hands down to my ass.

"How long were you with him?"

"We'd known each other for two years. He was an English professor."

"You have a thing for teachers, huh?"

"We were careless. The police were patrolling the area and caught me on my knees, doing... well, you know. Herman pushed me off him and stepped in front of me, protecting me. I ran off and he was arrested."

Teddy reached inside my pajama bottoms, keeping his eyes on mine as he massaged my dick. Last night we fell asleep at nine, an unusually early night for us, but the lack of sleep had caught up to us. We were more awake tonight, and sex distracted us from the fact that I was leaving soon. Teddy was the best lover I ever had, even though we didn't have modern supplies that would have made it even more enjoyable.

In my younger years, I fell in love with any man who showed an interest in me. I thought I lucked out with Luke, though. We planned on buying a house together. If I'd been a little younger, I would have agreed to an open, poly relationship that he wanted, even though I philosophically and morally opposed it. I had enough sense and self-worth to end the relationship while having the self-confidence to continue with the purchase of the house.

When Teddy and I initially met, I was twenty-two. I'd grown up over the past eight years. Teddy's love was a love I'd never experienced before. I wanted to believe that Edna would help him get back to me, but I wasn't counting on it. For all I knew, this was still a dream.

Just as Teddy was about to tug my bottoms down, I pulled him up and guided him to the bed. "Do you think it's possible for two men to love each other like a man and a woman?" he asked. His question confused me since I'd already told him gay marriage was legal. He'd also mentioned marriage to Edna, alluding to the two of us getting married someday. He had difficulty understanding this concept since he was taught that homosexuality was abnormal and immoral.

"Yes, of course it's possible," I said.

"Because I love you like a man loves a woman."

I nodded, kissing him. Teddy overpowered me, flipping me on my back. Within seconds, we were naked and going at it. He kissed my shoulder hard, sucking on it as he rocked me back and forth.

"I'm coming for you," he said. "I promise I'm coming for you."

Teddy was so convinced we'd see each other again that he almost convinced me.