True Love

17. Promises

But when she handed him his drink, he put it on the counter, wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her in a warm hug. He whispered in her ear "I'm sorry, I didn't know how to tell you." She squeezed her arms around his waist, muttered in return "It's okay" and pulled away.

*****

- Shall we go to the beach today?

Mitch smiled and nodded. His eyes turned to their intertwined hands: Avi had grabbed his hand again when they were walking outside the Starbuck. He pretended to drop his hand but Avi tightened his grip.

- I need to hold your hand more than to keep our secret for now.

Mitch struggled against the urge to hug him, and they walked back home with a slight knowing smile floatting on their lips.

They quickly gathered what they would need to spend the day at the seaside, Mitch sipping his Starbuck in the meanwhile. He even didn't ask Avi where they would go. He was reliving the recent scene in his mind, still amaized by what Avi had done to claim his love for him.

After an hour's drive and a short walk, they were resting on the sand. Avi was facing the ocean. Mitch was lying, his back on Avi's lap, his head resting in the hollow of Avi's shoulder, his nape supported by the crook of his arm. Avi had grabbed Mitch's hand and intertwined their fingers on Mitch's thighs, softly rubbing his palm with his thumb.

- Avi?

- Yeah?

- Thank you.

- Oh! Please don't. I know it's not easy Mitch. I'm not an ordinary boyfriend... This wouldn't have happened if we had made it public.

- I don't care. As long as you are beside me, I don't care.

- I do, Mitchie. I know this musn't last too long. Actually I don't wish it. It's so frustrating sometimes!

Mitch didn't answer. He had closed his eyes, he was waiting. He knew Avi enough to be sure he had more to say. But he needed time, to find the right words. Avi wasn't an orator, but in another hand he couldn't bear the inaccuracy. He needed to be sure that his words would translate precisely what he had in mind. And hearing him say he was frustrated by the secrecy around their relationship was just priceless...

- Listen. I've been thinking about it a lot, actually. We decided to keep "Let's Get It On" for reasons. So I will play my role till the end of the summer Tour. Even if we won't perform this song on stage for the Kelly Clarkson Tour, I will still be the sexy bassman for a while. Then we'll talk about it, the five of us. Look at me.

Mitch pulled away from his spot against Avi's frame just enough to make eye contact, while remaining in his arms.

- We have been together for almost five months now. I don't love you as much as in January. I love you more. I can't say it better. If you still want me to share your life...

- If I... Avi! If I still want you! I've always wanted you!

- "Always" is a huge word for four years, replied Avi between giggle and emotional whisper.

- It's been centuries in my heart, because you were so close and so far!

- I know, my little angel. I was teasing you. One single year was too long for me already. I promise you, by the end of September, we'll make it public.

Mitch remained unexpectedly quiet. It was Avi who was waiting for him to speak now.

- I need to know... Please, I don't want to hurt you, but I need to know.

- What? Tell me, you can't hurt me!

Mitch bit his lower lip, obviously nervous. But he kept on looking at Avi in the eyes, and he almost whispered with a slightly trembling voice:

- What about these children you wanted to have?

Another moment of silence. Avi broke eye contact with Mitch and stared blankly ahead of him. He answered slowly:

- I didn't think about it yet. I'm sure about my feelings for you. That's all what I know.

Another silence. Mitch spoke.

- We could have children.

Avi peered down at him, narrowing his eyes.

- You would like to have children?

- Not now, I'm not ready, and we have our career to build. But... later, yes. Many gay men I've met don't even think about it, or don't wish it. But you know what...

He blushed and remain silent again.

- Tell me, whispered Avi.

- It's... one of the crazy things that were running in my mind... all these years. That you wanted to have kids. And I was dreaming... about raising kids with you... and I was calling myself a fool then...

His voice trailed off at the end of the sentence. He blushed even more and ducking his head, he looked at their hands still intertwined on his lap.

- Mitch...

Avi cupped his face in his large hand, ran his fingers softly along his chin, his temple and up to his hair. He tightened his grip around his shoulders with his other arm and pulled him against him. He pressed his lips on Mitch's, in a soft lingering kiss.

- We have time, he muttered against his lips. We have time to think about it. But I'm so happy you asked me!

He kissed him again, more deeply, sliding his hands on Mitch's shivering body, and the young man let escape a deep relieved sigh in his embrace.

- I love you Mitchell.

- I love you Avriel.