Manhattan lay glittering beyond, the whole world lay glittering beyond. He thought about Justin sleeping alone in a bed big enough for four; Brian had made sure of that when he’d bought it. He thought about his own bed in Pittsburgh. It was big enough for four, but mostly it held just him.
All that empty space, and he’d be damned if he’d allow himself to think of all the wasted time. He turned to look at Justin, just visible in the pale darkness. Sleeping alone. Waiting for him.
Stubbing out his cigarette, he looked out at the city one more time. Far above, a plane flew from east to west until it disappeared from sight. How high did you have to go before you could see the curve of the earth? He’d know in a few hours, he thought bitterly.
He went to the bathroom and washed his face then got into bed, gathering Justin to him, smelling soap and salt and clean and his.
No time like the present, Justin had said. Maybe it was time for a change in philosophy.
Or maybe, Brian thought, a change in geography.
He closed his eyes, breathed in, breathed out.
Breathed in.
Absolutely stunning. You're such a powerful and evocative writer... gorgeous.