Starlight and Sawdust

But he didn’t know how to ask him to stay, didn’t know how to bridge the gap between their two worlds. All he could do was hold him close, cherish the moments they had left, and pray that somehow, someway, they’d find a way to make it work.

The next morning dawned bright and clear, the sun streaming in through the bedroom window. Caleb woke to find Arlo already awake, his head propped on his hand, his gaze fixed on Caleb’s face.

“Morning,” Caleb said, his voice rough with sleep.

Arlo smiled, a sad, wistful thing that made Caleb’s heart ache. “Morning,” he said, his voice soft.

They dressed in silence, the air between them thick with unspoken words. Caleb watched Arlo move around the room, his heart heavy. He looked so at home here, so right. The thought of him leaving, of not seeing him every day, was almost unbearable.

They made their way downstairs, where Arlo’s team was already loading the last of the equipment into their trucks. Caleb watched them work, a sense of unreality washing over him. It felt like a dream, like a nightmare he couldn’t wake up from.

Arlo turned to face him, his expression serious. “Caleb,” he said, his voice rough. “I…”

“Caleb,” he said, his voice rough. “I…”

He trailed off, his gaze dropping to the ground. Caleb’s heart leaped into his throat, hope and fear warring in his chest.

“What is it?” he asked, his voice gruff.

Arlo took a deep breath, his gaze meeting Caleb’s once more. “I don’t want to go,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “I don’t want to leave you.”

Caleb’s breath caught in his throat, his heart soaring at the words. “Then don’t,” he said, his voice rough with feeling. “Stay, Arlo. Stay with me.”

Arlo’s eyes widened, a smile spreading across his face. “You mean that?” he said, his voice a whisper.

“More than anything,” Caleb said, his voice fierce. He reached out, taking Arlo’s face in his hands. “I love you, Arlo Byrd. I want you in my life, in my bed, for as long as you’ll have me.”

Arlo’s eyes shone with unshed tears, his smile blinding in its intensity. “I love you too, Caleb Cary,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “And I want that too. More than I ever thought possible.”

Caleb’s heart soared at the words, at the promise behind them. He pulled Arlo close, kissing him deep and slow, pouring all his love and longing into the touch.

When they finally broke apart, Arlo rested his forehead against Caleb’s, his eyes closed. “I’ll stay,” he said, his voice a whisper. “I’ll stay for as long as you want me.”

Caleb’s heart clenched at the words, at the depth of feeling behind them. “Forever,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “I want you forever, Arlo.”

Arlo’s eyes fluttered open, his gaze meeting Caleb’s. “Forever,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “I like the sound of that.”

They kissed again, a promise sealed with a kiss. And as they stood there, wrapped up in each other, Caleb knew that whatever the future held, they’d face it together.

Hand in hand, heart to heart, until the end of time.