The Record Keeper's Heart

But as they watched Morgan and Eli together, laughing and talking easily, Rowan couldn’t help but feel a pang of longing deep in their chest. They wanted that kind of closeness, that kind of ease. They just weren’t sure they’d ever find it with Morgan.

Previously on The Record Keeper’s Heart: But as they watched Morgan and Eli together, laughing and talking easily, Rowan couldn’t help but feel a pang of longing deep in their chest. They wanted that kind of closeness, that kind of ease. They just weren’t sure they’d ever find it with Morgan.

The next few weeks passed in a blur of work and avoidance. Rowan threw themselves into their research, spending long hours in the lab and burying themselves in data and analysis. They told themselves it was for the best, that they needed to focus on their career, but the truth was, they couldn’t bear to see Morgan with Eli.

They still went to Vinyl Havens, but they timed their visits carefully, coming in early in the morning or late in the evening when they knew Morgan was less likely to be there. When they did see him, they kept their interactions brief and superficial, never staying long enough to get drawn into conversation.

But as much as they tried to avoid it, they couldn’t stop thinking about Morgan. About the way he smiled, the way he listened, the way he made Rowan feel seen and understood in a way no one else ever had. The unsent letters piled up on their laptop, each one more heartfelt and vulnerable than the last.

Dear Morgan,

I miss you. I miss our conversations, our easy silences. I miss the way you make me feel like I’m the only person in the world when I’m with you.

I know I have no right to feel this way. I know you’re happy with Eli, and I want that for you, I really do. But I can’t help but wonder… what if? What if I’d been braver? What if I’d taken a chance?

They stared at the words on the screen, their heart aching in their chest. They wanted to delete the letter, to pretend they’d never written it, but they couldn’t bring themselves to do it. Instead, they saved it with all the others, a painful reminder of everything they wanted but couldn’t have.

One evening, Rowan found themselves working late at the lab, the silence broken only by the hum of the equipment and the scratch of their pen on paper. They were so absorbed in their work that they didn’t hear the door open, didn’t notice anyone else was there until they heard Morgan’s voice behind them.

“Long night?”

Rowan jumped, spinning around to face him. “Morgan. What are you doing here?”

Morgan shrugged, his hands shoved deep in the pockets of his jeans. “I was in the neighborhood. Thought I’d stop by and see if you were hungry.”

Rowan blinked, surprised by the offer. “Oh. Um. Sure. Just let me finish up here.”

They saved their work quickly, their heart pounding in their chest. What was Morgan doing here? Why now, after weeks of distance and avoidance?

They walked out together, the cool night air a welcome relief after the stuffy confines of the lab. They ended up at a small, hole-in-the-wall diner nearby, the kind of place that served strong coffee and greasy food twenty-four hours a day.

They slid into a booth across from each other, the vinyl seats cracked and worn. Rowan fiddled with the menu, not sure what to say.

“How have you been?” Morgan asked, his voice quiet.

Rowan shrugged, not meeting his eyes. “Busy. You know how it is.”

Morgan nodded, his gaze steady on Rowan’s face. “Yeah. I do.”

Silence fell between them, heavy and awkward. Rowan stared out the window, watching the cars pass by on the street outside.

“Rowan, I—”

They both spoke at the same time, their words tumbling over each other.

Rowan looked up, startled. “Sorry. You go ahead.”

Morgan took a deep breath, his hands flat on the table in front of him. “I just… I miss you. I miss our talks. I miss… us.”

Rowan’s heart leapt into their throat, their pulse racing. “Morgan, I—”

“No, let me finish,” Morgan said, holding up a hand. “I know things have been weird between us lately. I know I haven’t been around as much. But it’s not because I don’t care. It’s not because I don’t want to be around you.”

He looked down at his hands, his fingers lacing together. “Eli and I… we’re not together. Not like that. We went on a couple of dates, but it didn’t go anywhere. I haven’t been seeing anyone.”

Rowan stared at him, stunned. “You… you haven’t?”

Morgan shook his head. “No. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you, Rowan. About us. About what could be, if we just… let it happen.”

Rowan’s breath caught in their chest, their heart pounding so loud they were sure Morgan could hear it. “Morgan, I… I feel the same way. I have for a long time. I just… I didn’t know how to tell you. I didn’t want to ruin what we had.”

Morgan reached across the table, his hand covering Rowan’s. “You could never ruin anything, Rowan. You’re… you’re everything to me. You’re my best friend, my favorite person. I… I’m in love with you. I have been for a long time.”

Rowan’s eyes filled with tears, their heart swelling in their chest. “Morgan, I… I love you too. So much. I’ve wanted to tell you for so long, but I was too afraid. Too afraid of losing you, of ruining everything we had.”

Morgan squeezed their hand, his touch warm and reassuring. “You haven’t lost me, Rowan. You never could. I’m yours, if you want me. I’ve always been yours.”

Rowan nodded, a tear slipping down their cheek. “I want you, Morgan. More than anything. I want… I want to be with you. For real. No more hiding, no more pretending.”

Morgan smiled, his eyes shining with emotion. “I want that too, Rowan. More than anything.”

They sat there for a long moment, hands clasped across the table, the weight of their confessions hanging in the air between them. Rowan could hardly believe it was real, that after all this time, all the longing and the fear, they were finally here. Finally together.

“Come on,” Morgan said, standing up and tugging on Rowan’s hand. “Let’s get out of here. I want to kiss you, and I don’t want an audience.”

Rowan laughed, the sound bubbling up from deep inside them, light and free. They followed Morgan out of the diner, their hands intertwined, their hearts full.

Previously on The Record Keeper’s Heart: They sat there for a long moment, hands clasped across the table, the weight of their confessions hanging in the air between them. Rowan could hardly believe it was real, that after all this time, all the longing and the fear, they were finally here. Finally together.

“Come on,” Morgan said, standing up and tugging on Rowan’s hand. “Let’s get out of here. I want to kiss you, and I don’t want an audience.”

Rowan laughed, the sound bubbling up from deep inside them, light and free. They followed Morgan out of the diner, their hands intertwined, their hearts full.

They barely made it back to Rowan’s apartment before Morgan was pulling them close, his lips crashing down on theirs in a kiss that was all heat and longing and pent-up desire. Rowan melted into it, their arms winding around Morgan’s neck, their body molding to his.

“Morgan,” they breathed against his lips, the word a prayer and a promise all at once.

Morgan’s hands slid down Rowan’s back, cupping their ass and pulling them even closer. “I’ve wanted this for so long,” he murmured, his lips trailing down Rowan’s neck, leaving a path of fire in their wake. “Wanted you for so long.”

Rowan shivered, their head falling back to give Morgan better access. “Me too,” they whispered. “God, Morgan. Me too.”

They stumbled towards the bedroom, shedding clothes as they went, leaving a trail of fabric in their wake. By the time they fell onto the bed together, they were both naked, skin on skin, hearts pounding in unison.

Morgan’s hands were everywhere, exploring every inch of Rowan’s body with a reverence that took their breath away. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered, his lips brushing against the sensitive skin of Rowan’s collarbone. “So perfect.”

Rowan arched into his touch, their fingers digging into his shoulders. “Morgan,” they gasped, their hips rocking up to meet his. “Please.”

Morgan didn’t need to be asked twice. He reached for the lube and condoms on the nightstand, his hands shaking with anticipation. He prepped them both quickly, his touch gentle and sure, before lining himself up and pushing inside.