Note: This week’s story is a little different. I wrote it using characters from a short story I have published. If you’ve read Not So Suddenly, awesome, you’ll get a glimpse of Austin and Spencer’s future. If you haven’t, no worries, it works as a stand alone story.
Anniversary
“I’m sorry it’s not Antigua,” Spence said with a frown.
Austin shrugged. “A sunset walk on the beach isn’t exactly a bad way to celebrate our anniversary, no matter where we are.”
“But I wanted to take you back to where I first told you I loved you.”
Austin smiled. After four years, Spence was still the most romantic guy he’d ever met. “That would have been nice,” he admitted. “But we can’t afford it right now and we’ll just have to go back in a couple of years when we can.” Truthfully, it was probably going to take more than a couple of years; their budget had taken a serious hit lately between the move and Austin’s trouble finding a job.
Spence echoed his thoughts. “I just hate that this move was so expensive. You uprooted everything to move cross-country for me and …”
“Pacific University has a great physical therapy program, they accepted you, and gave you a small scholarship. We’ve gone over this a million times,” Austin pointed out. “Besides, Oregon is way better than Jersey. I sure as hell don’t miss living there.”
“I’m just afraid you’re going to regret the move. Resent me from taking you away from your family,” Spence muttered, letting their hands swing between them.
Austin stopped, tugging Spence toward him before letting go of his hand. He cupped Spence’s face in his hands and looked his boyfriend in the eye. “We’ll fly home to visit our parents when we can, and they’ll fly here.” He stroked Spence’s cheek with his thumbs. “Yeah, I’m not gonna lie, the past few months have been hard. But I’d rather be with you than anyone else in the world. Wherever that is, I want to be by your side. You are the most important thing to me.”
Spence softened, pushing closer. “You’re the most important thing to me too. That’s why I worry.”
Four years ago, Spence had promised that as long as they were together life would be perfect. It hadn’t been, not even close. They struggled like any other couple, but every night when they went to bed together Austin took a moment to remember what was so good about it. The solid base of their friendship had helped them build a great relationship and no matter how much he wanted to strangle Spence sometimes—and no doubt Spence felt the same way about him—it was worth it.
Sure, Austin had been feeling a little low lately about the lack of job prospects and that had taken a toll on things, but they’d worked through it. They’d continue to work through it. “I’m just glad you suggested this camping trip,” he said. “I think we needed this.”
Spence smiled. “Me too. Think you’d be willing to stick by me for another four years?”
Austin leaned in to kiss Spence, murmuring his answer against his boyfriend’s lips. “Multiply that by ten and it’ll be closer.”
Big thanks to Theo, who provided the pic prompt again this week.
And, Helena and I are trying something a little bit different starting this week. We created a Facebook group and are opening up the Monday Flash Fics to everyone.
Rules for Taking Part:
1. Join the Monday Flash Fics group on Facebook. 2. On Monday, Helena or Brigham will post the pic prompt for the following week. 3. Write your story and keep it under 500 words. 4. Post it on your blog on Monday. 5. Post a link in the comments of the pic prompt in the Flash Fic group.
It’s meant to be a creative exercise for authors and something fun for readers to enjoy, so don’t sweat it.
Authors: Join us when the mood strikes and you have the time. If you can’t manage to keep it under 500 words, well, we’re not going to hunt you down. It’s a good challenge to limit the word count, but don’t stress if your final word count is more like 507.
Readers: Share links and comment on the blogs.
Everyone: Feel free to submit inspiration pics in the group by attaching it as a file or sending a PM to either Helena or Brigham.
The links to all of authors’ blogs can be found in the group and later today we’ll be posting next week’s prompt. Please, come join us!
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