Rivercrest Townhouses, Downtown Solstice Hearts...

"Thanks so much for letting me stay with you for tonight," I said gratefully as Franklin led me inside his condo-styled apartment. "It's been a bear of a day for all of us."

"That's for sure. And it's really no problem," Franklin replied. "I just don't want you to be lost in self-pity after seeing your dad and sister for the last time. Not only that. I'm pretty sure that Jamal and Cameron would be spending time together for the time being."

"Well, as long as you don't mind putting me up for the night, I'm just grateful."

After getting back from the red-eye flight to Providence and the hour-long drive to Providence, it was Dr. Boatwright who suggested that I call up Franklin to see if I could stay with him. I initially didn't want to, but decided to go ahead since Jamal would likely be either back at work or with Naomi and the others for the night. So I called up Franklin and asked if he could put up with me for some company.

And here we are as the clouds were soon giving threats of a storm. I didn't have much to wear for the next day, but promised myself that I would be back at home by tomorrow morning.

"So how are you doing with everything regarding your family?" Franklin asked me after placing a delivery order for some pizza.

I sighed. "Honestly, I'm just feeling a mixed bag of emotions," I answered. "You won't believe of the revelations that I just learned."

"Try me."

And for the next hour or so over slices of pizza, I recapped him of the shocking secrets that my mom dropped on me regarding why my family turned against me and how my dad and Trina were connected to some criminal activity with Josh's family and De'Andre's father and sister. Not only that, I told him how my family were being blackmailed into doing Dad and Trina's bidding so they could get whatever they wanted.

"Damn," Franklin breathed. "And I thought Josh's family were just self-entitled elitists who earned their luxury. I kind of feel sorry for him and De'Andre. Think they know of what's going on?"

I shrugged my shoulders after polishing off a bottle of water. "Dr. Boatwright mentioned that Naomi had some secrets against the Ortegas and Beckhams, but I felt like it wasn't my place to tell," I remarked. "But something tells me that Josh and De'Andre will know soon enough."

He nodded. "And what's your take in all of this?"

"I'm mad that Dad and Trina had their own tawdry affairs and were wrapped in their own criminal desires while proclaiming to be self-righteous and accusing me of tarnishing the family name. I'm mad for Mom and the others who had to play by Dad's rules to avoid facing death or being blacklisted. I'm sad that I had to miss out on so many family gatherings all because I wasn't 'man enough' and not living up to the impossible ideals that Trina set up. I'm relieved that I'm getting a chance to reconnect with Mom because I love her resiliency and drive. I'm feeling more open that I get to finally follow my own path yet worried that I don't know which way to go from here."

"It's normal to feel these things," Franklin replied.

"Is it?" I asked, looking into his eyes. "I know that you and I haven't established anything regarding our relationship, but I don't want my insecurities to ruin whatever we have between the two of us. If you wanna back out now, I won't hold it against you. I rather count my blessings and let us remain friends than to go into a relationship and have you resent me because of the baggage that I have with me."

He pulled me closer, him cupping my chin into his hand. "I never said that I felt resentment because of your past," he remarked. "From where I stand, I see you standing stronger because you're letting yourself seek healing in the therapy sessions with Dr. Boatwright and establishing connections with me, my family, and my friends. You and Jamal came here to find a new start, right? Solstice Hearts is all about letting people rediscover themselves while being a tight-knit community.

"No one's truly perfect, Tyler. We have our skeletons in the closet and burdens to bear. It all comes down to the willingness to come clean and letting ourselves find solace in finding trust in people who see the best in us. Sometimes, our families can let us down or turn their backs on us without warning.And even the friends that we thought we knew best can fall away without warning. But family is not often limited to blood ties and friendships come in many unexpected forms," Franklin went on. "It all comes down to finding the right ones to trust. As for you and me, I do want us to be together. We can take things slow as long as you need, but know that my heart only beats for you, Tyler Candler. I see the best in you as much as you can see that in me. You don't know how much that I want to kiss you and make you moan underneath me."

"Franklin," I breathed as he pulled me to my feet before he led me to his large and tidy bedroom. "You can't mean-"

"I mean every word, Tyler," he cut me off as he started to undress in front of me. "But it's not about these sexual desires, Tyler. I want to make sure that you're held when you need it and giving you space when it's required. I'd never betray your trust like that boy-toy did back in New York. I want to be there every step of the way today, tomorrow, and always. I promise to keep things real and to never keep you at arm's length. I promise to make sure that we never go to bed angry at each other and to make you laugh when people make you cry. I promise to support your dreams and to celebrate every win."

I could only gape at him as he was down to a pair of form-fitting white Armani seamless briefs that hugged his perfectly-showing bulge and ass that could make Nicki Minaj bow down and weep. "Franklin," I murmured.

Said stud snickered as he began to undress me slowly. "I promise you that no secrets or lies will be kept from you and I promise that no other male or any female will capture my attention," he continued, making a move to take off my shirt before pushing me onto the bed. "I promise you that we will be the couple where true love never has to hide and that our love will transcend through time, space, and even into death. I promise you these things and so much more even after death do us part. The one thing that I want to know, however, is whether or not you can promise me the same thing. So, Tyler Candler, what do you say?"

I was soon down to my boxer-briefs as his frame hovered over me. I was floored by his revelations as he and I were dangerously close to being fully naked and ready to get our freak on. Knowing that he meant every word, I took a deep breath and pulled him in for a hungry kiss that would give him his answer. Our tongues were swirling and twirling in a forbidden samba that defies logic and resonablility. I groaned as he goosed my ass cheeks as my underwear came off before his did, letting him deepen the kiss.

Too soon, we broke apart and were panting heavily yet Franklin was still on top of me. "Does that answer your question?" I grunted. "If so, fuck my ass and make sure that I'm satiated in your love."

"I'm not going to just fuck you, Tyler," Franklin growled as he grabbed two condoms, handing one to me. "I'm going to make sweet love to you and have you saying my name four hours on end. Now get ready, baby boy, because I'm going to enact my final promise tonight."

"And that is?"

The look he gave me was purely feral and sensual all at once. "I promise you that my bedsheets will feel rubbery every time we make love."

And damn it to hell if he didn't keep that promise, folks. I wasn't one to drop the full details of what we did, but let's just say that Franklin made me feel more and more of a man since it was my first time with someone who had finally captivated my heart.

I was the luckiest man alive!

I bet he is, folks! And it doesn't get any better than this! Anyway, it's time for the preliminary fashion show for Pacifica West as we'll see some familiar faces dropping in at Solstice Hearts with some special news from none other than Jana Booker herself! And we'll also see Ava McVeigh drop in herself as she's working on her gender transition to a man! All that and more is coming your way, so don't miss a beat!

Media: "Sing it Back" by Moloko.

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