Chapter 29: A Romanticized Murder
We stormed into Josh’s place, too desperate to care where we were going. We slammed the door behind us, too wrapped up in each other to flinch. Our mouths crashed together, tongues tangled deep like we were starving. We only had one working hand each. Josh’s right arm was in a sling from a dislocated shoulder, and my middle and ring fingers on my left hand were broken and taped together. We had just come from the emergency room. But even that couldn’t stop the heat between us.
Josh collapsed onto that godforsaken luxury couch, legs spread, eyes wild. “Unzip me,” he breathed.
He was already hard. I stripped, moving carefully. I could still use my index fingers, at least. Josh leaned back, watching me with a gaze so hungry it burned. He reached down and pulled out his cock, already leaking. We’d already done it once today, but my body ached for more. The doctor told Josh to take it easy for 12 weeks. Screw that. I’d do all the work.
I dashed to the bedroom for lube, slicked us both up, then straddled him. My hands braced gently on his shoulders.
“Ouch…”
“Shit, sorry, I forgot your shoulder-“
“It’s okay, baby. Sit on it. Now.”
I lowered myself in one go. It hurt like hell, but I didn’t care. Josh’s head tilted back, jaw slack. Pleasure? Pain? Didn’t matter. I started riding. Each thrust straddled the line between agony and bliss. Tears stung my eyes, but my mouth watered. Josh was panting against my neck, his good hand gripping and spreading my ass.
“Faster, baby… Ngh, I can take it.”
“Ha… We’re just getting started. Fuck… Ughn! Let your fiancé handle everything. Just relax…”
Earlier that day
Josh’s birthday and our one-year anniversary landed on the same day. I had planned an intimate rooftop dinner overlooking the Seattle skyline. Too bad November meant rain. The dinner was supposed to be a surprise, but Josh had begged to know. He was clearly scheming something too.
Weeks ago, I asked him what he wanted. He grinned and said, “Just say yes to everything I ask.”
Suspicious. But I agreed.
The morning started with him requesting breakfast while I wore nothing but an apron. I obliged. That turned into a three-hour kitchen pounding. Never even got to the eggs.
By afternoon, we were in matching outfits, whiskey tasting at his friend’s bar. A complete nightmare. Going to the bar had my nerves on edge at first, but a few drinks in and I couldn’t care less that we showed up in matching outfits. In fact, once we were both tipsy, I felt proud. Smug even, to claim him as mine. After the tasting, we were riding a nice buzz, but it was time to head home and get ready for dinner. That’s when Josh surprised me.
He asked if he could pamper me. Yeah, weird I know. He bathed me, gently massaged a soothing mask onto my face, and even trimmed my nails with the concentration of a man polishing his prized possession.
What the actual fuck… is he treating me like a life-sized doll?
Then came the outfit. Brand new, something he clearly picked out just for me and he dressed me himself. I didn’t lift a single finger.
It was romantic, a little unsettling. Like… if a psychopath planned a luxury spa day before a beautifully aesthetic murder. A romanticized homicide, if the killer was obsessed with making you feel cherished before ending you.
He placed me gently on the bed before heading off to get ready. Don’t get me wrong, I felt like a brand new man, pampered and polished. But for some reason, I couldn’t shake the eerie feeling that this was my final day on earth. Like he was buttering me up for something… fatal. I lay there waiting, dazed and weirdly calm, until suddenly we were both dressed and ready to go.
We were matching again, both in suits. I wore a sleek gray number, and Josh, well… he stepped out in a fitted black suit, top buttons undone just enough to show off those sinful collarbones and smooth, sculpted pecs. He looked devastatingly good. The kind of good that made me want to shove my face between his pecs and never come up for air.
The elevator ride up to the rooftop restaurant was quiet. Josh was shaking. Sweating. Was he sick? He even slipped earlier in the rain, almost eating shit.
“Babe, are you okay? We can go home if you’re not feeling well.”
“No! I’m great. This is the best day of my life.”
“You’re being fucking weird all day, you’re scaring me.”
Ding.
The doors opened. The restaurant was empty. Decorated in red and gold balloons with a massive “Happy Birthday Josh” sign. I’d arranged everything. One bartender, one server, a seven-course menu tailored to him.
His jaw dropped. “Are you serious?”
“Happy Birthday. And Happy Anniversary.”
His face was priceless. He turned to kiss me. Just a quick, sweet press of his lips, but the dazed look on his face said it all. We sat down, and he still wore that stunned expression, like he couldn’t believe what was happening. Damn, I felt like a total badass. There’s no way he’ll ever be able to top this surprise. I won. I just became a core memory in his brain. I could practically hear future-Josh telling people about how I blew his mind tonight.
“So… you don’t have to order anything. It’s a prix fixe menu, and drinks will be coming out soon. I already told them your preferences.”
“Holy shit, no one has ever done anything even close to this for me.”
“Well, no one’s ever loved you like I do. And no one ever will. So you better not let me go.”
“Oh… trust me. That’s the plan.”
The dinner was perfect. Great food, even better drinks, laughter, Josh singing like an idiot while I watched, completely smitten.
We left the restaurant. Josh ordered a ride to somewhere barely ten minutes away, but my nerves were acting like we were heading to a final boss battle. I told myself I was just matching his energy, but deep down, my gut was throwing red flags. We pulled up to a building near the pier. It was dark, empty, and way too quiet. My fight-or-flight instincts were screaming RUN. This is it. This is how I die. He’s going to off me and toss my body into the water like it’s the finale of a true crime doc.
A security guard let us in, which should’ve made me feel better… but it didn’t. I was practically crying inside. Then came the elevator. Creaky, dim, with flickering lights straight out of a horror movie.
Why am I not fighting back?! Why am I just going along with it?!
Ding.
Top floor. Shit. My heart was racing. But Josh… he was different now. His whole demeanor shifted. I was looking at a man with purpose in his eyes. Confident. Focused. Like he was exactly where he needed to be. I braced myself for something chaotic. Maybe a room covered in plastic wrap but what greeted me instead took my breath away.
It was a rooftop, kissed by a light drizzle. He held my hand tightly, grounding me. It was us and one other person. She had a camera in her hand. He led me forward with a quiet intensity. Rose petals lined the floor in a gentle pathway, and we walked slowly, raindrops landing softly on our skin. A string of golden amber lights bathed everything in a warm, dreamy glow. Red balloons swayed gently in the breeze. At the end of the path, the petals formed a perfect heart.
Normally, I would’ve rolled my eyes at something this over-the-top. But in that moment, I couldn’t. Something about the way my chest ached with anticipation, how everything around us felt suspended in time. I knew this wasn’t just another date. This was the moment.
My eyes widened, trying to take in every detail. Josh stopped at the center of the heart, turned to face me, and held both my hands. His touch was warm and steady. He didn’t say a word at first, just smiled at me like I was his entire world. And then, he spoke.
“Sean… I never told you, but I was into you before I even met you. Tyler showed me your photo. You were looking so fine, I couldn’t take my eyes off of you.”
‘What photo?!’
“I didn’t understand what I felt. I’d never felt that way for anyone, let alone a guy. But when we slept in the same bed and you held my hand, I knew I was in love.”
“I-I did that because I was cold.”
“Sure you did.”
“…I guess you’re right. No friend does that to another friend.”
He dropped to one knee.
My heart stopped.
“I fucking love you so much,” he said, voice trembling but sure. “I can’t picture my life without you in it. That picture…I had no idea it would lead to something so real, so deep. But it did. I fell hard for you. You complete my life, Sean. Without you, I’d lose my damn mind. I swear, I’ll spend the rest of my life making you as happy as you’ve made me. So please…”
The rain was falling harder now, soaking through our clothes, but neither of us moved. The world around us faded, and the only sound I could hear was the quiet click of a camera capturing this moment.
Josh reached into the side pocket of his jacket and pulled out a small velvet box. My heart nearly stopped. My whole body broke into chills.
This beautiful, ridiculous man was really doing it.
“Sean,” he said, his voice breaking into a smile, “be my forever gym buddy… and marry me?”
I hesitated, only to mess with him. But I couldn’t hold it.
“I guess…”
“Haha, really? I know that means ‘Fuck yes. I’ll marry you’ Right? “
“That’s exactly what I meant.” I said with a teasing smile.
Josh slipped the ring onto my finger. A thick silver band with a small black diamond. It was elegant, understated, and somehow perfect. Nothing like I would’ve pictured, and yet exactly right.
He stood up and kissed me in the rain. Normally, I’d be uncomfortable. Soaked through, cold, but not tonight. His kiss made everything else fade. It was deep, slow, and full of emotion, like he was pouring his whole heart into it. He cupped my face with both hands, tilting my head just right. I grabbed him by the jacket and pulled him even closer. I didn’t want it to end. I wanted this moment to stretch into forever.
He’s mine. Completely, unequivocally mine.
Since the moment I met Josh, there hasn’t been a day I haven’t thought of him. He could have had anyone, literally anyone but he chose me. The fact that he never gave up on me, even when I made it hard… that’s what makes this all feel like a dream I never want to wake up from.
Saying yes to marrying him was the easiest decision I’ve ever made.
Our kiss lingered, overflowing with every unspoken word and every shared heartbeat. Then, from the corner of my eye, I saw a flicker of light. A sparkling glow.
PLAW PLAW, PLAW!
“What the. Was that gunfire?” I gasped, jerking back slightly.
Josh just grinned, eyes twinkling.
“It’s fireworks”
“Did you plan this too?”
“Yes” He smiled
“What if I had said no?!”
“Mhmmmm… I didn’t even think of that”
“Wow. You were so sure of yourself’
“Of course, even if you said no. I probably would have abducted you and tied you down to the bed and fucked you hard until you said yes.”
He’s insane! I’m so glad I said yes.
We enjoyed the fireworks, holding each other and rubbing our faces against each other like if we were in our own little world. The rain was slowing down but both of us were still drenched. When the fireworks were done, the feeling that we were engaged was sinking in. The ring felt odd on my finger but it wasn’t bad. We walked towards the door to get out of the rooftop but I felt Josh sliding and almost losing his balance. I grabbed him and said
“Damn, that was a close one, you were about to eat shit”
He laughed but once he took another step he slipped, grabbing me for balance. It was no help. We both went down. Josh landed on his right shoulder pretty hard. I tried to break my fall with my left hand causing my fingers to take the impact. I felt my middle finger and ring finger throbbing. I couldn’t feel them. Josh was on the floor squirming around the floor in pain. He let out a “FUCK!” and he rolled around the floor holding his shoulder. I was in excruciating pain, holding my hand.
On our way down the elevator, I requested a shared ride to the emergency room. Josh was in so much pain that he started to tear-up. I tried to comfort him and helped to hold his arm. I noticed my fingers getting swollen and the gorgeous ring that Josh gave me was still on my finger. I realized that I should take it off before it was too late. I only had it on for ten minutes and now I had to take it off.
Our engagement was not starting out so well…
The BL Nook 
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