I'm currently making a come back to the world of writing, and I'm looking for a new editor (missing you already, Naughty!) and one or two test-readers to give me some feedback before I post things on here.
If you're interested in either of those things, send me some feedback or an email (you can find it under the biography tab of my profile) and let me know!
~Gweall
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Arlo strolled through the isle, pausing to pick up a box of rice. He considered buying dessert, and was going to forget about it, but the pre made chocolate cake looked so good. He bit his lip and looked around as if someone was watching, before putting it into the cart. After grabbing a few more things for dinner that night, he paid for the items and headed home.
The house was empty when he got back, the other car was nowhere to be seen. He put the groceries away quickly and started dinner. The smell of roasting chicken filled the house, as it turned over the rotisserie. He vacuumed quickly, and set the table for two as usual. He ran his fingers through his hair and stretched. After working all day, having to make dinner was always a hassle. But it made Donovan happy, and that was good enough for him. Seeing the smile on his partners face when he got home to a warm meal made his own heart glow. He loved Donovan with everything that he had, and enjoyed doing the little things for him.
They had talked about adopting kids, but the timing never seemed right. Arlo worked so many hours at the local hospital, and Donovan owned his own hardware store. The only one in the small town they lived in. They were well known among the community, being the only gay couple in the mostly conservative town. But they were surprised when they were met with open arms. Everyone in the town was very friendly and accepting of the two. They even attended church.
The door opened as Donovan stepped in, hanging his coat up in the closet next to the front door. Arlo smiled and went to great his boyfriend. He hugged him warmly and kissed him passionately, and the affection was returned equally.
"How was work?" Arlo asked, as Donovan sat down.
"Good, we were busy today. That storm last night tore up a few fences so there's a lot of people looking for supplies." Donovan said, taking the first bite of rice and moaning appreciatively. "What about you?"
"Good, same thing for me. The storm kicked up a lot of activity. A few broken bones and some bad splinters. Nothing major," Arlo said. He was a surgeon, but in a small town like this there wasn't much need for one. He was mostly working at the E.R. setting bones and diagnosing the sniffles. "Hows dinner?" Arlo asked, as the conversation died down.
"Delicious. Thank you." Donovan smiled and leaned across the table to kiss Arlo again.
"You're welcome." Arlo loved the affection. Donovan could be so sweet. His birthday was coming up in a few weeks and Arlo couldn't help but get giddy. He wanted to know what Donovan was going to do for him. The meal was finished quickly, and they did the dishes together. They headed towards the bedroom immediately. They undressed each other slowly, kissing as they went. Soon they were in nothing but their boxers, and they fell onto the bed. They kissed and stroked each other gently, before Arlo sighed.
"Not happening tonight?" Donovan asked.
"I don't think so, I'm sorry It's just been a long day." He smiled, a little sad.
"It's fine," Donovan turned over. Arlo curled up behind him, wrapping his arms around his chest. "I didn't really want you tonight anyways."
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Arlo sighed as his patient left. He kept the smile plastered on his face until the child and his mother walked out the door. He sighed again and collapsed into a nearby chair.
"Have you eaten today, hun?" Ronda asked.
"Define 'eat'," Arlo joked.
"You're as thin as a piece of rope. Take a break, hun. Go down to the cafeteria and get you something," she said. Arlo smiled and sighed.
"What would I do without you, Ronda?" Arlo asked, sleepily getting up from the uncomfortable plastic chair.
"Starve. Come on, honey. You know every hospital needs a heavy set black woman," she winked, returning to her work. Arlo stretched and was heading towards the cafeteria when the doors the paramedics came through swung open violently. A cop lay on the gurney, obviously in pain but trying to hide it.
"What happened?" Arlo asked, walking up to the rushing medics.
"Some guy robbing the liquor store freaked and pulled a knife on him, got him in the arm," the medic said, beginning to relax a small amount now that Arlo was taking over.
"Can you tell me your name?" Arlo asked the cop.
"Jake," he grumbled. "Officer Jake Hudson," he clarified.
"I'm Dr. Dominguez, you can call me Arlo," he smiled. The cop nodded with respect before wincing as the medic ripped his uniform to reveal the wound. "Let me see that arm." Arlo took Jake's arm tenderly and observed the wound. "It's pretty deep...and you're definitely going to need stitches. I can take it from here guys, thank you." Arlo nodded at the medics, who turned to leave. Jake looked a little pale and Arlo hoped he wouldn't need to give him blood.
"Man, this hurts like a bitch." He bit his lip.
"I'll see what I can give you for the pain, Officer Hudson," Arlo said.
"Call me Jake," he smiled.
"Alright, Jake. Are you able to squeeze my hand?" Arlo held the officers calloused paw. He grunted with pain, but was able to squeeze Arlo's smaller hand. "Good. Now, lets get that taken care of," Arlo said.
After running him through the standard questions, he was able to get him on some pain medication and into a room.
"I want to keep you here for a few hours, just to make sure you don't have any severe blood loss. We don't want you passing out on us. Do you have someone you can go home to, once you're released?" Arlo asked, checking some things off a clipboard.
"Do dogs count? If not, then no," Jake mumbled.
"Hmm...Alright, then we're going to have to keep you here for a little longer. I don't want to risk leaving you alone," Arlo said. "It isn't as bad as I thought. I cleaned it up for you so it won't get infected, but you're going to have one hell of a scar," Arlo said.
"More stories to tell around the campfire, I guess," Jake laughed.
"I guess," Arlo smiled. "I'm going to leave you to get some rest. The pain meds will really start to kick in in a few, you'll be out like a light. I'll check on you in a few hours," Arlo smiled, hanging the clipboard from the bed.
"Thanks, Doc." Jake tipped his head again, as if he had an invisible cowboy hat.
"No problem," Arlo smiled and left the room. He rolled his head from side to side, working out the kinks. He found himself at the cafeteria. He got a tray of food and ate quickly, knowing he should get back. His phone beeped and he looked down at the text.
