Broken Wings

Beck

Taylor is standing by the island, cutting up some pieces of grilled chicken. He’s planning to make some kind of salad I think.

I’ve been going over some photos I took recently, trying to decide which ones to submit for the magazine issue.

The last five years since I moved have been busy. Taylor moved in with me within a few months of us dating. Tay has been the only person in my life aside from Zane and my boss. And even then, Tay is the only person I see daily and spend time with regularly.

He’s more than just my boyfriend now, he’s my best friend and he knows more about me than anybody else.

Well, anybody other than Zac and Joey, but they’re off happy in their own bubble, and that doesn’t include me anymore.

I’ll admit I’m bitter over it, but I get it, I guess. Doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt and I’m not upset though.

“Beck?” Taylor asked, looking over at me.

“Yeah?” I asked, turning my attention to him.

"Quit working, you’re supposed to have today off.” He huffed.

I rolled my eyes. “I am off.”

“But you’re working.” He shot back.

“I’m making decisions. I like doing this.” I replied.

Honestly, I’m really stressed about this issue. It’s supposed to be the first international release and I’m afraid of picking photos that aren’t up to par.

Tay knows I’m stressing over it. He knows the decision has to be made by the first of June though and that is fast approaching.

“You are so terrible at lying,” he shook his head at me, giving me a little smile. “Come help me with dinner, worry about that later.”

I smiled at him a little, getting up off the floor, cringing at the way my knees popped.

“Old,” Taylor commented.

“Okay mister “I’m twenty-six,” I get it I’m old,” I laughed.

I have three years on him and he acts like I’m like ten years older.

He smiled at me again, returning his attention to the chicken.

I stretched out before going to help him.

Taylor made dinner, I just kind of stood and handed him things when he needed them. It’s usually like that though. Tay will get absorbed into it and forget that he asked for my help.

I honestly don’t mind it though. It’s comfortable. We fall into a comfortable silence each time while he goes back and forth. Sometimes he’ll hum, or talk to himself, going over each step of the process of what he’s doing.

I said I’d wash the dishes after dinner while Tay talks to his parents on a video call.

His parents don’t like me. And they especially don’t like when he’s at the apartment when they call.

They met me once when they came out two years ago and decided I wasn’t good enough for him.

Well, his father decided that. Julia, his mother, seemed to like me.

“Beck!” Taylor called.

I finished rinsing the dish I had, setting it down to see what Tay needs.

“Yeah?” I asked, leaning on the door-frame of our room where Tay was currently sitting in our bed holding his phone.

“Come here!” He nodded toward the bed.

I pushed off the door frame, heading over to him, taking a seat by him.

“Okay,” Tay spoke, a big grin on his face.

“We’re coming to visit!” His mom cheered excitedly.

I smiled. “That’s awesome, the four of us will have to make plans together,” I nodded.

“The whole reason we’re coming is to see you both,” Luther, Tay’s father, spoke.

I was a little caught off guard.

Tay pressed the mute button. “We’re dating Beck, they can’t control that, and quite frankly I really don’t think dad hates you as much as you think,”

“He definitely does,” I replied.

Tay rolled his eyes at me, unmuting us.

“When are you flying in?” Tay asked.

“Thursday,” Julia answered.

“Awesome!” Tay giggled happily.

I smiled, wrapping my arm around his waist.

Julia and Luther are coming today, and I am stressed.

Tay was teasing me that I never clean the apartment.

“Your dad already hates me and everything I do,” I scoffed.

“He doesn’t hate me,” Tay hummed, sauntering out to the kitchen.

Jesus Christ. He’s such a little angel most of the time, and then he goes and says that without batting an eye.

“Go ahead, tell him we fucked on that counter you’re leaning on, see how he reacts,” I laughed.

“Beck, I don’t think either of us want to witness you being neutered.” He laughed with me.

I followed him to the kitchen, trapping him between me and the counter. “Speaking of this counter,” I hummed, kissing his jaw softly.

He leaned his head to the side, a little moan escaping him.

Oh he is too easy.

I pressed my thigh up between his legs, grinning against his neck before biting him under the ear.

He moaned, his eyes fluttering closed.

"I need to wipe it down, so move,"

His eyes snapped open and he smacked my chest which caused me to burst into a fit of laughter.

“Fuck you!” He hissed, smacking me with the dish towel he grabbed off the stove door.

I kept laughing, blocking the towel with my hands.

He huffed loudly. “You’re so mean!”

I trapped him in my arms, kissing all over the side of his face and his neck. “I love yoooouuuu,” I sang.

He squirmed, laughing. “Beck get off!” He squealed.

I leaned my face into his neck, inhaling deeply.

He smells like my cologne.

“Quit using my cologne you bitch,” I teased, poking his ribs.

Tay giggled. “But I wanna smell like you!”

“That’s gay,”

“Beck, if we’ve been dating for three years, and fucking for like four, I’m pretty sure you should know I’m gay.”

“I’m not,”

“Beck, you have exclusively dated guys.”

“I--”

Fuck he’s right.

"Checkmate,” he giggled.

I kissed him on the cheek, making sure it was wet and obnoxious. “You’re girly enough,”

He wiped his cheek with his sleeve, giggling. “You’re terrible,”

I kissed him again, this time on the lips. “I know,”

He leaned back into me, closing his eyes. “They’ll be here in like ten,” he spoke.

I had felt his phone vibrate too.

I grabbed his ass, acting innocent as I slid my hand up a little to grab his phone out of his back pocket.

Once I had it out I turned it on, using my fingerprint to unlock it. Sure enough his mother texted him and said they’d be here in ten.

“Correct,” I stated, giving his phone back to him.

Tay moved away from me, kissing my cheek before going to the living room, laying across the couch. I smiled, returning to my cleaning.

I just need to wipe the counters down, get any dirty clothes and throw them in the wash, then make sure none of my pictures are scattered on anything like they end up usually.

We went out to Taylor’s favorite restaurant for dinner tonight. Julia likes it just as much.

Luther seems completely uninterested in everything.

“So, Beck, what’s new?” Julia smiled.

“Well, I’m currently working on trying to decide what photos I want in the first international release of the company’s magazine.” I answered, taking a bite of my food. “I have to have my decision by the first,”

“That’s in two weeks!” Julia gasped. “How many photos do you have to choose from?”

“Twenty,” I answered.

“Two each of all ten of the senior models,” Taylor spoke up. “And then there’s the eight newer models that he also has to choose photos of,”

“I have picked out a few so far, but I have to choose a couple others,” I added. “Obviously the entire magazine is a mix of my and Seb’s photos, but I have to pick photos from this spring’s line, and quite frankly all of the models look absolutely stunning, so it's been really hard to make the choice.”

“He’s biased toward my pictures,” Taylor butted in again, giggling.

“I don’t know what you mean,” I replied, smiling at him, acting innocent.

“Surely you could get in trouble for being biased like that?” Luther raised a brow.

“Tay is one of the best models the company has, and is a favorite of many of the magazine’s readers.” I answered. “It’s not necessarily me playing favorites it’s me choosing the photos that I believe the readers will enjoy. And a lot of them happen to be Taylor.”

“The leaders of the publishing branch have a say as well,” Tay spoke. “If they decide the photos Beck and Sebastian chose aren’t up to par or they don’t think they’ll do as well from the others in that portfolio then they’ll refuse the photos.” He continued.

Luther nodded. “So you’re popular?” He asked, turning his attention to Tay.

“Well, people say they like me,” He shrugged shyly, blushing a little.

“Oh you liar, you are the favorite.” I teased.

He huffed at me. “You make me sound like I’m better than everyone!”

“Tay, the ratings say you are.” I replied. “You’re gorgeous and you look stunning in every outfit you’re put in,” I continued. “And that’s not just me saying it, it’s most of the readers of the mag, and several of the business partners of the company. Every release that you’ve been on the front page of has sold incredibly,”

“Aww, my baby is a famous model!” Julia cooed excitedly, smiling adoringly at her son.

I furrowed my brow when I felt my phone vibrate.

“Excuse me,” I spoke, pulling it out.

I checked the text I received.

Zane had sent me pictures of him and his fiancé, August, followed by a wish you were here and an I miss you.

“Sorry about that, my brother texted me. His wedding is coming up in a few months, and he’s excited to see me again, since it’s been a couple years now.”

“When was it again?” Tay asked, obviously concerned.

He knows Joey and Zac are going to be there.

“Mid-August, I’ll have to check the invite again to make sure of the date,” I answered, gently resting a hand on his knee.

“Speaking of weddings, when are you planning to pop the question?” Julia giggled.

“What?” I asked, genuinely confused.

“He better not be asking without our permission,” Luther grumbled.

“Asking what?” I asked, still lost.

I looked over at Tay taking notice of his red face.

Oh, that question.

“I uhh...haven’t thought about it,” I shrugged helplessly. “Yet,” I tacked on, hoping to salvage any shred of respect or like his parents have for me.

I haven’t.

Marriage has never really appealed to me. I mean all it is is a paper that says you’re legally banging someone.

“Well, I mean you two have been seeing each other for four years now,” Julia spoke.

Three years. I don’t think either of us are ready for that sort of commitment. Maybe Tay is? I don’t know. Neither of us have talked about it.

I swallowed.

I don’t like the way Luther is glaring at me.

I’m a good seven inches taller than him sure, but I know for a fact that he was a champion wrestler in high school and that he still trains.

I can defend myself, hell I used to do it every day back in high school, and definitely against men twice my size, but not against someone who’s essentially a pro I don’t think.

Julia pestered me about marriage until I broke.

I swallowed my nerves and asked for Luther’s permission.

I also spent a decent bit of money on a ring.

Now tonight at dinner I’m going to ask him.

Sure I don’t like the idea of marriage, but I know I’m going to be with Taylor for a long time. I love him, he loves me. Husband is just a fancy title, but it’ll make his parents, and hopefully him, happy.

“When can you guys come back?” Taylor pouted a little at his parents as we sat at the same restaurant we went to when they got here.

“I know for a fact at least one date they’ll be back for,” I hummed casually.

“Huh?” Taylor cocked his head at me.

I saw Julia’s eyes light up.

I awkwardly got out of my seat and down on one knee.

Taylor’s eyes went wide and he nearly knocked his seat over when he leapt up.

I smiled, feeling butterflies swarm in my stomach.

Maybe I do want to marry him. If this is how excited he gets when I propose I can just imagine the smile on the day of.

I fumbled around a little to get the ring out of my pocket before I took a hold of his hand gently.

“Taylor,” I spoke softly, staring up at him, smiling lovingly. "Veux-tu m'épouser?" I asked.

He nodded excitedly, biting his lip as his smile got bigger. “Yes!”

I kissed his knuckles softly, still staring up at him as I softly slipped the band onto his finger.

He squealed excitedly, throwing his arms around me when I stood up.

I kissed his temple softly, wrapping him tightly in my arms.

“Mom!” Taylor giggled excitedly, showing off the ring once we parted.

Maybe I don’t like the idea of the government telling me I can fuck someone, but Taylor’s smile is worth it.

Taylor was trying really hard to get into my pants when we got home.

Of course I gave in eventually and we went at it on the couch.

Now Tay is asleep, head on my chest with a leg draped over one of mine.

His hand is on my stomach, the ring on his finger glittering ever so slightly in the light from the lamp by the bed.

A white gold band with a crown of nine stones. The four on the outside are moissanite and the one in the center is a real diamond.

I tugged the blanket over us before taking a picture, making sure his ring was the focus.

With that I sent it to Zane.

It’s only four for Zane, I imagine he’ll see it soon.

I laid my head back, closing my eyes.

Taylor made a little noise in his sleep, tensing up completely as he rolled onto his back before relaxing and stretching his legs out.

I got comfortable and started to fall asleep.

Then my phone rang obnoxiously.

I answered without a thought, half expecting it to be my boss.

"Bonjour? Comment puis-je vous aider?”(Hello? How can I help you?) I asked tiredly.

“What? Beck quit speaking french. When did you propose?!” Zane’s excited voice asked.

I hummed. “Earlier tonight,” I replied tiredly, stretching out, before sitting up.

Taylor sat up with me, rubbing his eyes. “Who’s’at?” He asked groggily.

“Zane,” I answered softly, pulling my phone away from my ear.

Tay nodded, wrapping his arms around me before laying his cheek against my back.

“Well, congratulations, Beck. When’s the wedding?” Zane asked. I could hear the smile in his voice.

“No date yet, just happened tonight,” I replied. “Listen, let me call you tomorrow, it’s way passed ten here,” I yawned. “And I’ve had a long day,”

“Oh shit that’s right, I’m so sorry!” Zane replied. “Yeah, call me tomorrow and tell me about everything. Love ya Beck!” He spoke cheerfully before hanging up.

I didn’t even get to say anything. I rubbed my eye, plugging my phone in before laying down, beside Tay.

He moved himself around, pressing his back up against me. I wrapped him in my arms, spooning him.

“Mm love you,” Tay murmured sleepily as he laid his head down again.

I kissed his head. “I love you,” I replied.

The international release of the magazine went over incredibly.

All the photos I chose were approved and put into the mag. A photo I took of Tay was the front cover.

It was a photo that I'd turned black and white to make it look a little more dramatic.

And right at the bottom in little white letters were the words ”Photo: Beck Paris."

Tay has been showing his ring off to everyone. I’ve been getting random congratulations for the last two weeks and I don’t know which achievement it’s for.

My boss did tell me that I couldn’t be playing favorites just because Tay is my fiancé now though. I assured him I wouldn’t, as I never have, and he said he trusts me.

Today has been calm.

I have the day off and Tay is lounging around in the living room in nothing but a pair of my boxers.

“Beckk!” Taylor whined.

I looked up at him, raising a brow.

“I can see your phone screen!” He whined.

I snorted.

I’m going through photos that I’ve taken of him that are a bit more risque.

“So?” I asked.

"So, stop it! What if someone comes in?”

“Considering nobody visits us I’m not worried.” I shrugged, moving up onto the couch with him.

“Besides, I have pictures that are a lot worse,” I hummed, wrapping an arm around him.

He rolled his eyes. “Quit sexualizing me!”

I snorted, remembering the way I always used to tell Joey to quit fetishizing me.

I felt a pang of guilt suddenly.

Joey.

“What’s on your mind,” Tay demanded.

“Joey,” I replied honestly.

Tay leaned his head against me. “Are you okay?” He asked.

“I feel...” I shrugged a little. “Guilty.” I answered truthfully.

“You still love him,” he stated.

“Maybe,” I replied. “I love you though Taylor.”

“You can love more than one person, Beck, it’s okay. What matters is that whatever you feel for Joey, or Zac, doesn’t interfere with what you feel for me.”

I kissed him. “I love you.” I kissed him again. “I really love you, Tay,” I mumbled against his lips, kissing him again. “And them. But I love you currently. I love you now.” I spoke softly.

He smiled, wrapping his arms around me.

“I love you Beck, but it really is okay that you love them too.”

“I know it bothers you,”

“Sometimes,” he nodded. “But I know you, Beck. You’re open with me, you don’t hide things. I trust you.”

I held onto him, leaning my face against his neck.

“I love you,” he spoke softly.

“I love you, Tay.” I murmured against his cheek, kissing it gently.

A couple weeks have gone by. Tay has been working out more to ”keep his figure,” he looks fine honestly. I get that models have to look a specific way though.

It’s been a month since I asked Tay to marry me.

And Zane’s wedding in in two weeks. Tay and I are flying out tomorrow.

I’m excited to go home. I haven’t been back in five years.

Tay is still anxious about it though. He’s worried that Joey and Zac are going to be mad at him for no reason just because I’m dating him. I really doubt they’ll hate him just for that. I mean, they stopped talking to me, not the other way around.

I want to see them. Really badly. But only as friends.

Tay is folding some laundry right now, occasionally putting some stuff in his suit case.

“I can not believe you’re packing the night before.” I laughed.

“I knowww!” He whined at me. “I shouldn’t have waited, but it’s fine because I’m almost packed!”

I rolled my eyes, laying back on the bed, turning my phone on.

I was aimlessly scrolling through the company’s social media page, looking over some photos, taking mental notes on certain aspects.

While I was inspecting one picture I got a text. It was an unknown number.

I opened it, furrowing my brow.

It’s been a long while. Hope you’re doing good. Zane showed me the ring you gave your boyfriend. It’s beautiful.

I’m sorry that I stopped talking to you, it hurt really bad to still talk to you with you being so far. Zac and I aren’t together anymore. We haven’t talked in a few years either. I’ve been really busy with my role I got before you left.

I’ll see you at Zane’s wedding though, I guess. I’d love to meet your boyfriend :)

I reread his texts. Committing every word to memory.

“Beck?” Tay’s voice caught my attention.

I looked up, cocking my head.

“Are you okay? You seem upset. If you glare at your phone any harder it’ll break,”

"Joey texted me."