An Autumn Ailment - MM Romance Novella: Second Chance * High Angst * Caretaking * Age Gap

An aging college professor paying for his daughter‘s college. An almost empty savings account. A sudden reappearance of a former student and paramour. A windfall to thank for all the time once given, despite the words once spoken. An attempt to repay kindness with hospitality. And a bout of autumn illness, met with an unexpected reaction. CHARIS AMBERS At fifty-five years old, Charis Ambers keeps his hopes about as high as his head. The head that has memorized all the cracks in the concrete campus pavement by now. And the head in which that man has no place. Until, after over a decade and a rather unamicable farewell, he comes knocking on the door to Charis‘s office. Normally, Charis would reject any gift coming from this man. But, feeling like he owes someone something is better than his own daughter actually owing anyone money. He will repay this debt, at least symbolically, by letting this man stay under his roof for a few days. Or so he thinks. As the shivers set in and his throat gets sore, Charis might soon find himself in no shape to tend to any guests, and need tending to, instead. HUDSON STONE Imagine struggling to be loved for your whole life. Trying to earn love. Then, imagine every partner you pick blaming YOU once you finally open up. Blaming you for not "forgiving". For not being "noble". For not having "compassion". Or "heart". Hudson Stone has heard it all. Over ten years ago, he thought he‘d finally break this unlucky streak. With this one, special person. Someone as wonderful as he was unexpected. His male college professor. It... did not work. Now, with a stable job, some accumulated wealth, and maybe not perfect, but definitely improved health, he‘s ready to leave things as they are. All he needs is one last look at what he‘d once been denied. Then, he can leave it. Just like the older man had once left him. But circumstances change. First, his hotel reservation gets canceled. Then, the very same man he meant to cut off offers him a place to stay. And then, he actually needs Hudson‘s help. No matter how Hudson chooses to handle this, he will have to give himself the answer to one question: was this really love? *** ONE EXPLICIT SCENE. HAND, NO PENETRATION. ***