Epilogue

Casper had never beento Los Angeles before. It was just as mad and glamorous as he’d always been told it was. Especially on the red carpet for the Oscars.

“There can’t really be this many people interested in award shows,” he commented from the back of the limo where he sat with Sawyer, looking out at the throngs of people watching every star in the firmament being dropped off for the show. “They’ve even set up temporary tiered seating by the side of the road!”

Sawyer laughed and held Casper’s hand tighter. “And to think, I gave all this up so I could do Dinner and a Show with Walt.”

Casper turned away from ogling the crowds outside the Dolby Theater to grin at Sawyer.

Sawyer had been true to his word. Even though the critical acclaim he’d received for Start at the Beginning, including the Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination that had brought them to Los Angeles, had sent an avalanche of juicy, Hollywood roles his way, Sawyer had passed over them all in order to develop a television show for the British audience that would showcase various dining experiences and theatrical or other entertainment events across the British Isles. The first season of the show had already been filmed and would release next month. It was already being billed as the best way to find inspiration for the ideal date night.

Casper and Kit Courrier had both had cameos in a few episodes as Sawyer’s and Walt’s partners.

“I think you made the right choice,” Casper said as their limo inched forward to the front of the queue. “I don’t know if Hollywood is ready for an actor with a measly secondary school teacher for a husband.”

Sawyer grinned, then leaned over to kiss Casper’s cheek as their limo reached the front of the line.

Casper had taken the job at the Allan Horsfall Academy, and he hadn’t regretted a single moment of it. The students there were all bright and eager to learn the sort of History Casper wanted to teach, and because the school prided itself on its innovation as well as its academic excellence, he’d had a ton of leeway to create his own curriculum.

On top of that, Gregory had put him in touch with a publisher who was deeply interested in publishing his history of The Brotherhood. The ink was dry on that contract, and they were currently in negotiations for a book about the true history between After the War—which had recently hit the top streaming service—as well.

All in all, Casper couldn’t have been happier with the way things had turned out.

“Here we go,” Sawyer said, bristling with excitement, as the limo stopped and a suited man stepped forward to open the door. “It’s showtime!”

Casper laughed and followed Sawyer out of the limo and into a swirling mass of California heat, flashing cameras, and reporters and fans calling for their attention.

Unlike the premiere of Start at the Beginning, Sawyer was at ease and waved amiably to the mass of people around them. He held Casper’s hand, but more as a show of love and affection than desperation. Casper, a little shyer than Sawyer, smiled and nodded as well. He was happy to play the role of doting husband as they walked from the street to the main photography area, where a bank of photographers were waiting to snap them from every angle.

Casper hoped the photos turned out well. He and Sawyer had been styled to within an inch of their lives before heading to the theater, so if there were any complaints, it wasn’t their fault. He felt confident in his designer suit, though. Sawyer outshone him by miles, but that was as things should be for that night, as far as Casper was concerned. Sawyer had taken a complete backseat to him when he was asked to speak at the commencement ceremony for the Allan Horsfall Academy months before.

Once they made it past the photo op, the questions began.

“Sawyer, are you going to win tonight?”

“Who are you wearing?”

“Is this your husband? Why didn’t you throw a lavish wedding?”

The answer to that was right there in the question. When Casper had proposed at Christmas, the two of them hadn’t waited to have a small ceremony at the Chameleon Club on Valentine’s Day. Yes, it was trite, but it had also been beautiful, with just their families and friends attending. There hadn’t been a media circus within miles of them.

“Sawyer, how are you enjoying the success of After the War?”

That question earned an answer from Sawyer.

“We couldn’t be happier,” he said, smiling at Casper. “Casper and I, and the rest of the cast and crew, worked very hard on the whole thing.”

“It’s the number one streaming show at the moment,” the reporter asked on, since their question had been answered. “Is there going to be a season two?”

“Well, the actual house party was only one summer long,” Sawyer answered. “But we’ll see.” He glanced to Casper again.

In fact, Casper was already in talks with the writers of After the War about a sequel series that followed the adventures of Percy Montague and Clarence Bond, which was based on the actual career as spies the two men had and their success at breaking up smuggling rings in the eighteen twenties.

There would be time to talk about that later. Casper and Sawyer made their way into the theater, where they were shown to their seats—on the aisle, since Sawyer was nominated for an award—so they could wait for the show to begin.

“If this is all too much, we can leave after my category is announced,” Sawyer said, leaning close to Casper, almost like he would snuggle against him. He also raised a hand to wave and smile at a Hall of Fame level celebrity that took Casper’s breath away just by looking at her.

“I don’t think I’d miss this madhouse for the world,” Casper laughed.

It was definitely organized chaos. The sheer number of egos in the theater was astounding, and there weren’t enough cameramen to keep up with the posing, preening superstars who wanted the attention. Sawyer seemed perfectly content to sit back and watch it all with Casper instead of drawing attention to himself.

They were lucky that, once things settled down, Best Supporting Actor was the first award announced. Casper found it fascinating how cameramen shifted into place, pointing their cameras at the nominees as their names were announced. It was a ballet of technology the likes of which he’d never seen.

And then came the moment.

“And the winner is….” Casper held his breath and squeezed Sawyer’s hand. “Sawyer Kingston for Start at the Beginning.”

Casper felt Sawyer’s gasp as his name was announced and squeezed his hand. The audience applauded, the orchestra played the theme from Start at the Beginning, and Sawyer leaned over to kiss Casper soundly before getting up and heading to the stage.

Casper applauded and watched with his heart in his throat as Sawyer leapt excitedly onto the stage and made his way to the podium to accept his Oscar. He was playing the role of comedic actor that everyone expected him to play, but the excitement in his eyes was real.

“I’d like to thank the Academy,” he began his speech once everyone quieted. “This is an amazing and entirely unexpected award. Of course, buckets of thanks go out to my fellow cast and crew, to Erin and Melinda and Cindy. To Scott and Taylor as well. And none of us could have done this without our director, Stewart. Thank you all!

“But I reserve my deepest thanks for my wonderful family, as mad and dysfunctional as we are, and above all,” he put his hand on his heart, “to my adorable, brave, clever, wonderful husband, Casper, for, well, for everything. Only you know the depths of what we’ve been through to get here, my love. And I’m sorry for telling you I love you for the first time on national telly, during an interview.”

That tidbit earned a laugh from the audience. Casper was fairly certain his smiling face was being broadcast all over the world at that point, too. He didn’t care. If the world saw him happy and in love, then so be it.

“Thank you!” Sawyer called out again as the orchestra started to play him off.

As soon as Sawyer disappeared into the wings, the show cut to a commercial and the audience began to move around. Casper got up, vacating his and Sawyer’s seats to the stand-ins, who would occupy them so there were no gaps in the audience until he and Sawyer returned, and headed for the door at the side of the auditorium.

It took some doing, but he was able to make his way backstage, to where Sawyer was posing for pics with his award and answering a few questions. As soon as Sawyer spotted him, he called out, “Casper!” and broke away from the photo op to race to him. “Look at this!” he said, showing Casper the award as the two of them met.

“Wow!” Casper said, glancing at the statue for a moment before throwing his arms around Sawyer. “I’m so proud of you. This is definitely going on the mantel at home.”

“Right next to your framed diploma,” Sawyer laughed.

It seemed ridiculous, but Sawyer always insisted that Casper’s accomplishments were more important than his. That was complete rubbish, but Casper let him get away with it.

“You’re the reason for all of this, love,” Sawyer said as one of the PAs tried to steer them back to where the photographers were waiting. “You’re a far better prize than this man.” He held up his award.

“Good,” Casper said as they were shuffled to where pictures could be taken of them. “Then I won’t have to be jealous.”

Sawyer laughed, then pulled Casper close for a kiss just as the cameras started clicking. However the media interpreted the sweet moment, Casper didn’t care. The only thing that mattered was the two of them and the love they shared.

I hopeyou’ve enjoyed Casper and Sawyer’s story! I’ll admit, I was a little nervous when these characters told me they were demi/ace. I wasn’t certain how to do their love justice. So often, romance is seen as something hot and naughty. I actually had a wonderful time following these two amazing guys as they fell in love on their own terms. I hope I told the story well!