(Epilogue to The Cage Trilogy)
Justin nervously stood in the alleyway just outside The Cage in his complete leather uniform: jacket, tie, shirt, gloves, Muir cap, pants and boots. There were other leathered men standing there with them with varying degrees of confidence and anxiousness.
Tonight was a big night. For multiple reasons.
He pulled out his pack of Marlboro Reds, slid one out with his lips and lit it with a flick of his Zippo.
It has been over a year since he picked up this habit and has loved every deep inhale. He had no plans of quitting. It was just a part of him now.
The rich Marlboro smoke saturated his lungs with pure relief and pleasure right before he exhaled through is nose. The smoke permanently made his thick Chevron mustache smell, which he loved.
Ethan, his boyfriend of one year, walked out of the backdoor and towards him. He was in his full leather uniform, just like Justin was. The only difference was that Ethan had his Mr. Leather Cage sash and had grown a thick beard.
It has been an eventful year for the two of them. Soon after becoming official, Ethan moved in with Justin. They blended their lives together. Justin also finally received a promotion at work after Amanda, his old boss, left the company. He was now the manager and there has been mass improvements. All his employees liked having Justin as their boss. He made the work environment more relaxed, but was well respected. He had become a leader to them.
Everything was well. More than well, even.
“The judges will be done making their decision soon,” Ethan said, “You did great.”
Ethan kissed Justin on the lips.
“Thanks, babe,” Justin said.
Ethan pulled his pack of Reds out and lit one up, “Gotta haul this one hard and fast. Think we need to go back in a few minutes,” Ethan added.
Justin was back on the stage with the other participants. He doubted his ability to win the title of the next Mr. Leather Cage as he has only been in the leather community for a year, but he has grown a lot. He is an active member of the local leather group and has volunteered a lot of his time. Ethan encouraged him to enter the competition and stated he had a good shot.
He looked at Ethan who was standing with the drag queen host, Domina Tricks. Ethan’s smile made him more confident.
“I am pleased to announce the next Mr. Leather Cage,” Domina spoke in the microphone as she opened up an envelope, “is…I think Ethan should announce this one.”
Ethan looked at the card with the winner’s name and a face of pure excitement and joy appeared.
“Justin!” Ethan yelled as he approached his boyfriend to give him a kiss and hug.
Justin couldn’t believe it, but his nerves didn’t go away. They were even stronger.
The two leathered men kissed for what seemed like a minute as the crowd cheered. Even the losing contestants clapped and were genuinely happy for the couple.
Ethan took off his sash and placed it on Justin. Domina gave the mic to Justin for a victor speech. Now was the time.
“Thank you and I will carry this title with pride and honor it,” Justin started, “Over a year ago, I felt stuck with something missing. Something more in my life. The truth was that what I longed for was right in front of me, but I needed to allow myself to go for it. If you saw me over a year ago, you’d think I was a completely different person. Once I let myself grow, everything fell in place. That’s when I met Ethan. He loved me for who I was and who I became. He just loved me.” Justin reached into his pocket, “He gave me the title of Mr. Leather Cage. Now I want to give him the title of husband.” Justin got down on one knee and revealed a ring, “Ethan, will you marry me?”
Ethan nodded his head with a shaky “Yes.” Justin stood up, took Ethan’s left glove off and slid the ring on his finger.
The two men kissed again and the crowd clapped and hollered.
The rest of the evening was a giant party celebrating not only the new Mr. Leather Cage, but the newly engaged couple. Justin and Ethan didn’t leave each other’s sides the whole evening.
At closing time, the two men walked out of The Cage. They held hands and had their lit Marlboro Reds in their lips as the marched down the street and into their futures, together.
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