Happy Endings is a short story written for the M/M Romance Groups Love Has No Boundaries picture prompt event. It's written in first person through the eyes of Will, a massage therapist for the US Men's Gymnastics team.



This story takes place all in a short afternoon at Alexei's apartment. Will has arrived to find out what is wrong with Alexei since he hadn't shown up for practice. Alexei finally lets Will into the apartment and Will gives him a massage.

Through Will's commentary we find out what happened to Alexei and how Will feels about the gymnast. For such a short read, the author did a good job of conveying Will's attraction to Alexei and his desire to protect and care for the gymnast. Alexei angst over what happened to him and Will's concern is easily felt.

The author fulfilled the requestor's prompt well and even though this is a very short read, I give it 4 Stars.



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This is quite a fascinating little story that basically "only" consists of one scene, a conversation and its consequences. It is between a recently Americanized Russian gymnast and Olympic hopeful, Alexei, and his physical therapist and masseur, Will. But this revealing talk, and the backstory presented with it through the narrator's eyes, is poignant, interesting, and brings up the historical context of the late 1970s beautifully. It is also a great introduction into what follows.

Will is halfway in love with Alexei even before he is sent to find out why he hasn’t attended training that morning. Being a professional, he has always controlled his feelings, but his restraint is sorely tested when Alexei admits the reason why he is so sad and broken. The offer of consolation and help is honest: and one of the most sensual massages ever follows. Alexei's fit gymnast body and all those sculpted muscles would tempt a saint! And yes, you have guessed correctly, that massage does have a very happy ending.

If you like short, very sensual stories with hope for more after their happy ending, if you enjoy inspiring descriptions of the male body, and if you're looking for a hot, short read with lots of emotion, then you will probably like this free short story.
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Enjoyable short story of two men finding physical comfort in one another. ( )

Didn't quite work for me. Will could be seen as taking advantage of a younger man in a time of great sorrow. Predatory even. I don't believe that was the intent of the author, but it was what I first thought. ( )