And now he's here. The first night, my brother ignored him, but he keeps showing up. First it was with a guitar and a love song, but the neighbors hated that and had their dogs chase him down the streets. The second night, he just stood under the windows looking pitiful while holding a bouquet of roses. For tonight...well, I see him trying to climb up the fire escape to my brother's room. To be fair, I did ask him if he wanted to just go up the stairs like any normal person while my brother is still out, but he said that this was just one of love's trials and he would find a way himself. Crazy person. And how did he know where we live anyway?Should I call the police or let this be and watch how it unfolds? I mean, this could be a crazy killer instead of an obsessive lover, not that either seem to be very good options.Photo Description: The grey 3-piece suit is impeccable, set off by white shirt, dark tie, and leather driving gloves held in elegant hands. The man is equally fine, slender, with a long narrow face, hooded dark eyes and styled black hair. He leans against a stucco wall, gloves in hand. There is a slight quirk to his full lips.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.Read the story here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 3.__________Genre: contemporaryTags: gay m/m, geeks-nerds, rom-com, humorous, earworm, x with a heart of goldWord Count: 18,650

    I answered the call.Pyrogasm is a story in the same universe as "The Adventures of the Magician's Coven" with some slight differences. Here, I have used the elements as inspiration, creating a tale where a wizard named Hans gets almost too hot to handle.Original PromptDear Author,This is me: [picture 1]I know you probably wouldn't guess but I am a powerful wizard, still trying to discover my abilities and learning my limits. One night while practicing my fire control I had an accident. (Flaming ball throwing is not as easy as it sounds!) Anyway, things quickly got out of hand and I thought i was going to die... then he showed up: [picture 2]Author, please tell me what happens now...Photo Description: [picture 1] Two pictures of uber-hot men in white underwear. The first poses, his T-shirt pulled up under his arms. His cut muscles, strong features and dark hair are given a Clark-Kent edge by rectangular dark-framed glasses. The second's face is shadowed by a fireman's hat, his chest framed by suspenders for pants slipped half off his hips. [picture 2] A gorgeous man wearing nothing but tight white underwear and a fireman’s cap stands in front of a blaze.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.Read the story here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 4.__________Genre: paranormalTags: gay m/m, Adventures of the Magician’s Coven series, firemenWord Count: 10,960

    Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.Read the story here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 4.__________Genre: fantasyTags: gay m/m, warriors, wizards, lust, sex, doubt, hurt-comfort, deception, loveWord Count: 26,000

    If it has the same effect on YOU, I'm listening....Photo Description: A naked, dark-haired man is on his knees, hunched over so his forehead touches the ground. His elbows are tucked between his knees so that his hands hide his face. The floor and background are covered in wrinkled black fabric. His skin and the fabric are smudged with dirt.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.Read the story here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 2.__________Genre: sci-fi; futuristic, auTags: gay m/m, slavery, D/s, established relationship, spanking, orgasm denial, collar, auWarnings: very mild bdsm, melting ice cream being shared, the inappropriate placement of sand, public tickling and smoochingWord Count: 4,425

    One of these things is not like the other. Stealing every chance together they can. Staving off broken hearts as long as possible. One believes in love; one is afraid to.Photo Description: In nostalgic black-and-white, two men with eyes closed share a private moment against the side of an in-ground pool. One man, head on his arms, displays the classic features, dark hair, and muscles of a studio star. Behind him the second man presses close, cheek on his neck, holding tight.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.Read the story here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 2.__________Genre: contemporaryTags: gay m/m, HollywoodWord Count: 4,432

    Who would have thought...Photo Description: A thin vertical rope stretches down into rippled muddy water. Four naked men cluster around it. One stands at the base of the grouping, almost hidden by the second man in a wide-brimmed hat astride his hips. The third curly-haired man perches on his shoulders. A fourth, shoulder-deep in the water, reaches to steady the three on the rope.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.Download the story, read it online or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 3.__________Genre: contemporaryTags: gay m/m, m/m/m/mWord Count: 9,269

    He is burly, with a smooth bald head, close-cropped beard and a wealth of tattoos across his naked back and down his arm. His bowed shoulders, his eyebrows drawn down, his hand slack on his knee, suggest sorrow.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.Read the here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 1 or Don't Read in the Closet: GayRomLit Retreat 2011 Special Edition.__________Genre: contemporaryTags: gay m/m, hurt/comfort, power exchange, age differenceWord Count: 6,530

    A work of art. The beginning of something beautiful.When these three mix it up, it's hot and sweet and just what the doctor ordered.Original Prompt:Dear Author,Please tell me the story of this pic, who's watching, when does the threesome begin, where are they, are they strangers??Photo Description: A muscular man with cropped dark hair and razored beard lies back on a low fur-covered bed. Hands behind his head, he watches intently as another tattooed, naked man cups his flanks with gentle hands and kisses his scrotum. In the background, only the legs of a third man are visible, standing close, one foot up on the bed.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.Download the story, read it here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 3 or Don't Read in the Closet: GayRomLit Retreat 2011 Special Edition.__________Genre: contemporary; m/m/m ménageTags: gay m/m, cock-docking; mild kink; threesome; HEA; sweet & hotWord Count: 14,663

    I know the background is dark. I imagine them in a bedroom at this point.Photo Description: In moody black and white, two bare-chested men embrace. The front man stands still, arms at his sides. He tilts his head, eyes closed, his handsome face pensive. From behind, his lover wraps both arms around his shoulders in a snug embrace, fingers curved over his perfect chest, face buried against his cheek.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.Read the story here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 2.__________Genre: contemporaryTags: gay m/m, recovery, one night standWord Count: 7,308

    When Trask Maitland comes out to Lee, are they doomed from the start or is it possible that "three strikes and you're out" could turn into "third time's the charm?"Original Prompt:Dear Author,The first look between them had been innocent, or so he'd thought. I'd love to see exactly how things changed and where they'll end up.Photo Description: A black/white photo of two naked teens on a sofa. The tanned blonde on the bottom has his legs bent, splayed open, his right hand on his lover's butt. The pale brunette is on his knees, straddled over the blonde's right leg, hands on his lover's neck as he leans down for a kiss.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.Read the story here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 3 or Don't Read in the Closet: GayRomLit Retreat 2011 Special Edition.__________Genre: contemporaryTags: gay m/m, college, coming out, first time, roommatesWord Count: 4,647

    I have put everything else in my life on hold to make earning this championship. I thought everything was worth it until I recently injured myself. Now they say I will have to forfeit my title if I cannot defend it in my next match scheduled for later this year. I am beginning to wonder if i can even recover enough to compete ever again, let alone in such a short time. I have been depressed and dare I say brooding lately. Without my boxing I am not sure what to do with my life, I have no close friends or family. I haven't been going to my physical therapy sessions because the PT wasn't working for me...Now my manager says he has a new PT specializing in treatment for my injury. Author do you think it would be possible for this therapist to pull me out of my depression and get me ready to defend my title? Can our relationship develop beyond therapist and patient?Author please give this man his HEA in a sweet romantic story that is light on the sex.Photo Descriptions:These pictures show two very different men. The first is chocolate-skinned, tight-jawed, shaven-haired, with the back-light gleaming off his curved, toned muscles. His gaze is intent. The second smiles a little behind his hand, looking at the world through amazing blue eyes. Light stubble and tousled dark hair grace his model-perfect face. This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.Read the story here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 1.__________Genre: contemporaryTags: gay m/m, athlete, celebrity, hurt-comfort, medical personnel, non-explicit, sport, sweet no sexWord Count: 13,219

    Any chance you can help me out?Photo Description: At a lake in a forest, two shirtless young men stand front to back, facing left, heads bowed forward. The one in front has his right arm bent behind his head, holding his lover's head close. His shorts are unbuttoned. His lover pulls back on his left arm at the elbow.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story. Read the story here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 2.__________Genre: sci-fiTags: gay m/m, military, year 2200, spaceships, obliterated Earth, aliens, robot soldiers, a hot interspecies man, sweet future technology, a kick-ass grandmother, and a Reference HologramWord Count: 10,646

    He's living on the streets (or beach) and looking for love (someone to give a damn) in all the wrong places including gay bars and dark alleys.The older man rescues him from someone taking advantage of him (hurting him) and takes him home for a few days till the boy gets on his feet. What the older man didn't count on was the kid getting to his protective and dominant instincts with the boy's submissive (calming) reaction to the slightest touch of skin on skin. What happens then is up to you. HFN or HEA with D/s works for me.Photo Description: A very young man with pale skin and dark hair is pinned up against a wall. The older man behind him has a hand on the boy's forehead, tipping his head back until his pale neck stretches. His cheek is against the boy's hair. Despite the controlled pose, or perhaps because of it, the young man shows closed-eyed calmness.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.Read the story here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 1.__________Genre: contemporaryTags: hurt-comfort, age-gap, light-BDSM (rough/bossy), barely-legal (he’s 18), boy off the streetsWord Count: 7,039

    Perhaps there's a hurt/comfort story in here that someone might like to write? It doesn't have to feature Batman, of course! But then again, maybe it does. I'll leave that up to you! As for the other man? If one is Batman, is he Robin? Or someone else? Maybe Batman is just a man in uniform, either military or police, you be the judge!Photo Description: Batman stands in front of the moon with a beautiful naked man in his arms.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.Read the story here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 2.__________Genre: contemporaryTags: gay m/m, fanfic, slash, Batman, super-heroWord Count: 11,624

    Thank you!Photo Description: The room is jumbled with soldiers' gear but this man stands alone, his back turned, tightening the belt of his BDUs. His bare shoulders show the muscle he has built, the winged blue lines of the tattoos he has chosen, the nape of his neck below short-cropped dark hair.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.Read the story here or find it in Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 3.__________Genre: contemporaryTags: gay m/m, military, dadt, friends to loversWord Count: 2,404