Only one day remained until New Year's Eve, and Teo was starting to realize that his time spent with Rick was running out. In just a few days, the older man was supposed to return to Brassford, and their short romance was meant to be forgotten, just like years ago. Not that Teo had ever forgotten.

The question of a shared future lingered, but considering how long it had taken the dark-haired man to break the ice and convince Rick to relax around him—and to kiss him at all—he didn’t want to risk anything. He simply had to be content with whatever decision the older man made.

Teo hated an uncertain future; he had lived through it more than once, and it had always ended the worst for him. And yet now, he had decided to face it voluntarily again. Maybe he could call it finally growing up.

“What are your plans for New Year’s Eve?”

Rick surprised him with the question. While Teo had been thinking about the distant future, it seemed the older man was focused on the immediate one.

“I don’t know. I’ll probably be with friends. Why?”

They had managed to steal another moment alone, since Orion and Amelia were still asleep, while Alicia and Atlas had already left for work. Teo wasn’t a morning person, used to staying up late with friends and then sleeping through the stolen morning hours, but for Rick, he’d pushed himself.

They’d agreed on breakfast together the day before, and Teo had set an alarm. Before it could even go off, there was a quiet knock on his door, and the moment he opened it, he pulled the older man inside, pressing him against the door so he could give him a good morning kiss.

“We both have morning breath,” Rick pointed out once his lips were free, even though he’d returned the kiss.

“Then it’s even.”

Teo didn’t care about details like that and gave him a wide smile. Even with messy hair and eyes still half-closed from sleep, being in Rick’s presence was enough to make him fully awake and enjoying the moment.

“Good morning.”

The older man looked at him with amusement, and Teo enjoyed the look he was getting.

“Good morning to you too.”

It would’ve been even better to wake up next to each other, but the younger man had no intention of saying that out loud. He simply enjoyed what he was given. He didn’t want to push him into anything—Rick had already been through difficult months, and Teo knew what that was like, having gone through it himself, even if years ago.

“Breakfast?”

“Are you offering yourself?”

Teo made sure the other man saw how he looked him over hungrily, from head to toe and back again. Rick’s laughter was the response, and Teo enjoyed hearing it more and more often. He was almost proud of himself.

“I’m offering food,” Rick corrected him. “And maybe a few kisses under the mistletoe for dessert.”

“You know how to negotiate.”

Despite the tempting offer, Teo stole a few kisses in advance before they went downstairs and started making actual breakfast. Nothing fancy—just some eggs, bread, and hot tea, as suited the cold weather.

Once the food was ready, they sat down at the table, and the conversation circled back to New Year’s Eve.

“I was hoping for a New Year’s kiss.”

Teo raised an eyebrow in surprise.

“Really?”

Rick’s courage wavered slightly. He had taken it for granted that after all the stolen kisses, he would steal this one too, but the younger man clearly didn’t have the same plan.

“I’m not saying I don’t want it, but my family usually celebrates with everyone else on the square, so finding any privacy will be much harder,” Teo added quickly when he noticed the slump in the other man’s shoulders.

“I always want you.” He reached across the table and took the brown-haired man’s hand in his own.

Rick had no idea how he did it, but Teo always knew how to turn a situation around and chase away all his worries. As if he had a precise manual for every one of Rick’s reactions, always making sure that every small or big panic ended happily.

The older man lifted their joined hands to his face and pressed a kiss to Teo’s fingers.

“I always want you too.”

Teo’s radiant smile was his answer.

It didn’t stay on his face for long, though, because the moment they heard footsteps heading toward the kitchen, they let go of each other’s hands, and Teo’s expression changed completely. The older man still didn’t understand why Teo acted as if he didn’t get along not only with him but also with Amelia in front of others, and why the only moments when he was himself were when they were alone. Not that he could ask him about it now.

In the end, however, it turned out that the person interrupting their breakfast wasn’t Orion, but Amelia.

“Good morning. How’s my favorite couple doing today?”

Her words brought the smile back to Teo’s face, but what truly made him happy was Rick’s response.

“Shhh. Someone might hear you.”

He silenced her, but he didn’t deny her words.

Were the two of them a couple?

Judging by the smile Amelia gave the dark-haired man over Rick’s shoulder, she had reached the same realization.

“Good morning, Amelia,” Teo returned the greeting, though there was much more hidden behind his words.

“What are your plans for today?”

She turned toward the counter and poured herself tea from the kettle the pair had made enough of for the whole family. They had prepared extra breakfast as well, so Orion and Amelia could help themselves once they woke up.

Rick didn't answer; instead, he shifted his gaze to Teo, as if he were waiting for his answer first and planned to adapt accordingly.

“Nothing yet. Why?”

“Well, as far as I know—” The red-haired woman leaned back against the counter, holding a mug of hot tea in her hands. “Orion promised to help Atlas with something, and your mom asked me if I’d go with her to visit one of her friends, which means you’ll have the house to yourselves.”

Teo couldn’t have received better news today.

This time it was him who gave the man across from him a meaningful look.

“I’m sure we’ll come up with something,” Rick uttered after clearing his throat.

His tone provoked a laugh from Amelia, and Teo's smile was just as amused at his attempt to sound nonchalant, even though his thoughts were surely anything but.

“Just make sure the neighbors aren't traumatized.”

She sipped her tea contentedly, while Rick struggled not to start blushing at her remarks. He was an adult, but this was the first time he was discussing sex while the person he actually wanted to have sex with was also present.

“Mrs. Sallow in the house on the right is deaf, so she won’t be traumatized, and the Fernsbys always leave to stay with their daughter before New Year’s, so they won’t be home,” Teo informed her.

“You’ve got that figured out in advance.”

Amelia’s tone suggested that Teo had checked these things for a specific reason, not that he’d simply picked them up over the years of living there.

“Years of practice.”

He shrugged.

At that moment, Rick felt the silliest emotion he possibly could—jealousy. The younger man was twenty-two years old and had been sexually active for at least three years. It made sense that he had used an empty house for sex before, but Rick still didn't like the image. It felt as though it made what they had between them less special.

Although the older man tried hard not to let his thoughts show, just as he always did, Teo read him perfectly.

“Just kidding. I’ve never had sex in this house.”

His father’s house had been a different story, but that was long forgotten and the last thing Teo wanted to think about now.

Rick tried not to look pleased, but he was clearly failing.

The younger man stood up and picked up not only his own empty plate, but also the other man’s, heading toward the sink. As he passed by him, he couldn’t resist brushing a quick kiss against the top of his head, and caught himself thinking how natural it already felt, despite the fact that they weren’t officially together.

Teo kept showing him affection for a little while longer, until he heard more footsteps coming from somewhere in the house and took it as a sign to vanish from the kitchen. Even though Rick made him feel more at home than he had in years combined, he still had no desire to spend time with his brother, no matter how much it would please Rick.

Rick watched his retreating back and tried not to let disappointment show on his face, because a few seconds later Orion appeared in the doorway.

“You made breakfast? Nice.”

“Rick’s doing,” Amelia revealed, even though it was only half true.

“Thanks, man. You didn’t have to bother.”

“I’m happy to help.” Rick waved it off and stood up to put his empty mug in the sink. It took all his willpower not to come up with an excuse and disappear to look for the dark-haired man.

Would it be too much to hope for a Christmas miracle in the form of the brothers reconciling?

…

In the evening, Amelia’s words came true. First, Orion left the house with an apology, explaining that Atlas needed help with something—something about wood; Rick wasn't really listening, as he was mainly focused on the fact that Orion was leaving.

Then Amelia left as well. She bundled up warmly, since it had started snowing just a few minutes earlier, and with the promise that she would be back in about two hours, she headed out. Just to be safe, Teo asked if she knew where she was going and whether she needed an escort, but she assured him she could handle it. In Hollybrook, it was impossible to get lost, whether because of the town’s size or the locals’ willingness to help.

“We’re alone.”

Rick stepped up behind Teo and wrapped his arms around his waist, resting his chin on his shoulder.

With a soft laugh, the dark-haired man turned, covering Rick’s hands with his own. “Already having naughty thoughts?”

“I always do when I’m with you,” Rick assured him.

“Tempting.”

“But?”

Evidently, Rick was finally starting to succeed at reading between the lines too.

Teo turned in his arms before answering, and the older man loosened his hold to let him, realizing that he wasn’t trying to escape—quite the opposite, he was trying to get closer.

“I’ve been thinking.” Teo slid his hands from Rick’s waist up to his neck. “Maybe a bit of fun in my room first, and then we could watch a movie?” Even though he was frustrated by the lack of sex, he still longed for something that would at least resemble a date.

“A date? I like that.”

If this wasn’t a sign that the older man was perfect for him, Teo didn’t know what would prove it more.

“I like you.”

Before Rick could respond, Teo pulled him down, tilting his own face up to claim his lips.

“Upstairs?”

“Lead the way.”

Rick clearly didn’t need to hear more. He grabbed the younger man by the hand and started pulling him toward his room. Teo let himself be led, but the moment the door closed behind them, he switched their positions.

It was Rick who landed on his back on the bed, with Teo instantly between his parted legs, taking the dominant position.

It was exactly like years ago. Rick on the bed, Teo above him, eagerness bubbling in them both. Longing for closeness, they automatically began shedding unnecessary clothes, knowing they wouldn’t get an opportunity like this again anytime soon—and besides, they didn't know exactly how much time they had.

Once they were exposed, embarrassment was cast aside. Instead, they both set out on a mission to discover how much the other’s body had changed over the years.

And also on a mission to find everything they needed in the dark-haired man’s drawer.

Luckily, he was always prepared.

Days of suppressed passion and desire had taken their toll, and soon both were struggling to catch their breath as they searched for a spot on each other's body they hadn't yet graced with a touch. Every millimeter, every curve. Where hands couldn't reach, lips and tongue did.

Sex was not something one could learn, not when something different worked for every person, but in their case, they quickly found instructions in each other. Thanks to that, it did not end with just one round but two, and although Rick would have to come up with an excuse later for why he could not quite walk straight, he decided to leave that problem to his future self.

Thankfully, Teo thought of aftercare too, and after they both reached their climax for the second time, he let Rick lie in his bed, surrounded by his scent, while offering to run a bath for him.

“Don’t be long.”

Instead of answering, the younger man pressed a kiss to his lips and then, after turning on the water and tossing in the first bath salt and foam he could find, he returned to the bed, pulling the older man into his arms.

His hands automatically threaded through brown strands of hair while Rick traced slow circles on his bare chest with his fingers.

“Have I gotten better over the years?” Teo asked, amused.

“You were always perfect.”

Unlike Teo's, Rick’s voice was dreamy, and it seemed he had now dropped all the walls he had previously used to protect his sanity. He was completely surrendered to Teo, and although the younger man could have taken advantage of that, he didn't. Instead, he simply enjoyed his closeness.