With winter holidays approaching, it's supposed to be a time for romance and togetherness for Colton and Ben. Except climate change has erased the chance for a white Christmas, their rent is going up, and neither of them have energy after working all day and barely getting to see each other. As their frustrations mount and finances dwindle, it almost seems more likely they'll be single for the new year rather than doing anything special for each other.<br><br>Colton isn't willing to give up without a fight, though. He might not be able to give Ben his dream of visiting the moon, but he can bring a bit of the moon to Earth. Rekindling some of his own hope and romance, he decides to put his skills as a chef to good use and go all out in preparing Ben a meal --  and a night -- not to be forgotten. The world might be a grim place, but if he shoots for the moon, maybe he can hit a bit of holiday magic.

Shooting for the Moon

He peered outside, the gesticulating smokers there today, too, the dog across the way staring at him. Colton looked up at the stained sky, dark with clouds that would rain rather than snow. The moon wasn’t visible, but it would be up there, its domes glistening like precious gems.


“You’ve never seen it?” Ben had asked the first time he’d suggested they’d view the colony.


“No,” Colton remembered he’d responded, wondering how Ben had gotten his hands on a telescope to begin with, learning later it had been passed down in his family. It wasn’t the best quality, but it worked well enough.


Colton had seen pictures before. But seeing the real thing was completely different. The way it shined in the night, a glittering cluster of life surrounded by craters. Ben had showed him what awe was.


Chapter 4