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

“No, I guess I didn’t,” he said. “Didn’t do any chores either, if you’re going to ask about that next.”


“Don’t be such a passive aggressive dick,” Ben said. He shifted and got himself a glass of water.


“Because you’re not asking about what I did today.”


“I just wanted to know if you had a good day. Hear about something other than shitty work drama or shittier weather.” He drained the glass. “Sorry I asked.”


Colton opened his mouth, but Ben set the glass down hard and retreated to the couch to read the last few pages of his book. Shit. Colton shouldn’t have assumed Ben was going to set in on him for being lazy. He cooked, growing more concerned while at it. He remembered when things had gone easy with them, been remembering it a lot lately, and now he feared what they had was lost forever.


Chapter 8