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

“Don’t look at me like that. We can’t get it back. You have to know that. What we had then wasn’t just the overwhelming new-love stage, it was also the idea that we could be safe, that things could work out. That optimism’s been dead in us for years.”


“But…” Colton felt confused, disappointed.


“I’ll settle for rekindled love. Hell, I’d be happy with it. I know it’s been difficult, but there’s no one I’d rather trudge through the world with.”


“Same,” Colton said, and picked up his burger again, and bit into it.


“You really are crap at the talking thing,” Ben said, sounding amused. Sounding like maybe he still loved Colton too.


Some of Colton’s confusion and disappointment faded.


Chapter 11