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

“And I know we weren’t doing a Christmas or anything, but I got you something too. Good thing you want to do our own personal floating holiday, or I’d look like an ass.”


Colton blinked at him. While he’d been concerned Ben no longer loved him, Ben had been planning something to celebrate. And while he’d been hiding his project from Ben, Ben had likely thought the same of him. Colton knew they’d just exchanged the sentiment, but knowing they’d been going behind each other’s backs to make the time off special really seemed to prove they must care for each other.


“Come on,” Ben said, standing. “Let’s go to our storage compartment in the basement. I don’t want to end up drinking too much and forgetting.”


“Well, I’m a little more than tipsy,” Ben said as he led the way down the stairs.


“We still have most of our colas left.”


Chapter 12