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

They set up everything in the bathroom after making sure the kittens would be unable to get into any cleaning solutions, then let them out to explore. They sat on the laminate flooring, sipping their colas, and watched the kittens romp and play. Colton leaned into Ben, relaxing as Ben wrapped an arm around him.


“You know,” he said after a while, yawning. “I think…we might be okay now.”


“Of course we’ll be okay. Let’s get to bed.” He chuckled at Colton’s expression. “Sleep. You’re too tired for sex anyway.”


They slept. Ben tossed an arm around Colton as they dropped off, and Colton wriggled back against him. This wasn’t their normal sleep schedule—too early for Colton, too late for Ben—but they both slept readily and woke around the same time, late for Ben, early for Colton.


“Where are you going?” Ben asked when Colton stirred. He grabbed him and nuzzled behind Colton’s ear.


“I wasgoing to make you breakfast in bed.”


Chapter 13