Kyle glanced sideways at Patrick again, enjoying the way his heart flip-flopped every time he remembered that they were a thing now. After their shower, Patrick had rubbed some of the aloe gel he’d given Kyle for Christmas into the tender skin of Kyle’s sore arse. The coolness had taken away some of the sting, but Kyle could still feel it every time he shifted position on the sofa.

Once they were both dressed, they’d eaten some of the food they had left, and spent the rest of the evening cuddled up in front of the TV. It felt weirdly natural to have Patrick’s arm around him, his hand on Patrick’s thigh, and his head on Patrick’s shoulder. The occasional kisses they exchanged felt like promises, reminders that the boundaries had changed. Every now and again Kyle had a moment of doubt.

Is this okay; is this really what I want? What if…?

But then he’d look at Patrick, willing him to turn until Patrick looked back at him and smiled, and the affection in Patrick’s eyes reassured him every time.

Eventually they both started yawning and when Patrick suggested, “Bedtime?” Kyle was very happy to agree.

When they were cuddled up in bed together, with Patrick on his back and Kyle curled in beside him, Kyle asked, “Are we going to tell people at work?”

“Do you want to?”

“Maybe not at first. Can we see how things go? Unless you think we ought to tell Brian.” Anxiety prickled through Kyle at the thought. Although their boss would be happy they were getting along better, he might not be thrilled that they were an item now.

“There’s no need. We won’t be working closely together any more. It’s nobody else’s business unless it would affect our work.”

“I’m sure we can keep things professional,” Kyle said. “I can keep it in my pants in the office if you can.”

A quiet huff of amusement made Patrick’s chest lift. “Probably best if we do.”

“And if I piss you off at work, you’ll just have to save the spanking for the evening. Shame though, because the idea of you spanking me over your desk at work is pretty fucking hot.”

“Mmm,” Patrick agreed. “But I have an office desk at home we can use for that.”

“Will you wear your suit?”

“If you’ll wear yours.”

“Deal.” Kyle grinned as he imagined it. “I’ll have to make sure I find plenty of ways to annoy you then.”

“I’m sure you’ll manage it.” Patrick tightened his arm around Kyle and pressed a kiss to his hair. “Brat.”

Sleepy now, Kyle gave a happy sigh and let the silence fall around them, the only sound the quiet huff of their breathing and the steady thud of Patrick’s heart.

Tuesday 27th of December

They slept in a bit the next morning—probably because they’d woken in the small hours and given each other blow jobs before going back to sleep—and Kyle was finally woken by Patrick slipping out of bed and climbing down the ladder.

“Where are you sneaking off to?” Kyle asked sleepily.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“Not doing a runner are you?”

“Definitely not.” Patrick peered over the edge of the bed and grinned. “You don’t get rid of me that easily. I was going to go outside where there’s phone signal so I can call the AA.”

“Oh. Okay.”

Kyle had a sense of sand trickling through an hourglass, this precious time together running out fast. He lay back down as Patrick dressed.

Even though they’d agreed they were going to carry on with this once they got home, Kyle couldn’t help being afraid that it would change. Here they were in a little bubble, outside of their normal lives. Stuck together with few other distractions it had been easy to focus on each other, to shake off their roles of mentor and trainee, to forget they were colleagues. Being with each other twenty-four seven had fast tracked their relationship to an intensity that could never have happened under normal circumstances.

What if it didn’t stand the test of reality? How was it going to work? Would they go on dates? Would they sleep together at night? If so, how often?

There were so many unknowns. Kyle didn’t like uncertainty but he didn’t want to put too much pressure on Patrick either.

“I won’t be long.” Patrick interrupted Kyle’s ruminating.

“Will you come back to bed for a bit after?”

“Sure.”

Patrick was back within ten minutes or so. Kyle had just dozed off again, curled on his side facing the wall, when he heard the door open and close, and the sound of Patrick shedding clothing—and probably dropping it all over the floor knowing him.

Back in nothing but boxer briefs, Patrick climbed up the ladder. “Shove over.”

Kyle yelped as an icy-cold hand made contact with his arse. “Fucking hell you’re freezing.”

“Sorry,” Patrick said, but he didn’t sound very apologetic.

“So, what’s the news on the AA?” Kyle asked, trying to ignore the misgivings still clamouring for attention in his head.

“They can get to us today by about noon, and they’ll relay us home if they can’t fix the car on the roadside.”

“Right.” Instead of feeling relieved at the news, Kyle felt an odd sense of hollowness. “What time is it now?”

“Half nine.”

Kyle turned and put his arms around Patrick, snuggling back into his favourite position with his head on his chest. Trying to push away the fears crowding into his brain, he breathed in the scent of Patrick’s skin but his thoughts wouldn’t shut up.

“What’s up?” As though Patrick could sense his mood, he wrapped his arm around Kyle, holding him close.

“Dunno. Just a bit worried about how we’ll adjust to being home and how we’ll fit having a relationship around working together and stuff.”

“We’ll work it out.” He squeezed Kyle more tightly, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. “I have a good feeling about this.”

“Yeah?” Kyle tilted his head to meet Patrick’s gaze and smiled, liking how certain he sounded.

Patrick smiled back, warm and full of affection. “Yes. We’ll take it one day at a time.”

After they’d packed their stuff they went to see Mrs Wilcox to tell her they’d be leaving later.

“Oh, well I’m glad you can both get home,” she said. “But at the same time, I’ll be sorry to see you go. Dex will too.”

The dog had greeted them both with tail wagging and hand licks today, and had barely barked when they knocked on the door.

“Everything good with you two again now?” she asked, looking at where they stood close, elbows touching.

“Yes,” Kyle replied, and was rewarded with a smile that made her eyes dance.

“I’m glad.”

Patrick cleared his throat. “Um. Shall we take Dex out for a walk before we go? We’ve got to walk up to the shop anyway because Kyle has boots to return to Mike.”

“That would be great, thank you. Then maybe stay for a quick cuppa if you have time?”

Checking his watch, Patrick saw they still had an hour before the AA were due to pick them up. “Absolutely.”

“What did she say to you last night?” Patrick asked as they walked down the lane with Dex.

“She told me you’re a good man, and encouraged me to give you a chance.”

Patrick grinned. “I should buy her flowers.”

“We both should.” Kyle took his hand as they turned into the main road through the village and headed up towards the shop.

Mike was behind the counter as they entered.

“Morning, gents. How are you?”

“Good thanks,” Kyle said. “Thank you so much for these.” He handed the boots back, missing them already with his own stupid boots damp and cold from the thawing snow.

“You’re welcome, lad. I’m glad I could help. Did you have a good Christmas?”

“We did thanks.” It had been better than Kyle could ever have imagined.

“We spent a lot of time with Mrs Wilcox,” Patrick added.

“Ah, how’s she doing? Does she have everything she needs? Although I expect her son will be able to visit soon now the snow’s melting.”

“She should be fine for a day or so,” Kyle said. “But she might appreciate you taking Dex out. It’s hard for her to go far in this, and Dex is the sort of dog who needs exercise.”

“No problem. I can get my wife to mind the shop and pop out to walk him.”

“Right, well….” Patrick offered Mike a hand to shake. “I guess it’s goodbye then. Thanks for everything, Mike.”

“Bye. I hope you have a trouble-free journey back.” Mike shook Patrick’s hand, and then Kyle’s. “Will you be back to visit sometime? If you’re in the area again, you must look me up.”

“Maybe we’ll come back in the summer. I’d love to return for some snow-free hiking,” Patrick said, and then smiled at Kyle. “But we’ll need to make sure Kyle’s got a decent pair of walking boots by then.”

Warmth filled Kyle at Patrick’s easy assumption of them still being together that far ahead.

He hoped it would prove to be true.

After a cup of tea and several biscuits each with Mrs Wilcox, Kyle and Patrick took their leave. She hugged them both tightly, telling them they were welcome to visit anytime.

“Just let me know if you’re thinking of coming, and I’ll keep the flat free for you.” She’d already refused to let them pay her for the nights they’d stayed, insisting they’d done enough for her to earn their keep.

“That would be wonderful, thank you,” Patrick said. “We might take you up on that.”

“Yeah, definitely.” Kyle agreed. He loved the idea of coming back here together. It would be interesting to see what Langbeck looked like when it wasn’t covered in snow.

“Safe travels,” she said.

“Take care of yourself.” Kyle hugged her again, and then crouched to pet Dex who whined, seeming to know they were about to leave. “I’ll see you again, buddy.”

Mrs Wilcox stood at her door with Dex by her side, watching as they left. They’d arranged to meet the AA truck up at the pub as it would be easier for the driver to find. At the end of the lane they turned and waved and she waved back.

The AA guy was able to fix Kyle’s car by the roadside. It turned out to be a relatively straightforward issue with the exhaust. He explained it, but Kyle didn’t really take in the details. Apparently it was something that occasionally happened, even with new cars.

“You were just unlucky, mate,” the man said. “Chance in a thousand probably. And extra unlucky that it happened right before Christmas in the snow. It must have been a right pain for you guys being stuck here instead of home with your families.”

“Oh, it wasn’t so bad,” Kyle said, with a quick glance at Patrick who winked at him.

“Well, I’m sorry we weren’t able to get you home in time. Right, I’d better be on my way. Drive safe.” He gave them a wave as he hopped into the cab of his truck.

“You too. Cheers.”

They watched as he drove away. “Right. You ready to go?” Kyle asked.

“Yes. You happy to drive?” Patrick asked.

“Sure.” Kyle got into the driver’s seat while Patrick opened the passenger door.

The AA man had helped them shovel the snow away that had drifted up around the wheels, and had towed them back onto the road. There were still a few icy patches, but much of the tarmac was showing through again now. He’d assured them that the main road had been gritted and ploughed and was totally clear, so the only tricky part would be the first few miles.

Kyle turned the key and the engine purred beautifully into life. Putting it in gear, he pulled away. “Do you really want to come back together in the summer?” Kyle asked as he drove carefully down the narrow country lane.

“I’d love to. How about you?”

“Yeah. Just… that’s a long way off. I guess we’ll have to see how it goes.” It was hard for Kyle to imagine that far ahead, but he wanted it to happen. The idea of him and Patrick back here through choice—not because they were trapped together—was like a beacon to aim for as they navigated their way through their fledgling relationship.

“I think we’ll get there,” Patrick said, looking sidelong at Kyle, and giving him an encouraging smile. “I’d put money on it in fact.”

“How much?”

“Dinner at the Huntsman?”

“Done.” Kyle grinned.