the proceedings with great interest. “Of course, there’s always the possibility that Loki will try to eat it or wear it.”
Robin laughed. “I did warn you. I think Loki had better get used to living in the bathroom.” He peered at the couple of boxes standing by the coffee table. “What’s in those?”
“The lights for the pillars outside. And that’s our next job. Besides, by the time we’re finished, it will be dark enough to switch them on.”
“Then what are we waiting for?” Robin was having a great time. He enjoyed being with Dean, but what shocked him was it had nothing to do with the sex. He loved every minute he spent in Dean’s house. Sharing lunch, untangling the lights to go on the tree, trying decorations in different places and asking Dean’s opinion, playing with Loki when the kitten got too interested in the goings-on…
It had to be one of the best days ever.
Dean was right about one thing. By the time they had covered the wooden posts with lights, starting from the bottom, winding them around and around until they reached the top, it was time to switch them on. Dean had attached the wires to the underside of the porch, snaking them through two little holes, one on each side of the door. Then he’d gone inside to insert the wires into their transformers.
“Are we ready for the switch on?” he called from inside.
“Totally. Hit it.” Robin caught his breath as the hundreds of colored lights burst into life. “Oh man, that looks awesome.” Dean joined him, standing beside him on the porch.
He grabbed Robin’s hand and tugged him along the path to the sidewalk. “We have to see what it looks like from the street.”
They stood facing the house, and that familiar festive warmth crept through Robin, the tingle of anticipation he always got as Christmas drew closer. He spied the Christmas tree with its covering of tiny white lights through the window.
“I love it,” he said quietly.
Dean’s hand came to rest on his shoulder. “So do I.” He paused. “Do you have to go home soon?”
Robin shook his head. “I told them I’d be out for dinner, but I promised I wouldn’t be home late.” He was wondering how late he could push it.
“So if I suggested we watch a movie, and maybe eat something later?”
Robin loved that idea. “Have you got a movie in mind?”
“I think in the circumstances, it had better be something Christmassy.” Dean grinned. “It can be your choice.”
Robin couldn’t think of a better way to end his day. Well, except for making out on the couch, should the opportunity present itself.
One particular region of his anatomy was definitely off limits.
Dean had never enjoyed decorating his house so much.
The tree looked wonderful in the corner, all lights and sparkle. It was always the same. Once the tree was up, that holiday magic was back. But Robin being there was the icing on the cake.
Or maybe that should be the angel on top of the tree?
He glanced across to where Robin sat beside him on the couch, now and again absently reaching into the bowl that contained the popcorn, his eyes focused on the TV screen. Dean had been surprised by Robin’s choice of movie. He’d never heard of Let It Snow, but the moment Robin had found it on Netflix, Dean knew that was going to be the movie. It was okay as movies went, though Dean suspected it was aimed at a younger audience than his thirty-two years. Robin clearly loved it, and that was fine in Dean’s book.
What he liked even more was that Robin sat closer to him now than he had been at the start of the movie. He’d casually moved closer in increments, and that was all kinds of cute. Dean decided to make it easier for him.
He picked up the remote and paused the movie. Robin jerked his head to stare at him in obvious surprise. Dean stretched out his arm. “Wanna cuddle while we watch?”
Oh my God. The light in Robin’s eyes was beautiful to see.
“I’d really like that,” Robin said shyly. He scootched over, closing the remaining gap between them, and snuggled against Dean, his head on his chest.
Great as it felt, it wasn’t going to work.
“Isn’t that kind of awkward for watching the movie?” Dean patted his thigh. “Put your head here. You can stretch out on the couch and get comfortable, and I get to hold you while you watch.”
Robin