Oh well, it was just money.
And Nicky had his blinds and curtains open in the living room so he could enjoy the colorful lights from inside.
He was glad that he hadn’t skipped out this year.
Growing up, Nicky had been jealous of all the houses around town that decorated for the holidays. His father had refused to do more than allow a tree to be put up. Even when Nicky had a part-time job and offered to buy the lights himself, his father wouldn’t allow it. Which was total bullshit. Between his father’s work and drinking time, Nicky was the only one that spent any time in their house anyway.
Nicky had done all the cleaning, cooking, laundry, grocery shopping, house maintenance, and making sure the bills were paid on time. His father supplied the money and that was it.
Even at ten, Nicky had known that he wasn’t supposed to be the adult of the house. He’d vowed one day that he would create his own traditions and stick to them. In his first apartment, Nicky had hung lights, had a huge tree, and decorated every space that he could. Now that he had a much bigger house it was harder, but Nicky wouldn’t let his younger self down.
“I would never let that happen,” Liam whispered back. “Jude and Law were all ready to spend the day outside hanging them.”
It really worked better this way. The entire downstairs was actually done and the boxes and mess cleaned up. Now Nicky could spend the next few days making sure everything was ready for their celebration. “I love you,” Nicky told his best friend.
“I love you too.” Liam kissed his forehead. “Don’t forget that you are my very best friend forever. I’m sorry that Thanksgiving got so messed up. I should have insisted you fly home for the day. Or we had gone to you. It will never happen again. Not ever!”
“Not ever!” Nicky agreed. “I’m glad I made a friend in Freddie though. I think you’re really going to like him.”
“If you like him, then he’s already my friend,” Liam told him. “But he’s not your best friend.”
“You’re my best friend,” Nicky said with an eye roll. “Forever.”
“And ever,” Liam added.
“Should we go check on your Daddy and Law?” Nicky asked, suddenly worried that they were messing around when Jude and Law were handling the worse part of decorating, the cleanup.
Liam shrugged. “I’m sure they’re fine. Daddies like to clean up messes.”
Nicky laughed. “You are becoming a brat.”
“I am not,” Liam argued but he was smiling way too big. “It’s nice being able to flow in and out of my littleness. I’ve written about it. It’s something that I always wondered about.”
Nicky understood. “Yeah, scheduling little time is hard.” It was why he was happy Liam had found Jude. Liam’s ability to be little when he wanted had made Nicky’s best friend happier than he’d ever been. And the books showed, with Liam writing more age play in the stories, which Nicky adored.
“You’ll find a Daddy,” Liam said softly.
“Of course I will.” The words tasted bitter on his tongue. If Nicky was to be honest, he could only think of one man that he wanted to fill that role for him. Two evenings with Law and Nicky was certain that Law was the Daddy of his dreams. Not that Nicky was going to confess that. Nicky didn’t need Liam to get any grandiose ideas about him and Law. If something was to happen between him and Law, that was their business.
Liam lifted his head and peered around the room with wide eyes. “This is a lot of stuff.”
“Winter wonderland,” Nicky replied seriously.
Liam shuddered. “As long as the snow stays inside and not real. I moved here so I didn’t have to deal with that.”
“True,” Nicky agreed. It was cold enough in the low sixties for him. Snow was only fun when it was fake.
“I am thirsty though,” Liam complained. “And a little hungry.”
“Snacks!” Nicky shouted. They stopped decorating and had a late lunch at around two but there was always room for a snack.
“Cookies!” Liam shouted.
“I ordered groceries this morning, but I think I forgot the cookies,” Nicky admitted.
Liam stared at him with a gaping mouth.
“I really wish I was teasing,” Nicky said. “I have cheese and crackers.” That was what Nicky had been craving.
