Ruth’s eyes widened. “Did you only decide this tonight?”
“Well, I think it’s been building for a while, but yeah.”
She took the tea towel out of his hands and set it on the sink. “Go.”
“What?” Ed frowned.
“Go round there and tell him.” When Ed glanced at the clock, noting it was close to midnight, she huffed and rolled her eyes. “For fuck’s sake, Ed. He won’t care that it’s late, trust me.” She all but shoved him towards the door, barely giving him chance to grab his coat.
He made it as far as the end of his drive before realising he couldn’t go knock on Betty’s door at quarter to twelve on Christmas Eve. Pulling his phone out, he sent Oliver a quick text.
Ed:You awake?
The reply was instant, making him smile.
Oliver:Just about.
Oliver:What’s up?
Ed:Can you come outside for a second?
Oliver:Outside? Are you serious? It’s almost midnight.
Ed:Please?
He held his breath as the three dots appeared, then vanished, then appeared again.
Oliver:Give me a sec.
Ed blew on his hands as he waited, wishing he’d thought to bring gloves. His heart pounded, nerves suddenly getting the better of him. What if Oliver liked the idea of a weekend-only thing more. What if he didn’t want Ed right next door?
You’re being ridiculous.
The front door opened, saving him from anymore wayward thoughts. Oliver crept out, wearing pyjama bottoms, slippers, and his thick parka. Ed grinned at him, heart constricting when Oliver spotted him and smiled just as wide in return.
“Are you mad?” he whispered, easily accepting Ed’s hug when he opened his arms. “Or drunk?”
Ed buried his face in Oliver’s neck. “Maybe a bit of both.” Oliver’s soft laughter made him smile and press a kiss to the side of his neck. “I have something to tell you.”
Oliver tensed in his arms. “Oh?”
Taking a deep breath, Ed let it out slowly, hoping his voice didn’t shake. “I’m not leaving after Christmas. Or ever.”
Silence.
The words seemed to take an age to sink in, then Oliver was pulling back, searching his face. “You’re serious?”
“Yes.”
His expression went from disbelieving to shocked. Then his trademark smile slowly stretched across his face.
The bells chimed in the church behind them, signalling twelve o’clock. “Merry Christmas,” Ed whispered.
“Merry Christmas.” Oliver’s eyes were bright with tears. “Fuck. This is the best present I’ve ever got.”
“Good.” Ed leaned in to kiss him, long and slow. “Because I had no idea what to get you.”
Oliver’s laughter filled the night air again, and he cupped Ed’s face in his hands. “I don’t need anything else.”
