Page 51 of Hot Times in Heart Falls, Vignettes Vol 3

Kevin blinked once then grinned. “You sure?”

“Absolutely.”

Kevin’s arms tightened around him. “Love you, too, sunshine.”

That was it. The moment. The whole thing. There wasn’t a string quartet or a snow machine or a perfectly timed camera flash—though Edison was pretty sure someone in the room had snapped a photo.

It didn’t matter.

This—this feeling of being wrapped in affection and safety and light—it was everything.

They stood there for another few seconds, swaying slightly as if there were music only they could hear.

Then someone near the front called, “Last call for any sweaters we haven’t seen! Time to strut your gaudy stuff!”

Kevin pulled back with one final kiss to Edison’s temple. “Ready?”

Edison beamed. “Oh, baby. I was born ready.”

They paraded up together, hand in hand. The crowd whooped then cheered, and Edison wasn’t sure his heart could hold another single teaspoon of joy. There were flashing lights and cheesy holiday music. Kevin's name was chanted by a group of teenagers lead by Jinx who were clearly thrilled to see him looking like a walking Crayola box.

Edison’s heart filled to overflowing.

As the evening rolled on, Edison caught Kevin looking at him from across the room. Just looking. That steady gaze, warm and full and so achingly sure.

Edison mouthed, “You okay?”

Kevin nodded. Then, clear as day, mouthed back, “Home?”

Lordy, that was never going to get old. He crossed the room and laced their fingers together again.

Home wasn’t a place.

It was a man in a sweater that said Edison in neon pink yarn.

It was a quilt on a bed that never felt empty anymore.

It was two sets of footprints in the snow—and the knowledge that going forward, Edison wasn’t walking alone. Or prancing, or dancing, or whatever his heart desired.

He had Kevin, who loved him just the way he was.