Chapter 27

Carter had always liked Christmas. He liked Christmas trees, the lights in the windows during the dark evenings, being warmed up by hot beverages after having been outside in the cold. Though it was a bit strange to not have snow during Christmas after he had to literally drag himself through snow each time he went outside for five years in a row back in Minnesota. He liked snow, but the harsh winters were something he didn't exactly miss.

Carter looked outside the window as he sat on the couch, a cup of tea being held and warming up his palms. The smell of the diner his mother was preparing filled the air and he could feel his stomach rumble at the smell alone. Thinking back of the Christmas they had last year, he was almost surprised by how different things were back then compared to now. But then again, he knew like no-one else how much could change within one year.

"Diner will be ready in ten minutes," Mrs. Raymore called out from the kitchen.

"Okay!" Carter replied and set his cup onto the coffee table, grabbing his phone before leaning back against the couch. He had gotten "Merry Christmas" text messages from his relatives and from his friends and had replied to them as well, but there was one person he hadn't wished a merry Christmas yet. The reason for this was because he wanted to tell him personally, and not over a text. He got off the couch to walk up to his room while dialing Josh's phone number.

When he got to his room, he went to sit onto his bed, looking at the photograph he had placed on his nightstand of him and Josh when they were younger while he waited for the other to pick up.

"You rang?" Josh said upon answering.

Carter let out a soft chuckle and rolled over onto his stomach. "Hey, merry Christmas," he said.

"Merry Christmas to you too," Josh replied. "What were you doing?"

"I was just waiting for diner to be ready, honestly," Carter shrugged, looking out his window, seeing the infinite stars having gathered in the night sky. "How's the Christmas spirit at your place?"

Josh let out a soft chuckle. "Well, my dad is downstairs trying to make chicken. So far I don't smell anything burning so I think it's going well so far. I offered to help, but he insisted on doing it himself."

"You can cook?" Carter asked.

"A little. Living by myself most of the time practically forced me to learn the basics of cooking. I wasn't going to eat take-away or microwave meals every day," Josh said.

"In that case, you should cook for me sometime. I will decide if your cooking is any good or not."

Carter could hear Josh snicker at the other end of the line and the sound of him being happy made him smile. It was a beautiful sound, yet it was something that wasn't heard all that often lately. Which was truly a sad thing.

"Alright. Fair enough. Though that does mean that I'll need to step up my cooking game a bit. I mean, I want to be able to brag about my culinary talents, after all," Josh spoke cockily, making Carter's smile only wider.

"Of course, chef Marson. I can't wait to taste your meals," he said, rolling onto his side. He always had to move about whenever he was phoning someone. He wasn't even sure why this was.

"Carter! Dinner is ready!" Mrs. Raymore called out from downstairs.

"Coming, mom!" Carter called out and he went to sit on the edge of the bed. "Gotta go, dinner is ready," he told Josh. "...Hey, do you think you'll be able to come over a bit tonight? I'd like to see you and wish you a Merry Christmas in person." Carter could hear Josh move around a bit before he answered, slowly starting to walk to the stairs himself as he awaited an answer.

"I probably could. I could tell my father that I'm going to see Alyssa. He'd be delighted to let me go in that case," Josh replied. "Heck, he'd let me spend the night. Anything to create the idea of a straight son."

Carter bit his lip, not entirely liking that fact, but if it meant that he could spend time with Josh, then he'd let it slip just for this time. "Alright, then tell him that and come over after dinner," he spoke while he walked down the stairs, his nose filling with the scrumptious smell of his mother's cooking.

"I'll try my best," Josh said. "But I'll let you know if I can, okay?"

"Okay, sure. Let me know. Bye." Carter hung up the phone and went to sit down at the table. His mother placed the turkey on the table which was still sizzling in the oven plate. Bowls with salad and mashed potatoes with gravy was also placed on the table and Carter's father took the seat across him. It was nice to have his father home for Christmas. He had so little time for his family lately because of how busy he was with his work

"Who was that?" Mr. Raymore asked. "A friend coming over?"

"Ah, it was Josh," Carter said, feeling a faint blush coloring his cheeks. He had told his father about his love for Josh when he came out to him but wasn't sure if his mother had already told him about the fact that she had seen them together. She hadn't asked any questions after that incredibly awkward moment, but just the sight of it was enough proof of him being together with Josh.

"Ah, Josh Marson," Mr. Raymore nodded, scooping a bit of mashed potatoes onto his plate. "So, are you two together?" he then asked.

Carter nearly choked in the bite of turkey he had just taken and coughed a bit, not entirely sure how to answer it. He hadn't ever asked Josh if they were officially going out now, but it was obvious to him that they were a thing. Though if he could call him and Josh an official couple yet was still unknown to him. He promised himself to ask Josh as soon as he saw him, which could be tonight.

"I, err, I think so?" Carter answered unsurely. "I mean, we spend a lot of time together... and we kiss, and stuff?" He felt so embarrassed admitting to what he had with Josh but then again, his mother was already pretty much a witness. He knew he was blushing and shyly looked up at his father, wishing it wasn't so easy for him to get flustered. He could see his father snort at him and looked back at his son with a smile.

"No need to get so shy, Carty. I'm happy for you. Josh is a great guy and you've been friends for a very long time. I just want you to be careful with who you give your heart to, alright? Whether if it's a boy or a girl. Love can be a wonderful, happy thing. But it can also be horrible and cruel."

Carter gave a small smile and took another bite of his turkey. "I know," he said. He had felt that exact horrible feeling, and knew just how cruel love could be if you weren't careful enough. But the happiness that he felt right now, had taken all that cruelness away right now. He could only hope that it would stay like this from now on, though just like the changes time brought along, love could be unpredictable.

+++

The doorbell rang, and an instant smile formed Carter's lips. He was quick to get to the front door to open it, and his smile grew when he looked at Josh. "Merry Christmas," he said, stepping aside so he could enter. Just standing at his doorstep was enough to feel the icy cold from outside.

"Merry Christmas to you too," Josh said, stepping inside before leaning down to give a peck on Carter's lips. The kiss had taken Carter by surprise but he didn't mind it at all. He closed the door and turned back to Josh, seeing his mother glancing at Josh from the kitchen opening.

"Josh, nice to see you again!" Mr. Raymore called out, walking into the living room area and gave the blond a hand.

"Nice to see you too, Carl," Josh said with a smile. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas to you as well," Mr. Raymore said, giving a brief glance at Carter as well. "How have you been doing? I think this is the first time seeing you since we moved back, isn't it?"

"Yeah it is. Strange, right?" Josh said. "I mean, I haven't been here that much since your return, though. But it's still a shame."

"Well, then you should come here more often, in that case. I'm sure Carter wouldn't mind," Mr. Raymore said, making Carter feel shy again.

"Ah, no, I wouldn't," he said softly, cursing at himself for getting flustered easily yet again. He looked up at Josh who smiled at him, sending a familiar bubbly feeling to his stomach.

"Nice to see you again, Josh!" Mrs. Raymore called out from the kitchen, waving at him whilst holding the kitchen towel.

"Good evening, Carmen," Josh smiled back at the woman. Carter knew his parents were more than delighted to see Josh now that they knew about his relationship with him and it was in all honestly embarrassing.

"Right, let's go to my room," Carter said and grabbed Josh's hand to lead him to the stairs.

"Ah, sure," Josh said, letting himself being pulled along.

Carter knew his parents were being nice but he couldn't help but find it embarrassing. Then again, this was the first time he had showed love for someone else in front of his parents, so of course they were more than happy to see Josh with him. When they got to his room, Carter let go of Josh's hand and let out a sigh, running a hand through his hair. "Sorry about that."

"About what?" Josh snickered. "Your parents were nice."

"Yeah, but they were being a little too nice," Carter said, turning back to Josh. "I just felt a little awkward.

Josh cocked a brow, walking to sit on the edge of Carter's bed. "Why? It's no different than me being greeted by them like five years ago, right?"

"Not exactly." Carter went to sit down next to Josh. "I mean, we're not the same as five years ago. I mean, our relationship, right? My mother saw us so... of course she knows about it now." The brunette bit his lip, feeling embarrassed to ask Josh about it further, but he really wanted to know. "If... we are something they should know about." He turned his head to gaze up at Josh and met with his blue eyes. "So, are we?"

Josh furrowed his eyebrows and gave a confused smile. "What do you mean?"

"Well," Carter gave another sigh, gaze going to his lap. "What are we, Josh? What am I to you at the moment?"

It was silent for a brief moment and there came an audible "oh" from the blond. Carter then felt fingers on his chin, making his head turn to face Josh again.

"What do you want to mean to me?" Josh asked with a playful smile.

Carter knew exactly what he was doing. He knew that he was flustered and saying things like that only made it worse. Which was apparently amusing to the blond.

Canines bit into the inside of his lower lip and he looked back at Josh's taunting eyes. At times like these, he was forcing him to be honest with him which only sent more heat to his face. Which was exactly what Josh wanted, and Carter was very well aware of this.

"Jerk," he said. "I want to be your boyfriend."

Josh's smile grew into a grin and he leaned in to press a soft, lingering kiss to Carter's mouth. "Then you'll be my boyfriend," he spoke. "But only if I can be yours as well."

"Idiot," Carter said, kissing him again. Josh could be so playfully annoying at times, yet at the same time, this was exactly what he loved about him.