Club Boys ♤ (virtualoo x M-jow {18+}

[M-jow]

20 minutes ago, virtualoo said:

“On the same page then..”

"Mmh" Noah nodded. "..But I can let it go. Give you the leash now and then if you want.. it just easier for me you know, old habits die hard" he replied. Really meaning it. It was just a habit. He liked being in controle. Like people with ocd liked keeping their stuff the way the wanted. It was a reflex to protect himself against anyone who could hurt him. He already knew Nathan wasn't like that but old scares on his soul still reminded him.

37 minutes ago, virtualoo said:

"You go first..and alone..or I might get greedy again”

"You can be greedy" Noah winked. "But you are right, show first" he said as he walked out to the bathroom to take his second shower for the day.

After washing up he got dressed before he walked out. Just so the two wouldn't spent all day humping eachother.

"You got any replies from your classmates? I can text Adam but I think as long as it within the next few days he'll be able to come"

[virtualoo]

“Understood..and I don’t mind it. If I do have the leash and it needs to end, let me know.  Never feel forced to continue, even if it’s with me and I look like I’m having a ball” Nathan purred, kissing his cheek one last time before allowing the other to leave for another shower. Oh for sure he had to get those things for the other and really feed into that ‘leash’ power exchange of his. Maybe at some point after, add an actual leash for that man to wrap his hands around.

 

Nathan looked over his texts and most people were fine with anything in the next few days. Some people said Sunday wasn’t good as they planned to travel but otherwise seemed opened. He quickly put in the order for his o ring collar with an engraving of Pup into the leather. He would go pick it up tomorrow it seemed and quickly switched the page back to the texts when he started to hear Noah come back. “Besides Sunday, any other day is pretty good” He said as he was zippering up his pants and threw on his shirt

[M-jow]

He didn't notice anything suspicious when he came back out and saw Nathan sitting as he left him on his phone. Noah just thought he was texting his friends.

"Okay I'll ask Adam" he said as he took his own phone and sat down next to Nathan as he texted the other. Barely seconds later Adam replied back.

"He says he is leaving on saturday, so friday is good for him. He says it will just be him as Ian can't make it. He is working through the holidays." Noah really hoped it was just work, and not them taking a break from eachother again.

London jumped up into the couch beside Noah and crawled onto his lap while he grinded his head into Noah. Demanding attention on her now. Noah scratched the big fat orange cat under her chin. Making her purre as he leaned into his hand.

"How is fridag for us. Isn't it calling it tight, with it being the day after tomorrow" he asked unsure if they could really arrange a christmas party in that short amount of time. Atleast they wouldn't be lacking decorations, but they didn't need a tree. And he wouldn't try his best to help with preparing the food with Nathan. Gosh he really didn't wanna ruin the food as it would be so embarressing. Nathan's friends were cooks after all. Adam, well you could make that man fall for you if you just heated a frozen pizza in the owen. Easy to please. Noah had been like that too. But now he'd grown used to Nathan's dishes and had grown a higher standard.

Noah leaned into Nathan as he looked at him. London noticed Noah wasn't as attentive on petting her and moved onto Nathan as her next victim. Rubbing her face against his arm and then her body to get his attention.

"I'll help, but I dont think I could do anything with the cooking itself I'll just burn it. I don't want your buddies teasing you if anything turns out bad because of my interference"

[virtualoo]

“Friday it is!” Nathan said as he texted the classmates he had invited that the party would be on Friday. He encouraged them to bring any foods they liked but nothing was required. He set his phone down before wrapping a loving arm around Noah as he would need to go shopping for this party tomorrow. He had gone shopping with the other before but would need a bit more food for the extra people coming for a proper holiday feast! 
 

“I’ll find something you can do to help with the food, even if it’s ’simply’ cutting things up. You are going to be just as apart of this as I am, or I’ll find a way for you to make something easy with many step by steps. I can’t wait to have all our friends here, it will be the best holiday for me in a long time” Nathan smiled, figuring he could find a simple food item or holiday dish that even Noah could make, even if he had to make a step by step with pictures. He wanted Noah to be able to feel confident that he could make something and have his boyfriends friends like it.

“Screw them if they tease me, my boyfriend isn’t a chef or baker in training  and they are doing their best. We all have had our share of silly mistakes and they wouldn’t be nasty, playful at best. One of my friends nearly burnt the pan trying to make a dish. Don’t worry-All right London okay” Nathan chuckled as he pet and adorned London with pets and affection.  

[M-jow]

Noah laughed as he sat snuggling into the other. "It makes me feel more at ease, when you say it like that." He said as he looked at London getting her doze of cuddles from Nathan as well.

She began purring and leaned into him as well from the other side. "Look at you flirting around with the lady of the house in front of your boyfriend." He kissed Nathan's cheek and smirked. "We'll properly haft to set her up in the spareroom on friday. Just so she wouldn't feel too uneasy with so many people around... or eat the snacks"

They just hung out on the couch for an hour or so. Talking while petting the cat in turns. Just really planing for friday. 

Noah was sure they had enough decorations to make the entire apartment look stunning. It would definitely be some work to set everything up but atleast he knew he wouldn't need to do everything alone this year. It was gonna be fun getting everything ready. And then he had to make time to do something else as well.

Noah had bought the gift he planed to give Nathan. But there was now something or someones else he thought he needed to look for too. 

Noah didn't know much about foster families or the rules but he did know that with his legal lawyer license there was only a very few people he couldn't contact.

If he could find Nathan's foster mother then maybe he could arrange a legal meeting between the two. He really though it would be a huge suprised but wanted to keep it to himself just in case he couldn't find her or other things.

Noah knew that if he could meet his partners again and speak with them like regular people he would love to. The few pictures his sister shared to him from time to time was all he had to really see the change of time in his mother and father. Noah could still feel like he missed that feeling of being a part of a family. But at the same time he would never alow those sort of people into his life again. The'd kicked him out and washed their hands off him when he was no more than a young teen. He could never forgive them for doing that to him.

Luckily he now never gave them any thought. But that didn't mean he want Nathan to have that if he could.

...........................

After eating dinner together Noah got most of the living-room decorated with the stuff they'd bought. The space feel completly transformed it felt nice and comfortable. And one could really feel the joy of the holidays get in under your skin. It gave that childish excitment. Noah had really put his heart into every little detail and you could feel that love greet you like a warm blanket.

All the room lacked was a real fireplace to really make it feel like a completly driffrent place in the world.

Noah however still said there was something missing and that he would go look it up on his laptop. Although it wasn't really what he was actually doing.

..............

(Time skip friday)

"Baby, the hummus is done. How is things?" Noah asked as he dried his hands in the towel.

The dinning table was foled out and they'd borrowed another table from Adam to make room for everyone one. The tables were pressed together to make one longtable. Noah had arranged the table cloth, plates and glasses really nicely. There was small gnoms and crakers arrange around each seats and candles enough to light the entire room in a bright warm glow. The whole apartment smelt incredible with what Nathan had in the oven.

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[virtualoo]

Nathan had been stewing over what to get the other as christmas gifts, well aside from that little sexy surprise of the o ring collar he hoped the other would enjoy with his newly outed sexual...whatever that wonderful thing was that he decided to call it. He did not want to make the only christmas gift that he got Noah be all about sex. He never stewed this hard over gifts before, wanting to give Noah the Christmas he truly deserved. He wanted to share with Noah that fairytale of a holiday movie christmas of the small pile of presents under the tree. Wrapping the gifts was another ordeal, trying to wrap them as they came in from being ordered whenever Noah was not home, tucking them into the closet until the actual holiday. One gift he thought was cute was this cozy looking sweater with a cat on it that somewhat resembled London..even if the turtleneck might be a tiny bit too big-he could not possibly pass up on it! The closet had a decent pile by the Friday of an assortment of presents that he had put under the tree starting at the friend christmas on friday. London was pretty good about not touching them and having the visual of presents under the tree was a good touch! If Noah was eager enough, maybe one present could be opened after dinner?

"See, I told you you could cook something! Okay, its not technically cooking but you made it! The turkey is cooling off still on the top stove and I need to carve it and I am taking out the blueberry pie, the apple pie is still in the fridge I made yesterday, just need to throw it into the oven a bit later to warm it up" Nathan smiled as the kitchen counters were filled with the various foods made for the dinner, from things like turkey and mashed potatoes to desserts like pies and some cookies, the ice cream being one of the few store bought items. They were fuller a bit ago but some stuff for the dinner portion occupied the long table for people to grab as they liked without needing to get up, the desserts would wait on the counter to save the table space. 

 

"Pretty much done either way, I cut off a few white meat pieces to cool off and shredded up for London without the skins on it. Give the kitty a little christmas dinner, I dont think cats can eat potatoes..or veggies..I am honestly not sure but turkey seemed okay..right? Or we can just use it for sandwiches" Nathan smiled, finally washing hands that had residue of the various things he had been prepping and cooking the good portion of today. "We are eating like kings even if they take food home for the next few days" Nathan chuckled, giving Noah a small peck on the lips.

 

 

[M-jow]

Noah had wondered about the stack of presents Nathan had stagered in under the tree in the living-room, when he hadn't been looking. He wasn't sure if all of them was actually really once or if most were just some emty boxes Nathan had wrapped in to make it look much more grand. Noah kept his present to Nathan hidden just until after dinner. He didn't think their guests would take any by Noah wasn't taking any chances. He kept the watch he'd bought and wrapped, neatly in the closet hidden under his pants. The second gift for Nathan had yet to be resived and wouldn't be needing any wrapping papir.

Nathan had most likely used all up from the looks of it anyway.

"Did we say anything about exchanging gifts with the other's and I just didn't remember?" Noah asked just to be sure he hadn't missed some important.  "Because that is alot" 

 

"She'll eat anything in bite sizes. Exit for spinach and lettuce" Noah explained as Nathan washed his hands in the zink. He wrapped his warm around the man's waist and gently pulled the other into him, as Nathan gave him a sweet peck on the lips.

Noah returned the kiss with another before pulling away to look at him again. "Then I think you should wash up before the guests arrives. You smell like turkey and gravy all over" Noah teased his boyfriends. "Might just take a small bite of you to settle my appetite" he grinded. "You got about 40 minutes before the arrived. I can look after the food and answer the door in case someone comes early" Noah hadn't been the one slaving away in the kitchin since dawn. He'd had time to take a bath and get dressed into some nice but til comfort clothes. He had a blue christmas sweater on. With some raindeers on the front and christmas trees on the back. Its felt warm and comfortable and looked great to the team of the room. He had bought another one for Nathan too. To match with his, but he hadn't wanted to pressure Nathan to wear it today. "Baby shower~" 

[virtualoo]

“I…may have gone a bit overboard with getting you gifts for Christmas since we have started dating. I had to stop myself from getting more honestly. Some of these are for London too” Nathan smiled shyly as he knew the pile would be far grander if he didn’t stop himself and knew sooner the other would be moving in with him. “Maybe like half is yours and half is London’s. We never did say gift exchange with everyone since it was a last minute party-maybe next year when there’s more time to plan” Nathan smiled shyly once his hands were dried. 
 

“Didn’t realize how long I’ve been in here, got in total work mode I suppose. But loving the spread..and don’t tempt me now. We will never get to the end of the party if you have a taste now” Nathan playfully teased before stepping away from him. “Oh…there’s only one gift that isn’t under the tree, don’t need anyone seeing that particular gift accidentally, not like we are opening any in front of them anyway. I think you’ll…enjoy it” Nathan smirked with a flirtatious wink before heading to the bathroom to wash up. When he was all clean, he did notice a sweater that looked similar to Noah’s downstairs, figuring it might be cute to match him.

Noah didn’t mention matching but figured it would be a cute couple thing to do, even more so on their first Christmas together as a couple and living together. He kept looking over himself in the mirror, wanting to make sure he looked his best before heading back downstairs.

[M-jow]

While Nathan was in the bath Noah made sure too keep an eye on everything just enough not to ruin any of Nathan's delicious dishes.

About 10 minuts in there was a knock on the door. Although it was a bit early apparently someone want to be in good time and Noah went to get the door.

He opened it and was meet with Adams face to his relife. If it had been one of Nathan's guests he would have prefered Nathan being there too.

"Hey Cookie" Adam smiled as he saw Noah open the door and stepped inside. He was carrying two bottles of wine in one hand and another in his other. "I know I'm a bite early but my ubber arrived faster then expected" he explained as he gave Noah the two bottles. It was as expected. Since Adam did as much cooking as Noah it was much more likely for Adam to bring wine. He owned a bar after all and wine was a specialty of his. Noah had told this to Nathan too so they didn't haft to buy a whole lot themself since Adam had refined tast for those things.

"Hey is okay you are always welcome and it's no problem. Heck even if it was I'd just put you to work with setting the table or something" Noah assured his friend as he brought the two bottles inside to set on the table. "Anything good?" He asked about the bottles just so he would know what kind of wine he'd brought.

"Of course it's the good bottles off my shelfs baby what do you take me for?. I couldn't embace myself in from of your boyfriend and his cooking buddies now could I. I brought two red Pinot Noir and a white Vin Santo perfekt for desserts. I can personality vouch for those bottles are the best choice" Adam said pretty proud of himself as he took off his coat and walked in after Noah.

"Wow" Adams eyes looked around the room amazed with how the apartment had completly transformed since thanksgiving. "You two are completly crazy it's the worst high of christmas feber i've ever seen of you so far. Did you ever have this much decorations before??"

Noah smiled knowing what Adam was hinting at. "Well Nathan and I bought a whole new batch of decorations, since he didn't have any and he asked me to move in with him, on a permanent base." Noah had yet to share the news with him as he thought it would be better to say it in person and get Adams reaction that way.

"Well how the hell did you keep that bite of news to yourself! Congratulation" Adam was really happy for his friend and patted his shoulder. "The place lookes amazing by the way"

"Thanks, Nathan helped me alot actually and he also taught me to make him with some of the cooking. Although I just did the dip it's still quite good" Noah was all warm and smiles. He didn't try to brag but he still wanted to share his happiness with his friend.

"Ah so he just let you do the easy stuff right? Puh I was a second worried about skipper the dinner now in case you'd burned it all" Adam teased.

"Hey!" Noah was just about to smack Adam lightly for fun but then the door rang again.

"Ah! Seems I'm not the only one coming in early. Go take care of your guests. I'll just pop this bottle open to let it breath before dinner" Adam told Noah and hurried over to the kitchin to make himself look busy trying to find the bottle opener.

"In the second draw" Noah told him as he walked to the door.

Outside stood a guy with pure blond hair with blue eyes and a red scarf around his neck. "Hello this is Nathan's apartment Oui?" Frances asked Noah trying to look like he didn't know him. They'd never actually meet and Noah didn't know Frances already know who he was.

"Yes please come in I am Noah. Nathan is just getting ready. I can take that inside" Noah stepped asided to let the other in and meantioned for the covered tray the other was carrying.

"No I'll handle it myself, its quite delicat" Frances told him off with a polite smile and just gave Noah his coat instead, to hang up for him. Eventhough he could easily have done so himself it just felt a little bite more satisfying putting the man in his place.

Noah didn't get why he couldn't take the tray but let it be at that. The other hadn't bothered to tell his name so he just had to presum he'd forgot. He hung the man's coat for him before showing him inside. Fragt took a look around but didn't say anything about the decorations. He just headed strange into the kitchin to set his tray down and look around on the distance of dishes on the table and in the owen.

"Hey I'm Adam" Adam introduced himself to the stranger. He tried not to judge but he could smell the stench of snoopy ass all around the guy without tje other even looking his way.. and that was maybe the problem. Still he didn't want to start on a bad foot and acted politely.

Frances looked up at Adam and gave him a small nod. "Pleasur. My name is Frances. I'm a close friend of Nathan." He introduced himself to Adam.

"Ah! Yes a cook, cause you are. You look just the part" Adam smiled and reached out to shake Frances hand. He hand a wine glass already in hand as he'd allowed himself to take just a tiny sip for tast.

"Chef not cook there os a driffrence" Frances looked at the glass and instead of taking Adams offered hand he took the glass in his other hans and brought it up to his nose.

"Okay..." Adam frowned. That was quite rude of him.

Noah came in just as Frances took a sip off the red wine. Took his time tasting it and spit it back into the glass then gave it back to Adam. Who looked at the guy stunned before setting it down in the sink.

"It Italien isn't it? Oh why a French red would have complimentet the dishes so much better. Shame I should have brought wine instead.  Not that I should have expected a good wine to begin with O guess" Frances looked sadden back at his brought tray.

"What did you just say?" Adams jaw was clenched in anger and Noah clearly saw his friend was about to explode.

"Ah, Adam could you help me with the plates!" Noah took Adam by the arm an pulled him away from the kitchin.

"I don't like that guy! Don't place me anywhere near him Noah or he is walking home with a set of purple eyes aswell." Adam whispered to his as he couldn't belive what had just  happened.

"Just take a breath okay. Don't punch anyone. I am sure he didn't mean anything bad. He didn't say the wine was bad either just he has another prefence.  Take a breather buddy" Noah advised Adam and the other took a seat in the couch.

After a few minutes Nathan's came out wearing the christmas sweater that match his. Noah smiled widely at his boyfriend when their eyes met. He looked so good and it made every inch of him feel giggly inside that Nathan had choose to wear that.

"Nathan hey" Frances was the one the break the trance between their gaces. The blond frenchman hurried over and gently placed a kiss on each of Nathan's cheeks like they were in Franch.

"What a lovely home you have. Its just like walking into a christmas fariytale" Frances was a smiling like an exited little kid. Completly driffrent from just before.

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[virtualoo]

Nathan did not push the other away, smiling at seeing the first few guests having arrived for the holiday, happy to see the smile of his classmate. "Hahahaha thank you, with my first christmas with my boyfriend Noah here as a couple, I maaaaay have gone a little overboard. But hey, its the holidays and I am enjoying it and so is Noah. I am assuming you have had a second to say hello, but this is the classmate I was telling you about Noah. I think you said you came over here in your...teens? I don't remember the exact age" He said with a small grin before going to Noah and giving him the biggest hug and a peck on the lips. "Frances, this is Noahs, like, best friend ever Adam. And hopefully mine or will be" He said with a more playful tease. "Oh, you brought some of your bars wine..? Man, you didn't have to bring your nice bottles for us! Thank you so much, I am looking forward to trying it and glad you were able to make it! May I..?" He asked with an open arm for either a hug or a handshake, whatever Adam felt more comfortable with, not wanting to force it.

 

"I think you guys got here just like a few minutes earlier than everyone else but the foods all done. I know Brian was going to bring some cookies and I think Izekial is bringing this vegetable dish since they prefer not to eat meat. But i do have some pigs-in-a-blanket and a charcutier board with prosciutto and salami and cheeses. Oh, Adam, guys, you have to try these vegan 'chicken' wings I made! I have never made them before so I am hoping they taste okay. I only breezed over it in class when we were doing the meat unit, I think it was a page or a footnote in our workbook Frances on what meats and seasonings to change it to make it taste close but still follow the vegan diet" He beamed as he moved the tray of them out of the oven where he was keeping them temporarily to keep them warm. "I dont think we need to cook anything any do we Noah? Oh, Adam,Frances Noah made the hummus!" Nathan beamed in pride, wanting to show off Adams improved skill and actually having cooked something. 

[M-jow]

Adam and Noah both frowned a little when Frances threw himself at him and began to greet him.. quite.. warmly? They shared eyecontact for a second while the two hugged it out. The driffrence in Frances behavior was quite noticeable.

 Noah tried to belive Frances was being shy around people he'd just meet and maybe that was why he'd seemed so cold.

17 hours ago, virtualoo said:

"I am assuming you have had a second to say hello, but this is the classmate I was telling you about Noah."

Noah nodded his head. "Yeah we've greeted eachother." He didn't know what more to say than that though. He wasn't what Noah had pictures from what Nathan's description. 

He might also have felt a bit jealous seeing His boyfriend so close around about but the second Nathan chose to come over and pull Noah into a tight hug and placed a sweet soft kiss on him alll that melted away.

When it was Adams turn he just smiled at Frances like he hadn't just been thinking about smacking him red and blue.

"I couldn't come emty handed and beside you are the food specialitet, wine is mine yet they go so well together. Noah gave me a few hint on what could be served and I got a bit for it all. Its no trouble really"  Adam smiled as he put the other into a warm hug. Just as he was hugging Nathan he noticed Frances looking. And like a kid in first grade he stuck his tongue out at him for that coment about bad tast in wine.

Adam wasn't a fool and neither was Noah. But compared to his best friend good natur, Adam saw right through this man's bull sh#t. It was clear as day he had his eyes set on Noah's spot beside Nathan from how he glared at him.

But if that bitch tried to hurt his friend or steal his man. Adam wasn't gonna be plesant either. He could play it off innocently too but he wasn't gonna ruin Nathan and Noah's christmas dinner.

13 hours ago, virtualoo said:

"Noah made the hummus!"

Adam looked at his friend like he had done a christmas miracle. "Wow Cookie, look at you actually not burning something" Adam teased an already blushing Noah.

Frances didn't really see what was so special about hummus. You just blended everything into a smooth past. There really wasn't anything that could go wrong with that. Not compared to everything Nathan had done. He really didn't wanna try the hummus but to act polit he still said. "Well done" to Noah simply to please Nathan. He hated Nathan had that proud look on his face when he talked about Noah's achievements. Nathan had done so much more and a way better job. Atleast he knew he just needed to stay clear of the hummus.

Noah was blushing cause of the pride on Nathan's face. Nathan was so damn sweet and the way his eyes shined was priceless. But it was also hella embarressing that this was all Noah could actually cook. "I have a great instructor" Noah replied giving Nathan a shy smile back. He really liked seeing Nathan all bright and exited as he was now. He filled the room with pure joy and it was contagious.

"Please love, you are the really genius of the kitchin here." He chuckled. "He has been cooking since dawn, all exited for everything. I just set the table and made the dip." Noah winked at Nathan.

Frances visible got chills hearing Noah calling him love. Disgusting he thought. Wasn't it enough Nathan already was under his spell. Did he really need to rub it in everyones face?! Frances was bubbling with jealousy inside. He try to divert the attention from Noah to himself instead.

"Oh that remindes me" Frances spoke up loud enough to get Nathan's attention as he went over the the tray he had brought. He peeled the cloth over it off to reveal big fresh oysters on ice. "You told me you'd never tried oysters before and I thought to bring some for fun. Back in my country we eat it around every holiday. Its quite fresh, just picked out of the water from this morning too."

Noah kinda wondered why Frances hadn't let him helped him carry them in. What had he expected Noah to do? Drop it or shaken it like a maracas??

Noah hadn't tried Oysters either. It looked quite fancy on the display though.

Adam thought he would rather not swallowed that disgusting blob of snot even if Frances payed him to.

"I'll have to skip out on that one. Sorry, it not up my ally. I tried it on a date once and lets just say.. I never saw him again, great guy but that..naa" Adam grimmeste.

"Well it isn't for everyone. We all have driffrent preference and taste" Frances replied. He honestly didn't care what Adam thought. 

"Here I'll show you how we eat them" Frances said as he picked up a tool from the tray and used it to open two oysters. Then he cleaned them with a knife so all the meat was in one part of the shell. Sprayed som fresh lemon juice into the shell and gave one to Nathan. "Look we link our arms like so" he loope his arm through Nathan's so both were holding a oyster. "The we cheers and bottoms up!"

[virtualoo]

Nathan smiled happily when he was hugged, happy to simply be in Noah’s arms in the hug. He was happy to be hugged by Adam too, feeling so warm and fuzzy with both classmates and men he considered his family present for a nice Christmas dinner. He didn’t notice the tongue sticking out or any possible tension on the air at least in the moment. They were having a Christmas dinner all together and he felt like the first time to truly felt the Christmas spirit in a long time. Would you be happy Mama..? Seeing him finally celebrating the holiday with a bunch of people like you always did with him? She would be happy…happy to see him with the love his his life in a home of their own.

“Darling you had just as much of a hand as much as you were able to. Made sure I took care of myself and took breaks besides the hummus you know, never sell yourself short on what you do” He grinned, kissing the top of his head again. Did he do a lot more technically? Yes but he would never make Noah feel small for it and would always highlight his achievements, but did blush at him telling the others how hard he has been working on the meal.

 

“Not surprised you brought oysters, you did mention that” Nathan looked overly the newly revealed tray of oysters. He never had them before, true, and likely wouldn’t have gone out himself to try them. But he was willing to try anything once, even if he ended up not liking it. It would be rude to not try something the other prepared with him in mind. 
 

He watched the other prepare it and do the whole thing with linking arms. A bit odd but he has seen this before in like movies and stuff so it didn’t seem abnormal. “Here goes nothing” He said as he downed it in one gulp, tasting the rather fishy taste but it was also rather salty yet creamy. “Softer than I expected , honestly not that bad” He contemplated it before nodding and smiling. He wouldn’t go out of his way for it but he wouldn’t deny eating more if offered to him. “Fishier than I expected” He chuckled, dipping a chip in some of Noah’s hummus and eating it to neutralize the fishier taste. “Awesome job on the oysters Frances”

[M-jow]

Adam had to turn his eyes away and try not to gag at the memory from when he'd tried it. He pulled Noah closer by his ugly christmas sweater. Although it was adorable how the two wore matching couple christmas sweaters. Adam still thought they were ugly but could never dream about telling either of the two that.

He whispered into Noah's ear while the other's were occupied. "If you want I could pump the tray off the table with my elbow?" 

"Adam don't!" Noah replied in the same low whispered but he was still firm. Noah wanted everything to go smooth because this meant alot for Nathan and he too had been looking forward to tonight. "You can sit in the back the farest away from the tray if you prefer."

"Deal" Adam agreed and nodded. "But I still wanna sit close to your hubby and you. Incase Cinderella gets too comfortable"

Noah looked at his bestfriend weirdly. Not at all getting the concept.

"Don't worry your little cute head about that Cookie" he said and squeezed Noah's shoulder.

 

After Nathan had tried the oyster Noah kinda felt a little satisfied when his boyfriend cleaned his palette with a bit of the hummus, the one he had made. Aw.. so sweet and cute. Although Nathan had thought him the recipe. In Noah's head he thought, Nathan still preferred his hummus over what France had brought. So it was his win in the end.

Just then the doorbell chimed again. "Would you like to get it Nathan" Noah smiled at him. Giving Nathan a change to greet his guests since Noah's guest had already arrived.

[M-jow]

(Meanwhile same evening at an completly driffrent location)

A midel aged old lady had just gotten home from work, and went to check her mailbox at the entrance to her apartment building. Her she took the bills and letters that was adresse to her and took turns looking through them as she walked up the stairs. She lived on the second floor which was lucky for her as she had gotten rather weak in the knees over the last few years.

When she got to a letter from a sender she didn't recognise she got curious as it didn't look like a bill. And was hand written.

The writting was neat enough for someone to tell the person had practiced a lot. But it was also clear for normal person to read.

"Noah J. Gray" she said the name on the sender out loud as she reached her door. Something in the back of her mind told her she had heard the last name somewhere before but she couldn't remember.

She got into her apartment and placed all the bills on the kitchin countertop, then she took out a letter opener and put on her glasses to read through the paper.

After a moment she felt her knees give away from under her but luckily she laned on her butt in the chair behind her.

She pressed her shaking palm up infront of her mouth as he read on.

(can’t remember if Nathan's foster mother had a name or not)

>To Amanda Lindy Windeltaker. I'm here writing to you on behaves of my dear friend Nathan. Whom if you remembered was in your care for a few years back in foster care. Than person has been looking for you and he wishes to get back in contact with you 

I'm acting as his lawer to write to you as Nathan isn't allowed to contact you or know of your location, before you have given me or another lawer your consent.

Nathan doesn’t know that I am writing to you so in case you don't wish to create contact he will never know of this letter. But I really hope you'll want to meet him. He speaks fondly of his memories with you and still sees you as his mother.

Nathan is doing well and has just started going to culinary school a few months ago. He is a pretty amazing guy and I know hearing from you would mean the world to him. I can pass along any letter you might want to send him.

I hope you will write back to me whatever your answer might be. And marry christmas.

Regrads Noah<

[virtualoo]

"Still good Frances, promise! Not used to them is all" Nathan wanted to make sure his friend is reassured that he did not hate his food by his 'fishy' comment. He did enjoy them, the texture and taste were just something he had not expected or prepared for in anyway. He wanted tonight to go well enough, even if there was some tension with people meeting other people or being in a different setting. School and other such things were one thing, a holiday party was a whole other beast. This was also the first time he had cooked or hosted for such a big party and was glad things seemed to be working out so far, even all his friends were getting along, including his boyfriend. 

"Right right, I'm going" Nathan smiled warmly, giving him one more peck on the lips before moving to go answer the door. There should only be a few more people left to arrive before everyone was here, figuring once a majority of the people were here, he could start setting out more of the appetizers for everyone. He did not want to keep the people waiting hungry but also wanted to give people who were getting here a bit later than the others a chance to eat equally. Of course, he would have enough regardless. Likely, he made enough, if not a lot, and people could either take some food home or their house would have some good leftovers for quite a few days to come.

[M-jow]

Adam rolled his eyes inside his head as he saw Frances practically light up and smirked back at Noah when Nathan wasn't paying attention.

Adam returned the others smirk right back at him when Nathan turned to kiss HIS friend on the lips before getting the door.

"So anything else you want to drink Frances?" Noah asked to be friendly. He really didn't wanna ruin the evening for anyone.

"Water, bottle water" France told Noah. Then as he had said it he got an idear. "Actually could I get it with ice and a thin slice of lemon?"

Adam took another swig at his wine as he walked away with a shaking head. Atleast the guy was behaving now.. kinda.

"Sure I believe we has a lemon. Just a moment" Noah went to get Frances a glass as requested.

After Noah went to the kitchin Frances walked towards the entrance to greet the other with Nathan.

"Hey is so good you guys made it" he said faking a plastic smile at the two men taking their jackets off. By the door.

Maurice looked at Frances then at Nathan. Maurice knew Frances's mood changed with Nathan around and he knew it was because the other had a crush on Nathan. Yet since Nathan had invitere Frances he thought everything was fine. He figured alright knew but also didn't feel like it was his place to bother them

The other person wasn't one from Nathan's school. He and Nathan had hung out and made lots of trouble as teens together. He too had been living on the streets after running off from his foster home. Joy had later joined the military to get some kind of job that paid. He was never book smarte but he was strong and quick to react to danger. Joy had stayed in contact with Nathan through letters and joined Nathan's Christian party when ever he was home.

Tree years ago he got send home from a trip with PTSD and lost his job after a week. Joy had been through a very dark place and only his close friends kept him alive to keep going. Joy was a guy built of mucles and could seem intimidating but was good guy and a great friend. He just had trouble going out a meet people on his owm. As fare as Nathan knew Joy hadn't been in a relationship in those three years.

Joy's first through was that Frances was Nathan's boyfriend cause of how he came out to greet them beside Nathan. "Pleasure to meet you" Joy held his big rough hand out towards Frances. When the smaller man hesitated but still took it to press it. Joy was careful not to squeezed too tightly.

Joy already knew Nathan was gay. Heck they'd both been to bars together in the past often enough for him to know Nathan's type.. and tl be honest.. this little petit man was a far off stretched from his usal preference. Huh but maybe Nathan's tast had changed to someone more elegant.

Joy turned to Noah with a hug smile as he held his flat palm out to smack it toget with Nathaniel. 

"Nathan my man it's been too long. I almost thought I wouldn't be seeing your invitation this year"

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[M-jow]

Maurice greeted Nathan and walked in after the other two to the living-room.

He quietly watch Frances from the corner of his eye but turned to greeted the other's in the room.

He saw Adam first and though the guy looked decent. He prefered speaking with less shallow people than Frances. Plus he noticed the small hint of Adam rolling his eyes at Frances clingy behavior. They got eye contact and greeted eachother.

"Merry christmas" Maurice greeted Adam and shook the other's hand. "I'm Maurice. I have classes with Nathan" 

"Hi, yes and marry christmas to you too" Adam smiled as he returned the others greeting. Maurice seemed okay. "I am the boyfriend's friend." The two seemed to match eachother vibe and slowly they fell into small talk.

Noah had gotten the glass or ice water for Frances and wanted to give it to him. He gently tapped Frances should to catch the other's attention. "Here Frances. Your ice water"

Joy also looked up at the new persons arrival and woundered who the man was.

Noah smiled back at Joy and was just about to open his mouth when Frances spoke up. "Ice water? Why? isn't it could enough outside... oh sorry I meant thank you Noah, it was nice of you"

Noah stared back at Frances practically suppressing himself for yelling right in the other's face. Frances wasn't treating him very nice and disgraded him right in front or Nathan and the other guests.

"Well you asked fir bottle water with ice and a slice of lemon so.. Noah wanted to glare at the guy but inside he just set the glass down on the table since Frances wasn't taking it.

Adam saw that and frowned over at them. "What the hell" 

Maurice caught on. "Yeah he is a strang one. He is like that at school too. It's quite obvious but apparently not for Nathan.

Joy smiled. He had taken a vild guess earlier about Frances being the boyfriend. But right when he saw the christmas sweater that matched Nathan's it was clear as day who the partner of Nathan was.

"Nathan aren't you gonna introduce us?" Joy jabed Nathan with his shoulder teasingly. He could introduce himself but he wanted it to be properly.

[virtualoo]

“Joy! Glad you were able to come to the party you fucker!” Nathan chuckled, using fucker in a friendly way towards him.  He took the hand offered to him and pulled him in with one arm, patting his back with a rough but friendly touch. He knew this Christmas party was rather last minute and his last few Christmas’s were often spent with a much smaller group. One year, well a few years at times, it was just him and Joy but he was happy. They were friends since what felt like forever, often getting into trouble as teens and he was one of the first he came out to…even if the other figured it out before he said it with many trips to the bar…even able to figure out the types of guys he liked with ease.

Nathan was about ready to catch up with Joy but chuckled when he mentioned introducing him to everyone. “Right right sorry, I’m being rude” He chuckled, so caught up in seeing Joy that he forgot about doing the intros himself. The tension in the air felt..heavy..he must have missed something or maybe it was just his own nerves talking? “Well, Noah here is my boyfriend, the..one I was telling you about” Nathan couldn’t help but smile, an arm going right around Noah and kissing the top of his head. It felt weird to have his past and present be in the same room but was happy they could get to know each other at last.

 

He began to introduce everyone else, Adam after Noah, Frances being introduced last of all. “And finally, Frances is one of the exchange students in my cooking program at college. Can’t forget Noah helped me get in in the first place..probably already told you that though…But yeah, dude, go sit, I’m making sure you eat!” he chuckled, wanting to make sure the other got a good meal in while he was here. When Joy was going through a hard time, Nathan was there for him in anyway he could. You fuck with Joy? You fuck with Nathan! The same could be true the other way around when they were teens. If one was there, the other likely wasn’t far behind.

[M-jow]

Joy laughed as Nathan introduced his partner to him. He didn't know what he had expected Noah to look like exactly but whatever it had been wasn't this. And it wasn't in any bad way. Nathan had said they used to work together in the club. He had just kinda pictured a pretty boy with not much mucles on. Or a fem boy. But Noah looked.. well really good. Like he might have tried his luck if they'd meet somewhere before Nathan. Joy hadn't dated in a long while but it didn't mean he hadn't had one nightstand now and then. He didn't talk much about his preference but over the last few years he had tried exploring with male partners and found it just as satisfying. He still took himself as mostly straight but he didn't have a problem being bi either. Just as long as he got to top it was fine.

Ofcoures he would never steal anyone's partner but he could still annoye his friend. "Noah huh, nice to finally get a face to the nametag. Nathan has brought your name up lots of time, even before. Man you could really pull some funny tricks on him, making him infuriated. But it was kinda funny to listen to him bitching about it" Joy smirked back at Nathan as he put his arm around Noah staking his claim to the man.

Honestly they looked good together but he was curious to get to learn more about the man Noah. He wanted to figure out what sort of person he really was and if he could trust Nathan with him. Nathan had turned into a love stroke puppy when he spoke of him now. Completly driffrent from a few mounths ago. If Noah was actually a decent guy he would feel better about it.

"Now you got him purring like a kitten, it's interesting" Joy finished with the same smile from before.

Noah chuckled awkward. "Yeah I guess things were weird for us for a long time."

Joy winked at him before Nathan into him to the rest of the gruppe.

Noah thought to himlen for a moment. He had actually never apologised to Nathan about how he had acted before. Although Nathan had clearly returned the favor lots of times. Noah had started it.. or atleast he was sure he had. Because he might have liked Nathan. But because he was with Marcus and he wasn't treating Noah right. Noah hadn't treated Nathan with as much respect to make the other want to pull away from him and not get too close. Maybe his mind had pulled up warning signs to protect his feelings for Marcus..

Still it was a poor exuse for how he had bullied Nathan. He hadn't been very proud when Joy brought it up.

 

After alle the introductions,Joy leaned back into the corner of the velvet couch, a glass of red wine cradled in one hand, eyes roaming across the apartment—not in surprise, but something close to it.
He’d seen Nathan’s place before, more than once. He knew the bones of it well enough: the narrow hall that opened into a snug living space, the beat-up record player in the corner, the kitchen that Nathan had practically rebuilt by hand. But tonight… tonight it looked like something out of a magazine. Not just cleaned up—dressed up. Like Christmas had walked in and made itself comfortable.
The walls were warm with golden lights, soft and subtle, no harsh LED glare. A pine garland ran the length of the walls, dotted with cinnamon sticks and dried orange slices, real ones. There were wool throws draped over the backs of chairs like it was a catalog shoot. Candles flickered in clusters on every flat surface, and the Christmas tree in the corner—tall, real, and clearly picked with care—stood proud and glowing with a mix of both new and old-school baubles and ornaments. None Joy recognized or had seen before.
It was a kind of cozy that didn't come cheap. Not in money, necessarily, but something you put alot of effort into. It was a home someone had curated with love, not just to liv in. That someone, Joy knew, wasn’t Nathan.
It properly had Noah’s fingerprints all over it.
He took a sip of wine, letting the thought roll around. Nathan was many things, but “cozy holiday vibes” he loved spending the holiday with friends but he never decorated like this. The man barely made time to fold his laundry, let alone tie ribbons on fir branches.
Joy figured Noah must have dragged Nathan out to buy decorations. The guy who hadn't given a damn about it in the past few years, now looked so comfortable surrounded by it all like a small kid on christmas. That made Joy pause, just for a second.
Maybe the kid understood Nathan wishes better that him. Maybe he was more than just a pretty face with a good grind and a sweet smile.
But Joy wasn’t making any calls yet. Not until he saw how the guy held up under pressure

That’s what he was really here for.
Not just the meal Nathan was cooking or the free wine. He was here to look under the glitter and cinnamon-scented candlelight and see if Noah was the real thing. Because Nathan, for all his grit and charm, still had a soft heart—and soft hearts dosen't always survive bad choices.
Joy wasn’t going to let his bestfriend get blindsided by some guy.
Not if he had anything to say about it

Holiday music hum low in the background—something jazzy and expensive-sounding. Nathan must’ve let Noah pick the playlist too. The thought made him grin.
Across the room, Noah was fussing with place settings, adjusting forks that didn’t need adjusting. He looked nervous. Trying hard. Aside from setting the table Noah’s contribution to it was the —hummus in a fancy bowl with a drizzle of olive oil and a perfectly placed sprig of parsley. Nathan had praised him for it, like he’d just plated a Michelin-star dish.
Joy smiled into his glass. They were cute. Too cute? Time would tell as he tried to read the man his friend had decided to share his apartment with.

“Joy, mon ami,” came a silky voice to his left, “I did not expect you to be so... grande.”
Joy turned, amused, to find Frances standing just a little too close. His shirt was too tight, his smile too practiced. The French accent was thick—but Joy had heard a lot of accents in a lot of places. This one was put on a little heavier than necessary. For effect.
“Frances, right?” Joy said, deliberately not standing. “I didn’t expect you to be so... forward.”

Frances blinked, then laughed like it was a joke. But his eyes did a quick sweep of Joy’s military-cut frame, resting for a second on his hands—big, scarred, knuckles like someone who fought more than he wrote emails.
“I’ve heard a lot about you from Nathan,” Frances said. “He said you were like a brother to him, yes?”
Joy’s grin tightened. “That’s right.”
“Interesting…” Frances looked over at Nathan, who was still laughing with Adam in the kitchen. “I imagine it’s difficult for you, no? Seeing him so... settled. With someone like Noah.”
Joy leaned forward, putting just enough weight into the moment. “Why don’t you just say what you mean, Frenchie?”
Frances raised an elegant eyebrow. “I mean nothing. Only that Nathan is a man of complexity. Depth. Some people mistake charm for depth, but they are not the same.”
It was such a clean dig Joy actually laughed.
Before he could fire back, Adam slid in like a storm with a fresh bottle
“would you care for a refill,” Adam said, plopping onto the couch beside him.
 Frances frowned at Adam’s for interrupting them. But instead of saying anything he went to the kitchin to supposedly help out. That sharp-cheekboned little baguette of a man who had already managed to 'accidentally' spill sparkling water in Noah’s lap.
Joy didn’t need Adam’s sharp intuition to see the game. Frances had it bad. The kind of crush that made people sloppy and spiteful. He was buttering up Nathan like a croissant while tossing shade at Noah with a silver spoon. And Nathan? Oblivious. Joy loved the man, but subtlety wasn’t exactly his strong suit unless it involved seasoning.

"Military right? Are you’re the mysterious bro with a troubled soul and killer arms, right?” Adam asked making Joy barked a laugh, letting Adam top his glass off. “Depends on who’s telling the story. I could also be the PTSD-riddled mess with a tendency to self-sabotage and a bad habit of flirting with men I can’t have.”
Adam winked. “So we’re playing the honesty game. I like that.”
They clinked glasses.
Joy liked Adam. Right away. He had that easy, radiant confidence that made a person feel seen. He wasn’t trying to impress anyone—he just was. Unlike Frances, who’d spent the last ten minutes trying to point out flaws with everything Noah touched.
“Let’s make a deal,” Joy muttered to Adam, eyes flicking to where Frances was laughing a little too loudly at something Nathan said. “If I punch that kid in the face, you tell the cops it was self-defense.”
Adam grinned. “You’d be doing everyone a favor.”
And then Noah sat down beside Joy.
Joy turned to him with a smirk. “So. Hummus, huh? That your secret weapon?”
Noah rolled his eyes with good humor. “I can also microwave popcorn, if you’re impressed by that.”
Adam snorted as he said. "Barely" into his glass.
Joy chuckled. “I’ll admit. You got guts, dating Nathan. He’s a whole handful.”
Noah looked over at Nathan across the room, who was laughing with Frances—God help him—and the way his face softened told Joy everything he needed to know. No fakeness. No performance.
Just love.
“I’m not with him because it’s easy,” Noah said quietly, sipping his wine. “I’m with him because it just feels right and I'll rather be tired with him than rested without him.”
Joy blinked. That was… more poetic than he expected. He tilted his glass to Noah in a silent toast and watched as the younger man blushed but held his gaze steady.
Alright, Joy thought. Maybe this kid’s the real deal after all.
But he still leaned in close, grinning wolfishly.
“You hurt him,” he said softly, “and I’ll mail your ass back to your mother in bubble wrap.”
Noah grinned back. “Fair. But only if you let me pick the color of the wrapping.”
That made Joy laugh.

Dinner was nearly ready, the smells thick in the air, and Joy could feel himself settling. The kind of settling he didn’t know he still had in him.
Here, in this tiny apartment with too many candles and one hostile Frenchman, he felt… okay.

Nathan appeared, carrying the main course like it was a damn trophy. The turrkey looked perfect—glazed, crispy-skinned, resting over a bed of roasted root vegetables. Everyone started to drift toward the table, and Joy took his seat directly across from Noah.
He planned to watch every word. Every twitch. Every glance.
Because family wasn’t about blood. Not to Joy. It was about the people who showed up, even when it got ugly.
Nathan was his family.
And tonight, Joy was going to find out if Noah deserved to be part of that.

The clinking of cutlery and the low thrum of music filled the apartment as everyone settled into their seats. The table was a festive spread of reds and golds, the centerpiece a long garland of pine branches and holly wrapped in fairy lights. At the heart of it all: a glorious golden-brown turkey, roasted to glossy perfection, and a honey-glazed ham so shiny it could’ve been lacquered. Bowls of cranberry sauce, buttery mashed potatoes, green beans with crispy shallots, and sweet potato casserole crowded every available inch.
Nathan sat down last, cheeks flushed from the heat of the kitchen and probably the glass of wine he was already halfway through.

(Room for Nathan to make a toast)

“To Nathan,” Noah added with his glass raised and wore a proud little grin.
Joy lifted his glass. “To Christmas miracles. And people who still know how to cook from scratch.”
Everyone chuckled as plates were passed around, forks and spoons clinking in earnest. Joy helped himself to a thick cut of ham and a generous slice of turkey. He didn’t miss the gravy—Nathan's, no doubt—the kind that clung to the meat and soaked into the stuffing like it belonged there.
Adam was already moaning over the roasted Brussels sprouts.
“Okay, this stuffing is a religious experience,” he said, mouth half-full. “I’m starting a cult.”
“You say that every time you eat something with butter,” Noah quipped.
Joy grinned but kept quiet, his attention shifting to Frances, who delicately poked at his mashed potatoes like they might be judging him.

“So, Noah,” Joy said casually, cutting into his turkey with slow precision, “you and Nathan.. how did that happen?”
Noah stopped his fork in mid air and lowered it back onto his plate as he took a seat to try and ansøgning that.sipping from his wine. “well.. I guess we began to see eachother in a driffrent light one day.. it just evolved from there.”
He wasn't gonna share with everyone that they'd meet one nightstand after Noah had broken it off with his cheating ex. It had ended up with them sucking eachother off in the bathroom stall. That story was just for him and Nathan.

Joy chuckled but didn’t drop the thread. “That kind of job’s not exactly gentle on relationships. You figure you’ve got what it takes to go the distance with him?”
Noah didn’t miss a beat. “I don’t need it to be easy. I just need him to be honest with me.”
Joy blinked. That wasn’t a rehearsed answer. That was someone who meant it. He leaned back a bit in his chair, watching the way the two shared a look with quiet warmth. Real warmth. Not just attraction. The kind of look a man saves for someone who’s picked him up off the floor.
And Frances saw it too.

“Well,” Frances said lightly, his French accent sharpening like a blade wrapped in silk, “some people have the luxury of love. Others focus on more… tangible things. Like building an actual future.”
Joy raised an eyebrow. “You saying love and a future don’t go together?”
“I’m saying,” Frances said, dabbing at his lips with his napkin like he was in Versailles, “that some of us goes to the length that is gonna benafit on the long rund. Not to fall into bed with the first person who bat their lashes and leeches off them.”
Maurice paused mid-sip. “Wait—what?”
Frances smiled, but it was all teeth. “Just speaking generally, of course.”
Noah didn’t rise to the bait. “Some of us can do both.”
Joy’s lip twitched.
Adam laughed under his breath and leaned toward Joy. “God, I love dinner theater.”
“Shame the villain’s so obvious,” Joy muttered back, eyes still on Noah.
Because Noah? He didn’t flinch. Didn’t get defensive. Just calmly carved another piece of turkey like he’d been dealing with jealous little snakes all his life.
Joy chewed slowly, thinking.
This kid’s got backbone.
Not performative toughness—but real, earned poise. Nathan might’ve lucked out, for once.
He raised his glass again, this time locking eyes with Noah. “Well, kid,” he said, “you held your own. And this ham’s damn near perfect.”
Noah frowned continue about what the other was talking about. “Nathan did all the cocking himself?.”
Joy smirked. “Still—you didn’t spill anything, or try to swing a wine bottle at anyone. That’s already more than I expected.”
Noah smiled as he caught the point “I’m not a drama queen and besides this is a lovely dinner” he said, laughing.
Frances muttered something under his breath in French. Joy caught it. 
"Il est aveugle, ce Nathan.” Nathan is blind.
Joy didn’t say anything. He just refilled his wine, leaned back, and let the silence after Frances’ quiet insult settle in the middle of the table like a crack in the ice.

Nathan, oblivious as ever at some point went to fetch something he had forgot in the fridge. Noah stayed seated, his shoulders a touch tighter, his hands still, like he’d heard enough even if he didn’t understand every word.

But Adam?
Adam had definitely understood.
“Frances,” he said sweetly, voice sharp as peppermint, “are you having a stroke or just being bitchy in French again?”
Frances blinked. “Excusez-moi?”
“Oh no, no. Excuse you.” Adam set his fork down with dramatic elegance and folded his hands like a judge about to hand down a life sentence. “You know, I’ve sat here watching you trying to be subtle. You’re not. It’s like watching a poodle try to hump a wolf.”
Noah's eyebrows shot up, and Joy damn near choked on his ham.
Frances scoffed, playing innocent. “I am simply making conversation.”
“You are auditioning for a role that’s already been cast,” Adam snapped back. “And I hate to break it to you, sweetheart, but you’re not the lead—you’re not even in the credits. You’re just the deleted scene they cut out for being too desperate.”
Frances’ cheeks flushed, his mouth open the closed again. For once, he didn’t have a comeback.
Adam turned to Noah and softened instantly. “You’re doing fine. Anyone who’s not rooting for you and Nathan is clearly threatened by the fact that you’re not just some glittery pretty boy with abs. You’ve got heart. And more grace than I’d have if this mess was sniffing around my boyfriend like a bloodhound in heat.”
Noah blinked, stunned, then laughed—not politely, but honestly. A little stunned. A little grateful.
Joy grinned and raised his glass to Adam. “Remind me to never piss you off.”
Adam winked. “I have a license in emotional combat. I run a wine bar in the city—this is foreplay where I come from.”
Frances picked up his glass and downed what was left in one swallow, his eyes darting across the table, but no one jumped to his defense. When Nathan returned from the kitchen just in time to see the tail end of the tension and Noah’s smile returning.
Joy turned to Nathan and nudged him with his elbow. “You missed a whole showdown. Adam just lit the kid on fire.”
Noah gave Nathan a look—It’s handled—

Dinner slowly eased back into a flow. Frances was quieter now, deflated, and not nearly as smug. Joy watched him with a practiced eye but shifted his focus. He had already got a pretty good understanding of Noah.
Noah didn’t need to throw fists to prove his worth.
Although he was sure Noah could throw quite the punche if it came to it.