Page 10 of A Beginner's Guide to Christmas Miracles
When Nach had dutifully followed them outside, he wasn’t sure what he was expecting, and Beck almost felt self-conscious as he and Alan goofily tried to catch snowflakes on their tongues. But Nach had seemed so damn happy, and he had looked at Beck with… well, Beck almost wanted to call it love. He’d dated guys who hadn’t looked that fondly and adoringly at him after months of hanging out and hooking up.
Then Nach had joined in, and they’d all tasted the snow together, laughing and bumping against each other and proclaiming over which snowflakes tasted the best. All the while, Nach’s hand had remained firmly in Beck’s, giving an occasional squeeze.
It could have been awkward, not that Alan would have made it that way, but Beck had dated a guy or two in the past who didn’t understand their brotherly relationship. Nach didn’t seem to mind in the least, however, and it was like the three of them had been friends for ages. It just felt so natural and fun, like they were all little kids again.
Eventually they were all thoroughly chilled, and they trudged their way back inside, shaking the fat snowflakes from their hair and clothes, giggling all the while.
“We all need hot showers now to warm up!” Alan stuttered, his teeth chattering a bit.
Of course, that made Beck realize that Nach had nothing to change into. Nothing of his would fit, but Alan was probably close in size.
“Alan, can you grab some pj pants and a t-shirt for Nach to change into? None of my stuff will work. I’ll show him the shower,” Beck volunteered, hoping his roommate didn’t ask too many questions.
Alan gave him a weird look, but he headed to his room as Beck grabbed Nach’s hand again and showed him the bathroom. “So, yeah, it’s a shower,” he laughed. “I’m sure you can figure it out. There’s soap and shampoo and conditioner, and we always keep a couple extra toothbrushes in the vanity.”
Alan walked up to the bathroom door holding a bundle of clothes, and Beck took it and placed it on the counter beside the sink.
“Perfect,” Nach smiled. “Thank you so much.”
And there was that adoring look again. Beck stared into those warm, golden eyes, lost for a moment before he heard Alan clear his throat beside him.
“We’ll leave you to it then!” Alan cried cheerfully, pulling Beck out of the bathroom and shutting the door. He dragged Beck toward the kitchen, whispering, “Man, you’ve got it bad.”
Yes, Beck supposed he did. Because somewhere between the very hot make out session on the couch and tumbling into the house covered in snow, he had decided he was keeping Nach. He didn’t know where the guy was from, or what he did, or really anything about him, and maybe it was totally crazy, but when someone looked at you like Nach looked at him, you didn’t pass that up. Beck wasn’t a fool.
“So, why am I lending sexy Santa clothes?” Alan asked, heading over to the stove and looking forlornly at the empty pan then back at Beck.
Beck sighed, pulling out the milk and chocolate again. He supposed he did owe Alan some hot chocolate to help him warm up, especially since his impromptu guest was using the hot shower first.
“Well, it appears he just got in from out of town, only all his belongings were stolen, so I kind of offered to let him stay here,” Beck admitted.
“Ok,” Alan replied.
“I know, I know, I should have asked you first. But he has nothing, not even a wallet, and he did us such a big favor today,” Beck added.
“He did,” Alan agreed.
“And ok, yeah, I don’treallyknow anything about the guy, and sure, he could rob us blind while we sleep, and I’m sure you think it’s insane to have a complete stranger stay over who has literally nothing, especially when we don’t even know his last name,” Beck rambled.
“Beck—” Alan started, but Beck just cut him off.
“But really, what do we have to steal anyways? I mean, yeah, our computers are worth quite a bit, but surely we’d hear it if someone was dragging those out. And anyway, you were just saying you wanted to upgrade. And if someone is that desperate, well, they probably need it more than us anyways,” Beck rushed on.
“BECK!” Alan cried out, cutting off any more rambling. “I said ok, you doofus,” he added, chuckling.
“But—” Beck started, fully ready to argue with Alan before he realized Alan had just agreed with him. “Hey,” he added, “you’re the voice of reason here. You’re always telling me I’m too trusting and naive and all that.”
Alan just chuckled. “After you catch snowflakes with a guy, I feel like you just have a certain level of trust.”
“You’re making fun of me,” Beck muttered, pouring Alan’s hot cocoa into a mug and setting it down in front of him, perhaps a little firmer than necessary. No homemade whipped cream for him either.
Alan just laughed again though. “I’m totally not. Maybe your holiday spirit or trusting nature has finally rubbed off on me, because I can’t imagine that guy”—he pointed toward the bathroom, where they could hear the sounds of “White Christmas” being sung (Nach had a great voice, too)—“would steal from us or hurt us. He’s fine to stay here as long as he needs to. Really.”
Well then, Beck supposed Alan did deserve some homemade whipped cream, so he pulled some out of the fridge and put a dollop on top. Alan took a sip of his cocoa then, sighing in delight at the taste. Beck put the whipped cream back then walked around the kitchen island and gave his roommate a hug. Alan really was the best.
“I’ll go get the bed set up—although I’m using the pull-out couch inyouroffice. Unless you and sexy Santa plan on sharing a bed tonight?” Alan asked, eyebrows raised.
Beck thought about it for a moment, and the idea was appealing, but he really did plan on keeping Nach, so maybe a separate bed was a good idea. The last thing he wanted was for Nach to think he was a bang-and-go; he didn’t want his sexy Santa disappearing in the morning because he felt awkward.
