Could I request some soft Hardzello please? Something about the weather turning and needing to wear warmer clothes like jumpers and hoodies and they both think each other look so warm and gorgeous and inviting? Thank you, stay safe and hydrated, remember to take breaks when you need to!
“Ben.”
Ben raises his eyes up from his book, looking at Joe.
“I need a favour.”
“I’m not entirely sure that’s what our relationship is built on, but go ahead.”
“Can we go get Starbucks?”
Ben smiles faintly, shaking his head. “No, sorry.”
Joe frowns a bit, pulling back. “What, really?” he asks.
“Really.”
“Well, why not?”
Ben’s smile grows and he leans closer to Joe. “Because Sherborne doesn’t have a Starbucks,” he says. “Ten minute drive to the nearest one.”
“Well, that’s dumb,” Joe says, crossing his arms.
Ben laughs. “We can still go outside,” he says, “there are places to get coffee here. If you’re desperate.” He puts his book down, and stands up, holding his hand out to Joe. “Come on, just a short walk.”
“Walk?” Joe asks, looking out the living room window, almost shivering just on instinct. They’re nice and toasty in the living room of Ben’s childhood home, but it looks a lot colder outside.
“Come on,” Ben says, and he gently tugs Joe’s hand, leading him back to his bedroom. He flicks on the lights and walks to his wardrobe, pulling out a blue jumper; it looks a bit old and worn, but comfortable as hell. Ben reaches out, offering it to Joe, smiling when Joe tugs it on and musses his hair. “Gorgeous,” Ben says, reaching up to fix Joe’s hair for him, giving him a quick kiss. He grabs another jumper for himself, pulling it on, and then he grabs his wallet, smiling at Joe. “Now,” he says, “I’m not sure that my tiny little English village has coffee as good as New York—”
“Better company though,” Joe says, leaning in to give Ben another kiss, and Ben smiles against his mouth, pulling him in for a moment. They stand there, wrapped up in each other’s arms, kissing softly, until Joe’s stomach grumbles a bit and Ben pulls back, laughing.
“God, what are you, starving to death?”
“Whoops,” Joe says, patting his stomach. “Guess I’ll need more than just a coffee.”
“Mum!” Ben calls out as they walk through the house, back towards the front door. “Joe and I are going for a walk.”
“Okay, love you!”
“Love you.” They get their shoes on, and Ben opens the door for Joe, who shivers as soon as they step outside. It’s late afternoon; the sun hasn’t set yet, but might by the time they return. There’s a crunch of leaves beneath their feet as they walk along the street, and Ben smiles over at Joe.
“What?”
“Nothing. Just…” Ben reaches out, smoothing his hand over a couple creases in Joe’s jumper. “Are you warm enough?” he asks.
“I think so, yeah. Thanks.”
“Of course.” Ben keeps smiling, trying to bite down on it. “You just look really nice, is all,” he says, subtlety flying out the window.
“Aww, thanks,” Joe says, laughing. “It is your sweater, though.”
“Looks better on you.”
“Not even close.”
“Agree to disagree.”
Joe grins at Ben. “You’re such a flirt.”
“You are my boyfriend, so…flirty is kind of part of the job descriptive.” Ben runs his fingers down Joe’s arm again. “You can keep it, you know. If you want.”
“I'm not that hard up that I need your old clothes, but thanks.”
“No, I just really like it on you,” Ben says. “It suits you. At least for the rest of your trip.”
Joe looks at Ben, realizing how serious he is, and then smiles, nodding. “Yeah, sure,” he says. “Thank you.” He wraps his arms around himself, rubbing his biceps. “It is cozy.”
“It looks cozy,” Ben says. “You look…” He trails off, glancing down at his feet.
“Flipping fantastic?” Joe asks.
“No,” Ben says, shaking his head. “Never mind.”
“Oh, come on, Benny,” Joe says, playfully bumping his shoulder against Ben’s. “You can tell me, I can keep a secret.” He looks around. “And nobody’s around in your wee English village to eavesdrop, I promise.” He winks. “Come on. It must be really embarrassing.”
“I was just thinking that…you, my jumper, in Sherborne…” Ben makes a quiet noise, and gives Joe a small smile. “You look like home.”
Joe stops walking where he is, and smiles at Ben. “That’s…that’s sweet.”
“It’s true,” Ben says, and they stand there for a few moments, looking at each other, just happy, almost overwhelmed with it, before Ben shifts on his feet. “Come on,” he says. “Let’s go get warm.”