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“I’m sorry,” Matt whispered.

“For what?” Nick asked in bewilderment.

“For not seeing this before, for not knowing.”

Nick smiled gently, drawing Matt close and holding him tight. He was warm and felt so goddamn good against him. “No, don’t be. We are what we are, just like you said, it’s you and me. And now it’s different, but that doesn’t mean it’s better or worse than before.”

“We are what we are,” Matt said with a sigh.

“Together,” Nick insisted.

“Always,” Matt whispered.

He closed his eyes, holding the man he loved more than anything else. And he knew he too was loved. Maybe it had taken them a long time to get to where they were, but damn if it wasn’t worth it. He could dismiss his worries about everything because it was him and Matt, just as always.

“Hey, Nick?” Matt asked in a thick voice.

“Yeah?”

“Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas, Matt.”

And God, did he look forward to the ones that would follow.

EPILOGUE

One Year Later

Matt stepped out of the shower, almost tripping over the edge. He caught himself on the towel rack, wincing as his foot caught a bottle of shampoo, sending it careening to the floor with a crash. Sighing, he bent to pick it up, setting it where it belonged. He’d been living with Nick for almost six months, and he would swear the swankier residence Mr. Higher Rank was given had different heights for everything than the apartment he’d been living in.

“You alright in there?” Nick’s voice called, combining with the faint Christmas music playing in the living room.

“I’m fine!” Matt called, slightly annoyed.

Huffing, he drew his towel tighter and made sure nothing else would catch him off-guard. He knew if he didn’t make an appearance, Nick would check on him and make sure he hadn’t somehow injured himself, which was ridiculous since Matt wasn’t known for being accident-prone. Still, it gave him an excuse to parade around almost nude and wet, which, after ayear, still made Nick get that bright and eager expression in his eyes.

He marched out of the bathroom, looking for his boyfriend with tactical precision. Holiday lights were strung about the hallway, Matt’s touch, and the music grew louder as he stepped toward the front door. The smell of something cooking overwhelmed the body wash he’d used, and he turned toward the kitchen. Nick stepped out, a frown on his face as he looked over the dish in his hand.

Nick stopped when he caught sight of Matt. Sure enough, there was the surprise, but then came the look, the flash of interest. His eyes swept over Matt’s barely concealed, damp body and finally settled on his face. And there was the look of contentment.

“What are you doing?” Nick asked softly.

“Looking for you,” Matt said simply.

Nick set the hot dish on the table and shook off the oven gloves. Matt allowed himself to be swept up in Nick’s grip, holding just as tightly. He felt himself grow loose under the sudden onslaught of Nick’s strength, and even the rush of desire pushing through him was familiar but no less potent.

“And just what are you looking for,” Nick asked, plucking at the hastily tied towel at Matt’s waist.

Matt’s eyes drifted to the clock hanging in the dining room. “You. But I’m all for it if you’ve got something else to offer.”

Nick’s eyes flashed. “We have a little while until the bird has to come out.”

Matt sucked in a breath as his towel fell away. “Enough time?”

“Fuck yes, we do,” Nick breathed.

Which was, of course, precisely when the front door slammed inward, followed by the oh-so-loud, if not unwelcome, shouts of their teammates. As one, Sean, Aidan, and Ricardo flooded intothe apartment. Matt had no idea what they were debating, but he knew the argument stopped when they spotted him and Nick.