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“Yes!” Atticus looked radiant, excitement lining his posture. The hand that sat so close to Kai’s own moved to grip his forearm. Kai could feel the heat of Atticus' palm even through the thick fabric of his hoodie.

Atticus continued. “I would have asked… you’ve had so much going on, with the streams and your bathroom and everything. I wanted you to come. Of course I wanted you to come. I’ll call coach and get your name down for a ticket.”

The exuberance in Atticus' words, the way his eyes shone with happiness as he glanced once, twice, looking for confirmation from Kai… it was almost too much. Kai hadn’t realized just how much it would mean to Atticus.

“I’ll be there then,” Kai said, hoping Atticus didn’t pick up on how the words felt too big as Kai said them, filling the space in the car with everything that seemed to lay unspoken between them.

The grip around Kai’s arm loosened, and as Atticus' arm returned to where it had rested before, long fingers brushed the back of Kai’s hand.

His breath caught in his lungs as Atticus didn’t make any moves to put more space between them, as a fire continued to burn along the places where their skin touched.

It couldn’t be this easy. Not after everything, not after Kai hadn’t felt anything like this in so, so long. The subtle touches that made his heart race and his blood fizz. The looks that tied his stomach into knots and set his skin aflame.

Had it been like this before? It had been so many years since Kai had experienced dawning attraction, since he’d had to deal with new feelings that he still didn’t understand.

But Atticus made it seem so easy. He made Kai feel as though this was what was most important.

Not the sex, not the aching needs that continued to pull them together again and again.

No, it was this. The everyday moments, the little ways that Kai brought a smile to his face, his eyes lighting in a way that only seemed to shine so brightly for Kai.

A small movement. The slightest shift. Kai brushed a finger across Atticus' knuckles. He knew that he shouldn’t do it, shouldn’t let things keep going like this until he’d sorted out his own feelings, his own mess.

But it was too tempting, and the flutter of butterflies in his stomach that even the slightest contact brought was addicting, a high that Kai couldn’t seem to let go of.

Kai sucked in a sharp breath through his nose as Atticus' hand shifted, as he carefully wound their fingers together. His grip was strong, steady, his hand larger than Kai’s own. Atticus' warmth soaked into Kai, sending flames dancing through his veins.

And somehow, despite the constant worries and doubts that haunted Kai, the ghosts of his past that lived in the darkest places within him… somehow it all seemed to fade. To fall away for the length of a single car ride. As Kai held on to Atticus, he felt more at peace than he had in ages.

Atticus and Kai stood side by side at the entrance to the farmer’s market.

“I don’t know what I was expecting,” Kai began, eyes narrowing slightly. “But I don’t think it was this.” Atticus chuckled, bumping against his shoulder.

“Here, city boy,” he said, holding out a large canvas tote bag, one of two that he’d grabbed from the trunk of his car. “You might need this.”

Kai took the offered bag, slinging it onto his shoulder. Their fingers brushed together, and Atticus fought back a shiver at the contact. A reminder of what it had felt like to have Kai’s hand in his own.

It had taken every ounce of willpower he possessed not to pick Kai up and toss him onto his bed when he’d found him nearly naked in the hallway that morning.

Seeing him like that, fresh out of the shower, hair still damp and clinging to his skin, cheeks tinged pink with embarrassment…

honestly, Atticus was proud of the self-control he had displayed.

He thought that maybe he deserved a medal or something.

And then he’d left Kai standing there, teased him in a way that had been quite thrilling, only to walk into his bedroom and see the bed unmade.

Kai had slept in his bed, and Atticus didn’t know why but his caveman brain was delighted by it.

Although, if it were going to become a habit, they’d have to have a talk about making the bed.

People brushed past as the two of them continued to hesitate by the entrance to market, the crowd growing thicker by the minute.

“Come on.” Atticus didn’t think, he just reached out, acting on instinct.

He wrapped his hand around Kai’s, tugging him forward.

Tension laced Kai’s posture, but only for a moment.

Atticus smiled to himself, eyes trained ahead toward their destination as he felt soft fingers intertwine with his own.

“Are we here for something specific?”

Atticus felt Kai move closer. He glanced sideways, watching as amber eyes roved over the many stalls and vendors.

“I need a few things,” Atticus said. “Figured we could pick up some fruits and veggies to make lunch later.”

Coming to the market had become a habit for Atticus in the short time he’d been in his new home.

It reminded him of the times he and Sammie had accompanied their grandma to their local farmer’s market as children.

And now that things seemed to be going somewhere for him and Kai, well, Atticus had thought that maybe it would be nice to show Kai a normal day in his life.

It wasn’t long before Kai’s curiosity began to get the better of him.

He gently tugged Atticus toward stall after stall, taking in the many crafts and baubles quietly while Atticus chatted with the vendors.

A few had begun to recognize him, calling out his name cheerfully, asking about his friend.

Atticus’ face heated every time he introduced Kai, and he hoped his blush wasn’t too noticeable.

But the introductions also filled him with something warm and cozy. Something he didn’t mind at all.

Atticus filled his bag with fresh produce as they made their way along the rows of booths.

Kai, on the other hand, seemed to be collecting trinkets like some sort of gremlin.

Watching him survey the many options, only to light up when his eyes fell on one he wanted, it had Atticus grinning like a fool nearly the entire time.

A handmade notebook, the pages sewn in with care.

A lavender scented bar of soap that sent Atticus’ mind heading in a dangerous direction.

A pot of cat grass for the kitten. Two ceramic mugs, one for each of them.

Kai’s face lit up the moment he saw them.

He snatched up a pink one first, eyes searching before settling on a maroon one that matched.

“For our coffee in the morning,” he said, smiling at Atticus as the lady behind the booth wrapped both mugs carefully. Atticus felt as though the air in his lungs were stuck, his chest too full.

Kai so rarely smiled like that, so open and wide.

So unbothered, as though nothing at all weighed on him.

It crinkled the corners of his eyes. His cheeks were rosy from the sun beating down on them.

Atticus wanted nothing more than to reach out, to tug him close, wrap his arms tight around his shoulders and never let him go.

He had the sudden urge, as they walked away from the ceramics booth, Kai still smiling softly, to blurt out the words he’d been keeping to himself for so long now. His sister’s question from the night before flashed through his mind.

Do you love him?

Atticus fought against his impulsive nature, chewing on his bottom lip so he’d keep his big mouth shut.

They continued along, nearing the end of the line of vendors.

He couldn’t just spit out a declaration like that, not here in the middle of the local farmer’s market.

Not when he knew that saying it out loud, admitting it to someone besides himself, admitting it to Kai , would probably make that sweet smile disappear.

That thought hurt. Atticus didn’t let himself dwell on why, on how he wished he could tell Kai exactly how he felt and make that smile shine brighter.

Kai’s voice pulled him out of his thoughts.

“This was fun,” he said. The fingers entwined with Atticus’ squeezed slightly, sending sparks up his arm. “I’m glad you brought me here.” He bumped his shoulder against Atticus, staying close as they began to walk back toward the exit.

“Glad you liked it,” Atticus said, all negative thoughts disappearing as he focused on just how easy it all felt.

“Should have told you to put sunscreen on, though.” He reached over, poking a slightly reddened cheek.

Kai scrunched his face up, and Atticus couldn’t help but think that it was very, very cute.

Kai glanced up. “Yeah,” he said, rubbing at his nose. “No clouds today.” Atticus looked up as well, taking in the bright expanse of unending blue sky. It really was a beautiful day.

“Good!” The excitement in Atticus’ voice pulled Kai’s attention back. He pointed back toward the vendor stalls. “The guy back there selling artichokes said there’s some big meteor shower tonight, we should be able to see it!”

Kai cocked his head to the side, bright eyes focused solely on Atticus.

It felt a bit like he could see into Atticus’ head, could read all of his unspoken thoughts.

Atticus wanted to squirm under the attention, but forced himself to continue walking steadily.

They were already almost back at the entrance, and he felt a slight pang at the fact that this little adventure was already almost over.

“Hang on,” Kai said, suddenly releasing his grip on Atticus’ hand. “Wait here.”

He scurried off, back into the crowd, leaving Atticus stunned at the market entrance. It left Atticus with too much time to think, too much space for his impulsive thoughts to start pushing forward again.