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Hollis closed the door behind them. The house was silent and golden, warm the way it is when you stay home sick from school. Two hours before his ma was to be expected.

Hollis made a decision.

Go upstairs to our room.

Walt sent him curiosity but took them there as requested.

Hollis asked for their arms and opened the window, letting the cold air in.

You don’t like flowers, do you?

I like ’em as much as any man, Hollis, why?

He’d never done this before, but it was easy to figure out. Hollis picked up Jorge’s cigarettes that Walt had thrown onto the desk. Tapped one out.

He was faster with Jorge’s lighter than Walt was, and he thanked a god that wasn’t listening for making this smooth. Making him capable of cupping a hand round the flame as he lit it. Making sure he didn’t fumble this.

Hollis wedged the cigarette between his fingers and with grace lifted it to Walt’s mouth.

Placed it between Walt’s teeth.

Hollis.

Quiet, just—

He couldn’t feel whatever satisfaction Walt got from smoking. It tasted bad, made him want to cough and gave them a very slight headache. But that wasn’t the point.

Walt made a soft sound. Blew hot air into the winter like a freight train. Followed Hollis’s fingers as he pulled them away.

How do you flick the ash?

You... you... twitch your top finger. It’s—Hollis? Why are you doing this?

I’m taking care of you.

“Jesus.” Walt hissed it out loud into the stillness of their room, and Hollis knew Walt understood what he meant. Felt him circling the shape of it like a nervous cat. Cute.

Hollis laughed. What about Mary and Joseph?

Don’t think I want them to see this.

Hollis brought the cigarette back to Walt’s mouth, and this time scraped the edge of his thumb against their jaw. Savored the jolt that slid down their spine like a knife.

Walt fell forward, catching them on the window’s edge. Leaned against it, breathing hard.

He snatched back ownership of Hollis’s arms and used them to cover his face.

I don’t even know what to say to this.

He took another shaky drag, then laughed anxiously.

You are a few bolts short of a Chevy, I’ll tell you that. Bold as I’ve ever seen it. You woulda cleaned up in my day.

Hollis smirked, and he could feel Walt’s annoyance at it.

I’m sure you were better.

Mmm, perhaps. But... let’s. Pack this away a bit. I hear you loud and clear, don’t think I don’t. But I need a minute. There’s not a lot new to me, but this? Hollis, you gotta understand, this is...

A liability.

Walt took one last drag, then chucked the cigarette out the window onto the road.

Some time, s’il vous pla?t. Be kind and wait for me.