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Lister entered the apartment with a piece of paper in hand, his driving test pass certificate.
"Jim, Ro!" He called out, walking into the kitchen, "Pull out the booze I've passed my driving test!"
His sobriety was going strong, it had been a few months since he'd last had a drink, and every day he found it getting slightly easier to handle. He found he didn't need alcohol, there were much easier ways to find happiness.
He heard Jimmy's door click, followed by a resigned "You aren't funny." And then he was rounding the corner, smiling at Lister. God. He was so pretty. Even in the clothes he'd thrown on after they got home yesterday and clearly hadn't bothered to change them since.
They hadn't talked about it. The kiss. But even now, the sight of Jimmy still managed to take Lister's breath away a little bit. In fact, he'd go as far to say that Jimmy was more intoxicating than the alcohol.
"Aw but Jim," He said, pulling his best pouty face. "We can go where we want to now."
He watched as the realisation washed over Jimmy's features, his gaze sliding towards the paper, reaching out to take it. "You weren't joking?" A beat of silence followed as Jimmy read and then he's looking back at Lister, grinning. "Holy shit you actually did it!"
Lister barely had time to respond before he was being tackled into a hug. He savoured it. Breathing in the scent of shampoo and Jimmy's cologne, before wrapping his arms around him with a small laugh. "I wasn't joking."
They'd made the decision not long after Kent, when Lister's leg had healed and he was through the worst of the withdrawals, he'd said he just wanted to be able to go where he wanted. Where they all wanted. So a few weeks later he was taking weekly lessons, explaining in great detail to Jimmy and Rowan how he'd managed to avoid any accidents, and how he was actually a pretty good driver when it came down to it.
And now, a few months later he had managed to pass.
Jimmy pulled away eventually, still grinning as Rowan came into the room, an expression as puzzled as it was proud. "You passed then?"
"You bet." He said, grinning at Rowan, pulling him into a hug as well. They'd been getting on better recently, all of them. But Lister found himself not being as cautious around Rowan, and Rowan was less controlled around him.
He let him go, glancing at both of them before heading out to the hallway. Rummaging in a drawer for the keys to his lamborghini. "And you know what tonight is, don't you?"
"The fifth of November?" Jimmy said, confusion evident in his voice even though he was in the other room.
"Bonfire night." Rowan corrected.
Lister walked back into the kitchen, keys in hand. "You would be correct Ro Ro."
"And where are we going to see fireworks in London that won't be filled with people?" Jimmy asked, clearly hesitant.
"Oh sweet naive Jimjam." Lister grinned again, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "We don't need to stay in London."
"What about Shooters Hill?" Rowan asked, "That has a good view of central London, and it's not like fireworks don't go high up."
"You're a fucking genius Ro."
Rowan smiled in response, before speaking again. "Guess we'll go get dressed then?"
The three split off to their respective rooms, Lister pulling on a thicker jacket, if they were going up the hills it'd be cold. And he could give it to Jimmy if he got too cold.
When they regrouped about fifteen minutes later both Jimmy and Rowan were sporting thick jumpers and Jimmy was struggling to lace up his boots through his gloved fingers.
"Here." Lister said, dropping down and lacing them for him, looking up only to make direct eye contact with him.
"Thanks," Jimmy said looking away. He was blushing, or maybe he was just warm from all of the layers he'd thrown on. It was probably the latter.
They made their way down to the garages, Rowan taking residence in the passenger seat whilst Jimmy stayed in the back. He preferred being out of view. Where the cameras couldn't get as clearly.
The drive took roughly twenty minutes, which were spent singing along loudly to the bands they listened to when they were kids, The Killers, The Police, Mcr. The ones that defined what their sound was today.
Lister pulled up in an empty car park, turning off the ignition with a flourish. "Not bad, I didn't kill us all!"
They all climbed out of the car, Lister bowing dramatically as Jimmy nudged him in the ribs. "Okay then driver, show us some fireworks."
"Impatient much," He laughed, watching the London skyline. "Look over there," He said, making them both look at some distant fireworks, whilst he opened the boot of the car, revealing a box of fireworks.
Maybe he'd been planning this for months, but they didn't need to know that. It was nice to be out of the house with his two best friends, nice to be alone with them where they weren't confined by four walls and a bodyguard by their front door.
He picked up the box, half listening to Rowan ramble on about how the whole tradition of fireworks started, they all already knew of course, British primary schools were very keen to teach them all about that. He made sure to put it a safe distance away, glancing back to Jimmy and Rowan, seeing if they'd caught on yet, which they hadn't.
He pulled out his lighter, lighting the fuse before running back to them, throwing his arms around them both and spinning them around.
"Allister what are you-" Rowan was cut off by the first rocket shooting up, exploding in a flash of red.
No more was said as they watched as more fireworks went off, lighting up the car park with flashes of gold, purple, greens and reds. He looked over at Jimmy, who was grinning widely, face being lit up a different colour every few seconds by a new firework. His cheeks flushed dark red when Jimmy caught his eyes.
"You planned this, didn't you?" Jimmy asked him, still grinning.
"Maybe." He answered, shooting him a smile just as wide. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Rowan smiling as well. Definitely a good plan then.
The fireworks fizzled out eventually, leaving them in silence as it seemed to get a lot colder all of a sudden. He felt Jimmy shiver against him and unlocked the car, making sure to dispose of the rubbish they'd made before climbing behind the wheel.
"I think hot chocolates and movies are in store." Jimmy greets him, leaning back in his seat.
"Who's the genius now?" Lister quips back, glancing at him in the rear view mirror before pulling out of the car park.
The songs were quieter now, more acoustic then they had been and Lister wondered if they'd ever release any of the acoustic covers they'd practiced for years. Probably not, but the thought was nice.
He pulled back into the garages, greeting the doorman as they made their way up the stairs, Rowan leaving to shower in am attempt to warm up as Jimmy set about making the hot chocolate.
Lister joined him, pushing himself up on the counter. "Was it really a good idea?"
"Better than any ones I've seen in the past."
"You sap."
Jimmy swats him on the arm before joining him on the counter, waiting for Rowan to come back. "You have good ideas sometimes."
Lister looks at him and there's a look behind his eyes he hasn't seen before, at least never directed at him. His eyes close as Jimmy leans in.
The kiss is short, soft, and Jimmy's nose is cold. He barely manages to cup his jaw before he's pulling away, cheeks flushed.
"Hm, maybe I'll think of ideas like this more often." Lister smirks, cheeks also flushed.
"You're such an idiot." Jimmy replies, sliding off the counter, but Lister can hear the fondness in his voice.
"Yeah yeah, tell the stabee that he's the idiot."
"Eugh I thought we told you to stop calling yourself that."
"I will never stop calling myself that."
Jimmy hands him a mug of hot chocolate and they make their way over to the cinema room, being joined by Rowan moments later.
The lights go off and Lister feels content, there was an air of happiness surrounding them all that hadn't been there for a bit.
Things would be getting better. They'd be okay.