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The door shut with a quiet sound, cold air dissipating as Damian stepped into the house. “Alright, turkey is in the fryer. We’re looking at four hours or so.”
“Four hours?” Finn poked his head out of the kitchen. “That’s not nearly enough time.”
“Not enough?” Dominik’s voice sounded out from the living room. “How many people are you cooking for, the whole football team?”
A soft thump, followed by an indignant sound from Dom, sounded out. Rhea had hit him over the head. “I’m just asking!”
Damian grinned, walking into the kitchen and kissing Finn’s forehead. “Four hours is plenty of time, I promise. Do you need help with anything?”
Finn relaxed only briefly before turning to look at the counters. They were covered. “No - but I would appreciate them out of my way.”
“Hey!’ Dom called out.
Damian shook his head with a chuckle. “I’ll tell ’em to go outside or something.” He hugged Finn’s waist from behind, chin resting on his head. “What are you making?”
Finn let out a quiet sigh, leaning back into his chest. His hands came up to hug Damian’s arms. “Mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, mac and cheese, stuffing, and gravy. Oh - and green bean bundles.”
“What are green bean bundles?” Dominik quipped. He was peeking from the doorway, looking at the two men curiously.
Damian could practically feel Finn’s silent groan of frustration. “It all sounds delicious,” Damian said, kissing Finn’s head. “Hey, Dom?”
The younger male perked up. “Yeah?”
“C’mon, get Rhea. Let’s go out front, give Finn some quiet to work his magic.”
“I thought you were the one who worked his magic,” Dom snickered, and Damian swatted him over the head, leading the way to the front door.
“Rhea!” The raven-haired woman glanced up. “Football.”
Her face lit up; she quickly got off the couch and bounded over to join them.
They shivered as the cold of the outside hit them, nearly blowing the door back open as Damian was pulling it shut. The swirling, cloudy sky seemed to warn of a downfall. It was 28 degrees out; snow was a real possibility.
“I-It’s freezing out here!” Dom complained, teeth chattering.
“You’re in a sweatshirt,” Rhea huffed. “Go inside and put a coat on. Go,” she repeated, as Dom opened his mouth to protest.
The younger male grumbled and disappeared inside.
Damian chuckled as Rhea rolled her eyes, shoving her hands in her coat pockets. “You love him,” Damian said. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her into his side.
“Yeah, I do,” she said goodnaturedly. “Sometimes I wanna smack him, though.”
“I know the feeling.” Damian looked down at her with a grin.
Her head jerked up when she realized; she smacked his arm. “Hey!”
He laughed, keeping her close. “I’m glad we’re all here,” he said.
Rhea’s gaze softened. She laid her head on his arm, nodding in agreement. “Me too. I needed this.”
“We all did. Though Finn’s blood pressure’ll probably be dangerously high till the food’s on the table.”
She grinned. “He needs to relax. Everything’s gonna get done. It’s gonna be delicious. I’ve had his food before.”
Damian smiled. “I have too.” He put a hand on his stomach and felt it growl. “Damn good, I haven’t had it in ages.”
“I want to ask him to make Christmas dinner too, but I’m worried his head might explode,” Rhea laughed.
“Maybe wait a few weeks,” Damian chuckled in agreement as the door opened. Dominik came out, still in just a sweatshirt.
“Dom, what the hell?”
“Finn said he needed stuff from the store!”
Rhea glanced at Damian and shrugged, both of them making their way back towards the porch. “We can go, Dom Dom. What’s he need?”
“Uhhh… I don’t remember,” he said sheepishly.
She cuffed him over the head and hugged him close, leading the way inside. “You’re hopeless, y’know that?” Damian grinned and stepped back into the warmth behind him. He unzipped his coat and closed the door, taking a long breath. Today was going to be quite a day.
“Can you grab a trolley, Dom?” The younger male nodded, and Rhea found herself smiling as she watched him jog over and search for the best one.
He found it and rolled it back over, huffing. “I brought it, but I’ll be damned if I sit idly by as you call this a trolley.”
She raised a brow. “Yeah? And what would you call it, baby?”
Dominik crossed his arms. “A shopping cart.”
Rhea snorted, grabbing the handles of the trolley and pushing it into the store. “We’ll compromise and call it a buggy.”
Dom opened his mouth to retort, then sighed and shook his head. “Fair enough… so what do we need anyways?”
“You tell me,” she said, headed for the baking aisle. “You’ve got the list.”
Damian leaned against the counter, smiling softly as he watched Finn run back and forth around the kitchen. “Are you sure you don’t need any help?”
“For the fifth time, no!” Finn sighed, pausing and biting his lip. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I appreciate the offer. I’m just so nervous to get this all done.”
He smiled, standing up and walking over, wrapping his arms around Finn and pulling the smaller man into a tight hug. “You’re doing fantastic, darling. Take a deep breath.”
Finn did so, exhaling shakily. “I just want it all to come out good.”
“It will. I know you’re stressed, but it’s all going to work out. You just just need to have faith in yourself, yeah?”
Finn nodded, pulling away and wiping his eyes with a sniffle. Damian cupped his chin, lifting it softly. He brushed away his tears and kept him close. “Tell me what’s left,” he murmured. “I’ll help.”
“Okay, so green beans… canned?”
Rhea made a face. “Of course not, haven’t you ever made green bean bundles?”
“I haven’t ever made anything,” Dominik said earnestly.
She couldn’t help but grin at that. “Fresh green beans. We’ll help Finn clean them. Oh! I nearly forgot, we’re making dessert.”
“We are?” Dom blinked, glancing at her again. “We?”
Rhea smirked. “Yes, we. I have faith that you, a twenty-five year old, will be able to assist me in making a cherry pie.”
His cheeks flushed as they came to a stop in front of the premade pie crusts. “S’pose I could help with that.”
She winked. “Good boy. Grab two.”
Damian opened the oven, inhaling the scent and practically melting. “ Finn ,” he breathed.
The Irishman glanced back from where he was peeling potatoes at the sink. “What? The pasta didn’t burn, did it?”
“Burn?” He grabbed an oven mitt and carefully pulled the casserole dish out. The macaroni was steaming, cheese bubbling and melting as it threatened to spill cheesy goodness over the sides. “This is the most delicious thing I’ve ever smelled in my life.”
Finn blushed slightly and turned back to the sink; Damian had a feeling he was hiding a smile. He carefully brought the dish over to the counter, setting it on the stovetop. “You did great. Can I help with the potatoes?”
“You’ve already helped a ton, I - I can do it, really.”
Damian smiled. “Whatever you want, baby. I’m gonna run out and check on the turkey, that okay?”
Finn nodded quickly, peeling another potato and setting it aside.
Damian scratched his back as he moved past him, zipping up his coat and sliding out the back door. The cold air hit his cheeks, and he shivered, letting the wind blow past him. He loved the cold.
The turkey was sitting on the gravel part of the driveway, nestled between the rocks in the oilless fryer as it bubbled away. He leaned down, poking around the fryer and nodding in satisfaction. Two and a half, three hours left.
He stood up, letting out a breath. Getting old , he thought in some amusement.
“Anything else?”
“You’ve got the list, you tell me.”
“I dunno, here,” Dom said, offering her the paper.
Rhea took the list from him. “Dom, you haven’t marked anything off! No wonder you don’t know what’s left.”
Dom grinned and took the buggy, walking down one of the aisles. “So? Anything else?”
“Mmm, doesn’t look like it. Let’s go to check out.”
He nodded, walking with her towards the front of the store. “Do you think Damian’s managed to calm Finn down?” He asked as they reached the self-check out.
Rhea smiled knowingly, starting to scan the items. “I think he has his ways.”
Damian’s hands grabbed the back of Finn’s thighs, lifting him up onto the counter.
Finn panted softly, looking back at the food. “C-Careful-”
“I gotcha, baby, don’t worry.” He lifted the Irishman’s shirt up and off, tossing it aside. His hands gripped his thighs as he started to kiss at his neck.
Finn gasped, leaning back for him with a hand tangled in his hair.
Damian grinned, sucking on his sweet spot, hands running up and down his sides. He could feel the Irishman whine and squirm under him, melting as only Damian could make him melt.
“D-Don’t leave any marks!” He managed to stutter out, and Damian chuckled breathily, pulling away to nip at his jaw.
“Alright baby, I won’t… leave anymore.” He thumbed the gorgeous red mark that bloomed near Finn’s collarbone, smirking softly even as the Irishman whined. “Think Rhea and Dom are making their way around alright?”
Damian snorted. “With them both? Probably. Not sure Dom could find his way out of a one hallway maze, but Rhea’ll take care of him.”
Finn nodded, eyes fluttering as he took deep breaths, and Damian cupped his cheek. “Just like I take care of you,” he murmured, and kissed him again.
Rhea smiled at Dom as he climbed into the passenger seat, closing the door with a shiver. “All set?” When he nodded, she leaned over, pulling him in for a deep kiss. He flushed, kissing back. “I love you,” she murmured.
Dominik turned red, looking up at her and quickly kissing her again. “I love you too,” he whispered.
She smiled and moved back into her seat. She clicked her seatbelt on, glancing up. “Coffee?” Dom was sitting quietly, looking out the window. “Sweetheart?” she repeated.
He jumped, looking over. “S-Sorry-”
“What’s wrong, baby?” She put the car in park again and reached over, taking his hand to kiss it softly.
The younger male hesitated, then shook his head. “Was just thinking about stuff… it’s not important.” He gave her a soft smile. “I’m just glad to have you all. What, um- what did you ask?”
Rhea’s heart melted softly; she kissed his hand again and squeezed it. “D’you wanna get some coffee on our way back, sweetheart?”
He relaxed, lifting her hand to kiss it back. “Coffee sounds great.”
By the time they returned, Damian and Finn were in the living room, television playing Christmas songs and the kitchen filled with the scent of delicious food.
Finn was half asleep in Damian’s arms, having finally succumbed to his warmth as they waited for the rest of the food to cook. He stirred when the other two came in the back door.
Damian smiled at them, giving a wave and placing a finger to his lips.
Rhea and Dom, who’d been bickering over something along the lines of which holiday coffee flavor was the best, promptly quieted, peeking into the living room.
Dom snickered at the sight, whispering something in Rhea’s ear that caused her to double over in silent laughter. When Damian raised a brow, they just scurried back into the kitchen.
Finn slowly lifted his head, looking around blearily.
“Hey baby,” he said, stroking his hair. “Sleep well?”
The Irishman looked up at him, still half-asleep. “How long was I, uh-”
“Not long,” Damian said as a timer went off on his phone. His smile widened. “Ah, that’ll be the green bean bundles. Just in time.” He helped Finn slide out of his lap and stood with him, walking to the kitchen.
Dominik and Rhea were setting everything out on a very small counter area, the only open space remaining in the kitchen. Damian could make out pie crust, cherries filling, and whipped cream among various other items.
Rhea grabbed the cream and held it up. “Got it, Finn.”
The Irishman nodded, heading to the oven. “Damian, can you get me a bowl?”
“Sure thing, baby.” He brushed past the others to open the cabinet, pulling out a small bowl and looking around. “Hmmm… Dom?”
“Mhm?”
“C’mere, let’s set the table and get some of this outta the way.”
He glanced at Rhea, who nodded, and quickly went through the living room, meeting Damian on the other side.
“Know how to set a table?” Damian asked, opening the sideboard full of cutlery.
Dom stopped, staring at him indignantly. “What sort of question-”
“Properly,” Damian clarified with a chuckle. “D’you know how to set it properly? Which side the silverware goes on, and all that?” He grabbed four of everything, setting it on top of the tablecloth, before going back for plates and cups.
The younger male paused. “Ah- yeah, actually.”
“Yeah?” Damian grinned. “Good for you, kid. C’mere and help me with it.”
Dom smiled slightly, responding well to the compliment as he bounded over and began arranging the silverware. Damian carried over the plates, setting one at each seat. He watched as Dominik moved around the table, placing a napkin to the left of each plate with a fork on top. The knife and spoon found their homes on the right, with the former closer to the plate; he even correctly oriented the knife with the blade facing inward.
Damian let out a soft whistle. “Impressive. Where’d you learn that?”
He glanced up. “Dunno, I’ve always known it. Guess from my parents?”
“Well good on you for remembering it,” he said, clapping Dom’s shoulder with a firm hand, “not many people these days do.”
He blinked, looking up at him with genuine gratefulness. “Thanks, Damian,” he replied.
“You alright?” Damian looked him over, trying to gauge his expressions.
Dominik nodded quickly, looking around. “Just really happy to be here,” he murmured. “All the food, Rhea, you guys, I- it’s just nice.”
“It is,” Damian agreed. “Something bothering you to say that? Or just soaking it in?”
“Soaking it in,” Dom said, and he smiled.
He winked and jerked his head toward the kitchen. “Help me get some of those dishes outta the way?”
When Dom nodded, he led the way back in, swiping a cherry from Rhea’s freshly opened can of filling. She huffed and smacked his hand. “When do I get my helper back?”
He grinned. “Soon as we get these dishes on the table. What’s ready to go, baby?” he asked Finn.
The Irishman looked around, brow furrowed in thought. “Green beans, mac and cheese, stuffing. And the jello’s in the fridge, right, Rhea?”
“Yeah, on the left!”
Damian nodded, gesturing for Dom to get the jello as he grabbed the green beans and stuffing. He brought them in and set them on the dining room table, smiling as Dom appeared with the jello. “There’s two?” he gasped.
Dom grinned, setting them down. “Yellow and orange, for fall colors.”
He peered over Dom’s shoulder. “Did she draw turkeys in them?”
“I did,” Dom said, somewhat sheepishly. “I thought they’d be cute with designs.”
“Damn straight,” Damian said, smiling wide. “They look amazing.”
Finn came in with the mac and cheese and sweet potatoes, walking very carefully. “Potatoes are on the counter if someone wants to get them.”
“I got it. I’ll bring ’em in and go grab the turkey. Should be just about perfect timing.” He nodded to Dom. “Go help Rhea get that pie in the oven, alright?”
The younger male perked up and ran back into the kitchen.
Damian placed a hand on Finn’s waist, leaning to kiss his forehead. “Everything looks wonderful, baby. Get a drink and have a seat, alright? Let us handle the rest.” Finn wavered, then dipped his head, nodding. Damian smiled and lifted it to softly kiss his lips.
Once he’d gone and gotten the mashed potatoes, he headed out the back door, shivering at the cold. The wind had picked up, storm clouds looming closer than ever. Dom would like the snow , he thought with a smile.
He crouched down, examining the fryer and the meat inside it, and nodded in satisfaction. Finally . His stomach rumbled at the promise of food, and he hastened to open the fryer and pull out the cooked turkey. After letting the excess liquid drip back inside, he laid the turkey down in a pan and stood up, carrying it back inside.
The second he stepped through the door, a chorus of chanting sounded from the dining room. “Tur-key time! Tur-key time! TUR-KEY TIME!”
Rhea spun out of the kitchen holding a bottle of wine, winking at Damian as she continued the chant.
“Alright, alright!” He grinned and walked through the doorway, carefully setting the turkey in the center of the table. “Turkey’s served, you heathens.”
The other three all cheered, even Finn, raising their silverware in the air. Damian was glad to see the Irishman in better spirits now that everything was finished. I know you too well , he thought in amusement, smiling at Finn. The smaller male smiled back from across the table.
Damian took his seat opposite from him, looking around. “What exactly are we planning to do with all this extra food?”
“Leftovers?” Finn said sheepishly, and Dom nodded earnestly.
He chuckled, looking around the table. “Well, before I start cutting the turkey, can I be sappy for a second?”
“This outta be good,” Rhea teased, but she smiled and placed a hand over his.
He smiled back, taking a deep breath. “Just wanted to say it’s… well, put simply, it’s been a very long time since I’ve done something like this. And I just feel very lucky to have you all here. I’m grateful.” He met Finn’s eyes as he finished speaking.
The Irishman blushed lightly, glancing around. “Me too,” he said quietly. “I know I can be a bit high-strung at times-”
“A bit?” Dom interjected, but his tone was one of amusement, not ridicule.
“-but I appreciate that y’all put up with me,” he continued, smiling. “I love cooking for other people, too, and you gave me a chance to do that. So thank you.”
Damian glanced at Rhea, who huffed. “We all gotta go?” When he raised a brow, she waved him off, leaning back in her seat. “Alright, fine. I’m grateful for my boys, all three of ya. Even if you can all manage to be pains in my arse in three completely different ways. Especially you,” she added, eyes glimmering as she smiled at Damian. “But I love you all, seriously. Even far away from Adelaide, you still make me feel at home. That means the world.”
Dom, who had been listening to Rhea with his chin resting in his hands, jumped as Damian lightly kicked his leg under the table. “Huh?”
“It’s your turn, kid,” he said, grinning. “Stop staring and tell us what you’re grateful for.”
“O-Oh.” He smiled, unabashed, and blushed as Rhea winked at him. “Well, I’m grateful for Rhea,” he said immediately. “And- and you guys too. I dunno where I’d be on my own, and I finally feel like… I feel safe with you all.” He looked around the table, gaze softening. “I feel like I found my family.”
Damian smiled at Rhea, then at Finn, who was also smiling. The Irishman reached out and took Dom’s hand, squeezing it. “For life, Dom. We’ve got your back.”
“Always,” Rhea agreed.
“Definitely.”
Dominik teared up slightly, glancing around at them all and dipping his head. “Thank you guys.”
Damian reached over to pat him on the shoulder before scooting back and grabbing the carving knife. “Now… who’s ready to eat?”
The others all responded in various forms of agreement, but he hadn’t even made the first slice before Dom let out a huge gasp, leaping up.
“Baby? What is it?” Rhea asked quickly, concerned.
But Damian smiled as Dominik ran to the window, already knowing what the younger male had seen. He set down the knife, carefully getting to his feet with the others to join him.
Sure enough, as Rhea came to stand beside him, mouth falling open, Dom pressed his hands to the glass and let out another wondrous gasp.
“It’s snowing!”