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He wanted Mason home for Christmas, but he’d wanted Mason with a big smile, still wearing a medal he’d never had draped around his neck and drowning in his happiness.
“I love you,” was the only text Christan had sent since the loss. He knew better than anyone that you just didn’t want the platitudes from people who didn’t know how your soul was broken. Even from someone who knew exactly how it felt.
Mason had sent his flight arrival information and nothing else. Chris didn’t take offense. He didn’t sit and wonder. He knew Mason was not okay, so Chris put in a massive order for Nandos, dragged all the Christmas decorations out, ordered a tree to be delivered, and made sure there was plenty of their favorite Christmas beer his sister sent from America in the fridge.
The England team was being bussed to an undisclosed location from the airport so they could reunite with family in peace. Mason’s mom texted to say they would get him and drop him at home.
“You’ll look after him,” she said. It wasn’t a question. She knew it to be true.
The Nandos arrived five minutes before the front door opened, and Mason came dragging in. Chris was in the kitchen opening two beers.
“Hey baby,” Christian said.
“Hey,” Mason said as he took in the scene. There was peri peri on the island and Chris was filling a glass with Great Lakes Christmas ale. Over his head, hanging from the ceiling, was a sprig of mistletoe. His broken heart became whole again. “Oh, baby…”
Chris set the beers on the island and opened his arms for Mason to fall into. They hugged each other tightly for long minutes, and dampness soaked into Chris’s shoulder. “We’re supposed to be kissing.”
Mason sniffled and pulled back. Their lips met in a soft kiss that was love and not desire. “I love you.”
“That will never be in doubt.” Chris thumbed away tears. “Come on. The chips are going to get cold.”
Mason carried the Nandos to the table and Chris wrapped them in an oversized blanket and turned on Love, Actually. There were no words for tonight. No words for the heartbreak in both of them. No need. They knew. Two men who had expectations unfulfilled, dreams shattered, disappointment deep.
Mason fell asleep even before Colin Firth professed his undying love, and Chris cried for both of them. He turned off the TV and sank into Mason. They would both come back. They were both stronger than this.
And at the end of the day, they had each other. And nothing else mattered.