Chapter Text
It was Christmas, and Abbot had invited Robby over. Neither of them had anywhere to go, and it was more fun to do nothing together. A part of the reason was that he knew Robby would be incredibly depressed if he had to do it alone. Even though he was Jewish and didn’t celebrate Christmas, he knew it would feel extra lonely. Another part was that he knew he would be lonely himself.
The doorbell rang earlier than expected. When he opened, Robby didn’t look good. Jack put on a smile and let him in.
“Wine?” Robby asked cheerfully, holding up a bottle.
“Of course.” Abbot smiled. He reached out to take his coat and earned a snort in return.
“No need to be a gentleman with me.” Robby sniffed. “Cooking already?”
“We do need to eat.”
Robby didn’t respond and instead walked straight into the kitchen. It smelled amazing.
Jack followed him and smiled to himself when Robby put his hand on his back. Robby was a toucher. Not with everyone, certainly not, but with him? Every damn day. He hugged, and he touched, and he lingered. One day, Jack would like to time how long his hand stays on him after a hug. He had no idea that it was something Robby had fought for. Something he had worked on for years before he could allow himself to do it. To Jack, it was second nature. He knew it was coming, and he loved it.
Robby checked every pan and carefully tasted a few things. He hummed to himself a couple of times, and all Jack could do was look at him fondly.
Until Robby grabbed the salt and pepper and started adding it.
“Hey..! I am still working on that..!”
“It needs it.”
“I would have gotten to it if you hadn’t interrupted.”
“Oh, I see how it is. I’ll leave then.” Robby joked, and he went to remove his hand from Jack’s back.
Jack, in an embarrassing panic, grabbed his arm and made sure his hand wouldn’t move. He blinked, surprised by his own action. “...or you could help.”
Due to that move, Robby decided to test how long he could keep his hand on him. He hadn’t noticed that he had put it there, had no idea how long it had been there, but he was going to keep it there until Jack shrugged him off.
He noted the time on the oven, and then got back to the meal. “What can I do?”
They stood there, doing small things that did not require walking. Jack did not want to step away from his touch. He wanted Robby to feel like he could put his hands on him any time. That, and he wanted to soak up the warmth and the friendship they had.
Eventually, he had to preheat the oven, and he had to move. To his surprise (and delight), Robby walked with him and did not move his hand.
They stood in front of the oven, chatting for a bit, but Jack couldn’t look him in the eye. He knew he would smile. He would grin and smirk and give away exactly how much he loved what they had.
Robby couldn’t look him in the eye either; he knew he would blush the moment their eyes met. He hated that Jack had that effect on him. He was not exactly a fan of being in his fifties and blushing like a teenager trying to flirt with their crush. And sure, yes, he was technically flirting with his crush, testing boundaries and making up excuses to be near him... But he couldn’t help it. Abbot made him want to do all the silly young-and-in-love things. Looking at him when he couldn’t see, lingering on him, leaning into his touch, wanting to joke around and make fun of him... with Jack it was just so easy. So in a way, he also did not hate blushing; because it meant that Jack was doing it all right back.
So he joked a little, feeling his cheeks heat up, and when Jack joked back, he couldn’t help but smile.
It had been minutes since they moved to the oven, and they were still standing there, chatting and laughing, Robby’s hand still on him. Until something started to burn.
“Oh shit.” Abbot had walked away from the hand before he could stop himself. He sighed quietly when he realised. That was too bad.
Robby checked the time. 42 minutes. Damn.
They moved a little more smoothly around the kitchen after that, since they weren’t confined to each other anymore. Time went by fast, and they were having such a good time that they completely forgot to turn on the lights.
“Oh Jesus,” Abbot said when he realised the only light they had was above the stove and inside the oven. “Be a dear and turn on some lights, would you?” He asked with a hand on him again.
Robby stopped him from walking away by grabbing his hand. “I don’t actually know where all your switches are.”
Jack couldn’t help the smirk that appeared on his lips. “You sure? I can think of a few that are obvious.” He winked and then quickly realised he was crossing a line. He turned to the oven with a blush creeping up his cheeks.
“Jack, you flirt.” He walked up behind him and squeezed his upper arms. It startled Jack. Robby did not remove his hands. “You do the lights, I’ll do the oven.” He grabbed the oven mitts from his hands theatrically.
Abbot looked at him fondly. He couldn’t look for too long, or he would kiss him, but he allowed himself a moment. He quickly moved through his living room to switch on his Christmas lights. He purposely left the bigger lights off. He wanted to see if Robby would mention it. See if he would call it stupid, useless or maybe romantic.
Robby could see the anticipation in his eyes when Jack walked back into the kitchen. He looked at him, into the room and then back at Jack. “Nice.” He said dryly, knowing damn well that wasn’t the reaction he had been hoping for.
Jack rolled his eyes at him. Robby just grinned.
That grin, however, took away every hint of annoyance. Robby very rarely grinned, and ooh boy was it a sight for sore eyes.
Robby noticed the change in his expression. He tried not to be annoyed, but he knew exactly what it was. “What..?” He asked as he rolled his eyes.
“Nothing..!” Jack exclaimed defensively. He moved to stand next to him and elbowed him gently. “Can’t even love it when you smile, damn..!” He looked up through his lashes, grinning cheekily.
Robby rolled his eyes once more, but they both knew he didn’t mean it.
They stood there enjoying the moment for a little while longer. It had been so nice to spend the day together. They hadn’t had the time for that in months. Last time had been in the summer, and it had been too hot to do anything.
And yes, sure, they did things together all the time, but it usually ended up being a run or some errands that’d be quicker together (and more fun).
After a few more minutes they spoke up at the same time.
“Dinner?”
“Wine?”
“You get the glasses?” Abbot asked as he opened a drawer for the corkscrew. They moved through the kitchen smoothly. Robby had been there a hundred times before. He grabbed the glasses and plates while Jack uncorked the bottle and brought it to the table.
They had made way too much food. Much more than they could eat together, but Jack had done that on purpose. He had to be sure there was enough for Robby to take home.
They drank the whole bottle of wine before they had finished their first plate. Then they grabbed more food, and more booze, and then they had whiskey for dessert. And then another. And well, the bottle was almost empty, might as well finish it.
And before they knew it, they were borderline drunk.
“Yur cheeks’re all flushed.” Abbot pointed out, brushing his thumb over Robby’s cheek. They were leaning close on the couch. Well, Robby had parked his ass on the armrest, and Abbot had crowded in his space. He was looking him over from up close. He didn’t usually get to be this close to him.
“Dat’s cause the booze.” Robby tried to shove him away, but Abbot didn’t have his prosthetic on, so he ended up grabbing him by the hips to stop him from falling.
“Sure...” Abbot wiggled his eyebrows, unfazed by his push, and Robby looked away with a giggle.
Good god, he was giggling. How drunk was he?! It was high time to get some water, or else he’d be making mistakes for the rest of the evening. But as he got up, he found that Jack hadn’t grabbed his crutches, so walking away would surely result in the man falling. Especially with the way he was swaying.
It didn’t help that he still had his hands on his hips. Jack just swayed more, his hands coming up to touch his arms. “Ar we dancin’?” He grinned.
Robby blinked slowly, trying to focus on what he had to do, but Jack’s smile was blinding him. “S-sure..” He ended up saying. However, he could not remember what he was agreeing to.
They swayed together for minutes, lost in thought or listening to the songs.
Eventually Robby had to walk away. He turned the two of them and pushed him backwards onto the armrest. “Ya need yer leg back on.” He uttered. He grabbed it from underneath the table and handed it to him.
He needed to do something. To drink water and eat some more, and get his head back on straight, because he could not afford to make even more mistakes. Dancing together was a mistake. Blushing and giggling was a mistake. One more drunk moment and he’d be crossing a line he had sworn he’d never cross.
He walked to the kitchen to put his glass in the sink. He turned on the water, because he was going to drink some, but his hands were empty, and he wasn’t sure what to drink out of. He could’ve sworn he just had something in his hand that could help... He ended up shoving his head under the faucet and getting his face and neck all wet.
Abbot laughed at him from a couple of feet away. He had come over to ask if he wanted another drink, but instead he had been distracted by the idiot shoving his whole entire head into the water like he had seen some orange cats do online. He was in awe of how smart that man was, and how at the same time, he could be such an idiot.
When Robby looked up, water dripping down his face and clinging to his beard, all Jack could do was look at just how gorgeous the man was in this light.
He was too drunk to stop himself from speaking up. “Ya look hot like dat, you know.” He gestured at all of him.
“Like what?” Robby tried to fight off his blush but failed miserably.
Jack gestured again. “Dat.” He ruffled his hair. “Yer pretty damn good looking all dis- disevled. Dishvled.” He shrugged. “You know.”
Robby stepped up to him, hands involuntarily reaching for him, as always. “Yu fink I look hot smetimes?”
“All times.” He nodded seriously, stepping back against the counter.
Robby was easily moving with him, crowding in his space and looking him over. He was looking hot himself. His hair was messy, his cheeks flushed, his lips plump and wet. His eyes stayed on his lips for long enough that Jack noticed. He licked his lips again and revelled in the shaky breath Robby took in. Jack his hand moved up to his cheek, and he started to pull him in.
Robby’s eyes went up to Jack’s immediately, but they found nothing but certainty.
He let Abbot pull him in the final inch.
His lips were warm, he tasted the whiskey on them they had just finished. The moment he felt Jack’s tongue against his, he was addicted. He had wanted this for years. All this time, their friendship had been enough, they didn’t need to move beyond it no matter how much they both wanted to. Not that they knew that about the other... Both had decided to focus on their friendship.
But now... They wanted more.
Robby moved, letting his hands slide down Abbot’s body until he could hoist him up onto the counter. He groaned. He was getting too old to lift a whole man up like that, but the way Jack wrapped his arms and legs around him made every thought go away.
Jack wanted him. He was pulling on him, hands never in one place for long, as if trying to find a place where pulling would get him closer.
“God, Jack.” Robby couldn’t help but utter when they parted for air.
Jack found that all too hot and was hopping off the counter before Robby had caught his breath. He wanted to climb the man. Climb him and claim him. He pushed him backwards till his ass hit the dinner table. And then he was kissing him again.
“I like you.” Jack breathed onto his lips. He couldn’t hold that in anymore. He really, really liked him.
Robby pulled him in harshly. He never wanted this to end. He wanted to pause time and stay in this moment forever. Because he knew that if time went on, somehow this bubble would burst. Instead of thinking about that for too long, he tangled his fingers into Jack’s hair and tilted his head to kiss him deeper.
They kissed for ages, gasping for air in between but never for long. They moved to the couch at one point, but neither was aware who initiated it. They just ended up on the couch, Jack climbing up him and then kissing him into the cushions harshly.
“God...” Robby uttered when Jack’s mouth moved to his cheek. He was dragging his lips along the line of his beard, and then over his ear. He bit it gently, and Robby felt like he was on fire.
In an instant, he turned them around so that he could claim his mouth and kiss him till he saw stars, but instead the two of them tumbled to the ground.
They were both laughing, out of breath and happy. Robby was on top of him, and he wanted to kiss him more, to make sure Jack knew he wanted him, but Jack stopped him.
“I fink...” He said out of breath, “it’s time...” He tried to sit up, but Robby was still on top of him. Thankfully, the man took the hint and moved off of him.
“...to stop?” He asked hesitantly. He did not want to stop. Not even a little bit.
“Michael...” He reached for his cheek, but Robby moved away. Jack grabbed his arm and pulled him closer. “Mikey... we’re drunk...” He kissed his lips shortly. “I’m not sleepin’ wif you while we’re drunk.” He kissed him again. “...and if we keep kissin’ I’m going to have to sleep with you.” He nodded seriously.
Robby moved his head from side to side as if he was weighing his words. “Ar you free onnew years?”
Jack shook his head slowly. “Workin’ the whole thing.”
Robby pulled a face so disappointed that Jack was kissing him again. He was all hands and tongue. He pulled him onto his lap right there on the floor and groaned at the way Robby sat down on him.
He allowed it for a minute longer and then pushed him away again. “Go home. Get some sleep. Come back tomorrow?”
Robby nodded. He could do that. It was a short walk home. Tomorrow they both had the day off. They could be sober.
But...
“Would you still want me sober?”
Jack laughed fully. Now that was a funny question. He reached for Robby to help him off the floor and then put his arms around his neck. “Yes.”
Oh. There was no doubt in there. Not in his voice nor in his eyes. He couldn’t help but kiss him again.
“See you tomorrow.”
Robby lingered, because he couldn’t help it, and then turned around. He was going to leave now, or he would never make it out that door.
His walk home started out great. He was feeling good about himself, about Abbot, about his life. He hadn’t been this happy in... maybe ever. He was almost dancing on his way back, it must have looked ridiculous, but he was much too drunk to care about such a thing.
About halfway through however, there was a loud honking sound, and he turned around so fast that everything started to spin. He lost his footing, felt a sharp pain in his head and then everything went black...