Flynn and Dylan were sleeping soundly after their passionate night together. The room was quiet, wrapped in the stillness of early dawn.
Flynn stirred when he suddenly felt how cold it was. They had fallen asleep completely naked, tangled together under the sheets. When he glanced at the clock, it was barely four in the morning.
Flynn didn't want to get up, but the sharp pressure in his bladder reminded him that he had to pee. Though he felt lazy and reluctant, he didn't want to risk hurting himself, so he forced himself to sit up, put on some clothes, and head to the bathroom.
After relieving himself, he was about to crawl back into bed when his phone suddenly rang. He frowned, puzzled—who would be calling at this hour? He checked the screen; it was just a number, but somehow he knew who it was. Without answering, he ended the call, returning to the bed.
But the phone rang again, insistent this time. Flynn stirred once more, sighing in frustration. To stop it from disturbing him—and Dylan—he finally picked up.
"Chloe, I already told you to stop calling me," he said sharply.
"No, Flynn. I told you, I still love you."
Flynn exhaled deeply and looked over at Dylan, sleeping peacefully beside him. "Chloe... this is the last time I'm answering your calls. There's someone else I care about now. Please... leave me alone."
"That's impossible. I know you haven't moved on from me."
"Maybe I couldn't before," Flynn admitted quietly. "But a lot has changed. So please... just stop."
He ended the call and turned off his phone, ensuring it wouldn't ring again.
Setting it on the table, he returned to Dylan's side. Carefully, he adjusted the blanket over Dylan so he wouldn't feel cold, then lay back down, letting the warmth of the bed and Dylan's presence lull him back to sleep.
The next day, Flynn suggested that they go to the town marketplace to look for things to buy. Christmas was just around the corner, and many stores were having sales—perfect for shopping for gifts.
Dylan agreed immediately, clearly excited. It had been a long time since he had last been there, ever since the day he accompanied Flynn for a haircut. To him, that outing had felt like their first real date, so when Flynn invited him again, he couldn't help but feel a quiet thrill.
When they arrived at the market, the spirit of Christmas was already in the air. Colorful decorations hung across the streets, and the shops were filled with lights, garlands, and holiday music playing softly in the background.
Flynn didn't waste any time and began browsing for gifts for his family. He knew his father wasn't picky when it came to clothes, so he chose a simple polo shirt that his father could wear to work.
Next, he picked out a present for Grandma Mina—a warm blanket to keep her from feeling cold during the chilly season. For Mary, he decided on a handbag.
Flynn let Dylan choose a gift for Mary's son, Tony, knowing how close the two of them were.
After buying gifts for Flynn's family, they walked past the claw machine—the same one where Dylan had bought the SpongeBob and Patrick plush toys he later gave to Flynn.
"You know," Flynn said while watching a couple struggle with the claw machine, "I still can't believe you managed to get those two plushies so easily."
"Of course I did," Dylan replied proudly, smirking as he glanced at the frustrated couple. "It's not that hard to win those things."
Just as Dylan said that, a man suddenly approached them.
"Hi, sir. Would you like to buy plushies again?" the man asked Dylan.
Dylan froze. When he looked more closely at the man, he recognized him—it was the same person he had bought the plush toys from before.
"B-buy?" Dylan stammered.
"Yes, sir. Didn't you buy them last time?" the man continued. "You even insisted on purchasing the two plushies even though they were supposed to be prizes from the claw machine. You said your girlfriend might get mad if you didn't get them. Are you okay now? We have new stock available for sale."
Flynn turned to Dylan with a mischievous smirk.
"So... you won them, huh?" he said sarcastically, then walked away.
"S-sorry, sir. Maybe next time," Dylan muttered before hurrying after Flynn.
"Wait," Dylan called out when he caught up with him.
"What?" Flynn said with a pout. "Are you going to lie again about those plushies?"
"I'm sorry," Dylan said. "You looked so disappointed that day. And it was my fault you didn't get the plush toy in the first place."
"I knew you didn't win them," Flynn replied dryly. "I was just waiting for you to admit it. But you really committed to that lie."
"I honestly forgot about it," Dylan said sheepishly. Then his eyes landed on a cotton candy stall. "Do you want some cotton candy?"
"No, I'm already carrying too many things," Flynn said.
"Just wait here."
"W-wait, where are you go—?" Flynn started, but Dylan was already gone.
A moment later, Dylan came back holding a stick of cotton candy. He took the shopping bags from Flynn and handed him the fluffy pink treat instead.
"You still bought it," Flynn said. "We're having dinner at home later."
"I know you like it," Dylan said. "And it's not like we see this every day."
As they walked toward the parking lot where Dylan's car was, Flynn quietly ate his cotton candy. Dylan watched him, swallowing as if he were the one craving it.
Flynn noticed. "Do you want some?"
Dylan nodded.
Flynn brought the cotton candy closer to Dylan's mouth. Just as Dylan was about to bite it, Flynn pulled it away and took a bite himself.
"Hey, don't be selfish. I bought that," Dylan protested.
"You bought it for me, didn't you?"
"Yes, but at least let me taste it too."
"Fine," Flynn said, laughing as he held it out again. But when Dylan leaned in, Flynn teased him by pulling it away once more. Dylan chased after it playfully, trying to take a bite, until he finally succeeded.
Flynn couldn't stop laughing. Dylan only stared at him while chewing, slightly out of breath.
When they reached the car, Dylan placed all their purchases in the trunk. Then, together, they headed back to Flynn's house.
It was nearly seven in the evening when they arrived at Flynn's house. Tony was still playing outside when he spotted Dylan and Flynn by the fence. He immediately ran toward them, excitement written all over his face.
"Brother Flynn! Brother Dylan!" Tony shouted.
Lucas and Mary heard his voice and quickly came out to greet them. It had been weeks since Flynn and Dylan last visited, so their excitement was obvious the moment they saw the two.
"My son, you should've told us you were coming today," Lucas said warmly. "Good thing your Aunt Mary cooked a bit more than usual. You can join us for dinner."
"I forgot to mention it," Flynn admitted sheepishly.
"Uhmm, Uncle," Dylan added, "we actually bought a few things for you. I'll just grab them from the car." He headed back while Mary invited everyone inside.
After dinner, Flynn and Dylan handed out the gifts they brought.
"You're giving gifts early," Lucas remarked. "Aren't you spending Christmas here?"
Flynn and Dylan exchanged a glance before Dylan spoke. "Uh... Uncle, since this is our first Christmas in the apartment, we were hoping to celebrate it there."
Mary looked at them with concern. "Then who's going to prepare your food?"
"It's just Dylan and me at the apartment," Flynn replied. "We'll probably just order food. Besides, Dylan can cook now—at least a little."
"Brother Dylan... you're not spending Christmas here?" Tony asked softly, clutching the toy Dylan gave him.
"Not this time," Dylan said gently. "But we'll visit again. We'll bring you even more gifts next time."
"Really? Yay!" Tony cheered.
"Grandma, did you like your gift?" Flynn asked Grandma Mina.
"Of course," she replied with a smile. "I get cold easily in the early mornings, so the blanket you gave me is perfect."
"I'm glad," Flynn said, smiling back. "We should get going."
"You're not staying the night?" Lucas asked.
"We still have classes tomorrow," Flynn answered. "It's also our last day before the Christmas break."
"I see. Take care, then," Lucas said. "Just come back whenever you can."
When they got back to the apartment, Flynn went to wash up first. Dylan followed after. Once Dylan was done showering and changing, he noticed something odd—Flynn wasn't in the bedroom.
A few moments later, Flynn came in carrying a small box and handed it to him.
"What's this?" Dylan asked.
"Just open it," Flynn said.
Dylan immediately opened the box, revealing a succulent plant in a medium-sized pot.
"I couldn't think of anything else to give you," Flynn admitted. "At least you'll have something to take care of here in the apartment. And, you know... so the place won't feel so lifeless."
"Where did you get this?" Dylan asked, studying the design on the pot.
"From home. I don't know if you noticed, but my dad has a lot of these in his garden."
"Huh? Since when?"
"Earlier."
"Earlier? How come I didn't see you?"
"How would you? You were busy playing with Tony," Flynn replied. "And besides, it was supposed to be a surprise. Why would I tell you?" He then reached for the plant. "If you don't like it, I'll just take it back and return it to the house."
"Hey—wait," Dylan said quickly, pulling it away. "Why are you taking it back? You already gave it to me."
"You don't even like it."
"Who said I don't?" Dylan said, smiling. "It came from you. And besides, it's a living plant. That means... we already have a baby plant."
Flynn could only smirk at that. "You really talk too much. Just make sure it doesn't wither. It might not even last a few days."
"That's impossible," Dylan said confidently. "Especially since it came from you. I'll take care of it until it grows."
He gently placed the plant on the bedside table, right next to a framed photo of him and Flynn—the picture they took together at the photo booth during Foundation Week.
The next day, Flynn and Dylan arrived at school early. It was the last day of classes before Christmas vacation, and the festive mood was already in the air. Decorations lined the hallways, and several booths and food stalls—set up by the arts department—filled the courtyard with color and noise.
Since it was the final day, there was hardly any real work left for them to do. Jacob suggested that the four of them walk around the campus together, but Dylan immediately refused. He didn't want anyone else tagging along when he was with Flynn.
With no other choice, Jacob turned his attention to Nathan instead, pestering him to come along. Nathan eventually gave in—he didn't have anyone else to hang out with anyway, and he didn't want to spend the whole day being surrounded by groups of girls.
As Flynn and Dylan walked through the school grounds, several students approached Dylan, handing him letters and small gifts. Each time someone did, Dylan would glance at Flynn with a teasing look, as if enjoying his reaction.
When another student came up to offer Dylan a present, Flynn quietly stepped aside. He wandered toward a nearby booth that displayed handmade accessories and began browsing through the items, pretending to be interested.
While he was looking, a voice suddenly called out his name from behind.
"Flynn."
He turned around—and froze.
His eyes widened in shock when he saw who it was.
"C-Chloe?"
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[ A/N:
As you all know, Chloe is Flynn's ex and has been living abroad. So why did she suddenly return? What could she possibly want now—and how will this affect Flynn and Dylan?
Find out in the next chapters. ]