Steve was home.
Not in a house. Not in a city.
But home—wherever Christian was.
The first few weeks were tentative. Careful.
There were late-night talks. Slow mornings spent in bed. Hesitant touches that turned into something more.
They had both been broken, but piece by piece, they started putting each other back together.
And for the first time in a long time—
They were happy.
Falling in Love Again
Dating felt new again—like they were rediscovering each other.
There were movie nights, lazy mornings at coffee shops, long walks in the park where Christian would complain about work, and Steve would tease him about becoming soft.
But Christian wasn't soft.
He was still sharp, still had that fire in him.
And Steve loved him for it.
One afternoon, they stopped by an ice cream shop during one of their dates.
Christian had gone inside to get their orders while Steve waited outside, leaning casually against a lamppost.
It wasn't long before two women approached him, giggling as they exchanged looks.
"Hey," one of them said, twirling her hair. "You look kind of lonely. Want some company?"
Steve smirked, amused.
Before he could even respond, Christian stepped out of the shop, ice creams in hand—only to see what was happening.
And he did not like it.
He walked right up to Steve, shoved the ice cream into his hand, and turned to the women with a sweet but deadly smile.
"He's taken."
The women blinked.
Christian slid an arm around Steve's waist and pulled him close, his fingers curling possessively around his hip.
Steve chuckled under his breath, enjoying the show.
Christian tilted his head. "And just in case you didn't hear me—he's mine."
The women muttered something under their breath and walked away.
Steve leaned down, lips brushing against Christian's ear.
"Jealous, baby?"
Christian scoffed, biting into his ice cream. "Damn right I am."
Steve grinned.
He loved this man so much.
The Boat Cruise
Their first trip together was to a coastal city, where Christian had planned a surprise boat cruise.
The evening was perfect—warm air, soft waves, and a sky painted in hues of deep purple and orange.
They stood at the deck, watching the sun set, Christian leaning into Steve's chest, fingers laced together.
"You happy?" Steve murmured against his hair.
Christian hummed. "With you? Always."
Something tightened in Steve's chest.
After everything they'd been through—this felt unreal.
But Christian was here.
In his arms.
And nothing else mattered.
Passionate Nights on the Water
That night, their cabin was dimly lit, the gentle sway of the boat rocking them as they stood facing each other.
Christian's shirt was half unbuttoned, his skin flushed, his lips slightly parted.
Steve couldn't take his eyes off him.
"You're staring," Christian murmured, his voice husky.
Steve smirked. "Can you blame me?"
He reached out, tracing his fingers along Christian's collarbone before leaning down, capturing his lips in a slow, deep kiss.
Christian sighed into him, his body melting against Steve's.
They stumbled back toward the bed, hands roaming, breaths mingling.
Steve pushed Christian down, hovering over him, his gaze dark and hungry.
"Let me take care of you," Steve whispered.
Christian shivered.
And Steve did.
He mapped every inch of Christian's body with his lips, his tongue, his hands—
Drawing out moans, gasps, desperate pleas.
Christian arched beneath him, fingers tangled in the sheets, his body aching for more.
Steve gave him more.
He worshipped him—touched him like he was something sacred.
And when Christian finally broke apart beneath him, his moans echoing in the cabin, Steve followed—burying himself deep, whispering Christian's name like a prayer.
After, Christian curled into Steve's chest, skin damp, breath still uneven.
Steve pressed a kiss to his temple. "I love you."
Christian smiled against his skin.
"I love you too, Steve."
And for the first time in years—
They both felt whole again.