We sat around in the living room for a good while, until the air smelled of potent polish and our nails had dried enough to satisfy Ronan; Until our laughs were the ugly kind you only have around good friends and our bellies all began to rumble in hunger.

Finally, we cleaned up, throwing the colorful little bottles back into their storage tub and tossing the crumpled paper towels—smeared from our mistakes and rushed cleanups—into the trash.

Ronan talked Jasper into going to dinner with him (we made the mistake of telling Ronan that Jasper is a simp for desserts, so I imagine he was bribed with sweets of some nature). Jasper had already gone upstairs to rinse off, and Ronan was about to head up too, but as he gets up off the couch he suddenly whips back around and grips my shoulders in a wild, frantic motion.

"Oh! Aiden, I have something for you! I almost forgot again!"

I squirm out of his grasp. I may be a bit more comfortable having contact with Kal, but that doesn't fully extend to others yet. I'm better about it, at least; I don't freak out and jerk away as I'd usually do. So that's a step, I guess.

He notices my discomfort and retracts his hands with a mumbled, "Sorry." Then he's back to full throttle as he practically skips to the stairs. "Come with me for a minute!"

I shoot him a look full of dismay as I pull myself up to follow him. "What could you possibly have for me? Should I be scared?"

"Just come on. You'll see. Promise you'll like it."

I head up with him to their bedroom where Kal's empty bed stares back at me, his comforter still lying forgotten on my bed. I hadn't really paid attention to Ronan's stuff before, but the striped pattern sheets on his bed don't surprise me as much as the photo collage on the wall above it. About a dozen colorful photos are taped and pinned haphazardly, showing off years of captured memories.

I'm curious to take a closer look but we head to the opposite corner instead. When we stride up to Ronan's desk he pulls a stack of something from a drawer.

More photos?

He holds up a good number of them in all different sizes.

"Ro... you better not be flashing me old-fashioned nudes..."

He gives me a wicked grin. "Well, I wasn't going to. I keep my boudoir shots separate, in my nightstand. But if you're asking, I'd love your opinion on—"

"Nope!"

"Boo."

As he shuffles through them I get a blurred glance at a twilight sky, grass, some colored lights, then... people. Aster's dark braid backlit by a firework. Wren sports a wide grin and peace sign at the camera. Jasper with a pout and side-eye, probably his attempt at ignoring it like it would just go away. Kal and I gazing up at the sky—

"Here it is!" He pauses at the small picture of us and hands it to me.

The candid photo takes my breath away as I recall that night on the Fourth of July. Kal was hugging me from behind, trying to steal some of my warmth while wearing my sweatshirt, which looks so dark blue it's almost black in the photo. His golden curls shine in the light of the fireworks, reflecting some of their multi-colored reds and yellows and blues.

The photo was taken from the side, probably from where Ronan had been sitting, but it's a perfect angle to see both our profiles in the shot: Our heads are at the same angle, tilted up. Kal's mouth is parted in awe, his eyes wide and bright, while I wear a soft smile and ruffled hair from the invisible breeze.

I remember that moment well. I was happy and content. It was just after the show had started, just after I had made the internal decision to try and make my deal with Kal work. To try and make something work with him.

Ronan captured that moment; froze it and preserved it in this photo.

"You like it?" Ronan asks, peering too closely at my face.

My cheeks flame up as I avoid his knowing eyes. "Yeah, it's amazing. I'm no photography buff, but this is a great picture: the angle, the lightning—"

"The subjects."

"...That too..." I hesitantly agree as I hold it out for him to take back.

He dismisses the idea, fanning his hand at it. "Keep it. I have plenty of others and I thought you might want to have that particular one. It really is a great photo of you two, if I don't say so myself."

"Uh, yeah, sure. Thanks." Selfishly I do want to keep it... not like I'd tell him that though.

The corner of his lip quirks up. "Mmmhm. Don't mention it." Then he pinches his brows in thought. "Actually, do mention it... I'm curious what Kal would think of it too. I debated giving the picture to him since he keeps a little collection, but I figured you'd be more interested."

I suck on my cheek instead of retorting. I'd rather not add flames to the fire.

"By the way," he slyly starts, "I totally support your guys' little thing you got going on with each other."

His eyebrow wiggle would be hysterical if I didn't already want to crawl in a hole.

"What thing? We don't have a thing."

Deny. Deny. Deny.

"Whatever, liar. You totally have a thing. Despite Wren and I's gossiping about you, we still don't know the nature of it, but there's definitely a thing."

"Would you stop saying 'thing', it's weird. And you two gossip about us??"

"Uh, duh. Friends gossip about their other friends to figure out what the hell kind of emotions and tension they're picking up on between said friends, so we can tease you and then tell you we totally support it! Because, as your friends, we think it's a good thing for both of you!"

"I...What?" Those words just came flying out of his mouth and I regret to say I'm not fluent in word-vomit.

"Never mind. You'll understand it yourself someday. My point is, just take the damn picture and keep doing what you're doing."

I scrunch up my face but grip the photo anyway. "...ok?"

"Cool. Good talk. Now shoo, so I can get ready for my date."

I scoff over my shoulder as he pushes me to the door. "Your date? Is Jasper aware of this?"

"Semantics. Now shoo!"

He slams the door behind me.

I shake my head at his very Ronan-like foolishness, before heading into my room to put the picture in my nightstand drawer next to Kal's note. Why I'm still keeping it, I don't know. But I like having them there.

Just as I'm stepping down the stairs Jasper comes out of the steamy bathroom in a cloud of cologne with his hair perfectly combed. I find myself chuckling at the two of them getting all gussied up.

I'm about to head back to the couch where I spy Wren and Kal still lounging, but Aster's voice from the kitchen deters my path. "I hate this stove! It won't light again!" She must be pretty aggravated to shout like that.

"Hang on, I'm coming," I respond and step in to check it out.

"Oh, Aiden, good timing! The pilot light is out again." She points to the guilty burner.

I allow a small burst of heat to flare up until a spark alights on the tip of my index finger. The flame is small and controlled, and I've done this particular task enough times to not worry about it anymore.

I tip my finger under the coils and flick the knob on until it catches.

A human lighter, that's me.

"Thanks!" Aster gleams. "I'm making mac-n-cheese for us, you guys want some?"

"Yes, please!" Comes a shout from the living room.

"Yes, please from me too."

"Comin' right up!" Her green eyes turn back to the pot of water she sets on top, so I head back to my original destination: the living room.

Wren's hogging the loveseat with her phone in her hands, not paying the least bit of attention, so I plop down on the couch with Kal. He's laying across it too, but he bends his knees up so I can sit before ticking his toes under my thigh.

"What're we watching?" I ask.

"Mmm, Rick and Morty." He rests his head on his hand as he watches the tv.

"Always a solid choice."

Two sets of footsteps pad down the stairs, then Ro and Jas appear together. Ronan's red Hawaiian shirt is half unbuttoned to expose his chest and gold chain, and his hair looks like it's actually been styled. Jasper also has a button-up on but his long sleeves are cuffed up and it's tucked into some forest green, loose trousers.

"Alright esteemed housemates, we're off to see the wizard. See ya later!" Ro exclaims.

"Bye." Is all Jas says before heading for the door.

"Have fun, use protection!" Wren calls out as they leave.

Aster comes out a moment later with two bowls of mac-n-cheese in her hands and gives one over to Wren. "It's ready, help yourself, I made plenty."

I pat Kal's calf as I get up again. "I got it."

A minute later I return with two heaping bowls and give one over to Kal's grabby hands before plopping back down.

It's quiet and easy as we munch, the four of us laughing along with the show and just relaxing. When our bowls are empty and the episode ends, Aster stands up and pulls Wren with her.

"We're headed to bed. Don't have too much fun without us."

I glance at the clock displayed under the tv. "It's not even 7 o'clock, your going to sleep already? Ok, grandmas." I'm not serious of course, I'd hit the hay too if I knew I would actually sleep, but I can't resist messing with them anyways.

Wren sneers, "We weren't going to make it obvious, but since you feel the need to be a jerk-face, I'll suggest to you that there are other things to do in bed besides sleeping."

"Oh. Ew. Yeah, no, I didn't want to know that. I take it all back."

"Too late, no take-backsies. Now you're stuck with that image in your brain."

Kal shoos them with a hand. "Have fun, don't be too loud please."

"No promises," Wren proudly grins as Aster yanks her down the hallway.

Kal tucks his toes back under my thigh. "Good for them. I'm jealous. I haven't been laid in like a month."

I let out a half-controlled snort. "Try 6 months."

Shit. I did not mean to say that.

"Really? Damn. You've gotta be super jealous then. Sometimes I just mess around because I crave the warmth, but you've been filling that role for me at least. Not sure if I could go 6 months though... props man."

He kind of confuses me—I thought he would make fun of me, but he doesn't really seem to be joking. His tone is light but not flippant, as if talking about our sex lives is just casual conversation. As if he didn't just literally say he's using me as a sex replacement. I'm not really sure how to feel about that because, honestly, it just leaves me with even more questions.

Is he ok with that? If he's just looking for warmth, then am I enough for now?

Or does he resent me for being a total cock-block? Is it more than just warmth he's looking for?

I get the feeling that if I asked him to elaborate he actually would, which I'd usually appreciate, but I don't know if I can handle going down that road right now. We already drew that line and made it clear we weren't going to get physically involved, so I'll just take his comment at face value for the time being.

I'm trying not to stare awkwardly at him but I still notice when he pulls his hands into his sleeves and brings them up to cover his nose.

I look to his sock-covered feet buried under me. "Are you tucking your feet in because it's comfortable or because they're cold?"

"Both?" His response is muffled but still barely audible.

I tap his calves again and he pulls them away so I can readjust to face him, then I pull his legs back down onto my crossed lap. He gets comfy again, pulling a pillow up from the floor and hugging it against his chest.

"To answer your question, yes I'm envious too. But not for exactly the same reason as you. I mean, yeah, the sexual frustration is very real—"

"Hmm, a little pent-up are we?"

"—but it's directed more towards their general relationship and just being able to comfortably do things like that. My last relationship ended terribly... they all have... and with my whole no-touchy thing..." I roll my eyes at myself, at my whole situation. "Anyway, it's been a while, and I've never been able to have anything close to what they do. Physically or emotionally."

"You will one day. You deserve it."

I nod absently as I pull a fuzzy sock off one of his feet and toss it, then I run my warmed hands along his bare foot, putting some light pressure into my thumbs.

"Thanks," I finally respond, then with a lighter tone add, "At least I'm more comfortable touching you, so in the meantime, you and your ice-toes get to be my cold-fix. So you can fill that role now too, I suppose."

He wiggles them in my grasp. "Happily. You can warm me up anytime."

I smirk back at him. "And vice-versa."