A deep sigh of contentment escaped Betelgeuse as Adam wrapped his arms around him, his lips grazing his forehead with little kisses, the hand in his hair stroking his hair the way he liked it.

"You know, it may interest you to know that this conversation is no longer private."

"What do you mean?" Adam asked before watching Betelgeuse point to Barbara's bedroom door that was slightly open. "Oh. Jesus Barbara. How much did you hear?" Adam asked.

"Oh. Only all of it." Barbara spoke innocently as she came and sat with the boys.

"Will you ever quit eavesdropping?" The green haired man asked.

"Nope!" Barbara said.

"So, what's the deal? You two dating now?"

"Yeah." Betelgeuse had the biggest smile on his face in a long time. It made Barbara smile to see his genuine smile that she didn't see often.

"Did you wanna go for a coffee? We could celebrate this?" Adam asked.

"With a coffee? Hey, check out the romantic I'm dating. We're celebrating with coffee!" Betelgeuse giggled before he was jokingly elbowed by Adam.

"Well, it is romantic if you think about it. Where did we first meet?" Adam asked.

"The coffee- oh! Fair enough. That actually sounds surprisingly good." The penny dropped with Betelgeuse.

"Yes! Should we go then?" Adam asked.

"Sure. Could you drive? My car just went on life support."

"Yeah, come on." Adam smiled and they walked down together. Barbara immediately pulled her phone out and found Lydia's contact.

Barbara: Guess who's just got a boyf?

Lydia: Idk. Who?

Barbara: 🪲🧃

Lydia: No way. I don't believe you

Barbara: Attachment 1 video

Lydia: OMG! I'm so happy for him.

Adam pulled up outside the coffee shop, walking in with Betelgeuse, holding his hand firmly.

"Hard to believe that we first came here as strangers, and now we're lovers." He smiled.

"I know. Scary how things change so easily."

"Hey Red. How are you? I see you got the promotion." Adam asked the guy behind the counter who had a sharp face and deep red hair.

"I'm all right and yes, I did. You were here two weeks ago." He pointed at Betelgeuse.

"Uhu. Yeah." Betelgeuse answered.

"So, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Red asked.

"Could we have a table please?" Adam asked.

"Sure. You eating as well?"

"You wanna eat here."

"I'm not fussed really." Betelgeuse shrugged.

"Sure. Why not." Adam answered.

"Okay. Table 3, Waylon will be with you soon."

"Could we get table 14? We're doing some weird mushy love thing." Adam asked.

"And in my language?"

"We've just started dating and we met at that table." Betelgeuse explained.

"Really? Oh my gosh. Waylon! Get over here!" Red shouted.

"What's up? Oh, hi Adam."

"Waylon, Adam has some incredible news. Go on, tell Waylon." Red said.

"Adam's got three weeks to live." Betelgeuse spoke solemnly.

"That is a horrible thing to say." Adam said, punching his boyfriend in the arm.

"Three weeks? Can't he make it three days?" Waylon asked with a giggle before Adam smacked him too.

"Can everyone stop assuming I'm going to die, thank you very much!" He said angrily.

"God. Adams got a boyfriend!" Red told him.

"Really? This bugger has a male?"

"Uh. Yeah Waylon, I've got a male." Adam sighed.

"Isn't that amazing? Who is this chap then?" He asked and watched Adam grab Betelgeuse's hand. "Really? Good luck to you, unsweetened iced tea!" Waylon said.

"Excuse me?"

"Which part didn't you understand?"

"Erm, all of it."

"As I don't know people's names, I use peoples' orders to refer to them, and just good luck to you with Mr. Crib-refurb guy." He answered and got a laugh from Betelgeuse.

"My name is Beej." He told him.

"They're on table 14. Give them the worst service possible." Red told them before they went to their table.

"I'm guessing you want what you had last time?"

"Sure." Adam answered.

"Okay I'll get those." Waylon smiled and walked away.

When they got their drinks, they got some cake to share between them before Adam paid over Betelgeuse's protests and they went back to his apartment. Once they got there, Adam sat on the sofa and gestured for Betelgeuse to sit with him before pulling his head against his chest and his legs over his lap, kissing his forehead. For a few moments, everything was silent, and the two males just sat there holding each other closely, knowing they were meant to be with each other. The silence was soon broken when a loud bang was heard from outside. Betelgeuse jumped and flinched.

"Are you okay?" Adam asked, concerned. Betelgeuse nodded his head but another loud bang was heard, making Betelgeuse convulse and burst into tears, Adam could tell it wasn't his genuine answer. "Oh, honey, you're shaking. Does thunder scare you, mister? Oh, ho. sweet boy. Oh, look at me. You're okay." Adam mumbled.

"I have astraphobia." Betelgeuse quickly explained and Adam pulled his phone out and googled how to help.

"Okay. It says here to make you feel safe. Do you like hiding?" Adam asked and got a nod. He pulled his shirt out and Betelgeuse instantly crawled inside his shirt and cowered in Adam's arms. "Next thing is to try breathing exercises. Wanna try that?" Adam peered into his shirt to see Betelgeuse shaking his head.

"C-c-can I just have snuggles?" He asked.

"Of course, Buggy. We can just cuddle." Adam smiled. "Another thing is to talk about things to distract your mind. What do ya wanna talk about?" He asked and Betelgeuse shrugged. Adam smirked and started humming 'Eye of the Tiger' before softly singing the lyrics. Betelgeuse smiled and looked up into Adam's eyes, knowing why he chose this particular song before another clap of thunder startled him. This one was much louder than the others and caused him to regress and cry harder, biting his lip in fear so Adam whispered soothing words of reassurance to him. After a while, the storm was still going, but being comforted by Adam settled him down.

"Ad? I'm warm." Betelgeuse complained.

"Why don't you take your shirt off then?" Adam suggested, wiggling his eyebrows and Betelgeuse looked away. "Buggy?" He asked when the smallest mumbled something incoherent.

"I don't look good. You might break up with me."

"No, I won't. Honey, I love you so much and I think you're very handsome. I don't date ugly boys." Adam whispered into his ear before kissing his forehead and gently nibbling and sucking on his neck to distract him whilst he unzipped the jacket and lifted his shirt to expose his slightly heavy set figure. "And you said you're not good looking." Adam chuckled and Betelgeuse realised what he'd done.

"Hey!" Betelgeuse complained before processing what Adam said. "You really think I'm good looking?" He asked.

"You're so cute and handsome!" Adam pinched his cheeks before rubbing his belly mindlessly, causing the younger male to push his hand away. "What?"

"Nothing."

"Okay." Adam smirked challengingly. He took a subtle big breath through his nose before sticking his head inside his shirt to press his face against Betelgeuse's stomach before blowing a raspberry, effectively making the younger male giggle and kick his legs as if he was a toddler.

"Stop! That tickles!" Betelgeuse gasped in between fits of laughter. After a round of 6 more raspberries, Adam decided to stop and let his boyfriend breathe.

"It's been a while since I heard you laugh carefree like that. I love your laugh." Adam admitted and Betelgeuse reddened, still trying to catch his breath.

"Really?"

"Yeah. Last time I heard it was with the water in the bathroom." Adam giggled at the memories.

"Oh yeah. And the "leak"." Betelgeuse laughed heartily.

"Are you feeling better now?" Adam asked.

"Yeah, I am. Thank you for looking after me. I know I can be lots of work at times."

"I don't think you're hard work." Adam said and Betelgeuse scoffed.

"You ain't seen nothin' yet." He said truthfully.

"I still love you very much though Zeisele."

Adam smiled before leaning in to kiss Betelgeuse, thinking about what they could do together.

"Did you wanna watch a movie?" he suggested.

"Sure. what did you wanna watch?"

"Have you ever seen Night of the Living Dead?" Adam asked.

"I've heard about it but never seen it." Betelgeuse answered, crawling out of his shirt and snuggling back into his arms. Adam slid his arm around his waist and pulled him closer to himself and he didn't mind. He was happy to simply be in Adam's arms. As the film progressed, Adam could feel Betelgeuse gripping tighter and hiding his face in his chest. Adam looked down and noticed his terrified face.

"You're not scared, are you?" He asked teasingly.

"Nah. I'm fine. I'm just not the best with blood." Betelgeuse admitted.

"Fun fact. The gore gets worse. And it's cute how you're using me to protect yourself. It makes me feel trusted." Adam admitted with a chuckle.

"Well, I'm glad someone's enjoying himself." Betelgeuse said sarcastically.

"Want me to turn it off?" Adam asked.

"I've made it this far. May as well find out what's causing all the drama in the graveyard." Betelgeuse shrugged.

"Okay." Adam smirked, knowing he'd have his boyfriend clinging to him for much longer. After the rest of the movie had finished, Adam looked down to see Betelgeuse with his head on his shoulder with his eyes closed. "Babe? Hamud? Haim Shelli? Neshama Sheli? Ahava Sheli? Ahuv? Zeisele? Duvshanit?" Adam said, shaking Betelgeuse with every word, getting worried when he noticed how pale he was. He got scared, thinking the movie was too gory for him and he passed out.

"Huh?" Betelgeuse mumbled, clearly confused.

"Oh, thank God. You're okay!" Adam exclaimed, clinging to the shorter male.

"Woah! You, okay?" Betelgeuse asked, laughing heartily.

"I was so scared I scared you too much!" Adam mumbled into Betelgeuse's neck.

"Jesus, clingy much Adam?" Betelgeuse laughed.

"Shut up." Adam said as he pulled his face out of his neck and deeply kissed him. "So, what were you even doing?" Adam asked, curious.

"I just fell asleep. I can sleep anywhere and once I'm asleep, I'm asleep. It's called 'dead sleeping'." Betelgeuse chuckled.

"You scared me, Buggy. Please don't do that again." Adam looked away.

"Course Ahuv." Betelgeuse giggled sarcastically before Adam locked lips with him, instantly silencing the younger male.

"Hah. I already know how to shut you up!" Adam teased and Betelgeuse blushed and grumbled. "Did you wanna stay for dinner?" He asked.

"Can do." Betelgeuse replied with a smile.

"Pasta and beer?" Adam suggested.

"Sounds good. Want me to make the sauce again?"

"If you're okay with that. You're a great cook." Adam grinned.

"Thanks." Betelgeuse got up and opened the cupboards to look for the ingredients. As he was bent over to pull out some items, he felt a hand collide with his bum. "Really Adam?" He complained sternly and turned to see Adam's smirk.

"Sorry Buggy. It was just such a pleasant view. I couldn't resist." Adam gave an innocent smile and Betelgeuse shook his head.

"Du farkirtst mir di yorn!"

"Well, that's rude." Adam said sarcastically, his hand over his heart. Betelgeuse rolled his eyes and kissed Adam. Adam's smirk grew into a devilish grin as he buried his face into the crook of Betelgeuse's neck and began to blow raspberries against it.

"No! Stop! Please!" Betelgeuse pleaded in a fit of laughter, trying to wriggle away but to no avail as Adam held him against his chest. Adam eventually stopped and looked at Betelgeuse's flushed and panting face before giving him a cuddle with forehead kisses. Both started with cooking the pasta and mixing the ingredients for the sauce and gently heating it over the hob. Adam pulled some plates down from the cupboards and let Betelgeuse plate up their meals whilst he got some beer from the fridge and set the table. Once they were seated, Betelgeuse walked to the other end of the table and sat next to Adam, leaning into him, eating.