Outside Work We... •[TNN One-shots]•

Bromance To Romance •|| WINCE ||• Pt. 3

Prompt: Reece and Winter's relationship gets more and more serious.

As the months rolled on, Winter and Reece’s relationship deepened in ways neither of them could have anticipated. What started as a subtle shift between friends blossomed into something steady and unwavering, like the roots of a tree growing deeper into the earth.

°•°•°--**--°•°•°

One chilly evening, Winter found himself back at Reece’s house, curled up on the couch with a mug of hot chocolate in hand. Reece sat next to him, a blanket draped over both their legs as they watched a classic Christmas movie.

“Okay, but why does every Christmas movie involve someone almost ruining Christmas?” Winter asked, gesturing at the TV.

“Conflict, I guess,” Reece replied, shrugging. “Though I wouldn’t mind one where everything just goes smoothly for once.”

“Where’s the fun in that?” Winter teased, nudging Reece’s shoulder with his own.

Reece grinned, his arm sliding around Winter’s shoulders. “I think we’re doing pretty well without the drama.”

Winter raised an eyebrow. “You’re jinxing us, Knight.”

“Am not,” Reece said, pulling him closer. “You’re just overly cautious.”

Winter opened his mouth to retort, but the words faded when he caught the look in Reece’s eyes—soft, earnest, and full of that unspoken affection that had become so familiar.

“What?” Winter asked, his voice quieter now.

“Nothing,” Reece said, though his cheeks flushed. “Just… you.”

Winter rolled his eyes, though a smile tugged at his lips. “You’re insufferable, you know that?”

“And yet, here you are,” Reece countered, leaning in to kiss him.

The kiss was gentle, unhurried, and filled with the kind of comfort that only came from truly knowing someone. When they pulled apart, Winter rested his forehead against Reece’s, a rare softness in his expression.

“You’re lucky I like you,” Winter murmured.

Reece chuckled, his hand brushing against Winter’s cheek. “I know.”

°•°•°--**--°•°•°

As time went on, they began to share more of their lives with each other. Winter introduced Reece to his favorite bookshop, a cozy little spot tucked away in the city, while Reece brought Winter to the park where he used to go to clear his head after long days at the nursery.

They spent their weekends exploring new coffee shops, trying their hand at cooking together (which often ended in laughter and minor kitchen disasters), and simply enjoying each other’s company.

°•°•°--**--°•°•°

Their first official holiday together as a couple was Valentine’s Day, though Winter insisted they keep things low-key.

“I don’t need grand gestures,” Winter said, sipping his coffee. “Just you.”

Reece had smiled at that, but he still surprised Winter with a home-cooked dinner and a small bouquet of his favorite flowers.

“I thought you didn’t do romantic,” Winter teased, though the blush on his cheeks betrayed how much he appreciated it.

“For you, I’ll make an exception,” Reece replied, leaning down to kiss him.

°•°•°--**--°•°•°

Their relationship wasn’t without its challenges, of course. There were moments of miscommunication, of frustration, but they always worked through them together. Because at the end of the day, they both knew they’d found something special—something worth fighting for.

And as they sat together one evening, watching the sun set over the horizon, Reece took Winter’s hand in his and said, “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

Winter squeezed his hand, a rare softness in his expression. “Right back at you, Knight.”

In that moment, beneath the fading light of the day, they knew they’d found a love worth holding onto.

[A/N: One last part left! It'll be out in a little bit.]