From Frost to Flame

Part 65: New Beginnings

📍Sorry for taking so long to share the update. I hope you enjoy it!📍

The kiss ended... but the moment didn't.

Warmth lingered between them long after their lips parted. Pete stayed close, his forehead resting lightly against Vegas's shoulder, both of them breathing quietly — steady, calm, safe. Vegas's hand remained at the small of Pete's back, steady and gentle, as if grounding him. Pete's fingers curled into Vegas's shirt like he didn't want the moment to slip away.

When they finally pulled apart, it was slow — almost reluctant. Vegas looked at him with a soft, unfamiliar smile, one Pete had never seen before.

"Pete."

Pete blinked, heat rising to his cheeks.
"Hmm?"

"Let's... go back to the others," Vegas whispered, still a little dazed.

Pete nodded, shy but warm, his earlier nerves replaced with a soft, glowing happiness.

They settled back into the living room — Pete on the sofa, Vegas right beside him. Close. Not touching, but close enough that the air seemed charged. Both were still feeling the aftershocks of the confession, the kiss, the everything.

Kinn and Porsche stood a few steps away on the other side of the living room, drinks in hand, watching them with far too much interest.

Porsche nudged Kinn.
"Look at their faces. They're glowing."

Kinn smirked.
"Glowing? They're practically shining."

Pete turned bright red. Vegas cleared his throat, pretending to adjust his sleeves like nothing was happening.

Porsche leaned forward dramatically.
"Look at them. Look how close they're sitting."

Pete nearly choked.
Vegas shot Porsche a warning glare.

"Can you two behave for once?" Vegas muttered, but even he was trying not to smile.

Kinn raised his glass.
"Don't worry. We won't tell anyone. For now."

Vegas rolled his eyes.
"They're impossible."

But his voice held no irritation — only a happiness he couldn't hide.

The teasing continued for a few minutes, harmless and light.
Then the whole afternoon softened into something warm and easy.
Snacks scattered across the table. Half-watched movies. Dumb arguments about which film was better. Laughter — real, relaxed laughter — filling the room.

Vegas found himself watching Pete more than the screen.
Pete's small smiles.
His shy glances.
The way he covered his laughter with his hand.

Tiny moments passed between them — Vegas offering him water, Pete brushing Vegas's hand by accident, both pretending it was nothing while their hearts raced anyway.

The entire afternoon felt gentle. Safe.
A beginning neither of them wanted to rush.

As evening finally approached, Pete stood to leave.
Before he could say anything, Porsche got up too.

"I'll drop him home," Porsche offered.

Vegas steps forward before he even thinks.

"I'll take Pete."

Porsche froze for one dramatic second, then smirked.
"Oh? You sure? Isn't that... special treatment?"

Pete's ears turned red instantly.

Kinn walked by, voice low and teasing,
"Let him go, Porsche. Vegas will drop him. He clearly wants to."

Vegas shot Kinn a glare, but the damage was done; Pete was already blushing too hard to handle.

Porsche leaned in and whispered loudly to Pete,
"Don't let him stare at you the whole ride."

Kinn added, nodding at Vegas,
"And don't let him drive into a tree because he's too busy staring at you."

Pete covered his face with both hands.
Vegas muttered, "Both of you... need to mind your business."

Porsche and Kinn exchanged matching evil grins.

After saying Goodbye, Vegas escorts Pete to the door, gently taking Pete's bag from him without asking.
It's soft. Quiet. Intimate.

Vegas opens the car door for Pete without thinking, a small gesture that makes Pete's cheeks warm instantly. He slips into the seat quietly, heart still fluttering from everything that happened today. Vegas gets in on the other side, glances at Pete once,  and that one look is enough to make Pete look away shyly.

The engine starts.
The car moves.
But the world feels like it's slowed down just for them.

Pete's hand rests near the gear, fingers fidgeting nervously. Vegas notices.
Without a word, he reaches over and gently takes Pete's hand in his — slow, careful, giving Pete time to pull away if he wants.

Pete doesn't.

His fingers instantly curl around Vegas's, shy but sure.
His heart stumbles, but in the sweetest way.

Vegas keeps driving with one hand, the other holding Pete's securely. He brushes his thumb over Pete's skin once... then again... and Pete feels warmth spread all the way up to his ears.

"You okay?" Vegas asks softly, eyes still on the road.

Pete nods. "Yeah... better than okay."

Vegas's lips curve into a small smile — the kind he only shows Pete.

They stay like that the whole ride — hands intertwined, hearts steady, silence warm and full of new love. Every now and then Pete's thumb moves a little, brushing Vegas's skin shyly. Every time, Vegas's heart skips a beat.

When they reach Pete's building, Vegas parks but doesn't let go of his hand right away.
Neither does Pete.

"I'll walk you inside," Vegas says, as if it's the most natural thing in the world.

They walk to the entrance slowly, close but not touching — though it feels like their hands still remember each other.

At the door, Pete turns to him. His eyes are soft, nervous, happy.
Vegas gives him a small smile.
"Goodnight, Pete."

Pete swallows.
He takes one tiny step closer.

Then — with all the courage he gathers — Pete rises on his toes and presses a soft kiss to Vegas's lips.
Quick.
Warm.
Shy.
A kiss that says everything without a single word.

Vegas freezes — surprised, breath catching.
Pete pulls back, not saying anything... just smiling.
A small, glowing, heart-full smile.

Vegas gently cups Pete's cheek with one hand, thumb brushing the faint blush there.

"Cute," he murmurs.

Pete looks down, still smiling, eyes shining.

Vegas leans in and presses a soft kiss to Pete's forehead — slower, deeper, tender.

"Goodnight, Pete."

Pete whispers,
"Goodnight, Vegas."

He steps inside, turns once to look at him...
Vegas is still standing there, watching with the softest eyes Pete has ever seen.

Only when Pete disappears inside does Vegas finally walk back to the car — hand still warm from holding Pete's.