Valentine's Dates Over the Years

Lincoln had a sheepish smile on his face when he opened the door. “Hey, so I was going to call you,” he started.

Colin’s gaze roamed down the other man’s body, taking in the sweatpants and t-shirt he was wearing. “I know I said casual, but the restaurant does prefer a bit more…”

Lincoln sighed, stepping out onto the porch. He closed the door most of the way behind him. “I can’t go.”

Colin frowned. “Are you worried about people seeing us? I mean most people know we hang out.”

“It’s not that. I had to pick Brook up from school today. She’s been throwing up for most of the day. I can’t leave her with a babysitter.”

“Of course not,” Colin instantly assured him. He rested a hand on Lincoln’s arm. “What can I do?”

Lincoln ran a hand through his blond hair. “I don’t. I have no idea. She’s never been sick like this. Not since I got her.”

“Okay. So fluids and rest are the normal directions,” Colin said soothingly. “I wonder where she caught it? Is something going around the school?”

Lincoln nodded. “Yeah. Yes. She said a lot of kids have been out.”

“So it’s probably nothing major, but if she continues to get sick, we should take her to urgent care. Just to be sure.”

“We?” Lincoln questioned, apparently latching onto Colin’s words.

“Yes, we,” Colin confirmed. “Just because we can’t go out doesn’t mean I’m going to abandon you.”

“Linc?” a weak voice came from inside the house and Lincoln turned towards it.

Colin patted his arm, drawing Lincoln’s attention back to him for a moment. “Text me what she wants for food and drink. I’ll make a store run and be right back.” He leaned towards Lincoln, kissing him briefly. “And I’ll grab dinner for us.” He pushed him towards the open door. “Go take care of Brook. I’ll be back soon.”

As Colin walked back towards his motorcycle, he tried to decide where he would go for the list that he was being messaged. His phone chimed as he reached the motorcycle and he checked it to see what Brooklyn wanted. When he saw the very specific ginger ale she wanted, he decided to drive a couple of towns over to the larger grocery store. It had the added advantage of being near the Irish pub that he and Lincoln had patronized on a few occasions.

Upon reaching the town, he swung by the pub, placing a to go order before heading towards the store. It didn’t take him long to pick up Brooklyn’s requests and a few other things that he thought he and Lincoln might enjoy. After picking up the dinner, he arranged everything in his saddle bags for the ride back to Lincoln’s house.

Lincoln was waiting on the porch when he got back to the house, a soft smile on his face. “Thank you,” he said as he accepted one of the bags from Colin. “Brook’s sleeping right now, but she’ll appreciate these when she wakes up.” He motioned to the second bag that Colin was hefting. “What’s that?”

“Dinner for us,” Colin answered, pressing a kiss to Lincoln’s cheek and bypassing him to get into the house. “Figured we could have a quiet meal while Brook rests.”

Lincoln followed him and said, “You didn’t have to do that.”

“I didn’t, but we had plans to spend the evening together. We’re just adjusting it slightly.”

“I love you,” Lincoln blurted out before fleeing into the kitchen for drinks.

Colin smiled to himself as he reflected that while this wasn’t the Valentine’s Day he had expected, he couldn’t find fault with it. He was still spending time with his two favorite people after all.

And apparently Lincoln loved him. Even if the other man wasn’t ready to face that yet.

I'll be back tomorrow with their fifth Valentine's.