Danny came trotting into the living room, holding a bunch of stray socks in his hand, having only one of his reindeer socks on his foot.
"Alex, have you seen the other one of these red nos—"
Alex's reaction stopped Danny, dumbstruck. Alex's eyes were locked with Danny's socked foot. He was blushing fervently. When Danny didn't move further, Alex made a small sound and looked up at him, totally lost. Danny couldn't help the rather wicked thoughts this sight formed in his mind.
"Is it the missing sock or this particular —"
"Red nosed reindeer," Alex whispered, licking his lips.
Danny ventured slowly closer and Alex's breath was hitching. Despite having lived together for almost a year, Alex seldom initiated an embrace or a kiss. Showing emotions, let alone act on them had successfully been beaten out of him during his upbringing. Provoking this kind of strong response from Alex always felt like a small victory to Danny. Fighting back the hurt caused by years of tough training and fierce discipline when he made Alex open up, pulling down yet another wall between Alex and the world.
Danny's first touch was gentle, tentative, instinctively knowing that Alex was overwhelmed by the force of his own feelings. As always the physical contact pushed Alex out of the limbo. He pulled Danny close, fingers caressing, searching, trying to convey the love they felt for each other.
They ended up in a tangle of limbs and clothing on the floor, moving in unison and reaching climax within moments of the other.
They stayed in a tight embrace, enjoying the afterglow.
Later, no matter where Danny looked, the other sock seemed to be gone for good.
Later, Alex would make sure to keep the single sock hidden well away.