He didn't know why Caleb had chosen them to spend the evening before Christmas together. It's not like he was going to get cozy with the blonde in front of the fireplace, or kiss him under the mistletoe. No, Pogue would have to light the fireplace, and hang the slightly unattractive garnish from the frame of a door. With a sigh, he confirmed that the real reason for this joining was to help the boys connect and strengthen their friendship.

Taking another deep swallow of his beer, he set it on the coffee table just as Reid came from down the hallway. Leaning in the archway leading into the living room where Pogue lay restless, Reid shook a small dry towel through his dripping wet hair. Pogue looked over his friend, eyes stopping at the towel around his waist. How tight it clung to his slender hips, his upper body evident with drops of water from the shower. A few drops tickled down his chest and abdomen, nearly invisible on the blonde's ivory skin.

His blond locks fell into his effervescent eyes as he pulled the towel from his head, feeling slightly awkward as he caught Pogue checking him out. His eyes flashed black then with the power, his arm sending the towel flying at his friend from across the room, catching him off guard. The brunette blinked abruptly, standing up as the towel hit the seat of the couch next to him. "Uh... here's a beer, if you want. I'll put this away..." He almost mumbled under his breath as he swiftly grabbed the wet towel from the couch and darted from the living room. As he had passed Reid in the archway, he caught the smell of cologne coming off of his fresh flesh.

His steps felt heavier, his heart pounding in his chest as he made his way to the bathroom and tossed the towel into the hamper for dirty clothes. Reid took that the brunette was avoiding him almost as soon as he had come out of the bathroom. Shrugging it off, he made his way to the couch and lay down casually just as Pogue where he had been.

Upon Pogue's return, Reid had taken up his spot on the sofa, looking rather comfortable in the towel alone on his lower half. Before he made it obvious that he was blushing, Pogue ignored the fact that Reid looked quite entertained that he had done this, his gaze on the brunette with an amused smile.

Pogue was glad there was another sofa adjacent to the one which Reid took over. He fell onto the relaxing piece of furniture complete with small throw pillows.

Before he could feel at peace, he looked for the beer that would continue to ease the situation and found the rim captured by Reid's pink lips, his slender fingers holding the glass bottle in place. To make matters more astounding, Reid's blue eyes gazed at Pogue from across the coffee table as he tilt his head back, opening his mouth to take the alcohol into his mouth. He let it fall straight down his throat, his neck almost elegant the way it stretched. The liquid formed into his stomach, empty of food, just as Pogue's.

The brunette's brow furrowed as he watched the rest of his beer fill his friend. His mind twitched almost suddenly, and he decided to go grab more beer from the fridge. Not for Reid, though. He knew he was teasing, and he would drink anything but he knew he wanted more than Reid would now, even though Reid would never find out why. But he could most definitely figure it out if Pogue made it obvious.

Reid finished the rest of Pogue's beer, his smile faltering as his friend left the room. How long could he keep this up? He frowned to himself, placing the empty bottle next to the full unopened one. He took the full bottle and popped it open to drink.

END 2/4 {T.B.C.}