The weather on Dalton Castle's island is always pleasant, which is not a bad thing. He's absolutely not complaining- they're wrestlers, they get beat down and thrown around so much, cold weather only succeeds in leaving them stiff and sore, so the warmth on their skin almost year around is nice. But sometimes, Christmas is on the horizon and even Dalton craves a little fun in the snow, so he researches whenever the Boys aren't looking- which isn't often, his Boys are the most attentive, inquisitive creatures in the world, and he adores them all the more for it.
So it usually happens when they're at OVW tapings, Dalton poring over websites for tourists, and other weather reports, and finally he finds the perfect spot. His eyes brighten, then soften into a happy little gleam as he reaches over for his cell phone. "Hello? Yes, I would like to rent a cabin for a week... mm hmm... yes, that- that sounds incredible..."
His Boys, sweet, helpful little things that they are, hear vacation and are immediately running to get his bags, to pack for him. He laughs softly, though, and stops them, a hand on each of their arms as he glances from one to the other. "Brent, Brandon," he says softly, and they stop immediately, staring at him.
"Yeah, Dalton?" Brent finally asks and Dalton reaches up, grazes his thumb over his lips before leaning in to kiss him.
He sways into the affection and Dalton sighs softly, resting his forehead against him before pulling back, glancing at Brandon, who is staring at them with need deep in his eyes, and Dalton tilts over to kiss him in much the same way, smiling when Brandon exhales a slow, needy whimper into his mouth. "We all three need to pack," he finally declares. "Because the vacation is for all of us." He smiles at the look of awe in the Boys' faces and tucks them in close on either side of him, thinking about them both bundled up in large coats, gloves and hats against the winter chill, and everything that will bring. Snowball fights, hot chocolate by the fireplace, lazy evenings spent in bed, warm and sated.
The Boys never protest, just lean into him for as long as they can, before he sends them rushing off to get their bags and begin work. Which leaves him to do the same. He hates packing, but for this, he will make an exception. He smiles and shakes his head. The things I do for those Boys. I swear, Dalton Castle, you weren't always this soft.
-x
The cabin is beautiful. Coated in a gentle amount of snow, just enough for their boots to crunch as they walk over what's on the ground, and Dalton breathes in and out slowly, enjoying watching his breath mist before his face. They stand in the doorway, shivering a little as he unlocks the door, and the carefully maintained beautiful of the outside meets the cheerful, homey interior that greets them as they peer in.
"Wow," Brent whispers, the Boys immediately slipping inside to look around. "It... it's amazing, Dalton."
Dalton beams and follows them in. "Come on, my sweet Boys. Let's put our bags in the bedroom and get some food, I'm starving." The kitchen is freshly stocked and, once their things are safely in the closet, Dalton leads them in whipping up some quick spaghetti and garlic bread, the Boys cheerfully humming some Christmas music while Dalton leans back and watches them, waiting for the noodles to soften. There is snow glistening behind him on the windowsill, and his Boys lighting up every aspect of the cabin, and... God, he's happier than he's ever felt.
"I love you both," he says suddenly, eyebrows twitching upwards as both Boy stops what they're doing and turns to look at him. "I know I don't say it often, but it... it's true with every fiber of my being. I'd be lost without you both."
Brent looks calm, beatific. Brandon is shaky, close to tears, his eyes shining in this gorgeous way that reflects the light overhead in this really heady, overwhelming sort of way. Within one breath and the next, both Boys are clinging to him, kissing him and stroking his back, his cheek, touches gentle and almost reverent. "We love you too," they whisper against his skin in unison and Dalton sighs as his knees grow weak, only the counter his elbows are propped on keeping him upright.
"My sweet boys," he says with a brilliant, bright smile on his face. He kisses both of them slowly, gently, and then lightly pushes them forward to finish working on the long abandoned food.
This is going to be the best Christmas ever.