Ted hadn't stopped pacing since he sent Dougal's test off, so when the familiar ping of an email alert sounded through the parochial house, Ted scrambled for his phone.

Your test result is negative. You did not have the virus when the test was done.

Ted exhaled a sigh of relief. He knew Dougal was likely to be okay, but that hadn't stopped him from worrying. He felt like he worried about everything nowadays, even stuff that he was used to, like public speaking. He couldn't imagine going back to that after the lockdown was over. The thought broke him out in sweats. Still, he tried not to think about it. What mattered right now was that Dougal was okay, and he'd likely just caught a cold.

Mrs Doyle appeared in the doorway of the kitchen. "What did it say?" she asked, nodding to the phone.

"It's negative," replied Ted, with a smile. "He's fine."

Mrs Doyle clasped her hands together and look to the sky. "Thank you, God," she cried.

"Yes, thank you, God, indeed," agreed Ted. "I'll go and tell him."

Ted climbed the stairs, eager to tell Dougal the good news. He opened the door and found that Dougal was still asleep, still curled around under his duvet.

"Ted," he called. "Is that you?"

"Yes, Dougal, I'm here," said Ted, striding into the bedroom.

"Ted, I'm so cold."

Ted looked at the window and noticed the closed curtains blowing in the breeze. "That's because you left the window open, you daft eejit."

"Oh."

Ted walked over to the window and opened the curtains.

"Ted, no!" cried Dougal, cowering away from the light.

"Sorry," said Ted, closing the window and shutting the curtains again. "Sorry, Dougal." He crept around to the side of Dougal's bed and crouched down so Dougal could see him. "I've got good news about your test result. It was negative."

"Oh, that's good, Ted," said Dougal, reaching out his hand from underneath the duvet and taking Ted's hand in his.

"Yes. It is, isn't it? How are you feeling?" he asked, tentatively.

"Not very good at all, Ted," said Dougal. "I'm still so cold. Your hand is nice and warm." They stayed like that for a few seconds before Dougal's head appeared from beneath the duvet. "Ted, can you warm me up?"

"How do you want me to do that?"

"Get in with me. I miss having you next to me," sniffed Dougal. Ted paused, weighing up the pros and cons. "I know we're meant to be distant, Ted, but I can't help it. I need you."

"Alright, alright," cooed Ted. "Don't worry, I'm here." Ted took off his cardigan and threw it onto his bed. He pulled back the covers to climbed in next to Dougal, shuffling down to get comfy. Dougal was still shirtless and had stretched out, allowing Ted to slot in next to him. Ted wound his arm around Dougal's shoulders and drew him into his embrace. Dougal placed his head on Ted's chest, snuggling down, his arm wrapped around Ted and drawing him in. "Try and get some sleep," Ted whispered, holding Dougal tightly. The younger lad gave a content sigh as he settled into Ted's frame.

They lay like that for a while, and then Dougal arched back his neck, his eyes closed, a faint smile across his face. "This is nice, Ted."

Ted looked down at Dougal and cupped his face, tracing his fingertips around Dougal's temple affectionately. "Yes, Dougal," he whispered. Dougal readjusted his hand, bringing it up so that it rested on Ted's chest, gently clasping onto the seam of Ted's shirt. After a few seconds, Dougal's lips parted, as he had fallen into a gentle sleep.

Ted gently bent his head down and pressed a kiss to Dougal's forehead, inhaling the scent of his skin and hair, letting it fill him up and explode inside of him. How he adored him. Ted rested his forehead on Dougal's savouring the moment, letting the younger man's gentle breath tickle his lips. Dougal stirred slightly, and angled his head, catching Ted's lips in his with purpose.

It lasted only a few seconds. Light and tentative. Enough that Ted could have fallen asleep himself and dreamt it.

"Dougal," Ted whispered as they broke apart.

"What is it, Ted?"

Ted gulped. "Nothing."

They lay like that for a few seconds longer. Ted's lips tingling from what had just happened.

"Ted?"

"Yes, Dougal."

"You can touch my willy if you want to."