Disclaimer: I own nothing.

This is a special Holiday gift for my BBF Bramblerose4! I promised I'd post something for the new year and this is it!

18. Give & Take

As much as Noah wanted to keep making out with his (boy?) friend for as long as possible, the ruckus with the Evo from earlier had drawn more attention than he'd expected.

"Rex? That you?" A voice called from down the road.

Rex broke away from Noah with a flush that made the blonde prouder than he would have admitted out loud and turned to face the trio rapidly approaching them.

Three teens rushed towards them and as they got closer Noah was able to figure out pretty quick that they were the ones Rex had been telling him about. If only because they were clearly not human and their names were very fitting because of it.

Tuck, Skwydd, and Cricket all took turns checking on Rex and sizing Noah up out of the corner of their eyes. The blonde in turn tried not to stare impolitely at the trio.

It was hard for the first few minutes for his eyes to adjust to the alteration to the typical human form he was accustom too, but he was determined not to set himself apart from Rex's friends just because the Event hadn't altered him like it had them.

He wasn't going to be like Rex's ex and those that had turned on them just because they were different. He was better than that.

So he didn't shy away from Skwydd's tentacled hand as it reached out for his own and didn't allowed Tuck's ruby eyes to intimidate him as all attention turned from checking if they were okay to introductions.

"You must be the little survivalist Rex had his heart set on finding a couple of towns back. I'm Skwydd, this is Tuck, and that's Cricket."

Unsure of how sensitive the tentacle in his hand was Noah gave a tentative squeeze before responding.

"I'm Noah. Rex has told me a lot about you three."

Said Evo beamed behind the trio as the group recapped all that had happened since that first day. Neither Noah nor Rex mentioned the misunderstanding or kiss that the others had clearly missed, but they must have caught onto something because no one mentioned anything when Noah walked alongside Rex for the few remaining hours of daylight.

When the questioned inevitably came up on whether Noah was an Evo or not the pair didn't lie. Noah admitted he was only human and had none of the amazing abilities that the others boasted. Rex stood a little closer to him as he confessed that, neither entirely sure how the news would be received.

To their uttermost relief the trio seemed more impressed than anything at the fact that Noah had survived on his own without any powers to aid him for so long. It seemed that as long as he pulled his weight, his non-Evo status wasn't going to be an issue with them.

Both Rex and Noah relaxed at that, but the blonde didn't miss the way Tuck elbowed Rex's side and whispered in his ear not a moment later. Whatever he said must have been embarrassing, because no sooner had Tuck stepped away than Rex's face was flushed ruby red. Noah instinctively blushed in return as his gaze caught Rex's not a moment later, but didn't put up any residence when he felt Rex's fingers brush against his own until they intertwined.

When a slight gap appeared between them and the trio ahead Noah risked asking what Tuck had said earlier.

Rex's flush reappeared as he reached back with his free hand and scratched the back of his neck uncomfortably.

"There might have been some teasing before we split up that I was only staying behind in hopes that it would be a cute boy surviving in the town I found you in." He admitted.

Noah's own flush intensified as he turned to look at the group ahead rather than Rex. Sure enough all three were looking back at them and smiling smugly. Noah ducked his head instantly and groaned lowly.

"And they think that since we've been alone together for the past few weeks and clearly 'together' that we….." Noah didn't finish his sentence, but the boy at his side nodded anyway.

Noah face palmed with his free hand before groaning again.

"And all we've really had time to do is share like one kiss."

Rex turned on him at that, his face still red, but his expression teasing.

"That was just a warm up; you still owe me for saving you back there."

Noah looked to the sky for strength before turning back to face his boyfriend.

"You realize that now that we're with your friends that that the odds of that happening anytime soon are pretty low right?"

Rex's grin didn't falter.

"So were the odds of finding a cute boy after the apocalypse, but I found you didn't I?"

Noah untangled his one hand from Rex's and buried his face into both of them.

"I seriously regret saying that right now. And ever leaving my hometown. You should have let the Evo get me."

Rex's laughter filled the evening air as he leaned forward to pry the blonde's hands away from his face.

"An Evo did get you. Remember?"

Noah blinked in confusion as Rex pulled him close enough to whisper in his ear.

"I caught your eye, and grabbed your hand, and stole a kiss." He breathed gently. "Just think of what I'll get the next time I get you all alone."

Noah's eyes widened in understanding before lowering at the thought. He hummed lowly in the back of his throat as he looped his arms around the Evo's neck.

"Only what I'll give you." He responded just as lowly, grateful for the fact that Rex's friends had rounded a corner ahead of them and weren't there to witness this intimate moment. He was already blushing enough as it was.

Rex laughed lowly before placing a lingering kiss on Noah's neck.

"I'll take it."

Not what I was originally going for, but an updates an update right? I'm sorry for dropping off the face of the earth for the past few months. College is hell and don't let anyone ever tell you differently. Only the long list of A's on my final grades ever makes it worth it. To those recovering from it like me, I hope this helps!

Happy Holidays!

Yours truly,

Lacy Fairgold