TWISTED THREAD

Part 9: Lines Crossed

Santa was dizzy.

From the kiss. From the way Perth was looking at him now. From the fact that they just did that.

The car was dead silent.

Neither of them moved.

Neither of them spoke.

Santa's breath was uneven, and his hand was still gripping the collar of Perth's shirt, like letting go would make everything crash down.

Perth's lips were parted slightly, his pupils blown wide. He wasn't blinking.

Santa swallowed. "What the hell was that?"

Perth exhaled through his nose. "You tell me."

Santa's chest tightened. "I—"

He didn't know.

Or maybe he did.

Because that wasn't just a kiss.

That was everything.

Santa let go, pulling back into his seat. His heart was hammering against his ribs. "Just—drive."

Perth stared at him for a second longer before gripping the wheel again, jaw tight.

The car lurched forward.

Neither of them spoke the entire way home.

⸻

Santa hated that he was still thinking about it.

But how could he not?

His skin still tingled where Perth had touched him. His lips still felt bruised from the way Perth kissed him back.

And the way Perth looked at him after?

Like he was seeing him for the first time?

Santa groaned, flopping onto his bed.

"No, nope. We're not doing this."

He needed a distraction.

Or sleep.

Or maybe a damn lobotomy.

His phone buzzed.

He should've ignored it.

But then he saw the name.

Phuwin.

Santa froze.

Because shit.

Phuwin knew.

Of course, he knew.

Santa took a deep breath before picking up. "Hello?"

Phuwin laughed. "You absolute menace."

Santa winced. "So you—"

"Oh, I saw." Phuwin sounded way too amused. "And baby, I'm proud."

Santa groaned. "Shut up."

Phuwin hummed. "How was it?"

Santa threw a pillow at the wall. "Not discussing this with you."

Phuwin chuckled. "Fine, fine. But I have one question."

Santa sighed. "What?"

"...Are you sure you're ready for this?"

Santa's stomach twisted.

Because was he?

He didn't know.

And that?

That was the problem.

⸻

Perth was spiraling.