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Taking A Leap

"So they are at baggage claim two?"

"Well, there are only two of them in this airport according to what Amanda told me, so even if we're wrong we should see them right there. Man, how did Todd and Amanda get so lucky to find a direct flight from Newark?"

"Just luck, I suppose. But we found one that came here closer to when they started."

"True. I just... oh! There they are!"

And with this, Colton stepped forward, leaving the airline gates with Marek just tailing behind. The lemon shark had caught sight of his older brother and his great white wife just standing there, and before Colton could call out Todd had just happened to turn his head.

Todd's face lit up. "Colton!" The older lemon shark's smile was quite broad as he pulled Colton into a hug, the younger shark reciprocating it quite enthusiastically as they approached. "I was beginning to think you would get lost in this airport!"

"With only seven gates?" Colton asked. "Todd, please, we're not that directionally challenged."

"I should hope not!" Todd then took a second, lifting his brows as he took in Colton's face. "You've... definitely changed!"

Colton chuckled, glancing to the side. Indeed Colton had changed since the last time Todd had seen him in person: he had started going to the gym with Marek about six months prior, and already Colton was seeing some results. The bigger change, however, was the collection of piercings that Colton had accrued on his face: he now hosted two spikes on either side of his lip, and there were three rings that fed directly into his brows. All of them were relatively new add-ons for Todd, but Colton found himself beaming in pride.

"I know, right?" Colton asked. He raised his right brow, the single ring there lifting in tandem. "Makes me feel dangerous."

"You're a lemon shark, I figure that would be danger enough for a lifetime," said Todd. He then rubbed the back of his neck, chuckling gently. "But I suppose there's something to be said for feeling confident in your own body, right?"

"Yeah," said Colton. He then looked over at Amanda. "I'm actually also looking into getting a tattoo as well, and I know Great Whites are something of experts at that."

Amanda nodded. "My uncle Vinnie runs a really good one back home," she said. "I can get you in contact so you can talk, see what that's about."

"I'd appreciate that," Colton said. "I'm... still nervous about that."

"Remind me to give you his number." Amanda chuckled, lifting her arms and approaching Marek. "But where are my manners? Hi Marek!"

"Hello," Marek replied, leaning forward to give Amanda a hug. "It is alright, I know I am not technically part of the family."

"Yet," Todd added. "I think you'll find with Amanda's family it's not a question of if, but when."

Marek raised his brow. "I hope they are not calling me Uncle Marek," he commented.

"The kids aren't old enough for that just yet," Todd replied, glancing to the side. "That, and you haven't been to Christmas dinner yet, and that's the more important ritual to pass before you get officially christened 'uncle'." He then glanced back at Colton. "But if what I've seen between you and Colton is any indication, that may not be far behind."

Marek shuddered slightly at that. "That will take a while to get used to," he said.

"You'll get used to it," Amanda replied.

"Perhaps." With this, Marek peeled back, exhaling gently as he noticed the distinct lack of crying. "Alyssa is not with you?"

"She may be a big girl, but she's not quite ready to hit the slopes yet," Todd replied with a shrug.

"Shark cartilage doesn't really become slope-safe until they're at least five years old, according to Aunt April," Amanda said. "She's back with my sister Candace back in Newark in the meantime."

"So it is just us for now," said Marek, the grin already coming to his face. "Good, because that is one less shark to babysit."

Colton chuckled nervously. "M-Marek!"

"Hey, you'll be fine," said Todd. He turned to Amanda. "I took to this pretty quick according to Amanda, you'll be fine."

"I suppose," Colton replied. He then looked to the others, before clapping his hands together. "Well, Marek and I packed pretty heavily, so we need to get our suitcase."

"Yeah," said Todd. He then gestured to the baggage claim. "Well, it's right over here, so we're in a good position!"

"Perfect!" Colton flashed a grin, and then pulled himself closer to the conveyor belt. "Then wait we shall."

And so they did, with the four of them congregating relatively closer to the baggage claim as they talked. As they did, Colton exhaled, looking to the Christmas tree that adorned the baggage claim. It smelled of true pine, meaning it had to have come from the area. Its strong woody tones were quite unlike what he had smelled anywhere else.

Colton then sighed, tuning out the conversation around him as he turned his attention to the conveyor belt. More than anything, he wanted to get to their lodgings to check on something he needed.

----**----

As soon as they were in the cabin Todd had rented for the week, Marek and Todd had offered to go off to get the groceries. Food was relatively expensive around steamboat springs, and their lodgings were equipped with a full kitchen, and so there was much food to be had.

Amanda had stayed behind with Colton. She had made some excuse about being tired, but in reality, there was more to it than that. Thus, she and Colton sat around the table, the phone on speaker.

"Yeah, we got you guys down for Christmas Eve. We usually don't expect a ton of traffic on Christmas Eve, and even fewer for a day on the slope. But this sounds special."

"Yeah," said Colton. "Sorry, I know I'm a bit of a bother, but this is really important to get this all right."

"No, we get customers double-checking all the time," the employee replied jovially. "And this is your... boyfriend, right?"

"Yes," said Colton.

"Then we get it here," the employee continued. "We have you down, and since you just got to your lodgings, that's even better."

"Good," said Colton. "OK, then I'll see you in a few days."

"Excellent. Looking forward to it!"

With this, the call hung up. Colton breathed a sigh of relief as he looked up at the ceiling, shaking his head as he studied every last warp in the wood.

"See?" Amanda asked. "I told you they'd remember!"

"Sorry, you were right," Colton said. He brought his hands to his temple. "I just... I don't want to fuck this up, you know?"

"It sounds like he means a lot to you," Amanda replied. She leaned towards him on the table, her arms scraping the wood slightly. "He was with you two Christmases ago when... everything with your parents happened, right?"

"Yeah..." Colton pulled back to the table, sighing softly. "He... I think he was the only one who really understood what I was dealing with at the time. And at the Christmas Party at the studio, well..." He exhaled, feeling his neck tense up slightly. "I think he caught on that I was trying to keep a brave face for some of it."

"And he just sat by you?" Amanda asked.

Colton nodded. "Yeah," he said. He sighed. "It was... what I needed."

----**----

Colton exhaled, the shark leaning back against the wall of the studio house. Christmas had come and gone, and now that the party had cleared out, Colton took a second to sit back, internalize everything.

The Dragon Rabbit Christmas party had actually been really lovely. He had no idea that Darren was as accomplished a stripper as he was a cook, and for sure the turkey he said had been his grandmother's recipe came out perfect, better than anything he had ever tasted from his own family's home. The desserts were shopbought, but even those tasted just that bit sweeter, with company that shared his proclivities. And ultimately, spirits were high, even if they were a hair tame.

But even Kirk's light jokes and Darren's slight flirting were not enough to pull Colton out of the hole he felt himself in. For sure, he felt better, but with his flight from Indianapolis still fresh on his mind, Colton felt like he was at a distance. Of course, the other guys at the Dragon Rabbit Christmas party understood this, but even despite how caring and attentive they were he still felt that strange gulf between them.

It was such that Colton found himself outside by the pool. It was closed at that time: there were renovations that needed to be done on the pool, and Yves had asked people not to use it until they could get someone to inspect it first. But right then, it was at least away from the other guys.

Colton glanced up at the night sky. It was almost completely starless: the lights of San Francisco shone from just past where they were, making sure no stars would ever be visible. It was such a far cry from the sky of his old suburb, and Colton found himself missing home. He had not missed a Christmas in Indiana since he was born: and now, there he was, away from parents that ultimately did not want him there and a brother whom he was sure was still angry at him...

The shark could not recall ever feeling so alone, and even among his Dragon Rabbit family he could not help himself.

He heard footsteps come from the house, then, rather thick footsteps as someone looked over. "Colton?"

The lemon shark turned his head, raising his brows. But it was not Darren or Kirk or even Yves who stood there: it was instead a tall, broad T-rex with red scales and a white streak on his head. Marek stood quite tall above where the shark was seated, his broad muscles almost reflecting the light even from under his tank top. Colton exhaled, looking at the way Marek glanced down at him.

The shark nodded, turning his gaze back to the pool. "Hey," he said.

The T-Rex exhaled, looking down. "Too noisy in there?" he asked.

"Yeah..." Colton pulled his knees to his chest, his tail moving to the side slightly as he glanced down. "Just... needed to be away from it."

Marek nodded, but he remained standing, studying Colton a little more. The shark typically would have told Marek to save it for a shoot where such studying was warranted, but at that moment he did not have the heart to tell Marek to do anything else with it. After all, at that moment he secretly wanted Marek to read him accurately, see what he wanted, what he needed...

The T-Rex rose his brow. "Still thinking about your family?" he asked.

And there it was: nothing getting past Marek, once again. "Yeah," Colton said. He sighed, shaking his head. "Sorry, I know it's the Christmas party and all, but..." He shook his head, and despite thinking he had no more tears to cry Colton felt them well up in his eyes. "God, I can't stop thinking about it."

"It is hard, when it just happened," Marek replied. He simply stood there, keeping his gaze on Colton.

"I guess," Colton said. "Just... it's a Christmas party." He shook his head. "I feel like I shouldn't be sad, but... I can't help myself. You know?"

"Yes." Marek stepped closer, looking down at Colton. "But it is how most feel after what happened with your family."

Colton nodded slowly, the shark exhaling as he turned his gaze to the edge of the pool. "I just..." He sniffled gently, shaking his head. "I feel like I shouldn't be sad about it since I'm here, with you guys. But I can't..." He inhaled sharply, before shaking his head. "I can't stop thinking about it. I just... I shouldn't, right?"

But Marek exhaled, before stepping closer again and kneeling by Colton's side. "Don't be ashamed," the T-rex replied, scooching closer to Colton. "It's not ridiculous to feel that way."

Colton sighed, lifting a hand to dry a tear from under his eyes. "It feels like it is," he said. "Like, that's it. They kicked me out. So why...? Why can't I stop thinking about them?"

Marek shook his head again, adjusting his legs and sitting next to the shark. "You cannot simply stop thinking about it," he said. "It's... complicated, to be kicked out like that. We all fear it, and when it happens... It is a betrayal." He exhaled. "I am somewhat fortunate that it has not come to that with my own family, but that is how Darren put it to me."

Colton exhaled, remembering the tales that Darren told him about his own coming out. It was a story the shark new decently well, but he had never really thought anything could be like that. And then, he thought about it there...

Colton nodded. "I just... I know you guys are here." He glanced down. "I wish that meant anything, but... it just..."

But Marek reached a hand, gently squeezing Colton's shoulder. This time, he said nothing, instead letting his hand massage Colton's shoulders. The shark turned to look at Marek.

For the first time, the shark saw something more tender in Marek's gaze. The T-Rex was generally much more business-focused than most in Dragon Rabbit, and while he did not perhaps have the attitude about business the way Yves did, he still tended to look at Colton in shoots in a very business-like way. But for the first time, there was something in the way the T-rex's eyes shone that showed a different side to the T-rex.

There was something strangely comforting about it. And as he looked into the rex's eyes, the shark felt himself relax slightly.

Marek nodded, scooching closer. "I can leave you alone, if you want," he said quietly.

But Colton exhaled, shaking his head as he instinctively brought a hand to Marek's. "No, stay," he said. "Please." He shook his head, feeling another well of fresh tears threaten to spill over.

In response, Marek squeezed Colton's hand. "Of course."

And with this, Marek placed his bottle of Polish beer down, taking a seat next to Colton and draping his muscular arm over Colton's shoulders. The shark exhaled, before tilting his head towards Marek's shoulder and closing his eyes. The T-Rex felt especially warm that night, but it was not the kind of warmth that came from body heat. He had gotten to know that a little too well: the viewing audience liked the way Marek paired with Colton, and there was one shoot where Colton got to be intimately familiar with how hot Marek's body tended to run.

But in the cool night air of Christmas in San Francisco, and the way the stars failed to show in the sky, and the slight breeze he felt... there was something much more inviting about it this time, one that prompted Colton to stay where he was.

Stay, was exactly what the shark did. And stay, they did, for a while. Colton shed a tear or two, but Marek offered no judgment. All he offered was a rub of the shoulder, a nuzzle with his head, and maybe the occasional nudge with his snout. That arm remained draped over his shoulders, its weight like a blanket that stayed constant, that let him know that someone_was there for him, would always be there for him..._

Eventually, Colton brough up his arm, snaking it behind Marek's back and pulling him closer. By this time, the urge to cry had passed, now replaced by just a small sense of numbness. It was back to the state he had been in throughout the party, but he felt no need to force his smile this time, instead settling into the crook of Marek's shoulder and just feeling.

The T-rex pulled Colton slightly closer, his fingers gently kneading Colton's shoulder. "Feel any better?" he asked.

"A little..." the shark said. "Can we stay here a little longer?"

"Of course," Marek replied. Colton then felt the T-Rex place a brief kiss on his head. "Whatever you need."

"Thanks," said Colton.

Marek did not vocalize a response. He did tug Colton closer to him and press his temple gently to the shark's, though, and that was response enough for the shark.

----**----

Colton sighed. "I had really only hung out with him either for shoots or at company parties until then," he continued. "He was always one of my favorites to film with, because he's... he's fantastic in bed, and even better when performing. But something... shifted after that Christmas party."

"Sounds like you saw a side to him you hadn't seen before," said Amanda. She shrugged. "A more... caring side."

"Yeah," said Colton. "It's... the most comfortable I've ever felt with any of them." He shrugged. "After that little moment, we started hanging out more often. After shoots, on weekends, sometimes he and I just vibed at home." He chuckled. "He even taught me how to cook some stuff."

Amanda chuckled. "No wonder you were making pierogis at Christmas last year!" she said. "That's his recipe?"

"Yep," said Colton. "Passed down from his grandma, or at least that's what he told me."

"Explains why he took charge of the shopping list," Amanda replied. She exhaled. "Well, I'm sure he'll be a good little cook with us as assistants!"

"Yeah." Colton sighed, before tapping his fingers against the thing. "And I think he needs to baby me on the slopes again this year, we'll see."

Amanda rose her brow. "Really?" she asked. "I'm sure you weren't that bad!"

----**----

"Wh-whoa!"

Colton yelped as his skis landed back on the slope after just the slightest split second of hang time. The intermediate slope was indeed no laughing matter, and right at the end he saw why: the slope suddenly dipped down, at far more of an angle than the shark was used to. The resulting upkick in speed sent him into overdrive, and he lifted his hands up into his armpits.

After all, as Marek had told him, never drive the poles into the ground at speed.

Still, after the initial shock of going faster than he was used to, he blinked: the wind blew into his face, but most of what he felt was the rush of speed. The tree line remained at a distance, there were only a few other skiiers making their way through, and Colton found himself growing closer to some of them.

But he was observant. Marek's advice came to him then, and he exhaled.

He angled his skis slightly to the left, just passing the closest skier there was. Then, there was the matter of braking: one foot at a distance behind the other, and indeed Colton began to slow down. He could feel his blood roar in his head at this point, and he found himself looking up as he grew closer to the tree line.

He turned on his heel with a few feet left, and suddenly he was down the other direction. His momentum had slowed a little bit, so his skis straightened out. Suddenly, he could see the bottom of the slope, and so he went, moving down until he felt the way gravity pulled at his upper body.

But by this point, Colton already knew what to do. And so, he engaged his thighs, leaning forward slightly. Soon enough, be beat gravity, and thus turned his skis to the side to brake fully.

Colton then exhaled, coming to a complete stop and digging his poles into the snow beneath his feet. He pulled his goggles off, the world turning back to its normal hues from the off-orange it had turned into inside. He then turned back, looking up at Marek as the T-Rex slid in just behind him, braking at a similar speed.

"Whoah!" Colton chuckled as Marek slowly pushed himself the rest of the way with his ski poles. "That was something else!"

"Like I said, no?" Marek asked. He grinned, pulling his goggles off his face and looking down. "It was also like I thought: you were quite ready for the intermediate slope."

Colton exhaled, looking towards the ground as he leaned against one of his poles for support. "Amanda said the same right before we split at the fork," he said. "I've really got to stop doubting you guys."

Marek shrugged. "It is always good to exercise caution, at least," he replied. "But you have a handle on the basics, and so there you go." He then leaned towards Colton, sticking one of his poles in the ground and rubbing Colton's head with it. "Just like I knew you would."

Colton smiled at this, leaning into the contact gently as he shrugged. "I just tried to remember what you told me," he said.

"Good." Marek exhaled, leaning closer to Colton. "As we see with the videos, you are a quick learner..."

Colton let out a loud laugh, leaning on his ski pole for a second. "I guess I am, huh?" he said.

Marek leaned over, pressing his snout up against Colton's temple to give it a quick kiss. "Yes," he said. "And I love that you take to it well."

Colton smiled, sticking his ski pole in the snow and wrapping his arm around Marek's torso. "I have a good teacher," he said.

Marek said nothing to this, but the pressure of tongue against his temple was all Colton needed. Marek lingered there for a few seconds, and then his attention turned towards the beginner's slope, scanning the crowd for any sign of a lemon shark or a Great White.

He then shook his head. "Looks like Todd and Amanda are not down yet."

"Not surprised, honestly," said Colton. "According to Todd, they're more of a sight-skier than a speed skier like you. They just like the pretty landscapes."

"Ah, that is fair." Marek then glanced back. "Then we'll wait for them to come down." He glanced back to where the intermediate slopes let out. "We should get out of the way, though. There are other skiers coming in."

"Ah, right!" Colton turned slightly, digging his poles into the ground and pulling away from the bottom of the slope. "I guess we get some food when they get here, right?"

"Yes," said Marek. He glanced up at the sun, tracking its placement in the sky, before nodding. "It is rather late in the morning, we should be thinking about it soon."

"Then eat we shall!" said Colton. He then nodded once he was far enough away. "Here, let's get these off."

"Ah, yes," Marek replied. "Better idea."

And with this, Marek paused, before lifting one foot and disengaging the latch on his ski. Colton did the same, and as he bent down to pick up the skis he wondered what all would come up at lunch.

----**----

"Hm, the resort makes some mean stew, doesn't it?"

"It really does! And that's perfect for going back on the slopes later."

"It is, isn't it? Man, I'm surprised by how much it takes out of you."

"Be thankful you have not accidentally run over someone doing so. That is... never fun."

"I'll bet."

Amanda dove back into her portion of stew, the dark brown liquid gathering into her spoon as she dug in. Colton and Marek watched her, the Great White moving slowly as she savored the savory notes of the meal. Colton sighed, watching her eat with a grin on his face.

Todd took a second, looking at Colton. "So you and Marek went here last year, right?"

Colton shook his head. "No, that was Breckenridge that we did," he said. He turned to Marek. "Right?"

"Yes, it was," Marek replied. "Much bigger place, and in the research I did I found it was much better."

"Research?" Todd asked. "The way you talked about it, I thought you were more versed in the Rockies."

But Marek shook his head. "The Rockies, no," he said. "When I was growing up, it was the Tantra Mountains I knew best."

"Ah, right," Todd replied. He rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry, I forgot you grew up in Poland." He glanced to the side. "Is it any different from here?"

"A little," said Marek. "It smells different. There is a clarity to the air that is missing here in Colorado. It is crisper. Cleaner. And the snow is also much finer." He exhaled, glancing to the side. "But I would not go back there. Not now, what with the way things are against people like me."

Todd nodded slowly, swallowing softly. "Yeah, that's gotta be rough." He shook his head. "Do you miss it?"

"Yes," said Marek. "The slopes there are like nothing else." He glanced up nostalgically, putting his hands together. "And there is... one thing I wish I could do, but I am not certain how easy it is to do in America. And it has been years since I've done it."

Todd and Amanda both nodded slowly. Colton rubbed Marek's shoulder gently, nodding in support but not seeming surprised by this story. Amanda placed her spoon down, looking over to the T-rex again.

"I guess you wouldn't trade the slopes for your life here, though, right?" she asked.

"Not at all," Marek replied. He shrugged. "I'm happier here. I do what I love, I am free to follow my own path..." He then turned to Colton, pulling the shark in close. "And I have people that care about me here."

Todd nodded. "That you do," he said, the smile returning. "And I think we're all better off for it."

"Yes, I think so as well," said Marek. He shrugged, picking his spoon back up and treading it through his portion of stew. "Now if only I could get used to celebrating on Christmas Day instead of Christmas Eve."

Amanda rose her brow. "I know you've explained it already, but I'm still surprised that Poland celebrates on Christmas Eve," she replied.

Marek nodded. "I thought it was what everyone else did until my first Christmas in America," he replied.

He emphasized this with a bite, and Colton could not help the chuckle that formed in his throat. He thus continued eating on, looking between Marek and Todd as they continued talking about the particulars of Christmas celebrations.

----**----

They hit the slopes again before returning to their lodgings to relax. Before Colton knew it, it was morning of Christmas Eve. And now, it was the time to worry.

All Todd and Amanda had told Marek was that they would be hitting the slopes. They did not say exactly which slopes the quartet would be hitting up, but Colton's heart was still beating in his throat as they pulled away from the cabin. He knew it was only a matter of time until they turned at just the wrong place, that Marek would catch on...

And then, Todd turned at seemingly the wrong place. Marek rose his brow at this, tilting his head forward. "Aren't the slopes the other way?" Marek asked.

Todd shrugged. "Not today's slopes," he said. "We're... going to try something different."

"Different?" asked Marek. He leaned forward. "What is in this slope?"

"You'll see," said Todd. He then turned back to the road, driving slowly as he looked around. "Now where is this slope...?"

Todd thus drove slowly, but Colton saw it right away as they pulled up to the lodge: the slope was one long slope: already, he could see a little bit of activity as they grew closer. There was a standard ski slope, and there was already a bit of a crowd. But the second part immediately caught Colton's attention as they drew closer to the resort, and he breathed in as he saw it.

This part was much less populated than the rest, but it was somewhat more striking. After all, who could miss the way the slope started on a much thinner point, and tapered out? And who could miss the bump in the center, the one that looked as if it was designed to give as much airtime as possible? And of course, who could miss the lone skier who catapulted off the bump.

Colton inhaled nervously, but before he could say much else, Marek leaned forward in his seat, his eyes going uncharacteristically wide. "Colton, is that...?"

"A ski jump?" he asked. "It is."

Marek frowned, turning to Colton. "Surely it's not open to the public!" he said.

"Oh, it's open, big guy," said Amanda. "Colton called in well before we showed up, we've got time on the ski jump slope as soon as we get in."

Marek inhaled sharply at this, and his eyes bulged out. "C-Colton!?"

The shark exhaled, blushing as he glanced to the floor. "So, uh..." He rubbed the back of his head. "You know how I didn't have a gift for you under the tree? This is... kind of my gift to you this year."

"What, but..." Marek's jaw hung open, and he glanced to the slope, then back to Colton, then back to the slope. "I didn't think you'd..."

Colton smiled. "I know it's probably been a while," he said. "But if skiing itself came back to you naturally, I'm sure a jump will work just as well, right?"

Marek looked at the jump, and it was at that moment that Todd stopped the vehicle. It was only then that Colton realized he had already parked the car. Marek's jaw remained open at this point, his eyes remaining wide. It was the first time that Colton had ever seen Marek Wojaczek looking completely speechless.

The T-rex immediately pulled Colton into the most delicate hug he had ever been given, a hug in which Colton thought he could feel Marek's chest vibrate. "Colton, I..." He shook his head. "I can't believe this..."

Colton wrapped his arms around the T-rex. "Marek?"

But the dino simply pulled his snout closer. "I..." He inhaled sharply, before kissing Colton's brow. "Dzi?kuj? bardzo... Dzi?kuj? bardzo..."

Colton smiled, pulling Marek closer as the T-rex allowed himself a rare display of outward emotion. He simply rubbed Marek's back, patting it as he let the T-rex get it out.

"Let's not spend too much time in here," he said. "We've got gravity to defy!"

Marek nodded, before peeling back. "I... I guess we do!" He looked over. "I hope they have a suit that fits."

----**----

It did not take long for Marek to get fitted into a ski jump suit that they had on-site: the dino's bulging muscles were at least kept contained by what they had, and that was good enough for Marek. They already had an instructor ready for the others, but Marek scarcely needed it: he was already halfway up the slope by the time the instructor had debriefed Colton on proper form.

But first, Colton wanted to see Marek make a jump, see what it was like. He told the instructor he wanted to see an example first, but that was only half-true: Colton wanted Marek to have a moment of his own on the jump slope. He figured being out of the way was the best way, although Amanda insisted she go up with Marek and take video of him at the top of the slope.

Either way, Colton wanted to greet him at the bottom when he landed. And so, there he was, him and Todd both standing at the edge of the ski jump area, away from where Marek would likely be landing.

Todd grinned at his brother, able to see as Marek and Amanda made their way up. "So I guess he didn't like it at all, huh?" he asked.

Colton barked out a laugh at this. "I think he loved it," he said. He looked up. "God, the amount of research this took to get here was..." He shook his head. "But it was worth it, in the end."

Todd nodded, glancing down at Colton with a raised brow. "I never thought he'd get that emotional," he said. "I didn't think Polish folks got that emotional about getting to ski jump."

"Apparently, ski jumping is a big thing in Polish winter sports," Colton replied. "It's something they take a lot of national pride in." Colton then shrugged, looking up at where Marek was. "But for Marek, there's more to it than national pride."

"Oh?" Todd asked. He leaned closer to Colton. "How so?"

Colton exhaled. "It's... kind of a funny story," he replied. "And I kind of found out while chilling at a company party once. But, well..."

----**----

Colton ended up laying on the couch, feeling rather full as he laid against Marek's torso. The studio party had been slowly dying out around him as people hit the apex of their pleasure. Colton had already more than had his fill, but he still enjoyed watching everyone around him groan in pleasure at the height of ecstasy.

He exhaled, looking up to Marek as the T-rex gently stroked his chin. It had become a staple of his and Marek's to just lounge around as others had their fun, and Colton had to admit that after a while there was something quite calming about it. The parties were always chaos, but it was nice to know that there was an island he could go to in the storm.

It was then that he felt an extra weight press onto the couch. Colton looked up, glancing at Darren as the big crocodile sat on the edge of the sofa. "Hey guys!"

Colton rose his brows. "Darren?" he asked.

"You are not in a room by yourself?" Marek added, raising his brow in confusion.

"Didn't feel like it this time," the crocodile replied, rubbing the back of his head. "I was a little more... exploratory here." He chuckled, looking at the two of them. "And I'm glad you're here today, at least. You mentioned going on vacation and I thought to myself 'Marek? Vacation?'"

Colton chuckled. "I know," he said, rubbing Marek's arm. "Just the two of us."

"It's a ski vacation, if you must know," Marek replied. He pulled Colton closer. "He says he's never gone."

Darren blinked in surprise, rearing his head back. "Oh?" Darren asked. He looked over to Colton. "Finally managed to convince Marek to ski again?"

"Once I told him I'd never done it, we got to planning it," Colton replied. "We're going to Breckenridge, I think, right?"

"Yes," said Marek. He turned to Darren, a smile playing on his snout. "I must admit, it'll be good to get on a slope again."

Darren nodded, before looking to Colton. "Did you try to see if there was a ski jump slope there?"

This threw Colton for a loop: the shark frowned, raising his brow in surprise as he sat up. "Ski jump?" he asked. "Why would Marek be interested in...?"

But Colton turned to look at Marek as he asked this. And immediately, Marek's body language had shifted: something had grown a little more tentative, and his shoulders seemed a little more tense than before. Just reading the body language, Colton had a feeling there was something he had missed.

"Marek?" Colton asked.

The T-rex sighed. "It would have come up at some point," he said. He then leaned forward. "When I was a teenager, I started doing ski jump."

"Really?" asked Colton.

"It's apparently a big thing in Polish winter sports," Darren replied. He shrugged. "Something they all take pride in."

Marek nodded. "I... was quite good at it, actually," he said. He exhaled, looking up. "And I really enjoyed doing it as well." He exhaled, looking to the ceiling. "I took it quite seriously, because I enjoyed doing it."

Colton blinked, and that was when it clicked in his mind. "...you almost made it big," he said, quietly.

"Yes," said Marek. "Some coaches thought I could have been a great jumper." He exhaled, glancing down. "But I was excluded from an important meet, a meet which helps form the Olympic team. I found out after I left for college that someone had... outed me to the coach."

Colton inhaled, a lump forming in his throat as he did. "Holy shit..." He shook his head, leaning forward. "That's... fuck... I'm sorry, Marek."

"It is in the past," Marek replied. He pushed himself up, shrugging. "And anyway, when I think on it now, I am not so sure I would have been happy, having to hind behind a mask in the public eye."

"Yeah," said Colton. He inhaled gently. "But that doesn't make it better, does it?"

"No," Marek replied. He then exhaled, looking at the ceiling. "There are many times I wonder what could have been. Honestly, I would give anything to do it again. It's been so long..."

Colton nodded, looking at the way Marek held himself. There was a strange nostalgic gleam in his eye, and his jaw moved slightly. There was something sad about this posture, Colton realized, and he thought about it in context to his ski trip.

It was much more than a trip to Marek, after all. No, this was something more.

Colton nodded. "Well, maybe you'll get a chance to in an unofficial capacity," he offered.

"That would be lovely, but I have my life now," said Marek. "Some dreams just... don't last."

Colton glanced to Darren briefly, raising his brow. The shark was clearly not convinced by this, and soon the gears began to turn in Colton's head. It was already too late for this year: everything had been booked, and there was no way Colton could check Breckenridge slopes for a jump slope that quickly.

But next year... Next year, Colton would do something about it. And that, was a promise.

----**----

"So then when you and Amanda wanted in on a ski vacation with us this year, well, I was insistent on Steamboat Springs."

"And all for this. I think Marek's luckier to have you than you are to have him now!"

"Don't get too carried away, Todd, I still think I'm the luckier one."

And with this, the two sharks turned to look back at the top of the slope. They realized then that Marek was in position, remaining still for a little bit as he adjusted himself there. Colton could not see all that he was up to, but he was certain that he was testing everything, and then turning to Amanda to make sure they were recording. Colton could not help but inhale deeply, looking up at the red rex.

And then, Marek pushed off. From that distance, Colton could make out the way he squatted as he descended down the slope towards the jump point. Marek kept a pretty steady form as he sped down, his skis seeming perfectly straight and his tail flowing with the wind. And then, right at the end, Marek extended his legs, the skis parting at the tips and coming together at the back end, and he was airborne. Colton saw him extend his whole body straight, holding this position as he sailed through the air, and surprisingly closer to the ground than he thought Marek would get.

It was such a graceful sight. Graceful was not something that Colton thought he would ever use to describe Marek's domineering presence, but that was the only word he could think of, seeing Marek almost standing in the air, skis forming a v, and sailing towards the ground slowly...

It only lasted a few seconds, for then Marek touched down, his skis straight on the ground again. He then curved around, tilting his skis to the side to brake right by where Colton and Todd were standing.

Todd was already applauding by the time Marek had slowed to a stop. "Damn, that was beautiful!" said Todd. "How'd it feel?"

"A little like riding a bike, I think," Marek replied. Colton caught the way Marek's voice seemed fuller, even as he took a gasp of breath. "I think my form was still not great, but that..." He exhaled, pulling the helmet off his face to reveal the broad smile he had. "I missed that a lot."

Colton smiled, crossing his arms as he stepped forward. "You looked amazing in the air like that," he said. "That was... goodness."

"Well, we have the rest of the morning, so you will see it a few times," Marek replied. He then looked down to Colton. "Although I suspect you will enjoy watching it more than doing it."

"I mean, hey, it's the little things you do together, right?" Colton asked. He then exhaled, approaching Marek.

"Yes," said Marek. He then scooted closer, grabbing Colton's hands. "But..."

He then looked down, taking Colton's hands and rubbing them gently. Colton had very rarely seen Marek be nervous, but the hand rubbing was definitely one of the ways it manifested, and he could tell by the pause that the T-rex was trying to think of what to say.

After a few seconds, though, Marek looked back up, and then leaned in and kissed Colton. The shark was only too happy to reciprocate, and he lifted his arms and draped them over Marek's shoulders, feeling the rex's claws settle on his hips as they shared a chaste kiss.

When they broke it, Marek smiled at Colton. "Thank you," he said. "That... I can safely say this is the best Christmas gift I've ever gotten."

"I'm glad you like it," Colton said. He inhaled, stroking the back of Marek's head. "Especially since you deserve the best."

Marek's smile was the brightest Colton had ever seen it. "As do you," the rex replied. He then leaned closer. "I love you."

Colton smiled, kissing Marek again for the smallest of seconds before he pressed their foreheads together. "Love you too, Marek," he replied. It was then and only then that he peeled back, pointing to the slope. "Now come on, we've got an entire morning to ourselves before we get back to make dinner tonight!"

"Indeed," Marek replied.

And with this, Colton rushed off to where their instructor was waiting. Marek was not far behind, treading along with his skis slowly. And as Colton moved along, he had a feeling this was going to be a Christmas for the ages, and for more than just the fact he had never done a ski jump before.

After all, he and Marek had each other there. And what more could either of them ask for?