Author's Note: Ah, man… this was a lot more angsty than I bargained for. I hope you like this story, WolftenDragon! I didn't mean to make it so angsty, but hopefully the ending will compensate! And I'm so sorry for the long wait! I had college and stuff going on…. But I got this story finished! :D

"HANK!"

Hank jumped, startled out of a pleasant daydream, and accidentally bumped into George. "Hey, watch it, Hank!" He protested indignantly, blowing smoke from his smokestack.

"Oh, sorry, George!" Hank replied. "It was an accident."

"Hm. Just don't let it happen again." The big tug grunted, leaving Hank feeling embarrassed at his gaffe. He looked up sheepishly to see the Dispatcher giving him a firm look.

"You… you said my name sir?" Was all he could ask, meekly.

The Dispatcher sighed, trying to remain patient, and repeated his question. "What I said, Hank, was 'Is that clear?'"

"I'm sorry, but what's clear?" Asked the young tug.

On his other side, Theodore rolled his eyes with a mild frustration. "Why don't you pay more attention, Hank?"

Hank didn't answer- he was too embarrassed at his gaffe. He couldn't help but lose focus on their morning meeting. He had been thinking about Theodore a lot lately, and the fact the two harbor tugs were in such proximity was didn't help his situation, either. Poor Hank wasn't sure how to deal with his current predicament- he was suddenly wishing he could go and hide in Bluff's Cove.

"You're helping me with the 'Northern Lyra' this evening, Hank," Theodore said- but he didn't sound as annoyed as before, which made the younger tug feel a little better.

"Oh, um, yes! Let's go!" Hank answered, zipping away as fast he could to take care of his other jobs before he could embarrass himself further.

"Is Hank alright?" The Dispatcher asked Theodore, looking at the older harbor tug in concern. "He doesn't quite seem himself today."

"He hasn't been the same this past week," Recalled Theodore, worriedly. "I better ask him and see if there's any way I can help him."

"Very well, then- and if there is anything I can do, let me know," Said the Dispatcher warmly.

"Thank you, sir," Theodore said, and with goodbyes for the Dispatcher and his remaining friends, Theodore set off to go and take care of his tasks for the day ahead.

…..

That evening, Hank was waiting for the Northern Lyra to arrive- and his thoughts about Theodore started to return, only they were much more powerful than before.

'I really like Theodore as more than a friend.' He thought. 'I don't know why, but I just do. I want to tell him how I feel. But I also don't want him to think I'm weird.'

He felt tears burn his eyes, and he tried to fight them back by blinking rapidly. But they just kept coming forth. He had never felt so frightened, so uncertain before. He wondered if anyone else had ever been in his situation, as knowing even that would make him feel less alone.

'Even if I could find someone who understands what's happening to me, I would still have to tell Theodore how I feel…' he thought, with a sniff.

"Hi Hank!"

Hank jumped again. "Oh, hey, Theodore." He said quietly, trying to avoid making eye contact.

Theodore was upset to see that his best friend's eyes were moist with unshed tears. He knew Hank was sensitive, but he didn't think it would go this far!

"Hey, Hank, I'm sorry I scared you like that," he said softly.

"It's fine," the other tugboat said, trying to be dismissive. "I'm not worried about that."

But the tears didn't dissipate, and Theodore grew more worried for his poor friend. "Are you sick, Hank?" He asked gently. "I could take you back to the dock."

"Thank you, but I'm not sick... or at least, I don't think I am." He said. This statement confused Theodore, who looked at Hank concernedly.

"Hank, is there something wrong?"

"I"-

But before Hank could say anything, there was a horn blared loudly in the distance, cutting him off. "I'll tell you later, Theo," he mumbled weakly.

"Okay…" said Theodore, reluctantly. "Will you be okay to help? I could find someone else…"

But Hank just moved over to the Lyra and got his tow ropes ready to pull her back to the Big Harbor. Theodore, realizing he wasn't going to get an answer out of Hank, followed suit, feeling upset for his best friend, because he cared a lot about Hank- and he wanted to do anything to take away his friend's fears and dry his tears.

…..

Hank was in front, so he was pulling the Lyra back to the Big Harbor- whilst Theodore pushed from behind. He was silent on the way back, barely acknowledging the Lyra's excited chatter any further than half dejected sounds. Lyra didn't seem to notice, or care about the lack of attention.

He was still in deep and troubled thoughts over what to do about how to tell Theodore. On the one hand, Theodore could reciprocate his feelings- or at the very least be understanding about them. But on the other hand, if Theodore found Hank being in love with him weird, then he could lose his best friend- and he didn't want that. They did disagree on occasion, but Theodore was the only one who really understood his feelings.

What could he do?

He didn't know anyone in his position, so asking for advice wasn't an option. Rejection would crush him, but secrecy would kill him. He remained silent for the remaining duration, wondering how Theodore would react if he told him the truth.

…..

Eventually, they docked Lyra, and leaving her still chatting away happily to herself, Theodore approached Hank again.

"Hank, please- something really is wrong. You barely talked to the Lyra and you never talked to me during the journey back."

"I'm sorry"-

"Hank, I don't want an apology, I want the truth." Theodore insisted, before adding in a softer voice "Please. You know you can trust me, right?"

Hank looked up at his best friend miserably. "You… you promise?" He asked, in a whimper. His mind was made up- he was going to tell Theodore the truth. If he did lose his best friend, at least he could find time to heal. But he knew if he kept silent any longer, he would hurt them both further- and damage their friendship; possibly beyond repair.

"I promise."

It was the gravity, the solemnity, of those two words that made Hank feel he was trusting his heart's most guarded secret to the right soul. He just hoped he was correct.

"Theodore, I… I just want to say that… I- I like you. But as more than a friend." He said at last. "I don't know if you find it weird, or wrong, and I'm sorry." He closed his eyes, allowing the tears to fester in the corners of his eyes.

Then, just as he felt as though he would begin to cry, he felt a gentle nuzzle on his bumper. Curious and puzzled, he slowly opened his eyes…. And saw the older tug smiling warmly and lovingly at him.

"Hey, Hank… I don't think it's wrong." He said. "It's never wrong to love. And I certainly don't think it's weird. I didn't expect it, I can't deny that; but I think it's normal."

"You… you think so….?" Whispered Hank in awe.

"Of course," Smiled Theodore. "Besides, I have my own confession to make…. I- I like you too- and as more than just my best friend." He added shyly, his cheeks quickly flushing to the shade of his red baseball cap.

Hank's smile could have outshone the sun on hearing those words. "I…I'm so happy…" he said to Theodore.

"Me too," Theodore answered, truthfully, before frowning. "Is that why you were upset earlier?"

Hank fell silent- but it was the only answer Theodore needed to confirm his worry. He nuzzled Hank's bumper again- somehow more tenderly than the first time.

"Hank, I want you to remember that, even if we're thousands of miles apart, nothing will ever stop us from being together in our hearts."

"Thanks, Theo," Smiled Hank, and he watched his friend/boyfriend smiled in return.

"So, shall we go to Bluff's Cove and enjoy the sunset?" Asked Theodore.

"That sounds great!" Smiled Hank.

"Fantastic! I'll just tell the Dispatcher where we're going, and then we can head off," Said Theodore.

…..

Soon, the two were resting, hull to hull, at Bluff's Cove, watching the sun sink slowly behind the sea. The fiery reds and oranges and the fabulous pinks of the setting sun slowly morphed into dark blues, majestic purples and mysterious blackness.

"It's nice out here," Whispered Theodore.

"It sure is," Replied Hank, softly, before hesitating. "Um, Theo?"

"Yes, Hank?"

"Could we…. kiss?" He asked shyly.

Theodore looked surprised for a moment, before he smiled. "Okay- but you don't need to rush." He assured him, not wanting to hurt Hank.

"It's okay. I want to." The young tug replied.

"Me too,"

With those words spoken, Hank and Theodore moved even closer to each other. Hank felt his cheeks and smokestack tingle as Theodore kissed him with a powerful gentleness that made him blush with love.

Then, allowing his heart to guide him, he slowly returned the kiss with a gentle passion.

...

After their first kiss, the two separated, and returned to cuddling under the still darkening skies.

"I love you, Theo," Said Hank, with a happy sleepiness.

"I love you too, Hank," Replied Theodore, beaming.

The two tugs then let out a simultaneous yawn and snuggled close together. They both said goodnight to each other, and then they allowed the gentle waves to rock them to slumber.