A/N: Believe me, I didn't expect to be writing a new multi-chapter now but I've been so excited about this idea that it was hard to set it aside. I've been so busy with work lately, that it felt great to be this excited and motivated about a story, and I hope you enjoy reading this first chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it! I'd love to know your thoughts, and thank you for reading!

Watching the bare trees starved of leaves, the white blanketed sidewalks, and his surely now deserted college campus disappear from his vision, Eric thanked whatever holy being was responsible for ensuring his flight went un-cancelled. The fluffy, pregnant clouds were foreboding, but he had been refreshing his weather app since yesterday. No flurries or showers had been predicted, no flights had been halted and now Eric could sit back and enjoy his journey to the airport knowing home was ever closer. In a matter of hours he'd be walking similar snow-lined streets. Quieter perhaps, and with a distinct smell of cow in the air. His smile was immediately wiped away by the irritating drone of his phone ringing, vibrating against his leg.

When he pulled the phone out of his pocket he was unsurprised to see Kenny's name flashing on the screen. This must have been the fiftieth time today. He accepted the call with a huff.

"What?"

"Have you left yet?"

"Yeah, I'm on my way to the airport already!" Eric snapped. "I told you I'd be leaving half an hour ago, why are you calling me again?"

"Dude, I'm bored as shit!" Kenny despaired. "If I'm not at college, I'm at work, and now I have a day off it's like... I'm in prison. My parents are either fighting or fucking in the next room, and they're not even being subtle about it. Karen isn't even here either to suffer with me, she's out with her friends. I'm trapped."

"You have a door, don't you? Or a bedroom window you can climb out of if you don't wanna catch your parents screwing on the couch."

"Wouldn't be the first time. Where do I go though? I'm broke."

Eric rolled his eyes at the question Kenny really should have been directing to the South Park Chamber of Commerce. Although he supposed they would hardly recommend activities that were free.

"I don't know... go to Stark's?" he suggested. "Feel the crisp, winter air on your face, catch snowflakes on your tongue, admire the beautiful nature, all that crap..."

"I knew it," Kenny replied. Eric could just imagine him shaking his head, complete with shit-eating grin.

"What?"

"You'd go off to college and become a college-know-it-all hippie."

Eric smiled despite himself, but was still bristled by the 'joke.' The very assumption was offensive.

"There is no fucking way that is ever going to happen," he replied, a lot sharper than was really appropriate.

"I don't know," Kenny practically sang in a smug octave. "I think all that time with Kyle has rubbed off on you..."

"Yeah, I fucking wish. But not for much longer..."

Eric had no problem caving to the smile now helplessly spreading across his face. Even when it had in fact been far too long since Kyle had rubbed off on him, or been in the same room with him. All that was about to change though, and Eric was as fidgety with glee as he had been as a child on Christmas Eve, knowing there were gleaming gifts waiting to be ripped open.

"Oh God," Kenny said, dropping to an octave heavy with dread. "Please don't tell me you're-"

"Gonna fuck him? Definitely."

Eric's eyes met with those of his Uber driver in the rear view mirror. They held each other's gazes, Eric thought with some kind of approval. As though his Uber driver were impressed by his future hook-up, and the confidence of which it would be secured. But it was short-lived. His eyes soon returned to the road, lidded and disinterested, and Eric frowned when he was sure the driver wasn't looking.

"Ugh, why are you doing this?" Kenny asked.

"Because I want to," Eric replied. It was really that simple. "It's the only reason I wanna come back to that shithole town at all. No offence."

"None taken... you do remember he has a boyfriend, right?"

"And?"

"Well, for normal people that would be the deciding red flag when weighing up whether or not they're gonna fuck someone."

Eric shrugged, studied his fingernails.

"There's nothing to weigh up though. I've decided."

"What about Kyle?" Kenny asked. "He hasn't decided... has he?"

"No, we haven't talked since..." Eric very well knew how long it had been since he had any type of contact with Kyle (social media voyeurism didn't count), and, frankly, he was embarrassed. Especially when such a drought of communication would've been unthinkable before. "Well, we've both been busy. It's not a big deal. I've been crushing my classes, and he's been all over his boyfriend's Instagram. Maybe it's because we haven't seen each other in a while, but he's actually got cuter. Asshole."

"Wait, Kyle doesn't have Instagram... you're following Luke?"

"No!" Eric snapped, flushing instantly. He was more offended by that assumption than he was being called a hippie. "I just... started stalking him a little."

There was a long, judgemental lull before Kenny sighed down the phone.

"Jesus fucking Christ, dude. One insane declaration at a time, please. I haven't been around you for three months. I'm gonna have to ease back into your world."

"None of this is insane, Kenny," Eric replied. "I'm thinking clearly here."

"Have you considered that maybe Kyle doesn't want to cheat on his boyfriend?"

"It's not cheating if you're in different states," Eric offered without missing a beat.

"That's..."

"Yeah?"

"Disturbing and fascinating at the same time," Kenny decided. "I honestly don't know how to respond to that."

"Great!" Eric said with a smile. "So you're gonna leave me alone?"

"No! Oh no, you're not getting away that easy! Okay, so I know Luke wasn't a factor in your decision making, but..." another silence, more unsure this time. Eric listened impatiently. "Kyle seemed pretty clear before you left for college that you two were... uh..."

"Over?" Eric offered, not even wincing because he had torn that particular band-aid off his skin too many masochistic times before. "Sure, but time can change things. Besides, I have a plan. I guarantee Kyle will be leaving Bebe's party with me tonight."

"If you say so, dude," Kenny muttered.

Eric gritted his teeth, and gripped his phone a little tighter.

"Don't fucking patronise me, asshole. I know what I'm doing."

Kenny sighed again, and the fact that he wasn't actually in front of Eric to punch only made him angrier.

"Alright, man," he said. "Just be careful, okay?"

"I'll text you when I land," Eric replied, hanging up before Kenny could respond.

If his every breath wasn't catching on a loud, passionate moan, if his mind could focus on anything other than the sparkling promise of an impending orgasm, then Eric would've described this Sunday afternoon in his bed with Kyle as perfect. It had led to this, hadn't it? What felt like the best sex they'd ever had. Their A-game. Everything was aligned. The protesting springs of the mattress were in time with their sweaty skin slapping together punctuating each rough, hard thrust. Perhaps it was practice, or perhaps it was this recently added position to their repertoire (Kyle as the big spoon, fucking Eric on his side), but Kyle seemed to find his prostate with delightful ease. Eric had tried to muffle his scream into the drenched sheets, but Kyle wouldn't allow that. Eric's stiff, red cock now bounced against his belly and dribbled pre-cum, and Kyle's hot, earnest groans burned his skin.

"Unnh... unnh, Eric!" Kyle moaned, Eric tightening around him. "Th-that's it... come on..."

Eric's lips parted wider as though Kyle's command had stolen his breath, as well as sent his climax hurtling through his body. He grasped the corner of the bed sheet to ready himself, squeezing his eyes shut as his whole body seized.

"Aaah- aaaah!" he sobbed as he came. His chest heaved with a huge, gasping breath, blinking away tears as he rode his orgasm out. His vision was still blurred when he finally opened his eyes, a tear trailing down his cheek.

"Aaah... Haaah, fuck!" Kyle cried. He had slowed when Eric came, but was now thrusting into him faster than before. "F-f-fuck, you're gonna make me- aaaah!"

Eric whimpered, too exhausted to react when Kyle sunk his teeth into his shoulder. He held the skin between his teeth as he came, raking his fingers across Eric's chest too. He moaned, sweet and relieved, as he descended from his high. He rode out his orgasm with long, indulgent thrusts, gentler than before. His lips parted, warm and wet, against Eric's shoulder. Eric's heavy eyelids drooped when Kyle laved at the bite, and he grinned when he felt Kyle plant a sloppy kiss there. He really had to savour Kyle's lips being on him. With a quiet, contented hum at the back of his throat, Kyle tried to pull Eric closer to him. Although that felt impossible, they were still going to attempt it. They trembled together, drenched with sweat. Their bodies were still tight despite unwinding in the most spectacular fashion.

Before he could succumb to the wispy, alluring cloud of sleep, Eric remembered the box of tissues on his nightstand and reached for them. He mewled in discomfort, only then remembering that Kyle was still inside him. Kyle took that as his cue to pull out, and Eric groaned at the sudden emptiness, their separation. The first of many in the next twenty four hours. As he wiped his dripping cock, he felt Kyle trace the indentions his teeth had made with his finger.

Eric soon felt Kyle's weight on him again. He huffed, chuckling as he watched Kyle climb over him to place the used condom on his nightstand. He chose not to comment on that. He wanted to keep Kyle in his bed for as long as he could. He could forgive him for not stumbling over to his desk to dispose of the condom in the trash can. They shared fond, satisfied grins before their lips met. Eager tongues soon parted plush, hot mouths and Eric rolled over to lower Kyle to the sheets. Kyle didn't complain. He threaded Eric's hair through his fingers, while Eric's hand roamed his thigh. They soon relinquished each other, exchanging panting breaths. The mingled scent of their sweat was potent between them.

Kyle swallowed, willing words.

"I, uh..." he smiled, his hand wandering up Eric's chest." I think we made that count."

Eric nodded, hiding his fragile grin in Kyle's soaked curls and burying little kisses there. Pulling away, eyes roaming Kyle's content, handsome face, he wondered if it hid any doubt. Maybe Kyle was just waiting for him to bring it up? Maybe this was his chance to save this?

"Are you really sure you want this to be the last time?" Eric asked, careful not to lose his smile.

Kyle stiffened. Eric could feel his thigh tense beneath his palm. It was then he saw what doubt really looked like, and it stung more than he thought it would. In fact, he didn't think it would sting at all. Suddenly, Kyle's body disappeared under his fingers. They still flexed for him, and his heart clenched. This was only the beginning of a painful severance, after all. Kyle was lying flat on his back now, staring up at the ceiling.

"Yes," he said with a sigh.

He turned to Eric, but couldn't keep his eyes on him for long. They wandered the sheets.

"It has to be," he murmured. "Remember we said-"

"I know, I know," Eric cut in, sighing too. "I was just double checking..."

Kyle shuffled closer to him, and when their eyes met Eric saw the crease in his brow.

"Trying to make a long distance relationship work is hard... especially when so many things are about to change for us. I just think why mess up a good thing? Why not end on a high note?"

Eric gulped, nodding.

"Totally," he replied, his breath wavering. He masked it with a grin. "Besides, I was already thinking about breaking up with you for the exact same reason, way before you even suggested it, so..."

Kyle scowled, his eyes were lit with an exasperated mischief. Shaking his head, he then pinched Eric's arm.

"Ow! Jesus, I'm gonna be glad to get rid of you, dickhead..."

Eric could let himself believe it when Kyle chuckled, and he joined in. He relaxed when Kyle wrapped his arm around his middle, and smiled again when his head was on his chest.

"I can't believe we're actually leaving tomorrow," Kyle murmured.

Eric nodded. This was it. Kyle wasn't going to change his mind, and soon they would be separated by thousands of miles. The crushing realisation yawned, revealing it's pitch black, terrifying jaws. Eric felt like he was staring right into its mouth, ready to devour him.

"Scary, right?"

"Especially when you still haven't packed," Kyle replied. He lifted his head then, propped himself up on his elbow. "What the hell have you been doing all summer?"

"You, namely. You won't leave me alone."

Kyle rolled his eyes.

"Well, I still managed to find the time to pack in between having sex with you. Please will you get it done tonight?"

Eric raised his eyebrows. Clearly, not all the strings tying them together had been cut yet.

"I'm not sure I owe you anything anymore," he pointed out.

Kyle frowned at him, but soon started to think. His eyes lit up when he appeared to have found a compromise.

"Okay, I'll make you a deal." He smiled. "You pack tonight, send me evidence that you actually have packed, and I'll send you one last nude that will occupy your masturbatory fantasies for the next... month?"

Eric's eyebrows were practically skimming his hairline at this point. He was both intrigued and amused by Kyle's confidence and bravado. It was possible that Kyle just knew him that well though. He didn't jerk off thinking about Kyle exclusively, but he did occupy a lot of his thoughts. He knew how to make him cum in real life, after all. In his head it was no different.

"Really?" Eric asked. "I think you've overestimated how hot you are."

"I think you've underestimated just how dirty I'll make it," Kyle replied with a smirk. He was circling Eric's nipple with his index finger.

"Then you've got yourself a deal." Eric grinned, sealing it with a kiss.

It turned out to not exactly be the dirtiest of dirty pictures. Eric was not surprised. Kyle wasn't all that good at being intentionally sexy, and that fourth grade list - no matter how corrupted - had really ignited a lot of doubts about his appearance (rather that than the school, Eric supposed, though Kyle would've done everybody a favour if it meant no class for a while). Kyle was at his hottest when deep in thought, or ranting about the career guidance at school, or moaning and gasping with his dick in Eric's hand. Still, it was Kyle naked. For the last time (for Eric to see, at least). He still slipped his hand down his pants whilst staring at the photo intently, trying to remember every single detail of Kyle's body before they would be apart for three months.

Kyle must have walked the route to Stan's house a million times since he had moved there in the sixth grade. After all that time it still felt like a 'new' home. Once a fresh page that now had memories scrawled all over it. Despite the exhilarating relief he had felt watching the jagged mountain peaks disappear in September, he was glad to see them again. It was comforting, to feel like his hometown was welcoming him back with open arms despite his fractious relationship with it over the years. He had immediately thought of Eric upon arriving, imagined being back in his arms again no matter how inappropriate and ill-advised that would be. He was happy now, he had Luke. Sure, his feelings for Eric would never completely go away. How could they? When they had been a part of each other's lives for so long, had been through so much together? Once you're engulfed, being put out is never easy. You never walk away unscathed, un-burned, un-scorched. Kyle would never trade any of it though, would never blot out any vibrant hue their relationship was coloured with, no matter how much it hurt sometimes, no matter the residual ache.

He was trying not to think about Eric as he walked to Stan's. He was instead floating on the excitement of seeing Stan, and Kenny, even Butters. Throw Eric into the mix and it was sure to cause turbulence, send his heart and his mind to go off in wayward, overwhelming directions that he would struggle to navigate his way out of. He tried to remember the mindfulness tips Luke had shared with him whenever he was stressed or had succumbed to his temper. He focused on the cold air pinching his cheeks with sharp, invisible nails, and the ever-present promise of snow in the air.

He finally reached Stan's house, knocking on the door and waiting. Stan soon answered, smiling as warmly as his living room looked from where Kyle was standing. Kyle returned the smile gladly, flushed cheeks aching from the weight of it.

"Hey, dude..." Stan murmured, pulling him into a hug.

"Hey, man," Kyle replied, patting Stan's back. "How was your flight?"

Stan was nodding when he pulled away, a little sun-kissed from a Californian winter.

"Good, yeah, I got here this afternoon." He clapped Kyle on the shoulder. "Anyway, come on, how has school been?"

"Great, thanks," Kyle replied, shoulders hunched a little because it still felt odd to be talking to Stan like this. Catching up with him when before they were so used to seeing each other every day. He supposed it was a natural evolution when their friendship had lasted this long. "Classes are tough but... it's nice to get away from here, you know? I've missed it I guess, but there it's like a fresh start. A whole new chance to be a better version of yourself. You know what I mean?"

"Yeah, man, totally. It's great to be in a place where no one has known you since you were in diapers."

"And to not have to worry about the National Guard rolling in because the town has divided into militias over, like, I don't know... e-scooters or some shit."

Stan chuckled, pursing his lips and shaking his head as if still in fond disbelief.

"I don't miss that. That Halloween pretty much ruined candy for me." He grimaced, before brightening again, grinning at Kyle. "But hey, what about you and Luke, man? How are things going with you two?"

"Awesome, thanks," Kyle replied, laced with relief. "He's really cool, and sweet, and down-to-earth. We're having fun, and I think he's what I need right now."

"Yeah, especially since-" Stan stopped himself, flushing an alarming red. His eyes were wide, as though Kyle and Eric's relationship had now been deemed unmentionable, even amongst their inner circle. "Well, you know, you and Cartman were... not that you weren't happy. Because you were! I think... not that we talked about it much, because, you know, it was hard for me to... understand... not that I wasn't supportive of you! No, no, you can date whoever you want, dude, as long as they make you happy, I don't care... I do care! I, I just..." he sighed, exhausted, his eyes pleading with Kyle. "God, you know what I'm trying to say, don't you?"

"Yeah, yeah, I do," Kyle replied, when he was only half-sure. But he wanted to put Stan out of his misery. "It's cool."

Stan now had a shy tight, smile on his simmering face.

"Thanks..."

"Kyle!" Mrs Marsh exclaimed as she appeared from the kitchen. "Hi, sweetie!"

"Hi, Mrs Marsh..." Kyle replied, soon welcoming her hug.

"Oh, it's good to see you!" she smiled, holding him at arm's length now. "How have you been?"

Kyle nodded, if making small talk with Stan felt unusual than making small talk with his mom was even stranger. When he was a kid, their conversations consisted of 'okay, Mrs Marsh', and 'thanks, Mrs Marsh' when he had gathered his breath from running around with the guys, or had paused a video game.

"Yeah, I'm good, thanks. Uh, how are you?"

"I've been fine, just finishing my Christmas shopping and-"

"Sharon, Nelson's gonna come over later for the - oh, hey, Kyle!"

A familiar dread clutched Kyle's stomach, like the unnerving calm before an embarrassing storm. Unlike his conversations with Stan's always friendly mother, Kyle's conversations with Mr Marsh were unpredictable given his veering hobbies and pursuits. Although their talks were never hostile, they were always awkward and Kyle wondered if that was actually worse.

"Um, hey Mr Marsh?" Kyle asked, glancing at Stan. He noticed he was rubbing the bridge of his nose, unable to even look at his dad.

Not surprising, given that Mr Marsh was wearing a tie-dye t-shirt, khaki shorts, and a crochet beanie. A little goatee accompanied his now greying moustache.

"Dad, please don't..." Stan begged.

"Stan, I'm a businessman now, I can't switch that off!" Mr Marsh argued. "I'm constantly thinking of my product! Innovation, costs, marketing! It's not my fault that all of your friends are in my demographic, I would be an idiot not to pitch my idea to them! Don't stand in the way of progress, son." He returned his attention to Kyle with an eager smile. "Now, Kyle, what are your thoughts on the sack?"

Kyle had no idea where to look. Hideous, sudden heat rushed to his face.

"Excuse me?"

"The sack!" Mr Marsh exclaimed. "Hacky sack! That's what all us guys on the forum call it! Jeez, who's the old guy now?" he lowered his chin at his son, pointing to Kyle with his thumb. "Am I right, Stan?"

"Dad, I'm begging you-"

"So you're not into the sack, that's cool," Mr Marsh continued, nodding. "Have you played it all?"

"Not once, sir."

"Well, could I tempt you to play a game with this?" Mr Marsh asked, pulling what looked like a knitted scrotum out of his shorts pocket.

Kyle blinked, willing a reaction other than muted surprise. Even laughter would've been something. Kyle didn't know if that would be cruel, or the reaction Mr Marsh was hoping for. Either way, he couldn't muster up a strangled, fake laugh when the room was weighted with a mordant weariness. Mrs Marsh had her eyes closed as though she were wishing to be teleported out of there, while Stan had rolled his despairing eyes to the ceiling as though counting on a more heavenly figure to save him.

"I, uh..." Kyle was struggling to find the words, or to take his eyes off... well, whatever the hell it was.

"Ha! It's hilarious, right?" Mr Marsh grinned, desperate and oblivious. "A hacky sack that looks like balls! I got the idea from the forum. Those guys, man! If I was in college again, we would tear shit up! This is only a prototype. I'm thinking of calling it the 'nut-hacky-sack'. What do you think?"

"Oh, I don't know, it's uh-"

"I don't think Kyle wants to stand here and review your dumb fucking prototype, dad," Stan interjected. "He just wants to hang out with the guys, so can you leave us alone please?"

Stan grabbed Kyle's arm and led him away before Mr Marsh could answer.

"I'm on LinkedIn!"

Kyle heard him cry.

"Dude, I am so, so sorry," Stan murmured, loosening his grip on Kyle's arm.

"Believe me, dude, I'm used to it," Kyle replied, chuckling. "Hacky-sacks though?"

"My mom says it's his way of feeling connected to me while I'm in college."

Kyle blinked, an unexpected warmth spreading from his chest.

"That's kinda sweet," he remarked.

Stan sighed, no doubt weary of his father's extreme, unorthodox ways of showing his affection.

"I guess. Give it a couple of months and he'll be pouring all his money into something else. My mom is still pissed at him for selling the farm. I mean, we were all glad to get the fuck away from there, but that shithole wasn't cheap..."

Music he hadn't listened to for months floated from under the door of the basement, and Kyle found himself taking a small, fortifying breath as they entered. It were if as though the dimly-lit basement was murky water, brimming with people he had left behind, that had all scattered and drifted away from him. He needn't have worried though, when he saw Butters and Kenny smiling up at him from the foot of the stairs. He returned their smiles easily, gratefully. Making his way down the stairs, his gaze soon collided with Eric's. Thoughtful, but Kyle couldn't detect any hesitation from him that he himself had felt. Eric's golden eyes were trained on him though, following his every footstep. His mouth was hidden by a plastic cup held to his lips.

"Hey!" Kenny cheered, throwing his arms around Kyle in a bear hug.

Kyle huffed, and held Kenny's lean body up.

"Where the hell have you been, asshole?" he asked.

"Attending a sales pitch for the 'nut-hacky-sack.'"

Kenny grimaced, but soon began to chuckle.

"Pretty bleak, huh? Stan, for the love of God, please don't let him call that thing a 'nut-hacky-sack.'"

"I'll try," Stan replied, non-committal.

Kyle's gaze wandered over to Eric, wanting to meet his eyes again. He hoped he hadn't lost that silent ability to communicate with him - to signal a question, or a demand with a look alone.

"Hey, Kyle!" Butters beamed, blocking him.

Kyle smothered a disappointing frown, and stopped his shoulders from slouching.

"Hey, Butters," he replied. "How's Rhode Island?"

"Oh, it's real neat! Everybody there is super nice! How's Arizona?"

Kyle nodded, half-listening.

"Awesome, yeah..."

"Me and Eric were just talking about you!"

Kyle froze, gaze returning promptly to Butters. A million questions vied for his attention, but his stubborn nerves were doing their best to squash them.

"Uh- you were?"

"Yeah, don't get too excited," Eric replied, his voice firm and reminiscent enough to slice through his nerves, to reassure Kyle he was on terra firma.

Eric began to close the gap between them, and Butters ducked his head and moved aside without Eric ever having to ask him to. Kyle had to hand it to him, he could be intimidating when he wanted to be. Even when Kyle had learned of every insecurity he possessed - through either observation or Eric's own pained, reluctant admission when they were alone - he could still be convinced by the part Eric played of menacing, obnoxious asshole. Eric had exercised a different intimidation tactic on Kyle in recent months, one of piercing, knowing looks; threadbare, earnest confessions; bluffs; and ghostly touches, gentle and intriguing. Kyle shivered at the memory, and hoped it wasn't noticeable. His smile was harder to stop, a fascinated, soft reflection of Eric's captivating grin.

"I was just making a bet with Butters that the Arizona heat would've cooked you like a rare steak, but clearly I was wrong," Eric added, raking his gaze over Kyle. "Damn it."

Kyle rolled his eyes, pursed his lips to suffocate the laughter in his throat. He had missed this.

"You owe me 10 bucks, Eric!" Butters gloated.

Eric scowled at Butters for throwing him off his stride.

"Yeah, later, douchebag," he muttered, waving him off.

Eric moved in closer, blotting out their surroundings and quieting every other voice. With Luke, Kyle had nearly forgotten how this felt... how when Eric spoke to him, or looked at him, he made everybody else in the room disappear. It was then Kyle realised he could never forget, and the memory clutched his stomach like it wouldn't let go. But he wasn't afraid.

"You actually look..."

Kyle sighed, bracing himself for the punchline. He couldn't kid himself that now their relationship had returned to being platonic, Eric wouldn't tease him a little bit. He knew he expected the same.

"Yes?"

"Good," Eric replied, like it hurt him to say it. But he soon smiled. "I mean, really good."

Kyle blinked. His fingers shook as he petted his hair, moving to his jacket to tug at the hem. He wondered what was so different from what Eric remembered. He couldn't pinpoint a specific thing that had changed.

"Thanks." Kyle smiled. "So do you... um..."

Kyle fell quiet when he realised he didn't know how to finish that sentence. He didn't want to talk at all. He just wanted to do the one thing he was hoping he could do when he saw Eric again. If it wasn't too awkward, or uncomfortable, or dangerous. He rolled his eyes at his apprehension.

"Jesus, come here..." he murmured, holding his arms out.

Eric wrapped his arms around his middle without hesitation. It surprised Kyle, but that feeling soon melted into one of warmth, of a quiet contentment. He wrapped his arms around Eric's back and held him closer. The hug was long, heavy, like an event much anticipated, what they had been wanting all along after the break up, and after three months apart. Kyle's fingers splayed at Eric's back like they always did when he contemplated just how much there was of Eric to hold. His scent, and his warmth, and the press of his body still felt as exhilarating and comforting as ever. Before Kyle could stop it, he was letting his head rest on Eric's soft shoulder, where he had often drifted off after kissing, or fucking, or doing nothing at all. The muscle memory overwhelmed him, and he wondered if it would ever be erased from his mind, from his nerves. But it didn't feel worrying, or dangerous. It felt safe, a feeling Kyle was searching for with Eric right until they broke up.

"It's great to see you again," Eric murmured in his ear.

Kyle nodded.

"Yeah, it's great to see you too," he replied, fighting to keep his eyes open.