Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Ray ran back up the stairs as fast as he could. He halted in his doorway and wiped at his sweaty brow. “Phew..! False alarm..!” He said as he looked around his bedroom. “Pete?” he whispered. Pete wasn’t there. It took him a moment to realize where he had probably gone. He looked at his desk and sure enough, the little box was gone. Ginnie was already moving toward her bedroom.

“Peter? Are you okay?”

Ray hurried after her. “Pete?” He said after checking his mother’s window. It was closed. He moved the curtains back in front of it. Ginnie had already grabbed the little box and quickly opened the door.

They found him in a fetal position, his chin tucked against his chest and his eyes screwed shut. Ray swallowed audibly. He had seen him various levels of upset but, never like this… “Babe, it’s okay.” He gently touched his shoulder and Pete recoiled. Oh dear…

Ray decided to wrap both his arms completely around Pete and hoisted him out of the compartment. “Come here you…” He pulled him along to the bed where he sat him down and touched his face.

Finally Pete opened his eyes and started to talk. “We went too far. We ne’er should have gone. We ne’er should have started this. I been puttin’ your life in danger. Your mama’s life. What have I done?”

Ray held his face in both his hands and forced him to look back. “Pete… we’re okay… it was a false alarm.”

Pete shook his head. “I went too far.” He was certain of that.

Ray rubbed his thumb over his cheek. “We did it together.”

“We went too far.”

“We didn’t.” Ray moved his hair out of his face.

Pete’s hands came up to Ray’s shirt and grabbed it tight. “We almost got caught.” The fear of losing him had unraveled him.

“It wasn’t the farmer who saw you. It was just my neighbor.” Ray smiled sadly.

Pete tried to shake him. Ray had to see. “He will tell on us.”

“There’s nothing for him to tell. He doesn’t know.” Ray kissed his lips shortly.

Finally Pete blinked, as if that somehow removed the horrible pictures in his mind. “Then why was he angry?”

“I panicked this morning and threw my bike into his yard. Straight into his wife’s flowers apparently.”

Pete deflated and Ray wrapped his arms around him again. He hugged him tightly and ended up closing his eyes because his mother was right there and she had a confused look on her face. Sooner or later she was going to realize that they had gone outside together and he was going to get yelled at for sure.

Ginnie slowly left the room. She had some questions to ask, but that could happen later. Not that she wanted the answers… she feared she already knew…

The moment the door closed Pete broke. A loud sob escaped his mouth and Ray held on even tighter.

"I love you." He cried. He backed away to look at him. “I love you, Ray Garraty.” He kissed him fully. “That was the scariest fucking moment of my life.” Well… there were some other moments… but they tried not to think about that anymore. They had to move on….

Ray pulled him back to his lips for several desperate pecks. “I love you, Pete McVries.” Instead of kissing him again, he pressed their foreheads together. “I don’t regret it.” He shook his head and made their noses rub together. He really liked that feeling. “I don’t regret a single thing we’ve done together. It was dangerous, sure, but you are worth the dangers.”

“No… we can’t think like that, mi amor.”

“Why not? I thought we were going to cherish every moment we got. No matter how short.”

“Well yes, but, mi amor… if we are more careful we will get more moments…”

Ray closed his eyes tightly. He knew he was right, but he refused to admit that. “I’d rather have better moments.”

Pete did not get the time to respond, as Ginnie knocked on the door and asked for them to come into the hallway. They looked at each other with worried expressions and walked out with their hands clasped tightly together.

“Boys… I need to know something…” She sighed to calm herself, knowing she was about to regret asking. “What did you mean when you said you shouldn’t have gone? Why was there a farmer that saw Peter?”

Pete swallowed and was about to speak up, but Ray beat him to it. He spoke fast, so that his mother couldn’t interrupt him. “We spent a few hours together outside. In the middle of the night. We were careful, we spent the entire time hidden. I want more time with him mom. More than just here in the house, I want real dates, real time. And we were hidden the whole time, I promise.”

They both watched as Ginnie pulled her mouth into a thin line. She became red in the face and her breathing was picking up pace. Oh dear…

“Raymond Garraty I did not raise you to be so irresponsible! How could you play with your life like that?! How can you keep taking risks that won’t just get you punished but will get you killed?!”

“We were careful, mom..! It was dark and we didn’t meet up until we were already hidden..!”

“Then why did Peter get seen? Huh?”

Ray breathed in to yell at his mother, but Pete squeezed his hand. He smiled sadly before looking at Ginnie. He held his chin high, he would own his decisions even if it hurt him. “We was in a cornfield ‘nd the farmer whose land we was on showed up on the side I had hidden my bike.”

Ginnie’s breath shuddered. “And…?”

“He recognized me… I told him I used to be a drifter and wan’ed to feel normal again. Put on a real show too, tears ‘n all.”

Ginnie looked him over. He seemed to be fine physically. “…and then…?”

“He told me to fuck off.”

Ginnie shook her head. She had to look away from them because the danger they just put themselves in was killing her. She didn’t stop shaking her head for entirely too long, and Ray moved closer in concern. “Mom?”

“How could you?!” She exclaimed. “How could you be so careless?”

“I love him, mom..!” Ray replied just as loud. “Maybe love makes you do stupid things but this is all we have! I want more, mom! I want a life with him!”

“You can’t, Raymond…!” Ginnie had exclaimed before she could think better of it.

Ray straightened immediately. “You don’t get to decide that.” He reached for Pete and pulled him past his mother. He could not look at her for even a moment longer. How dare she?! That was not her decision to make! He slammed the door and huffed out an angry breath.

The next few days Ray was so fed up with his mother that he spent his entire days planning out other options. Sure, maybe the cornfield had been too dangerous, but there were other options. Especially now that they both had a bicycle

He bought a few maps and started circling places they could go. Every single day he visited a new place to check if it would be safe enough, and when he had found one, he started planning their next date. Because that was what he had decided they were.

“Do you want to go on a date with me?” He asked that night.

Pete had just settled in his arms but he moved up again immediately. “Are you sure?”

Ray pulled him to his lips and lingered for a long time. “I’m sure.”

Pete needed some convincing but eventually the deeply rooted want for more time with him won over. “Okay, mi amor, show me those plans.”

Ray opened up one of his maps. It had a P on the front, and a line drawn from Pete’s apartment to a circle in a nearby forest. There were little X-es at certain corners and little circles near others. Ray started explaining it all, the dangerous areas, the darkest parts, and where to leave his bike once he got there.

“You really thought this through.”

Ray kissed his cheek. “I really want this.” He searched for his hand and laced their fingers. “I hope you want this too.”

“Mi amor…” He used his free hand to tuck Ray’s hair behind his ear before letting it slide along his jaw to his chin. “…I do want this…” He was going to add that he was scared, that he wasn’t sure which one was stronger, but Ray was already kissing him.

Maybe it was for the better if he didn’t mention it. It might make Ray scared too, and then they would both just end up frustrated. They had been nearing that moment for a while now. They were getting tired of only seeing each other at night, in his bedroom, or during the day out in the hallway. They wanted more. They needed more.

Ray had found them a forest nearby that had trees towering over them. They biked there in the evening, it was starting to get dark earlier and earlier. Finally. Pete had laughed when Ray arrived with a foldable ladder under his arm.

“You brought a fuckin’ ladder?” He kissed him hello.

“I want to get in with ease and this way I can pull it up so it’s not obvious to anyone that we’re up there.”

Pete felt his heart clench. It was cute that Ray had put so much effort into it, but the fact that they had to was starting to weigh on him. He wondered how long they could keep this up. The thought soon disappeared when Ray dropped the ladder to kiss him good. He got him up against the tree and kissed him for a long time.

“You seem to last longer.” Pete uttered when Ray finally had to back away to catch his breath.

Ray beamed at him. “I’ve been practicing.”

Pete raised his eyebrow. “Oh? Who‘ve you been practicin’ with, my love?”

Ray hit his shoulder. “Not practicing kissing..! Practicing holding my breath..!”

“Oh really?” Pete was leaning in again, his lips hovering right in front of Ray’s. “What’s your record?”

Ray answered by kissing him again. God how he wanted him. It shouldn’t overwhelm him this much anymore, they had been doing this for months now, but every single time Pete let him take control it just got him so desperate. So he kissed him deeply, all tongue and teeth. He let his hands wander as he did so, he really wanted him.

"Mi amor..." Pete broke the kiss. "We can't... no blanket... no good place to lie down…”

“Hm?” Ray breathed innocently, before latching his mouth onto his neck.

Pete allowed it. God it felt so good. “You’re tryin’ to get me goin’.”

Ray kissed his way up to his ear and whispered in it. “You’re the one thinking about getting laid.”

Pete grabbed his hips and pulled him closer, earning a moan right into his ear. “And you’re not..?”

“You got me.”

Pete gently pushed him away. “How ‘bout…” He kissed his nose. “…we end on a high note.”

“You don’t want to start on a high note?”

“Mi amor… trees are uncomfortable to begin with, let alone when we’re shaky and sore.” He kissed him quickly and then grabbed the ladder. “Let’s climb this tree and then later you can climb this tree.” He motioned to himself.

“You can’t say sexy things like that and then tell me to back away..!” Ray whined.

“Sure I can.” He winked and promptly started to climb up the ladder.

“Fine…” Ray sighed dramatically. “…but you will be paying for this later.”

Pete grinned, he was excited to find out how. He climbed up and chose a thick sturdy branch to sit down on. He was already glad that he had let Ray convince him to go. They were so far away from the nearest houses they were sure to be safe here. He wasn’t sure what species it was, but he filed that thought for later; he could look that up at the library.

“Did you bring ‘nother game?”

“Am I not entertainment enough?” Ray asked dramatically as he tested the branch Pete had sat down on.

“It can hold us.” Pete assured. The branch was almost two feet wide. It must be very old. He wondered how many people had climbed it in its lifetime.

Ray carefully shuffled closer to his beloved and leant against him. He sighed and grabbed Pete’s hand.

“Somethin’ on your mind?”

Ray looked into his eyes. It was hard to see much in the dark, so he stared openly. “Just that I love you.” He moved their hands up and kissed…his own hand.

Pete pulled his lips in to stop himself from laughing. It did not work. “You meant to do that, right?”

“Yeah, absolutely.” He kissed his own hand again. “I love you so much I figured I’d give myself some love too.”

It was a joke but Pete’s giggles stopped. “You should.” He looked Ray in the eye as he pulled their hands up and also kissed his own hand.

Ray giggled through his nerves. He didn’t like talking about his self-love issues. Pete loved him enough for the both of them.

“Ray…” Pete uttered onto their hands. He moved them and kissed Ray’s this time. “You should love yourself.” He kissed it again. “…maybe not as much as I love you.. I ain’t sure if anyone could.” He smirked and winked at him. “…but I ain’t always ‘round to love you… so… least durin’ those times… love yourself…” He kissed the corner of his mouth… his cheek… and then just below his ear. “…for me…”

Ray shuddered. He wanted to joke about getting him going but that’s not what this was.

Pete continued in a whisper. “Your body… your shape… your weight…” He kissed his skin. “…they all you.” He kissed his way over to his lips, but paused. “You are amazin’, mi amor. You are hot. You are sexy. You are gorgeous.” He hoped he believed him. Then he kissed him deeply, just to drive his point home.

He backed away when he felt wetness on his cheeks. He pressed their foreheads together and brushed the tears away with his thumbs. “…you have a fantastic ass….” He added seriously.

Ray startled to chuckle.

“What?” Pete played dumb. “You do. Why d’you think I squeeze it so of’en?”

Again Ray wanted to joke about wanting to get him going, but he willed himself to listen to him. He knew he was being serious, and fuck, he wanted to believe him. “Yeah?” He breathed quietly.

“Might even love it more than your belly and I’m a belly-guy.” He let one hand slide down to touch it. He was slow about it, this wasn’t about sex. He just wanted him to see how the things he disliked about himself were things that drove him crazy. Things that he adored, and cherished and wanted to worship as often as he could. “I change my mind, I love your belly more than your ass.” He let his other hand slide down to it too, but leant his forehead against his cheek as a replacement. “I would kiss every inch of it daily if you’d let me.”

“Pete…” Ray breathed. “…stop exaggerating.”

In response Pete smacked their lips together. “I ain’t exaggeratin’..!” He leant back in again, and this time he wasn’t planning on backing away anytime soon. He loved this man and fuck, fate could be so cruel, but fate had brought them together nonetheless and he was going to enjoy every single god damn moment.

They spent the rest of the night switching between kissing and talking. They didn’t need games. Although when the first bird started to sing, well before the sun was rising, Pete did test Ray on his bird knowledge.

“Where did you learn these things?” Ray asked after Pete had gone on and on about birds he loved observing.

Pete shrugged. “Learned from others mostly.”

“I can never find any books about them.” Ray said thoughtfully. He had gone out looking for them several times now, but no store nor library had any.

“They ain’t allowed I don’t think.”

Ray frowned. “Why would that be?”

“To learn about the world is to rebel.” Pete shrugged again. He had figured that out ages ago. Most of the things he liked to learn about were banned or frowned upon. They got you curious about the world, and curiosity only lead to understanding. Understanding how fucked up the system was.

He shook his head and plastered on a smile. “I’ll teach you ‘bout the birds next time.”

“What can I teach you?”

“Hmm…” Pete leant closer with a smirk. “Teach me how to resist a tasty white boy.”

Ray rolled his eyes with a laugh and nudged him away. “I don’t want to teach you that.”

“You want me to always be horny for you?”

“Yes.” Ray answered immediately.

Pete looked at him for a solid two seconds before pulling him to his lips. “Well, I did promise you a happy ending.”

“Do you ever come here durin’ the day?” Pete asked as he was still catching his breath. Ray raised an eyebrow at him before putting his shirt back on. Pete hesitated. “…is it busy?”

Ray stopped fixing his hair. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

“I’m thinkin’ ‘bout it.”

Ray thought for a moment and then nodded. “I’ll check a couple times before we decide.”

Pete kissed him good, but not for as long as he wanted. He was too afraid of leaving too late. Even if they were going to take completely different routes and they could say they were just going for a bike ride if anyone saw them along the way… he still couldn’t risk it.

“I love you. See you tonight?”

“I love you. Yes, of course.”

Over the course of the next few weeks they met up at that tree every single Monday. It was the quietest night on the roads as well at in the park. They never tried during the day, it was too scary. With time the night felt safe enough to be louder and sneak around less, but then they’d hear rustling on the forest floor and they’d freeze and have to talk themselves out of a panic attack. But then again, that gave them a thrill that that was all too addicting.

“I think we should find a new spot.” Pete said one early morning.

Ray just nodded. He had been thinking the same thing. He feared that the thrill would make them feel too safe. It would make them unobservant and ultimately made it even more dangerous. “I’ll have a look around.”

For the next few weeks they tried different spots nearby, but none were as private as high up in the trees.

There was old abandoned farm but the resonance was too much. They had to whisper the entire time and that still felt too loud.

Then they tried a rooftop on a flat building but it was only two stories high and once again they felt like they had to be quiet all night to not get caught.

The third place they tried was a church at the edge of town. They thought it was abandoned, but once they arrived their could hear voices inside. For a moment they hoped they would grand them sanctuary but once both of them were there, neither dared to knock on the door. Churches offered sanctuary alright, but rarely did they do so for a bunch of queers. They looked at each other in panic. They were standing out in the open. They had to go somewhere.

They ended up biking to the nearest park, weaving between the trees until they were surrounded on all sides. They kissed and kissed as their panic switched to relief and finally into desperation.

They kissed for a long time, but parted ways much too early. The scare had been too much for them both. So they both went to their own homes and mourned the wasted potential of the night.

A few days later Pete climbed into Ray’s window with a full backpack. He had been planning things. The scare had been too much and he was so sick of it.

“I have an idea.” He whispered when Ray finally backed away from their kiss. “Can you leave for a few nights?”

Ray thought about it. “…I should…” He pulled Pete to his bed and turned his favorite little nightlight on. He couldn’t see Pete as well as he wanted to but fuck was it better than darkness.

Slowly, Pete explained his plan. He had befriended a nice couple at Little Flying Point. It was about 4 miles from his house so it would be close, but not too close. This nice couple owned a boat rental and they had all kinds of shapes and sizes. He suggested renting a small one, plenty for one but perhaps small for two. They usually only rented them out for the one day but he had been talking to them about going away for a few days to get away from it all. The woman had offered to rent him a boat for several days so he could go explore some of the local islands. Which was exactly what he had been hoping for. He would have mentioned the idea himself if she hadn’t.

“It’s perfect. They know I love the stars so I can talk ‘em into lettin’ me pick one up after closin’. We can leave in the dark.” He squeezed his hand. “…or I could pick it up durin’ the day, and come back at night to pick you up.” His other hand came up to cup Ray’s cheek. “We could stay on one of the islands, spend time together durin’ the day.” He paused, but when Ray did not respond, he felt the need to keep talking. “We could explore, look for birds, watch the stars…” He leant in. “make love in the daylight…”

He moved to connect their lips but Ray beat him to it. He kissed him passionately, until he was pressing him against the mattress and making him breathless. “I do want that…” He uttered, even more breathless himself.

Pete smirked at him. “Gettin’ laid was the thing that got you in’erested, huh?”

“Well, I do love getting you naked.” He shrugged pseudo-guiltily. He kissed his lips quickly. “…but I want the rest too.” He looked him in the eye to make sure Pete knew he wasn’t lying. “I really, really want that, Pete.”  He leant back down slowly, keeping their eyes locked until the very last moment. They fluttered shut when Pete leant up to connect their lips.

Moments later, he kissed away from his mouth and over to the big gash on his cheek. He tried to push away the reminder of Barkovitch's words about it. It didn’t matter how he got it. All that mattered was that it was a part of him now, and just like his own nasty scars, it did not define him. Their scars, or rather the events that created them, made them who they were today, but they did not define them. That was different.

“Show me your plans.” He whispered to his skin.

Pete made sure to kiss him first. He pulled him in and threaded his fingers through his hair. When he was all good and breathless he moved away from underneath him and grabbed his bag.

Just as Ray, he had bought himself a map and drawn out exactly how Ray would have to bike there. All the dangers were highlighted and potential reroutes were dotted lines in a different color.

"You put effort into this." Ray felt the need to point out.

“I really fuckin’ want this.” He smooched his shoulder. “’sides… you did too.”

“None of the places I found were any good though.”

Pete was having none of that and wacked him over the head. “Those places gave us great moments. Only the last one wa’n’t good, but we chose that one together. That ain’t on you.”

Ray smiled sadly. He loved that Pete was so good to him, but he still couldn’t shake the guilt. They could have lost it all. Every couple of weeks he would feel like he was on top of the world, getting away with their secret relationship and working towards a happy life together. But then something would happen and he would go right back to being terrified and angry with himself for risking it all. It felt like mental whiplash.

Pete observed him. He could easily guess what he was thinking about. He decided to pull him out of his thoughts with a kiss to his temple. “Don’t go there.” He kissed his cheekbone. “Sides… We did get to make out in that park.”

Ray sighed, feeling a little defeated. “That wasn’t a good make out. I thought I was going to loose you. That is was my final chance to kiss you goodbye.”

Pete closed his eyes. He leant closer until their foreheads touched. “I know, mi amor… I did too…” He tried to think of a way he could comfort him, but he felt the same way. He needed comfort just as much. He guessed he could point out the obvious. “But… it wa’n’t goodbye. I ain’t goin’ anywhere.”

Ray took hold of both his cheeks and pulled him to his lips gently. “Let’s kiss the right way then.”

“That’s my boy.” Pete smirked but he was already getting kissed. He loved how much Ray adored kissing him.

A week later they were standing at the boat ramp in the middle of the night. They had both biked to the small marina with heavy backpacks and racing hearts. Fear and anticipation mixed together into a delicious cocktail and it was hard to stop themselves from kissing when they finally saw each other.

They paused all too soon, knowing they would have plenty of time for that later, but Ray was still a little disappointed. They hid their bikes in the bushes nearby and hurried to the correct boat. It was a small rowboat. They tossed their backpacks in and Pete helped Ray to get into it without falling. Pete gave the boat a little push before getting in. He had practiced earlier that week, just to be sure.

They switched who was rowing only once, only because Ray insisted on taking over. Pete had finally given in when he had spotted the place they were going to. Ray wasn’t happy about it when after just five minutes Pete announced they had arrived.

They hauled the little boat onto the island and into the bushes. The tide would come in during the night and so Pete had brought extra rope to tie it down. They were not about to get stranded on an island.

“Well, this is The Goslings Preserve.” Pete held his arms out as if they could actually see what the place looked like. The moonlight was the only thing illuminating it and it made Pete look so beautiful that Ray didn’t even care what the island looked like. He shook his head quickly. He could get lost in his beauty later, they had to fix the boat first.

“Have you been here before?” He asked as he swung his backpack over his shoulder.

“Had t’see if it was safe.” Pete shrugged.

Ray handed him his backpack and then his hand to hold. “Lead the way.”

Pete led them to a little outcropping in the middle of the island. It wasn’t much, just a few square feet that was mostly rock instead of trees. They laid down against the rock and looked up at the sky. The trees around them were mostly blocking their view, but in between it all there were stars twinkling away. It was beautiful.

They huddled up when it got too cold, and told each other stories of their past. When that became too sad, they started making up stories about their future. And for the moment, it didn’t matter how unrealistic those stories were. For now they brought them joy and hope and love.

They kissed a lot, but stopped themselves from going too far. It was far too cold to be getting sweaty. They could do that in the sunlight.

In the morning Pete led Ray to the edge of the island where they could still hide behind bushes but also watch the sunrise together. Pete leant his head on his shoulder. He was happy for once. Sure, he was tired because they had barely slept, and he was a little bit worried about the rest of the day, but he was happy. For a moment he could pretend that he had a life with Pete.

“Hungry?” He asked softly. “I brought sandwiches.” He handed one over and then shrugged when Pete gave him a look. “It’s not much, I know.”

Pete kissed him quickly. “It’s perfect.”

“So what was the look?”

“You put effort in, even when I told you you ain’t need to.”

“That’s just what you do…” He pulled him back to his lips.

“Do when…?” Pete uttered when the kiss paused. He knew he was pushing it, making it unorganic and perhaps even a little bit untrue. But… Ray continued to be so eager to tell him…. so eager to let the confession roll off his lips…

“…when you love someone.”  He said with so much devotion Pete couldn’t breathe for a moment. It felt stupid, cheesy, ridiculous… but it also felt like a fairytale… especially since he knew how much Ray meant it.

He put the sandwich on his backpack in favor of kissing him deeply.

Surprisingly, Ray broke the kiss off well before they were done. “We’re missing the sunrise.”

“Fine…” Pete sighed dramatically. He understood completely. They hadn’t gotten a full sunrise together since the walk. So he grabbed his hand and squeezed it. He held in his reply until the sun was well and truly in the sky and they were making their way through the forest again.

They weren’t going anywhere specific and so it didn’t matter when he stopped them. He had just been thinking about how much he loved him and he was starting to overflow. So he stopped walking, pulled Ray close and looked him over with love obvious in his eyes. He needed to make absolutely sure to make Ray believe him and so he kissed and touched him all over. Not in a sexual way, though he still wanted to make love to him, but in an adoring way. I love you, I adore you. I do not need an altar to worship; you are my altar.

“I love you.” He breathed onto his shoulder. “I love you.” He uttered again when his lips touched his neck. “I love you.” He said steadily as Ray’s knees gave in and he lowered him gently to the forest floor. “I love you.” He said clearly as he looked him in the eye with as much love as he could.

Ray pulled him to his lips desperately. Not like that one night a week ago, but desperate because you’re right in front of me and still too far away.

They kissed for a long time and then moved back to the little outcrop. Ray put his blanket down again and they took turns napping. They held each other the whole time, but they refused to take the risk of sleeping at the same time.

Then they made love and ate cold pasta in the nude. They teased and laughed and loved each other deeply. For once, it was enough.

Later, they were sat on rocks near the water to watch the sunset. It was setting behind what must be South Freeport, and so they had chosen a spot that would hide them, should a boat come by, but gave them enough space to see the tops of the trees and the beautiful sky.

It was mesmerizingly gorgeous and peaceful and Ray could cry about it. He hadn’t felt this at peace… maybe ever… He thought about all their happy memories together. Most of them brief, until this. Their happy moment had lasted hours and hours and his eyes were stinging as he realized just how happy he was.

Suddenly Pete shrieked. “What the fuck is that?!” There was a small creature trying to make its way up his pantleg. He had no idea what it was. It looked like it had a cog sticking out its back.

Ray burst out a laugh that was much too loud. He just felt so good.

Pete paused trying to kick the bug off his leg to give Ray a look. “What are you laughin’ bout?!”

“It’s just a Wheel Bug..!” He couldn’t stop giggling.

The wonderful sound and sight of Ray’s giggling took away all of Pete’s panic, and replaced it with expending warmth. He left the little bug where it was and instead pulled Ray to his lips.

Ray enjoyed the kiss for a moment, because he was filled with love just as much, but then he paused. “Wait let’s remove it.”

Pete raised an eyebrow. “I thought you didn’t care ‘bout little creatures?”

Ray shrugged. “Changed my mind.” He acted casual, but it was clear that he had learned it from him. Pete just wanted to kiss him even more now, but Ray stopped him again. “This guy has a mean bite.”

“Is there such a thing as a loving bite?” Pete joked. Of course a bite from such a creature was mean.

Ray paused ushering the bug onto a stick to look over his shoulder with a smirk. “Would you like to find out?”

Pete felt his cheeks heat up. He hadn’t blushed in a long time, but ooh something about Ray Garraty was just perfect for making him do things he didn’t usually do. “Are you done puttin’ that bug away?”

“Impatient are we?” Ray teased. Pete made Ray do thing he didn’t usually do too. Flirting and pushing buttons had never been his technique with girls, but ooh boy if he didn’t love pushing Pete’s buttons.

“Just come’ere.” He motioned with his hands. Pete pulled him in the last bit before he had a chance to sit down and immediately kissed him.

They kissed for a long time, as if they hadn’t done that earlier. Ray showed him just how lovingly he could bite him and Pete made up a poem on the spot. A poem about love and sharing heat and moving bodies. About pain and hardship and a happy ending.

And then it was dark, and they would have to leave soon.

Ray started to get up. “Let’s get back to our stuff.”

“D’you wanna watch the stars for a bit?” Pete asked with pleading eyes.

Ray smiled and kissed his shoulder. “Only if you teach me their names again.”

“You forgot ‘em already?”

Ray sighed dramatically. “I’m afraid so. I fear I need a strong man to lean over my shoulder to point out exactly where to look.”

“Oh I see how it is.” Pete grinned.

“How it is?” Ray feigned confusion. “I simply do not know what you are talking about.”

Pete got up just to sit down behind Ray, his legs wrapping around him, his chest pressing against his back. “You want me pressed against you.” He whispered in his ear.

Ray shuddered. “Always.” He had uttered before he could stop himself. He could never get enough of Pete. He craved his touch. His tender, loving, shaking touch. He breathed in to say something else but all thoughts left his head when Pete started to press hot, wet kisses to his neck. “Pete…”

“Yes, mi amor?” He asked innocently.

“We can’t…” Ray breathed in abruptly as Pete continued. “…keep… uh.. doing… this…” He couldn’t think when Pete’s mouth was on his skin, especially his neck.

Pete detached his mouth. “I’m not tryin’ to get laid or nothin’.”

In the brief moment of clarity that gave Ray, he quickly gave his reply. “Oh so you’re trying to get me going just to stop?”

Pete moved his lips to his ear and whispered, hot and heavy. “Yes.”

Ray shuddered again. “Okay…” He could probably get behind that. He might regret that in a little while, but for now he couldn’t stand the thought of Pete stopping.

So Pete continued to press open mouthed kisses to his neck and breathing his hot air over his skin until the stars were fully visible. Then he took Ray’s hand and started to point it up at the sky. “That… is the big dipper…”

Ray was almost disappointed, but Pete kept his lips on his neck as he pointed out each constellation. And suddenly, it wasn’t hot anymore, but instead had switched to a non-sexual kind of intimacy. Sure, he was a little bit sad that he wasn’t going to get laid again, but if they managed to get off this island safely, he would get laid another time.

And just like that, all the remaining arousal was gone. They had to get home safe. He sighed and sagged further against Pete’s chest.

“Thinkin’ bout leavin’?”

“Yeah… Made myself worried again…”

Pete kissed his jaw, and then helped him turn around so that they could kiss properly. “We’ll have to get goin’ soon.” He said more to himself than to Ray. He did not want to. He had been fighting off the worry for the past hour. “This has been fun.”

Ray grinned at him. “Very fun.” And he didn’t just mean that getting laid out in the open was thrilling and fun. He meant the moments they teased each other and couldn’t stop laughing… the moments they had as they watched the sunset together for the very first time… and then the sunrise too… the way they had laid in each other’s arms and looked up at the sky… All of it had been amazing.

Neither of them spoke a word as they paddled back. The fear was eating at them but they didn’t want to worry each other, or worse, trigger a panic. If one of them panicked both of them would panic and that would just… no. They couldn’t think about that. So they stayed quiet and quickly paddled back to the dock.

Pete returned the rowboat while Ray was supposed to go look for his bike but he didn’t want to. Instead he pulled Pete into the woods the moment he had returned and kissed him against a tree.

“I don’t want to go home.”

Pete smiled sadly. “I know.” He pulled him back to his lips. “We’ll do it again.”

“Yes.” He agreed with another quick kiss.

Ray was worried about what he’d find at home. Would his mother be okay? Had people been onto them? But he was tired of voicing his fears. So instead he kissed him good. He kissed him till they were both out of breath. It wasn’t sexy. They were both desperate.

“Go now.” Pete pushed him gently. “I love you.”

Ray kissed him again. Hard enough to make Pete’s head bang against the tree. “Sorry. I love you.”

Pete just chuckled. “So much that it hurts.” He rubbed the back of his head.

Ray froze, rolled his eyes and then pulled him to his lips instead. “Stop saying things that make me want to kiss you.” He kissed him again. It was long and slow and-

They both froze. There were voices. Ray turned to look around and before he knew it he was alone. Pete had started running without giving it a second thought. It was the only way they could make it out of this, and as he ran he kept telling himself that it had worked. Ray would be found alone, and he could probably- no, definitely talk his way out of that.

Ray spotted his bike nearby. He hurried over and slid down into the bushes right next to it.

“Hello?” Someone called out.

Ray stood up and rubbed his head. He pulled his bike up and squinted as a flashlight got shone in his face.

“Are you alright?” The woman asked.

“Yeah I think so…” Ray pulled his bike out of the bushes and started checking himself. “My light broke and I just drove straight in there.” He motioned to the bushes.

The two people hesitated, sending Ray’s heartrate up, but then they quickly came to help him out.

“What are you doing here at this hour?”

“Couldn’t sleep.” He shrugged. He was too tired to think up a reason.

It was silent for a moment. Ray knew he had to strike up a bit of a conversation with them, at least to talk him out of this mess. “So are you two up early too, or did I bike around for so long that it’s morning now?”

They both chuckled. “A bit of both I’m afraid.” The man spoke. He pointed toward the marina. “We own the boat rental.”

Oh, these must be Pete’s friends. Maybe he could get those two on his good side…. Or maybe that was too dangerous since they would surely connect the dots immediately. His heart started to race when he realized they probably still would. “I really should get going.”

The man reached out for his bike. “Want me to fix your light?”

Ray waved him away with a shaking hand. “No it’s all good. It’s getting light out.”

“Nonesense, it’s still dark in the woods. You need that light.” The man was already starting to tug on his bike. Ray tried not to panic more. Were these people onto them? Were they keeping him here so they could hurt him? Had his wife called the major? Were they going to kill him?

As he panicked, the man had already started to check his bicycle. Ray vaguely registered the man changing a few things near his wheel and then pulling out a tool to… he wasn’t sure, probably tighten a screw.

“There. Good as new.” The man moved the bike forward to test it and sure enough the light turned on.

Ray started patting his pockets. “I’m afraid I don’t have my wallet on me.”

The man waved it away. He leant in closer as if to share a secret. “I only take rich people’s money.” He winked and then promptly went back inside. “Good day, sir!” He called out before shutting the door.

Hm.. that was odd… Very odd…

Ray didn’t trust it at first, and as he biked away he tested his breaks, just to be sure. But everything was fine. Maybe they really were just nice people…

Weeks later they did it again. They spent two whole days there this time. They explored and teased and laughed. They climbed trees, Ray surprised Pete by showing off his bird knowledge, and Pete taught Ray about the stars once more. It had been bliss for two whole days. They saw sunrises and sunsets, they listened to the waves and searched for critters. Ray finally saw the beauty in the world. Not just because of the man he loved, but because learning about the things around him made him fall in love with them.

They had such a good trip that they forgot all about the time as they kissed against a tree near their boat. They had meant to leave an hour ago, but they just couldn’t stop kissing and making each other laugh, and then kissing them even harder.

By the time they had reached the marina the sun had already started to rise. But since the marina was empty, Pete continued to tease Ray just so he could hear him giggle again. God he was so happy.

Ray got out of the boat to tie it to the dock, but suddenly there was a hand on his arm and it gripped it hard. He would have yelled but there was a hand covering his mouth as he was being dragged backward and into the building.

Pete was still talking when he turned around. What the fuck… He was about to call out his name, but then, there in the distance, he saw a vehicle driving his way. That was a… military vehicle… His heart sank. He recognized it instantly. It was the same model that had driven along them during every single step… His heart stopped altogether as it came to a screeching stop in front of the docks. He quickly grabbed the rope from where Ray had dropped it and tied the boat. There was only one of these and he could not risk losing it.

He watched as nonother than the major stepped out. His back as stiff as a board. Along with him came his damn minions. They marched over to him, hands on their guns, and Pete was frozen. Where was Ray? Had they seen them both? They must have gotten caught but how? How did they know to be here now? Someone must have told on them…

“Mister McVries. Who are you talking to?” The man spoke roughly, at a volume that was entirely unnecessary since to them there was no one else around.

“Uh my friend. He must’ve gone inside. He owns the ren’al place.” He gestured to the building but stopped abruptly when the men beside the major both aimed their guns at him immediately.

The major continued unbothered. “What are you still doing in this state?”

“In the state? I been… tryin’ to use my money for good.”

“And here?” He roughly motioned to the water.

Pete swallowed dryly. “I been explorin’.”

“At this hour?”

He had to keep it together. Maybe this was just a checkup. Just a coincidence. Maybe he could still talk his way out of this. “I like to float ‘round the water. Look up at the stars. It calms me.”

The major was unimpressed. “Sure it does…” He straightened his back impossibly even more and continued loudly. “Mister McVries you have been found guilty of treason-”

“Treason?! What have I done? Set up a little life for myself? Get some peace and quiet after that damn-”

The major did not care for his interruption. “Do you pledge allegiance to the state, the system and the squad?”

“What have I done? I been keepin’ to the rules! Can you at least expl-”

The soldiers pointed their guns at him again. “Do you pledge allegiance to the state, the system and the squad?”

“Yes!” He didn’t understand what was going on. It all happened so fast. He had no idea how much they knew or what the fuck was coming next, but he knew one thing. He would pledge that damn allegiance if it kept him alive.

Inside, Ray was going insane, fighting a panic attack as he listened to the two. He had been terrified at first, of the man pulling him into the house, but he knew now that they were keeping him save. The woman tried to usher him out the backdoor. She had checked. Nobody was there. Nobody would see. There was a pathway that lead straight away from the building.

She shoved her husband’s bike into his hands. “Go. Take the first left, second right.”

Ray couldn’t really register anything that was happening. He just knew that he was on a bike that wasn’t his own and it wasn’t the right height and it hurt his knees but he was biking like he was being paid for it. He raced down the path, took the left and then a right. He hadn’t even counted if it was right but suddenly he was at the edge of Mast Landing and he was close to home.

Infront of the building the major and his little helpers were walking around the property.

“Search inside the house.” The major demanded.

Pete was frozen on the docks. Had he gotten away with it? Had pledging his damn allegiance fixed it? What if they found Ray inside…?

Suddenly there was yelling in the house, and before he knew it his new friends were being pulled out of the building. But not Ray. Had he gotten away?

“State your business here.” The major demanded.

“We own the place, sir. This is my wife.”

“Do you know this man?” He pointed his gun at Pete.

“Yes..!” The man exclaimed frantically. “He is our friend. He rents from us from time to time.”

“Were you talking to this man before we arrived?”

“Yes. When I heard the car I went to get my wife so we could open shop.” He nodded much too fast. It was clear he was nervous.

“So you were not open, but this man was still here messing with your boats?”

The woman answered this time. “We let him take a boat at night sometimes. He pays us well. We know he loves the stars. We trust him to bring the boat back in time.”

“Does he?”

“Always.” They answered at the same time.

The major hummed, looked around the property again and ordered his men to go through the place one more time. When they came back they still did not bring out Ray. Pete found himself praying again. Praying for Ray to be hidden so well or so far off they could not find him.

Finally, the major seemed to be satisfied. The men went back to their vehicle and drove off.

Pete finally let go of all the tension in his body, and he collapsed onto his knees.

The couple hoisted him up and brought him into the building. They got him some food and explained that Ray had made it out alive. They obviously did not know if he had made it, but Pete believed. Now that he was calm again, he felt in his heart that he had made it home.

It took a week before they saw each other again. Pete just hadn’t dared to go back. He hadn’t dared to write either. Terrified that the major would find that too. And so neither of them knew for sure if the other was still alive.

Until Ray made another appearance on tv. He just had to let Pete know he was okay. He hadn’t seen a single article about the death of a winner. Heard nothing on the radio either. So he believed that Pete had made it out alive. So there he was, doing an interview with Marion, to prove to him that he was alive as well.

He made up some bullshit about having been outside of the state to Mount Washington. He hoped it would make the major feel like he was staying on the “right” path, and that it gave him an alibi for that morning.

That evening Pete climbed into his window again. It was getting too cold to leave it open, and he found Ray shivering, wrapped in his blanket.

“Tell me you have not been doin’ this e’ery night.”

“Of course. Couldn’t take the risk of you showing up to a closed window.” Ray opened his arms, blanket and all, and wrapped him up tightly. Pete melted into him. He could cry he was so relieved, but he did not want to.

So instead they spent that whole night in each other’s arms. There were no jokes, no laughter, no kissing till they were breathless. They were too scared for all that. What if the major was watching? What if they had stationed guards nearby? Pete hadn’t seen any, but that didn’t mean that they weren’t there.

That same week they started planning something big. They were done being terrified. They were going to escape.

Ray had gone back to the boat people to return the bike. He thanked them for everything. They said it was nothing. When he had thanked them enough times, he asked if he could buy a boat. A bigger one. Motorized.

They struck a deal. The boat was an old one that wasn’t very good. It would get them where they needed to go, and then they could run it aground. Pretend it had broken down.

Ray convinced his mom to come too. It took a lot of convincing; she didn’t believe they could pull it off. That, and she didn’t want to leave most of her things behind. But eventually she gave in. She wanted to keep seeing her son. And she had grown quite attached to Peter as well. They could be happy somewhere else.

A few weeks later it was all set up. Ray and Ginnie left together. They wouldn’t see Pete for a long time, but it was worth it.

So Ginnie “rents” the boat one busy morning. They make small talk with several people there. They tell them they’re going away for a couple of days, just the two of them on the water. They would finally get some peace together.

People were empathetic. Of course they wanted to leave for a while, it had been a very hard few months. Ginnie would laugh sadly. “It feels like it’s been much longer.” And the others would once again nod and hum in saddened agreement.

They wished them luck and a good time together. She theatrically waved her new “friends” goodbye as they slowly drifted out of the marina.

The night before, Ray had biked over and stuffed some of their things away inside the boat. Just so they wouldn’t have to carry too much. It was all safely hidden and though it wasn’t much… it was all they would need. It included a whole bunch of cash from Pete, with the hope that the Canadians would accept it, or at least be willing to exchange it.

They made their way around a few islands, waving at other boats as they passed by, and then in the evening they moved up north towards Yarmouth. It was far and they were cold, and the water was rough, but Ray was determined.

Eventually, when they finally arrived, Ray helped his mother off the boat with all their things. They rented a hotel room with fake ID’s that Pete had gotten them. He helped her bring it all to their room and set an alarm.

Almost time for the most dangerous part of the plan.

In the morning, well before most people were awake, Ginnie got herself a boat. She had left plenty of money on the register, but it still felt like stealing when she cut through ropes and just took it.

Ray took their old boat onto open water and aimed it vaguely towards Bar Harbor. Even if it didn’t make it that far, the water was sure to take the boat at some point. That was all they needed. They had purposely left a few of their things on the boat, hoping they would drift ashore eventually to prove their demise.

He made it go at full speed and then jumped into the water. Fuck it was cold. His mother moved her boat over to him quickly, and dragged him out by his life vest. She quickly removed all his clothes, and threw them in the water. As well as her own clothes from the day before. Surely those too would wash up ashore one day.

When they came back she was prepared to put on a show. She apologized profusely and begged them to understand that her son had gone to sea in a boat that had a leak and he was sure to drown. Since they saw Ray in a blanket, wet and shivering, they quickly forgave her and helped out her son.

The news of the crash hit quickly. The boat was found the same day, spotted drifting at sea with no one on it, before being taken by the waves and rocks. Some of their things even washed ashore the same day.

The people who had rented them the boat called the police a day later, confirming that it was their boat and telling them who had been on it.

The new spread throughout the country faster than they had anticipated. But it did not matter. It was up to Pete now.

Pete had been working hard on creating evidence. He wrote several diaries. Pages and pages of angst with fake dates and tears and everything. Things about the major being on his ass all the time. Never letting him relax. About the fact that he hadn’t done anything wrong and yet the major had called him treasonous and threatened to kill him.

As soon as the news about Ray and Ginnie hit he started writing letters to interviewers and news agencies about how he believed that the major had done this. He had even fabricated images of the major at the docs seemingly tempering with that very boat. He hadn’t even needed to temper with all of them, since his friends had a camera that had recorded the major’s visit.

After that, he did an interview with Marian, and made his official statement.

“I believe that the major did this.” He acted his heart out. He provided his evidence, sobbed, cursed and yelled at the audience.

“We kept up our end of the deal! We never once saw each other! I have lived with heartache and emptiness this whole time just for the major to kill him! Is this how you treat your winners?! How are we supposed to believe your promises when you break them whenever you please?!” He caused such a big scene that he needed to be ushered off the stage.

Perfect.

The last thing he said was deflated, as if defeated by this betrayal. “I’m not sure how to handle this pain. It feels like it was all for nothing.”

With that, he left the stage and the studio altogether.

It triggered people around the state to start investigating his claims. Pete had laid traps everywhere. There were photos that he tempered with that made it look like the major was in places he hadn’t been… there were fake receipts and people willing to lie for him in interviews. Because he had paid them off mostly, but he had also made plenty of friends who were willing to help him escape. They did not know about Ray, just that Pete wanted an out and he wanted to frame the major while doing so.

Pete had left a note in his apartment. It was a goodbye. After I heard about your death I have decided I cannot stay in this place any longer. I need to leave. But there is no hiding from this pain… not in this town… this state.. What is the point of all this if I know you are gone…?  

He hoped it was vague enough for people to speculate if he had just gone to live in the middle of nowhere or perhaps… had gone for good.

He left a huge chunk of his money to the charities he had set up. To the woman he had put in charge of the orphanage. She had grown up parentless and homeless too. He knew she would use it right. He left it to the soup kitchens, to the cleaners, and to the homeless housing. Then finally, he wrote a letter to the lovely old bakers. He did not give away his plans, but he hoped that it was vague enough to make them wonder if he was still alive. He left them enough money to retire if they wanted to. Or at least to live a really good life with their little bakery. The rest of the money he took with him.

Nights had gotten long and he used its darkness as best as he could. He started as soon as the sun had set, heavy backpack on, and extra bags tied to the back. He biked and biked until he felt like he was going to collapse. But he wouldn’t, because he needed to see Ray again. He had no way of knowing if they had made it. All he knew was that the boat had sunk. So he used the fear to keep going. He had packed food and water and kept reminding himself that he managed to walk for days without stopping, without eating well. He could do this.

He’d be safe once he was across the border. He crossed it after 130 miles of biking. But that wasn’t his final destination. Not by a long shot. So he kept on biking, and kept on reminding himself that he would see Ray again.

He used his fake ID to get a hotel room once he was well into Canada. It was a struggle because he didn’t speak a word of French, but at least that meant the man wouldn’t know anything about him.

The next day he biked east. Now that he was safe in a different country he could technically relax. But the fear that had fueled him the day before was now the reason he was panicking and pushing himself further than he should.

Pete started having regrets on the third day of biking. He had so far still to go and his body was starting to be so done. He was in pain and exhausted and both hungry and nauseous all the time.

Still, he pushed himself to keep going. Ray’s big grin and adorable giggles playing on repeat in his head. He was going to see him again.

When he finally arrived at the place they had agreed on, he was so exhausted that he fell to his knees the moment he saw Ray.

Ray ran to him, holding him tightly and whispering a million promises. “You’re okay. You did good. We made it. We’re safe now. You can relax now.” He touched his face and looked him over and he did not like what he saw.

When too many people had started looking at what was going on, Ray hoisted Pete off the ground and brought him into the hotel. They laid down on the bed and Ray held him close. “Sleep. I’ll watch over you.” He caressed his cheek and kissed his forehead.

Pete leant up with his lips pursed, but his eyes were closed. Ray chuckled and quickly kissed him. Pete finally accepted that he had made it. He knew that sound and he knew that kiss. He had actually made it.

He woke up an hour later, terrified by a nightmare. Ray was asleep next to him. Oh. Oh there he was. The man that he loved. He reached out for him, needing to be absolutely certain that he was real.

Ray stirred awake and smiled as soon as his eyes opened. “Hey baby.”

Pete smiled just as much and hurried in to kiss him a hundred times. “You’re beautiful.” He ran his hand through his hair, scanning his face over and over. He never wanted to part from him again.

Ray chuckled. What an odd thing to say first thing.

Pete just continued. Feeling more and more in love with every chuckle. “I adore you.” He touched his cheek and ran his thumb along his eyelashes as his eyes fluttered shut.

“Pete…” was all Ray could utter in return.

“I love you.” He kissed his lips softly.

Ray smiled emotionally. “I love you.”

They pulled each other closer and kissed desperately. They had made it. So they tugged on hair and faces, they moved their whole bodies closer together and barely took the time to breathe as if that would somehow break the spell.

They parted when they heard the door. They looked around. No one was there.

“Your ma must’ve still been in the room.” Pete smirked. “Whoops.” He didn’t sound sorry at all.

Ray felt slightly embarrassed but that didn’t really matter. All he cared about was that Pete had finally found his way back to him.

He had no idea if the rest of their plan was going to work. If they could exchange the rest of their American dollars, if they could get themselves a house, if they could become part of a new town. What if they got recognized? Their fake IDs would make them criminals.

“You’re distracted.” Pete said as he brushed Ray’s hair out of his face.

“I’m still worried.”

“I think we’ll be fine.” Pete kissed his nose, before grinning widely. “I’ll use my charms to get what we need.”

“You’re delirious.”

“You mean ridiculous?”

“That too.” Ray kissed his nose right back.

Pete laughed fully. “I’m tired ‘s what I am.”

“Then go back to sleep.” Ray settled back in, he could use some sleep too.

“I just spent ages without you. Don’t wanna close my eyes.”

“You need your rest. Just looking at you tells me you haven’t gotten any rest since we started this.” He touched his cheek and kissed his lips shortly. “Neither have I… so let’s just sleep.”

Finally Pete gave in and snuggled closer. Both of them were out within a minute.

Eventually, the three of them found a small house in the middle of nowhere. It was surrounded by forest and felt safe even from prying eyes. The nearest town was very small, it had three small stores and maybe 10 houses. Not even a post office.

Pete travelled far once a month to exchange more money. He had charmed one of the ladies into helping him do it discretely. He bought her lunch sometimes so they could gush about their partners, and then they would go their separate ways.

At home, Ginnie had started gardening. It started out as a way for them to grow their own food, but she was so good at it that eventually they kept growing too much.

Ray had gotten into woodworking. He liked using his hands and they had needed furniture. With plenty of wood around their property, it was the obvious thing to do.

Pete went into town several times a week to trade their goods for things they could not make or grow themselves. The people quickly grew fond of him. Nobody asked questions. Not because they did not care, but because they had recognized them long ago and had decided they were welcome here.

“Your boyfriend makes fine chairs.” The lady from the grocery store said to him one day. Pete’s eyes had widened but before he could lie his way out of it, the lady simply touched his arm and smiled. “You must tell him.” She paused. “You two should come over for a meal someday. The lady too.”

Pete could feel in his heart that she meant well. “That’s his mother.” He explained. He had been secretive about it this whole time. “She’s the gardener.”

The lady smiled brightly. “Send her my way would you? I would love some gardening tips and I’m sure you young boys would love some time alone.” She winked.

Pete gasped and the lady leant in as if to share a secret. “I know back in my day my boyfriend and I needed plenty of time alone." She laughed fully and Pete couldn’t help but join her.

They had chosen the right town. The people were lovely, and the area supplied them with everything they needed. He went home happy and kissed Ray right there on the porch, not a worry in mind. “I love you.”

“I love you.” He quickly got kissed again. “You’re in a good mood.”

“The lady at the grocery store invited me and my boyfriend over for a meal.”

Ray looked at him and slowly let a grin spread across his face. “I would love that.”

They sat down on the porch together, hand in hand, sharing kisses and looks as they watched their new safe space. A wide and open place, with seemingly no end. They had the beauty of the world right at their doorstep.

It took them 51 wishes and 102 moments, but they had finally found it. Their love, their peace, and their happiness.

Forever.