Chapter Text
How could he have let this happen? Connor was crashing through the elevated trees as his mind spurred thoughts at him. He had lost Evan, the very Evan who had let himself drop from these same fucking trees and why couldn't he ever do anything right? His heart was banging in his chest so loud he was shocked everyone within a ten mile radius couldn't hear it. His hands would be shaking if they hadn’t already gone numb, it was fucking freezing, or maybe he was just cold from the fear gripping him inside.
“Connor?” It was faint, it was distant, but it was there. He was there, and that was all that mattered.
“Evan!” He called again, his feet taking him to the source of the response. Connor hardly even felt the branches that snagged at his clothes like hands reaching out to tear him apart. He heard his name again, closer this time, and he was scrambling through this dark fucking forest towards the sound and he was pretty sure he just sprained his ankle and holy fucking hell how far did Evan manage to get from him--
“Connor!” Evan was there, his downturned eyes glimmering in the darkness, both hands familiarly worrying at the hem of his shirt. The dark haired teen was so glad, so fucking glad to see Evan that the next thing he knew he was hugging him, squeezing the smaller boy so tight he might be hurting him.
“You have no idea how fucking glad I am to see you.” The words escaped Connor’s mouth in a icy puff, the warmth of the embrace spreading through his torso and calming his heartbeat. The chill in the air evaporated as Evan hugged Connor back.
“Me too… I’m really happy you exist, Connor.” Evan whispered into Connor’s shoulder, which was just about where they naturally lined up in height. Connor didn’t respond, he just took in the moment. Neither boy broke the silence, and the quiet spoke a million words that neither had to say out loud. The stillness was anything but harsh, and the presence of the other was enough. It was enough to say what Connor needed to say, and it was enough to keep the other from falling apart.
“Connor, look.” Evan murmured softly, pulling his head back slightly. He opened his eyes to see Evan’s face illuminated by a warm, delicate glow. The golden light highlighted the other boy’s features, brightening the extravagance of his bone structure and his natural blonde highlights. Turning his head, he was hit by the source of the glow. The sun was just coming over the mountainous heights, its rays spreading throughout the great expanse of the sky. The illumination of the yellow film faded into a hazy fuchsia that bled into a deep indigo. The sunrise was a realistic, living work of watercolors blending and breathing colors into another. The sight was enough to take anyone’s breath away.
“T-this is why I brought you here…” Evan started, his voice wavering slightly.
“I really, uh, really wanted to share this with you.” His words made the brightest smile break out on Connor’s face, and the thought that he hated his smile didn’t even cross his mind. In a spur of the moment decision, he took Evan’s hand and pulled him over to a wide, flat boulder that was lodged by the horizon. They sat there, still connected by their hands, and watched the sun lazily rise over their purview. After a moment's passing Connor felt Evan rest his head gently against his shoulder, and exhale quietly as though he had been holding his breath. A radiance bloomed within him, paralleling the glow of the sun. He didn’t need to say I love you, he already knew. Connor gently squeezed Evan’s hand, and slowly their breathing synced into a steady rhythm. They were okay. That was all they needed, and that was all that mattered.