Work Text:
"Home" Andrew heard Neil— If that was even his real name, which Andrew doubted- whisper.
Andrew felt a sort of unwelcome contentment well up in him, and he shoved it down with vigor. This was for Kevin, he reminded himself. Although, he found it hard to believe himself, and if he were to speak it out loud it would most definitely sound like a lie.
Andrew listened as Neil spoke up again, "Welcome home, Neil."
The other man sounded barely choked up, not enough for just anyone to notice- but enough for someone used to looking for it like Andrew to know. "Welcome Home, Runaway" he echoed Neil's words before moving away from hearing range, sure that Neil didn't hear his words.
He didn't quite know why he'd said them, home was a loaded word to him- and to Neil too if he had to hazard a guess. But for some reason the words had sat comfortably in his mouth this time.
It wasn't quite a choice that he'd echoed them back either, more like a compulsion, and Andrew liked those as much as he liked the word "Please."
For now however, he put it out of his mind, going on with his day. He didn't have time to dwell on that.