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The silence was palpable, but it wasn't a bad thing. The gears were turning in the other boy's mind, Evien could tell. Emotions warred on that beautiful face and the doctor was surprised when he was faced with a blond head on his shoulders. 

He longed to run his fingers through those sunny strands, but he refrained, instead just wrapping his arms around the other boy and resting his cheek on Kepler's shoulder. A hug, warm and inviting and freeing, all at once. His hugs had never felt like this back home, Evien recalled - his father and grandfather both were not physical, and his mother's hugs felt more like a vice. This one was comforting and gentle, and wanted. More than anything.

Perhaps it was just in the moment, but Evien pulled back briefly to press a chaste kiss to the other boy's cheek, just a press of nose and lips, before pulling away again. His entire body felt warm, embarrassed and vulnerable, but he didn't feel judged.