Phoenix Maplewood lentando

It didn’t take Ashlar much encouragement. As soon as Arric moved in close, Ashlar pressed forward and embraced him, tucking his forehead against the other man’s chest with a forwardness that surprised even him. His throat closed and he wasn’t able to speak right away. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d gotten a hug like this but he absolutely needed it.

Sorry. His voice was tight, but he managed to fight back any tears that might have come with a small laugh. I just… it’s… it’s really good to see you.

What brought him here, and how the summer went, were two very loaded subjects. Ashlar looked down, unsure how to even start. I… I’m on my way home. I think. If he still had a home. I was trying to… to find someone. But I couldn’t. And he hated himself for it. He knew it wasn’t his fault. He knew he had tried. It just didn’t matter.