A laugh erupted from Larry's throat, breathless and good, and he grabbed gracelessly for Nick again, pressed a sloppy but enthusiastic kiss to the messy hair over his temple. He couldn't remember if he'd ever hugged Nick before today, thought he must have at some point amongst all their tiny triumphs and little sorrows in that time working together, because the particular musky scent of him was nearly as familiar as the room they were sitting in. A wave of homesickness swelled up and got swallowed down again as Larry sat back, squeezing Nick on the back of the neck.

"You got no idea, buddy," he replied with his own smile, the levity strung between them easy but fragile, something to be handled with care. There was more to say, so much more, but it could wait. They had time, more time than either of them probably would ever fathom.