"I thought we'd be having sex more often." Riley leaned over the arm of the couch.

Eran coughed and nearly dropped the book he was reading. He tried not to shake his leg. "I'd like to do it more, but I don't know if my body can handle it."

"I... I can be gentle..." Riley said defensively and pouted.

"I didn't mean you aren't gentle..." Riley responded with a questioning look, so Eran continued, "I just don't know if I could keep up with you..."

Riley looked exasperated. "You're still in your twenties. Why do you talk like that?"

"...Because you're still in your teens." There was a moment of silence on both their parts. Then Eran whispered, "I'm afraid you'll get tired of me."

"That's impossible." Riley came to sit down beside Eran. "You remember on my birthday when I asked you not to be negative for the whole day? I think you should try that on a regular basis."

Eran countered, "Remember on my birthday when I told you not to call me cute?"

Riley laid his head on Eran's shoulder. "I see where you're going with this... but... it's totally not the same thing."

"You're heavy."

Eran's phone sounded, notifying him of a message. Riley took it off the table and handed it to him. The message was from Elias: 'I'm curious if Riley is going with you next week.' In the years before there was no chance of Eran forgetting about Jamee's memorial day. In the years before he wasn't spending all his time with someone. He wondered if Elias knew that and sent the text as a reminder.

"I need to go to my parents' next week," he told Riley.

Riley was quiet. Finally, he said, "What do you want me to do?"

Eran looked at Riley and thought. Should I bring him with me? It's not like I'd introduce him to my parents, so there's no point. Wanting him near me isn't a good enough reason. And if I brought him with me, I'd have to get a hotel which would hurt my parents even more, when I've constantly hurt them over the years. Maybe I can make it a day trip. That wouldn't be fair to my parents either.

"Well," Riley interrupted his thoughts. "Just tell me when you decide." He stood up and walked away.

Eran typed Elias a reply: 'No clue.' He stared at it but didn't hit Send. If I introduced him to my parents, they'd be shocked. Not only is Riley male but he's also a high school student. I'd come off like a perverted criminal. They'd think they've failed me. He sighed. Wait... I can go without Riley easily. I've gone alone for the past six years. It's not like I suddenly can't go by myself.

Riley came and sat back down beside Eran. "Stop studying and let's play a game."

"I'll go by myself. Just stay here and wait."

"Okay."

"It's so awkward every year..."

"Why?"

Eran looked at Riley like the answer should be obvious. "We've always been awkward."

"Then why do you go with your parents? Why don't you just go alone? I bet if you visit your parents at some other time of the year it'd be different. Right now the only time they see you is on a sombre day. Thinking that's the only day you'll put up with them must make them reeaally depressed."

"Thank you for that. My wounds are thoroughly salted now."

Riley shifted his eyes. "It only hurts when it's true..."

He's talking like he knows it all. I'd like to remind him of his own dysfunctional family but... but he actually gets along better with his dad than it seemed like he would.

"Maybe..." We could lie about his age.

"I'll wait for you to get back, but call me at least once. And call me if you start thinking negatively."

Eran nodded. "Speaking of salt... What's for dinner?"

Riley smirked and leaned closer. "How about me?"

Eran's mother greeted him with a hug. "We missed you. Happy Belated Birthday." She had sent a card, so Eran wondered why she was saying it aloud now.

She sighed in relief. "You look the same."

His dad frowned. "It's only been a year, Em."

There was a silence, all three of them knowing how strange "only a year" sounded.

They properly cleaned and placed flowers on Jamee's grave. His mother had stopped crying three years ago, so it was a silent affair.

Eran and his father sat at the dinner table as his mother set down the dishes. "How's Milton?"

It was the same question she asked every year. "He's fine. The restaurant is doing well."

"And Elias?"

"Still as deadpan as ever."

She smiled. "We're glad you're not over there alone," she said like she did every year.

Eran chewed the meat his mother had cooked. At least it wasn't the same meal every year. "My friend cooks really well," he found himself suddenly saying.

As expected, his parents froze.

"Your friend?" his father repeated.

"Yeah..."

Please don't ask if it's a girl. Please don't ask if it's a girl.

"Is it―"

"It's probably not what you're thinking..." Yes, I'm seeing someone. No, it's not a nice girl.

"Oh," his parents said simultaneously.

The next morning, they all stood at the front door. "Take care, Eran." His mom hugged him goodbye.

"I'll... probably come by sometime around Christmas," he told them without making eye contact.

As expected, his parents froze again. His dad spoke first. "That'd... be nice..."

"And..." Eran backed up, ready to make his escape. "There's someone I want to introduce you to." He quickly turned around and went to his car before he could see his parents' expressions.

Quickly, he got in and pulled out of the driveway. Before taking off, he dared to wave. His mom was waving back enthusiastically and his dad was grinning.

He sped off. So embarrassing. So embarrassing. So embarrassing. So embarrassing. He hadn't seen his parents smile like that since he and Jamee were kids.

A/N: The feels in this chapter made me embarrassed too. Could you handle it or were you grinning like an idiot too?