After months of being stuck on that Irene forsaken island... we were finally going home. Most of us, anyways... Aphmau and Travis remained back on Starlight for medical attention and questioning. Hopefully they'll be able to come back soon. Aaron and Melissa took a boat back, and they left earlier than everyone else did, so they were most likely already back. Lucinda wasn't entirely happy about leaving Melissa, but she planned to go over to Aph and Aaron's place once we returned.

Everyone had someone to sit beside on the plane... except for me. In the seats in front of me sat Kim and Lucinda, chatting about what they planned to do once they returned. Behind me sat Zane and Kawaii~Chan. The pink haired meifwa was working on returning Zane's memory of names. Luckily all she had to do was describe someone and tell him their names. Katelyn wasn't doing to great... She was missing Travis terribly, and she hated the thought of him in pain. In front of Kim and Lucinda sat the bluenette and beside her, Agent R. Or Rowan, as he said he wanted to be called by. Behind Zane and KC was Daniel and Sylvanna. The poor boy was in tears due to Blaze's passing, and Sylvanna was doing anything she could to comfort him.Finally, at the very end of the plane, was my mom and dad. They seemed pleased that they were returning, but my mom wasn't exactly all that happy that she was leaving Aphmau behind. She really cared for all my friends, but Aphmau specifically. Dottie had decided to stay back and help with the injured on Starlight.

Then, there was me. Sitting alone in between everyone... It had been like this the entire trip... Everyone had their best friends or their lovers, but I was just there. None of them were my best friend... None of them were perfect... None of them had the most gorgeous eyes... None of them had soft and fluffy hair... None of them were the man I had fallen in love with... None of them were him... None of them were Laurence...

There wasn't a second during the entire trip that I wasn't thinking about Laurence. Not even when I was.... not myself... I missed him more than anything. Halfway through the trip I almost left to go home to him, until Aaron told me that he was planning to propose to Aphmau.

Now, I could see him. The idea of it was the only thing keeping me going. Before we left I asked Zane for advice. I know. Shocking. But, he actually gave me a pretty good idea on what to do.

"Attention all passengers, we will be landing shortly. Please fasten your seat belts and store away any electronic devices."

I sighed and shifted my gaze to out the window. Below I saw... home. Phoenix Drop was waiting below us, along with Dante, Vylad, Cadenza....

And Laurence...

In a few minutes I would be down in the airport, embracing my best friend that I haven't seen in months...

And confessing the feelings I had been holding back for the longest time...

A small sigh escaped my lips as I stepped out of the air gate and into the airport. Finally... I was home. I looked around to try and find someone I recognized. Before I could, though, I overheard Katelyn shout out Dante's name. I turned to see where she was looking, and sure enough, Dante was sitting in a chair not to far off from where we stood. His head perked up and he grinned, shoving his phone into his pocket and walking towards us.

"Hey guys!" he exclaimed before going around and giving each of us a small hug. When he reached me, however, he glanced me up and down with a confused look in his eyes.

"Since when are you a werewolf?" he asked.

"I'll explain later... Where's Laurence?" I answered. A large smirk tugged at Dante's lips.

"Your boyfriend is somewhere around here. He stood up awhile ago and said he had to go somewhere. I'm assuming the bathroom, but he should be back soon." A light blush spread across my cheeks at the 'boyfriend' remark, but I nodded simply.

Everyone began to chat with Dante, catching him up on everything that happened. It kind of ruined his good mood, but he understood everything pretty well. You could definitely see his concern for his best friend, though.

I sighed and took a few steps away from the group. I felt out of place, and no one was really talking to me anyways. I walked towards the window and watched as planes took off and landed. I was so glad that everything was over... That I could finally return and feel comfortable with everyone. But, I knew there was no way everything would return to normal... Not after what I did to Aaron, Kawaii~Chan and Zane...

"GARROTH!" I heard a familiar voice yell. I turned around but before I could see who it was, I was overwhelmed by the impact of someone throwing themselves into me. Arms wrapped around my neck and I felt the person bury their face into my shoulder. Part of my vision was covered by chocolate brown hair, and my nostrils filled with the scent of vanilla.

Laurence...

I wrapped my arms tightly around his lower back and buried my face into the crook of his neck, holding him as close to me as possible. The corners of my eyes stung with tears and I felt my shirt's sleeve dampen from Laurence's own. My heart melted when he slid his arms to my torso and clutched onto the back of my shirt as if I was going somewhere. Heh... As if I'd leave again...

"Garroth... I missed you so much..." he whispered in between soft sobs. A sad smile spread across my lips and I allowed a few soft cries to escape my lips.

"I missed you too.... More than you know, Laurence..." I whispered in response. After that, no words were spoken. Complete and comfortable silence loomed between us. I knew that this was the right moment... That this was it... It was now, or never.

"L-Laurence... I need to tell you something..." He pulled away, but didn't step back. His arms remained around me and his eyes locked with mine. His gorgeous... sky blue eyes.

"Is everything okay?" he asked. Then, his eyes caught onto my blonde wolf ears that peeked out of my blonde curls. His eyes filled with confusion but he didn't question it, as his eyes returned to mine.

"Everything is perfectly fine... I just, need to talk to you," I whispered. My eyes flickered back to the group, where everyone was watching Laurence and I intently. Zane gave me a small thumbs up before I returned my gaze to Laurence. I took in a deep breath before beginning to speak.

"Laurence... You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. Back in middle school when I was going through bullying issues because I was the 'bratty rich kid,' you helped me through so much. You understood me, and saw me as more than just a spoiled child; you saw me as me. As Garroth. Not Garroth Ro'Meave... but Garroth. If it weren't for you, I-I don't know what I would have done. Then in high school... You stuck by my side the entire time. No matter what stupid arguments we got in, over a girl or over something as simple as homework, you were always there for me. Even after school you remained my best friend."

Laurence's eyes remained glossed over with tears as I spoke. I noticed a light pink hue on his cheeks and the small and adorable dimples that formed beside his lips as he smiled. My heart was pounding against my chest and my mind was all over the place. I could feel my cheeks burn red in excitement and nervousness.

"In the time that I, that we, were in Starlight, I never stopped thinking about you. Hell, I almost left halfway through the planned part of the trip to come back to you. I missed seeing your bright smile and your breathtaking eyes... I missed hearing your voice and your laugh... I missed everything about you. And.. now I can finally tell you something that I've been wanting to tell you for years..."

I paused for a moment and just gazed at Laurence. The blush on his cheeks had darkened from pink to red, and his eyes were wide and sparkling with excitement. I took a deep, shaky breath before speaking again.

"I love you, Laurence.... I love you so, so damn much..." I finally confessed, taking a huge weight off of my shoulders. The tears that had glossed over Laurence's eyes finally let go and they trailed down his cheeks. His smile turned into a large grin, and he pressed his forhead to mine.

"I love you too, Garroth," he whispered. My heart took the elevator to my cheeks and if it was possible for my smile to grow any more, it did. I leaned forward and pressed my lips to his. Laurence barely hesitated to kiss back, passionately and lovingly.

The feeling was glorious... I can't believe I lived this long without this... His lips were so soft, gentle, warm, and skilled against mine. The feeling I felt was like during Winter when it's freezing outside, and you're inside sitting in front of a crackling fire wrapped in a blanket with a mug of hot chocolate in your hands. Your fingers are warm from the heat of the mug but it's not too hot, so when you take a sip it doesn't burn the roof of your mouth.

That... That's what it feels like to kiss Laurence. It was a feeling that I never wanted to end... But unfortunately it had to.

I slowly pulled away, the smile not leaving my face. His eyes fluttered open and he returned the grin. I placed my hands on his cheeks and gently wiped his fallen tears away with my thumbs. Everything felt perfect... I finally felt happy after months of pain... I held Laurence close to my chest...