Having Everett back is like seeing the sun rise after months of endless winter, his warmth melting my frozen soul and bringing me back to life. After finally tearing ourselves away from my flat, more specifically my bed, I drag him to the studio for a behind the scenes tour.

His proud smiles and thoughtful questions do more to infiltrate my heart than any gift or gesture ever could.

From there we tour the parks, my favourite walks along the river and all of my frivolous shopping haunts. Sometimes we talk, catching each other up on all that we've missed, but mostly we're quiet, silently revelling in the feel of our hands intertwined.

That night when we go to bed, it's tangled in each others embrace and when I wake, I'm warm and surrounded by strong arms and the knowledge that I am loved.

I shift, turning to face the man I adore. I spend an incalculable amount of time studying his features, smiling like an idiot as my heart hammers in my chest from the mere sight of him.

He looks so peaceful, so boyish and innocent like this. I reach over him stealthily, grabbing my phone and snapping a quick picture.

I save it as my background without a second thought.

I sigh, taking one last glimpse at him before sliding out of bed.

I flick on the kettle, meandering around my kitchen as I fix Everett his coffee. I move mechanically, like clockwork as I scoop two and a half spoons of instant into a mug, stirring in the milk until its a rich, coffee coloured paste. I follow these meticulous steps devoutly, my body reacting like second nature.

It's like he never left me, like we've never been apart, and my heart tugs at the thought of ever being without him again. I don't think I'd survive it.

A low groan emanates from my bed and I smile.

"Ledger?"

His voice is sultry, thick with sleep and I shiver in delight.

I pour the water into his coffee a little too enthusiastically, stirring haphazardly before ditching the spoon and shuffling towards him.

"Morning." I murmur, placing his coffee on the table beside him with a flourish.

He ignores it, instead reaching for me with a tiny whimper. I smile helplessly, falling into his grasp as he pulls me closer. His lips press against my neck as his arms wind around me like vices, keeping me close to him.

"I don't like waking up without you beside me." He mumbles.

I chuckle, pressing a kiss to his head. I'm not used to Everett being so forthcoming and vulnerable about how he feels about me, and it's making my heart soar.

"Good thing you don't have to." I say and he whines.

"I will tomorrow." He grumbles and I feel my body stiffen beside him.

"Why?" I ask, my voice a curious, far away sound.

"I have to go home, get everything sorted out." He says.

It's perfectly reasonable, and I suppose in the back of my mind, I knew he couldn't just stay here with me forever. But the terror that seeps through me at the thought of him leaving is anything but reasonable.

What assurance do I have that he'll come back? What if this was all just a sick ploy to get some action because he knew that I'd be desperate and easy?

I wince immediately, feeling disgusting for having thought so lowly of Everett.

But still, I'm paralysed, unable to move or think or speak.

Everett withdraws his head from my neck, peering down at me. I press my lips together tightly, glancing at his gorgeous mismatched eyes as I feel my heart retreat. I don't want it to, but it feels safer.

"Baby?" He asks gently, his hand caressing my cheek.

I force my lips to speak.

"Yeah, yeah of course. When are you leaving?" I ask, my voice empty and void.

He frowns, examining my face.

"You know I don't want to go, right?" He says and I nod.

"And you know I'm coming back." He adds, his expression falling when I simply exhale, closing my eyes.

"Ledger, baby, I'm not capable of leaving you again." He says sternly and I so desperately want to believe him.

"It's fine. You have stuff to sort out and so do I. I'll need to find a new place and probably take some time off work." I muse, propping myself up against the wall in a desperate attempt to distract myself.

Everett watches me for a minute, scrutinising my expression. He turns, grabs his coffee and settles against my chest with a decided thump. My arms encircle him immediately, his head resting against my collar bones.

"Somewhere close to Grey, I want to be able to visit him." He demands and I smile.

That is big-brother code for 'I want to keep an eye on him.'

"And maybe somewhere by the water, I like the idea of Amyas being able to paint when he comes to visit." Everett says, sipping his coffee.

I smile, nuzzling his head as I drink him in, making the most of his presence while I have it, but my heart still feels far away.

Everett leaves just after mid-day, his parting words doing little to ease the ache in my chest. At the train station I cradle him close, whispering just how much I love him, just in case it's the last time. He says it back, and then he's gone.

I make my way back to my flat in an uneasy silence, torn between happiness and despair. I freeze in my spot when I find Grey waiting for me on the doorstep when I get back, his expression polite and pleasant.

"Heathcliff! There you are!" He says, snapping his phone closed. He has one of those fancy folding ones and uses it as sassily as they did in the 2000's.

"I've got three flat viewings booked for tomorrow and two this afternoon, so we better hustle." He says, his voice matter-of-fact and business like.

I look at him blankly.

"Are you moving?" I ask dumbly.

He stares at me despairingly for a moment.

"No, you are. Everett told me what he's looking for, and I have excellent taste, so I'll serve as an adequate replacement while he sorts out things back home." Grey says, glancing at a message on his phone.

My mind continues to work epically slowly.

"What?"

Grey sighs heavily.

"We're viewing flats, for you and Everett? He asked me to handle it while he's away." He explains.

My heart stutters in my chest, a small smile crawling onto my lips. I don't pay any attention to the fact that Everett seems to think I am essentially incapable of handling this alone. To be honest, I don't think he's entirely wrong.

"Really?" I ask and Grey nods, smiling at me.

"Come on. We're ten minutes behind schedule, so I hope you have your walking boots on." He says, glancing at his watch.

The reminder of just who Grey is hits me like a ton of bricks and I groan.

"I change my mind." I wail helplessly.

Grey grabs my hand, laughing happily as he tugs me down the stairs.

"Nope. No take-backsies!" He sings and I groan again.

_

A/N

So...people are like...reading this??? Wow. This story and these characters mean so much to me, so thank you for every read, like and comment.

In other news, HH has nearly come to an end. There are only a few more chapters left to go and I am devastated. But, I have some exciting things in the works, so try not to weep too much.

Enjoy-

Francesca