Chapter Text
For a hug prompt.
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"You-" started Alex, and stopped. He looked like he had seen a ghost, which Darwin couldn’t blame him for, really.
"Yeah, man, I’m back," he said with a grin, taking a cautious step forward. When Alex didn’t immediately bolt, he closed the distance between them to give Alex a half-hug, patting his shoulder almost awkwardly. Alex’s face was kinda red now, and for all they’d always managed to read each other, right from the start, Darwin wasn’t sure what Alex was going to do now.
But when Darwin said “It’s good to see you again,” Alex gave a sort of gasp and flung his arms around him.
Darwin smiled, glad for the excuse, and wrapped both arms around Alex as Alex turned his face into his shoulder and clung to him. Darwin ran a soothing hand over his back as he felt Alex’s tears on his shoulder.
"It’s okay, man," he murmured. "I’m back now."
Alex finally pulled away, face still red but tears under control.
"Shit," he said finally. "I’m, uh, glad you’re back," and Darwin had no idea why that set them both off laughing, leaning into each other. Darwin pulled Alex against him again, giving him another squeeze and thump on the back so that Alex let out an "oof," and that set them off again, laughing even louder.
Damn, it was good to be back.