#jackyjackdraws

PART 1

PART 2 + EXTRA

PART 3

PART 4 + EXTRA

But very recently he and his husband hired a very young handyman, whom Amanda trained before leaving for college, and Kevin knew of his grandmother. Teo Ramierez had five children in total, and her youngest daughter, Maria, gave her a grandson. Soon after the little guy’s birth, Maria passed away and the bad use of good white skin hadn’t seen Jesus since he was born and made no attempts to change that. So now, after so many years of shouting, pushing and shoving, and a house that was basically Kevin’s worst nightmare, the tiny house was quiet and filled with love as Teo could put the past behind her and focus on raising her grandson.

Kevin couldn’t help but notice, though, that Teo had a friend.

Kevin had seen her around town before, even in Gravity Falls Gossiper (if only for petty reasons, as Toby had a bone to pick with the woman for some unknown reason), but her family had been in town for generations and she seemed like an overall nice lady. The old Irishman got to finally meet her one day as he left the grocery store.

He had a single bag of items, blinking into the sunlight, and couldn’t help but notice a woman his age knelt besides a motorcycle, muttering and grumbling in frustrations, fiddling with the engine, a small toolbox opened at her feet.

The woman stood up straight and popped her back, her ponytail of dreadlocks flicked to her back to let some air onto her neck. She wore a white blouse, a black leather jacket, matching boots, and rough-up blue jeans. With red lips and golden bracelets and earrings decorating her beautiful dark skin, she turned the key in the ignition, listening to the engine struggling to stay on, then knelt beside the bike again.

Kevin had an idea or two of what her problem was, having spent a good few years as a mechanic, so deciding to be a Good Samaritan, he walked up to the woman and the bike and cleared his throat, hoping not to startle her. “Excuse me, lass, need a hand, or you wanna keep on effin’ and blindin’?”

“Nah, I think I got it.” The woman said casually. “I just need… actually, I could use a second pair of hands. Can ya hold this here while I tighten this?”

“Sure.” Kevin placed his bag by the bike and held the part in place like the woman asked. She was now able to tighten it much easier, and when they released and she started the bike, it roared and purred like a lion.

“Sweet! Thanks.” The woman held out a hand to shake. “I’m Hephzie.”

“Kevin.” He replied, smiling and shaking her hand, noticing the interesting circles and various symbols tattooed on the back of her hands.

“Yeah, Mr. Mystery, right?” Hephzie clarified. “Congrats on the name change. Though I kinda prefer Murder Hut.”

Kevin snorted and rolled his eyes, something his husband said when Kevin was insisting on the name change to try to appeal to younger children and their overprotective parents. “Heh, thanks.”

“Well hey, ya wanna grab a beer or somethin’ some time?” Hephzie offered, zipping up her black leather jacket. “Do somethin’ tomorrow night?”

Kevin blinked, a bit surprised, and to be perfectly honest his first instinct was to tell her no and remind her that he was happily married. But then he reminded himself that she knew that already, and genuinely was asking if he wanted to hang out with a friend, which he did. And so trusting his husband would be cool about it, Kevin nodded and said, “Yeah sure, I could go for a pint of the black stuff.”

“Great, I’ll pick you up at six.” Hephzie clicked on her helmet, gave a polite little nod, then rode away, leaving Kevin to smile and shrug at himself, pulling the keys out of his pocket for the red Diablo.

“Grand.”

~~~~~~~~~~

“Oh, fella, I’ve made plans tomorrow night.”

“Okay.”

“One of Soos’ Abuelita’s friends invited me out for a drink.”

“Okay.”

Kevin raised an eyebrow, eyeing the conman at the kitchen table, sipping a cup of afternoon coffee while reading a newspaper. He expected Stan to be okay with it, but this was a little too okay. Was it? “And… that’s okay with you?”

Stan raised an eyebrow. “Should it not be okay with me?”

“No, that’s not what I…”

“Look, babe, what do you want, a kiss on the cheek?” Stan chuckled. “You made a friend, good for you. Go out and have fun! And when you’re all drunk and horny and a mess, I’ll be here waiting for you.”

Kevin snorted, smiling at the man who had stolen his heart. Of course he would be okay with it. “I love you. And yes, I do want a kiss on the cheek.”

Stan grinned like he always did when his husband told him he loved him. “Love you, too. Well if you want that kiss you better walk over here, cuz I’m too old to be getting up.”

Kevin rolled his eyes. A man grows a full head of gray hair and suddenly the “too old” card is much more playable. Still, Kevin had no problem walking over for that kiss on the cheek, taken by surprise when Stan wrapped his beefy arms around him and made the Irishman sit on his lap for more kisses.

~~~~~~~~~~

HONK!

“Get in, loser, we’re going shopping!” Hephzie called over the motorcycle’s engine with a mocking voice.

Stan smiled at the remark he heard from the living room. Kevin slipped on his blazer, kissed Stan goodbye, and hurried out through the door. He shook Hephzie’s hand in greeting, then accepted the offered helmet.

Kevin clipped the protective headwear on and asked, “So what’re we gonna do?”

“The question is ‘what aren’t we gonna do’, Ponytail.” Hephzie quipped, made the engine roar, and sped away from the Shack and into town, Kevin’s booming laughter joining in the chorus.

Their first stop was the arcade, where Hephzie kicked Kevin’s ass to his dismay, and a few rematches erupted before the next stop.

They went to a gas station, bought some snacks, then Hephzie used the pay phone, Kevin watching as he munched on a doughnut.

“Gravity Falls Gossiper, this is Toby Determined.”

Hephzie cleared her throat, and in a voice exactly like that female news reporter, she said, “Hello, this is Sandra Himenez. I’ve wanted to tell you, Toby, that you’ve really impressed me with your reporting skills.”

“SANDRA HIMENEZ?! R-really?! Wow! I’ve thought your work was impressive for years!”

Kevin snorted into his hand. Hephzie shushed him quietly, then resumed. “Oh, Toby, you keep my pen full of ink!”

Laughing over his horrible poetry and declaration of love, Kevin had to hang up the phone, their laughter ruining the prank call, then he decided to prank call the local pub.

“Hi, I’m looking for a guy. Last name, Keebum. First name, Lee.”

“Uh, hang on a sec. Hey, does anyone have a Lee Keebum? C’mon, do I got a Lee Keebum?”

Hephzie snorted and couldn’t contain her laughter over the childish joke. Her laughter was contagious, making Kevin laugh as he hung up the phone and they ran to the motorcycle.

Hephzie pulled them up to the Northwest Manor, to which Kevin raised an eyebrow. “What’re we doing here, Chancer?”

Hephzie reached into the hidden compartment under the seat and pulled out a grocery bag full of water balloons. “Wanna help me trash their stupid limo?”

“Yes! Yes I do!” Kevin said, hurrying to the wall and letting her climb his shoulders.

Hephzie pulled Kevin up, and with the limo in view, they threw paint-filled water balloons at the limo, until a stuffy young man in a bathrobe exited the manor.

“What is going on here?!”

Kevin threw a little too aggressively, and bright blue paint exploded on Preston’s head.

“DUDE!” Hephzie yelled, amazed.

Kevin’s face grew pale.

“You riff-raff!” Preston squealed like a young girl.

Hephzie and Kevin ducked off the wall as sirens started going on, racing away on the motorcycle.

“LEG IT, DOSSER!”

“Working on it!”

A few miles away, once it was obvious they were in the clear, they cackled into the night air. Kevin hadn’t been this reckless since his younger years. Back before Stan and he had promised to grow old together. Before kids, before the Shack, before Gravity Falls. It was nice to pretend to be young and stupid for a night.

Kevin made Hephzie pull up to a liquor store, and when he emerged with a pack of beers, she grinned and drove them to the cliff side, giving them a perfect view of Gravity Falls while they sat on the grass and drank, among small talk.

“Thanks again for the night out, lass.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“Can… Can I ask you something?”

“Shoot.”

Kevin stirred the content of his can, rotating his wrist, his arm resting on a blended knee. “Why did you invite me to hang out with you?”

Hephzie sipped her drink and shrugged. “I dunno. Ya just seemed like a nice guy n’ I wanted to hang out with ya n’ ya looked like ya could use a good time, s’all.”

Kevin raised an eyebrow and joked, “I looked like I could use a good time? What, I come across as a damsel in distress?”

“Piss off.” Hephzie chuckled. “Ya know, I do this kinda shit with Teo every so often. It’s fun, just enjoying the town.”

“I find it kinda funny we’ve never met before.” Kevin thought out-loud.

“I’m outta town a lot.”

“I think…” Kevin stopped, remembering a time he was at the park with Andrew and Amanda, and he could have sworn Hephzie was there with a boy in a hoodie. “I think our kids are the same age. Do you have a kid?”

Hephzie smiled. “I do. Got two boys. Ya n’ Stan got twins right? Boy n’ girl?”

“Yup!” Kevin said proudly. “Amanda and Lucas. Wanna see a picture?”

Hephzie nodded enthusiastically, and Kevin pulled out his wallet and showed her a small photo from when they first opened the Murder Hut, a pair of young men in suits, each holding a kindergartener in their arms.

“Aw!” The woman cooed. “They’re beautiful! Here, guess it’s only fair I show ya mine.” Hephzie pulled out her wallet, too, and inside Kevin saw a younger version of Hephzie, sitting with a boy on each knee. One of them was blond, and probably the boy Kevin saw at the park. But the other one…

“Wait… Isn’t that Tate McGucket?” Kevin asked, pointing at the somewhat popular boy. Nearly everyone in town knew who Tate was, the poor boy who’s father lost his mind and now lived at the dump. But Kevin also knew him from the new bait shop he opened on the lake just a few months ago; given how often Kevin and Stan fish, they had already done a fair amount of business with the young man.

Hephzie chuckled. “Yup. I mean, he’s not mine mine, but he’s been livin’ with me since he was six, n’ he n’ my son, Selim, consider each other brothers, so…”

“That’s more than good enough for me.” Kevin said with a smile, pocketing his wallet; it was nice to know that, even if Tate lost a family, he had another one. “Amanda and Andrew went to college.” Kevin shared.

“Ah. Empty nest syndrome?”

Kevin shrugged. “A little. What about you? Have the boys moved out?”

“Ya could say that.” Hephzie said with a shrug, then finished her can.

Kevin wasn’t quite sure what she meant by that, but seeing how she didn’t elaborate, he decided to drop it. As Hephzie opened another can, Kevin asked, “Say, you won’t be opposed to coming to the Shack in a few days and playing cards, would you? I think you and Stan would really hit it off.”

Hephzie smiled and said, “Thanks, but no thanks. I’m leavin’ town tomorrow, but I’ll be back in a few weeks.”

“Oh, okay. Where off to?”

“Canada.”

“Ew.” Kevin teased. “Why?”

Hephzie laughed and said, “I’m doing a favor for my brother up north. Selim’s already been helpin’ him out, but I figured lend a hand, too.”

“Gotcha.” Kevin said, holding up a can to her. “Well, be sure to let me know when you’re in town again, Chancer.”

“So asking an entire family to leave their home, asking my husband to leave the home we’ve shared for thirty years, to tell our kids they can’t come back to the home we raised them in, is reasonable?” Stan asked, taking a step forward, making Ford dip back a bit.

“Well, it’s not my fault you dragged your family into this.” Ford gritted his teeth with a red face.

“What else was I supposed to do?! Abandon my family to try to bring you back?! Leave you out there to die, or worse?!” Stan growled in his throat and waved a hand, batting the topic away. “Whatever, the point is, we’ve both paid the mortgage, raised our kids here, and have built a life for ourselves, more than you can say you did in the six years you were here! No one even cared you were gone!” Stan harshly reminded his brother, and while he regretted the addiction comment a little, for once he was glad he told the truth.

“So, no! We’re not leaving! I’m not having my husband go homeless cuz my own brother doesn’t care about his family!”

And Ford turned his back as Stan marched away, heading for bed.

Kevin quickly laid in bed, his back to the door, so his husband could have a moment to collect himself.

In the darkness, Stan took a heavy breath, threw his suit off, and climbed into bed. His back was to Kevin, but the bearded man knew someone needed snuggles, so without a word he turned Stan into a little spoon, and they both fell into a less-than-peaceful sleep.

~~~~~~~~~

After watching his own husband forget who Kevin was - hell, forget Stan Pines himself - then slowly regain it over a few days, volunteering to help rebuild the town, making repairs at home, and attending a big birthday party, Kevin was emotionally drained and exhausted beyond belief. Maybe a quick smoke would give him enough strength to finish the party, and then collapse into bed with Stan.

So when Kevin was around the house, puffing a cigar, he heard footsteps and voices, and quickly put his cigar out in case it was one of the kids.

“I didn’t want to say anything with everyone listening, but we’ve got a problem.” Ford stated. Kevin was a little tired of eavesdropping on their private conversations, so he shook his head and walked around the other side of the house to rejoin the party, trusting the love of his life would share this interaction with him if it was important.

“Weirdmageddon has been contained,” Ford explained. “But I’m detecting some strange, new anomalies near the Arctic Ocean. I want to go investigate it, but Ithink I might be too old to go it alone.” He hinted at, with a small, hopeful smile.

“Are you sayin’ you need someone to help you sail around the world on the adventure of a lifetime?” Stan asked, just as hopeful, but life had taught him that if something was too good to be true, it definitely was. Then again…

“I don’t just want someone to come with me, Stanley,” Ford corrected gently, pulling an old picture out of his trenchcoat. “I want it to be you. Will you give me a second chance?”

Stan accepted the picture, grinning, and asked to lighten the mood, “You think we’ll finally find some treasure?”

Ford chuckled and punched his shoulder. “I’d say there’s a high probability.”

Stan returned the quiet laughter and said, “Yeah, I’ll do it. I’ll go sailing with you. Just lemme talk to Kevin about it and settle a few things.”

“Of course!” Ford said. “It’s not like we’re leaving tomorrow. Take as much time as you need making arrangements.”

Stan nodded, handed him the photo, and turned to rejoin the party, but his brother placed a six-fingered hand on his shoulder. “And Stan…”

The conman looked over his shoulder, and he was surprised to find his brother the happiest he looked in… well, his memory wasn’t the greatest, but he swore he never saw Ford look so happy.

“Thank you.”

Stan smiled and rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, well… you’re welcome.”

As Stan was walking back to the crowd of the party, he saw Kevin chit chatting with McGucket, but the old hillbilly was distracted when Mabel ran up to him, thanking him for her birthday present, and so Stan stole the opportunity to strut up to the man he loved like a proud peacock.

Right as Kevin saw him and waved, Stan grabbed his raised hand, dipped him as much as their old backs would let them (which wasn’t much), and kissed him.

Most of the folks at the party were too distracted by their own small worlds to notice, but Pacifica made a face before correcting herself, smiling and shrugging, and Mabel awed with shining eyes.

“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!” Kevin laughed as Stan stood them up straight. “Who gave you a hundred pounds in gold?”

“C’mere!” Stan, like a excited child, pulled Kevin by the hand over to the snack table, where it was a tad more private, and said with a huge radiant smile, “Ford’s asked me to go sailing with him!”

Kevin stared, but then smiled back and held his husband by the forearms. “Really?”

“Yeah! He asked me to go sailing to the Arctic Ocean with him, to check out some anomaly sightings, and I said I’d go.”

“Dead on! It’s what you’ve wanted since you were a kid, right? I’m gonna take a shot in the dark and guess since he’s asked you to sail with him and you said yes that you two have made up?” He clarified, raising an eyebrow.

Stan beamed, grateful that his life-partner was taking the news so well, and shrugged. “Well, yeah. I guess there’s some things you can’t come out of and not make amends, and defeating an all-knowing, one-eyed triangle is one of them.”

“Well, I’m happy for you.” Kevin said, moving his hand down to his palm and squeezing his hand. “Soos and I can hold the fort while you’re away.”

“That’s another thing… I think Soos is due for a promotion.”

“I agree.”

~~~~~~~~~~

And so the old twins scheduled to leave for the sea two weeks after the young twins left Gravity Falls. After a family meeting with Soos to tell him that Kevin would be training him to take over the Mystery Shack someday and that Stan was leaving for the Arctic Ocean and wouldn’t be back until the next summer, reality of the sudden change was seeping in.

Packed boxes, covering more tours so Stan could plan with Ford, short dinners or some split in half, bringing the brothers their food in the basement as they poured over maps and satellite readings, it was slowly dawning on Kevin that his husband was leaving.

He had been honest at the birthday party! He was happy that Stan and Ford had made up, and were finally fulfilling their lifelong dream! But bitter thoughts were crawling into his skull the longer he was alone with his thoughts.

How long have you two been together? What all have you been through together? And he’d still rather leave with him than stay here with you? Bullshit.

He hasn’t seen his brother in thirty years! If Stan wants to go sailing around the world with him, he should.

But how long will he be gone? Will he even come back?

He’ll come back. He always comes back.

Kevin smiled at the sleeping form of his husband, watching him sleep in the dim light of the moon.

Okay, but still. Stan’s really gonna go with that… that asshole?! Stan put you and your family through hell to get Ford back, and what did he do? Punch him in the fucking mouth!

They’ve made up! If Stan can forgive him, so can I.

It isn’t fair! You’ve given everything up for this man! And he’s leaving you! He’s abandoning you!

That’s not true! Just because we’re married doesn’t mean he has to be glued to my hip! I’ll support him in anything he decides to do.

Bullshit! We’ve supported him for THIRTY! FUCKING! YEARS! He owes you this! Don’t let him go!

Kevin sat up and rubbed his forehead. This was bullshit. He was never going to get any sleep like this. He decided to silently creep to the kitchen for water.

He mentally scolded himself, as if he was scolding a child who was throwing a tantrum. We don’t say things like that, we don’t think things like that. He knew Stan loved him very much, and if the tables were turned, Stan would be happy for him and want him to go, be supportive every step of the way, so that is what he is going to do.

Now the inner voice was pitiful and sad. As Kevin reached for a glass, he thought to himself, But I’ll miss him. And he could shake that sinking, lonely, dreadful feeling away.

He went to the sink, but a shiny bottle on top of the fridge caught his eye. Maybe a little drink to make him sleepy.

Kevin poured himself a small splash and swallowed. The taste was bitter, like his thoughts. So for good measure he took another mouthful and sat at the table to wait for the drowsiness to settle in.

I don’t want him to go. I love him. I’ll miss him.

Too bad.

Kevin scrubbed at his stinging eyes. This was stupid. He was stupid. He just had to hold it in until Stan was gone.

“Wanna share some of that?”

Speak of the devil. Stan stood at the doorway, shirtless and in his boxers, smiling with a bit of confusion and concern on the edges of his face.

Kevin smiled and jerked his head to a chair. “It ain’t black stuff, but help yourself.”

Stan sat and stole Kevin’s glass, pouring himself a swallow and asking, “What made you open the bar so late?”

“Couldn’t sleep. Just wasn’t tired.”

Stan took his shot, then offered smugly, “We don’t have to sleep in bed, y’know.”

Kevin looked away with a roll of his eyes.

Stan grabbed his hand, kissed it, then started kissing down his arm, scooting his chair closer as he worked to his shoulder, hoping to kiss his neck. “Mm, you did always look…”

“Stanley,” Kevin warned, freeing his hand from his grip, and Stan sat up straight. The Irishman cleared his throat, and attempted to sound calm and normal. “M’sorry, m’just not in the mood, lad.”

“That’s okay.” Stan assured, a hand on his shoulder. “We could watch a movie, or go back to bed and cuddle, or… if you wanna talk…”

“What’s there to talk about?” He asked calmly. A little too calmly.

Stan raised an eyebrow, his eyes unable to meet Kevin’s, as he was refusing to look at him. “Well, it’s not like I’m an expert at reading people or anything, or have been with you nearly all our lives, but I think you’re mad at me. So I’d like the chance to fix it if you’d let me.”

The Irishman finally turned and looked at Stan, and he was a bit taken back to see such fire in his eyes, a furious scowl over his beard. “Oh please, what would I be mad at you for?” Kevin asked sarcastically. “That you saved the world? That I nearly lost you? Nah, stay on your rocker, lad.”

Kevin stood up, grabbed the bottle, and put it back on top of the fridge.

Stan sighed. He figured this would happen. “Look, babe, I’m sorry you had to see me like that…”

“It’s fine. I’m not mad.”

“Are you really trying to lie to me?” Stan asked, amused and trying to lighten the mood.

“I’m not mad about that!” Kevin shouted, turning to face him again, feeling a little better that he was standing and his husband was sitting, making it easier to scold him. “I understand why you did what you did! And it all worked out! You’re back! It’s fine! I’m not mad about that!”

“But you’re mad about something.” Stan reminded the room.

“WHY?!” Kevin yelled. “Why did you have to agree to go sailing with him, why, Stanley?!”

Stan was surprised for a moment, but then ashamed for his miscalculation. “Oh.”

“Why, Stanley?! I mean, really?! The Arctic Ocean?! Lord knows you’ll freeze or get eaten by a whale or get lost at sea or fall in love with a siren or some other bullshit! And you didn’t even ask me! You just told me you were going!”

“I thought you said it was stupid for couples to ask for permission to do stuff?”

“It is! But I still want you to ask me permission for important things, like, huh I dunno, LEAVING HOME FOR MONTHS!”

“Sweetheart, I’ll be back by June, and Ford’s been working hard on making sure we can text and call you and the kids whenever we want.”

“That’s another thing!” Kevin went on with his rant. “Just, what, after all that, he thinks he can make it better with a boat and a never-ending guys’ trip?!”

Stan stood up. “Babe, I fucked up, too.” He reminded him firmly. “And this isn’t some…”

“But goddamnit, Stanley Pines!” Kevin yelled, tears pricking his eyes. And he mumbled through his gray beard. “I’m gonna miss you like hell.”

Every so often, in the quiet moments, in between making plans and cracking jokes with his brother, right before bed, Stan had thought about how much he was going to miss his beloved husband, but the excitement of his childhood dream coming true easily distracted him. He had to realize that, unfortunately, Kevin didn’t have such an accessible distraction from his pain.

“Aw, Kev…” Stan stood and Kevin allowed him to bring him into a hug. Kevin only allowed a tear or two to dot Stan’s hairy shoulder, but damn it, if he wasn’t going to cling to Stan like he was a life-preserver out at sea.

“I get why you have to go.” Kevin muttered. “I really get it. And I want you to go. But… fuck. I love you, Stan. And I’m gonna miss you so bad…”

“I’ll miss you, too, babe.” Stan kissed the top of his head and mumbled against his skin. “You’re my family, my entire world. I love you. You know that. And I know you know I have to go. And I’m sorry. I’m sorry I put you in this situation. I’m sorry I scared you.”

“Maybe my life would’ve been… simpler without, that’s true.” Kevin admitted with a tiny smile.

“But I’ll never say sorry for being in your life.” Stan said, also smiling, almost cocky-like. “I have to be with you.”

“Good. I don’t want your apology.”

“Good.” Stan loosened his grip to look at him. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” And Kevin kissed him, a hand on the back of Stan’s hand, fingers in his gray hair.

And they stood like that. For only five minutes, or half an hour, or eternity. Who’s to say? The old couple just held each other and reminisced the blessing in even having someone to love like this. But eventually their old legs were becoming sores, their energies were running low, and they surrendered themselves to cuddles in their small bed.

~~~~~~~~~~

After a four hour drive from their hometown, stopping at Eugene for lunch, Soos, Stan, Ford, and Kevin arrived at Coos Bay, where a lovely, brand new Stan O War II stood proudly on the water, waiting to be taken away. Unloading Soos’ truck of scientific tools and supplies, and the Stanmobile of luggage and personal belongings, it took about an hour of all four men working to pack up the ship and have everything settled in nicely.

It was nice to see the boat in all it’s glory. Kevin saw the comfortable couch nailed to the floor, fully-stocked kitchen, cozy bunk beds, working shower, and anything else the twins would need while out at sea. It was also easier when he saw Stan running around as joyful as a child. Easier, but still hard to let him go.

At long last, they had to say goodbye.

Ford held out a hand to Kevin while Soos tearfully hugged Stan so tightly his feet left the ground. “Well, it was nice to meet you, Kevin. Thanks for the chess games. And of course for keeping an eye on my brother.” He added, hoping things were wel between them.

Kevin smiled and shook his hand. “Yeah, o’course, lad. Just make sure ya take good care of him.” He joked, but there was a hint of a plea behind his beard.

“I will.” Ford said seriously, with a kind smile. “I promise.”

Kevin made a manly pat on his shoulder, and Ford turned to climb onto the ship, and give Stan a minute to say goodbye to his loved ones.

“Alright, alright! Lemme go! Kev! Got a crowbar?” Stan called.

Soos put him down and grabbed his cap. “S-Sorry, Mr. Mystery.”

Stan smiled, took off his fez, and placed it on Soos’ head. “You’re Mr. Mystery. You just make sure Kevin doesn’t burn down the place.”

“Oy!”

Soos, blushing, saluted his boss. “You got it, Mr. Pines!”

Stan and Kevin looked at each other, then hugged each other tightly.

“I’ll call you every Friday. And text you every day.”

“Yeah, I know you will.”

“I love you.”

“I love you, too.” Kevin ruffled his exposed hair. “I’m really proud of you.”

Stan blushed. “You’re a good man. I won’t be mad if you go up with a hot babe or two while I’m away.”

Kevin laughed and made a face. “Nah, you’re the only pain for me.”

Stan snorted, stole a kiss, but Kevin dragged him into another long hug.

“I’ll miss you.”

“I’ll miss you, too.”

They let the moment last as long as possible, but all good things must come to an end. So new good things can begin.

Kevin let Stan go, and he climbed up onto the boat and released the rope, just as Ford started the engine, and the boat started to glide away from the dock as Kevin and Soos waved it away.

“Oh, Stan,” Ford said, almost in a scolding manner, and pulled out a red beanie from his coat and placed it on Stan’s head. “You’ve got to keep your ears warm.”

“Alright, Ma, but I don’t see your hat!”

“Well if you don’t want the beanie I picked up for you…”

“I didn’t say that, keep your hands off me!”

The twins playfully bickered as they slowly became tiny dots out at sea. Kevin laughed, already missing his husband’s banter, quirks, laugh, smile, whatever have you, but somehow, magically, seeing him so happy on that boat, seeing him well taken care of and safe, it was easier to let him go.