Rex and Rocket hang back, each wanting to have an individual moment with him, and happy to let Rem have his own first.

And I'm so glad I was able to meet you all too! It's been incredible. You guys have done so much for me, and I'm so happy to have made friends with you. RB says, hugging Rem as tightly as he can, as if to never let him go, or to have to part from his friend.

Rem giggles tearfully and hugs him tighter. Us too!! I never thought we'd make such a good friend again, not since Ryder left... You've always got a place here with us. When he finishes, he pats RB's back and loosens his hold, backing away. As much as he didn't want to let go, he had to let the other boys have a chance with him too.

It's Rocket that swoops in next, lifting RB off the ground slightly with an enthusiastic grunt. Seeya, tough guy!!

RB giggles, grinning with excitement as he gives Rocket a strong squeeze, loving the enthusiasm from his bro. See ya later Rocket, I'll be back for ya, don't you worry! None of you're seeing the last of me today!~

Good! We'd pester ya nonstop otherwise!!~ Rocket bounces him once, growling playfully, before setting him back down as he laughs brightly. Tell everyone we say hi!!

Oh I will, I'll tell everyone about you guys! Make em very jealous I'm sure.~ He winks, as he gives him another affectionate squeeze.

Hah, yeah? Think they'll be jealous you got to see three unbearably handsome men?~ Rocket croons, backing away and patting RB on the head. I mean I'm sure anyone would want to be in your shoes.~

Oh definitely.~ But you'll all get to meet them someday, if you want to. And if nothing else, you've gotta come and meet my three little raptors.~ He chuckles, giving Rocket a little gentle fist bump on his bicep.

I'd love to say hi, someday, Rocket says with a grin. And I know all of us would love to meet those kids of yours.

Rex walks up, clapping a hand to RB's shoulder, grinning as he shakes him slightly. "Yeah, we'll always be glad to see you, and your dinos are just as welcome as you are. I'm sure they'd love some playmates!"

Oh definitely, but I'll be glad for those audio tapes and videos some of the raptors gave me to give to them. It'll be great to let them hear and see what raptors are like. He smiles back at him, so excited for all he'd be able to show and tell his little raptor kids now.

"For sure!" Rex puts his hands in his pockets, grin widening. "If you ever need anything, bud, anything at all, you know where to find us."

Oh... that felt so final...

Rem bursts into tears, but waves a hand dismissively when they all turn to him with worry. I-I'm okay! G-goodbyes just... always get me...!!

Yeah, me too buddy, RB says, a few tears in his eyes, that he quickly brushes away, trying for a smile instead. It wouldn't be forever. He'd come back, he'd see them again! But still... It was so emotional.

We'd love for ya to stay, RB, Rocket said warmly, clasping his hand tight. But we've kept you here long enough. Your people are waiting!

Gradually, the trio began moving back down the ramp, smiling warmly at their friend.

"Get lots more pictures of your fights for next time!!" Rex requests, pointing at him purposefully.

Think of me whenever you're the little spoon~ Rocket croons, wiggling his fingers playfully at him.

We'll call you!! Rem managed through his tears. I-I don't know how yet but we'll call you!!

Yeah, we'll work it out, I'm sure! RB takes a step back as he waves to them, looking into the ship for a moment, before giving them another glance. After a split second, he bites his lip, then shakes his head, smiling and chuckling as he runs down the ramp, slamming into Rex as he wraps his arms over Rem's and Rocket's shoulders, grinning with pure happiness.

Oh, I can't resist you guys! Let's get in one last hug for the road huh??

The cluster stumbles for a moment, the Squad all voicing their surprise at this display of affection.

But then all three of them are doing their best to each hug RB at the same time, all of them laughing-- Well, Rem's was more like sobbing, but the feeling was there!

For good luck!! Rocket exclaims, giving RB a gentle squeeze, leading the other two to do the same. Not that you need it big guy...!

Eventually, their grip loosens, three pairs of glistening eyes fixing on RB as he stands up straight again.

He sighs wistfully at them, taking in their faces, their smiles, everything about them, and hoping to everyone upstairs that he'd still have a workable interdimentional machine after this, and that he'd be able to come and go as he pleased.

I'm... I'm gonna miss you guys, so much... But I promise, it won't be forever. I'll be back for sure.

I know it, RB, Rocket says with conviction. He takes the last step back, away from the ramp, giving it room to close. We'll be here for ya when you do.

"Thanks for everything RB," Rex mutters, quickly wiping his tears from his eyes with his fingertips as he joins Rocket.

Now get going before we decide we want to keep you!! Rem scolds, managing to smile genuinely through his tears for a moment as he stands beside Rex and Rocket.

Alright, alright! RB laughs at that, nodding as he slowly takes one step back, then another, and another, walking back up the ramp, standing and waving to them once he was at the top.

See you soon guys. Good luck with everything. He smiles, as he leans over, and presses the button that slowly starts the ramp closing. Goodbye!!

The boys all wave back enthusiastically, tears and smiles at equal intensity.

Bye RB!! Miss you!!! Take care!! "Keep it real!!" Kick ass!!

Rocket even goes so far as to pick Rem up, lifting him so he can keep eye contact with RB as the hatch obscures him from their view.

We love you!!!

I love you all too!! He calls out, still waving even as the hatch hides Rem entirely from view, and it finally closes shut.

...

They were all so dear to him now. It was odd, daunting, being alone... But he had a home to get back to now. This was finally it.

He was going home.

With the hatch shut fully, the three men on the floor quickly run over to the viewing deck, not wanting to get in the way of his ship's takeoff.

Although they couldn't see him, they instinctively continued waving as the little ship roared to live, thrusters flaring. Slowly, it lifted off the ground, and began inching out of the open shuttle bay. It seemed almost as if even the ship was dragging its metaphorical feet.

But, all too soon, the CCA was clear of the permishield. The Squad watched as all at once it was buzzing with energy, enveloped by light...

And then it warped off, leaving nothing but distant stars in its place.

Before Rocket can answer, RB looks up at Rex with a sad and shocked expression, and he instantly moves to give Rex a tight hug. You're a wonderful person Rex!! He exclaims defiantly.

Rex holds on tightly to RB, squeezing his eyes shut. "But... But I hurt you so bad...!!"

Rocket's eyes widen with understanding at Rex's tearful proclamation. So that was what this was about... Rex did tend to get overly emotional when he drank. He'd almost forgotten.

... He'd leave it to RB, as the one Rex has the conflict with, but if his less-than-lucid buddy needed him to step in he would. For now, he thinks as he looks back down, he'd focus on setting up the 'beds.'

RB shushes him gently, and nuzzles into his hair, squeezing him tighter in a reassuring way. Nah, ya didn... And besides, I hurt you too! But, ya don think I'm a bad person, do ya?? He asks, turning to look at Rex seriously.

Rex sniffles and shakes his head, unable to look RB in the eye. "Nnn... No... But... You didn't start it, I-I did, and... And I made it worse and... I... I made you do it...!" Rex's entire body tenses with the effort of holding back tears. "And now... you're leaving, and... and I never had the chance to mmmake it up to you...!!"

Yooou did though! We apol- apoloa... Said sorry! We made up! And we, we had some fun tonight yeah? You showed me a good time, let me have a home here, you've been wonderful! RB says, shaking his head as he starts rocking with Rex in his arms in a reassuring way.

Rex buries his face in RB's shoulder, fingers digging into his vest. "An 'I'm sorry' isn't enough... I... I really care about you! And I... I did such a bad thing, hhhurting you... where it hurts most....!! I o-owe you more than 'sorry'...!"

Not even Rocket can ignore the painful twinge in his heart at Rex's words. And Rocket can't deny he was at least partly right. RB and Rex hadn't spent much time together since the fight and before this going-away party. There has been a lot of uncertainty between them, only just now shaken free by alcohol.

RB shakes his head, eyes closed tight, nuzzling into Rex in an effort to try and calm him down. He didn't want him to be sad! This was supposed to be happy!

Rex! I forgive you! I already did but, I'm doing it again! Cuz yur my friend... And this goodbye isn't forever. I'm comin back, and we're gonna have even more good times, like we had to night, cuz... Yur my super special best friend!

Rex gives a laugh that might have been a sob, squeezing RB tightly.

... Really...? After all Rex had done, RB really wanted to call him that...??

"... You're my best friend too RB... The best, most special friend I ever... ever had." Rex relaxes slightly, his hold not as desperately tight anymore. "... I wanna be your friend... So don't you forget to come back..."

I could never forget! I won't forget... You're my best friend! I'll be back! I'll be back before you know it, I swear. He says sweetly, as he closes his eyes, humming affectionately at him.

Rex sighs, relaxing completely. "... Good. I got... a lot of making up to do. We got a lot of stuff to do together."

And you two can have fun dreaming about it. Rocket waves to get their attention, grinning as he gestures to the 'beds' on the floor, comprised of couch cushions and bean bags. Go on, get comfy!

Okay! RB says happily, standing up with Rex still in his arms, staggering over to the makeshift bed, and turning so he lands on his back, and giggling as Rex lands on to of him, their arms still tightly wrapped around each other in a hug.

Rex's flustered yell is cut off by a grunt as he falls onto RB, turning deep red and trying to push himself off. Even when drunk, it seemed like he still had his pride! "RB! H-heyy! What's the... big idea??"

Rocket can't help but laugh this time. Not 'what the fuck,' but 'what's the big idea', yeah, because that was Rex!!

Wot? I didn't want to let go! Yur warm, and yur sleepy, so you needed to get in bed quick! And I wanted you to really, really know that I do actually like you, cuz yur amazing Rex! he praises enthusiastically, grinning excitedly.

Rex stares at him for a moment. And then a look of horrified embarrassment crosses his face, and he faceplants into RB's chest. "B... Be quiet!!"

Rocket chuckles to himself, sitting down in one of the chairs at the card table. Go easy on him RB, you know he flusters easily.~

RB giggles excitedly, nuzzling into Rex's hair, finding the man's flustered embarrassment extremely entertaining. Oh don't worry, I will do!~

Rocket winks at RB, all too familiar with the feeling. A flustered Rex not only was cute, but was also very good for cuddling.~

He was sure they'd all sleep just fine.