Rance hadn't been this physically close to anyone since his arrival. Not really. Oh, he'd had sex, but that couldn't be compared to the warmth to be felt in a friend's embrace. He'd never been swift to trust and those few he felt he could call 'friends' now he had still only known for a season at most. No one he would have trusted enough for affectionate contact. No one like those he'd be forced to leave behind.
Kel had been one of those, his oldest friend, and though they'd seen each other less often as adults, those days and nights spent in each other's company had always been times that Rance treasured. Like so many parts of his old life, he'd resigned himself to never seeing Kel again. Seeing him now and here was a relief he couldn't even describe and a ache he'd never expected to be filled.
He chuckled laughed again at the teasing, the sound noticeably shaky, not that he cared in the moment that he sounded a little hysterical. The question that came afterwards calmed the sound, though there was a faint, lopsided smile clinging to his lips. "Torchline? Just arrived, a couple hours ago. Visited once or twice, too, but never more than a few hours." He squeeze the hand he'd trapped between them. "Been on Caido for months, though. Gods... two and a half seasons, I think? Since Longheat -- er-- s-summer." It was almost difficult to call the season by the name he'd grown up using after months of using the local names. The word felt weird on his tongue and he stumbled over it.
Kel had been one of those, his oldest friend, and though they'd seen each other less often as adults, those days and nights spent in each other's company had always been times that Rance treasured. Like so many parts of his old life, he'd resigned himself to never seeing Kel again. Seeing him now and here was a relief he couldn't even describe and a ache he'd never expected to be filled.
He chuckled laughed again at the teasing, the sound noticeably shaky, not that he cared in the moment that he sounded a little hysterical. The question that came afterwards calmed the sound, though there was a faint, lopsided smile clinging to his lips. "Torchline? Just arrived, a couple hours ago. Visited once or twice, too, but never more than a few hours." He squeeze the hand he'd trapped between them. "Been on Caido for months, though. Gods... two and a half seasons, I think? Since Longheat -- er-- s-summer." It was almost difficult to call the season by the name he'd grown up using after months of using the local names. The word felt weird on his tongue and he stumbled over it.
