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Morris took the bottle from Sebastian, then turned back to the fireworks.

Sebastian and Hamish exchanged snarls, and angry expressions, and the strobe-lighting effect of the fireworks would’ve been amusing had Rory not been so physically and mentally worn down.

Hamish trudged away, throwing Rory one final glare before getting in his car. Sebastian watched him go, gave him a patronizing wave before jogging over to Rory.

He took Rory into his arms and whispered into his ear. “You okay?”

Rory shook his head, and Sebastian hugged him tighter. “I know, stupid question.”

Rory wasn’t okay, he was far from it, but with Sebastian holding him, and him clinging back, he thought maybe, one day, he could be.

23

Epilogue

Six Months Later

Rory sat long enough for the dampness of the grass to seep through his pants. His knees were drawn up to his chest, and his eyes were fixed on his sister’s name. The granite headstone had speckles of gold, and when it caught the sun, it sparkled. He’d filled the pots at the base of the headstone with bright daffodils. Even during the coldest spells of winter, he swore to himself Erica would be surrounded by colour.

Beside his sister’s gravestone was his father’s, and Rory had spoken to both of them that day. It felt strange at first, talking when there was no one there to listen, but he’d realized it was common for grieving loved ones to speak to their headstones.

Almost six months had passed since Erica’s service. Sebastian had got Rory through it, and afterwards Rory was left with a hollowness he didn’t know how to fill. Sometimes it felt so overwhelming he thought he wouldn’t get through another day,but Sebastian stepped in, held him together until he was ready to take on the next one.

It took six months to find himself again, but he missed Erica with a fierce ache in his chest.

Rory sensed Sebastian before he saw him. He glanced over his shoulder, shooting Sebastian a smile.

“Officer down.” Sebastian smirked. “Does he request back-up?”

Rory snorted as he got to his feet. He was still wearing his uniform, but he had loosened his tie and untucked his shirt. He’d left his hat and stab vest in his car.

He was the police officer he wanted to be, tackling domestic disputes and petty crime.

Making a difference in a small way with no aspiration to be more.

It was enough for Rory.

He’d been partnered with Chloe, a bubbly character who sometimes reminded Rory of Erica. Chloe was nothing like Hamish, and Rory knew she had his back, just like he had hers.

Sebastian pulled Rory into his arms and kissed his cheek.

“I like the flowers.”

“They’re pretty.” Rory glanced back at them. “I was just…talking to them, you know…”

“I know,” Sebastian said softly.

“I told them about you.”

Sebastian raised his eyebrow. “You hadn’t already?”

“No. Our…relationship is complicated.”

Rory ducked at Sebastian’s burning gaze.

“Wascomplicated,” Rory rectified. “It’s good now, great even—”

“That’s more like it.” Sebastian smirked, squeezing him.

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