2/22/22

Welcome Home

Kurt slowly opened his eyes and yawned. He glanced over at the small calendar hanging crookedly on his wall, the days of the month crossed out in red as if he were counting down the days, but this day was circled.

2/22/22

It had been a long time coming. A gentle smile formed on his lips, crinkling the corners of his eyes. Today was the day.

He sat up and stretched and slowly peeled back the covers. It was chilly, so he pulled on his green sweater and headed down the hall to Layne's room.

knock knock knock

"Hey Layne?" Kurt said softly through the crack in the door. "Psst, Layne!"

Layne slowly came to, rubbing his eyes against the sun beaming through the window. "What is it Kurt? I was dreaming."

Kurt smiled. "It's here. Today's the day."

It took Layne a moment to process Kurt's words, and then a huge grin appeared on his face. He leapt out of bed and gathered Kurt up in a tight embrace.

"Are you sure?!" He beamed, grinning from ear to ear.

Kurt laughed and pointed to the watch on his wrist. "Yup, I've been counting."

"Well then we better get ready!" Layne exclaimed as he practically floated down the stairs and began tidying their small apartment.

Kurt joined him in fixing the place up, making sure to clear an extra spot at their dining table. The two busied themselves with a few chores and eventually settled into focusing on their individual hobbies as the minutes ticked by.

Layne was focusing on his Nintendo Gameboy while Kurt tinkered with a guitar, trying to remember the notes to a tune he'd been working on for a long time. Years at this point.

A few hours passed when suddenly they heard it: a small knock at their door. They looked at each other excitedly, both too nervous to move.

When another knock sounded a little louder this time, they both jumped up and raced to the door. They opened it together and there he was. Their long lost friend.

His red hair glistened in the sun, silver teeth just barely visible behind the devilish grin beaming back at them.

Kurt struggled to speak as a lump suddenly formed in his throat, so Layne spoke for him.

"Well look what the cat dragged in!" he said as he practically yanked the man inside.

"Mark..." Kurt said holding back tears.

"The very devil himself" the man replied in his gravely voice.

"I didn't think this day would ever come." Kurt said softly, tears falling gently down his cheek at the sight of his long awaited friend. He took stock of the man's strange yet familiar appearance; much older now, thinning hair, glasses, the silver teeth.

"Well, here I am." The man choked out with a bashful shrug.

Kurt and Layne beamed, both crying now.

"We have something for you!" Layne squeaked. He ran over to a small cabinet in the corner and reached for a hat sized box kept inside. He carried it carefully back to his friend and handed it over.

"Go on, open it" Kurt said impatiently, but with a smile.

The two watched as their friend slowly opened the box and took out a shining golden crown. On it was etched in Kurt's handwriting: "To Mark, my friend and brother". And underneath in Layne's script: "To Lanegan, whenever we meet again."

"It matches ours." Layne said as he fixed his own crown atop his head. Kurt followed suit.

"It's good to see you both again. I've missed you so much. I'm sorry it's been so long..." The man muttered behind tears.

"It's ok." Layne said as he gently squeezed the man's shoulder.

"Welcome home." said Kurt.