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Reunion In The Ruins

May 19th, 2043.

"Are y'all sure about this?". Tommy asked for the millionth time as he walked Cedar and Owen out of Jackson's gates.

"We'll be fine Tommy". Cedar replied easily, trying to keep his irritation with Tommy's constant mother - henning on the down low.

"Alright, just be careful". Tommy warned as he stepped out of the way.

"We will". Owen said before gently urging Willow to start walking, with Tommy watching until the couple were fully out of sight before heading back inside the gates.

"You doing okay back there?". Owen asked after two hours, craning his neck to look back at Cedar.

"I'm alright, just nervous is all". Cedar replied with a frown.

"Connor's gonna love you, I know he will". Owen remarked, already knowing what was troubling his partner.

"What about you? Aren't at least a little nervous about meeting him?". Cedar asked, hoping he wouldn't upset Owen.

"I mean sure, of course I am, but I think the excitement is kinda outweighing the fear at this point". Owen replied.

"Man, I wish I was like you". Cedar replied as he rested his chin on Owen's shoulder.

"In what way?". Owen asked curiously.

"You're not afraid of anything, I'm afraid of my own shadow at this point". Cedar grumbled.

"There's a lot of things I'm afraid of Cedar - Bug". Owen replied after a moment.

"Like what?". Cedar wondered.

"Losing you, and all the support I've had from everyone else over the last year". Owen quietly admitted.

"You're not gonna lose me Owen". Cedar stated firmly as he squeezed his lover's sides to comfort him. "I'm always right here".

"But what about everyone else? There's some days that Joel can't even look at me". Owen pressed.

"It's only been five years since Abby's attack on him and Ellie". Cedar replied calmly. "They're both still trying to work through it all".

"What If I left? I'm probably just hindering whatever progress Joel could have made by now by hanging around". Owen asked bitterly.

"So your solution is to abandon me and your kid?". Cedar asked, feeling his anger rise.

"You could come with me, we'd raise the baby far away from all of this and start fresh". Owen suggested.

"I can't leave my family, they all need me, especially my dad". Cedar replied softly.

"Your right". Owen agreed with a sigh. "God, I'm so fuckin' selfish".

"Maybe a bit". Cedar agreed. "But your heart was kinda in the right place".

"Thank you". Owen said after a moment of silence.

"For what?". Cedar asked in confusion.

"Putting up with my bullshit". Owen elaborated. "I know I'm not exactly the easiest person to live with".

"Well neither am I". Cedar shrugged. "I guess we cancel each other out pretty well that way".

"It's team you and me right?". Owen asked, reaching an arm back and squeezing Cedar's right thigh.

"Exactly". Cedar confirmed, pressing a kiss to Owen's shoulder as the rest of the day's journey passed in comfortable silence.

May 27th, 2043.