TJ heard him panting. His ears were that sensitive, even as he was crying.

"I'm sorry..." Sydney panted as he... cried?

TJ looked at him. He was indeed crying, just like he was. Two sets of eye puddles, bluer and truer than Lake Emma.

TJ said nothing. Sydney seemed hurt by the reaction, whimpering impatiently. Still, he did nothing beside looking aside, arm in his arm.

"W-why did you do it?" TJ asked.

Sydney struggled a bit.

"Flynn made me do it!" he said, unconvincingly.

But both of knew it wasn't the truth, at least the full truth.

Sydney looked at him pleadingly, mouthing "I'm sorry" again. TJ's nerves began to settle, and against his better judgement he approached him. Paws gently joined Sydney's where water and mud met.

In one shitty non-canon timeline, this was when Sydney took advantage of Toby's kindness. But in this true timeline that will be a VN give or take an year or so and therefore the only canon one, hands gently met each other's.

TJ said nothing, but Sydney knew he was forgiven. A happy sob came from his throat, the otter disengaging just momentarily to wipe out his eyes.

"T-thank you!" he said, hugging TJ.

Two heartbeats pulsated in unison, and TJ returned the hug. Both embraced each other strongly, seeking comfort for each other's troubles, and finding the heat on their chests not just that of normal working bodies, but a special warmth that only the soul knows. As they disengaged, they couldn't help but stare into each other's eyes, reddened and murky with tears but still sky blue.

"TJ, I wanna marry you" Sydney said.

"M-marry me?" TJ said, "But how?"

"I think boys can get married someplace, but I don't care! I wanna marry you, you make me so happy."

TJ gave it some thought, and smiled.

"I want to marry you too."

Sydney waste no time and kissed TJ in the lips. It was an awkward collision, but the noses and lips were so soft, and the lipline merged so seamlessly. Two boys in love, so deeply in love. They hugged each other again, and awkwardly sat down on the mud, giggling all the while. Sydney smooched all over TJ's face, making the kitten purr like an aeroplane engine. They lied down on the sand, looking into each other's eyes as they held hands.

"What is going on?" said.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................CHASE!