Cecil closed his eyes and smiled warmly as he finished with the usual 'Goodnight, listeners, good night...' and clicked the radio off. He'd done his best to stay focused during the podcast, but the devil had crawled its way back into his mind- and it just so happened that the devil's name was Carlos.

Ever since the scientist had arrived in Night Vale, Cecil had begun to feel feelings that he'd never experienced before. His heart fluttered when their gazes met and he'd never manage to talk comprehensively without stammering, which seemed to draw the occasional chuckle from Carlos. He wasn't sure how to feel or what to say, but he did know one thing for certain. The thought of the scientist being his, embracing him in the cool aura of night, made Cecil hotter than the desert sun.

He decided to simply trudge back home and attempt to make an effort to relieve himself. He didn't want to try it still at the studio, what with the possibility of someone walking into the room and catching him, no- he wasn't that idiotic. He flicked off the studio light and stepped out of the building, allowing the sky's moonbeams to soothe his troubles. Even nights were somehow calming in the desert- he would never wish to be anywhere but Night Vale, even if it was more peculiar than most towns. After all, if Night Vale wasn't as strange as it is, then Carlos and his team would have never been assigned to investigate the town, and Cecil would have never crossed paths with him.

The walk back to his house felt longer than it usually did, most likely the effect of him having a lot on his mind. When he did finally arrive at his home, Carlos was sitting on his front porch, usual snow white lab coat and all.

"C-Carlos?" Cecil's voice was surprised, along with the slight tinge of nervousness on the tip of his tongue. "What are you doing here at this hour?"

The scientist gazed up at him with groggy, sleep-deprived eyes. "Well..." He sighed a long sigh before continuing, "the project to research Night Vale isn't being funded anymore."

Cecil felt words wanting to roll off of his tongue, however the knot in his stomach was much more powerful. "W-what?" was all he managed to choke out before he felt the bitter tears try to well up in his eyes.

"Why are you crying?" Carlos stood up and rushed down the steps to reach the reporter and put his hands on his shoulders.

Cecil's expression was dim and dull as he simply blankly stared at Carlos with tears streaming down his pale face. "You can't leave me." He then whispered something under his breath that the scientist couldn't make out.

"Cecil, I have t- what was that?" His voice was curious, though his eyes shared the same sadness that Cecil's did.

"I said, I-" the words seemed to be caught in his throat, like no matter what he did they just wouldn't come out. He finally managed to draw his gaze away from Carlos long enough to mutter, "I love you."

The scientist stared at Cecil as if he'd just told Carlos he was some kind of serial killer, but his gaze saddened as he gently leaned forward to kiss Cecil's forehead. "I love you, too. I honestly wish it didn't have to be this way."

"I-it doesn't have to be! You could abandon the research... and stay here, and live with me, and-"

Carlos put a finger to the reporter's lips. "Our team was assigned someplace else. I do truly love you, Cecil... but all this has to end here."

As the scientist gave a wave and began walking away from Night Vale, from his love, he could have sworn he heard sobbing as he left.