He'd never had reason to keep track of the amount of time it took to set up the Seaside Lodge, but he was pretty sure he'd neglected about half his duties due to extreme distraction. He glanced around the shop, gave himself a little slap on each cheek to get a hold of himself, and then resigned to starting fresh tomorrow. His mind was elsewhere.

As he cut across the square toward the ranches, he nearly collided with the last person he wanted to see at the moment. Rick looked up, blinked in surprise, and edged away.

"Sorry. Didn't mean to- uh," and with that he hurried past. Kai shook his head and continued on his way.

Wonder what that was about…

The first thing he noticed was the house. It had doubled in size since the previous year, and the land was looking less like a vaguely-domesticated war zone and more like a proper farm. The yellow dog ceased in its pursuit of a butterfly to rush up to Kai, barking loudly.

"Hey, hey- cut it out! You know me!" He knelt down and rubbed the beast between its ears, and was rewarded with wet dog-kisses.

"Pengy? What-" And there he was, in all his rural glory. His knight in shining overalls had gotten thinner since last summer, the hard labor trimming off any excess fat. He'd tanned pretty well that spring, too. He held the milker loosely at one side, staring widely at the visitor.

"Kai…"

Kai found himself smirking.

"Did ya miss me?" He walked up to Locke and pressed up against him, hearing the milker clang to the ground as the farmer's face turned pink. "I see you've been keeping yourself busy."

Locke made an effort to nod as he was effectively pinned against the side of the barn.

"I-It was pretty hard, but it's been worth it."

Kai's blood boiled at the boy's flustered expression. "Glad you like it rough. I'll be sure to keep up the tradition." Locke gasped, but pulled Kai closer.

"I've- I mean, I-"

"I know. Me too."

"You know, I-"

"Thought about us every day."

"Yes, and-"

"I'm sure you worried- I know I did."

"I wondered if you'd come back."

"I wondered if I'd come back and find you married."

"Kai!"

"A year never seemed like so long before."

"Yeah."

"So, did you finally get around to buying a bigger bed, or do I have to throw you down right here?"

Locke turned his head and bit his lip as Kai nipped his neck. "I bought a bigger bed! I did! It's in the house! House! Let's go- inside-" Kai's hands were finding their way inside Locke's overalls and if they didn't go soon he wasn't sure he'd care if they were outside. He tried not to look disappointed as the darker boy actually pulled away.

"Let's go then. We've got catching up to do."