Connor flipped through one of the books which Kevin brought along. It was an autobiography of a neurosurgeon who lost the fight with lung cancer himself. Definitely not something Connor would have chosen for himself at the bookstore, it was way too heavy and depressing for his taste.

Kevin had fallen asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow, a testament to how exhausted he was.

He was lying on his side, facing Connor. No frowns, no sounds of distress, so far so good. Connor was just about to start a new chapter when there were two knocks on the door.

Poptarts stuck his head into the room, "Hey- Oh," he dropped his voice down to a whisper, "Dinner's ready."

Connor nodded, "Thanks."

He was torn between waking Kevin up for dinner, and letting him sleep through the night.

"Kevin," Connor shook his shoulder lightly, "It's time for dinner."

It took a few more shakes before Kevin even stirred.

"Wakey wakey, sleeping ugly."

"Mmmm."

Connor stretched as he got out of the bed, "You must be starving."

Kevin's eyes remained closed, "Hmm?"

Connor was about to shove the book back into Kevin's luggage, when he spotted the blister pack of white tablets tucked in between Kevin's clothes. It was the painkiller which Kevin was given after his shoulder surgery. Connor picked it up.

Missing a tablet. Was it taken today? Was it taken three months ago? Connor had no way of finding out, short of asking Kevin. If he did ask, there was a chance that it would end in them quarrelling, again. He was supposed to trust Kevin, right? Trust that Kevin would talk to Connor, and not do anything stupid.

Maybe, who knows, maybe Kevin just brought it as a first aid medication or something. Connor put the pills back in Kevin's luggage. He really shouldn't jump to conclusions. Kevin had already agreed to not keep things like this from Connor anymore.

But he never did tell Connor about his nightmares of Mafala, did he?

"Kev, c'mon," Connor tried again, "Don't you want to eat?"

Kevin finally blinked his eyes open, "Where…," It took a few seconds before he got his bearings.

"Dinner time."

"We're back," Kevin murmured.

"Yes we are. C'mon. Everyone's waiting."

"You go ahead first," Kevin sighed, making no move to get up.

"Okay," Connor nodded slowly, "But don't take too long. You know how quickly the food runs out at the dinner table around here."

"Mmmm."

Connor was almost at the door, but he swivelled around, "Hey, uh…Kevin?"

Kevin brought his gaze up to Connor's in question.

"Did you- Uh, have a good nap?" Connor scrambled, not knowing how to initiate the conversation.

Kevin frowned, "Yeah?"

"No nightmares?"

"I guess I was too tired," Kevin turned and flopped onto his back.

That should be enough for Connor, but somehow it wasn't.

"Or maybe...that was you getting better. Right?"

Kevin rubbed at his eyes, "Yeah, maybe."

"Seems like it to me," Connor pressed, "You know, compared to how you were at the beginning, recklessly self-medicating and what not. Unless you are?"

Kevin did a double take at Connor, "What?"

Connor sighed, "Kevin-"

Kevin caught what Connor was insinuating at once, "Look, I just- I didn't take anything. I don't even know why I brought them along in the first place. I wanted a safety net, I guess? A way out, just in case."

Connor felt the weight fall off his shoulders, "Well, that's- I'm relieved to hear that. And I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snoop around in your stuff," Connor gestured at the opened luggages on the floor, "I just saw it there."

"It's not like I'm deliberately trying to hide it from you or anything," Kevin shrugged.

"I'm sorry I didn't trust you," Connor chewed on his bottom lip.

Kevin scoffed, "That's fine. I don't trust me either."

"You should. You're getting better, Kev. Every single day. And I am so proud of you for that," Connor returned to sit down on the bed beside Kevin. He used his fingers to brush a few strands of hair off Kevin's forehead.

"What's gotten into you?" Kevin frowned.

Connor chuckled, "I don't know? The wedding atmosphere is getting to me. And your book. It was really depressing. Made me think of how fragile life is, and how lucky we are. How lucky I am."

Connor can get so caught up in planning for the future, that he forgets to take some time out to enjoy the moment, and the journey thus far. This was the exact kind of moment that he should be stopping to smell the roses for.

"Umm…Okay? Well, I'm starving so...Shall we?"

"Geesh Kev, I was having a nice moment here," Connor raised an eyebrow.

"Sorry?" Kevin grinned sheepishly.

—

"Ah! They're alive!" Elder Church smirked as Connor and Kevin joined the other at the dinner table.

Everyone had already started digging in on what looked like lasagne. Someone must have brought them from home. The Elders had left two plates for them, between Poptarts and Arnold, their usual seats.

"Kevin!" Arnold jumped up from his seat and gave Kevin yet another hug.

"Oh, Arnold."

Connor sat down, "Thanks for making dinner, guys. This looks amazing."

"As I was saying," Elder Michaels piped up, "We need to throw Elder Cunningham a bachelor party! Tonight!"

"Oh," Kevin frowned, "Hey, I'm sorry I forgot to plan you a bachelor party, Arnold. It's what the best man is supposed to do right?"

"Oh no, no, no! Kev, it's completely alright! You're here! That's all that matters!" Arnold beamed. Elder Church rolled his eyes from across the table.

"The lake! We can have the party there!" Poptarts shrugged, "What do you think?"

"Well…It's a bit dangerous, don't you think?" Connor chewed on his food slowly.

"Told you McKinley was going to say no!" Elder Church yelled triumphantly.

"But," Connor raised a hand, "I'm not your district leader anymore so…"

"So it's a party!" Arnold cheered, and the rest joined in.

—

It didn't take them too long to plan a party, delegate the tasks, and get supplies. Apparently, Elder Michaels and Elder Church had come back to Uganda, fully prepared to party and get wasted. More than half of their luggage were filled with alcohol they have bought at the Utah airport.

Connor got put in charge of the party playlist. He scrolled through the list of songs he had in his ipod. The Elders would probably not appreciate the show tunes as much as Connor did. Maybe more house music?

"Connor."

Connor looked up to find Elder Davis standing awkwardly in front of him.

"Oh, hey Ryan! So, how have you been?"

Elder Davis sat down next to Connor on the couch, "Fine. How about you?"

Connor shrugged, "Yeah. We're doing okay. You should come to London for a visit some time. It's really something," And Connor meant that, "So different from Utah. So diverse and liberal."

He had no idea if Davis got over the whole crushing on Connor thing. It wasn't something Connor wanted to bring up.

"I haven't told my parents what actually happened. They still don't know that I'm…gay," Elder Davis said lowly, "How did you even tell your parents stuff like that?"

He had been away from his responsibilities as district leader so long, Connor had momentarily forgotten how the Elders would often come up to him to talk about their problems, or ask for advice. Elder Davis probably just wanted some advice. Unfortunately, Connor had no idea what to tell him.

"I was just very lucky, that my parents were pretty accepting of me," Connor shrugged, "Are you planning to tell them?"

"I don't know. To be honest, I'm a little scared to say anything. I may end up like Elder Price, and unlike him, I wouldn't have a Connor to help me through it," Elder Davis sighed.

Connor looked down at his lap, "Umm…I'm sorry?"

Elder Davis chuckled softly, "Relax. I'm just joking. Although, I am kinda terrified though. I am planning to tell them right before I move for college. That way, if things go south, I'll already be on the plane halfway across the country. It's a blessing that I don't need to depend on my parents for tuition."

Kevin was not the only overachieving scholar in the group.

Connor heaved a sigh of relief. Elder Davis was not making things awkward, "I guess that's a plan. Well, if you ever need someone to talk to, you can always call me."

"Thanks. What about your plan? How is life in England? I heard it's really gloomy there."

Connor nodded, "It is kinda gloomy. Both the weather, and my future. Still trying to get into theatre school. It's harder than I thought."

Elder Davis clapped a hand on Connor's shoulder, "All the best, Connor. I think you're brilliant, you'll get in."

"That's what Kevin keeps saying."

The mention of Kevin seemed to have made Elder Davis uncomfortable.

"Yeah. Umm...I should go help Neels out with the snacks."

—

All of them agreed that while it might be fun and exciting, swimming drunk in a pitch black lake in rural Uganda was just courting trouble. So everyone stayed on land, around a small bonfire at the edge of the lake.

The calls of the insects were drowned out by the music blaring from two tiny speakers and chatter amongst all the Elders.

"Time for some games! I propose Limbo!" Elder Michaels yelled, holding a long branch.

"Nobody wants to play Limbo," Elder Church groaned, "We should ask Cunningham what he wants to play. It's his party. Cunningham!"

Connor's phone buzzed in his pocket. He fished it out and blinked at the glaringly bright screen: 'Hey. Is this Connor McKinley? It's Anthony.'

What the…How the heck did he get Connor's phone number? And why on earth was he texting Connor in the middle of the night?! Anthony should have known that it was inappropriate.

'Hi. How did you get my number?' Connor replied.

'From Kevin'

Connor shot a dirty look at Kevin, who was hanging off Arnold with a bottle of beer in his hand, and the other gesturing wildly at the sky full of twinkling stars. He must have thought it was funny. Connor still remembered how Kevin kept teasing him about Anthony the physiotherapist-slash-underwear-model.

Connor's lack of response prompted another message from Anthony: 'Sorry if this is creepy. I assure you that I am only looking to be a friend. You seemed like a cool guy. Kevin mentioned that you were auditioning for theatre schools, and I have a brother-in-law who is working in one of them. Maybe he can hook you up with someone.'

Connor still didn't know what his reply should be. One thing he was certain, it was never going to be just friendship. The way Anthony flirted with him whenever he accompanied Kevin to his physiotherapy sessions was prove for that.

'Thanks, but I think I'm fine. I already have a few auditions lined up in the coming few weeks.'

Connor didn't want to be forced to go on a date with Anthony or something to return the favour.

'We can still go out for drinks? I really like talking with you. Are you free tomorrow?'

Connor was thankful for the very real and valid excuse to turn him down: 'I'm actually not in London right now.'

'Vacation?'

'Attending a friend's wedding out of the country.'

'Maybe when you get back then.'

Connor sighed as he put his phone away. It wasn't that he didn't like Anthony. The physiotherapist was smart, and he was also into performing arts like Connor does. Furthermore, Connor couldn't fault that face or body either. But every time Connor talked to Anthony, there was this tiny voice at the back of his mind asking him how sure was he that Kevin was the one for him. Kevin was the only guy Connor has ever dated. Was it because Kevin was one of the only two gay guys which Connor knew when he came out of the closet while being stuck in a homophobic country?

Connor didn't want to give in to the voice. But somehow it just wouldn't go away.

"Connor!" Kevin bounded over to him and grabbed at Connor's hand, but missed, "C'mon. We're playing Never Have I Ever!"

"Oh gosh."

It was probably a bad idea to get smashed the night before a very important day, which was no doubt what was going to happen if they played the drinking game.

"Connor's playing too," Kevin dragged Connor into the circle the Elders have formed around the bonfire.

"Am I?"

"Yes!" Kevin grinned widely, "I'm gonna get you drunk tonight. I've never seen you get drunk before."

"That's because I'm a responsible adult. We have a wedding to attend tomorrow," Connor reminded him.

"So?"

Connor felt his phone vibrate in his pocket again. This was probably not a good time to bring the Anthony issue up with Kevin. He was already wasted.

"Cunningham, you get to go first!" Elder Church pointed at Arnold.

"Okay," Arnold tapped his chin with a finger in thought, "Never have I ever...read the Book of Mormon."

Everyone fell silent and just stared at Arnold in shock. Everyone except Kevin, who smirked and took a long drink of his beer, "Good one."

"What the heck?!"

"How did you get through all the training and tests?!"

"Guess I should have seen that coming."

"Is that why they paired you up with Elder Price?!"

"And they paired you up with Elder Price?!"

Connor nudged Kevin, "You knew that?"

"It was our first day out proselytizing in the village. Imagine my annoyance. I wanted to fucking scream and cry at the same time," Kevin smiled, "Oh, Arnold."

"Man, I would love to have seen your face then," Elder Church laughed, "I guess we all have to drink!"

Everyone took a drink. Connor took a sip of his soda. Someone had to stay sober enough to get them all back to the hut safely. It was Uganda after all. Kevin hadn't noticed the non-alcoholic beverage in Connor's hands. Yet.

It was Connor's turn, "Never have I ever dated a girl?"

Everyone, except for Connor and Kevin, took another drink. Elder Church looked like he was going to make a remark, but he kept his mouth shut. Smart move.

"Gosh, how are you guys so good at this?" Elder Neely pouted.

"Kevin! Your turn!" Arnold shouted.

"I know. I'm thinking," Kevin frowned, "Umm...Never have I ever failed a test."

A few of them groaned and rolled their eyes at Kevin.

"What a nerd."

"Hah!" Kevin pointed at them, "Drink!"

"The worse part is you don't even have a single B in your transcripts," Elder Church groaned.

"Wait," Kevin cocked his head to the side, "How did you know that?"

"Everyone saw them," Elder Church shrugged, "When your par-"

Connor stared pointedly at Elder Church. Having James talk about Kevin's parents would only lead to yet another fight. It has been a long time since Connor had to break up a fight between the two of them, and Connor hadn't missed that one bit.

Elder Michaels caught Connor's eye from across the circle, "Okay, okay. Let's move on. Elder Neely, your turn,"

"No!" Kevin objected, "I want to know what you meant by 'everyone saw them'! Why were you guys rifling through my stuff? It's an invasion of privacy!"

"Hey it's not my fault! McKinley was the one who opened the box in front of us all when-"

Elder Michaels shushed his mission companion.

Kevin's head snapped around, "Connor?"

"Kevin, it was just some school certificates and stuff-," Connor defended.

He never thought that Kevin would be so bothered by this little incident.

"And that makes it okay?!" Kevin scoffed and looked away.

Poptarts sighed, "To be fair, you did say to throw it out. You should be glad that Connor opened it to check what was inside."

"Poptarts," Connor hissed.

Everyone held their breath, waiting for Kevin to explode.

Kevin just shook his head, "Hey Arnold, I think I'm gonna head back to get some sleep. I'm really tired."

"Oh," Arnold's eyes flitted over to Connor's, "Yeah, okay. Sure. Do you need me to-"

"Nah, you should stay and enjoy this. It's a party for you. Last night as a bachelor and all."

Yup. Connor totally felt like there were reliving their mission again, with them playing dumb games and Kevin storming off halfway.