Thanks to Elsewhere405, MariaKr, Naleyfan4ever, Ravenscheer23, and Deni for the feedback on my last chapter!

I hope you enjoy this next chapter even though it is fairly short.

Chapter 16: "Comforting Kisses"

-The scene in Karen's Café from episode 317, "Who Will Survive, and What Will Be Left of Them"

Haley had been feeling pretty bad about not seeing Lucas at Keith's funeral reception. She knew she had been spending way too much time with Nathan and it was about time to be with her best friend in his time of need. As she walked up to the door of Karen's Café with Nathan, she turned to him.

"This is something I should do alone. Do you mind waiting outside?" Haley asked Nathan. She knew Nathan cared about Lucas as well but what she needed right now was to be alone with him.

"No, it's cool. You take as much time as you need." Nathan kissed her on the lips quickly and let her go into Karen's Café.

As Haley entered, she saw Lucas looking pained as he stared down at the counter, sitting in the café. She sat next to him, putting an arm on his shoulder to comfort him. "Hey buddy, sorry I missed you at the funeral reception. I should have been there for you," she apologized.

"It's ok, wasn't that great anyway," Lucas said, continuing to stare down at the counter. He was silent for a moment, thinking of Keith. "If I had gone back into school, I could have saved him."

"Luke, it is not your fault. Don't blame yourself for what happened to Keith. He was going to go in there no matter what, he had a good heart." Tears formed in Haley's eyes to see Lucas this way, she felt his pain.

"I know, Hales. I just wish I could have saved him." Lucas silently started crying once he looked up at Haley. He was thankful for her being there beside him.

"Come here, Luke," Haley softly said, pulling him into a hug and they held on tight to each other. They cried together for a few minutes, just holding each other. They could always find comfort in each other. It was a reason why their friendship was so strong all the years they had been best friends.

"I'm so sorry, Lucas," Haley said as they pulled back from the hug moments later.

Lucas nodded, still looking pained and Haley's face fell at the sight of seeing him in such pain. At that moment, there wasn't anything she wouldn't do to comfort him, to be there for him. She leaned in and gave him a sweet platonic kiss on the lips, doing her best to comfort him more. They didn't do this much, but every time they did, it seemed to help a lot and provided them both a lot of relief. Lucas kissed her back, thankful for the comfort she was giving him. So, they kissed as long as they needed to because it was simple and loving. They needed this, they needed each other. There was nothing better than sweet kisses between them to tell each other everything was going to be ok as long as they stayed best friends.