Departure

To be honest, I wasn't a huge fan of Chris' exit, though it did work quite well. I wrote this one-shot several weeks before his departure so the context is slightly different. In this scenario, Chris is leaving for good and hasn't gone to his parents' house for the night; instead they are picking him up from Ramsay Street the following morning.

Chris stood on the top step in the living room of number 26 and slung his backpack over his shoulder. Gazing around the room, memories flashed before him of some of the more notable events that had happened over the last 28 months of living in the house. He remembered offering to take the spare room, and having to bribe Kyle with his mum's Moussaka in order to get it. He also remembered the many nights of playing video games with Kyle and all of the inside jokes that they had developed, as well as trying to help Kyle while he was blind. He was taken aback as he realised that he had collapsed in the garden three times in two years and fondly remembered the amazing Christmas dinners that they had all shared together. The people that he had lived with had seen him through some of his toughest times and had become like a second family to him. Chris' eyes glistened at the thought of leaving everything behind: his friends, family and all of the memories.

He was brought out of his trance by Kyle and Georgia, who had insisted on helping him carry his bags. They noticed Chris' thoughtful expression and shared a knowing look.

"You alright, dude?" Kyle asked carefully

Chris nodded, "yeah, I'm just remembering all of the stuff that's happened here over the years"

Kyle looked around, "yeah, it's been pretty chaotic" he noted, before glancing back at his friend, "it's strange to think you almost didn't move in" he recalled, then hesitated before choking out, "but I'm really glad you did because you became the best mate I've ever had"

Chris smiled, "Yeah, same here"

Kyle put the bags that he was holding down on the floor before pulling Chris into a hug.

Georgia smiled at them for a moment then grimaced, "Ok, come on guys" she commanded, trying to lighten the atmosphere, "My arms are gonna fall off if I don't put these down soon. What's in here, bricks?!"

Chris and Kyle laughed as they pulled away from each other, and Chris took a deep breath before opening the door and allowing them to carry his bags out.

xxx

As they trudged down the steps outside the house, Chris stopped dead in his tracks upon spotting a familiar porcelain pig in the driveway. In unison, all three of them burst into laughter. Chris jogged over to the pig and crouched down in front of it.

"Hey Elvis" he greeted, "I haven't seen you in ages. What are you doing here?"

"It's a goodbye present" a feminine voice broke in from nearby.

Chris looked glanced to his right and noticed Susan, Karl and Nate approaching. He stood up and smiled at them.

"Susan insisted" Karl grumbled

Susan sighed, "Anything to get rid of it"

Nate raised an eyebrow, "I'm not sure if he'll be allowed on the plane though"

Chris shook his head and laughed, "I don't care, I'm taking him" he replied, before opening his arms out to them, "thanks guys"

Karl, Susan, Nate and Chris hugged for a few moments.

"How are you getting to the airport?" Susan asked as they pulled away

"My folks are taking me, they're on their way" Chris responded

Karl pulled a face, "Oh, well we were gonna offer to take you"

Chris smiled, "Thanks, but mum wanted to be the last person I saw before going to New York, and I can't turn her down"

Susan nodded in understanding, "Well just make sure you take care of yourself-"

"-And Lucy, and your kid" Karl interjected

Chris nodded, "I will"

Susan smiled at him and offered Kyle and Georgia help with the bags that they were carrying, leaving Nate and Chris standing awkwardly.

After a few uncomfortable moments Chris sighed, "I can't believe this is actually happening"

Nate shook his head, "Me neither" he replied

"I hate the way things ended between us" Chris murmured

Nate nodded, "Me too, but it was for the best" he paused, "I just wish I could have given you what you wanted"

Chris shrugged, "Don't worry about it" he replied dismissively, "I can't force you to go to New York and be a parent when you don't want that, the same way I can't stay here when my child would be in America. Don't apologise for doing what you want"

Nate held his gaze for a moment, "I'm gonna miss you like crazy" he breathed

Chris nodded, "Yeah, me too"

At that moment, a car drove into the street and Chris glanced at it regretfully, "There's my folks" he noted, then took a deep breath, "this is it I guess"

Nate nodded and Chris smiled weakly, "Don't forget me"

Nate shook his head, "I won't, I never could" he assured him, "Chris, I am so sorry for-"

Chris was sick of apologies and interrupted him before Nate attempted to blame himself for ending their relationship, "Nate, please don't. I don't want our last memory of each other to be saying 'sorry'"

Nate looked away sheepishly, "What do you want it to be then?"

Chris knew that it was the last chance that he had before he left, but because they had broken up the previous day he still hesitated before replying, "This"

Chris reached out to kiss him tenderly before hugging him, "I love you so much" he whispered into Nate's shoulder

"I love you too" Nate replied, squeezing him tightly.

Eventually they let go of each other and Chris stepped away from him. He smiled at Nate reassuringly before heading over to the car where Kyle and Georgia had packed his suitcases away. Chris carefully hoisted Elvis into the back seat, which his parents watched with a puzzled expression.

"Why is there a giant floral pig in the car?" George asked, slightly amused

Chris chuckled, "It's a long story. I'll explain it on the way"

His dad shrugged, "Ok, well we'd better head off if we want to avoid the traffic" he warned his son.

Chris' face dropped in realisation of the reality that he was actually leaving, then took a deep breath and turned to face his friends.

"Thanks guys, for everything" he told them sincerely

Georgia stepped towards him and pulled him into a hug, "give Lucy our love, and make sure you send us pictures of the bub when it arrives"

"I will" Chris murmured before pulling away

Kyle tentatively hugged Chris again, "you call us as soon as you can, alright?"

Chris pulled away and nodded, unable to bring himself to say anything for fear of bursting into tears.

"Are you ready to go, Christos?" Patricia asked quietly from the passenger's seat

Chris nodded again and swallowed the lump in this throat before looking around, "I'm really gonna miss this place, I've had so many memories here. And I'm gonna miss you all so much" he announced, before glancing at Nate briefly, "I love you guys"

Kyle and Georgia nodded in agreement and encouraged him into the car. Everyone on the street called out their goodbyes and Chris waved as his parents drove off. Nate watched him tearfully before despondently heading back inside.

Thanks for reading! Like I said, I had written this several weeks before Chris' last episode, so the context was a bit different, but I hope that it still works. As always, if anyone has any ideas for Chris related stories then feel free to let me know, and reviews are always welcome.