For the first time in a very long time, Connor allowed himself to have a good cry. He was full out sobbing into his pillow, just like Kevin had done at the Kitgum hotel. Poptarts' hand was warm and comforting in between his shoulder blades, but it did nothing to soothe the bitter ache of feeling that he had failed. He had failed as a district leader, he had failed everyone. The others would probably tell him otherwise, but his brain wouldn't let him believe any of it.

"Do you want me to get Kevin?" Poptarts asked softly.

Connor didn't know. He wanted Kevin here, he yearned for his voice and his touch. But Connor didn't want Kevin to see him like that. Connor was supposed to be the emotionally stable one, calmly talking Kevin through his breakdowns, not a blubbering mess getting snort all over his pillow.

He was going to have to do laundry later, his brain unhelpfully supplied.

Poptarts got up from Connor's bed, "I'm gonna go get Kevin."

He should have stopped Poptarts. It was already one in the morning, and Kevin must have been fast asleep by now. But it would take too much effort.

Connor unburied his face from the stuffy pillow and laid on his side, taking deep breaths to compose himself. It had been so long since he had cried until his fingers and toes felt all tingly. Connor squeezed his eyes shut and waited. Three counts in, three counts out.

"Connor?"

Kevin's voice only served to reignite his waterworks. The anxiety-ridden part of Connor's brain reminded him that Kevin has yet to give him a definite answer on London. He didn't think he would be able to take it if he was never going to see Kevin ever again. Connor hid his tear-streaked face behind his hands.

He felt the mattress dip behind him, and Kevin's arms enveloped him into a tight embrace, effectively spooning him.

"It's going to be okay," Kevin reassured gently.

Connor brought his hands up to latch onto Kevin's like a lifeline.

Connor's breath hitched, "I- I failed."

"We're gonna have a talk about that in the morning," Kevin hugged him a little tighter, "For now, just go to sleep, alright?"

Connor nodded. He felt lightheaded from all the crying and his limbs were leaden with exhaustion. He was in the midst of falling into the abyss of unconsciousness when he heard a hushed conversation between Kevin, Arnold, and Poptarts.

"Is he alright?"

"Yeah Arn, go back to bed."

"That can't be comfortable for you. You look like you're about to fall off."

"It's fine, Poptarts. Are you going to take my bed or-"

"I'll stay here, if you don't mind."

Connor could feel Kevin's short chuckle.

"Okay."

—

Consciousness came all too soon. It was only five in the morning, when Connor woke up. For a second, Connor was confused but enjoying how Kevin was sleeping right behind him in his tiny bed. And then the memory of last night came flooding back. Mr Greene had said no. They had officially ran out of options, and out of money. All of them would have to return home by the end of the month. How was he going to break the news to the Elders? They had all been counting on him to get their finances sorted out.

Connor shifted a little, and it upset the precarious balance Kevin had on the tiny space on the bed.

Kevin fell onto the floor with a thud.

Connor leaned over the edge of the bed to check on him, "Oh crap! I'm sorry! Are you okay?"

"Ow," Kevin was not all awake, "You pushed me off the bed."

"Yeah, I'm sorry about that," Connor extended a helping hand.

Kevin groaned as he sat up, "Ow, my back."

"Did you hit your head?" Connor pulled Kevin back onto his bed.

"I'll live," Kevin rubbed at his eyes, "Time?"

"Five a.m."

Kevin mouthed something incoherent and laid back down on the bed.

Connor felt unrested, but he didn't think that he could go back to sleep. He might as well let Kevin have the bed to himself, Kevin would be able to sleep more comfortably that way.

"Connor, where?"

"I'm just gonna go outside. Go back to sleep."

"Buh-," Kevin's eyes fluttered close, "You. We hafta-"

"I'm fine, we'll talk later. Sleep," Connor found it endearing that he was able to decipher Kevin's sleep-ridden mumbling.

—

"Yeah," Connor focused intently on the grains of the wood, avoiding the gaze of everyone at the dining table, "I'm sorry, guys."

"Elder Mckinley-"

"I'm just gonna-," Connor swivelled around and marched towards his room, he was not going to cry in front of his Elders.

He crossed the room swiftly and opened the window to its widest, he needed fresh air.

The heat of the Sun felt good on his face. Warm and soothing.

Connor heard door clicked shut softly behind him.

"Hey."

Connor sighed, "Hey."

"You didn't finish your breakfast," Kevin was held Connor's bowl out towards him.

Connor shook his head, "You can have it."

"So this is it, huh?" Kevin sat down on the edge of Poptarts' bed.

"Unfortunately so."

"You were wrong, you know? About how everything you did was all for nothing," Kevin started digging into Connor's leftover oatmeal, "If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have lasted this long."

"It doesn't matter now, does it?"

"Of course it does!" Kevin said heatedly, "Of course it all matters. Every single thing you have done for us matters. We wouldn't be who we are today if not for you, Connor. You made every single one of us a better person. You're the best district leader I've ever known!"

Connor couldn't help but smile, "I'm the only district leader you know."

He could feel his spirits lift a little from Kevin's words.

Connor finally turned away from the window to face Kevin, "Kev-"

"What is it?"

"Now that we have a deadline hanging over our heads," Connor hesitated.

He didn't want to rush Kevin into making a decision. He really didn't. It was a big step to take after all. But he needed to know, so that he could prepare himself for- Nope, he shouldn't think like that.

"Yes?" Kevin asked.

"I'm going to tell my parents about us, about me," Maybe if Connor said it with conviction, he could actually believe that everything was going to work, "And I wanted to know if you have decided."

Kevin looked crestfallen, and Connor braced himself for what was to come.

"Connor, I-," Kevin bit his lip, "Why don't you talk to your parents first, and then we'll see where we go from there, alright?"

Connor nodded, "Sure, yeah. Okay."

Kevin gave him a tiny smile, "Okay."

"But could you-," Connor didn't want to drag Kevin into what would be an uncomfortable conversation, but he needed the support, "Could you be there with me when I- you know?" He motioned with his hands.

Kevin's smile grew wider, "Of course."

—

"Are you ready?"

"Am I? I don't know," Connor let out a nervous laugh.

Connor and Kevin were sat in front of his computer in his office, waiting for his parents to come online. His palms were all sweaty, and he felt as if the small room was closing in on him.

"I'm sure everything will turn out fine," Kevin squeezed Connor's shoulder, but Connor could tell that he was also feeling nervous.

"Oh look! Your mom's online!"

Connor took a deep breath as he waited for the connection to be established. The Skype dial tone was loud and foreboding in the small space.

When the call went through, all they could see was the surface of a table, and scuffling noises in the background.

"Con, can you see us?"

"Mom, I think you've got the wrong camera on."

She figured it out shortly after, and the shaky image of his parents appeared on the screen of his computer. This was the first time he saw his father since he had left for Uganda.

"Hey mom. Hey dad, I've missed you," Connor waved, "Mom and dad, I'd like you to meet Kevin."

Kevin flashed his best missionary grin, "Mr and Mrs McKinley, it's nice to meet you."

"Ah, Kevin Price," Connor's father smiled politely, "I'm sorry to hear about what happened. I hope everything is alright for you boys?"

"Yeah, yeah, dad, look," Connor wrung his hands, "I have something important to tell you."

Kevin stilled Connor's fidgeting hands in his lap and held on tight.

"Well two things actually," Connor shook his head, "No, three things to be exact."

"What is it, hon?" Connor's mother was starting to look concerned.

"First off," Connor decided that listing them was the way to go. He was good at lists, "I'm coming home."

"Oh, that's-," his father looked relieved, "That's unexpected, but that's alright, Connor. We've missed you at home. Is everything okay in Uganda? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Without the support of the Church's missionary fund, we just didn't think that it's feasible for us to continue with our missions."

"If it's money you're worried about-"

"No, mom."

Their parents were not going to be the ones who would have to pay for their mistakes, for the price of their failed missions.

"It's decided. We're going home by the end of the month."

"If you're sure, Connor," his father nodded, "Let me know the dates, so we can buy a ticket for you."

Connor glanced over to Kevin, "Secondly, I'm-," he choked, "I- I'm in love."

"Oh, hon," His mother's hand flew to her chest, "Is it a local girl?"

Connor shook his head mutely. His mouth had gone all dry.

"It's Kevin. I'm in love with Kevin," Connor rushed out, staring intently at his keyboard.

He couldn't bring himself to look at the screen. What did his parents think of that?

It was too quiet. They had stopped talking. Why haven't they said anything yet?

"Connor," his mother's voice brought Connor's gaze back to the screen at once.

"I'm sorry," Connor blurted out and then stopped himself, "No, wait. I'm not sorry. This is just who I am. I'm gay, and I can't change that. I don't want to change that. I'm not sorry."

"Oh, umm," his father cleared his throat, "I thought it was just a phase with what's his name? Sam? Simon?"

His mother smacked his father lightly on the arm, "It was the boy from The Blades. Oh hon, it's- it's great," her voice was strained, "Great that you found- you know, Kevin. I'm sure he's a great boy."

"He's right here, mom," Connor frowned, "And it's not a phase. It's a part of who I am. I understand if you need to take some time to process this, but I really really hope that you could-," Connor looked over to the too-quiet Kevin, "Accept us for who we are."

His father leaned back into the chair and said, "Well, it seems like you've already made up your mind anyway," which earned him a glare from his mother.

"Con honey, I think we've already known that you were- you were different from your other friends," She tried to smile, "What is the third thing you wanted to talk about?"

"Soooo...you two are okay with it?" Connor cringed in anticipation.

"We're not mad, Connor," His father explained, "It's just that- you know how much your mom looks forward to having grandchildren. But I'm sure we can figure something out in the future."

"Don't you pin this on me, Gary," His mother scoffed and turned to Connor, "Of course, Connor, we'll still love you, no matter what. And I cannot wait for you to come to London."

Connor could cry in relief. He turned to Kevin, who was staring at the ground with his brow furrowed deeply. Connor nudged him and mouthed 'You okay?', and he received a tight nod in return.

"Kevin dear," His mother said gently, "How are you doing? Connor said that you were sick."

Kevin looked up at the sound of his name, "I'm fine, Mrs McKinley. Thanks for asking," he nodded politely, "Connor's here. He makes everything better."

Connor's head whipped around at that. Did Connor hear that correctly? Did Kevin just-

There was this warm and fuzzy feeling growing inside of Connor, driving away the despair from earlier.

"If you need anything at all, don't hesitate to let us know, alright?" Connor's father said to Kevin, much to Connor's surprise.

"About that," Connor nodded, "I was thinking, maybe, perhaps, Kevin could come to London too?"

Kevin went back to staring at the ground again.

"Oh."

Connor's heart clenched. Oh? What was 'Oh' supposed to mean? What if his parents didn't approve of the idea, and were just too polite to say anything in front of Kevin?

"Maybe I shouldn't be here," Kevin started to leave, reading Connor's mind.

"Kev!"

"Kevin," Connor's mother reassured, "Of course you're more than welcomed to join us in London. Connor will like that a lot, won't you hon?"

"Yeah mom, I would."

"We do have a spare guest room upstairs, I'm sure we can do something with it," His father suggested, "Although, the space would be a lot smaller than what you boys are used to back home. Real estate in London is incredibly expensive."

"Thanks, dad."

"See," Connor bumped his shoulder into Kevins', "Nothing to worry about."

"You're one to say," Kevin muttered and sighed, "I'm really sorry to impose."

"Oh none of that, Kevin. Just- do you need to go back to Utah? All of your belongings are still back at your house, are they not?"

"I'd rather not go back," Kevin frowned.

Connor's father nodded, "It's settled then. You boys must be tired, why don't we talk another day?"

"Sure," Connor grinned.

It went way smoother than he could have ever imagined. For starters, his parents didn't disown him, nor did they make him feel like he was committing a sin. They had accepted Kevin and him, and it was all that mattered.

"Love you guys," Connor bid goodbye to his parents and logged out of his computer.

"So," Connor blew out a breath, "I cannot believe it. We just did that!"

"Yes, we did."

"Aren't you glad that you won't have to do this," Connor realised how that sounded, "Oh crap, no. I don't mean- I'm sorry! Kevin, I'm so sorry!"

Kevin must have pitied Connor's horrified expression, "It's fine, Connor. Maybe I should though? I kinda want to see how my parents would react. Could be fun."

Connor put his hands on the sides of Kevin's face, and looked straight into his eyes, "You're a cruel, cruel man Kevin Price."

"Me? Cruel? Excuse me, but have you met my parents?" Kevin poked Connor in his chest.

"You're coming then? To London?"

Kevin sighed theatrically, "I guess I am. Apparently someone named Connor would like that a lot."