AN: And another chapter! Thank you so much as always. I'm so glad if you still follow and like this.

After Alastair and James had finally risen, Merlin had quickly led them to a room in the med bay. Alastair cautiously and awkwardly stood on the edge of the room throughout the entire discussion, clearly unsure of where his position should be.

Before beginning the exam, James explained how he'd survived the blast despite being in the building at the time of the explosion. He went on to explain that he'd developed temporary amnesia thanks to a blow to his head and because of it had not contacted Kingsman sooner. Instead, he'd simply headed towards what he was vaguely sure was home and by the time it had all come to, it was easier simply going straight to HQ.

James also did a quick debriefing of his mission, which had actually been a success. It had just been accomplished in a rather unexpected way.

Next, Merlin finally preformed a medical review. Miraculously nothing had been broken and he hadn't suffered any burns though bruising was evident. Several fractures had occurred however, the most immediate on his skull and he had suffered from a concussion. Other than that, James had been fairly lucky though, what with all body parts accounted for and his memory fully in place again.

Finally Merlin said, "I don't see any reason to keep you here over night but you are also in need of rest. I'd suggest going home now and reporting back here tomorrow. Percival, the same goes for you too. You're both dismissed."

They both nodded and then James left the room first, Alastair quickly following but still keeping some distance.

After arriving at the shop, James turned to Alastair and asked, "Do you mind coming home with me?"

"No," Alastair replied though he looked confused.

"I figured we could talk. Or not. Whatever you want but you looked like you want company. Maybe, I don't really know," responded James with a cautious look.

Nevertheless, it earned him a small smile and a nod.

They took a cab from there to James' place. The walk up the stairs took some time as James alternated between using the wall and Alastair for support before the other wrapped his arm around his waist and basically pulled him along the rest of the way.

As James opened his door, Alastair murmured, "I thought I'd lost you. Again."

"It wasn't meant to go down that way. Then again, it would have been kind of weird if it was meant to go down that way," said James as he walked, going straight to his couch where he collapsed. "I'm sorry I made you worry."

"No, I'm sorry," muttered Alastair. He appeared unsure as to where he should sit but James quickly scooted over, making the rest of the couch an offer. Alastair sat, his hands neatly folded into his lap and his head down. He remained like that for a moment before finally murmuring, "I am so sorry."

"But why? You're not the one who nearly got blown up," James replied easily. "You don't have anything to be sorry for."

"But I do," stressed Alastair, looking up and over. There was guilt clear in his eyes as he said, "It shouldn't have taken another near death experience for me to fully come to terms that…that I love you."

James remained silent at that, both unsure of how to go from there as his heart fluttered and also unsure if Alastair would like to continue talking. He did.

"I'm tired of my own fear, my uncertainty, getting in the way. I'm tired of feeling wrong and ashamed and broken. I am tired of doing everything that I think would make mother happy instead of doing something that would just make myself happy."

As Alastair had said this, he'd moved one hand to cup James' face, soft and careful. James in return leaned into it, both thankful for the tenderness as his body hurt all over but even more so by the fact that he couldn't fully believe this was happening. Even when considering the past few hours.

"I love you," Alastair said once more, "and I will never hide that from anyone ever again."

And then James was remaining completely frozen as Alastair leaned in and he felt the man's lips on his own. He was still partially in shock, which he shouldn't have been because hell any idiot could figure out where this was going, but maybe it was still the head trauma because he hadn't seen it coming and part of James still thought this was all a dream.

Nevertheless, he responded. It was slow and careful, sweet and soft, and certainly better than the last two times. Finally, both pulled away, Alastair keeping close with his hand still cupping James' cheek.

"You really mean this," murmured James.

"Of course I do. And I will never take it back as long as I live."

"Ah, look who's the sentimentalist."

"Don't be so rude. I'm being romantic," Alastair replied though a small smile quirked at his lips.

"Well you can be romantic in about five minutes because hell I need a shower."

The sudden turn of subject didn't exactly surprise Alastair and he just shook his head in tired amusement. As it would turn out, that shower would take closer to ten minutes as it soon became clear James needed Alastair's help. With jacket thrown off and sleeves rolled up, Alastair stood behind James. They'd gotten a chair into the tiny space and as James sat, washing everywhere else, Alastair helped with his back and hair.

After then getting dry and dressed in something more comfortable, Alastair helped James get to his bed.

Letting out a heavy sigh he asked, "Would it be rude to ask you to make some tea?"

"Not at all. I'll be right back," Alastair responded. Getting it ready, he immediately came back to the bedroom to see how James was doing. James had propped himself up with a pillow and had grabbed several blankets to cover him. "Anything else I can get you?"

"No and I feel bad just hearing the question."

"You basically got blown up James. I think you can hold out on the hospitalities for now. Do you need anything to eat?"

"No, tea should be good."

They sat in a comfortable silence for a moment longer until the water was boiling. Alastair quickly made a cup and sat next to James as he passed it over.

"You don't have to stay if you don't want to," James said as he blew at the steam.

"Do you want me to leave?"

"No, but I don't want to annoy you. Or bore you for that matter," replied James with a small shrug.

Alastair only let a small snort out at that. "You could never bore me James. Though you do seem to excel at annoying me."

That made James smile and he asked, "So… would it be a bit presumptuous of me to say that I love you as well?"

"It was the response I was hoping for."

"Good because that fucking feels great to finally get off my chest." Alastair rolled his eyes as James gave him a goofy grin. "What? It's true! And Lily is going to be happy as all hell too because now I won't have to pore out every detail of my crush to her."

"I'm sure you terrorized her."

"Oh don't give me that! Come on, you had to have talked to someone about this. Who did you annoy?"

"Unlike you I didn't irritate anyone and if anything, Kenton pulled most of the information out of me instead."

"Well you never have been that good with interrogations."

"Says the man who just admitted to regularly pouring out his heart to his best friend."

James grinned at that, the banter amusing and keeping the air light. Nevertheless he asked, "But I'm not keeping you from anything am I?"

"Not unless HQ suddenly has an emergency."

"Then stay," James said quickly. "Or am I being to forward? Is that—"

"No if you…no I wouldn't mind," murmured Alastair.

"Good," James replied as he leaned in and kissed Alastair. After he leaned back again he added, "I hope you look forward to more of those as much as I do."

"Most certainly."