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Cloud-

I'm so excited that camp is almost over and it's so strange to think that this will be my last letter I'll be writing to you before I get to see you again. It's only been three months but it has felt like a lifetime since I last saw you. Every day is hard to get through because I miss you so much and my heart literally struggles to beat on its own without your heartbeat against me, supporting mine. It honestly feels like half of my soul stayed behind in Ab Amor with you; half of my heart, half of my will, half of my personality. I am more than ready to be whole once more. Even thinking about being in your arms, Cloud, makes me tremble with anxiety. Knowledge that I get to be with you again makes it increasingly difficult for me to focus on my classes, my missions, and even my daily chores.

Now to the boring stuff, that you, for whatever reason, insist I write about. I'm sorry for not responding to your letter earlier but I told you about it in the emails. Anyway, quite a bit has happened since the last letter I wrote. My officers decided to test my abilities by having me assault a base built like a holt, which had fifty guards protecting it, and I was alone! It was so unfair, but I was able to sneak in and press the self-destruct button so I won, firing my laser gun once. I did get in a fistfight with a lone guard though and I accidentally sprained my wrist. It's almost fully healed now and it won't be a problem by the time I get home. Poor wolf that was guarding the base got a bloody nose and a concussion. I feel kind of bad for hurting him. He's a really nice guy, and he actually has a boyfriend who's waiting for him to come home too. After that though, I was put into the special operations unit. Just like we wanted, so when I go on my first tour, the first few months will be for specialized training.

Enough about me now! I want to hear about you so write everything that you've been doing since your last letter, or even before then!

I miss you, and I love you so much Cloud!

With all my love,

-Rye

FOUR DAYS LATER:

Rye-

Your words make my heart swell with love when I read them. The thought of having you nearby once again is almost unbearable, and it is already costing me many hours of sleep every night. Without your presence, there is a vast abyss in my chest that I have to literally hold myself to keep it from expanding and consuming me. I must admit that it has been really hard for me without you here, but knowing that you will be back in a few short days brings me untold happiness. I'm so excited, I can't contain it. Ariel had to tell me to calm down several times since I got your letter but I can't help it. Sometimes I'll burst out screaming in excitement, while other times I'll just break down and cry, praying time will go faster until you get here.

Since I last wrote my last letter, not much has changed. I kind of feel under-accomplished compared to what you do at camp, but school continues. Diane and her gang have been trying to give me problems again but our friends and teachers are still being very firm with them. I don't really care about them but sometimes they do make me cry when they talk about you. Yeah, I'm sorry but I still cry a lot when I think about you. Please don't feel bad though, it's no one's fault, least of all yours, I just miss you a lot. Anyway, I'm still over at Ariel's all the time and she's still being as awesome and supportive as ever. I still have mostly A's in my classes, except for PE because of my 'lack of enthusiasm'. Coach Kirkland understands but he's strict about his grading. I'll get it back up before the end of the year though, once you get back. Everyone is excited to have you coming home soon, but not as much as me. You're all mine though, once you're done being welcomed back by our friends.

Congratulations! I'm so happy that you made it to the special operations unit. I'm not too thrilled about you being on higher-risk missions but I know you'd be in more danger in regular infantry. Aren't holts a bit advanced? You have to tell me how you were able to sneak into that one. Your wrist better be healed by the time you get here! If the military sends you back in less-than-perfect condition, then I'll bring a whole new type of fury down on them.

I love you Rye!

All my heart,

Cloud

THREE DAYS LATER:

"Please remain seated while the plane descends," one of the flight attendant's announced over the plane's intercom.

For Rye, the plane moved way too slow for more reasons than one. He could barely contain his excitement to see Cloud once again, and the air pressure differences were causing his ears to ache painfully. Seeing Ab Amor from above, Rye kept an eye for the airport where he expected to see Cloud waiting.

Absentmindedly, he fidgeted with the pendant that hung around his neck.

Lining up with the airstrip, the plane continued its descent to the ground, and soon enough the airport's terminals came into view. Knowing that his boyfriend is somewhere beneath the roof of the those terminals kept Rye on edge, but he squelched his excitement to avoid embarrassing himself around the other recruits on the plane.

The ground came up fast until the wheels touched the runway and started to screech while slowing down the aircraft. The otter is pushed forward by the sudden deceleration from the wheels making contact with the ground but was soon set back in his seat while the long wait continued. Now cruising on the ground, the plane turned into one of the many terminals of the Ab Amor Airport.

"Can this thing go any faster?" Rye muttered under his breath, still fidgeting with the paw print pendant around his neck. With Rye and Cloud's reunion approaching very quickly, Rye's excitement started to blossom beyond his control.

"Welcome to Ab Amor," the pilot announced over the intercom. Meanwhile the passengers began to unfasten their harnesses and grab their bags to exit the plane. "The time is now three minutes before seven."

The otter was one of the first to stand and grab his duffel bag, and he hurried toward the front of the plane, only slowed by the other exiting passengers.

Forepaws on the ground, Rye walked at a brisk pace toward his terminal, passing most of the other recruits. The tip of his tail twitched uncontrollably back and forth, which made him look like his tail was wagging. Quickly Rye went through the doors and looked at the crowd of people who all were waiting for their loved ones to come home from a tour or training.

Scanning the crowd, Rye didn't see Cloud so he looked beyond the crowd. Slightly disappointed that he couldn't find his boyfriend in an instant, Rye pushed through the crowd without hesitation in search of Cloud.

In an instant, Cloud jumped at Rye from somewhere behind the crowd, with his arms wrapping themselves tightly around Rye.

Taken by surprise, Rye dropped his bag, caught his boyfriend in his arms and was forced to take a step back to keep himself from falling by Cloud's sudden pounce.

"Welcome back Rye," Cloud exclaimed, nearly sobbing with his head resting on Rye's left shoulder.

Keeping both arms wrapped snuggly around Cloud, Rye rested his jaw on Cloud's left shoulder. Rye pulled Cloud as close to him as possible as a euphoric feeling swelled inside him.

"I missed you so much," Rye said, without understanding why it was suddenly difficult for him to catch his breath as he began to cry.

"I missed you too, I'm so glad you're back," Cloud sobbed.

Both otters continued to hold each other in their embrace for nearly a minute, as both of their hearts beating strong enough for the other otter to feel the beat against their own chest.

Reunited with his boyfriend, the one person he loved so fiercely, made Rye wonder how he could have ever survived without Cloud for so long. The thoughts caused Rye to cry more openly into Cloud's shoulder.

"What's wrong?" Cloud asked, leaning his head back to look Rye in the eye when he noticed Rye's weeping.

"Nothing," Rye sobbed, and gave a weak smile. He noted that Cloud's eyes were also red and wet with tears "I don't know how I was able to live being away from you for three months. I don't want to separate from you ever again."

Cloud chuckled weakly but didn't say anything since he understood exactly what Rye meant. Cloud's breath-taking emerald eyes lowered and looked at Rye's chest. Cloud reached up to Rye's heart and he grabbed the fox paw print pendant that hung on Rye's necklace. Cloud grinned wider.

"You're still wearing it," Cloud continued to sob, with more tears flowing from his eyes.

Rye pulled Cloud close to him again and held him tightly in his hug. "Of course I am, my love."

"Ahem," a female voice cleared her throat.

Rye looked over Cloud's shoulder to see Ariel and her boyfriend there looking directly at the two otters. They both were smiling, Ariel more so than her boyfriend. "Maybe we should have brought tissues," Ariel joked.

"Sorry," Rye said, separating from Cloud but held him by the waist and Cloud's paw by Rye's waist. "Good to see you again Ariel," Rye said trying to wipe some of the tears away. "How've you been?"

"I've been alright," Ariel grinned. Her boyfriend, Patrick, walked up to the couple and picked up Rye's bags.

"Thanks Patrick," Rye said nodding toward Ariel's boyfriend. He was finally gaining control of his voice again. Cloud still held onto him tightly.

"No problem bro," Patrick said hoisting the bags over his shoulder.

"Shall we get going?" Rye suggested.

Cloud turned his head to look into Rye's eyes. "Sure, but I hope you don't mind if we make a quick stop on the way."

Rye looked back at Cloud and smiled. "Not at all." He gave Cloud a quick kiss. "Whose car are we taking?"

"Mine," Ariel said without hesitation and started to lead the four of them out of the airport terminal. "I got a new car while you were gone. It's a Mercedes-Benz SLR, brand new! Plenty of room for all four of us."

"Okay," Rye smiled and followed the feline out of the terminal. Slightly excited about Ariel's new car, Rye was still much happier just to have Cloud by his side again.

Concentrating on every point that Rye's fur made contact with Cloud's body, he didn't really notice the fact that Ariel was still talking with him while they all get in the vehicle. Although Rye knew Cloud was letting Ariel and him catch up, he wish that Cloud would talk with him. He missed him so much all he wanted to do was make up for lost time.

Ariel sped out of the parking lot. "You remember Ms. Roach? How she always used to be a bitch to Cloud. Well, obviously the whole school knows about you two but that didn't stop her until now. She scared shitless of you Rye." Ariel laughed. Her voice started to fade out because Rye was staring into Cloud's eyes, both otters grinning. "She knows you're success in the army and now she's. . . "

Rye caressed Cloud's cheek. Everything around him seemed to have faded out and turned black. The only thing that existed was Rye and Cloud; nothing else mattered. The only thing that kept Rye from leaning in to kiss Cloud again was he subconsciously knew that it'd be rude since Ariel was still talking to him even though he couldn't hear her anymore. Rye's caressing paw moved to the fur on top of Cloud's head and he gently petted the fur around his ear. Time seemed to have been lost forever as they stared into each other's eyes.