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It was easy tracking Kor down once he followed the clues. He would know Kor’s style anywhere. Both tattoos, and in the parlor he once had. No doubt River’s mind where Kor was now that he had found the website.

It just took River a while to save up and move. It took him a while to get medically cleared. After all, he’d been dead for a bit, legally. The lack of oxygen stopped his heart, and caused some memory issues with him in the long run. Upon waking up, River didn’t even know who he was. Thank God for IDs. (Once they figured out which one was the real one, anyway.)

Now the man stood in front of the building that was once Eight and Half and stared at it. It wasn’t kept up with, aside from what the city required, it looked like. It’d been spray painted on, but Kor could have done that himself. The man was a tagger, back in the day. Loved to display his art everywhere he could. There were vines growing up the side of the building, and the fire escape rails on the side looked rusted. River wouldn’t trust them to get him safely out in case of a fire.

Reminded him of when he was a teen.

Was he ready to see Kor? It’d been nearly 15 years since he’d last seen him, which was wild to think about. They had been barely adults. His heart clenched. Barely adults, always together, and completely head over heels. He’d kept hold of that, even when he couldn’t remember who he was. There had always been someone who kept his heart close.

In the autumn air, River wavered.

He’d come so confidently to try to slot himself in Kor’s life again. ...Hadn’t he? Or did he just want Kor to know he was alive? Sending Kor a letter saying ‘hey, it’s River, remember me? I died? But I’m fine now. Got better.’. Kor wouldn’t believe it.

Kor seeing River with his own eyes? He had no choice but to believe that.

Still, he wavered. He hesitated.

He looked like some sort of stalker, just waiting outside the building, staring up at it and not moving much. He smoked his cigarette, and occasionally pushed his long hair out of his face to see better.

s**t, what would he say?

What if someone else answered the door? It was more than likely the case. It’d been years after all, over a decade. Kor was an irresistible man who charmed so easily and didn’t realize it. He put many under a spell when they were younger. It had been a hard won spot, saying you were dating Kor, more than a ******** buddy.

Yet at one point Kor had chosen him. River had been elated. He ate up all Kor’s time and affection. Riled the man up, got him to do more and more stupid s**t. Robbing convenience stores, selling more than weed. He even got Kor to turn tricks with him a time or two.

And then everything changed when they started selling on someone else’s territory. Eight and Half, more than a tattoo parlor, had been his home, his gang with Kor. They got what was coming to them. The older, more organized gang got to River and tried to end his life. They even beat Kor and brought him to watch.

So of course Kor would think he was dead and move on. He probably went into hiding after all that. River couldn’t blame him, he did too.

“s**t.”

River pulled the cigarette from his lips and threw it to the ground. He stepped on it and squished it in before finally stepping forward.

A sign on the door that read:

“Tattoo shop closed. For personal visits, use the back entrance. If you’re asking about a tattoo, ******** off.”

River couldn’t help the smile on his lips at that. That was Kor through and through. Always eloquent. Butterflies spread in his stomach, threatening to choke him by forming a ball in his throat of raw emotion. God above, he was doing this.

So with careful steps, River went around the back, and did use that back entrance. He rang the doorbell and waited.

"Mmm?" Derek stirred, half awake. Between the warm blanket and Kor's affection, he'd been lulled into a doze. He blinked, scrubbing at his face. Snatching up his phone he checked for any notifications. "...No? Kaz and Kray didn't send anything did they?" Had they ordered anything and forgotten about it?

He made a soft noise when Kor kissed him, half tempted to chase after for more, but he sighed in defeat instead. Waving a hand at the other as he moved towards the door. "Yeah yeah."

Rubbing at his neck, he turned the handle.

Derek blinked. "Oh uh. No. You're good." The blonde jerked a thumb over his shoulder, back inside the house. "He's here. Did you want me to get him?" The wind kicked up again, causing him to shiver. Maaaan, he'd been so warm earlier... Now he was cold. "You know what, why don't you come in." And out of the hell cold. "I'll go get him for you, just gimme a sec." He said backing up out of the way.

"Aaaah... Cool, cool." Derek rubbed at his arms, trying to keep the chill from outside seeping in. He wondered about how this man and Kor knew each other but didn't press it. He knew there were certain things Kor didn't like talking about.

He had been about to answer when the glass clattered to the ground. Derek froze, gaze immediately darting to Kor. "...Kor?"

River

Derek turned glancing at the man behind him. There's no way this could be...

He turned, when Kor came to stand next to him. His hand moved, resting against his boyfriend's back. "...The one from...?" Came the tentative question. He rubbed at Kor's back, trying to sooth some tension, unsure what else to do. "Uhm... S-should I go?"

Derek returned the squeeze, unsure what to even do with himself.

"...I know the gist of the story..." He said softly, when River glanced at him. He got it. River didn't wanna talk about this in front of him. If the rolls were reversed, Derek would feel the same. Instead, he stood there, rubbing his thumb against Kor's hand as the other told his story.

Kor bolted, and Derek shoved his hands into the pocket on his hoodie, unsure what to do with himself. "Hey." He said softly, trying to get Kor's attention. "How bout you bring him... in?" The blonde said awkwardly. "I'm sure River doesn't want to stand in the door way the whole time."

Derek gave Kor a soft smile as he was dragged into the other room. "Main nothing. Just boyfriend." Main made him feel like he was competing with the others. "Though... Speaking of.. I'm not entirely sure I'm the one that should be here... You should probably call you know who." Derek said.

Still, Derek flopped on the couch. "Derek Sheperd. Resident pain in the a**." He said, offering River a hand. It was good to finally put a face to the name. Though he wondered where they went from here.

"...Okay..." He said slowly, at Kor's sudden tone. He blinked, watching the other man before gently reaching out and tugging him down onto the couch. "...Do... Do you want me to call him?" He wasn't entirely sure what to do about Kaz... but Derek would cross that boat when he got to it. He glanced at River before turning back to Kor, giving a slight jerk in the other's direction. Kor should... Should be talking to his friend. They had so much to catch up on. But he couldn't blame Kor for how he felt.. He'd feel the same if he ever saw her again.

"Oh of course." Derek grumbled. He glared at the cat who made himself comfy in River's lap. "You're ******** doing that to spite me aren't you?" He hissed at the cat. Derek could swear that the cat purred louder in response. "MF ******** hates me." Derek sighed at River. "Loves the rest of the guys no problem. But can't ******** stand the sight of me."

Derek sat quietly, watching as Kor shot a quick text off to Kray. He'd be here soon enough, if Kor's reaction was anything to go by. He wondered how Kray would handle all this. Part of him hoped Kaz would show up too...For his own sanity. He didn't want to be here by himself during all this.

"Are you sure? Cause I've been here for ages and I could swear he hates me now more then he did when I first got here." Derek huffed, shifting just enough to lean against Kor. He glanced between the two for a moment before speaking up. "...Where are you staying now?"