[and while the months have not been kind to him, he remembers very well what a rarity it is for Tek to show any sort of affection in return. he soaks up the touch just a few seconds longer than he would normally dare, just to savor it--just to be sure that this Tek is real, and not some vision of a dream come to haunt him in his waking hours.

when he finally pulls away, he still reaches up to brush his fingers along the edges of Tek's face. his cheeks are a little wet, still, but with a reintroduction like this... he can make a quick recovery.]

Tek, it's been terrible. [he says this with a huge grin, of course, and then dives right into something else as he switches gears:] Are you all right? I started looking as soon as I felt you show up, but you vanished so fast... I didn't even realize it was you until I saw you...