As soon as they confirmed that they were really there, that this wasn’t just another night where they came back to him in his sleep but was just a figment of his imagination, Tate nearly collapsed to his knees. He was full of so many emotions that he sobbed, instantly flinging his arms around TJ and pulling them in for a tight hug, so desperate that it was almost crushing but it was the best pain he’s ever felt. He held them closer than ever, crying into their hair with a hand cupping the back of their head. “Holy fuck, oh m-my fucking–god, baby, I can’t…” His body continued trembling with how hard he was crying, pulling back a little then to take hold of their face and allow their lips to come crashing together. His knees were wobbly, barely holding him up, and his head was spinning. The love of his life was finally back, and he couldn’t process it quick enough. “I can’t believe you’re r-really here,” he gasped against their lips, sinking to his knees and wrapping his arms around their tiny waist as he buried his face into their stomach and continued to pour out his feelings in the form of tears.
With tears still rolling down their face and dropping onto the top of Tate’s head, TJ tried to let out a laugh. It came out choked through their tears but it was still a laugh and it bubbled up within them as they let go of their bags to run their hands through Tate’s hair. “Damn I’m glad you’re happy to see me,” they attempted to joke, “Here I was worried I’d show up at your door and you’d send me away or something.” The bottom of their shirt was wet with Tate’s tears and it was soaking through a bit to wet their stomach beneath but they didn’t care. All they cared about was Tate.
