Billy hadn't expected Mark to return it with such gusto. He hadn't been sure what to expect at all, really. Sequestered from the world at 22, for well over a year now, had done things to shake his sensibilities. Subtle things that had been difficult at first, but were little more than background noise these days. He'd felt it briefly when Mark had given him a ride on the bike. Like a glimpse of something he once knew out of the corner of his eye. There and then gone.

But now it roared in him unlike anything else. Refusing to be ignored. It wasn't arousal or attraction, though he did feel those as well. But rather just the pure need to touch and be touched. Mark's lips on his were a reminder of all he should have in his life. All that had been lacking.

The dislodged hand instead pushed up onto Mark's hair, wanting to pull him closer. The other hand was braced on the table for support, suddenly wishing it weren't there. "Can we get our food to go?" he asked against Mark's lips. Because having the kiss returned swept away so many doubts. Doubts that had kept hopes he'd never even considered well at bay. Hopes that now rushed to the surface and would not be pushed aside.