-EPILOGUE-

It was a refreshingly sunny day as Cecil scurried to Carlos' office. After four years of living together, he still hadn't gotten over the fact that they had such a perfect setup. The house Carlos had found for them years before had a detached room, which served as the psychiatrist's office. He'd decided to continue his practice, but to work from home.

"Up already, hm?" Cecil chirped when he got to the doorway, quirking a brow.

Looking up from his desk with a smile, Carlos nodded. "I'm seeing a client at seven, remember?"

"I did remember," Cecil began, gesturing behind him with his thumb, "and I made you breakfast. You've got half an hour." Turning on his heels, the taller man moved to exit the room, saying, "And I don't care if you had something boring like oatmeal already. You'll eat my pancakes and you'll like them."

"I've never complained about your pancakes, Cecil," Carlos called from his desk, shaking his head as a grin crept onto his face. He followed his boyfriend out of his office and into the kitchen. "How's the blog?" he asked once he took a seat at the table.

Cecil retrieved their plates from the counter and brought them to the table as he shook his head. "I haven't been able to update in a while. The book deal is top priority, you know. I just don't have the time to write both things."

"Well," Carlos said as he took a sip of water, "have you considered turning your blog into a podcast? Then you could just say whatever you need to say without worrying about typing it out."

"I'll give it some thought," Cecil said after a moment. "I never thought my life would be interesting enough to be a book, y'know?" Sighing, the man smiled at his boyfriend. "I'm totally excited to be writing my autobiography, but… I just don't think I'm that interesting. These people actually think it'll be a success!"

"I'd have to agree with them, Cecil. I think your life has been pretty interesting so far."

"It doesn't make you uncomfortable at all, though? Our story being told to hundreds of people?"

"Don't underestimate it, Cecil. I'd say thousands, at least. And, no, it doesn't bother me," Carlos said, pausing to lean over and give his boyfriend a peck on the lips. "Your life can inspire people. And I'm part of that life now, so, I won't protest to being included in the book."

"But you'd rather stay out of it?"

"No, no! I'm happy to be in it. Just...," Carlos bit his lip, "I might need to proofread it."

Chuckling, Cecil straightened his posture and nodded. "I won't make you look bad, Carlos. I don't even think that's possible."

"I'm more worried that you'd give a little bit... too much... information."

"Such as?"

"Just don't... include anything that happens in that room," Carlos said, blushing as he nodded toward their bedroom door and then looked down.

Cecil blinked at Carlos for a moment before he erupted with laughter. When Carlos' blush deepened, the taller man tried to gather himself. "I'm sorry, Carlos, I...," he chuckled. "I won't write anything like that. I save those stories for my blog."

Snapping his gaze up, Carlos widened his eyes. "I... You said your blog was about dealing with psych-"

"I'm teasing you, dear," Cecil said, pointing to his boyfriend's plate with his fork. "Eat your breakfast."

Carlos gave Cecil an unimpressed frown before he shook his head, trying to hide his smile. "Rude."

"So, are we going to be able to make it to the hospital this week?" Cecil asked after a moment. He'd been making irregular visits ever since he got out, eager to see the people he'd spent most of his life with. "Dana said they're having a birthday party for John on Thursday."

Carlos glanced up before nodding at the other man. "I think so. I have an appointment with a client at two, but other than that, I'm free."

"Great!" Cecil beamed as he stood to take his plate to the sink. "Oh, and I saw Khoshekh again this morning," he mentioned calmly.

"Yes... That isn't something to be worried about," Carlos said, standing and picking up his plate.

"I know," Cecil sang, "I'm just letting you know."

Sighing, Carlos shook his head and moved to his boyfriend's side. "Cecil."

Cecil's smile dropped as he shrugged. "It's just been a few months, it was weird. Unexpected."

"I know. Don't worry about it." With a smile, Carlos said, "Hey, how about we go out for dinner tonight?"

"Oh?" Cecil took Carlos' plate from his hand and set it in the sink, turning on the faucet. "Where?"

Carlos wrapped his arms around his boyfriend as Cecil began rinsing the dishes. "I'd say Arby's, but that's starting to get old."

Cecil nodded with a chuckle. "It is, isn't it? Still, it's our special place."

"It is. But, maybe we should try to get in somewhere a bit... fancier."

Shrugging, Cecil shut off the water and put the dishes in the washer. "I'm fine with Arby's if you are."

"We're terrible," Carlos said with a laugh. "We've probably given that particular restaurant more business over the past few years than all the other customers combined."

"That made no mathematical sense, Science Man," Cecil teased, turning to pull Carlos into a hug.

"Whatever," Carlos chuckled, leaning up to give Cecil a kiss. "I need to get back to my office."

"Alright. I'll be staring at a computer screen, attempting to write my book."

"Why don't you just work on a title, for today?" Carlos suggested, backing out of his boyfriend's arms. "I love you. See you in a couple hours."

"Love you, too."

As he made his way to his desk in their bedroom, Cecil mumbled to himself, "Title... title..." He pondered for a bit as he took a seat, glancing around the room for ideas. After about five minutes of typing, deleting, and periodically keyboard smashing, he sighed and looked down at his hands. A grin crept onto his face as he nodded, looking up at the screen. He said the working title of his new book aloud as he typed, "Welcome to Night Vale."