Cyril is stunned at first. He drops his bag and puts an arm around Merrick, half thinking he'll push him away. Instead, the arm settles there and presses their bodies closer. There's a soft, surprised little noise that escapes him before he opens himself to the kiss. His eyes close and he accepts it, lets himself have this moment of tasting Merrick, of feeling them pressed up against each other.

For that moment, he forgets all of the ache and shame he had been experiencing. Everything just feels right.