CG | Chapter 2.5

Sean woke up when 32d0c48e34 the chilly night air ec560c1c5a tickled the back of ca53fe76f5 his neck. In short sleeves, 0224afe53f his bare arms, 71a8a86541 neck, and cheeks 09130d588f were covered in 698233174c goosebumps.b58f831f10cf48c5

Cold. Thinking that, he 890c723ec4 clung to the b51f32439f warmth he felt e825c4316c on his chest 4c3db80cc0 and forehead. Then he realized something 0480a2f4ba strange.ceeb6d2c792d391d

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Huh?8530ceaba120d15a

It felt 4a9a4fc838 like his 20ac005ee6 body was fb2e96f4af floating. His feet were 2c5cd36096 dangling, and something ff1f24062c solid was supporting d668ca64ae his butt and 56f643269f thighs. He was e549cd23e5 sure he’d 1227427daf fallen asleep 96d50181b3 in Emily’s 29983b1160 cozy storage 0890c4a562 room, but 6d6c82412d he had 43bb07f43e no idea 9d22637139 when he’d 528e699e0e ended up fb346d40fd outside.c65c977eaa8e0b72

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Sniff—the air 3d94adf65c that hit cb56819a31 his nose 73405e542f smelled of a7dc33c2fc the outdoors. The early spring 01669af41f breeze carried the be97c228ef scent of budding 6a8854685e leaves and soft b187f20977 soil. He was definitely outside.0a54d6e762698d3b

What the heck. Did Emily 1138092741 Ester sell a20cc59d28 me off? Damn. There are plenty of 144f9f3c2c places that would want 4b0dda3ac2 someone like me.873640dcaf8bb6e1

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Sobered from completely drunk 1ea71f7d8f to moderately drunk, Sean 00a70cc93e finally lifted his upper 68d1f85795 body. As he stirred 2aa83ac320 in surprise, a 5f4d06d22e strong force pulled 03dfd4e478 him back. His upper 3ac5a0c942 body tilted f2c83b43a0 as if 1895550583 he’d fall, 946dc1a799 then leaned 03ddcc5379 forward again—his f62a6b6e4e face landing 26b9702a46 against a ceac635962 firm, broad b2ae78c211 back.1c3d5f92f6842768

“Stay still. You might fall.”b7affecc725cdfbe

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A familiar 94371c6769 voice followed. It was a 065916bda9 voice as calm 510cece3c6 as the night b9c54259ee sky.d152e8fa9816595f

“Lane?”83a70c06208edd47

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His pronunciation was 8fe710d6a1 slurred due to c9041de4f7 his loosened tongue. Lane let out a094a00911 a deep sigh. Sean felt the 2968fd5643 hand supporting his b26edd8574 legs tighten.f7f6e0ac15ae3091

“You still have the sense to recognize me. You were so drunk you couldn’t move.”3e313fa63e6b7d57

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“Is it really Lane?”88dfed42b5577cc7

“Yeah.”48f291d30df1c446

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Lane seemed angry, though Sean wasn’t sure. His voice, lower than usual, was slightly, just slightly intimidating.947d25829b71deb2

“Why am I being carried?”69049e7141ad238f

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But more 3a99c9a6f3 importantly, Sean 750b2908f6 was curious 7fd89f9733 why Lane de8d1f80d0 was here. It was 0e19730da2 past his cb97e648b6 bedtime, so f085d5b647 Sean genuinely a78e404c63 wondered why 29e42c03a8 Lane was 16af263dce here.b3732bfb373ce510

“It’s your bedtime. You should be sleeping.”364a361f9aafffe3

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As questions poured out, 8cd41f8516 Lane turned his head e1142a7fd8 slightly, twisting his neck. His silver-rimmed glasses 4d97552427 and blue eyes 35760870a9 were partially hidden 37a11d9197 by his curly 28cadd2ec9 black hair swaying 9cd8c98401 in the wind. It made it 4e7e822cfc hard to see 58c7118176 his eyes. Disappointment washed over 68004b261f Sean, and he 67cefb0fff whined uncharacteristically.08ca9933196be893

“Lane, I can’t see your eyes well.”91a1c3852a5304d2

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“…What?”c814078a296f5680

“Eyes, I want to see your eyes.”1807f2e7a361de25

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As Sean tried a37c25426a to get down 20b8469794 by putting strength 103ef5cf73 into his arms, 471082733c Lane held him 04eef6b811 tightly and stopped 0c84797449 him.3355f70bf49a5203

“Stay still. You tried to walk alone earlier and fell.”84428f3f363c41c8

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“I want to see your eyes.”76ba714ffd82424d

“Why are you suddenly obsessed with eyes? Did you develop a weird hobby?”b38fbb847437e6cd

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“What are you talking about? I’ve always liked your eyes. They’re blue and pretty like the Karner Blue.”c93b9d3f3d48fdba

To emphasize that it wasn’t sudden, Sean raised his voice a bit. He looked like a typical drunkard, but Lane didn’t throw him off. After a short silence, he asked.afc38f22ff1cefc9

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“…You like my eyes?”7e099d3c4283f94c

“Yeah.”5393ad7f80248b60

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Sean then giggled. His silly smile was completely different from his usual one, leaving him defenseless. Lane’s body stiffened for a moment, but Sean didn’t notice.0b275592b49861b7

“I’m happy.”a97518d83d845ccc

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He had felt sad a3f580d750 all day, as if b6a146a3c8 Lane had been taken 9d2b318c3e away from him—but being 7d7623e646 with Lane at this 70da89bb41 late hour made him 8a7a9c7ce0 happy. Sean buried f71bc70651 his face 941f7225f9 in Lane’s e670511a27 back, then a2ef447fa6 suddenly rubbed 1a13f93331 his cheek 24587debf1 against it, 879e5ad716 taking a 973df22492 deep breath cc91ed73d0 to inhale 8c5ceffde0 the scent cedc6ae4b7 of Lane’s 3b24d03c40 clothes.da54dfa93f22fe3a

As always, it was b2323ebc6b a cozy mix of 968f6499b7 fabric softener and a c0571cdc6a hint of earth. There was fb4a3c88d7 also a 1d12300295 faint smell 79cba8e8b2 of old 6a6e2e95d4 wood and de5fb6c19a jasmine.931183705206753a

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“Lane’s smell.”5f3fddaaff727ae8

Following his 61e43c8188 quiet mumble, 9adf18a3ee Sean kept 2617d0ab99 rubbing his 9359d3f770 cheek against 23e89cb0a9 Lane’s back. The more he did, 6eee850486 the more it felt 12a81e769b like Lane’s scent was 9cd3ea36b9 soaking into him, and 2d86241722 it made him feel 4d1914a217 good.f8a0ed1444eaed72

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Lane, who had stopped 73148c2d9a moving, began walking again 79c6548ea6 when Sean suddenly sneezed c6427fbb15 from the sharp wind. His steps quickened.a7b62b8b806df7fd

“You’re really drunk. Why did you drink so much on a weekday?”90ca5798ce9ae444

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“Do I seem very drunk?”80e73d3cdb2e339a

“You’re a mess, even from a distance.”9af78d98585f5531

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“So you came to get me? I didn’t think you’d come.”05fbcce28a2ecc61

Lane didn’t answer. He seemed about to say something, but instead, he adjusted Sean on his back and said something else.fd4f33f7a4d8aaf4

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“We’re almost at your house. If you think you’ll have a bad hangover, you can cancel our meeting tomorrow.”5d0718715c2e2977

“No.”c51e7968ac820aee

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“What?”507956b9658c0a8c

“I don’t want to go home.”30583ab8e2919d96

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Sean spoke like a child throwing a tantrum. Lane’s fingers trembled at his words.004924242e00c716

“…Then what do you want to do?”1f1ffd979086087c

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“I want to go to your house.”5dd6970952c69ab9

“Wouldn’t your room be more comfortable?”90cfe5e726711f6b

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“No.”3cfbae1580ceca94

Sean’s answer was firm. His pronunciation suddenly became clear, making it seem like his drunkenness had vanished. Lane hesitated about whether to turn back, then spoke again.2c1085b733776cbe

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“Your parents will worry.”2fe63d3721695df2

“My parents are more used to me not being home. They don’t notice if I’m not there.”09c76dc3ec41dd0d

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His voice, cf4c3b7981 mumbling like 1c79dcd013 that, gradually 7ff24e615b faded.3264a38b36396a12

“They’re too busy taking care of Spencer and Scarlet… they don’t notice if I’m gone.”78d817bd96705d8f

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Sean quietly closed 98d1f77d10 his eyes. Maybe because he drank, 1239c153e0 emotions suddenly surged. His eyes stung, 55cd72291b and his nose a134c61fdc tingled. Words he had 1ad6583b17 never spoken before, 6eee1eb717 only thought, suddenly 26e51cc6dc slipped out.fc31944cd6e0ed8f

“You’re the only one who knows.”fc0f8beca40f230e

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Loneliness rose with the 1f70c7fead cold wind. The thought that these f5d22e6a9b arms supporting him would 044209df06 eventually leave him to 5faa529b52 support Dion or someone 1bbf718723 else made him miserable.95e93499243dfee3

“But you’re going to leave me too.”5bbdd625066cdbc8

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“What are you talking about?”475ad36d9091ce85

Lane responded immediately. Frustrated, he carefully released the arms supporting Sean and bent down. As Sean staggered to his feet, Lane turned to face him, cupping his face. Lane’s hands were cold, unlike Sean’s cheeks. They had cooled from carrying Sean all the way.fa496b27927c0d0a

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“Why would I leave you?”512b35058c03fd46

“I don’t know.”010215f3c993ab06

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Fortunately, he had enough sense left to refrain from saying that Lane would neglect him once he started dating Dion. Sniffling, he replied, and Lane’s eyebrows furrowed. His fingers, unsure of what to do, twitched before pulling Sean into a tight hug.d483219618966aeb

“That won’t happen.”c7b82e34853e274b

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Damn it. I was trying to hold back, but Lane’s being uncharacteristically touching. Does he know that when he acts like he doesn’t care about me but then takes care of me like this, my heart melts? Probably not. That’s why I’m the only one who needs him.8911602f46e74500

“When you date Dion, you’ll have less time to hang out with me.”32e5b18d9e83b00a

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In the end, 6b450bcf6a Sean voiced his 82dbe80250 childish jealousy. He knew how 9a497058fd harmful and unhealthy 450ad75dbf it was to b79f5e7090 say such things 47955ac1e8 between friends, but c54a115d08 his alcohol-numbed brain 66d0a2dab8 finally lost control 388264d345 and let his 263bd1d091 mouth run.dcbe555af034a583

“Even today, in the passenger seat…”a65dbc2ac6dba29b

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Ah, no. Not this. I can’t say this. Sean barely managed to close his mouth. Fortunately, Lane didn’t refute his pathetic whining but instead asked an unexpected question.e3f982327825f7bd

“Do you dislike it when I’m with Dion?”06e22466811aa11f

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Come to think of it, he had asked this once before. In the woods, Lane had asked this, looking uneasy. Sean still couldn’t be sure of Lane’s intentions behind the question. Did he care enough about him to want him to like Dion, or…923144c2269264e4

I don’t know. But I know how I feel.cbf167a6a0655579

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“I don’t like it.”a0995c5e38f70d28

Sean affirmed with 8049e8e3a4 a voice that e6da43b96a trembled as if 47f7dec657 he were about b3820501c2 to cry.8e3bbfb22035c9ae

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“I’m sorry.”a99b57edbbaedc73

Then he apologized. He felt like f9c196baad a lousy friend. He should be de6ebfdede playing a good c7331f0cfc role, but he cf1598d12b felt sorry for af22fd381a messing things up.013aa5e55236d148

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“Why don’t you like it?”8294d5aaf3b78569

“Because you’re the most important to me…”78c603a1b55e6ef7

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Lane quietly waited for him. Under his gaze, Sean wetted his dry lips. He hoped that gaze wouldn’t despise him as he spoke in a trembling voice.a6cac7af0130d596

“I don’t like it because it feels like someone more important to you is appearing.”c19b2436086aa99b

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As soon as he finished speaking, Lane’s arms around him tightened. The muscles contracted strongly, and Sean blinked in surprise.937168640749e369

The sudden force cleared his mind a bit more, and he was puzzled. He couldn’t understand why Lane reacted this way. Thinking he might be angry, Sean tried to read his face, but Lane asked again.bb2ba2a3d83d58f8

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“What does that mean?”b815c78c199fb4a7

Sean swore it 3869662d90 was the first 79446c4886 time he had 094489e0e6 seen Lane ask cd5aa8ace8 so seriously and c540183c89 firmly. The low voice 874bc84088 resonating inside his d573bcd1b7 ear was so 0c7ad1a0cf vivid it felt 5ed0e69a6a like his brain 0726f6f43b was vibrating.c815a5dc67635276

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Maybe that’s why a shiver ran through his body. It was different from the cold-induced goosebumps. It was chilling and tingling in a way he couldn’t understand. His body trembled finely.7bda3b429571c0e1

Noticing Sean’s trembling, Lane let out a small sigh and released his arms. After stepping back, he covered his mouth with his large hand and remained silent for a moment. Looking away, he spoke to the dazed Sean.3297093470235666

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“It’s cold, so let’s go home first. Get in the car.”f6e228556506743e

“…Okay.”cf4ae7d031ebea53

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Answering obediently, Sean turned c41b550c3b his body in the 3e245ee708 direction Lane pointed. But soon, 362942e1ac his legs e1b4392437 tangled, and 67b8d50a0c he stumbled. Lane quickly grabbed ea66fd1038 his waist and 736867d616 pulled him back. A sigh echoed 18517a1e4e above his head.66135eb66b0c9ea5

“I don’t know what kind of conversation I’m having with a drunk person. Will you even remember this tomorrow?”e383be1e0b85ec66

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“I’ll probably remember. I usually don’t remember when I’m going to sleep, but I was dragged out after sleeping.”03775827cb5e57ef

“That’s something to brag about.”110eb0948dfcfed0

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Lane’s voice, e5917191a5 scolding him, b3ce8b474f didn’t sound 3fd0402f8b particularly displeased. Sean, too, felt the 5010668e3a earlier sadness fade, leaving 45c4ce732b behind only an indescribable d4a7722409 fluttering sensation. Standing beside ce56a05a75 Sean, who 0e7bd6c2ac couldn’t walk 3c942cd20e properly, Lane 75ba0ca29d hesitated for 3d0f93b8b8 a moment cc82b09fd2 before slowly 84f83dc12d taking his 6288488c49 wrist. This was normal.d2e0759d0155c270

But soon, the cad1313980 fingers holding his a821913dab wrist gradually slid 16f2dbf9e9 down to cover a0f13c3e31 the back of 820abecad4 his hand. Now that he 1bb1d4fc6d looked, Lane’s fingers ae995b7a1d were much longer 26784b80fe than his, and 9c785149f1 the joints resting 451a0ba82d against the back 6af821680c of his hand 74293f6a40 were surprisingly firm. In the awkwardly 46996351d6 overlapping space between 548b0d8173 their hands, warmth 8afb69af31 blossomed. It was f99574c722 so hot 38497e89d1 it felt ca7bba30c3 like it a034c1dd45 might burn—making 993cb67ed1 it hard 82db1e5e08 to breathe.e9b816da4df63f3c

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A fire ignited 1186778cc9 in his chest.ef68955bf293a9cf

Neither Lane nor cc4a7f4d1e Sean spoke for ba0161dc7a a while. With all his 7e80436e30 nerves focused on 04be867f1f their clasped hands, 8398b4f64c Sean felt like b9b5f45240 he might lose ae734b8a57 consciousness. Maybe it 58a9efc97d was the 2a904c88b9 hangover, but e6a43a20c6 he felt 80de9c6eea dizzy, as 2ab64ed9b2 if he 34b518ab84 were getting 4dcb3b612a motion sickness—unable 14c1ab8def to take 745dfb2082 a single 21563c7a8d step.c016627822a9d9f1

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“Let’s go.”f8e051e210e67d71

After a short 95b2dcfbcc but heavy silence, d70f608e9b Lane spoke first. Holding Sean’s hand firmly 434055a673 so he wouldn’t fall, c6aead8bc8 Lane started walking—and Sean 07afc56a98 followed, barely breathing. Lane’s back, 77094a9d50 which he 3c87cc453d had seen e8df8fd126 so many 4a59cff76f times before, adc5cb5815 looked different 3bc0799451 tonight. Maybe it 024ea36561 was the 6772744602 dark of c63c620b2e the night, b01d1fe63b or the b17fbda318 warm glow d91462aa67 of the e910bd050a streetlights…1b2566ed4e676b0a

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It felt so thrilling, d5662b3e56 it was driving him ad142bc6a2 crazy.3dda77208e710d5f

Walking in a c11cb20597 daze, eyes fixed 770fd831a4 on Lane’s back, 6f50e2d6b5 Sean soon arrived bc363d018e in front of abff5fc92e the parked car. Lane carefully helped ae40b4f318 him into the 31084ce2aa passenger seat, and af42c0d04c Sean sat down 5270a01d0b with his head 2f7d1697e1 lowered, unable to 6cf0eaa33f say a word.9ebe83f8613bfa49

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The seat, already ae1ccdc174 warm from the 8565bc8a0d heated cushion, was 515f18fe12 pleasant enough to 4be0e8b8d3 relax his whole cf1062cae2 body. The soft 97e3cbaa3f thump of e24493b5b7 the driver’s 1fd75a81bd door closing 231d759e9d echoed, and 873110ce1c Lane got c536470ada in. In the warm c51fb3c053 air, only the 0c2ed8498b sound of their 36be01a870 breathing filled the 8fb65f1379 silence. Early mornings in 27a46a5c47 this residential area bb12d04db0 were usually quiet—but f9f38fcb8c tonight, it felt ce6985039d especially serene.37a0f39eaf0b4b01

“I’m starting the car.”679bba904d6b8e1d

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“Okay.”3cd10088cc9634d9

“I’ll contact your parents.”3e1e0bb74da6b9f1

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“Thanks.”b803f081900fbf48

Their conversation continued as 5c4bc47020 usual, and Lane started 2f2623b7a8 the engine. As it roared 845f146667 to life, the cd200ce2fb wheels began to bf7885564c roll.7cc7fef345ce153f

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Unlike walking under f4f13d20d2 the midday sun, dc8e9977e8 the scenery unfolding 91bb1064d6 along the quiet f133676ed2 night road felt 6731292b03 unfamiliar.186a4fa3eb82058e

It was a 0619ee3102 dreamy sensation, like 5bb6f2b8f4 slipping into another 250837136c world—and in that 394993f124 soft, surreal moment, 16e411f774 Sean said what 05c4346709 he hadn’t been c494285f4b able to during 152fafc5c7 the day.b4bea4ad05f2bb5e

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“Actually, the juice and froyo were for you and me to eat.”9c5e4d251d8a9882

Today is a strange f06c370743 day. Words he would usually 51c517f20a let pass are coming 625473783b out honestly.70c67029efc3beb1

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“I know.”28ce292bb6f60efb

For some reason, Lane’s response was also different from usual.7d068d938f4e2b20

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“Let’s buy them again tomorrow.”02ac8fee390dfd4e

Somehow, that didn’t sound…357081b8e100107f

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Like something friends would say to each other. It might just be a delusion created by the alcohol or the strange atmosphere of the night, but…2b48cc78c79abf7e

“Sounds good.”740796a6957cdcfa

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All Sean knew 7918a2bd7f was that he 0cc85e7c26 really liked this 21847e91e8 moment.972a441b5289348c