Nicky wouldn't discourage his behavior if he followed up all of his scolding with a kiss. He pressed into the kiss with a grin of his own. What an idiot he was for pushing away this happiness and wallowing.

"You know, this is your fault," Booker said when he drew back from the kiss. "If you hadn't insisted on this vacation I don't know what state I'd be in."

Probably a mess, lost in his own sadness. Now, he got to experience joy and be loved. There was only the slightest guilt in the back of his mind over it but he was strong enough now to ignore it.