Fandom The Day The World Changed { The Last of Us 1x1 with icedthemoon }

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
Citizen of Seattle, FEDRA Officer | 24, 35 | Current location ;; Washington State

It was almost a perfect moment again as Hayden curled against Josh. They had so many perfect moments over the years. There was nothing as good as the love that they had for one another. Nothing as good. “Of course I will never forget that.” How could he ever forget? Josh was the pinnacle of the knight who saved him. He was chivalrous and kind. He had this ring custom made just for Hayden. Hayden loved him more than anything in the whole of the world, and he knew that could never change. The world could change. The world could break into a million pieces and shatter their lives completely, but they would still have each other. Always. Hayden knew it. He knew it more than he knew anything else.

This was one of those times that Soren asked himself what he had gotten himself into. He asked this a lot while he was in the army. He and his fellow soldiers would get bored and do all sorts of things. They were usually tremendously stupid. This instance was not tremendously stupid, but it did make him ask the same question. What had he gotten himself into, laying on this bed with this handsome man who made him laugh like no one else. Who joked with him so easily. They felt like they had been honing this craft for years and not days. “I do feel a little better, but…” He frowned as he pointedly looked at that space between them. “I still feel lonely.”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Officer, Former ER & Trauma Nurse | 24, 30 | Current location ;; Washington State

Josh heard his words, a smile on his face. “I’m happy to hear that beautiful.” He said, a yawn slipping out on accident. “Perhaps it’s time to get some sleep?” Joshua asked, kissing the top of Hayden’s forehead gently. He was tired, the day had been long but he was happy. He was where he belonged, beside Hayden. Josh was going to help get the zone secure then back off. That was his plan anyway. He didn’t know how it work, if it would work but he was hoping.

Jacob saw the frown, looking at Soren with his own frown on. “Hmm. Well we can’t have you being lonely now can we?” Jacob said, finally closing the distance between them. Chest pressed against chest, as Jacob leaned in and kissed him deeply before he pulled away. “Is that better? A little less lonely?” ​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
Citizen of Seattle, FEDRA Officer | 24, 35 | Current location ;; Washington State

Sleep. Without meaning to, he saw the images that kept him awake the night before. The broken vision of neighbors and the horrific mutations of people on the street. He would not bother Josh with this again. He would not cry. He would not. He shut his eyes closed and willed it away. He could hide from the scary world behind his forever hero. “That’s probably best. It’s been a long day.” Everything would be okay as long as he had Josh. He would save the world. He would save Hayden.

Even though Soren knew this was where this was going, this was what the teasing and the joking was leading up to, he was still shocked. Utterly shocked. A kiss should not have been so wonderful. He really should not have made fun of the boys all those years. Here he was being exactly like the rest of them. He considered whining when Jacob pulled away to talk. “I guess I feel a little less lonely. But only a little.”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Officer, Former ER & Trauma Nurse | 24, 30 | Current location ;; Washington State

“I’m sure it has.” He said, nodding as he smiled at Hayden softly. “Good night baby. I love you.” He said, holding Hayden tighter. Afraid that if he let him go, he’d lose him completely. Afraid that if he shut his eyes, he’d open them and be back in the basement. Back in those lower levels. Joshua took a deep breath, looked at Hayden, kissed the top of his head and curled around him. He allowed his eyes to close, forced the images of the lower levels to go away. And tried to get some sleep.

Jacob had never expected this to be his life. The kissing, the hugging, the holding close. It was like a fairytale and he was right in the middle of it. Now he understood his brother a lot more. There was nothing in this world that was as important as the man he was currently laying next to. “Oh is that so? Well we can’t have that.” Jacob said, shifting so his hands were placed flat on Soren’s chest and pushed, aiming to roll him onto his back and pin him down. Then he kissed him again, a little more deeper than the last one.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
FEDRA Civilian, FEDRA Officer | 24, 35 | Current location ;; Washington State

Sleep. He needed to sleep. They needed to sleep. But he remembered sleeping. Every time he closed his eyes, he could see it all again. Every one of those terrifying images of the past two days. Every one of the monsters that morphed in his mind to be worse than they were. He could hear their bodies move in ways they should never have been able to. He could hear the squelch of flesh falling. Rotting? That was the smell. Body piles on the floor. Door crashed in. Bat swinging. He kept his eyes open for a long time. His body would get tired, and his eyelids would drift closed just for him to spring them back apart again. Sometimes, he felt like someone was there in the room with them. The monsters. He had to know they weren’t there. So he did not sleep. Until he drifted and would startle awake. Frequently. He could not hide that from Josh.

Jacob told him to roll over so he rolled. Soren was on his back. And then he was pinned. And then they were kissing again, and he just didn’t even know what to do about that. The answer was follow orders. Jacob was his commanding officer. He was the unit leader. He was the general. Soren was at the mercy of Jacob, and he was absolutely for that. This was the kind of story where there was no damsel in distress. There were two knights instead. “I think,” he managed between the deepening kisses that were his own fault as much as Jacob’s, "I could see how this might solve that lonely problem.”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Officer, Former ER & Trauma Nurse | 24, 30 | Current location ;; Washington State

Josh would sleep, well try but he could feel the startling motions of Hayden. Almost like he couldn’t fall asleep. He did not know the extent of what plagued his love. He didn’t know just what was going on inside his mind. So Josh would wake up, each time. And each time he’d rub his back and hum a little before his eyes would close again. He was exhausted and it seemed like neither of them were going to get real rest. But he didn’t mind.

He looked down at Soren when he heard those words. “You think so?” He asked, teasingly. Jacob moved his kisses from Soren’s lips to his chin, jawline, neck, the junction between neck and shoulder then back again. Another lingering deep kiss to his lips. “What time do you have to leave in the morning?” He asked as he paused the kissing for a moment.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
FEDRA Civilian, FEDRA Officer | 24, 35 | Current location ;; Washington State

Hayden felt tremendously bad every time he realized that Josh was still awake or that he had woken him up again. There were several times that Hayden considered getting up and going somewhere else. Without thinking, he would imagine himself moving to the couch in their living room so that at least then he was only keeping himself from the much needed rest. Then he would remember that he had no other place to go. They didn’t have a real living room. They didn’t have a couch. They had a bed. That was kind of it. Then he would remember it all over again. Everything they lost. The people they lost. His father. He still didn’t know how his father died, but he couldn’t imagine. He could see so many ways. He wished he knew where his mother and his sister were. He wished he could see that they were safe. He hoped beyond hope. Instead, he stayed in the comfort and safety of Josh’s arms. Josh who would always protect him. Who always did the right thing. Eventually he fell asleep.

Soren lost his breath as the kisses moved lower. He let out a gasp at first and then subsequent tiny little moans as Jacob’s lips traveled. When he stopped, Soren was only hoping that his brain could catch up to the question asked of him. It took a moment of recalibrating himself. “We had a long night trying to get this done. They were kind and told us not to get back until eight. I don’t think we will continue to have such luck when we aren’t working into the night like this.” He let his mind wander back to their work. “We agreed on 7:30 just to make sure we know where we’re going.”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Officer, Former ER & Trauma Nurse | 24, 30 | Current location ;; Washington State

When Hayden seemed to fall asleep, Josh was able to rest as well. He did not have the troubles, or so it seemed. He was just burying his troubles deep inside. Letting them sit in a dark corner of his mind. He would address them later, for now he cared about sleeping. About being with the man he loved so much.

Jacob heard the sounds, his mind reeling from the fact that he could draw that from this man. “So we have time then.” Was all Jacob said as he grinned, looking down at Soren. “Because I was serious when I said you weren’t leaving this bed until then.” He added, then started kissing him again, this one was deeper, lingering, and telling him what he wanted. ​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
FEDRA Civilian, FEDRA Officer | 24, 35 | Current location ;; Washington State

Soren pulled his hands from where his was pinned so that he could reach up and guide Jacob as close to him as possible. He pulled his lips away from that beautiful kiss he did not want to stop. “I hope you understand that I do not know what I’m doing. I’ve never…” he paused there. He didn’t know how to describe the fact that he had only just recently realized that he was ever going to like anyone. He was going through a full awakening in his thirties, and he didn’t know how any of it worked. He did not have his formative young age to learn anything. But he wanted to. He wanted to learn with Jacob. He wanted nothing more than to be with Jacob. So he kissed him. He kissed him to say that he wanted that too even if he didn’t know how anything worked.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Officer, Former ER & Trauma Nurse | 24, 30 | Current location ;; Washington State

Jacob felt Soren take his hands back, felt him reach up and guide him close. “It’s okay. I haven’t either.” Jacob admitted, his eyes looking at Soren as he smiled, taking his glasses off and setting them on the nightstand. He turned his attention back onto Soren, more than happy to learn. And so with that kiss, that Jacob was more than happen to deepen and agree that he too wanted this, it was probably midnight when Jacob finally fell asleep. And unfortunately, he was awake around 6am like always, but he just laid there, holding onto Soren as he allowed himself to relax.

Josh managed to get some sleep, but when his alarm went off at 6:30, he silenced it quickly. He didn’t want to wake up Hayden. So he laid there instead, holding his fiancé close and tried not to think about what was going to be happening in the next few hours. It was all for Hayden. All for his family, his people. His brother. His new friend. So he stayed where he was, mind half awake and laying there. Quiet. Still.
​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
FEDRA Civilian, FEDRA Officer | 24, 35 | Current location ;; Washington State

Soren awoke somewhere around 6:15 or so. He yawned enough to move his entire body, stretched a couple of limbs, and then relaxed his arms around Jacob. He remembered Jacob telling him that he was always up at six because of his job. Him too. Sometimes, he was up at five and 5:30, but this morning, he was extra sleepy. He ran a hand through Jacob’s hair and smiled. How did the world fall apart and his life finally start? “Hey you,” he greeted. He lay half under and half out of the blanket. Apparently he got toasty in the night. He beckoned for those lips to find his. Yep, he was right. Morning kisses were the best things.

Hayden stirred the moment that the alarm went off. He woke up several times after he finally fell asleep, but he managed to fall back asleep without much issue. He dreamed. He could see them all even now as he felt his mind waking up. With his face still buried in Josh’s protective body, his small voice broke the silence. “Are you leaving?”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Officer, Former ER & Trauma Nurse | 24, 30 | Current location ;; Washington State

Jacob heard the yawn beside him and a smile broke onto his face. He felt those arms relax around him and then the hand running through his hair. “Hey.” He said with that same bright smile. He leaned up a little and kissed Soren, a soft and sweet morning kiss. Then he pulled away, a puzzled expression on his face. “I.. have been thinking a lot about this.. us… the last few days. And I know it’s crazy.. like really crazy probably, but I.. I think I’m falling in love with you. And I know it could be considered fast but.. with everything going on.. and the world changing so much.. I can’t, I don’t want to regret not saying something.” His words were soft, a little unsure and probably could be called rambling but he also couldn’t let things sit. Not when every day could be their last.

Josh felt Hayden stir, and then he heard that small voice break the silence. “I’m not leaving for another hour. We agreed on 7:30. So you have me a little longer.” Josh said, kissing the top of his head gently. ​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
FEDRA Civilian, FEDRA Officer | 24, 35 | Current location ;; Washington State

Soren was mildly concerned not because Jacob pulled away from the kiss, as they probably should since he could already feel the magnetic tug to be close to him, but because of the expression that came after he moved away. Soren could not help but match it as he listened. For a brief moment, he was afraid that this had been a mistake. Not the kind of mistake where he really regretted doing any of it. He most certainly did not. He was afraid that he trapped Jacob here with him after so little time knowing one another. He was afraid that his spontaneous actions could have been bad for Jacob. Then he smiled. He smiled and nodded, because yeah, it sounded crazy. He would have told anyone else that this was crazy. He would have poked fun at the person who told him that he met this guy a couple of days ago and now he was committed. And yet. “If you’re crazy then so am I. I can’t think about anything except for you and being with you.” He was smiling so much bigger than he ever thought he could. “I knew the moment they set this place up that I wanted this to be a journey we did together.” His fingers played with strands of his hair. “Crazy. Yeah. Yeah, you’re right. It’s crazy. Crazy, because this feels right.” He ran a hand down Jacob’s side. “And this feels right.” He touched Jacob’s cheek before gently kissing him again. “And you know what else feels right? That I’m in love with you. So, yeah. You’re crazy, and I’m crazy, and this is crazy, but outside, the world stopped working the way it did last week. So maybe so did the way we view things like falling in love with people.”

Hayden stayed against in for a moment. A silent moment. He let the words hover over his ears, rest over top of him like a blanket. Finally, he sat up. “Okay.” He readjusted so that he could put both of his arms around Josh in a strange hug even with them laying down. He already missed him even though he had not left yet.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Officer, FEDRA Civilian | 24, 30 | Current location ;; Washington State

Jacob saw the puzzled expression that matched his own, then he saw the smile when he finished talking. His own smile grew huge as he heard those words. Heard him. Yeah, so maybe he wasn’t the only crazy one. He couldn’t stop thinking about Soren when he was gone and didn’t want to be apart from him when they were in the same space. Right. This all felt so right. So perfect. He felt the hand down his side, then touch his cheek before he kissed Soren back. “I agree. This feels right. So right. I love you Soren, and I’ve never felt happier.” Jacob admitted as he laid there. He leaned in, hand cupping Soren’s cheek and he kissed him this time. Then he pulled away and curled close, taking in the moment before he thought of something he’d meant to bring up last night. “If you were serious about checking out my place, we have a list of things we need for not just us but for others in the building. Is that something we could look into doing?”

Josh saw Hayden sit up after a silent moment. He felt those arms wrap around him and he wrapped as much of his own arms around Hayden as he could. Deciding to change the subject away from him leaving, he looked at Hayden. “So.. are you going to see that little kid across the hall today?”​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
FEDRA Civilian, FEDRA Officer | 24, 35 | Current location ;; Washington State

Soren loved Jacob. He loved him. And Jacob loved Soren. Loved him. What? Yeah, that was what it was. Full on, serious love. He would never make fun of books and movies again. Never. “Of course I was serious about that. I don’t know when we can go, but I will make that happen if you want me to. We just need to get this place set up in a way that we can keep everyone in here safe, and then we can go get anything we need. Anything they need.” Soren believed that more than he believed anything else. There was no reason not to believe it. “You and the rest may have to hang tight for just a little bit longer. Now that we have martial law, we have to figure out what that means. But the second I can get away, we take that list, and we go get what everyone needs.” His hands found Jacob’s face again, thumbs rubbing across cheeks. “We can make this work.”

Hayden was not expecting this question, but he didn’t hate the topic. His entire demeanor changed from the sullen fear to a softer hope. He smiled as he held onto Josh. “Yeah, I mean, probably? He’s all alone over there. I know he’s got his mom, but she needs a break too, I’m sure.” He was not aware that he was already making excuses. He already felt such a strong connection to this little boy. “I wish we had more books for little ones, you know? I doubt he wants to hear about my marine biology.” He laughed.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Officer, FEDRA Civilian | 24, 30 | Current location ;; Washington State

He had never imagined he’d find love, since he was always so picky, but then the universe dropped Soren off like a beacon of hope. A beacon that was serious about helping him help these people. Serious about finding things as trivial as books and things to keep the younger ones entertained. Food and wood to build things. “I guess we can hang on a little longer. But thank you. For that. For this.” Jacob said, feeling the hands on his face, thumbs rubbing against cheeks. “I know we can. I trust you.”

There it was. That subtle shift from fear to hope. The smile on Hayden’s face filled Josh with happiness. “Perhaps you can help her out. He seems to like you a lot already. But then again, who wouldn’t like you?” He said softly before he hummed a little. “I’ll see if I can’t find any when I’m out securing some of these old places. But maybe your comic books might entertain him?” Josh suggested.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
FEDRA Civilian, FEDRA Officer | 24, 35 | Current location ;; Washington State

Trust was something that Soren had such an interesting relationship with. He used to trust family, because they were family. He learned that his family could not be trusted. They were good for nothing, horrible people who didn’t care at all about anyone else. But then he joined the army, and he met Cap. He wanted Cap’s trust. He trusted him. They were as close to a true family as he ever had. Until now. He knew his neighbors. He liked a bunch of them. The young couple next door was cute, and Josh reminded himself of who he wanted to be. He trusted him. Now he had Jacob, and all he wanted was to keep that trust. “So this is what I’m thinking. I can’t give you any guarantees yet. When I go in with Josh, we ask those questions. We have ask what has to be done before we can go. Not if we can go. When can we go? And if I have to wait until the days when I am off duty, that’s when we go. You said you have a list. Let me take that list with me, and I will see who can get us what we need. Josh made a good impression on a general yesterday. We may be able to use him too.”

Hayden blushed. Josh could always bring that color back to his face. It was true, though. Hayden was a likeable kind of guy. It was his softness. His gentleness. He never posed a threat to anyway. He wasn’t imposing or scary. He certainly was not intimidating. He was kind. That was what his parents wanted to instill in him more than anything else. Be kind in this world. “You’re right. Maybe the comics. He would probably love superheroes.” He gently poked Josh’s nose. “Maybe one day I can show him a real superhero. I can say, ‘look at him. He didn’t even hesitate when the world changed around us. He jumped right in to save the day. That’s what it really means to be a hero.’” Josh was his hero, and maybe, just maybe, could be Kaiden’s hero too.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Officer, FEDRA Civilian | 24, 30 | Current location ;; Washington State

Jacob could feel that beacon of hope growing inside as he listened to Soren. He was going to do what he could to help Jacob get this stuff. “Thank you. For all of that. For everything you’re doing for us. For me.” Jacob said as he looked at Soren. For years Jacob was alone, he had his family and his job but he was still alone. Or so he felt that way. Now he had someone. Someone to hold and love, to wait for at night and kiss goodbye in the morning. “I knew my brother was good for something.” Jacob added, a grin on his face as he laughed softly.

Josh loved seeing Hayden blush. It was such a beautiful color on him. His eyes widened a little at the comment, a blush forming on his own face. He smiled at the gentle poke on his nose. “I’m honored that you let me be your superhero. And I’d be honored to meet him and maybe one day be his too.” Josh said as he felt his body warming with love as he looked at Hayden.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
FEDRA Civilian, FEDRA Officer | 24, 35 | Current location ;; Washington State

Soren didn’t really understand why Jacob kept thanking him. This was what people did for each other. This was what it meant to have a family. A community. They were there for each other. If he and Jacob was confessing their love for one another then they could also work to make sure that everything was better for everyone. Still with his hands on Jacob’s face, he pulled them together for another shared kiss. “Don’t thank me for doing what’s right. That’s just who we should be. But also, I don’t have it yet. I don’t know if the strings I could pull before are going to work now that FEDRA has… expanded.”

Hayden smiled, his teeth poking through his lips just a little. He reinstated the hug, holding onto Josh as tightly as he could. “I know it’s hard, and I know it’s only going to get harder, but you’re going to make it wonderful. You’re going to bring everyone happiness. I know you are. You always have.” Somewhere, deep in his gut, he felt the gnawing beginnings of a contradiction. Something that told him that maybe no. Maybe that was not the way things were going to go. With Josh leaving every day to fight a war that could kill him. Disappearing to take down monsters. Hayden ignored that. It was just his fear, and that was already better than yesterday, right? Better than the day before. It was going to be fine. Always going to be fine.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Officer, FEDRA Civilian | 24, 30 | Current location ;; Washington State

Jacob couldn’t help his thanks. It was just part of him. He thanked a lot of different people for different things but with Soren.. it was different too. There was so much that Soren had done for Jacob in such a little time that he couldn’t help but be thankful. “Well. It’s more than just thanking you for doing the right thing. And I know you’ll do everything in your abilities to do this.” Jacob said with a smile.

Josh felt Hayden reinstate the hug, holding on tight as he heard him. “You have no idea how much that means to me baby. I’m going to do my best to make this city as safe as possible. I’m glad I have you in my corner my love.” Josh said as he leaned down and kissed Hayden. He was going to do the best he could to make this place safe. No matter what he had to do.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
FEDRA Civilian, FEDRA Officer | 24, 35 | Current location ;; Washington State

This much faith in him after such a small amount of time was both gratifying and terrifying. He never had problems with confidence. He was never good enough for the family that was given to him at birth, but he knew from an early age that nothing was. He was never good enough at sports or in academics. But he was always good enough when he came to what he wanted to do. What he cared about. He knew he could be successful, and that was how he survived until he was in a better place. Even with that, it was scary that he possibly could not live up to these expectations. He would try anyway. “We are going to do this. You and me. You’re going to run this side and I’ll run the other side. We are going to make a difference.” Jacob made him so much more confident. He kissed his cheek. “We’re the Dream Team,” he mused.

When Josh was kissing him and holding him close, it was like nothing could ever come between them. None of those nightmares would ever stand a chance against him. His hands moved up to his neck, the back of his head, and he deepened the kiss. He wanted Josh to feel how much he loved him. Everything about him. And he needed him to know before Josh left to make the city safe. Just in case.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Officer, FEDRA Civilian | 24, 30 | Current location ;; Washington State

Jacob smiled as he heard those words and nodded his head. “You and I. Now that I agree with. The dream team.” Jacob said, smiling at the kiss to his cheek. “How much more time do we have before you need to leave?” Jacob asked quietly, searching Soren’s face. “Because I want to enjoy every second before I have to let you off this bed.” He added, kissing Soren softly.

Josh felt the hands move up his neck, to the back of his head and he smiled into the deepened kiss. Josh’s arms wrapped around Hayden tighter, holding him as close as he physically could. He didn’t want to leave the bed, didn’t want to leave Hayden but he would. He had to. There was still some work to be done in order to get the Quarantine Zone effectively safe for everyone.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
FEDRA Civilian, FEDRA Officer | 24, 35 | Current location ;; Washington State

Soren glanced over at the time and grinned as he looked back at Jacob, eyebrows raised. “Enough time to try out some things I was thinking about earlier.” He kissed his lips, slowly. Moved to his chin. His jaw. He trailed kisses down his neck, pushing away any fabric obstacles that may have decided to be around, and then just didn’t stop.

Hayden readjusted himself so that he was sitting up instead of laying down. He urged Josh to join him, pulling at his arms and shirt. He didn’t want to stay laying down. He wanted to be up. He wanted to move. He didn’t know what else he wanted from there, but he knew that he was going to wallow more if he was horizontal. No, that was a lie. He wanted kisses.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Officer, FEDRA Civilian | 24, 30 | Current location ;; Washington State

Jacob tilted his head, well as best he could, as he saw that grin and raised eyebrows. "Oh? What are you--" Jacob's words stopped when he was kissed, slowly, then those lips moved to his chin, jaw, down his neck. Jacob's breath caught in his throat as he closed his eyes with a smile on his face.

Joshua felt Hayden pull at his arms and shirt, and shifted so he was sitting up as well, arms wrapping around him as he pulled them so he was resting his back against the wall. He kept kissing him, arms rubbing his back as he enjoyed the moment. There was nothing better than this moment and Josh didn't want to stop until he had to leave.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
FEDRA Civilian, FEDRA Officer | 24, 35 | Current location ;; Washington State

Some undetermined amount of time later, Soren was pulling himself away from his partner absolutely reluctantly to put something decent for being an officer on. “We are going to need more clothes if they expect us to do this kind of work all the time. I just happen to have already been part of these guys and have clothes from it.” That was also going on the list. As he pulled on his last boot, he swept over to Jacob and wrapped both of his arms around him. “Where’s your list? We’re starting this as soon as I can.”

It had been a moment since Hayden felt comfortable enough to do nothing but kiss Josh. And boy did he kiss him. It was almost like they were back in their own apartment before one of them had to go to work. It was like they were younger and in high school, hiding away from their families and their responsibilities. Until really it was time to go. Hayden was in a much better mood than he had been. He swatted at Josh. “Alright, get out. I love you, but you need to go save the world, and I have a whole support group to set up.”
​