Epilogue

Theo

Early morning light filters through the curtains, casting a warm glow throughout the room and illuminating the sharp angles and soft curves of the beautiful man beside him. Even without Theo's glasses, looking at Alec is always a treat, from his bare legs and the curve of his equally bare ass to his sleep-tousled curls spilled all over his pillow. His pillow, in their bed, in what has become their house. Not that Theo had ever officially asked Alec to move in. What had started as convenience had organically grown into something else entirely.

After Alec's accident, he'd been unable to move back into his dorm on campus because of his extensive medical needs. Once his cast came off and physical therapy began, it became clear his college apartment with its cramped quarters and flights of stairs, would be too much. Alec alternated between crashing at his parents' house and Theo's. Eventually he'd spent more time at Theo's than his parents' and his stuff had started appearing. One day all his shoes were in Theo's closet and the next, his garage was full of soccer balls. A week later Alec's most prized possessions lined the top of Theo's dresser next to his glasses and cologne. The last and most permanent had been when Alec's beloved blender had found its new home next to Theo's coffee pot.

While the shift from dating to living together had been surprisingly easy, the rest had been anything but. Alec's recovery and transition back to school had been fraught with pain and stress. After a prolonged break to recover both mentally and physically, Alec had eventually returned to classes in the spring, albeit with a shift in goals. He'd ultimately decided against switching his major and instead, with the help of his favorite academic advisor, devised a plan to take some needed prerequisites along with his required classes so that he could apply to a doctorate of physical therapy program once he did graduate.

It was amazing to watch Alec blossom, his exuberance for life and playful nature returning more every day. Which wasn't to say his recovery was easy. The months had been brutal and painful, and Theo had loved Alec more.

Love .

Just thinking about it makes Theo's belly swoop and his heart race. It's been a few months since he finally got the courage to say those three little words to Alec, after which Alec had flat-out sobbed, ugly snot-filled tears that soaked Theo's sweater. He'd been so beautiful with his teary eyes and soft lips, looking at Theo like being loved back was the greatest thing that had ever happened to him, when the truth was Alec was the best thing to ever happen to Theo. Alexander King was the light of his life, and Theo intended to spend every moment making sure Alec was as happy and loved as he deserved.

"You're thinking about me, aren't you?" Alec mumbles, pillow lines on his cheek visible when he rolls onto his side at the same time the automatic feeder in the kitchen dings and Rio is off like a flash, bolting from their room.

"What makes you think that?" Theo asks, skimming his fingers over the exposed flat of Alec's tummy. He is almost always thinking about Alec, unless he's hyper-focused on a report at work, but sometimes admitting that out loud still makes Theo feel painfully vulnerable.

"Because it's a day that ends in Y," Alec replies easily. He throws both his arms overhead while his legs and back arch in a full body stretch. "Besides, who could wake up next to all this and not be starstruck."

"Your modesty never fails to astound." Theo laughs.

"Theodore, we've talked about this. Modesty has no place in this much perfection."

"You are perfect," Theo agrees, taking the opportunity to get on his knees to scoot closer so he can throw one leg over Alec's slim hips and straddle his body. For so long they had to be careful during moments like this and while Theo had enjoyed every moment of that fragile intimacy, he's relieved to have Alec fully healed.

The days of uncertainty and pain are finally behind them, and there's nothing but joy and peace on Alec's face as he grins up at Theo like he hung the goddamn moon.

"Is this my birthday present?" Alec smirks, trailing his fingers over Theo's soft tummy before lowering them to wrap around Theo's cock, making Theo whimper. He's never going to tire of seeing Alec's long, delicate fingers with his freckle-covered knuckles stroking his cock. "You didn't even wrap it, but I accept."

"Oh, is it your birthday?" Theo gasps, struggling to think straight with Alec's teasing strokes taking him from half-hard to fully erect in seconds.

"If you forgot my birthday, I'm not going to suck your cock," Alec says seriously, like that wouldn't be the world's largest punishment for himself. Still Theo plays along, delighting in this side of himself that Alec has pulled out. Not even when he was a teenager had he allowed himself to be so carefree, but Alec makes being alive, being in love, feel as easy as breathing.

"Well, we can't have that," Theo replies, reaching towards Alec's mouth. He drags a thumb over Alec's bottom lip, anticipation coiling around his heart when Alec's mouth falls open on a tiny whimper. Theo's not sure how he got so lucky as to have a boyfriend whose deepest desire is to wake up every morning and be allowed to suck Theo's cock. Sometimes it's hard and fast, and other times Alec's barely awake before he's opening his mouth and begging for it to be filled. On a few recent occasions, Alec's taken to doing nothing more than holding Theo's soft cock in his mouth like just having it in there is perfect.

"Fuck, Theo."

"So needy," Theo whispers, pulling Alec's bottom lip down. "You want something, Alexander?"

"You know I do," Alec whines, his hands moving from Theo's cock to his ass as Alec tries to physically move Theo up so he will sit on Alec's face. Eager to prolong the teasing just a little longer, he doesn't allow himself to be moved, earning him a pout.

"What did you want?" Theo asks, trying not to laugh. "Breakfast?"

"If by breakfast you mean your thick cock, then yes," Alec groans, fingers digging into Theo's ass. "Theodore, I swear if you don't sit on my goddamn face right now I'll…I'll?—"

"You'll what, baby?" Theo presses his thumb into Alec's mouth, his own cock leaking precome when Alec immediately sucks on his thumb.

Mouth full, Alec doesn't respond, but he does whine in the that low, needy way of his that he knows makes Theo feel insane. Playing it up with the sole purpose of making Theo crazy. Alec lets his eyes fall half shut as he drags his tongue along the underside of Theo's thumb, a teasing imitation of what he plans to do to Theo's cock. Unable to resist those sweet brown eyes and wanton expression, Theo crawls up Alec's body, hands braced on the headboard as he lowers himself over Alec's face.

"Happy fucking birthday to me." Alec grins, opening his mouth and making the world's most blissed out, desperate sound as Theo slips his cock inside.

No matter how many times they do this, Theo never gets used to how easily Alec swallows him down, the way Alec's hands roam over his ass and thighs like he might die if he stopped touching Theo. Somehow, despite the fact that Theo sets the pace as he fucks into Alec's mouth, Alec utterly at his mercy, it's Theo who feels completely powerless. No one has ever made sex this good, no one has ever made Theo feel so good.

The only person who has ever made anything feel this good is Alec. He's so warm and willing, and Theo's sleepy arousal brightens like the rising sun.

"Shit, your mouth," Theo moans, dropping his head between his shoulders so he can watch.

Alec hums happily while his fingers languidly massage up and down the backs of Theo's thighs as if he could spend all day sucking Theo. Which to be fair, he probably could. One day last month they'd done an experiment and Alec had sucked him for damn near an hour before conceding his jaw ached, at which point he'd roll over and drooled into the pillow while Theo fucked him.

It would be a lie to say everything with Alec is easy. It's not. But it's worth it. It's so fucking worth it.

"You feel so good."

The praise earns him a squeeze and Theo doesn't even dare blink, gaze riveted on the sweep of Alec's thick eyelashes and the moisture at the corner as they flutter shut. The softest of sighs escapes Alec, his grip slackening into something more like pets as he sucks Theo's cock like he really has been given a gift. The strip of sunlight streaks across the pillow, making Alec's curls seem to glow, like even the new day wants to bask in him.

Ridiculous as it might be after almost a year together, it still sends a thrill through Theo every time he remembers that Alec is his.

"I could come just like this, fill you with my load while you lie there and look pretty." Alec's moan makes it clear what he thinks of that idea, but then again, Theo's yet to find a version of sex Alec doesn't like. Likely because Theo knows what Alec's limits are. For as brash and wild as Alec can sometimes be, the truth is he's got a tender heart and Theo has come to understand exactly how Alec loves sex.

Alec likes it close and needy, almost always face to face with lots of kissing and praise. Alec doesn't fuck, he makes love, and the difference isn't lost on Theo, who loses himself in the depth of that love every time he gets to feel Alec like this. There's something powerful about being trusted the way Alec trusts Theo, something that reaffirms their commitment every time they do this.

While Alec might not have been Theo's first, if he has anything to do about it, then Alec will be his last. Alec will be his forever.

"I'm so close," Theo whispers, reaching down to brush the hair from Alec's eyes.

They flutter open, his expression so unguarded and full of bliss that Theo can't hold back. He slips his fingers into Alec's curls and gives the softest of tugs to warn him, but as expected all Alec does is grip Theo's ass and urge him all the way down the back of his throat, swallowing Theo down. Boneless, high on post-coital bliss and eager to bring Alec with him, Theo drops down beside him on the bed and pulls him close. As expected, the second Theo's lips are on Alec's he whimpers, a few lazy strokes and Alec's coming.

In the beginning Theo used to be afraid of what might happen if the novelty wore off. He'd never been with the same person more than twice, had no idea what you were supposed to keep doing. Turns out that wasn't something he needed to worry about. He and Alec aren't reinventing the wheel, they're hardly adventurous by any means, yet sex with Alec is easily the most physically and emotionally satisfying thing Theo has ever experienced.

"Think I'm dead," Theo groans when they finally pull apart. He collapses on his back and stares at the ceiling. "You killed me."

"You're welcome," Alec says rather smugly, voice rough from the throat fucking. His eyes are watery, lips red, and spit soaked. "I'll be here, well…as long as you'll have me."

He turns to look at Alec, heart catching in his throat. He looks so good in Theo's bed, in his home, in his heart. It's clear Alec is teasing, but Theo can't. Not about this.

"Forever," Theo whispers.

"You can't just ask a man to marry you after sex." Alec laughs, the sound dying down when Theo doesn't join in. "Theo?"

"I just…I love you."

"I love you, too." Alec cups Theo's cheek, his thumb stroking over the rise of Theo's cheekbones. His eyes are searching, unsure, but Theo's never been more certain of anything in his life.

"I don't want you to leave," Theo tells him, surprised by the way his voice shakes.

"I'm not going anywhere, Theodore. You can't even kick me out. You're stuck with me like a leech or something. Just try and get rid of me."

There was a hole in Theo's heart for so long, one he didn't even let Jason into. He'd been raised to shy away from any kind of affection that could lead to heartache, to never be vulnerable for fear of being weak. He's never been more vulnerable than he is now, but he doesn't feel weak. He feels strong. Loving Alec makes him strong.

"I'm serious."

"Me too," Alec says, face all scrunched up. "You literally can't get rid of me. I'm like an invasive plant or some shit. I'll just come back and?—"

"Marry me," Theo blurts.

"Are you serious?" Alec whispers, voice so small Theo worries he's ruined this.

"I am. I didn't plan this. Or well, I did plan it, kind of…I have a ring, but I was going to wait. You said, um, you said dahlias and a blue shirt and a party, but I just looked at you right this moment and knew I couldn't go another second without asking you to be mine. Forever. I didn't think I was made to love anyone, but you barreled into my life and refused to let me get away with hiding anymore. I don't know how I got so lucky, but I know I won't let you go. I'll make you so happy, Alexander. I want to grow old with you and adopt so many pets we're outnumbered and I want you to fill the fridge with Coke, and start every morning with those god-awful protein shakes, and I want you to be mine—today, tomorrow, forever. Please be my husband."

Quiet tears stain Alec's face and he is so unnaturally quiet that Theo has no idea what to do. Alec is never quiet.

"Did I do it wrong?" Theo worries aloud. This is why he always plans things, but being with Alec means he keeps throwing plans out the window. "I should have waited until I could do it right with a party and?—"

"Fuck the party," Alec sniffles, throwing his arms around Theo and pulling him down into a bruising hug. "The answer is yes, a million times yes. I'll marry you. Right now. Today."

"You've got a birthday party today," Theo reminds him, overcome with happiness. He reaches for Alec's hand, bringing it up to kiss the empty ring finger, hardly able to believe he gets to put something there so that everyone who looks at him will know who he belongs to.

"We could turn my party into a wedding, I bet."

Sometimes it's impossible to tell whether Alec is joking or not. If he's learned anything in the last ten months, it's that Alec is full of surprises.

"No shotgun weddings."

"Only shotgun proposals," Alec teases. "Don't pinch your face like that, I love it. Ten out of ten, best proposal ever. I sucked your dick so good you clearly couldn't let me go."

"That had nothing to do with it," Theo interjects. At Alec's raised eyebrow, he laughs. "Okay, I mean you are great at sucking cock, but that's not why I love you."

"Feel free to tell me why, in great detail." Alec folds his arms under his head. "I have all day."

"You don't have all day if you want to make your appointment with Riley and Hunter. Unless you changed your mind about jumping out of a plane, because honestly that sounds absolutely horrible and very risky, and I support you changing your mind."

"You think everything is risky," Alec snorts, sitting up. He glances at the clock on the bedside table. "And no, I haven't changed my mind. I want to do this. I have to do this."

Much as Theo wishes he could talk Alec out of jumping out of a plane from ten thousand feet, he knows it really is something he has to do. After the accident and months of physical therapy, there'd been so many times Alec didn't trust his body. After a lifetime of feeling in control he'd felt anything but, and though he'd healed fine physically, there was still a mental block sometimes.

A few weeks ago Riley suggested this for Alec's birthday as a way to feel empowered and free, and Alec had jumped at the idea, eagerly roping Hunter into their plans. According to Alec, the only thing that would've made it perfect was if Antonio had been in the country to come with them, but since he was in Mexico for a few weeks before he started with his new team, it was just Riley and Alec today.

Privately, Theo hates it, but he's kept it to himself. While he doesn't get the draw since you couldn't pay him to jump out of a plane, he knows that it's important to Alec so he's staying quiet. He's also staying home, because if he had to watch Alec jump out of a plane, he'd probably pass out or have a panic attack. That and he has way too much to do to get ready for the party later.

"I guess I better shower, but only if you give me my ring, fiance ." The smile on Alec's face is bright enough to light up Theo's entire life. He really is devastatingly beautiful when he smiles.

"The ring," Theo echoes, rolling off the bed and shuffling to the dresser. He opens the top drawer, digging around until he finds a pair of black socks he never wears hidden in the back corner, unfolding them to reveal a small box that he carries back to the bed. Somehow even though Alec has already said yes, he can't help but feel nervous. He wants Alec to love it, to look at it on his finger and remember this moment, remember how precious he is.

"Well?" Alec's grinning, one hand outstretched.

Holding his breath, Theo opens the box, pulling out the delicate band. All gold, smooth except for the single blue topaz stone in the center. Proud of his steady hand, he slips the ring on Alec's finger, exhaling a heavy sigh of relief when it settles at the base in a perfect fit.

"It's beautiful." When Alec lifts his eyes to Theo's, he whispers, "Thank you."

"Everyone will know you're taken now." Theo lifts his hand, laying a single kiss atop the ring. "Forever."

"Theodore James, are you being possessive? You want me to get a shirt that says ‘belongs to Theo' for when we go out? I will. Actually, that's a great idea."

"I don't think that's necessary," Theo chuckles, absolutely certain that Alec would in fact wear a shirt like that if he could. "Between you and me, I don't need to see you in a special shirt or ring to know you're mine. I feel it every time you look at me."

"Are you turning into a romantic, Theodore?"

"For you," Theo answers. "Anything for you."

"Anything?" Alec smirks.

"Anything except jumping out of a plane."

"Damn," Alec laughs as he slips out of bed, though not before dropping a kiss to Theo's head. "By the way, don't tell my brothers about the engagement when they come over later. I wanna do it. I wanna be here when they find out."

"Who says they're coming over? I don't have anything planned," Theo lies, wondering how on earth Alec figured out he's planning a surprise party. He's been so careful. Or at least he thought he had. Maybe he's not as good at hiding things from Alec as he thought.

"Uh-huh. Sure." Alec turns to look at Theo with a playful grin. "Whatever you say future husband of mine."

Pausing to appreciate the difference a full day's work makes, Theo places his hands on his hips and surveys the small backyard. This morning it'd been in horrible shape, the last few months of Alec's recovery taking precedence over yard work. Even once he was better, there were far more important things to do, like spend every second with his pretty boyfriend, rather than worry about weeds and grass. Thankfully as soon as Alec left with Riley this morning, Jason came to help Theo tackle his problem. Together they mowed the lawn, pulled the weeds along the fence line, set up a few tables and chairs and rearranged and cleaned the patio furniture. Once that was done, Theo strung up a few new strings of white lights from the patio to the fence line in case the party went late, which knowing the King family, it would. Meanwhile Jason built the new fire pit he bought. All in all the yard looks amazing and pride fills Theo's chest.

He's never thrown anyone a party before, not even Jason, since his family always handled that. It feels monumental somehow to realize that yet one more part of taking care of Alec, making him happy, is something he can do. There's a responsibility there and after months of therapy, that no longer feels like a burden but a privilege.

Watching the summer sun glint off the freshly cut grass, Theo can't help but smile, hoping Alec likes it all. When Alec had offhandedly mentioned wanting something small and cozy last month for his birthday, Theo had taken the idea and ran with it, eager to give him everything he wanted and more.

"Are you daydreaming about Alec?"

"No," Theo lies, turning to see Jason has returned from his trip to the recycling bin with a smirk.

"You're such a bad liar."

"Yeah, but we both know if I answered honestly it might incriminate me."

"I told you, you're allowed to talk about being in love. Just don't ever mention sex and my brother in the same sentence and we're good. As far as I'm concerned, he's still an innocent virginal baby."

Theo barks out a laugh, unable to picture Alec as innocent ever. "Whatever you say."

"I hate you," Jason grumbles. He's been a bit moody today, which is unusual given his normal positive disposition.

"You okay?"

"I'm fine," Jason sighs. "Ugh, you love Alec so much, don't you?"

"Uh, yes."

Jason groans loudly, covering his face. He mumbles something unintelligible, the words lost behind his big hands. When he drops his face his expression is still tight. "Sorry I've been a dick today. I'm so jealous."

Oh. Oh .

"Am I being a bad friend? Am I neglecting you? Maybe–"

"Stop." Jason holds up a hand, face pinched. "I'm fine, and I'm happy for you guys. I'm being a dick. It's just…ugh, I don't wanna talk about this today. Or ever, but especially not today. Raincheck?"

"Raincheck," Theo concedes. If Jason isn't ready to talk about it, then Theo isn't going to push. To his relief and surprise, dating Alec hadn't ruined his friendship with Jason, but he'd wondered if this might happen at some point. Even though he's made a concentrated effort to make sure they have bro time, it's been inevitable that some of that time involves Alec now. He thought Jason was cool with it, but maybe there's something else there. Either way, he's willing to be patient until Jason is ready to talk.

"You should probably shower," Theo says, offering Jason an escape since he looks like he ate a lemon. "You smell like you rolled around in the mud."

Jason lifts an arm and sniffs himself, grimacing. "Gross. I'm gonna head home and shower before the party, feed the dogs and take them for a quick walk. I'll be back in an hour and a half, is that good?"

"Sure, I'm pretty much done at this point. All I have to do after I shower is put out the tablecloths and flowers and then the taco guy will be here at three to set up. Riley texted me earlier and said that he was going to take Alec out for lunch after their jump, so they're supposed to be here in—" he pauses to look at his watch. "Two hours, fuck."

"Calm down, Theo. You've got this. Everything is perfect. He's going to love it."

Jason squeezes Theo's shoulder and when he releases it some of his tension fades. He's maybe been a little intense about the party today and while it's supposed to be low key and simple, Theo's been deep in his anxious need to make it perfect.

"Pretty sure you could've bought him a shitty pizza and eaten on a picnic blanket on the overgrown grass, and Alec would have still been happy. He loves you so much, which is somehow amazing and gross all at once. I'm still not sure which is which. All I know is I've never seen either of you happier, and that makes me happy. So just relax, alright? You did good, Theo."

"Thanks," Theo says quietly, surprised at how much hearing that helps. Part of him itches to tell Jason right now about the engagement. Keeping the secret from him all day was brutal, the only thing that made Theo feel a little bit better about the entire thing is that Jason already knows about the ring and Theo's intention to propose; he just doesn't know it accidentally happened this morning. Not yet.

"I'm gonna take off," Jason announces. "See you."

Once Jason leaves, Theo hurries into the house to shower, scrubbing away the dirt and sweat. He takes the time for a close shave, eager to have Alec mouth at the smooth skin later, like he always does when Theo is freshly shaved. Thoughts of Alec fill his mind while he dresses, spending more time than usual trying to tousle his hair and apply a generous amount of his favorite cologne Alec seems obsessed with. Once he's done he heads to his closet, pulling on a pair of worn, faded jeans that are just this side of too tight and make Alec especially needy, along with a new blue sweater he bought last week for this very occasion. Most of his clothing leans towards earth tones, but there's something delightful about pulling on the bright blue sweater knowing it's going to be a beacon for Alec's attention.

It's odd to realize he spent his entire life avoiding being noticed, but with Alec he craves it, relishes in the other man's attention. Something about Alec's adoring gaze and handsy affection has turned Theo into a bit of attention whore, at least where Alec is involved.

By the time he's finished dressing, there's still over an hour until Jason and the taco guy arrive. Finding a taco guy who specialized in vegetarian options had been harder than Theo thought and he'd had to hire one from Los Angeles, adding on a pretty penny to the travel expense, but it'll be worth it to see Alec devour his body weight in his favorite food.

Eager to make sure everything is ready by the time they arrive to set up, Theo hurries back into the yard, setting up the tablecloths and adding vases of white dahlias to each of the tables. Once he's done, it's hard not to notice that all of the white makes it look more like an engagement party than a birthday. Or maybe Theo's just got marriage on the brain.

Somehow Theo had grown up believing that avoiding love would break a generational curse of abandonment and trauma. Thinking about Alec's tear-filled eyes as he'd let Theo slip the ring on his finger this morning, he understands the truth to be far different. Loving Alec, and letting himself be loved in return, is the bravest thing he's ever done.

"Everyone shut the fuck up! He's coming," Jason yells, grabbing Theo's arm and tugging him back behind the door as if that will help.

Behind him is the rest of Alec's family. His parents came around to the idea of Theo and Alec together quickly once they saw how happy Alec was. To no one's surprise, the hardest to win over had been Charlie, who had been convinced for months that Theo was gonna freak out and break Alec's heart.

It'd been difficult at first, but Theo couldn't even be mad because he understood Charlie's distrust came from his deep need to protect Alec, especially after his accident. Thankfully he's come around since then, and the fact that he's here in Theo's home helping Theo throw Alec a surprise party is proof.

"Stop laughing," Jason yells at a group of Alec's old teammates piled on the couch. There's so many of them that Theo's half afraid it'll break under the weight, but the sight of so many people still here to celebrate Alec has his heart full. "He's walking up the path."

"Who turned Jason into a drill sergeant?" Charlie grumbles.

"Shut up," Jason snaps.

"Someone's an angry puppy," Charlie laughs. At Jason's frown he continues. "Aw, is someone jealous it's not his birthday? Maybe?—"

Andrew slaps a hand over Charlie's mouth to silence him, which is lucky because Jason's face has turned the exact same shade as a tomato, and it's anyone's guess whether that's anger or embarrassment. Theo makes a mental note to plan a bro date, just for them at some point in the coming weeks to check in with him.

Luckily they're spared further King sibling bickering by Alec's keys rattling in the front door, which everyone takes as their cue to finally be as quiet as possible while they wait.

Slowly the door swings open to reveal a smiling Alec with Riley and Hunter standing behind him. "Wow, a party! I am so surprised!" Alec announces dramatically. "So surprised."

"What the actual fuck are you wearing?" Charlie yells at the same time everyone else shouts happy birthday . Theo's eyes narrow as he focuses in on Alec's shirt, his own face now matching Jason's while Andrew starts to choke on his laughter. Alec's friends whistle and hoot, which makes Theo's face feel like it's on fire.

"Like my shirt, Theodore?" Alec saunters in wearing the same well-fitting black joggers he had on this morning, but instead of a loose cotton SLU tee, he's now wearing a pastel pink cropped t-shirt that says, I love my daddy . "It was a birthday present from Riley."

"You want to kill me, don't you?" Theo says. The question is rhetorical. The writing on the shirt might be ridiculous, but the way it fits makes Theo want to drag Alec into the bedroom and ignore the house full of people. The shirt is loose around his throat, his gold chain skimming sharp collar bones and the cut of the shirt showing off a sliver of his belly.

"Definitely not the little death I would choose," Alec smirks.

"How is it possible that he's gotten even more shameless?" Jason groans. "Theo, control your boyfriend."

"No one controls Alec," Theo replies.

At the exact same time Alec holds up his hand. " Fiance ."

The ring Theo put there this morning shimmers as Alec wiggles his fingers to show it off. Half a second passes before he is crushed in the world's loudest group hug, his friends laughing and cheering and asking a million questions. Theo takes a step back, surprised to find Alec's parents staring at him instead of waiting for a turn to hug Alec.

Alec's dad holds his hand out, but before Theo can shake it, Alec's mother pulls him into a hug. "You've always been part of this family, Theo. I hope you know that."

"Oh," Theo croaks, surprised to find he can't reply from the lump in his throat.

"You're a good boy. You'll take care of my son, I know you will." Then she says something that rocks Theo to the absolute core. "And he will take care of you, too. Both my boys happy? What more could a mother want?"

Theo is spared from blubbering on her shirt by Jason tapping on his mom's shoulder. "My turn."

As soon as Jason's mom steps aside, he grabs onto Theo, hugging him fiercely. "What happened to your plan? I thought you weren't proposing for a few months."

"Alec happened," Theo half laughs, half cries.

"Fucking Alec," Jason says, hugging him tighter. "I can't believe you're gonna legally be my brother."

"Brother," Theo croaks, unsure he can handle any more love.

"I just have one thing to say." Jason pulls back, holding onto Theo's shoulder with both hands. "If I hear any nonsense at your wedding about you marrying your best friend, I will interrupt that damn ceremony and call bullshit. I am the best friend, got it?"

"No one could ever replace you, Jason."

"Damn right they couldn't," Jason says before pulling Theo into another hug.

"Are we fighting over Theo? I want in," Alec says, grinning when Jason steps back to leave room for Alec, who folds himself into Theo's arms, pressing a kiss to the side of Theo's neck.

"There's no fighting over him," Jason says. "He was mine first."

Alec flips him off, but his smile remains easy. It's an ongoing thing between them and Theo has realized it might never stop, but there's no bite from either of them so he's given up interjecting. Arguing is how they show their love, apparently.

"So how was jumping out of an airplane?" Theo asks once he's sure he's got Alec's attention.

"Fucking amazing," Alec says, "but so is this. Thank you."

"For the party?"

"For everything," Alec answers, arms tightening around Theo's waist. "I love you."

Theo drops his forehead to Alec's, breathing in the sweet scent of fresh air that clings to his sun-warmed skin. "I love you too."

"So, Theodore, are you ready for forever?"

"Never been more ready."

Thank you so much for reading Cross the Line. Publishing my first original novel is a dream come true for me. It is so exciting that it's finally out there in the world. If you enjoyed it I would love it if you'd leave a review on your favorite bookish site or share with friends. Those kinds of recommendations and reviews mean everything to indie authors!

Rainbows, love and coffee,

Lucky