Tanner was sitting on the dock looking up at the sky. He’d had to get out of the house for a while. Everyone was hovering over him and he’d had enough of it. He knew he looked awful; the bruising on his face was horrific, and the rest of him wasn’t any better. He knew Nico’s story, how Lorenzo had come to his house in the middle of the night and taken him out of his home. Now he knew why.

“Hey.”

Tanner turned to find Nico standing nearby. “Hi.”

Nico sat down and asked, “You okay?”

“Yes.” Tanner tried to smile.

“I’m so sorry, Tanner. This was my fault. What he did to you…” Nico looked away. Tanner’s face —God, it was so bad.

“This was not your fault.” Tanner took his hand. “Look at me.”

“I can’t —” Nico choked out. Tanner put his arms around him and then crawled into his lap. “If I had lost you —”

“I’m here.” Tanner held him.

Nico held him and cried. His Tanner had been hurt, beaten. He couldn’t look at him knowing it had been his biological father who had caused him so much pain. Tanner took Nico’s face in his hands and looked into his eyes.

“You came for me.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Caleb was watching them from the window and he smiled at his son with Tanner. Even though there was an age difference, he knew Nico loved Tanner with his whole heart. He would never love anyone else.

“Kind of reminds you of your own story with Heath, huh?” Tyler noted as he stepped next to Caleb.

“It does.” Caleb smiled.

“I don’t think the age difference matters with those two. They love each other.” Tyler watched his son cuddle against Nico.

Lorenzo had finally let his daughter loose and she went straight into Conner’s arms.

“Juliet!” Conner held her close.

Juliet wrapped her arms around his neck and held on; Conner tightened his grip and kissed her forehead.

“I was so worried, when I saw your pencil…”

Juliet pulled back. “You remembered!”

“Of course, I did. I listen to everything you say.”

“I love you, Conner.” Juliet snuggled into him.

“I love you.”

“What is with this family and kidnapping?” Jake sat at the breakfast bar and opened a beer.

“No shit,” Kyle agreed.

“How many is that now?” Justin asked.

“Well, let’s see.” Stefan thought about it. “Too many.”

“Well, the bracelets were first used after Damon Sr. was abducted and Stefan and I had to go find him,” Jordan mused.

“They didn’t do much good when Brandon was kidnapped,” Justin pointed out.

“No, but I did.” Dylan winked.

“Yes, you did.” Alex cupped his face.

“They didn’t help when Jay took off.” Greg cocked an eyebrow at his husband.

“Because I took it off.” Jay corrected him.

“Josh didn’t.” Jason chuckled.

“I know and that’s how you found me.” Josh caressed Jason’s face.

“We want to hear the stories again.” Landon sat at the table with the rest of the kids.

“Again?” Jordan smiled.

“I love hearing how my dads fell in love.” Katiana sighed.

“Well, then.” Stefan looked at the group of kids. “Get comfortable.”

“Sorry I’m late.”

They looked up at once to see James standing in the doorway.

“Uncle James!” Tanner flew at him. “You’re home! It’s been forever!”

“I am.” James nodded at the group.

Jake approached his brother. They just stared at each other until Jake reached out and grabbed him, hugging him hard.

“I’m so sorry. I had no right to say what I did.”

Parker was busy texting Theo while Stefan and Jordan moved over to James.

“So long, James. It’s been so long!” Stefan held him.

“I know. I did tell you I was all right.”

Jordan took him in his arms. “I’m just so glad you’re home.”

“I wanted to be here to help. I’m sorry I was late,” James said.

“It’s okay, Uncle James.” Juliet smiled up at him. “You’re home now.”

James picked her up and held her in one arm while holding out the other for Tanner to come closer.

“I am home.”

Theo was sitting with Tomas at a French café when the text came through.

“James is in Fort Worth.”

“Any word on Leo?” Tomas asked.

“No, but I’m betting money he’s here, Tomas. Probably in Marseilles. He loves it there and he would go there to think.”

“That’s what you said about the last three countries.”

“Well, I’m grasping at straws now.” Theo shrugged. “I can stay.”

“No, you need to go to James. Be with him, Theo.”

“Are you sure? I can stay and help you find Leo. James will still be there.”

Tomas smiled at him. They had gotten close while trying to find James and Leo.

“No, I have to find Leo and convince him that I truly do have feelings for him. It’s probably best if I did it alone.”

“He’s going to fight you. It’s his defense mechanism. Don’t give up.”

“Oh, I won’t.” Tomas stood up and hugged Theo. “Now, go convince James you want him and he has no reason to say no anymore.”

“Take care, Tomas.” Theo walked away.

Tomas watched him leave and looked at his coffee. He was going to find Leo Scofield if it was the last thing he did.

James went home to the house he had shared with Tomas. Each of them had moved to their own apartments after the split but the house would always be theirs. Stefan had kept it up for them, knowing they’d be home eventually. James opened the fridge and cupboards and found them packed with food. He smiled and grabbed a beer before settling on the couch. He had been back in Fort Worth for one day and it already felt like home again. The time he had spent alone was necessary. He was trying to get over the feelings he had for Theo and it hadn’t worked; if anything, he missed him even more.

The talk with his brother had been good. Jake told him he had gone to New York and told their mother the whole story. She, of course, had smacked him upside the head and told him to mind his own business. That had made James laugh out loud. He had gone to see her before returning to Fort Worth and she had assured him that the only thing she wanted was for her son to be happy — and if Theo Mitchell did that for him, she was all for it. As long as James kept his last name, which he had assured her he would. Oh, and she insisted on grandchildren.

He took a long, hot shower, sighing as the water ran over him. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Theo. No amount of time away would change that and James knew it never would. The man who had guarded him at eighteen had come back into his life and turned it upside down. James got out of the shower and pulled on some sweats. He was just about to microwave some popcorn when the doorbell rang.

“What the hell?” James checked the time. When he got to the door and yanked it open, Theo stood there, soaking wet from the rain.

“You’re okay.”

“Get in here.” James dragged him inside. “You’re soaked!”

James ran and got him a towel while Theo stood in the entryway and checked out the house. James came back and handed him the towel. He helped Theo get out of his wet shirt and dried off his back. Theo grabbed his hand and looked into his eyes.

“I looked everywhere for you.”

James felt his knees buckling under the intensity of Theo’s gaze. “I needed time to think.”

“Yeah? You done now?” Theo ran his thumb over the top of James’ hand.

James couldn’t stop looking at him. His chest was heaving and droplets of water caressed his strong, defined muscles. James swallowed hard and looked into his eyes.

“Yes.”

“I still want you, James. That won’t change, no matter how long you hide.” Theo caressed his face.

James backed up. “You should hate me for the way I left. I wanted you to get over me.”

Theo grabbed him. “The only thing I can think of right now is how much I want you. How much I need you.”

Theo crushed their lips together and James became boneless. Theo was picking him up and carrying him to the back bedroom. They hit the bed hard and then Theo was all over him. He couldn’t kiss him long enough or deep enough; he wanted to feel every part of him and James didn’t hold back.

“Oh God, I missed you so much!”

“I missed you too.” Theo’s hand was skimming up and down his inner thigh. James took Theo’s face in his hands. “Make love to me.”

“Are you sure?” Theo pulled back.

“I’ve never been surer about anything in my life, Theo.” James pulled him down.

Theo was taking his time with him. Finally, Theo’s fingers gently probed him and stretched him. They kissed slowly and Theo explored every inch of James’ mouth. He licked down James’ neck then trailed his tongue up his jawline. James’ loud moans spurred Theo into further action. He gripped James’ hair with one hand as his other hand grabbed his ass and pulled him closer.

“Theo!” James arched his back as Theo slowly entered him; the pain was immediate and James gasped.

“Shit, I’m sorry.” Theo stopped and rested his forehead against James’.

“No, it’s okay. It’s been a while.”

“Me too. We can take it slow.”

“We have all night.”

Theo pushed in carefully. James had his hands in Theo’s hair and he kissed him slowly, loving the feel of Theo’s tongue against his.

They moved together now as the pain subsided and turned into pleasure. James closed his eyes as Theo kissed him and continued to work his way in and out of his body. He didn’t know what this was with Theo but he knew the other man was making love to him — he felt it in every part of his body and soul.

“Theo!” James’ stomach warmed as Theo sunk his length into him.

“I know.” Theo bit his bottom lip and his hand stroked James faster as he sped up his thrusts. Making love to James was everything he had thought it would be. He had genuine feelings for him. In the time they had been apart, nothing had changed for him. He wanted James; that had been constant.

The loud cry that came from James shocked Theo and almost knocked him off his rhythm. He slammed in deep and came with a loud cry swallowed up by James’ mouth. They spent a long time kissing and Theo palmed his face and looked into his eyes.

“I missed you so much James. When I saw you again in Malta, I knew things had changed. Leo and I had broken up, and the way you looked at me that first night — it was as if I was twenty-one all over again.”

“I’m sorry if I hurt you,” James whispered. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you the whole time I was gone. I do want you, Theo, that hasn’t changed.”

“Then, please don’t do that again.” Theo caressed his face. “I can’t lose you, James Greco.”

Tomas hit every single beach he could think of. He had been all over France looking for Leo and had finally gotten a lead. He hit pay dirt when he showed Leo’s picture in a bar in the south of France. The bartender told him Leo was nearby in a hotel and ran every morning on the beach. Tomas made sure he was on the beach by five the next morning. Not long after he arrived, he saw a familiar figure running toward him.

Leo had been running for over an hour. It didn’t lessen the pain, nothing had. No time away could make him feel any better about that night, hearing Tomas tell James that James belonged to him and always would. He had been hurt and, for once in his life, had felt used. The worst part was he couldn’t stop thinking about Tomas or wanting him. The time away only made things worse.

He was surprised to see someone else on the beach and then Tomas’ face came into view. He stopped and stared.

“It took me forever to find you.”

“Go home, Tomas. Go be with James.”

“I can’t do that. I just sent Theo to Fort Worth to be with James.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Leo turned around and resumed running.

Tomas ran after him and grabbed his hand. “This can’t be it, Leo! I have been looking for you for a very long time. I want you.”

“It’s too late. You made your choice back in the jungle when you announced to everyone around that James was your property and you were just waiting for him to take you back — while banging me in the meantime, of course.”

Tomas winced at the memory before defending himself.

“Bullshit! I ran to find you and you had already taken off on the chopper!”

“Well, then, that was a sign wasn’t it?” Leo got loose and continued running. The next thing he knew, Tomas had plowed into him, and had his hands pinned in the sand.

“Look at me and tell me you don’t care about me, Leo.”

“Get off of me!” Leo bucked his hips but Tomas stayed firmly in place.

“I want you in my life, and not just for right now. I want you for a long time.” Tomas grabbed a fistful of Leo’s hair and crushed their lips together. Leo continued to fight him off and he increased the pressure, taking Leo’s mouth by force.

God, the feel of Tomas’ lips on his! Leo didn’t have the strength to fight anymore. He began to respond.

“Tomas.”

“I missed you so much,” Tomas moaned into his mouth. “I want you, Leo. I choose you.”

“Really?” Leo took his face in his hands.

“Really.”

They kissed the whole way back to the hotel and Tomas had most of Leo’s clothing off before they even got into the room. They landed on the floor and Tomas was all over Leo.

“Tomas!”

“You’re mine, Leo!” Tomas kissed him hard and entered him fast.

The loud gasp that came from both of them startled them into staring into each other’s eyes and then Tomas pushed the rest of the way in, loving the way Leo felt. They moved together as Tomas kissed him slowly, lovingly.

“Leo.” Tomas looked into his eyes.

“Don’t stop,” Leo moaned.

“I won’t.”

Leo held on to Tomas’ biceps as he made love to him. It seemed to go on for hours. Tomas kept his thrusts slow and hit Leo deep. Their orgasms neared and Tomas grasped Leo’s cock and stroked fast.

“Oh, God, Tomas! I’m coming!”

Tomas came hard, thrusting in deep. His loud cry landed in Leo’s mouth. Leo let loose with his own sounds and hung onto Tomas as his orgasm ripped through him. They stayed on the floor kissing and Tomas pulled the comforter off the bed to cover them.

“I missed you so much.”

“I missed you, Leo.” Tomas dropped his head to Leo’s shoulder. “God, I’m sorry I was such an ass.”

“I thought you wanted James and was using me in the meantime.”

“It was my pride talking, Leo. I think seeing Theo and James together again took me back to when they were dating and how hurt I had felt at that time. I want you, Leo. Please, tell me you can forgive me.”

Leo sighed. “Nothing to forgive.”

“Thank you.” Tomas looked into Leo’s green eyes. God, he was so beautiful. “Are you hungry?

“I am, actually.”

“Then let’s get dressed and go eat.” Tomas hopped up off the floor.

“Wow.”

“What?”

“What the hell did you do? Hit the gym every day while we were apart?” Leo ran his hand up Tomas’ ripped abs.

Tomas crouched and took Leo’s face in his hands. “This is what happens when you’re looking for the one man who makes you happy, makes you feel like you can take on the entire world.”

“Tomas.”

“Shhh. Get dressed, sexy.”

As Tomas went down the stairs he took his phone out and texted Theo.

<Found him>

The reply came in seconds. <Thank God>

James awoke and turned his head to see Theo sleeping peacefully. He was in Theo’s arms and it felt so good. He kissed his chin and smiled when Theo’s eyes opened.

“Good morning.”

“Yeah, it is.” Theo pulled James closer. “God, you’re sexy.”

“Have you had your eyes checked?”

Theo smiled and kissed James, who moaned his approval. Theo covered his mouth and rolled over on top of him. Theo’s hard cock pressed against his hip and he grabbed the other man’s ass, pushing it against his own cock.

“James Greco, you little slut you.” Theo chuckled, biting his earlobe.

“I can’t help it.”

“Tomas found Leo.” Theo searched his face for the slightest hint of jealousy.

“Thank God.” James sighed. He noticed Theo’s expression. “What?”

“I thought —” Theo struggled for words.

James pulled him down. “I want to be with you, Theo. Only you.”

“Really?”

“Really?” James couldn’t help but laugh.

Theo pinned his hands and took his mouth. James moaned his approval as Theo ground his hips into him.

“James!”

James opened his eyes and looked directly into Theo’s. James pushed his hips up into him. Theo flipped them over and James was on top looking into Theo’s eyes.

“I want you to make love to me, James.”

“Oh, wow.” James sat up. “I don’t know, Theo. I’ve only been with Tomas.”

“What are you afraid of?”

“What if I can’t, you know, get you off?” James blushed.

“Oh, James.” Theo looked into his eyes and smiled. Eighteen-year-old James was still in there — only now he knew James’ confidence back then was all an act. “You don’t give yourself enough credit. Just looking at you gets me off.”

James smiled. “Will you take a trip with me?”

“Is that a trick question?”