“Alright,” Dr. Miller smiled as Evander pulled on a sweater, “how are you feeling?”

“My arm is pretty tight and itchy. That's normal right?”

“Yep. Means it's healing,” he nodded as I moved behind Evander to fix his sweater, “you need to be as careful as possible. Thank you, for listening to me about the chest binder. With the sore on your shoulder, the straps will kill you.”

“It's okay,” Evander laughed, “I'm barely an a-cup. They're not noticable if I wear a sweater. Koa? Did they give you all my stuff?”

“Yeah I already put it in the Jeep and Alexi went to get your prescriptions since he's off today. We took care of it,” I kissed the side of his head, “sucked not being able to do that for a week.”

The staph infection had ravaged Evander for a week straight. Between the pain from his burns, the fever he was trying to fight, and the nightmares he was suffering, Alexander felt it best to put him in a medically induced coma. The infection went away first, slower than they expected, and I sat next to Evander's hospital bed as much as I could other than to eat, shower, and use the bathroom. I had to re-sterilize myself every time and while it was irritating, he was worth that to me, even if all I did was watch him sleep. Once the infection was gone, they pulled him back to consciousness and we spent another week waiting for the worst of his burns to scab over. Evander was miserable at first, wanting to tear his skin off as it itched something fierce. But between my being there, Kipton and Caelan visiting, and the small gifts I brought to Evander, he finally started smiling again. His complaints shifted from the pain to wanting to get out of the hospital and finally, after 15 days, he got his wish.

“I hope I don't see you for a long time,” Dr. Miller smiled, letting Evander hug him, “I'm proud of you. If it means anything.”

“It means everything,” Evander whispered, “can you tell Lucia I said hi?”

“Absolutely. You know how much my wife loves you. Koa?”

“Yes, sir?” I nodded, grabbing Evander's last bag.

“Make me a promise. To keep taking care of Evan for me. I picked his name after all. He means a lot to me. Like my own kid.”

“Of course. I love taking care of him. That was an easy thing to ask of me. Evan? We should get to my parents. Caelan is probably running around the house in excitement. He misses you.”

“Oh! I miss him too. Okay,” Evander laced his fingers with mine and I squeezed gently, “It's weird holding your prosthetic.”

“Until the little burn on the back of your right hand heals I'm too scared to hold it. Soon. Be patient.”

“I will be. Bye, Dr. Miller!”

“Bye, you two.”

I pulled Evander out of the hospital, grateful it was finally happening, and helped him into my jeep before tossing his last bag into the backseat and getting in myself.

“It feels weird to leave. I honestly thought I'd live here,” Evander whispered, shielding his eyes to look up at the window that belonged to the room he used.

“I would have fought every single doctor, administrator, and nurse to bring you home. I hated this,” I ran my fingers through his hair and Evander turned, giggling when I slowly kissed him, “I missed you. I know I sat there but it wasn't the same. You weren't the same. Before you say anything, no. I don't want to stop seeing you even after this. You make me happy, I won't give that up.”

“That gives me such relief,” he took a shaky breath and kissed me again, “it's been my biggest fear.”

“You lost your apartment since you couldn't pay the rent. Aren't you more scared of being homeless?”

“I have Kip. I still have somewhere to live. Once I'm ready to work again, I'll find a new place. I know you'll help me look, find somewhere good.”

“Only the best for you,” I winked, making Evander snort, “hey I was being serious!”

“I know. You're just so cute. Can we get boba?”

“Anything you want.”

After a quick boba stop, I took Evander to my parents as he happily drank his bubble tea, wiggling the entire time. They'd had Evander on a strict diet and he was miserable, missing sweets. I couldn't sneak them in, Alexander seemed to always catch me, so I stocked my parents' food with all of his favorite snacks.

“We're finally here,” Evander sighed happily as I opened the gate to my parents with the remote I had, “I love this house. I'd never want to permanently live somewhere this big, but it's nice to see your family.”

“Hey?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you really enjoy my parents that much? It's important to me.”

“Caelan is my best friend. He's been talking to me about gardening, how to properly clean and care for a house. I don't have real-life skills with modern appliances so he offered to teach me all of it. Alexander makes me laugh constantly. He's patient and gentle with me. I didn't know that they uh… well you have two dads but let's be honest, Alexi is the head of the house. So I was unaware that the lead of the house should treat their partner equally. It's been teaching me a lot about relationships coming over here every weekend before the fire. I adore your parents. They mean a lot to me.”

“Good,” I kissed him with a smile making Evander scrunch his nose, “if you didn't get along with them, we couldn't keep dating.”

“4 entire months now. That's crazy.”

“I know I can't take you out tonight. You're not supposed to go anywhere for a bit, but,” I walked my fingers up his left arm before pinching his ear gently, “I thought we could have a movie date in the sunroom. I'll make a whole tray of your favorite snacks and watermelon juice. We can cuddle on the couch together wrapped in my favorite blanket.”

“I love that idea. Thank you… honestly Koa. You're amazing. For still finding ways for us to keep dating even if I'm stuck inside. Do you know where I'm sleeping?”

“Kaia's old room. It shares a wall with mine. I set both up this morning. Got your clothes from Kip and anything we thought you'd need. We also have a specific bathroom only you'll use for sterilization reasons. I'll only go in to help change bandages or Caelan will when I'm at university. I'll be gone three days a week for four hours but I'll do my assignments around you. We planned. We've got this.”

“You've got this. I'm putting myself, my heart, my healing, all of it, in your hands. I trust you deeply and know you'll take care of me. I'll just listen to what you say.”

“Don't give up your autonomy. But I do know what we need to do and will keep you informed… your heart?” I thought back on what Evander had said and he chewed his lip before nodding, “Oh Evan,” I tangled my hand in his hair and pulled him as close as I could, the center console in the way, “I trust you with my heart too. I never thought I'd want someone to take it again. But you wouldn't hurt me the way Beau did and I know that.”

“Never. I'm yours, Koa. Even if we're just dating, I belong with you.”

“I belong with you too.”

We sat there for a few more seconds before Ranger suddenly came running from inside, Caelan behind him equally excited. I calmed Ranger as I was worried he'd try and jump on Evander and I didn't want to risk his fragile new skin tearing.

“Evan,” Caelan smiled, cradling Evander's face, “welcome back. It's been weird not having you around.”

“Are you sure I can stay for a few weeks? Kip wouldn't mind if I stayed there.”

“You still need care and support. Kip has work and a pregnant Queenie to take care of. So we've got you,” he smiled and kissed Evander on the forehead, “Marmalade might try to keep you company. She likes Kaia's room.”

“I've always wanted a cat,” he giggled as I watched fondly unloading bags from the back of my Jeep, “thank you. If there's anything I can do, tell me.”

“All I want is for Koa to be happy and you truly make him happy. So that's more than enough. Come on,” Caelan gently linked his arm with Evander's, “I made dinner. Let's go eat.”

“Can you not steal him from me?” I huffed, “I'm a freaking pack mule back here. Help me.”

“Oh!” Caelan spun around, “I honestly forgot you were there. Here,” he held his hand out and I dropped one of the bags in it, “better?”

“Sure. I've got five, you've got one, but yeah. Better.”

“Hey. Be nice to your dad,” Evander scowled at me before snickering.

“Oh, are you the boss of me?”

“Would you like to be?”

“God no,” I pulled him from Caelan after shifting the bags to my prosthetic as I knew it could take the weight, “I'd never want someone else being the boss of me. But,” I kissed him softly, rubbing his chin with my thumb, “I can be persuaded to do what makes you happy.”

“How much is it going to cost me?” He whispered against my lips, the sun highlighting how light his eyes were.

“2 kisses and your heart.”

“My heart is yours. I'll make sure to pay with kisses though. Why are you so sweet?”

“I copy Alexander,” I laughed, hugging him tightly, “come on. I'm starving.”