Hugo's POV

Hugo sighed, dragging a hand through his usually neat hair. As an afterthought, he tried to pat his hair down and make it look presentable. Though, under the circumstances, Hugo doesn't think his hair will be what holds Cas' attention and it certainly won't be what holds Josh's.

Winnie had come through and given Josh a larger apartment with two rooms, two bathrooms and the general living area. From what Josh had messaged Hugo, it was much larger than his old studio apartment. Josh had moved in with help from the family and settled Cassian down into his new home. Despite the wage of a tattoo artist was enough to live on, it wasn't enough for Josh to buy everything that he needed to support Cas and while Josh wouldn't accept his friends and family buying the items and equipment he needed, he allowed them to buy it all in the form of presents for Cas so he can adapt to his new surroundings as painless as possible while Josh had the time off. Because of this, Hugo had hardly seen his boyfriend over the past few weeks.

Hugo had been standing in front of Josh's new apartment for a while now. To those in the Control Room, it was probably funny, and Zeke or Blake might have already messaged Josh, telling him that Hugo was just stood in front of his door.

The truth was it was a big day for Hugo and Josh…

Or it was in Hugo's mind at least.

Today was when Hugo would be officially introduced to Cassian.

While Hugo had met Cas briefly whenever he and Josh had seen Ed and Lyra with Cas around the Pit, they had never sat down in the same room as each other and spent time together.

Originally, they would have done this a few days ago but Hugo's superior called an emergency meeting in the WDS. When they planned it for a second time, Hugo's nervousness had won and Hugo had to bail, using work as an excuse when in reality, Hugo's overthinking and anxiety made him throw up. The next time Hugo saw Josh, the hurt but worried expression his boyfriend wore was enough to tell Hugo that Josh knew it wasn't work that kept him from meeting Cas.

This time round Hugo had driven himself to Josh's door before his mind could mention every reason as to why it won't go well.

Cas isn't going to like you, a voice hissed in his head.

Hugo screwed his eyes shut and threaded both of his hands into his inky hair. "Shut up. Shut up. Shut up." Hugo hissed back under his breath.

He'll make Josh see how worthless you are.

"Shut up!" Hugo started to pace.

This was an important day.

If Cassian didn't like Hugo, it was unlikely that he and Josh would be able to stay together. Hugo doesn't know how he'd survive after knowing what it was like to be with Josh, only to be torn away because Josh's Godson doesn't like Hugo.

Ever since Hugo's initiation, he had been heart-struck by Josh. Dec had ambushed Hugo on his first night and had promptly introduced him to Eric and Four, who would be Hugo's instructors, and a few nights afterwards Josh was with Dec and Eric. After living in Erudite, there was something beautifully exotic to Josh with his long blond hair tied up in a bun and tattoos on his fingers. Maybe it was that Josh was born Dauntless and naturally had that laid-back attitude that Hugo struggled to emit. Though it was Josh's smile that fully captivated him. It was soft and roguish all at once and Hugo was a goner. Hugo's shyness increased tenfold whenever Josh was around and Hugo tried to keep it from being obvious, scared of what his older brother might think to him crushing on one of Dec's best friends.

While Hugo got used to the Faction and often explored the compound with Blake, he tried to ignore his growing crush on Josh and attempted to see him as Hugo saw Blake: nothing more than a friend. He was, after all Declan's best friend and brother, not to mention the six-year age difference between Josh and Hugo. Josh, either not aware of Hugo's crush or wasn't bothered, never mentioned any changes in Hugo's behaviour while around him.

For two years Hugo managed to ignore his ever-growing feelings for Josh. For two years Hugo struggled to see anyone in a romantic light. No one had caught his eye like Josh had and all it took for Hugo to acknowledge his feelings was his little sister… Issy, unknowingly, had brought Hugo and Josh together because she had struck up a friendship with Josh, Hugo was around him a lot more and it would have been rude of Hugo to just out right ignore Josh while around his sister. If they were talking about specifics, it was actually Hugo who instigated it… Though, in his defence, anyone else would have done the same in his position… Hugo had found Josh talking to his ex and something in Hugo just clicked. Next moment Hugo was dragging Josh away while glaring at the guy. He dragged Josh to a secluded hallway and one thing led to another… Hugo ended up admitting his feelings for Josh in a vomit-like rambling – only to be cut off by Josh's lips on his.

Now, back to where Hugo was pacing outside of Josh's door, Hugo didn't understand why Josh hadn't opened the door yet. He was pacing back and forth while lost in his thoughts. Maybe – maybe Josh didn't know he was outside yet… Maybe he was helping Cas get ready and hadn't even realised.

Hugo's head snapped to Josh's door and his pacing stopped.

Josh was testing him. He was waiting for Hugo to make his own choice…

Hugo huffed out a weak laugh, his Erudite mind clicking into overdrive as it tried to break through his overthinking thoughts.

The irony of their lives…

It was full of choices with one that only truly mattered to society.

Hugo patted his hair down once more and knocked on the door.

The door was swung open wide within seconds, and Josh stood there staring at Hugo with the softest of smiles. "I didn't think you'd knock."

Hugo shoves his hands into his pockets, grinning sheepishly. So Josh had known he was outside after all. "I choose you." Josh was testing him on whether or not Hugo wants to be tied to someone who's suddenly been made guardian to a small child. "And Cas, of course, if he wants me too."

Josh's smile breaks out into a grin and his eyes glossed over with tears. "Let's find out." He swings the door open further and takes a step back.

Sitting on the sofa facing the door was Cassian, dressed in a little hoodie that looks very similar to one of Josh's, trousers and little combat boots.

Hugo steps inside, allowing Josh to shut the door behind him. He smiles and waves silently.

Cassian stares at Hugo for a moment, before glancing at Josh. With a comforting smile from Josh, Cas looks back to Hugo and ducks his head, waving back shyly.

xXx

After their initial meeting, Hugo and Cassian got along like ducks to water. At first Hugo would only come around every few days so that Cas would get used to Hugo's presence. It only took a few weeks until Josh and Hugo thought it was okay if Hugo stayed the night, and since that night it had seemed like Hugo had never left.

While the Faction rebuilt, it was on the orders of Winnie that Josh kept Cassian at home to let him settle and get used to Josh as his full-time guardian. On a good day Cas was his own little pot of crazy at home, running around with Josh like reckless idiots. In the moments when Cas felt like something was missing, he'd climb onto Hugo's lap and asked him to read a book aloud. On bad days, Cassian stayed in his room and refused to eat. It was heart breaking to see Josh kneeling at the bedroom door, begging Cassian to eat something.

One night, Josh and Hugo bolted awake to screaming.

While Josh was panicking and getting his legs tangled in the sheets, Hugo was already out of bed and in Cassian's room. He gently woke Cas and cradled him in his arms, wiping away the tears. Josh stumbled into the room when Cas' cries had decreased into soft whimpers. When Hugo shifted his arms, Cas' hands dug into his chest and Hugo sighed. Hugo none too gently shoved Josh out of the room and back into their own room with Cas still in his arms.

"What –" Josh began but Hugo cut him off with a hard look.

Hugo motioned meaningfully from Josh to the bed. Josh nodded, understanding his meaning and climbed back into bed. Once Josh was settled, Hugo climbed in too and moved Cas from his arms and placed him in between himself and Josh. Cassian let out a few whimpers until Josh shifted closer, creating a small alcove of their bodies for Cas.

Hugo curled around Cas, pulling the covers higher to keep all three of them warm. "He should settle back down now. Just try not to squish him in your sleep."

"How did you know what to do?" Even with the small amount of light in the room, Hugo could tell Josh was staring at him.

"The twins had a lot of nightmares would they was younger. For a lot of them, Issy would wake up screaming and on the rare occasions, it was Alec screaming. Between myself, Dec and our parents, our reaction times of getting out of bed got quicker." Hugo brushed a few strands of hair out of Cas' face. "It's just second nature now."

Josh was silent for a moment and Hugo almost thought he had fallen asleep until he spoke up again. "After all these years in Dauntless, it's still a habit."

Hugo sighed. "It tore through our lives Josh." Hugo remembers the night he told Josh everything of the Vince family's past. It was a long night of Hugo talking, telling him everything between Hugo's memories of their mother being pregnant with the twins, growing up with Reece, the Dauntless patrol finding Issy and the hard days after up until Hugo's Choosing Ceremony. "Before Dauntless found Issy, it was Alec waking up screaming for Issy… And after getting Issy back, Alec suffered severe attachment issues from his twin, Issy woke up screaming every other night and Cara woke up crying for Reece." He watched as Cassian shifted in his sleep, flinging his little fist into Hugo's chest. "It's been awhile since anyone has needed me like this, I've kinda missed it."

Josh reaches forward, trying to find Hugo in the darkness. His hand accidently slaps Hugo's shoulder and he quietly apologies. Josh blindly pats his hand up Hugo's neck to his cheek and slides his hand behind Hugo's head, weaving his fingers into Hugo's short hair. "I love you; you know that right?" Josh feels Hugo nod against his hand. "Cas and I will always need you, as will your family –"

"Our family." Hugo interrupts him. "They're just as much your family as they are mine."

"Our family then." Even though Hugo can't see him, he knows that Josh is blushing slightly.

xXx

Hugo lounges back on the sofa with Cas snuggled into his side and Declan sits in one of the chairs nearby.

It was a Sunday night and Dec had joined Josh, Hugo and Cassian for dinner in Josh's apartment. It had been a while since Hugo had seen his oldest brother without the rest of the group or even without the rest of their siblings. Hugo had missed their time together back in Erudite but even now in Dauntless, Dec and Hugo make time for each other.

Josh left soon after dinner, kissing both Hugo and Cas on the forehead before he left for his night shift. Cas had been living with Josh for a few months now and so Josh had started slowly picking up shifts again at the tattoo parlour and his other job. During the day, when both Hugo and Josh was working, Cas re-joined Bree's toddler class and soon enough, all three of them settled into a new routine.

Now the brothers and Cas had been watching a few movies when Cas had fallen asleep at Hugo's side. The brothers continued to watch the film as Cas slept but every so often Dec sent him a pleased but equally curious look. After the fifth time Dec glanced at him like that, Hugo sighed.

"What is it?" Hugo asked, staring at his brother.

"What?" Dec tears his focus off the film to look at Hugo.

"You keep on looking at me weirdly. What is it?"

Dec stares a Hugo for a long moment before saying anything. "When are you going to move in with Josh and Cas?"

Hugo's eyes widen. "I – We're not at that stage yet…"

Dec shoots him a look of disbelief. "My darling brother, you're practically living with him as it is, and half your stuff is already here. What's the problem?"

"I don't want to force myself on them or anything. Josh is still adjusting to life as a full-time guardian and Cas isn't yet used to living here with Josh. Plus, Cas is still getting used to me."

Dec grins, eyeing how Cassian is curled up against Hugo's side as he clutches Hugo's t-shirt in his little hands. "I think he's quite used to your presence by now Hu." Hugo huffs and Dec chuckles. "I still think it's crazy that it took you both this long to get together."

Hugo freezes slightly. "What do you mean?"

"I'm not stupid Hugo. I know you've fancied Josh since your initiation, and I know Josh was pretty fu-fudging obvious about his crush on you." Despite the situation, Hugo laughed a little as Dec tried to censor his swearing.

"I thought I hid it well…" Hugo admits quietly. "But he's your best friend and I thought you would have a problem with our age difference… That's six years Declan."

Dec snorts. "If I had a problem with it, then I'd be such a hypocrite seeing as Issy and Eric have the same year difference between them like you and Josh do."

That comment made Hugo pause. He had forgotten that Eric had six years on Issy just like Josh had six years on Hugo. It would most definitely be hypocritical of Dec to support Issy and Eric's relationship and not support Hugo and Josh's… Not that Dec's kind heart would ever allow him to do something like that.

"At the time, Issy wasn't in Dauntless though, so how would I know that?"

"What about when Issy and Eric showed signs of being together and I showed no problems with it?" Declan fired back. Hugo shut his mouth, having no response that could match Declan's argument. "That's what I thought." Dec smirked. "If you want it, grab it and don't let go. Just… Don't beat around the bush with it."

While Hugo could see the logic in his brother's words, he knew that the last part wasn't wholly directed at Hugo and Josh. "They have their reasons. Plus, they're both busy right now. Issy's on the Front with squadron 187 and Eric's still tracking the traitors."

"Too busy for love?"

"Dec…" Hugo sighed.

"I know, I know. They'll sort out their shit when they're ready to… I'm just thankful you made them call a truce. Fu-fudge knows how they'd be if not."

"No fighting during family time." Hugo recited, remembering their mum saying it back in Erudite with her hands upon her hips after the siblings picked a fight with each other.

Dec snorted at the memory. The brothers were silent for a moment and all they could hear Cas' soft snores over the on-going film. Declan's expression brightened after a moment and he grinned. "Oh, have I told you what Eric's done?"

"No?" Hugo frown, his curiosity piquing, and he smirked at his brother as Dec begun to tell him an adorable plan that Eric's recently put in motion.

xXx

A few more months went by before Hugo had moved in with Josh and Cas. It seemed like Josh can been waiting for Hugo to start a conversation about it, not wanting to put any pressure on Hugo to make a quick decision.

Josh knew Hugo too well.

Since Declan had put it into his head, Hugo hadn't stopped thinking about it. All of Hugo's decisions are well thought out, going through every scenario as to why it won't work, but the more he thought about it, the less problems he could find with the prospect.

When Hugo finally brought it up to Josh while Cassian was at Day-care, his words stumbled out of him in a jumbling mess, very similar to when Hugo finally admitted his feelings for Josh.

This time Josh held Hugo's head between his hands, urging Hugo to look at him. Josh had a small, pleased smirk and said: "It took you long enough."

Now, Hugo was thankful of their friends and family, as they helped Hugo move his stuff from his apartment in South block all the way over to the North East block, on the other side of the compound. Josh had taken a day off work and taken Cas out of Day-care for the day to help Hugo sort through his stuff, deciding what he would take to Josh's and what their family wanted and sell the remains.

While Hugo and Josh went through the lists they had made, Hugo noticed Cas wandering around with curious eyes. Apart from going to Day-care, Cas hadn't really been anywhere else in the Faction. Hugo's apartment was strikingly different from Josh's new place. While Josh's is comfortable and calming, with dark brown leathers and red blankets, Hugo's apartment showed his birth Faction a little too easily. The colours were still Dauntless, but the furniture was hard and sharp, like what you'd find in Erudite's common rooms around the compound. Unlike his siblings, Hugo had found it harder to let go of his Erudite roots. His siblings had kept the mindset, they had lost everything less whereas Hugo had kept everything in that regard.

An hour or two later, Josh and Hugo had sorted everything they'd take to Josh's, the rest he sent a photo into the group chat, telling the family it's up for grabs.

For the next few days, many came over to pick through what Hugo had left. Bree came to pick up what cooking equipment Hugo had for her and Noah and collected a few books that Issy wanted. Will and Alec picked through what remaining books remained, and even Eric came over to browse the titles after Will and Alec had taken what they wanted. Eric smiled slightly when he arrived with Declan in tow. The Leader had dark bags under his eyes and Hugo wondered if the Leader was getting any sleep. Eric's squadron, like the others that were on the Front worked tirelessly, trying to push the Factionless back. The Factionless, from what Dec had told him, had suddenly gained a lot of ground, building camps far too close to the Garrison than Brandon was happy with.

Hugo sold what no one wanted and notified Leadership of the decision, letting Winnie and Max gut out his old apartment and clear it thoroughly, before allowing it to be put up on the market again.

It was in the weeks of reorganising their apartment when something happened that neither he nor Josh was expecting.

Josh was in the kitchen, washing the extra cutlery that had been Hugo's, while Hugo was sat on the living room floor, sorting out what could be placed into storage and what could be combined with Josh's. Cassian was on the floor by Hugo, scribbling with coloured crayons. Hugo smiles as he glances to Cas every so often, remembering when the twins and Cara would give him abstract drawings of the family. He had yet to be gifted with a drawing from Cas yet, but Hugo wouldn't ask for one.

While Hugo was strategically putting his things into the cardboard boxes, Cassian was colouring furiously, a little frown on his face as he concentrated.

"What was Erudite like Uncle Hu?"

Hugo's hand froze over the box. There was a crashing sound in the kitchen and Josh quietly swore.

Hugo looked down to Cassian, who was staring up at him curiously, completely unaware of the revelation his words have caused. "Erudite?" Hugo ask, his voice breaking quietly. Cassian nodded his head rigorously and began to climb into Hugo's lap and made himself comfy. Hugo's mouth was open, and he slowly turned his head to Josh. Josh was looking at them with equal amounts of surprise that was on Hugo's face, except a tear had fallen down his cheek. His hands were still dripping with soapy bubbles from the sink.

"Uncle Hu?" Cassian tugged on Hugo's shirt, pulling Hugo's attention.

"Erudite," Hugo started, swallowing the lump in his throat, and gathered his thoughts of his old Faction. "Erudite is very different from Dauntless. There's a lot more rules that you have to follow and it's very strict on how members portray the Faction." Cas made a face and Hugo nodded. "Faction members aren't allowed to stand apart from everyone else."

"Clones basically." Josh said, coming in from the kitchen as he dried his hands with a towel.

Hugo smirked. "Something like that." Hugo picked Cassian up and moved them to the sofa. He started telling Cas about the uptight Erudite and the little boy listened with rapt attention. Josh came and sat at the other side of Cas, staring at the pair lovingly.

xXx

Bree thought Hugo and Josh could use a night to themselves, so they had taken to theirs, allowing Hugo and Josh to revert back to being the young and slightly reckless young adults they were. Cassian had taken a liking to the couple since he saw a lot of Bree at Day-care and she and Noah often came over for dinner.

Instead of going out, the couple stayed in and got absolutely pissed. It had been a while since either of them had gone out with their family in Pit for a while now since Cas. Not that it was really a bad thing, but now neither of them wanted to leave the flat.

Josh was laid across the sofa and Hugo was sat on the floor towards where Josh's feet were. They had gone through conversation after conversation before they finally became silent. Even though his vision was kind of blurry, Hugo would have said his mind was clear as he asked Josh the question on his mind.

"I think we should get married."

Josh shot up, spluttering beer on the soft furnishings. His head snapped to Hugo, his eyes wide but unfocused. "I – uhh –"

Hugo's eyes were clear as he stared back. "I think we should do it." He smiled and reamended his sentence. "I want to do it. I want to be there for you and Cas. I want to have no reasons to be separated from either of you just because we're not family due to a piece of paper saying we're not." Hugo turned his head and stared at the bottle in his hands. "I look at the other couples when they pick up their kids from Day-care and who picks them up – mum, dad, whoever – don't get questioned. But I'll never be able to forgot going to pick up Cas and I get unsure looks instead. The woman was about to call security on me since I wasn't in the paperwork as next of kin. That hurt –" Hugo wiped the tears away from his eyes and sniffed. "I don't want that ever happening again. What do you think?"

There were soft snores and Hugo turned to see Josh sleeping on the sofa, clutching the beer bottle to his chest. He deflated a little, having not realised Josh had passed out. Hugo shook his head and stood up. He wobbled on his feet before he steadied himself and put his own bottle on the table. Hugo gently pulled the bottle from Josh's arms and placed it on the table too. He throws a blanket over Josh, making sure his partner is comfy, before going to bed himself.

The next morning Hugo hears a long groan from the sofa. Hugo smirked to himself and flipped the pancake. Hugo had opened all the blinds and windows up, allowing fresh air and sunlight to get in. There was a moment of silence before there was another long groan. Hugo snickered to himself and plated up a pile of pancakes. He picked up the plate, cutlery and any other sauces Josh likes, before carrying it all to the table.

Josh stared at him from beneath the arm he had thrown over his face to shield against the bright light. His legs were tangled in the blanket and looked adorable, despite the slightly angry expression on his face for being awake. "What time is it?"

Hugo withheld the shiver that threatened to pulse through his body. Josh's morning voice was his favourite. All deep and rough and – focus! Hugo cleared his mind and smirked at Josh. "Nearly twelve. I messaged Noah saying not to bring Cas back until dinner. It gives you time to sober up."

Josh grimaced but untangled his legs and sat up properly. He eyed Hugo as he pulled the table closer and picked up the knife and fork. "Where's yours?" He asked as Hugo went about washing the pots and cleaning the counter from pancake batter.

"I ate early. I also cleaned up and took a shower." Hugo winked at Josh over his shoulder. "I thought I'd let you sleep; god knows you can be a grouchy ass after a night of drinking."

Josh snorted and pointed his knife at Hugo. "Shut up, you love my ass."

"Hell yeah I do. I don't like dealing with it when you're ready to pick a fight though."

"I'll choke you harder and make you enjoy it next time then."

Hugo dropped he glass he was holding in surprise, and as Hugo rushed to catch it, Josh heartily laughed. "Ass!"

Josh continued to eat, snickering to himself as Hugo cleaned the kitchen with burning cheeks. When Josh finished, he stood up and brought his dirty dishes to the kitchen, leaning against Hugo to put them in the sink. Hugo shivered and bit his lip when Josh placed a kiss on his neck, dragging his hands around Hugo's hips and to his ass. Josh smacked it once and moved away.

"Josh!" Hugo whined.

Josh leaned against the counter and grinned. The grin softened into a small smile and his posture became less predatory. "It wasn't a dream, was it?" He asked quietly, his eyes guarded.

Hugo swallowed and shook his head. "No." Hugo dried his hands and moved to Josh. His hands cupped Josh's cheeks and Josh's eyes darted back and forth, looking for any tell that might suggest Hugo is joking. "I'm serious Josh. I want this. I want you. I want Cas. Hell!" Hugo shrugged. "I'll take your last name. the family has Dec and Alec to carry on ours. I want yours."

Josh's jaw dropped a little, before the corners of his mouth worked into a smirk. "Hugo Vince, are you proposing?"

Hugo grinned and dropped down to one knee. "Josh Jacklin-Reed, will you marry me?"

Josh fell to his knees and grabbed Hugo's face, fusing their mouths together. The kiss was hard and desperate and needy, and when Josh pulled away Hugo was a bit breathless. "Yes! I'll marry you!"

xXx

Two hours later, Hugo and Josh lay on the living room floor with a blanket thrown across their lower half.

In an action of pure urgency, they had fucked on the kitchen floor and again with Hugo bent over the kitchen counter while Josh choked him harder as previously promised. Somehow they had made it to the sofa and at some point had fallen off, but they carried on while on the floor.

It was blissful.

Hugo was curled up against Josh's chest, only just having caught his breath. Josh shifted and Hugo looked up to see Josh smiling fondly down at him.

"Let's do it now."

"What?" Hugo frowned at Josh, confused.

"Let's get married now." He sits up slightly with a serious look in his eyes. "I never pictured myself getting married, but I want to be tied to you. I don't care about the planning or the cake or whatever. I just want you. If it bothers us later down the line, then we can hold a small party with our family."

Hugo sits up too the blanket falling away from his body. He blushes slightly when Josh's eyes follow the blanket as it goes. "We can go to Max to elope. Get Bree and Noah with Cas as witnesses."

Josh grins. "I'll call Bree while you shower and get ready."

"Okay!" Hugo kisses Josh with a smile and Josh laughs, gripping him tightly.

Half an hour later, Hugo stands by their door in his best uniform. His trousers are ironed and tucked neatly into his polished boots. The leather jacket is dark with H. Vince sewn into the breast pocket. There are no coloured bands on the upper arms to signify rank, but the jacket is strikingly smart. His hair is slightly combed back, and his face is cleanly shaven.

It might not be a proper wedding in suits, but that doesn't mean he's not going to make an effort.

"Well, fuck me, you're hot." Josh says as he steps out of their room dressed as smartly as Hugo is.

Hugo inhales as he checks Josh out. "So are you." He's never seen Josh so dressed up before and honestly, it's making him a little needy… "Where the fuck did you pull that from?"

Josh laughed, tugging at the collar of his jacket. He was dressed much like Hugo was except the jacket was different. The jacket was made of the darkest of leathers, with faded red stitching. J. Reed was sewn into the breast pocket by a Dauntless symbol. The symbol itself was nothing like what Hugo has seen on other uniforms. The flames are a blend of red and orange as they break out from the circle that normally keeps them contained. "It was my dad's. He passed it onto me before he died."

"I would have liked to have met him." Hugo said. Josh rarely mentioned his parents since his mother abandoned them at an early age and his dad died just after Jason passed initiation. He thumbed the name on the jacket, having thought it was one of Josh's that he hadn't gotten round to updating. Soon after Josh adopted Cas, he combined their last names to make a double-barrelled name, choosing to honour Cas' parents. He created his own little family of Jacklin-Reed and Hugo wanted nothing more than to be a part of that officially.

"He would have loved you." Josh sighed. "You ready to tie our lives together?"

"Hell yeah!"

xXx

They met Bree, Noah and Cas outside of Max's office.

As Cas ran up to Josh and jumped in his arms, Bree took a double look at them while Noah smirked at them knowingly.

"So," Bree started, eyeing their smart uniforms up. "What's going on?"

Hugo and Josh smirked at each other. They said nothing at Josh passed Cas to Hugo and knocked on Max's door. The Head Leader called them in, and Josh pushed the door open, motioning Bree and Noah to go first. Hugo stepped in after them and Josh closed the door behind them.

Max is frowning at Bree and Noah in confusion, before turning to Hugo and Josh. "Can I help you?"

Hugo grinned, passing Cas to Bree, before addressing their Leader. "Josh and I would like to be eloped," He looked to Bree and Noah, who's jaws had dropped. "And we'd like you two to be own witnesses."

"WHAT?" Bree squeals, who's eyes almost popping from her head.

Noah laughed and clapped his hands together. "Called it!" He turned to his fiancée. "You owe me a hundred points!"

While Cas looks around the room, clearly not having a clue at what was going on, Max stared at Hugo and Josh in shock.

"Are you sure?"

Hugo and Josh grin at each other, weaving their hands together. "I've never been more certain in my life."

Max stares at them, before slowly nodding his head. "Alright then. Let me get everything ready." Max stands from his desk and opens one of the drawers behind him. He pulls out a marriage licence form and places it on the desk. Out of another draw he pulls out a beautiful dark knife with amber flames wrapped around the hilt and a bowl of coals that he quickly lights. He motions for them to stand facing each other in front of the desk. "Are there any vows either of you wish to say?"

Hugo smiles and holds Josh's hands in his tightly. "You are and have been my world for longer than I'd like to admit. I promise to love you and cherish you." Hugo glances to Cas and winks. "And I promise to love and cherish Cas as well." Cas blushes and hides his face into Bree's shoulder. "I promise to support you and care for you when you're sick. You are my forever after, and I couldn't have wished for anyone better."

Max smiles as a tear slides down Josh's face. "Short and sweet."

Hugo laughs. "Well, whatever else I wanted to say isn't exactly child friendly." He winks at Josh, who blushes as Max barks out a laugh.

Josh clears his throat. "Ever since Declan introduced us, I knew you were the one for me. At first I was scared because you were nothing like the brutes I've grown up with but as I saw you flourish in this Faction; you grew into a smart but vicious warrior." He blushed again. "It became a guilty pleasure of mine, watching you fight. Your calculative mind is a huge turn on, and I love you for all that you are, flaws and all."

"Do you Hugo Vince promise to take Josh's battles on as your own? Do you promise to fight side by side to protect your family and to stand united as one?"

"I do." Hugo's eyes welled as Josh grinned.

"And do you Josh Jacklin-Reed promise to take Hugo's battles on as your own? Do you promise to fight side by side to protect your family and to stand united as one?"

"I do." Josh nodded.

Max stood grinning proudly, motioning to the knife. "To complete this union, please hold out your right hands." Josh and Hugo both held out their hands, the very same hands they cut to choose their Faction so many years ago. "As Leader of this Faction, I use this knife to cut a part of your loyalty," Max makes a small cut next to the faint scar on Hugo hand and wipes the knife clean. "And a part of your dedication to Dauntless." The Leader cuts Josh's hand too. Max cleans the knife again before placing it on the table and taking both of the hands in his. "As Leader, I fuse your loyalty, your dedication, your blood together. Blood before Faction." Max says as he clasps Josh's and Hugo's hands together and lets go.

They hold their hands together, gripping each other tightly, over the bowl of coals. "Faction before blood."

"I now pronounce you as partners for life, warriors forever." Max smiles. "You may seal it with a kiss."

Josh need no other prompting. With their hands still clasped, he pulls Hugo forward and kisses his firmly, his other hand lacing into Hugo's hair. Hugo sighs into Josh's mouth and grips his jacket, pulling them tighter together.

Bree, Noah and Max cheer and clap. Cas claps along with them but probably doesn't quite understand why.

When Hugo breaks for air, he holds a hand out to Cas. Bree passes him over and Hugo hold the little boy between him and his husband.

His husband. Hugo grins at the thought. "My husband." He says it out loud, grinning cockily and Josh laughs, pressing his forehead to Hugo's.

After a few moments, the little family breaks apart and the newlyweds receive congratulations for their friends. Hugo hugs Cas to his chest as Bree and Noah sign as witnesses before Josh signs his name. Hugo swaps Cas for the pen that Josh was holding and on the dotted line he writes Hugo Jacklin-Reed.

xXx

Moments later, their little party consisting of the newlyweds, Cas, Bree and Noah, all pile into one of the private rooms in the tattoo parlour. Hugo and Josh had received some curious looks from the other tattoo artists for their smart uniforms, but the couple ignored them.

On the way down from Max's office, the couple had discussed what they would want for the band that would signify their marriage by being forever etched into their skin. In the private room, Josh picked up his pad and a pencil, and quicky sketched out both of their rings. The bands were similar, both were a simple Celtic knot pattern. The only difference was Hugo's had Josh's first initial and Josh had Hugo's.

Once Josh hand all of the equipment set up, he quickly kissed Hugo, before drawing the pattern on his skin. It took half an hour for Josh to tattoo a little J on top of his ring finger with the Celtic pattern wrapping around his finger. Hugo loved it and showed Josh so by kissing him multiple times. Josh had to call in Tori to get his done. When the tattoo artist heard what Josh wanted her to do, Tori looked from Josh to Hugo and said: "About damn time!"

Soon enough, Josh had his own ring tattoo on his finger, his own little H tattooed forever into his skin. Hugo couldn't stop staring at his, even hours later when Josh, Cas and himself were all curled up on the sofa together. Cas was sat between them, fully asleep when Hugo glanced to Josh.

"I love you."

Josh grinned happily and kissed his forehead. "I love you too husband."