{Hunter's POV}

I could admit that without Treyden saying what he did on Friday, I would probably still be beating myself up about losing the friends that I have from the Alpha Hooligan group. Thus far, two each have been lost from the Striker squadrons that make up Hooligan. This wasn't to say that my Dad hadn't done anything to help either, he was the one to understand how much it was hurting me to have done the dignified transfer, plus the memorial service and then to wrap up the rest of that horrible week, attended both funerals for Jay and Elizabeth. When Jay's was over, I just talked with Treyden about some of the good times. After Elizabeth's, I didn't know what brought it on but I just didn't want to be around anyone during that party and had been grateful that nobody was home when I got there around 11 am.

I knew it wasn't a good idea to watch those videos alone, yet, I did it anyway. Gods, I just wanted to remember them alive and smiling rather than seeing them after they had been killed. I watched Liz get her throat slit by an enemy and I still see that sometimes even being that I don't blame myself anymore. And Jay, I know he went down fighting and knew someone would come for him. I couldn't help it, I was the platoon leader; I felt like it was my job to keep them safe and when they were killed, I was powerless to stop it. To stop any of them. I felt guilty for them dying but Trey was right, it wasn't my fault. As platoon leader, it's my job to lead and do what I can but I can't watch everyone. It was originally twenty-three people plus myself to keep an eye on.

With Mason, RJ, Elizabeth, and Jay gone now; it meant I was in charge of nineteen soldiers and myself on top of it. However, I was already informed during a meeting with Harry and the other platoon leaders that if a platoon went below fifteen members, others would be brought in to fill the spots. Soldiers who were sitting in the reserves or guard. It was like being drafted, they would get a phone call telling them where they were going and then they would be catching the next flight to said destination to serve out their time. I found it a little weird that Archi Island would send reserve or guard soldiers before sending other active duty ones.

I supposed it was because active duty soldiers remained in their set platoons for the sake of deployment. It didn't make sense to break up those groups but pulling a few soldiers off the reserve and guard list to fill in places left open after losses seemed logical to a degree. Oh well, it wasn't my call. Harry just said that if any of our platoons went below fifteen, that is what would happen. Trey, Theo, Andrew and I enjoyed our lunch together and talked about things. After we had finished that, they brought me back home where I put away my laptop in my bedroom then spent time with Audrey, Caitlyn, and my Dad. Mom had still be working and my friends went home and said maybe we could hang out on Sunday since they knew that Saturday, today, is my date with Audrey.

My girlfriend and I were going to start our date at 10 am when the gates opened for the fall festival, it was a fair and only happened twice a year. Fall and Spring. It was a high chance that Audrey and I would spend a few hours at the fair, then we would probably take a walk in the park since it was still beautiful weather to do so. After that, we would likely go to a movie and dinner to follow. Or perhaps dinner, then a movie before going to her house to be by ourselves since her parents were out of town for something, they did a lot of traveling and that was fine by Audrey and I because it meant we could be alone to do whatever we wanted. I knew that Audrey and I would end up making love tonight, it had been a very long ten months since we had done it and I was positive that Audrey and me were taking every chance we got to hang out given I was going back to Iraq in two weeks from today.

The time now was 9:15 am, I was picking Audrey up at 9:45 and then it wouldn't take ten minutes to get to the fair grounds for when it opened. Caitlyn and Mom were off doing mother-daughter things; I'm pretty sure they mentioned something about hair and nails. So, that left Dad and I at the house waiting out the time before I left to get my girl.

"Have a fun day planned for you and Audrey?" Salvatore inquired.

"Yeah. We're gonna hit the fair for a few hours, then the park. We're seeing a movie at 4, the around 5:15 when it ends we're going to dinner," I replied with a smile.

"What movie are you going to see?" Sal asked calmly.

"Beauty and the Beast, the live action remake. Audrey has been dying to see it because it's her favorite and I'm not gonna tell her no," I chuckled a bit. Audrey and I had been looking up movies Friday night, and when she saw that it was playing this weekend, she begged me, and of course, I said yes.

"That will be fun; I heard it was supposed to be very similar to the original and some questions get answered that weren't explained in the one from twenty years ago. Where are you going for dinner?" my father asked.

"Probably to Uncle Greg's diner. As soon as he learned from you that I was home, he texted me and demanded I come see him," I laughed some. I hadn't seen my Uncle Gregory in almost a year because he was busy doing renovations on his diner when I shipped off for Basic and AIT, then he was away for a family emergency when I got deployed last November. Even if I didn't get to see him for long tonight, I had to at least get a hug from him.

"Ah good. Greg has been dying to see ya, son. Ya know, we were thinking about throwing you a going away party on Friday night next week," Sal mentioned.

"That would be cool I guess. You know I have to get to sleep early though," I reminded. "Need to be at the airport for 3 am,"

"I know, Hunter. I thought we might start the party around 3:30 pm, have an early dinner, sit back and relax, then you can be in bed by 9:30 or so," Sal offered.

"Sounds all right with me," I sat back relaxing. "Dad, was I too hard on Mom a few months back when she said she didn't support me anymore?" I asked. Sal looked over to me curiously.

"No, I feel your anger was justified, son. But perhaps it was unfair to punish us as well," Sal admitted.

"I know. I'm sorry. Mom just...ugh, I didn't need that from her after everything else, and I knew she would argue with me every time I called," I looked down.

"You could have called us during the day or used e-mails, Hunter. All of that aside, it's water under the bridge. You're home now, safe, and we're happy to get to see you for as long as we are," Sal smiled.

"It's not under the bridge, Dad. You know how tense things are between her and me. Every time the army or remaining tour time gets brought up, she leaves the room upset. Thor knows we can't even talk without risk of a fight. She's my Mom, and I will always love her, but I don't think she gets how much it hurts me that she doesn't support me, that she feels what I'm doing is wrong," I sighed heavily closing my eyes. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked at my Dad.

"Your mother knows how much it hurts you because I've mentioned it each time she gives you trouble over it. Like the graduation picnic at Thor's Edge, and that day on the phone after you told us you had been hurt. Remember when you were younger, you asked me why some people were mean?" Sal asked and I nodded, "It's just how they are son and no matter what you do, it's how they'll always be. True, some people do change for themselves but not others. It's not different with your mother. Your mom hated me in the army, doing my weekend drills, or deployments but regardless if she liked it or not, I was still going to do it. I was in the army before I got with her and she accepted that, now she'll have to do the same for you too. She is who she is and we can't be mad at her for that,"

"I suppose I get it. I'm not...mad at her, it just hurts me that she tries to control my life," I muttered.

"I know she's difficult, son. She doesn't like the idea of you being in the army because of the risks it involves. Her biggest fear is getting a visit from a notification officer and pastor telling us that you were killed in Iraq. Above all else, she's your mother, and she loves you, that's why she worries so much," Sal informed gently. "Try talking things out with her before you go back,"

"No promises," I sighed, "But I'll give it a shot. Just not today, I've been looking forward to this date all week," I beamed.

"I bet. It's been a while since you and Audrey got to enjoy some time together," Sal chuckled as I was taking a drink of my orange juice. "I'm sure it will be a fun time,"

"It will for sure. We might go hang at her hours afterward," I said.

"Seeing her parents?" Sal asked. I didn't reply right away, Audrey's parents were away on a trip. Audrey and I planned to be alone to make love, but I couldn't tell my Dad that, could I? I had promised him beforehand that the day I got sexually active with Audrey I would come to them with questions, but I never did. Audrey and I just went for it. "Or will you two be alone so you can have sex because I know her parents are away until next week?" Sal added as I froze a bit. "Come on now, son, you can tell me the truth. You and Audrey plan to have sex, don't you?"

My eyes widened. How in the name of Odin had he figured that out?! I couldn't lie to him. Well, I could, but it wouldn't be right to do so after all he's done for me. I think I owed it to my Dad to tell him the truth. I sighed. No, I couldn't lie to him. Not about this. "Yes, we do," I finally said.

"I know. I've known since last night, Hunter," Sal replied sitting back and relaxing.

"How?" I asked.

"You and Audrey have been together for two years now and you're both seventeen. I see the way you two look at one another when you think no one is around, I see how you two kiss. Those aren't kisses of two teens dating; they're ones to show a couple who has time in. A couple that gets into very intense make-out sessions that can go a lot farther at any time or even indicate that a couple has done more than just make out," Sal informed and I tried to deny it but couldn't. "I'm a male, son and was also once a teenager so I know how it goes. Oh, and piece of advice. Next time you're trying to hide something, don't leave the evidence in you're jeans,"

After my father said that, I saw him put down the receipt to the convience store I went to yesterday when I picked up the condoms for tonight. I'm an idiot, I gave myself away. "You found it when you ran pockets before doing the laundry, didn't you?" I asked.

"That I did. Don't worry; I didn't tell your mother," Sal winked.

"I owe you. So, you're not mad at me?" I asked.

"Well, I would have preferred you come to me first, like you said you would originally but no, I'm not mad. You still did as I asked and got protection for yourself. Is she protected as well?" Sal inquired.

"Yeah, she's on birth control. Has been since the start of Freshman year when her parents made her," I replied.

"I'm sorry, Dad. I know I said when Audrey and I made a choice I would probably come to you guys to make sure I didn't do anything wrong, but it's still a kid talking to his parents about sex and you know Mom would fly off the handle. If me joining the military didn't send her over the edge, knowing that Audrey and I were deciding to have sex would," I stated.

"Oh, I know. That's why I said back towards the beginning of May 2016, just don't tell your mother. I'm sure one of these days she's going to kill me for all the things I've done behind her back regarding you, such as the time I let you drink at fifteen, well, it was only one beer but you get my meaning," Sal said in agreement. "All that aside, son. I don't mind ya doing it with her, just be safe about it,"

"We will, Dad," I nodded.

"Good then. So, you know to go slow and that it will probably hurt her a bit at-" My eyes widened a bit seeing where my Dad was going. I honestly should just tell him the whole truth, that Audrey and I have been having sex since September of last year, minus the ten months being deployed.

"Dad," I started as he was quiet now.

"Sorry. I'm sure you...know what you're doing. I just want you to know that you can talk to me about it if you have questions," Sal reminded.

"I-I know that, Dad. I've...always been able to talk to about anything, and a subject regarding...sex with my girlfriend wouldn't make any difference in that. It's just, well," I paused a moment.

"What is it, son? You can tell me," Sal insisted.

"Tonight...won't be mine and Audrey's first time having sex," I told him.

"You just said you were. Having second thoughts about it, which is fine. Everyone gets nervous, and you should never feel pressured into-" My Dad went on.

"No, Dad. I mean that Audrey and I have...had sex before," I said in a clear tone as my father stopped abruptly and stared at me a little surprised. "Our...first time was last September when I got home from AIT and took Audrey on that date all day and into the night, I got home around 9:15. And since then up until well, the night before I got deployed to Iraq, Audrey and me have been having sex. Twice a week at most. I'm...sorry I didn't tell you sooner. It just...kind of happened that night, and I did have protection but-" I paused again.

"Why didn't you come to me, son? I told you last May that I wouldn't be upset about it," Sal asked.

"I know. In truth, Audrey and I have made out and used foreplay when we hit the six-month mark of dating. We had...already promised ourselves we wouldn't have sex until we had been together for a year at least. Once we hit that time frame in our relationship, I started by condoms. Not using them, but for the just in case we got too lost in the moment. That Sunday of the date, her parents were out, and we were alone. Caught in the making out, we went to her room and started with the foreplay, after that she asked if we could go all the way and after telling me she was on birth control, I agreed." I informed him.

"Well, at least you two made the decision to wait until you had been together for a year and used other methods, plus you two had protection so I can't be mad at you. But if your mother finds out about this, you and I are both dead," Sal told me, and I nodded with a small laugh.

"Right? Again, I'm sorry I didn't say anything about it last year. When I got home from AIT, everyone was always around, and I never had a moment to breathe with drill weekends, working twelve hours a day, coming home and being exhausted but by friends coming over," I explained.

"It's all right, Hunter. I understand. I'm not going to tell anyone, that can be up to you and Audrey when you reveal it. For now, you should get going; it's already 9:30," Sal said with a smile. I got to my feet and hugged him; I really did love my old man. Always there for me no matter what.

"Thanks, Dad. See ya tonight," I told him while grabbing my phone and keys.

"Stay the night with her, son," I blinked a few times.

"Mom will kill me," I retorted.

"Nah, I'll tell her you're staying with Trey at his place and will be back in the morning. I know how much you love her, Hunter and her parents are out of town, it's a Saturday night. Stay with her, believe me, she'll appreciate you not having to bail when you two are done," My Dad winked at me as I smiled.

"You're the best, Dad," I told him as I hurried down the hall and grabbed a set of sweat, then clothes for tomorrow along with my deodorant and toothbrush before heading outside to my truck and driving to Audrey's.

(Hofferson Household; 7:00 pm)

So we had ab absolute blast today! Got to the fair and did everything we could there until 3 pm, then bailed to go to the park for a relaxing walk alone and talking about things. At 4 pm, we went to see Beauty and the Beast. It was actually a good movie, I enjoyed it. From the theater, we went to dinner at my uncle's diner and boy was Greg happy to see me after so long. Audrey and I enjoyed our dinner until 6:45 pm, then finally we ended up here as planned at her house by ourselves.

"You sure you're okay from yesterday?" Audrey inquired as we were sitting on her bed with a little light music playing.

"Yeah, I'm fine now. It was just one of those moments where there was too much going on at once. Ya know? Just getting home, the transfer, the service, then both funerals," I told her.

"I know, it couldn't have been easy, babe but we're all here for you. Okay? Your Dad, sister, friends, me and we're not going anywhere," Audrey smiled with her hand on my shoulder. I smiled softly at her and leaned in for a kiss.

"I know that, Love. I appreciate it, but really, I'm all right. There will always be harder days than others, and those are the times I'll need all of you around me to get through it," I said after I pulled back from her lips and she smiled at me with her hand on my hand now.

"And we'll be there," Audrey nodded.

"Then I'm always going to be perfectly okay. So, how about we stop worrying about all that and get back to enjoying our time together since you know the others will want to hang out tomorrow before you go back to school," I suggested.

"Of course. Will you be stopping by during lunch hour still?" Audrey inquired.

"Probably. Might hang with some of the others from the team, make sure they're doing all right ever everything," I replied to her.

Audrey leaned her head on my shoulder as our fingers intertwined together. "I'm so glad you're home, even if it's only for two weeks,"

"Same here and just think. Eight more months and I'm home for good, and then we can enjoy the entire summer together. Whatever you want to do," I reminded.

"I'll have to start thinking of ideas then. In the meantime, what should we do tonight since my parents are gone, and we're...all alone?" Audrey asked while casting her eyes downward with a slight blush on her cheeks. I couldn't help but smile; I loved this woman with my everything and one day soon, I was going to make sure everyone knew it.

"Well, considering...your parents aren't home and...I don't have to abide by the curfew of a minor anymore," I trailed off as I turned my head and lifted her chin up while I kissed her gently then we stared into each other's eyes. "Why don't I show you how much I've missed you these past ten months all night long?"

"Don't you...have to go home tonight?" Audrey asked in shock of the suggestion.

"Nope," I replied as she arched a brow and I sighed a bit. "Look, my...Dad knows that we've had sex before. Stupid me left the receipt in my jeans last night, and when he did laundry, he checks pockets, so nothing gets ruined if we happened to forget about it. Dad found out I bought condoms; then he just pieced it together that we were spending all day together and coming back here. I guess he knew your parents weren't gonna be home and yeah...Dad outright asked if we were gonna have sex and I didn't lie to him. Also, he doesn't care as long as we're safe. Bonus in that, he's not going to tell anyone else, including my Mom and your parents," I explained quickly.

"Huh. Now it's gonna be weird when I see your dad because he knows we have sex. Oh well, I suppose we couldn't hide it forever," Audrey shrugged. "So, you're spending the night then?" she quirked a brow with a slight grin.

"That I am. Dad is gonna cover for me," I informed as I pushed her down onto her bed and crawled over her while she giggled a bit and wrapped her arms around my neck.

"In that case; you best show me how much you missed me and make that horrible ten months wait worth it," Audrey challenge.

"Orders understood and confirmed, ma'am," I retorted sarcastically with a grin of my own as I leaned down and kissed her deeply.

(Four Hours Later; 11 pm)

Right after I released, I kissed her again as we struggled to catch our breaths. Breaking apart from one another, I pulled out and tossed the condom away in Audrey's bedroom garbage because I knew she would likely throw it away tomorrow morning when we woke up. We were both tired, four hours of love making took it's toll on the body but Gods, it had been amazing to feel so much passion and pleasure in that time. Several orgasms, hours of foreplay and fucking at different times to draw it all out, nothing was better than this moment. Audrey slipped on her underwear and a t-shirt while I just got my boxers on and said fuck it to the rest of my clothes since I wasn't going home tonight.

Getting comfortable, I laid down and my beautiful girlfriend snuggled into my arms while we both smiled and shared another kiss as breathing was becoming easier to do.

"Mission...complete, soldier boy," Audrey remarked tiredly, and I couldn't help but chuckle. I kissed her forehead and not more than five minutes later; she was fast asleep. I smiled at the ceiling as sleep was beginning to take over me as well. Tonight had absolutely been worth the ten months wait.