Two weeks had passed since that day where Salvatore, Caitlyn, Heather, Gregory, Renee, Heather, and Audrey heard Hunter breakdown about what his mother did, how much she hurt him. However, they also got to hear Treyden get through to Hunter and get him out of the room so he wouldn't be alone and risk hurting himself if the pain became too much. It was a concerning matter, too much pain could set anyone off to harming themselves as a way to alleviate some pain. It was now the middle of May and Hunter was doing better. It would always bother him how his mother reacted to Hunter's coming out of the closet, not even that. Hunter fully expected her to be upset and not support him, what hurt him was being hit twice and referred to as a thing and to get out of the house because Hunter wasn't her son anymore. That hurt a lot.

With time just as Dustin proclaimed on the phone, Hunter was coming around to being more active and smiling again. Treyden liked it, it wasn't easy to see Hunter so upset but who could blame him after what happened. Thankfully, Hunter never hurt himself and the injuries he sustained from being hit by his mother. Of course, Treyden knew Hunter would heal with time, all he cared about was Hunter not being depressed anymore. Treyden and Hunter had been getting closer too, sharing more kisses and spending time together. Trey was an active role in helping Hunter feel better because he checked on him throughout each day and did what he could to cheer Hunter up.

Now that Hunter was more cheerful and seemed to be in a better state of mind, Treyden was wondering if it was time for them to talk about a possible relationship or if Hunter was ready for one. Initially, Hunter said the day he came out to his family and friends to give it a little time to let things settle, but since that got blown way out of proportion by Viola, Treyden wasn't sure where they stood other than them loving one another. It wasn't hard to figure out that they were even with how little time had passed since the feelings were realized and made known. There were a lot of factors in all that which would be discussed if they talked soon but Treyden was just waiting for Hunter to let him know or give him a sign of wanting to pursue things.

Hunter did give his father, sister, cousin, aunt, uncle, and friends his new number and said if anyone gave it to Viola, he would write them off just as quickly he did to her. No one wanted to tempt that anger, so they didn't even mention getting in contact with Hunter on their own. Sal and Cait both lied saying that they got updates from Dustin or Trey. Today was a quiet day at work, and it was Wednesday to boot, so things were dragging on. Hunter was working with Trey, Theo, and Andrew at Fort Draco to prepare for those new recruits to integrate into Alpha Hooligan Platoon. It was nearing lunch time; the boys already decided to go out to a fast food joint and relax there for an hour or little less because of driving.

(Lunch Hour)

"So how many people are coming into Hooligan?" Andrew inquired after the four of them ordered their meals and took a seat at in a booth to eat.

"Well, there's fifteen of us now, and according to Andersen, each platoon will have thirty each, so we're getting another fifteen," Trey informed calmly while eating one of his fries.

"So the squads will be uneven then?" Theo pointed out.

"No, I spoke with Harry already. Hooligan will be made up of two fourteen soldier squads. There will be twenty-eight in our platoon," Hunter corrected with his eyes closed and looking over a few sheets of paper that had names, marksmanship level, age, addresses, etc.

"What's that you're going over?" Treyden inquired curiously.

"Well, Harry gave each platoon leader a master list of the recruits who best fit into the style we already have. Such as closeness, how their training went, where they excelled and needed work, shooter level. Harry wants us to have people we can work with on the off chance we deploy again," Hunter explained.

"Example?" Andrew inquired.

"Uh, remember how we did a lot of heavily enemy sighted patrol areas or above level five missions because of how well we did in training and what not?" Hunter mentioned, and the three nodded. "Harry is making sure we get people who can mesh in with where we rank for that kind of stuff," he added in.

"Oh, got it. So you're going over the list that has their stats because you're the team leader and know how we run things?" Theo questioned, and Hunter gave a single nod as his reply.

"Harry wants the picks turned in by Friday so he can try and give the leaders of platoons the ones we choose, then on Monday after the recruits graduate, the platoon heads will be present to get their new soldiers and explain how things work, add them to the group call and walkie-talkie thing. I guess that's becoming a significant use now," Hunter shrugged.

"Sounds like you have homework for the next two days then," Treyden chuckled a bit. "I'll help if you want, I am your second in command after all," he offered.

"I'd like that," Hunter smiled, "Thank you," he said and kissed Trey's cheek, effectively making him blush.

"Wh-What was that for?" Treyden asked.

"For all you have done for me since we met and made my life infinitely better and happier than it was. I don't know where I'd be without you, Trey," Hunter admitted. "You have been immensely patient with me while I dealt with everything the last few weeks,"

"Well, that's part of a relationship. Any of them. Patience, understanding, kindness, giving space but also being there when you can. I just wanted to do what I could for you, I don't like seeing you upset," Treyden replied.

"One of the many things I love about you. On that subject though, I did tell you that after things settled, we could be together. If you still want to that is?" Hunter inquired as Treyden's eyes lit up with excitement.

"O-Of course! Yes," Trey responded.

"Then we can talk about it tonight, sound good?" Hunter smiled, and Treyden nodded to him as they all continued to enjoy their meals while talking at random and Hunter going over the list still.

(Fury Residence)

Treyden's father was out with a few Navy friends, Theo and Andrew were in their apartment since they shared one now to be closer to Fort Draco where all four of them seemed to report to work now and then throughout the day ended up traveling to other bases in the towns around Archi City. Treyden had considered moving with them, but then things happened with Hunter and Audrey so he opted not to go with them so he could help Hunter out. Now, it was just the two of them sitting on the couch so they could talk about being together in an actual relationship.

"S-So where should we start with this?" Treyden asked nervously; the man never had a relationship before or anyone interested in him. This was a very new concept to Trey and Hunter understood that. "I've never...done this before. I don't know if you remember that from your birthday," he added shyly.

"Trey, relax. Okay? It's okay to be nervous. You've never had a romantic relationship before; it's normal for you to feel the way you do. The cool thing about our situation is that we don't have to spend time getting to know one another because we've been best friends since June 2016, almost three years next months in fact. You know things I like as I do with you, so we already cut out a lot of the newer relationship aspects. That's where most start, just getting to know someone with a few dates before real dating," Hunter informed.

"O-Okay. Then where would we begin? Being boyfriend and...boyfriend?" Treyden shrugged once unsure of how to word it.

"Typically, yes. We'd be starting at the stage where we're dating and in a...I suppose the word would be committed relationship. Whereas we'd ditch other hookups and what not, but neither of us has people like that. My only ex is Audrey, and she is happy for us. Also, she and I know that we're better off friends. But there other things to figure out so I think we should start there with figuring out certain aspects of our relationship," Hunter stated with a calm smile.

"What type of aspects?" Treyden questioned.

"Well, one of the main things couples try to establish right off the bat is if this will be a public or private thing. Meaning are we a couple when we're alone or are we gonna be a couple out in public eye. For me, I accepted I was bi a long time ago even though I hid it because of mainly my mother's stance on it. Since the fight, I don't care anymore. I'm not hiding who I am to appease her or anyone else so for me; I'm cool with being in public about it. I can ignore haters, and I'll say something if somebody wants to make comments," Hunter enlightened.

"I've always been shy about being gay because it's something that a lot of people don't agree with. Only my parents knew until I developed feelings for you. Now I think a lot of people know. Either way, being around you makes me more confident in things, so I don't mind others outside of the friendship circle knowing. Love is love, don't matter your gender," Trey admitted in agreement to Hunter's words.

"So we'll be an exclusive couple, that's the technical term for it, or so I've read. So, the next thing is usually deciding how we'd be sexually when we get into it. I know we've had sex before but that was a very drunken night, and I don't anticipate we'd be like that every time. The first aspect is if we're going to continue engaging in intimate relations with one another or hold off for a bit while we get adjusted to being together. The second aspect is Top, Bottom, or Versatile for when we do have sex," Hunter continued.

"I don't know where to put the continuing to have sex bit. I mean most new couples wait a bit don't they?" Trey asked.

"Yes. But we're not most new couples, are we? This all started because we were drunk enough to admit our feelings for one another. I told you I liked someone who I thought was straight and was afraid to lose our friendship; I was referring to you because I didn't know if you were bi or gay and I didn't want to lose our friendship if I said I liked you. You told me that you wanted someone who was taken and seemed happy, you talked about wanting me, but I was Audrey and seemed happy. By the time I kissed you, it had come out I wasn't happy with her and bisexual, and you told me you were gay, and we said we liked one another," Hunter reminded.

"True but when you think about it, we weren't that wasted because we knew what was going on. I was aware you kissed me, the admittance of feelings, then we just kept going and could have stopped but chose not to because we both had the chance to have the other one. I suppose though getting back on topic, maybe we put it on hold for now while we settle with being together?" Trey suggested. "Month or two? I won't lie, it was incredible for me, and that was my first time, so I want to be able to repeat it, and as you said, not drunk," he added.

"I can get behind that. Well, here's what we'll do then. We can leave it alone for a month, see how things go and revisit the idea then. If we need more time, we'll take it and if not we'll go for it. Sound alright?" Hunter offered.

"Perfect to me. Now, what was the other thing you mentioned for when it came to having sex?" Trey inquired curiously.

"Oh, the Top, Bottom, or Versatile thing," Hunter remembered. "You know what that refers to, right?" he quizzed.

Trey lifted his hand gave a motion of kind'a. "I get top and bottom. It's...Dominant and Submissive or giver and receiver, something like that?" Trey questioned.

"Yes. Exactly. It would mean that when we go to have sex; do you want to be top or bottom? But there's the versatile aspect which is where we can switch off. It doesn't always have to be that way though. If there's a time you prefer to be bottom after a long day or work or something, I can be top, or maybe I'm exhausted after a drill weekend, but you're ready to go, I can be the bottom and let you have the fun. However, perhaps a night where we're just going nuts with it, we can switch off. I do a little, you do a bit and get off the same way we did the night of my birthday," Hunter explained.

"I don't know how I'd want to be. I-I liked you being in control, but also it was fun when you let me do it to you. I suppose I don't mind versatile. It gives us the freedom of going with how we feel that particular night. Are there times where we just get off but no intercourse or...?" Trey pondered.

"Of course, it doesn't always have to be sex. We can just use foreplay to release. Having sex every time can make you too sore, gotta have time to rest up and relax," Hunter confirmed with a nod.

"What's the next thing?" Treyden laughed a little; this was kind of fun and exciting to figure out.

"Everything else would in the sexual department. Limits, boundaries, stuff like that," Hunter informed.

"Such as?" Treyden questioned curiously.

"It's just things we'd be comfortable doing to one another. Uh, holding hands, kissing, hugging, making out, mutual masturbation, types of sexual positions, foreplay too," Hunter named off just a few.

"Well, I assume all the positions we could do are ones that any couple does, just...slower to get used to the feeling at first, right?" Treyden guessed.

"Well, in the beginning, yes. After a while, I assume it becomes second nature to feeling a little pressure and sting at first and then it fades," Hunter confessed lightly.

"What about all the foreplay, same thing? Fingering, licking, sucking, stuff like we did that night?" Treyden wondered while recalling some of the things Hunter did to him.

"That's your basic...run of the mill foreplay, but there is...so much more. There's...anal beads, dildos, rimming, spanking, etc. You can research all that if you want too but most of it gives itself away. Though you gave me the confused face when I said rimming, so that's mouth to ass. Like...how girls get eaten out, some guys like it. For you and me, well, it's up in the air because neither of us has experienced it before so we can always test the waters if you want," Hunter offered.

"Works for me. So, this might be a stupid question but humor me a second; what's it gonna be like at our job?" Trey pointed out questioningly.

"Huh. Not sure. The military doesn't judge, and it got discussed in Basic during the first phase that everyone has to respect one another regardless of personal feelings. But also, there's a rank difference to consider. I'm an officer, and you're considered enlisted still, not sure how that one plays out so let's stay on the safe side and keep to hugs, light kisses, or hand holding. I don't think it will be a problem as long as we aren't engaging in sexual activities on the clock," Hunter replied honestly.

"I'm down for that, wouldn't want to get in trouble. I-Is that everything we were supposed to cover?" Trey glanced over at Hunter.

"I think so. I'm sure if anything else comes up we can sit down and talk about it. The rest is understanding, trust, and communication but that's for any relationship," Hunter informed.

"Right. Um, I guess I'm curious on one thing, though," Treyden mentioned.

"And that would be?" Hunter invited for him to continue.

"A-Are we in the like or...love stage of this. A-And I only ask because the night it came out we said like but since then at different times, we've said love," Treyden asked.

"You bring up a good point. Well, what do you think we're at. It's apparent that our friendship along keeps us close and we didn't lose that after a night of drunken admittance of feelings or the best sex ever, my personal opinion and I even told Audrey that what you and I had was nothing like when she and I did it. Audrey mentioned something about we loved one another, but weren't in love like you and me are. Wasn't sure how to take it but starting to see what she meant. How do you see us, Trey? Are still in liking one another or do you feel its deeper than that after everything since the start of us being aware?" Hunter inquired to Treyden.

"Being honest, I think it's deeper than like. How do you feel about it?" Treyden looked at Hunter wondering his reply.

"I feel the same, so I suppose that puts us at a minor love stage; meaning we know it's deeper than a crush and like but we don't know just how deep yet since we've only just started dating. I think it's enough we can say I love you if we wanted to. If you are comfortable with it?" Hunter answered.

"It's fine with me. Does this make us dating then?" Trey smiled softly as Hunter linked his fingers with Treyden's, returning the smile.

"Would you like me to make it official and ask you?" Hunter chuckled. Treyden blushed a little.

"Was hoping you would. Add to the excitement and joy of it?" Treyden admitted bashfully. Hunter got off the couch and crouched down a bit while holding Trey's hands.

"Treyden, will you be my boyfriend?" Hunter asked calmly with a loving smile to him.

"I will, Hunter," Treyden replied lightly as Hunter got up and bent over to kiss Treyden deeply, Trey melted into it before they separated. "I love you," Trey panted a little, Hunter's kisses set his body on fire. It was going to be hard staying away from wanting Hunter to ravage him for a month.

"I love you too," Hunter responded as they stared into each other's eyes. Finally, they were officially a couple.