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A shuffling noise brought his head up, and he looked to find Aidan at his side once more. “What’s up?”

Aidan chuckled. “Still getting used to the idea of you not snarling at me every time you look at me.”

Sean rolled his eyes. “I already apologized for being an ass. Do you want me to go back on it?”

Aidan smiled, giving him a wink. “I’m not complaining. But after dealing with it for a few weeks, it’s weird seeing you be nice.”

“Don’t push it,” Sean growled.

Aidan laughed. “Now, there’s the Staff Sergeant I know and oh so love.”

“Don’t blow smoke up my ass.”

Aidan smirked. “If you’re a good boy, maybe I’ll do something else with your ass.”

It was the first mention of anything sexual since their talk in the cave. Sean hadn’t given too much thought to their interlude in the alley back near the base or the fast, secret blowjob while they’d been camping. Sean was relieved to have peace between him and Aidan, and the feeling of peace coming from within as well.

Sean glanced over his shoulder nervously. “Aidan, what the hell?”

Aidan chuckled. “Matt and Nick are too busy arguing about the best show to watch when we get back, and Ricardo is holding the back end, keeping an eye out. Chill.”

“Still,” Sean said, checking to confirm his team was, in fact, distracted and quietly bickering.

“Is that a no?” Aidan asked.

Sean didn’t know what his answer was. He was glad the two of them had finally found a way to get along, but reintroducing whatever sexual element had been between them before left him unsure what to do next.

He’d seen Aidan naked, covered in water, and groaning in pleasure as the shower cascaded over him. He’d seen and felt Aidan pressed against the outer wall of a bar as Sean buried himself to the hilt. Sean could still clearly hear the small gasps and the quiet moans as he’d sunk into Aidan, fucking him as if their lives depended on it. And he knew what Aidan looked like in the dim light of the forest, on his knees and sucking him deep. The thoughts and memories flashed through his head in rapid succession, and his stomach twisted, a spark of need that warmed him as they trudged through the snow.

But should they continue? And what would continuing mean once they got back? It was one thing to feel conflicted about it when he’d hated the man, when he’d done everything he could to push Aidan away. What would that mean now they’d accepted one another, having seen bits and pieces of what lay beneath the masks they’d thrown up around themselves to hide?

Aidan squinted. “You’re thinking. That’s not usually a good sign.”

Sean leaned in close, waiting until Aidan took the hint and threw an arm around his waist. To the team behind them, it might have looked as though Aidan was giving him some support as they hiked over the next hill. Leaning close enough that Sean felt confident no one could hear him, he decided it was safe.

“I don’t want to talk about this here. That...is between you and me.”

“You think the team would care?” Aidan asked quietly.

Sean didn’t look back and only hesitated briefly before shaking his head. “They don’t care that I’m into guys and wouldn't care that you are too, if that’s what you mean.”

“It wasn’t, but good to know.”

Sean snorted. “I’m not trying to hide anything from them, but...neither of us knows what’s going on between us right now. Do you?”

Aidan opened his mouth, hesitated, and then shut it again. After a moment, a thoughtful frown crossed his features and he shrugged.

“No, I guess I don’t.”

“Exactly. Let’s get home and get everyone safe. And we can deal with everything else later.”

The thoughtful expression never left Aidan’s face, but he nodded his agreement. Sean noticed Aidan didn’t remove hisarm from around Sean’s waist, even as the ground leveled out, making it easier for Sean to walk on his injured ankle.

It was a small gesture, probably one that anyone else on his team would have done. But Sean could imagine that if they weren’t bundled up in heavy winter gear, Aidan might have snuck his fingers under Sean’s shirt, playing with his hips and stomach. Sean wasn’t sure if that was just his assessment of Aidan’s personality or wishful thinking on his part.

And he wasn’t sure what he or Aidan wanted. But for now, the feel of Aidan’s strong arm around his waist as he walked silently beside him was enough. Whatever awaited them once they returned to Fort Dale, Sean felt assured they could and would readily support each other.

Sean stoppedshort as they came through the line of trees to the clearing. Waiting in the middle was a canvas tent, the flaps sealed and looking incredibly out of place in the wilderness.