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“I’m yours,” Marco promised, running a hand over his short-cropped hair.

And he curled into Carter’s body, feeling strong arms wrap around him and hold him close. They breathed together, and Marco listened to the steady drum of Carter’s heart, sinking into the moment completely.

He didn’t think he was going to let go for a good, long while.

EPILOGUE

Two Weeks Later

Carter

Carter kicked at a small pile of sand. “I still don’t think it was very funny.”

Marco walked beside him, hand in hand, as the waves gently washed over their feet. “I don’t know. The look on your face was priceless.”

Carter scowled. “Who the fuck asks someone that?”

“Jessica, apparently,” Marco said easily, and Carter could hear the grin in his voice.

There was no one else on the beach. The sun was gently descending to the horizon, and the ocean appeared to be burning with light. The wind carried the thick smell of brine, which felt good on his warm skin.

Though not nearly as good as the feel of Marco’s skin on his, even if it was just his hand. The end of his leave was just around the corner, and he had spent just about every waking moment with Marco. Even then, it felt like they didn’t get near enough time with one another, and he wondered how he would manage working again.

“No, she knows we’re two guys, right?” Carter demanded.

Marco laughed. “I think when she asked when you were getting me pregnant, she was being a jackass and wondering what our future plans are.”

Carter didn’t begrudge Jessica’s involvement in their lives. Somehow, she’d become a part of it without anyone batting an eye. Then again, he supposed, after everything, it was only natural.

There was an ugly pleasure at the thought of Sergeant Reynolds moldering away in a cell, and Carter hoped it was the same one he’d been locked up in. Shortly after Carter had been released, Reynolds was dragged away, apparently in full view of the entire platoon he’d been overseeing. The charges had been broadcast pretty heavily too, and from the sounds of Sloane’s hints, a few more were added from ‘surprise witnesses.’

Good, Carter hoped he rotted in prison for the rest of his life.

“I’m not thinking about that sort of shit,” Carter huffed and then blanched when he heard what he’d said. “Not about kids and shit. I’m just worried about you and me. No, wait,fuck.”

Marco laughed softly, and Carter felt his nerves ease. He wasn’t being laughed at. That wasn’t in Marco.

“You want me to be yours and you to be mine,” Marco said, bumping their arms together.

“Exactly,” Carter said in relief.

“And sometimes that means you have to deal with awkward conversations with friends at a housewarming party,” Marco informed him.

Carter gave an ugly snort. “With friends like that, who needs enemies? I might see if they can ship Jessica somewhere miserable. Seriously, what the fuck?”

Marco shot him a knowing look, the one that said he knew Carter was full of shit, but he wasn’t going to call him on it. Carter was okay with that. They both knew it didn’t need to be said.

Hard to believe his life had taken such a radical shift in such a short time. His entire life before had been one rough moment after another, with him managing to cobble together the occasional good, sometimes with help, sometimes on his own.

But now he suddenly had more people in his life whowantedto be there than he knew what to do with. He and Sloane were slowly warming, though Carter could see he was trying to make up for his previous behavior. Dean and Marco were similar enough that Carter still wondered how they ever ended up dating, and he would admit to being pretty fond of the medic. Jessica was certainly growing to be a pain in the ass, but the tense, frightened woman he’d first met was gone, and she swore up and down she was doing therapy ‘like a good little girl.’

Actually, he might be pretty fond of her, come to think of it.

Finally, there was the man at his side, who had been at his side more resolutely than most of the people Carter had known. He was warm, his laugh was fantastic, and he was by far the most patient and devoted person Carter had ever known. Carter knew the sun didn’t shine out of the man’s ass, but he didn’t give a shit about that. Marco wanted Carter for who he was, and Carter was utterly devoted, so he wouldn’t complain.

Well, most of the time, anyway.

Marco spun around in front of him, stopping their walk. The sun was almost down, darkness overtaking the sky, but brilliantorange and red still streaked among the violet and indigo. It caught Marco’s face and made it glow.

“I love you,” Marco said, voice soft and full of meaning.

Carter’s breath caught, and his prepared scowl fell away. It had only been a week since Marco had said it, the two of them half-asleep on the couch. It had stolen Carter’s senses then. And just like then, there was only one thing to say to that.

“And I love you,” Carter whispered, kissing him.

Maybe everything about them, including Marco, would be completely ridiculous, but Carter didn't mind so long as they could be ridiculous together.

Not one bit.