Page 7 of Hansen (Mutants #7)

EVAN HAD ALMOST CHANGED his mind a dozen times. Was he really doing this? Was he really about to knock on his parents’ door?

He stared at the house where he’d grown up. They still lived here. The house looked the same, even though some things were different. There were more flowers in the front yard now. Someone had put a bench there, and Evan could tell his mother spent a lot of time outside. He wondered if she’d started gardening after he vanished. Maybe she needed something to distract herself.

“We can still go back,”

Davey said as he leaned closer.

They’d asked Teddy, one of the mutants, to shimmer them here. He’d agreed without hesitation. Evan hadn’t been surprised. All the mutants were incredibly supportive of him. They understood what he’d gone through.

No one had been more supportive than Hansen, not even Davey, and that was okay. It was how it should be. Davey’s life was with Orion, and he shouldn’t focus on Evan. Evan had his own mate who did that.

“Or you could take some time to think,”

Orion said. “Both of you. This impacts you as much as it impacts Evan, Davey.”

“I’m here to support Evan,”

Davey said.

Evan turned to look at him. “You’re here to see your family.”

“We’re standing in front of your house.”

“As if my mom isn’t going to call yours the second she sees us.”

Davey looked away. “They may not be friends anymore.”

Evan glared at his best friend. “Stop that. They don’t know what happened to either of us. Even if they did, they wouldn’t blame you for me being taken or for you not being able to rescue me after you escaped. None of this was your fault. You didn’t kidnap me, you didn’t stick me in a cage, and you didn’t torture me. You came back for me. You looked for me for years. You did everything right, and if you don’t stop feeling guilty, I’m going to smack you.”

Evan half-expected Davey to continue pouting, but instead, he grinned and gently pushed him. “There you are. It’s been a while since I saw the real Evan.”

Evan had no idea who the real Evan was anymore, but he was starting to find out. He was different from the Evan he’d been before, but it wasn’t a bad thing. Now, he was Evan with a mate. He was Evan with a job, where he worked with his best friend’s mate. He was Evan, who lived in a tiny village and was building a life there. He was Evan in therapy, which regularly kicked his ass, but he couldn’t do without.

His therapist had agreed that if he felt it was time for him to see his parents, he should see them. He didn’t know what he was about to walk in on, and he prayed it wouldn’t be bad, but he couldn’t continue avoiding them. He especially couldn’t continue using himself as an excuse.

He might or might not be a mutant. The probability that he was one was high, but so far, he hadn’t made anyone explode or anything like that, so he was pretty sure he wouldn’t hurt his family. He’d never forgive himself if he did.

He trusted Hansen, Davey, and Orion. If anything weird happened, they’d intervene. That was the only reason Evan was here. The three men with him would be his family, and that made him feel safe.

“I’m scared,”

he whispered.

Davey took his hand and squeezed. “Me, too, but it’s time.”

Evan had a choice. He could stay on the sidewalk hiding behind a tree, call Teddy and ask him to pick them back up, or walk away from his hiding place and take the next step in his new life.

He sucked in a breath and rushed forward, not giving himself time to change his mind. He dragged Davey with him, and he was sure that Orion and Hansen weren’t far behind.

He didn’t hesitate when he reached the front door. He knocked, then squeezed Davey’s hand harder. He was glad that Davey was with him, not only because Davey deserved to have his family back, too. Evan wouldn’t have wanted anyone else to stand on his parents’ porch with him today, not even Hansen. Davey understood. He’d lost as much as Evan had.

Evan started crying as soon as he recognized his mother’s footsteps. By the time she opened the door, tears were streaming down his cheeks. For a moment, they stared at each other.

Evan had changed physically as well as mentally. He was older, and he’d been through hell. That showed on his skin. For a second, he was afraid that his mother wouldn’t recognize him, but she screamed and threw herself forward, and Evan had to brace himself.

“Evan? Evan!”

Evan’s mother clung to him as if she was afraid he’d disappear. Maybe she was. She hadn’t seen him in years and probably thought he’d been dead. Instead, he was standing on her porch, very much alive and losing the ability to breathe because she was squeezing him so hard.

He let go of Davey’s hand and hugged her back. “I didn’t survive for so many years only for you to smother me to death,”

he teased through his tears.

She let go instantly. “Robert? Robert, you need to come now.”

Evan’s chest squeezed. He missed his father as much as he’d missed his mother.

His mom didn’t seem to be able to let him move away because even though she wasn’t hugging him anymore, she’d taken his hand and was squeezing it to the point of pain. Evan couldn’t find it in himself to complain. He was squeezing back just as hard.

His father appeared from the kitchen. He was frowning, but when he saw Evan, he froze. He wavered and had to lean against the stairs, and Evan was moving forward, letting go of his mother so he could hug his father as fiercely as his mom had hugged him.

“Evan?”

Evan’s father wasn’t screaming. He sounded like he couldn’t believe that Evan was there. To be fair, Evan almost couldn’t believe it, either.

“It’s me,”

he confirmed. “I’m home. I’m home.”

“What happened to you? Where were you? Are you okay?”

Someone cleared their throat. Evan didn’t have to look to know it was Hansen. Even here, he was taking care of Evan.

“Why don’t we all sit down?”

Hasen suggested.

It was a sign of how overwhelmed Evan’s parents were that they didn’t question who Hansen was. Hell, Evan’s mother barely even looked at him. She’d seen Davey, and she was hugging him to death now.

“My boys are home,”

she said with a sob.

Evan’s eyes burned, but he didn’t care how much he was crying. He figured he was allowed to today of all days.

Evan was thankful for Hansen and Orion because if it wasn’t for them, he, his parents, and Davey would still be crying on the porch. Instead, Orion and Hansen guided them inside the house, found the living room, and helped them sit on the couch. All four of them squeezed on the same one. Evan didn’t want to be far from his parents right now.

“I need to call Cynthia,”

Evan’s mother said. “Your mother should be here,”

she told Davey. “Your father. They all should be here.”

Evan had known that would happen. He’d hoped that his and Davey’s mother were still close, and he was glad they’d had each other. They’d both lost a son when Evan and Davey had vanished.

“What happened to you?”

Evan’s father asked.

“Maybe we should wait until Davey’s family is here, too,”

Evan suggested. “I want to tell you everything, but I don’t want to have to go through it twice.”

His father’s expression turned serious. “We’re not going to like this, are we?”

“I wouldn’t have stayed away for so long if I hadn’t been forced to.”

“My poor boy.”

Evan started crying again. He’d imagined this day so many times over the years. He hadn’t thought he would ever have it, but here he was.

Home.

THINGS STAYED PRETTY normal until more people arrived. Hansen had heard Evan’s mother calling Davey’s mom, but he hadn’t realized that she would bring more people than Davey’s father with her.

Everyone was eager to see Evan and Davey. They hadn’t seen them in years and hadn’t even known that they were alive. It wasn’t a surprise to see that everyone wanted to hug and cry on their shoulders.

Hansen and Orion exchanged a glance. They’d been pushed to the side when Davey’s mother had barged into the house and thrown herself into her son’s arms. Hansen and Orion had stayed there, watching their mates.

“How are you feeling?”

Hansen asked Orion. Orion didn’t have a family who would be happy to see him. He had his brother, but beyond that, his family was better lost than found. It couldn’t be easy for him to watch as Davey and Evan were surrounded by love.

But when Orion smiled, he looked sincere. “I’m happy for him,”

he said, tilting his chin toward his mate, who had a baby in his arms and was crying.

From what Hansen had gathered, the baby was the son of Davey’s younger sister. Davey was an uncle, and he hadn’t even known.

Evan was talking with his mother, while Evan’s father watched them both. The man was frowning, which was an out-of-place expression. Evan had promised to explain what had happened to him and Davey, and if Hansen had to bet, that was what his father was thinking about.

It wouldn’t be easy. Hansen wished Evan didn’t have to do it because it would hurt him, but he wouldn’t let it stop him. Evan wanted his family to know what had happened to him. It would probably be the last time he talked about it beyond therapy, and that would be perfectly fine.

“Why do you have bodyguards?”

Davey’s mother suddenly asked.

Davey blinked up at Hansen and Orion. Their hovering was kind of awkward, but neither of them was willing to get far from their mate.

“They’re not bodyguards,”

Davey said with a smile. He held out his free hand, and Orion moved forward, taking it and linking their fingers together. “This is my mate, Orion.”

The level of noise rocketed. Hansen grinned when Orion gave him a slightly panicked look as he was enfolded into Davey’s family, but he didn’t smile for long because Evan’s mother had heard the conversation and was turning her attention to him.

“If Orion is Davey’s mate, does that mean this man is yours, Evan?”

“It does,”

Evan confirmed with a smile that Hansen was pretty sure he’d never seen before. It was bright and wide and went straight to Hansen’s heart.

Evan’s father cleared his throat. “Why don’t we introduce everyone? My name is Roger, and I’m Evan’s father. This is my mate, Isabel.”

He wrapped an arm around his mate’s shoulders.

“I’m Hansen,”

Hansen introduced himself. “Evan’s mate.”

That still felt weird to say. Hansen had wanted to meet his mate for so long, and now, he had. He was happy, even though he wished things had happened in different circumstances.

Isabel jumped to her feet, and the next thing Hansen knew, she was in his arms.

He exchanged a glance with Evan, who looked amused. Hansen didn’t have a problem with hugs, but it was startling because he’d never met Evan’s mother before.

“You are so welcome into our home,”

Isabel said, leaning back and looking at Orion. “Both of you. The boys are like brothers. We’re all family, and you being Evan’s mate means that you are, too.”

“They both are,”

Davey’s father declared. He offered Hansen his hand, and Hansen shook it. “I’m Arnold.”

“Hansen. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“And this is my wife, Cynthia,”

Arnold continued. “And our youngest daughter, Ellie. That’s her husband, Jack, and their son, David.”

He pointed at Davey’s other sister. “That’s Sarah and her mate, Brad.”

Hansen could only nod. He was sure Evan and Davey had more family that they’d eventually meet, but for now, even this felt overwhelming.

“So what happened to you two?”

Ellie asked after taking her son back.

Everyone fell silent. Evan looked nervous again, so Hansen sat on the edge of the coffee table. He didn’t want to be rude, but his mate mattered more than manners. He’d apologize to Isabel if she wanted him to, but only after Evan was done with this.

“I did say I would explain, didn’t I?”

Evan said with a small chuckle that held no amusement. “All right. Well, to make a long story short, Davey and I were kidnapped.”

Isabel sucked in a breath while Evan’s father pressed his lips together. Cynthia was already crying again and clinging to Davey’s arm.

“You know about the labs and what happens in them, so I don’t have to go into details,”

Evan continued. “But we both ended up in one of them. The past few years have been hard.”

“But you’re home. How did you escape?”

Roger asked.

“That would be the mutants,”

Davey said as he smiled at Hansen. “They’re a group of people who were once prisoners of the labs, too. They’ve banded together and have been rescuing people.”

That wasn’t exactly what had happened to either of them. Hansen wasn’t surprised that Evan hadn’t yet mentioned that Davey had managed to escape much sooner than he had. He knew how Davey still felt about that.

“So they saved you?”

Cynthia asked.

Davey’s smile fell. “Not exactly.”

He didn’t explain, leaving everyone visibly frustrated.

Evan huffed. “Davey doesn’t want to tell you what happened because he feels guilty, no matter how many times I tell him that none of this was his fault. He managed to escape a few years ago, but he had to leave me behind. He returned as soon as he could, but I’d already been transferred to another lab by then. He’s been looking for me since then and feeling guilty about abandoning me or something like that.”

Isabel pressed a hand against her mouth and turned to look at Davey. He was staring at the floor, and his back had gone ramrod straight. It was clear that he expected Evan’s parents to blame him for what happened.

“Oh, baby,”

Isabel said as she got up from the couch and went to hug Davey. “We know you never would’ve abandoned him. Is that why you didn’t come home? Because you thought we would blame you?”

A sob escaped Davey’s throat.

Hansen felt out of place, even though he was Evan’s mate.

Maybe only family should be present during this conversation.

He supposed that he and Orion were family now anyway, but Davey was vulnerable, and Hansen didn’t know if he was comfortable with him being here.

All four parents rushed to Davey’s side.

He might’ve been worried about Evan’s family blaming him, but it was clear he shouldn’t have. Roger and Isabel folded him into their arms as if he were their son.

Hansen took the opportunity to lean closer to Evan, taking his hand and waiting until Evan turned to look at him. “Everything okay?”

Evan’s eyes were red but bright. His cheeks were flushed, and he looked more alive than he had since he’d been rescued.

“I’ll be fine,”

Evan promised. “Once this is over, I never want to talk about the labs again, but they need answers.”

Hansen raised Evan’s hand and kissed his knuckles. “Never talking about the labs might be hard, considering you live in a village full of mutants who rescue survivors from them, but I’ll do what I can.”

“You know what I mean,”

Evan said with a glare that was, frankly, adorable.

“You two are wonderful together,”

Isabel said as she retook her place next to Evan. “I can’t believe my baby is mated.”

“Not yet,”

Evan told her. “Davey was able to escape years ago, but I was stuck in the lab. I was moved several times. When a hunter took me out of my cage, I thought that was what was happening again. I expected to end up in another lab, but instead, the hunter dragged me to this small town, this village, really, and forced me to bait his son out of his bakery.”

“That baker would be me,”

Orion said, raising his hand. “My father wasn’t happy that me and my brother left him and moved into the village. He tried to use Evan to get to me, and he succeeded, but not for long.”

“Orion kicked his ass. That’s how I ended up in the village. They took me in, and I’ve been staying with Davey and Orion since then.”

“How did you meet your mate?”

Evan’s mother asked.

“I’m one of the mutants Davey mentioned earlier,”

Hansen explained. “I live in the village, too, and work with the others to rescue survivors and close the labs.”

Isabel’s expression was serious. “You were a prisoner, too?”

“I was, a while ago. I never want anyone to have to go through what I went through, which is why this is important to me.”

“You poor boys have been through hell, haven’t you?”

Hansen wasn’t sure that was what he’d call it, but it wasn’t far off.

NO MATTER THE HORRORS of the past few years, Evan thought he could forget them if he had all of this.

His mate. His family. Davey.

He’d thought he’d lost all the people he cared about.

He’d thought he would die in a lab, sad and alone, without ever seeing any of the people he loved again.

He hated Orion’s father, but he would always be grateful to the man for taking him out of his cage and giving him all of them back.

If it wasn’t for him, Evan wouldn’t be here.

Without knowing it, Orion’s father had saved his life, and while Evan hated owing him anything, he was also happy because he knew that Orion’s father would hate knowing he was the reason Evan was so happy now.

Evan’s mother couldn’t seem to stop touching him.

She was holding his hand as she talked to Hansen, and Evan allowed himself to take everything in.

It seemed like Orion and Hansen fit well enough in this family.

That was good because Evan wasn’t about to let go of either.

He wanted Hansen and his family.

He wanted to be able to forget all about the labs and focus on his future.

“I hate that you boys had to go through all of that,”

Cynthia said. “But you’re home now.”

Evan wiggled on the couch. “Well, we have a new home.”

Everyone fell silent. Evan hoped his parents would be happy for him, even though it meant that he wouldn’t come back. He was willing to visit and even spend a week or two here, but he was building a life in the village, and he didn’t want to stop. Besides, Hansen’s home was there. He couldn’t just up and leave. He was a part of the team that rescued people from the labs, and Evan didn’t want him to stop if he didn’t want to. It was important to Hansen, and Hansen was important to Evan.

“Of course you do,”

his mother said as she gave him a watery smile. “And what your mate is doing is important. We wouldn’t want to take either of you away from that.”

“And it’s not like you can’t visit,”

Cynthia added. “And maybe we can visit you.”

Evan didn’t know if that would be possible. They’d have to ask Rikar since he was the leader of the tribe and the kind of mayor of the village.

“Of course,”

Davey reassured their mothers. “You can visit anytime you want, and we’ll give you our phone numbers and everything you need to contact us. We’ll visit as often as we can.”

He hesitated. “I’m on the team, too.”

“Does that mean you’re a mutant?”

his father asked.

Evan hadn’t yet mentioned that he probably was one, too. His heart ached at the thought of his parents looking at him differently. He didn’t know if he was one for sure, anyway.

That was what he was trying to convince himself of. He knew he was a mutant, though. There was no way he wasn’t. Even though he was happy, his future would be an uphill battle. He was working with a therapist, but no one went through what he’d gone through and came out on the other side without scars, both physical and mental.

But Evan wouldn’t have to do any of this alone. He had his family back, and Hansen wasn’t going anywhere.

Davey sucked in a breath. “I am.”

He raised his hand palm up, and drops of water gathered there, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, causing gasps and little screams of surprise.

Evan had seen his best friend do that before, but he was still impressed.

Davey nodded. “This is what I do. Don’t ask me how it works because I don’t think anyone knows, but I can manipulate water. It helps when we fight hunters because it includes the water in a human body.”

Cynthia pressed a hand over her mouth. “What did they do to you?”

“I never found out,”

Davey said, still not looking at her. “But whatever it was, it changed me. I decided I might as well use it against them.”

He closed his hand, and the water vanished into his skin.

“I don’t know if I’m a mutant,”

Evan interjected before he lost his courage. “But there’s a good chance that I am. I don’t know what I can do, but I’m sure that eventually, I’ll find out.”

“Will you join the team when you do?”

Evan’s father asked.

Evan hugged him just because he could. “I don’t think so. What they’re doing is great and needs to be done, but I don’t think I have it in me to go into more labs and face the people who hurt me so badly. Maybe in a few years, I’ll change my mind, but for now, I’m happy working at Orion’s bakery.”

“You have a bakery?”

Davey’s mother asked Orion.

Evan was glad for the distraction. Orion answered her questions with a smile, and Evan could allow himself to relax and squeeze Hansen’s hand.

Hansen was still on the coffee table, ready to intervene if anything happened. He’d been Evan’s rock through all of this, something Evan hadn’t expected to have.

To be fair, he hadn’t ever expected to be free of the labs, either.

“You’re happy?”

Evan’s mother asked him while everyone else listened to Orion.

That was a tricky question to answer. Was he? “I think I’m getting there. I have a lot to deal with, and most days, it’s so hard, and I’m not sure why I’m doing it, but then I talk to Orion, or Davey hugs me, and Hansen texts me, and I remember. I’m doing all of this because I deserve it. I can finally live my life. I don’t want to miss out on anything.”

Evan had already missed out on so much. Ellie was younger than him and Davey, but she had a son. Evan had always loved her like a sister, and he felt like an uncle to her son, and he hated knowing that he and Davey hadn’t been there for her. They hadn’t been there when she’d met her mate, when they’d gotten married, or during her pregnancy. All of that had been taken from them by the hunters and scientists, and Evan would always hate them for that.

But they couldn’t change the past. The only thing he and Davey could do was look to the future and deal with what happened to them. Their past might be messy and awful, but their future wouldn’t be. That was what they should focus on.

Evan was a different person than he’d been the last time he’d sat on this couch with his parents, but it still felt like coming home. Eventually, his mother got up to get drinks, and when Evan tried to follow her, she pushed him back down and forced Hansen to sit next to him so he could keep an eye on him. Evan could already tell that these two would gang up on him, but that was fine. He’d been without anyone worrying about him for too long.

Hansen wrapped an arm around Evan’s shoulders and held him close as Evan glanced around the room. Davey’s father had gone to the kitchen, too, and Davey was squeezed between his mother and Ellie. He was holding his baby nephew again, and every so often, he looked down at him with stars in his eyes.

If Davey and Orion didn’t have a kid in the next year, Evan would eat his underwear. He was happy for his best friend. Evan couldn’t even imagine having kids, but it was obvious that Davey had. He’d pressed pause on his life for years. He’d been focused on finding Evan and feeling guilty, and that was where all his attention had gone. Even after meeting Orion, Evan had never been far from Davey’s mind.

Evan was back. Davey didn’t have to worry about him anymore, and if Hansen had anything to say about it, he never would. Worrying about Evan was Hansen’s job now, which meant that Davey could focus on what came next for him and Orion.

Evan believed that was kids, and he’d happily be Uncle Evan whenever it happened.

THE EVENING SUN CAST a golden hue over Hansen’s home, illuminating the living room in a soft, inviting glow that he hoped would help Evan relax. Evan stood at the living room door, looking hesitant.

“Are you sure you’re fine with me spending the night again?” he asked.

The last few weeks had been a whirlwind for him, and Hansen wasn’t surprised that he needed reassurance, especially after the day he’d had. “You’re always welcome in my home, Evan.”

“Because I’m your mate.”

“And because I like you.”

Evan’s lips curled. “You like me because I’m your mate.”

“And because you’re brave, caring, strong, and resilient. Come in, Evan,”

Hansen tried to keep his voice soft and soothing. He wanted Evan to feel at home here. He hoped that, eventually, it would become his home.

Evan nodded, but he was still fiddling with the hem of his shirt. Hansen didn’t expect him to feel fully comfortable here yet, and staring at him wouldn’t help, so he smiled at his mate. “I’ll get started on dinner.”

After the emotions of the day, Evan had to be hungry.

Evan and Davey’s families had tried convincing all four of them to stick around for dinner, but Evan had insisted he wanted to come back to the village. No one had pushed, which told Hansen that they knew Evan’s limits, even though they hadn’t seen him in years. Davey and Orion had returned with them, but they’d gone home. Evan had wanted to give them space, and Hansen had been delighted when he’d asked if he could spend the night at his house again. He hadn’t hesitated to say yes. He was glad that Evan considered his home a safe place.

Evan followed Hansen into the kitchen. Hansen had planned ahead, even though he hadn’t known how the day would go. He’d suspected Evan would need comfort food, so he’d prepped everything he could and had left it in the fridge.

“I’m making your favorite,”

he said. “Chicken Alfredo.”

Evan had mentioned it the last time he’d been there.

Evan’s stomach growled in response. His cheeks flushed, but he managed a small smile. “That’s amazing, Hansen. Thank you.”

Having prepped ahead, it didn’t take long for Hansen to get their meal ready. Evan sat at the kitchen island and watched him, not saying anything. Hansen left him with his thoughts. He had no doubt Evan needed time after today, and the silence in the room wasn’t awkward or heavy. Hansen liked that they could spend time together like this. They didn’t need words or explanations. Their silence was filled with unspoken words and shared experiences.

Evan appeared more relaxed by the time they sat down to eat. The air smelled divine, and even though Hansen’s day hadn’t been as emotionally charged as Evan’s, he was starving and happy to keep up the silence for a little while longer. Hansen poured them both a glass of wine, hoping it would help Evan relax even more.

“How are you feeling?”

Hansen eventually asked, breaking the silence.

Evan swallowed a bite of pasta. “Better, I think. It’s just a little hard to untangle everything right now. But being here with you helps, and I’m glad I could give Davey space.”

Hansen reached across the table, taking Evan’s hand in his. “You don’t have to untangle anything tonight. Just eat, relax, and focus on yourself.”

Evan nodded and returned to his meal. He was smiling now, which was good.

After dinner, Hansen cleared the dishes, insisting that Evan relax on the couch. He could feel Evan watching him move around the kitchen, but he didn’t mind. It would take them some time to be comfortable together, but this was a good start.

When the kitchen was spotless, Hansen returned to Evan. He wasn’t done taking care of his mate.

“How do you feel about taking a bath?”

Hansen offered. “Then we can go to bed or watch TV. Whatever you want.”

Evan hesitated for a moment, then nodded. It felt like a step in the right direction for their relationship, but Hansen would do whatever he could to keep him comfortable.

Hansen led Evan to the bathroom upstairs. He wasn’t one for baths, so he’d only used it once since he’d moved in. He’d found sitting in the water awkward and boring, but after meeting Evan, he’d bought a few things, just in case Evan enjoyed it more than he did.

He left Evan in his bedroom and went to start the water in the tub. Once the water was warm, he plugged the tub and grabbed the lavender bath bomb he’d bought. He dropped it in, then gathered a bunch of soft towels.

Once Hansen had everything, he inspected the room. Steam rose from the slightly purple water, and the scent of lavender was light in the air. He hoped it would help Evan relax.

“Take your time,”

Hansen whispered as Evan walked into the bathroom. “I’ll be in the bedroom if you need me.”

Hansen retreated, leaving Evan alone. He didn’t know how long Evan would be in the bathroom, but he wanted everything to be ready for him when he was done.

He turned on the light on the nightstand instead of the bright overhead light. He opened the bed and cracked the window open so they could get some fresh air. He turned the TV on but kept the volume low.

Evan hadn’t brought any clothes with him today, so Hansen grabbed a pair of pajama pants and a t-shirt from his dresser. He couldn’t hear anything in the bathroom, so he knocked and waited for Evan to answer.

“Yes?”

Hansen cracked the door open and peeked. “Thought you might need these,”

he said softly, holding up the folded clothes.

Evan looked up. “Thank you, Hansen.”

He paused. “For everything.”

Hansen smiled, his heart swelling at Evan’s vulnerability. “Always, Evan. You deserve every bit of care I can give.”

And he intended to continue until Evan was sick of him.

He hoped it never happened.

As Hansen turned to leave again, Evan’s voice stopped him. “Stay with me,”

he murmured. “Please.”

Hansen hesitated, but he could never say no to his mate. He nodded, sat on the edge of the tub, and reached out to lightly trail his fingers over Evan’s shoulder. He was taking a risk, but he didn’t think that Evan would push him away. “Tell me what you need.”

Evan took a deep breath and looked at Hansen. “I need to feel close to you. Connected. But not...that. Not yet.”

Hansen’s expression softened, understanding dawning. “Whatever you’re ready for.”

Evan nodded, his body relaxing further under Hansen’s touch. He reached out, his hand finding Hansen’s to intertwine their fingers. The connection between them was strong, even without a full bond.

“Kiss me,”

Evan whispered, his voice barely audible.

Hansen leaned in, his lips brushing against Evan’s as gently as he could. The kiss was slow, deliberate, filled with the weight of everything Hansen hadn’t yet told Evan. It was a promise of more, a confirmation of their bond, and that he’d take care of Evan until the day he died.

As their lips moved, Evan pulled their linked hands beneath the water. “Closer,”

he murmured, his body arching toward Hansen.

Hansen was all for that. He knew that Evan would stop him if he did something his mate wasn’t ready for, so he didn’t hesitate to straighten and get out of his clothes. He heard Evan suck in a breath, but that was it. He didn’t tell Hansen to stop, so Hansen carefully lowered himself into the tub behind Evan. The water sloshed gently, enveloping them both. Evan turned his upper body so they could kiss.

“Hansen,”

he breathed, his voice thick. “Hold me tight.”

Hansen complied, wrapping his arms around Evan and squeezing him tightly. The tub wasn’t big, but Evan still managed to turn sideways and climb into Hansen’s lap, folding his body to fit. He buried his face in Hansen’s neck, and Hansen held him.

“Is this okay?”

Hansen whispered.

Evan nodded, nuzzling closer. “More than okay. It’s perfect.”

Their hands roamed, exploring each other’s bodies. Hansen traced the lines of Evan’s back with his fingertips, eliciting a soft moan from his mate that made him smile.

Evan gasped, his voice trembling. “You feel safe.”

Hansen kissed the top of Evan’s head, his heart aching with love for this man who had endured so much. He shouldn’t have. He should’ve been protected and cherished. “You’re safe with me, Evan.”

Evan pulled back slightly, his eyes searching Hansen’s. “Can I touch you, too?”

Hansen’s breath hitched, his body responding instinctively to Evan’s request. “Of course. Take whatever you need from me.”

Evan might not have yet realized that Hansen was willing to give him anything he asked for, but he would eventually. He’d stop asking and would take him like Hansen wanted him to.

With trembling hands, Evan reached for Hansen to trace his chest. The sensation was electric and intimate. It made Hansen shudder. “You’re so strong,”

Evan murmured, his touch growing bolder. “But so gentle.”

Hansen closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling of Evan’s hands on his skin. “Not as gentle as you,”

he replied.

Evan’s exploration led him lower, his fingers dancing over Hansen’s abdomen before dipping under the water. He glanced up, seeking permission.

“Go ahead,”

Hansen encouraged, his voice barely above a whisper. “Take control, Evan.”

It was what he’d missed for years, and Hansen wanted him to have it back.

With a deep breath, Evan slipped his hand under the water to curl his fingers around Hansen’s hardened cock. The sensation was intense and caused a rush of heat that made Hansen groan.

“Evan,”

he breathed, arching his body into the touch. “God, that feels good.”

Evan’s grip tightened, but his strokes were slow and deliberate. “Does it?”

he asked, his voice uncertain.

Hansen nodded, his eyes locked onto Evan’s. “Yes, it’s perfect.”

They stayed like that for what felt like an eternity, their breaths mingling in the steamy air. Hansen cradled Evan’s face with his hands, his thumbs brushing over the scars that lingered from his captivity as he gave himself up completely.

“I love you,”

Hansen whispered, his voice choked with emotion. He should probably wait to say those words, but they felt right. It was what he felt, and he didn’t want to keep them from Evan. “Even when you’re scared, even when you’re unsure, I love you.”

Evan’s eyes filled with tears. “I love you, too, Hansen. So much.”

Their lips met again in a fierce kiss. Hansen slid one hand under the water, seeking Evan’s dick, his touch light as he stroked him in tandem with his own pleasure.

“Harder,”

Evan panted, his body visibly begging for release. “Please.”

Hansen obliged, his strokes firmer, his fingers gliding over Evan’s sensitive flesh with ease. “Is this okay?”

he asked, his voice hoarse with desire.

“Yes,”

Evan groaned, his head falling back. “Just like that.”

Their moans filled the small bathroom, intermingling with the sound of water sloshing around the tub. Hansen’s release came quickly, his body tensing as he spilled into Evan’s hand, his breath hitching in his throat. “Evan,”

he whimpered, the word a prayer on his lips. He’d known he’d love his mate when he met them, but he hadn’t expected just how much he would.

Evan’s climax followed, his body shaking with the force of it. He clung to Hansen, his fingers digging into Hansen’s shoulders as he whimpered. Hansen held him close, wanting him to feel protected and like he could truly let go.

Evan collapsed against Hansen, his breathing still ragged. “Thank you,”

he whispered.

Hansen held him tightly, his heart full to bursting. “No, thank you, Evan. For trusting me and for letting me in.”

They stayed like that for a while, wrapped in each other’s arms, ignoring the world outside. It would still be there tomorrow morning.

“Let’s get you dried off,”

Hansen murmured eventually, reluctantly pulling back. “You must be exhausted.”

And the water was getting cooler. He didn’t want Evan to get cold.

Evan nodded. “Yeah, I am. But it was worth it. The whole day was worth it.”

Hansen helped him out of the tub, wrapping him in a plush towel before leading him to the bedroom. The bed was already turned down, so Hansen tucked Evan in, his eyes never leaving Evan’s.

“Sleep,”

Hansen whispered, brushing a stray lock of hair from Evan’s forehead. “I’ll be right here when you wake up.”

He’d cleaned up the bathroom and got into bed. He didn’t want to be away from Evan for too long.

Evan closed his eyes, and Hansen watched him. He could imagine a hundred nights just like this one.

He couldn’t wait.