More in love with them than ever, Everett lifted his gaze to find Caleb shaking his head like a dog, sending glitter flying. Parker helped by grabbing at Caleb’s shirt, trying, and failing, to pluck glitter from the fabric. Jayne wiggled out of Everett’s hold and fanned the bottom hem of his shirt, then ran his hands through his hair, dislodging as much glitter as he could.
They were interrupted by someone clearing their throat. Everett looked in the direction of the noise to find the same worker from before standing there. The look on his face suggested that he didn’t get paid enough to put up with their bullshit.
“Uh, excuse me,” the worker said. He nodded at the two boxes stacked in his arms, both of them striped with red glitter washi tape. “Where should I put this?”
“Downstairs, in the kitchen.” Jayne sounded one more joke away from losing it. “Thank you.”
The man took off, and they were silent for a good five seconds before Jayne snickered, then burst out laughing again.
The price of happiness was knowing the pain of disappointment, and Jayne had long ago paid his dues. The bad times were behind them now, and while there would still be obstacles ahead, Everett didn’t think for a second that they’d compare to what the three of them had already been through. He faced a future with the men he loved that was both bright and promising—challenging, yet satisfying. Obstacles once insurmountable while alone fell to their combined might. Nothing would stand in their way.
So Everett laughed, too. He shook the glitter from his body and looked at their house—the house they now shared as a family—and imagined the good times they’d have within its walls. Caleb clapped Everett’s shoulder, and Everett looked his way, noticing the dual black bands inked onto Caleb’s skin. At one point, the tattoos had been a symbol of devotion between them—their secret promise to each other that their love would last forever. Two identical marks running parallel beside each other, etched forever on their skin.
Now, the tattoo’s meaning had changed, and it felt more fitting than ever.
At one point, Everett had thought that the bands stood on their own. Now he knew better. They were unified by the blank space between them—an emptiness that, at the time, had yet to be filled. It was filled now. The third, colorless band between them belonged to Jayne, who took two lines that were never destined to cross, and turned them into a cohesive piece of art.
Epilogue
Jayne
GlitterDoctor: We did it.
GlitterDoctor: We moved, and none of us killed each other.
GlitterDoctor: I’m in bed right now relaxing and watching something, and let me tell you, I have never been more happy to be calling it a night. I don’t care what anyone else thinks—mattresses are a divine invention, and I could probably spend the rest of my life curled up beneath a blanket and never get tired of it
Jayne looked up from the screen of his phone at Caleb and Everett, who occupied the space next to him. Five minutes ago, they’d started play-wrestling over who got to pick what they were going to stream next, and somewhere along the way, it had turned into a heated make-out session. Exhausted from a busy day of directing the movers they’d hired, unpacking the kitchen, and getting Parker settled in his new nursery, Jayne hadn’t opted to join in. Instead, he’d fired off a few texts to Simon with pictures of the new place and all that they’d managed to accomplish in one day, then he’d opened up the Single Dad chat and caught up on the conversation.
Knot had spent a good half hour lamenting the lack of suitable men in New York to TD, who’d already assembled the other Single Dads weeks before and initiated operation Get Knot to Tie the Knot. So far, not much movement had been made, but now that the idea was fresh in everyone’s minds, Jayne was sure it would only be a matter of time before one of the Dads located New York’s most eligible twink and introduced him to their most sarcastic member.
A muffled moan interrupted Jayne’s train of thought. Everett had pinned Caleb to the mattress and had snaked a hand around his cock. Caleb, pinned and helpless, pushed into Everett’s closed hand and fed him tiny, mewling noises of pleasure. Jayne indulged himself by watching them, enjoying the sight of Caleb so helpless and of Everett so certain. Knowing that with a few choice sentences, Jayne could make both of them stop and submit to him made the sight that much hotter.
No matter what games Caleb and Everett decided to play with each other, they both knew who was in charge of their relationship… and whose cock they’d drop to their knees to suck if they were asked.
Savoring that thought, Jayne sucked his bottom lip between his teeth and took pleasure from the sensation of enamel over his skin. Maybe, if the Single Dad chat dried up, he wouldn’t be too tired to get a little naughty. His men deserved a little love for looking after Parker and Shep today, after all.
But for now, they could wait.
GlitterDoctor: What’s everyone else up to this fine evening?
KnotMyProblem: Thinking about hitting the gym to see if I can tire myself out enough to sleep
xVerity: Knot, it’s not the first time you’ve mentioned restlessness and an abundance of energy. Have you considered seeing a doctor about what you’re going through? It seems to me as if it’s a chronic issue, and if it’s been affecting your quality of life, it might be worthwhile to pursue medical treatment.
KnotMyProblem: Nah. Thanks for thinking of me and all, xV, but I’ve just got to knock the hamster off the wheel that is my brain and then I’ll be okay. Anyone know how long hamsters live for? I’m hoping that fucker dies sooner rather than later.
LoveHarley: idk Knot you might be in for some trouble
LoveHarley: I hear brain hamsters live a metric fuckton longer than they have any right to
TeenDad2: LOL
TeenDad2: also, HARLEY!!!
LoveHarley: hey TD
The chat was hopping tonight. Caleb and Everett’s chances dwindled. Jayne glanced in their direction to find that Everett had wedged his knee between Caleb’s thighs, forcing them apart. Caleb, it seemed, had given up struggling with him for dominance and worked his length into Everett’s hand with wanton abandon.
