Jay sighed and sat on the window ledge. "I need to move on." He mumbled to himself. It had been three months. He heard nothing for three years. He shows up again for two days and then leaves. Jay shrugged to himself and Luce came out. "Hey." She said and he turned.

"Hows Fin and Marlo?" He asked and she smiled. "They are good. It's a way to never forget Nio." She said and he smiled back. "Yeah-" He breathed out, getting down from the ledge. "It is." He smiled and took her hand. They walked to the mess hall. They were in a new HQ. It was bigger and more luxurious. 

He had taken off the bracelet and put it in a junk drawer. Mira smiled at them as they sat down. "Hey." Jule said. He munched on some food and Fin sauntered over. "Hi guys." She said sitting down. Fin had integrated well and was dating Jule. Marlo had a bit more trouble. He had become more reserved and sat quietly.

He often went to the beach and scour for any signs of Nio. Bee had become close with him though and protected him. "Hey I need to go do something." Jay said and stood up. They said goodbye and he went out of the HQ and walked down the streets. He looked up at the moon rising and said what he said every night.

"I'll see you soon." He whispered and looked on his phone. Jay stood on a rock and let the salty air whip his face. "It was your birthday today." He whispered and tears rolled down his cheeks. "Happy 22nd birthday." He wiped his eyes and flipped up his hoodie. He had gone back to hiding his wings and tail but today he stretched them out and took off over the sea. He opened his hand and dropped the stone. They were lost probably, but he like to think that Nio found them.

He flew back to the land and walked back to the HQ. He walked in and went up to his room. He locked the door. Luckily no one shared with him. He sat on his bed and stared at the empty one. He sighed and changed into pajamas. He went under the covers and fell asleep.

~Meanwhile~

Nio stared at the cars going by. He looked at the sun and smiled to himself. "Ha..." He breathed out and started walking again. He walked to the field he escaped to and stood in the middle of it. He had been sleeping under the stars and took showers in the ocean. He flopped on the grass. "Happy birthday to myself." He whispered and curled up. 

Nio awoke and went to go find some food. He got some food and scarfed it down. He sighed and sat on the rocks. He stood up and let the wind blow on his face. Nio's hair was in a ponytail and his wings were healed. He stretched them out and for a moment he felt happy. He folded his wings in and hopped down.

Nio stared at the stars and the water. "I love you." He whispered and sprinkled some sugar in the ocean. He sighed and turned away. He trudged along the shore line, the water lapping at his feet. He smiled to the moon and climbed on a rock and sat there until the sun rose.

Jay sighed and woke up. He showered and changed, going to the mess hall. He sighed and grabbed a pear and walked back to the ocean. He breathed in the salty air and rolled his pants up, wading into the water. He ran his hands through the water. Nio looked out and saw him from far away. He jumped up and started running toward him. He stopped and almost laughed to himself. 

"He is not gonna wanna see me." He said and turned back. Jay looked up sharply, smelling the faint scent. He turned to where Nio was in the distance. He climbed out of the water and started walking to him. Nio started backing up, but fell over a rock twisting his ankle. He hissed in pain and held his leg.

Jay made it to him and bent down. Nio blinked back tears and turned his face away. "I get it. I'm not-" Jay was over him and he kissed him. Nio broke away and buried his head in his hands. "No. No. Jay you deserve someone better." Jay looked hurt by those words. "Nio...." Nio looked away from him.

"Nio." Jay said sharply and he turned to face Jay. "HAVEN'T I HURT YOU ENOUGH. YOU DESERVE SOMEONE WHO WILL STAY AND NOT LEAVE." Nio yelled and Jay sighed. "Nio. I know old habits die hard. I know what you said to Jule. I'm not going to give up on you. I don't give a damn if you have given up on yourself. I don't give a fuck that you have been broken many times over. I want you. I never wanted anyone but you. You can hate yourself all you want but I can never hate you." Nio had tears rolling down his cheeks as Jay was saying this.

"I may get mad. Three years ago I attacked you out of resentment for myself. Nio, I want you to be mine. No matter how many times you leave in the middle of the night or on runs. I will find you." He said and smiled. His face was wet and Nio let out a choked sob.

"I should be saying this to you." He said cracking a smile and Jay hugged him. "Now, let's mend to your foot." He said and had Nio jump on his back. He carried him and Nio fell asleep. Jay smiled and walked in. Marlo looked up and shock grew on his face. Jay put a finger to his lips and Marlo helped him bandage Nio's foot. Jay changed into pj's and Nio groaned.

"Painkillers." He mumbled and Jay nodded. He gave Nio some Advil and sat next to him. Nio leaned against him and fell back asleep. Jay pulled the covers over them and held Nio in his arms. He woke up to give Nio some painkillers and some water. Nio curled up against him and Jay stroked his wings. They were soft, so unlike his which were leathery.

He smiled and woke up to the sun shining on his face. Nio was already awake and figured out how to get into his phone. He was watching Netflix on it when Jay woke up. He smiled and blushed when Jay raised his eyebrows. Jay smiled and sat up. "We were supposed to go on a run today..." Jay mumbled and Nio giggled.

"It got cancelled. Severe storm warning." He said and his stomach growled. He blushed again and Jay laughed. "You are lucky I have food with me." He said and got up, tossing him some fruit. Nio caught it with his eyes on the phone still and started munching on it. Jay smiled at him and changed. He heard a knock at the door and he opened it.

"Hey- NIO." Fin yelled and Nio looked up. "Ah.." He said. Jay stepped aside and let Fin go into the room. Marlo followed and Bee was with him. Bee stayed back as Nio chatted with them. ""Huh. I knew he would come back." She said winking. He rolled his eyes and Marlo sat next to Nio. Jay smiled. Fin walked over to Jay. 

"Where did you find him?" She asked and Jay explained he saw him on the shoreline. "Ah." Fin said. "I wonder.." She got lost in thought and left the room. Marlo said goodbye and left too. Jay sat next to him and Nio leaned into him. Jay looked out the window and saw dark clouds forming. He sighed and watched as the sun disappeared from sight. He started braiding Nio's hair. It had grown long again and he smiled. It was soft.

He out his head on Nio's and watched what Nio was watching on Netflix. They sat in silence for a bit, just holding each other. There was a crack of lighting and thunder boomed. Jay shivered. Nio giggled. "The big ol' dragon is scared." He teased and Jay rolled his eyes. 

He bent his neck down and nipped at Nio's neck. Nio yelped in surprise. "OI. BAD DRAGON." He yelled and burst out laughing. Jay chuckled and watched as Nio's laughing died down. Nio smiled up at Jay who was smiling back at him. He leaned upwards and pulled Jay's face down to his lips. Jay kissed him back. It was sweet and on purpose.

Nio smiled when Jay broke away. Jay yawned and jolted at another loud bang of thunder. Nio held his hand and made Jay put on earbuds. They watched a video, blocking out the thunder. There was the patter of rain on the window. Jay yawned, not getting much sleep lately, leaned on Nio's shoulder. He fell asleep and Nio snapped a picture and posted it to Jay's Instagram.

The comments flooded in. Most were praises and excitement about the new pretty boy. Nio smiled and turned of the phone. He rubbed Jay's head and listened to the rain. He was startled when Jay woke up. He lifted his head and Nio blinked. "Oh." He said and laughed. Jay smiled at him and pinned him down.

"Don't be so damn cute." Jay growled and Nio just smiled. "I can't take those orders sir." He giggled and blinked innocently. Jay growled and marked Nio as his own.

"COuld you not."Jay said in the shower. Nio was dancing. No, failing at dancing. Nio giggled and hugged Jay. "I promise I won't leave." He whispered and Jay smiled. "You better not." He patted Nio's head and turned off the shower. They had just finished changing when they heard a knock at the door. Jay opened it and it was May.

"We have a problem." Was all she said.