“Are you sure it was a good idea to let him go after Gabe alone?”

It was not the first time Riley had asked, but Dash didn’t take it personally— Riley’s powerful need to protect and comfort Gabriel was overtaking everything else. He wanted always to make everything good for them, which was a heady kind of love, but in this case Dash held firm. In this moment, reassurance from his lovers wasn’t what Gabriel really needed.

It had not escaped either of their notice that Gabriel still carried guilt over what they’d gone through together. He had far more good days than bad, but the shadows still had some hold on him. When he’d first left his old life, he’d told Dash it was a struggle to differentiate what habits were his personality versus just how he had been trained. That had been his biggest focus, figuring out who the real Gabriel was. 

Certainly too he’d been anxious about possible reprisals, and he’d definitely come out with emotional scars. Dash had long suspected there was some painful catalyst that had driven him to escape, but Gabriel didn’t talk about it, and at the time Dash opted not to pry. Mostly, Gabriel had preferred not to dwell on any of it and Dash trusted him to know his own heart. 

It was different the second time. There were so many reasons– that he’d been taken by force, Dash and Riley’s involvement, how they’d almost lost each other too many times. The betrayal cut deeper that the monster behind it all was the closest thing to a parent Gabriel had ever had. 

None of it was something that could be got over in a few weeks, or even months. Even as happy as they were to be alive, to be together– and, truly, this was the happiest Dash had ever been in his life- they were still healing. And while the support they gave to each other was invaluable, it didn’t mean they could do it alone. 

Dash had always had a therapist, and he had enough practice by now editing out the magical bits of his stories. It was cathartic to bleed out his fears to a neutral party, to say words he never could to Gabriel or Riley. He loved them too much to talk about what he’d gone through in those hours he’d been captive. His therapist could help him work through it without getting enraged, or taking on unnecessary guilt. And with each session, he felt a little better. 

Riley had started therapy too. Only a few visits so far, and they visibly took a lot out of him, but he approached the process with the same dogged determination he did most things. Sometimes he would talk to them about things his therapist had said, ways to look at his life in different contexts. It was hard for Dash to listen patiently when he did, the urge to kiss his face off so strong. He was so proud to watch Riley blossom. 

But if Riley was a bud finally opening to the sun, Gabriel, ever so slightly, had been shrinking from it. Gabriel didn’t feel he could trust a traditional mental health professional given his criminal background, and Dash understood that, to a point. He didn’t think that his habit of going to human churches and asking for forgiveness was working though– Gabriel didn’t need to be forgiven. It wasn’t his fault. 

Dash and Riley could tell him that until they were blue in the face. He very nearly believed them. But he needed more than the opinions of the two people who loved him unconditionally, and some form of external validation wouldn’t go amiss. 

Harper had been aghast when his innocent photo had sent a panicked Gabriel running into the woods. But even before Dash or Riley could mount an explanation he’d become determined to set things right, to apologize to Gabriel. He never even asked them why. Dash had felt powerfully in that moment that Harper was the right person to go after him. That he would be the one to convince Gabriel he’d done nothing wrong. 

It wasn’t going to fix everything, Dash knew. But it might be a start. 

“Baby, c’mere.” It wouldn’t do if Harper and Gabriel returned to find Riley pacing around like the world was about to end. Dash tucked his hands in Riley’s coat pockets, tipping his face up to the larger man. 

“I just–”

“I know. Me too. But it’s not us he needs yet.”

Riley groaned, let his hands rest on Dash’s shoulders. Stared down at him with agonized, adoring eyes. 

“Why are you always the smartest, hm?” Riley asked. “I’ve been alive eight years longer than you, and I always feel like I’m a page behind.”

“Eight and a half years,” Dash corrected cheekily. “But you’re not behind, you have a lovely brain. I’m just very advanced for my age.”

“You’re very something,” Riley said fondly. He blew out a breath, the fog of it only barely visible in the dim light. Night was creeping in fast. 

“You sure he’ll be OK?” 

Dash knew the question wasn’t just about the photo thing– the worry lines in Riley’s face were too deep for that. Dash reached for him and Riley obligingly lifted him up, bringing their faces level. Into his kiss Dash poured all the comfort and reassurance he could, tried to breathe surety into his partner. Riley shuddered against him, accepting all Dash had to give. He was clearly reluctant to finally set him back down. 

“Yes,” Dash answered him firmly. “It’s all going to be OK.”

“If you say it, it must be true,” Riley said with a weak smile, though the sentiment made Dash laugh in spite of the serious mood. 

“That’s a pretty rose-colored thing to say to the guy best known for always running his mouth with a bunch of bullshit,” he teased. Riley cuffed his chin gently. 

“You tease, but you don’t lie to me. To us.” The love in Riley’s eyes made Dash’s heart stutter. Now he wanted to kiss Riley more for entirely different reasons. 

He was just about to reach again when Riley’s head jerked, turned to the forest. His elemental senses telling him that living beings approached. 

“You were right, they did wait,” Harper said, nudging Gabriel’s arm playfully. He was definitely a little puffy, but it was a smile of easy warmth that Gabriel returned, nothing self-conscious or embarrassed there. 

“Hey,” Riley said in greeting, a little breathless. Dash could palpably feel how badly he wanted to run to their partner but he was forcing himself to stand his ground, treat the situation as normal. Take cues from Gabriel. 

“Sorry that took so long,” Gabriel said. “We had a lot to talk about.”

Riley nodded absently, like he couldn’t focus on anything but the fact he could see him again. Sensing the good humor had mostly returned, Dash couldn’t resist a little teasing. 

“Yeah, we were starting to think you two ran off together,” he said, mock-solemn. “Which would’ve been so fucked up. All this time Riley’s been worried about me running off with Reid, and really it’s you two we have to watch!”

He could feel Riley’s horror-struck glance and he tried not to giggle. 

“I did not– I was not–”

“See?” Harper said to Gabriel, as if picking up a conversation already in progress. “Having a little chaos agent around keeps things fun.”

That Gabriel was in a better mood was as Dash had anticipated; the change in Harper was a surprise. He was regarding all three of them with warmth now, no hint of irony. Dash had thought Harper’s words would sway Gabriel best because they would not be the biased opinion of a friend, but he’d forgotten to factor in the impact the man himself would have on the equation. Gabriel was sweetness personified, possibly the most loving creature in the whole world. Of course he could melt even the most reluctant heart. 

Considering who Harper had chosen as a life partner, Dash actually felt a little dumb for not thinking of it sooner. Riley’s praise might have been too generous. 

They walked back towards the house, Riley keeping a firm arm around Gabriel’s shoulders. He’d clearly had all the distance he could stomach, and the way Gabriel had twined his arm around his waist showed he didn’t mind one bit. As they neared the lights of the sprawling property Dash scooted up by Harper. 

“We’re gonna head to our room for a sec, to change,” Dash said lightly. “Modeling is surprisingly sweaty business.”

“I appreciate you suffering for my art,” Harper replied drily. Then, with empathy in his eyes, “Go take care of your guys. We’ll keep dinner warm for you.”

“Thanks. You’re actually pretty cool, you know?”

For some reason this made Harper deeply exasperated. 

“Of course I’m cool, I’m basically the coolest person in this town. You people just show up and– ugh. Whatever. I’m very glad you’re here. Now please go away.”

Dash was still laughing as he pulled Riley and Gabriel further down the path. 

As soon as they were safely ensconced in their room, Riley steered them over to the upholstered sofa. It was not quite long enough for all three to sit comfortably, but Riley solved that problem by pulling Gabriel into his lap. This was an atypical configuration but Gabriel certainly didn’t mind it, blushing prettily as Riley burrowed his face against his neck. 

“I’m OK, I promise,” Gabriel said, holding Riley closer. “Honestly, I feel much better now.”

Dash knew a seat had been left for him, but he wanted to be close to Gabriel too. He perched on the arm of the sofa, letting Gabriel’s head come to rest against his chest. Dash’s fingers carded lovingly through his hair, nails scratching against his scalp the way he knew he liked. 

“We know you’re OK, baby,” Dash said soothingly. “But we love you too much not to smother you sometimes. You have to just give into it.”

Gabriel smiled, letting his eyes fall closed under Dash’s ministrations. 

“I can see now why you’re always climbing into our laps,” he admitted bashfully. “I feel very safe.”

“You are,” Riley growled from against his skin. He still hadn’t retreated from his refuge against Gabriel’s neck, but now he started pressing little kisses there too. “And you can sit your fine ass in my lap any time you damn well please.”

Gabriel’s eyes fluttered open and he and Dash exchanged a look. While neither of them ever wanted Riley genuinely upset, it was incredibly attractive when he got fired up like this. Dash pretended to fan himself, to Gabriel’s increased amusement. 

With his head tipped back to let Riley work, blue eyes staring so lovingly up at Dash, there was an opportunity Dash simply couldn’t miss. He tipped forward, giving Gabriel’s beautiful mouth some attention. He trembled a little as Dash’s tongue slipped past his teeth, Riley’s hands tugging off his coat, then pulling at the sweater underneath. 

“Wait, wait,” Gabriel said when Dash let him get a breath of air. Riley’s hands were fully under Gabriel’s sweater now, apparently trying to figure out how to get it off without having to stop kissing him. His breath was coming fast, but Gabriel managed to roll his sweater back down.

“We can’t– everyone’s waiting for us,” Gabriel protested. Riley looked as though he had no idea who Gabriel could be talking about, as if the world was made up only of the three of them. 

“Harper said they’d keep dinner warm for us,” Dash countered, running his hands slowly down Gabriel’s arms. He shuddered again, but held fast. 

“Causing one scene per day is my limit. And I actually am hungry. Storming off into the woods burns a lot of energy, you know.”

Riley looked at him with greater focus now, concern spilling out of him. Gabriel leaned forward and kissed him swiftly, just enough to say he was good now. 

“Everything’s OK,” Gabriel promised. “Harper and I… we had a good talk. A really good talk. I’m feeling better about a lot of things actually.”

“Do you want to tell us about it?” Dash offered, and Gabriel squeezed his hand. 

“Yes, but later I think, when we’re home. For now, I’d just really like to get back to having fun. With everyone!” he added when Riley’s hand automatically began to creep up his shirt again. Riley huffed but it was good-natured, and he obligingly let Gabriel rise from his lap. 

Gabriel pulled Riley to standing, giving him one more kiss. 

“I love you,” he said, tipping their foreheads together as Riley murmured it back, passion still blazing in his eyes. 

“Your willpower is so unnecessary sometimes,” Dash teased when Gabriel turned to him. He accepted his kiss, barely restraining himself from deepening it. 

“Yeah, well,” Gabriel shrugged as he pulled away. “I’m gonna love you for the rest of my life, so we’ve got time.”

With that statement, Dash certainly agreed. They all still needed more time to heal, but they would get there. Little by little, with the support of the ever-expanding collection of people who cared about them. And with the love of each other, always.