Epilogue
Archie
Three Months Later
I’m carrying the last heavy box into the new apartment, dropping it down by the kitchen island with a loud grunt. Then dust my hands off and straighten up. “That’s the last one.”
Mom claps her hands a couple of times, smiling wide. “This apartment is lovely, Archie!”
I grin, looking over at her, “Well, it’s nothing fancy, Mom. Only one bedroom but… it’s a good start.”
Colt laughs and smacks me on back in that familiar, comfortable way we’ve grown into. “Oh, shut it, this place is nicer that the shithole I had to share back in the day.”
I roll my eyes and shove him playfully. “You know what I mean. Besides, I do have to share… with that great lump.”
Jay barks out a laugh, from where he’s perched on the edge of the couch armrest, and winks at me. “Hey… don’t pretend this wasn’t your idea. You love me, no backsies… this is permanent now; no escape.”
I shake my head, smiling genuinely at him. Before turning back to Mom and Colt, “I appreciate you guys helping us. You didn’t have to.”
Jay points casually at Colt, “Though I’m glad you did, or it would have taken much longer.”
Colt grins, crossing his arms and raising at brow at Jay. “You know, for runners, you can be pretty lazy.”
Jay scoffs, no real heat in it, he’s still grinning. “That’s because I spend all my energy training, running, or… doing other exhausting activities.”
He winks at me, clearly referring to our very active sex life. It’s entirely inappropriate right now, causing me to blush hard, so I have to turn my face away, groaning internally. That man is so forward about everything, absolutely no shame.
Jay adds, “So, do you guys want to stay for a bit, we’ll get a takeout and watch tonight’s match?”
I hear Colt rub his hands together. “Sounds like a solid plan, Jay.”
Mom laughs, and says, “See, this is nice! Much more room here for company.”
I look up and over at Jay again, raising a brow. He notices quickly, of course, and walks over; his hands immediately snaking up onto my waist. “What’s with the face?”
“I thought we were gonna build the new bed, then eat ice-cream, and watch that new horror movie.”
Jet lets out a gorgeous little laugh and kisses the tip of my nose. “If I hadn’t seen the massive dick on you, I’d be questioning if you are actually a man.”
“Forgive me, for wanting to sleep in a comfortable bed and chill out after a long day.”
Jay grins at me, lovingly, “The couch is plenty big enough for us to sprawl out on; just for tonight. We’ll do it tomorrow, I promise.”
I wrap my arms around his neck and smile sweetly. “Fine… your loss though.”
“Huh?”
“Jay, I’m not having sex on the brand new couch.”
He groans deep and nods at me, “Mhmm, yes you are… we’re gonna christen that thing so fucking hard tonight, baby.”
I blush and pull away from him, not able to help my coy smile. “You’re disgusting.”
Jay laughs and smacks my ass, “But…”
“I love you anyway.”
He hums, nodding, and kisses my cheek, pleased. “Damn right you do. Love you too, sexy thing.”
…
An hour later, we’re all sprawled out in the living room, watching the football match. The pizza boxes are open between us on the coffee table, and the room smells like melted cheese and garlic.
Jay’s sitting right next to me on the couch, his thigh pressed up against mine. Mom and Colt are at the other side, and the energy in the room is surprisingly relaxed.
The referee makes a bad call, and Mom suddenly leaps forward, shouting at the TV, arms raised. “Oh, come on! That was clearly a foul! Are you blind?!”
Jay’s hands pause halfway to his mouth, pizza drooping as his eyes go wide. He stares at her like he’s never seen her before. “What the… well, never knew your mom was so… passionate, about football.”
I grin in amusement and shove another bite of pizza into my mouth, talking around a mouthful, “Yeah, she gets very into it.”
Colt laughs and nudges my foot with his. “Remember that time she threw a cushion at the TV during the playoffs?”
I snort at the memory. “How could I forget? She missed and hit you instead.”
We both laugh together; it’s easy now… the banter and the inside jokes. The weird tension from before has settled into something warmer. We don’t flinch if we brush against each other anymore; we just… exist comfortably. It really did bring us closer, like I told him it would.
I glance at Jay again; he’s laughing at something on the screen, completely at ease, one arm slung casually behind me on the couch.
I watch him for a second; the way his eyes crinkle when he smiles, the little scar on his jaw from when he was twelve and tried to skateboard down a railing, the way his plump lips curve into that cheeky grin when he knows I’m staring.
Jay makes me feel safe in a way that doesn’t come with guilt or secrecy. He’s seen me at my lowest, and he’s never made me feel like I was too much or not enough. He just… stays; he chooses me every day.
I smile, lean in, and press a soft kiss just behind his ear. “I really love you, Jayden.”
Jay turns his head, smiling that warm, easy smile that always makes my chest feel lighter. He kisses me properly, slow and sweet. “I know, baby. I love you too.”
…
I walk Mom and Colt to the door, holding it open as they step into the hallway.
Mom turns and gives me one last proud smile. “Text me when you’re settled, okay? And come over for dinner soon.”
“I will,” I promise.
I watch them walk down the hall and step into the elevator. Colt gives me a small grin and a nod, and Mom blows me a kiss; I wave once as they step inside, watching until the doors close.
Then turn back inside, close the door, and lock it with a quiet click.
Then I look up and… Jay’s already completely naked.
He’s standing in the middle of the room, one hand lazily stroking his half-hard cock, the other resting on his hip.
The late afternoon light coming through the windows catches on his skin, highlighting the definition in his shoulders, the trail of hair leading down his stomach, and the way his cock is already thickening in his hand.
I laugh, startled. “What the fuck?”
Jay just crooks his finger at me, with that cocky little smirk on his face. I can’t help but walk over; what else am I going to do? I’m not going to ignore this; my boyfriend is standing there completely naked and already getting hard for me.
I stop about a metre away from him, heart already racing as I start stripping.
I pull my shirt off slowly, letting it drop to the floor.
Jay’s eyes follow every movement, dark and hungry, while his hand keeps lazily stroking his cock.
I hook my thumbs into my shorts and boxers, and push them down my thighs, stepping out of them until I’m completely naked in front of him.
Jay’s gaze drags over me like he’s memorising every inch. I bite my lip and walk closer, stopping right in front of him, smiling up at him. “We have a new place, Jay,” I say softly.
He hums, pleased, and reaches down to pick me up. I yelp in surprise, arms wrapping around his neck as my legs go around his waist. I roll my eyes playfully. I have no idea how he manages this, he’s not that much bigger than me.
“Much better than that tiny studio apartment we were living in,” he murmurs.
I play with the hair at the back of his neck and agree with a soft laugh.
Then Jay squeezes my ass in both hands, one finger rubbing teasingly against my hole. I moan unexpectedly, the sound slipping out before I can stop it.
Jay groans, biting his lip, and says, “There he is.”
He walks us over to the couch and sits down with me still straddling his lap. His hands stay on my ass, kneading gently as he looks up at me with that warm, filthy smile.
“I’m gonna fuck you in every room,” he promises. “But right now… I want you to ride me. Then we’re gonna go have a hot bath. Sound good, baby?”
I hum and smile down at him, brushing my thumb over his bottom lip. “Sounds perfect.”
We lean in at the same time. The kiss is slow and deep and full of everything we’ve built together; the friendship, the laughter, the comfort, the sex. His hands slide up my back, mine cup his face, and for a long moment the world narrows down to just us. Just this.
When we finally pull apart, foreheads resting together, I feel completely at peace… this is home.
Colt
The house is quiet when Sarah and I get home. She heads upstairs to get ready for bed, still smiling about how happy Archie looked today. I stay downstairs for a moment, standing in the hallway by the front door.
I pull out the spare set of keys Archie left behind months ago from the key bowl; they’re still on the same ring. I turn them over in my hand, feeling the familiar weight, and close my eyes for a second.
I still love my wife, deeply. The kind of love that’s built on years of shared life, laughter, and the everyday comfort of knowing someone has your back. I made my choice a long time ago, and I stand by it.
But Archie… I smile a little, soft and sad, as I think about him today; confident, settled, and clearly happy with Jay.
The way Jay looked at him, the easy way they touched, the way Archie laughed without that old weight in his eyes.
I’m proud of him, really proud. And I’m glad, so fucking glad, that he found someone who sees him the way he deserves to be seen.
Someone his own age, who doesn’t come with all the mess and guilt I brought.
I’ll never forget those two weeks… the intensity, the way he let me in, the way he fell apart for me. The way he trusted me with pieces of himself. It was morally wrong, I know that; I knew it then. I’m his stepfather, I’m married, and I took something from him that I had no right to take.
But if I’m being honest with myself… I don’t think I’d change a thing; it brought us closer in some fucked up way. We understand each other better now. There’s a deeper respect between us. A different kind of love; not romantic, not sexual anymore, but real.
I put the keys back in the bowl by the door and head upstairs to my wife. And even if she never finds out about me and Archie; I’m going to spend the rest of my life making it up to her in quiet ways.
Some chapters end, some loves stay secrets, and some wounds heal into scars that remind you what it felt like to be alive.
And I think… I’m okay with that.
The end