***Neko's POV***

It has taken two weeks for Milo to be released from the hospital. Physical therapy will be required to regain full movement in his left leg. I had to take an extended leave from my post in Hawaii. My Sergeant is being super understanding. Thankfully, I have so much personal time saved up.

We are getting ready for the transition to the Wallace household. Milo is so happy to see me. He is even happier that the authorities locked up Steve and Marla. They are being held without bond on Child Endangerment, Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Assault with A Deadly Weapon, Battery and Attempted Murder.

I have thanked Max on too many occasions to count. His willingness to stand against Milo's protests is what set this ball in motion. Unfortunately, Milo was hurt in the process. That's just something we all have to grow from.

"You ready Koala?" I ask my brother as I watch the smile spread across his face.

"Yes. I'm so ready." Milo claps his hands and fist pumps the air.

"Don't tell me you're not gonna miss the hospital food." I joke.

"Yeah, how can I live without unrecognizable mush and unsweetened tea." Milo rolls his eyes playfully.

"I love you so much." I whisper as I kiss his cheek.

"I know." Milo grins while he rubs his dog tags.

"We are going to stay with the Wallace family. Then we will figure it out from there." I inform my Koala.

"I'm fine with whatever. I just want to get outta this place. Antiseptics stink and it's always uncomfortably cold." Milo shivers to emphasize his statement.

I lift him from the bed and place him gently into the wheelchair. We sign his release papers and I push him down the hall. Lux follows with our bags. Max carries the crutches that Milo will need for quite some time. Until his arm heals, he has to use a wheel chair.

We get Milo situated and Max sits in the back of the Wallace Navigator with Milo. Lux drives and I occupy the passenger seat.

"Are you hungry Bean?" Lux asks.

"Can we eat at the house? I don't feel like being carried in and out right now." Milo requests.

"Anything for my Bean." Lux smiles at my baby brother. I try not to let Lux annoy me too bad.

"We can go to a drive thru." I offer.

"Yes." Max says excitedly.

"Burger, fries, coke." Milo says. His voice is soft and I imagine the pain killers are kicking in. I peek back and sure enough his heavy eyelids are fluttering.

"We can wake him when we get home." Max offers.

"Lux are you sure about giving up your room?" I ask.

"Yeah Dude. He needs to be on the ground floor. You two take my room. Max and I can share." Lux confirms.

"You guys are awesome." I say in appreciation.

"It's Bean. You can't help but want to help him." Max whispers while positioning Milo's head on his shoulder.

"Don't go falling for my Koala, Max. I already gotta beat Lux off with a stick." I joke.

"Nah. We are straight up best friend goals." Max smiles at me.

"You sure are." I confirm with a bright smile.

"You love him don't you." Lux asks.

"Duh." I laugh.

"Nah, I mean like you are in love with him." Lux shrugs.

"Duh." I roll my eyes.

"We won't judge you." Max laughs.

"It's not like we are related." I defend myself.

"I would never get in between you two. I love him too but, he loves you." Lux admits.

"I hope so." I glance back at my Koala.

"Give him time. He will figure it out." Lux pats my knee.

We head through Five Guys and grab a shit ton of food. Once we get home we unload the car and I get Milo to the dining table. He is groggy but, the smell of food has him sitting up in anticipation.

Mr. Luke and Mrs. Julie join us and we pass out all the food.

"Milo, how are you holding up?" Mr. Luke asks.

"I'm great. This is great. You guys are all my heroes." Milo smiles while eating.

"Sorry we didn't save you sooner." Mrs. Julie apologizes for the billionth time.

"We were good at hiding it. I'm sorry I didn't come to you." Milo apologizes.

"Koala, don't be ridiculous. We completely understand." I speak softly while adjusting Milo's leg in the second chair.

"You gonna go back to school?" Mrs. Julie asks.

"After my arm heals. I'm not left handed so, I don't want Max to have to push me around school for no reason." Milo explains.

"I wouldn't mind." Max blows Milo's concerns away.

"I set up a hospital-home bound teacher. I also have a therapist coming to work with you on your Dyslexia. We are gonna get you taken care of." I promise.

"That's perfect." Mr. Luke praises me.

"Did someone get my stuff from the old house?" Milo asks.

"We did. We can't go back. It's an official crime scene." Lux explains.

"Koala, do you need anything?" I ask.

"Nah. Unless you feel like getting me to the bathroom." Milo chuckles.

I pick him up and carry him to the down stairs bath. I turn my back after helping him get his sweat pants loose. He leans against my back while I face the wall. When he finishes, I pull his sweats up and help him wash his hands before we go back to the table.

"I hate being so dependent." Milo groans.

"Shush. I love it." I wink.

Milo blushes.

"Have you gotten a court date yet?" Mrs. Julie asks.

"No. They said it could be months." I explain.

We eat and chatter. I tend to my brother. I make sure he needs nothing. When he finishes, I carry him to the bedroom and prop him up on the bed. I turn on Lux' PS4 and turn on COD.

"Really Batman?" Milo whines.

"What? I thought we could play?" I laugh.

Milo lifts his hand up and shakes his casted wrist.

"Well shit. That slipped my mind." I confess.

I crawl into the bed and shift Milo to my lap. I spread my legs so he is sitting between them, leaning back on my chest. I place the controller in his hand and wrap my hands over his.

"I will be your right hand." I kiss his temple loudly.

Milo smiles up at me and places a kiss under my jaw.

Lux and Max walk in the room and plop down on the floor. They grab controllers and we start the game.

"Where is Nat?" Milo questions.

"She's grabbing snacks and drinks. She will be here soon." Lux confirms.

"Slumber party." Milo giggles.

"Well only Nat is staying over. The rest of us live here." Max clarifies.

"It's still a slumber party." Milo laughs.

"Are we painting each other's nails?" Lux asks with a smirk.

"I'm gay, not ridiculous." Milo giggles.

"Yeah I don't want my nails painted either." I say.

"You weren't even in that equation." Milo laughs.

"Why not?" Lux asks.

"Cause he's straight." Milo pokes his thumb towards me.

I bust out laughing. Poor naive Koala.

"He's about as straight as me." Lux laughs.

Milo turns to me with big eyes. I peck his lips with a smile. Milo blushes.

"Does that bother you?" I ask Milo.

"No. I'm gay too. I'm not a hypocrite." Milo giggles.

I peck his lips again.

"No, I meant that." I shrug.

Milo buries his head in my shoulder and shakes his head no.

"Good." I smile.

Milo turns back to the game.

We play for a few rounds before Nat's angelic voice announces her arrival.

"In here." Max yells.

Nat waltzes in and plops down beside me and Milo. She leans her head on Milo's shoulder.

"I missed you. Bean." Nat coos.

"You saw me yesterday." Milo giggles.

Natalie swats his arm.

"Too long." She whines.

"We are here now. No whining." I wink at Nat.

"You two look cozy." Nat whispers.

I smirk.

"Oh." Natalie blushes.

"You two are cute together." Nat nods her head.

"We aren't together." Milo shrieks.

"Not yet." Lux laughs.

"Enough. You guys play the game already." I shoo the trouble makers away.

"What are they talking about?" Milo whispers.

"Nothing to worry with. I love you." I say kissing his nose.

"I love you too." Milo smiles and cups my cheek.

I gaze at his beautiful green eyes. Not yet.

We play some more games before we decide to switch to movies. Mrs. Julie makes spaghetti for dinner and we end up eating at the dining table. When we're done we go back to watching movies. Milo stays in my lap. I cuddle my Koala while we spend time with our friends.

Before it gets too late, we call it a night. Everyone leaves our room and I get Milo ready for bed. I pull on my sweatpants and discard my shirt. Milo is in his boxers only. His leg cast is hard to maneuver clothes onto.

Milo lays up against my chest and I run circles softly onto his skin.

"We need to make a decision." I speak lowly.

"What is it?" Milo asks.

"Well, I talked to my Sergeant. My contract is almost up. I can re-sign and station here. I can get a release and take the job Mr. Luke offered me at his company. Or, we can end up back in Hawaii." I offer.

"What do you want do?" Milo asks.

"I want to make you happy. I think staying around our friends will help with that. I'm thinking about taking the job with Mr. Luke." I admit.

"Yeah. I really would love that." Milo agrees.

"It's settled. I will tell Mr. Luke in the morning and get all my papers in order." I promise.

"What about Steve and Marla?" Milo asks.

"They had their rights terminated. The adoption was over turned. I'm your legal guardian until July when you turn 18. So a few more months." I explain.

"Wow, I really should have spoke up sooner." Milo sighs.

"Hey. Koala. It's okay. Everything is working out. Let's let that shitty past go. Let's build a life together." I offer.

"I never want to be apart from you again." Milo whimpers.

I pull his chin to my face and stare closely at his deep green eyes.

"You can stay with me forever. I will always want you." I promise with a light kiss to his lips.

"What happens when you get married?" Milo questions.

"You know we aren't blood related, right." I start.

"Duh." Milo giggles.

"What if I wanted to spend my life with you?" I ask.

"I don't understand." Milo shakes his head in confusion.

"Koala, I would be happy if you were with me forever. In every way." I confess. I stare at him as the gears in his head turn.

"Neko, are you saying you would marry me?" My Koala finally understands.

"I'm saying I am in love with you. I always have been. I want to be with you and only you." I whisper.

"I'm glad." Milo whispers.

I cup his face and bring us close together. I lay a soft lingering kiss on his lips. Milo grabs my head and pushes us together hard. I pull him in and open my mouth, swiping my tongue across his bottom lip. He opens his mouth and I caress his tongue with my own. We kiss passionately for a few minutes and he giggles when we pull apart.

"Are you my boyfriend?" Milo asks.

"Is that okay with you?" I ask softly.

"I would be okay with that." Milo promises.

"Then yes, I am definitely your boyfriend." I kiss his nose.

"Goodnight Batman." Milo whispers.

"Goodnight Koala." I say. His breathing tapers off into a calm rhythm and I nuzzle as close as possible. After all these years, my Koala is finally mine.

I sigh and close my eyes.