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The next week Devin finds something important, he went out the night before, a cool Sunday night and came back all excited. He had a big professional camera and was looking down at the screen, grinning. Questioning him earned me the answer that he found two different tracks, footprints bigger than his foot. He hadn't shown me the pictures he took, saying it counts as evidence and he can't allow others to see them until his bosses study them. He was excited throughout the morning and day, keeping the information from our friends to keep them from being scared. Seán and Lewis kept a close eye on him, Lewis needing Tom to nudge him and whisper in the Scotsman ear for the man to be able to relax. They act like they know what Devin found and don't want him to show it off to his superiors, the tables have turned and the other Doms are now suspicious of Devin. It bothers me, not to the point of getting angry or where I feel I need to defend my boyfriend. I'm aware the brothers are most likely stressed and angry at the Military coming onto their land, their territories. They're probably only wanting to know what has Devin so hyper, especially with the knowledge that he goes out into the woods at night.

Lewis is the only one of our friends that appears remotely close to anger. The Scotsmans body will lock up at random times, eyes clenching shut and he takes deep, slow breaths for however long he needs, be that one or five minutes. Everytime someone mentions the military or asks about Devin's success on his mission, Lewis will make a sort of sound that I never heard from a man before. Tommy is always quick to pull his future husband from the room, taking him out onto the porch. This morning, Seán had instructed Axel and Zyon to do their chores, then come back inside and stay. He wouldn't allow them out of his sight, just as Lewis did with Tommy. Now, my submissive and Switch friends are required to stay on the porch or sit inside where their Doms can see them. As with Tom, Zyon and Axel hadn't put up a fight, understanding much better than myself why Seán is doing what he is.

The only answer, theory, I come up with is that the brothers had gotten triggered by something and are experiencing a sort of PTSD. They would want to make sure their partners are safe, in a place that they see as safe from Dr.West. It makes sense on that level, to a certain point, but it doesn't explain all the things they do. Going outside multiple times a day only to return minutes later, the abrupt grunts or odd sounds they make at specific actions, how they act with their partners. I admit it is odd, but it doesn't make me suspicious. Perhaps, this is how they cope with triggers or flashbacks to the place they were in when they were abducted. I have no way of knowing, and until I ever find out, I don't have any right to judge or be overly suspicious. It isn't my business how or why they do things, even if those things are specific and weird. Axel, Zyon and Tom don't appear too worried over their Doms going outside as often as they do, they only seem concerned when Seán or Lewis tense up or need to calm themselves down.

The mens submissives are always ready to help or make their presence known, either messing with their hair or beards, sitting on their laps, even getting them something to drink. It does help the brothers, having someone there to ground them. Although, after they calm down, they go straight outside and stay out for however long they need to. They haven't snapped at anyone, though Seán was close to it. Lewis and the Irishman were speaking outside, visible through the sliding door, and Lewis must've said something that made Seán angry. The Irishman lunged at Lewis, his brother had to shove him back and snarl at him, whatever the Scotsmans said, it managed to get Seán back in focus. Tommy had run out as soon as he noticed what was happening, shouting that the brothers were fighting and getting Axel and Zyon racing out with him. Lewis had scolded Tom for running into what could have been a serious fight, the Dom wanting Tom to stay away from any danger from getting close.

Seán assured everyone that they were okay, just overly stressed and he snapped. Zyon tried to convince him to go upstairs with them to relax and cuddle, try to calm himself down. However, both Lewis and Seán decided they needed to release pent up anger, saying they would go out and have a small fist fight. Axel mentioned that it's how they calm down, fighting each other keeps them from snapping at other people or fighting strangers, it's safer for them to fight each other, they know what limits are set and when to stop. Tom had told me once that Lewis went to Seán to take his anger out on when they were dealing with Tom's boss and ex-boyfriend, being accused of abusing Tommy had pushed his anger over the edge. So, I know that fighting when highly stressed isn't that odd and didn't think anything of it. Devin, on the other hand, doesn't know that. He suggested he go with them, just in case of them running into a creature he's searching for and to be able to stop them if it gets too rough. Tommy looked alarmed at the offer, Zyon completely avoided looking in mine and Devins direction, while Axel just calmly explained that they know when to stop before they get seriously injured. Seán swore they would be okay and, as an afterthought, promised to tell Devin if they saw anything.

My boyfriend wasn't happy with that, wanting everyone to be safe. There wasn't much he could do to stop them though, unless he secretly followed them, but I grabbed his hand before he could even consider that thought. The brothers went on to the woods, breaking the request Devin made to stay away from the thick brush. I had to pull him through the sliding door into the living room to avoid him either going after them, or speaking up to keep them at the house. He shot me a look for that, but kissing him hard and long managed to make up for it. It's cooler out today, not great weather for playing in the pool, so we all decided to play a few rounds of the board game Life. Axel and Zyon team up, each taking turns moving their blue piece. Devin and I do the same, while Tom plays alone as he waits for Lewis. Tommy is winning so far, something everyone pokes fun at, we tease each other playfully and have good laughs. We play for about an hour, before the brothers enter. Lewis has a forming bruise on his jaw, beard and hair dusty like his brothers, Seáns lip is busted and they both cover their crotches again as they are both naked. None of their clothes are in sight, not even a sock. We don't notice them at first, focused on the game, until Zyon suddenly shoots up to run at Seán.

"Master! Is your lip okay? You're bleeding!" He reaches up to gently touch around the small wound, his worried shout bringing attention to them.

Axel is up after Tom runs to Lewis, checking his bruise before going to fetch a blanket for them. Axel blocks Seán with his own body to keep Devin and I from seeing any more of the Doms body, until Tom hands a throw blanket to Zyon. Tommy goes off on his Dominant, scolding Lewis, voice rising from an unhearable mumble. "-you busted his lip! We talked about this, Master! Boy, are you lucky it's only a scratch! I would've-"

"Done what? Ya would've done what, Tommy Boy?" Lewis interrupts, smirking at Tom's slow blink and sudden momentary pause.

Quick on his feet, he points a finger at Lewis. "No sex! Any more blood and I would've taken away sex!"

Then, he promptly runs up the stairs when Lewis growls and lunges at him, demanding Tom come back and point his finger at him again. Seán laughs as his brother chases Tom, at least until he sees Axel's raised eyebrow. The Irishman sighs, "Well fine, I am. Didn't mean ta hit him as hard as I did, he's perfectly fine, Grá."

Axel doesn't answer to that, just wipes blood off the small scratch to keep it from running into Seáns beard even more. "Feeling better, Master?"

Seán pulls Zyon into his side, then Axel and hugs them after securing the folded throw blanket around his waist. "Aye, I am, boys. We'll be good til morn."

"Master, what happened to your clothes?" Zyon quietly asks, nuzzling into Seáns bare, hairy chest.

The Dom grunts, "Forgot 'hem."

Devin makes a faint sound between a scoff and a confused noise beside me, and I quickly elbow him in his stomach gently to keep him from speaking up on the ridiculous answer Seán gave. I know for a fact he's lying, no one fist fists naked, especially with their brother. Only, I have no clue as to why he's lying and why our friends accept such a response so easily. Axel and Zyon barely even blink at it, my boss nods his head, like he's accustomed to it and it's a common occurrence. However, I have a lot of questions. Why did Seán and Lewis strip naked to have a fist fight? How did they forget their clothes in the middle of woods? Didn't they notice they were naked on the walk back. There were multiple opportunities for them to remember to go back for them. Devin is thinking the same, I can see it on his face that he doesn't believe Seán, hadn't even considered it. He watches the Irishman lead his partners upstairs, where Tom and Lewis disappeared to, carefully. He smiles kindly when Axel turns to tell us they'll be back and that he and Zyon are helping Seán find some clothes.

As soon as they disappear, Devin sags into the back of the couch, pulling me tighter into his side as he does. "I don't like this."

Having a good idea what he's speaking about, I ask anyway. "What's the matter, Daddy?"

He rubs my upper arm, leaning his head on mine. "Seán and Lewis are lying. Just can't seem to figure out why, or why they're so...unsettled."

I turn my body to be mostly on him, earning a short, quiet grunt as I move on him. "Well, the military are invading their homes without permission. I'd probably be unsettled too. They're just stressed, Daddy."

He shakes his head, pressing a light kiss to my head. "It's more than stress, Baby Boy. I have a feeling and I don't like it, nevermind how insane it sounds to me."

"That they're having an affair? I thought that too, but it's gross." Devin laughs at my admittance, squeezing me closer.

"Yes, that's exactly what I think, Panda." His tone is playful, teasing me with enough sarcasm that I understand he hadn't considered my discarded thought being possible. He doesn't reveal to me what he thinks is happening, or what his feelings are regarding our friends.

Seán appears in the room before I can ask, brown eyes on Devin with an eyebrow raised in what appears as a challenge, Lewis directly behind him. Axel, Tom and Zyon travel down the stairs behind them, pushing them onto the couches to play another round of Game Of Life. It's fun, as it always is playing with friends, but I notice a tension in Devin, Lewis and Seán that doesn't disappear no matter how much they laugh. Lewis has Tom on his side, putting himself between Devin and his short fiancé, holding onto Tom's thigh in a possessive manner. Seán allows Axel to sit closer to me on the couch, but keeps Zyon on his lap and an arm on Axel's shoulders. None of the others seem to see that they're not being allowed to sit beside Devin, my boyfriend notices it of course and he raises an eyebrow. We both know it isn't a race situation, no one here cares or is bothered that Devin is Black. They're not racists and have always been kind to him, Zyon likes hugging him when we leave to go back home and Axel absolutely adores my Dom. Tommy likes to tease and poke fun at Devin needing to deal with me when I'm a brat, and enjoys pushing Devin into playing whatever game the submissives chose to play outside.

Lewis and Seán had never acted in a way that made Devin uncomfortable, they don't care what color his skin is and have accepted him as quickly as their partners. They don't touch other people much in general, they're not the hugging types unless it's their submissives. They'll pat Devin on the back or give a short head slap when he manages to say something they find particularly stupid, they act like he's a little brother to them and always wanted to make him comfortable. This is why it's so weird that they're keeping Axel, Zyon and Tom away from Devin. They've been distant ever since we arrived here and I know it has to do with Devin's mission, right now he isn't just a friend, he's a military person here to invade their property and search around for anything suspicious. They are stressed and dislike the government coming into their homes, I'm sure they just feel better to keep our friends away from the one constant reminder of why we're here in the first place; Devin. My boyfriend doesn't even seem offended, he assumes the same as me and understands he would probably act the exact same if someone came into our home to search around without permission.

Devins phone rings near dinner time and he's quick to stand up, kiss me and excuse himself to answer it. Going out onto the porch to have his conversation, I can hear him address his boss with a, 'Sir.'. Axel pauses to check his phone for the time and hums as he stands up, laughing when Seán grunts his displeasure and pulls him back down. Struggling with Seán's arm, he laughs, "It's time for dinner, I gotta get up!"

Zyon giggles, wiggling on the Irishman's lap to distract him and help Axel. A rumble echoes from Seáns chest as he turns his attention to Zyon, gripping the smallers hips to keep him still. "Don't start somethin ya can't finish, boy."

"I can finish it, Master." Zyon sasses, yelping then laughing when Seán bites at his throat.

Tommy grins, leaning back into Lewis as the Scotsman smirks. Axel smiles, shaking his head at me in a playful manner at his partner's interaction. I just watch with a happy smile, glad he has Zyon and Seán to care for and rely on. Turning to Lewis and Tom, Axel asks. "Are you guys staying for dinner?"

Tom looks to Lewis to answer, the Dom being the one to choose whether they stay or go back home. Lewis nods with a short grunt, "We'll eat with ya, then gotta get on home."

Zyon, Tommy and I pout, wanting them to stay the night again to be able to play together in the morning. Yet they have their own home to go back to and their own schedule they do, Tommy may be behind on any chores he does and Lewis may want to mow the fields some more or work on his truck. Axel nods, smiling as he goes to start his feast for dinner. We put the board game away in favor of watching a movie, action packed with a bunch of explosions and shoot outs. Tom climbs on Lewis's lap at the start, head on his shoulder, but either man pays attention to the tv screen. Lewis's hand is hidden by Tommy's thigh, yet it is not hard to know what he's doing with the way the submissive wiggles and squirms. Zyon keeps his focus on the movie, easily taken by the bright colors and half-assed plot. Seán tosses a blanket on Lewis, rolling his eyes at his brother's antics as Tom bites at his lip or Lewis's shoulder to keep himself quiet. Devin comes in after an hour, expression grim as he comes through the door, when he sees me he changes into a smile to hide his previous expression. He sits with me, pulling me onto his lap to rest his head on mine as I lay on his shoulder. His thumb moves along my thigh, bringing a nice comfort.

Whispering into his ear, I keep my eyes on the screen as I play with his fingers. "Daddy, is something wrong?"

Devin shakes his head softly against my hair. "No, Baby. Everything's okay, my bosses just want this finished quickly."

"Are they rushing you?" He sighs, I feel it through his chest.

"Yeah, Panda. The higher ups want this done in a hurry, I'll have to spend more time searching." I pout at the news, this means he'll be leaving sooner at night or spend longer time in the woods, alone.

Unfortunately, I can't speak anymore because Axel comes to warn us that dinner is ready. The brothers are up before Zyon and Tom have time to get off their laps, Tommy whining about stupid Doms and teasing as he fixes his pants and knocks his forehead into Lewis's shoulder aa the Scotsmans walks into the kitchen after Seán and Zyon. Devin allows me to climb off him, helping me keep my balance with a hand on my lower back.

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Back in our room after we eat and say our goodbyes to Lewis and Tom, I'm barely in bed after brushing my teeth when Devin starts changing into his uniform pants to go search. I sit back on the pillows and watch him pull his boots on, then grab a thick hoodie to wear over his t-shirt. I want to be with him, be of use and help him search. However, I know he'd never allow that, he has training and knows what to do, I'd be nothing but a distraction. A sexy distraction, yet one nonetheless. I must have a sour expression on my face as I watch him, because he sighs heavily when he looks over at me. I didn't mean to make any sort of look, wasn't aware I was and I feel bad that I'm only adding to any stress he has. Devin comes to sit next to me, grabbing my hand.

"I know you don't like it, Baby Boy, but I gotta go out and look. I gotta find this creature, if I don't, our friends could be hurt or they'll send more people in to look. The guys wouldn't like that, especially if they're reacting like this to me being here for a case. You understand?"

Nodding, I lean closer to kiss his cheek. "Yes, Daddy, I understand. Just.. I don't like you going out there all alone, I worry."

He smiles, hugging me tightly. "I'll be safe, I promise. Coming back to you is the only thing on my mind."

"Don't think about me, you'll end up with a boner in the middle of woods and get attacked! You should know better, Daddy!"

Devin laughs, causing me to grin. "Baby, no matter how hard it is to not pop a boner, I'll still think of you. You keep me from being reckless, I gotta come home to you alive and well, not in a coffin."

My chest goes all warm and tinglingly from the confession, happy he thinks that. I'm not great at serious things though, so my first thought is, "no pun intended."

I earn another chuckle and kiss from him, then he looks at the time on his phone and sighs. "I gotta get out there, Panda. I'll text you updates, but get some sleep, okay?"

Pouting, I lay down, grabbing my phone to lay on the pillow next to my head. He leans down to kiss my temple, moving hair from my eyes and pulling the blankets up to my shoulders. My eyes follow him as he pulls his hoodie on, checks the locked windows and goes for the door. He gives me a smile and whispers a goodnight as he steps out into the dark hallway, relocking the door from the inside. Once he closes the door, I sigh and attempt to get comfortable on the pillows, eyes closing with the hope that he stays safe and I get some sleep instead of rotting away with worry.