Ch. 21 *end*

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It took 7 months and 3 court hearings for Jamie's 35 year prison sentence to go through. In Sebastian's head it felt like forever and he hadn't felt safe until that very moment.

Sebastian worked hard on his recovery. Still, after a year, he still had bad days. Only on two occasions had he relapsed in self harm. Tyler had done as he promised and stayed by his side through all of it. Not only was the self harm something to get through, he also had to sit through weekly rehab group meetings.

Tyler constantly had to remind him that it would get easier and rehab wasn't forever. Tyler's support was the only thing keeping him together through most of it.

They moved out of Wyatt's apartment and further out of the city. It was easier for both of them being away from the masses of people. Tyler ended up with another job at a bar, but it paid well.

Sebastian also got a job stocking shelves at a grocery store. Since he was still recovering he had needed something easy. He even ended up befriending a few of his co-workers, suprisingly.

Gabriel and Jessie had a beautiful baby girl that they all loved to death. On occasion Tyler and Sebastian were left in charge of babysitting.

Everything was getting better, this time for good.

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Tyler and Sebastian walked through the forest hand in hand. Tyler nearly tripped over a root and Sebastian pulled him back up. "Careful." He said with a laugh.

"What? Don't want to take me to the ER on your birthday?"

"God knows I've been there enough for a lifetime." Sebastian buried his face in Tyler's shoulder.

Tyler rubbed his thumb on Sebastian's knuckles of his right hand. Sebastian refused to let Tyler hold the left one. They had discussed that right after Sebastian had gotten better. He couldn't feel certain spots in that hand and he wanted to be able to feel Tyler's hand in his when they held hands.

"How's your arm?" Tyler questioned, he hadn't asked for a while.

Sebastian moved the fingers of his left hand. "Better, I still can't feel my middle finger or forearm." He looked down at the ground in disappointed.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, just... Memories I guess."

"Don't dwell too long." Tyler pressed a kiss to Sebastian's check and the young man blushed. "How's it feel to be twenty?"

"The same."

"Trust me, it goes faster than you think."

Sebastian smirked. "You would know, Old Man."

Tyler pouted playfully as they continued to walk through the trees.

This hadn't really been the plan for the day, but Sebastian had insisted. The clearing came into view just a few minutes later.

Sebastian let go of Tyler's and and ran off. Tyler kept walking at his own pace, he was trying to take it all in. They hadn't been to the old cabin in almost three years. Yet somehow it felt like just yesterday.

When Tyler came around the house he couldn't help but smile at Sebastian who was busy swinging on the old tire swing. He hadn't looked that happy in a really long time and it was just going to get better.

"Move over." Tyler grabbed the swing.

"Ty, you're going to break it".

"It'll be fine, trust me." Sebastian looked uncertain. "When have I been wrong?"

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