A/N: songs to set the scene:

- We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off by Ella Eyre
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September 24, 2021 (cont.)

Jamie's POV

The rest of the evening was uneventful. We made sure EJ was comfortable and knew to tell one of us if he wasn't feeling well. EJ went to bed rather early once he showered. Kim made him a smoothie for dinner, and the rest of us relaxed in the living room. Emily poured Kim a glass of wine after her stressful, mother moment this evening. "Anyone else want anything?" Emily asked and I waved her off. John follows Emily to the kitchen to grab themselves drinks, and they both come back with glasses of water for me and Sofia.

I nod my head in thanks and zone out staring down at the coffee table. "So a concussion for two to three weeks. What does that mean for the season?" John asks as he takes a seat on the floor in front of Kim. "That he'll miss three games. I'd rather him focus on baseball anyways. Much less physical contact, and less for me to worry about," I sigh, not making eye contact with anyone.

The room remains quiet and I notice Kim's head resting on Emily's shoulder. Her eyes are partially shut, but I can tell she's not asleep yet watching her hand comb through John's hair. Sofia has her head resting on my shoulder and she's drawing patterns on the palm of my right hand. "I think we should all turn in for the night. Seems to me the kid is okay," Emily states and Kim stretches her limbs to stand up. "I'll take the couch," I direct towards the half asleep woman next to me. "You don't have to give up your bed for me," she looks up at me.

"Jay, I'll take the couch. Emily will stay with Kim in her room," John states and I throw a bit of a glare at him. Sofia pushes off the couch and outstretches her hand to help me up. "Lead the way, Sergeant," she says with a smile. "Goodnight," I throw to the other three and they all give me a big grin.

We make it to my room and I watch Sofia walk around taking in the space. Observing every detail as if she's trying to memorize where everything is. "I can sleep on the floor if you're not comfortable sharing a bed. I don't mind," I state, grabbing some gym shorts from my dresser to sleep in. "Jay, it's okay. I trust you," she approaches me and puts her hand on my cheek.

She grabs her bag and puts it on my bed, taking out her few toiletries and what I assume she's wearing to bed. "Bathroom is through that door there. Mind if I grab my stuff before you head in there?" I ask and she nods her head. I grab my face wash and tooth brush and head to the bathroom outside EJ's room.

I finish up my nighttime routine and come back into my room to find Sofia waiting for me in my bed. My brain short circuits for a second, but I quickly remember I need to put my things down. I set my face wash and toothbrush on the counter and turn the lights off.

I walk over to the bed and pull the covers back to join Sofia. "Your bed is very comfy," she states and I chuckle. "Thank you," I pull the cover up and she gravitates towards me. I put my arm out inviting her in and she rests her head on my chest. "Is this the same shirt you had on earlier?" She asks, taking the hem and playing with it. "I forgot to grab a shirt before I went and brushed my teeth," I state and she hums. "You can grab another shirt to sleep in or if you usually sleep without one, you can also do that. Don't change your routine on account of me," she softly says and I mentally debate on what I'm going to do.

I decide to bite the bullet. I take the shirt off and toss it towards my hamper. I lay back down and Sofia goes back to resting her head on my chest. Luckily, I have scars all over my body from various moments in my deployments I've been injured so my scars from my top surgery blend in. Her soft fingertips trail over my exposed torso. The faint light coming in through my window illuminates the bed and I watch her finger trace over a few scars on my abdomen. "What are these from?" She whispers and I'm too memorized by her delicate motions to speak.

She looks up into my eyes and I can't find my voice. The way she looks at me takes away all ability to form words. Her brushing her fingers over my cheek brings me back to earth. "These," I take her hand and brush them over the four scars on my lower abdomen. "They're from shrapnel from a nearby ATV my unit was walking with through the deserts in South Africa," her fingers continue to lightly trace them.

I take her hand again and bring them to my right side near my ribs. "This raised one is from a bullet I took for my commanding officer on my first deployment," she touches it and gasps. "I was very lucky and it didn't hit any vital organs, and no one to this day knows how I got so lucky," I smile and she looks up at me kissing my cheek

"You're a real life hero, Sergeant Hamilton," she whispers and lays her head back on my chest. "I guess so, but," I take a deep breath and prepare my mind for what I'm about to do. I take her hand and bring it up to my upper chest and run her fingers over one of the two scars from my top surgery so many years ago, "these are the scars I'm most proud of."

She looks up at me confused and props herself up on her elbow. She traces the other scar and I can see the gears turning in her head. I prop my back against my headboard and turn my body to look directly at Sofia.

Sofia's POV

Jamie readjusts how he's sitting and I can see that he's serious about what he's about to say. "Why are you proud of them?" I ask and put my hands on top of his thighs. "Sof, what I'm about to open up about can be scary and I completely understand if it changes anything you think or feel towards me," I see him take a deep breath.

"When I was eighteen, I came out as transgender. I've been on testosterone since I joined the Marine Corps and got my top surgery at nineteen. I know this is a lot of information to take in and can change everything, but you deserve to know before we go any further," he doesn't take a breath in between sentences.

My mind is blown. I don't have anything against transgender people, I've just never been with a transgender man before. I can tell I've remained silent for too long. Jamie gets out of bed and paces his bedroom floor. "Jamie," I whisper, but still gains his attention. I sit up and make my way towards the edge of the bed. I take Jamie's hand and run my fingers over his palm. I reach up and put my other hand on his cheek, feeling a bit of scratchy stubble against my hand. "Jamie, nothing I feel or have said has changed. You're the most kind and thoughtful man I have ever met. Thank you for trusting me enough to tell me," I smile up at Jamie and watch his face relax at my words.

He moves closer and places his hands on my face. "Sofia Carson, where have you been all my life?" He looks at me with such adoration and I can't help the heat rising up to my cheeks. "I've been waiting for someone like you, Jamie," I meet his lips and let my emotions rain over the both of us. We don't rush the kiss.

We pull apart for air and I rest my forehead against his bare chest. I feel his chest rise and fall, gathering up the oxygen lost in our kiss. "Stay with me," I hear Jamie faintly release from his mouth. I look up into his eyes and he's already looking down at me. "Jamie," I start but he quickly shakes his head. "Stay with me while you're here in Oceanside filming. I don't want us to miss any time together. I know this may be too soon, but-" I cut off his rambling, capturing his lips with mine. Before we pull apart, his lips turn upward into a smile breaking our kiss.

"I'd love to stay, but I don't want to be a burden or make you feel like we're rushing things," I say against his lips and he shakes his head. "Sof, I wouldn't have asked if I thought you'd be a burden on my life. I feel like I'm rushing things by asking you to stay with me," he responds and I'm the one shaking my head now. "In your line of work, do you think we're moving too fast?" I ask and I feel him stifle a laugh. "Honey, I think we're moving at a great speed for my line of work. Some people might say we're moving too slow though," he teases and I roll my eyes.

I rest my head against his shoulder and leave feather-like kisses along his skin. "We should go to bed," he says into my hair. I hold back a yawn, humming in agreement. I crawl back to my spot and he rejoins me. I roll over to face him and he kisses my forehead. "Goodnight, my angel," his nickname gives me butterflies and I can't help but smile. "Goodnight, my soldier," I peck his lips and rest my head under his chin. We fall asleep with me engulfed in his safe, warm arms. My body is feeling more relaxed than it ever has.