Sam could tell Riley was nervous no matter how hard Riley tried to hide it. "You don't have to come if you don't want to Riles." Riley sighed and tossed a shirt into the bag not worried about folding it. "I do want to go, Sam, I promise. You've asked me that many times and my answer is still the same, I want to go."

Sam softly sighed before putting his clothes on the bed that was folding, he abandoned the clothes to walk towards Riley. "I know but right now you don't look like you want to go, so what's wrong? It's more than just your parents." Riley opened his mouth to deny it but he knew there was no use because it would be a lie.

Riley walked into Sam's arms letting his headrest of Sam's chest. "What if they don't like me?" Sam opened his mouth to respond but Riley cut him off. "I know you said they like me but it's different when you meet your son's boyfriend in person, what if they see me and decided I'm not good for them. You told your Dad is a preacher, I know those types." Sam shook his head adamantly.

"My dad isn't like that, He's a good man. I know that they will love you, My little sister Sarah will stick to you like glue. She's 18 and boy crazy." Sam winks at Riley who chuckles. "Glad to see that smile, you know you're gonna need a haircut before we ship out again." Riley groaned and stuffed his face into Sam's neck.

He knew that man was right, stupid air force and their stupid hair regulations. "I'm never shaving my head again, that was a bad idea." Riley can't help but shudder when he thinks about the horror of that haircut.

"Just need off the sides and some off the top then you'll be good." Sam pecked the side of Riley's mouth before pushing him away slightly so they can continue packing. "When do you think we're gonna ship out again?" Riley asks quietly after a few minutes of packing.

Sam was quiet for a second, Riley looked up from the clothes he was folding to make sure Sam heard him which he was because he was pondering his answer. "I don't know, I hope not soon. I don't want to leave so soon but we got only a few more tours then we can be out if you want."

The topic hasn't come up that often but it's not like they both haven't thought about it, what do after their tours are up. "Do you want to reenlist?" Riley asks as lightly as he can.

Sam shrugs zipping the bag he brought up. "I don't know, what about you?" Riley gulps, he didn't want to if he was being honest. "I don't want to, My parents want me out I know that but I'm scared. I don't want you to feel pressured to get out if I get out but I want to still have a relationship."

A glance at Riley told Sam that he was finished packing as well. "We don't have to decide right now, but if you don't want to reenlist I'll tell you right now. We will still be together, I promise you that." If Sam saw the tears glistening in Riley's eyes he didn't bring it up.

"Ready?" Sam asks walking towards Riley and holding out his hand for him to take which he did. "I am, let me say bye to Acacia first." Sam rolled his eyes but let go of Riley's hand so he can pet the cat bye. "You're only staying for a week, you'll see Acacia soon."

"Maybe I'll stay forever." Riley teased making Sam shake his head and hike both of the duffle bags on his bag, he nodded towards the door at Riley so he had to open the door for Sam.

When they both walked up towards the kitchen they could see that Maricela had a sad look on her face, but instead of dread, her eyes told Riley she was proud of him.

"Oh, Mijo, I'll miss you. I am excited for you though, your Padre and I will be fine." Maricela put her hands on Riley's cheeks squeezing them lovingly. "I'll miss you Madre, take care please." The last part was directed more to Alejandro but they both understood the meaning.

When Maricela let go it was Alejandro's turn to hug his son, Robin was at her classes but she already texted him bye.  "I love you Mijo, stay safe." Riley nodded and walked back over to where Sam was watching the scene with a smile on his face.

Sam slid Riley's bag off his back with he caught and put it on his own back, Sam jogged towards the door and opened it for them. "Bye." Riley waved one last time to his parents before walking towards the car that Sam had already started before they got in it.

"So, it's an 8-hour trip. You gonna sleep?" Sam asks Riley as they both put on their seatbelts. "Yea." Riley nods, it was no secret that he didn't like car rides he would get car sick.

He didn't really like heights either but he got over that pretty quickly being a pararescueman, he grabbed his phone from his pocket and sent a quick text to Lina to let her know they were on the road, out of the team Lina was the one who was like the Mom in the field and when they were stateside if they were being honest.

"Rest," Sam said placing his hand over Riley's phone and sticking it in the cupholder before letting his head rest on Riley's leg.

Instead of trying to pout and pick a fight, Riley relented and scooted the seat back and grabbed the hand that was laying on his leg. He closed his eyes letting the sound of the playing radio station lure him to sleep and hope that no nightmares or more memories came into his mind.