Liam lets Robert and Logan go in first and then gives the forms he’s filled out to the guards. It’s his request to have the option of claiming Daniel for himself, to be the first to see him upon his release. He has no idea if it’ll be honored, but he has to try.

Then he follows them inside. It feels like prison—the overly recycled air conditioning, the lack of windows, fluorescent lighting, and walls an indeterminate shade of gray. They’re led into a room and told to wait.

There’s an old boxy TV on the wall but the screen is blue. There are chairs. Logan sits and makes a little sound of discomfort. If Liam had wondered what they’d been up to on the plane, he doesn’t now.

Though, to be fair, he knew. There’s one really good way to settle a submissive and it’s sex.

He remembers how it felt to get Daniel on the breeding bench that first time. They’d used it every day while Daniel had been with him. His boy had whimpered so sweetly when the buckles tightened across his limbs. They weren’t necessary but Daniel had loved being limited, restricted to the point where he couldn’t move an inch.

The TV screen abruptly cuts to a live feed. Daniel is sitting upright in a box that looks like a coffin.

“What is your name?” a woman in a white doctor’s coat asks.

“Private Daniel Burrows,” he says, rubbing his hand over his face.

“Rank and serial number?” she asks.

Logan gasps as Daniel answers.

Liam can’t take his eyes off Daniel. He looks exactly as he did three years ago, as if not a single moment has passed. He’s young and beautiful and perfect. What will he think when he sees Liam again? If his bond is gone, he might want to look elsewhere. Liam will have to accept that. He finds the trash can in the room, halfway to throwing up at the idea.

“It’s been three years and four days since you went into stasis, Private Burrows. I must inform you that your father has passed away, and your care has been transferred. Your family is waiting for you in the other room.”

“Who?” Daniel asks and starts to rise. His eyes are wide, and panic fills his voice. “Who is waiting for me?”

“What the fuck? Why don’t they just let us go in there?” Logan practically shouts.

“Your family is here,” the doctor says, her voice calm.

Daniel is led to an examination table and the doctor does an examination. He’s brought a cup of water and given two pills. He stares at them for a long moment.

“What are they?” he asks and looks up at the doctor. He’s blinking rapidly.