Still, despite their attempts to stabilize the seven-pound obelisk, his dick is beyond sore. It’s only his enigma healing easing his discomfort, but even his advanced genetic enhancements can’t cure this ailment. It reminds him that he should never, ever complain about his rut-chafing ever again.
In One Piece
Rowan hates hospitals. He hasn’t always. Before last year, he really hadn’t spent any time thinking about them, more than it was where Finn went when Finn wasn’t at home with Rowan. A place that made his mate happy, even if he smelled weird when he came home, like chemicals or sadness or even contentment.
But since last fall, Nix had cracked open that enigma alpha place in his soul, catapulting his Wolf into the forefront of Rowan’s life, making it possible for all the good things in Rowan’s life to finally feel like he was on track to being who he was supposed to be.
Well, it turns out who Rowan is supposed to be is a fuck-up.
Yep. It comes as a surprise to Rowan, too. Who would have thought? He’s lived a charmed life. Loved by his mom, and despite his father having never been in the picture, Rowan hasn’t needed one. His mom has always done double duty in making sure Rowan had everything he needed—and wanted—in life. She had raised him to be honorable and respectful and to work hard. Raised him to know he always had a safe place with her for the big and the small things. So yeah, no one’s mom is as amazing as Rowan’s.
And when she had done her best, she’d led him to Jay, Luca, and Leo, who had only molded him even further. As examples of what good people can do to love each other. Lift each other up while holding them steady. To share themselves and hold him together through the hardest parts of presenting late and feeling like he was growing out of his skin.
Finding Finn and Grayson helped soften the edges of the waiting, too—beautiful and intelligent, and filling even more places he hadn’t knownexisted until they were filled with determination and grace.
It all came together. All he’d had to do was wait.
And then there was Gideon. They’d found him in Quest the Christmas before he’d presented, and Rowan had been in awe. Confident, gorgeous, and everything Rowan aspired to be. Gideon showed him what self-control really looked like and how to be a man he could be proud of.
But somehow. Right here, lying with his eyes closed in what is surely a hospital room, Rowan remembers that, once again, he’s fucked up. Memories of screwing up at the cliffs with Withers and being rescued by Grayson, poor Luca’s fiery, inflamed hole, and now this. Shame fills him. He’s ruined the NYC trip, and by the scent of it, Grayson is sitting beside his bed, home early from his baby-moon with Nix.
He tries to pretend he’s still asleep from what had to be a general anesthetic, but his runny nose from the not-so-subtle tears is a sure giveaway.
“Ro,” Grayson whispers, slipping his hot fingers into Rowan’s palm.
“I’m still asleep. Go away.” He tightens his hand around Grayson’s to prevent him from going, just in case he takes him at his word.
Grayson huffs, and there’s a press of those perfect lips against the back of Rowan’s hand. “In case you’re wondering, your dick is as perfect as ever.”
His dick!Holy shit. He’d been so worried about the consequences of being a fuck up that he’d forgotten the all-too-unpleasantphysicalconsequences of his stupidity. His eyes fly open, and he pulls up the hospital sheet to look down his body at the limp, but no less impressive cock lying accusingly on his abdomen, none the worse for wear.
Sighing, he squeezes his eyes shut again, letting the relieved tears continue unchecked. “Fuck. Thank you, Goddess,” he prays, before scrubbing at his cheeks. “Why am I still here, then? Is it the anesthetic?
Grayson nods, and for the first time since he opened his eyes, Rowan can tell Grayson looks tired.
“Hey, are you okay? Where’s Nix? You didn’t leave him there, did you? And teleport all the way here?”
Laughing, Grayson shakes his head. “Fuck no. Can’t be that far from him.He’s gone with Luca to wrangle some ice cream from Leo. Gideon and Jay are with Finn and the contingent from the Guild.”
Guild? Contingent? Shit.
“Here? That sounds bad.”
Grayson runs a hand down his face with a sigh. “Not all bad. Nix and I came here when Luca called.” He holds up a hand when Rowan starts to apologize for interrupting their time away. The guilt burns uncomfortably in his belly with all the other failures he’s adding up of late.
“No, Ro. Look, you didn’t do that on purpose. No matter how much shit you give me about stuff, not even you would risk your dick to get us to come home.”
Fucking right. No one loves Rowan’s dick more than Rowan. “I am sorry, though. I wouldn’t really do anything to ruin your time. I feel really bad about it.”
Tilting his head to the side, Grayson meets his eyes. He must see Rowan’s abject sincerity because he nods and pats Rowan’s thigh. “I believe you. And while I know you don’t like to talk about this shit, I have to say it.”
“No–”
“Ro, yes. Look, since we found out about the babies, we’ve sort of been at each other’s throats, no? And it’s not just you. I’ve done my share of stupid shit to egg you on and if I’m honest, I like it.”
“You do?” Rowan isn’t sure how he feels about that. The Wolf sure isn’t in it for fun, but Rowan guesses that’s maybe why the Wolf isn’t in charge. Rowan is.Rowanis in charge. Huh.
“Hell yeah. My wolf likes it a lot. It’s fucking hot to go up against you and fucking win, more often than not. So, while this wasn’t what I had planned for me and Nix, I know you didn’t do it on purpose. I’m only glad we made it in time.”
