A wild laugh startled Keld into looking up.
“You don’t deserve… Christ. Keld Itoldyou this was nothing. I’m not upset about that. I’m upset that your response was to pull away from me, and leave me to my own thoughts.”
Keld’s lips parted, but no sound came out.His parents…Fuck.Keld was so caught up in his own agony that he hadn’t even considered what kind of trauma the attack had brought up. He’d failed his Omega in two ways, then.
“Do you want to break up?” The question was harsh, but Grayson’s eyes were glassy. “Is that what all this is?”
“No!” Keld’s fins flattened to his skull. “I thought… I thoughtyouwouldn’t wantmeanymore. Not after what happened.”
“Well, you were wrong.” Grayson lifted a hand and tore the bandage from his face. A jagged red line marred the freckled skin. Four black knots held the edges together. “You think this is bad? I’ve had broken ribs. Fractured collarbone. Cracked skull. Look.” He shoved his arms out towards Keld’s horrified face. “Look closer.”
Despite himself, Keld leaned down, eyes scanning the speckles. There, a pink mark too large to be a freckle. A few inches away, there was another. And another.
“Cigarette burns,” Grayson said, dropping his arms.
Keld stared at the Omega. Anger still burned in his gaze. His jaw was clenched tight, and his fingers curled into fists, but his eyes were haunted.
“I’ve been having nightmares about my past. My folks took their anger out on me because I’m an Omega. I told myself they wouldn’t hurt my brothers as bad as they did me. But it was all just bullshit to make myself feel better about running. Deep down, I knew what would happen when I left, and I still did it. This cut…” He touched his face. “It forced me to confront those memories, and what I did. I’m not some perfect, innocent, pure Omega who deserves better, whatever that means. I’ve felt so fucking fragile since it happened. I’m a selfish piece of shit and I needed you.”
“You’re not,” Keld murmured. “You did what you needed to do to protect yourself.”
Keld reached a tentative hand for Grayson’s balled fist. It softened in his grasp.
“You’re wrong,” Grayson said. “But at least I have the chance to make up for what I did now. But I need your help to do it.”
“I’m here. I’ll be here for as long as you want me.” His thumb brushed the back of Grayson’s hand.
“I never stopped wanting you.”
Keld gripped the Omega’s wrist and pulled him into his arms. “You are safe,aiu. I promise. And your brothers will be safe too.”
Grayson buried his face against the scales of Keld’s chest and broke down in tears. Keld’s chest ached as he lifted Grayson into his arms. He settled them on the couch, making sure everypart of Grayson was on his lap. He stroked Grayson’s hair and brushed tears away until his body stopped shaking.
“Sorry,” Grayson croaked. “I’ve been trying so hard not to fall apart…”
“It’s okay, aiu. It’s okay to cry.” Keld cradled his Omega against his chest. “I’m not going anywhere. No one is going to hurt you.”
Grayson’s breathing slowed. Keld sat on the sofa, holding his sleeping Omega until the moon reached its peak in the night sky
∞∞∞
“What are his qualifications?” Loriun sat at his glossy desk, the whir of his hydrochair softening the quiet of the office. His scarlet fingertips were tented together, eyes unfocused.
“Um…” Keld stared back at his old friend. He hadn’t thought to ask Grayson about that.
Loriun raised a brow. “Or his past work experience?”
Keld cleared his throat. “Well… I’m sure he’s got… some.”
The other Alpha dropped his face into his palms. “Keld, do you seriously expect me to just hire some random human withoutanyinformation beyond his name?”
“Eksal says he’ll take him on the operations team,” Keld argued. “Anyone can be trained, right?”
Loriun sat back in his chair with a groan. “You’re a Turys-damned liability. Fine. Only because he’s your Omega’s kin.”
Relief surged through Keld’s body and he flopped back in his seat. “Thank you, Loriun. I owe you.”
“That’s an understatement,” Loriun muttered. “Go play with some spreadsheets, or whatever it is you do. I don’t want to see your face for a few hours.”
