“Better now that I peeled Darling off the ceiling. I swear, I almost tranqed his ass. I would definitely not want to be in your brother’s shoes right now. We’ll have to ride herd on Darling...hard. Otherwise, he’s going to do something else really stupid to get to Kyr. But back to your question, they busted her up pretty good. Luckily, she’ll be fine in a few days, and the baby she’s carrying looks to be unaffected by it all. Gods willing.” Syn started the IV.
Ture blinked hard as his vision dimmed. Syn hadn’t just given him a painkiller. He’d put something in it to knock him out. He wanted to stay awake, but it was a losing battle. In a matter of seconds, he was sound asleep.
Maris frowned as he saw Ture go limp. “Did you—”
“Yeah. He needed it. Besides, I didn’t think you wanted him to witness what I’m about to do to treat you.”
Good point. Humans often had a hard time dealing with the oddities of the Phrixians. Darling was one of the few who could understand and tolerate Maris’s special health needs.
Syn moved toward the sink. “Take your top off.”
Maris purred at his command. “You know, I’ve been waiting for years to hear that come out of your mouth, baby. Should I remove my pants, too? I’m sure I could muster something down there that might require your immediate, personal attention.”
Syn laughed at his teasing invitation. “You’re the only man who could say that to me and still keep his best friend attached to his body. You’re lucky I love you, Mari.”
“I know, brother.” Maris opened his battlesuit while Syn ran a bowl of water.
When Syn turned back to face him, he froze. His eyes widened in horror.
Maris started to cover himself then stopped. What was the use? Syn had already seen the horrendous scars that marred his flesh. Why cover up now?
“I had no idea,” Syn breathed.
Maris shrugged. “You don’t grow up gay in a fiercely heterosexual warrior culture without taking a lot of damage.” Not to mention his lovely stint as a political prisoner with their enemies for a full decade. Thanks, Dad and League, for those atrocious nightmares. “In spite of what my family says, I’m pretty sure they knew all along, and they went out of their way to beat it out of me.”
“Does Darling know?”
Maris shook his head. “I don’t get naked around Darling.” It was why he always kept himself covered from head to foot. Many times, he even wore gloves. Only his lovers had ever seen his body, and even then he kept the room as dark as possible so that no one knew the full weight of the shame he carried with him.
“If it makes you feel better, Nykyrian and I both have more scars than you do.”
And so did Darling.
He looked up at Syn. “For the record, Syn, it doesn’t make me feel better to know the people I love best have suffered even more than I have. Really doesn’t.”
Syn placed a comforting hand on his shoulder and gave a light squeeze. “And that’s why we love you, Mari.”
Maris didn’t respond as Syn started working on his numerous injuries. He did, however, grimace as the pain intensified. If only he could get to a tub of water...
Damn.
“You okay?” Syn asked, his voice tense with concern.
“I’m not going to die. Darling would never forgive me for it.”
Syn laughed. “Knowing him, he’d follow you into hell if you did and drag you back out.”
“And all of you would be right by his side, battling demons the whole way, in and out.”
“Yeah well...we’re stupid that way.”
Yes, they were. And that was why he was devoted to all of them.
Syn stood up and wiped his hands on a clean cloth. “Anything I can get for you?”
Maris shook his head. “Thanks, though.”
“You need me, buzz. I’m heading back to Zarya.”
Maris pulled his battlesuit back on as Syn left. Then he stood and returned to Ture’s side. He couldn’t imagine what the two of them had been put through because of his brother’s sadistic madness. Guilt stabbed him hard. He shouldn’t feel responsible for Kyr’s actions and yet he always had.
“I won’t let him hurt you anymore,” he whispered, brushing his hand through Ture’s hair. “I promise.”
*
Ture came awake to the sensation of someone starting to pick him up. Thinking it was a League soldier, he opened his eyes, ready to fight, then relaxed as he met Maris’s dark gaze.
Maris released him instantly. “Sorry, love. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
Ture smiled at Maris’s deep, pleasant accent. Sometimes he found it difficult to understand Maris’s words. Still, he adored the sound of his lilting cadence. “It’s okay. I’d much rather wake up to you than a League guard.”
“That’s not exactly a compliment since I’m rather sure the devil himself would be preferable to that.”
True.
Ture bit his lip as he realized that while he’d slept Maris had combed his hair and freshened up. Damn, he was exquisite.
“Maris? Would it be rude if I asked you where you’re from? I know from your accent that you’re not Caronese.”
“Not rude at all. I’m Phrixian.”
“Ah.”
Maris gave him a wicked, taunting grin. “You have no idea, do you?”