And I Will Consume You

24

The rumble of the angry gray gloss outside were loud, but not quite loud enough to block out the sound of shouting from the next room. Pete didn't have to guess, he knew it was Vegas' dad, and as much as he still struggled to admit, he was worried. Though Vegas was evil incarnate, he was just a broken soul, and he was broken because of that bastard. Pete flinched slightly hearing something shatter followed by a door Smalling shut and Vegas' frustrated screams once again. Pete didn't know what of the above felt worse, knowing Vegas couldn't escape it, knowing that he was hit again, or knowing that every time this happened, Vegas had another one of his outbursts and either took it out on himself, or whatever was closest to him. Pete was just lucky he hadn't been that whatever so far. Ten minutes or so passed and Vegas came back into the room, his eye and cheek bruised slightly though it hadn't  fully settled yet and they both knew it would only get worse with time. In his hand was a bowl of ramen and a simple broth, though it wasn't as elaborate as Vegas had made his food these last few weeks. There was no spring onion, there was no egg, no meat, it was just simple broth with lightly seasoned noodles.

Pete was sat at the foot of the bed, on the floor, looking up at Vegas with sad eyes, though he didn't say Anything until the man sat down beside him, handing him the bowl. "Was that your dad..?" Pete asked, and when he didn't get a response, he knew he shouldn't have asked. Furrowing his brows with worry, Pete's hand gently made its way to Vegas' face, caressing the bruise softly with his thumb. "Your face... Are you alright?" Again, Vegas stayed quiet, those sad eyes making Pete want to cry for him. Vegas was such a softie deep down, and all of this torture he was being put through, it was starting to push him towards the edge. He shook his head, finally looking at Pete, who too, looked miserable. "No." Pulling him into a hug, Pete made sure to be careful, as if Vegas was made of glass and if he squeezed too hard, he'd shatter, just like the plate his father had tossed to the floor.

"Promise me you wont leave, Pete... Promise me you won't leave" Again, Pete's heart broke, hearing how desperate Vegas sounded, his shakey breath tingling against the crook of Pete's neck. "I need you." Moving his other hand to stroke Vegas' hair, Pete hummed quietly, trying to lull Vegas and help him forget what happened. "I promise." Even if Pete was lying, Vegas would have believed him, because that's what he needed right now. He couldn't stand the thought of being alone again, not now that he'd found his purpose and he was happy. As much as Vegas hated himself, he wouldn't let himself go through that again. Not with Pete. Pete was like a diamond in the rough to a poor man, like a crown to a king. He was nothing without it- Unsure if he'd even survive. It didn't matter if Pete really loved him, it only mattered that he wanted to stay. As awful as it was, he would rather watch as Pete fell out of love with him than leave while he still did. Maybe he was being selfish and greedy, but what else was he going to do? Push away the one thing in his life that outshone all the bad?

If it weren't for Pete's touch, Vegas wouldn't  be able to tell if he was real or not. He really was an angel, the light at the end of the tunnel that Vegas had been fighting to see, to have, his entire life, and what a journey it has been to get it. This life was relentlessly tough, Vegas knew that. He'd been in pain again and again, so much that he'd hit his breaking point once before and almost killed himself. It wasn't until he realized that if he died, all of his responsibilities would be handed to Macau, that he'd decided not to. It was his job as an older brother to make sure Macau didn't have to experience what he did... At least not to the same degree. Now he had to make sure Pete was safe too, but knowing he would be beside him at all times was comforting to say the least- that way no one could sneak up and take Pete away from him while he wasn't looking. He was the Harley to his Joker- if Harley was a 5'9 tall asian man in a suit that worked for the mafia.

Pete pressed a kiss to the top of Vegas' head, continuing to stroke his fingers through his hair gently before eventually falling to rest in his shoulders, his thumbs holding either side of the man's handsome face. Vegas did the same, cupping Pete's sweet face, watching as his eyes sparkled even in the dim, natural light of the room. He leaned in slowly, making sure Pete was to accept his kiss before their lips met for a slow and passionate dance. It wasn't anything like the lustful kisses they shared before, nor was it entirely innocent. Rather it was a mix of passionate love and gentle desire that they felt mutually. Pete welcomed the kiss, no matter how bruised and swollen his lips were, the sensation of Vegas' kiss was unlike anything he'd ever experienced, he could hardly turn it down. In that moment of euphoric weakness, Vegas pulled away, but only slightly, placing another gentle peck against Pete's lips before letting go. "Eat. Before it gets cold."

Vegas really did hope this would never end. His time with Pete was so precious, it meant more than anything material could ever compare to. Truly one of a kind. And he lived him so much. So much so that he couldn't help but smile to himself as he watched Pete slurp down the noodles as if he hadn't eaten in days. If anyone were to ever lay a hand in him, there were so many ways Vegas would want to kill them he'd have to write out a list. Hopefully it'll never come to that. He'd rather spend his time with Pete doing everything a regular couple would do just to get away from this world for one moment and live a normal, happy life. That's what Pete wanted, right? A normal life? Outside of all the drama and murder and pointless arguing that happened constantly. And maybe, just maybe, they'd be able to live like that one day.