Thorns And Roses

Chapter Twenty

Demi stared up at Theo's ceiling that night as the man slept soundly beside him. He couldn't sleep and he had to pee, but the death grip Theo had on him made it hard to get away. Anytime Demi went to get up, his dragon would tighten his hold. Demi didn't want to do it, knew that Theo needed to sleep, but he needed to use the bathroom. So he would have to wake the Alpha up.

"Theo, baby wake up." He whispered to him, pressing his chest against Theo's back. Demi didn't think that Theo would be such a cuddle bug and he honestly loved it. For some reason though, Theo always insisted on being the little spoon.

Theo let out a deep sigh as he slowly woke up. "Don't wanna." He mumbled into the space in front of him. Theo groaned and then buried his face in his pillow. Demi went to draw his hand out of the dragon's and pull his arm out from under his head. Of course, Theo squeezed him in retaliation.

"I have to go to the bathroom, pup. Now let go." He didn't mean for it to come out so harsh, but his tone woke Theo. He let Demi go, a soft sorry on his lips as the Omega slipped out of bed. He bent down and kissed Theo's head in apology for the sharp tone of his voice.

Demi padded to the bathroom and sighed after closing the door. He was worried about Theo. His mind was on nothing else but the dragon on the other side of the door. Hopefully, he went back to sleep, but Demi doubts it. The only time Demi hadn't been with Theo was when he went into heat a few days ago. He knew for a fact that the man didn't sleep for those two days while Demi stayed away from him.

Demi used the bathroom feeling so much better afterward. When he walked back into the bedroom he was shocked to see Theo sitting up and staring at the wall as if lost in thought. Demi stalked toward the dragon but he didn't seem to notice the figure standing in front of him. He could see the glassy-eyed look on Theo's face like he was in a different world.

"You okay, baby?" Theo didn't acknowledge Demi's words. He didn't even blink when Demi waved his hand in front of his face. He sighed and lightly touched the man's shoulder to gain his attention. Theo instantly flinched back, then he moved away from Demi's hand. His eyes were still glazed over, his face holding nothing but terror.

"I-I'm sorry. Please s-stop. It hurts." He cried out to no one in particular, his voice rough and scratchy like he's been screaming this whole time. He had crawled up the bed and shoved himself into a corner, trying to make himself a smaller target. Demi didn't move, not entirely sure what to do in this type of situation.

"I'm not going to hurt you, Theo. It's me. It's Demi. It's just me." Theo acted like he was calming down at hearing Demi's voice. His words. Demi gently crawled up the bed and planted himself down beside Theo. He didn't touch him, not yet.

"Shh, shh, baby it's okay. I'm not going to hurt you." It was plain to see that Theo wasn't there right now. Those glassy golden orbs were a straight giveaway. The way his hands palmed at the sheets looking for something to ground himself with. When his hands made contact with Demi, Theo flinched back as if the Omega burned him. Demi stayed still and quiet, just allowing Theo to explore.

His fingertips, rough and calloused finally landed on Demi's thigh with confidence. He rubbed his hand up and down, feeling the texture of the man's sweatpants. He then sniffed the air, catching Demi's scent all around. Theo seemed to recognize the smell, his eyes starting to clear as he found things that were familiar to him.

"Demitri?" He muttered. Demi took ahold of that hand lying on his leg and brought it to his face. Theo's fingers grazed his cheekbone, his nose, and lips. He knew what Demi felt like, knew that the Omega sitting there would rather die than ever hurt him. He had to know that.

"Yeah, it's me. You're okay now. No one will hurt you." Theo's irises gained color again and he turned to stare at Demi. There wasn't fear in his eyes but a look of sheer disappointment. Demi didn't know why though.

"I'm sorry. I didn't..." Before he could say anything else, Demi jerked Theo into the contour of his body and kissed him. It wasn't hot and heavy, meant to be sweet and a testament to how Demi felt. Demi let him go to tap their heads together, eyes locking, unmoving.

"Stop fucking apologizing, pup. You don't need to be fucking sorry for every little thing. Understand?" Demi watched as Theo blushed, and he tore his gaze away. He then gave the Omega a nod.

"Good boy." He said it in such a patronizing tone of voice, that he expected Theo to curse at him for it. But instead, his dragon blushed to the tips of his ears and let out a small whimper in response.

"Sorry, I had to." He quickly apologized for turning his dragon on and then let Theo go completely.

"That was mean," Theo grumbled as he pouted up at Demi.

Demi smirked then swiped his fingers over Theo's pout to wipe it away. "Yeah, it was. Sorry pup." Once again Theo didn't say anything about the nickname.

"Let's try and go back to sleep. I promise I won't tease you anymore." Theo just rolled his eyes and moved down on the bed, turning so his back faced Demi. He couldn't stop himself even if he tried, as Demi trailed a slim finger down the curve of Theo's spine.

Theo arched his back, letting out a feral growl as he reached around and pulled Demi down until his mate was spooning him. He buried his face in his dragon's back to hide his laughter. Demi settled down after a few minutes, kissed the back of Theo's exposed neck, and finally closed his eyes.

Demi listened to Theo's breathing even out and knew the man was asleep. He pulled Theo closer, holding their interlocked hands over the Alpha's heart. Demi matched his breathing with Theo's and he was out like a light.

~~~~

Demi woke up the next morning to the heavy scent of leather and vanilla. It was overwhelming all of his senses, making him a little steer crazy. He glanced over at the source of his discomfort to see a wrecked Theo.

The dragon was sweating, panting, and groaning as he lay in a ball holding his stomach. Theo's scent mixed with his arousal was the classic sign of a rut. But Demi knew for a fact that Theo doesn't have ruts. Right? That's what he told Demi last week.

Demi moved closer to Theo, grabbed his shoulder, and tried not to wince at the burning flesh underneath his palm. He turned his dragon over onto his back so he could look at him.

Theo's eyes were glassy with desire, his face flushed a bright red and he was panting. His eyes landed on Demi and with a primal growl, he took ahold of the Omega, dragging him down until he straddled Theo's hips. Demi tried to fight the hold, to get away from him but he couldn't. Theo gripped his waist so tight that he knew there would be bruises there the next day.

"Mine." Theo snarled, lifted himself, and landed a scorching kiss on Demi's lips. He bit and licked at his mouth, leaving the faint taste of blood upon his tongue. The taste of Demi's blood seemed to be the thing that sent Theo over the edge. Demi felt like he was melting. Between the hot kisses being burned into his neck and the molten lava touch of Theo's skin, it was becoming overheated.

Demi didn't even try to push his dragon away. Happy to be burned by the fingertips trailing along his back, leaving red welts in his flesh. He gasped at the pain but didn't tell Theo to stop. It was a heady mix of pain and pleasure. Blurring the lines of what was right and wrong.

And Demi was falling into the abyss, willing himself to catch fire. To burn right along with Theo.