The Dare of Truth [slash]

Chapter 20

A few hours later, Dr. Allen finally allowed Fyn to leave his bed to visit Eondar. His leg still felt a bit stiff, but the lifebearer refused any help and slowly made his way down the hall to Eondar's room.

The sire's usually solemn face lit up as he saw his boyfriend. He was unusually pale, but at least he was sitting upright in bed. "I'm so glad you're still in one piece", was all he said, stretching out his arms. The journalist practically flung himself into the embrace. That was his Eondar – no word of worry or accusation, just the simple happiness of seeing Fyn relatively unharmed.

"Celia came by and told me what happened," he whispered. "I'm sorry that I wasn't there to help you."

"You had other things to do," Fyn murmured. "Like staying alive. Gods, I was scared to death. Don't you ever dare get shot again, you hear me?"

"I promise." Eondar gently stroked Fyn's tousled hair. "If you promise not to storm off and start a war on your own again. At least take me with you."

The lifebearer gave a choked sound, somewhere between a laugh and a sob. "I guess I'm done with the solo attempts for the time being. I don't regret what I did... but that meeting with Sylair made me realize a lot of things. I could be in his place some day, Eondar. There have been so many moments in my life where I wanted to wring someone's neck... and when I shot that assassin who almost killed you... I wasn't afraid in the least. I wanted him dead, and I was almost disappointed that he survived. I'm afraid I'm as mad as Sylair deep down."

"You're NOT like him, Fyn," Eondar replied firmly. "You're a kind and warm-hearted person. And people respect you and like you far more than you think. You're just not seeing it."

"And what about your brother?" Fyn asked, looking up into the sire's eyes. "I really want to get along with him, but I won't be accused of being at fault for you getting hurt again."

Eondar frowned. "I'm sure Telias was just upset. I can't imagine him truly meaning it. He was so happy for me when I told him about you and said he looked forward to meeting you."

"Maybe." The lifebearer snuggled closer. "But he has to deal with me anyway. That's one of the things I decided when I realized this whole horrible affair is finally over: I don't want to worry about what other people think of me anymore. And I'm not gonna let you go – unless you want me to."

Eondar raised an eyebrow. "And why would I ever want to send away the person I've dreamt of ever since I can remember?"

"What?" Fyn blinked. "You... you really meant ME when you talked about that destined mate of yours? I thought you meant Sharelan, and because I look a lot like him..."

Eondar surprised him with the fiercest hug possible without choking Fyn. "For such a smart person, you can be really dumb," he stated, voice laced with emotion. He didn't know that Sylair had said almost the exact same thing to Fyn before, and the lifebearer gave another sob. "I'm not good with words, as you know, but I guess I have to spell it out: I love you and I've waited all my life for you and only for you, Fyn Sheldon. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you. As much as I respect you, any protests in this matter will be ignored."