Six Crimson Seeds (A VegasPete Persephone AU)

Chapter 25: A Port in the Storm

Vegas wanted to tell Pete everything, but he was worried that Pete would become too involved. He also worried about how Pete would feel about the things he had done. Would it be worse for Pete to hear about everything and still accept Vegas with open arms? He was scared to find out.

    Pete leaned forward to catch Vegas's eye again. "Can you at least tell me some of what's going on?"

    Vegas nodded his head. He could handle partial truth.

    "Are you okay with me not telling you everything?"

    Pete thought for a moment, humming lightly. "I don't like it. But I assume you are trying to protect me, even if I wish you wouldn't. So please just tell me what you can."

    "Okay." Vegas took a shaky breath and squeezed Pete's hand. "There's been a development. A person that everyone is seeking. So we've been trying to find any information we can. In the meantime, this guy called King Renfro has been sniffing around our territory. Tawan joined with him, so who knows what information this guy already has about the rest of us. I've been...I've been having to work with...Time."

    Vegas paused, watching Pete carefully as his eyes widened.

    "Time?"

    "Yeah. Pa has him working with me to investigate."

    Pete's hand flexed in Vegas's but he held on, willing Pete to not let go. Pete swallowed, nodding his head slowly.

    "Pete?"

    Pete let out a shaky laugh and Vegas went quiet again. "Time," Pete said again, still laughing. "Will we ever get away from him? He just seems to cause trouble."

    "I know, Pete. I wish I didn't have to deal with him either."

    Pete shrugged, leaning forward as he crossed his knees and rested his chin in his hand. "Has he tried to mess with you again?"

    It took Vegas a moment to decipher what Pete meant. "He tried to get under my skin a little, but it's not working for some reason. But I already warned him. He's not to mess with me or you again."

    Vegas could feel his pulse racing. He was worried that Pete wouldn't believe him. They hadn't seen each other in the months since Vegas had abandoned him. Why should Pete still be waiting—still be holding a candle for him?

    "Hey," Pete called sharply, getting Vegas's attention. "Calm down. I'm not mad at you." 

    Vegas took a deep breath and said, "I would understand if you were."

    Pete released his hand then. Vegas froze, but Pete only moved to cup his face, leaning close as he whispered, "Well, I'm not. I was very hurt. And I'll probably be hurt again. But I know a lot of this is out of your control, too."

    "I'm sorry," Vegas whispered. A hot tear gathered in the corner of his eye before rolling down his face. No matter what defenses he tried to build, Pete always had a way of tearing them down without even trying.  

    Pete leaned forward then, slowly, pressing his lips against Vegas's, and it felt like he could finally breathe again. Vegas let out a soft whine as he clutched at Pete's waist to pull him closer. He felt Pete smile against his lips before he deepened their kiss.

    "If you're sorry for leaving me," Pete said when he pulled away, "Why don't you spend the rest of the summer making it up to me?"

    Vegas leaned forward again, pressing a soft kiss to Pete's cheek. He cupped Pete's face gently, looking deep into his eyes as he said, "I promise to spend every moment I have left in this world loving you, Pete."