Six Crimson Seeds (A VegasPete Persephone AU)

Chapter 28: The Anchor

    Kinn paced in the hallway outside his father's office. A few feet away, Pete stood with his back pressed into the wall as if he could pass through it. Vegas stood next to him with his arms crossed and a serious frown on his face.

"I still don't understand why-"

Before Kinn could finish his sentence, Chan opened the door and ushered them inside to sit on the sofa. Pete sat between the cousins, feeling like everyone's eyes were on him. He tried his best not to fidget.

"Vegas," Korn said casually, "I didn't expect you to come."

"My Pa wanted me to speak to you. About his request."

"Ah, yes." Korn swiveled his chair slightly so his eyes landed on Pete. "You have become quite popular."

Pete licked his dry lips, keeping his eyes trained on the paperweight on Korn's desk. "I am just as surprised as you."

Trying to take the attention off of Pete, Vegas leaned forward and said, "Pa wants to borrow him for a while. He's been really helpful in training Macau."

Korn gave a soft smile that didn't reach his eyes. "And I have always let Macau come over whenever he wants. Just like you."

Pete tensed, wanting to grab Vegas's hand. He didn't like Korn's tone as he reminded Vegas of his place.

Vegas swallowed, tempering his reaction before he continued. "Yes, and we always appreciate that. But Pa feels like Macau needs something more...full-time. For a while. Pete would of course still be able to come and go as he pleases and as he is needed."

"I suppose it couldn't hurt him to get a little taste of Elysium. To further his own education." Korn sighed, his eyes flicking to Chan. "I'll allow it," he finally said.

Kinn frowned but said, "I'll go to make sure Pete is comfortable."

"How kind," Korn said. "Please do give my brother my greetings."

With that, the boys were dismissed.

Pete was overwhelmed with Tay, Arm, Pol, and Khun all in his room 'helping' him pack while Porsche and Kinn bickered in the corner and Macau and Chay flirted. Only Vegas was actually helping, carefully putting Pete's schoolwork in a bag with his books and his picture of Yai.

Pete looked around and wondered how much privacy he would get at Elysium. He needed a moment. After telling Vegas he would be right back, he slipped into his bathroom and shut the door. He had noticed one night after he went swimming with Vegas that his mark looked different. At first, he thought it was a trick of the light and didn't want to worry Yai. Later, he checked and was surprised to see that it was different.

The seed-shaped marks that diagonally scattered down his hip were changing color. The top four were still crimson, but the bottom two were black. Pete slipped the hem of his shirt down until he could only see the black ones in the mirror and sighed. He wasn't sure if he should be concerned or not. Did this mean the prophecy really wasn't about him? Was there a time limit on something?

Just then, the door cracked open and Pete hissed in shock. In the mirror, his eyes met Kim's. It took Pete a moment to remember to cover himself again, but it was too late. Kim had seen.

"What are you doing?" Vegas called, moving past Kim to shut the door again.

"Sorry," Kim said, the sound muffled. Pete sat on the edge of his tub as he heard Kim say, "I just wanted to wish him luck."

A moment later, Vegas knocked on the door.

"Are you okay?"

Pete swallowed. "Yeah. I just need a moment."