Six Crimson Seeds (A VegasPete Persephone AU)

Chapter 39: Home, Sweet Home

    Pete had noticed Vegas acting differently after they slept together and tried to chalk it up to shyness. After the third day, however, Pete was starting to wonder if Vegas regretted it. Hopefully, he was just overthinking.

Vegas was still fairly affectionate with him, holding his hand and cuddling close, but it seemed like Vegas was more reluctant to meet his gaze. Vegas also seemed more distracted during their conversations, but Pete hoped he was just being more sensitive than usual. Vegas wasn't trying to break up with him or anything, and Pete knew they were getting ready to leave. Maybe Vegas just had a lot on his mind. He had so much he still needed to get done, and the nightly punishments hadn't stopped, even though Pete was able to help him get through them.

Pete was sitting in his room at Elysium on the last day, staring at a black and white version of his picture of him and Yai when Vegas knocked on the door.

"Come in," Pete said with a smile, putting the frame on his bedside table as he got to his feet.

"It's time," Vegas said gently. They had been talking about it for days, so Pete knew what he was referring to right away.

As he studied Vegas's face, a woman's voice echoed in his head.

Save him.

"Vegas?" Pete called.

"Hmm?" Vegas still didn't meet his gaze, but when Pete didn't say more, Vegas moved closer, finally looking at Pete as he wrapped an arm around him possessively.

Pete licked his lips as his mind swirled. Suddenly, he felt very silly for worrying. Vegas was looking at him in the soft way he usually did, and Pete kicked himself for even thinking there might be an issue.

"Never mind."

Vegas frowned lightly, reaching up to cup Pete's cheek. Pete leaned into his touch. "I'm sorry."

"What? Why?"

Tension coiled, white-hot, in Pete's stomach again. Did Vegas regret sleeping with him? Was that why things felt strange between them?

"I-" Vegas opened his mouth to say one thing, then shut it to shift gears. "I made you worried, I think. Sorry, I haven't been acting like myself."

Pete nodded, leaning closer to Vegas, wanting to keep him near as he asked, "Are you upset that we-"

"No," Vegas cut him off. "Never. I just have a lot on my mind. I'll try to be better when we're back home."

Pete had to kiss him then. "You don't have to be better, Vegas. You just have to be yourself. That's all I want."

Vegas's mouth twisted into a smile, but it still looked wrong. Pete shoved that thought aside. They would be back soon, and maybe then Vegas would feel better.

"How...how do we leave?" Pete asked as they walked out of Elysium.

Vegas exhaled. "We just go to the greenhouse. Then when the time comes, we'll just be back."

"The greenhouse?"

Pete hadn't explored much of the Fields, at least not on his own, but he hadn't seen the greenhouse.

"It appears when the time comes. Only then. It's why you didn't see it."

"Oh."

Vegas closed his eyes for a moment, tilting his head to the side like he was trying to listen carefully for something only he could hear.

"Speaking of which..."

Vegas turned and Pete followed his gaze to see a new building off in the distance.