V & V - Rageous Rageon Rise

My Ranch Hand Brother

Mateo POV:

I sit up, staring at him as his eyes illuminate the room. 

Dom: "I... eventually stopped crying. I got up, brushed my tears away, and walked back home. I made it to my house by the mid-morning... and no one had questioned where I had been. I remember getting pretty sick from being in the cold all day and night, so I didn't return to the woods. I never saw my snowman melt. Sometimes... I like to think he's still out there. Waiting for me to come and tell him... how much better... my life has turned out."

Dom meets my eyes as he sits up.

Dom: "I... I didn't mean for that story to get so... sad. I meant to tell you how much fun I had making that snowman."

Mateo: "Don't apologize."

I frown at my lap, then look back at him.

Mateo: "Can... I hug you?"

Dom nods and lets me crawl onto his lap. I hug him with a strong embrace, feeling upset.

Mateo: "Dom?"

I pull away, my eyes searching his face worriedly.

Mateo: "Can... we talk about something... hard?"

Dom nods, seeming to know already what I'm hinting at.

Mateo: "Dom... you went through a lot of neglect... and abuse. I'm... I'm really sorry about it. I know I can't fix it, and I understand that... I can't take away what that's done to you. I'm just... so sorry."

Dom looks down, his eyes lighting up our pajama pants.

Dom: "It... isn't something I want... to admit that's happened. I'm... embarrassed and ashamed by a lot of it."

Mateo: "I don't want you to feel that way. What has happened, a lot of it is out of your control."

Dom: "I often wondered why my perception of love was so messed up. Turns out... I didn't experience it enough growing up."

Mateo: "We will make up for lost time."

Dom meets my eyes, nodding as he takes a deep breath.

Dom: "My snowman would be... happy that I've found someone so sweet and caring like you. He'd also be happy that... I'm making an effort to treat you how you deserve. I'm not as big of  fuck up as I used to be... and that's something I know he's proud of me for."

Mateo: "He is. You've grown a lot. Even in the time I knew you, you have got better."

Dom: "Much, if not most, is thanks to you."

I gently lean forward, kiss his shoulder, and pull away to see his eyes closed. I take his hands and squeeze lightly. He opens his eyes, which glow less now that he's calmer. I didn't mean to make him relive such a sad story. 

But I am glad he opened up to me. I will never forgive his parents for how they treated him and his brothers. Regardless of whether Dom got it the worst out of the four, there was not enough love or compassion for any of them. 

I'm lucky he's still here for me to marry. I've been thinking about what to say when it is time for our vows. I need to make my adoration for him known, and I wonder what I can do to show how much I care.

Dom rubs my thigh for a bit as he looks out my window, his gaze focused outside. I close my eyes and enjoy the rubs. It feels good to have him be gentle yet purposeful with his hand. As he rubs, I think about my past.

Mateo: "You want to hear a story before we sleep?"

Dom looks at me, his pretty eyes looking me over. He nods, his hand keeping it's pace.