“Of course. But I want to see him. Please? Then you can go find Tennant…maybe drag Benjamin along with you? He’s your little Ten Whisperer mentee.”
Snorting, I lean down and press my lips to his, groaning at the feel of him. It’s been way too long since I’ve had all three of my lovers together at once, even though, in the grand scheme of things, it hasn’t been long at all.
The next time, however, it might not just be the four of us… Tennant’s plan to get a bigger mattress needs to happen sooner rather than later. Especially, since I don’t plan on letting any of my lovers, or theirs, out of bed for a long time once we get the chance.
“Fine. But you’re taking full blame if Dr. Ranlen has a fit.”
Jude and I get him situated in the wheelchair Doc ordered from God knows where. There are methods to how he gets some of his medical supplies that I don’t want to know; Jude and I just approve and send the funds.
When I wheel Roman into Ignacio’s room, we find him getting checked over by Kail, with Benjamin at his side.
The nurse takes one look at Roman and rolls his eyes. “Doc is gonna be pissed if you hurt yourself because you’re not listening to Dr. Ranlen.”
“I’m listening!” Roman protests. “I’m not hobbling around unsupervised. I have Hollis to do my bidding.”
Benjamin frowns at him. “It’ll take longer to heal if you set yourself back because you pushed yourself too far. You’ve already made the fractures in your ribs worse.”
“I’m fine. I needed to be here. You, of all people, can’t fault me for that. Kick my ass in PT later if you need to, Paperotto.”
Ignacio snorts at Roman’s nickname for Benjamin, and holds his hand out for Roman. “I’m glad to see you, Little One. But I don’t want you to push yourself too hard just for me.”
Roman practically melts at the other man’s voice, and I raise an eyebrow at that. Kail sighs, but helps me push Roman closer to the bed, arranging him so he’s as comfortable as he can be with is ribs, leg, and arm all still injured. Ignacio is limited in his movements, due to his own wound, and the fact it’s only been a few days since he was weaned of the sedation.
“I’m so fucking sorry,” Roman says in a soft voice.
“Hey, no. Don’t apologize. I’d take more than a gutting for you, Little One. I’d rathernot, but…whatever it takes to be with you, Roman, I’d do it.”
Watching the two of them together…how Roman responds to the soft, caring way Ignacio handles him, even though we’re all aware the other man is a hardened warrior and fierce protector, Chaos personified when he needs to be… There’s something intimate about the way they seem to bring out the vulnerable parts of one another.
It’s what has me getting Benjamin’s attention, nodding my head toward the door. Because I can see the uncertainty and jealousy on his face clear as day. He hesitates for a moment, but when I leave the room, he’s not that far behind me.
Even though he shuts the door, I still walk down the hall, so we’re not overheard.
“Having regrets, Topolino?” I ask, cutting right to the heart of the problem.
He tries to hide his true feelings, his mouth turning down into a frown. “No… At least, not about Roman. I…can see how they’re good together. It’s just hard. He was mine first.”
“Ignacio is no longer yours.”
Benjamin flinches. “Yeah…”
“If you want him to be, you’ll have to talk to Ten; not for permission, but because it’s how these relationships work. We talk about everything. Nothing happens between my lovers and anyone else without me knowing about it. Roman won’t care if you decide to take Ignacio back, he’ll welcome it even, because he loves him and wants the best for everyone he cares about.
“Ten will get over himself because he’s so stupidly in love with you, I’m surprised he hasn’t said the words yet. He’ll bitch about it being nothing but brain chemistry, but I know when he’s in love without him ever saying a word. And if there’s one person who could ever make him get over his bullshit, it’d be you. I’d pay to see that, even.”
“It doesn’t bother you? I know he’s yours.”
I sigh. “Yes and no. I can’t deny him anything. He’s never asked me for anything before, so when he asked for you…it was easy to say yes. I never thought it would turn into what it has, but I don’t regret it. How can I, when you make him happier than I’ve ever seen? Tennant will never leave me, ever. But…if he had to, he’d put you before me.”
Benjamin swallows. “I…that makes me happy to hear, as fucked as it is, because Iknowhe belongs to you. I hate it, but I want him to be happy too, so there’s nothing I can do about it, but…”
I smile softly. “I get it, Topolino. Trust me, I get it better than anyone else will. You and I aren’t so different. Both possessive of what’s ours. Mine comes from the trauma I went through.”I fight not to trace my scars, the urge to do so becoming more prominent sincethatnight. “I can’t give up control because I didn’t have it for so long, and Tenlikeswhen I have control over him. He likes it when you do, too. It’s why he’ll allow you anything you ever ask for. Even if he makes sure to leave his mark on you as well.” I nod at the still-red scar on Benjamin’s collarbone.
He flushes, adjusting his shirt to hide the mark. “I…don’t want to hurt either of them. But I don’t know if I can be that selfish.”
“It’s not selfish to put yourself first, Benjamin. If being with them both will make you happy, then take the opportunity. Just don’t fuck with Tennant’s emotions, because I am not Il Padrone; there are no second chances for fuck ups.”
He stands straighter, determination in his sea green eyes. “I won’t. I can learn from my mistakes.”
