Lex thought a moment and asked, “Are you sure he said hewantedto leave or did he say hehadto leave?”
Taco thought back and then said, “Gio was telling Gordy his real name and some of the things he had done. Gordy asked him if he had ever killed anyone. Gio said no and that it wouldn’t matter because it didn’t change anything, because he wouldn’t be able to stay in Drago.”
“So, he didn’t say he wanted to leave, Taco. You said he woke up and started crying, right?” Lex asked. Taco nodded, then Lex said, “Where were you when this happened? I mean, did he look at you and just start crying?”
Shaking his head, Taco replied, “No. Cobra had gone to the meeting with Pit and the others, and I stayed with Gio. I felt the need to be as close to him as I could, so I attached.”
“You mean like the tattoo thing that Talpa does with us sometimes?” Lex asked.
“Yes. It’s the best way a maharishi knows to feel some tiny bit of a connection when we are not bonded, and after the bond it kind of helps ground us when we are feeling… I don’t know… anxious or off balance for some reason? I don’t know if I’m helping you understand or not.” Taco replied.
Nodding, Lex said, “You need a connection because you feel disconnected for some reason. Kind of like when I need a hug. Sometimes I get this anxious feeling inside for no real reason and things around me don’t really make sense. I just need one of my mates to hold me tight.”
“Exactly.” Taco answered.
“So, tell me step by step what happened after you attached to Gio.” Lex directed.
Taco sighed, “I must have fallen asleep, because the next thing I knew, I was being shaken awake. It took me a minute to realize it was Gio, crying. I don’t mean just crying, it was soul deep crying. I felt it from within me and we aren’t even joined yet. I kinda freaked out and didn’t want Gio to think I was intruding so I made myself as small as a fly and landed on the curtain unsure of what to do to help him.”
“So, he reveals everything about himself and is given something that knocks him off his ass. He opens his eyes and doesn’t see anyone in his room…”
“I told you I was there.” Taco argued.
Lex sat up turning to Taco, “Yes, you were there, but you were attached, not standing near the balcony or sitting in a chair, you were attached and when you unattached, you made it to where Gio couldn’t see you. How was Gio supposed to know he wasn’t in the room alone? Jude told us how upset Gio was with himself because of the things his father forced him to do. He told us how much self-loathing he saw within the guy’s eyes. If that’s how he feels about himself, what makes him think that any of us feels any differently… or that you and Cobra don’t hate him for what he had to do?”
“But it wasn’t his fault. He did what he had to do to save his family.” Taco argued.
“And I get that, Taco, but does he? I don’t think he does. I’ve only met Gio a few times, but from the way the townspeople talk, he is one of the sweetest, most caring men in Drago. If anyone needs anything, Gio does everything he can to get it for them or help them out. He has helped most of the businesses in Drago prepare and open, and he risks discovery to take some of the people’s handmade goods into the Boulevard for them to be sold by stores there. Can you imagine having that much heart and having someone force you to do things that ruin others’ lives and families?” Lex asked in wonder.
“I see where you’re going with this Lex, but I asked him what was wrong and he completely ignored me. Then, when Gordy showed up, he calmed down and actually talked to him.” Taco said, knowing his hurt feelings were coming through his tone.
Lex asked curiously, “Taco, have you ever cried?”
Shaking his head, Taco replied, “No. I have teared up, but it is ingrained into all dragons we are not supposed to cry.”
Lex snorted, then said, “Most alpha types are that way and it’s such bullshit. There are times in life that tears are needed. It can help soothe you. It helps activate your PNS…”
“PNS?” Taco asked.
Shaking his head Lex replied, “Hell, I can’t pronounce the real name, but I can tell you it’s part of the nervous system or some shit. Anyway, crying also helps people know you are in need of comfort, or maybe even need someone to talk to. Your tears release oxytocin and endorphins which in turn help the person feel better both physically and mentally…”
“Okay! Okay! I don’t know how you know all that shit, but I get what you’re saying. I should allow myself to cry more.” Taco snapped.
Sighing, Lex replied, “It does more than that, Taco. Crying is like a release mechanism that acts like a cleansing to our souls, and I can tell you about it because I read, Taco. If something makes me question it, I research the hell out of it.”
“Why am I not surprised?” Taco muttered.
“I know you were sleeping when Smoky and I arrived, but I also know that even in sleep you guys are hyperaware of your surroundings. Tell me, Taco, why didn’t you hear us when we arrived?” Lex asked.
Shrugging, Taco softly said, “I don’t know. I was so heartbroken, when I came up here I just wanted to sit back and pretend that everything had been a dream. That Gio and I were still on a picnic and fell asleep, and when I woke up things would be like they had been before, and Gio wasn’t Gio, he was Calvin, the funny man I loved to hear laugh.”
“And that’s my point. If Gio woke up thinking he was alone, what if he thought that you and Cobra were disgusted with him and didn’t want him in your lives. What if he thought that Pit and the others in Drago were going to hate him and Pit was going to force him to leave? He has lived in Drago, hiding from a man who tried to kill him three times. Do you really think he wants to go out there in the world alone? Would anyone want to leave a place they have called home for so long? To leave the people he calls friends? Do you really think he would leave the one place he has felt safe in since he was born? I just don’t see it, Taco. If Gio feels he has to go, it’s because he thinks that’s what everyone wants, not because he wants it for himself.” Lex insisted.
“Do youreallythink that’s it? Do youreallythink he doesn’t want to leave Cobra and me?” Taco asked hopefully.
Nodding, Lex replied, “I know that’s how I would feel about things if I was in the same situation.”
Taco deflated, as he rasped, “But I was such an ass. Cobra wanted to talk with Gio and I… I couldn’t do it. I just couldn’t calmly sit there as he told us he was leaving us and we would never see him again. Cobra said we needed to all calm down so we could communicate without anger, but I… I was so hurt, Lex. I was hurt and angry and I just couldn’t do it. I had to get out of there before I said something I couldn’t take back.”
