Cecil had, of course, snorted and called him out on his bullshit. Why lie? Just come out and say that Sin didn't want to see him—didn’t want him around.
Scrubbing his face, Cecil groaned. Why the hell was the man pushing him away? Cecil didn’t get it. Had he done something wrong? What mistake had he made? There had to be something. Had this…whole thing been a mistake?
Or more likely, Sin had finally realized what Cecil had known all along, that he could do better. But such an abrupt change didn’t make sense.
Cecil bit his lip and a whimper slipped out—did Sin just not want him anymore?
Grinding his fists into his temples, Cecil growled in frustration, “Stop it! Just fucking stop it.”
Come on, Cecil, you can do this. Think happy thoughts.
Sure, he wasn’t perfect, but Sin knew that. He was being stupid, Cecil needed to stop speculating.
Maybe Jekyll hadn’t lied. Maybe Sin did just hate being seen when weak. Yeah, that had to be it. Cecil didn’t enjoy being around people when he was hurt either.
Besides, Sin said he liked him. Well, Sin had said he had strong emotions for him—or something along those lines.
Until Sin said otherwise, Cecil would hold onto those words as truth. Breathing in deeply through his nose, he held it in for a few seconds before slowly letting it out. “Sin likes me. Sin likes me,” Cecil repeated to himself, hoping to banish all of his doubts.
“It will be fine.” Everything would be fine. For fuck’s sake, Sin was injured, it was assholish of him to even be mad.
Sin would explain, Cecil would pout, Sin would apologize, and then Cecil would ‘reluctantly’ forgive him. Sexy-time may possibly follow. Because that was what most couples did after a fight, right? Hopefully…
With that settled, other ugly thoughts reared their head. Like the fact that, besides Sin and the twins, everyone here looked down on him. The rude bastards hadn’t even attempted to hide how they felt.
Apparently, they had found out he had been a hustler. Some people were just so sensitive about thievery—sheesh, it wasn’t like he murdered someone.
Oh, well, Cecil was pretty used to such treatment. So, not a big deal.
Though it would have been nice to not have to deal with those attitudes at school, as well. Cecil was almost positive that a good percentile of the students at his school hated him.
Some of the kids had tried to talk to him at first, but the conversations had left Cecil feeling awkward. The things they discussed…they were so normal. Not just normal, but unimportant. For instance, who was currently popular in school, the latest celebrity break-up, or—Cecil shuddered—fashion.
Really, who the fuck cared?! They caught on quickly that he sure as hell didn’t. Cecil could only fake interest for so long. Which is why it was partly his fault that they had stopped talking to him. Again, oh, well.
Sin’s hand was shaking when he knocked on the door. He would be lucky if Cecil didn’t slam it in his face—if the man opened it at all.
He would have come sooner, but Sin had been stuck in his beast form for twenty-four hours. During the three days after, he had been fighting off the leftover aggression, and the other side effects of changing back.
Cecil opened the door and peered up at him.
“Can we talk?” he rasped.
The man stepped back without a word. Walking in, Sin shut the door behind him.
“Please, forgive me, Cecil.” He pulled roses and a gift bag from behind his back. “I know my actions hurt you, which is the last thing I wanted. But?—”
“Why did you then?” Cecil asked, his eyes sad.
He still lacked the confidence to tell Cecil the truth, but he couldn’t find it in himself to lie outright. Sighing, he walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, laying the gifts down.
Sin opened his arms. “Come here.” Cecil hesitated, and he added, “Please.” When in reach, Sin pulled Cecil between his legs and took the man’s hands in his.
Cecil’s face pinched and again he asked, “Why?”
“I…” Sin cleared his throat. “I am affected by an anomaly that prevents me from healing as I should. For me to heal from serious wounds, I’m required to do certain things that leave me in a state that, in all honesty, puts those around me in danger. I am not myself during those times.” Quite a few details had been left out, but it was not exactly a lie. “I did not mean to make you feel as if I didn’t need you. But your safety comes first, and I was afraid that if you stayed, I would unintentionally hurt you.”
“That doesn’t…I mean, you wouldn’t hurt me! You’re not like that!” Cecil protested.
