“It’s them,” I say. “That’s who I saw. It was a mask. The acid just made it look so real.”
“Okay. Let’s get you laid down so you can rest,” Elijah says. “That’s enough for now.”
“Come on,” Jovian says, taking my hand.
When they get me upstairs, I start to go to my room, but Jovian pulls me into his room, and Elijah shuts the door behind us. “You don’t have to babysit me,” I say.
“It’s not babysitting. You have gone through a lot today, and no one deserves to have to sit alone with their thoughts. Do you want to be alone?” Jovian asks.
“No,” I admit.
“Right, so lie down with us,” Elijah says. I move to the bed, and Jovian lies with me while Elijah slips under the covers behind me.
“I feel stupid for needing support,” I admit quietly. Jovian gently lifts my chin before cupping my face.
“You are not stupid, Ari. We want to bring you peace,” he says.
“Can I ask you something?”
“You can,” he says.
“Did you two hear… You looked at me like you knew,” I say vaguely. “I rushed back before everyone because… I felt like I was going to get made fun of.”
“Yes,” Jovian says. “We heard all of the moans and whimpers… You tried to be discreet, but it turns out that we are a little bit perverted.”
“Did you…”
“Elijah didn’t know I had been in there and opened the door to see if you were okay,” Jovian says.
“I regret asking. I don’t know why I asked. Just pretend…” I start to say.
“Pretend it didn’t take every ounce of self-control to not go in there and help?” Jovian asks. “Pretend like we haven’t wanted to take you between us and show you exactly what it’s like to be taken care of?”
“Jovi… you don’t want me,” I say. “I’m far too broken to…”
He shuts me up by leaning into my body and kissing me hard. Elijah presses his hips into me, and I groan when I feel his erection. “Ari, you are not broken,” Jovian says as I keep my eyes closed.
“Please, don’t fuck with my head,” I whisper.
“Someone told us we needed to be blunt with you, so I’m going to be blunt,” he tells me. “I would give anything to be inside of you, but I’d give everything to be able to call you mine. We like you a lot, and we are so damn obsessed with you.”
“Why?” I ask.
“Because you don’t just go with the flow. You are strong and determined. No matter what has been thrown at you, you’ve found a way around it. You have literal brain damage, but that doesn’t stop you. Knowing that you can stand on your own two feet and push us to be better versions of ourselves tomorrow than we are today… It’s so goddamn attractive… You are beautiful when you have that bratty little frown on your face, but when you smile, it lights up the fucking room. Your laugh is contagious, and I could not imagine being anywhere else but right here. I know we have only known you for a day, but I will literally get on my knees and beg you for even a shred of a chance to be close to you in any capacity.”
“A part of me thinks this is just some sick trick to prove that I’m a puck bunny,” I say.
“If you were, you would have let those four men fuck you, because they would in a heartbeat,” Elijah says, kissing my shoulder.
“I am because I would let it happen. The six of you have treated me with more kindness than anyone else ever has, even before the incident… I was never the type to fuck around, but there’s something about y’all that draws me in,” I say. “But it’s different with you two… laying here feels normal… safe. I never feel safe, but when I woke up from that nightmare and the two of you held me until I calmed down… I don’t have the willpower to walk away from you,” I say. “Knowing I would have to choose one, I chose no one… I can’t destroy the bond that you all have. I would rather be alone than be the reason friendships failed.”
“Sweet Ari,” Jovian says with a smile. “You know what the difference between you and Jenny is?”
“What?” I ask quietly.
“She wanted us to fight over her… You just want all of us,” he says, slowly lowering his hand until he slips his hand into my panties. “She wanted us to fight until one was left standing… but you…”
“Oh God!” I gasp when he gently rubs my clit.
