~/~/~/~/~
Closing the door, Kieran followed Fionn into the living room, where Theo and Norm were already cuddling on the couch. Grabbing the chair next to Fionn, Kieranasked, “Why are you pissed, Fi? I thought you were only going to be the mediator if Theo and Norm couldn’t agree.”
“That is what he was supposed to do but then he didn’t like me agreeing with Theo on certain questions,” replied Norman.
“Why not?” Kieran asked.
Shrugging, Theo said, “I asked him that, too, but he wouldn’t tell me.”
“Fi,” asked Kieran, “why did that bother you?”
Glaring at Theo and Norm, Fionn snarled, “Because Norman shouldn’t have to give up what he wants. My mother did that her whole life and what the fuck did it ever get her? A happy marriage? No fucking way! My father treated her like a doormat. Norman shouldn’t have to give up anything and if Theo truly loved him, he wouldn’t ask him to do it.”
“Hey, fuck off, Fi! I do love Norman with my whole heart, and I didn’t make him give up anything,” Theo said angrily. Then, looking at his fiancé, continued, “Pooh bear, you don’t think that, do you? You know I love you and would do anything for you, right?”
“Shush, honeybunch,” Norman crooned, wrapping his arms around Theo. “No, of course I don’t think that. I know you love me and I agreed with you because it was important to you and it wasn’t to me. You did the same for me, remember?”
Burying his head in Norman’s neck, Theo nodded, tears beginning to well in his eyes from Fionn’s stinging accusations. He wouldneverdo anything to hurt his pooh bear. Burying his nose behind Norman’s ear, where hismate’s scent was the strongest, Theo sucked in a breath to calm himself.
Tightening his hold on Theo, Norman aimed a ‘fuck you, asshole’ look at the man who was causing his honeybunch pain and, as soon as his Theo felt better, he resolved to show Fionn what he thought of his crap.
Chapter 5
Seeing trouble brewing, Kieran moved next to Norman and laid his hand on Theo’s back, sending lots of love to his friend. Looking at Fionn, he said, “Fi, I understand how you feel, but the love between Norman and Theo is real and has been tested under the worse conditions imaginable. These are two of the strongest men I know because they had to walk through hell to be free to love each other.
“Don’t compare what they have to what happened to your mother. A good relationship is all about compromise. My shaman once said it’s like not minding clearing the table all the time because your partner doesn’t like to. Theo and Norm are like that; both want the other to be happy and are willing to do anything to make it happen.”
“Ki’s right about how it is between Theo and me,” Norman said. “I found it easy to agree with Theo about having cubs because his wishes are important to me.”
“If you say so,” replied Fionn, sullenly.
“Fuck you!” Norman exclaimed.
“Why do you doubt Norm?” Kieran asked Fionn.
Rolling his eyes, Fionn said, “I was there…all he did was agree with Theo about everything. How can you claim that’s love when it’s all one sided?”
Glaring at Fionn, Theo snapped back. “That’s not true. You’re just jealous because no one loves you!”
“I’d rather have that than be a doormat,” retorted Fionn.
“Stop it!” Kieran demanded. “Everyone stop the hate! Haven’t you all had enough of that in your lives?” Staring at each of his friends until they all mumbled ‘sorry’, hecontinued. “Fi, you don’t have the right to judge how they choose to live their lives. If Norm wants to be a doormat…and I not saying he does…then that’s between him and his mate, just as it’ll be between you and yours…to sort everything out.”
“Ha, I’mnevergoing to have a mate,” Fionn murmured.
Kieran studied his friend, feeling the loneliness in his soul and the sadness in his heart. Reaching out, he waited till Fionn took his hand and then sent waves of love to him. “Fi, youwillfind someone who loves you, I just know it. In the meantime, we…me, Theo and Norm…love you and will always be here for you. Always even after you find your mate.”
On the verge of tears, as he listened to Ki, Fionn looked down at their joined hands and saw how firmly his friend was holding on to him, refusing to let go. Through that hand, Fionn felt the love Theo, Norm and Kieran had for him…the love he’d always desperately wanted from his father but never got. Theo was right, hewasjealous of them. Listening to them happily plan their future made him realize how bleak his own life was and fearful things would go badly in court, he doubted it would change for the better.So what did I do? Took itout on my friends…the first friends I ever had…the friends who made me part of their family. How stupid is that!
Hanging onto the lifeline his friends threw him, Fionn squeezed his eyes shut but could not stem the tears that began to fall. He needed the connection to them so badly. Unable to forgive himself for hurting them, the darkness returned, taking from Fionn any hope for the future.
Kieran felt the pain wracking the young dragon. Knowing what he had to do, he pulled Fionn up and, wrapping his arms around his waist, laid the flat of his hands on his back. Standing together, Kieran’s handsgrew warm, filling his friend with love, exorcizing all the darkness from Fionn’s mind, heart, and soul. Kieran smiled, thanking the gods for his gift to help people. Then, as quickly as his hands had heated, they grew cool when Fionn’s darkness had dissipated and his friend was set free.
A small gasp escaped Fionn when Kieran took a step back after hugging him. Staring at his friend, he stood still, searching in vain for the darkness that had enveloped him. Unable to find it, he closed his eyes and tilted his head back, feeling the warmth of love swirling through every fiber of his body. Slowly, the corners of his mouth lifted as he found the hatred gone, along with his guilt about his father’s death. The darkness had turned to light, shining with his mother’s love. The freedom was intoxicating and his dragon, sensing it, pushed against the restraints of Fionn’s body, crying out to be airborne, wings pounding and fire bursting forth as he flew high among the stars.
Promising his dragon they’d fly soon, Fionn lowered his head and opened his eyes so he could see Kieran, said, “I don’t know how it happened, but I know you did it. Thank you for giving me back my mother’s love.” Then, Fionn pulled his friend to him, encompassing him with a hug, murmuring, “I’m so sorry for hurting Theo and Norm. I knew what I was doing but I couldn’t stop. I was hurting so much, I guess I wanted someone else to hurt, too.”
Patting Fionn on the back, Kieran whispered, “I know. I’m glad you’re better but please apologize to Theo. He’s really hurting.”
