Garridan had never said anything like that to him before. Sage always thought he understood him, but he was wrong.
“I can’t just stop, Garridan. Feelings don’t work that way. You might be made of stone and can just shut off an emotion whenever you want, but I can’t. Let me go.” Sage stood, missing Garridan’s touch the second it left him.
“If I tell you I’m coming back, then I’m coming back.”
“What if they have a weapon?”
“I’manticipating that.”
“What if there’s more of them than you think, and they take you again.” There, he’d said it. That was his biggest fear.
“I made a mistake the last time. I won’t this time.”
“You’re making a mistake this time too.”
“I have to go and take care of this problem before it gets bigger.”
“Well, you also have a problem here and if you go then it will get bigger.” Sage crossed his arms over his chest as if that alone proved his point.
Garridan didn’t even flinch, which was maddening.
Sage’s anger built with each minute that passed in silence. Garridan wouldn’t break eye contact and Sagecouldn’tor he’d lose the damn argument.
Garridan was going to go anyway, no matter what Sage said. He saw it in his eyes.
The clan needs me to protect it. It’s a mistake not to go, baby. I think you know that.
Fuck.
“Will you just acknowledge that I love you and I worry about your safety? That’s all I want.” Sage was the first to break.
“I know.” Garridan stood and took a couple of steps to get to him. Garridan took Sage’s face in his hands and stared into his eyes for long minutes. “You are more important to me than anything or anyone. I love you too.” Then Garridan projected to Sage,I will never be more than a thought away from you.
Oh. Oh gods, Sage hadn’t thought of that.Yeah, I forgot. I’m sorry for being weird.
Garridan grinned. “I expected you to be weird.”
Sage spluttered, choking on the surprise. When Sage recovered, he scowled and reached out, pinching Garridan’s nipple.
Garridan let out a surprised laugh and covered his nipple with his hand.
Sage pulled away. “Well, I was going to suck your dick before you left, but you just ruined that for yourself, buddy,” Sage lied. He was too distraught with Garridan’s leaving to think about anything else, but since the words were out of his mouth, he wished he had made that happen. It would have been fun.
“Did Garridan seriously just laugh?” Lucas asked as he came into the room.
“Yeah, but don’t tell anyone. It will ruin his menacing reputation.” Sage hugged Garridan.
Garridan’s arms came around him again and Sage melted. “I suppose I deserve that.”
“Yes. If I’m weird then you’re menacing.”
“You’re perfect.”
Before Sage had a chance to reply, Bennett came into the room. “We ready to go?”
“Yes.”
Garridan kissed Sage and then let him go. Sage’s heart burned just a little bit more. His mouth dried up, stealing the breath from his lungs. He wanted to take big gulps of air into himself but held back. He’d gladly die if it meant keeping Garridan safe. It was as Garridan, Bennett, and Owen were walking out of the back door that it dawned on Sage that it was wrong of him to steal Garridan’s focus. Garridan needed his complete attention on staying safe, so he could come back to Sage in one piece. He kept his distress as hidden as he possibly could and watch Garridan get undressed, so he could shift.
