I sit on the bed, holding him in my lap as he cries. “I’m sorry,” he whispers against my skin. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
Tugging at his hair, I pull his head back, staring into his red-rimmed eyes. “Why are you sorry, Piccolo?”
“I…I did evil things, Daddy…” he says miserably, eyes full of tears.
“No,” I reply gently. “No, Little Monster, you didn’t do anything. You saved yourself and Roman.”
“But I?—”
“Hush. I know what you did, and I would have made the same choices in your position. Hell, I would have done worse. You’re amazing. You survived, Emilio. You came home to me and Hol. You brought Roman home to us. I will forgive you for anything, Little Monster, so long as you come home to me.”
“Daddy…”
“I’m here, Baby Boy. It’s okay, I’m here, and I'm not going anywhere, I promise.”
He trembles in my arms and buries his face in my throat again. I let him, holding him as tightly as I dare, aware of just how slim and fragile he feels in my arms.
He eventually goes so still I assume he's fallen asleep. Shifting so I can sit further up on the bed, he clutches at me tightly. “No!” he protests. “I'm not ready for you to go yet.”
“Settle, Baby Boy. I'm not going anywhere, just trying to get more comfortable.” Kicking off my shoes, I shuffle around until I’m leaning against the raised head of the bed and Lio clings to me like a koala the entire time.Is this how Hollis feels when Roman clings to him? If so, I can't say I hate it.
Easing him back so I can see his face, I look into his eyes. The emerald is almost as dark as Roman’s eye color, and I smile a little at that. “I love you, Mostrotto.”
He gasps. “I love you, too, Daddy. I don't deserve you, but I love you, I do.”
“You deserve to have whatever you want, Baby Boy. I won't hear otherwise, understand?”
He nods a little.
Gripping the back of his head, I bring his mouth to mine, kissing him deeply.
Lio lets out a weak laugh. “You taste like blood, Daddy.”
“Do I?” He nods. “You like that?”
“Yes, Daddy.” His eyes darken further.
I grin. “Shall I make you bleed?”
“Please…”
Pulling his mouth back to mine, I kiss him once more, pouring every ounce of anger, fear, and even stupid fucking love into it. I bite at his tongue and lips, sinking my teeth into thedelicate flesh until it gives in to me and I get the first taste of my Baby Boy’s blood.
My cock hardens and Lio moans, though neither of us heat up the kiss, or make any other move to escalate things. Now isn't the time. Not with him still healing—both mentally and physically.
I only pull back so my poor Baby Boy can breathe. His lips are stained with blood, and that dark, possessive part of me lights up at the visual claim.
“You are the best thing I've ever tasted, Little Monster.” I trace my thumb along his bottom lip, catching the blood there.
He watches as I suck it off my finger, his breath hitching. “Whose blood was on your lips before?”
Internally, I sigh. “Benjamin.”
“Oh. Is he…does he hate me? I’m surprised he hasn’t tried to come see me.”
“No, Piccolo. No, he doesn't hate you. He loves you so much. But…he's currently on bedrest. He…tried to hurt himself, using me. When I refused, he ended up getting hurt anyway. I'm so fucking sorry, Baby. It's my fault.”
Lio blinks and shakes his head, confusion filling his eyes. “He…he tried to kill himself, too?”
