“You hit me,” I retorted.
“Yeah, no, thank you.”
“You wanted me to hit you, but refuse to return the favor? Double standards?” He glared playfully, and I laughed. “Come on, do it, love. You won’t hurt me, I promise.”
I dressed quickly because my sweetheart was determined to learn more about his new powers. I encouraged him again to hit me. When he finally swung at my stomach, I intentionally didn't block it, wanting to measure his strength. His punch landed solidly, making me stumble back, groaning in pain. "Fuck."
"Oh, shit. Dagon!" Di rushed forward as I doubled over. "Are you okay? Damn it, I didn't mean to hurt you. Why didn't you block it?"
I caught the shake in his hands when he reached for me.
He wasn't just sorry. He was afraid.
I straightened, slower than I needed to, to make sure he saw I was fine. To make sure his brain didn't get to spend the next hour rehearsing the punch and turning it into what if I'd hit him in the throat. What if my new strength is the next thing my brain uses against him. What if I'm the weapon now, in three new ways instead of one. I could feel the spiral wanting to start through the bond. The thread between us went tight.
I caught his face in both hands.
"Di. Look at me. Look at my eyes. I am fine. I asked you to hit me. I let you. I wanted to know your strength so we could both know your body. You did nothing wrong. Do you hear me?"
He nodded but I felt the tension through the bond.
"Say it back to me. Out loud."
"I did nothing wrong," he whispered.
"Again."
"I did nothing wrong."
"One more."
"I did nothing wrong, Dagon."
I kissed his forehead. The thread loosened. Not all the way. But enough.
"I’m okay, my love. I wanted to see how strong you are. Hell, if you managed this, we can confidently say you're damn strong.”
“Are you sure you’re fine?” he bit his lip anxiously.
“I’m sure.” I kissed him tenderly, feeling him melt into my embrace. “Let’s go back to the house.”
“Okay.”
When we got back there, we tried other things. Di was curious about what else he could do.
“Do you want to try to summon Blue?” I asked.
“The little one who saved my life and who I wanted to kill for not letting me get to you?”
“Yes, that little one who is not little, by the way.”
“I know, I know. Yeah, I want to see him again. How do I try?”
“I feel a unique connection with him, different from ours. He’s a part of me. Try to pinpoint it and call him to you.”
Di closed his eyes and focused. I could tell he was struggling. “I can feel him, I think.”
“We can try later again,” I suggested.
