16. Missing You

16

Missing You

Roman

" F or gods sake," he grumbled, yanking his hand back as a spark zapped his fingertips. "I'm a fighter, not an electrician. Why the hell did I volunteer for this again?"

James, who was watching him from the distance, just chuckled and shook his head. "Because you love your dad, you big softie. And because you're too damn stubborn to admit when you're in over your head."

Roman shot him a glare, but there was no real heat behind it. James was right, after all. He did love his dad, more than anything in this world or any other. And he was stubborn, to a fault and then some.

He looked around at the cozy little house that Adrian and James had built for his father, at the warm, inviting space that was just waiting to be filled with laughter and love and the kind of bone-deep contentment that came from having a place to call your own.

He couldn't help but feel a swell of pride, of gratitude, of sheer, unbridled joy at the thought of giving his father the kind of life he'd always deserved. The kind of life that had been stolen from him, all those years ago, when the pack turned their backs and cast them out into the cold, unforgiving world.

"You doing okay over there, son?" his father called out from the kitchen, his voice warm and filled with the kind of quiet, unwavering love that never failed to make Roman's heart ache in the best possible way. "Need any help?"

Roman bit back a groan, his fingers tangling in a particularly stubborn knot of wires. "Nah, I got it. You just sit back and relax, let us handle the heavy lifting."

His father chuckled, the sound like honey and sunshine and the first warm breeze of spring. "If you say so, Roman."

"Thanks," he grumbled.

His father just smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners in that way that always made Roman feel like he was five years old again, safe and loved and cherished beyond measure. "You do that, son. And in the meantime, how about some tea to keep you boys going? I've got a fresh pot brewing, and it smells like heaven itself."

Roman's eyebrows shot up, surprise and amusement warring on his face. "Tea? Since when do you drink tea, old man? I thought you were strictly a coffee and whiskey kind of guy."

His father just shrugged, a wry grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "What can I say? I'm full of surprises. And besides, when you get to be my age, you learn to appreciate the finer things in life. Like a good cup of tea, and the company of the people you love most in this world."

"Well, in that case, I'll take a cup. Extra sugar, extra cream, and make it snappy. I've got a house to rewire and a reputation to uphold, after all."

His father just laughed, shaking his head in fond exasperation as he disappeared back into the kitchen. "Coming right up, your highness. Wouldn't want to keep the mighty Roman Blackwood waiting, now would we?"

Roman just grinned, turning back to the tangled mess of wires in front of him with renewed determination. He might not have been an electrician, might not have had the first clue what he was doing when it came to this kind of thing.

But he was a Blackwood, damn it. And Blackwoods didn't quit, didn't give up, didn't let a little thing like complete and utter incompetence stand in the way of getting the job done.

"Alright, you little bastards," he muttered, glaring at the wires like they were a personal affront to his very existence. "Let's dance."

And with that, he dove back in. Twisting and turning, untangling and reconnecting, cursing up a storm and getting zapped more times than he cared to admit.

He looked up, as he caught sight of Adrian and James grinning at him from across the room, their faces smudged with dirt and their eyes bright with mischief.

"Hey, Adrian!" he called out, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "Bet you a week's worth of dish duty that I can get this wiring sorted before you can finish putting up that drywall."

Adrian just snorted, rolling his eyes in that way he had that somehow managed to convey both fondness and complete and utter exasperation all at once. "In your dreams, Blackwood. I've seen you try to work with tools, and it ain't pretty. You're better off sticking to what you're good at, like brooding and flexing your muscles for Merin."

Roman gasped, clutching at his chest in mock offense. "How dare you, sir! I'll have you know that these muscles are a finely tuned instrument, honed by years of training and discipline and sheer, unbridled awesomeness."

James just laughed, shaking his head as he reached over to pat Roman on the shoulder. "Keep telling yourself that, buddy. Maybe one day, it'll actually be true."

Roman scowled, but he couldn't quite keep the grin from tugging at the corners of his mouth. This… this was what he lived for. The banter and the teasing, the laughter and the love that flowed between them all like a river, like a song.

"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up, chuckleheads. We'll see who's laughing when I'm done with this wiring and you're all still trying to figure out which end of the hammer to hold."

And with that, he turned back to his work. Back to the tangled mess of wires and circuits, the sparks and the curses and the sheer, unbridled frustration of it all.

Roman heard a knock at the door, followed by the sound of footsteps and the low murmur of voices in the hallway. He looked up, his brow furrowing in confusion and curiosity.

"Who could that be?" he wondered aloud, setting down his tools and wiping his hands on his jeans. "I thought we were the only ones crazy enough to be working on a Saturday."

But as he rounded the corner and caught sight of the newcomer, his face split into a grin of pure, unadulterated delight. Because there, standing in the doorway with a smile on his face was Peter.

"Peter!" he called out, striding forward to clap the man on the back in a gesture of welcome and affection. "What brings you to our little corner of the world on this fine, sweaty day?"

Peter chuckled, shaking his head as he returned Roman's embrace with a warmth and a sincerity that never failed to make him feel welcome.

"Oh, you know me, Roman. I couldn't stay away from this one for too long," he said, tilting his head towards James with a look of pure, unabashed adoration. "Plus, I figured you boys could use a little moral support. And maybe a fire extinguisher or two, from what I hear."

Roman groaned, rolling his eyes in mock exasperation. "Oh, come on, it wasn't that bad! A little smoke, a few sparks…nothing a big, strong, manly man like myself couldn't handle."

James snorted, his eyes twinkling with mirth and mischief. "Yeah, keep telling yourself that, Blackwood. I saw the way you jumped when that last wire zapped you. You screamed like a little girl and everything."

Roman gasped, clutching at his chest in feigned outrage. "Lies and slander, sir! I'll have you know that my scream was a very manly, very dignified yelp of surprise. Nothing girly about it, no sir."

Peter laughed, shaking his head as he reached out to pat Roman on the shoulder. "Whatever you say, tough guy. But listen, as much as I hate to break up this little lovefest. I actually came here for a reason."

Roman raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Oh? And what might that be?"

Peter's expression sobered, his eyes filling with a quiet, serious intensity that made Roman's heart skip a beat in his chest. "It's Merin, Roman. I think…I think you need to go to him, need to check on him and make sure he's okay."

Roman felt his blood run cold, a sudden, sharp spike of fear and worry lancing through his gut like a knife. "Merin? What…what's wrong with him? Is he hurt, is he in trouble?"

Peter shook his head, his hand tightening on Roman's shoulder in a gesture of comfort and reassurance. "No, no, nothing like that. It's just something happened, Roman. Something that spooked him, that shook him up in a way I've never seen before."

Roman swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry and his palms damp with sweat. "What happened? "

Peter hesitated, his eyes filled with a quiet, aching concern. "I…I think that's something you need to hear from Merin himself, Roman. It's not my story to tell."

Roman nodded, his jaw clenching with a fierce, protective determination.

He turned to his father. "I'm sorry, but I have to go. I have to…"

"I know, son. I know. Your mate needs you, and there's nothing in this world or any other that could keep you from his side."

He reached the house in record time, his chest heaving and his heart pounding as he fumbled with the key, as he practically fell through the door in his haste to get inside.

And there, in the quiet, shadowed stillness of the living room…

He heard it. The sound of Merin's voice, raw and broken and filled with a fear and a pain that made Roman's blood run cold and his stomach twist with a sickening, churning dread.

He was on the stairs in an instant, taking them two at a time as he raced towards the bedroom, towards the source of the sound that had become the center of his universe, the guiding star that led him home.

And as he burst through the door, as he saw Merin thrashing and writhing on the bed, his face twisted in a mask of terror and agony.

He felt his heart shatter into a million pieces, felt his very soul cry out with the need to take away the pain, to chase away the demons that haunted his lover's dreams and make everything okay again.

"Merin," he whispered, his voice hoarse and raw with emotion as he fell to his knees beside the bed. "Merin, baby, it's me. It's Roman. I'm here, I've got you."

He reached out, his hands gentle but firm as he took hold of Merin's shoulders, as he tried to still the frantic, desperate movements that threatened to send them both tumbling to the floor.

Merin's eyes fluttered open. Green and gold and filled with a fear and a confusion that made Roman's heart ache with a fierce, protective love.

"R-Roman?" he whispered, his voice small and lost and filled with a desperate, aching hope. "Is…is that really you?"

Roman nodded, his throat tight and his eyes stinging with tears. "It's me, baby. It's really me. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere."

And then Merin was in his arms, his face buried in Roman's chest and his whole body shaking with the force of his sobs. Roman held him close, murmuring soft words of comfort and love and sheer, unbridled devotion.

"Shh, it's okay, baby. It's okay. I've got you, I'm here. You're safe now, you're home."

They stayed like that for a long time, wrapped up in each other's arms and lost in the warmth and the love and the sheer, unbridled magic of the moment.

But eventually, Merin's sobs began to quiet, his breathing began to even out and the shaking in his limbs started to subside.

And as he pulled back, as he looked up at Roman with eyes that were red and swollen but filled with a love and a gratitude that took the half-fae's breath away…

Roman knew that he had to ask. Had to know what happened, what could have shaken his strong, brave, unshakable mate to his very core.

"Merin," he said softly, his hand coming up to cup the seer's cheek with a tenderness that made them both shiver and sigh with the rightness of it. "What…what happened, baby? What did you see, what did you dream that could scare you so badly?"

Merin swallowed hard, his eyes filling with a distant, haunted look that made Roman's heart clench and his stomach twist with dread.

"I…I don't know, Roman. I don't know how to explain it, how to put it into words that won't make me sound like a madman or a fool."

Roman shook his head, his thumb stroking gently over the soft, warm skin of Merin's cheek. "You could never sound like a madman to me, baby. Never. Whatever it is, whatever you saw…I'm here. I'm listening, and I believe in you with every ounce of my being."

Merin nodded, his eyes fluttering closed as he leaned into Roman's touch, as he let himself be held and comforted and loved with a fierce, unwavering devotion.

"I think I need a shower first, Roman. Need to wash away this away."

Roman nodded, his heart aching with the need to take away the pain, to chase away the shadows that lingered in his lover's eyes and make everything okay again.

"Of course, baby. Of course. Whatever you need, whatever it takes to make you feel better, feel safe."

And then, before Merin could protest, before he could insist that he was fine, that he could handle it on his own…

Roman scooped him up in his arms, lifting him off the bed like he weighed nothing at all. Merin let out a squeak of surprise, his eyes wide and his cheeks flushed with a sudden, burning heat.

"Roman! What are you doing?" Merin's voice was a mix of confusion and breathless excitement.

Roman's grin widened. "Taking care of you, baby. Showing you how much I missed you, and how much I need you."

He carried Merin into the bathroom, kicking the door shut behind them with a satisfying thud. As he set Merin down on the cool, tiled floor, Roman reached out to turn on the water, letting the steam fill the room. The promise of something more hung in the air, thick and palpable. Roman's gaze never left Merin's as he stripped off his own clothes, his movements deliberate and unhurried.

Merin watched him, his breath coming in shallow gasps, his mind racing. Roman's touch, his presence, was intoxicating, and Merin felt his body respond, heat pooling in his belly and spreading lower. He couldn't tear his eyes away from Roman, couldn't stop the flood of thoughts and emotions that crashed through him. Roman had always been like this—stoic, stubborn, and so damned sure of himself.

Roman stepped into the shower, the water cascading over his muscled frame, and held out a hand to Merin. "Come here," he said, his voice low and commanding.

Merin hesitated for just a moment before stepping forward, letting Roman pull him under the warm spray. The water was hot, almost scalding, but it felt good—cleansing, invigorating. Roman's hands were on him, sliding over his wet skin, and Merin felt himself relax into the touch, his earlier protests forgotten.

Roman's hands were rough and demanding, but there was a tenderness in his movements that Merin couldn't ignore. He cupped Merin's face, tilting it up so their eyes met. "I've missed you so much," Roman murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "You have no idea."

Merin's heart skipped a beat, his pulse quickening. "I missed you too," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the sound of the water.

Roman's lips crashed down on Merin's, and any further words were lost in the intensity of the kiss. It was fierce and passionate, a claiming, a reminder of everything they had been through together and everything they still were. Roman's tongue explored Merin's mouth, and Merin moaned, his hands clinging to Roman's shoulders for support.

Roman's hands roamed over Merin's body, touching, caressing, memorizing every inch of him. He pressed Merin against the cool tiles, the contrast in temperature sending shivers down Merin's spine. Roman's touch was relentless, his need palpable, and Merin felt his own desire spiral out of control.

"God, I need you," Roman groaned, his breath hot against Merin's ear. "I need you so fucking bad."

Merin's head was spinning, his thoughts a jumbled mess. "Then take me," he whispered, his voice trembling with need. "Show me."

Roman didn't need to be told twice. He turned Merin around, pressing him against the wall, his hands gripping Merin's hips. Merin gasped at the roughness of Roman's touch, the way his fingers dug into his skin, but it only heightened his arousal. He could feel Roman's cock, hard and insistent, pressing against him, and he pushed back, a low moan escaping his lips.

Roman's hand slid between Merin's thighs, finding his entrance and teasing it. "You're so fucking tight," he muttered, his voice a low growl. "So perfect."

Merin whimpered, his body trembling with need. "Please," he begged, his voice breaking. "Please, Roman."

Roman didn't hesitate. He pushed into Merin, slow and steady, his breath hitching at the tightness that enveloped him. Merin cried out, a mix of pleasure and pain, his hands bracing against the wall. Roman moved, each thrust deliberate and powerful, and Merin felt himself unraveling, his mind going blank as sensation took over.

"Fuck, you feel so good," Roman panted, his movements becoming more urgent. "So fucking good."

Merin couldn't form a coherent thought, let alone words. All he could do was feel—feel the heat of Roman's body, the strength of his thrusts, the way he filled him completely. Roman's name was a litany on his lips, a desperate prayer as he clung to the edge of bliss.

"Roman… please… I'm so close…" Merin's voice was a broken whisper, his body shaking with the force of his impending release.

Roman's hand wrapped around Merin's cock, stroking him in time with his thrusts. "Come for me," he commanded, his voice rough and demanding. "Come for me, baby."

That was all it took. Merin's orgasm ripped through him, his body convulsing with the intensity of it. He cried out, his release splattering against the tiles, his mind lost in a haze of pleasure. Roman followed him over the edge, his own release hitting him like a freight train. He buried himself deep inside Merin, his body shuddering as he found his own release.

They stayed like that for a moment, both of them panting and trembling, the water still pounding down on them. Roman finally pulled out, turning Merin around and kissing him deeply.

They washed each other slowly, the earlier urgency giving way to a tender intimacy. Roman's touch was soothing, and Merin felt himself relax completely for the first time in what felt like forever. When they finally stepped out of the shower, Roman wrapped a towel around Merin, drying him off with care.

"You okay?" Roman asked, his eyes searching Merin's.

Merin nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Yeah. I'm more than okay."