8. A Night to Remember

8

A Night to Remember

Roman

H is heart was pounding and his palms sweating as he took in his reflection. He barely recognized the man staring back at him, the man in the crisp, tailored suit and the dark, polished shoes that gleamed in the soft, golden light of his bedroom.

He had never been one for dressing up, for putting on airs or trying to impress. But tonight was different. Tonight was special, a chance to show Merin just how much he meant to him, how much he wanted to make this thing between them work.

And so he had pulled out all the stops, had spent hours agonizing over every detail of his outfit, his hair, his cologne. He wanted to look perfect, to be perfect, for the man who had captured his heart so completely, so irrevocably.

As he reached the bottom of the stairs, he heard a soft, playful wolf whistle from the living room. He looked up to see Adrian and Benjamin, cuddled together on the couch with matching grins on their faces.

"Look at you, all dressed up and ready to sweep Merin off his feet. I never thought I'd see the day when you put on a suit and tie for anything less than a royal summons." Adrian drawled, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Roman rolled his eyes, trying to hide the blush that crept up his neck at the good-natured ribbing. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up, you two. Just because some of us have better things to do than sit around canoodling all day…"

Benjamin chuckled, nestling closer into Adrian's side. "Oh, we're not laughing at you, Roman. We're just… admiring the view. And maybe feeling a little envious, too. It's not every day that we get to see our resident tough guy all soft and romantic."

Roman huffed, feeling a warmth spreading through his chest at the affectionate teasing. "Yeah, well, don't get used to it. This is a one-time thing, a special occasion. And if either of you breathes a word of it to anyone else…"

"Our lips are sealed," Adrian said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "But seriously, Roman… we're happy for you. For both of you. You and Merin… you're good for each other. And you deserve this, deserve to be happy and in love and all that sappy stuff that makes life worth living."

"Thanks, man," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "That… that means a lot, coming from you."

Adrian smiled, a soft, understanding thing that made Roman's heart ache with gratitude and affection. "Anytime, Roman. Anytime at all. Now go on, get out of here. Don't keep your man waiting any longer than you already have."

Roman grinned, feeling a sudden, giddy rush of excitement and anticipation washing over him. "I won't," he said, his voice filled with a quiet, unwavering determination. "And I won't come back until I've shown Merin just how amazing he really is, just how much he means to me."

"That's the spirit," Benjamin said, his eyes shining with pride and encouragement. "And Roman? Don't forget to use protection, okay? We don't need any little bear-fae hybrids running around just yet."

Roman choked, his eyes widening in shock and embarrassment. "I… that's not… we're not…"

But Adrian and Benjamin just laughed, their faces split wide with mirth and mischief. "Relax, Roman," Adrian said, shaking his head in fond exasperation. "We're just messing with you. But seriously… have fun tonight, okay? Let yourself be happy, be in the moment. You've earned it, more than anyone I know."

Roman took a deep breath, feeling the last of his nerves and doubts melting away in the face of his friends' love and support. "I will," he said, his voice filled with a quiet, unwavering conviction. "I promise."

And with that, he turned and walked out the door, his heart full and his step light as he made his way to the car Adrian had so generously loaned him for the evening.

He had never been much for driving, had always preferred the speed and convenience of portals and magic.

As he slid behind the wheel, he felt the thrum of the engine beneath his fingertips. he couldn't help but smile, a soft, incredulous thing that spoke of wonder and disbelief and the sheer, unbridled joy of being alive.

Because for the first time in longer than he could remember he felt free. Free to love, free to dream, free to be the man he had always known he could be.

He pulled into the little flower shop on the edge of town, the one run by the pixie sisters who always seemed to know just what he needed, even before he did. And as he stepped inside, as the sweet, heady scent of blooms and blossoms washed over him like a gentle wave he felt a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, a warmth spreading through his chest that had nothing to do with the balmy evening air.

A voice trilled from behind the counter, musical and mischievous all at once. "Look who it is, sisters. Roman is all dressed up and looking like he's about to sweep someone off their feet."

Roman chuckled, shaking his head in fond exasperation as he made his way over to the counter. "Evening, ladies," he said, his voice warm and filled with affection. "I'm hoping you can help me out with something special tonight."

The pixies exchanged a knowing glance, their eyes twinkling with mirth and understanding. "Say no more, handsome," the eldest sister said, already flitting around the shop and gathering blooms in her delicate, iridescent hands. "We've got just the thing for your big date with a certain green-eyed seer."

"Thanks, ladies," he said, his voice rough with emotion as he accepted the bouquet they pressed into his hands. "I owe you one."

The sisters just smiled, their faces soft and filled with a quiet, knowing joy. "You don't owe us a thing, Roman," the youngest said, her voice like the tinkling of wind chimes in a gentle breeze. "Just go out there and make that boy of yours feel like the luckiest man in the world. That's payment enough for us."

"I will," he said, his voice filled with a quiet, unwavering conviction. "I promise."

And with that, he turned and walked out of the shop, the bouquet clutched tightly in his hand and his heart full to bursting with love and gratitude and the sheer, unbridled joy of being alive.

The drive to Merin's house was a blur, a whirlwind of anticipation and excitement and the kind of bone-deep happiness that made everything else fade away into the background. And as he pulled up to the little cottage on the edge of town, as he saw the warm, golden light spilling out from the windows.

He took a deep breath, squaring his shoulders and adjusting his grip on the bouquet as he made his way up the little stone path to Merin's front door. And as he raised his hand to knock, as he felt the butterflies in his stomach and the pounding of his heart in his ears.

The door swung open, and he saw Merin standing there in the soft, golden light of the entryway. Roman felt his breath catch in his throat, his heart stuttering to a stop and then racing to catch up as he took in the sight before him.

Merin was breathtaking. Stunning. A vision in a tailored black suit that hugged every line and curve of his lean, muscular frame like a second skin. His hair was tousled just so, his green eyes bright and sparkling with a mixture of nerves and excitement that made Roman's heart ache with tenderness and desire.

"Wow," he breathed, his voice barely above a whisper as he drank in the sight of the man he loved. "Merin, you look… you look incredible."

Merin ducked his head, a blush staining his cheeks as he fidgeted with the cuffs of his sleeves. "Thanks," he said, his voice soft and filled with a shy, pleased warmth that made Roman's heart skip a beat. "You don't look so bad yourself."

Roman grinned, feeling a rush of pride and pleasure at the compliment. He knew he looked good, knew that he had put in the effort to make this night special, to show Merin just how much he meant to him.

But to hear it from Merin's lips, to see the appreciation and the heat in those green eyes as they raked over his form. It was everything he had ever wanted, everything he had ever dreamed of and more.

"These are for you," he said, holding out the bouquet with a flourish. "I know it's a little cliché, but I couldn't resist. They reminded me of your eyes, of the way they sparkle when you're happy or excited about something."

Merin's blush deepened, his fingers brushing against Roman's as he accepted the flowers with a soft, wondering smile. "They're beautiful," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "Thank you, Roman. For the flowers, for… for all of this."

And with that, he tugged Merin close, wrapping his arms around the seer's waist and pressing a soft, sweet kiss to his lips. It was a promise, a vow, a pledge of love and devotion and the kind of unshakable bond that could weather any storm, any challenge that life could throw their way.

And as they broke apart, as they made their way hand in hand to the car and the evening that awaited them.

* * *

The drive to the restaurant was a blur of laughter and teasing and the kind of easy, comfortable silence.

And as Roman held Merin's hand over the console, as he felt the warmth and the weight of it in his own… he knew that he would never, ever let go. Not for anything, not for anyone, not for all the riches and wonders the world had to offer.

As they pulled up to the restaurant, nestled right on the sandy shores of Willowbrook's breathtaking coastline, Roman felt a sense of excitement, of anticipation, thrumming through his veins like a live wire. The warm, golden light spilling out from the windows and the silhouettes of Peter and James moving behind the curtains seemed to beckon them closer, a siren's call of good food, great company, and the promise of a night they would never forget.

The restaurant itself was a thing of beauty, all gleaming glass and weathered wood that seemed to blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings. It was the kind of place that felt both elegant and effortless, a testament to Peter and James' impeccable taste and their dedication to creating an atmosphere that was as warm and inviting as it was stylish and refined.

And as they stepped inside, as they were greeted by James' warm smile and Peter's playful wink.

"Welcome, gentlemen," James said, his voice rich and filled with a quiet, knowing joy. "Your table is ready, and Peter has outdone himself with the menu tonight. I think you're in for a real treat."

Merin's eyes widened, his gaze darting between Roman and the two restaurateurs with a mixture of surprise and delight. "You… you did all this? For me?"

Roman grinned, feeling a rush of pride and pleasure at the wonder, the gratitude, in Merin's voice. "Of course I did," he said, his own voice low and filled with a quiet, unwavering conviction. "I told you, Merin. You're worth every effort, every thought, every moment I spend trying to make you happy. And tonight… tonight is just the beginning."

They took in the breathtaking view of the moonlit ocean and the stars twinkling above, the endless, infinite possibilities that stretched out before them… he let out a soft, incredulous laugh, shaking his head in wonder and disbelief.

"This view… it's incredible, Roman. I can't believe you did all this, can't believe you went to all this trouble just for me."

Roman smiled, his gaze never leaving Merin's face as he reached out to take the seer's hand in his own. "The view is definitely incredible," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, intense emotion that made Merin's breath catch in his throat.

Merin's cheeks flushed, a deep, rosy pink that made Roman's heart skip a beat.

Roman knew, with a bone-deep certainty, that he would spend the rest of his life chasing that sound, that laugh, that perfect, precious moment of joy and wonder and the sheer, unbridled magic of being alive.

"So, tell me about your family," Merin said, his green eyes bright with curiosity and warmth. "I know you don't talk about them much, but I'd love to hear more about where you come from, about the people who helped shape you into the man you are today."

Roman hesitated, a familiar pang of loss and betrayal twisting in his gut. "There's not much to tell," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "My pack… they exiled me, when they found out I was half-fae. Said I didn't belong, that I was a disgrace to everything they stood for."

Merin's face softened with sympathy, with a quiet, aching understanding that made Roman's heart clench in his chest. "I'm so sorry, Roman. That must have been so hard, so painful to go through."

Roman shrugged, trying to play it off like it didn't matter, like it didn't still keep him up at night sometimes, wondering what he could have done differently, how he could have made them see that he was still the same person, still the same loyal, devoted son and brother he had always been.

"It was a long time ago," he said, his voice gruff and distant. "And besides, I've found a new family now, a pack that accepts me for who I am, not just what I am."

Merin smiled, a soft, tender thing that made Roman's heart skip a beat in his chest. "I'm glad," he said, his voice warm and filled with affection. "You deserve that, Roman. Deserve to be loved and cherished and accepted, no matter what."

Roman swallowed hard, feeling a lump forming in his throat at the sincerity, the depth of feeling, in Merin's words. He reached out, taking the seer's hand in his own and running his thumb over the smooth, warm skin in a gentle caress.

"Thank you," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "That… that means more to me than you could ever know."

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, just basking in the warmth and connection of each other's presence. But then Merin's brow furrowed, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.

"Can I ask… which of your parents was fae? Your mother or your father?"

Roman's jaw clenched, a familiar ache rising up in his chest at the mention of his parents. "My mother," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, aching grief. "She… she died, giving birth to me. I never got to know her, never got to see her face or hear her voice."

Merin's eyes filled with tears, a soft, sympathetic sound escaping his lips as he squeezed Roman's hand in a gesture of comfort and support. "I'm so sorry, Roman. I can't even imagine how hard that must be, to grow up without a mother's love, a mother's guidance."

Roman nodded, blinking back the sudden, unwelcome sting of tears. "It was hard," he admitted, his voice rough and raw with emotion. "But my father… he always made sure I knew how much she loved me, how much she wanted me. He used to tell me stories about her, about how kind and beautiful and fucking amazing she was."

He paused, a wistful smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I wish I could have met her, could have seen for myself the woman who captured my father's heart so completely. But in a way… in a way, I feel like I know her, through him. Through the love he still carries for her, even after all these years."

Merin smiled, a soft, understanding thing that made Roman's heart ache with gratitude and affection. "That's beautiful, Roman. And I'm sure, wherever she is… she's so proud of you, of the man you've become. The kind of man who loves with his whole heart, who fights for what he believes in and never gives up, no matter how hard things get."

Roman swallowed hard, feeling a sudden, overwhelming rush of emotion washing over him. He wanted to believe Merin's words, wanted to believe that his mother was out there somewhere, watching over him and guiding his steps. But there was still a part of him, a small, lonely part, that wondered if she would have been disappointed in him, in the choices he had made and the man he had become.

"I hope so," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I hope she knows… knows that everything I do, everything I am… it's all for her. For the love she gave me, even if it was only for a little while."