Page 29 of Mindeater
He had to get to Salem Winchester and tell him everything he knew.
Swallowing the unease quickly rising inside him, he took the stairs two at a time to the upper floor. He’d just have to sit Saren down and explain. Who he was. Why he was still a prisoner despite living there. What Saren meant to him. Patryn’s plans. All of it.
Fuck, he wanted to throw up.
Selfishly, he had hoped for a bit more time before revealing those things. As much as he wanted freedom, Ryx wanted to keep Saren more. That was why he eased off searching, why he spent most of his spare time with the Telex omega who sent butterflies fluttering in his stomach.
Sometimes, he was content just to watch. He loved how Saren’s nose would scrunch in concentration during his studies or how his lashes kissed his cheeks while he slept. The way Saren’s nimble fingers artfully guided the knitting needle through the thick, soft wool. He loved Saren’s lilac eyes and bubbly laugh.
But he loved Saren’s sadness, too. The way it would consume him completely. Because then it let Ryx be there, slowly pulling him away from the bad place.
They argued like old mates.
They bickered over small things and always found a way to make peace.
Friends through and through, but Ryx wondered if, in another time, another life, perhaps, it would be more by now.
If he could pick one person to stay by his side, it would be Saren. Resilient and kind, soft and sweet, smarter than he had any right to be, and eager to learn more.
Oh hell, who was he fooling? Saren meant everything to him, and it was well past time the boy knew it.
With a sigh, he pushed into the bedroom, fully anticipating it to be empty, but instead found Saren standing in the center of it.
“You’re back already?” he asked, brows furrowing. He was met with unnerving silence and a look he didn’t know how to identify. “Saren?”
His gaze burned Ryx. Anxious flutters burst in his stomach as his instincts woke in a fury.
“I love you,” Saren said. “I have always loved you.”
Ryx froze. Dirt still clung to his knees. He was sweaty from running, hair tangled. He blinked a few times. “W-what?”
Saren shook his head, clenched his fists, and brought them to his eyes. “I said, I love you.”
Pulse racing, Ryx slowly shut the door and approached carefully.
“I will always keep you safe. I will always protect you.”
“I know,” he said, searching the room for a trap or trick. “What’s going on?”
Saren lowered his fists and met Ryx’s confused eyes. “I wanted you to know.” The lilac of his irises stood out, glistening behind gathering tears. Saren’s lower lip trembled along with his chin. “I just wanted you to know,” he croaked.
“Saren…” Ryx rarely touched him. There were often consequences, even if Saren never admitted them. He could see it behind his eyes, feel the static of their opposite abilities clashing. But something screamed at Ryx to take the chance. If he didn’t, he’d regret it.
He could tell Saren later. This was more important. His alpha demanded to comfort his omega.
Reaching forward, Ryx could only brush a single finger over his hand before Saren threw his arms around Ryx’s neck and hugged him tight. A current of energy passed between them, different and slightly uncomfortable, but Ryx ignored it. He banded his arms around Saren’s middle and held him just as tightly. They’d never embraced like this before. His stomach was alight with endless flutters—his heart skipped and jumped around. Saren’s soap coated his skin, along with the lingering salt of sweat. Breathing in the scent that was solely Saren’s, Ryx closed his suddenly damp eyes and clung to the boy who’d broken through every wall he’d erected.
How come they’d never done this before?
Now that Saren was in his arms, he never wanted to let go.
“I would never hurt you on purpose,” Saren whispered through wet hiccups. Fresh tears landed on Ryx’s neck.
“Me either,” Ryx admitted. He knew he should be asking what was wrong, but he didn’t want to ruin the moment.
“Do you love me?” The question was so quiet, Ryx didn’t think he’d heard it.
“Saren…I…”
