25. Chapter Twenty- Three
Chapter Twenty- Three
Xena
I open my eyes and stretch to find a sleeping Roman slouched in the hospital chair. "Ro," I croak out, my voice weak and scratchy. Immediately, he jumps to his feet with a wince, pain evident in his movements. He’s hurt. I begin to sit up, but he shakes his head in disapproval.
"No, rest." He moves closer, pulling me into a hug, his warmth surrounding me in an embrace that feels like home. "Vik," I mutter as memories of that night start flooding back, the terror, the blood. Tears pool in my eyes as I remember how close I came to dying, and just how much I wanted to live. "Ro," I sob into his chest, my fingers gripping his hoodie as if he’s the only thing tethering me to this world.
"I’m here," he says softly, rubbing my back in soothing circles. "I’ve got you."
"I want to go home," I whisper, my voice shaking.
"We will," he reassures me, but no, he doesn’t understand. I need to go home.
"He’s gone. You’re safe," Roman murmurs into my hair. "He won’t find you. I killed him." His words send a shiver down my spine, the weight of them both a comfort and a cold reality. He pulls back slightly, his hand brushing a few stray hairs from my face. As always, my hair is perfectly braided, a small thing that grounds me in this chaos. "You’re safe," he repeats, his greenish-hazel eyes locked on mine, searching for something.
"Why?" I ask, my voice barely a whisper.
Roman takes a deep breath and sits beside me, his eyes clouded with something—guilt, maybe. "He was Golden Boy’s brother. I killed his brother, and he waited for me to get out... to kill you." His words are blunt, honest, a punch to the gut. Confusion grips me. Steven had a brother? How did I not know? But then again, I never paid much attention to him. He didn’t matter, not really. He was just a pawn in a sick game to make Roman jealous. Guilt claws at my chest, understanding Vik’s hatred. I deserved it. I wasn’t a good person, and fuck, Vik was Steven’s brother, and I didn’t even notice.
"What day is it?" I ask, the weight of everything settling in. He’s already dressed in his regular clothes—black hoodie, black beanie, dark jeans, and his worn Doc Martens. It’s like nothing ever changed, like he’s the same Roman from ten years ago, not the man who just killed to save me.
"Merry Christmas, little snake," he grins, pulling a small box from his hoodie pocket. He opens it to reveal a delicate silver necklace, a snake wrapped around a rose, beautifully crafted. The tears fall harder now, a floodgate torn open, and my emotions pour out uncontrollably. For the first time in years, I want to live. I want to feel . And it’s overwhelming, allowing myself to feel everything I’ve spent so long trying to numb. Almost dying made me realize not only do I love Roman, but I want more time. I want to love, I want to live, I want to feel. I’m fucking ready for it. Almost dying be damned—I’m alive , and my forever starts now. Christmas used to mean death to me, but now it’s rebirth. A phoenix rising from the ashes.
"I want to go home," I whisper again as he places the necklace around my neck.
"Whatever you want. I signed myself out. I’m sure you can do the same." And so I will.
After he clasps the necklace and devours my lips, he steps out to let the nurse know I want to leave. Surprisingly, being known as Cedarvale’s resident junkie and killer next to me, they don’t oppose letting me sign out. I end up waiting on Roman, though. He said it was important, so I nap while he sorts everything out.