Chapter 41
Horatio
Everyone gathered in the kitchen—dining on Stiles’ famous interpretation of coq au vin, while Snake got the rest up to speed about the video. Horatio already had a half-baked plan, but he was keeping it to himself until the time was right.
Or until someone else came up with a better one.
Gunner sat next to him at the counter, thigh pressed against his, still smelling like Professor Westenburg’s aftershave. And sex.
“You really didn’t mind?” Gunner whispered.
“Cupcake, I live for moments like that.”
“So, you don’t think I’m a slut?”
“Oh, I know you’re a slut, and I love you for it.” Gunner’s giggle hit him right in the nads. “We’re all sluts around here. Why do you suppose that is?”
“Because everyone on this ship is hot as hell and horny as fuck?”
“Exactly.” Horatio nipped Gunner’s ear. “The best part was watching you live out one of your fantasies. What other kinky ideas do you have tucked away in that big brain of yours?”
“You sure you want to know? Most of them are absolute filth.”
He was about to beg Gunner for the whole list when Snake’s voice cut across the kitchen, calling them all to the living room.
Forcing him back to reality.
The warmth from Gunner’s body faded as Horatio followed the others. Jokes and sexy banter would have to wait—the whiteboard Seven rolled in from the cockpit commanded attention. Soon, his fate would be scrawled all over it.
Seven read the prophecy as he wrote it out in red block letters.
“A giant of a man known as Horatio Slice will travel from Earth on a ship of silver. Wielding his mighty tool, he will slay the flaming-haired king, ending his madness and uniting the universe in peace and harmony. So, it is written. So, it is done.” Seven paused to snicker.
“I’m sorry, but I find it hilarious that it says you’re going to use your tool to slay the king. ”
“I thought it said ‘guitar’?” Sugar asked.
“Alistar said after they researched me, they assumed it meant guitar. According to the professor, the original word can also mean tool, implement…” Horatio braced himself for a solid roasting, “…or big club.”
“Yeah. The big club in your pants.” Suki chortled.
“And don’t forget,” Dagger’s eyes gleamed with mischief, “Vixens like a big club.”
Sugar crossed his legs. “Actually, he could use that gigantic dick of his to bludgeon Meridian to death,” he deadpanned. “Not really a stretch.”
Gunner wheezed into his shirt. Snake howled with laughter. Soon, everyone was cry-laughing, including Horatio.
“I fucking love you horny assholes.” Horatio wiped his eyes. “Hope I live through this because you guys would be hard to leave behind.”
All at once, the room sobered.
“Not funny,” Gunner said.
“Sorry.” Horatio took his hand. “But it’s a valid concern, right? I could… croak.”
“Then we’ll just have to come up with a plan that keeps you alive,” Gunner said.
Seven flopped into a chair. “That’s the whole prophecy. Horatio destroys Meridian with his guitar. Sounds simple, but it’s anything but.”
“Who’s got a brilliant idea?” Snake asked.
“I do,” Horatio said. “But before I tell you about it, there’s something that’s been weighing on me.”
Snake waved a hand. “Out with it then.”
A tightness filled his chest. All eyes focused on him, giving weight to the vulnerability he was desperately trying to mask.
“Let’s say I do kill Meridian, and things go back to normal. What happens then?”
“The prophecy claims the universe will be reunited in peace and harmony.” Snake shrugged. “Can’t imagine a better outcome, can you?”
The words wouldn’t come. He stared at Snake as if on mute.
“That’s not what you really want to know, is it?” Gunner asked.
Horatio swallowed. Opened his mouth. Closed it again. He knew exactly what he wanted to ask but was terrified of the answer.
Gunner squeezed Horatio’s hand between his, as if trying to give him strength.
It worked.
“After the peace and harmony thing… what happens,” he licked his lips, “to me?”
“What do you want to happen?” Snake asked, voice tight, like maybe he didn’t want to hear the answer either.
Eyes unfocused, Horatio forced the words out.
“I don’t want to go back to Earth. It doesn’t feel like home anymore.” Gravity pressed him deeper into the couch. “But… this does.”
A strange hiss echoed—the unfamiliar sound of everyone exhaling at the same time.
“Thank fuck,” Seven said.
“I’ve been afraid you’d want to return to your homeland, Hor. Glad to hear you’re not planning to leave us,” Snake said.
“You belong here, Slayer,” Sugar said. “Gunner, too.”
“Hear that?” Gunner palmed Horatio’s face. “You’re stuck with me.”
“But what about school? Don’t you want to finish?”
“Fuck my degree. They can’t possibly teach me more than the universe can. Besides, I just want to be wherever you are.”
“Baby.” Horatio held Gunner and cried in relief—choking sobs that rattled his bones. For the first time since he’d learned of the prophecy, he knew he wasn’t carrying it alone.
“Are you happy or sad, mate?” Snake asked.
“Happy,” Horatio said after catching his breath. “Crazy happy.” He looked up, surprised to see everyone teary-eyed. “Happier than I’ve ever been in my whole life.”
Snake swiped away red tears with the back of his hand. “Then it’s all settled. You and Gunner are staying put. Now let’s hear your plan to fulfill your destiny, eh?”
Horatio gave Gunner a lingering kiss and then leaned forward.
“Okay. But you’re all going to hate it.”