Vivian
“Good morning.” The deep lull of Theo’s voice greeted me as I stirred awake.
I didn’t know it was possible to feel so exhausted and so unbelievably light at the same time. There wasn’t an ounce of tension left in my body. I felt like a blob—a sleepy, satisfied blob. I thought I might melt into the mattress if Theo weren’t laying directly under me.
I peeled my cheek off his chest and propped my head up to stare at him through my lashes.
His eyes were dark, but not quite black.
Two hands folded behind his head, the other two traced their textured fingertips up and down my bare spine.
I’d never woken up in someone’s arms before. Was it always so pleasant?
“Hi, Theo,” I whispered, my voice raspy from its first use of the day.
“How do you feel?”
“I’m not sure I can feel anything.” Other than the wet throb between my thighs. That was hard to ignore. “Is there such a thing as ‘death by two dicks’ in Quadmos culture?”
A grin accompanied his chuckle. “Not that I’m aware of, but I’m pleased to hear I brought you to the brink.”
“The abyss says hi,” I grumbled, my head flopping back down to his chest. I didn’t have the strength to hold my neck in place any longer.
“What can I get you to eat and drink? I’m giving you the full Quadmos experience, including being fussed over.”
“I wouldn’t say no to some coffee and blackberry jam bread.” My voice was muffled between the crease of his pecs.
“Coming right up.” His arms slid out from underneath his head.
“No!” I pushed them back down to the pillow. “Ten more minutes. I’m so comfy.”
“As long as you need, Little Goddess."
The bedding was covered in crumbs. I didn’t care.
I’d only requested bread and jam for my recovery breakfast, but Theo had returned with a mouth-watering spread: nuts, wild berries, jam, bread, and our home-grown root plants sliced and dusted with Trebiannan cheese.
Plus, of course, a full jar of Trebiannan coffee.
The variety was appreciated; I was hungrier than I’d thought.
“You have a tattoo,” Theo remarked as he made himself comfortable on the foot of the bed—legs crossed and chin rested in his palm.
“Oh, you saw that?” I laughed self-consciously. It was an impulse stick and poke I’d received behind the high school on my fifteenth birthday.
“While you were sleeping. Eight is my lucky number too. My last name is Octavian.”
I didn’t have the heart to tell him it was a sideways infinity symbol in the shell of my ear. Besides, I’d never see it that way again. Now it was an eight. For Theo.
“I wish I had better tattoos,” I confessed. “I always wanted lots. But when I was struggling to afford food, body art wasn’t a priority.”
“Your dad didn’t feed you?” His brow lowered.
“I ran away when I was twelve. I was homeless for most of my life after that. Well, I guess all of my life after that technically, since nowhere was ever mine. I was always waiting for somebody to show up and rip whatever home I’d built away.
That’s why the field is such a big deal for me.
It’s the first time I’ve had guaranteed housing. ”
He nodded as he listened, piecing together my story. “Why would they rip it away from you?”
“Restaurant work doesn’t pay the rent where I’m from.
I had to make do with anything abandoned and roofed.
Places don’t tend to stay empty long. All it took was some dickhead in a suit with a pen and paper to turn the abandoned warehouse I live in into…
a factory…” The blood rushed out of my face, leaving my skin cold.
My situation hadn’t changed as much as I liked to believe.
“Hey, hey,” Theo cooed, moving across the bed to me and grabbing my face in his hands. “That won’t happen here. You’re safe. It’s going to be okay.”
“Right… of course.” Was I shaking? I felt like I was shaking.
Did I get myself zapped to another fucking planet only to be faced with the same fucking problem? Rich people with more power and resources than I had feeling entitled to my home?
“Vivian. I won’t let that happen.”
But he couldn’t promise that. Theo had a whole life that didn’t involve me. We’d never put a name to what was happening between us and that was likely for the best. We’d always had a ticking clock. Until the end of summer. That time was quickly approaching and, then, I’d be on my own.
“I’m sure it’s fine, Theo.” I lied to calm him down. There were veins becoming visible around his darkening eyes.
“Ask me not to leave, and I won’t.” His voice was serious, his stare intense.
Fuck, did I want to. It would be so easy to tell him to stay… but was it fair of me to ask him to abandon everything for me, knowing he couldn’t say no? He thought he owed me his life. I was a symbol of redemption for his biggest regret.
I forced a brave smile and leaned forward, kissing between his horns. “You’re welcome here anytime, baby.”