Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ The Last Bearers ❯ Chapter 14 ( Chapter 14 )

Bryan was my best friend growing up. The two of us were incredibly close. He protected me and I looked up to him. We were two of a kind. When Bryan reached puberty, everything changed. All of a sudden he was filled with raging hormones and became even more affectionate than usual. It was a strange feeling. I knew my parents wanted me to marry a sister (which sounded insanely gross) but I didn't have any sisters yet. My fathers were trying, but all they got were sons.

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Chapter 14

Aleksei groaned softly and forced his eyes open. He stared at a strange tiled ceiling for several minutes, not understanding where he was or what he was doing there in the first place. There was a blinding light shining in his eyes that made his head ache terribly. He tried to reach up with his hand to block the light from his eyes, but he couldn't move. Panic started setting in and he twisted around, trying to get free. A warm hand was gently place on his chest and he stopped moving.

“Don't try and move,” a soft voice said. “You've been restrained so you don't hurt yourself.”

Aleksei tried to say something, but all that came out was a low groan.

“How do you feel?” the voice asked.

“Light hurts,” Aleksei groaned.

The light was dimmed.

“How's that?” the voice asked again.

“Better,” Aleksei answered.

He blinked and the room came into better focus. He moved his head to the side and blinked to make sure he was not seeing things. Daire sat in a very uncomfortable-looking chair with a straight metal back. Something stirred in the pit of Aleksei's stomach when he saw Daire sitting by his side with a washcloth in his hands.

“Daire?” he whispered.

“Hi Aleksei.” Daire smiled.

“Wh…wh…” Aleksei couldn't get the words out.

“They've been keeping you sedated for the past couple days to make sure you didn't hurt yourself while you were out of it,” Daire explained.

“I…I don't understand.” Aleksei licked his dry lips. “How…how long have I been here?”

“You've been here for several days,” Daire answered, getting to his feet.

Aleksei followed him with his eyes as he walked over to a table in the corner and picked up a pitcher that rested there. He instinctively licked his lips as Daire poured some clear liquid into a glass. Daire gently set the pitcher back on the table and brought the glass over. Aleksei blinked in surprise when Daire pressed the glass against his lips.

“Here,” Daire said softly. “Drink.” Aleksei stared at him in astonishment and then glared at him. “Don't be a stubborn ass right now. Drink the goddamned water.”

Aleksei finally caved, his need for water more urgent than his pride at the moment. He allowed Daire to tip the glass so he could drink.

“Go slow,” Daire urged. “You'll bring it back up if you drink too fast.”

Aleksei nodded slightly and slowed his pace. Finally, the glass was empty and Daire brought it back to the table in the corner. Aleksei intently watched him as he walked to the table and then returned to his seat.

“Why are you here?” Aleksei asked harshly.

“John told me that you were here, sick so I came,” Daire answered softly.

“Why do you care?” Aleksei spat. “Why do you care about me?”

“I am your mate.” Daire's expression was gentle. “I made a promise to protect you and love you and I'm not going to break that promise.” Aleksei stared at him. Daire's voice trembled as he went on, “besides…I…I love you.”

Aleksei felt his breath leave him. He stared at the ceiling, unable to look at his mate any longer.

“Aleksei?” Daire asked softly. “Aleksei, please look at me.”

“Why should I?” Aleksei snarled.

“Don't do this!” Daire's voice rose.

“Do what?”

“Stop trying to push me away!”

“I don't…”

“I know!” Daire exploded. “I know what happened to you!” He exhaled slowly. “Bryan told me…how you reacted to being touched and that you might have been molested.

“Bryan…?” Aleksei whispered. He didn't remember anything that had happened.

“Were you…?” Daire asked.

“You have no fucking clue what happened to me!” Aleksei hissed.

“So you were,” Daire breathed. “Please tell me. Please let me help you.”

“I can't…” Aleksei swallowed hard. “You can't help me. No one can save me.”

Tears stung Daire's eyes. He leaned over and tenderly pressed his lips against Aleksei's temple. “Well, I can at least try, right?”

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Despite Aleksei's insensitive words and rough manner, Daire remained by Aleksei's side almost constantly, only taking time out to eat, use the bathroom, nurse Colin, and sleep. Caelyn and Aidan dropped by from time to time to check on him and to make sure he was eating. Caelyn finally transitioned from his regular uniform into maternity clothes. His rounded stomach was growing larger and larger with each passing day.

Slowly, Aleksei began to recall what had happened through talking to Bryan and Alden. He shuddered when he remembered the unpleasant flashback to his past coupled with a rush of distorted images and voices that made everything seem so hellish. Slowly, his health returned and eventually he was able to go back to the dormitories. Daire returned to his and Aleksei thought that would be the end of it, but to his dismay, he was called to John's office one day. To his greater dismay, Daire was already present, Colin in his arms.

“Come in Aleksei,” John said, scarcely looking up from writing something at his desk.

Aleksei wordlessly brushed past Daire and Colin, his lips pursed.

“What is he doing here?” he asked, gesturing to Daire.

“he's here because I called him here and he's your mate,” John answered coldly. “And now that you're here, we can discuss why you're here. I'm afraid the time has come for your son to be put in foster care.”

“So why am I here?” Aleksei snarled.

“You are here because he's your son,” Daire snapped back.

“Enough Daire,” John interrupted before Daire could say more. “The protocol demands that you be here Aleksei, whether you want to or not. This also means that we have to make a little trip to see the Council.”

“Lave The Institute?” Aleksei croaked, his mouth suddenly dry.

“Only temporarily. We will be gone for most of the day.”

“When are we leaving?” Daire asked.

“Tomorrow morning. The guards will come and get you when it's time for us to leave.”

“But why are we going to see the Council?”

John smiled. “It's all standard procedure. You will meet with the Council and then meet the family who will take care of Colin.”

Daire nodded and swallowed hard.

“Is that all you wanted?” Aleksei asked.

“No. I want to talk to you for a few moments Aleksei. Daire, you're dismissed.”

Daire nodded and silently shuffled out of the room. The guards escorted him back to the dormitories. The other Bearers were at dinner, with the exception of Caelyn and Aidan.

“Daire? What's wrong?” Caelyn asked, heaving himself off the bed where he had been waiting with Aidan.

“I have to give Colin up for adoption tomorrow,” Daire answered in a small voice.

Caelyn sucked in his breath. “O…oh.”

“I thought I was ready for this, but now I'm not so sure.” Daire fought hard to keep the tears out of his voice.

“I know sweetie,” Caelyn said gently.

Daire burst into tears, which woke Colin up and made him start crying. Caelyn sighed softly an took Colin from Daire's arms. He walked over to Aidan, who was still sitting on Caelyn's bed.

“Here. You deal with Colin. I'll deal with Daire,” he said shortly.

“Wha…but…hey! I thought you said my childcare skills sucked!” Aidan protested.

“They do. But I have to take care of Daire.” Caelyn's glare was enough to shut Aidan up.

Satisfied, Caelyn walked back over to Daire and took him in his arms. Initially, Daire stiffened at the contact but then he simply melted in Caelyn's embrace. He sobbed into Caelyn's uniform for what seemed like hours. Finally, he wore himself out and allowed Caelyn to lead him over to his bunk so he could lay down. Colin had fallen asleep in Aidan's arms.

“He's not so bad when he's not, you know, screaming his lungs out,” Aidan whispered.

Caelyn smiled. “Here, give him to me. I'll put him in bed.”

Aidan willingly handed Colin over to his lover. Colin stirred a little but didn't wake up. Caelyn gently lay him in the crib that had been set up next to Daire's bunk and tucked him in. Then, he turned to Daire who was fast asleep. Caelyn carefully covered him with a blanket and lightly kissed his temple.

“Sleep well Daire,” he whispered.

He straightened up and walked over to where Aidan waited.

“You all right Cae?” Aidan asked.

“Yeah,” Caelyn answered with a curt nod. “I just hate having to see him like this. I hate seeing him in pain.”

“So do I Cae.” Aidan's expression was sorrowful. “I always feel my heart breaking a bit when he starts crying.”

Caelyn nodded. Aidan stepped forward. Their lips met for a swift, hesitant kiss. They pulled apart before it turned into anything serious. Aidan stared at Caelyn for a few seconds before they pressed their lips together again. Caelyn gave a soft groan when Aidan nipped playfully at his neck.

“Aidan, we…we can't,” he groaned.

“I know,” Aidan responded, sucking on the skin of Caelyn's neck.

A door slammed open causing them to jump apart. Aidan raked his fingers through his cropped hair as the dormitory filled. He shot a quick glance at Caelyn, who stared at the ground guiltily. Neither of them spoke for the rest of the night

To be continued…

Notes: I'm sorry it was short this time around. Like really short. The next several chapters are going to be epic. Things are going to get...well you'll see. The next chapter will introduce the mysterious Council that I've dropped hints about in previous chapters. That's all I'm gonna spill. You'll have to find out the rest when the next chapter is posted.

I honestly really don't like this chapter. It just sucks. I'll go back and make it better later, I promise.