Enslaving the King

Chapter 13

It wasn't long before Raine realized he was more screwed than his grief-ridden thoughts had realized. Leaving Hayden's employ meant that his job at the Pleasure Palace was over. He put off telling Bryant what had happened. He doubted Hayden would inform his boss, given how Hayden had barely known his situation at the Pleasure Palace in the first place. Self-centered prick.

It paid off in this instance.

Unfortunately, it was only a matter of time before Bryant noticed the lack of pay from Hayden. Raine staved off the questions ("oh must be an error," or "Hayden's just behind," or "why don't you ask Hayden?").

A few weeks and few lies later, it caught up to him. 

"You little lying s**t!" Bryant yelled over the Echo comms. "You thought you could get away with failing Hayden and us? I'd throw you out an airlock myself if I could. If I ever see your stupid face- Y-you're fired for real this time, you little-"

Raine cut the call, almost chuckling at the mental image of pissed-off Bryant. The amusement died when he remembered he was screwed. "Well, there's that."

Vaughn's voice reached through the cloud in his mind. "Hey, there's a new position in accounting, have you applied?"

Raine yawned. "Think that's a little above my...uh, resume."

"It can't hurt to try."

The three - Raine, Vaughn, and Yvette - had been hanging out, distracting Raine from his thoughts of...someone. His brain wanted to think about him lately. It took everything in Raine not to go down memory lane when alone. The hardest were the nights. The nights he would've normally spent at.... Nevermind. 

Raine shook his head. "Guess I oughta do some applying around, huh?"

Yvette said, "at least you have some time. You could land something."

"You think anyone's gonna hire a former Pleasure Palace w***e? Over all those fresh new interns and graduates they're so eager to maul over?"

Still, Raine, half-hopeful, applied for several jobs over the following week.

He didn't land any of them. 

...

A part of Raine was broken. Missing. Like the time he'd lost his arm. He'd been off balance, his world darker for its loss. He could feel it in his soul, that a piece had been broken away by rough, cruel hands. 

Why did he do this? Why didn't he want to be soulmates? He might have hated the idea of soulmates, but was the prospect of them being linked so horrible?

Was it Raine? Because he was a w***e? A man? Too loud? Too mouthy? Too much? What did he do? Had this been destined to happen? Or a mistake? 

Soulmarks were theorized to be caused by Eridian technology. Their exact origins were unknown, but some say a siren - or maybe even an alien - had blessed a a small portion of the universe to have them. The odds of finding your soulmate were considerably slim, if one was of a more scientific mind. For those who had faith, they believed they'd find their soulmate when the greater forces of the universe desired them to. 

Raine didn't care about any of that, though. Whether physical, mental, or more, it didn't change the fact it hurt so badly to be away from his soulmate. Sometimes it felt beyond physical, like something was pulling him. He often dreamt of returning to Hayden. Then feeling the pain flood away. 

Did Hayden feel the same? Or was his ability to feel the soulmark bond as broken as a dish set dropped on concrete? 

It didn't matter anymore. 

...

Raine clenched his hands together, walking into the office. The lights were off, leaving the light of Pandora's moon to filter through the office window, purple and red. Raine could see a figure in a chair behind a big silver desk.

Raine approached, recognizing Hayden.

Hayden looked at him.

Rhy needed to go to him so badly. His soul ached with longing. He couldn't fight it.

"Hayden."

He drew closer, moving without thinking.

"Hayden. Please."

Hayden stood, turning away. "Go away."

"Hayden...I..."

Raine got closer. Hayden turned towards him at last. Raine stopped. Hayden's face was bloody, the bright red wound still fresh, skin charred, the soulmark black. Hayden drew closer, only one eye still good, until he stood against Raine. He wrapped his hands around Raine's throat.

"Still wanting to be mine, baby? Well, little too late for that."

"What... Happened?" Raine whispered.

The hands squeezed tighter.

"You did. You killed. Us."

Dripping. Onto his hands. Raine could see his hands stained with blood. Banging reverberated through Raine's skull along with a manic laughter.

Raine peeled his eyes open, waking from unremembered dreams. There was a loud bang bang bang sound. He groaned and sat up, a frown gracing his face, his head muddled from a broken sleep cycle. He rubbed his face, trying to shake the feeling away. The sound filled his ears again. Knocking? His midday depression nap was interrupted for this? It better be important.

A voice reached his ears, loud and angry. "OPEN UP! NOW!"

What now?

Raine picked himself up and dragged to the door. He peered through the peep hole. He flinched in shock.

Soldiers?

Three of them stood outside the door, their helmets hiding their faces, postures severe. Armored patrol? Why?

“OPEN!”

Raine hesitated long enough that one of them pulled out a blow torch, about to light it. Raine made a choice. Scratch that, he had no choice. Whatever was meant to happen, would. He couldn't deny the Hyperion troops. He sighed and opened the door with a press of his hand. This may as well happen, right? It couldn’t be about the rent. He was still caught up, thanks to the money he’d earned from Hayden. Maybe it wasn't as bad as it seemed. Surely-

A blunt force knocked him off his feet. His head connected with the ground. He winced, the wind gone from his lungs. Raine could hear heavy footsteps around him. Rough hands rolled him over onto his chest and cuffed his wrists behind his back. A heavy weight bore down on him.

“Raine of Hyperion, you’re under arrest!”

Fantastic.

“What the hell?” Yvette's voice yelled. “What are you doing?” The click of heels. She was nearby. "You don't have-"

“None of your business,” One of the helmets sneered. “Now shut up, unless you wanna join him.”

“Raine!”

Raine, dazed, managed, “what for?" voice rasping with pain.

“Boss’s orders.”

Which boss? Head of the guard or…

The king himself?

Raine was dragged outside, the image of Yvette's shocked and terrified face stuck in his mind. Yeah, this was happening. Things were just great, peachy, couldn't be better. He would ask who had ordered this and why, but he wanted to avoid any further rough treatment. He just sighed, wincing from the pain of being manhandled. That was going to leave a few nasty bruises...assuming he was alive long enough to bruise. Getting hauled off by the guard rarily ended with living happily ever after. He just hoped he wasn’t being escorted to an airlock. He knew there were a few people who’d happily arrange that.

Raine wasn't escorted to an airlock. Instead, he was escorted to the penitentiary. With each step, Raine's anger rose. This wasn't fair. What did he do besides apply around for jobs? That wasn't illegal! They shoved him into a cell.

"What am I in for?" Raine demanded, spinning around, his anger simmering over.

One of the soldiers punched him in the gut. He doubled over, wheezing and coughing. Well, that was more or less expected. The guards said nothing as they left. The cell closed.

Recovering, Raine leaned against the wall and slid down it, landing on his ass. He stared at the forcefield door. He didn’t understand what was going on. A dark ominous feeling filled his heart, his throat dry and scratchy, breath short. He drew his knees up and tried to get comfortable with his hands behind him. He closed his eyes and thought about Hayden. He didn’t really want to, but the thoughts clouded in like storms on a summer day, blotting out the sun. Had Hayden had him arrested? Had he regretted letting Raine go with his life? Or… ?

Maybe Hayden had nothing to do with this. After all, Hayden hadn't cared much about Raine. Hayden probably didn't even know this was happening. 

Raine didn't know which possibility was worse.

Raine picked himself up and paced to the forcefield door. He leaned against it, trying to peer down the hallway. He saw nothing. He returned to sitting, quiet. It hadn't been that long, but it wouldn't take long for him to go crazy with his fear and worries.

He brooded quietly for what felt like hours before the sounds of footsteps reached him. The footsteps drew closer, and Raine picked himself up off the floor, attentive. Hopefully, he'd get some answers and a chance to defend himself, if it came to that. A figure appeared. A guard.

“Alright, helmets,” said a voice, gruff and short. Raine froze, breath leaving him. He'd recognize that rough timbre anywhere. Hayden? “Lets get on with it.” So Hayden had arranged this... 

Why? Why, why, why whywhywhy-

Hayden was out of sight of the cell, but he was definitely in the hallway. Two guards came up to the cell. The forcefield went down, and they marched Raine out. Raine saw Hayden. Hayden didn't look at him. Raine's gaze slid to the floor, something in him twisting with dread. This wasn’t right. Why was Hayden here? Why was Raine in cuffs?

“Let's go,” Hayden said in a gruff, short tone. 

“Yes, sir.”

They moved down the hallway. Raine kept shooting Hayden brief looks, hoping to glean something from his body posture, the hard line of his shoulders. It was stiff, radiating anger. Hayden didn’t make eye contact even once. He remained silent. All these signs told Raine volumes of the depths of his rage. Raine had gotten good at reading Hayden; he easily recognized it. He didn’t know if he should say anything or not. In truth, he wanted to yell and scream, to demand to know what was happening, to hit someone. But the largest part of him was too prideful to initiate conversation, to react to whatever the hell this was.

They shuttled off to another sector, one Raine hadn’t been in in awhile. They moved through the Hub of Heroism, drawing curious stares that made Raine's face flush with shame. They didn't slow, however, marching straight to Hayden's office. Raine’s dread only grew. This wasn’t right. Something was wrong. 

Raine still couldn’t speak. 

Hayden still couldn't be bothered to look at him.

They rode up to the long hallway leading to Hayden's office. The guards were told to wait outside.

Which left Raine and Hayden in the office.

Alone.

Raine swallowed.

Hayden turned around, at long last deigning to allow Raine into his line of vision.

Eye contact. There was expected fury in Hayden's eyes. Why was Hayden so angry? Not that they'd left on great terms, but something told Raine this wasn't related to the whole soulmate argument. There seemed to be a warning in his gaze too. 

Raine adverted his eyes, hating how he was letting himself cave so easily to silent intimidation. He'd almost forgotten how difficult it could be, to be in this man's presence. He stared at the well-polished floor, trying not to think of how disasterously his last visit here had ended. Raine let his eyes travel around the office. Everything was how he remembered it except for the addition of a small, pathetic metal chair. It sat randomly in the middle of the office.

Hayden moved toward the chair, drawing Raine's attention. Hayden shoved it at Raine. “Sit down.”

Raine looked at the chair before his gaze panned to the door. He tried to think of some way to stall. He didn't want to just be bossed around like he was still Hayden's w***e.

Hayden advanced on him. “Sit. Down.” He loomed close, threatening.

Raine's legs were unsteady as he stepped over to the chair. Unsteady because of the pain of his treatment, and the reluctance in his heart. He sat. This was starting to feel like a dream, surreal. He felt as out of place as he had when he'd interviewed with Hayden, except all of his and Hayden's history made this more painful. Raine didn’t look when he heard rustling. Not until Hayden got closer. Raine saw him holding a bunch of rope.

Raine’s voice broke out of him. “What...what are you…?” He directed the question into the air, unable to meet Hayden's gaze.

Hayden stepped in close and Raine flinched. Strong hands drew the rope around Raine's chest and arms, tying it. Raine hated how a part of him responded to the proximity between them, like a magnetic pull. Responded to the situation. It wasn't long ago that something like this might've been some sexy ro- Nope, he wasn't going to think like that. This was real, true danger, not kinky fun. Raine began to get really nervous, heart thudding in his chest. He saw Hayden nod to himself.

“Excuse me, could you tell me what the hell you’re doing?” Raine hissed, managing to look at the clasp on Hayden's damned mask. Knowing what was under it, burned even more. He could blame all of this on that stupid mark. 

“Hush, for a minute,” Hayden replied, gruff again. 

Great, the first exchange they’ve had in weeks and it was going fantastically.

Raine sighed. Loudly.

Hayden moved to stand in front of him. "Raine."

Raine looked up.

Hayden grimaced. "Sorry in advance, cupcake.”

“What?”

Hayden struck him. Raine yelped, jaw smarting, eyes watering. s**t. “What the hell!?” He snarled. He lunged against the restraints, forgetting for a moment he couldn't repay the favor. "First your damn soldiers and now this! I'm getting sick of this s**t, Hayden!" Hayden frowned and went to his desk, saying nothing. 

This stung. He’d thought he was somehow free of Hayden. That being in his apartment meant nothing could hurt him. That wasn’t even remotely true. All this time, Hayden could’ve had him marched up here at any moment, for any reason. And it'd happened. Here he was, bound and helpless. He just never assumed Hayden would do it, not after letting him leave last time.

His soulmate.

This was his soulmate.

Yet another thing that wasn't fair. Why couldn't it have been someone who wasn't a first-rate asshole. 

Raine should have fled Helios.

Raine struggled against the bonds. What the hell was going on? Had Hayden finally lost his damned mind? Raine kicked out, but he was going nowhere. Long seconds passed, and Raine bit his tongue, angry he was being given the silent treatment. Was this revenge? It sure seemed like some half-hearted attempt at it.

After long minutes, he gave up, slumping back in defeat.

Hayden returned, holding his Echo. He raised it up, and Raine glared, wondering what was going on. It clicked.

Hayden had taken a picture.

“Are you serious?” Raine spat. “Is this your idea of torture or something? No? Well, if you wanted a date you coulda asked!” He jibed. Raine couldn't stand this silence. He was going to go crazy. "But no, dates will apparently kill you - o-or something. What is actually wrong with you?" Raine resumed his struggles, more out of a need to work off his anger than actually believing escape was possible, like a race horse champing on the bit.

Hayden fiddled with the Echo for a moment. Seconds later, it rang. Hayden answered. “Yeah, uggo," he said. "Yeah, the traitor’s been arrested.”

Traitor?

“So if you could just get up here to the office, pronto, that’d be great. I've got other things to deal with today, and I wanna get on with it.” Hayden ended the call. He threw the device aside. It cracked on the ground. His fists clenched, scowl on his brow.

Raine gaped at Hayden. Disbelieving. What the f**k? Hayden really thought he would…. After everything? After all that'd happen? He thought Raine would do something to harm Hyperion? And how was Bryant involved? He obviously set Raine up. Hayden believed that fucker over him? Without even bothering to ask Raine? Or investigate?

Raine felt all hope leave him in a breath. He knew how Lord Hayden dealt with traitors. He definitely should have left. Why didn't he? Why didn't he run far and fast when he had a chance? 

Was Hayden really going to kill him? In front of Bryant no less? Like rubbing salt in the wound? Was this humiliation? Well, it was f*****g working. Nevermind, this wasn't a poor attempt at torture. It was his worst nightmare come to life. Raine's vision blurred. His face stung as the tears rolled down. Now he was going to die as pathetically as possible. Crying.

Raine wished this was a dream, so he could wake up. He knew it wasn't. He wasn't that lucky.

Hayden wasn’t looking at him now. Hayden stared out the window into space.

Raine exploded. “You think I’m a traitor?” he roared. The words were shocking in the quiet, even to Raine's own ears.

Hayden started. He turned around, eyes narrowed. His exspression wavered for just a second. “Raine, you need to listen-"

That ramped up his rage. “Listen to what? Your stupid silence? Yeah you're talking so much and I just can't hear it! If I'm a traitor then freaking kill me if you’re gonna! I-I’m done playing around. Spare me some freaking humiliation. Surely even you can have that small mercy!”

Hayden drew closer. “Listen. To. Me.”

"Or are you too much of a coward just because I rode your d**k a few times. Have to call in someone else to do it?! Wow, I can't even believe you-"

He reached Raine and leaned in, putting his hands on the back of Raine’s chair. Raine's words died out, forced to meet the wild gaze. “Haven't been talkin' 'cause I know I can’t make you listen to me, Raine-”

“Well, you're right about one thing!”

Hayden bared his teeth. “Trust me, or don’t. I'm not friggin' arguing with you today.” He drew back with a hiss and stormed to his desk. He sat down in his chair, anger radiating off of him. 

Trust him? Like f*****g hell! Wasn’t it Hayden that didn’t trust Raine? Who thought Raine was a traitor? Raine had never been more confused and upset in his life. No no no, this was more head-fuckery. It had to be. A specific psychological torture designed to drive Raine to the edge just before Hayden took his revenge. It was no secret this man was a sadist. Raine sobbed in air. He sat there. And sat there. Waiting for something to happen. He couldn't stand this, he couldn't-

The office opened and Bryant walked in. There was a smug smirk on his gross face. Raine glared. He wished he could dry the tears still on his cheeks, reclaim a last bit of dignity. Or at least flip him the bird.

Bryant didn't wait to gloat. “Think you could betray Lord Hayden and get away with it, Raine? Can't wait to see you dead-”

There was a familiar, explosive bang. A cry echoed through the room.

Bryant fell, a bullet wound in his leg. He clutched it, face red in suppressed agony. In the fall, his glasses had hit the floor, shattering.

Raine gaped. This...wasn't what he'd expected at all. Did this mean Hayden had...never believed the man? Raine sagged with relief. Hayden strolled over, some of his anger turned to vengeful joy. Hayden took a knife from his pocket and cut the knots in the rope holding Raine to the chair. He undid Raine's cuffs. Raine leaned forward, rubbing his wrists.

Hayden proffered his gun to Raine. Raine stared in surprise. 

"Take it."

Raine did, holding the gun with careful hands.

“That’s the traitor, Raineie."

Raine exhaled shakily. "What happened?"

"Bryant sent me a message a few days ago. Said you were a traitor. Had some really weak 'evidence'." Hayden made air quotes. "I got suspicious, 'cause I knew if you were gonna sell me out, you woulda done it already and ran for the hills. So I dug around on him... Turns out, he’s the Maliwan spy. The one I’ve been trying to catch for months. Right under my damned nose.”

Bryant tried to sit up. He groaned in pain. Raine couldn't say he felt sorry for the man in the slightest. In fact, he felt a bit of his own vengeful joy. The sick bastard deserved this.

“All those times, trying to get a w***e after me?” Hayden said, directing the question at Bryant. “Yeah - I noticed, dumdum. Thought you were just a greedy f**k - and you are - but those weren't just w****s. They were honeypots." He looked back at Raine. "Hah. He was so pissed you got that job 'cause he knew you’d never be a honeypot for him.” Hayden circled the man. “Isn’t that right, Bryo boy?" 

The rage made sense.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Raine asked, bewildered. “Or you know...not hit me?”

Hayden had the decency to look a bit guilty. Just a bit. And Raine wouldn't have known if he wasn't so good at reading Hayden. “Sorry again, Raineie. Needed the photo of your capture to be believable or he’d never come...would you, Bryant?"

The man glared between them, silent.

Hayden went on, "if you looked nice, Raine, he woulda know something was up." His voice grew quieter. "...'Sides, wasn't sure you'd wanna help me after...everything."

“You could've asked?" 

"Would you have even answered your Echo? Or given me five minutes to talk?"

Raine felt uncertain. He...he...didn't know for sure. He hadn't ever wanted to talk to Hayden again. Raine probably would've ignored any attempts to call him. Even if...a small part of him had hoped Hayden would. That Hayden would show some of the same pain and want for him that Raine had for Hayden. And yet, out of principal, Raine wouldn't have entertained it.  

He couldn't blame Hayden for not wanting to talk when they'd already had enough yelling to last a lifetime. "Okay, fine. Fair enough. So why give me the gun?”

“It’s your kill, Raine."

Raine's brows climbed. "Um...what?"

Hayden's hands planted on his hips as he regarded the traitor. "This man has tormented ya quite a bit from what I’ve heard. He’s been a thorn in Hyperion’s side. There’s no clearer enemy. It may as well be your kill.”

And Raine...gods help him, he was considering it, eyeing the sleek barrel of the Hyperion gun. Could he? He'd thought this was pure Hayden territory, but having been around it, the idea of learning it... Excitement was growing in his veins. Hayden was right. There was no clearer enemy. If he had to kill, who would be the better choice than Bryant?

“Come on, Raine,” Bryant hissed, breaking into Raine's thoughts. “You know Hyperion - Hayden - isn’t long for this world. They’re playing with fire, and they’ll get burned. Juggling the Vaults and Vault Hunters like they do... We don’t like each other, Raine, but we don’t have to… Maliwan would reward you Lordly regardless.”

Raine’s eyes widened. He flew out of his seat. “After-after every f*****g thing you've put me through, you th-think I would even f*****g entertain an offer from you?!” He demanded. He stomped forward and kicked Bryant as hard as he could in the chest. It was all he’d wanted to do since the day he’d first met the jerk. Raine punched his stupid face. “You think I would be a f*****g traitor?!" He shook the man by the lapels. "You think I’d ever turn on this company? You think you could make a f*****g fool out of me?! After everything you’ve done?!” Raine hit him again, with his cyber arm this time. And again. And again. Blood coated his metal fist.

He'd needed to vent his emotions against this dickbag for years. Not to mention he needed to vent today's stresses, too. He felt better already.

Raine realized the gun he held was jammed against the man's neck. He dropped Bryant. Raine swallowed, nerves crawling up his throat. He looked at the gun...and then at Hayden. He felt...silly. “Hayden...I… I’ve never killed anyone before I-”

“First time, eh?” Hayden approached, smirking. The first smile Raine had seen on him in some time. "That was fun to watch, by the way. Really made my weekend, cupcake."

“I…” Raine's hands shook.

Bryant coughed, catching his attention. He clutched his bleeding face. Somehow, he managed a sneer despite his bruising flesh, his broken nose. A tooth was chipped. “You really are a pathetic, ass-kissing b***h! Really happy to let Hayden walk all over you, like a yellow-bellied coward! You're not just a w***e. You're a slut. Can't believe Hayden didn't wring your scrawny neck for how pathetic you are.”

Raine breathed out, reservations flooding away. His voice grew cold. “Hayden, I’ve never even shot a gun.”

Hayden put a hand on Raine’s shoulder. It grounded him further. "You got this. Safety off, Raineie.”

Raine could almost laugh. It was so f*****g ridiculous. The first moment of civility between him and Hayden and it was over the finer points of...fucking murder. Did Raine really want to be a part of this? He'd never taken a life before. There'd be no going back.

Bryant was really shitty, though.

Hayden took the gun and repositioned it in Raine's hand. Hayden's hands were warm against his, body taught and strong next to Raine. Raine inhaled his scent, and a worryingly large part of him just wanted to curl up against Hayden. “Hold the gun," Hayden murmured, "just like this. Point and pull the trigger. That easy. Luckily for you Hyperion guns autodetect your arm strength, so you won’t have to worry about stability. That easy.”

Raine saw the safety on the back of the gun...and clicked it.

“You’ll never be anything, Raine,” Bryant growled. “You really planning to kill for Hayden? This man will turn on you in a heartbeat, and you know it!”

Raine pointed.

Raine whispered, "Hayden wasn't the one planning to kill me today."

Bryant’s eyes widened. "Raine, wait-"

Raine squeezed the trigger.

That easy.

It was.

Is this why Hayden murdered so much? Because it was too easy? And solved issues? Raine had expected he would want to vomit. He didn’t. One minute, Bryant was there. The next, he lay unmoving, a red bleeding hole through his head. Raine saw the mess he'd made, but all he felt was... Nothing? It felt like nothing. He curled his lip as he thought about Bryant's last word, apparently about to beg.

Who was the weak coward now, Bryant?

“Good aim, cupcake,” Hayden said, clapping his hands as if he'd seen a great show. “Wow, kinda turned me on a bit, not gonna lie. I figured it’d take a few shots. Though, to be fair, it was point blank.” 

“Don’t. Talk.” Raine noticed he had blood all over him. He put the safety back up and dropped the gun on the ground. He turned to the office door, away from Hayden. "I'm still pissed at you." He summoned his anger, reminding himself that this was Hayden's fault. That if not for Hayden, today wouldn't have gone the way it had. He hadn't woken up this afternoon planning to get the s**t beat out of him and then murder someone. Stupid jerkface soulmark-rejecting asshole-

“Raine.”

Raine sighed loud enough for Hayden to hear. “ What ?” He didn't turn around.

“I just wanna talk.”

“I don’t want to," Raine hissed, "I'm not forgiving you, just because I killed someone." But he didn't move. He was incapable of walking out, even though he knew he should. "You big- asshole-"

Hayden grabbed him, spun him around, and kissed him. Raine couldn't think for a moment, couldn''t move. It took about two seconds for him to kiss back. Hayden's teeth sank into his lip, followed by a tongue in his mouth. Raine moaned in spite of himself. He pressed into Hayden, gripping his shoulders as hard as he could, wanting it to bruise. Hayden's hands were on his waist, tugging him closer. It was punishing, frustrations being worked out on both sides. Raine had wanted this so f*****g badly for so long. He'd wanted Hayden. He'd missed Hayden.

The deep and terrible ache he'd had in his chest for almost a month began to wane with each second spent pressed together. Raine pressed closer, needing Hayden like he needed oxygen. 

Hayden yanked back, something like bitterness in his face. Raine realized what was happening and stepped back too, heart pounding. I need to leave while I can. I need to. 

Hayden's voice stopped him, “Raine, c’mon, just listen to me. Just once. If you decide you never wanna talk again after that, then…” Hayden cleared his throat.  

Raine's pride reared it's head. “I don’t trust you.” But I want to so badly. I'm such an i***t. 

Hayden ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “Just give me...five minutes. Please. What the hell is gonna hurt to listen for a bit?" Hayden's voice was so strained and aching. Raine wasn't just fantasizing it, either. 

Maybe Hayden had missed him too.

Raine folded his arms, sighing. God was he weak. Annoyed with himself, he muttered, “fine. Just five. Talk.”

Hayden took a deep breath. “I...didn’t tell you about the soulmark, Raine, because I didn’t want... us to change. What we had. Guess it did, anyway, huh?”

“What are you saying?” Raine was on guard, but…he needed to know.

“I...I was worried that if I told you… You would hate it, you wouldn’t want to be connected to me . It’s been a looong time since anyone wanted to be tied to me. And...I didn’t want our whole dynamic to change. It was good, what we had. And...I’ve never been a fan of soulmarks to begin with. I...didn’t want it to matter.”

“Yeah, you made that pretty clear before."

“Yeah...but these last few weeks... Now...” Hayden deflated. Raine was once again shocked by how vulnerable this man could be. “Now I just...just wish I had told you. If...If I have to have a soulmate, I don’t want it to be anyone else.” Hayden shook his head, something determined in his eyes. “You’re my whole world, Raineie. I...I love you.”

Raine felt like the whole galaxy had stopped spinning. Nothing existed anymore but him and Hayden. He couldn't breathe.

Love?

Hayden loved him?

Hayden swallowed. “Heh, not how I pictured telling you...wanted it to be...more romantic, but… Well, I’m...gonna er, go on lunch.” Hayden was hurrying for the door.

Raine grabbed Hayden's arm. Hayden stared at him, wide-eyed.

Hayden stared at Raine, frozen.

Raine gazed into his eyes, searching.

Hayden had spent a lot of time thinking about Raine the last few weeks. Raine had gotten under Hayden's skin in ways others hadn’t. Hayden craved him more than he’d ever craved anything in his life, in every way imaginable, and Raine's absence had only made it worse.

He wanted to hold Raine every night. Wanted to kiss him in fancy restaurants. Wanted him to hang off his arm at parties. He wanted to show all of Helios, and they could stick their shitty opinions up their asses. He wanted to give Raine literally anything Raine could ever want. He wanted to be able to share everything he hadn’t been able to in a very long time.

And he wanted Raine to be happy.

Raine spoke, “Hayden...I’ve been something of a hypocrite because… The truth is. I’ve been keeping something from you, too, for awhile now.”

“And what’s that?”

“I love you, too.”

Hayden blanked... Then chuckled, resisting the uge to kiss Raine again, harder this time.

Raine said, voice so soft, “I’ve known for awhile now. Long before our argument. I fell in love, which is something I'm not supposed to do, with this job, but it happened. And I didn’t stop it when I could’ve. I...didn’t want to. Hayden…”

“I… You mean you...still wanna talk to me?” Hayden tried, struggling with the rising hope again.

Raine actually chuckled a little, too. “Yeah, that’s what I’m saying, idiot.”

Hayden took a step forward, about to kiss him. “Babe-”

“Ah, ah,” Raine said, lifting a hand to halt him. Hayden raised a brow, Raine's finger on his lips. “I’m still mad at you, in case that wasn’t clear but… I’m willing to let you make it up to me.” He lowered his hand.

Hayden grinned, feeling giddy. It was such an odd feeling, one he hadn't felt in a very long time. “Oh...well I can definitely work with that, Raineie baby. You have something in mind, sweetheart?”

“First, lay off the sweet talk for now.” Raine seemed to be fighting one of his stupid, goofy, wonderful grins, though. “Second, there’s a restaurant in Sector A, called The Lord Diner-"

Hayden laughed, "oh man, great place."

Raine continued, "I've always wanted to go there. Meet me there at seven tomorrow, and we’ll see where things go, huh?”

Hayden kept his gaze, wanting to lose himself in it forever. “Anything for you, tiger.”

“Great, wear something nice, please.” Raine’s voice sounded a bit uncertain now. “Great. So...uh… See you then.” Raine started to turn.

Hayden grabbed his hand. And held it. Raine's cheeks reddened. Hayden gave it a light squeeze. Raine had never held his hand before, probably didn't think he was allowed to. Hayden hoped this gave him more than enough permission. "Oh, one more thing, Raineie, if you want your job back at the PP, I sent them a threatening letter earlier and should be more than happy to have ya back. Or if you want something more nerdy and less sexed up, just talk to my secretary about openings. Any of ‘em are yours. I’m sure you’ll do great."

Raine blinked, before giving an exhilarated laugh. "Hayden... I don't know what to say."

"No need to say anything, pumpkin."

Raine squeezed his hand back and put a kiss on Hayden's cheek. He whispered in Hayden's ear, "see you tomorrow, Lord." And then he was hurrying away, steps light as a pleased kitten. Hayden watched him go.

Hayden felt something unfamiliar.

Nerves.

Lord Hayden was goin' on a friggin' date.