A Lovers Intervention

[Black Philip]

Ari felt a twinge of pride, as Royce admitted he was glad the memory of his worst act was still his own. He nuzzled the boy's hair, growling low as he squeezed him tighter. As Royce cried, Ari truly softened. He felt the regret and self loathing that came through their bond, and he wanted to make it all go away, and he would.

"You're right Royce," he sweetly lied, digging into his weaker psyche as they continued to cuddle. "You won't forget this time."

He let the boy cry, sending his love to Royce through the bond. He wanted to make it all better, and he was moments away from doing so. Royce's last point was a true one, but Ari was sure Charon only needed one more reason to destroy Royce, and Ari couldn't let that happen. If Royce died, then Ari would greet the sun. That's how much his existence depended on his love.

"I will find a way to help you Royce," he whispered. "You're a good man. I'm going to prove it to you. I love you."

The only people he'd ever told that to were his sire, and now Royce. Ari didn't have much love to give, and so it was easy to give it all to Royce.

[sully]

Royce dissolved further into tears at Ari's words, unable to sense his sire slowly encroaching on his mind. "I love you too Ari. With everything I have. You're the most important thing in the world to me. I'd give up anything and everything to stay with you." Pressing his face further and further into his sire's chest, Royce sobbed "I'll be better, I promise. I'll be good. I'll proven to you, Charon, and everyone else that I can do it. I can have it together and be worth having around. I promise... I promise..."

[Black Philip]

Royce had never told Ari he loved him, not in so direct a manner at least. Ari had been waiting on those words for such a long time, and he was riddled with pain that Royce would forget saying them. He couldn't leave that part in and erase the rest of the day without leaving a tendril others could follow.  His mind reached into Royce's and began the work, sorting some things and ripping out others. He gave fake memories of a day spent together, of Royce being allowed to feed on a drunken at Ari's permission, and then the two of them making love here in the motel.

It was a wonderful, beautiful lie, and Ari wept for the first time in over five hundred years. He wept into his love, who he placed in a trance so he could do his work. It was a cruel irony that Royce's growth wouldn't be remembered, just so Ari could keep him safe. In this moment, he hated Charon for perhaps the first time. It was fleeting, and replaced by guilt, but it was there and real. He quickly regained control of himself, and slid next to Royce, holding him in a proper spooning.

As Royce came to, he'd feel Ari's arms around him, and soft lips kissing the back of his neck.

"Did you have a nice day Royce," he asked, as if he'd had a nice day too. Lying was hard, but it was easier when doing it to Royce. Ari learned to lie from him after all.