110 drunk punch love (2/2)

Russ's face turned red and he looked away.

Arei nodded, ”That's what I thought. How is that what she needs?” He turned to walk away but stopped not looking back at Russ or Orion. ”If you keep this behavior up, there's only one thing that will come out of it. You will push her past her breaking point, she'll snap, either hurt or kill you, then she will blame herself for the rest of her very long life, if she doesn't choose to find her own end.” His back was rigid, ”I don't what to see that happen to her, and I'd hope you wouldn't either. Do the right thing leave without causing a scene.”

***

Orion pecked on the door with his knuckle, ”Are you awake in there?” He called out quietly through the closed door. By the time they'd came back inside, Jos and Shelly had already retired to their room. ”I brought you something to eat. I know you probably don't feel like it but you need something on your stomach as sick as you were earlier.” He heard light foot steps and the door slowly pushed open.

Jos smiled up at the large man standing in her doorway holding a serving tray and wearing a flowered apron. She couldn't help the slight giggle that escaped her lips. ”What in the world?” She stepped out of the way as he walked in.

Orion set two bowls on the ground for Shelly. ”I hate feeding you like this, it seems wrong but until you shift back...” He turned and watched as Jos crawled back into the large king sized bed and sat cross-legged in the center clutching a pillow to her chest. He set the tray down in front of her. ”I thought we could talk... If you feel up for it... that is...”

Jos smiled and nodded. ”I wanted to talk to you as well.” She said. She could feel her cheeks redden as she squeezed the pillow tighter. She watched as he set down on the edge of the bed and fiddled with the thick fabric of the apron.

”I-” They blurted in unison. ”Sorry, you go-” They both quickly spouted. They both blushed slightly as they held each other's gaze. Jos buried her heated face in the lush thickness of the pillow.

Orion laughed, ”Alright then,” he smoothed out the apron. ”I... wanted to apologize, I guess... and see how you're doing.” He glanced up at her before returning his focus to his hands and the fabric.

Jos popped her head up over the pillow, ”No, I should apologize. You didn't do anything wrong and I still blamed you... this whole time...”

Orion turned away in shame. ”I am to blame for then and now. I could have... should have stepped in sooner and this wouldn't be happening. You wouldn't have gotten hurt, you wouldn't have lost control, wouldn't have wasted 300 years imprisoner in your own home... and you wouldn't be facing punishment now for nearly the same thing.” He stared down at his hands as they fumbled with the fabric.

Jos gripped the pillow tight and slid the tray out of the way. She scooted to the foot of the bed where Orion sat. Hesitating for a brief second, she placed her hand over his and waited for his eyes to meet hers. ”You don't have to apology for any of that. It was me, I did it to myself. I was foolish.” She gave a light hearted laugh, ”I bet you think I'm equally as foolish now, don't you?”

He turned his attention back to where her hand rested on his and patted it with his free hand. ”I don't think you're foolish... but it doesn't mean I understand your logic when it comes to the boy.”

Jos shrugged looking down at their hands. ”I love him... It's that simple. He's young and makes the same mistakes everyone else does when they are that age older even...”

Orion nodded. ”I understand, but why not walk away? What are you getting out of it? Obviously you couldn't handle the stress or you wouldn't have left with the vampire.”

Jos let out a long sigh. ”You're right. It got a bit overwhelming with Russ and probably will again, but what happened with Xavier had very little to do with Russ.” Her eyes moved to Shelly who was curled up on a chase by the fire. ”He manipulated me. He kept telling me Shelly was safe and with his brother... in a happy relationship... He kept making promises that I could talk to her and see her but never came through.” Her clouded eyes met his and for the first time in a long while the clouds parted to a glint of certainty. ”The day Arei and I got to the house. I heard from up stair that that bastard had known all along of the hells Shell was getting put through. When I saw her down there...” Jos's eyes burned into Orion's, ”That was the first time I've ever had full control over the beast. You may have thought I lost complete control, but I didn't... not until I saw the look on Russ's face. The surprise and fear, I couldn't take it. The beast took over fully. For that I apologize, I know I put you and Arei both through hell.”

Orion nodded. ”I can understand that completely and I don't fault you at all. Hell if I'd walked in on that I'd killed them all too, probably. But what happens when you lose control and Russ is the one hurt? He wouldn't be able to fight you off let along over power you. Hell it took Arei and I both to wear you down enough for Arei to subdue you.” Jos sighed heavily and nodded. ”You're right, and that's why I want you to turn me in.” Her eyes met his a silent plea in them, ”I don't want to hurt him or anyone else I love. Turn me in before that happens. Maybe if I'm locked away for another 300 hundred years, he could move on and be happy with his own family... his own people.”

Orion shook his head. ”That isn't a good enough reason.”

Jos gave him a sad smile, ”Then do it because it's the right thing to do, and because I deserve to be tried for my crimes.” She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his thick neck. She whispered, ”Do it because in your own way, you care for Russ, Shelly, and me and it's the right thing to do.”

A tear streamed down his smooth cheek as he wrapped his arms around her slender waist. ”I'll will, only if it's what you truly want... and I'll fight to be your guardian this time.” He pulled back and looked down at her. ”I promise I'll find a way to make up for everything.”

She brushed his tear away as her own fell. ”You have nothing to make up for. Just promise me you'll stay by Russ's side if the worst is to happen.”