The Time to Tell

"So, what's been on your mind?" Syri inquired after a moment. "Hm?" Estan sounded in response, lifting a brow as he turned toward the zeta.

"Something has been weighing on you, Inso. You've been mulling over it for a while now," Syri said as he sat up and turned to face the gamma.

Estan let out a breath as he looked at the zeta. The gamma's body relaxed as a light smile came to his lips. "You're right; something has been on my mind," Estan revealed.

Syri remained silent as he could tell that Estan was not the keenest on revealing exactly what had been on his mind. The gamma refrained from disclosing the subject of his distress as he did not want to cause the zeta to unwillingly remember the events of that day at Gern.

"What are you going to do about it?" Syri inquired after a moment of silence had passed between the two.

"I'll have to do it," Estan answered.

"But, do you want to?" The zeta returned.

The gamma sucked in his breath as he nodded his head and answered, "Yeah, I do. He deserves to know." Estan's eyes glistened slightly as his gaze wandered over the endless shimmering celestial orbs filling the night sky.

A small smile came to Syri's lips as the gamma came to a decision. "Then you better go tell him, don't you think?" The zeta suggested as he turned his gaze to the gamma.

Estan nodded in agreement as he smiled at the zeta before standing to his feet. "You're right. I should go. He's probably waiting for me."

Syri followed the gamma in standing to his feet as he said, "I should probably go back to my room and get some sleep."

"Mm," Estan sounded in agreement. "You've had a long day. Get some good rest," the gamma bid as the two prepared to part ways.

"Thanks, Inso. Good luck with whatever was on your mind," the zeta returned sweetly.

"It will be resolved shortly," Estan replied with a slight smile as he reached an arm up and ruffled the zeta's pink hair. "Night, Little One."

"Night, Inso."

Estan released a breath as he watched the zeta walk away before linking his mate. 'Yej, where are you?'

It was only a second before the alpha responded. 'I'm training the boys in the yard. Is everything okay?' Concern filled the alpha's voice as he linked the gamma.

'Everything is okay.' Estan assured the alpha. 'Meet me in our room when you're done. There's something I need to tell you.'

Silence filled Estan's mind for a moment as before Yejin's voice returned. 'The session just ended. I'm coming to you now.'

<<<<<>>>>>

Tears filled the alpha's eyes as he gazed at his mate softly. Estan's cheeks were soaked as he said, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I just- I just-"

Yejin was quick to pull his mate into his embrace. "Hey, it's okay. It's okay," the alpha soothed as he held his love. "I should have been there for you. I'm so sorry."

Fresh tears streamed down Estan's face as he heard Yejin's words. "No, you had important matters to-"

"Nothing is more important than you. I should have made sure you and Syri made it to Alia safely."

"What is done is done," Estan concluded. "It is in the past, Yej. I am here with you, and that is what matters."

The alpha's eyes flashed red as he quickly stated, "I am not going to let those bastards get away with-"

"They're all dead, love," Estan informed the alpha. "The pann killed them."

"Ah, well, if anyone else dares hurt you, they will feel hell's fire," Yejin firmly declared.

A smile came to Estan's lips as he looked up at the man holding him. "I am so lucky to have you as my mate." Love filled the gamma's green eyes as he gazed up at the alpha. "I'm pretty sure I'm the lucky one," Yejin returned softly as he cupped the gamma's cheek and wiped away a fresh tear. Estan's lips curled into a smile as he draped his arms around the alpha's neck and brought his mate down to be a breath away.

The alpha and gamma locked eyes and shared a love-filled gaze as Yejin dropped his hands to Estan's waist and pulled the gamma into his body. Estan's green eyes fluttered as he reached up and pressed his lips to Yejin's. The two closed their eyes as they enjoyed a deep, tender kiss.

Tingles ran down Estan's spine as Yejin slipped his hand beneath the gamma's shirt and slid his long fingers up his mate's back. Estan kept his arms draped over Yejin's neck as the alpha walked the two to the bed and guided the gamma onto the covers. In one swift motion, Yejin lifted Estan's shirt over his head as the gamma lied down onto the soft bed.

Estan's eyes were glazed as he watched Yejin remove his shirt and come to lean over him. "I love you," the gamma said as the alpha intertwined the two's fingers. Yejin smiled down on his mate and pecked Estan on the forehead as he returned, "I love you, so so much." The alpha's eyes glistened as he promised, "I won't let anyone hurt you ever again."

Tears touched the gamma's eyes at the alpha's words. A tear from the alpha dripped onto Estan's cheek as the gamma pulled his mate down onto his body and pressed his lips to Yejin's in a deep kiss. Tears mixed with love as the two interlocked their lips and became enwrapped in the other's presence, becoming one beneath the moonlight.