Egaran Stars - 69. Reinard- Lost Faro

He stumbled through the door of the porneo, shaking from the freezing rain. For such a warm planet, their water was absolutely frigid. Or maybe it was because he had been walking since before dawn. Reinard didn’t know, and at the moment, he didn’t care.

Nothing could fix him anymore. He was afraid to take the nepáta, and there was no way he could talk to Noreen about this. The Xanar would probably jail him for assault. He was surprised Themis hadn’t.

The Faro didn’t even know what he was doing here. He should have been halfway to the port by now, working to scrounge up the credits for a ticket off world. Themis already told him where he needed to go, she had mentioned it way back when they first met. Uisge, the home of the Cervidae. If anyone could help him, they could. And he was starting to think about it seriously.

A tiger stared at the Faro in shock, Reinard meeting the stare with a challenging glare, just daring the Egaro to try something. The bronze tiger glanced away briefly, and Reinard darted past her, rushing toward the back rooms where he knew he could find a shower and warmth. Water flew off his fur, taking with it bits of dye, Relys’ hard work fleeing at the first sign of salty rain. It made Reinard feel a little better. He was back to his old self; no more hiding his identity.

“Hey! You can’t go back there!”

“I fucking work here!” Reinard snapped, ducking into a room.

He locked the door behind him, taking in one of the rooms with a shower, the very same one Galen had used with Iason if he remembered correctly. But he didn’t want to remember correctly; he wanted to forget any of this had ever happened. That knife had sliced into Ryan’s face so easily, his blood had been so warm… and though it had been terrifying, for the briefest instant, Reinard had felt powerful for once in his miserable life.

And it scared him that he wanted that feeling back. He wanted to scare people, to make people understand he would not roll over for them.

He had hurt Ryan. It was something he would never forget. And now Themis had kicked him out, had told him to leave and never come back again. If he’d been thinking straight, the Faro would have gone straight for the port. But as it was, he just stripped off his soaked and soiled clothes, the scent of stale urine invading his nose with a pungent punch. Stepping into the shower, Reinard turned the water on hot, and sank under it, curling back up into his ball.

It didn’t take long for the pounding to start, the tigers trying to break through to him. He didn’t care. Let them see him, take him, rape him. He was done with it all.

A quiet click sounded after a moment of silence, and the door to the room opened slowly, a wet tiger stepping inside after the fox. Clothes were tossed aside, the wet thump of fabric cutting through the sound of the shower, and Reinard opened his eyes, letting out a strangled cry at the sight of Galen standing just outside the shower.

“Mind if I join you?” the naked tiger asked quietly.

“Shouldn’t you be busy fucking Aedan?” Reinard demanded hoarsely.

Yet he rose to his feet, flinging himself at the tiger, forcing Galen to hold him, pick him up, love him.

“I don’t want this anymore…” the fox cried. “I don’t want to hurt anymore. I told her I was sorry, I didn’t mean to do it… and I know that won’t fix it… but she hates me Galen. My only friend for years, and she hates me for what I’ve done…”

“She’s not your only friend. And she doesn't hate you Reinard. Even Ryan probably understands. He scared you, didn’t he? And he knew the risks. I’m not saying it’s okay, and I’m not saying I will ever let you come to bed with a knife again, but I understand Reinard,” Galen said quietly, stepping under the shower with the fox. “Gamos… that feels so good… Why here though? Themis thought you were going to the port.”

“I should have,” Reinard scowled. “I need to.”

“You’re pregnant Reinard. Where are you going to go? Who is going to take care of you?”

“I’ll figure it out,” the Faro muttered.

“Are you leaving me again, sailor?”

The fox turned his head, tucking it into the tiger’s shoulder. He nodded slowly, tears pouring from his eyes.

“Life without love is no life… but life after killing your love… I can’t do that Galen. I can’t risk you,” he whimpered. “I’m going to Uisge. If… if I can come back someday… will you still love me?”

The tiger shivered even in the heated water, his arms squeezing around Reinard tightly as he swung the Faro slightly.

“I will always love you, Reinard. Can you give me a day? Can you let me show you how much I’ll miss you?” he murmured, Reinard's ear flicking under the tiger’s hot breath.

Reinard nodded, his hand reaching down to touch the Egaro’s sheath. His thumb brushed over it, his tail raising as he remembered the feeling of it throbbing deep inside him. He could go through that again. He would actually enjoy the pain it brought.

“Not just that, Reinard. We will fuck, one last time before you go. I have no idea when any ship to Sothis would leave, but I know it won’t be for a couple days at least. I promise you’ll get your fill of my little tiger, but for now…”

The Egaro sank with the Faro in his arms, cuddling him close as he turned Reinard’s face. Their lips met, Reinard shivering briefly as he melted into his tiger’s embrace. He didn’t know how he was going to survive this, how he would be able to leave his bonded for months, maybe even years. But if it saved Galen, he would do it gladly.