For the Sake of Peace

Part Five: In Which an Understanding is Reached…Almost.

The next night Soren pays for his decision to sleep on his side. A pained groan escapes him and he rolls onto his back. The throbbing pain tells him he’d done worse to his already abused flesh by his decision. Unfortunately for him, Raze hears his cry of pain. “Soren, what happened?” the dark skinned Lycan asks.

“N-nothing,” he grits out.

Raze sighs. “For once would you just WORK with me?”

“No…mind your own damn business!”

“You ARE my business, Soren. We’re MARRIED!”

“I don’t give a damn!”

Raze growls low in his throat before he pulls the blankets down. Soren tries to move away but he can’t and a soft whimper escapes him as Raze brushes his hand lightly over his boxers. “What happened last night?”

“I got kicked by an idiot with steel-toed boots, okay?” Soren snaps.

“And then you rolled on your side…Soren,” Raze sighs but doesn’t start the argument, he merely adds, “I’ll go get some ice.”

Soren doesn’t say anything as the Lycan leaves but he feels the guilt return. Raze had been NOTHING but kind to him during this whole thing and he was being hostile. He grits his teeth in frustration. How the HELL had he become the bad guy?

His self-loathing is interrupted as Raze returns with a bag of ice and a towel. Soren watches as he wraps the bag in the towel and without even asking him, slides it into his boxers. It takes a moment for the cold to penetrate the towel but then, slowly and surely, Soren feels the cold settle and the throbbing pain fade. He closes his eyes. “Thank you,” he manages to force out.

“You’re welcome…just rest and don’t do anything stupid, okay?” Raze asks.

“I don’t have many opportunities while lying in bed,” Soren retorts, “but I’ll keep that in mind.”

Raze gives him a small smile before he leaves and Soren wonders what the hell was going on. That Lycan was driving him crazy. ‘He’s probably used to being put in these situations where he has no choice,’ he thinks, ‘but I’m not and I REFUSE to live the rest of my existence married to that man!’ He finds his emotions once again riled up and he grits his teeth. This was no way for him to be acting and he knew it. Such childish displays of temper were what had gotten him in trouble in the past.

He closes his eyes and tries to relax and let the ice work on his swollen flesh. ‘Damn Lycans,’ he thinks, ‘They need to leave well enough alone.’ “You look like shit,” a voice comments from the doorway suddenly drawing him from his angry thoughts.

He looks at the male standing there irritably. “Why don’t you go annoy Kraven, Nathaniel?” he demands.

“Because you look so much more inviting. Having marital problems?”

“No, I just got on the wrong side of a Lycan wearing steel-toed boots,” he retorts.

“Ouch,” the dark haired vampire murmurs, “That must hurt.”

“It would hurt less if I hadn’t slept on my side trying to avoid Raze,” Soren mutters, “I really, really hate him.”

“Do you really hate him?” Nathaniel inquires.

“YES!”

Nathaniel stares at him. “I can hear your rage and frustration but I do not hear your hate. I really don’t think that you hate him. Why don’t you try and get over your lack of control on your life and stop blaming Raze for things that cannot possibly be his fault?”

Soren’s eyes narrow. “I do NOT need advice FROM you!” he snaps.

Nathaniel sighs. Soren was difficult under the best of times but now…there was no telling what he would do if he was pushed much farther. “Soren, please, listen to me. I know that you feel that you are being boxed in and that’s not fair to you but you also must realize that we are not capable of fighting another war. Let Viktor’s hatred die, please.”

Soren glowers at him. “Why didn’t you die in the subway?” he mutters hating that the younger male is making a lot of sense.

“Because someone has to be your conscience,” Nathaniel responds.

“I figured all of you were back at the mansion. What are YOU doing here?”

“I know you better than most of the others. You are not happy with this at all. You aren’t giving Raze a chance and I am not stupid enough to think that this feud will die easily.”

“Well you’d be right. I’ve already been threatened by a Lycan who tried to shoot me.”

Nathaniel sighs. “Of course…you need to be careful.”

“Don’t you think I know that?”

“I didn’t say you didn’t…I’d just like to see you live for another hundred centuries or so.”

“How sweet of you…Go away. I’m not in the mood to deal with your stupidity.”

“Can’t you even be nice to your fellow vampires?” Raze asks from the doorway.

“Mind your business, Lycan!” Soren snaps.

“Why is it that everything I say to you ends up with you mouthing off to me?” Raze asks.

“Because you make comments that are not necessary about things that are NONE of your business!”

“Can you NOT try to be decent for five minutes or is THAT too hard for you?” Raze demands.

“Don’t patronize me, LYCAN!” Soren spits back.

“Nathaniel, please leave,” Raze tells him.

“Umm…yeah,” Nathaniel answers before almost fleeing the room after giving Soren a sympathetic look. He closes the door on the way out.

Soren goes to give the Lycan a scathing retort when he sees his husband’s expression. It makes him stay completely silent. Raze stalks to the bed looking beyond furious. “I have tried to deal with this nicely. You just WOULDN’T let up. Now, I am going to teach you a lesson as to WHY you shouldn’t push me.”

Soren swallows realizing that Kraven had warned him about this. Raze pulls the blankets from him and strips him of his boxers and the icepack. Soren makes a sound in protest but Raze ignores him. He sits on the bed and pushes his thighs apart. Soren trembles feeling more vulnerable now than when he was alone with him in wolf-form. “Pl-please,” he whispers.

“You are in NO position to be asking for ANYTHING,” Raze responds as he undresses.

Soren trembles watching him. He is almost positive that he’s going to have more injuries by the time Raze is done teaching him his place. He closes his eyes as he feels Raze lift his hips up onto his lap. He knows he’s pushed Raze to this and that there is no one but himself to blame for what happens but he can’t help being furious with the whole situation. He’d been forced into a marriage he had no say in and he’d gotten his husband angry with him. There was no reason for him to act that way and he damn-well knew it.

Raze slides a finger under his hips and Soren whimpers feeling it push into him. He truly wasn’t used to being a bottom and this was hard for him to adjust. There is a bit of a burning pain while Raze stretches him but that was merely because there was no lubrication beforehand…not that Soren expected that courtesy…he’s just glad Raze is preparing him at all. Transformed or not, Raze is still very well endowed and if he went in dry without stretching, Soren would be in a world of pain and would be torn and bleeding badly.

Soon, Raze pushes into him and Soren struggles to relax. He knows that if he doesn’t, he’s going to be in more pain than necessary. Thankfully, Raze stays still until his body is adjusted before making a shallow thrust that makes him brush against his prostate and send pleasure spiraling through him. He finds his hips arching back to meet Raze and soon he’s sharply jerking at every thrust, pressing himself onto his lap. He’s still very careful about his injured flesh and tries to keep it from being rubbed against Raze’s body. His attempts are only half effective at best and he finds the mixture of pain and pleasure not wholly unpleasant.

Raze leaves when he’s done and Soren is glad for that means he doesn’t have to face him. He gets up and almost limps to the bathroom to shower and try to get his emotions under control. He was going to kill Kraven…that was obvious. That man had ruined his life enough. He turns the water on cold and steps under the spray. Shivering, he washes off the evidence of what just occurred though he’s a bit irritated at the lack of hostility he feels towards his husband. Resting his head against the wall, he wonders why his life always had to be the one that went to hell in a hand basket.

He finishes and returns to the bedroom. Raze is there. For a moment, he thinks about turning and heading back into the bathroom but he decides he’s had enough fleeing for one day. “How are you?” Raze asks watching him.

“Fine. A little sore still but that’ll fade,” he responds simply as he dries his hair off. He doesn’t even think about the fact that he’s naked in front of him. “Where did you run off to?”

“I found the guy who kicked you…set him straight,” Raze responds.

Soren is stunned. “You actually hunted him down?”

“You sound surprised.”

“I didn’t think you’d actually go after him.”

“He had no right to kick you with a steel-toed boot. I was making sure he understood where you stood in the pack. I’m Lucian’s right-hand man…therefore my mate is NOT to be harassed by lower pack mates.”

“Thank you,” Soren says softly and then, feeling really, really guilty, “Look, I’m sorry about earlier. I’m just having some issues coping with the change my life’s taken. It’s nothing against you personally, though I’ve pretty much made it seem that way. You’re not who I’m mad at…hell, I don’t think I know WHO I’m mad at anymore. This whole situation sucks but you’re in the same damn boat so I shouldn’t be lashing out at you.”

Raze chuckles. “Well, you surprise me, Soren, I didn’t actually think you’d apologize…There’s a first time for everything I guess.”

“Hey, don’t patronize me. You got an apology…leave it at that.”

“Alright, I will. I just don’t want to have to force you into sex again.”

“You won’t…I’ve learned my lesson.”

“Good, I figured you learned quickly. From what I heard, Viktor never tolerated failures.
“No,” Soren says quietly, “no, he didn’t.”

“I’m not going to pry, Soren. You’re past is your own business and I know it’s none of mine but I can tell you carry some deep scars from that.”

“A lot of scars…I just don’t know if I’ll ever truly recover from what he did to me. I don’t know if someone CAN recover completely from someone like Viktor.”

“I am sure you’ll find a way, Soren. You’re a lot stronger than Viktor ever gave you credit for.”

Soren finds himself smiling. “Well, you can go from pissed-off to compassionate in a space of a few hours…I’m impressed.”

Raze chuckles. “Only for you, Soren, only for you.”

“Hey, I’m not THAT bad!”

“Oh really?”

“Really!”

“Mmmhmm…vampire, you have more mood swings than a woman during her pregnancy!”

“Least I don’t get furry at the full moon!”

“I can get furry on command so don’t make me do it!”

“You would just to spite me!”

“Spite you, no, get my point across, oh yes!”

“You don’t have a point!”

“You’re not listening!”

“I’m listening just fine!”

“No, you hear only what you WANT to hear!”

“That’s not true!”

“Oh for Pete’s sake! You’re the one throwing a temper tantrum just because I told you that you’re the only one who can make me pissed-off and then compassionate in a few hours. Would you STOP taking everything as a blow to your ego!”

“You’re insulting me! How can I not retaliate?”

“You could act your age!”

Soren scowls at him and Raze gives the same expression right back. Soren throws his hands up after a few minutes of intense staring. “Would you please just decide whether you’re going to be nice or the demon from hell?”

“I only react to you, Soren. Maybe you should choose how you act around me a bit more carefully.”

“Don’t blame this on me!”

“When it’s your fault there’s no one else TO blame!”

Soren scowls at him. “You’re being ridiculous!”

“I’M being ridiculous? Have you LISTENED to yourself?” Raze demands.

“You’re NOT the one who’s been pushed into being a submissive husband to another species!”

“Maybe not, but I spent centuries being a slave…did YOU?”

“Don’t play that card with me!”

“Then don’t whine!”

“I am NOT whining!”
“YES, you ARE!”

“You’re a bastard!”

“You’re a whiny bitch, what’s your point?”

Soren’s mouth drops open at his words and he stares at him. “You did NOT just call me a whiny bitch did you?”

“Yes, I did. If you didn’t act like one, I wouldn’t say it. You can be as aggravated at this situation as you want, Soren but don’t be aggravated at the person who’s in the same boat you are. I am trying to be as pleasant as I can but I don’t like this anymore than YOU do!”

“I can imagine,” Soren mutters.

“Hey, I am not used to being in a bed with a man who doesn’t want me.”

“Well, get used to it.”

“Oh so because you don’t like this, you’re going to be celibate and make me do the same?”

“Well, I take my vows seriously…and I SERIOUSLY am NOT sleeping with you ever again! I suggest you become very well acquainted with your hand and if need be, a vibrator.”

“What makes you think I won’t force the issue?”

“Because you’re more honorable than that.”

Raze scowls at him, and Soren merely smiles. “I’ve been celibate for years at a time, Raze…I’m sure you can manage.” The look his husband gives would be enough to make most men quiver in fear, but Soren just laughs. “If not…as I said, your hand a vibrator will be your only two options.”

“You are going to make life VERY difficult, Soren, aren’t you?”

“Oh, you haven’t begun to see difficult, Raze…not yet.”

The Lycan gives him a scathing look which he ignores in favor of getting dressed and gingerly sliding into the bed on one side. “Sweet dreams, husband mine,” he says sweetly as he curls beneath the blankets.

Raze watches him for a few minutes. His dark eyes are stormy and he can’t begin to separate his emotions. This was beginning to wear down his hard-won control. If Soren thought what he did earlier was frightening…he had no idea what Raze was capable of if he lowered his inhibitions. “Idiot,” he mutters, “Why do you have to make things so damn hard?” Knowing he’ll get no answer, he sighs before slipping onto the other side of the bed. “By morning he’ll be curled into me again and he’ll say it’s my fault,” he mutters, “I just know it. Damn.” With this less than pleasant thought, he closes his eyes and drifts off to sleep dreading what the next night will bring.