Tedrey again grew quiet as he considered all of this.

“You have made your amends and you have proved your worth,” Faunus said softly, giving Tedrey’s neck a squeeze. “Now, let it be done and enjoy the life you built with the friends you earned.”

The life he built with the friends he earned.

“Teddy,” Faunus prompted.

The life he built with the friends he earned.

“Teddy,” Faunus whispered, again squeezing his neck.

“I will get safe,” Tedrey promised.

Faunus let out a long breath.

And Tedrey felt a funny feeling in his throat at the emotion his warrior so easily showed in his relief.

“How should we celebrate this exceptionally wise decision?” Faunus murmured.

Tedrey grinned and caught himself from rolling his eyes.

But that eve, he had had his cock sucked and his arse taken by someone who did not find him lacking.

By someone who cared about him deeply.

Someone whose affection Tedrey had earned.

And he had been sucking cock he did not want in his mouth for some time.

It was time to have a new taste.

On this decision he was still grinning as he shifted on the cushions.

Faunus slouched back brazenly.

Once in position, Tedrey drew him deep, watching his warrior’s face.

As Faunus felt the draw, his beautiful eyes in his handsome face grew hooded.

Yes.

Much better.

Necessarily, after a lingering farewell and promises from Faunus that he would visit Tedrey wherever Lorenz took him to keep him safe until the Go’Doan were gone, Tedrey left the Lotus Den by himself.

And he walked the long journey home by himself.

But he knew that he was followed by Faunus’s man.

And he hoped he was not followed by anyone else.

But it would not matter.

He did not have to worry about this any longer.

It was over for him.

And he sensed the burden of it lift, knowing that, too, was a precious gift received from his friends.

Not to mention, he was keen to share this decision with Nyx. She also would be most relieved, and because of this, Tedrey was anxious to give that to her.

He felt the presence of Faunus’s guard leave him when he smelled the honeysuckle at the side of Nyx and Lorenz’s home.

Faunus was correct. It was not only Nyx who would be most pleased at his decision.

Lorenz would as well.

He did not know if The Rising was soon to be done. It had seemed so much grander, so sweeping, those in it so determined, for it to be so easily defeated.

But Faunus was right. He’d done what he could, but his hand had been played.

And now, Nyx and Lorenz could reconcile, and soon there would be a baby in the house.

He would not be there, however (though he would come often to visit).

Once it was safe, he would find his own abode.

He quite liked the idea, once he found it, of decorating it in a colorful Firenz way.