Page 108 of The Protective Gryphen

In that moment, he soothed the savage Marine, bringing him back down to calm.

“Thank you,” he said.

Ian was honest.

“Because I notice our differences, Gryph, doesn’t mean I don’t think we’re perfect together. We are. We are opposites, and they attract. Look at the Blackhawks.”

He let him talk.

“Elizabeth and Gene are the same personality, and that’s why Ethan is drawn to both of them. They are gregarious, funny, and insane. He’s reserved, quiet, and a thinker. Look at how perfect their relationships are.”

He did think they were that.

Ian continued.

“Then, look at Chris and Elizabeth. He’s the doctor, always stuck in his head, and she’s what pulls him out. She makes him laugh by being ridiculous. He needs that levity to survive the horrible things he has to do every day for his job. They are perfect together.”

Gryphen let him keep going.

“Then, there’s Callen. He’s got a soft spot under the big body. He’s been hurt so many times, that he needs armor. She’s his armor and is tough and imperviable. No one gets past that to him. Opposites.”

“And that’s why I need you to stop putting yourself down, Ian. What would she do if they did that?”

He got it.

Touché.

“She’d be pissed.”

“Exactly. Find the best parts of you to see for yourself. I only see them. You think you’re too feminine for a man, but that’s what I love. I get off on your body above mine. There’s something about that sleekness, the way you’re not hairy like me, and how I love the angles and lines of your body. That’s what I like. Fucking someone like me…not my thing. Having you above me, below me, and with me is my happiness. You can tell me I’m sexy and not diminish your own light.”

He rested his head on his chest.

“I love you, Gryph. I’ll stop putting myself down. I see that it hurts you, and I never want you to feel like that.”

That was what he wanted, and because he would give him that, Gryphen would give him the truth.

He led him back over to the log, and they sat down.

“I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to die, Ian. You’re the only thing keeping me here. Even when I came to work for the Blackhawks, I was empty. I didn’t want to be alive anymore.”

He listened.

“Every day, I thought ‘maybe if I just didn’t wake up the world would be a better place’,” he admitted.

Tears filled Ian’s eyes.

“Then, you got hurt, and toward the end, Ian, I was glad. I’m a horrible person for thinking that, but I was so glad he hurt you so that I could put you back together again. You gave me the only purpose in my life. You needed me. I’m sorry.”

He touched his cheek.

“My love,” he said. “I’m glad too. There’s nothing I’m more grateful for than what he did to me. Because of that assault and him trying to destroy me, I came back better and stronger. You did heal me. You’re my hero, Gryphen. You’re my whole world. Don’t feel bad you think that. I do too. Don’t get me wrong, I never want to live it again, but I’m grateful he hurt me that day so you could be what healed all of me.”

He rested his head on his shoulder.

Gryphen kissed him on his forehead.

“I’ve been carrying that for a while,” he said.

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