Sui Generis – 56

 

"Hang on!" Brand said, catching up with Mag in the waiting room. "What's going on with you?" He put his hands on Mag's shoulders, staring at him. "Why are you so concerned about Lew? Why is he so important to you? Are you…?" Suddenly he didn't want to voice the thought that had come to him.

Mag however seemed to know what his unfinished question meant because he shook his head. "No, I'm not… what? Infatuated with him or whatever you might be thinking? Damn, in case you don't know it by now, you're the only man I want in my life and have been forever, it seems."

Brand sighed in relief. "I know I shouldn't have doubted it, but…"

Mag wrapped his arms around Brand, kissing him very thoroughly. "There, feel better?"

"Much," Brand admitted. "I was… okay, jealous."

"Don't be. I just feel so damned sorry for Lew." Smiling, he stroked Brand's jaw. "I know what it's like to care about someone and think they don't return my feelings."

"Meaning me."

"Yes. I was wrong, but for the longest time I didn't know that. Anyway, I guess I'm seeing some of me in Lew and I wish there was something I could do help him—and Randulf."

"Unfortunately, it's probably too late. Lew's gone, and somehow I don't see Randulf doing anything to find him. Or—" Brand chuckled softly, "—sitting still while you lecture him on why he should."

"Yeah, that's not going to happen and I know it." Mag kissed him again, quickly, before saying, "Right now though, you should go back so Ulrik can continue your training, and I'll go home and sulk because I can't play matchmaker."

Brand nodded. "I think you called it 'peacemaker' but either way, unfortunately, I doubt it's going to happen. Okay, I'll go learn more about what being a werewolf entails."

Mag wrinkled his nose, "And I'll try to study for the exam one of my professors is giving and pray I pass."

"You will, with flying colors." Brand grinned. "Just think, when you get your degree, you can be my own personal nurse if I ever get wounded the way Randulf and Lew did."

"Gee, that's a nice thought. Not."

"You don't want to be my personal nurse?" Brand said, pretending to be hurt.

"That is not what I meant and you know it. So go learn what you have to do so that won't happen—getting wounded, I mean." He smiled, giving Brand one more kiss. "I'll always be your personal nurse and personal—" he waggled his eyebrows, "—everything."

Brand groaned. "I wonder if I can sneak away and go home with you right now."

"No, you can't," Ulrik said from the doorway. He grinned at Brand. "Right now, kid, you're coming with me. So move it."

"I'm not a kid," Brand muttered, as he ignored Mag's laughter and followed Ulrik out of the clinic.