Chapter Six | Acceptance
Pain was the first thing that Chris felt when he woke up. It radiated from his lower abdomen and made him want to curl up into a small ball. He groaned, his eyes squeezing shut as a simple shift made his wound erupt in agony.
"Chris! You're-Thank-"
"Shh," Chris hissed, "Apparently stomach pain also equates to having a headache."
Feeling clammy hands cup his cheeks, Chris eased his eyes open, "You healed me."
"Well, I didn't want you to die." Wyatt replied, his voice hushed.
"You look like shit," Chris said, chuckling.
"And yet, I still manage to look better than you."
"I think I have some leeway as I did have a hole in my stomach," Chris retorted softly, his eyes fluttering shut, "What happened?"
He felt the bed dip slightly. He could only assume Wyatt sat down as he couldn't find the energy to open his eyes. "Lay down, will you?" Chris grumbled, "Then tell me the nice tale of the vanquishing of my dear old Aunt."
"I don't think that's a wise idea."
Sighing, Chris forced an eye open. Although blurry, he could make out Wyatt's apprehensive face, his blue eyes looking over Chris's body. "I'm not going to break just because of a bit of shaking. Now, lay down, you look like you're about to keel over."
He felt Wyatt's sigh more than saw it as his eye slid shut again. The bed shook slightly as Wyatt gingerly laid down before he felt the comforting weight of Wyatt's arm across his chest - obviously well above where it usually would be and high above his wound. Turning his head, Chris smiled, "There we go."
"You okay?"
"Peachy, you know, ignoring the stabbing pain in my stomach; but, you have nothing to do with that." Chris opened his eyes, "Now, tell me what happened."
Wyatt frowned. "Your Aunt sprinted towards you and, um, you know…"
"Stabbed me."
"Uh, yeah. By time I reached you, you had fallen to the ground. And I lashed out," Chris watched as Wyatt's eyes filled with tears, a few falling from his eyes, "I thought you were dead."
"But I'm not." Chris whispered, reaching up to wipe a tear from Wyatt's cheek, "I'm right here."
Chris continued to caress Wyatt's cheekbones as the blond composed himself. "I'm not sure how I did it; but, she suddenly went up in flames. She screamed and then...she was a pile of ashes."
"You were angry," Chris answered softly, "Your molecular acceleration probably went crazy and blew her up."
"I think angry would be an understatement, love." Wyatt replied, "I was pissed, distraught, and broken."
"Which resulted in my Aunt going boom," Chris said with a small chuckle before sobering, "Did anyone else get hurt?"
"My mom has a few scratches, my aunts a few bruises but nothing major. A little healing and they were fine."
"Your cousins? Uncles?"
"Shaken up; but, fine overall." Wyatt answered softly, "You have to stop doing this to me."
"I don't go out attempting to almost get myself murdered." Chris muttered.
"Seems like it lately," Wyatt sighed, his fingers brushing through Chris's thick brown locks as he looked up at the ceiling, "School doesn't seem so bad now does it?"
Chris laughed, "Never thought I would actually miss school."
"Hmm." Wyatt hummed in agreement.
Glancing up, Chris chuckled, "Sleep, God only knows you deserve it."
"Love you."
"You too."
The next day, Chris awoke before Wyatt, the man seemingly sleeping peacefully beside him. The half-demon still had an ache where his aunt stabbed him; but, at least now it was bearable. With a quiet groan, Chris forced himself into a seated position. By time he made it to the point of swinging his legs around to dangle over the edge of the bed, he was gasping for breath. His hand was pressed to the lower left hand side of his abdomen. Faintly, he could feel the raised edges of the healed wound which would no doubt fade away into another scar.
Chris glanced over his shoulder, smiling in relief when he saw that Wyatt was still asleep. Taking a deep breath, he hoisted himself up to stand on wobbly legs. It took a few stumbling steps before his legs were strong enough to hold his weight long enough to make his way to the bathroom across the hall. After doing his business, he splashed cold water upon his face before glancing into the mirror. Dark shadows hung from his sage green eyes. A thin coating of facial hair made him look more like a homeless person or a drunkard than the masculine figure he wish it would. His hair stood up in wayward directions and was desperate for a trim. Shaking his head, he dabbed his face dry before opening his door only to jump in shock when a pair of chocolate brown eyes peered back at him.
"Oh, thought Wyatt was awake."
Chris blinked before shaking his head, "He's still asleep, do you want me to wake him?"
Piper shook her head, "No, let him sleep. He needs it."
Chris nodded, gnawing on his bottom lip as he awkwardly stood in the bathroom threshold. "Wyatt told me everyone is okay, I'm glad. I'm sorry she -"
"You have nothing to apologize for." Piper interrupted, "If it wasn't her it would be a different demon."
"I was hoping to change that." Chris whispered.
Piper took a deep breath, "Chris, I know we didn't….start off on the right foot; but…."
"You were worried for your son, I understand." Chris saved her from finishing, "I'm a demon, the Prince of all evil, you had every right to doubt my intentions towards your son."
"But in doing so, treated you unfairly." Piper sighed, "I should also trust my son's judgement and know that just because someone is born from a bad bloodline doesn't make them evil. Paige always did love the nature versus nurture argument."
Chris chuckled, "Its one that has played itself in my mind numerous times."
Hesitantly, Piper reached out and took Chris's hands into her own, "My son wouldn't be with you if he didn't know you were good. I'm just glad that my son is mature enough to look beyond your origins and didn't act like his stupid parents and judge right away." Piper took a deep breath, "I know we have a long road ahead of us; even after all this shit is done with the Underworld; but know that you and Wyatt have the blessing of all of us. Hopefully, in a few years, your relationship can show that demonic hybrids aren't all that bad."
Chris looked down, a small shy smile appearing on his face, "Thanks Mrs. Halliwell."
"Oh, none of that now." Piper demanded, lightly smacking Chris on the upper arm, "If you're dating my son, you can at least call me Piper."
Chris nodded. "Now, get back in bed, I know you're still not fully healed yet." Piper ordered, "I'll wake you both up as soon as I have breakfast made."
As the bedroom door eased shut, Chris blinked. He wasn't sure what he did to gain the Halliwell's trust and blessing; but as he looked at the blond man sleeping in the bed, he vowed he was going to everything in his power to never lose it.
Author's Note : Thank you for your patience in waiting for this chapter. Retail and the holidays never leave much time to write. With that behind us for another nine months, I'm hoping for more time to sit down and write. Sadly, I'm still working a full-time job so your patience might be tested a few more times. Thanks for understand and the continued support of this fic. You all are the best and I hoped everyone had a wonderful Holiday season and have a blessed New Year!