Page 155 of A Soul to Steal

He turned to Aleron, finding him standing there more awkwardly than usual. His skull was partly turned to the side, and one of his wings had come forward to hide his arm.

Before Gideon could grow more curious, he realised something was missing.

“Shit, where’s my guitar?” Gideon spun in a circle, only to find his case was right next to where the imprint of their bodies remained, where they had stopped the snowfall from touching the ground. He walked over to the case, opened it, and found hisguitar safely tucked away inside it. He looked up at Aleron. “Did you put this away for me?”

“Yes. It is important to you, so I laid it within my wings next to you.”

Gratitude crinkled the outer corner of his eyes. “Thank you. That was astute of you.”

Aleron’s orbs flashed bright yellow, only to quickly sink back to their usual pale pink. Yet, within seconds, they morphed to white, and he averted his skull to the side once more.

“Are you ready to leave?” Aleron asked, his wings shifting slightly. “I would like to continue searching for Ingram.”

“What’s wrong?” Gideon asked instead.

“It is nothing.” He said this, yet his orbs flared... orange?

Gideon couldn’t remember if he’d ever seen them turn that colour, nor did he know what it meant.

His chest tightened in uncertainty, and he rubbed the side of his neck.Something is obviously wrong, but I don’t want to pressure him.Staring at the Duskwalker whose shoulders were turned inward, looking unbearably uncomfortable under his gaze, Gideon sighed.

I think I only find it cute when he looks like this because I feel so bad for him.He was a Duskwalker! He could literally rip him in half with the smallest amount of effort, and yet he looked so damn awkward that Gideon found it sweet. It made Aleron feel... human, almost.

He’ll hopefully tell me when he’s ready.Or maybe Gideon could figure it out on his own. He’d just add it to the list of things he needed to make up for.

Just as he was about to close his case, he remembered something. His eyes lit up, and he started fishing through the two pockets inside it.Come on, I know I felt you last night.Metal clinked, causing a grin to curl his lips.Yes!

He yanked out two earrings – a spare set.

“Please fit,” he pleaded under his breath, as he unlatched the thin hook and poked it into the hole in his ear.

When he slipped it through, although tightly and with a wince, and was able to close the ring, he let out a breath of relief. The bottom of the ring was thicker and had a golden colour despite actually being low quality. It matched the second one, which had an easier time going in.

Once they were in, Gideon shook his head, happy with the weight of them and the way they tapped against the sides of his neck.

Then he shut his case and stood.

“Alright, let’s go,” he stated, coming closer so Aleron could pick him up. Aleron tilted his skull, obviously inspecting one of his earrings, but didn’t comment on them. “I’m glad you’re okay with carrying me and the guitar.”

Gideon would clutch it while Aleron held him. Hopefully, in the future, they could acquire a strap big enough to sling it over Aleron’s back, so long as it didn’t get in the way of his wings. If not, they’d get one to strap across his own, and he could hold on to Aleron’s neck from behind.

Aleron crouched so he could reach around him, and Gideon managed to get a glimpse of his hand – although not a good one. Then the Duskwalker lifted him off the ground and to his chest. As per usual, his right arm crossed Gideon’s back, with his hand grasping his biceps. The other was behind his knees, but instead of holding him, his hand was curled into a tight fist.

The fact Aleron wasn’t gripping him securely was enough to draw his gaze to it. The moment Gideon took in the state of his hand, his face didn’t know if it wanted to go cold and pale in dread, or heat and flush with fury.

“Holy shit!” Gideon squirmed to be put down, shoving at his chest. “What the fuck happened to your hand, Aleron?”

Aleron fought him, trying to keep Gideon in his arms. “It is nothing.”

“The fuck it’s not!” When he struggled to no avail, he cast Aleron the filthiest glare he could muster. “Put me down.Now.”

Not even Aleron’s quiet whimper could lessen his anger after being placed on his feet. Gideon darted for Aleron’s wrist, but he pulled it away.

“Give me your hand.”

He placed his guitar on the ground, held his hand out with his palm facing upwards, and waited.

“I do not want you to see,” Aleron grumbled, tossing his skull from side to side.

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