Page 191 of A Soul to Steal

As far as Aleron was concerned, almost all of their time in Tenebris had been pleasant. There had only been a singleconversation he’d found terrible, and it had been when he asked Gideon to come back to life with him.

But Weldir gave Gideon his own memories.There should be no reason for another misunderstanding regarding it.

“No, they weren’t bad,” Gideon stated warmly, with a note of humour. “They were actually quite lovely.” Then he leaned back on his hands to look at the sky, inspecting the many stars and the setting crescent moon with deep interest. “However, I remember us walking through a town full of cats, and you being veeery interested in what a man and woman were doing together in private. That’s quite improper, Aleron. You shouldn’t peek while people are having sex.”

His wings shifted nervously as his orbs turned a reddish pink. Yet Gideon granted him a sly smirk, showing that he actually wasn’t all that bothered by it.

“Mainly, I just remember us walking through different forests.” His expression fell then, as he tilted his head at a star. “Lots of you talking about Ingram, but I think you’ve repeated much of it. I can’t believe all that witty sarcasm you have is from me teaching you.”

“I like it. I find it funny,” Aleron grumbled.

He didn’t want Gideon to think this newfound trait was done only to appease him.

It wasn’t. It was like a game, one which Aleron enjoyed playing – he just hadn’t known that yet. Headoredteasing this human. Even more so when Aleron caught him stumbling, rather than the other way around.

It often filled his chest with humour.

“Some of it is just flashes or long moments. Perhaps a week of it, but it felt so long. I don’t think I really remembered anything important. Or... maybe it’s all important, I don’t know.” Then Gideon ran his fingers through his hair like he often did. “Youslept a few times, but I never did. We held hands almost the entire way, but I remembered why I first reached out to you.”

Then Gideon, with a bent elbow, lifted his hand up. He covered his face with the other and went still. When too long passed, he wiggled his fingers.

Aleron realised Gideon wanted him to place his own into it.

As soon as he did, Gideon wrapped his fingers around his thumb, and Aleron swallowed his whole hand up. He tried not to put too much weight into it, since the small human never lowered his arm to relax into the hold.

“Aleron... what does thismeanto you?”

Tilting his head at where they were touching, his sight morphing to dark yellow, he didn’t quite understand the point of this question.

Not when his little hand felt perfect in his.

“That you are with me, and wish to remain so,” he answered plainly.

The entire time they had done this in Tenebris, Aleron had thought Gideon had done this to remain by his side. That he would rather be with Aleron than fade into his happiest dreams like all the other humans.

Aleron had chosen him. To ease his loneliness and eventually steal his heart along the way. Gideon had been his companion, his first human friend.

Aleron always knew he did notneedto choose him as his bride.

But, when given the chance to go back to Ingram by himself, all Aleron could think was that he didn’t wish to leave Gideon behind. He’d wanted this human just as much as he longed to be with his kindred, and he couldn’t picture his future without him.

Gideon’s humour and cheer had brightened him, just as his seriousness and sternness stiffened him. His sadness touched his own, but it meant they were the same and could deeplyunderstand each other better than anyone else living. Gideon had been patient with Aleron as he taught him all he could. Gideon reassured him when he felt lacking, making Aleron think fondly of himself despite the blankness within his thoughts that still lingered.

And, despite all the ugliness of their return to Earth, not once had Gideon made him feel less. Yes, he’d made him feel deeply unwanted, but not once had he been cruel. He’d never verbally assaulted him, called him ugly, or stupid, or annoying.

Even when deeply lost, the heart of his bride had still remained. Kind, even when crying. Gentle, even when ripping away from his touch. Loving enough totry.

Hope was what had guided him.

The male who had giggled within Aleron’s wings during their final hours in Tenebris was still a part of him. Already, bit by bit, Gidon’s true nature was revealing itself from behind the invisible veil of his sadness.

He would not blame Gideon for how he acted while blanketed in hopelessness. Aleron, when suffering and unsure of how to cope with it, had been violent towards his own kindred. Yet, he’d always been forgiven.

He had already done the same for this male currently holding his hand.

That you are with me and wish to remain so.That would forever be its meaning to him.

“That’s what I thought,” Gideon muttered, before slipping his hand away despite Aleron wishing to hold on.

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