Gargoyle: Kinswoman

Part 23

Bascun's hesitated for a mere second before he slowly, but firmly, lowered himself back into the position he'd first presented himself in. His eyes remained on her and thus he saw all her panic in full. She was trembling so hard, it made the jacket's hem shake in its rhythm.

She gave him exasperated look equal to Tougo, when she noticed his clenched teeth. He did her bidding, but he didn't like it and suddenly it dawned on her, why. He hated seeing her in her own made hell. She hadn't allowed him to show his support, not when she had given him a go to take over, when it has clearly become out of her control.

"Take my hand, please." She gulped as he immediately reached for it and set his over hers on his thigh. It felt odd to ask such affection in times, when the man usually just did it without thought, but the irritation faded in her, when she understood she liked it. There would be times, when she would feel free to accept it without asking, but right now, the fact that he actually understood she wouldn't accept it unless she asked for it, made her heart swell.

Tougo rolled his eyes. It was clear he didn't appreciate the game they were playing and for a second she let her confidence fall with the thought of truly being nothing but someone, who needed to be guided. A fool, who couldn't really make her own decisions and be tangled along whenever somebody wished so.

"Here." Tougo grunted and tossed something on the bed. They were a broken communicator and a new one. "I told him you were out of reach, because I accidentally toasted your pocket, because I thought it was a rat."

They blinked, staring at it and then at Tougo. Veronica wasn't sure she was awake. This was so out of context, she burst laughing out of the tension. So did Bascun, taking it from the bed and pushing it into the pocket.

"Thanks, Tougo."

"I don't that excuse stands for long though." He gave the pair a knowing look. "I mean, you claiming her and all..."

"I know. Still, thanks."

"Now you have no excuses not to call home, IT!" Tougo said much louder, so he could be heard behind him, where they could hear the two approaching.

It humored her how much they knew of human fiction and at the same time it seemed so weird, when, compared to Hatangy, they seemed technologically more advanced. Yet what they seemed to lack in every day technology, which was what humans used most, their focus seemed to be in specialized technology that seemed to fill the gap of need to protect family group's privacy, rather than binding together a society.

She felt his palm caress hers and she looked up.

"You seem lost in your own world, sweet."

She nodded. "Yeah, I'm a bit..." her words faded as she smiled on the endearment. Had he used it before? "It's ok, I'm ok."

He nodded and they heard Tougo do a little aw on the side.

"He is married, you know." Bascun offered in a blink.

As if that was to explain everything, she thought, but then the couple reached their door and her smile fell, when Thorwald's filled the door frame with the small woman by his side. He was dressed completely like a businessman, darker suit with matching tie and she swore she saw white shirt underneath it all.

Selene.

Thorwald gave them once-over and with a frown, he turned to Bascun, who dared him with a glare.

"I see." He growled low, taking in the couple on the bed. She felt Bascun's thighs tighten around her hips as if to pine her down, but she didn't care. Her eyes were solely on the woman by gargoyle's side.