It's a Long Way Down

Chapter Forty-Six: Possessiveness

"What the actual fuck?"

Ifrit turned around and saw Sodo, a smile going onto his face, "Dewdrop! You're back!"

"What are you doing with my mate?" Sodo asked, a glare in his eyes. He quickly put Ember down, who turned around to look at Sodo, a shocked look on her face, "I thought you were coming back later today."

"They released me early," Sodo told her. He just walked forward and took Ember's hand saying, "Let's get you cleaned up."

He started to take her out of the kitchen, nearly dragging her, simply so he could get her away from Ifrit. Once they were near to his room, she tore her hand out of his saying, "What is wrong with you? He's your friend, I thought you'd want me to get along with your friends."

"That guy is no friend of mine," Sodo said, pointing in the general direction of the kitchen, "Real friends don't take other's mates."

"Yet, you're the one who said that if I wanted to, I could be with someone else and you'd accept it," Ember reminded him. Sodo chuckled darkly, "Yeah, anyone but him. When did he get back anyway? And how? Why?"

"He got here a few weeks ago. Lilith brought him back," Ember said, "Since he wasn't guilty of anything."

"So you get all close and cuddly with him? Ember, I-" He sighed, rubbing his face, taking a deep breath, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't be upset with you about this. Fuck, I'm just gonna fuck everything up again."

"Sodo, if you just let me explain to you what was happening, you'll understand. I promise you nothing is happening between me and Ifrit," Ember tried, speaking softly. Sodo looked at her, her eyes soft yet still so full of love. He ran a hand through his hair saying, "After all I've done to you, you can still look at me like that?"

"Like what?" Ember asked, confused. All Sodo wanted to do was reach out and kiss her. He had months without her touch and he was feeling the bond between them straining. Just him grabbing her hand just now made the bond feel some sort of relief. But he didn't want to push it with Ember. Little did he know, Ember was wanting the same thing but wasn't doing it for the same reason.

Sodo shook his head, "Never mind. I'm gonna go get settled in. You can go continue whatever you were doing. I'm sorry for interrupting it."

"Sodo-" She tried, but Sodo just disappeared into his room. She sighed and ran her hand through her hair, walking back to the kitchen saying, "Sorry, he's a little on edge I guess."

"To be fair, I would've reacted the same way if I walked into my mate and my friend doing that," Ifrit said, "I get why he got upset."

"He wouldn't even let me explain. He said that he shouldn't be upset about it. I'm worried about him," Ember said. Aeris sighed and said, "I'll see if Aether can talk to him."

With that, the small ghoul left the kitchen. Ember sat on the counter, asking, "Did I fuck everything up just now?"

"No, no, of course not, Ember," Ifrit said, "It was probably a shock to see me again, but even more seeing you over my shoulder. How long was he gone?" Ifrit asked. Ember told him, "About 4 months."

"And how many times did you visit him?" Ifrit asked. Ember looked down, answering, "Once."

"Maybe you should try to spend more time with him?" Ifrit offered. Ember shrugged, "I don't want to ruin his progress."

"That would help him, Ember. He needs to know you're there. You still love him, right?" Ifrit asked. Ember nodded, "Despite everything, I do."

"Have you told him?" Ifrit asked, "When you saw him or even just now, did you tell him?"