Commissioned [completed]

Chapter 40 - This is your only chance to run

"Bait?"

You groaned. You knew Sodo's engine had stopped, and you still couldn't bring yourself to move yet. Sleeping on a motorcycle was near impossible, but you stayed in some kind of stasis of balancing, shaking yourself awake and tucking yourself close to Sodo. The immediate shock of the sewer was fading but lurking. Waiting to be triggered all over again. You wondered if you'd ever enjoy a shower or bath alone again; white rushing waters still echoed somewhere deep.

He shifted off the bike, and you sighed. He turned to help you off but paused to whistle. "That bruise has really come in, hasn't it."

"Which one?" You moaned, looking down at yourself.

"This one." He traced a bump on your temple and continued tracing down your cheek.

"Ow," you moaned, feeling all of your body.

"It's a bit like that, yeah," he helped you from the bike, preferring to grab your forearms to avoid touching your messed-up hands and wrists.

Upright you could see the rest of the clergy's vehicles dotted around in the tree line. You had no idea how the van had made it through the forest; it was impressive. There was a clearing ahead and a group of ostentatious black tents. Wherever they went, they brought the aesthetic with them.

"I smell meat," Sodo purred.

You breathed in, and there was a foody scent in the air. Barbecue. You wondered if you could eat; surely you were starving, right? You'd only had that bar. You poked your insides again and found yourself empty. Wanting for nothing. "Pig ribs?" You wondered out loud.

He gave a great huff, "fuck yes." He began walking with you on his arm, and you didn't go with him. He paused and cocked his head back at you.

"I think I can walk," you took his hand from you and gave it a squeeze.

"Doting somehow makes it worse, doesn't it?" He said softly.

"Makes the sewer...situation worse," you nodded, taking small steps, "not you, Sodo."

"I understand," he stayed at your pace. "If you need anything from me, Bait, take it. You can be as rough as you like." There was a soft growl in his voice.

"Thanks, Sodomiser. Just catch me if I suddenly nosedive, yeah? I've surprisingly not fucked up my nose yet; I would rather keep it that way."

"I will be on nose watch then," he nodded softly and clasped his hands behind his back as you walked as if to arrest himself from touching you.

"There you are, Lovey!" Aether greeted you and was first to approach; he had a 'kiss the Goat cook' apron over his usual clergy formalwear and wore a grin that showed his silver fang.

"Naw, thanks for the welcome, Aeth," Sodo gave a slightly menacing grin behind the mask.

"You too, Dear," Aether kissed Sodo on the cheek, then smacked his nonexistent ass. Sodo's mouth behind the mask became a firm line.

"It is out of respect for the pig ribs that I don't castrate you here and now," he hissed.

"You think I don't know that?" Aether grinned again and winked at you. "You should go sit down, Lovey; you look about ready to fall over."

"Yeah.. yeah, I should probably," the ground was beginning to feel too soft. You looked where the ghouls had arranged four logs and several velvet seats around a fire. It all seemed really far away. You recognised Terzo's mop of raven hair; he was facing away towards the fire sitting on a velvet throne.

"Hey, Sweetheart, you need any help?" Swiss was beside you, his face scruffy and black sleeves rolled up, showing dark grey forearms. How were forearms attractive?