The Lout's Pet Squirrel (og alcale)

Part 14

The peace of the quiet night on the hill had to be disturbed at some point. One way or another, the solace of a silent space must end and all people must eventually return to the chaos of their real lives.

Of course, for this unique set of circumstances, a decision had to be made before anyone could leave.

Cale took a pensive drink of the bottle, finishing it off before flopping back onto the grass. His striking russet eyes illuminated by the starlight.

"Alright." Cale's rough voice filled the silence and Alver was once more struck with the scent of cinnamon. He thought that he'd gotten used to it, being at Cale's side constantly as a squirrel with a sensitive nose, but looking at Cale now, in this space, the smell felt particularly strong even though it ought not to be with the alcohol and forest around them. Or maybe Alver was just tipsy after drinking half a bottle of wine. "I think I should probably kill you."

That was a decision that Alver expected but not the words he expected.

"But I'm not gonna. Because you're interesting." Cale turned to face Alver with an expression full of mischief. "Besides, even if you screamed to the rooftops that I'm secretly a 'good guy'." Cale scoffed derisively at the notion. "No one is going to believe you."

That was true enough.

Alver probably wouldn't have believed it if he didn't have a front row seat.

"That said, I can't have you trying to stop me."

A lump built in Alver's throat.

He didn't intend to stop.

It seemed obvious, in retrospect, of course Cale wouldn't stop his insane journey to self destruction because of one chance meeting but the reality of it was impossible to ignore.

Suddenly it became all too apparent to Alver just what he'd really done as a pet.

He'd become an observer.

Alver clenched his fist at his side before laying down beside Cale and glaring at the stars above.

"No."

"...no?" Cale asked, skepticism dripping off of the word.

"I intend to stop you."

The movement was quick enough that Alver might not have been able to stop him even if he'd been intending to. Evidence once more that the lout was far more capable than he appeared. Still, it took all of Alver's self control to remain still and impassive as Cale mounted him, fingers resting threateningly against his throat.

"You don't really have a choice." Cale said, his voice low and threatening, and all hints of mercy were gone. But funny enough, it was only now, without the pretense of peace, that the truth became obvious.

"...you don't intend to hurt me."

Cale actually flinched and a snarl marred his handsome face.

Why not though? Cale had gotten into plenty of fights over the years. He intended to fight people tonight. Why was Alver granted mercy? It was a question he'd have to answer later.

For now, he needed to establish his thoughts firmly and clearly.

"If your intentions really are to protect your family, you have to know that there are better ways to do it."

Cale's fingers tightened around his throat and it was such a strange thing to have the person who pet him so sweetly every day threaten him with deathly force.

But Alver's thoughts were stuck on a single irresistible truth.

There was more than one way to live your life.

Perhaps he was looking for his own salvation as well. Losing everything meant that he had to find a new way. He needed to let go of the past. He needed to change. Perhaps he was just looking for the hope of change inside of Cale's own complicated life.

What a cruel thing to do.

"What the hell would you know?!" Cale hissed and this time Alver could feel his fingers tremble.

He made another guess.

"I know that you're tired of pretending."

The pain painted on Cale's face when he would leave a meal, the way he lingered after his family hesitantly, the way he hid everything he felt so tightly that even his pet squirrel had only seen bits and pieces.

And reflected in Cale's sharp brown eyes, Alver saw his own emotions reflected back.

It was tiring to live a lie.

Cale released his throat, running a shaky hand through his own hair as he let out a disbelieving laugh. "So you're here to be my conscience? Teach me all the ways I fucked up and make it all fucking better?"

"No."

Alver reached up and took Cale's hand in his own, holding it gently.

He owed something to Cale Henituse. The one thing that Cale gave him when no one else could in his darkest moments.

Comfort.

Cale's eyes widened.

"I think I'd like to be your friend."

Alver sat up, pushing Cale down into his lap with the motion and making it abundantly clear that he'd only been pinned down because he let Cale pin him down. Alver kept Cale's hand gently held within his own, a bit surprised that Cale made no attempt to pull away.

"And I don't let my friends hurt themselves."

Cale finally seemed to snap out of his daze, tightening his grip on Alver's hand enough to hurt. "You're a real fucking piece of work. So what? Be your friend and listen to your bullshit or you'll be a constant thorn in my side?"

Alver smiled at him winningly. "I'm glad you understand my negotiation tactic well. You're not as dumb as the rumors say."

Cale didn't rise to the bait and instead rolled his eyes. He stood up, pulling his hand away and letting out a deep sigh. "Holy fucking shit. You're fucking insane. What the hell did I ever fucking do to deserve getting saddled with a bullshit stalker like you?"

You saved a squirrel.

Alver smiled to himself, standing up beside Cale. "Meet me here in a week."

"...why?"

"Because that's when you'll have decided that I'm the most useful friend you could ever ask for and the worst enemy you could dream of."

That was a lesson that many of Alver's political opponents learned the hard way.

Cale cocked his head to the side, an internal calculation occurring, before he finally nodded and held out a hand for Alver to shake.

"Fine. One week." He pulled Alver's hand, dragging him down and whispering darkly in his ear. "I promise it'll be a memorable one."

It would certainly prove to be a challenging week.