Trinity

Preparation

AN: it's literally all spice and minimal plot.

As a reminder, with Tsaheylu: Miles is left aligned, Mansk is right aligned.   

On their way back to the cave, Ten expressed her belief that their bond was at fault for some of what they were dealing with.

"You think my overreaction was from our bond?" Mansk asked, somewhat confused. "Why?"

"Our claims are still new, and while the bond is permanent, it can apparently be strained. We haven't been with each other, and I didn't realize it would be that big of an issue."

"So this desperation we've been feeling?"

"Yeah... I'm pretty sure that was the bond pushing us to be intimate to avoid any negative consequences, and we ignored it."

"Well, that makes me feel less like a dick about thinking you'd leave."

"No, you're still a dick for that." He loved the vibrancy of her laughter that followed. "That said, we should probably do something about it."

"I'd rather not do anything in the cave."

"I didn't say we should do something about it in the cave, where everyone can hear, Deus. I meant you and Miles should get some alone time."

"And you're not included in that... because?" She wasn't that pissed off at Miles; at least, she was less pissed off than before now that she believed the bond was at fault for some of Miles' behavior.

"Still need to find us a place to live, and I'm not dealing with this as much as you two seem to be. But with both of your reactions, it obviously needs dealt..." Her words trailed off, and Mansk quickly figured out why. Z-dog was carrying supplies in the direction of the banshees. "I know I agreed that it probably wasn't good news, but... I didn't think it was 'leave the island' news."

"That makes two of us."

They were leaving.

That's why Miles reached out for them.

Ardmore knew they defected, and they were in the bitch's search radius.

When Mansk assumed the news wasn't good, he didn't believe it would be the worst-case scenario. The RDA had learned of their defection, which was expected, as were the kill orders, seeing as Ardmore had already threatened to kill them. However, that didn't mean they were prepared to deal with the threat, even if it was anticipated. There was no amount of preparation that could mitigate the consequences of a move for Lyle.

They didn't have a choice, but everyone recognized that their newest attempt to escape the RDA could cause him irreparable harm. Well, all of them except for Lyle, apparently. Mansk wasn't sure if that was a brave facade or just the man's default 'I cannot be bothered to give a shit' attitude when it came to himself. Either way, Lyle didn't want to talk about it, and no one was forcing him to.

❖

With Mansk's final trip, all of their supplies, except what was currently in use, were now at the banshees to be loaded up when it got closer to Eclipse. Even after getting everything prepped and ready, they still had a while before they planned to leave. Enough time that Mansk now felt comfortable acting on the desperation coming from their bond.

He placed the last boxes of ammunition near Tiray and ran his hand affectionately over her neck when she pushed into him. Apparently satisfied that he had given her attention, Tiray returned to her roost and snuggled between Cupcake and Waryn.