The Half-Blood Giant

Chapter 47: Protection

While Ray drove Hunter to jail, Joey returned to the dental clinic to gather evidence to prosecute the giant teenager for his transgressions. Audrey was battered and bruised, and her glasses were cracked, but she was not seriously injured. She was more concerned about Eren than herself and was relieved to see that Eren was at least physically unharmed. However, Eren was so distraught that she could barely bring herself to speak. She remained huddled in the safety of Joey's large hand, shaking. Dr. Larson was horrified when he heard what transpired and apologized profusely, but Eren didn't have much to say in her distress. She mumbled that she needed some time off and her boss agreed to give her as much time as she needed.

Joey was deeply worried about Eren. He needed to file a police report, but he decided it could wait until tomorrow. He went straight home from the clinic, clutching Eren to his chest like his life depended on it. When they got back to the apartment, Joey didn't let go of her. Keeping her in his hand, he stripped off his police uniform, undressed Eren, and stepped into the shower. He turned on the hot water and washed the saliva off her body while he cleaned himself up too.

Once they were both clean and dry, he took her to bed and laid down, cupping her on his bare chest. His heart broke as her fragile little body continued to shiver against his skin. He caressed her tenderly in a rhythmic motion, trying to reassure her with his presence. Eren mumbled something indistinguishable.

"Hmm? What was that?" Joey asked gently.

"Let me in," Eren murmured.

"Let... what?"

Eren stood up, nudging away his fingers. She walked up his extensive chest, over his collarbone to his neck and started to climb up his unshaven chin, using his stubble as handholds. "I want to be inside you," Eren said, louder this time. "I'd feel safer inside." Joey was a bit shocked by her statement and didn't move as she crested the curve of his jaw, ascended his chin, and began to push her way through his plump lips to enter his mouth.

"H-hang on Eren. You sure this is what you want?" He gently pulled her upper body out to look into her eyes, which were watery with tears. She nodded fervently. "Well, okay... take a pill first though, goodness."

He handed Eren the bottle of anti-digestion pills and put them away once she took one. She burrowed back into his lips with urgency. Joey opened his mouth slightly so she could slide inside, holding her for a moment on his tongue to give her a change to get comfortable. Eren didn't want to wait, however, and scooted across his tongue until her legs were dangling into the tunnel of his gullet. As gently as he could muster, Joey gulped her down his throat.

The compression of Joey's esophagus massaging her down helped to calm Eren's anxiety like a weighted blanket. When she fell into his hot, dark stomach, she felt safe. Nobody could reach her when she was inside Joey, her protector. She was hidden from anyone who might try to take her; they couldn't snatch her out of his hands from in here, and she knew Joey would fight to his last breath to protect her. The soothing, steady boom of his heartbeat and his deep, calm breathing reminded her that he was all around her, as a living sanctuary. She settled into a curve of the fleshy stomach lining and snuggled up to him.

Joey placed a hand on his belly and closed his eyes. Eren had finally stopped shaking once he swallowed her. She was curled up inside him, safe and sound. He was relieved he had a way to make her feel completely safe. He never believed that she would volunteer to be eaten by him, much less demand it, but he'd be lying if he didn't admit that having her ensconced within him had a soothing effect on him as well. Her small living weight in his belly was a huge comfort.

Joey was tempted to take a nap, since he was so relaxed. He set his alarm on his phone so he wouldn't accidentally digest Eren and passed out. He was startled out of a deep slumber when the alarm went off. He went to grab his extraction tool when he realized Eren had fallen asleep in his belly as well. He spoke to her to wake her up, knowing that his voice would reverberate deep inside his body. He felt her stir and pulled her out, then washed her off in the sink again before settling back in bed. To Joey's relief, Eren was tired but far more relaxed than before. Her time in his belly had calmed her down. The couple turned in for the night.