The Fairy Lights Under Phoenix City

Chapter 13

Aaron seemed to be so much more desperate to contact Aphmau lately. His clinginess was unusual. Immediately Aphmau was suspicious. But Aaron wasn't giving up any details. So Aphmau had to investigate all on her own.

She made sure to see him in person more often. Gaging his facial reactions and body language to different conversations. Looking for the thing that was bothering him. Aphmau was delighted to learn some different things about Aaron while doing this. He likes chess, history, cooking, volleyball, track, werewolves, and architecture. But Aaron was distant when she brought up his family or his past experiences. But Aphmau still hadn't learned the source of Aaron's anxiety.

They were sitting in Aaron's office when he was on his lunch break talking about Vylad and Aphmau's job. About how empty the art shop was and how ever since people had learned Aphmau's relationship with Aaron and that a Ro'Meave was working there people were coming in more and more all the time. Now Aphmau's job was less like social hour and more like an actual job.

"Yeah. My job's actually a lot of work. And I get no time off! Because Garroth is constantly harassing me." Aphmau huffed.

Aaron tensed. His eyes seemed to go even darker than his natural color. Or maybe that was just the murderous rage reflected in their glassy surfaces. He relaxed quickly. But Aphmau still noticed. She straightened up in her seat.

"What has he been doing?" Aaron asked. His voice was calm. But his hands were shaking.

"Just really bothering me." Aphmau replied quickly. "Stalking me. Sending me gifts. Grabbing me and dragging me into empty alleyways when I'm out on walks. Saying he wants to marry me. It's seriously creeping me out!"

There was a loud crack as Aaron's plastic fork snapped in half. His fist was gripped so tight around the plastic handle that his knuckles were white. Aphmau's eyes went wide and Aaron quickly dropped the broken utensil in the trash.

"Really?" He hissed. "You should get a restraining order. That's craziness."

"I know." Aphmau said. "But I think it's bothering you more than it's bothering me."

"What makes you say that?" He said casually.

"Don't give me that." Aphmau snapped. "I see right through you! You don't like Garroth."

"Neither do you." He replied smoothly.

"Yes. But you hate him! Is this about me and you?"

Aaron avoided her eyes. Looking at the clock instead. "My lunch break is over. You should go."

"No it's not!" Aphmau shouted. "Your lunch break is over at 12:30! It's 12:18! Don't lie to me!"

Aaron looked guilty now, still not looking at her. Glancing at a cup of pens on his desk instead. "I have some paperwork to do. I'd like to get it done."

"You have all day to do paperwork. You only get an hour and a half to talk to me. And we are going to talk about this." Aphmau insisted angrily.

"Fine." Aaron said shortly. "But there's nothing to say."

"There's plenty to say. Like there's nothing going on between Garroth and me! He's a delusional man with daddy issues. But there's also nothing going on between me and you. Why are you jealous?"

Aaron finally looked her in the eye again. A firm facial expression. Unreadable. "I am not jealous." He lied. "I am simply looking out for your wellbeing."

"Yeah I got that. You're always looking out for me." Aphmau said. "But this isn't like that."

Aaron sighed. "Listen, Aphmau. My job isn't to be romantically involved with you. My job is to protect you in Sylvanna's place. This isn't meant to be. So how about we just forget that kiss at the rink ever happened and go back to the way we were before. Please?"