Packages - GT

17

He didn't like hanging around alleys, but this was a special situation and he knew it would be worth the while. Christian barely glimpsed out at the quiet business block from the dark between two street lamps, just briefly making sure he was alone. Quickly and quietly he slid into the dark alley, feeling Mariana press away from his chest a bit when the hoodie stretched a little tighter over her.

"Zig," he called in a whisper, voice lowered. His eyes darted about the darkness behind the restaurant, looking for a sign of who he needed. Several seconds passed without response and he rolled his lip between his teeth, debating something. His eyes flitted down to his chest, to the small bump that was the passenger in his hoodie, and he swallowed softly. He needed to do this.

"Zig, you bastard, get out here." He whispered harshly in his native tongue. He didn't like speaking it around other people, it gave away he wasn't from here. A sound caught his attention from behind the dumpster but he stood his ground, not rushing to see it. "Amenarae curse you if you ignore me," he snapped. That got a response.

"Fuck you, Goldilocks!" A little dirty-blond head popped out from behind the banged up metal container, angry dark green eyes met his own emerald ones, both males' expressions serious. Zig was pissed to be bothered right now, and Christian knew he was thin ice with him. They were hardly friends.

"This better be importan--"

"It is." He cut him off, taking the glowing glare from the Fae male. Christian cupped a hand over Mariana, drawing Zig's attention to her. "We need your help," he said quietly in English.

The woman in his pocket flinched at the touch, her heart jumping at his words. What was going on? What language had he been speaking, just now? Her breath hitched a little as he started shifting and his fingers slipped into the pocket, scooping her out gently. Her eyes darted around for another giant, but instead she squinted in the dark at a strange green glow, gasping when it came close to reveal a face as small as her own.

"Hush, girl." Zig huffed, stopping her sputters. Bluish-green dragonfly-like wings buzzed at his back as he hovered just beyond the length of Christian's fingers, the small blond looking her up and down with a critical eye. "I'm not taking her in," he told the larger man, but his brow cocked.

"I'm just asking for clothes she can wear. I'm sure you've got something. I don't ask much."

The Fae tsked but he kicked at the man's fingers to get him to flatten them, landing on his digits with his wings folding at his back. He seemed to have no trouble staying upright where she had been unable to keep from falling. "Stand up, let me look at you." He snapped at her, impatient as she got shakily to her feet. He hooked a knuckle under her chin and made her meet his eyes, standing just slightly taller than she did. "You look like a hooker in those tight clothes."

Mariana tried to pull away from him at the insult, angry he would say such a thing when she was like this. His grip quickly caught her wrist and she flinched, unnerved by this inhuman stranger.

"I should have something for you to wear," he concluded, measuring her with his eyes. She felt exposed like this, grateful when his hand released her and she could sink back down on Christian's palm. Zig flew off and back around to where he'd been behind the dumpster, rummaging through some things. The woman looked up at Christian, his eyes intense on the place the Fae had vanished, and she felt unsettled.

When the smaller blond returned he tossed a pair of loose pants and an odd vest at her, having no care for the shrunken human. "I want those back when this incident," he gestured to her as a whole, "is over."

"Thank you, Zig--"

"Fuck off," the Fae growled, shooting Christian the one-fingered salute. He vanished into the dark again, and the larger man sighed.