Alien franchise x Reader

This Feeling that Remains pt 4

After a couple of failed attempts at small talk, you continued on in silence. Walter stiffly walked a few steps behind, eyes glued to your form, all the way to the orange grove. You could feel his gaze on you, but were puzzled at how familiar the sensation was. It was the same the other times you'd spoken to him as well. Lost in thought trying to pinpoint when or where it began, you didn't notice when you reached the grove until a hand gripped your arm to stop you from walking face first into a tree.

"Are you well?" he asked when you turned to him, his brows knit in concern.

"Yeah, I was just thinking," you smiled gratefully. "Thank you." He nodded, but didn't say another word, so you gave him the bags you were carrying except for one and began climbing the first tree. "This bag is going to be for the ones with the best juice," you called, giving him the information to pass on to Chris.

"Are you certain that's wise?" he quickly positioned himself directly beneath you. "There are plenty within reach."

"Yeah, but the best ones are higher up."

Walter followed your voice, standing directly below should you fall. "Is it safe?"

"I do it all the time. Why do think Chris asked me to help?"

He didn't answer, knowing exactly why Chris asked. He heard rustling in a different part, and stepped under it. "Have you ever fallen?"

Your soft laughter carried down, and the sound made his head feel light and foggy. "Is that what it takes to get you to talk?" you teased. "The possibility of someone getting hurt?"

He recognized the tone as that of a playful one, and felt both pleasant and unpleasant at once. Still, he admitted it was easier to speak now. "I don't know. Perhaps it's because I can't see you."

"Oh come on, I'm not that scary!" you giggled. "But to answer your question, yes, I've fallen. That was a long time ago, though. I've had practice since then."

"How? You don't work in the grove."

"How do you know?" you challenged.

He didn't know what to respond. He didn't want to tell you it was because he'd been watching you, yet he couldn't lie and say Chris told him. "Talk around the settlement," he finally supplied, and it was technically true.

"Right," you snorted, unamused by being the subject of town gossip. "I like coming here to think. It's quiet, and I like the scent of the oranges. Don't tell anyone, though. I don't want everyone knowing where to find me."

Walter felt a swelling in his chest at being trusted with your secret; pride, he figured. "I won't," he vowed.

"Thanks. I'm coming down now."

Again, Walter followed the sound of rustling, not daring to blink in case you slipped. You pressed your body close to a branch and lowered the filled bag for him to grab. He took it and gingerly placed it on the ground, leaving his arms free should you need assistance. You lowered your legs, preparing to drop down, and let go. Instead of your feet hitting the soft ground, arms wrapped around you and you came nose to nose with Walter.

He locked eyes with you. Never having been so close before, he felt the urge to weep at how beautifully the sunlight made your eyes sparkle. Realizing how close you were, he felt his fluids rush to his face.

"Walter? You've just gone pale. Are you sick or," you cleared your throat nervously, unable to look away from his eyes for long. "blushing?"

He felt strange, but it wasn't unpleasant, so he didn't think he was 'ill'. "The latter, I believe, though I do not feel shame."

Your placed your hands on his cheeks, feeling the heat underneath his skin. "Yeah..." you breathed softly. "Your face is hot."

"It is normal, though is it not? Among humans, I mean."

You nodded, failing to fight the small smile on your face. "In certain situations, yes."

His own lips quirked at your reaction. "It pleases you." Your eyes widened and you swallowed thickly. He put you down and brought his hands to your face, mimicking what you'd done. "Your face is quite warm as well. Have... have I embarrassed you?" His hands dropped and he suddenly looked distressed.

"Yeah, I mean no! It's..." You took a deep breath before offering him a shy smile. "It's not always in a bad way, if that makes sense."

"What does it mean for you?" he tilted his head as he raised a finger to stroke your cheek, your reaction having made him brave. "You're growing warmer. Do you not wish to tell me?"

"I..." you grew flustered as you lost yourself in his eyes, the familiar feeling from earlier washing over you again. "I don't know. I haven't..." You knew what it meant, theoretically anyway. Having never experienced it for yourself, you were finding it to be a tad overwhelming.

"Do you enjoy it?" he whispered.

"I think so. Do you?"

He nodded, still stroking your cheek. "This is new to me. What happens now?"

You took a step back and looked around, remembering where you were. "I think we should get the oranges."

He pulled his hand back as a horrible feeling overtook him. "My apologies. Are you upset with me?"

"No!" you quickly assured, seeing the look of anguish on his face. "It's just... this is new to me, too. I don't know what to do, it's happening so fast." You took his hands in yours when he didn't look convinced. "Give me a little time to sort through this, alright?"

His eyes flickered between yours and your hands holding his as a grin formed on his face. "Yes, I understand."

You breathed a sigh of relief and led him to a different area. Every time, he caught you on your way down, and every time, you stayed in his arms longer than the last.