The Hel Jumper: Survive by SabatonBabylon

Author:SabatonBabylon [SabatonBabylon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780359285709
Publisher: Lulu.com
Published: 2018-12-11T00:00:00+00:00

“Is it just me, or does this actually taste better a day later?” Winters remarked, now comfortably changed and seated with Veera around their fire. Io was back on her new perch but remained in standby mode, allowing her partners to have their moments and taking time to finely sift through the reaction that Winters had shown to the word ‘love’.

“I’m inclined to agree, darling. The stew thickens a bit; the roots and herbs get some more time to release their flavor. I like it,” Veera replied after sampling the stew herself. It felt wonderful to be back home in the warmth and light, but the events of the evening still gnawed at her. She managed to mask her unease as they ate, but by the time her human had emptied his second bowl she couldn’t contain herself any longer. Placing her bowl aside she tapped him on the arm.

“Yeah, Veera? What’s up?”

“Do you think I really love you?” She asked nervously, twisting her hands together. Io materialized immediately and looked down at them with a perplexed look. Winters sported a similar expression.

“Uh…would you care to clarify that?” He asked, having honestly no idea what Veera was getting at. She looked down.

“I just can’t shake the feeling that I did something wrong. I was…I was having a moment of weakness, Russell. And you did what you always do. You did everything in your power to care for me. I love that about you. I don’t know any female who wouldn’t. I wasn’t thinking straight and I just…said it. I don’t know if it’s true. How could I? I don’t think you’d ever say something like that just to stop me from crying but…I feel like I somehow forced this, like I ruined the ‘dance’ that you humans play when you’re forming your partnerships. I was enjoying it,” she explained sadly. Winters looked over her head at Io, receiving only a worried shrug in return. He was on his own.

“Give me a minute, alright?” He requested, taking her hand in his and ordering his thoughts as he listened to the crackling fire. Why did I say I love her? That’s not fair. I know why I said it. She said it…and I clearly felt close enough to it to say the same. So why? Why? He continued stroking her hand with his thumb, letting her know he wasn’t closing in on himself. After a few, long minutes he spoke up. “Your species and mine want the same thing when we bond. We just go about it different ways.” Veera looked up at him, cocking her head.

“A partner who loves us?”

“Yes. Your people bond themselves together and work toward that goal as a pair, usually with some knowledge of who the other person is thanks to the small size of your village. At least that’s what happened with Zolta and Asha. With humans, we usually bond ourselves as a declaration that we’ve already found love. However…”

“Yes?”

“I don’t think anyone can really define love, Veera.

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