It is the only real thought that drifts to Cassius as Esteemed Senior Engineer Argyros’ heat soaks through his shell and holds him together where he himself cannot. As Esteemed Senior Engineer Argyros reassures him in butterfly tones behind silverfish teeth.
I won’t allow anyone to hurt you, Cassius, you have my word.
It takes everything in him to drag his eyes up from their joined hands, takes even more to hold back his insides from piling into Esteemed Senior Engineer Argyros, from molding his shell against him like he has done so many times with his Hunter, because -
Because that is two times now. Two times that Esteemed Senior Engineer Argyros has initiated contact with him. Two times that he has given Cassius the warmth of his hands, the warmth of his care. The warmth of his glittering, easy smile.
(And it is warm, so warm. Warm in a way that his Hunter finds difficult most days. Warm in a way that eases the squirming under his shell, that eases his unease just enough he can pull himself together again.
Cassius does not realize it, but he is smiling, too. A small, timid, ghost of a thing curling at his lips, yes, but still there all the same. Still mattering in all the ways that count.)
Esteemed Senior Engineer Argyros says he will not allow anyone to hurt him.
Well, Cassius will not let anyone hurt Esteemed Senior Engineer Argyros, either.
(Monsters stick together.)
“I would like that, Esteemed Senior Engineer Argyros,” he finally says, once the storm inside of him settles enough to speak without undulating lips, a vibrating tongue. His worms are a soft movement under his papery shell now, pressed against Esteemed Senior Engineer Argyros’ palms, yes, but not taking more than they should. “Unfortunately, I do not know what a Gastronauts is, but if you are sure that I will like it, then I look forward to the experience.”
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It is the only real thought that drifts to Cassius as Esteemed Senior Engineer Argyros’ heat soaks through his shell and holds him together where he himself cannot. As Esteemed Senior Engineer Argyros reassures him in butterfly tones behind silverfish teeth.
I won’t allow anyone to hurt you, Cassius, you have my word.
It takes everything in him to drag his eyes up from their joined hands, takes even more to hold back his insides from piling into Esteemed Senior Engineer Argyros, from molding his shell against him like he has done so many times with his Hunter, because -
Because that is two times now. Two times that Esteemed Senior Engineer Argyros has initiated contact with him. Two times that he has given Cassius the warmth of his hands, the warmth of his care. The warmth of his glittering, easy smile.
(And it is warm, so warm. Warm in a way that his Hunter finds difficult most days. Warm in a way that eases the squirming under his shell, that eases his unease just enough he can pull himself together again.
Cassius does not realize it, but he is smiling, too. A small, timid, ghost of a thing curling at his lips, yes, but still there all the same. Still mattering in all the ways that count.)
Esteemed Senior Engineer Argyros says he will not allow anyone to hurt him.
Well, Cassius will not let anyone hurt Esteemed Senior Engineer Argyros, either.
(Monsters stick together.)
“I would like that, Esteemed Senior Engineer Argyros,” he finally says, once the storm inside of him settles enough to speak without undulating lips, a vibrating tongue. His worms are a soft movement under his papery shell now, pressed against Esteemed Senior Engineer Argyros’ palms, yes, but not taking more than they should. “Unfortunately, I do not know what a Gastronauts is, but if you are sure that I will like it, then I look forward to the experience.”