Page 114 of A Soul to Steal

He taught me how to win him back.

In their time in Tenebris, Gideon had taught Aleron what he liked, disliked, and how to reach into the depths of his contentment. Their playful banter, their rough words – he’d failed at first with how to utilise them. Only through this male’s patience and willingness to teach did Aleron eventually begin mastering them.

They were new facets to his own personality. Now that he was away from Ingram, Aleron was learning about himself as an individual. He’d been growing, sprouting flowers of uniqueness in the combined garden he shared mentally with his kindred.

And they were the key.

These pieces... they’d only been brought to light due to Gideon. His bride had nurtured growth in him through their companionship. Now it was Aleron’s turn to nourish the dyingflowers within Gideon until they grew back stronger and brighter than ever.

Like in a field of budding spring flowers, Aleron would be the sun that melted the ice. Gideon already smelled like the prettiest meadow he’d ever had the pleasure of frolicking in.

My little spring... I will thaw you.

As if to demonstrate this, Aleron lightly thwacked Gideon on the top of his head with the elbow of his wing. A gentle tap, of course; he didn’t truly wish to harm him.

“Ow,” Gideon grumbled, rubbing at his hair as he cast a suspicious glance at Aleron – one that had life rather than the blankness from seconds ago.

With yellow brightening his orbs, he turned his skull to the side. He hummed, since he couldn’t whistle.

When his little human grew unsuspecting once more, Aleron did it again.

What the hell has gotten into him?!Gideon thought as he pushed up on the small of Aleron’s back, trying his hardest to stay upright. His hand slipped, and he faceplanted on one of his wings.

“Put me down,” Gideon demanded, refusing to kick his legs bent over the big Duskwalker’s shoulder.

“No,” Aleron refuted, bouncing him until the wind knocked out of his gut. “Since the little human is so set on marching through the forest, he has lost his walking privileges.”

“Oh, come on,” Gideon groaned, allowing himself to sway. “I didn’t think you’d actually fall on your face.”

To be fair, no one could really blame Gideon for purposefully tripping Aleron. The Duskwalker had nettled him for the past day. Once the light rainstorm had passed, Aleron had teased him, knocked his wing into him, and had just done everything he could to disturb him.

When he’d finally had enough, although feeling the flame of humour warming him, he’d just... put his leg out.

He hadn’t expected Aleron to actually trip over, since he thought he’d just stumble. He’d fallen like a tall tree thatdestroyed everything in its descending path. He’d almost taken Gideon to the ground, since his wing caught around him as he flapped in an unsuccessful attempt to steady himself.

Gideon had winced when the crunching and snapping of sticks came from under him, as well as the impressivethwapof his entire body hitting the hard dirt.

When Aleron had shone red glowing orbs up at him, Gideon bolted.‘I’m dead,’was what he’d thought, although somehow knowing he would be perfectly safe. He didn’t make it far before he was grabbed around the waist, spun around, hoisted off his feet like he weighed nothing, and tossed over Aleron’s shoulder.

As much as all this had... annoyed him at first, he realised that was what had eventually made itfun. After days of feeling nothing but numbness, sadness, or anger, he’d been struck with other emotions – annoyance mainly. It also allowed him to stop focusing on his depressed and unsure thoughts and the agonising questions that plagued him.

It reminded him of messing around with the guys. He and his friends liked to bully with affection, play rough, and just get under each other’s skin. Of course, they never went too far by picking on sensitive issues, as they were bullies, but they weren’t jerks.

He and Emerie also formed a similar relationship.

Sure, this reminded him of home and all the things he’d lost, but they were also new memories. Playful ones he hadn’t expected from something like a Duskwalker.

He’d thought his future with Aleron would be bleak and nothing more than solemn duty. To be led around the world like a captive, where his needs, wishes, and happiness didn’t matter. That he’d eventually lose large parts of his personality that brought him great enjoyment.

No one was perfect, but Gideon rather liked himself. He tried to be kind, respectful, wise, funny, and just all around a decenthuman being. He had his failing moments, and sometimes he let his temper get the best of him, but he really did try to be good.

He thought he’d lose all that with Aleron. No more laughter, sensuality, learning, or anything. He didn’t want to be isolated from people and had always preferred to travel in a group.

Yet, the idea of doing that with Ingram and Emerie, who were apparently lovebirds, while he was stuck in a miserable mind state... yeah, that had been painful to imagine.

Beau had been mature, composed, and taciturn, but he’d compromised for Gideon by being playful with him in return behind closed doors. In the same way, Gideon had respected his desire to be reserved in public and didn’t pick on him like he did his friends. It was a mutual agreement where they both lost and gained in different ways.

It’d always bothered him that he couldn’t truly be himself with Beau, whether they were in public or private, but that’s how relationships worked. Give and take, and lots of communication to ensure each person’s needs were being met to the best of their partner’s capabilities.

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