Page 149 of A Soul to Steal

He squatted next to his brown case so he could open it, brushing his hands of dirt and debris before he did.

Just as the last latch unclipped, he spared a glance at Aleron, who chose to sit a few metres to his right. Annoyed and rather disappointed he didn’t sit next to him, Gideon was at least glad he’d chosen to be there rather than on the opposite side of the fire, like in the cave.

He’s still cautious of being close to me.As usual, shame prickled the back of his neck.I thought he’d be a little more comfortable after the cemetery. Guess I have my work cut out for me.

Except... Gideon was an awkward fucking idiot at the best of times.

He could be a great leader, but he found it hard to take a leap of faith when it came to urges of the heart. He often acted boldly while his hands, and even knees, shook wildly.

Before his thoughts could run rampant with how he could get closer to Aleron and bridge the gap naturally, they dissipated when he opened his case with bated breath.

His guitar was in great condition, since only some of the edges had started to deteriorate – but it shouldn’t affect the sound at all. He gently ran the pads of his fingers down strings that lacked rust from disuse; they had to be new, as if recently replaced. He smiled, once more thanking Beau for attending to the things that mattered to him, even though Gideon hadn’t existed anymore in his life.

Giant sap,he thought with a snort of laughter.

“What is that?” Aleron asked, revealing he’d been staring the entire time.

Gideon grabbed the neck to eagerly pull it out before finally sitting down. “It’s my guitar. If you pluck the metal strings, it plays music notes.”

Before he could continue his explanation, a cream-coloured aged envelope was revealed underneath it. His face dropped and grew cold as he reached for it.

He knew he hadn’t left anything like this in it, and when he flipped it over, it wasn’t addressed to anyone. His heart sped up when he lifted the flap, pulled out a letter, and opened its folds.

Two rings, both golden and plain, slid to the bottom fold, and he had to stop them from falling to the ground. He fumbled when one slipped to the side, but managed to catch it.

He gnashed his teeth at the ring he’d hidden away in the side pocket within his guitar case, a place Beau never would have looked. He’d been intending to give it to him in the autumn... as a marriage proposal. The other ring was one he’d never seen, but it didn’t take a genius to figure it out.

Gideon covered his face so he could dig his fingers into his eyes, stemming whatever tears threatened to well.Damnit. He’d had the same damn intentions as me.

Once he quelled the worst of his emotions, he finally looked at the letter.

Dear Gideon,

It’s the anniversary of your death, and I still can’t get over you–

He flipped the top fold down so he couldn’t read further.

Gideon had a choice.

He could read this tragic, romantic letter, and let all the emotions – all the feelings of love and longing he’d just let go – come back. He could let himself fall back in love with the man he’d planned a massive future around, knowing it wouldn’t be unrequited since it was obvious he still held a place in Beau’s heart.

He could do that, or...

Gideon looked up at Aleron.

He took in talons, claws, and black fur. His eyes roamed over pale-pink orbs glittering in a bat skull that sparkled with gold from the fire. He looked over the dark, feathered wings that hung behind him like he was a flying omen of death. Then, finally, his spiralling goat horns that held an almost fully flaming soul – his soul, which looked much healthier than it had before this night started. It looked more relaxed than he’d ever seen it, like it was at peace.

Next to him wasn’t a human, or a normal person. Instead, there sat a human-eating, dark entity, with a skull for a face – a monster, as most would say. Yet... he’d never been more at ease.

All his life, Gideon had been afraid of the dark. He’d been wary of the sharp fangs and red eyes that could be lurking in it, but he had no need for that anymore. He had someone bigger and more frightening protecting him.

Aleron could also be endearing and sweet. The Duskwalker obviously lacked humanity, yet he’d been supportive even when not knowing how to. He’d been patient, understanding, and kind towards someone who was always moments from imploding. He’d been unbelievablyloyal.

What more could a person ask for?

Well, there was the need for sexual attraction, of course. But, after the first night in that cave, where he’d tended to Aleron’s wings, Gideon knew for certain he could be aroused by this Duskwalker.

The idea no longer frightened him. Instead, it stimulated him, invoking lustful thoughts at random. How would those feathered wings feel brushing up the backs of his naked thighs, or his back, tickling him in their softness?

---