Page 26 of A Soul to Steal

Gideon stood and peered inside the house. The couple were done, made evident by the woman sprawled on the bed as the man used a wet cloth to clean between her legs.

“Hmm, I’m not sure what they’re doing. Maybe he’s giving her aftercare?” When Aleron tilted his head like he often did,his own way of asking a silent question, he rolled his eyes. “He’s cleaning her, soothing her, and making sure she’s okay. It’s a way to show he cares.”

A sincere smile filled his features when the man, once he had completed this task, leapt onto the bed to tackle the woman and bring her in for a hug. She squealed out her laughter. No wonder this memory dream was being played to them.

They appeared happy, especially with the way they began chatting and touching, with the intention of just being close. It didn’t matter that a foreign language was being quietly and lovingly uttered; the emotions were apparent.

“Thisaftercare. Is this important?” Aleron asked, watching as well.

“I’d say it’s the most important part. No one likes to feel used.” Unless that was a playful, consensual kink – but Gideon wasn’t going to tell Aleron that.

I probably shouldn’t give him details that’ll just confuse him.

If there was a way for Aleron to have a bride, this couple was perfect for demonstrating a healthy, caring relationship.

“I... see.” His skull jerked, almost going upside down. “They are connected again.”

Humour flared in his chest, but so did a strange emotion. “They’re just holding each other’s hand.”

Aleron attempted to mimic them before interlacing his fingers together, creating a giant fist of two hands. Why did Gideon find that... sweet?

“Come on,” Gideon said as he slapped his back. “Let’s move on. The sun is going down and we don’t want to be out after curfew.” The sun never went down.

Aleron unlatched his fingers and turned his skull to him sharply. “Then we best leave before a Demon comes and eats us.” Demons didn’t exist here.

The laugh that burst from Gideon shook his entire being. “Good job. You’re starting to get the hang of it.”

The Duskwalker’s feathers puffed in obvious delight. His tail quivered as his orbs turned a bright yellow.

But something about the way he’d laced his hands together had snagged Gideon’s thoughts. He rubbed the short stubble on his cheek, grumbling to himself.How bad could it be?

Finally making his decision when they started walking, he reached his hand back. When nothing happened, he braved looking back to meet Aleron’s pale-pink orbs. He waved it at him.

“Take it.”

“You wish to hold hands with me?” His tone was high, full of surprise, and perhaps even a little uncertain.

“It’ll help with your anxiety regarding your need to touch me so I don’t forget.” This was true, and partly the reason he was even offering it. “It also means I won’t lose you again.”

If Aleron suddenly ran off to investigate something, he’d just unwittingly drag him with him.

Yet, the moment he placed his massive hand around Gideon’s much smaller one, his ears became so hot he was sure they would disintegrate from the sides of his head. It wasn’t something he was used to doing, holding another’s hand, unless it was an intimate moment.

It was usually reserved for lovers, which made the strange pulsing he could feel within suddenly turn rapid.

Aleron’s hand dominated his and was far too big for Gideon to hold. He basically disappeared within the depths of his rough, calloused palm. Yet, it was... warm. Even though his arms were slightly elongated, he leaned forward for Gideon’s comfort, meeting his height rather than the other way around.

“Thank you,” Aleron said sincerely, his orbs turning a bright yellow in Gideon’s peripheral. “Does this mean you wish to do the sex action with me as well, like that male and female?”

Gideon nearly tripped over his own feet in shock. He attempted to rip his hand away, but Aleron’s light grip tightened and threatened to crush him.

“N-no,” he stuttered out, turning his head away to hide how embarrassed he was about that prospect. “I was trying to make life easier.”

“Why not?” Aleron grumbled. “I would like to try this with you.”

He turned to face Aleron with his jaw threatening to unhinge and his eyes wide in disbelief. The Duskwalker looked up and to the side, scratching at the side of his bony snout almost bashfully.

What the hell did I just do?

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