"Well, see there? You need me. Stop trying to pick a fight with me. I'm smarter than you think."
I let a small smirk free, and then my hand lifts up to touch his eyebrow ring.
"Don't let it be Thad," I mutter absentmindedly, focusing my attention on the piercing.
My eyes finally fall to his as he tilts his head, curiosity clearly shining through his bemused blues as he stares at me expectantly.
"Don't let what be Thad?"
My gaze moves back, fixating on the spiky metal I'm touching once more.
"If I get to a point where my aura is too much... just don't let it be him. I love him to death, but he's such a pervert."
He scoffs lightly under his breath while turning his nose up.
"I can swear to you I won't let that happen. But what are you going to do?"
I rise up, taking in all the possibilities. Everyday this thing connecting me to Kane gets stronger and it's starting to physically hurt more and more.
"Will you... I know I don't have any right to ask, but if it reaches the point where something has to be done... Will you be the one..."
I can't finish the question, but it's still out there. Gage lets a smirk fall free by accident, and he tries to cover it quickly.
"Of course. I was hoping you'd ask while you were sane and sober. I'll be here when you need me, and all the times in between as well. Just don't tell-"
"Believe me. I swear I won't tell anyone, especially not my father if that's what you're asking."
"Embarrassed?" he jokes, though I see a hint of honest insult in his eyes.
"No, but I don't feel like hearing the lectures. Considering my first time was with a night stalker, I'd prefer it if everyone didn't know I just propositioned a dark user as well."
His throaty laughter vibrates through me, and then he leans back on the pillow behind him. After a few seconds of his chuckling release, his laughter tapers off.
"If Thad hadn't walked in on us in that room, you'd already be free from that bond. Problem is, I don't think you would have forgiven me."
I've thought about that experience more than I care to admit aloud. I'd like to tell him I was more pissed about the fact he didn't do it than I would have been if he had.
"It's not like you could help it, first of all. Secondly, if we had done it, then so what. I just asked you to help me out when the time comes."
"True. I wish I had known that. It could have saved me some hypothermia."
I laugh lightly at his joke as I curl into his body. His hand slides around my waist, and we both just lie there in silence until I yawn.
"Did you get me my own room?"
"Yeah. You're right next door," he says while turning down the television a little.
"Can I just stay with you today?"
I feel his smile against my forehead as he kisses it. "That sounds good."
Within seconds, I'm off in another land, taking in the air like I'm a human without a care, as the world of dreams offers me my desired escape.
"Your mom looks good, doesn't she?" Aunt Hilly asks as she sits across the table from me.
I take a bite of the sandwich just as the waitress comes to refill our glasses. Mom didn't look like Mom to me, but I won't disclose my freak-out with Aunt Hilly.
"Yes, she does. Um... by any chance, have you talked to Frankie? He seems a little... distracted. I tried calling him today, but he was too busy to talk."