Caspian surged forward and his smile only grew wider when his fist met Brandon’s jaw. I stepped back a few steps, watching with wide eyes as Caspian unleashed his true character. He looked absolutelythrilledto be fighting, a splash of pure pleasure on his face.
“Fuck you!” Brandon snapped, his eyes watering. “I can’t believe you’re the one I’m fucking left with!” Angry tears fell down his face. Caspian blinked in shock and stood there looking confused.
“What, nothing to fucking say asshole? Why didyouget to live? Because you're some fucked up monster? Matthias never hurt anyone!” Caspian looked further shocked, his eyes wide and darting around nervously.
“I’m… sorry,” Caspian struggled to get the words out. He looked uncomfortable as he tried to look at Brandon. Brandon scoffed, looking disgusted at Caspian’s pity.
“Do you even care they’re dead?” Brandon asked him.
“Of course—”
“Don’t you dare fucking lie to me right now,” Brandon seethed, his hands bunching into fists at his side.
“I’m not lying,” Caspian snapped. “But it’s done and the person who did it is dead. But… I, uh…” Caspian swallowed. “I’m sorry about Matthias. I can’t imagine losing the one I love.” He looked over at me. Brandon gave a long sigh of exasperation, all the anger bleeding out of him as he rolled his eyes.
“We were friends, Cas. We weren't in love with each other, we just fucked sometimes. God, you’re like a fucking child when it comes to these things.”
“Friends?” Caspian asked in confusion.
“Yes. A concept you clearly don’t comprehend,” Brandon sighed. Caspian did look confused. Brandon pushed past him, shoulder checking him, and stomped into the woods.
Caspian stood there, massaging the back of his neck with a frown. He was still shoeless and shirtless. His pants looked stiff and uncomfortable from having been wet then dried on his body. There was a smudge of dirt on one of his cheeks still and all over his chest and abs. His dark wavy hair was a mess. Still, he somehow managed to look good. It was unnatural.
The tattooed image of my face smiled from his pec and he rubbed at it mindlessly.
Arms slid around me and I turned to see Pollux looking down at me. In the light, he didn’t look much different without his hat. A mass of dark fur, red eyes glowing, and his feather-like antennae bending backwards on his head as he looked at me.
I gave him a small smile and patted his arm, sinking into his chest for a moment. Caspian finally walked over to us and began rubbing my shoulders, ignoring Mothman’s presence.
“I get lost in my desire for you sometimes and I know I’m not gentle. If you ever want me to stop doing something, tell me. Okay, Ava?” He asked, warm brown eyes looking into mine.
“I don’t mind being bit,” I said.
“But you will tell me?” He asked. I reached up and held his cheek in my hand. He leaned into it. He always did. When I first woke up it seemed funny how much like a dog he acted. The adoration and training of a loyal golden retriever. I bet he would do anything I asked.
My smile slid from my face. That was an odd way to think of him. He wasn’t a dog. He wasn’t trained. I wasn’t his master.
“Really?” The voice in my head asked with a huff of entertainment. I swallowed.
“I’ll tell you if I don’t want something,” I said. Caspian nodded then his eyes trailed up to Mothman. They stared at each other for a second.
“Will you tell me if I’ve gone too far?” He asked. He winced, indicating Mothman had talked to him.
“No, not toyou,” Caspian hissed in distaste. “To Ava,” Caspian huffed, leaning in to peck my lips with a kiss.
“We should go,” I said, pulling away from both the men and following Brandon into the woods. I wasn’t really sure where we were exactly since everything had been so frantic when we had run into the cave. Mothman’s wings snapped out and he quickly flew past me, drifting towards Brandon who was leading the pack.
Brandon startled and flung himself backwards, breathing heavily. Pollux ignored the reaction, probably used to it, and began signing at him. Brandon watched his hands even though his eyes were still wide, his hand gripping his shirt as he recovered from the shock of a monster surprising him.
Caspian came up beside me and snorted at Brandon. He draped his arm over my shoulder and tugged me into him.
“You know ASL?” I asked in surprise. His blue eyes flipped to me and he nodded.
“Yeah, he says we’re close to the campground. It’s that way.” He jerked his head to the side, indicating the direction.
10
Something was going on with Ava.
