Free Reddened Wasteland by Kyle Perkins Page B

missing. And if he didn’t
get to the bottom of it soon, more people would die. The pressure was almost
too much.
    Velar hopped onto the bed and snuggled in close to
Alerik after she dropped her backpack on the ground. She propped herself onto
her elbow and looked at him.
    “Rough couple of days, huh?” she said as she traced
her fingers up and down his chest.
    “Eh, things will get better soon enough. We just need
all of the facts. I’m not sure of where to go next, honestly,” he said, looking
up at the ceiling.
    “Wherever it is, we will get there together,” she
looked up at him and smiled. “I know you’ve been pretty busy lately, we both
have… But, I’ve been wondering where we stand. I mean, no pressure or anything.
It’s just… what Soran said when he first met me, and then it was like you
didn’t know what to call me. It made me realize we haven’t really had a talk
about what we are. As a couple, I mean. Or not. I don’t know. What do you
think?” she rambled.
    “Oh, you mean like a label? I didn’t realize we were
label people,” he said with a chuckle.
    “No… Not like a label. Or maybe. I don’t know. I’m
just trying to understand your feelings for me. I mean, we hang out every
single day, and now we live together. Not to mention the other stuff…” a blush
crept onto her face as she spoke.
    Alerik was silent as she stumbled through her
question, mostly because he was trying to figure out a way to articulate his
response, but also because she was especially adorable when she was flustered.
He inhaled a deep breath before speaking, feeling a bit awkward expressing his
feelings out loud. It was foreign territory for him.
    “I think that… no matter how many scenarios played
out, in a thousand different universes, we would always end up here, and
together. It just feels right. I’ve cared about you since the moment I
met you, we have an undeniable connection. I’m just so happy we finally decided
to do something about how we felt, instead of dancing around the subject like
we used to,” he said with a smile, “Time in this life is not guaranteed, and I
intend to spend as much of it as possible with you. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
    She let out a relieved sigh, “I’m really happy to hear
you say that… I was hoping this whole thing wasn’t one-sided.”
    “No, it’s definitely not one-sided. I’m surprised you
thought that. I thought that my feelings were pretty obvious by how often
you’ve caught me staring at you,” he grinned.
    “Staring at my ass you mean?” she arched an eyebrow,
“That says something, but it doesn’t have much to do with feelings. Not the
romantic kind, anyhow.”
    “No, no, no! I noticed more than your ass,” he laughed
as he rolled over so he was resting on his elbow and looking at her face, “Your
tits are pretty spectacular, too,” he teased.
    “You sleazeball!” she playfully shoved his chest, “I’m
surprised you had time to notice any of my features, what with all your
admirers parading themselves in front of you every day in the mines,” she
huffed.
    “Do I detect a hint of jealousy in your voice?” he
asked, laughing as he ran his fingers through her silky hair.
    “Oh, fuck off! I’m not jealous…” she sat up, then let
out a defeated sigh. “Well, maybe a little.”
    “Don’t be jealous, we’re label people now. You have
nothing to worry about,” he started tickling her sides. She burst out laughing,
then kneed him in the stomach.
    “Don’t. Tickle. Me!” she managed to choke out between
laughs.
    Alarik stopped and feigned injury, clutching his
stomach and moaning in an exaggerated gesture.
    “Oh, please! Not falling for it. I don’t know if I’d
be attracted if you were that big of a baby,” she called him out.
    “Just trying to get your confidence up. Didn’t want
you to feel bad about that pathetic hit,” he shrugged.
    “Oh, so you don’t think I could actually hurt you?”
She said in a menacing