24: Multitasking.
**Aife pov**
I stayed glued to Bane’s claw, refusing to let go even for a second.
Since the healer was busy, I couldn’t sit down or stand around for too long, so I suggested Bane and I could have a walk around the camp together. It was clear he wasn’t too fond of the idea because of what happened earlier, but when I asked him to, he instantly agreed.
We walked around in silence and I tried to ignore every person in our way who looked at us like Bane was this uncontrollable monster and I was walking him around like a dog on a leash. Technically, I kind of was, since I held onto him for dear life, but I didn’t see it that way.
This was just a simple walk, a moment to unwind and not think too much about life as it was these days. It used to be so much more simpler..
After a while of aimlessly wandering around, we decided to turn back and return to the healer’s tent. Every step we took towards it felt like we were nearing a sentence neither of us were ready for.
I couldn’t stop thinking about the possibilities. What if the monster woke up the moment I decided to pull away, for whichever reason I needed to, but still, what if? The thought made my stomach twist tighter than any knot I had ever felt.
“Careful,” Bane muttered, his voice low and rough, but not angry. “I’m not going to bite you, I promise.”
I snorted, not looking at him. “Yeah, because nothing says ‘trustworthy’ like a rotting monster who could kill me with a sneeze.”
His claw brushed my hand, just a barely there touch, but it was enough to make me flinch. “You worry too much,” he muttered, looking ahead. “I’ll do anything in my power to keep you safe. You don’t have to trust me, you have no reason to, but I intend to keep my word even if I have to die for it.”
I shot him a glare, even though I knew he couldn’t see it clearly through that mess of a face. “You really think I didn’t notice that you’re trying to distract me with small talk? Bane, I literally can’t stop thinking about what happens if I accidentally let go. I need to sleep and eat too, darn it, a bathroom break alone would be nice, but I can’t stop wondering about what happens next. Will letting go mean instant death, for example?”
“I call it multitasking,” Bane replied dryly, looking around at the suspicious gazes we were getting from everyone around us. “Also, you just reminded me I haven’t eaten since yesterday.”
I stopped and blinked up at him, completely taken aback. “You’re kidding me.”
Bane finally looked down, and I swear, he smirked as he spoke. “Not at all, multitasking requires fuel.”
I wanted to roll my eyes but couldn’t, because as if on cue, my stomach growled loudly, reminding me I hadn’t eaten for a while either.
I shifted my weight awkwardly and looked around to distract myself, still careful not to pull back from his claw.
While I looked around, I didn’t notice how the healer approached us until he spoke, “I think that if we get the venom samples right then maybe.. hmm, maybe we can isolate it and I can find an anti-venom.”
I glanced at the healer, then back at Bane right when he looked at me. Our eyes met again and for a moment, I almost forgot everything else. Those eyes were still his, sharp and alive, and behind everything that hid his true self from me, I could still see my Bane.
“You think he knows he’s terrifying everyone?” I whispered to the healer.
The healer didn’t pay any attention to my words, but Bane heard me and let out a deep growl, “I know. I’m not the prettiest princess out there right now exactly,” he said, somehow managing to sound amused, not angry or annoyed.
I bit back a laugh and tried to joke to ease the tension. “Humans would pay to get a peek at a monster like you. Exhibits, circus shows..”
Bane snorted out a dry sound that literally made me want to cringe and laugh at the same time. “Tell me one more joke like that and I’ll make you help me pick herbs for the healer. He keeps claiming the plants are delicate.”
I shook my head, smiling despite the heavy feeling in the pit of my stomach. “Fine, I’ll help, but only if you admit that the flowers are prettier than you.”
Bane let out a short laugh, “you better mean it.”
I tried to focus on my breathing and convince myself I was being absolutely ridiculous with my thoughts, but every step closer to that tent made me want to run and never look back more than ever.
As we reached the tent, I stopped suddenly, “Bane,” I whispered, holding onto him tighter.
“Shh,” he interrupted, squeezing my hand gently. “I won’t let him take over, I promise.”
I wanted to believe him, but a small part of me kept reminding me that we were fine for now, yet we didn’t know what would happen later. What if, just what if I couldn’t hold him back every second?
Instead of focusing on my thoughts, I glanced at the healer, who stood near us, muttering under his breath as he was just standing there and mixing some powders in his hands, occasionally glancing up at Bane like a nervous child.
“What’s that he’s doing?” I asked, trying to sound casual.
Bane shrugged. “He’s trying to figure out how much venom I carry. Complicated stuff, really, probably more complicated than any math classes I’ve ever taken.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle, “well, I was terrible at math.”
“You’d be terrible at keeping track of me too,” he said with a low, teasing growl, and somehow while I knew his words were packed with hidden meaning, they made me feel a little better.
I stayed quiet, but my heart hammered so hard I was pretty sure Bane heard it too. After a long moment, Bane’s claw pressed against my shoulder lightly and he guided me inside the tent. The healer immediately moved to work, arranging vials, powders, and instruments on a nearby table.
Every instinct inside me screamed for me to run and hide, to flee from the danger the beast carried, but the rest of me refused to leave his side.
Deep down, despite everything, I still loved him and I couldn’t let go of someone I loved without a fight.
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