A/N: This is a shorter than usual chapter, but there will be an update very soon. Tonight or tomorrow Thank you for being amazing and saying such wonderful things! You guys are the best EVER!
Disclaimed, as usual. I own nothing and make no money.
Lizzie backed away from Red, more in disbelief than anything else. "What do you mean weapons? As in we will bludgeon them to death? Because I doubt my ability to bludgeon anything. At all. Also, bludgeoning implies close quarters fighting, and as a man would have a greater reach, my chances of actually succeeding in said bludgeoning would be greatly diminished."
Red closed the distance she created between them and took her hands.
Her anxiety made him feel nauseous, but he fought to keep his reaction from her.
Lizzie, there's no way we would leave you to 'bludgeon' anyone, as you put it. They are merely a precaution to prevent us from being helpless in the event someone finds us here. The chances are insignificant.
"Dembe, I believe our Lizzie needs some reassurance that we won't allow her to fend for herself."
Geeze, Red, stop. I'm not asking for protection, I just wanted to convey that I don't think I can bash someone's skull in.
Dembe walked up to them, laying the multiple weapons on a nearby desk.
"Liz, I would give my life for yours. You are my brother's life-mate. A rare find to be treasured and protected at all costs. As I would give my life for his, yours is no less important. It is actually more so, because his life would be meaningless without you beside him. He deserves all the happiness in the world, and that means you."
His words were beautiful. He may not speak much, but when he does, his words have a profound meaning.
"Um, wow. Uh, Dembe that was…very deep, but you should in no way feel obligated to, uh, you know, give your life…"
Holy hell this is awkward, Red. You didn't order him to put my life above his own, did you?!
His hands contracted slightly on hers, but his face did not change from concern.
Red's emotional grid was overflowing with love, affection, and pride. In that moment, it was directed towards Dembe. He was proud of Dembe for caring for her because she was important to Red.
"Enough of this. Thank you Dembe for bringing me the tools I need to get what I want. I will not maim a human, but I am certainly fine with annihilating the vending machine."
Their bellies were filled to the brim with junk food and soda pop.
Red observed Lizzie from his seat next to her. She was still nibbling on chips, so he didn't want to interrupt her binging with his neediness.
He hadn't heard one of her thoughts in a while. His theory was that it was extreme stress that brought upon the seemingly random ability to hear each other without physical contact.
Dembe had found a deck of cards and was playing blackjack with Lizzie.
She was adorable. She suggested poker, but changed her mind, when she realized that she wanted to cheat, but would have to touch Dembe again.
He knew the memories of Dembe's past would haunt her for a long time to come.
They haunted him, and he never witnessed the extreme cruelty, only had found poor Dembe when they were done with him and left him to die.
Months after Dembe had joined him, he finally trusted him enough to open up about his time as a slave.
He was so very glad that Dembe trusted him, but he could have lived a thousand lifetimes without knowing. No one, especially a child, should have to endure what Dembe had in his young life.
Any slice of happiness in life, Dembe more than deserved. However, he had eschewed living a traditional life after University, choosing instead to travel the world with Red, becoming more than mentor and pupil.
They were brothers with unfathomable loyalty, transcending any mere friendship.
Seeing Dembe smile with genuine happiness was a balm to his soul.
Once he felt Lizzie's connection, he was worried that Dembe would be hesitant to open up to her.
His loves of the past have been met with nothing but stony silence.
Happy that the two most important people in his life were getting along so well, he told her story after story about their travels. Dembe chimed in to add some hilarious highlights from his point of view.
Finding Red handcuffed to a Donkey in Mexico made Lizzie laugh so hard she could barely breathe.
It was so endearing, so infectious that the men couldn't help but join in.
Unfortunately, their laughter was interrupted by the shining of headlights through the bay doors in the next room.
They quieted immediately, Dembe moving to the doorway to get a better look at the situation.
HE looked back at Red, his face a grim mask of determination.
Someone was there.
Tbc…
I apologize for how short it was, but it seemed to be a better story flow to stop here. There will be another chapter very soon! Also, sorry about the cliffhanger!...Kind of. ;) Have a good weekend everyone!
