Disclaimer: Not mine!
Part 2
The next night she was unlacing her boots efficiently on the edge of the truck, her free leg swinging, as Cain banked the fire they had been sitting near for the last two hours. The rain had stopped for the most part today and they'd taken advantage both out working in the field and resting near the nice little blaze he stoked up. It felt good getting warm all the way to her bones, not to mention being able to clean and dry her extra pair of socks while she had the chance. Cain was quick to follow her example and he now had a clean pair of socks too. Overall she thought that would make them both happier people, no matter how simple a thing it was. The longer you were out camping the more simple things mattered to you, and they'd been out here long enough for this to matter.
He glanced around as she shed her boots, spotted a papay in the distance, way off in the trees, and nodded to himself. One would think after getting bitten in a relatively sensitive area that Cain would be perfectly content never seeing a papay again, but he was always pleased when they made it known they were in the area. Really, they were like big, loyal, green pit bulls. The tin man was near to giddy at seeing them surrounding the fields. Not even the bravest former longcoat would try to get in here with the packs present, so really, they were terribly safe. The only thing they actually had to worry about were the few mobats that managed to escape the fight at the tower, but no one had seen them in over eighteen months. While they might be haunting her dreams it was unlikely that the real things would be bothering them. And even if they did Cain would use them for target practice. None of them had ever been overly fond of the creatures.
Getting on the truck bed with her the tin man began to toe off his own boots with no little relief. They had been walking or standing for the last eleven hours, she was sure his feet were as tired as hers. "Never seen guards as good as the papay. I think I feel safer out here than I do at the palace."
"Tell me about it." She said as she got her second boot off and began to bang them together to get the caked mud off. "If there was plumbing here I'd never leave. That, and we'd need to hang air fresheners off them if they're going to get any closer." The tin man hadn't been wrong about them stinking up the place. It was easier to find them with your nose than your eyes most of the time, especially if the wind shifted in the right direction.
He huffed out a laugh as she set her boots just inside the truck, safe from rain, but out of the way. Stretching, she twisted and went inside, wishing for a book to read. Pulling out the lantern she made sure it was full of oil as she stretched out on her stomach. It was getting dark out and after the amount of magic she used to day she just wasn't up for powering a spell for the next several hours so they could see one another. A lantern was a much easier solution for them tonight. They could act like normal people for a few hours. Cain got his boots off and set them beside hers. He moved inside after her, although he sat toward the back so he could keep his eyes peeled for trouble. "I've been thinkin'."
"Uh oh." She said playfully as she poked at the glass, testing to see how hot it was now that she'd lit the lantern.
He sent her a dry look that had her giggling. "I think when we should stop a bit early tomorrow and go lookin' for that pond we saw on the map. We could both use a good scrubbin' and our clothes would benefit too."
A small smile was stuck on her face. "Is this your polite way of telling me I stink, Cain?"
"I think it's fair to say we both do at this point." He said in a compromising sort of way.
She huffed out a laugh. "I think I made my stance on wanting a bath fairly clear. I approve of this plan if you can stand quitting early."
She shifted as she tried to get comfortable as he kept on. "I think taking a break wouldn't go amiss."
"Words I never thought I'd hear coming out of your mouth. Imagine, you taking a voluntarily break while we're working." He rolled his eyes as she shifted again, pulling the lantern closer to her so she could see it better now that she knew it wouldn't burn her, unless she dropped it, broke the glass case, and set all the oil on fire of course. She was sure given enough time she could find a way to give herself a third degree burn.
"You alright, kid?"
"Huh?" She asked as she studied the lantern, realizing she honestly had no idea how it worked. "This is a brilliant little machine." She knew he shook his head. He was constantly amused by her fascination with things that were so very normal to him. She supposed at least her confusion was entertaining. "Look how the rope moves up and down." She picked it up and held it closer to her face. "Who came up with this?"
"I've got no idea, kid. Lanterns have been around forever." He changed the subject, or changed it back. "What's wrong with your hip?"
She frowned and glanced over her shoulder at him. "Nothing's wrong with my hip."
"You've been favoring your left side all day and I can tell it isn't your leg."
"Oh." She turned her attention back to the lamp. She wasn't overly interested in this, but knew he would hound her until he got an answer. "My lower back is sore. I think it's from laying in the truck all the time. It's not a big deal.
"Are you-"
She cut him off before he could get himself on a roll about this. "Cain, I have a slight muscle ache, you do not need to pull out interrogation techniques, or the first aid kit. I'm good."
"You don't need to get dramatic."
She huffed in amusement. "Yeah, I'm the dramatic one when it comes to superficial and minor injuries. The last time I twisted my knee I thought you were going to either amputate it or carry me the full six miles back to the palace yourself."
He rolled his eyes. "You got thrown off your horse."
"Which was more than capable of carrying me back all on its own."
"You could have broken your neck." He pointed out.
"You know, you don't treat Jeb like this when he walks in with a bruise or busted knuckles." She pointed out. "I fail to see why I'm given this treatment when your own son manages to avoid it."
He looked at like her like she was crazy. "And have him bust the other knuckles on me? I'm not actin' like a mother hen with him. I've got to be subtle where he's concerned."
"Oh, so only I get this overbearing treatment then? Because I'm nice and safe and won't hit you." She asked with a smile as she set the lantern back on the box it had been resting on as he snorted at the safe comment. She flipped to her back and stretched out farther, loosening her muscles as best she could.
"I can never tell how bad you've hurt yourself. You've got a high tolerance for pain and unless I pester you I don't know if I need to stop internal bleeding or just give you an ice pack."
She rolled her eyes. "Trust me, if I think I have internal bleeding you'll be the first to know."
"Yeah, right after you pass out." He commented sarcastically.
She laughed and he smiled despite how true that was. "Probably right." She sat up and began to stretch forward toward her toes. "Why didn't I bring a book with me?"
"Don't know." He began to dig about for some cards. "I told you to."
"Trying to get in fight are we?"
He smiled some more. "I take it back."
"That's right you do." She flopped back down at the sight of the game in his hands. "I'm tired of cards."
"Not much else to do." He pointed out helpfully.
She sighed theatrically and he shook his head. She brightened all at once as an alternative popped into her head. "You could teach me some more curse words. They're so creative over here."
"You're just trouble waitin' for a place to happen. I'm not teachin' you anymore. You tricked me into the first batch at any rate."
She grinned happily in remembrance. "Please?"
He dug his heels in at once. "No, not after the last one I had to explain. That was downright inappropriate. I haven't blushed like that since I was sixteen tryin' to explain to my father why I was three hours past curfew."
She laughed some more at that tidbit and he eyed her in warning as her whole being filled with mischief. Not put off at all, she thought this was an even better alternative to learning naughty words. "Why were you three hours late?"
"We're not goin' down that road either." He said stoically.
Her smile grew. "You could tell me the story about Ramona the Raunchy-"
"Where did you even hear about that?" He asked in exasperation as he tossed the cards back in a box. It was now clear to him it wasn't going to happen with her teasing him this way. He was more entertaining than any game he could come up with, and the poor man knew he had been targeted.
"If I told you I wouldn't hear anymore fun stories."
He knew she was teasing him like crazy and she knew he liked the banter. "Why can't you ever ask me about any wholesome stories?"
How very obvious. "Because that wouldn't be any fun at all."
"Enough of that, Deeg. Why don't you lay out on your stomach and I'll loosen your back up. Your fidgetin' is drivin' me up the wall."
Thrilled with that prospect she did that immediately. He snorted in amusement at how quickly she complied and moved in next to her. "Wonderful man." She sighed happily, her toes wiggling in anticipation of the unexpected and unasked for treat.
"You stop bein' rotten and this'll last longer." He said as he began to rub her lower back, as if he were really giving her some kind of threat. She swore she melted as he started to massage her.
"I can definitely be good for at least twenty minutes." She assured him confidently.
He laughed softly at that and stopped momentarily. "Take off your jacket for me." She shrugged out of it quickly and he started to rub her all over, finding it much easier without the leather in the way. When she was utterly relaxed he spoke. "How'd you sleep last night?"
"Really good." She mumbled. "No nightmares."
"That's good." He was really amazing at this. "Maybe you can get a full night of sleep tonight instead of a few hours."
"That would be awesome." She told him truthfully. After that they were largely quiet, the only conversation consisting of his questions to where she was hurting and how much pressure was helpful. By the time he was done, having spent at least half an hour making her feel good, she was just goo. He smiled at her utterly limp and unwilling or unable to move, and patted her shoulder as he sat down near her head, making himself comfortable. "Thank you." She breathed out.
"You're welcome, Darlin'. You just lay there and relax for a bit. You've been working hard bringin' all the trees to life." Hearing Cain say she was working hard was really something else. That was about as big a compliment as she could hope for and she had been hoping. She had been throwing herself into this project in the hope that he would take note of her dedication. Not much else she had done made much of an impression on him, and she had been trying to get his attention in a way that wasn't likely to cause him to have an aneurism, think she was an idiot, or convince him beyond a shadow of a doubt that she was too young for him. Needless to say, it had been challenging. She was starting to think this wasn't going to happen, not that she ever had much hope over the matter. The thing was she couldn't just give up. That was something she wouldn't be able to live with, giving up. Even utter humiliation would be better than wondering her whole life if it could have been.
"I can totally do that." He smiled gently at her and started to dig about for food. As he started putting something together she broke the silence, unable to let this go. "Hey, Cain?"
"Yeah, kiddo?"
Her lip curled up as she cracked an eye open. "Why were you late?"
He sighed good-naturedly and she giggled softly. "DG-"
"Tell me." She insisted as sweetly as possible, knowing that was the easiest way to get what she wanted out of him. He always caved when she pulled out her cuteness. "I really want confirmation you were not always a strict rule abiding human."
"As opposed to open rebellion of the ruling queen a few years ago?" He asked as he dug about the box with all their food.
"That totally doesn't count. She was an evil dictator which means the rules don't apply." She said. "Come on. Did you sneak out to meet a girl?"
He cast her a look. "Did you ever sneak out to meet a boy?" He asked, clearly thinking that she would back down.
"Oh, for sure." She replied without hesitation or remorse.
He shook his head, as if he shouldn't be at all surprised by either the information or the opposite reaction he was expecting. "Yes." He relented. "I was out with a girl."
She was thrilled. Never had she imagined he would admit to being mischievous. Besides, hearing people's stories of teenage drama was always amusing. Even the most straight laced and serious had at least one or two good ones. No one could completely escape the influence of hormones. "Was she pretty?"
"She had some pretty spots." He commented.
She snickered like crazy, loving this more than she could say. "Are we talking, like, a pretty face, or vast expanses here?"
"Vast expanses?"
"Fine, big boobs, I was trying to avoid making you blush again."
Despite himself he chuckled at her. "I don't know how you get me talkin' about things like this."
"I'm adorable, you can't help it. So?"
He simply gave up, his strictness melting away as she wore him down with her charm. "I was more interested in her… hindquarters."
She giggled at that description. "Good lord, was she a horse? You can say ass in front of me."
"Come get your food you foul mouthed princess."
She laughed and sat up, taking the plate he handed her. "Thanks."
"You're welcome." He said, sitting back with his own plate. "Alright, fair's fair, what had you running out of the house?"
"Ah, Cain, he had a motorcycle." Her eyes went distant at the memory. "And really great hair."
He shook his head, bemused. "I take it the relationship didn't last?"
"Depends on your perspective. From a human one? Not so long, but if you were like, a mayfly, it lasted a lifetime."
He barked out a real, honest to goodness laugh. She loved when she got him to do that. It was her favorite sound. "I see. No one would accuse you of not commitin'."
She took a bite of her food, today it was pasta, as she smiled. When she swallowed she spoke again. "What are the teenage years for if not exploration, dramatic overreactions to the opposite sex, and lust running amok?"
"I'll give you that one. Makes me tired thinkin' about all the trouble I got into."
Her eyes danced. "You're still getting into trouble."
"It's a shame." He said straight-faced as he ate. "I need to start behavin' myself."
"That's no fun." She pointed out. "And if that's what you're after we just can't hang out anymore."
"We can't have that. Got a fondness for you now."
She batted her eyes. "Awww, you like me?"
He smiled as he ate, his false emotionless mask melting. "You're ridiculous."
She nodded seriously. "I do try."
"You don't need to." He said as he mixed his noodles about in the sauce to get them coated in the sauce better. He always liked more flavor in things than less. She had a strong suspicion he was trying to make up for all the time he hadn't gotten to eat in the suit. "You're naturally charmin'." She batted her eyes again and his lips twitched as he put more food in his mouth and chewed. When he swallowed he spoke again. "Stop your flirtin'."
What? He noticed? Shit. She tried to make this un-awkward at once, knowing how he panicked when anything got too intense in this manner. There wasn't even anywhere either of them could retreat to in order to siphon off some of the tension. Her only goal for this trip, and she had thought this out meticulously in the hopes going in small steps would work, was to get him to realize she was as capable as he could ever hope for and able to keep up with him. For some reason she knew that if she could claw her way up to be on equal footing with him that he would be able to view her the way she wanted. Cain wasn't the type to want a weak and incapable partner. He might like to take care of a lover, and that was sure as hell in his nature if his past was any indication, but he wanted someone that could get his back too. A shying daisy just wasn't going to cut it, and neither was a spoiled brat.
Throwing on an innocent smile she came up with something crazy fast. "Cain, if I were flirting, you would know."
"Is that so?" He asked neutrally.
"Yup." She assured him with feigned ease. "I've never been accused of being subtle." She winked playfully.
He simply raised an eyebrow and sat there watching her. Unnerved, she did her best not to let him see and picked a different topic quickly, but hopefully not so quickly he could tell she was trying to change the subject. This was tricky business, luring Cain, and it occurred to her, at this moment how little experience she had doing this. Oh, she had plenty of boyfriends, but hey were just that, boys. Cain was most definitely a man, and one that had little interest in games. Or so she thought. All at once a new idea occurred to her, one that set her on edge for reasons she couldn't understand when she wanted him so badly. As he answered a question she asked calmly she wondered, seriously, if she had somehow stumbled into a game he had been playing for quite a bit of time.
He noticed her far away look as she pondered that, and reaching out tucked her hair behind her ear, his fingers brushing her cheek. She jumped as she crashed back into reality. "You with me, Kid?"
She shook out of her thoughts hard, as paranoid as he had ever been. "You bet." Her response was overly bright.
He watched her with suspicions racing behind his eyes. "What had you leavin' the conversation on me?"
"Nothing." She lied. "You know how my mind wanders." She refocused on him, telling herself she could think about this later when he wasn't watching her. Leaping back into the conversation she paid attention even as she tried to work out what about this was spooking her so badly. It would most certainly require a bit of thought. Sweet Ozma, she was never going to get to sleep tonight and this time it had nothing to do with freaking mobats.
Author Note: I promise I will try to work on Catalyst this weekend! I need to re-read it first though, because honestly I've been so out of touch with my writing recently it would be crazy to try to do the next chapter before that. I like to weave the details all through the story and I can't do that successfully at the moment. It is close to done though so I will make an effort to finish it before my summer session starts, but I can't promise anything so don't try to get me if I fail. Thanks for all the reviews! They really make my day, you have no idea.