Characters::Chance and Genesis
Word Count::891
@babyitsmagic tagging you for reasons
There was no hesitation as she dropped down on the couch and half sprawled across Chance's lap, content to make herself comfortable despite the way he stiffened. He wouldn't shove her aside, Genesis knew that down to her bones, and she delighted in annoying him. He could pretend all he liked, but she knew he adored her. Well, as much as he was capable of.
Chance cocked his head as he watched her, trying to decide just how annoyed he should be. He didn't do touchy feely and she knew it.
"Can I help you, Genesis?"
Instead of answering, she pouted up at him, trying to keep her look playful but knowing it wasn't reaching her eyes. She also knew better than to try to lie to him, so she merely shrugged.
"Probably not in any helpful ways, no."
He sighed heavily and rested a hand on the girl's head, knowing he was going to have to pry it out of her or just stare at her until she got squirmy. The problem was that he didn't have the patience for either.
"Either speak up or go bother one of the boys. Or that one girl you're actually just friends with." He couldn't remember her name, but he knew Genesis had one female friend she had managed a platonic relationship with. It was almost impressive.
That made the mutt huff and cross her arms, tempted to lie there in silence out of spite. Truth be told, Genesis wasn't even sure Chance was capable of understanding what was going through her head, but he was also the only one not likely to judge her for it.
"I miss Sage," she finally admitted quietly, hating just how pathetic she sounded. She hated even more that just saying it out loud had her eyes stinging with tears.
It was stupid; it had never been serious on Sage's end, Genesis was the only one who had been stupid enough to catch feelings, but she couldn't help it. She missed the other so much that it made her ache, and she hated it. She wanted to hate Sage for leaving, but she just couldn't.
"I know she probably doesn't even think about me anymore, but I just...I fucking miss her and it's stupid and pathetic and, please, don't think this means I want you to hunt her down and kill her. That would be worse. That would be so much fucking worse, Chance," she pleaded, not wanting him to get the wrong idea. The thought alone was enough to make her start to panic until he started combing his fingers through her hair.
"I'm not going to kill her, Genesis," he stated plainly, not knowing how to be comforting beyond being honest. "But, I did see her not too long ago. Right after you ended up with something of a guard dog."
That was enough to startle her upright, frantic eyes searching his face. "Why? What did you do? What did you say to her?"
"I told her only the truth. I did not harm her. I did learn that she left to protect you. She was concerned that you were at risk of developing a mate bond and that it would kill you."
"I'd rather be dead than feel like this."
He couldn't put a finger on why, but hearing Genesis say that bothered him. He knew her life would be shorter than his, but he still was not ready to face the probability of her death.
Instead of saying any of that, he merely patted his lap, an invitation for her to lie back down.
"I know you think that now, but it will get easier, Genesis," he told her once she had resettled, doing his best to ignore the way she had curled into him much more firmly. She was a pack animal, she needed touch in ways he did not, and he was trying.
"You'd think after this long it wouldn't still hurt this much..."
He moved one hand to her hair while the other rested on her arm. It was the best he could offer but even he knew it wasn't enough.
"I can't speak on that. I don't feel the same way you do. I also don't know what to do or say to make you feel better." He hated admitting that. She was his responsibility. He had been caring for her since she was a small child and, while he had made a lot of progress over the years, he was still completely out of his element here.
"I know. I just...needed someone who wasn't going to judge me or make me feel worse for still not wanting anyone but her," she sniffled, still clinging to him for dear life.
"You're allowed to still love her and want her, but you're not allowed to let any of that take you away from us. If you die, all of the protection she has from me is gone. So, if nothing else, live for that alone."
It wasn't the best thing he could have said, he was almost certain of that, but if it worked, he didn't give a shit.
"You're awful," she muttered, letting her eyes close as he continued to pet her head.
"Yes, but you knew that when you chose me to talk to."
