God Speed walked beside her, he red hair still fiery in the pale moonlight. He was not as she is, but he could sense that she was troubled. She did not sidle up to him for the comfort of his body heat and she was restless, moody, on the edge of some outburst. She may be...other...but she was young and her youthful spirit could be so easily crushed.
"What is wrong?" asked God Speed at last, hoping to wring the problem from her. Perhaps if she just talked about it, she would feel better and her forehead would smooth with relief and she would relax, perhaps lean against him, her cool face against his, her thin little arms go around him and she would be the way she was again, so willing and eager to share his space, the circle of his arms, and relish again all the little things she seemed to enjoy.
"I can't talk about it, it is too awful," she said, her voice a little petulant. "If you knew, perhaps you wouldn't like me anymore."
"You know that I would never stop liking you. I will always care for you, forever and ever," he said, his mind completing the thought...forever and ever, and not just my forever but your forever. He reached out and took her hand in his. Her palm was dry and smooth and still, her hands delicate and her closely clipped nails with their unique coloring. He brought her hand to his face and and planted his lips there. He could smell her person scent, that exotic something different dry smell, not unpleasant but other...
"If only I could tell someone," she said, biting her lip in that little girl way she had. Her blue eyes looked up at him and she drew a little closer to him and then she did what God Speed had wished for, her arms went tentatively around his waist and her hands slid up to his shoulders and squeezed them gently. His arms went around her and he pressed her against him.
She lay her head on his chest and heard his heart. Of course she could hear his heart from several feet away and that usually excited her but standing there with her head against his chest, listening to the booming of that organ that no longer beat in her own breast. She could hear his blood running through his veins and smell the warmth of his body, the intoxicating scent of the light after shave he had on and the smell of man, the masculine scent she associated with mixed feelings, but she knew this man with her tonight was not full of confusing, sometimes scary emotions. All she smelled was his concern and care for her. His large warm hand went up and stroked her hair. She breathed against him, the sound of her sigh and the cool puff of breath reminded him of her difference, but it did not trouble him.
"You know that nothing you say to me will change the way I feel," said God Speed.
"Really?" she asked. He pulled away from her slightly and looked at her pale face. He leaned close to her, his lips near hers.
"Really," he said.
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