CHAPTER 254: CHAPTER 254 - LESS TALK, MORE SLEEP: YES, SLEEP

Magnanimously, I gestured toward the empty space beside me. Teasing someone immediately can be quite fun, but bringing it up again when they think you were letting them ’live it down’ is better.

"I simply thought we should have somewhere private to talk compared to a store with cameras. Really, just talk. I can’t imagine you came to find me for anything else."

Yes, I know I’m failing at holding back my amusement! But look at her, who can resist?!

Her squinting eyes and clenched jaw followed my gesture to the empty area, then returned to my face with a searching look. The Stash responded to my next movements and the container appeared.

Instead of demanding explanations - or even defending her thoughts - she just nodded. Then started to walk forward with what might have been a bit of humor in her voice.

"Better than somewhere with silly outfits for you to force on me."

"Oh, how could you possibly know what sort of clothing I have stored away here?"

Her steps falter when I return her attempt to jest. But when I open the door and gesture for her to go inside, she starts walking even quicker. Damnit, I hope she isn’t expecting anything now - I have nothing like that at all!

She paused at the threshold with her eyes on what seemed like the bed that dominated the center. I felt heat creep up my neck when I realized what she must be thinking!.

"Can I ask... something?"

Her voice rolled out quietly, making me clear my throat and nod. When her brown eyes look at me this time, I can see how tired she seems...

"Why do you have an enormous rock in here? Or actually... *how* did you even get that in here?"

Ah. The large boulder of chert sitting on the *other side* of the bed... I clear my throat again and ignore her question in favor of my own.

"Did you get any rest at all this morning?"

"Sleep. Right."

The Alpha’s laugh was soft and just a bit bitter. But she smiled at me afterward.

"Because that’s so easy when someone you believe tells you the world as we know it is probably ending. Or that I am the only one who can do anything about it."

"...I never said you were the only one. I also never promised you could accomplish a single thing..."

She turned to face me fully and I could see the weight she must have been carrying for more than half a day. I told her so much then basically left with a ’good luck with that’.

"Fair enough. But that’s why I wanted to talk about-"

"No."

I held up a hand, cutting off whatever well-prepared discussion she’d planned. Her mouth opened as if to protest my refusal this time, but my hand covered it as I challenged her with my face tilted.

"Not yet. I’ll listen in a little while. After you try and take a nap. Unless you are so severely busy in the next hours and genuinely cannot listen to my advice."

Resisting the impulse to open | Matron’s Monitor |... to scan her and make sure there was nothing else wrong... the hand slides away from her lower face and tugs on the blazer near her wrist.

She followed me inside dutifully, though I could feel her gaze taking in what was on the shelves. She had only seen the supplies and the careful organization I’d built from the outside.

I let go and began moving over the bed and toward the back, reaching under one of the lower shelves to pull out the coiled extension cord. Laying one end on the ground, I started to lay it out just like I’d done when testing the bed the first time.

"...What are you doing?"

"Setting up power. The bed has adjustable settings, but they need electricity to work and I’m still... in the process of thinking about what to do for that."

Walking past her and leaving her inside my little sanctuary, I located the outlet I’d used during my previous visits to this warehouse. The plug fit snugly and as I stood, I stared at the wall for a minute.

Thinking about it, I guess I’ve been stealing energy haven’t I? I’ll tip her when I make the repayment and add a note.

Vrika barked small insults at me, trying to get me to hurry back and take care of the white haired beauty some more. To let my guard down and accept the sort of relationship she’d want to start.

Which is why I have to stand here for a while. Because I’m kind of feeling like it would be better to get it over with. A few days, a couple weeks, maybe even until after the Apocalypse... I’d at least enjoy...

No. Every bit I’d enjoy would blow a deeper hole in my heart when it’s gone. I know this. I do. Please stop.

My wolf felt like it didn’t know whether I was talking to it or myself. Due to how my inner voice shook my entire soul. Even the smooth stone slab representing | Guardian’s Composure | cracked and fissured.

"...Apparently even the system can’t handle my cynicism. What more proof do I need of the truth of it?"

Yet, it ’heals’. Unnaturally quickly. Unlike what I know will happen if I willingly grow so attached. My hand reaches out and touches the wall, needing something to hold onto as my head spins.

"Citra? Were you talking to me?"

Her call from that far away feels like a lifeline that lashes at my back. I let out a shuddering breath and straighten up. But I don’t look at her as I shoulder past her to check on the bed.

The mattress control panel were now lit up on both sides. I moved to the left side, making sure the settings for my preferred firmness and elevation were retained by the battery backup. A single touch sets it back into place.

"You can set that side however you want. The controls are fairly intuitive if you’ve never used one before."

I could feel her staring at me, probably trying to process the domesticity of the gesture even as I refuse to look at her face.

The implication that I was thinking about her comfort to this degree.

That I’d even invited her into this private space. Arguably my *most* private space.

But the thing is, Vrika. I didn’t invite her to my apartment for a reason. This? I can pick up and leave with at any time. I don’t really care if she sees it.

Vrika, curled on its restored resting place... didn’t even bother to respond to such obvious self-deception that was being masked by my own harsh view of the reality.