Page 70 of Light Leech

I couldn’t look at Naoma. Of course I would have welcomed any sign of affection, but I didn’t want her to feel any more uncomfortable than we already were. I didn’t even know if she would want it. Self-doubt came at me with its familiar barrage, but her desire to spend time with me was enough to hold them back.

Rather than dwell on it and overthink the entire situation, I let my mind rest. Whatever would come, would come.. Hell and pain would accompany us as long as Gongtide continued to fight, but with Naoma, I could endure it all.

“Zeg,” Boyband groaned. “I’m gonna be sick with this lovey guk.”

Akna glared. Was that jealousy? She scoffed. “Says the kid rubbing his meat.”

“Think before you talk next time, hun,” Ralia said.

“Oh, don’t worry, Ral, I thought it through.”

Boyband flipped her off and continued to pet David, whispering words of affirmation to combat his pleading for death

“What about me?” Kuni asked.

Naoma ruffled his hair. I had seen Boyband do the same thing and earn a smack. Kuni looked up at her and smiled. “You’ll stay and take care of Boyband.”

“What?” Boyband scoffed.

“Think you can do that?” Naoma asked.

Kuni giggled, then nodded.

Boyband groaned and rolled his eyes. “I guess I’ll watch the kid.”

“Kun,” Ralia said, “I’ll make sure you keep BB in line. I think you can handle him.”

Boyband glared at everyone, earning only laughs where he sought respect.

“Are you done with David for the night?” Denji asked.

“No,” Boyband said, while everyone pleaded the opposite.

“Do you want to help me put him away?” Denji asked. “I’ll show you how to relax him.”

“Sure!” He perked up.

“Come on, David,” Denji bid. “Time for your heroin.”

No one breathed for a second.

“The zeg did you say?” Boyband asked.

“Oh yeah.” Denji laughed, scratching his head. “David, as you know, is struggling with his existential dread and physical pain, though I doubt the validity of most of it, seeing that he’s pretty much just an and,“ he whispered and checked to see that David did not hear him.

The meat pillar had waddled back down the hall without any reaction to Denji.

“Good,” Denji sighed. “Like I was saying, he needs something to keep him going. We’ve tried just about everything, including fixes–”

“So you went to heroin?“ Boyband’s voice was stern.

“Souteern Indigo light-infusen heroin, yeah. It’s the only thing that’ll keep him going.”

“Zeg, du. You’re supposed to be the moral monk and all.” He looked at us over his shoulder, glaring then sighed. “Good thing I’m hanging back here while you go to work. Sure, I’ll help you, Ral, but I need to make sure David is no longer abused.”

Denji’s shoulders were tense as Boyband marched him back down the hall towards David.

Naoma stepped closer to me while the others engaged in their own conversation. “Can’t say I expected him to go all dad on David.”