Deviants Fallen: A DBH Story

Cain shrugged on his jacket, watching Clara as he did so. She sat on the couch, working on the steadily growing blanket.

She glanced up at him, feeling a little self-conscious. He'd gotten more obvious in his affections since yesterday, but he hadn't tried to push again. She was grateful that he'd respected her boundaries, and yet...she could feel a sense of impatience from him.

As he moved toward the door, he turned to give her one last look.

"Cain," she called after him. "Wait."

He paused, a few feet from the door, looking at her expectantly.

"Where is it you go when you're out?" She'd always wondered, but she'd never taken the opportunity to ask before, unsure how he'd react.

A look flickered across his face, and he seemed to stiffen. "Just out."

"Cain." Mildly vexed, she let a slight sternness enter her voice. "Please don't do that."

She stood, setting aside the blanket as she moved to stand beside him. She grabbed his hand. "You've gone on and on about how you want me to trust you, but do you trust me? It's a two-way street, Cain. You can't expect it without being willing to give it."

He sighed, closing his eyes for a moment. "How are you still like this?" he asked, voice soft. "Even when you can't remember." He shook his head, giving her a strange look. "I guess there are parts of you that still managed to stay. Parts you'll always have."

Clara felt a strange feeling well up, like confusion mixed with surprise. "What do you mean?"

His eyebrows furrowed, as something unreadable worked behind his eyes. "Even before, you always seemed to know what to say. He never could argue with you. I didn't know why. When I knew you, it was a little different. But, now I'm starting to understand him a little better."

Him? Clara's confusion deepened. Who?

He must have read to look on her face, but he just gave her a small, almost sad, smile. "Don't worry about it, darling. He doesn't matter anymore."

He moved to pull away, but she held his hand tighter. "You didn't answer my question."

He sighed again, pinching the bridge of his nose as he closed his eyes for a moment. "Yes. I suppose I trust you, darling." He opened his eyes, gazing down at her. "The people that tried to kill you, they're still looking for us. When I'm out, I'm monitoring the situation, making sure no one finds us. When I'm not doing that, I'm picking things up to make sure your little human body has what it needs."

She eyed the door for a minute, then turned back to him. "Can...can I come with you?"

His face drew down into a slight frown. "No."

Her restless feeling flared again, itching under her skin. "Cain, it's been weeks." She cringed hearing the pathetic whine in her voice. "I'll go crazy if I stay in this apartment much longer."