“Why wouldn’t you?”
He draws my hand away from his chest. Warm breath falls over my fingers before they’re met with the soft texture of his lips. “What’s the point if we don’t have the only thing that makes it worthwhile?”
“I guess you’ll just have to find that at some point somewhere.”
Menace turns over and covers me with half of the blanket. He finds my chin with his fingers and maps my face. “I am usually the one others turn to for the impossible tasks.”
“I know what it feels like to be left behind. I wasn’t going to do that to you,” I tell him. “The monster you are is one out of necessity. No one can or should blame you for adapting. That is a biological trait that ensures our survival.”
Menace pulls me against him. His eyelids droop, and he finally rests.
I don’t think he knows how much it means to me that he trusts me to keep watch. To have a Titan relinquish their guard post to a human says a lot and makes me feel like maybe there is hope for me. Maybe I’m not a complete failure after all.
Menace’s sleeping face exposes his exhaustion. I kiss his cheek and tuck myself closer to him. “I am so sorry for what they did to you.”
I say it even though I know he can’t hear me. But it’s eating me up inside how anyone could turn on our most stunning creations.
Until my spark is dark, I will fight for you, Titan Menace. This I swear.
I am your sentinel. You are my charge. I will forever stand guard through wind, fire, and iron rain. No matter my pain, you will be safe.
