The Deviants, part twenty-five

Sitting at a table, Nash slowly ate his food, careful not to overwhelm his stomach after several days, only consuming scrapes slid under the door.

He still couldn't figure out why one of their own would help the enemy? What did they have to gain? He'd just have to ask them. Then beat him to a pulp.

"Stop brooding," Galen narrowed his eyes, "It doesn't suit you."

"I was thinking."

"With a constipated expression?"

Nash sighed, "Sorry, I just don't understand why anyone would turn their backs on us."

Galen sipped his drink, "Thinking about it won't change anything."

"I know, but those females and Ava. They deserve to know why."

"I agree, but one foot in front of the other, my friend."

That was when Dae'lon approached their table, "It's nice to see you back to yourself, Nash."

"Thank you, sir." He continued eating.

Galen rose, stepping between them, "What do you need?"

"Nothing from you," He moved over to Nash, "But do you want to see the traitor?"

Nash was torn. One half of him wanted to choke the life from him, but the other half wanted to be with Ava. And both were ruled by primal urges with which he was unfamiliar.

Galen rested a hand on his shoulder, "I'll check on her."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

Nash returned the pain meds and nodded at Dae'lon, "Show me the way."

Following his leader, Nash couldn't control the pounding he felt in his chest. All he wanted was to see the bastard suffer, licking his lips at the thought.

Dae'lon led him to the outskirts of the base, right by the border, and that was when Nash saw him and was floored.

It was Kiel, one of the soldiers who showed him how things worked when Galen had first brought him to the base. Nash had looked up to him, even confided in him at times.

Nash forced his feet to move forward, a red mist coating his vision. Then he charged, lunging at Kiel.

The two Wanderers tumbled to the ground, Nash quickly gaining the upper hand. Nothing would stop him now.

Kiel tried defending himself, but with his wrists bound, it made his options limited, and Nash exploited it, wrapping both hands around his throat.

"I trusted you!" he screamed in their native tongue. "How could you?!"

Kiel couldn't reply, his movements fading.

Nash loosened his grip, "Tell me!"

"The general promised me..." but he passed out before finishing his sentence, face bruised and bleeding.

Nash would have killed him right there, but Dae'lon peeled him away. "I think that's enough."

He turned away, water flowing from his eyes. He'd expected the traitor to be someone he didn't know well, but not Kiel. So this was a punch in the stomach and chest.

Nash stumbled away, finding a private corner to release his feelings.

***

Hearing a knock at the door woke Ava from her nap. She blinked a lot, her eyes stinging from being dry.

She didn't feel much better, but it was as if a weight had been lifted off her chest, giving her the space to process everything else.

The person knocked again, forcing Ava to crawl out of bed and make her way to the door, "I don't want to..."

Galen stood in the hallway with a food bag and two cups of what she hoped were coffee. "May I come in?"

She stepped aside, closing the door behind him, "Why are you here?"

He sat in the chair by her dresser, "Because friends bring food and check up on each other." He set the stuff on the table, "Now eat."

Grabbing the bag, Ava peered inside it, seeing a breakfast sandwich, a banana, and an apple. Her stomach grumbled, and she took the sandwich first.

She almost moaned when she took the first bite. The egg, sausage, cheese, and bacon, held together by a croissant, was heaven.

Galen chuckled, "If nothing else, humans love food."

"And Wanderers don't?"

He shrugged, "It's not an experience for us like it is for humans."

"That's a bummer."

"After being here for a while, I agree with you." He sipped his drink. "I know I'm not the person you were hoping for, though."

Ava smirked, "It's alright; you brought me food."

He smiled back, "But Nash had to take care of some business, so here I am."

"I'm actually kinda glad it's you."

Galen tilted his head. "Why's that?"

"Your vibe is very soothing, which is something I need right now." Ava continued to eat, sipping her black coffee between bites.

After the tumultuous days she had, a steadfast presence was exactly what she needed to feel grounded. And she didn't know what headspace Nash was in anyways.

He nodded, "I understand."

Ava finished her sandwich, grabbing the apple, "How's Skye?"

Galen frowned, "She's good, but did you notice anything odd about her?"

"No, why?"

"Just a suspicion, but it's not something you need to worry about." He leaned back in the chair. "But how are you doing?"

"It feels like I'm decompressing." Ava looked away, eyes stinging and throat tightening. "From everything since the invasion."

"That's not a surprise," he moved onto the bed, "my race really did a number on yours."

Ava didn't reply, not wanting to cry in front of him.

"You can have a meltdown if you need to." He placed a hand on her shoulder, "I won't judge you."

She glanced back at him, "Skye's a lucky girl."

Galen blushed a little, hugging her, "Thanks."

Ava relaxed, finding comfort in his hug as she allowed herself to have another meltdown.