How much do you hate me? (Nov 7) - U.S.S. Freedom

"I hate when they're pretty. Like the one who came to the shop that night. Like Victoria. I...can't help the way I look at them. I hate it."

"But it doesn't mean I like them more than you. You're one of the few people in the world that I trust Mat. That's the biggest thing I can give to another person. My trust, and my loyalty."

He nodded, squatting down, assuming the normal, feral crouch he often fell into when thinking. "Don't mean ah can't want ya teh look at meh different at times. But ah pretty. Ah don't got de voice. Ah ain't.... ah ain't like de othahs ya've fancied." he shrugged.

"... Dat's what I hang on tah." he scratched the back of his neck. "Ah'm juss nevah shure what dat means."

He grunted, "Back den? No. Now dat ah tried teh figured tings out... heh. Beh like ahn bug in mah brain. Ah dunno. It'll pass." as he looked out the curtain blocked window.

He turned his head, looking back at her, "Hmm?"

"I don't come back to you because I feel obligated. I come back to you because I it's where I want to be."

He smiled, nodding. "Like ah said. In mon tete... ah know. Ah told ya what drove meh when ah was gone. When ah was dead. Still copin'wid dat. It... whatevah 'appened... " he thought about what was he going to say.

".. My skin. Mah flesh. It... reacts now... changes on its own while I am widin de woods. Feels like sumptin... eh, same as before." he flexed his right hand open and closed.

"Seems dat even Beasts can 'ave human moments."

She took his big hand in both of her own. "As many as you need. I'm still here."

He smiled, rubbing a thumb along the smooth skin of her hand. "... ah... ah like de sound ah dat. Juss... part ah me wants teh know whatcha mean by it. Ah don't wanna make assumptions."

"I mean that I'm here. I came back, same as you. I'm not ready to do any claiming, but I'm not running off either." her fingers traced over his calloused skin.

He deserved that answer. He nodded, bowing his head for a moment as his diesel brain slowly chugged over her answer. "Fair 'nuff. More den ah deserve."

He snorted, "ah'll decide what ah deserve, ahn what is worth what."

"Probably not. Don't mean ah can't 'ave mah own."

He grunted - a small feral grin on the right side of his lips. Opinions, he had in spades.

"Will you hold me while we sleep?"

He gave her a look. "Why ya askin'silly questions."

He shook his head, "Ya know ah will. Widout askin'."

"I know it's early, but..." She just wanted to rest. She was home.