Undorn: The Beginning

Part Nine

Beo, Region of Lufe

Location: Camp Monmouth

Beo couldn't sleep. He was tossing and turning thinking about the conversation he had with Bones earlier that night. 

He could have just left it alone. He could have let Bones keep his pride and never hear about Beo's plans until the day they were all gone. And that would be the end of it.

But Beo couldn't do that. He didn't have it in him. The thought of abandoning the stupid nuisance who slept below him didn't sit well with Beo. It pulled on his heartstrings badly. 

And something told Beo that Bones would be very useful in his journey. And if he wasn't, at least he'd be entertaining.

Yup. Useful. Entertaining. That's why they needed Bones. That's only why Beo needed him. 

With that thought, Beo got out from underneath his covers. He stepped onto the edge of the bunk and got down onto the floor. He peered into Bones' bunk; his back was to Beo's, rising and falling slowly. 

"You awake?" Beo tried to whisper, but it came out a little louder than he intended.

He heard Bones stifle a laugh from where he lay in the bed. "Even if I wasn't, now I am." He flipped over towards Beo, meeting him directly in the eyes. "You know there's such a thing as a whisper, Goldilocks?"

Beo rolled his eyes. "Sorry," his voice was quieter. "Just wanted to talk."

"You haven't had enough of me?" Bones looked surprised.

"Not just yet," Beo bit back a smile. 

"So?" Bones sat up. "Is it my devilishly handsome good looks," he leaned forward, a smirk playing at his lips as he brought his voice even lower. "Or the fact that the sight of me makes your breath hitch?"

"Option C," Beo forced himself to appear nonaffected. "None of the above." He hated how much Bones' teasing drew such a physical reaction from his body. No wonder he was so popular with the female guards! The man just had an aura of sexuality that no one wasn't affected by. 

Bones laughed quietly, then laid back down. "Go on, Princess."

"We both know you're putting on a front, Bones. Just tell me you want in. And I'll find a way to get you in. I will."

"You make it sound like a cult initiation. Is that what it is? A top of the class Enforcer cult initiation?" He paused to laugh quietly at the idea. "Not interested, babe."

"I'm serious, Bones. You don't need to put on this stupid act for me. This hotheaded-asshole reputation you're so badly trying to maintain? Well, I don't fall for it. I know it's not you."

Despite the fact that Beo was trying to sound fierce and dignified, Bones cracked a smile.

"Darn, it's not working?" He was playing with Beo, teasing him, but he was used to it.

"No, Bones. It's not. So let me explain things. Tomorrow night. Sound good?"

Bones' smile faltered a bit. "I think you just want another excuse to get me alone." He was still trying to keep up this act, this playboy asshole I-don't-care-about-anything act. Beo fought the urge to smile to himself knowing he was the only one who really saw through it. Knowing he was the only one who may come close to cracking it.

"Sure. We'll go with that."

Bones licked his upturned lips. "I always knew you had a thing for me." 

Beo snorted. He was thankful it was dark enough that Bones probably couldn't see the light shade of pink his cheeks were. He jumped back up to the top bunk muttering, "Oh, you wish."

Beo tucked himself under his sheets again, happy that things went relatively well. At least he could get some sleep now.

And then, quietly, almost so Beo couldn't hear him, Bones whispered: "Well, you're not wrong."

So much for sleep.