Edmund let out a harsh, barking laugh at Reo’s comment, a sound that cut through the chaos of the battlefield like a knife. “Safest place? Fuck, sugar, ain’t nothin’ safe no more, not with the shitstorm that’s bein’ kicked up all across this damn sector.” He shook his head, a rueful smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “But don’t you worry, ’cause I’m gonna make damn sure you’re safe, one way or another.”
As if to punctuate his words, a massive explosion rocked the courtyard, sending chunks of debris flying through the air. Edmund instinctively wrapped his wings around Reo, shielding the human from the worst of the shrapnel as he pressed on, his strides never faltering. The heat of the blast washed over them, and the acrid stench of burnt metal and charred flesh assaulted their nostrils. But Edmund paid it no mind, his focus solely on getting Reo to the waiting ship at the edge of the city.
” Used to be safe, maybe. Before those Zerg bastards showed up and turned the whole damn place into a goddamn buffet,” he growled, his voice a low, rumbling sound that seemed to shake the very air around them. “But don’t you fret, sugar. I’m gonna make sure you’re someplace a hell of a lot safer than this shitshow. Someplace where the Zerg can’t never touch you again.”
He couldn’t quite place the feeling that welled up inside him at the thought of keeping Reo safe, but it was a fierce and primal thing, a deep-seated need to protect this one human from all the dangers and horrors of the universe. It was a need that had driven him to throw himself into the path of death and destruction more times than he cared to remember, and one that would continue to drive him for as long as he drew breath.
Damn, but I must be gettin’ soft. Thinkin’ about shit like that, instead of just focusin’ on the job at hand. He shook his head, a wry smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. Nah, fuck that noise. This here’s just the way it is, and there ain’t a damn thing wrong with it.
“Nearly there, Reo. Just a little further, and we’ll be outta this madhouse and on our way to somewhere a hell of a lot more peaceful,” he muttered, his voice a low, encouraging rumble. “Stick with me, and don’t you dare fall behind. I swear to god, if I gotta come back and drag your ass outta here twice…”
He left the threat hanging, a note of dark humor in his tone. But beneath the gruff exterior, there was a real sense of protectiveness, a deep and abiding desire to shield this one human from all the horrors of the universe. No matter what it took. No matter what he had to do.
Even if it means playin’ the goddamn prince savin’ the princess, I suppose. The thought brought a sudden, unexpected warmth to his chest, and he found himself pulling Reo a little closer, a fierce determination burning in his eyes.
“Nearly there, sugar. Just hold on, and don’t you dare lose hope. I got you, and I ain’t about to let nothin’ happen to you, not on my watch.”
