Page 97 of Eat Me Alive
“Is it a Terra thing?” I can barely form a coherent thought.
“A foxglove cock thing.”Even in the throes of climax, he manages to wink at me.
This moment doesn’t seem real, and as soon as the thought crosses my mind, he hears it. He doesn’t have words, but he leans down to kiss me again. This time, a deeper, calmer, more intimate kiss.
“I love you.” I finally tell him against his lips. I feel safe as I say so. Datu and I are so used to hiding behind masks that sincerity's unfamiliar. I know my feelings will not be used against me. To me, it's an exquisite ache in my heart. A good kind of hurt.
“Thank you.”One look at his eyes tell me he feels the exact same thing.
Irealize Datu likes taking care of me. He learned how to cook in the three days he’s been around. He eats, too! A whole ton that we have to go grocery-shopping more often than not. At first, it was jarring to me, but as time passed, I got used to it. He snacks a lot like it's a hobby. Despite what he says, he enjoys masticating like us sub-people. Every time we go to bed, he always brushes my hair. When I get off work, he is always there waiting for me by the campus garden.
“Penny for your thoughts?” I ask while he braids my hair, cross-legged on the bed.
“I am thinking of a word to describe you…and beauty is not it.”
I flinch, but he hugs me instead. “What?”
“No, it is nothing bad.”He chuckles against my ear, taking the form of the human again. His face is much clearer to me now. Thick arching dark brows, piercing dark eyes, full kissable lips.“What you are is beyond beauty. You are what words can never express. Killing me, eating me alive at the mere sight of you.”
My heart stutters as if taken aback. No one, and I meanno one, has ever said I was beautiful.
“My gut twists and turns because it hungers for you. You, the affliction I would force upon myself.”
I grin, but tears fill my eyes. “Is that your way of telling me you love me with all your gutty works?”
Datu smiles wide, but he doesn’t think this is silly.“I love you with all my gutty works, yes.”
He wipes away a drop, only to be followed by another. It's been hurting me for almost twenty years, but I have to ask him even though I already know the answer. "Did you…kill him?"
Bright eyes flashing sharply, he returns my words with a solemn look."I killed and ate many people. Use your words to ask specifically, Xiaoyu. No more obscuring the truth."
My hands move to hide my face in shame, but he beats me to it."No, don't do that. What happened to him, he deserved it. His end should not hold weight in your heart."
"So, did you kill my stepfather? M-my abuser?" I hiccup, but he keeps me safe in his arms, hugging me to him.
Pressing his a kiss on my temple, he replies,"I ate him, Xiaoyu. It wasn't a dream. You saw me in my true form eat your abuser alive. He isn't in hell, but in a place much, much worse."He is unapologetic as he says this.
"P-please. Keep him away from me. And other children."
"He isn't going anywhere, my sweet dreamer. He's in the promised land."
"Thank you for protecting me."
Instead of answering, he slams his lips against mine. It shocks me how warm they are. Unlike before, they were always cold. I fall into him, and my heart flutters when I fit just right in his embrace.Just right.Datu,my Goldilocks zone.
“I left you flowers on your table.”His voice tickles my mind while he's busy kissing me.
Pulling away sharply, my eyes find the bundle on the table and I choke.
“Datu, you have to be careful with leaving these kinds of flowers around. These are foxgloves. These are poisonous to me when ingested.”
“Don’t put them in your mouth then.”His grin is cheeky. He looks so carefree about it that something must have happened.
Inspecting the bouquet of foxgloves, I see several of his teeth cupped by the soft bell petals. A beautifully horrendous gift.
“Each tooth symbolizes all the years we have together. I regrow them easily, and I never run out. If you run away, my teeth will chase and catch you."
Suspiciously, I eye him. “Are you saying I’m immortal?”
