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similar, from both Pietr and Gus. It was of Himika
getting so wrapped up in each other that they weren't
able to back off at all. It was a condition closer to
psychosis than Matt was comfortable with. Despite Aki's
behavior earlier that day, he still considered Aki as well
as Robbie to be close friends.
Okay. Matt nodded.
Gus stared. Do you have any idea what you're
accepting?
Matt had an ugly feeling that he didn't. Not really, but
it has to be done, doesn't it? He shrugged.
Next to him, Pietr nodded. It does, and I wouldn't
suggest it if I didn't think we could do it. Aki knows me
very well, and he won't see you as a threat.
Matt knew that that was probably an insult, and he
sincerely doubted if it was the truth. But it worked very
well to convince the two other Himika. Gus relaxed a
bit, and the administrator nodded.
Good. Give them some peace today and bring them
food tomorrow. But don't forget a physical shield for
Matt; if the situation blows up, you can put it on him
and he should be relatively safe. Will he be able to
tolerate the separation for long enough to get him out of
there?
This time, Matt was definitely being insulted. Pietr
warningly pulled their shields closely around Matt's
mind, not letting Matt show how he really felt.
He will; our training is progressing.
Himiko: Bonding - 176
Pietr didn't say any more, and Matt felt a little like a
retarded kid. There wasn't anything to do about it,
though, unless he wanted to make a very public scene --
and he didn't. They made their arrangements for the next
day and left the clinic.
***
Matt held it back until they were safely out of
earshot, physical as well as mental.
"What the fuck was that about?" He was fuming.
"You treated me like a little kid."
Pietr nodded, unperturbed. "Or like someone weak."
Matt had already opened his mouth to complain, but
Pietr held up a hand. "Which was what I wanted them to
believe."
Matt made a hard push at Pietr's mind to see what his
mate meant. Pietr winced, but Matt wasn't able to find
what he was looking for.
"And why can't I do this anymore? We used to be
like one person."
Matt had been enjoying his ability to be away from
Pietr, but if this was the price he was going to pay for it,
he didn't know if he was ready for it.
Oh, you definitely can if you keep on using that much
force. Pietr's inner voice was sardonic and not in the
least worried. He looked over at Matt, and his face got
softer as he felt Matt's concern, reaching for Matt's hand.
Don't worry, baby. He squeezed Matt's hand. We're
just learning and developing. It's natural and healthy --
and we can still be as one person. We are one person.
It's just a little easier now to buy a birthday present and
actually surprise the other.
Matt rolled his eyes. Pietr ignored him.
Himiko: Bonding - 177
As for your first question, I don't want them to know
how far you've come.
Why not? Matt's curiosity won over his desire to sulk.
Pietr shook his head. I just don't. Especially not now.
They might have all sorts of good ideas of what you can
use your powers for, and I want you to be fully
developed and trained before you make any decisions.
Matt had no desire at all to be the Himiko equivalent
of paper pusher. Or worse, someone who had to take
orders. His experience as an intern at the big
architectural firm came back, and he winced; being told
what to do definitely wasn't his forte. He was still pissed
about the way Pietr had done it, though.
Well, thank you for that, honey, but you could have
warned me beforehand. I felt like a fucking four-year
old.
They assumed you were one, too.
Pietr effortlessly ducked when Matt tried to slap him
on the back of his head. Bonding with a mind reader had
its drawbacks, it seemed.
No, really, that's good. It will give you peace and
quiet to find out what you can do -- and more
importantly, what you want to do with it.
Matt reluctantly sat back; as usual, what Pietr said
made sense.
And slapping your mate while he's driving can be
very unhealthy. For both of us. Pietr grinned.
Matt only snorted. He was still curious, though; it
was the first time he had interacted with foreign Himika
outside of his first training. There's another thing: Why
are some Himika speaking out loud? I know you're not
allowed to speak to humans -- which is fucked, by the
way -- but why do you sometimes communicate with
words instead of thoughts when you speak with each
Himiko: Bonding - 178
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