Choose Me

This is an experiment of sorts with the relationship between Tack and Kit.

Far from the beaten path, deep in the woods, where few ever need tread a beautiful woman slumps against the supporting trunk of an old oak and clutches her ribs as her body begins to shake. The tremors increase, a sob fills the air, and she falls to her knees. Her head bows, golden hair hiding her face from view, and the forest seems to hold its breath.  Glowing spirits leave the trees around her offering comfort to their fallen kin. All attempts to sooth end in failure and concerned looks are exchanged. A faint rustling announces a new presence and they return to hiding as a sharp, gaunt man appears behind the trembling woman.

Concerned amber eyes stare out from behind a curtain of wavy gray hair and the man slithers to her side. Crouching, he draws her into his arms and she burrows into him, face hidden, bawling. Thin clawed fingers tip her head up to his sharp perusal, a whine of sympathy leaving his throat. Large green eyes are swollen, tears track salty streaks down her face, and she looks so pitiful.

“It’s okay, Kit. Don’t cry anymore,” he croons, wiping away her tears.

“Oh Tack; I know he doesn’t mean to do it. Demean never realizes he’s flirting, but this time is different. That woman has a past with him and she keeps flaunting it in my face. She treats me like a silly child because she has more experience with men. Did you hear the condescending things she said to me right in front of him?” Kit rambles frustrated, before deflating with a trembling sigh. “Why doesn’t he…I mean, he could just…”

“He could tell her to shut the hell up,” Tack interrupts with a snarl, “He could defend your honor like the man that idiot boy pretends to be instead of letting that whore walk all over you.”

“Tack,” she gasps, “you shouldn’t say that.”

“She’s a whore Kit,” he hisses with a malevolent grin. “Make no mistake. Her body is so worn out and used she can’t give it away. Don’t compare yourself to her; she isn’t worthy to lick the scum from your boots.”

“How can I not? She’s the first woman Demean ever loved and I…I’m nothing like her.”

“You’re better than she is, and if that idiot boy can’t see that, then you should get rid of him. I could get rid of him for you. After I finish he’ll appreciate just how superior you are. Or die trying,” Tack says, bitterness mounting in his voice. “Why do you stay with that dolt? He doesn’t deserve you. And he’s human so he’ll just die in a few years anyway. Really he’s no better than a pet. After showering him with love and care he repays you by humping the neighbor’s leg,” he says, laughing shrilly, before pinning her with hard, serious eyes. “Kit, move on to someone superior that appreciates you.”

“I’m not sure I understand what you mean,” she says, a tremor of trepidation in her voice.

With a growl Tack pulls Kit tightly against him, hand cupping her face, pressing his lips against hers in an adoring, frantic kiss. She jerks back in surprise and his arms tighten, continuing the soft, unyielding caress of his lips. Struggling not to lose control and overwhelm her, he begins to pull away. Kit whimpers in protest, tightly gripping his coat as she closes the distance between them. Tack freezes, shocked, before a loud growl erupts from his chest, resonating through her. Hands tangling in her hair he tilts her head back, deepening the kiss. Each frenzied beat of her heart thunders in his ears keeping time. Her heart gives a fluttering beat in need of air and he pulls back, trailing kisses along her face and jaw.

“Pick me, love me, I can give you everything he can and so much more. Your deepest fantasy is my pleasure. Tall, fat, short, thin, just tell me what you want. I could even look like him,” Tack rasps with each pleading press of his lips. “I won’t cheat with other women; you are the only one I want. Choose me, Kit, you’ll never regret it.”

Kit stiffens, eyes snapping open as his words kill the hazy intoxication of kisses better than any cold shower. Bringing her hands up Kit pushes Tack away, trembling under his condemning glare. Irritation spikes through him at the remorse lingering in her gaze. Damn her. He hates those cruel, sorrowful eyes.

“So that’s it then. It doesn’t matter that I understand you better than he ever could. That I appreciate you more than he ever will. I can give you everything your heart desires and I’ll never grow old and die. But that doesn’t mean anything, does it? You’re only interested in that pathetic whelp of a human who makes you cry and doesn’t even notice because he’s too busy going after another woman like a bitch in heat,” Tack sneers viciously, uncaring when she flinches from the sting of his words.

“I love you. I want you to know that. I’m so sorry,” Kit asserts in a soft, wavering voice as fresh tears spill onto her cheeks.

“No! It isn’t that easy. You know I’m right,” Tack howls, gripping her arms in a bruising vice.

“You’re right. Everything you said is true. My time with Demean is limited; maybe that’s why I’m willing to forgive him. This is the only time we have. I don’t want to lose you, Tack, but you deserve the truth. I love him and I won’t leave him,” Kit informs him softly, voice steady with resolve despite the fresh tears staining her face.

The crazed fury melts away, leaving a hollow ache. Tack cuddles her close, pressing his face to her hair. A sob escapes as Kit wraps her arms around him weeping trembling apologies into his chest. She doesn’t ask him to understand. Nor does she deny the fact that she’s in love with him. Tack trembles in Kit’s arms, unable to hate her. He blames Demean, resolve wavering against the tide of murderous intent. The warm tears soaking through his shirt into his skin keeps him in place

He’ll wait, decades if he has to, while she and the whelp human make a little life together with the house, the kids, and the family pet. After all, time is on his side. Demean will grow old, decrepit, and wrinkled, becoming an eyesore rotting in the bitter decay of human mortality while he and Kit will remain unchanged. Even now the moment belonging to that boy is ending and Tack’s eternity is just beginning.