Chapter Text
‘’Clara. Clara?’’
‘’Huh?’’ she jerked her head toward the voice and blinked furiously as Sweeney shimmered into focus. She’d been zoning out again, the real world fading away until all that was left was the all-consuming, endless, black nothingness. Discreetly pinching her arm, the brief flare of pain brought the room back into sharp, distinct lines again.
‘’Ye alright, lass?’’
She half-smiled, grabbing her suitcase, ‘’Hmm? Yeah, I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?’’
‘’Ye jest looked…outta it,’’ the giant frowned.
‘’It’s nothing. I’m fine. Everything’s fine.’’
He cocked an eyebrow, giving her a doubtful look.
‘’Hey, I’m ok. I promise,’’ she took his hand and gave it a squeeze. ‘’You ready? We should hit the road soon.’’
Hefting her luggage, she headed toward the door, trying to shake the last tendrils of that place from her subconscious. It was happening more frequently now. The episodes growing in intensity. The time it took for her to come back growing longer and longer.
The giant looked at Clara’s retreating figure, his eyes taking in the small, circular bruises that freckled her arms before he picked up his own suitcase and followed behind.
‘’I bet the boys will be so happy we’re back,” she said, making small talk as they lumbered sideways down the narrow stairs.
“Aye, that they will.”
“I’ll call Michelle. Let her know we’ll be back a few days earlier than planned.”
Sweeney grunted in response, his mind repeating Wednesday’s parting words on an endless loop. “Eagle Point, Indiana. End of next week.” He only had just enough time to get Clara back to Michigan before he’d need to turn right back around and leave again. And what was he going to tell her this time?
The truth. It had to be the truth.
“Hey. Did you hear me?”
He dropped his bag to the floor with a heavy thunk and glanced at her.
“Now who’s the one zoning out?” She gave a playful grin, looking like her old self again. “We’re going to need to stop and get gas before we get on the highway. I want to load up on snacks too.”
It was oddly quiet in the bar. A stark contrast to the loud revelry from the night before. Brigitte and the Baron were still sleeping, having kept their regularly scheduled business hours. Clara had assured the Loa last night that she and Sweeney could see themselves out come morning.
“Orange?” she asked, grabbing one from a bowl on the bar and beginning to peel it.
“Aye.”
“Are you ok now?”
He looked at her, caught between knowing he needed to tell her the fucking truth and knowing what would happen if he did.
“Jest thinkin’.”
“About?”
“Maybe we don’t need teh go home straight away. We got a few more days left of the vacation. The boys’ll be fine and we haven’t cancelled the hotel in Vegas yet…”
Clara stopped mid-bite and stared. “Are you serious? Are you fucking serious?!” she squealed, clamping a sticky hand over her mouth to keep from getting too loud. “Oh my god, yes! Yes yes yes!!”
The hope and eagerness written all over her face sealed the deal. He couldn’t back out now. And if he was being honest with himself, he didn’t want to. Yes, he owed a battle. But Sweeney had never told that one-eyed cunt which battle he’d fight in. Besides, he wasn’t a god anymore. Just a fun little fairytale shared with children anytime they saw a rainbow. A fuckin’ three foot tall gremlin hiding in trees, obsessing over gold. Grimnir could shove his battle right up that puckered arse of his.
She sprang up and ran toward the giant, jumping into his arms. Circling her legs around his waist, she offered him a slice of the orange, which he gladly accepted.
“I cannot fucking wait ,” she grinned. “I wonder how lucky you’ll be! Do you think people will get suspicious? Have you ever gotten in trouble before? I mean, I know it’s not your first time. Oh my god…what if we get into a fight at a casino?” Her eyes shined with mischief and excitement.
A small pang of guilt twisted the giant’s stomach but he quickly tamped it down. What was one final secret between lovers? He’d deal with the eventual consequences later. For now, he had Clara. And that’s all he needed.