In Search of Home

Chapter 21

After Vok'Rul had managed to pet Viktor without the teen biting his hand off, the alien seemed more determined than ever to give him affection. Viktor wasn't... opposed to it, he guessed, but it still gave him a fright to see a large hand reaching out to him in the corner of his eye. To Vok'Rul's credit, he never seemed to mind when Viktor started cursing a storm at him, especially when the alien had made Viktor jump a foot into the air after tapping the top of his head. It seemed to give him even more courage, which was irritating.

He probably found it endearing, if the little smile he gave him was anything to go by. Ugh.

As the week progressed, the small touches became commonplace. Viktor still tried to stay out of arm's reach, but Vok'Rul would often pat his head once after filling his food bowl or before he went to bed that night. Viktor was certain, now, that the alien wasn't going to harm him, so it was easier to stomach these touches.

Still, it didn't help that sometimes he woke in the middle of the night, feeling as though he was getting dragged about by the collar that no longer hang heavy around his throat. Vok'Rul had found him in such a state one time, probably woken by Viktor's hoarse screaming. He had tried to touch him, calling his name. Viktor couldn't remember much, but he had woken with the taste of blood in his mouth and Vok'Rul's finger had been bandaged with the black plants in the morning.

Unable to deal with the guilt, Viktor had let the alien pat him a couple more times than he would've liked to make up for it that day. Vok'Rul seemed pleased.

Viktor was enjoying his breakfast when he heard the familiar twinkling of Vok'Rul's jewelry from downstairs. There was an unfamiliar voice calling out, which Vok'Rul, who was sitting in the office with Viktor, answered back. He was still for a moment before he let out a long sigh. The alien stood up, making his way out of the door. Breakfast forgotten, Viktor quickly followed. This was bound to be interesting.

Vok'Rul noticed he was being followed and smiled at Viktor, whispering something to him and chuckling. He went downstairs with ease, casting backward glances at Viktor as the teen struggled to get down the steps. The large alien reached up to grab Viktor, and Viktor let out a sharp "stop!" Vok'Rul rolled his eyes but gave in and continued watching him get down the stairs from the bottom of the steps.

"Ta-da!" Viktor said triumphantly when he made it down the massive steps without assistance. He was faster getting down the stairs this time. Vok'Rul said his name and some other nonsense before walking out to the living room. Viktor followed, albeit at a much slower pace, hiding slightly behind the kitchen wall when he reached the room.

There were about five aliens, ones he had never seen before. They all bowed when they caught sight of Vok'Rul before straightening and directing him to stand in the middle of the room. Vok'Rul seemed familiar with the process, stepping into the center of the open area and lifting his arms. The aliens got to work.

Viktor watched with fascination as they dressed Vok'Rul in fancier clothes and lined him with jewelry. One of the aliens was lifting Vok'Rul's tail, placing circlet after circlet on it. When they came to the tip of the tail, which was just outside the kitchen doorway, they looked up. They let out a surprised yell, speaking to Vok'Rul while stepping forward, making shooing motions at Viktor. Viktor bared his teeth, crouching low to the ground and saying "stay away" and "watch it." They looked disgusted upon seeing him.

Vok'Rul turned, much to the dismay of the other aliens tending to his clothing. He looked sour and angry, speaking tightly with the alien who was shooing him out. He stepped in between Viktor and the alien when they wouldn't move. Vok'Rul crouched down to pat Viktor once on the head, gesturing to him and speaking to the aliens. The one who tried to shoo him away looked skeptical but gave a short bow nonetheless. The others merely nodded, giving their own short bows.