In Search of Home

Chapter 71

Vok'Rul explained to him, in a hushed whisper, that his mother's unexpected appearance had shaken him up more than he thought. 

Apparently, she had placed a lot of pressure on him when he had first become Vokkra and it was only after he had won it again, that he forced her out of his life. With Rukka's help, of course. He had been purposefully vague, unwilling to delve into too much detail when unintended ears could be listening. Even now, though, Viktor could see the usual ragtag team of bodyguards lingering more obviously in the area than they had been before. He had the feeling Thruul had done something about that.

His mother's visit, and subsequent berating lecture about Viktor, had gotten under his skin. He worried that somehow, someway, Viktor would be taken from him due to negligence or abuse. Despite his sister being the one to create the planet's human rights laws, Vok'Rul still wondered if he wasn't doing enough for Viktor. 

Outraged, Viktor pushed up his sleeves. His arms were littered with scars, thick and thin, made by the stiff leashes that the aliens had used so harshly they had drawn blood every time. The jagged scarring of Oorah's bite mark encircled nearly his entire forearm. Miniscule pinpricks ran up and down his arms in pairs, given to him by the few Ghhorrahs he had fought. 

"You didn't do any of this," he told the alien. He shook his arms a little for emphasis. "You actually gave me a chance to enjoy your planet instead of fearing it. I'm here right now because of you. We're talking right now, because of you. Don't listen to your mom, she's stupid." 

"I do not know what he said, but I think that I agree," Thruul chimed in after having shooed Cassidy and Emily away. They had determined that Viktor was in safe hands and had left without issue. 

Vok'Rul gave a little sigh, running his fingers gently down Viktor's scar on the side of his face. "I do not deserve you, my little Kohgrash," he said with a frown. 

"Yes you do," both he and Thruul said at the same time. It managed to get a small smile from Vok'Rul. 

"It is unfair of me to lay the blame on you," Vok'Rul continued after a moment. "You have done nothing wrong, Kohgrash. I am sorry that I took my temper out on you, deeply so. I will never forgive myself. It will not happen again." 

"It's okay," Viktor said with a frown. He patted the alien's claws. "Everyone's got emotions. You were just scared." Vok'Rul mimicked his frown but didn't disagree. Viktor had no idea if these aliens could get panic attacks, but it seemed likely. Vok'Rul had just freaked out, and unfortunately, Viktor had been in his arms. 

But Viktor trusted Vok'Rul a lot. Probably with his life. If Vok'Rul said it would never happen again, then Viktor believed him. He had never lied to him before. 

Vok'Rul was bad with emotions. He liked to keep a facade in place when in front of others, especially during his time acting as Vokkra. It was difficult for the alien to come to terms with vulnerability, and Viktor couldn't blame him. He definitely had the same issues. Shame was easily found when he thought about flinching away from Vok'Rul. 

Thruul and Viktor watched unhappily as Vok'Rul quickly got to his feet, carefully pushing Viktor away so that he could stand, and settle into a perfectly crafted mask of contentment. But short of yelling at the alien until he was blue in the face, Viktor could do nothing but silently support him. He just hugged his leg as hard as he could instead. 

Vok'Rul seemed intent on making it up to Viktor. He had already apologized a million times about accidentally hurting him - which Viktor didn't blame him for at all; the pain had already faded, after all, and he's had way worse - and probably would have kept apologizing if Viktor hadn't shut him up by physically covering his mouth. The alien decided that the only way to make up for it was to spoil him, much to Viktor's embarrassment. It wasn't saying much, though. The alien already spoiled him a ton. He just made it much more obvious this time.