Cheeky Snake

It would be morning when Loreen finally got to visit them.

Riley sat up in his bed with a smile on his face. Slithers assistance had helped him a great amount even letting him get some sleep. “Morning” he whispered, happy to see her.

“Morning,” Loreen said through a yawn, covering her mouth the best she could. Her other hand held a tray with three mugs of coffee on it. “Thrane has decided to start a new schedule today. You two are going to eat a full meal when they bring it and start training in combat next week. Well, Riley will start next week. He wants Colt to go ahead and start since he’s already at a healthy weight.” She explained and held out a mug of coffee to Riley.

Colt frowned at this news as he took a mug when it was offered to him. “I don’t like the sound of this…” He whispered.

Riley smiled and took the mug savoring the fact he was drinking something Other than water or flavorless medicine. “Does that mean i get actual food?” He asked in a sad hopeful tone.

Loreen nodded and slowly drank her own coffee as she set the tray down on a table. “I need to get your vitals. Both of you.” She said, finally noticing the snake. “What’s that?” Her voice became a squeak.

“A snake. I call her Slither…” Colt said, cat ears falling back with concern. “Uhm…”

Loreen was suddenly hiding behind Riley. “Keep it away!”

“Are you…what?” Colt was in too much shock to form a real sentence.

Riley blushed as he felt Loreen press up against his back “I take it you're not a fan of snakes?”

“They freak me out,” She whispered.

Riley blushed and hugged her while rubbing her back “Slither is friendly and oddly enough has healing powers.”

“I still don’t care for snakes, Riley…” Loreen admitted with a heavy sigh as she hugged him back. It always felt so comfortable in his embrace - safe. She never felt safe in this place, but something about him always made her want to stay.

Sadly, she had to work.

Colt was silent as he sipped his coffee and pet Slither, who nuzzled into his chin.

Riley relaxed as he held her. It was different than when Coral cuddled up next to him. It felt warm and right…like he didn't want it to end.

“Anyway…” Loreen cleared her throat, forcing herself to pull away. “We need to get your vitals before they bring your meals.”

“No, no, don’t stop on my account.” Colt said, a teasing hint in his voice.

Riley blushed and nodded, unzipping the upper part of his jumpsuit “do you need to take blood?”

“Not today,” Loreen said with relief as she got Riley’s vitals calmly. It was nice just to get his vitals without having to cause him more stress on his body. Though, she wouldn’t lie, it was always nice seeing him without a shirt…

Colt rolled his eyes.

Riley focused on Loreen as she checked him over. “Does this mean I'll be seeing you more frequently?”

“Possibly,” She replied and moved over to check Colt’s vitals. The speed at which she got his vitals taken was far faster than she took with Riley. “I just know that Thrane wants me to keep an eye on you both.”

Colt made sure to keep Slither away from Loreen.

“Do you know what he has planned for us?” Riley asked while looking her over as she worked. “You mentioned combat lessons.”

“He wouldn’t explain it to me…” Loreen said, shoulders slumping. “I just know he’ll retrieve you himself when he’s ready.”

That was when the door opened and a cart of food was wheeled in by another guard. This one had an odd helmet on, letting them all know it was far more animal than human. A silent guard dog…

Riley placed a comforting hand on her shoulder “we'll be alright we survived worse” he whispered his eyes moving to the door as it opened. Just the smell of the food made his stomach growled.

Colt’s own stomach growled audibly. “Food…” He grumbled.

Loreen couldn’t help but laugh at their growling stomachs. “You’re both like a pair of teenage boys when it comes to food.” She said.

“I haven't had real food in ages” Riley whispered before looking at Loreen and blushing “so Ummmm if you haven't eaten yet I'm more than happy to share.”

“Eat your meals,” Loreen ordered, snorting. “Just keep the snake away from me…”

Colt happily took his tray of food and sat down, eating his food and sharing some with Slither. “You know she won’t let you share with her, dude.”

Riley blushed before looking down and focusing on his food. “I just thought she might be hungry” he mumbled. The speedster had never left the facility so the only concept of dating was seeing some of the Prisoners share food or other more intimate gestures.

“Don’t eat too fast or you’ll get sick,” Loreen ordered in that motherly nature of hers.

Colt and Slither both snickered at the adorable sight.

Riley nodded and slowed his pace down. After eating only the flavorless goop for so long he wanted to devour the food. Fearful it would be taken away.

“It’s not going to be taken away, Riley. I just don’t want you eating so fast you’ll get sick. Your stomach isn’t used to a full meal yet.” Loreen explained, pinching his cheek.

Riley blushed in embarrassment feeling both happy and confused. He wasn't sure what to say or how to express how he felt right now around her.

Colt watched them for a moment and finished his meal with Slither, setting the tray back onto the cart they’d wheeled in. “Thanks for the food.” He said and stretched. “Since I can move on my own, can I do more than lie around?”

Loreen smiled at Riley before looking at Colt. “Oh, right, I need to take you to the training room. Thrane wants you to get to it immediately. You still prefer swords, yes?”

“Yes.” He glanced at Riley.

“I’ll be back, Riley. Finish your meal slowly.” Loreen said as she left with Colt.

Slither slipped off Colt and went to Riley.

Riley nodded and waved before focusing back on his food and enjoying the taste. Soon enough he finished and decided to shower. After awhile he exited the bathroom wearing just a towel.

That would be when Loreen was back, eyes constantly on Slither. “You…you stay over there, snake.” She whisper-squeaked.

Riley would blush before placing Slither over on Colts bed for now and moving over to his drawer to grab some clothes.

“Thank you…uh…well, they’re…they’re going to go ahead and send Colt out on missions. They want him to hunt other metas…” Loreen said, calming down once Slither was away from her.

Riley nearly dropped the towel in shock “this soon are you sure he's healthy enough?”

“He was reborn with a perfectly healthy form, Riley…and I can’t stop Thrane.” Loreen hung her head, hair hiding her face. “It feels like back when my sister was being forced to give birth to Nero, Riley…when I was forced to put the chip in you…I can’t stop anything. I…I’m useless.”

Riley walked over and pulled her into a hug “you're not useless Loreen” he whispered “you've been doing your best to help us and when i was alone in here you were the only person keeping me going.”

“I should be able to do more, Riley, but Thrane keeps me under control. I can’t even use my own powers because of him.” She admitted, looking up at him.

Riley leaned forward pressing his lips to hers in a loving kiss. “Listen to me Loreen, you've done your best in helping us. Anyone else would have given up but not you everyday you give it your all” he whispered looking into her eyes. “We will get out of here together and after we do…i hope you'll let me stay by your side. ”

“Of course…” Loreen said, blinking in shock at the kiss. “I just…I don’t know if we’ll get out.”

“We will one day” he assured her “ as long as you're here though Thrane won't break me.”

Loreen nodded slowly, only to yelp when Slither popped her head out of the front of Riley’s shirt. “NO!” She squealed and scrambled away toward the door.

Slither turned her adorable head to Riley and slid up along his head, curling up on his head.