"Nathan! I need you to remember, it's important, please..."
"Baba, don't go. I don't want you to go!"
"Please, baby. Remember. You are more than just a tool!"
***
"Ahh!"
I woke up with a jolt, and Cameron turned back to look at me, her brow wrinkled with concern.
She was sitting on the window frame, bathed in that pale silvery light, and I had a slight feeling of déjà vu as I caught the outline of her naked form; but this time there was one difference, and while it was only slightly noticeable still, the difference it made to me was astronomical.
"That must have been one hell of a nightmare," she said, as she moved to my side and cradled my head into her bosom.
"I'm guessing Lucia left," I said, nodding to her fully nude form, and she smiled timidly, then nodded.
I nuzzled her chest affectionately, and she giggled in response, but as I let out a sigh, and relaxed into her embrace, she furrowed her brow and studied me.
"What was the dream about?" she asked, as she moved to the bed, and gave me a little tug, urging me to follow.
I crept over to the edge of the bed, then rested my head against my arm, as I looked up at her.
"It was... strange. I dreamt my grandmother's final moments of life, but... there was something different about it."
"Different? How?"
"Like... she said something that I didn't remember happening. Maybe it was just a dream, but... it felt so real. Like a memory, rather than a dream."
Cameron ran her fingers through my hair, and massaged my scalp soothingly.
"What did she say, though?" she asked, and I bit my lip, as I thought about the words.
"That I was more than just a tool," I said. "Actually, now that I think about it, that sounds a lot more like something my mother would have said."
"Your mother?"
I nodded.
"She was a paranoid schizophrenic," I explained, and she studied me. "She really broke down at the end. Was constantly afraid that someone was after her, and that they wanted to take me away from her."
"You would have been little when that happened, right?"
I nodded.
"Did your family ever treat you like a tool?"
I thought about it for a bit, then shook my head.
"My siblings treated me like a nuisance, but my dad always treated me like he did the rest of the kids. He made sure I pursued my education, found a decent job. Even followed up on my life, right until the end. I mean, before I left earth, I was about to take on a job on his behalf. Wait..."
I shook my head, as something else came back to me; my final conversation with Julie.
"What is it?" Cameron asked, as she studied me worriedly.
"My adopted sister... before I was supposed to leave, she begged me not to go. It's strange, now that I think about it. Like she was desperate to stop me, but she wouldn't tell me why. At that time, I thought it was just her being manipulative as usual, but... now it seems strange."
"And you think that has something to do with your grandmother?"
I shook my head.
"My grandmother died when I was eight. It seems unlikely that that's connected; besides, I don't remember my grandmother having any last words, and I was there when she died. My dad had just left the room, and- ah!"
A sharp pain suddenly shot up my head, and Cameron cupped my face with her hands.
"Nate, are you okay?"
She was caressing my face reassuringly, and I nodded in response.
This feels nice
, I thought.
Why couldn't Julie do things like this?
Actually, fuck that idea.
Why didn't I have a Cameron back then?
"You are everything I ever wanted back on earth," I said, and Cameron's eyes went wide, and she began to blush.
"What are you saying all of a sudden?" she asked, but as I lay back on the bed, she climbed on top of me, and studied me with a curious look.
"When you say things like that, you one hundred percent mean it, huh? Like, that wasn't just meaningless sentiment. You just felt it, and said it as you did..."
I nodded, and she blushed again, before leaning down to kiss me.
"I think I'm starting to fall in love with your 'psychopathic qualities'," she said.
"Really, now?"
"Mhm. Hearing something like that from someone who was just trying to be romantic, or sweet... it's just not the same as hearing it from someone who meant it from their very core."
"My core, huh?" I teased, and she chuckled a little.
"I'm serious, though. Something that real, unfiltered. I don't think I could be satisfied with any kind of love that isn't like that ever again..."
Her fingers trailed along my chest, and I studied her with interest.
"You would probably feel differently if the compliments stopped coming, though... wouldn't you?"
She shook her head.
"If the compliments kept coming and I didn't deserve them; would that be love, even? I'd rather earn them, than hear things that meant nothing... can I take this off, by the way?"
She tapped my armor, and I nodded as she got up and helped me strip the thing off, and I quickly removed my shirt and arm guards as well.
"Much better," she said contentedly, as she snuggled up against my naked chest.
I let out a soft purring sound, as I felt the soft fatty mounds of her breasts mash against my skin, and she kissed me again before settling down, and trailing her fingers along my arms and shoulders.
"You know, usually I really hate muscly guys, but I have to admit; this is nice," she said.
"Hn~. And how do I know you aren't just after me for my body?" I teased, and she grinned wickedly at me.
"If the body was all I was after, then I'd probably leave you for Jordan," she said. "I mean this is nice, but have you seen him shirtless, recently? The man is looking like an Adonis..."
"Trust me, I have noticed," I said, and she shot me a teasing smile. "Speaking of Jordan, though... things have been looking a little tense lately, between him and Nolan."
She nodded.
"Yeah, I'm more or less avoiding Nolan completely now, but... I've actually started talking to Jordan a bit more. At first, I thought he'd be a little pissed at me, but I don't think he holds me responsible for... whatever it is that Nolan's going through."
"What is Nolan going through?" I asked, and she shrugged.
"Maybe he had more feelings for me than he realized. Maybe he thought he'd have more time on earth with me to say that?"
"Maybe he needs to chill out before someone kicks his ass," I finished, and Cameron giggled.
"Oh my. Is my feelings-less lover jealous?"
"It's been annoying me recently," I admitted, and she poked my cheeks playfully in response.
"You know, I did watch you get blown by two different girls yesterday," she teased.
"Did that make you feel jealous?"
She shook her head.
"None of them are carrying your baby," she said.
"What if someone is?" I asked, and she eyed me.
"Goddess, or Kobalt?"
"Kobalt," I answered, and she waved a hand dismissively.
"Can't be helped, then. You do have your duties as God-king."
"What if it is one of the girls?"
"Oh, it will be. Sooner or later," she said, and I eyed her.
"Would that make you jealous?" I asked.
"I'd still be your first. Although, I guess it depends... if you go all softie and start giving her special treatment that's supposed to be reserved for your first wife only, then I'd probably be pissed."
"Well, there is a solution for that," I said, and Cameron eyed me.
