I smile up at him, not wanting to get into an argument about why we're heading in different directions. It's a conversation we can have when we're off this planet. Since that might not be anytime soon, there's no point in picking a fight. "Just tired, that's all. You think Sterre will follow us south?"
"I'd be surprised if she didn't." Kaspar holds a hand out to me. "Ready to go? Or do you want me to carry you if you're tired? I can."
I shake my head. "I'll walk. It's sweet of you to offer, though." I place my hand in his and follow his head. "You're very gentlemanly."
"I was thinking more along the lines of how happy it'd make me to have your thighs squeezing me for hours on end, but we'll go with that."
I chuckle and give his hand a little shake to let him know that he's being naughty. We set off, hiking through the mess of ferns that tickle and brush against my bare skin when I walk. I suspect it does the same for Kaspar, because he's constantly flicking at the greenery with his tail. He sets a rather bruising pace, which is surprising to me given that it's been a really long day. "Someone's in a rush," I tease.
He glances back at me but doesn't stop walking. "Just wanted to put some distance between us and them."
"Ugh. That bad, huh?"
"You have no idea." He squeezes my fingers. "I'll keep you safe, though."
As if there was any question. "I know."
We walk in near silence, with Kaspar rather quiet. It's not like him, so I suspect he's a lot more tired than he's letting on. I do my best to keep up, even if it means jogging after him because my shorter legs don't eat up as much ground. I'm relieved when I see Sterre slinking in the shadows nearby. She doesn't walk immediately next to us but keeps to the greenery a short distance away, as if she'll have a better chance of protecting me from afar.
Either that, or she doesn't want to get too near Kaspar's free-swinging balls.
We walk for hours, and Kaspar doesn't stop even when it gets dark and the forest noises change to more ominous, nighttime ones. Insects buzz nearby, occasionally swooping so close that the drone of them is in my ears, and I have to slap at my skin when they land on me. I really, really hope none of them are mosquito types.
We pause near another stream to get a drink of water, and Kaspar pulls me against him, pressing a kiss to my forehead even as he wraps a sweaty arm around my neck. "I'm sorry. I know you're tired."
I pat his chest. "It's all right. I figure those must be some intense-looking bugs if they've got you worried like this. Best to keep distance between us. Besides, you being cautious makes me happy."
"Does it, now? Exactly how happy?" There's a teasing note in his voice.
"You'll find out once we get to our new camp," I tell him, since two can play that game. Is this all he thinks about? Sex? If so, well…I'm in the same boat. "But not a moment sooner."
He blinks, and then smacks my forehead, startling me. "Bug."
I open my mouth to protest, when I feel wetness on my skin. I wipe my forehead and stare down at my fingers, and then yelp in horror at the sheer amount of bug guts on my hand. "Oh my GOD!"
"It was a big one," Kaspar agrees. "I didn't want it biting you. You're barely more than a mouthful as it is."
I race to the nearest plant and wipe my hands on it, shuddering. "I think I prefer the rain to this nonsense. I hate bugs!" I scratch at my bare skin, imagining all the legs and wings landing on me. Damn, I wish we had clothing of some kind. "Did you see anything to the south that looked like a shelter, at least?"
"Not really?" Kaspar admits.
"Then what made us decide to head in this direction instead of another?"
He shrugs. "I thought I saw Sterre head in this direction a few times. I figured it was as good as any other. Maybe she'll lead us somewhere safe."
I bite back the retort that rises to my lips. So we're following Sterre because she looked in this direction a few times? How do we know it's not her favorite spot to take a poop? It seems ridiculous, but since we don't know anything about this planet, I guess one direction is as good as another.
"Let's just hope she finds us something good," I mutter. "You hear that, Sterre? Find us a nice, safe place to set up. One without bugs…of any size."
I'm starting to worry that such a place might not exist on this planet. I slap my bare arm, imagining insects crawling all over me, and shudder. Maybe it's good that we're walking tonight. If we slept by the stream, how many bugs would take bites out of us before morning?