Chapter Text
A lavish dining set laid before Gregor, pointedly lacking utensils he could not use. Lights were set low, by fire and candlelight which soothed his sensitive eyes. His mysterious benefactor was not there. Feelers twitched, disappointment running a quiet current through the body.
As much to be expected given his lot. At least the food looked nice and smelled, smelled good? It'd been a long time since anything but viscera and garbage smelled good.
Gregor was willing to chance it this once. There was cheese and some long-smoked meat cured with a vinegar tang. His sharp arms drew the target of his attention, a vibrant green gelatin towards him. Gregor was happy to be alone when eating, given his methods. Leaning down his teeth cut their way through the soft jelly, his mandible preparing the rest in turn. Sweet. It was sweet he thought. The air moved behind him but he continued his task. Something touched him, fingers running around his feelers and through his hair.
Danger.
Muscles tensed and he tried tilting his head to get a better view only to be stopped by a firm, iron grip.
"Look not upon thee, lest I fade away, " the being behind him rasped in a somber tone. It must be...!
"Sir, I-I" Gregor stammered, trying to articulate the well of gratitude that until now had no release.
"Shhhh. " The being's finger covered his mouth for moment before gesturing towards the table.
"This feast is for you, not I. Pay me no mind."
A hand returned to Gregor's head, stroking it with reverence. He shuddered, unused to such gentleness and leaned into the touch. He would not look upon his benefactor, that was an order. Feeling them was...altogether different. Gregor's feelers twitched, catching the rough scars and callouses of hands long touched by conflict. Hot breath graced them, diffuse and unclear in source but very present.
"Your feast awaits, my gentle beast," the being's voice chided.
Hunger sang to him in chorus, not nearly sated by the morsels of jelly he had eaten. He eyed the feast, part excited, part nervous of the unseen eyes gazing down at him. A monster like Gregor could never eat in a civilized manner so he feared: Would his benefactor judge him like all the rest? His pause was unheeded by the being's hand as it continued brushing. Maybe. Maybe at this point he was too hungry to care.
Rip.
Tear.
Within minutes all of Gregor's world focused to two things: the primal instinct to feed and the feeling of comfort provided by a guardian's touch. It was simple and good. There was no pain, no threat of rejection or harm. The war in his heart lay far afield from here.
The deed was done before the candles had burned half through and the being had stayed there all the while. The hand had drifted downward in that time, taking its soothing motion downward to the crevice between his wings. Long had it ached there with the added weight of impotent rage and flight but now? Gregor shuddered again, the quivering insect at the sweet sensation.
Tiredness drove it's stake in wake of this peace; eye heavy-lidded in satisfaction.
"Rest, my sweet. Close thine eyes and be at peace. I shall watch over thee." The being whispered.
'Watch my back while I sleep', a familiar sentiment from the field. Gregor closed his eye, submitting to those familiar tides.
The circular motion of the beings hand never ceased, drawing him deeper and deeper until he was adrift in slumber.