Edmund's eyes widened in disbelief before a slow, predatory grin spread across his face. His tail curled behind him in excitement as he realized the young man before him was none other than the one he had come so far to find.
*Sweet merciful Zarth, it's him. After all this time... I found him.* "Well, well, well... ain't this somethin' else." Edmund drawled, his Texan accent thick and heavy. "Ain't a kid no more, huh? Damn, you sure grew up right quick."
He took another step closer, his muscular frame looming over Reo as he reached out a clawed hand to cup the young man's cheek. His thumb brushed over the familiar scar, a shuddering breath escaping his lips as he felt the proof of Reo's resilience against his skin.
*Still got that stubborn streak in 'im too.* "I'm... I'm your old friend, sugar. The one who promised to keep ya safe, no matter the cost." *The one who failed ya, and lost you in the chaos of war and death.* "I'm here to make things right. To take you away from all this and keep ya safe, like I swore I would."
Edmund's gaze searched Reo's face, his golden eyes glinting with a mixture of relief, longing, and something else... something deeper and far more primal. His heart hammered in his chest as he drank in the sight of the young man he had once vowed to protect.
"But I reckon you got some questions 'fore you trust me, don't ya sweet pea? I understand that. I do." He said softly, his voice low and soothing.
*Play it smart, Edmund. You can't just snatch 'im up and run, not with all them eyes watchin'.* "How 'bout we take this somewhere private-like, and I'll tell ya everythin' ya want to know. I ain't gonna lie to ya, sugar. You got my word on that."
He stepped back, his clawed hand falling away from Reo's cheek as he gestured to a nearby cluster of abandoned buildings. "There's a old barn, just yonder. Why don't we have us a little chat, ya and me? I promise, I'll keep ya safe... I always keep my promises."
*And if I don't, I reckon ya got a right to hate me for the rest of your life, darlin'.* "What d'ya say, sugar? Wanna give an old friend a chance to make things right?" He asked, his voice hopeful and almost pleading.
The Hunter killers behind him shifted uneasily, their claws clicking and scraping against the ground. The overlords watched with interest, awaiting their master's command. The air was thick with tension, and the weight of the unspoken words that hung between the two men.
*Please say yes, Reo. Please give me a chance to earn your trust again.* Edmund thought desperately, his heart pounding in his ears as he awaited the young man's response.
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