#I want to hug Dyan so bad my poor little baby

[tenmillionwhumperflies]

Cloudwalker Series Part 19

This is fine, I didn’t need my heart anyway. Hope you like this one. It’s funny that I got an ask about the cloudwalker venom, because this one will sorta explain why Dyan’s venom didn’t show itself easily. That little ask is here. I’ll explain properly at the bottom of this post.

Warnings: Contains blood, treating injuries, mention of threats of disfigurement and teeth whump. There’s also a lot of emotional numbness and mention of child (very young cloudwalker) whump.

Master-list Here

Word Count: 2200

@just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi

Dyan sat on the edge of the bed in a perfect haze, completely stunned by everything that had happened in the course of ten minutes. He’d barely acknowledged that Blue had fallen asleep on his shoulder. Orrien’s panic wasn’t quite registering even though a small voice inside was screaming at him to react, to do something.

But there was just… nothing, no strength in him, no breeze to fly on, no emotions left to pour. He was dried up, stale, empty… He was too caught up in the wave of fear that was only now catching up to him. There was the gut-wrenching realisation that he’d gotten into a fight with that cloudwalker. He had bitten. So many awful things were bound to happen because of that. He’d be punished, everyone would be so mad. He was violent, he’d snapped, and now he was dangerous. That only meant bad things. That was the threat that had lingered over him if he’d ever bitten or fought anyone or anything.

Now there was no going back. Even if it had been a short fight, it had been terrifying and violent, and Dyan hadn’t had a clue what to do. His instincts were gagged, smothered from always living with humans. He didn't know how to fight. All he knew was that he had to protect Blue with everything he had. He just couldn't let Blue suffer. He slowly looked down at himself, seeing the wounds that had been left behind, feeling the pain of each and every one of them. He looked and Blue and whined, lowering his wings. This wasn’t fair, then again, they were cloudwalkers. Nothing was fair.

Dyan dragged his gaze away slowly when he heard someone coming up the stairs, it was Avizon, with Ihuka following, ready to catch him. Avizon froze at the sight of him, staring at his wounds. Ihuka sat down in the corner out of the way, watching them all with concern. Dyan gulped and bowed his head, not entirely sure what to expect.

“Dyan… What in all the realms happened?!” he exclaimed, limping forward and kneeling in front of him. He cupped his cheek and brushed the hair out of his face. Dyan couldn't help but flinch, even if it was a delayed response. Everything was so sluggish, muffled, foggy. He didn't know how to snap out of it, if he could, but he didn't want to. The distance was better than feeling the fear…

“They were attacked by a wild cloudwalker. I think it thought Blue was a human, so tried to save them. Dyan got into a fight to protect him. They’re both startled and in a bad way,” Orrien explained. Dyan appreciated the help. “Bad...“ Dyan mumbled. “Dyan?” Avizon frowned, “Little bird, talk to me...”

But Dyan was lost in his mind, he needed a few moments to piece together exactly what had happened.

Avizon tried to get Dyan to look at him, but there was a distant fog in his eyes, he wasn’t completely there. For a moment he looked through Avizon rather than at him. Avizon gave up with a soft sigh and stroked Dyan’s hair.

Dyan looked down at his bloody hands and stared. “I was… really bad, master,” he whispered. “I bit again...” Avizon’s gaze went up to Dyan’s horn, the area where it had been sawed off because he’d bitten a man.

Avizon held his hands out and Dyan inched closer until he was in Avizon’s arms, leaning forward so much he slipped off the bed and sat on the floor in front of him. Avizon kept him close, but Dyan didn’t cry, he didn’t sob and beg as he usually might. He just sat, staring at his hands. Avizon gently rubbed his back and wings.

“Why do you think that you’ve been bad?” Avizon asked quietly.

“B.because… I got into a fight… fighting bad. Trainer always told me...” “Trainer?” Avizon asked, confused until a thought hit him “Oh, the people from the ‘zoo’?” Dyan nodded slowly. “Biting bad… fighting bad… Not being good gets you sent away. G.gets your nails burned and your teeth blunted a.and you go in the box a.and...” Dyan’s lip started to wobble, and that was the most emotion he’d shown ever since he’d gotten here. His hand went up to his head but then dropped back down.

“Deep breaths. Remember, you’re not there anymore. It’s alright. You were protecting Blue. I admit, I didn’t think you had it in you, but I’m glad you did. You’re a good bird... Talk to me, let this all out, don’t keep things bottled up. You need to process this.”

Dyan wiped his bloody mouth on his arm before he dared bury his face in his master’s chest, but he didn’t hold him. He didn’t want to get him covered in his blood when he didn’t really have any other clothes. He just sat stiffly, and the emotion soon faded away again.

“Ihuka, a cloth. Cloth?” Avizon tried to instruct.

“C.cloff...” Ihuka thought hard, trying to figure it out but he didn’t know that word, so Dyan mumbled a translation. Ihuka rushed off and sure enough, returned with a cloth and a bowl. Avizon praised him tenderly.

Dyan was quiet again as Avizon gently cleaned all the blood away from his hands, face and arms. He still bled, but Dyan hadn’t been paying attention to that blood. Avizon carefully pulled him close, but it didn’t feel possessive. “What happened, Dyan?”

“We were playing,” he mumbled. “‘t was fun, I got to feel water for the first time," a shadow of a smile appeared on his lips but then it was gone again. "A.and we got back onto the shore and got dressed and then this cloudwalker was just… there. He attacked Blue. Ihuka tried to help, but he got pushed away. I don’t remember jumping or flying, but I must have… I.I just had to get Blue away from him. I had to help him… but it hurt… h.he was so mad and he… it just hurt."

“He was able to get its attention off of Blue and onto him,” Orrien added. “As you can see, it was a hell of a scrap. I had to catch him and Blue both before they both dropped out of the sky.”

Avizon stared at him in surprise. “So the canary does have some falcon in him...” “‘M sorry,” Dyan whispered. “You… you probably don’t want me anymore… no one wants a bad bird...” Avizon hugged him a little tighter. “I’m proud of you, Dyan. You faced your fears to save Blue.”

Dyan shook his head. “Bad… always bad… I.I don’t want to go in the box... O.or lose my horn...” “You’re not going anywhere. Shhhhhhh, I’ve got you, you’re safe. Focus, Dyan. It’s all okay.”

Orrien eased Blue onto the bed to sleep. He took a moment to stroke the hair out of his face. Then he got up, approaching Dyan.

“Will you let me fix these?” he asked gently. Dyan hesitated, “But I...” “You don’t deserve to hurt,” Avizon said before he could even get his sentence out. Dyan flinched under his challenge. “You don’t. You are a good bird- the best. We can stay a little while until Blue wakes up and calms down tomorrow. I’ll go back to the castle alone for a day or two if I have to.”

Orrien started to clean the wound but it intensified his already stinging pain until it made Dyan cry and cling to Avizon. It was just too much for him. He was scared and tired and sore but still he had to suffer more and more. He forgot about the blood, he didn’t care. He just wanted comfort which Avizon was willing to give. He clung to him as best he could. “I’m right here, you’re safe… Shhhh, I know, I know."

Avizon held him patiently until Orrien had healed or bandaged all his wounds. Dyan had gotten sleepy during that time, hiding deeper and deeper in his own mind. He’d learned with Erix how to escape from his body for a little while and he couldn’t help but do that again. He was running out of strength and all he wanted to do was curl up and sleep to disappear from it all for a while. But he wasn't allowed to want anything, but despite telling himself that so many times all he yearned for was to hide in a soft blanket and be held by someone who cared about him- to be held by Blue so they could protect each other.

"M.May I sleep on the bed with Blue?" he mumbled softly, barely even realising he'd said it out loud. Avizon stroked his hair, "Of course you can. I'm going to pick you up, brace yourself."

Dyan let out a little whimper as Avizon scooped him in his arms with a grunt and lifted him up and onto the bed.

"Your leg," he murmured. No, no, no, he couldn’t be the reason his master got even more hurt. Everything he ever did was bad, why did master, keep him? Why did he insist that he was good? Despite his fear and frustration, he was too drained to panic.

"I can take it,” Avizon ground out as he eased Dyan on the bed beside Blue.

Avizon helped him onto his side and guided his arms around Blue so he could hold him. Dyan adjusted himself so he could cover Blue with his wing. Avizon gently ran his hand down the wing. “You’re a good bird, but now you need to rest. Sleep, Dyan.”

Avizon turned to Ihuka, checking him over for wounds but Dyan wasn't looking. He was staring at the awful scars on Blue's back. So violent, and jagged. They'd healed badly and Dyan could almost feel the pain he'd endured. He groaned and buried his face into Blue's back. Seeking comfort. He cuddled in close.

"D.Dyan?" Blue suddenly murmured. Dyan whimpered as Blue managed to slowly turn to face him. Dyan lowered his gaze. 

Blue didn't say another word. He just reached an arm over and hugged him close. Dyan released a breath he hadn't realised he's been holding and snuggled against him again. Everything faded away except for Blue holding him. He felt warm, welcome. It was different than when his master held him. Dyan covered him with his wing again and didn't realise until it was already done that their legs had tangled together slightly.

Despite how numb he felt, Blue's comfort was enough to make him fall asleep and escape for a little while.

_____

"They've grown very close over the last few days," Orrien observed. He gestured for Ihuka to go to bed but he shook his head. Orrien tilted his head to show his confusion at the little bird. He patted the bottom of the bed to see if he just didn't want to interrupt Blue and Dyan but still he shook his head.

"Keeping watch, are you?" Orrien mumbled. "Alright, but here."

Orrien grabbed some spare pillows and blankets and put them on the floor next to Ihuka, who promptly began to make a nest to get comfortable on, but he didn't lie down to sleep. His nose twitched.

Avizon sighed, making Orrien look up. "Nocturnal… he probably can't sleep, not after that." "Then we'll leave him to it. They've all had a difficult time."

"Dyan looked so lost…" Avizon mumbled, making Orrien's heart sink. "So confused and distant." "I know," Orrien said gently. He too had noticed. "I've seen that look on you plenty. He left the present, faded off into his own mind. I'm hoping a good sleep will be enough to entice him out of it."

"He did perk up with Blue at least," Avizon said, he looked down at his hands and frowned. "I wish he could have done the same for me…"

"In his mind, you're his master, he was bad and you deal out punishment- even if you wouldn't. He was clearly thinking back to old memories, he wasn't able to realise that you only wanted to help him. He still took comfort out of holding you, I could tell."

Avizon nodded slowly, but he looked defeated. But it was good to see he actually wanted to help. 

"I can't help but wonder if there's more to them than friendship," Orrien admitted. “It’s very possible,” Orrien said, “But there’s no way to be sure. We’ll just have to keep an eye on the situation.”

Avizon pursed his lips, “if that is the case, I won’t stop them. But I am worried. What if that bird that attacked them, perhaps they are part of that resistance we were talking about?”

Avizon looked down at Blue and Dyan fast asleep in bed, holding each other close. Ihuka was comfortable in his corner, but he looked tired and somewhat miserable. Avizon stroked his hair gently, “I wish I could speak your language so I could help you...” Avizon sat down beside him, but he was surprised to find that Ihuka leaned his head against him. Perhaps he also wanted comfort and company.

Avizon looked down at him with curious concern. “Good bird… get some sleep. You don’t have to protect them, that’s my job. Sleep...” Avizon gently put his hand on Ihuka’s forehead, encouraging him to sleep rather than forcing him. Ihuka soon faded off into sleep.

Then there was quiet, as everyone was left to recover from their terrifying ordeal.

So yeah, real quick, the reason Dyan wasn’t producing venom was literally because he has never bitten and never used the venom (which cloudwalkers are meant to use like every other day to hunt), so his body was just kinda shutting down his venom glands. That ask isn’t cannon, but it does mean that Dyan’s body doesn’t really produce venom like Ihuka can.

[justgrits]

Between Clint and Barney, they swore I had been a reincarnation of the Virgin Mary. In their minds Wyatt was here by a major miracle. Wyatt and I had moved into the family farm which was also where Clint’s mechanic shop was. In the long run, it was great for Wyatt to have all these men around despite his father never being there. The day I met Steven Grant Rogers he walked up on my front porch with two blonde-haired beautiful girls, Steve’s twins. They were just a few months older than Wyatt and then I knew I was in trouble

Clint was walking out of the Garage wiping his hands off on a shop rag as Steve got out of the truck. Wyatt ran out of the garage holding a wrench “I fix it, uncle Clint!” He had grease all over his face his big brown eyes smiling up at the two men standing in front of him. Clint shook Steve’s hand before looking down at his nephew “you fixed it already, well then you’ll be glad to know we got a bunch more to fix. So can you go get us some more towels from mommy?” Wyatt handed the wrench over to Clint and nodded his head “otay” Wyatt ran off towards the big white house off to the side of the shop. Steve stood next to his truck watching the interaction of Clint and Wyatt and smirked. He could tell that Clint loved his nephew. “Hey man the boat will be ready later today if you want I can just bring it by when I’m coming to pick up the car. I can just leave the trailer here and we can do a good swap” Steve leaned back a bit as clint walked over to look at the old car on the trailer. Clint grinned over at his friend “that’s fine. Hell if you want to you can stay for dinner. My sisters back and I know Wyatt could use some friends. The girls would love him” unloading the car steve walked over to help him push the classic mustang into the garage. “Sounds good to me you know the girls would love anything that I didn’t make. Dad and I try to cook but I’d be better at learning Chinese” Clint laughed “maybe that’s why you need to get a wife steve, someone who can balance you out a bit and make sure those girls have more than a ponytail every day”. Steve smacked his lips at Clint “whatever man you know I don’t have time for a girlfriend the twins are hard enough and dads getting old. I can’t ask him to do it all. I need to hire someone for the shop though. Between payroll and phone calls I barely get time to do the work myself anymore.” Wyatt came running back in the garage with two blue towels in his hands. Smacking right into Steve Wyatt began to cry. Steve looked down as Wyatt ran into his leg and picked up the small boy. “Hey it’s okay” sitting him down on a nearby workbench he checked to make sure Wyatt wasn’t hurt and wiped away his tears “hey little man it’s all okay” Wyatt sobbed into Steve’s chest as he picked him up and Clint hit his head on the hood of the car he was currently under “dammit” Clint held his head as he went over to check on his nephew Wyatt held onto Steve’s shirt sniffling and mocked his uncle “dammit” he huffed as steve rubbed his back. Steve held in his laugh as he looked over at Clint. Clint shrugged “Bubba we can't say that remember” Wyatt nodded his head and looked up at steve “I sowwie I hurted you too” wrapping his arms around his neck he gave steve a big hug and wiped away the rest of his tears. “You meet mommy too? She like you” steve nodded his head “yeah buddy I’ll meet your mommy later okay I’ll even bring some friends for you to play with okay” Wyatt nodded his head and looked over at Clint who had now moved next to steve to take Wyatt. “Come on let’s go get you back to your mom” Wyatt reached out for Clint and nuzzled his face into Clint’s neck as he waved to steve “bye-bye I sees you later” Clint patted Steve’s back “6:30 man, I’ll see you later” steve nodded his head “bye guys I’ll see you tonight” steve headed back to his truck as Clint headed inside.

Clint had put Wyatt down for a nap after cleaning him up. He really loved having them around again. As he walked into the kitchen he smiled as he saw y/n listening to music as she danced around the kitchen while getting lunch ready. Clearing his throat he went to the fridge to get something to drink. y/n jumped hearing her brother behind her. She turned and tossed the rag that she had been drying dishes off with directly at his head “asshole you scared the shit out of me.” Clint laughed as he took a swig of the tea and caught the towel in his hand. “Would it be a day around here if I didn’t?” he questioned as he leaned against the counter. y/n rolled her eyes as she glared at her brother “dude you suck sometimes.” Clint covered his heart “ouch! Mean ass.” he set his cup down and crossed his arms “so I invited a buddy over for dinner, I’m doing some work for him and he’s fixing the boat for us. He’s got kids and those poor girls have to eat his crappy cooking all the time so I figured the least I could do would be to feed them correctly for once” y/n laughed as she turned to face Clint with a sandwich in her hand to give him “well he better be more behaved than Bucky he literally threw his arm at you while playing poker two nights ago.” Clint took the sandwich and laughed “he had like ten beers that night, what do you expect, shit happens yanno” y/n shook her head “taking off your arm and throwing it can’t be a thing, Rocket is gonna end up running off with it and we will never see it again”

Clint tried to hide his laughter as he ate “what do you expect we are marines like honestly, we can move poker night to a different house” Y/n shook her head she loved Clint and his friends but she loved to give him hell for it. “I love that these are the people you choose to have around your nephew. He’s gonna turn into a heathen like you and Nat” Clint rolled his eyes “we behave when we want to, but honestly Steve’s a good guy and his girls are even better. Hell, he might even have a job for you.” y/n raised her eyebrows as he looked at her brother “is that so? And what are you and barney going to do around here? What about Wyatt? You do realize Barney doesn’t know how to pay bills let alone taxes.” Clint shook his head “I can get Nat to pick back up on payroll and managing the bills around here. Also, you know Nat and Wanda are always willing to watch Wyatt for you. Nat just wants to spend time with her nephew, and even better I was planning to have her officially move in anyways. Just hear me out on it” y/n crossed her arms “fine I’ll hear you out but no guarantees”

Later that night

Clint had finished the mustang up within a few hours with Barney’s help so he was helping Y/n get everything ready for dinner tonight which included getting Wyatt to wind down. Currently, Wyatt was spread out on top of Clint with his feet kicking Barney. Wyatt loved being with his uncles. Y/n and Nat were in the kitchen getting dinner finished up. Y/n had changed out of her old shirt and jeans and into a nice pair of jeans and a tank top. Her hair was down and had some light makeup on. Nat could tell that she was starting to get happy again. Nat nudged her as she plated the last of the chicken. “I’m glad you moved back here. It's been a long time since I’ve seen you with a smile on your face” Y/n grinned back at her “I’m glad I did too, for a while I was just scared, Clint and I said some pretty bad things to each other when I got with Dylan and then Dyan and I just didn’t work out but I had made my life out there. But when Dylan died I just kinda lost it. Barney talked me into coming back and honestly things are getting better. Wyatt has really come out of his shell and I think that Clint is helping me get a job too.” Nat pulled y/n into a hug and grinned “I’m so proud of you and just know I’m always down to keep Wyatt for you, my future nephew needs to get spoiled by someone so it might as well be me” she winked as she took the last of the food to the table. Y/n walked to the living room to check on Wyatt. Bending down she placed a small kiss on his head “I love you my sweet boy” Wyatt grinned up at his mother and nodded “love you too mommy” as Wyatt finished speaking there was a knock at the door. Wyatt jumped up kicking Barney in the process and ran to the door. Y/n held back a laugh as she watched her brother fall to the ground. “I’ll get the door” trailing behind Wyatt she helped him open the door. She looked at the two girls at first, both about Wyatts age, beautiful blonde hair and blue eyes looking directly at her. As her eyes moved over to the boots beside them her eyes raised to meet Steve's, his eyes matching the girls she felt the air leave her chest as their eyes met. Wyatt was the first to speak “hiii” he waved his hand towards the girls before tugging on Steve’s shirt “you came back!” Wyatt clapped his hands excitedly. Steve had his hands on the girls' backs Ellie was excited to be back at Clint's place and Amelia was too. She loved spending time in the barn playing with the animals. Steve knocked nervously; he suddenly realized he had never met Clint and Barney’s baby sister. Once the door opened his eyes brightened at the woman in front of him. Wyatt who was at her side spoke first which snapped him out of his trance. Steve’s eyes roamed her body and he was shocked. No wonder Clint kept her hidden so long. She is breathtaking and her son is too. Remembering that they were still outside he reached in front of him “it’s nice to finally meet you, in Steve and these are my girls Ellie and Amelia” y/n smiled at Steve as she shook his hand “it’s nice to meet you too, I’m y/n and it appears you’ve met Wyatt already. Bending down she waved at the girls “hi Ellie and Amelia it’s nice to meet you! Are you hungry I made a whole bunch of food for ya” Ellie spoke as she nodded her head “you’re pretty!” She grinned as she took wyatts hand and went inside. Amelia smiled and waved as she hid behind her dad's leg. Standing back up Y/n moved to the side to let the girls and steve in “come on in dinner is ready”