#i was very sad when my first flare mate left three days ago

[ifeelfreewithoutmyshoes]

It’s still not fun but it’s slightly less sad being the one to leave instead of being the one left behind

[chickensarentcheap]

Best Part of Me -Chapter 12

Warnings: none

Tagging: @alievans007​, @thunderintheshadows​, @innerpaperexpertcloud​, @c-a-v-a-l-r-y​

Preparing to leave the house with five kids in tow is a full-time job all in itself. Bathing them after a long and active day at school, getting them dressed –which includes incessant bitching and moaning about the textures of clothes and how the tags are ‘too itchy’, having to actually put on socks and shoes-,  and giving them the usual list of warnings before even stepping out the front door. No arguing, no fighting, and no bad language. And by the time you manage to get to the front door, at least two have to go to the bathroom and another wants to change what they’re wearing.   This time it’s Millie; her self-described princess dress suddenly not ‘princessy enough’. Opting for one with more frills and more sparkles and way too much pink, then insisting on topping the look off with her well-worn light up Spiderman sandals.  Tyler had long ago learned to pick his battles, especially as a girl dad. Was suggesting nicer shoes really worth the epic diva style meltdown he’d have to endure? Especially when he’d rather be in flip flops or even bare foot himself?

“I honestly do not care,” he says, when she holds aloft the sandals with a glimmer of hope in her eyes. Other parents would force their kids to comply; embarrassed by the mismatched lock. But he’s gotten so used to carting around boys dressed in superhero costumes –masks and all- that the stares and whispers of strangers don’t both him anymore. And fighting over shoes with a soon to be six-year-old is not the hill he wants to die on. “Do what you want.”  

For a brief moment –as he buckles the three oldest into the their car seats in the very back of their second, and much larger, vehicle, he muses about just how different his was now is compared to the one that he used to live. When he was drunk off of his practically twenty-four seven, numbing the pain, guilt, and grief with a potent combination of booze and pain meds.  Back in that little shack of his in the Outback, with nothing but a dog and a chicken to keep him company. When he was totally committed to the job and spending his days fighting to keep himself –and quite often someone else- alive in dangerous situations. When he was battered and bloody and sometimes on the brink of death. Now he’s proficient in changing diapers, fixing bottles, and making and packing school lunches.  A far cry from the old days.  And for a brief moment, the thought makes him feels sad; that his existence is nothing more than a mere shadow of what it used to be. That he’s gone from one extreme to the other.  And it shouldn’t; he’d made the conscious decision to give it all up. For his family. So he’d be able to hold his marriage together.  

And the sadness is replaced with guilt; that he’d miss the job while getting the opportunity to even have kids and watch them grow. A lot of guys in the job weren’t so lucky; they either never turned alive to their wives and kids, or their marriages completely disintegrated, and they never saw their children again. That’s his worst nightmare; things falling apart and either rarely getting to spend time with them, or not being able to see them at all.  Being a dad has given him something to take pride in; raising tiny humans that will hopefully one day grow up to be amazing big humans.  Decent adults with compassion and humility. Fiercely independent. Alarmingly intelligent. And it’s given him a chance to finally do it right.  He’d been an epic failure as a father with Austin; he’d been cowardly and selfish and would never truly forgive himself for it.  But he’d been given another chance; entrusted with helping bring five beautiful lives into the world.  And he’s determined not to fuck that up.

“I don’t wanna wear shoes!” TJ laments, and proceeds to use his toes to push his sneakers off one heel, then the other, letting the offending items fall to the floor of the SUV.

“Listen, mate. We’re not going to fight about this. If your mum says you wear shoes, you wear the shoes.”

“This is crap!” Tanner chimes in. “My feet are so hot! Like they’re gonna catch on fire!”

“No one’s feet are going to catch on fire,” Tyler assures him. “You’re wearing the thinnest socks possible. We get there, the shoes go back on. And how come you guys don’t have to wear normal pants?”  They’re clad in matching tan cargo shorts; one in a green and white stripped golf shirt, the other in blue and white.  Always insisting on matching in some way, despite the fact their parents have purposely dressing them differently from day one.  

“’Cause we’re only five!” Tanner huffs, as if he’s just been subjected to the dumbest question that’s ever been asked in the history of mankind.

“By the way,” Tyler says, as he finishes buckling Tanner into his seat. “I want my fifteen bucks back that you scammed me out of the other night.”

“I got that money fair and square,” his son argues. “I got you the info just like you asked.”

“Your mom gave me the info. Which technically means half of the money should go to her.”

“It’s not my fault that you fell for it, daddy. You should be smarter than that. You got totally played by a five-year-old.”

“He’s not wrong,” Esme says as she appears alongside of him, clutching Declan by the hand, the baby resting along her forearm. “You did fall for it.”

“You’re in on this together, aren’t you? You probably put him up to it. You’ve been teaching him some of the tricks of the trade. Getting him ready to follow in your footsteps. I bet he even split the money with you.”

“Please just put the kids in the car before we’re really late,” she implores, then stands on her tip toes to brush her lips against his. Which in turns prompts loud and dramatic gagging from all three of the older kids.

“Don’t do that!” TJ cries. “We don’t need any more babies in the house! Why can’t we have a puppy for a change? I don’t want any more sisters!”

“Well I don’t want any more brothers either,” Millie retorts, and sticks her tongue at him.

“Okay, don’t start.” Esme warns. “At least wait until we’re out of the driveway. And besides, it takes a lot more than that to get a baby brother or sister.”

“Like what?” Millie inquires.”

“Like none of your business,” Tyler replies as he tends to Declan, scooping him of the ground and settling him into his car seat. “Besides, there won’t be any more brothers or sisters. It’s not possible.”

“Can we get a dog then?” Tanner asks

“We already have a dog,” his mother reminds him.

“Let’s get another one!” Millie enthuses. “A puppy!”

“I have enough mouths to feed and barely any sanity left.”  Esme says, and passes the baby to her husband, who arches a brow and stares at her pointedly over the dog comment. “Not you too!”

“It’s not a bad idea. We’ve got the room. Inside and outside.”

“Please don’t encourage them. They won’t stop talking about it now. They’re going to ask a million times a day about getting a puppy and I don’t think my mental well-being can take it.”

“We’ll talk about it,” he says, then kisses her and shit the SUV door.  

“Oh, you think so do you,” she grins, then runs her hands across his shoulders and down his chest; smoothing out the wrinkles in his simple white dress shirt., the first three buttons undone and no tie; paired with dark washed jeans that fit ‘just right’. Beard still full but neatly trimmed, the product in his hair giving it that unruly ‘bed head’ look. “You clean up nice.”

“You don’t look half bad yourself.” he chides, and then places a hand on her hip and leans into her, pressing a kiss to her ear. “You look beautiful,” he praises, as his hand slides up the middle of her back. The dress is simple and modest; emerald green and off the shoulder, flaring out at the waist and just skimming the bottom of her knees.  

She’s still self-conscious about her post-baby body; she’d on twenty-five pounds and had damaged to drop fifteen of them seemingly overnight after Addie was born. She hates the extra weight that clings to her hips and gathers at her waist; despises the stretch marks that mar her skin. Yet to him they just make her even more beautiful; the signs left behind that she’s given him children.  There’s no woman in the world that could ever hold a candle to her. It stretches far beyond physical appearance. It’s her strength and her tenacity and the loyalty that that she’s always shown towards him and their kids. And it’s the way she looks at him; as if he’s the most incredible man on the planet even though there’s times he’s shown he’s anything but.

A slight blush creeps into her cheeks. Even after six and a half years of marriage she’s still not used to his random compliments. Mark had all but destroyed every ounce of self-esteem she’d ever had, so Tyler had taken it upon himself to help rebuilt it every chance he got. Whether it’s when she’d dressed up with her done and make up on, or when she’s worn down from lack sleep and her hair is messy and she’s still in her pajamas with baby puke stains on them.

“I’m serious,” he says, as his hand slides down to the small of her back and his lips find hers; soft, slow, simple kiss. “You look incredible.”

She smiles. A genuine, glowing smile that lights up her entire face and makes her eyes sparkle and dance. And with her hands on his chest, she stands on her tip toes once again and places a kiss on the corner of his mouth, then lays her hand against the side of his face and runs the end of pad of her thumb over his lips, her eyes never leaving his.

It’s the sincerest ‘thank you’ he’s ever received.

****

Nik and Kyle have a room at Sovreign Resort Hotel, and they’ve arranged to meet on the outdoor patio belonging to the in-house restaurant. It’s better for the kids; no cooping them up in a crowded, busy room and expecting them to sit still and keep quiet. Being outside gives them a chance to breathe; away from the hustle and bustle and all the judgmental stares and comments if they dare step out of line.  There are gardens and fishponds to investigate when they get bored or agitated and need some time to decompress, and room for a high chair for Declan and Addie’s stroller, giving her a comfortable and safe place to retreat to while the others eat and converse.

“Now I know why we don’t go out more often,” Esme comments, as she notices the curious looks and hears the comments tossed their way. A fairly young couple with so many kids, all close together in age.  Most find it cute; drawn to the twins in their complimenting outfits and Millie in her princess dress, but there’s the bitchy people as well. The ‘children should be seen and not heard’ crowd that find it ridiculous –and maybe even disgusting- that people are willingly having such large families in this day and age. “People are staring at us,” she frets. “And whispering.”

Tyler moves Declan from one hip to the other, than lays a hand on the back of her neck and gives it a comforting squeeze. “Want me to tell them that I have weak pull out game? Lighten the mood?”

“I’d laugh but I wouldn’t but it past you do actually do something like that.  Seriously, what is everyone’s issue?”

“Who gives a shit.  Just ignore it. Maybe it bothers them because it’s obvious by all the kids that we’ve had more sex in five years than they’ve had in fifty.”

Normally it would aggravate him, that kind of attention and all the talk. But he’d taken half a dozen Ativan before getting out of the car and the effects are already starting to take hold.  He’s relaxed. The calmest he’s been in the past four days. Although he’s pretty sure having to be in Nik’s presence and enduring her version of ‘small talk’ will change that.

Nik and Kyle have already arrived; sitting side by side at a large table near the edge of the patio, leaning into one another, foreheads nearly touching as they talk, their hands joined on top of the table.

“I’m going to be sick,” Esme mutters. “Ughhhh. The way she’s looking at him. He’s way too good for her. Let’s just leave. I don’t think they’ve seen us yet. If we just sneak out now...”

Kyle has spotted them and is already on his feet and making his way towards them; the kids so focused on their surroundings that they’re completely unsuspecting until he’s within five feet, noisily clearing his throat to grab their attention.

“Uncle Kyle!” Millie cries, and is the first to break away, the soles of those old sandals flapping against the concreate patio as she rushes to where he’s already crouched down, arms outstretched, gathering her into them and pulling her tight against him.    

The twins follow suit; shrieking his name as they run towards him, finding themselves enveloped by his strong arms and gathered into a bear hug along with their sister.  Tears sparkling in Kyle’s eyes as he showers them with kisses and tousles their hair and listens to their excited ramblings; all three talking at the same time, filling him in on all the excitement and adventures they’ve experienced in the past six months.   And Tyler notices that Nik doesn’t budge from the table, sipping at a glass of wine and never acknowledging the scene playing out in front of her.

“Wish me luck,” Esme sighs, and he gives a reassuring before taken Declan from him, carrying him on her hip and pushing the baby in the stroller as she herds the other three towards the table to get them settled.  

He watches as the two women exchange tight lipped smiles; Esme’s one of lingering bitterness and anger, Nik’s filled with a hint of remorse and maybe even regret.   And how his wife holds it together despite wanting to completely unleash on her old friend; instead patiently getting the kids settled and Declan strapped into a highchair. He knows it’s difficult for her; his ‘history’ with Nik still the elephant that lingers in the room, the other issues that she’s caused over the past six and a half years adding insult to injury.

“Good to see you, man,” Kyle gives him an awkward one-armed hug and then claps him on the shoulder. “What the has she been feeding you? You’re a fucking tank.”

“Just a lot of hours in the gym. Gotta keep myself busy somehow. Things are good with you?”  

Their relationship has been strained; not just because of the thousands of miles between them and Kyle holding him responsible for yet again ‘stealing’ his sister, but the ongoing hostility with Nik.  The last time they’d talked, Tyler hadn’t been kind; letting her know to stay the hell away from him, to never contact him again. He’d been harsh. He’s the first one to admit that.  But it had worked. At least until now.

“Things are good,” Kyle says, and then glances over his shoulder at Nik, a smile curving his lips. “Things are really good. What about here? You guys are doing alright? The kids seem happier.”

“We’re all happier. It was the right thing to do. Coming back here.”

“She’s struggling though,” Kyle nods in the direction of his sister. “Don’t even try and tell me she’s not.”

“She’d be struggling a lot less if you have just listened and kept Nik away. It wasn’t enough you’re marrying her considering everything in the past? You had to make things worse by bringing her here?”

“We hadn’t heard from you guys yet. About the wedding.”

“And that means you come all the way here and fuck things up? You have a phone. You've got the internet. Send an email. Don’t just show up. We’re still trying to get past all of this. Nik and her shit, the job.”

"It was her idea. Nik’s. To come here and try and make things. Patch things up. I told her that I didn’t know if either you or Esme were ready for that that yet, but....”

He frowns. “It was her idea?”

Kyle nods. “She wanted to make amends. In person.”

“She told you that? That that’s why we wanted to come here?”

You poor delusional bastard, Tyler thinks. Kyle’s being played and manipulated in the say way she’d messed with him.  Nik always has an ulterior motive. And Kyle is either blind to it, doesn’t give a shit, or genuinely doesn’t realize what she’s capable of.  

He decides it’s the latter.

“We want you guys at the wedding,” Kyle says. “I mean, if it wasn’t for you and Esme, we never would have met.”

He feels as if he should apologize in advance.  Because six months from now, Kyle’s going to realize just what kind of shit show he’s gotten himself into. “

“And we want the kids there,” Kyle continues. “Millie could be the flower girl, the twins could be junior ushers, Declan could carry the ring up. We want it to be a family affair.

The last thing Tyler wants it to be stuck anywhere with Esme’s family. He doesn’t give a shit about their feelings towards him. If they want to spend the rest of their lives hating him and viewing him as the enemy, so be it. But the way they’ve treated her.... his wife...is unacceptable. And the worst place to air those grievances is at the wedding of the only member of that clan he can actually stand.

“Won’t be the same without all of you,” Kyle says. “I mean, we’re family.”

Tyler wouldn’t go that far. You usually don’t become family with someone you used to casually fuck,

“This is a big deal for her,” his brother in law continues. “Wanting to come here. Wanting to make things right.”

“And you really think that’s why she wanted to come here?”

“Why wouldn’t I? She hasn’t given me a reason not to believe her. Why?”  his eyes narrow. “You know something I don’t know.”

“I don’t think you know Nik as well as you think you do,” Tyler says, then gives him a sympathetic pat on shoulder before heading for the table.

****

“You’re here to take daddy away, aren’t you.” Millie voice is accusatory and full of venom; eyes narrowed as she regards Nik from across the table.  

Dinner is long finished; all dirty dishes and cutlery cleared away in favor of tea and coffee for the adults and ice cream for the kids. His daughter has been glued to his side all night, Nik bringing out the clingy and protective side of her. Nearly causing a fight with Tanner when he initially wouldn’t give up the seat to Tyler’s right. Then climbing up into his lap as soon as the meal was finished; sitting sideways on his thighs, an arm curled tightly around his neck.

Esme shifts uncomfortably beside him, then noisily clears her throat and reaches for a glass of ice water.  He takes her hand, squeezing it tightly before placing their joined hands on her thigh.  

“No one is taking anyone away,” he assures his daughter.

“That's what you said last time,” Millie reminds him. “And then you were gone forever.”

“Well this time is different.  I’m not going anywhere. Uncle Kyle just came to see you guys. So she tagged along. Nothing more than that.”

“She is your Aunt,” Kyle speaks up. “It’s okay if you guys call her that even if certain people don’t want to acknowledge it or accept it.”

Esme clears her throat once more, hand tightening around Tyler’s.

Millie isn’t convinced. “If I wake up tomorrow and my daddy's gone, I’m going to be really pissed!”

“Okay, calm down,” Tyler presses a kiss to the top of her head. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m still going to be here when you wake up tomorrow. So just relax, okay? Take it easy.”

Millie turns to face him, then kneels on his laps as she leans in close and whispers. “I don’t trust her, daddy.”

“It’s a long way to come,” Esme pipes up. “Just because you missed the kids. Web cam chats do exist, you know.”

“It’s not the same,” Kyle says. “And things are slow right now for Nik and I had some vacation time owe to me, so...well...here we are.”

“Yeah,” Esme gives a tense smile. “Here you guys are.”

Tyler moves Mille over to his other thigh, then let’s go his wife’s hand in favor of laying his arm across the back of her chair, thumb repeatedly brushing against her shoulder.

“We thought it was time to smooth things out,” Kyle explains. “Before the wedding. So things aren’t tense that day like they are now. I mean, it’s been six months. Time to let it go, don’t you think.”

“I think you’re underestimating what the nearly six years before were like,” his sister calmly responds. “Or am I just supposed to pretend they never happened?  That she...sorry.... you...” she looks over at Nik. “...never pulled all the bullshit you did?”

“Mommy.” Tanner looks up from his ice cream. “That’s a bad word. Daddy said no bad words tonight.”

“You’re right,” she says, and then gives her son a smile and wraps an arm around him, drawing him tight against her. “Bad mommy,” she scolds herself, and then runs her fingers through his hair and places a kiss to his cheek.

“No one is saying that you have to forget about all of that or pretend it never happened.” Kyle informs her. “But wouldn’t you rather iron things out so you’re carrying around so much animosity?”

“Oh, that’s rich, K. Maybe you should be addressing your future wife’s animosity. And how she was so pissed at Tyler and I that she was willing to leave us both on a bridge in Dhaka to die.”

“Okay...no one needs to hear about this,” Tyler says, and rubs her shoulder. “Especially little ears.”

“I’ve already apologized for that,” Nik finally speaks. “Countless times. But things didn’t exactly happen the way you think they did.”

Esme snorts. “Spare me, Nik. Yaz told me all I needed to know. So don’t waste your breath lying to me. Dhaka was a total crap show and you just went ahead and made it even worse.”

“Alright, settle down,” Tyler implores, and then leans sideways to press a kiss to her temple, lips settling against her ear. “The kids do not need to hear this. Any of this. Okay? Can you stop? For me? Please?”

She reluctantly nods.

“It was Nik’s idea to come here,” Kyle says. “She wanted to patch things up. With both of you. So we could be part of the kids’ lives. They deserve to have family. Are you going to let your ego get in the way of what’s best for them?”

“Whoa...whoa...” Tyler comes to his wife’s defense. “...that’s way out of line, mate. Don't use her kids against her. Don’t ever accuse of not doing what’s for her kids. Our kids. Don’t stoop that low or you are I are going to have problems.”

“I’m just saying that...”

“I know what you’re saying. But find another way to say. Because I won’t let you disrespect the mother of my children like that.”

Nik gives a dramatic sigh. “Obviously the two of you are still holding onto a lot of bitterness and anger and this was a total waste of our time.”

“We’re holding onto a lot of bitterness and anger?” Esme retorts, then laughs. “Says the woman who couldn’t handle that her with friend with benefits met someone and decided to move on with his life. The same woman who was so mad about it that she spent six years trying to get my husband to cheat on me? Or are you going to pretend none of that ever happened?”

“And I’ve apologized for that, Esme. But you’re just so childish and petty that you can't let it go.”

‘Well I’m sorry, Nik. Maybe I’m not comfortable with my husband’s old side piece becoming my sister in law.”

“There’s kids here,” Tyler reminds them both. “They don’t need to hear this. Either settle down or just drop it.”

Esme glares at him. “And suddenly you’re on her side?”

“I’m on your side. I’m always on your side. But I’m also on the side of my kids not having to hear this stuff.”

“Oh, I’m sure they’ve heard a lot worse,” Nik snidely remarks. “With you as their father.”

Esme’s eyes narrow. “And what the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“You know what he’s like. The mouth on him. I’m just saying that I’m sure the kids have heard a lot worse than what we’re talking about.”

“How about you just leave my kids out of this,” Esme suggests. “Or is that the real issue? That they’re my kids...with him...and not yours.”

“Jesus Christ,” Kyle moans. “Not this again.”

“That’s what really pissed off six and a half years ago, wasn’t it, Nik. The fact that you wanted more than just the dick and he wouldn’t give it to you. It just pissed you off when he met me and all of sudden he was getting married, having kids, enjoying a normal life. That’s what really bugged you. What still bugs you.”

“Can we not talk about that?” Tyler asks. “Do you really think the kids need to know this kind of shit?”

Esme ignores him. “Why don’t you tell Kyle the real reason you’re here, Nik. And don’t lie and say it was to repair things between us. Tell the truth for once. Tell him you’re here to screw things up all over again.”

“I don’t think we need to talk about this now,” Nik says. “This was supposed to be about coming together and sitting down and ironing things out. To patch things up and see the kids and...”

“I think we should call it a night,” Tyler suggests. “It’s getting late and the kids are tired and have school tomorrow.”

“No,” Esme responds. “We’re not leaving. She’s going to come clear to my brother about what she’s really here for. How she used our kids as an excuse to come here. Tell him, Nik. Tell him exactly what you came all this way for.”

“Esme,” Tyler warns. “...not here...please.”

“Oh, don’t worry, Kyle. It isn’t for my husband’s dick. For once. It’s all business, isn’t it, Nik. It’s all about the job. And you trying to manipulate Tyler into helping you.”

“Would you stop,” Tyler tightly squeezes her shoulder. “Enough. Stop Not here. Not now. And not in front of the kids.”

“Nik wants to hire Ovi to be a mercenary,” Esme announces. “Ovi. Of all goddamn people.”

“Okay, that’s enough!” Tyler orders. “If you two wants to hash it out or kick the crap out of each other, go do it somewhere else. Just not in front of my kids.”

“You’d think she’d have more comment sense than that because of everything Ovi went through in Dhaka,” Esme continues. “But I guess I shouldn’t be surprised considering we wanted us to leave him in the street like a piece of trash. She probably wanted Tyler to leave me there too. Because I was the obstacle in the way or getting what she really wanted.”

“Is this true?”  Kyle address Nik. “That’s why you really wanted to come here? To hire Ovi?”

“Oh, not just that,” Esme informs him. “She wants Tyler’s help. She wants him to train Ovi before she sends him off to be killed. She probably wants more than that. She always has.”

“Okay, we’re going.” Tyler tightens his hold on Millie and stands up. “Enough. I’ve had enough. I said not to do this, and you did it anyway. Let’s go.”

“I want to know if any of this is true,” Kyle says. “If that’s the real reason we ended up here. Is it?” he looks back at Nik. “IT had nothing do with fixing things, did it. It was all bullshit. Just to get something you want.”

“That’s Nik’s M.O,” Esme smirks. “That’s all she ever cares about. Getting what she wants. And trying to destroy anyone that stands in her way.”

“Why would you do this?” Nik hisses. “Stoop this low?”

“Now you know how it feels,” Esme give a victorious smile as she stands up. “Doesn’t feel good, does it? Having some bitch trying to fuck your life up.”

“Jesus Christ,” Tyler snarls. “Let’s just go. Enough. You’ve said enough.”

“Oh, I have more tons more I could say.”

“Well another time, another place. We’re leaving. Now.”  His tone is demanding. Authoritative. But his face remains calm as he gathers up all the kids; Declan on one hip, Millie on the other. “Let’s go guys,” he says to the twins. “Home time.”

“Thank God,” Tanner huffs. “Adult stuff is so boring.”

Kyle hurries after them as they leave, catching Tyler by the arm before he can get out the side entrance of the patio. “I am so fucking sorry. I had no idea what she was up to,” he says, as Esme and the twins –with TJ pushing the baby stroller- continue the walk to the car.  “She told me that she wanted to come here and fix things. And so I could see the kids. I had no clue she had an ulterior motive.”

“That’s one thing about Nik. She always has an ulterior motive. I’m sorry, too. That you had to find out that way. Esme should have just kept her mouth shut. For tonight at least. I tried, but...” Tyler shrugs. “...she doesn’t always listen to me.”

“She doesn’t listen to anyone,” Kyle gives a dry laugh. You guys going to be okay?”

“We’ll be fine. She’ll get home and go off on me for a bit and then she’ll calm down. Nothing I haven’t dealt with before. I’m used to it after six and a half years. Good luck with Nik, though. You’re going to need it.”

Kyle frowns and runs a hand over the back of his head. “That bad, huh?”

“Mate, you have idea. If she boots you out and you need a place to crash, you know where to find us.”

“Yeah, don’t be surprised if you come out in the morning and find me drunk and passed out on the beach.”

Tyler smirks. “There’s been times I wished I was loaded and passed out on the beach, believe me. I am sorry. That your sister went off like that.  But you were going to find out sooner or later.”

“Better sooner if you ask me.” Kyle says. “Tell her I’m sorry. That you’re dragged back into this shit. Into that life. Esme deserves better than that.”

“Yeah,” Tyler agrees. “She does.”

[qobiin]

weekly fic rec hoard

here's what i've been enjoying reading (and re-reading) this past week for different fandoms across the board! this week features: atla, bnha, good omens, harry potter, marvel, naruto and stranger things  ♡ means: all-time fave, (m) means: 18+ themes 

avatar: the last airbender

♡ first rule of earth kingdom fight club... series by ohmygodwhy  zuko, his stubborn inability to die, and finding himself thru getting his ass kicked 

The Most Ragged Edges by twinfinite  In hindsight, Zuko really should have seen this conversation coming. He can almost hear Li and Lo chanting wickedly about the magic of Ember Island, about waves smoothing away rough edges… 

♡ ribs by ohmygodwhy  The first thing Zuko tells him during their first lesson after the whole Sun Warrior ruins ordeal, is “Fire comes from the breath.” a lesson in learning, and re-learning. 

♡ see your son rising at last by aloneintherain  When Zuko dashes into the sitting room, it is with the same wide-eyed panic that he ran from Azula’s smoking hands when he was a child. Iroh bites down on a smile. Zuko looks the same, even now, a decade later with a scar blossomed over one side of his face, green and brown robes replacing the solitary reds of his childhood. His hair is puffed up around his face. He looks like a very frightened, very windswept turtle-dove. Zuko dives behind Iroh just as Aang breezes to a stop in the doorway. Five times Zuko hid behind Iroh, plus one time Zuko stood proudly in front of him.

♡ the beginning of a new and brighter birth by aloneintherain  “I’m so proud of you, my nephew.” Uncle cups Zuko’s face in his lined hand. The gesture is so tender, his palm so warm, that Zuko has to take a fortifying breath against the sudden swell of emotion in his chest. “I want to be a good leader, Uncle,” Zuko says. “I want to look after my people.” “You will,” Uncle says. “You are, nephew.” In a new era of peace, Zuko works to be a very different Fire Lord than his forefathers.

boku no hero academia 

the stars are floating and we are flying by lunalou  Aizawa starts walking towards the exit, obviously expecting Shouto to follow him, but Shouto's feet are frozen in place. His eyes flicker from the distorted reflection of himself in the ice to where All Might is giving him a long look, eyes kinder than anything Todoroki has ever been deserving of, and he feels sick.  “Todoroki-kun,” Midoriya says gently, squeezing his arm in what Shouto presumes is meant to be a reassuring gesture. “It’s going to be okay.” He doesn’t think Midoriya is in any place to tell him what okay is, all things considered, but he chooses to keep quiet on the matter. 

♡ I’ll share this with you, so leave it behind by yabakuboi  For the sake of the story, All Might is never in need of a successor, and, when Izuku saves Katsuki from the sludge monster, encourages young Midoriya down a different path. Thus, Katsuki and Izuku part ways after junior high, as Katsuki enters U.A. and the Midoriyas move overseas. It’s later that Katsuki realizes that there’s something missing, that he drove that something away. Years after, Katsuki finds him in the last place he looks, in the cereal aisle at the local grocery store of their childhood neighborhood. 

Loose lips Sail ships by Yousayhun  Bakugou is at war with his own fucking mouth and everyone else just seems to be having the time of their lives. 

♡ flare guns go off in my head saying not to call you this late by youreanovelidea  Midoriya beams at him and Tokoyami is suddenly hit with the urge to look away. “So bright,” he mutters under his breath, low enough that Midoriya can’t hear him.  (or, Midoriya is a problem child who just really loves his friends) 

(m) The Devil Blues by iknewaman  The 78th precinct's police captain, Toshinori Yagi, has volunteerd his squad to help implement the mayor's wish of increasing the successful cooperation between the city police and active Pro-Heroes. Each detective is to be assigned a Pro-Hero who will shadow them for two weeks, and the operation has been dubbed the 'Station Cooperation Operation'. Although it is not well-received by those involved, Izuku Midoriya, current detective at the 78th precinct and loyal follower of captain Toshinori's ideals, believes that the operation will be a success. If his captain says it will succeed, there isn't a doubt in Izuku's mind that it will. That is until he meets his assigned Pro-Hero. 

♡ someone is wrong on the internet by rhenna  It’s been a long day. By all rights, Izuku should be falling into bed, half dead. But instead of sleeping, he’s hunched over his laptop at 2 in the morning writing a dissertation about why exactly Ground Zero’s pecs are the best pecs to ever pec, and how dare anyone insinuate that he should lose some of that muscle because don’t you even understand what kind of physique a quirk like that requires? Amateurs.  (Izuku has two jobs in this world: pro-hero and anonymous president of the Ground Zero fan club. What could possibly go wrong?) 

good omens

♡ Divine Intervention (aka God ships it) by TheLadyZepher  There’s a battle strategy devised by humans many millennia ago that's designed to overcome an adversary who is particularly well entrenched. Some walls are too tall and thick for a frontal assault, and must instead be bested through sheer dogged stubbornness. Crowley and Aziraphale didn’t know it, but they were about to be put under siege.  Fed up with an angel and a demon who are still avoiding any talk of Feelings, God starts to interfere. When it comes to the ineffable plan, sometimes things need a bit of a push. 

♡ Slow by write_away  It started like this: A boy with the ability to warp reality met an angel and a demon and he made assumptions.  You might say it started like this: An angel and a demon found a marriage contract hung on the wall of the angel's bookshop. They didn't question it. It also could have started like this: Once upon a time, the angel told the demon he went too fast. The demon took it to heart.  Aziraphale and Crowley find themselves somehow married. Crowley fears going too fast. Aziraphale forges ahead. Neither know how to ask questions of each other. 

♡ Eziraphael’s Gifts: A History of Queer Faith and Longing, by Natasha Marie Johnson (Beacon Press, 2019). by actualbat  "If Eziraphael has come to be known--in today's language--as the 'guardian angel of sad queers,' then it makes sense for him to have shown up more regularly in the past once that became a recognizable historical category." Natasha is really glad that she's given this talk enough times to be able to do it on autopilot, because those two funny-looking men in the back just made the most absurdly astonished faces. (Or: Not all historians ignore gay subtext, and not all immortal celestial beings have their shit together. Also, voodoo.) 

harry potter 

♡ Apple Slices and Cocoa by FeathersMcStrange  Harry Potter is an abused kid with not an adult in the world on his side when Molly Weasley meets him.  She decides right then and there that if nobody else is going to try and take care of this boy, then dammit, she's going to. 

hello goodbye (’twas nice to know you) by tamerofdarkstars  Draco Malfoy thinks he might know whose thoughts are scrawling themselves on his skin, but that's crazy. Impossible, even. It has to be a mistake.  -  Self-indulgent soulmate AU where the thoughts of your soulmate inscribe themselves on your skin in a shifting magic tattoo 

♡ (m) Men Who Love Dragons Too Much by fencer_x, IDoodleForNoodles  ‘Kill Albus Dumbledore’ is less a challenging task and more a suicide mission, so when Draco Malfoy is presented with the option to either dispatch his Headmaster or suffer an excruciating and most ignominious death of his own, along with his parents, he reaches deep into his black little Slytherin heart and manages to scrape together enough courage to go with option C instead: Spend Sixth Year secretly studying Animagecraft in the hopes he’ll turn into something sufficiently imposing even the Dark Lord himself won’t be able to keep Draco under his thumb. But just his luck, his Animagus form turns out to be a dragon, and a rather randy juvenile at that, intent on finding its mate: one Harry James Potter. 

marvel 

♡ Hard to Love by Gruoch  If someone had told May that Iron Man himself would one day occasionally show up uninvited to her quiet little apartment and intrude into her quiet little life, she would have laughed them out of the room. But then her life seems chock-full of unpleasant surprises these days.  Or, Tony Stark wants a bigger piece of the pie. May Parker learns to accept help. Peter just wants to keep the peace. 

♡ Mr. Parker Declined to Comment by apisdn  The events leading up to the embarrassing moments during the Doomed Field trip, and how Peter Parker accidentally ended up in charge of things. All the while the political machine moves on, the Avengers do not kiss and make up, and the future draws ever closer. 

Another No-Good Field Trip by Muimor  Peter Parker is not having a good day. AKA, Where Peter's decathlon team take a field trip to the Avengers Compound, Vision's a menace, and Peter really doesn't want to go.

naruto 

(m) Resonance by flailinginlove  After being hit by a missing-nin's jutsu, Kakashi's chakra is never the same again. 

♡ (m) What Otter Nonsense by DarkAuroran  “Is that an otter?” Iruka asks as large, sable eyes blink at him and a little whiskered nose twitches curiously. “That’s an otter. Why do you have an otter?”  “I can’t tell you,” Kakashi says with a great amount of dignity for a man cradling a baby otter in armoured gloves. “Classified Jounin mission business.”

♡ Learning Curve by ishiryoku  This is the life she chose: the path of the shinobi. It's either roll with the punches or be left behind by her team—and Sakura's not about to let them go off on their own. 

♡ Roots and Wings by ideaoforder  When Naruto is kidnapped from his orphanage at age three, Kakashi is so done with this shit. He gets Naruto back, tells the Hokage where to go (politely, because he isn't suicidal), and raises the boy himself. Or, you know, tries and is proud when there aren't too many explosions. Then everybody starts to copy him and it's a whole thing. 

stranger things

In Which Starcourt Is a Pun by asexual-fandom-queen (writeordietrying)  “Welcome to Scoops Ahoy. Do you know what you want?”  Nancy and Jonathan visit the Starcourt Mall and corner Steve at his place of work with their feelings, but in an awkward, this-is-still-the-1980s-so-we-can't-be-too-direct kind of way. 

♡ my father comes and he goes by mjolnirbreaker  So, for Max, he doesn’t punch Billy Fucking Hargrove. He just sits there in sweltering heat and listens to the C’s being announced, and when parents cheer for their kids he tries not to think about how his parents are currently in Colorado. 

♡ it’s a risk, it’s a gamble by nondz (pinkjook)  “I think we should pretend to date,” Robin says. "What?" Steve answers. 

one of those new wave boys by glorious_spoon  It probably should feel more awkward than it does. (Or: Steve and Robin go on a road-trip, drink, listen to music, and look after each other. And yeah, maybe there's some cuddling involved too.)

wanna rec me something? head over to my ask or submission boxes! message me even, i don't really mind (: 

and to all my fellow authors who may feel a little down about not getting onto rec lists, this is for you:

[princessofthedarkrealm]

Dark Phoenix Rising- Chapter 10

“So where was you and Roman’s first date?” “At the Rocket. It’s a diner.” “How big is Derry?” You smiled. You loved how curious Jake was. At least it was keeping your mind off of your romantic life and the physical pain you were in. Your foot crunched on another stick. Even if you and Jake hadn’t been talking, if Pennywise or Walter were still around, just your loud footsteps would give you away. “It’s pretty small. And very old fashioned. You probably wouldn’t like it if you’re so used to modern technology and a big city. Have you ever walked on the Brooklyn Bridge?” “Yeah. I’ve been there. Have you?” You nodded. “Walter took me there. It’s very noisy but I love the view.”

Jake stopped short, his mouth gaping open. “Walter took you on a date?”

“Well I uh…I wouldn’t really call it that. We went to see about the portal and then he bought me a hotdog. If bought is the word you want to use.” You rolled your eyes. “He’s something else, yeah. Oh, and he took me to one of his hideouts. I didn’t see how to get there though. He blinded me.”

“What?!” Roland’s hand was on your arm in a nanosecond. “Walter did what?”

Oh shit. “Not really. He just…” You waved your hand in front of your eyes, “he put some kind of mist over my eyes. It was an illusion. Still scary though.”

You could practically see Roland’s jaw clench. You were actually nervous. Your group had been walking  through the woods for a while now and Roland had asked you nothing about your time with Walter at all.

“Roland, if there’s something you want to say, please do so. You know I’m not good with beating around the bush.” You shifted your weight to one foot.

Roland opened his mouth to speak and then glanced over at Jake. Poor boy. He was so in the dark about what all had happened the last couple of weeks. He hadn’t even asked you about your pregnancy. And you hoped he never would.

“I’m just worried about you,” Roland finally answered.

You gave him a tired smile. “You and me both.”

Later that afternoon, a thick mist started to creep in.

“You know, this is kind of like on the Wizard of Oz when they get to the Wicked Witch’s forest,” you idly commented.

“You think flying monkeys are going to come out?” Jake shot you a half grin.

“I take it that’s another reference from your world,” Roland commented.

You could hear a hint of sadness in his voice. Was he jealous that you had someone to talk to about your own culture now?

You sighed. “Not monkeys, no. I don’t know what to expect. That’s what scares me.”

“You know I’m not going to let anything happen to you?” Roland raised an eyebrow at you.

You smiled. “I know. I just wished I knew what-”

Roland put out his arm to stop you.

“What is it?”

Roland pulled out one of his pistols. “I don’t know.”

Then you heard it. A loud rustling noise coming from the hill to your left. Part of you wanted to summon your magic just to be ready. Then all was quiet.

“If that is who I think it is…” you muttered with a scowl.

“Then he’s going to have a fight on his hands,” Roland finished.

Jake shot you and Roland a worried glance. “W-who do you think it is? Walter? Pennywise?”

“My guess is on Pennywise. Stay alert,” you told Jake.

You had told Jake about your mate. Or at least somewhat. You had said he didn’t like children. Which he didn’t, depending on how you looked at it.

The three of you went further into the woods without any issues. Your nerves were becoming more wound by the minute though. You wanted to scream at whoever was watching you to come out. Finally at some point, you were coming around a bend in a group of trees. Roland pulled Jake back. He motioned for the two of you to get down.

“What’s-”

Roland put his finger over his mouth for you to hush. He pointed through the brush. You looked around until you saw it. Taheen. Several of them. They were going in the opposite direction. They hadn’t seen your group.

“What are they?” Jake asked quietly.

“Taheen. Walter’s minions. We need to be more careful,” Roland responded.

Your heart started pounding. Were they looking for you or Jake? You hated not knowing. If you would know for sure it was you, you would go with them in a heartbeat. But would you? Could you do that to Roland? You glanced over at him and saw him watching you. You stood. Either way, you weren’t afraid. If the Taheen were here for Jake and they tried to attack, you and Roland could easily pick them off. You started to take off, but Roland grabbed your wrist.

He stood. “I need to talk to you.”

You shifted your posture. “Alright.”

“Stay close,” Roland told Jake.

Roland led you off a little ways. “You know I’ve been trying my best not to ask anything. But since you got back,” Roland sighed, “you haven’t been yourself.”

You snorted. “I’m growing wings, Roland. That’s not normal for anyone.”

“You know what I mean.”

“Well obviously I don’t,” you retorted. “I’ve been through hell these last couple of weeks, Roland.” You crossed your arms over your chest.

“I know that.” He gently grabbed both of your arms right above your elbows and looked you square in the face. “Whatever Walter has done to you…you don’t have to be ashamed. Let me help you.”

You lowered your gaze with a sigh. So that was it. He thought Walter had forced himself on you while you were with him.

“I swear to you, Y/N…I will do everything in my power to stop him. He won’t hurt you again.”

“Walter has never hurt me, Roland.” Now it was your turn to meet his gaze. “Don’t you get it? I mean, yes, he may have in the beginning. On that one night. But Pennywise has done exponentially worse.” You pulled yourself out of Roland’s grasp. “If anything Walter saved me from that. And he saved me again. Two days ago. I would be dead, Roland, if it wasn’t for him.”

Roland scowled at you.

“You know it’s true. It has been hell for me not knowing what was going on with you. And I knew you had to be worried sick about me. I’m sorry for that. Walter was going to let me see you. Not in person, but he said he had a way to let me see that you were alright. The only reason why he didn’t was because of everything that came up with Jake. And now Walter may or may not be looking for him. Or the Taheen could be looking for me. I don’t know.” You shrugged both shoulders. “Walter never hurt me, Roland. These last couple of days, he didn’t…” you shook your head, “he didn’t hurt me. In any way. We shared a…” you shifted from one foot to the other, “we shared his bed together. Last night. But no sex. At all. He took care of me. And if I’ve been,” another sigh, “if I’ve been acting weird, it’s because I feel lost without him. I feel…vulnerable. And now I’m hurting and there’s…” You scrunched your face up as a wave of emotion rushed through you. “There’s nothing that I can do about it. I just feel so lost.”

The tears fell now. You put your hand over your mouth. You heard someone coming and you and Roland both glanced in that direction. It was Jake.

“Uh…guys…you might want to see this.” He pointed back in the direction he had just come from.

You quickly wiped your tears and without giving Roland another glance, followed Jake. You didn’t see anything at first that would warrant attention, but as soon as Jake pointed upwards, your mouth fell open.

It was a tall, metal sign, like you would see at a carnival. But it wasn’t the presence of the sign that made you stare in shock. It was the wording on it. One word.

PENNYWISE

Several emotions warred inside you—awe, fear, joy, confusion. Pennywise had been to Mid-world. And from the looks of it…

He’d had his own amusement park.

You and Jake walked underneath the sign. A large Ferris wheel came into view. It was even more dilapidated than the sign. Images flashed through your mind of when Roman had taken you for your date with him underneath the Neibolt house.

The date that had been a lie.

Pennywise was the master of creating illusions, but this…to actually see that he had at some point existed in another realm…somehow that, more than anything else that you had seen and experienced with him in the last several months, brought it home for you.

Pennywise was an alien. He was a demonic, child eating alien. How old was he even? Where did he even come from? Was it Mid-world? Had this really been his amusement park or was it just where he had gotten that particular persona from?

You shook your head. “I can’t believe this. Pennywise has been to Mid-world. Why hasn’t he told me?”

“Probably for the same reason he didn’t tell you a lot of things,” came Roland’s terse answer.

“Yeah, but this…” you pointed back at the sign. “He could have told me this. I know he’s not even really a clown. He could have-” You stopped when a bout of nausea flared up. You put your hand on your stomach and rubbed it.

“You ok?” Jake asked you.

You nodded. “It’s just nausea. I get that sometimes.”

“From the baby?”

You regarded his now downtrodden face. You smiled at him. “I’m okay yeah. My baby’s gonna be strong. But the thing is…so am I.”

“That you are, my dear.”

You whirled around. Pennywise was standing just feet away from you.

“Penny,” you breathed.

“What’s wrong, dearest?” He smiled at you. It gave you the chills, and not one of pleasure either. “Aren’t you going to give me a hug?”

He stepped towards you but both you and Jake backed up. Roland came forward, one of his guns pointed at the clown’s head.

“You just can’t leave her alone, can you?” Roland asked.

“I hear congratulations are in order,” Pennywise told you.

“What are you talking about?” you snapped.

“Oh you haven’t told him?” Pennywise’s mouth fell open into an ‘o’ as he turned his gaze towards Roland.

“Told him what, Pennywise? Spit it out!”

“Your new beau.” Pennywise’s yellow gaze was now completely on you. “Your new mate.”

His cherry red mouth was twisted in a sneer. And the right side of his face was all jacked up. Like someone had poured acid on it. Had you done that? Or had it been Walter?

“Penny…you know things weren’t working out between us.”

“And so you bedded him! You bedded him like the whore you are!” Pennywise screeched.

“And what if I did? Why should you care?” you hollered back. “You don’t care if I fuck half the men in Mid-world so long as I’m yours, that I belong to you! Well I’m sick of belonging to you, Pennywise!” Your hands were at your side, balled into fists. “So Walter told you we’re sleeping together, did he? Did he tell you about my sleep?” You pointed at yourself. “Did he tell you that he couldn’t wake me up this morning?” You took a few steps toward him. “Is that what you want? For me to sleep with you instead? A deep, dark sleep from which there is no waking? Until I’ve lost everything?” You snarled that last word. “I am PREGNANT! What do you think that’s going to do to me? To me and Walter’s baby?”

You shook your head slowly as angry tears obscured your vision. “All I wanted was your love,” you said in a small voice.

“Deny him.”

Your eyes widened. Walter! Was he watching you right now?

“Deny him, my love. It is the only way you will be free from him.”

“I can’t do this anymore, Pennywise. And I won’t.” You took a few steps closer to him. “I deny you. By all that is good and right in this universe, I deny you.”

Pennywise’s eyes turned blood red. “Deny me? You will deny yourself as well. You will cease to exist.”

Your blood ran cold. Was this it then? Were you to die right here? After all you had been through, did it really matter anymore? You glanced around. If you were going to die, then you might as well take him with you. Your eyes landed on a pile of crumpled up long, skinny pieces of metal. You didn’t know what it had once been. You didn’t care. You made your hand into a fist behind you.

And you concentrated.

“And if I die, then so be it.” The tears started to fall. “But at least I will be free of you.”

You straightened your posture. “I, Y/N, Guardian of the Dark Tower, deny you Pennywise.” You felt a pointed scrap of metal form in your fist. “I deny your claim on me.”

Pennywise snarled.

“I deny your claim on my soul.”

You clasped the metal so tightly, you felt it cut into your palm.

“I deny your claim on my life.”

You were crying so much now that you couldn’t see. But you didn’t have to. You knew exactly where Pennywise’s heart was.

Because it didn’t exist.

“I love you.”

With an inhuman screech, you lunged. Pennywise was faster. He leapt on you and at the same instant, you heard a gunshot. You landed hard on your back.

“AAAHHHHHH!!”

It felt like two knives had gone through your back. Pennywise had crushed you against the ground. His mouth was contorted. You felt something wet spraying the front of your nightgown. Finally Pennywise staggered off of you.

The metal was sticking out of his chest.

You couldn’t move. Your entire back was in agony. You watched Pennywise grab at the piece of metal. He started to pull it out. You heard Roland cock his gun. Saw him point it at Pennywise.

You laid back on the ground. Stared straight up at the mist obscured trees.

BANG!

Me: *hides behind Walter* save me!

Walter: You asked for this, sweetheart.

Me: Yeah but they had to have known that something like this would eventually happen.

@booklover2929  @grotesquegabby  @allkundsofwrong  @mummerthemimo  @tomuchofaclownlover @pinoflicious

[solohux]

I got a Fox!Hux prompt plus a lol writing challenge b3cuase I don't think you've written something like rhis. So, first this piggyback of an idea way back. It's one were Leon was taken by an inspector getting rib of rodents. Instead, of finding him they don't for at next 18 years they assume Leon just died and never was found until Hux smells his scent in a crowd and actually find him. Leon is someone else's pet who are unaware of his human half, But Leon is unaware of who is really is.

Oh my god, I’m shook that someone actuallyremembers those ideas! I’m in love with everything to do with the fox pups soto be asked to write something proper for that beloved au of mine makes mesuper happy! Thank you, darling!

For anyone who wants to read more of thisau, I’ve tagged them all with ‘Little Leon Lost’, but it’s basically just foxHux & human Kylo have a litter of four foxlings (children who arehalf-kitsune so they’re able to shift between a fox form and a human form) andthe youngest of them is taken by pest control and his family are unable to findhim. And for the purposes of this fic, instead of Hux and Kylo having 8 pups, I’llmake it 4, just so they’re easier to keep track of. I’ll pick it up from there!

It’s the day after hischildren’s eighteenth birthday, the morning after happy celebrations, but Huxcan’t find the strength to keep up his ruse.

It’s an early spring morningand he’s out on the balcony of their suburban home, slowly flicking throughtheir family’s photo album. With Kylo being a photographer, the book is filledwith pictures of their pups, all from when they were still tiny babies to onlylast week when they took a short break to the east coast to visit Hux’sbrother, Techie, and his partner and twins. Family time, filled with laughs andlove, but after a week of celebrations for the pup’s birthdays, Hux needs sometime to let his grief show.

He turns the page of the photoalbum and his heart swells with sadness.

It’s a page with photos of hislittle lost pup, the youngest and the smallest of his quadruplets, Leon. Thereisn’t a day that passes where Hux doesn’t think of his beautiful dark hair, orhis sparkling green eyes, or his little fingers clinging onto him, a soft voicewhispering ‘Mama’. The poor pup hasbeen missing for fifteen years, taken by pest control and—and—

“Hux?”

The fox lets out a startledyip as Kylo’s voice brings him out from his thoughts and his warm hands on hisshoulder. His mate sets a cup of tea down on the little outdoor table beforesitting on the adjacent chair, glancing over to look at the pages of the photoalbum.

“He wouldn’t have liked theparty,” Hux says, smiling nostalgically through his tears. “He didn’t like loudnoises, or attention. He would’ve sat in the kitchen and had one of his sisterssmuggle him some cake.”

Hux’s tears drip down, wettingone of the photos, one where Leon is sat atop Kylo’s shoulders looking a littlescared, but both are smiling. It’s almost as if Hux can hear Leon’s laugh; hewas always happiest when he was in Kylo’s arms, protected by his Papa.

“The girls are still in bed,”Kylo says, reaching to take hold of Hux’s hand across the table. “Want to gofor a walk? The air might help. You always liked going out in the air when wefirst met.”

“Almost twenty-three yearsago, Ren. I’m hardly the young, spring fox that I used to be,” Hux scoffs, quietlyremembering how young he and Kylo were when they first met; Kylo was still apup by kitsune years! “But a walk sounds wonderful.”

Elora, Layla and Alana, trueto Kylo’s word, are all still asleep in their bedrooms, all three daughtersseemingly partied-out from theprevious night, so Kylo and Hux sneak past their doors and down the stairs,fetching their coats and boots, and Hux grabbing his hat out of habit, stillsometimes forgetting that his fox ears and tail are no longer visible to humans.A visit family visit years ago to the Scottish highlands had put him in thepresence of a witch, who’d taken slight pity on the kitsune and cast a spell onhim and his pups to make their additional fox appendages vanish withoutaffecting their ability to transform between bodies.

Even now, as Hux puts his hatback on the coat stand, he’s grateful for the witch’s spell, giving him thegift of being able to be Kylo’s husband, be his children’s mother, without havingto be afraid of revealing his fox ears and tail. The same with his daughters;able to be free. If only Leon were here—

The cool spring air isrefreshing, Hux finds, as he walks hand-in-hand with Kylo down their streettowards the centre of town, towards the shops. He lifts his head, relishing inthe feeling of the wind in his face, partly wishing he could switch into hisfox form and just escape the human world for a few hours, maybe give anothersearch through the surrounding forests to look for his lost pup. Just one morelook, he may be there this time, the pest control company may have released himinto the wild—after all this time,Hux still has hope.  

“Should we find somewhere tohave breakfast?” Kylo says, tugging Hux’s hand along. “That café you likeshould be open by now.”

“Sure,” Hux nods. His stomachtwists, finding that his grief is still swelling somewhat ferociously. “I’d likethat—”

Hux stops, freezing completely. His skin tinglesand the hairs on his neck stand on end. His fingers twitch and his nostrilsflare. The other early risers in the town move around him like faceless souls,unimportant, bustling to and from the open shops without even noticing that Huxis standing there, still.

There’s a familiar scent inthe air, one that’s haunted him for fifteen years, and it’s so strong that Huxfeels that he may be forcibly changed into his animal body as a result.

“Hey! Hux, Hux, come on, talk to me,” Kylo gentlypats Hux’s cheek, yet the fox doesn’t blink, too busy looking around for thesource of the scent. “What’s wrong?”

“It-it’s him, Ren,” Hux gasps,spinning around to look everywhere. “I can smell him, he’s here, I know it.”

“Who, Hux? You’re scaring me,sweetheart, please.”

“Leon.”

If Hux still had his ears atophis head, they’d be pointed and alert now, though every one of his heightenedsenses is working in overdrive to confirm what he’s known for years; his son is alive.

Hux takes off running throughthe crowd, scampering along and uncaring that he bumps into almost everyone—Kylois quick behind him, though, apologising to the disgruntled public—in absolutedesperation to find the source of the scent. It gets stronger and stronger asthey make their way out of the shopping centre and out across the traffictowards the park. Hux holds his breath as he runs, overwhelmed already, findingit so hard to ignore Kylo’s calls for him to slow down but he has to follow hisheart.

Hux skids to a halt on thegravel path, and it takes Kylo’s hands around his waist to stop him fromcollapsing to the ground.

“Ren…” Hux whispers,practically limp in Kylo’s hold, only managing to find his footing when hehears his mate’s heavy breaths. “That’s…”

“That’s him,” Kylo says, voice trembling. “The-the black stripe.”

Being one of the pups withbrown hair like their father, just like his sister Leyla, Leon’s fox fur had asomewhat thick stripe of black fur that ran down one of his sides from his leftear, a massive difference to the typical all-red fur seen on a wild fox.

And the little fox that’s onthe end of a short leash just up ahead on the park’s dirt path has a very defined stripe along his back, and he’sthe source of the strong scent that’s dragged Hux here.

He isn’t prepared to wait amoment longer to hold his lost pup.

With newfound strength in hislegs, Hux surges forward, stomping along the path with Kylo in close tow, growling, ready to rip the leash fromthe human’s hands. It’s a male and a female, both relatively young, that arewith the little fox; the girl poses for pictures with him whilst the male snapsthe shot, manoeuvring the pup into whatever position she chooses, and he makesno effort to bite or fight back.

“Release him at once,” Hux shouts, continuing his advance. Thecouple turn quickly at the bellowing voice, looking afraid.

“He’s tame!” The girl picksthe fox up, holding him tightly. “He doesn’t bite! He’s allowed on a leash inhere.”

“I’d rather he did bite. At least thenyou’d be able to see the harm you’re causing! Give him to me, now.”

“Rusty is our pet, Mister!” The man steps in front of Hux and the woman, hissunglasses slipping down his nose. Hux wants to punch them off of his face.

“Rusty? Pet! How very dare you!” This time, when Hux yells, Kylotakes hold of his hand.

“What my husband means,” Kylo says, seeing the yellowflicker of Hux’s irises, the warning of his ancient power bring brought forth. “Isthat we used to have fox with the same sort of stripe as that who went missing,and I think he presumes this is him. Where did you find him?”

“They stole him,” Hux growls under his breath, but Kylo hushes him.

“He was at a sanctuary,” thegirl says, bouncing the pup in her arms. “Up north. He was covered in cuts andscrapes when the sanctuary took him in, poor little orphan. They said hismother was likely killed, or that he was abandoned because he was the runt ofthe litter. Apparently he was there for a real long time until we came andsaved him. Rusty has been ours for almost three years now so I doubt he’syours.”

“He’s ours, without a doubt, girl,”Hux says, struggling in Kylo’s hold. “I didn’t abandon him, he was stolen, you fucking—”

“Hey, don’t start gettingaggressive,” the man says, looking at Hux and then to Kylo. “You wanna thinkabout puttin’ him on a leash. Rabid as a dog.”

“Yeah, I’m thinking about it,”Kylo mutters, trying to pull Hux away before he leaps on the couple and takesLeon back by force. “Thanks for your time, guys. We’ll be going now.”

“Ren!”

But Kylo is already pullingHux away and back across the park, fighting the supposed rabid cur with everything to counteract Hux’s unnatural kitsunianstrength.

“Let me go now, Kylo Ren, or else,” Hux shouts, kicking.

“Hux, for star’s sake, we can’tjust snatch him off them! They’d call the police and he’d be taken away from usagain. We’d have to lose him all over again. Would you want that?”

Hux is silent for a fewmoments but then his struggles stop, calmly looking back over Kylo’s shoulderto where the man and woman have resumed posing with the foxling—Leon.

“Then what do we do?” Hux’svoice is calmer now, cheeks paling. “He’s ours,Ren. He’s our lost pup. We can’t leave him, I won’t do it.”

“Ssh, my sun and moon. We’llfind a way.”

Hux melts into Kylo’s arms,closing his eyes and unable to shift the image of his helpless son so unhappyand lifeless in that human’s arms, like he’s been tamed into a mere pet insteadof the boy he’s meant to be. He wouldhave grown up alongside his three sisters, all of whom swore from the beginningto protect their smaller brother, never leaving him out of their games, neverrushing too far ahead when they played in the garden in the fox forms—

Hux’s eyes shoot open, pullinghimself out of Kylo’s hold.

“Do you trust me?” Hux asks.

“Yes,” Kylo smiles, “But not when you have that mischievous lookin your eye.”

“I’m a kitsune. I am a creature of mischief.”

“Oh. I’m so aware.”

“Kylo Ren. Do you trust me?”

“With everything I am.”

“Then do not interfere.”

Hux gives Kylo a final kiss onhis cheek before turning quickly on his heels and making a dash for the huddleof trees and bushes off to the side of the path, disappearing amongst theirgreenery almost instantly, leaving Kylo to watch from the side-lines. Butbefore he can even consider interfering,there comes a short but strong blow of a very warm wind, and Kylo realises Hux’splan.

A streak of orange bursts outfrom the cover of the trees, leaping in strong bounds towards the couple, makingloud growling sounds. Kylo covers his mouth as he watches Hux charge towardsthe couple, tail fluffed out and wafting to give him balance as he runs. Thegirl shrieks, the boy drops his phone, and the foxling cowers in the wake ofthe sudden noise. The leash is Hux’s mouth then, and he tugs and pulls at it tofree it from the girl’s hold, and it isn’t long before the threat of the fox’steeth becomes too much and the girl drops it, fleeing in fear with the boyfollowing with just as much fear.

Kylo takes his coat off as hemakes his way over to the line of trees, to where Hux has already carriedlittle Leon over to. Kneeling in the mud, Kylo crawls underneath the bushes,heart pounding, unable to fathom that his lost son has been found.

“My baby, my beautiful boy,”Hux says, now in his human form, nude except for his coat draped around him. He’scrying, holding the pup close to his chest and nuzzling the top of his head. “Wethought you were gone forever. My darling, Leon. We knew you were strong. Weknew—”

“—We knew you were stillalive,” Kylo says, reaching to stroke behind Leon’s soft fox ear. “We’ve missedyou, Leon. So much.”

But regardless of how much hisparents fuss and cry over him, Leon does not react. He stays pliant in Hux’shold

“Baby, it’s your mother,” Huxsays, lifting Leon up and rubbing his nose against his. “You’re safe now. Youcan change. We can take you home. Your sisters will be so happy to see you. Youcan shift forms now, Leon. Please.”

“Hux.” Kylo places his hand onHux’s leg. “He’s…”

“Don’t, Ren. He knows who heis. He has to. He has to. He’s ourpup.”

“He’s been gone for fifteenyears, Hux. Gone through hell, probably. Been subjected to all kinds, likely, especially living with those two. He won’tremember us.”

“No, no, don’t say that. Of course he remembers us. Don’t. Leon?”

The foxling does nothing.

Fresh tears fall from Hux’seyes, dripping onto Leon’s soft fur. Kylo shuffles closer to them and wraps onearm around his mate and uses his free hand to ruffle behind the foxling’s ears,like he always used to when Leon wasjust a tiny pup and afraid of everything.

But to Hux’s and Kylo’ssurprise, the foxling makes a small whimper and licks the falling tears awayfrom Hux’s cheeks, wriggling as though trying to get free. Doing as he wants,Hux sets Leon down, who wobbles on his feet for a moment before padding softlyover to Kylo, climbing on him, pawing at him like he used to do when he wasasking to be held. Kylo sniffles and picks the pup up, holding him gently inhis arms, and rocks him.

“Little lion,” Kylo says,smiling as he remembers Leon’s namesake. “Our brave one. Even if you don’tremember us, we’ll always love you. Always.”

Kylo looks over to Hux, expectinghis mate to be in tears but, instead, he sees the kitsune’s aura glowing afiery orange, eyes burning with the same yellow as before, bringing his powersto the front of his consciousness. Kylo can’t help but squint, overwhelmed bythe light of Hux’s presence but he manages to see Hux’s soft hands coming tohold Leon, cupping his head in his palms. There’s a flash, Hux’s voice utteringwords that Kylo doesn’t understand, and then an agonisingly deafening silence.

And the weight in Kylo’s armsbecomes so much heavier.

The light fades, sending themback into the shadowy cover of the park’s trees, and the soft whistling of thewind and Hux’s ragged breaths are all to be heard. Kylo blinks; the foxling isno longer in his arms. Instead, there’s a boy.

He’s pale and thin, thoughfaint scarring litters almost the entirety of his soft skin, even one thatcascades over his left eye in an almost identical way to Kylo’s. At eighteen years old, Leon looks just like his father. A mess ofthick, dark hair sits stop his head and both Hux and Kylo know that beneath hisclosed eyelids are the sparkling green eyes that would put the stars to shame.

It’s him. Their son. Leon Ren.

Hux strokes through the boy’shair and, unable to control his sobs, kisses his son’s forehead whilst Kylocuddles him close, covering his naked body with his own coat, resting his cheekatop Leon’s head, closing his eyes, relishing in the feeling of having his sonin his arms again.

“Leon,” Hux says. “Our boy. Thank you.”

[abloomntime]

A Bloom In Time Ch34

(If you're wondering what dress Poppy's wearing towards the end and her hairdo, let's just say it looks a lot similar to the dress from Jim Henson's Labrinyth. Like the one shown in the video.)

The audience got silent as soft fairy tale like music drifted through the place and the first thing everyone saw on screen was a pair of bright red curtains. And slowly they opened. The other side of them was an expertly drawn and put together cottage and forest background. The two people on stage was Mr. Timophy and Poppy!! Both wearing a very nice blue suit and frilly dress of a time era from a thousand years ago when Snatcher was alive.

"O-Once upon a time far away in the milky way galaxy, there lived a kind man and his daughter." The deep voice of the narrator voiced out loud and from somewhere off stage so no one could see him. Poppy and Mr. Timophy looked at each other and bowed/curtzed. Like a proper gentlemen and lady. "The man was a very wealthy business man and his daughter was one of the most magnificent people of heart and beauty in the land. With a firey passion and flare like fire, and kindness that shone brighter than the very sun. Because of such bright straits people often referred to her as a star among the people. So she was named, Starella."

SNATCHER'S!! EYES!! WIDENED!!! WAS-...WAS THAT THE SAME POPPY!? The woman on screen had bright beautiful fluffy hair that was curled all the way down to her waist and her bangs was curled around her soft face that looked so soft from the blush. Big beautiful blue eyes blinked at him from the screen with cherry lips and freckles like rose petals being laid delicately on her soft vanilla skin. Her hair adorned with a sparkly blue bow and the dress complementing her well built but curvy body like a-....Like a perfect princess from those fairytales. Snatcher's jaw dropped and he guessed Hazelle must've noticed his expression because she smirked at him. To which when he finally noticed, scowled at her from the shadows. The two on stage suddenly stopped bowing to one another and Mr. Timophy held out his hand towards someone off stage but quickly was answered when a lady mafia in a ugly green dress and the two joined hands and gave each other lovey dovey looks. Behind her strolled out Hazelle in a similar green styled dress. Guess these were the step mother and sister.

"One day Starella's father fell in love with a beautiful widow who had a daughter close to Starella's age. But the woman's beauty hid a cruel heart of greed that would ultimately reveal itself."

The light turned off before popping back up with a fake Hazelle, the mafia woman, and Poppy standing in front of the cottage and waving at Mr. Timophy as he sat within a fake carriage waving back to the three ladies.

"One day her father's rich work came to a point where he had to leave for a year long business trip and left poor Starella in the care of her Stepmother, which is where the trouble began," the Narrator continued. Just as the carriage prop was pulled towards the other side of the stage with Mr. Timophy on it and the lights dimmed again, this time for a little longer before they came back on. It was Poppy again, but with a quick costume change. She was wearing a brown dress with patches, her hair looked messy, and there was fake dirt patches on her face. The scenery had changed from the outside cottage to one that looked like a classic old fashioned kitchen with a shelf, table and everything to complete a kitchen. Poppy was looking down pretending to do dishes as Hazelle and the mafia lady laughed at her from behind. "Starella's Stepmother and stepsister were cruel to her. Taking away all her fine clothing and treasures and making her dress and work as a maid in her own home. Despite this she never lost that shiny kindness she was named for." The lights blacked out again before the lights came back up yet again. This time a grand sparkly scene of a throne room appeared before them with two gold spray painted thrones, a stone wall background, and a mini red carpet running between them. Two mafia men sat on the thrones and it was Thor! Wearing the most ridiculous stereotypical prince costume Snatcher had ever seen. Making him grimace as he continued to watch. One mafia man a light blue suit and the other a dark red suit. "One day the Prince of the land had finally become eligible to be married and his parents wanted nothing more than to know he found the right soul mate for him. So one day one of his fathers asked his son a question."

''My son,'' the mafia man in the red suit and fake crown spoke in that mafia accent, "Your father and I are growing more old in age and one day you shall take responsibility over the kingdom and all who live in it. We must know, have you picked who will rule by your side?''

Thor with his back to the camera bowed his head sadly and shook it no. "Alas for I have not. For no one has caught my attention and no one has wanted anything more to do with me than my throne. I wish to meet someone I can love as much as they truly love me in return, but no one I have ever met had showed me such a thing.''

The red suited mafia man had stood up and was now pointing at Thor who was wearing dark blue. "I have a grand idea! One that shall solve this problem. We shall invite all the eligible people in the land no matter commoner or noble. From them you can choose who you shall wed!"

Thor nodded before the stage went black again and the narrator's voice came back. The cottage scene from the beginning was back and a mafia wearing a yellow suit and a mailman's bag and hat was standing on stage, a few penguins in dresses or suits walked past and he handed them each an envelope before they continued to walk off stage. "The prince happily agreed. So a message was sent out to every young eligible man and woman no matter commoner or wealthy noble." The mafia man in the suit then turned around as the door to the fake cottage opened and out came the mafia woman, Hazelle, and Poppy still in that patchwork dress and he also handed them a letter before turning and walking off stage also. Hazelle and the step mother then proceeded to pretend to gush over the letter.  "One day a letter arrived at Starella's home. Offically inviting Starella and her step sister to the grand ball. The Stepmother and Stepsister were overjoyed."

''This is your chance!,'' the Stepmother said to her Hazelle in the same accent as the mafia men, ''You are the most beautiful young lady in the land! You must make the prince fall in love with you and you shall become the queen! Then we shall both live the rest of our lives in peace.''

Poppy made a gesture behind them as if saying something but neither of them looked at her as they continued to fake gush over the letter.  "Starella politely asked if she could go but the stepmother ignored her in favor of showering her own daughter in praise and telling her what needed to be done for their goal." The lights dimmed again and they were back in the kitchen scenery with Poppy clutching the fancy blue dress she had been wearing at the beginning of the play and both were glaring at one another. "Days passed and the day of the ball came to be. Defying her Stepmother's wishes she stole back one of her fancy dresses and said to her stepmother."

"I don't care what you say anymore. I will be going to the ball and my father shall hear of your ways!," Poppy yelled loudly still with her country accent but it sounded like she was trying to hide it before turning away from Hazelle's glaring and marching towards a doorway. Opening it and marching up fake stairs out of sight.

" With that Starella marched up the stairs to get herself ready for the ball that night. Enraged by Starella's actions the stepmother and stepsister decided to seek revenge." The lights dimmed and when they came back on it was the outside cottage scene again with the fake carriage that took Mr. Timpohy away. Hazelle and the mafia lady ran out of the front door pretending to sneak around on stage and climbed onto it. Before it started to pull them off stage. "Without Starella knowing the carriage to take them to the ball arrived. As quickly and quietly as mice, the two slipped away and made off into the night. By the time Starella noticed, it was too late." It showed Poppy all prettied up and cute looking like in the beginning running out the door just as the exited the stage....before putting her face in her hands and running back into the door and inside the cottage. And the lights dimmed once again only to light up back into the kitchen scene with Poppy sitting on her knees with her hands still in her hands pretending to cry as she did. "Distraught. Starella sat by the kitchen fire to warm herself and weep her sorrows away."

''Do not be sad'', cried a woman's voice and a moment later a very well made duck puppet ascended from somewhere above stage suspended by strings and Snatcher rose a brow.

Poppy looked up and blinked in surprise. "Startled, Starella turned her face up towards the sound of the voice and saw a tiny duck perched in her window."

''Who are you?," Poppy asked the floating Puppet.

''I am the great Mother Goose.,' the lady who voiced the duck puppet replied, ''Do not weep. Dry those tears. You saved me when those two wicked women wanted to fry me for dinner, and now I shall repay your kindness in full. Bring me one chess knight that's snow white, a nutcracker, and one apple from the pantry. Now hurry. We haven't got much time.''

It then showed Poppy stand up and quickly go through the door connected to the kitchen scene. The Pantry he supposed it was supposed to be, she came back with a few knick knacks in her hands. "She quickly did as the duck asked and brought what she needed."

''Lay them upon the ground and stand aside,'' the duck said.

The lights dimmed again as the narrator took over.  "Starella quickly did as she was told as the duck waved her wing over the items."  The lights came back on and there was the same carraige from the first two scene and Poppy sitting in it as the duck puppet stayed next to her. "Before her very eyes the items turned into a magnificent couch with a horse and driver to navigate it. As Starella climbed into the couch, Mother Goose perched upon the door to give one final warning."

''I hope you find the happiness you seek, but remember this,'' the duck warned, ''You must leave by Midnight for that is when my magic will fade away and you shall be stranded.''

Poppy nodded before the duck puppet was pulled up and the carriage pulled off stage. "Starella promised the Mother Goose she'd remember the warning and bid the goose good bye as it flew into the sky, and the couch slowly made it way towards the castle." The lights dimmed again and this time there was a scene of the outside of a castle with stone walls and fake stairs that Thor sat upon boredly but looked up when the carraige with Poppy came back on it and stopped in front of him and Poppy got off. Thor stood up and approuched her and the two pretended to start talking. "Unknownst to her the prince was awaiting within the entrance to the grand castle, tired from the large gathering of crowded people inside and not having the desire to having others and so many seeking him out at once. But suddenly he saw the most unusual sight. The most radiant of red couches he had ever seen appeared pulled by the most purest of white horses. Surely this must've been someone important. As Starella emerged from the couch, the prince was entranced by her beauty as she stepped towards him. Taken by her stunning beauty, the prince stood to greet the fair maiden and welcome her to the castle. Moved by the handsome strangest politeness she asked what he was doing out here all alone, and he replied."

''It is because it became too crowded for my liking. I wished to come out here and take a break and talk to someone. But you look new around to the castle. My I offer to show you around the castle?'', Thor asked before holding out his arm to Poppy who took it and both began to walk off stage.

"Starella agreed and took the arm the man offered her. Leading her into the castle above." The lights dimmed again and when they came back on Snatcher's eyes widened...before scowling at Thor on screen. He and Poppy were back in that throne room scene without the thrones this time dancing around in a circle along with a bunch of penguin couples as the narrator spoke. "Starella and the prince spent the entire ball together sharing each other's interests and experiences, getting along so very lovely enraptured by each others' personalities. As time went on Starella forgot all about Mother Goose's warnings as they talked, laughed, and danced the night away. But that all changed in a blink of an eye." Suddenly there was a loud noise of a clock chiming and Poppy suddenly broke off from Thor looking in the direction of the clock chimes with dread.  "The clock struck midnight and everything the Mother Goose had ever said came rushing back to her. In an instant full of dread, Starella fled from the Prince and to the exit but it was too late. The couch had transformed back into an apple. The horse to a chess knight. And the handsome couchman back into the nutcracker. Having no other choice, Starella fled down the road into the night back towards her home." Poppy then ran off stage as all the dancers stopped and looked at Thor as he extended his arm out towards her as she ran and suddenly Hazelle and the mafia woman came back to the stage. Thor suddenly holding up his arm.  "Determined the prince announced that same night that he would love nothing more than to again meet this mystery lady and he was determined to meet her again. Because the castle was so crowded Starella's Stepmother and Stepsister had not seen her at all, and so paid no attention to her upon arriving home. Only caring about the Prince's proclaim." The lights dimmed and again the lights came back on. This time back in the kitchen scene with Poppy still in the blue dress with Hazelle and the mafia woman behind her. Thor suddenly came on scene and Poppy looked surprised as the other two ladies glared angrily as he came over and took a knee. Taking Poppy's hand and Snatcher's eyes narrowed further. "For days the prince searched far and white for the maiden with bright kindness and hair that shown brighter than any star. No one could tell him who this mysterious maiden was and he was beginning to lose hope when he finally reached the home of Starella and her step family. Where he finally found what he seeked."

''At last I have found you,'' Thor said with glee, ''Starella, I have searched far and wide because before no one had ever showed me the kindess you have. With your permission I would love nothing more than to learn more about you. "

"Starella happily agreed and her father returned." Poppy nodded to Thor before the lights dimmed again and it came back on a moment later with Hazelle, the mafia lady, Poppy, and Thor with one arm around Poppy's shoulders were standing in the outside cottage scene again as the carriage prop returned with Mr. Timophy in it. Snatcher narrowed his eyes even more at Thor. Mr. Timpopy got off as the carraige prompt was pulled off stage and Poppy pretended to say say something to him, as he then turned to Hazelle and the mafia woman with a glare. "Upon hearing what her Stepmother and Stepsister had done while he was away, he banished them from his home never to return again." Mr. Timophy pointed off stage and with glares, Hazelle and the mafia woman fled from the stage as the lights dimmed once again. When the lights came back on Snatcher's eyes went wide once again at the sight. Poppy was wearing a bright white ballgown with her hair done up in a beautiful hairstyle and she was holding hands with Thor smiling. All the penguins, mafia men, and Mr. Timophy was around them smiling and clapping, and throwing white petals and glitter around them. Snatcher's yellow orbs widened at the very obvious wedding dress as the petals and glitter shimmered around her smiling face making her shimmer and glow. "After a few years of letting their love and fondness for each other grow, Starella and the prince were finally married. The End."

The red curtains slowly closed on them and then the end credits rolled. And that's when the audience cheered from before like with Comductor's movie as they all clapped and whisteled and cheered. Again spilling some popcorn and other food on the theater floors. The end credits saying the names of the ones resposible like- Starella by Poppy Rose Bloomington. Step Sister by Witch Hazelle. Prince by Thor.  Director DJ Grooves. And so on and so forth. Poppy was still frozen to her seat, feeling anxiety as she had watched the whole thing questions running through her mind. Had she done a good job? Would anyone like it? Did she mess up anywhere? Would she betray Mr. Grooves expectations? But those anxieties mostly went away as she saw the absolute happy smiles of the crowd clapping and cheering for the screen as the credits kept rolling, which made her give a sigh of relief.

"YOU WERE GREAT, POPPY!!," Hattie shouted over the crowd and Bow nodded as both girls smiled wide eyed at the red head. "You too, Hazelle!!"

"Yeah!! You were the most evil step sister ever!!", Bow added.

Hazelle chuckled and waved them off. "Well of course I am. I AM a witch after all.~"

The crowd's cheering died down as the lights lit up the stage again and the same lady owl came back on as the screen went back to it's regular white. "Wow! Wasn't that lovely? Who'd have thought we'd get a forbiddon love story and a play straight out of a fairytale all in one night? Let's have a round of applause for Mr. DJ Grooves and his wonderful staff for bringing us that lovely treat, eh?" A small round of clapping ensued. "Thank you to all the contestants today for such a lovely performance by both teams, but as we know there can only be one winner of the Annual Bird Movie Awards this year. While the judges go over their notes and decide who shall be this year's pick, please exit back into the main lobby to your right as they do where we'll be doing some live interviews with the cast and people behind this year's movies and see what they have to say. Please throw away any wrappings and leftover garbage into the trashbins on your way out."

The crowd of birds stood up and began to make their way toward the door way that opened up again letting light flood right in. The girls and Hazelle stood too but waited as most of the crowd went past them to avoid getting crowded and seperated again with Poppy did NOT want. The lady owl on stage too off stage followed by the two camera Penguins/owls and towards where ever she was going Poppy guessed. When it finally thinned out, the girls and Snatcher walked out back into the floor and were greeted with the sight of birds throwing Popcorn buckets, candy wrappers, and empty soda cups into an overflowing trashbin before departing into different places onto the floor. Poppy and the girls made their way over to the food desk handing out even more food to the birds who was still hungry or wanted more food. After that little scare she was starting to feel hungry, some solid food in her stomach would be nice for once. As they got in the surprsingly long line they saw a familiar face in front of them.

Hattie gasped. "COOKIE!!" She and bow took off running towards the orange cat in line with Muriel right next to her but turned around hearing the girl call her name. When she realized who it was, she smiled and held out her arms to hug the two girls as they ran up to her. "We missed you!"

Cookie chuckled as the two grown women walked up to her. "Oh, I missed you too! I'm so sorry I couldn't visit for a while, but Conductor asked me to help him with his movie. And who am I to say no to him?" She looked up as the two women came up to her. "Ah! Sugercube, I saw ya'll in Mr. Grooves's play! You looked mighty stunnin' in that dress of yours!"

Poppy chuckled awkwardly. "Uh...T-Thanks! Ya looked really purty too! And ya acted so well! It was a mighty fine movie ya did!"

The cat chuckled and waved her paw. "Oh it was nothing a lil practice couldn't help! Say! Why don't ya'll join us and we can catch up a bit? Been a while since we had a chat."

"That sounds like a great idea!"

So the group of girls (and Snatcher) all got together by Poppy and Muriel who was already in line. It was nice to catch up a bit since it'd be a while with like twenty birds in front of them still. They found out Cookie and Muriel had been asked by COnductor to help out with his movie as they were perfect for the roles to which Poppy compliment Muriel on. MU looked proud as she did, she was a good mayor. Currently Cookie was being introduced to Hazelle and the two were complimenting each others roles as Catrina and the evil step sister while Poppy looked around. She noticed the owl lady from the stage in front of Conductor who had his arms crossed and a smug smile on his face camera crew pointing the camera on him. She asked something into the mic before holding it out to Conductor. The owl(bird thing-) cackled and said something back she couldn't make out as he had the interview.

"WOW!! IT'S COOKING CAT!! ANS SOME GIRLS!!" Poppy jumped when a bright light flashed and an owl holding a camera. Looking at Cookie and the two girls. "I s-saw you all on TV!! C-Can I have your autographs?!"

Cookie and the girls being nice and polite agreed and soon small crowds of penguins and owls came up to them all asking for pictures and their autographs, and eventually some attention went to Hazelle, Poppy, and Muriel too. MU seemed proud to be taking pictures and signing papers when they realized she was the mayor actor, and the same with Hazelle as she was recognized as the step sister. Poppy was pretty overwhelmed-...Being swept up straining a smile for the camera and sighing her name with shaking hands when they asked, feeling her anxiety spike up as she smiled and bared it. Snatcher watching from the floor and yellow orbs blinked out from her shadow. He-.....He couldn't believe that was Poppy back there. She looked....so different from what she looks like now. Just a plan white dress with purple flowers and long hair in a braid like usual. She barely looked anything like the make up caked self on the screen wearing those beautiful gowns or all messied up and patchwork dress. And he couldn't help but wonder....Would that have been what Poppy had looked like if she had been a noble? Would she have been that beautiful in a wedding dress if they ever did get married? Would she have been that beautiful as his princess if he had ever gotten the chance to tell her how he felt long ago and if she felt the same? Guess he would never know- He grunted when an owl stepped on his face and blocked his veiw of her as the group slowly continued to move. The line continued to get smaller as the group slowly moved in between the signing and pictures. Poppy didn't know how long it took until they finally got to the stand still signing and taking pictures, but by the time they moved away she was too preoccupied to even get anything, so when they left, she was still hungry, straining a smile, and still signing and taking pictures through it as a few others came up to them for them.

"Are you ok there?," Hazelle asked after she just finished signing a penguin's notepad.

Poppy nodded. "I-I-It's just....s-so much...I d-don't like bein' the center of attention."

"Don't worry. We can leave as soon as those silly birds finish judging and announce the winner already." Hazelle suddenly smiled as an owl took her picture.

"I certainly hope so." And she really did.

"DARLINGS!!!" They all looked up as a certain dancing Penguin came rushing towards them with a few penguin body guards behind him and a whole slew of cameras and birds behind him...and Poppy gulped...Uh oh. The Penguin came right up the the group of girls with a bright and cheery smile. "THERE YOU ARE!! Darlings, darlings, darlings!! This is the happiest day in my life!! And it's thanks to you all that made it all possible! I have a good feeling about tonight! A VERY good feeling!! I can not thank you both enough!!"

Hazelle waved a hand. "It's not a problem."

Poppy smiled nervously more. "N-No need ta thank me. Shucks. Ah only helped."

"Oh NO!! You all brought it together marvelously!! Don't be so bashful, Darling! You were beautiful out there!" Poppy flushed an embarrased pink at his compliment before he turned his attention to Cookie. "Cookie, Dearest! Look at you! You looked positively ravishing out there! Really stole the thunder away from the ol' Conductor now."

Cookie giggled as Muriel rolled her eyes behind her. "Oh you charmer.~"

Poppy sighed as they continued to talk up and even more people asked for the groups autographs and pictures. Some even throwing questions at her. Are you the Starella Actress? What made you audition for the part? How long have you been working with Dead Bird Studios? Peck. She just wanted to go home already. PLEASE LET THIS END SOON!!!

"ATTENTION EVERYONE!!" A loud voice boomed out and everyone looked over to the same owl lady that was previously talking to Conductor a little while ago. She stood in the middle of the room with both cameras on her, the judges behind her, and an owl holding a shiny gold trophy gleaming in their arms. "The judges have decided after much careful planning and the winner is about to be announced!" The room clambered with happy excitement as well as the small group and Mr. Grooves immediately laser focused on her as she looked to one of the judges. This was it. Oh boy this was it. Her heart beat picked up as did her breathing, her forehead sweating a bit as the owl lady was handed a piece of paper by one of the judges. She brought it to her face to read it. "And the winner of the 500th Annual Bird Movie Awards Ceremony is-........" She smiled and suddenly pointed somewhere away from her. "CONDUCTOR!!" Poppy could feel her mind shatter and her stomach drop upon hearing those words leave the owls mouth. The cackling bird walked walked up to the owl lady as the took the trophy from the other owl and handed it to Conductor who happily took it with a wide smile and shook her hand when she offered her wing. The crowd around them cheering as they did. "Congratulations, Mr. Conductor on your fabulous win!! Is there anything you'd like to say to the folks watching this success?" She offered the mic to him.

"Ahehehe!! Aye couldn't have done it without me lassie!! Not that I didn't think I wouldn't win, cuz who didn't?", he said smugly to the camera and she nodded before turning back to the cameras.

"Well this has been a rather exciting and eventful evening with lots of wonderful acting and talent. While the winner celebrates his victory, we'll go for a small commercial break. Stay tuned because it's not over yet. Later we'll have live interviews with the staff and actors behind the scenes of the movies tonight along with the judges and Mr. Grooves about how he's taking the loss of this year. Stay tuned for all the exciting bonus behind the scenes content as well. Expect a word from our sponser and even a secret interview with our special guest judge about their books and upcoming series. See you all back after the break." She made a cutting motion with her hand and the cameras were lowered from her.

Poppy slowly turned to the penguin in front of her. He looked....upset. Frowning and head lightly staring at his feet. ...And she swallowed the lump in her throat. "M-Mr. G-G-Grooves?? A-AH-.....I-I'm s-s-s-so sorry-"

He waved her off with a flipper giving a small smile and looking up to her. "No. No, Darling. I knew this might've happened and It's alright. It's not your fault. Everyone gave it there all and I couldn't have asked for a better crew. Besides....There's always next year."

Poppy felt bad. I mean she was absolutely relieved he didn't seem to be mad at her or think she owed him anything, but seeing him so sad after all the hard work that everyone had put in it was so sad. She still felt bad, but guess she couldn't change anything about it. No one noticed the penguin with no hat waddling up to them until he cleared his throat and Mr. Grooves gasped.

"*ahem* Mr. Grooves?"

"*GASP* M-M-M-MR. GWEN!!!"

".....Who?," Poppy asked looking between them.

"WHO?! DARLING THIS IS THE PENGUIN BEHIND THE STORY WE BASED THE PLAY OFF!! AND WINNER OF THE BIRD WIRITING AWARDS ELEVEN YEARS RUNNING!! THE MOST FAMOUS WRITER ON THE PLANET!!!" Eleven years winner AND famous? Wow. That's pretty impressive. Mr. Grooves smiled nervously and stammered out. "W-W-What are you doing here, Sir?"

".....I thought the dedication you put into staying true to the source material was.....masterful."

"W-Why thank you, Sir!!"

"And I wanted to discuss a possible series of movies of my other older classics with you."

Mr. Grooves's beak dropped!! And the two penguins stared at each other for the longest time before he managed to speak again. "A-A-Are you serious?!"

"Of course I am. You're the most famous movie director in penguin history. It'd be an honor to work with someone in your field knowing you'll stay true to what I write. So what do you say we do lunch within a week from next Tuesday? Yes?"

"I-I-I- YES!!" His smile came back BIGGER than before. "ABSOLUTELY YESS!! I-I-I look forward to it!!"

"Then I'll see you then. I look forward to doing business with you." He held out a flipper and Mr. Grooves happily shook it.

Poppy's face lit up like a star when seeing this. Mr. Grooves may have not won, but he got a great deal out of it as he seemed thrilled by it. After maybe another hour of Poppy congratulating everyone, and smiling and signing autographs and smiling for taking pictures-......She was absolutely mentally exhausted and tired. She guessed Snatcher must've noticed because he (demanded) told them all they were all leaving no so Poppy could rest her anxiety. After finding Cookie so the girls could say good bye, and then Finding Mr. Grooves so Poppy could congratulate him and say good bye, they exited with Hazelle through the back door to avoid the big crowds and parted ways with her in the alley as both her and Snatcher decided to teleport back home. So Snatcher was finally able to come out of their shadows grumpily. He was SO tired of being stepped on by everyone for a few hours, and soon they were whisked away back to the ship with that familiar dark purple surrounding them. The ship was just as they left it. Quiet and peaceful.

"THAT WAS AWESOME!!," Hattie shouted throwing her arms up. "Cookie was so pretty and cool! And then Conductor pulled the thing out like POP!! And then you were so pretty, Poppy!! And then you danced around and there was the milky way prince just like in the story and-"

"AND it's bed time," Poppy interjected making both girls awe in protest. "It's been a long night. But tell ya what. Ya'll go and get in pajamas by the time I get there and ah'll read ya that Starella book again before ya sleep. Deal?"

They had already run off towards the bedroom that opened and closed behind the two rushing children and she chuckled watching them go. Ah. To have that kind of energy. But she paused and looked behind her hearing Snatcher clear his throat, almost forgetting Snatcher was still there behind her. The two stared at each other for a little while before he looked away and spoke.

"Uh......I know you already heard this, but you did a decent job back there. Not that I enjoyed it or anything. ....And you looked....really nice...N-Not that I noticed or anything either."

Poppy stared at him for a moment, before smiling. "Thanks! And I never got ta thank ya for helpin' me when I got lost back there."

Snatcher scratched at his fluff. "Yeah. Well someone had to keep an eye on you to keep you out of trouble."

She giggled before patting his side. "I mean it. I appreciated your support back there."

He looked at her for a while. ".....Your welcome."

She smiled at him one last time before yawning and turning around. "W-Well...I better go and read them that story. They'll never sleep without it."

"Heh. Don't I know it."

She smiled before turning away. "Well. G'night."

"Good night, Poppy."

He watched her walk towards the girls' bedroom door for a moment, before turning around and surrounding himself in purple to take him back to the forest. He still had work that needed finishing.

[greetthedawn]

AN:

This chapter is actually where I started with this fanfiction three long years ago. When I played through Black Flag the first time, and I started to think how things might have turned out if Mary had lived, everything I knew about her character told me she would tear down cities to find the men who took her daughter. I drafted a really shitty one-shot based on this featured song, and after reading it through a few times to figure out what wasn't working, I realized there were no stakes to her drive or her relationship with Edward without all the backstory I'd dreamed up in my head. That backstory is what I wrote for you all in this story and I'm so happy to have finally reached ground zero after all this time. Enjoy!

Song: Marked Man - Mieka Pauley

I will close my eyes, then three, two, one

The guilty hide, the guilty run

I’ll make you fly til the day I’m done

You’re a marked man, brother, you’re a marked man, hey

Edward woke to the muted bustle of morning chores about the Jackdaw. Sunlight wove its way through the grime on the cabin windows, casting long shadows about the room. The gentle lapping of waves against the side of the hull threatened to lull him back to sleep, but he fought the urge. He knew it was time to get up and check in with his crew.

He rolled over to face Mary, who was stretched out on her stomach, arms wrapped around her pillow. She was still very much asleep. He leaned over and brushed her hair out of her face, then pressed his lips to her bare shoulder. "Wake up, my love," he whispered against her warm skin.

She rolled over with a grunt and stretched her limbs wide, kicking back the covers of their makeshift bed on the floor. They hadn't done much sailing since affirming their love for each other, and had left the cove in too great a hurry to arrange a replacement for their cots on opposite sides of the captain's quarters. The first night at sea they'd tried to sleep separately, but they'd become too accustomed to the other's presence to get much rest. In the three nights since then they'd thrown all their bedding and some various bits of cloth from the hold onto the cabin floor in an attempt at a mattress. It was hardly comfortable, but they both found it preferable.

She blinked lazily, finding his eyes in the muted morning light. "What is it now, day five?"

He nodded. "Aye, but if the winds turn favorable we should arrive by dusk." He pressed a quick kiss to her forehead.

He lips creased into a small frown. "That might be wishful thinking at the rate we've been going." She let out a small sigh and pulled herself up to return the kiss to his cheek. "But we'll get there eventually. I've waited this long. Another day is no matter." Her tone didn't match the relaxed nature of her words, but he knew better than to call her on her contradictions first thing in the morning.

The calm morning seemed out of place for their mission. Mary had been understandably on edge since Ikal's arrival in Great Inagua, but she had better control over her impatience than he might in her position. His own worries and insecurities had been mounting as they sailed closer to their target, but he had been doing his best to take her lead in keeping them under wraps. The next few days were too important to risk screwing up with overthinking.

She rolled to her feet and stretched again, arms over her head nearly touching the low ceiling. His gaze raked up and down her form. He'd never exactly been a chaste man, but being with her had turned him back into an eager, hungry teenager. She reached for her chest bindings, which hung over the back of a nearby chair after being carelessly tossed there the previous night, but he sat up quickly and stopped her hand. She looked down at him with confusion and he flashed her a sly grin. "No one said we had to get dressed quite yet," he purred as he laced his fingers through hers and pulled her back to the floor.

With a warm laugh, she climbed into his lap. "How am I expected to get anything done with you around?" she growled playfully against his neck before pushing him back into the bedding.

The Jackdaw pulled into port not long after dark that night. Each man aboard was awarded a small purse of gold for their previous few days of hard work, and most of the crew took a course straight for the brothels. Edward expected they'd all burn through their pay in two days' time, but with any luck they wouldn't be in Havana long enough to warrant him opening his coffers for them again. As for him and Mary, they'd headed for his favorite tavern in town, the one Stede Bonnet had introduced him to on his first ill-fated visit to the Spanish city.

Edward settled into a chair across from his quartermaster, setting their third round of drinks on the table. She was gazing out across the small courtyard thoughtfully, her thumb tracing the edge of the parchment in her hands. Her lips moved, and though she made no noise he knew what she was muttering to herself. A name, Ignacio du Mont, and an address near the courthouse. They didn't know if this man had Jennifer or, if not, what information he might have about her, but it was more than they'd had since the child had left Mary's arms on the day of her birth. It was hope. It made him nervous.

She reached out for her drink without taking her eyes off the lines of the cobblestone she was so intently studying. "I want to go," she stated. "Tonight, while he sleeps."

Edward shook his head. "We don't know what we're walking into. We don't know how heavily guarded he is, if at all, or if he's even in the city at present. This is too delicate. We need more information."

Her gaze snapped to his, and impatience flared behind her brown eyes with a fire he was all too familiar with. "We have more information than we've had in over year! This is hardly the biggest target we've dealt with, Kenway. The two of us can handle a few commoners in yellow coats."

"I don't doubt that, but if this man has been tasked with the keeping of your daughter they'll know our faces. I want to do this carefully."

She scoffed. "Since when do you do anything carefully?"

He reached across the table and put a hand on her wrist, wishing he could do more to comfort her without blowing her cover. "Since you wormed your way into my head and started fucking around with my conscience," he answered with a warm chuckle.

She offered an affectionate smirk and placed her free hand over his. "I've been fucking around with more than that, mate. All right. We'll figure something else out. But I'm not waiting any longer than tomorrow."

Before he could respond, a pair of figures entered the Tavern that the sight of cause the two of them to break apart abruptly. "Massey! Bell!" Edward called to his young crewmates.

A look of relief crossed Massey's face at the sight of them. Bell, however, looked ill. The former patted his friend on the shoulder and made for the bar while the latter crossed the courtyard towards his captain and quartermaster.

Mary motioned for him to have a seat with them. "What's the matter, lad? You look troubled." She passed him her drink and he took a hearty sip with a nod of gratitude.

"I received some news from home upon landing," the boy responded with a frown. "Not the best news, actually. It's my father, see? He's taken ill again."

Edward grimaced. His own father had died some years ago. That was a letter every sailor dreaded. He signaled to the bartender that they needed more drinks at their table. "I'm sorry to hear that, mate. It was good of your family to write to you."

Bell gave a sad laugh. "Well… I don't hear from them often. My parents don't exactly approve of my… profession. My sister, though, we always got on." He downed the last of Mary's rum as the next round arrived. "I must confess, however, I didn't come just to share bad news. I need a favor."

Mary nodded. "If it's in our power, we'll help."

Bell gave a small smile. "I don't come from a well-to-do family. My sister wrote in hopes that I might be able to send gold home to pay for a physician. I had set some set aside to return home and settle down one day, but I'm afraid it's not enough."

Edward had always liked this boy. He imagined Bell was the kind of young man he might have been if Mary had gotten a hold of him much sooner. He had a good heart, but he had ambition and drive as well. He turned to his quartermaster. "I think that's in our power, don't you agree?"

Mary nodded, but there was something else in her eye he couldn't read, something excited. "Your father raised a loyal sailor, regardless of whether he approves of what you do with your talents. We reward loyalty." Bell's eyes lit up, but she paused, calculating for a moment. "I would, however like to ask something of you in return. You'll get your gold even if you say no. The Jackdaw is a family, which makes your father our family. But my family needs your help as well."

"Thank you, Master Kidd," the lad beamed, gripping her forearm with glee and gratitude. "Whatever you need, I'll be happy to help."

Mary smiled warmly, encouraged by his exuberance. She passed him the parchment with du Mont's address. "I need to know if this man is home. Scout the building, find out who lives there and what I'll have to fight my way through to get inside. Report back to me and dusk tomorrow, and I'll have made arrangements to send gold back to your family."

Bell took the paper and nodded enthusiastically. "Thank you, Master Kidd. Thank you, Captain Kenway. They won't know I was there." He motioned to his friend Massey at the bar and the pair left, hurried by their new endeavor.

Edward smirked at his lover. "You clever scoundrel. Manipulating that poor boy in his time of need…"

She rolled her eyes with a grin and leaned back in her chair. "I like to think he'd have done it anyway. He's a good lad, that one. Massey, too. They'll make fine Assassins one day."

He stared at her in mingled amusement and awe. She had a knack for this, turning scumbags into shadows. But she was right. He saw what she did in those young boys. They had the kind of spirit she'd shone a light on inside of himself.

Know that I watch everything you do

And hope that I never stop watching you

The day I stop is the day I’m through

You’re a marked man, brother, you’re a marked man, hey

AN:

Originally, this chapter was supposed to be an intro to what will be the next one, but I finished it and it stood well enough on it's own so I'm breaking it up so y'all have a little something to read. Enjoy!

[madness-rains]

Beast vs. Caldwell

Vishous: *It was my night off of rotation and I was damn sure going to make good use of it. I was on the phone, making arrangements, before the shutters were even up. Everything was in place for a night of release that was sorely needed. Some things were just necessary. I dematted directly to the balcony of my Penthouse, a location that I was becoming increasingly familiar with. The glass door slid open with only a thought. Dozens of candles flared to life as I made my way directly to well stocked supply of goose. I poured myself a drink and sat down to wait for my prey to come to me. It didn't take long. She knew what I liked, knew that I didn't like to be kept waiting. I told her exactly what I wanted, which hood to wear, how many clothes to take off, and where to stand. I finished my drink and poured another as I watched her. The need was strong. This would be a long night.*

*Long strips of red welts decorated her back in a beautiful display. My own personal canvas. I wasn't anywhere near done, I was only getting started. I hadn't even broken a sweat yet. She could take a lot. I'd made sure of that when I called this particular one. Across the room the phone in my leather jacket let me know that this session was going to be far too short. I growled out a curse and went to answer the call. The ID told me that it was from Phury, which meant that something happened on patrol tonight. This could be good. Fighting was just another way to exorcise my demons. I hit the button to pick up the call.* Yes? *My tone was carefully flat, devoid of any emotion. Phury launched into a concise version of what was going down. The noise in the background gave away the fact that Rhage's Beast was lose. I heard the word Bastards and knew that this was a show that I didn't want to miss.* On my way. *I hung up the phone and slung the leather over my shoulders. Looking over at the female dangling on the wall, I half considered making her wait like that for my return. Something told me that I would be longer than that. I removed her binds and sent Fritz the standard text to take her home. The doggen would take care of her. I stepped out on the balcony and dematted directly to the location that Phury told me of. It was like dropping off in the middle of a war zone. The dragon was full on pissed. The first order of business was easy, and came almost as an instinct now, I laid down the mhis thick and large. There was no sense in the humans catching wind of this mess. My phone chimed to tell me that I had a text message. It was from Fritz. He was worried about Mary because she hadn't returned home.* Shiiiiitttt!!! *I cursed loud enough for Phury to hear me over the chaos. He ran over and gave me a questioning look. I leaned in close, hoping that Rhage wouldn't hear me.* Mary is missing…

Rhage:

{I was full on Dragon mode, and although a part of me was always there, he had taken over complete control. He cleared that alley like a hungry kid at a bar mitzvah buffet. Biting down each lesser and swallowing them whole. Bright flashes lit up the walls of the alleyway. I could see Phury scrambling to catch his balance and high tail it out. The taste of those nasty fuckers settle in the back of my throat and let me tell you, they taste like shit. The black oily substance laid low in the pit of the Dragons belly, which also meant it was in mine. I could feel the presence of Vishous and knew he would keep the situation under control as much as he could. I had great hearing, but let me tell you about the beast who had cursed me so long ago, his hearing was far more superior than mine and when V spoke the words “Mary is missing” well, there was no coming back from the state I was in. The beast would now take matters in his own way, he was partial to my Mary, and it would be death to whoever took her.}

Vishous: *Phury's eyes were as big as mine as we looked up at the chaos that three little words had caused. I cursed myself for being ten kinds of an idiot. Of course the Beast heard me. And now we were about to be host to our own little Godzilla movie. I grabbed Phury and swung him out of the way of the rampaging dragon.* Get a car! *I yelled over the noise.* Follow after us. I have to keep this contained. *How the hell I was going to do that, I had no idea. This would be testing my mhis like nothing else. We were already on the move and there wasn't a damn thing that I could do about the damage that was left behind. The Beast didn't give a shit if something was in it's way. He would run over, tear it down, smash it to bits. Everyone thought that a bonded male was bad news but they had never met Rhage's other half. He would leave the city in ruins all to find Mary. I threw the mhis out far in front of us to cover as much ground as I possibly could. It was late at night. There weren't a lot of people out and about. It was the one saving grace. I couldn't even stop to worry about how many innocents were going to end up in the hospital. The only thing that hit my radar was keeping the image of a dragon off of the airwaves. Racing along behind a huge dragon was actually easier than I thought it would be. Was he fast? Oh hell yeah. But he also had a lot in way that slowed him down. Damage control. My mind was jogging through all of my options. This would have to be fast and dirty. I pulled out my phone and went to work. The division of attention would likely cost me but I needed to get an earthquake called in ASAP. It had to come from the right sources or no one would believe it. Good thing I was a frickin genius.*

Barney:

{I continued fighting to regain control, but to no avail, the beast had won. His senses were heightened. His eyes, keen, hearing, well, he would hear a flea bite a dog, his smell. That is what he would use to find who had Mary. I felt the street crumbling under his massive claw like feet. The heat was building and I knew the fire was going to blow soon. He would burn this motherfucker down before the night was over with. In the depths of his mind, I could hear the crashing of cold hard steel being bent and mutilated. He was headed to the place Mary worked. The Beast would sniff out the poor asshole who had her and this would be the last night he took breath into his lungs.}

Vishous: *Was an earthquake really going to explain everything that the Beast was ripping through? I didn't know but it was the best I could come up with on short notice. I was so busy making the needle bounce on the appropriate seismic machines that I didn't see Barney take a sharp left. I skidded to a halt when I realized I wasn't following the path of destruction anymore. With a curse I tucked my phone away and brought all my attention to the scene in front of me. He'd managed to move beyond my mhis if the screaming was any indicator. He was a bloodhound on a mission. There was no one better equipped to find Mary, that was the sad truth of it. That was his mate, the Beast as well as the male beneath there. I moved the mhis to cover the new area of effect which created a few very confused humans to wonder what in the hell was going on. They at least had the sense to get the hell out of the way. Whatever it was, wasn't good. I spied one amateur photographer who was about to have a very nasty fall. I ran into him full force with my shoulder down. Didn't even see me coming. Sure as hell didn't see me grind my shitkicker into his fallen phone. Oops, my bad. I didn't even pause for so much as a 'sorry'. The Beast was already past the place that Mary volunteered at. He paused for maybe a heartbeat to sniff at what looked like a purse on the ground and then he was off again. Someone had picked the wrong female to snatch up, that much was for damn sure. I snagged the purse and kept running behind the force of nature that I was following.*

T-REX:

{The scent of the dumbass who had my Mary was so strong through the beast. I felt the anger building and knew that the male human had no chance of coming out of this alive. I felt a burst of heat power out in front and knew that he was spitting fire. The ground began to quake beneath us. Right then I knew he had found his quest. Explosions happened, and I feared that the anger that I was cursed with one day would go out of control and hurt the ones I cared about, although I didn’t worry about Mary. Mary calmed the beast, his love and desire for her were like no other I had ever felt. As a bonded male it made me jealous. I could hear screams in the background. I was frustrated that I couldn’t gain enough control to overcome my curse and hold Mary close to my chest. I had to rely on my alter to bring her into safety….. I was watching the outcome through some filtered movie screen. My senses were heightened, and I could sniff out where the asshole was held up. He had his hands on my Mary, and the beast lost it. He plucked him out like a delicate flower not hurting her and flung him against the wall. Out of pure and enraged anger fire consumed the room and the now kidnapper was engulfed in flames. Blood-curdling screams were filling the room. The last I remember, the heavenly smell of my Mary calmed me into a deep sleep and with most certainty that he had rescued her out of the inferno without a single hair harmed.}

Vishous: *The scene before me was nothing that I could have anticipated. The whole bonded male thing was not something to be messed with but nothing topped a fully bonded dragon. I had a split second to take in the scene before all hell broke loose. Some idiot decided that it was great idea to kidnap Mary. She was tied to a chair in the corner of the large room. Her head was slumped forward, it was obvious that she'd been roughed up. The extent was hard to see from here but the dumbass responsible was still right there. Of course I was trying to see her across a battlefield as well. If it could be called that. More like a slaughter. The guy had exactly two seconds to regret his decisions. Blood drained from his face and could see Mary laughing. Her mouth moved and I strained to hear what she was saying. Something like, "I told you my husband would come for me." He was dead the moment he even thought to touch that female. The Beast wanted him to suffer in the most brutal of ways. He was torn limb from limb, screaming the entire time, literally washing the place in the blood of the kidnapper. Thank goodness Mary was made of strong stuff because most any other females would be losing it right now too. When the screams finally died down Mary was able to quiet the Beast. Even tied up, she still managed to bring him back down to earth. It wasn't something that any of us would have been able to do. I didn't even think of approaching the female until the Beast had left the building and we were left with a very tired and groggy Rhage. I went right back into damage control mode. The mhis still held strong but now I was dealing with a dead body. There was one sure way of wiping that slate clean. I got Mary untied just before Phury arrived on the scene with the Escalade. Together we bundled up Warrior and Female and he left with them, leaving me to deal with the aftermath. I looked around the gory interior and casually plucked the fingers of my glove free. I tucked the black leather into my back pocket and knelt to the ground. My blazing hand touched the floor in front of me and that was all that it took. In a few minutes nothing was left but a field of glass.*