Chapter Text
Inco
Looking around the empty apartment, I laugh softly. Anon had left super early if the text read right that he sent. Right at five in the morning? And he complained about our photo trip excursion needing us up before dawn? Hypocrite.
I sit around and do the little yoga stretches he insisted on teaching me. I really started to find that they helped get me ready for the day now. Pleasant burning sensations really helped wake me up as well.
Espresso on the go, and I head on out.
Our weather patterns seem to finally get down to the chilly levels in the morning while still remaining warm and humid in the afternoon. It’s a little funny seeing everyone dressed up in layers that are soon discarded with the rising sun.
School also seems much more tense as the teachers seem to be doing their best to get us ready for midterms. That seemed weeks away still, but I guess they were making sure that nothing was left behind for us. No surprises to see Olivia continuing her doodles regardless of the situation in our classes together. All I get is a tail wack in art when I mention how nice it must be to breeze through classes without having to study.
It was honestly a surprise when I left history and found Olivia waiting by the door. I thought she had left a few minutes before, but seeing her waiting across the hall? Totally new thing.
“Hey, what’s up?” I asked my friend.
“N’much,” she grumbles. “Need a lift?”
“You mean like yesterday’s offer? That would be great.” I smile down at her with a nod. If we used this elevator privilege, we could get a much better spot in line. She snorts and guides me to our little secret cheat to avoid the student body.
Anon still uses his body like a battering ram as we meet up with him. But as of late, we separate to go our own ways. There’s that odd feeling of separation when your social group starts to broaden and people move around, but this was a good one to have. Like everything falling into place.
Which is why Olivia and I both let out little huffs of air as we came to our table to find Liz and Damien in a rather intimate embrace. Liz’s head leaning on his shoulders like a boa, Damien leaning into Liz’s taller frame.
Thank goodness. It seems yesterday’s chase went well for them.
“Finally huh?” Olivia grunts as we come up to the table. As we sit I hand her the steak sandwich I bought for her, and she accepts without looking at it. Not even a comment this time about it? Progress.
“Huh?” Liz seems to jolt to reality as she realizes we arrived. “Olivia and Inco? Oh gosh, sorry.” She tries to straighten up, but Damien casually holds a hand to her neck and pats it.
“Yup! We are official!” He beams at us, and I can see Liz color slightly but copy the same expression.
“About time. Liz has been crushing on you for ages.” Olivia simply shrugs at her own comment before chowing down on her lunch.
“...how long did you know?” Liz asks softly.
“Long enough. You gave him some serious eyes for the past year alone.”
“I saw something about it recently,” I nod. Damien blinks while looking at his new girlfriend, who looked like she wanted to crawl into a hole.
“But it’s good. I like it. You care for Damien alot, it’s pretty obvious Liz,” I chuckle. My mollification to her mortification seemed to help somewhat, but I was prodding Olivia under the table.
“Hmm? Oh. Yea. Pretty obvious. Damien’s in good hands.” She still nonchalantly kept at her lunch, but the admission seemed to really help bring Liz down from whatever emotional edge she was on.
“Thanks you two, I appreciate it.” The brachy woman sighs as she leans down and relaxes next to Damien.
“Can’t wait to bring Liz over for the official introduction! Mom and dad got to meet her properly as my new cute girlfriend!” And then Damien said the thing that really sent her back to blushing.
Jeez man, smooth. Real suave and smooth.
“Don’t give Sophia too much ammunition Damien,” I chuckle. “Liz might just get brought into a corner and have to explain why she’s taking the Paynes’ darling baby boy away.”
“Pff. It won’t be that bad. Mom will just have to figure out how to cook vegetables properly.”
“Damien, Aunt Sophia can do them well,” Olivia grumbles. “You never notice that for the parties they have?”
“No?”
“Why not?”
“I don’t eat them.”
Simple, but fair.
Love is in the air at Saint Hammond huh? People are going out with each other, finding new relationships, and making those special connections. Liz and Damien are cute together, and I know Fang and Naomi have been together for a while now. While I am curious how Ben and Mia got together, I’m not going to pry into it. Or what he sees in her honestly. Ugh.
And Olivia seemed like she was going to keep being pretty and--
…
Huh. Why did I think of Olivia like that?
We’ve been hanging out more often for the past few weeks. She’s really been opening up to me and trying to get me to check out her own recommendations for shows. On Dinocord we even have a separate chat, but I did question her why not just do that over text. Her harrumph and explanations were lost on me, but enjoyable for the enthusiasm.
So now I’m starting to wonder why I’ve been thinking more on how her hands felt. Or how her voice sounded when she was embarrassed, annoyed, happy.
That Summer’s End party…
My errant thoughts keep me occupied for the rest of the day, distracting me enough to not really pay attention in the remainder of classes. Thankfully it’s a Wednesday, meaning I get to go outside and let myself stop thinking for a moment.
Rosa liked to say that a busy mind can be replaced by busy hands. I think I needed that today. And no one seemed to be on the log for detention based on what I saw yesterday.
So it was a bit of a surprise when I rolled up and the only student in detention seemed to be Fang. Naomi was there as well? Huh?
Walking up to the group of four, Rosa and Stella already chatting and prepping on the chores to do, I do my best to not seem totally lost. “So, I guess we have some extra volunteers today?”
“Inco, me alegro de verle,” our gardening president smiles. “Fang and Naomi are here for detention and volunteering. Fang had…eh, what was it?”
“Called that old bat Mrs. Roberts a bitch for yelling at me,” Fang growled. “Not my goddamn fault her homework was impossible to figure out.”
“Fang, the yelling is why you’re here.” Naomi sighs as she puts one hand to her waist while looking at her goth ptero partner. “You know you did wrong on that one.”
“Pfeh,” they mutter. “So what am I being shackled up with today?”
“You’ll be getting rid of old plants on the opposite side of the lawn,” Stella chirps. “Rosa, Inco, and I will be getting ready with the fall plants, and one of us will check in.”
“I can stay with Fang too,” Naomi offers with a smile.
“As long as you don’t become a distracción, all is well.” Rosa nods. “Rápidamente amigos, before the sun sets and the cold comes!”
We leave the couple to their own devices, hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder, as we separate. Rosa and Stella help bust out the gardening equipment as we go about and try to select what will be needed for the next week or two of pruning and planting.
After selecting a few seeds and sproutlings, my brain seems to perk up at the idea of Naomi being here. Neither I nor Olivia had talked to anyone else besides Damien and Liz about our encounter with that…sister of hers. Should I talk to our student council president? Lay out my concerns, fear, and recount the outright hostility Mia paid Olivia? This was something that could not continue and grow. And honestly, Naomi seemed to be the best pick of who to talk to about it all. Out of all people she might be the most effective.
Then I find myself still wandering back to Olivia. Why is that? She did really well in the hallway with me after Mia tried to start something. Anything, it seemed, to reach for an excuse to ‘defend herself’ from Olivia if my friend eventually snapped and fought back from that abuse. But she didn’t lash out, attack, or anything approaching conflict. Instead she defused the situation and walked--er--rolled away.
It was really impressive. Inspiring even. Especially those silver eyes full of thanks and comfort she had as she looked at me after.
“Inco? You doing alright?”
I snap back to reality as I notice Stella looking at me with some concern.
“Sorry Stella, all good. Just stuck in my own thoughts. Like usual.” One hand brushes dirt off my pants as the other rubs the back of my neck in some embarrassment.
“You seem to do that often,” my friend notices. “What were you thinking about?”
“Not much. Just about Olivia.”
Both Stella and Rosa perk up at that. Some look is shared between them as Rosa leans in closer. “How do you mean?”
“Just that we went through some…trouble the other day. But got over it pretty quick,” I say quickly, trying to head off any kind of questions about our encounter with Mia. “And I was thinking about how well Olivia handled it.”
“You did this…together?” the ankylosaur next to me asks calmly.
“Yes.”
“What did you think of her when it happened?” the stegosaur on my other side asks in the same tone.
“That she was impressive. Cool even. It was wicked to see how she handled it.” I chuckle as I look over some of the plants between us. “Really, since that first day of the concert I've been consistently surprised at how she handles everything. What she can do and how she thinks.”
“Liiiiiiike What? This sounds different from our chats on Dinocord.” I can see Stella peering at me with some more excitement, her tail lightly wagging in the dirt.
“She's got this…strength to her. And a cool attitude. She's competitive, funny, talented, hard working, and it's nice when she looks--” uh. Is that too much? Maybe.
I cough into my hand, but almost fall face first as Rosa's mighty back slap hits me as she laughs loudly.
“¡Has demostrado lo que vales! Inco, you need to tell her these things.”
“What? But it sounds so embarrassing. I can't do that.”
“¿Que? Why ever not? You clearly are interested in her.”
I almost snort. That's not--
Wait. I liked that idea. In fact it really appealed to me, thinking of Olivia saying the same.
Oh. Rosa’s right.
I’m…interested in Olivia?
I have a crush on Olivia.
Since when?!
“Rosa, I think you just made Inco figure it out himself,” Stella says slowly. I can feel a scaled hand move a water bottle into my hand. It gets drained almost immediately as I stare wide eyed at nothing. Everything. Oh man, I'm really feeling nervous now.
“Ay, discúlpeme, Inco. I thought you knew that yourself already.” Rosa grimaces as she slowly rubs my back this time.
“I…had no idea until I said all that. And then you said that . This…this is all very much new to me.” Ass meets grass as I fall back and lay my head in my hands with a groan. “How am I going to look at her the same?”
“You can still be the same, but you could also tell her.” Stella beams at me, which is reciprocated by Rosa. But my own lack of response draws those grins down.
“I'm not sure if I should. I’m…not great at the idea of being a partner?” I wave my hands confusedly. “Like I'm afraid I'd mess it up.”
Rosa sighs as she closes her eyes and mutters a prayer in her mother tongue. Then look at me with hands on hips. “You two, you and An-on, so thick and stupid about these things. Just tell her yourself.”
“It's not guaranteed to work Rosa. And I don't want to screw up a friendship with a rejection.” Rosa grimaces at the thought as I continue. “Would our friend group really be the same if I got turned down? Or if we did get together and I messed it up?”
“That's not a guarantee either, Inco. You shouldn't focus on the negatives of a situation that hasn't even come to pass.” Both I and Rosa give Stella a flat look at her advice.
Lime green scales shrug in confusion. “What?”
“The irony is strong here,” I mutter just enough for Rosa to hear. I get a snort in response.
“Well, how did you and Chet get together? Mind telling me that? Maybe it'll help build a frame of reference.”
Despite my urging, our divination obsessed friend seems to blush as she curls her tail around her legs shyly. “I…well, it was kind of sudden.”
“Shoot, I'm all ears.” I waggle mine up and down to try and make it seem at least a bit more amusing.
Which works when Stella giggles. “So weird, those ears.” She coughs. “Well, Chet and I shared a class last semester. I would see him…and try to draw him. Sometimes.” More blushing as Stella stops for a second.
“One day a paper got loose from my book, and Chet found it. He…said he really liked it.” A smile passed more perilously as she finally looked at us. “And then we talked more. Then he asked me out and we've been together since then. Hehehehe.” Her hands came together as she finished her tale in a shy gesture.
I chuckle at the retelling. “That is pretty adorable.” I look at Stella for a second before continuing. “So what do you like about him?”
“Um. Everything?”
I blink. “Everything?”
“Yea. The good and the bad. It's all great.” Her tail starts to tap the ground in what I assume to be little displays of affection.
“You won't get much else Inco,” Rosa chuckles. “When she gets like this, Chet makes her brain turn to paste. No good details to help you.”
“Dang. She's that bad?”
“I wouldn't say bad, but not useful.” We can see the evidence as Stella seems to be swaying back and forth a little in place as she was muttering affirmations about Chet every few seconds.
“I'll find something for her to do. You go tend to the other lovebirds there please.” Rosa walks towards Stella while pointing her snout in the other direction. Where Fang and Naomi were.
That made sense. We had left them alone for a while at this rate. I nod at my friend and hustle over to where the other two were.
Naomi was seated on a small hill as Fang was pulling at some stubborn plants. Those ones I knew had deep roots. Unless they got a proper shovel in hand, this was going to be a long effort.
“Hey Fang! Take a break!” I yell out. One pale head turns towards me with heaving breaths. I wave them over, and see a final curse-laden stream of profanity hurled at the offending shrubbery before they nod.
Chuckles bubble out of Naomi as I come stand next to her. “Good timing Inco, I think Fang-babe was about to pass out from effort. Or maybe frustration.”
“Gotta make sure no one hurts themselves,” I reply. When Fang joins us I throw them a water bottle from my garden pack. I get a thank you from them before a long guzzle. “Don't want what happened from that first detention to happen again. You know, with all the flower thorns and Fang kicking Anon in the chest.”
Fang grimaces at the mention. “Yea well, he was fine afterwards.”
“He is sturdy,” I drawl. “Heck, he went to the gym this morning. Think he said he was going to meet up with Trish.”
Both of them blink before Fang coughs. Naomi has a puckered expression on her face at the mention, like she bit a lemon.
“OK, so something obviously happened then,” I groan. “You two and your lack of poker faces makes that obvious. What's up?”
“Nothing bad,” Naomi quickly assures me. “From what we know they had a good time.”
“Too good,” Fang growls under their breath.
“O. Kay? How is that bad?” Now the ptero rocker grimaces before looking away with a somewhat confused expression on their face. As if they were unsure at why they reacted as such.
“The workout wasn't bad, but…Trish proposed something to Anon. It was. Well. Crude.” Naomi seems to want to avoid the topic. Why? Was it that awful?
“She proposed that they be fuck buddies,” Fang snorts. They seem like they want to spit out the word. Naomi winces with that same puckered expression and--Wait what .
“What? What?”
“I know! She just--out of nowhere offered to jump in his pants. It was--really fucking weird.” Fang seemed off put by the interaction. They growl and kick the hill we were sitting on, as Naomi turns to Fang with a glance.
“Fang, I know it’s not what--well, it’s something we--. Oof.” Our student council president sighs as she shakes her head. “It’s weird.”
“Really fucking weird!”
“Um. Aren’t they both consenting adults?” My voice seems to be tiny compared to the other two, and it makes them both stop.
“Well, yes--nothing wrong with that,” Naomi tries to nod. Then wince. “It just--Anon is so much more than--” words also seem to flounder.
“A booty call,” Fang finishes for her. “And I thought Trish hated humans after Jeremy, this was unexpected.” They growl while running one hand on the ground in front of them in thought. “Really fucking unexpected.”
My questioning eyebrow at the new name is answered by Naomi. “Ex-boyfriend of Trish’s, really the worst sort. Called Trish something to conquer rather than anything else. She was really wary of humans since. Not as bad as when I first came around, but still wary.”
“Ah, that sucks. Gotcha.” We all pause as we consider the ground and the topic in front of us. “So is it a bad thing if those two got together?”
“Well no,” the parasaur next to me mutters. “He turned her down.”
“Anon turned her down?” This was not what I thought would happen. “Really?”
“Yes really,” Fang scoffs.
“So is that what makes you so upset?”
“What? No! That's a good thing! I just--" Fang pauses for a second before grimacing further. “I don't fucking know. It just didn't make sense for them to get together.”
“And it felt like Trish was just after Anon's body,” Naomi mutters.
“Well, I'm not going to pry into it, but I think it's good that my cousin is being recognized finally.” Both of them turn to stare at me, with a little heat. “Look, he is an adult and can confirm his own relationships. You two have this reaction thing going on that you need to address. Because weirdly enough it feels like you're jealous.”
“Jealous?!” Naomi squawks at me. “We are not--not jealous! Of Trish!”
“Then why are you so against it?”
“Because he deserves so much for all he's done for us! For being one of my best friends!”
“And what is that exactly Naomi?” I ask it quietly, not trying to upset her.
Naomi stops, glowers, and then looks away. “Someone who cares for him, not just after his body.” She sounds stubborn. Almost petulant. “Someone who we can see wants to do the best they can for him. Who can…who can be there for him.”
“That's a good base standard,” I say mildly. Then I turn to Fang. “What about you? What are your reservations? Trish is your best friend here, and you may have more to say.”
“I…” Fang seems caught off guard as they consider me and then Naomi. “Just. Someone who…listens to him. Like he does us.” Their wings draw in defensively at the admission. “I know Trish, and she can be really hard to get along with sometimes. Still can. Her being with Anon is just--” teeth flash as they stop themself from grinding. “Well, it’s a bad mix. For both of them. She needs someone who can stop her from being such a jackass, and he needs someone who can help him stay grounded. Who listens like he does.”
“And it feels like Trish can’t listen sometimes?” My question is mild but I can see them both frown at it.
“More than just sometimes,” Fang mutters. “Like we saw last year.” Again I’m being thrown something that I have no prior information to. I wave it off, not my monkey and not my circus.
“Well, it looks like he turned Trish down, right? Maybe he wanted the same for himself?” I see two tentative nods. “Then it sounds like there's nothing to fear. Honestly. Anon is fine, I imagine Trish is at this point, so there's nothing to worry over.”
“I…” Naomi sighs again as she takes off her glasses and lays back into the grass. “I feel awful for saying it, but I just don’t think Trish really has what it takes to be there for Anon. If anything considering what her life is, I think she would be best being on her own and independent for awhile. Discover more of herself.
“She does have family obligations,” Fang nodded. “Alot. So much so that it’s hard to get her out of the house.” I get an amber eye thrown my way in consideration. “The fact that you were able to hang out with her and Reed at the beach that one day is a rare event. That actually made me jealous.”
“Well, she does have alot of siblings to take care of,” I muse aloud. “All that responsibility would make it hard to get out. But how does that relate to your reservation about her and Anon?”
“I think,” Naomi says slowly. “That Trish would use Anon as an excuse to leave her family when she wanted to rather than when it was okay to do so. Her younger siblings need just a bit more time before they can take over the babysitter role. I just worry that she’s desperate to leave sometimes.”
“That time at the beach, she had a fight with her mom about being an eternal babysitter. That’s why she got out and went with Reed and met us randomly.” Brows furrow together as I tap a finger to chin. “Do you think she’s lonely then? Desperate to be with people besides her family?”
Fang grunts as they consider me. “That makes sense. Way more sense actually.” Fang reaches into their back pocket to grab something, but Naomi stops them with a glare. Sucking their teeth softly, Fang leans back next to their girlfriend. “Now I feel like an asshole for reacting like that. Still don’t think they would be okay together, but Trish reacting like she did makes more sense.”
“I don’t think she would admit it either,” Naomi says. “But maybe we can help a little? Offer to babysit?”
“I actually thought of the idea of paying for a babysitter at one point,” I say to them.
Fang blinks at me. “And pay whoever did how?”
“Well, I have my card--”
“Inco,” Naomi shakes her head. “You can’t use your parent’s money to help out your friends' family situation. That would not work cleanly.”
I snort at her. “Now you sound like Anon. He said the same.”
“Dweeb got it though,” Fang snickers. “Like alot of things.”
“Well. Thanks for letting me know I suppose. Something new to be aware of at least.” I then point behind Fang to a wheelbarrow of equipment. “You know, if you use a shovel you can finish up that de-weeding you were trying alot quicker.”
Fang eyes the shoddy looking wheelbarrow before looking back at me. “I ain’t touching that thing. I did my work.”
“Fang,” Naomi chides. “You’re in detention. Do the work.”
“But Naomi, it sucks,” Fang whines.
The parasaur next to them raises one eyebrow in a rather fed-up look before swatting Fang’s exposed midriff with a tail. “Up, or you’re going to be stuck here Friday doing the same thing.”
“Fuckin’--gaaaaaawd.” Grumbling to themself, the perturbed ptero stands back up and marches to grab their much needed equipment. The frustrated ramblings continue as they stalk past us and start smacking the rough Earth with the flat of their shovel.
A few tries later, they use the blade of the tool.
“I swear, this little mess of mine,” Naomi groaned. But with an affectionate grin.
I cough to get her attention. Much as this may not be a welcome endeavor, something had to be done. “Naomi, have you talked with Mia recently?”
“My sister? Not much. Not much from anyone in my family.” Her eyes crinkle with apprehension. “Why?”
“Well, I ran into her the other day. When she was cornering Olivia…” and I recount my experience from earlier in the week. Naomi is silent as she listens, giving me her full attention as everything is laid out. From the initial encounter at lunch with Ben, to the hallway chase where Mia made enough threats to make me slightly paranoid. I do leave out the talk with Olivia in the elevator afterwards. That seems to be something I get to keep close to my chest.
After I finished, Naomi hugged her knees to her chest while she stared out at Fang doing fieldwork. A small frown crested her snout, but she did not say anything for a small stretch of time. When she did speak, it was soft and angry. “I’m sorry Inco. For everything she does to you.”
“It’s alright, just--”
“It’s not alright Inco, and you have got to stop waving things like that off.” Two very bright green eyes are staring at me with some intense frustration. “Mia has been threatening, bullying, and cajoling people around for the past few years. I’ve done everything I can to help soften the punishments she gets for it, but frankly? After the past week and learning how little my family cares about what I do in truth?” She snarls as her tail curls in on itself. “Fuck it. I’m not giving her any breaks any more.”
I let our silence lapse for a minute before I try saying anything. “Thanks Naomi. I know it’s not easy. But thank you.” I cough. “Do you want to talk? About your family?”
“Why?” She snaps. Then frowns and tries again. “Is it that obvious that I'm not really…calm about it?”
“Just a little.”
Naomi chuckles slightly at it. “You aren’t wrong. Well. Let’s see what you think then.”
____________________________________________________________________________
My glasses are in my hands as I squeeze my own eyeballs.
“Wow. From the Aaron house to yours. Just…damn. That sucks.”
“Sure does,” Naomi deadpans. “Now I’m living on the Aaron’s couch, mom and dad haven’t spoken to me or texted me anything, and Mia is avoiding me at all costs and now assaulting other students. What a lovely past week.”
Fang is slowly ripping out one last weed it seems with the shovel. Naomi meanwhile sips a water bottle I gave her after she recounted everything from Anon helping Fang down from the roof to her then running away from home.
Seems that it’s not uncommon to have problems with your folks in this state, huh?
I scooch closer and give Naomi a side-hug. She leans back into it while nodding her thanks. One brief squeeze, and we separate. “You really don’t deserve that, you know. None of it.”
“Thanks Inco, I know.” An orange scaled smile is tinged with a sadness that does not quite reach her eyes. But it’s still present.
“And Anon offered you to live with us?” I say casually. She blushed slightly but nods, and I laugh. “Careful, I’m not sure I can support four teenagers living in our home. I might have to talk to mom and dad about buying a commune at that rate.”
“Gosh, you and your cousin with the laughs,” but Naomi smiles slightly. “It was sweet. But thankfully not needed.”
“At least you got a home with the Aarons. Speaking of, how is life with them?”
An actual laugh flows out from Naomi as she uncurls herself. “Pretty nice. I think Sam--Mrs. Aaron--loves having me around. I like to cook and clean with her between studying and spending time with Fang. Naser laughs at the idea of us already moving in together, which always gets him a kick from his sibling.”
“Shocker,” I retort.
“Hah! I know,” she chuckles. “And Ripley is…intimidating still. He hardly lets up from his stern father routine. But both of the Aaron parents try to actually use Fang’s preferred everything now. It helps. Fang’s really happy because of it.” Then a sigh. “Now Fang just has to try at school. That never fails to still cause yelling between father and child.”
“Yea, well fuck the old man,” Fang says on approach. They are covered in dirt as they flick the dead plant at my feet. “Offering for the garden club tyrant. All done.” Their grin is wicked. But the childish action does make me laugh.
“At least you got it completed on time. Thanks Fang, now we can get more planting done for the fall season in the club.” Before they can reply to the idea of more planting and gardening, they blink a few times. Reaching down to grab their phone, quick eyes read a few messages before a grin splits out.
“Hell yes! Dweeb is getting me a free dinner!” The eyes continue reading. “At Moe’s! Babe, sounds like another date night.”
“No trees this time,” I say with raised eyebrows and mock disapproval.
Fang rolls their eyes at me. “I’m not going to be a complete dipshit Ink, I gotcha covered.” Then they see more texts, and their frown returns. “Speaking of dipshits, Naser’s going to be there too.”
“Fang, he’s welcome to be there,” Naomi huffed. “You’ve fixed that part of your relationship already. I saw it happen.”
“I know, I know. Reflex.” Then they snort. “And he can still be a dumbass regardless.” Their talons send a rapid reply before the phone disappears back into their skinny jeans. “So it looks like we’ve got a family outing. With the token human.”
“Rude,” I harrumph and cross my arms. “You’re lucky to have representation there.”
“And he’s one of our best friends,” Naomi draws out the words to slightly chide their partner.
“Oh god you two, could you not take a joke to save your lives? Anon’s the best. Favorite human. Now let’s go Naomi.”
“Rude!” I repeat. But the two beat a hasty retreat while laughing. I’m glad the both of them seem to be in a better mood. And I’m thankful Naomi decided to let me in on what was going on. I was in no way envious of their situation.
The image of Olivia living with me and making food while we fooled around and got closer together popped into my brain.
…I may not be totally lacking in envy, but that was something no one had to know about.
As if summoned by the thoughts of teenage want and romance, Stella and Rosa pop up behind me out of thin air. I flinch but thankfully do not jump.
“So Inco,” Rosa grins as she bends slightly towards me. “What do you say we visit the local pupuseria? We can chat.”
“I…am rather hungry.” The garden club days always gave me enough of a workout to make my stomach howling with hunger by the end of day. “Did you not bring anything for us?”
“Good thing that I didn't,” Rosa giggles. “Because we have to talk.”
“About you and Olivia,” Stella giggles in tandem with her best friend.
Oh.
“Oh no.”
“Oh yes,” both of my friends say. Rosa picks me up and throws me over her shoulder like a sack of manure as they start jogging. “Rápido ahora! Much to discuss! Things to say!”
I’m not going to survive tonight. Someone save me from these two.
____________________________________________________________________________
Fang
Being able to get out to hang out with Anon felt like a breath of fresh air. After some serious bullshit with the Morettis, being able to unwind again felt like the right call. As long as it didn’t end up like the last time the three of us hung out together.
And admittedly, Naser being there would make things more calm. Am I bothered by that thought? For some reason it feels like it.
Naomi and I quickly leave the metro as we make our way to Moe’s. It was going to be great to visit the place for the first time in a while. I always get complimentary food when Uncle Moe comes by, but it was different when going in person.
Naomi has a stiff smile as we find the familiar restaurant, but I roll my eyes. “Babe, if you get over served again I am going to blame it entirely on my uncle this time.”
“I know, Fang-babe, it just…is slightly embarrassing to remember.” Her smile slips. “And where I last went out with my parents for a fun time.”
“Well now we got our favorite humie and my idiot brother to make it fun, so chin up babe.” I smile as I give her a quick peck on the snout. “Otherwise you’re going to make it look like we’re ungrateful leeches.”
“Stop bringing up the species thing,” but Naomi giggles at my gesture. “Seriously, you’re going to sound like Trish at this rate.”
“Low blow babe, low blow.” We both laugh as we walk in.
The first thing we see is Anon is by the front talking with his coworker. She’s an attractive velociraptor, maybe just in her early twenties. And…she is definitely giving Anon some looks. The two of them are chatting it up, not noticing us, and it seems to be a positive conversation. Both of them are smiling.
I do not compare how her legs and chest look fuller compared to mine. Nor how her feathers are a deep violet compared to my white, and her scales are shiny and a deep blue without any blemishes.
Definitely no comparisons. Not at all. I am fully okay with who I am. Neither does my grip tighten at the continued looks she gives him.
Anon finishes some joke he had, and she outright guffaws at it. His goofy grin is in full view, a nice one as always, and the bitch actually touches his shoulder. The audacity of this bitch.
Now my grip tightens. A familiar squeeze is felt as Naomi returns the feeling. I glance at her and see a familiar expression of tight annoyance. Good. We both agree. Fuck this woman in particular.
“Anon! Hi!” Naomi releases me as she steps forward. He turns, both of them now noticing us, and Naomi leaps up to wrap him up in a hug. Anon and the woman hitting on him blink at the new interruption, but Anon smiles back wider as he picks Naomi off the ground in a return hug. The now forgotten coworker rolls her eyes at us, and I can see Naomi wink at me as she’s spun around.
Brilliant. My girlfriend is brilliant.
“Well hey, that’s a nice welcome. Looks like you’ve had a good day then,” Anon chuckles at the two of us. He looks at me, and deep emerald eyes crinkle in warmth. It makes me feel appreciated when I see them. “Sup ptero dork?” He holds a fist up to me.
I snort and buffet him with my wing as I step close and pat his head. “Here for the free food, bald dork.” My eyes meet the raptor woman’s for a brief second before I look around pointedly. “Where’s Uncle Moe? I thought he loved to greet his godkids at the door.”
The slut blinks before looking me up and down. Anon chuckles again as he separates from Naomi. “Moe is in the back. He knows what the table will want, so he’s making it special himself. He’s looking forward to seeing you and Naser both.” He nods at the coworker. “See ya later Laura, good chat.”
“Later tiger,” Laura chuckles. “See ya next time,” and she winks at him.
Oh bitch . Anon nods his head as we make our way past the front desk. “So you know her long?” I ask as we walk towards the back.
“Nah, not really. She just started recently, so I helped show her the ropes. She’s pretty good at what she does too. Real smooth.”
I harrumph as I pop a wing up over his shoulder. It seems to surprise him, and I try my damndest to make sure a blush does not make its way onto my face. Surely it blocks him from Laura's view, but it also feels kind of intimate. Which helps a bit when Naomi on his opposite side leans in and wraps a hand around his ribs.
“Shit guys,” he says with some awkwardness. “Thanks for the hugs. Didn’t realize this was a recreation of last week.” He returned the hugs and…those arms really felt warm as they wrapped around my back and gripped my side. I could tell Naomi felt the same from the little sound she made.
“...two perfect hotties on each arm, fuckin’ king life over here,” he mumbles. Which of course he does. I think the blush definitely comes out at that. Man this felt like a backfire.
“So why the meetup Anon?” Naomi asks with a queasy sort of tone. Both of us stop hugging onto Anon to give us time to recover.
“Ah, I just figured it would be best. There’s Naser.” I looked over and sure enough there was my younger brother. Looking, as usual, like he’s going to shit himself with nerves.
Then there’s Reed sitting next to him. Huh. That’s not something I thought to see here.
Naomi thinks the same as her head tilts in confusion. But Anon waves us through with a grin. “Come on, we got the booth.” As he leads us to the side opposite of the two others, he steps to the side and does a perfect bow at the waist with his arm folded in front of him. “For the good Ms. Moretti, and the good Mx. Aaron. Please, take your seats for the night.”
Naomi giggles lightly as she slides in, and I hit him with my wing in faux irritation. “Watch it dweeb, you almost look professional.”
He winks at me. “And you look passable for a music celebrity with all that black on you.”
This dweeb, I swear..
I sit next to Naomi as he sits next to me. Now that I have a chance I can see that Naser is holding himself ramrod straight. Reed honestly looks nervous as well. The way he holds his hands together and seems to be smiling back and forth made it look like he wasn’t sure what to do next.
It takes me a moment to see that the whites of his eyes are actually white, and that I can’t actually smell any carfe on him. He’s sober. Sober!
“No menus?” I hear Naomi ask next to me.
“Not tonight, Moe is already making an extra large Meatteor and a large veggie deluxe for the table,” Anon offers. Glancing at him, I can see that he is also trying to avoid looking at me directly. When I do catch his eyes, I can see them squint slightly as if to say…sorry?
Automatically my eyes narrow at him. Something is definitely up.
“SO!” Naser shouts, making all of us jump. “Fang. Naomi. How are you?”
“Living with you, so you generally know,” I growl.
“Well I don’t dudes,” Reed titters. He’s actually nervous. Why is he nervous? “So uh…how’s Casa de Aaron lately?”
“What the fuck are you two trying to hide?” I ask flatly. I point a finger at Naser who jumps, and one at Reed. “Reed, you aren’t high on carfe. I can smell it. And Naser you…” wait a second. “Why do you smell like Reed’s van?”
“Goddamn amazing sense of smell,” Anon mumbles.
“Carnivores,” I growl. “And you set this up for a reason.”
His mouth clicks shut. Naomi finally catches on what I mean as she crosses her arms next to me.
“Okay you two, something is clearly up. Why did you bring Fang and I here? And why did Anon set it up?”
Naser seems to be shaking the table with his leg as he looks over at us. Then Anon, who shakes his head with a wide eyed stare.
Reed…reaches up to hold my brother’s shoulder and gives him a firm squeeze. Which causes Naser to firm up. And nod back?
Naomi goes wide eyed.
“Fang. I’ve been going out to the Youth Center for the past few weekends. Then weeknights. When I was there…I met with Reed.”
“Okay?” I draw out.
“Since then we’ve been getting closer. He’s helped me since I came out. And…”
They hold hands. Naomi gasps. Thoughts finally click together in my head as I figure it out before anyone confirms it aloud.
No. Fucking. Way.
“DID SOMEBODY ORDER A FUCKIN PIZZA?!”
“REED IS MY BOYFRIEND!”
Moe, Uncle Moe, has appeared by the table like magic as he holds two large saucers of pizza. We can smell the flavors wafting down. But now the energetic and boisterous restaurant owner is frozen still, his large smile now matched by his popped out wide eyes.
Naser stood straight up at the yell from our godfather, and hoisted Reed up with him in a declaration. My jaw is open at a perfect angle to draw breath while Naomi has her hands to her mouth in a happy smile.
Anon next to me groans as he leans back with his hand over his face. “Goddamnit Moe. Goddamnit Naser.”
“...huh.” Is all I can get out before Naomi squeals so high pitched I think I’m going to get tinnitus. She reaches over and does her best to hold the two boys in front of us.
“Ohmygod yay yay yay!” Her face is open with joy at seeing them together and she looks to be almost start swinging off their necks. Naser chuckles and returns the hug while Reed relaxes back into it. Then stares at Moe who is definitely staring at my friend. Hard. The velociraptor freezes briefly.
Moe’s stare disappears as he smiles and laughs loudly beside Naser. Motion to my side shows that Anon has left the table to stand to the side. Why?
“Naser! Lucy! Ya brought your beaus here without telling me!? C’mere!” I’m grabbed and brought into a hug that lifts me off the ground as I grunt in protest. Naser does the same, but Moe really can squeeze like the best when he wants to.
The dweeb smiles as he claps along at the antics. Did he leave so I could get grabbed? This fucking asshole!
“Uncle Moe! Stop!” I cry out. I am not shy, and I am not bashful about being hugged in public. Just…a little mortified by the fact that Uncle Moe treats us like we were still anklebiters.
“Nah, never gonna stop der sweetie.” He chuckles as he sets us back on the ground. Then he nods at Anon with a wink. “Color my ass red, I didn't even dink you lot were gonna bring in da heart squeezes tonight. Anon! Good job!”
“I’m good at what I do, Moe, that’s why I get paid.”
“Attaboy. BADA BING!”
“BADA BOOM!” A voice rings out from the back.
“FUCK BACK TO WORK YOU LAZY ASS!” Moe roars back. The restaurant does not seem to mind. Everyone knows what Moe is like.
“So you must be Lu--Fang’s newest dame?” Moe asks as he looks at Naomi. Then to me with a sad smile. “Sorry kid, I just learned it from Rip. I’ll be bettah, promise.”
“You’re good Uncle Moe,” I grin. I know Moe would actually care enough to try if he knew in the first place.
“Hello there sir, I’m--”
“Just Moe,” I say simultaneously with Anon. He smirks at me as I kick him sideways for letting me get grabbed earlier.
“Hello Moe, I’m Naomi. I’m Fang’s girlfriend,” she grins up at him, and Moe chuckles.
“And Fang’s got good tastes sweetheart. But don't I recognize you from somewhere else?” Moe looks her up and down with an inquisitive look in his eye. Before I can say anything he snaps his fingers. “Oh! You were in here for ya birthday party wid Tony! And Anon took ya to the car!”
Naomi grimaces while turning beet red. “That…wasn’t my finest moment.”
“Ah. Right. I heard from Fang here.” He glances at me before smiling. “Pardon an old man, Naomi. Memories can get all kindsa fucked up.”
Naomi nods her head, grateful for the escape, as Moe then turns to Naser and Reed. “And Naser! Look at ya little man! Now ya bringing your own man around! Hah!” He places both hands on his apron with a laugh.
“Yes, Uncle Moe. This is Reed. We…just recently started dating.”
“Nice to meet ya bossman,” Reed replies pleasantly while reaching a hand out. Moe looks at it for a second. Then he shrugs as he grabs it to bring Reed into a hug. My friend lets out a yelp as my godfather crushes him.
I can see Moe’s lips moving just slightly and Reed’s tail stiffening. I strain myself and pick up “...treat mah boy here good, or get bit kid.” My eye roll is full of disgust at the stereotypical male display of dominance. God, can men be any less toxic?
Then I see Anon as he leans against the booth with a smile on his face as he looks at my brother talking with Moe and Reed. Well, not all of them are toxic I suppose.
“You can’t tell my parents Uncle Moe,” Naser says as I tune back in. “They don’t know yet. About me.”
“Oh? Why not?”
“I…haven’t been brave enough. But this weekend I will.”
Moe peers at Naser and nods slowly. “Good thing kid. No parent wants to see their kids suffer and hide something.” Then he nods at me with a sadder smile. “Rip got dead ass drunk wid me after you two came out. All blubberin’ and emotional about you two having to hide it. Then dead pissed at the Morettis.”
“Wait, seriously? My dad? Ripley Aaron?” I ask Moe as if I can’t believe it. Naser looks the same.
“Yup! So now we got shared secrets. I don’t tell ‘im bout your boyfriend, Naze, and you don’t tell ‘im you know how he got drunk about Fang.”
“Thanks Uncle Moe.” Naser takes a shaky breath as he smiles up at the middle aged t-rex. “Thanks.”
“Awwww, nuddin I can’t do bout my favorite godson!” Naser gets the classic hair ruffle from those small arms, trying to vainly bat them away.
“Aight kids, I’m gonna leave ya to it. Anon? See ya next week.” Moe nods at us one last time before walking towards the back, singing something in Italian.
“See ya slave driver!” Moe turns back with another shout in something I can’t tell before walking further on. “God, he’s a fuckin hoot.” Anon chuckles as he motions us to take our seats again.
“A hoot? What are you, my dead grandma?” I ask with a frown.
“Please, I’ve got too much good looks for a corpse.” That gets a nice cackle out of me while Naser splutters.
“Anon! Fang! She was my grandma too!”
“Sorry Nazey,” Reed leans in. “But I like them alive and young.”
“Oh for god--Reed. Don’t become like him,” Naser groans while pointing at Anon. “If you go bald I’m breaking up with you.”
“That’s fucking rude,” Anon grumbles while he crosses his arms. “Eat your fucking pizza bird boy.”
We all follow that advice. All that extra meat, sardines, and salty bliss tastes like heaven on my tired wings and back. Everywhere really. I let out a little sigh while Naomi, like usual, lets out that moan that makes me shift and everyone else look away.
I feel the need to stretch my wings, but I can’t really get that chance in this cramped booth. Eh. I’ll do it later. Instead I keep shoveling food in my mouth like it’s going to disappear. And with two other carnivores at the table, that’s a real threat.
At least Anon seems to be taking the path of misery and eating that vegetable pizza with her. Either he’s a saint for giving us a chance, or he’s being a pussy for leaving the fight before it began.
Such a dweeb.
“So what’s the plan for you two?” Naomi asks the newfound couple in front of us. “Does anyone else know? Are we the first?!” Her excitement is matched by the tail I can feel swishing under the table. “Oh my gosh tell us everything!”
“It’s just been a few weeks Naomi, please calm down.” Naser blushes as he fidgets next to Reed. “After I first came out to Anon, it’s been easier and easier since then. No one at school knows just yet, except for everyone at this table. Maybe at the shelter? But they don’t pry on principle.”
“Yea, my folks know, but they are just happy for us.” Reed grins as he gulps another slice down.
“Checks out,” I mumble around a mouth of meat and cheese. “Reed’s folks are so laid back I’d think they grew their own supplies.”
“What?” Reed asks. Then opens his mouth as he realizes what I meant. “Nah fam, folks don’t partake of anything. At least not anymore. They said they did enough back in the day to not need to touch it again.”
“Huh. Really?” Never would have guessed.
“Yea bro, chill as fuck. It’s where I get it from.” Reed smiles as he lounges into Naser’s shoulder. They kiss.
“Ugh,” I groan.
“Now you know how I feel,” Naser snorts at me. I flick a piece of pepperoni at him, only for him to snap it out of the air.
“It’s better when we do it. Much more attractive.”
“...hell yea it is,” I hear Anon mumble. My eyes close to control my reaction at that. We did not need to react to that. Even if it was flattering.
“And…you’re okay with this? Me and Reed?” Naser asks, with more trepidation than ever before.
I ponder the question in my head. It only takes a few seconds to find an answer. “Honestly? I’m fine. Even a little happy for you both. Reed is a good dude, and I know you mean well now. Thanks to our talk.” I looked away for a second, some self-recrimination flashing up as I caught sight of his wing. “Despite…all my thoughts.”
His brown hand reaches over to grab mine in a tender touch. “Thank you Fang. Really, I appreciate it. I love you.” Our eyes meet, and I can see the deep appreciation and affection he has there. For me. Choking up almost seems inevitable now.
“I…” ugh this was still hard to say. But at least now it was doable. “I love you too. Dork.” Both of us look at Anon, who seems surprised by the sudden attention. Simultaneously we laugh at the source of who finally got us to talk to each other. After all these years of fighting and confusion, it took one dork to make us finally talk and figure things out.
Such a dweeb.
“So Reed, why the carfe t-break?” Anon asks. “I know you made a bet with Naser and you make him feel proud for the tolerance, but was there anything else?”
“Well,” Reed thinks out loud. “Naser showed me I was using it to escape reality. Just run away from my problems. So I tried to take a break for a few days, and I liked how it made me feel with him. All aware and stuff.”
“Meanwhile Reed,” Naser grins. “Showed me how I overfocus and confront every problem possible. Making myself worry sick with stress sometimes, but I think I’ve gotten a better handle.” One brown scaled brow rises at Reed. “Without the carfe.”
“Love can make you do crazy new things,” Naomi smiles as she leans into me.
“You mean like that wardrobe change you tried originally?” Reed snickers.
…
Oh boy Reed.
He immediately cries out as Naomi glares at him and slams a tail into his shin. I think more than once.
“What wardrobe?” Anon asks. I roll my eyes as Naomi glares at Reed harder.
“Nothing to worry about,” she says through clenched teeth and a furious blush. “Nothing at all. Right Reed?”
“No ma’am,” he winces.
I chuckle at my friend’s mistake. Naomi very enthusiastically requested that phase of our relationship be buried deep, alongside her attempts to manipulate us all back when we first started dating. I love her, but we all do make mistakes.
Love can make us do crazy things indeed.
A few more slices are piled up and made through as we continue our time together. We make a few more jokes at Reed and Naser’s expense, and even get a few jokes at the only ‘breeder’ at our table. At least Anon can take it all in good stride despite his grumbling at the attention.
“Hm? Hey Fang, what’s this?”
I look up from my fourth slice to see Anon peering at my wing next to him. There’s a bramble on one of the feathers annoyingly enough. “Ugh, after school detention with the gardening club,” I groaned. “I got shit all over my wings because of it. Shit sucks.”
I pull my wing back to get out of his face, but he seems to follow it. Curious, I put it back in front of him as he tracks it. No expression on him as he keeps staring at part of me without a single thought in his head.
Hmm. This could be fun. I snap it back and forth a few times and see him track it constantly like a child. It was almost exactly like how winged saurians entertained toddlers. Low snickering sounds out from me and Reed as we all see this display.
Naser rolls his eyes alongside Naomi. “Fang, don’t distract him. Let Anon--”
The dweeb reaches out and grabs my wing with one hand. I flinch.
But it doesn’t hurt, and he’s not trying to restrict me. I’ve seen his muscles, and I know he’s strong as hell, so snapping or holding me in place would be no worry for him. Instead his other hand comes up and starts picking at the feathers. Slowly. Gingerly.
And he keeps at it with a calm expression. Little flicks as he moves feathers aside, picks out detritus and dirt I didn’t even feel, and sets it on a napkin on the table.
I…I…I feel exposed here.
My eyes are wide as he keeps it up, and something starts to hammer in my chest at the feel. It’s a really good feeling. And I mean really good. I move the wing slightly away, but he just grunts and follows me in the booth as I try to get away. All of my scales shiver as he moves further down the main areas along the bone, gently prying away.
I’m definitely blushing. I am so crazy red right now I can feel it. I look to Naomi, and I can see her also shocked. But not angry? Just surprised.
So why can’t I get angry right now? What’s going on?
“Anon,” Naser says in an odd voice. “What are you doing?”
“Groomin’.” He grunts back. I blink harder at that. Isn’t that something family members do in simian groups? That’s it right?
“Why are you grooming my sibling?”
“Hygiene. Gotta clean up…the…” He stops. All of us are staring at him now, and he finally seems to realize what’s going on here. Those emerald eyes stare at me…and…they are just like Naomi’s. Maybe a bit duller, but slightly more intense. And flecked with some small spots of gold.
Wow, I think green really is my favorite color.
“HOWJESUSWHATSIT” Anon gets out, flying right back to the other side of the booth. Both of us are breathing heavily and now he finally seems to notice my blush. One hits his own face from neck to scalp. He finally just noticed?!
“Anon, what the hell was that?” Naser growls. Two hands are on the table as he starts to imitate our dad. Reed looks concerned and places a hand over Naser’s shoulder, holding him in place.
“I--I dunno! Instinct! I saw Fang had a dirty wing and it just clicked in my head. Like when I groomed with my mom. As a kid.” His eyes, those green jewels, look wide with absolute self-recrimination and confusion.
“Ptero wings are pretty personal things to touch,” Naomi says slowly. "It’s not something you let people outside of the family handle.” She turns to me with a little concern. “Are you okay Fang?” Those emerald eyes. I’m surrounded by them both.
“I’m fine!” My voice is a little high. I clear my throat to bring it back down. “Good! All good. Just…embarrassed.” Shuffling my hair out of my face lets me try to regain some semblance of control. It’s not working. “And--and we know the dweeb didn’t mean anything by it. Right?”
“Yup! Totally! Just spaced like an idiot! Totally happened like that!” Anon’s replies are quick and panicked as we avoid looking at each other.
Naomi looks at us two before snorting. Then giggling, and eventually lets out a belly full of laughter. All of us stare at her in disbelief. If anyone should be upset over this, Naomi would be one of them.
“It’s…it’s honestly kind of funny. Anon just spaced out and treated you like--haha--like his own family for a second!” She laughs again as she pats my hand.
Naser looks at Naomi and I for a second, frowning. Some acceptance seems to bleed into him, finally, as he leans back in his booth with a huff.
“Honestly dudes? It’s the wrong kind of homo stuff for me to know about.” Reed keeps his face neutral as he says it.
Naser smacks him on the arm. “Reed, that was the worst kind of joke, sweet Raptor Jesus.”
Anon groans as he buries his face into his chest, hands resting on top of his head. “Just fucking kill me today. Holy shit, I could not have been more of a fucking retard.”
With effort I manage to get my blush and heartbeat under control. I know Anon wouldn't have done something so…intimate if he knew what he was actually doing. All of this was just something he went to because he was comfortable around us. So that wasn't really him trying to make this all so awkward on purpose.
My claws reach out tentatively to his back. Then I sink them across slowly and rub him in assurance. My face is looking away on the crook of my other hand, elbow on the table, but I keep rubbing his back. “You're good dweeb. I know you didn't mean anything by it.”
When I do look at him, his face is still cringing in on his actions. I smirk at it. “Even if that was incredibly awkward.”
“Fuckin’…argh.” Anon places his head on the table again. “Kill me. Please.”
“No way. Now you owe me.” My smile is more relaxed as I pat him more thoroughly on the back.
We all laugh at Anon for a bit more before we finish up. Standing up, I stretch and groan at my full stomach and achy muscles. Uncle Moe really knows how to settle the hunger, all of us clearly feeling the same.
Walking up front, our human friend seems to also settle our bill which makes sense considering he's the only one making a buck.
Of course there's that Laura chick waiting by the front like before. All of us congregate as dweeb pays up front, and still has to talk to her about it too. Seeing her there makes me more irritated than before. Naomi notices and I can hear her mutter something just ever so softly. Wasn't this lady just embarrassing herself hitting on a teenager? That's--
…
…
This can't be that easy to solve can it?
“Hey dweeb,” I call out to get his attention. “When's your birthday?”
“Huh? Is that important?” Laura looks at me over his shoulder and I can see something like planning there. Victory in the upcoming battle.
I keep my bite. Wait for it, bitch.
“I turn eighteen in May. We got a few months. Around the time we graduate.”
There it is.
That look she shot us was pure bliss for me. As if she was bit by a snake, Laura quickly seems to create distance between herself and Anon, quietly and discreetly, before he turns back to her. Confusion creases his brow at the distance, but they continue to chat amicably as he finishes paying.
“Did you really just do that?” Naomi whispers to me.
“You know it,” I whisper back.
My girlfriend smiles back at me with a crooked grin. “Good. That woman was starting to really annoy me.”
Anon wishes us well when he leaves. His metro ride back home is pretty convenient, whereas we have to go back to the Nascar after bumming around in Reed's van.
The more I think about it, the more happy I find myself for them. There's a balance between these bozos that they both need. Reed is relaxed enough to counteract Naser’s neuroticism, and my brother can make my friend face his own anxieties he tries to run from. Maybe put down the carfe long enough to do something just a bit more interesting than laze around.
Doubting Reed like that feels like a shit move, but maybe I can get the chance to know him just a bit better now.
Naser gives Reed another kiss on the drop-off. I gag at my brother, but he only shakes his head. Naomi and I make sure to return the same treatment in his car.
Thankfully my parents seem to not ask for too much when the three of us return. We all clean up and head to bed after suffering through the usual parental interrogation and well wishes.
When I know mom and dad won't come back out from their bedroom, I come down to snuggle Naomi on the couch for bed. As long as it's not in a closed room my folks won't care at least. And I really just wanted to hold on to her while we slept.
“Tonight was good,” I whisper into her neck as we get ready for sleep.
“Very fun,” she whispers back. One thick tail reaches over to lay across my exposed hip as my parasaur paramour relaxes further into me. Evil giggles let out as I nibble her neck just slightly. She muffles her own giggles with a hand as she reaches behind to swat me.
“I wish we could keep this up,” Naomi mutters after we settle back down. “But I can’t keep sleeping on your couch forever.”
“You are a legal adult,” I remind her. “You don’t have to rely on anyone you don’t want to.” Anxiety courses through me as I hope she does not take that to mean me and my family, but her nod against my chest is reassuring.
“I know. It just…hurts. Still.” Naomi still was a little distraught about her parents. Sleeping like this, together in an embrace, helped calm her down. My feathery cocoon was the cherry on top as well.
“And I'm here to kiss the hurt away. For good,” and I meet lip to lip to help assuage her own anxiety.
We lie there, wrapped around blankets and feathers, as we gradually let sleep claim us. Naomi is gone first, tongue out and drooling, while I drift more slowly. My last thoughts are of the girl in my arms, and the warm hands of a gentle giant slowly cleaning and grooming my wings from behind.