Verando leaves me to go out on the front porch, lighting up a cigarette the moment he leaves the door. I allow him the vice, knowing how stressed he was from the near run-in with the river. We all had our trauma from all we'd been through and plagued by nightmares, we often suffered in silence. It was easy to forget that he was as broken as the rest of us. 

Randy watches him leave as Tyler's mother sets the multiple plates out on the table. "Where's he- mm.. I?" Shaking his head, he sighs. "Where's he going?" While he seemed fine with doing drugs, I hadn't really caught this version smoking.

I sigh as well. "To cope. I think he's irritated we didn't catch anything, he hates 'human' food." Watching the uncertainty creep onto his face, I offer a small smile. It used to bring me the same amount of discomfort to think of, especially considering most Lycans consumed meat raw. "Well, your adoptive mother has spoiled him with good food. Marisol has always been able to cook for him, but for the most part, he is a picky eater."

Cas smirks, grabbing a biscuit off the table. "Some things never change. Randy's more concerned about his appearance than feeding himself." Glancing me up and down, he takes a bite. Cheeking the piece, he raises his eyebrows at me. "Stress creates a need, looks like you are the happy beneficiary of that."

Watching Randy shrink away, I would call Cas out on his verbal assault if I had more evidence that it wasn't necessary to make my husband who he was today. In my head, I silently promise him that he wouldn't have to endure for much longer.

Flustered by being called out, I sit at the table and adjust my hair awkwardly, attempting to get my bearings after such a steamy encounter in the bathroom. Resting my hand over my stomach, it was the first time I'd really gotten to think much about the after-effects of what I considered a heat cycle. My mind drifts, considering the tree that had collided with my side in my fight with Helen. 

Any hope is dashed, my lifestyle was too chaotic, this was a silly dream and a dangerous one at that.

It never ceased to amaze me how he could insight such reactions in me, though as I watch the younger version of the man I loved pick at his dinner, I could see that the ability came from a long line of necessity. 

Verando didn't leap upon me in times like this because he was in a 'mood'. He did it because it was the only way he knew how to make sure I still loved him, still needed him. Keeping that to myself, I opt to shrug out the stares. Despite how I wanted to run away from these stressors, they were our responsibilities.

Waiting for him to return, I can only fantasize about a day when this is all behind us.

Caspian wrinkles his nose, sitting across from me at the family-style long table. A couple of Tyler's nieces had come into town, along with a sister, to meet us though I imagine their focus was Verando and his affiliation with Tiberius. The siren was still quite popular and while Verando seemed to fall in and out of favor, he was still a well-known musician. Youthful teenagers seemed to struggle with what they shouldn't desire, for they were on pins and needles to meet the warlord. 

Perhaps that's why he decided to smoke, deter anyone from getting too close. As he comes back inside, I note that he wears his politician's face. We couldn't afford to be rude given that our child had destroyed a good deal of property. 

I was glad Darrius was in bed, this whole thing might be more than I want to expose him to. 

"Darrius is asleep so let's keep the noise to a dull roar." I scold the chattering group, eyeing the distasteful look on Caspian's face. 

"Such a waste." He mutters, under his breath, only loud enough that the lycan variety at the table could hear him. As I watch Cas flex for the teenagers, grinning ear to ear despite Randy's embarrassment, I can't decide if his younger self is the reason for his sour grapes. 

While I knew Verando was still in some form of discomfort, he was doing his best to hide it as he passes the clear liquid under his nose, followed by an attempt not to gag. "What is this, straight petrol?" He demands, placing the glass back down as Tyler's father rolls his eyes.

"Shine, son."

"Beg your pardon?" Verando cocks a brow, I must admit I had no idea what he was talking about either.

"It's alcohol, Tyler's uncle makes it." Helen interjects, "It's extremely strong. They call it Moonshine."

Stretching his hand across the table, Caspian seizes the glass, taking a swig of the liquid with a cough, flinching at the taste. "That's pure alcohol alright. Good. We all could use a bit of a drink."

I'd be tempted if we weren't surrounded by the enemy. Tyler's mother chatters idly about the need to fix all that Darrius broke, though she's surprisingly calm about the state of the woods, it would appear they'd been meaning to clear that section for a while anyways. While I didn't like her views on my sexuality, she did seem like a kind person.

"Have you spoken with your father?" Verando addresses Helen, making her frown. His interest in property damage was minimal, we wouldn't be able to talk about the necessities tonight with so many wandering ears and eyes. 

"He's upset. Worried. You know how Daddy is, I think he's mostly just glad that Darrius is alright. They're getting here as soon as they can, though honestly, I'm not sure how wise it is to stay in this place-"

"Why's that?" Her mother-in-law purses her lips. "I know we aren't the most.. forward.. thinking but we've been as accommodating as we can be. We haven't seen hide or hair of you and now you want to leave? Helen, we have hardly even addressed what is going on between you and Tyler."

The interruption causes my warlord to flinch, the disrespect grating on his nerves. Snatching the glass back from Caspian, he takes a drink only to shudder. I quickly take it from him with a low growl, narrowing my eyes. This wasn't going to work, he was regressing all over again just as he had last time we affected the future. While I was wanting to make a good impression and utilize the hunting, I was also in agreement with Helen that this might not be the best place for us. 

"Tyler and I haven't decided what we're going to do."

"It's none of your business, anyways," Tyler grumbles, running a hand roughly through his hair.

"Now Tyler, you know we are just concerned. You were both so happy before." The aged man takes a sip of the clear liquid, wrinkling his nose as he exhales through his teeth. "You were never like this, you never kept things from us, now we don't even know what to expect."

Oddly normal, much like our days in court, family politics came into play just as much as talk of taxes and land boundaries in our own time. I find comfort in having the spotlight taken off of us and listening to worldly issues that don't involve gods or the end of time. While it might seem like a silly thing to bicker about, I could see why it meant so much to them. 

In my own uncertainty, we'd separated a few times, it was an intimate decision, but never the less the ones around us always felt the need to meddle and question. Much as I hated it then, it was a less stressful thing to focus on than any of our other various missions and tasks. 

"You don't have to explain yourselves to anyone, family or not." Despite my previous distrust of the woman, I'd gained some respect for Helen in this evening's events. She was willing to do what she had to do if she thought it would save us all. I could appreciate that, it was the first leadership role I'd really seen her attempt to perform. 

Resisting the urge to press against my husband, I can't help but notice Caspian's golden eyes continuing to find me in all his wandering. 

Behind the drone of a family spat, Caspian obviously found me quite interesting, and with Verando preoccupied with staying in tune with the conversation, I take the opportunity to stare right back at him. "You look terrible," I comment sweetly. It only felt fitting to join the theatrics, Verando exhales, obviously annoyed that I decided to poke the bear.

"Suck a cock." Caspian retorts dryly.

Shrugging, I would retort if I wanted to give him any more of my thought but instead, I focus on taking another bite of the sweet, caramelized carrots. "How's the, er, hand? Or, I suppose, lack there of." Smirking at my own wit, it pleases me to see his irritation with my commentary.

"Wonderful, I've always wanted more versatility, think of all the enhancements I'll get to enjoy. Tonic has quite the set of toys, surely I'll find some sort of use for mechanics."

My skin crawls, the thought of Caspian with any sort of enhancement was enough to make me uncomfortable. Surely that wouldn't be allowed? The injury was made to handicap him, surely it would be forced to remain that way. "So are you just enjoying the view or is there a reason you're staring at me? I regret to inform you I'm happily married and I don't appreciate your gawking."

"Being conscious for the first time in a long time is a strange feeling. It's easy to forget when the ones you are affecting aren't directly in front of you. I'm just trying to figure it out still I guess.." Glancing towards Verando, the gray-haired man frowns toward him. "I'm trying to understand, we were such good friends."

"How many times do I have to tell you?" Verando grits his teeth. I touch his leg, squeezing his thigh softly. Wishing he'd eat, wishing he held less of the weight of the world on his shoulders, I hope he could feel some form of comfort from my touch.

The table falls silent, save for the whispering about a lover's quarrel. "So the rumors are true? You're gay?" One of the teens frowns. 

"Honey, he's married to a man. That man." Tyler's mother is appalled, and embarrassed, pinching the bridge of her nose at the girl's audacity.

"I don't lay with men and I'm not queer. Just that one that seems to strike my fancy." Randy retorts firmly, as if somehow that might redeem him and while I understand, it stings just the slightest. While the nieces appear startled at the notice that there were two of both the larger males, I allow Tyler to explain the situation while I gauge my husband's tolerance for this conversation.

Caspian and Cas collectively roll their eyes and I steal the moonshine to take a swig. 

"What a lovely conversation," I muttered, attempting to bring him back to me, running a hand through my hair. "My, it really is just like court."

"Just like old times, really. Side by side, though the decor leaves something to be desired. I believe the last time we were in court together we had quite a different set of events unfold in the aftermath." Verando retorts lowly, I slide my hand between his thighs with a smirk. "You're going to have to give me a more palatable alcohol if you'd like to keep up this conversation."

Helen seems to agree with this thought process as she holds out her hand for the glass that we'd managed to take a sizeable swallow off of. It's Tyler's father who looks at us like we were heathens, pursing his lips disapprovingly. "You know, most people don't drink shine straight. It's usually mixed with something."

"Shame?" Tyler grumbles, taking the glass from her to take a sip only to hiss at the taste. "Gods above." Standing from the table, the collective of our group seemed to have lost their appetite. While people rested in their homes, we endured an amount of stress that the common man would find brutal at the very least. Inflicting ourselves upon these people had begun to seem unfair, their discomfort with our talk, our breeding, and our ways were clear on their faces. We were war-torn, we had very little in common with normal beings.

In a quick move, Tyler steps lightly into the side room before returning with a guitar. "I don't know if any of you knew this but lycan's are wonderful singers and it just so happens we have a few." Offering us a hopeful glance, I feel the tension creep into my husband's chest. "Doesn't have to be loud or long, maybe something to satisfy these teens and let us all get some sleep? It's been a long day."

It had. I steal a glance, pulling my lips into a thin line as the teenage girls leap up excitedly to scamper into the living room. "Long as it isn't those sex songs..." Tyler's father grumbles, taking the glass of clear liquid into the other room as well, Helen's shoulders sag as she attempts to conjure up enough energy for such a performance. 

"It might be good for you." Verando encourages. "I know you don't want my advice-"

With a sniffle, she shakes her head. "Papa, I've never not wanted your advice." With a sad laugh, she nods and stands, dusting herself off in her borrowed clothes. "I've lost my way but not my appreciation for you. Maybe if the two of us sing loud enough, we'll drown out Nic."

Her giggle makes me sneer, I hadn't tried singing since I'd become a lycan, but I was well aware that it bonded pack members in that it was a natural thing for a wolf. The ability to learn music was a uniquely lycan trait I always found impressive. While Verando was particularly gifted, most of the lycan's I'd met had had beautiful voices only enhanced by their ability to harmonize with each other. 

Leaning over to kiss my cheek, he brushes his nose through my hair with a slow inhale. "Any requests?"

I truly hadn't thought about it. Practically purring at his touch, I stop myself from allowing Caspian's glower to affect my love for my husband. "Whatever you like, baby. You know how I love to hear you sing."

Randy stands as well, "How about a song from home? Feeling a little homesick these days..." He mumbles, catching a surprised look from both us. I hadn't expected him to want to sing, perhaps he was just trying to find a way to include Caspian who wouldn't know anything from this current time. I couldn't see the possessed man keeping up with our current musical trends. 

"Mmm, much as I think everyone here speaks Spanish." Rolling his eyes, Verando agrees and grabs the guitar from Tyler. "I haven't played the guitar in years." Considering it, brushing his hand over the strings, he hands it to the younger version of himself. "Do you remember what Mama used to sing the new children? Kind of a silly song, really, but it'd be nice to hear it again."

Reluctant, the young man takes the guitar, I offer him a reassuring smile as Cas puts his arm around him. "I think I can help you out with that one." He grins, "After another sip of that drink!" Dragging the young man into the living room with Tyler following behind, Caspian hesitates as we round the table. 

"We really did use to be best friends." Caspian frowns deeply, the sorrow there touching his eyes. Strange to see on a murderous vessel of a creature intent on destroying the planet. Any remorse I could feel for Caspian left long ago, while I didn't begrudge anyone their demons, I couldn't think past any one of the atrocities he'd committed against us. 

It was my turn to stand up for my husband when he was too blind to do so. Separating the two, I give the dark haired man a hard look. "I don't see best friends. I see someone who is forced into your shadow so you can feel superior. I see a victim and an abuser, I'll let you decide why things went south when they did because to me, it's pretty damn obvious when that 'friendship' ended." Pushing Verando into the living space, my blood boils as I hug him from behind. 

Listening to Randy and Cas sing, I suddenly don't want to be here. Pressing my cheek into his back, my body hot and shaking, I squeeze him as tight as I can stand without hurting him. Even if I was, I doubt he'd say anything. Soundlessly, he rests his hand over mine, lacing his fingers into mine as he joins in with the other two. My husband, my warlord, singing in Spanish does things to be that would drive me to sin in the holy lands.

As Caspian moves beside us, singing lowly, more to himself than to anyone, in particular, I meet his eyes with a look that could kill and yet a plea. I want him to stop trying, I want him to develop an ounce of humanity and leave Verando alone. As the gold eyes glance at me, I can only hope he sees my intention behind the darkness in my eyes. I would do whatever I had to do to keep my family safe, I would no longer be playing fair, and if that meant sabatoging Caspian's attempt at whatever redemption he was trying to achieve than so be it.