Chapter 59

Another!

Warning: OOC, random craziness, Error past dark abuse, many other troubles if mention, cursing, killing, dark themes, racism mention, stuff children/teen shouldn't do, profanity, self-harm, suicidal moments, cheating, sexual moments mentioned, violence, smoking, drugs, alcohol, guns mention, animal death, cringe, bullying, yandere, possible musical/singing moments and bad flirts.

Error/Moxxie speaking

Voices/flashback/Text

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Waking up is weird to Moxxie. Well, it felt weird at times. Weird or drenched in sweat from nightmares. When he passed out from pain or knock out it was different.

Now, waking up after being poisoned from a bug bite was exhaustion.

That what it felt like pure exhaustion as his eye lids open.

He just stared at the ceiling for a while. A little blurry from his vision but can wasn't as bad in the past. Not wanting to move but knows he has too. Turn his head slightly and just stared.

"Hello Moxxie." Dr. Medea smiled at the imp. His voice was very quiet.

"Why?" Why you so damn close.

"To be fair I was checking up on you. Good timing. Here you go."

Moxxie stared at the outlines of familiar glasses and reached out to take them. Felt, sluggishly slow when he did this but didn't let it bother him. Put them on but barely move besides move his head again. Then he realizes who was in the corner.

It was Maria, Striker. The pair of them passed out on the chairs. It was a bit funny to see the height difference. He remembers one time how Madre was taller of the pair till Striker grew. Now he can really see it as Striker grew a bit extra. The pair's heads were resting against the wall. Striker kept his hat on his lap, and at some point he he took off his coat. Maria head just in a messy short ponytail. A coat it looks like was resting on her lap.

"You put me in quite a tricky spot Moxxie." Medea hums as he pushed Moxxie, gently, back down on the bed. "They are fine. Your buddies were about to rip me apart to not stay here while you rest. Got your quite a group."

"Where?"

"They went out a bit to get some late breakfast. Been staying here or at your Madre place. A lot of back and forth to keep an eye on you. How your right arm feels?"

Moxxie blink. Glance at their arm. He forgot about it actually. "Why is it in a cast?"

"Because your bones actually got broken. Yes, they are healing but have to play the part you know."

"Oh." Right, those mandibles did crush down very hard. "How long was I out and what happened?"

"Three days now. Striker woke me up as he broke into my home. He was yelling. You passed out. Told me about a certain familiar creature you showed me in a drawing. Then showed me your arm. I'll need to ask you how that specifically happened but later. I had to do what I could to make it look like I was working as he wouldn't leave the room. I 'stop', the infection of your arm along with a fever you were getting. Then your Madre arrived. One of your comrades called her. Then they arrived your boss, the Millie girl and their sibling, a hound girl, and well at that point I had to kick everyone out. As I couldn't work with all the screaming, yelling and useful intel thrown around. Then well this next part you will have to play along as I was improvising for your sake."

"Huh?"

"You see," Pull out the phone that Stolas gave him that wasn't lock, "after you got better the second day. No, fever and the infection went down. Look like you were destroying the poison. Stolas arrived. I think your boss is the one who told him. He checks you, was ready to take you to find well "Puppet'. After all the others mention you were separated, Puppet chasing after a bug that took a little longer."

Moxxie eyes widened as he cursed slightly. Great. Did he find out? Why is he still here?

"I told him that 'Puppet' came when I made everyone go. Said he sense something was off and 'remember 'spotting' you as he left. He destroyed the poison. Along with a note to tell Stolas it taken care; you just need rest.  That he will call back. I just stopped the fever. He almost didn't believe me till I said Frogmouth." Snickered a little, "He believed it but you will have to check your phone. Quite a few messages.

"You are one life saver Troll." That took a lot of relief off his shoulders. No, one didn't put two and two together. Yet. But jeez for him to do all that from the phone, everyone detail and the small things he told them about in space. Take the phone back, but hide it away. "I owe you."

"You can start by resting, and figure out the next step. Plus, it's part of the job or else will lose my license." He chuckles.

"Would still do it."

"Very true. The others had mixed feelings but please you were better. But the sleep began to worry us."

"Madre." Moxxie looked at her and cursed softly at himself for worrying her.

"Barely left your side. None of them did really." He sighs and cleans his own glasses. "What happen to get that bite."

"I got distracted when I was chasing the bug. Bit me till I had to punch it to let go. Felt. Nothing at first. Destroyed it. Then we'll try to wave it off till hopefully the next day to get at Madre home. Yet, wasn't meant to be." Moxxie sighs wearily. "Now have everyone taking care of my ass."

"Probably will get your ass kick too."

"Yippie."

Answer a few extra questions for the Doc till he has to go. Got the clinic to open after all. But to call if he needs help with anything. Along with trying not to break his arm. Moxxie was soon alone, well the only one awake, and thought for a long time. Already planning ahead. Wanted to take his phone out from Stolas but weary about one of the two waking up.  

He glances at his arm in the cast. So, he can't use this arm. So, it will be put on hold to do any kind of Flaw work. Well, he just has to hide it from Millie Ivy on why their stuff is already made. Now for IMP don't know what Blitz would do. How long does an arm usually heal? At least one that should be normal. Normal for Imps. For Blitz, he remembers it was four-five weeks when he got shot. For himself like a couple of days.  But would you have to pretend for that long? That's going to be so annoying to pretend.

Stop his thinking process when he heard some sound. Move his head. "Madre?"

Maria woke up and was rubbing her eyes. Then she heard her child voice. Look at a pair of tired eyes at the bed and walk over to his side. Smiles down tiredly as she comes to sit on the bed to pet his hair. "I wish I can ground your crazy ass."

"So, sad." Moxxie snorts tiredly. "I'm sor- "

"No, sorry. Will talk about it later. You need to rest. Especially, with your 'broken arm'."

"It's fine."

"No, grumbling." Ruffle the hair softly. "You got some crazy, miss up coworkers. Glad you found them."

"I can't tell if your adding Millie or not in the mix."

Maria snickered softly. "Ivy will be pleased your awake been texting me on your health."

"You two are too protective."

"Oh, please. I'm a cool Mom."

"Cool?"

"Watch it."

Moxxie snickered at her pout look. "You need a bath."

"You're no better."

"Madre go wash up and eat. I'll be fine."

"I know you are but it's the others that a different story."

"Their crazy but not too crazy."

"Your boss."

"Blitz is a different crazy but not cruel."

"If you say so."

Moxxie glance at Striker direction who was still resting. "Did you two um talk?"

"We did." May or may not almost got in a fight with him. Just to put them out of the loop all that happens. Yet, she couldn't be too furious at the reason. Just very alert around him. But he doesn't need to worry about it. She leans down and nuzzles the top of his head. "Don't worry about it. Okay?"

"Fine." For now.

"I'm going to go get us no food. No, buts."

"Mean."

Maria snickered and nuzzled her child again. "I'll be back."

Moxxie nods as he watches her leave till her tail closes the door. Let out another sigh and glance at Striker direction. Whelp got to lay here and do nothing.

Five minutes later.

Striker got hit with a pillow. He sprung up from the chair and tore the pillow in half when his other hand grabbed his dagger. Feathers flying in the air. He calms down till he realizes the situation. His ringed eyes snapped at Moxxie direction.

"Are you for real Critter!"

Worth it.

"You should lose your rights to this pillow." Striker came back into the room with a new pillow.

"Gimmie." Moxxie one arm doing the grabby motion.

The ringed imp raised an eyebrow and then raised the pillow up. Smirk when he sees his Critter growled and stand up on the bed to get it. Decided to be a jerk. Let his pillow be almost grabbed then bring it up higher.

"You prick."

"Yes, yes I am." Smirk and drop quickly to grab him. Moxxie almost slipped off the bed. Don't need that arm to get worse. "You need to lay down you stubborn brat."

"That's boring." Moxxie grumble.

"So, sad." He rolled his eyes and put the pillow down. Did made sure Moxxie laid down. Well at least sitting up against the pillow. Goes to grab the chair and sit down by the bed. "How you feel?"

"Kind of tired. Kind of not."

"Your arm?"

"Nothing too bad." Glance at the cast.

"Good." Then slam his first on the above their head. "What the fuck were you thinking trying to hide it!"

Moxxie didn't realize that he actually flinched. Didn't know from the sound. Striker voice or the look in his eyes staring at him.

"No, seriously. You got hurt, bit by those things! Yeah, we found out. You were poisoned, arm infected and running a terrible fever. I had to double check to make you were breathing when I was riding here to reach Doc. Fuck, Moxxie I almost felt no pulse!" Striker snarled at him while trying his best to not show how scared he was. This was hitting too close to home again for him.

The shorter Imp opens and closes his mouth. Head down to look at his hands.

"Well- "

Moxxie clenched the bedsheet. "I was going to wait till I got here. Wave it off a bit. I didn't want to be a burden."

He didn't mean for any of them to get worried. That wasn't the plan at all. Jeez he probably brought unwanted memories back for Striker, his Madre too.

Small silence.

"I so badly want to punch you. You thoughtful, stupid, stubborn Imp." Striker rubs his face and takes a deep breath. He should have seen this coming. For, satan sake this was the same Imp who didn't tell him he was bully and such.

"I'm surprise you didn't."

"Don't need your Madre, vicious woman on my ass. I'll do it after your arm healed."

"So, sweet like I let you."

"Is that a challenge?" Striker smirk but eyes not as challenging.

"I still want to kick your ass remember." Sent a small smug look back.

Striker snorted and put his hat back over his head. "Then you better rest up before your buddies come over."

"Half them are co-workers."

"Tell that to your clown boss."

"So, Blitz told you he works in the circus."

"Sort of." Only put a few things together from the rare photos he saw when Blitz wasn't looking. Plus, well mild insult since the guy is like a playful fool. A playful protective fool. "Hey, I'm going to be your co-worker too."

He blinked. "You actually want to come work in IMP?"

"Decent job. Pay questionable but livable. I'm going to finish some stuff at the ranch then figure out the living situation in Pride. Plus, I can make sure your stubborn ass won't get hurt."

"Hey, I don't always get hurt."

"You are very sneaky about hiding it."

"What about Bombproof?"

"I'm taking care of that."

Moxxie huffed and turned his head to not look at him. Grab his scarf to pull up. Then freeze. He touches his neck area. Where is his scarf? Where was his necklace?

"Critter?" Stricker saw the panic look on his face as he was touching his neck. Then it clicks. Get up and goes to a small chest that was in the room. He pulled out some familiar items. "Hey, hey there right here little buddy."

The materials immediately gone from Striker arms.

Moxxie trying his best to put his choker on. But doing it with one arm was getting a bit frustrating! Even let out a tiny animal sound of distressed. Then Striker grabs it to put it on him.

"There you go Critter." The snake imp was a bit pleased to see the star charm back around his neck. Then take the scarf and wrap it snuggly around his neck. Watches how Moxxie relax and nuzzle the scarf close. Then hear him let out a happy chirp. Turn his head to take a deep breath and slap himself. Nope. Don't think like that right now. I'm still not too happy with the cute Critter. Just spend some time when the others get back.

Door slammed.

"MOXXIE!"

He just had to jinx himself!

"Hey - "

Blitz jump on the bed and hugged Moxxie.

"YOUR CRAZY IDIOT DON'T EVER HIDE THAT CRAP AGAIN OR ELSE!" Blitz yelling at him while hugging him too tightly.

"Do let go." Moxxie twitch being hugged like this. At least his arm was not caught.

"Nope!" The ex-clown nuzzles the top of his head. Double checking everything to make sure his employee is alright.

Let out a small sigh and let the Imp do his thing. At least he is not making those weird comments and such. Glance at Striker who looks slightly amused but watching Blitz closely. "Im still getting me vacation leave."

"Are you for real?!"

"Yes."

"You are so damn lucky I'm considering this your medical leave!"

"We heave medical leave?"

"Duh! I'm not that big of a jerk."

"You got on my ass when I told you to stay put when you got food poison."

"That was different and I was still kicking!"

"You gave the restaurant, where our target was, food poison. From your own food poising somehow. Now we can't go in that town for another two weeks."

"Eh they needed to be closed down anyway. So, I did a good thing smartie pants." Poke his nose.

"Rattles are you ready for this?" Moxxie point at his boss.

"I can handle it."

"You'll be handling a lot big boy."

"That's big man too you."

"Will you two gentlemen get out of my room?"

"No/No."

Yippie.

Few days before Moxxie was resting.

"I failed to kill the target at the festival." Striker leans against the wall holding a burner phone.

"How could you fail! You are supposed to be the best!"

"Last, time I check I was going to kill a cheating husband not some drug gas from space." Striker sarcastically spoke back and not at all phased by the woman cursing out over the phone.

"I don't care what you have to go through to kill that cheating bastered! But I will be hiring others since you can't do a simple-minded job!"

Striker bites his tongue to throw out a threat. How he could remind this woman she never saw his face. How he was changing the tone of his voice. How he has the angelic rifle as proof. How he can easily turn this around and shoot her down instead. But oh, hitting his pride for failing this job made his very piss off. "Go right ahead. Call back later when you realize you hire a shrimp.""

Hangs up on her before she can screech.

Jeez should hit two birds with one bullet.

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Done!

In this one Moxxie/Puppet never told Stolas about these bugs since they never were around that area in space. Have mention a sort of poison.

Dr. Medea improvises.

Any questions?

Until next time.

Bye, bye!