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"Oh... Oh-" Hawke started, he fought and fought it back. Fought it back so hard. One smile and everything would crumble. It wasn't some romantic cliché. He wasn't a well known hybrid, if anything he was the last of the dying breed and he was determined to take it with him as a reminder of what he did.

The tall male looked down, frowning as deep as he ever did.

"Just uh... almond milk little one."

It was like his whole demeanor changed and Hawke hated that, but... One of his emotions got you killed.

“T-They l-l-like to hi-hide it,” Dawn said, his voice playful. He looked around for a second, before finding the almond milk, he gently handed it over.

Eden watched, carefully, as he was unable to figure out what sort of hybrid the stranger was.

Hawke felt the eyes of Eden, softly blinking. He frowned when he was handed the milk, which he thanked Dawn for.

That's when that throaty clicking sound got closer. The same male from the opposite aisle walked up beside the one with the surgical mask.

Rhett looked down at Hawke, the two sharing a moment of silence through eyesight. Whilst Hawke looked down, that gave a chance to let Rhett see Eden too.

With his long two toned black and red hair. Like blazing fires and… those eyes. They were haunted like his.

Eden’s eyes scanned over the pair, reading them like an open book. Every shift in posture. Every flicker of breath. Every intention.

He stepped closer to Dawn, just a small step.

It was subtle, but deliberate.

Enough to make it clear.

He doesn’t play when it comes to Dawn.

Most would assume he was judging the snake hybrid because of their reputation, but that wasn’t it. Eden wasn’t judging.

He was warning.

He wasn’t afraid to stand against two hybrids if it meant keeping his Dawn safe.

“Oh! T-T-This is the guy w-w-who helped me g-get my c-candy!” Dawn blurted, pointing excitedly.

Eden’s shoulders eased instantly.

If either of them had wanted to take Dawn, they would have done it moments ago.

He gave a single nod. “Thank you.”

It almost sounded like he was thanking him for something more than the candy.

For not testing him.

For not taking what was his.

Most people would wonder why Eden ever let Dawn out of his sight.

The truth?

They were bonded.

Not casually. Not loosely.

Bound.

In a way few hybrids ever experience.

Eden could sense Dawn wherever he was. Feel him like a second heartbeat beneath his own skin. It was an old tradition, one used to bind soulmates together. And because Eden’s hybrid bloodline carried that ancient rite, he could accept and seal a bond in a way most never could.

Dawn was never alone.

Not really.

And anyone who tried to change that would learn exactly what Eden was capable of.

Silence lingered for a brief moment longer before Eden inclined his head once more.

“Thank you,” he repeated, softer this time.

His eyes drifted over the two hybrids again.

And this time… they lingered.

God.

They were beautiful.

Not in a soft, harmless way. Not in a way that invited comfort.

In a way that demanded to be looked at.

The serpent hybrid carried a dangerous elegance, every movement controlled, fluid, almost hypnotic. There was something lethal in the way they held themselves. Refined. Intentional.

The other was just as striking, but different. A contrast. Beauty edged with something quieter, something deceptively calm.

Together, they were unfair.

For a brief second, Eden found it difficult to look away.

He hated that.

Hated the way his gaze wanted to trace lines and memorize angles. Hated that his instincts, sharp as ever, were not solely focused on threat.

Dawn, on the other hand, stared openly. Curious. Bright-eyed. Completely unashamed.

Eden finally pulled his gaze back first.

Control sliding neatly back into place.

His hand rested at Dawn’s back, grounding both of them.

“Come on,” he said quietly. “Let’s get your yogurt.”

Dawn lit up immediately, the tension dissolving as they stepped away together.

But even as they walked, Eden could still feel it.

The echo of that beauty.

And the steady, unwavering pulse of the bond beneath his skin.

Close.

Safe.

Unbreakable.

Rhett, the snake hybrid, had watched the two retreat. Though his eyes lingered on Eden's back side unapologetically.

“Rhett…”

“Mhm.”

“Rhett.”

Hawke grabbed his arm lightly, giving the taller male to look down at him.

“What? I'm just looking.”

Hawke's eyes softened, watching them walk too.

“I know, but they don't seem interested like that.”

Rhett’s throat let out its rattling trill and he looked at Hawke again, “You jealous or somethin’?” He smirked.

“No I'm not jealous, look at him.”

Rhett laughed lightly and looked at Eden once more, knowing he was talking about the fire hybrid. A hybrid he hadn't come across before, at that point he didn't know what he was, neither of them did. It's like Eden was closed off, more haunted than Hawke… more like… Rhett.

Like you could get close, just a very select few got close enough.

Eden could feel it. The staring. He smirked to himself as he helped Dawn pick out the yogurt he wanted.

Once they were done, they headed to the checkout. Their basket filled with mostly Dawn’s favorite food. As Eden had grown to enjoy all the foods Dawn liked and let him get whatever he craved.

Eden chatted with the cashier, as Dawn stayed close. He looked around and his eyes met the guy with a mask. His face blushed and he quickly looked away shyly. Eden noticed the exchange from the corner of his eyes and shook his head.

Hawke had looked at Dawn again, his sweet little demeanor staying with him... and that moment they locked eyes... the male knew he was in for it.

"You're staring," Rhett tsked.

"Go rattle around somewhere," Hawke grunted, shoving him which caused the snake to laugh. The raspy sound caught Dawn's attention again.

Another glance shared between the two, and Dawn’s blush filled cheeks, Eden finally let out a soft chuckle, “Dawn, baby?”

“Hmm?”

“Do you want to talk to them?” He asked as he grabbed the grocery bags.

Dawn shook his head, “I’m s-s-s-shy!”

“That’s a lie, you yap all the time. You’re nervous cause they are pretty aren’t you?” Eden asked, meeting Dawn’s eyes.

“Y-Y-Yes.” Dawn said quietly and Eden nodded, ruffling Dawn’s hair softly.

“Okay, let’s go talk to them.” Eden replied.

Dawn instantly shook his head. “N-No!” It was too late, Eden was already walking back over.

Rhett was the first to notice, he softly cocked his head. Watching Eden move towards them. His slitted eyes, honing in on the other hybrid male.

He was menacing looking towards any innocent little hybrid, with his deep and crisp features. The patches of snake scales peeked out from his tank top. He had tattoos and some were unfinished due to said scaling. His skin was like a milky tan and he had piercings just like Eden, but more than him by a long shot.

Rhett cocked his head to the opposite direction and then back again, that rattle noise coming back and suddenly almost all eyes in the store were on the two. Though only the both of them knew that it wasn't a challenge. Just, curiosity... something even more from Rhett.

"Oh God - Rhett-" but it was not heard, the snake male honed in on Eden... his forked tongue slithering out in a soft hiss. His breathing, deep and heavy.