Suzy nodded to people as he passed through the market streets. It was still early in the morning, but he was sure Rosila would be waking up soon to go to work. 

After the night of Adams ambush, Suzy was going out of his way to make sure Rosila was comfortable with the whole "them" idea. He didn't want to rush a relationship when she might need time to take care of herself after Adams attack.

Not that he minded with taking his time. He had wanted to date her since he met her, he just worried she was rushing into it because he was better than Adam, not because she wanted him. For the last week she had been staying back at her apartment with Finn. Suzy would have loved to have lived with her, but he ran into two problems.

His biggest one that Rosila would feel pressured or forced to pursue a romantic relationship with him, while he merely intended to make sure she didn't feel alone or at the very least she felt safe. Second, Finn would only fight against him harder. 

Though Suzy felt for his old friend, he cared more about Rosila's opinion in him than her fathers. He knocked on the door waiting for her to answer, jumping surprised when the door opened abruptly to reveal the taller man.

"Finn, good morning! I almost forgot today was your day off." Suzy told him as he rocked on his heels. Finn growled down at him closing the door on his face. Suzy flinched, letting out a deep sigh. He knew Finn didn't approve of him dating his daughter, but he wasn't sure how to convince him otherwise. The door opened a second time as Rosila smiled at him apologetically.

"Sorry, dad and I were just talking about... time." Rosila huffed opening the door. Suzy entered cautiously as Finn sat in the small living room on the couch. His stuff packed in a corner out of the way.

"You have been here less than a month, there is no reason to make any permanent decisions when you might as easily as go back home to Trayson." Finn huffed mimicking his daughter as Rosila sat in the armchair growling.

"I'm eighteen, father. Old enough to make my own decisions. Besides if I had stayed in Trayson, I would have been pressured into marrying your new favorite student. I came here to get away from Trayson. Besides, I am also waiting on Raven if she ever plans on showing up." Rosila grumbled worriedly.

"Why is she even coming here? I left her with Hank and Clair so that they could watch her." Finn growled as Suzy sat down slowly. It sounded like an older argument resurfacing. Rosila got to her feet angrily as Finn sighed. "Honey, I love you. You're the most precious gift to me, I don't want that girl to ruin it." Finn tried to explain as Rosila turned on him.

"That girl is my sister. Like it or not she is here because of you. God, you sound just like mother. Maybe if you actually took the time to get to know both of your girls you would realize she wasn't the mistake. You were." Rosila bit out storming out of the apartment. Suzy got to his feet as Finn stood up speechless.

"You know she doesn't really mean it. She treasures having you in her life." Suzy told him softly as Finn glanced at him.

"I just wanted to forget her. Pretend like she never existed. I just wanted it to be Rosy and me. Just the two of us." Finn mumbled sitting in a chair. "You better go after her. You're the man she needs in her life right now." Finn muttered defeated.

Suzy nodded and left the small home, heading into the streets. He followed the trail to the garden where he slipped inside the gates. Once upon a time they had been open to the public, but his father had closed it down turning it into the royal gardens. Suzy jogged past the roses to the empty bench, glancing around. He spotted the lone Willow tree dipping its leaves in the small pond. He had hidden in her branches many times to escape his own father.

"I'm a disgrace to the elven race." Suzy muttered as he wandered through the branches. His father used that poetic phrase every time Suzy showed his face at home. He was the shortest elf in history, most likely due to his dwarven ancestors. If it wasn't for his pointed ears, his father would have thrown him out and disowned him long ago. But now he was king and went by a girl's name just to piss his father off. A true disgrace through and through.

A sniffling sound made Suzy pause as he slowly approached the upset girl. Suzy had noticed a change in her after that night, but he didn't love her any less. He just wanted to find a way to make it better. To heal her aching heart. Suzy sat beside her slowly, hugging her when she turned to cry on his shoulder.

"I didn't mean it. I was just so angry. Why can't he just admit she exists?" She sobbed as Suzy rocked her. She pulled away letting him dry her tears. "The worst part about the whole thing is that I am just... so happy he wants nothing to do her. I'm a hypocrite and I hate it." She sniffled as Suzy frowned.

"Why don't you want him to include your sister?" Suzy asked confused as she looked away guiltily.

"I want him to accept the fact that I have a sister, but I don't want to share my father. She already has Hank. I want dad to myself. But I also want a sister. I'm a mess, aren't I?" She muttered playing with the branches. Suzy smiled brightly trying not to laugh.

"You're an adorable mess that I have grown to love. I see nothing wrong with you wanting to have your own family unit. It may not be the average family, but hey, it's yours. I mean if this Raven doesn't work out, I have two sisters you can have. Of course, they would be your sisters anyways if you ever got tricked into marrying me." Suzy mumbled at the tree. Rosila blinked at him surprised.

Marry Suzy? She blushed considering it turning away. He knew everything. And even though they had slept together once, Rosila hadn't considered he would want to do it again. Maybe she had been reading him wrong. Well, they were dating, weren't they? She turned to respond to him, pausing when she felt her blood vibrate. She got to her feet looking around.

"What is it? Is something wrong?" Suzy asked standing up beside her. Rosila didn't answer as she glanced around unsure. Something was coming. 

She walked away from the tree, stepping out of the branches and out into the garden. Suzy followed worried he had said too much. He reached out to grab her hand making her pause and look at him. They both turned when they heard someone panting. Tanner came around the roses, coming to a halt when he saw them. He glanced them over nervously as a second wave washed over them.

"You feel it too?" Tanner asked as Rosila nodded nervously.

"What is it?" She demanded, tightening her grip on Suzy's hand. Tanner shook his head as he rubbed his arms nervously.

"Something is coming." Tanner grunted before the overwhelming power pulled him to his knees. Rosila was panting as she leaned against Suzy for support. Suzy growled glancing around his garden looking for the hidden threat. The ground between them opened up as a large root pierced through the earth. It came to a halt before unwrapping itself to reveal two figures.

"Damn it, Hank, I thought you were your father. When did you become this?" Suzy asked waving an arm at him. The other he kept around Rosila, keeping her close to his chest. Hank paused taking in the three in the garden.

"A little over a week ago. Sorry, I didn't stop by during my last trip through the kingdom. I needed to talk with my sister and explain a few things as she left with Adam and Kale. Is everything alright?" Hank asked helping the woman with him out of their transportation.

A week ago? The night of the attack on his Rose.

"Are you blind boy? Of course, they are not alright! Their druid blood is reacting to their king, begging to awaken. Oh, my child this fills me with such joy." The older woman hummed as she cupped Rosila's face in her hands. What was her old boss doing here?

Suzy halted at the realization. Rosila's interest in him last week may have been driven by the changes in her druid side. Not that he was druid enough to understand how or what could affect her, but if just being in Hank's presence now was causing her to be this restless and anxious, he wouldn't doubt that some of the same energy would have been behind her desire that night. He would have to tread even more carefully now.

"You mean Rosila can awaken and become a full-fledged druid?" Suzy asked as the older woman turned on him.

"Oh, honey who is this? He is a cute one. Much better than that empty shell that was chasing you before." She told Rosila as she frowned confused.

"Elaine." Hank warned as he helped Tanner to his feet. Hank led him over to the others as Elaine nodded happily.

"Yes! That's the one." Elaine told him as Hank huffed at her.

"Forgive your grandmother. She hasn't shut up since I invited her to see you and her son. I do hope Finn is taking care of you." Hank grunted setting the boy down near Suzy. He frowned as he looked the two young druids over before glancing at the nodding old lady. He crouched down beside Tanner glancing up at Suzy before he addressed them.

"I originally came to speak with you, old friend. I had some business I wanted to discuss, but as you can see, my presence is affecting them more than I thought. They need to awaken and become full-fledged druids. Will you allow them to stay in your garden?" Hank asked, knowing Suzy would understand his question.

Suzy paused to look at Tanner before reluctantly nodding his head. For a druid to bond with a plant in his garden meant that druid would be bound to Welpion. Something he had no problem with Rosila. Tanner, he could take him or leave him.

"What's going on?" Tanner asked watching the exchange. Suzy and he were on rocky ground since he had helped Adam get Rosila in the first place, but he had also gone to Suzy to help save her too.

"As an awakening druid, you must first find a plant to bond with. Once a deal has been made, you will awaken with new gifts and abilities. But first you must find a plant that speaks to you. Rosila honey, why don't you try talking to this lovely Willow tree, eh? They live for hundreds of years and are very strong and sturdy. Perfect if you plan on marrying an elf." Elaine decided helping Rosila to her feet.

"Marry?" Tanner squeaked surprised. He quickly turned away when Suzy glared at him. "Congratulations on your engagement." Tanner grumbled as Hank rolled his eyes. Kids.

"You need a plant too. Elaine, I trust you have your granddaughter handled. Let's get you started then I can speak with Suzy and go home." Hank told him hauling the boy to his feet. He had known the boy most of his life and knew his gossiping mother even better.

She liked to brag that her beautiful son was going to marry a princess and have a happily ever after, never lifting a finger. It had seemed like he had believed his mother's words, so he wasn't sure why he was here, pouting over Rosila's and Suzy's relationship. Tanner walked with him grumbling to himself before a lone plant drew him in. The soil was dry making it difficult even for the weeds to grow.

"This one." Tanner told Hank as his king frowned at the little bush. It was covered in flat green leaves hiding the thorn ridden stems from sight. It looked like it was preparing a late spring bloom with pink flower buds dotting the end of the branches.

"Euphorbia. Also known as the crown of thorns. Are you sure?" Hank asked watching the lad smile.

"Definitely. Mom always said I would have a crown one day." Tanner told him with a grin making Hank smile back reluctantly.

"Then I believe it is time for you to awaken." Hank told him tapping his forehead. The boy fell unconscious next to the plant as Hank bent down silently talking with the plant. He nodded satisfied dusting the dirt from his hands as he got to his feet.

"Isn't there supposed to be a whole ceremony? You know, like a wedding, but between druid and plant?" Suzy asked him as Hank chuckled.

"That usually happens when a pureblooded druid turns sixteen. In this case they, aren't quite pure, but are turning due to the sudden/ resurgence of druid nature." Someone growled making Hank groan as Suzy turned on the stranger. He was wearing moss pants with small little flowers blooming. His pale bark like skin creaked in odd places as the purple blooms spilled over his shoulders reflecting long hair.

"A friend of yours?" Suzy asked as Hank grumbled grabbing Suzy's shoulder and pulling him away.

"I told you to stay in Trayson. This wasn't going to be a long visit." Hank grunted as Deirmus snorted at him.

"That woman would not be worthy protection in case something was to happen." Deirmus argued as Hank threw his hands in the air.

"What the hell is the point of being a bloody king when nobody in the freaking druid kingdom listens to you?! My wife is one thing. You are another. If you are so desperate to stalk me, a trained fighter who is currently the strongest druid in the valley, then by all means. Help me. Babysit the boy while I have a talk with the king of Welpion over some important matters. King to king." Hank ordered storming off and dragging Suzy along. They walked along the edge of the pond, fully visible, but out of ear shot.

"A new friend of yours?" Suzy asked again as Hank stomped onwards.

"He hates my father and has been currently making my life a living nightmare. Mainly because he won't leave me alone. Claims he is my personal bodyguard. I haven't slept with Clair in days because he even follows me there. He won't listen when I talk and when he does do as I ask, he does it his way, not the way I asked for it to be done. I would have liked him to be my prison guard, but I am afraid he will kill the prisoners. He's just one big headache." Hank whined as Suzy led him to a bench in clear view of both plants. Deirmus was pacing agitated by the unconscious boy as the girls remained hidden in the willow branches.

"Trayson has prisoners. That sounds unusual." Suzy told him sitting back and staring at his feet. Hank nodded taking a deep breath.

"Don't worry kid. I am sure you can handle him. Why does he look so much like a tree? Elaine doesn't look like a tree." Suzy noted as Hank relaxed beside his old friend.

"Hey, you were allowed to call me kid when I was shorter than you. Now that I am taller, I deserve your respect. Old man. Why are you dating Rosila? Isn't she a little young for you?" Hank asked as Suzy frowned at him.

"Changing the subject so smoothly. I will answer your question if you answer mine. Besides, you should know better than most that those of us who live long life spans stop thinking about how old a person is. You just want to spend every minute you can with them. I mean, I will still be looking this young when Rosila is old and withered. It is one of the curses of living so long among races that only live for the blink of an eye." Suzy told him softly as Hank nodded.

Now that he was bound to the mother tree, hecould theoretically live for hundreds of years like his father. While Clairmight barely make it to a hundred. His father had taken many wives during his lifetime,but Hank wasn't sure he could handle loving anyone other than Clair. Heunderstood Suzy's way of thinking just fine.