Family Ties

Butch

-After several tries I finally managed to get out of bed with a less than graceful roll followed by a fall that I had to catch myself from. I groaned a bit and got up from the floor, making my way to the shower. The sigh that came out of me while I stood under the hot spray was something close to pornographic. One thing the shower definitely did for me was loosen up all my muscles. I could finally move when I came out of the bathroom and I went straight to the closet to grab a suit. I knew that I didn’t have to wear suits to impress anyone but I really did like them. I liked the way I looked in them, I like the way I felt in them and I could afford to look good now so damn it I was. I came out of the room whistling some random tune and poured myself a cup of coffee. For someone who got his ass beat to hell last night, I was in a remarkably good mood. I got to the bottom of the cup and decided that it was time to pull my head out of my ass and stop wallowing in my own shit. I’d spend far too many nights avoiding everyone but V and it really was pretty shitty of me. I hadn’t even so much as poked Piper since she got back from Havers and I’d had plenty of opportunities. Some kind of brother I was… I wondered if Z had ever actually explained that bonding scent shit to her yet or not. I set the empty cup down and slipped out the doors of the Pit. Easiest way to find that answer was just to fucking ask her. I really had gotten far too use to the idea that my family hated me. Piper was like a new start and I was blowing it from the get go. I had to stop about five doggen but I finally found one that had seen Piper head outside. I went out the back door and immediately lit up a cigarette when I got outside. I looked over at the rose garden that I’d once fallen flat in and laughed. Fritz had chewed my ass out for that one. Probably hurt me more than it did the roses. I leisurely strolled along the path that was set out, enjoying the cool night air and still humming whatever tune it was that was stuck in my head.-

Piper

-There where so many things going on inside my small head that sleep seemed like an impossibility, never mind trying to comb through Pages of supply paperwork or even trying to focus enough to be pleasant to anyone I ran into. It was proving an impossible task, the I stared the more growly I got. Annoyance, anger…fuck. Add in the fact that Z seemed to be on a never ending lesser search and destroy mission and I was beginning to wonder if my Brother even wanted to get to know me. He’d been almost avoiding me at all costs, or maybe it was everyone in general. I didn’t know.. all I knew. If I didn’t get out of the confines of the manse walls, it was quite possible a Piperapocolypse would happen. I locked up my office, dodged a few curious Doggens as I jogged towards the front doors. Practically bursting through the doors. Stumbling down a few steps before continuing my run towards the one place I was sure no one would find me. And up until the sun had set and I heard a soft hum hours later that I realized I was found. By which brother had yet to be determined.- Hello? -Peering curiously around some bushes, squinting when I saw Butch, even groaning some- Who needs stitches?

Butch

-I cracked a smile when I saw Piper poke her head out from behind a bush. That sight alone was pretty funny but then when she realized that it was me and I got a groan for it my expression quickly changed.- Dang, Piper. That was a lil harsh. Guess I deserve it for not checking up on you more often but seriously?… Do I look like I’m in some kinda mad dash to find the doc here? -glancing down at my appearance, shrugging and taking another drag of my smoke-

Piper

-I groaned again, scrubbing a hand down my face, apparently I’d lost the “be nice” to everyone motivation when I left the Manse. Inhaling a breath before even attempting to speak again and making things worse- I’m sorry Butch, just been a long couple days. -Smiling softly and looking up, waaaay up at Butch from my spot on the grass- And you don’t need to check up on me that often. You guys are busy. -I didn’t want to sound overly little sisterish in that moment, but all I really wanted was a huge ass stupid healing big brother hubs those annoying girls at school used to brag about- How are things with you?  Winning the battle? -Instantly my nose wrinkled some right before my palm smacked my forehead- Never mind 

Butch

Long day/nights, I understand. -nodding with a ‘no shit there’ expression- But I really haven’t been as busy as all that I’ve just been ignoring shit. -I stubbed my cigarette out on the bottom of my loafer and stuck the butt in with the rest of the pack. I looked around for a place to sit down and decided that in the grass was as good as any. I put my hands down first and lowered myself to the ground real slow-like. I bit back a hiss and covered by stretching my legs out next to Piper- You know that last question isn’t as silly as you might think but I want to hear bout you. What’s makin your life drag?

Piper

-My brow arched watching my brother struggle slightly with even the simple task of sitting down, my head shook and I laughed softly right up until Butch asked how I was. Shifting some while tugging at my sweater strings and blowing out a long breath- You may regret asking that after, Butch but...-my eyes closed and I let the rambles begin, no filter just laying it out- I may have over reacted meeting Qhuinn’s little lady. -groaning as my head shook- May have called her a whore…then I was locked in a room with the crazy loon. Add in the fact I’ve seen hide nor hair of Z…which -Sighing softly and turning my head to look at Butch- I know he’s doing what he does best. And what needs to be done…but I just. Miss him. And finally… Rhage is back. We haven’t talked since he left. Besides /all/ of that -Both hands lifted to the heavens then abruptly dropped to my lap again- I’m peachy

Butch

-My eyes kinda went wide, blinked and rolled a bit as Piper talked and I held up my hands- Okay. Hold up here. You kinda sprayed a rainbow of shit at me. Let’s start with the first one. I’m not gonna act all surprised I knew that Qhuinn had a chick cause well, V’s been researching that shit. But I gotta tell ya, it really is a safe assumption to call her a whore. Kinda like, that’s what we call all of Rhage’s chicks. Which by the way, I’m really glad that you aren’t. Did I tell you bout the time, back when Qhuinn disappeared, the King had me check up on his ass? You would NOT believe the places I tracked him down to. Oh my God. I expected the closet door to burst open and reveal a dozen dead hookers, male and female. All of em dead by overdoses. I am not even kidding when I say that place was frightening. I stepped one foot in there and I’m pretty sure half of them jumped out the windows like a buncha cockroaches fleeing from the law. -I paused to laugh at the memory- How that hell did you end up locked a room with this chick though? I mean what, did you walk in, forget your keys or something and run smack dab into her? Okay, that made more sense in my head but still the question is valid.

Piper

-Half way through my brother’s ramble I couldn’t help but laugh, I had known all too well about Rhage’s past but hearing it so pleasantly described I was a goner. Taking a moment to collect myself some what while nudging Butch’s side- Did you mean Rhage? Or Qhuinn? -Both seemed to slide towards the loose and lovely so I couldn’t be sure which- I didn’t run into her as much as she was brought to the PT for me to apologize -Grumbling under my breath-Then Qhuinn locked our asses in in the PT to sort our shit. 

Butch

-I sloshed to the side when Piper nudged me, grunting and groaning the whole time before settling back into place.- Dirty pool, sis. -Scowling a bit- I was talking about Qhuinn. We all knew where Rhage was it was Qhuinn we didn’t have eyes on. We look after our own. -I tilted my head and looked Piper up one side and down the other- Okay so you obviously aren’t torn to shreds or sporting bruises which is how you are making this sitch sound, so what’s the beef? You made it outta there obviously. And by the way, that’s pretty funny. That comes up again I’m suggesting a mud pit or some jello maybe.

Piper

Gawd -Smacking your arm hard for even the suggestion of mud and jello- Next you’ll be wanting to charge admission -My eyes rolled some and I huffed out a breath- We combined forces for a moment..to lure Qhuinn back inside. Then we bolted. She seems nice enough but god damn is she fucking stubborn -Stretching my legs out before me, snickering as I peeked over at my brother-Its scary how alike we are sometimes. And you can rest easy…Rhage and I..never ..-Unable to keep my hands still, they both raised to motion as I spoke-sex 

Butch

-Laughing hard and rubbing my arm where you hit me- Course I’m charging admission. Might even through that shit up on the internet. -tipping my head up and rolling it back and forth as I consider it- Definitely worth recording I think. So what? Ya like her but you don’t? Stubborn… -blowing out a raspberry-Yeah, sounds like you alright. Or where you saying that bout me? -pointing a finger at myself and raising a brow- Cause I totally am. -I’m pretty sure one of my eyes went wide while the other scrunched up as I tried to process the last part- Rhage and you never sex? What are you fourteen or something? Just say you didn’t fuck the guy. Dang… -shaking my head and grabbing my forehead-And your right, that does make me feel better. -shifting my upper torso to look at Piper- You’re fucking Z though right? How you feel bout Rhage coming back? 

Piper

I’m not even gonna lie. Watching you squirm was totally worth the confession -laughing again and recrossing my legs- I would have gone with fucking but that way provided me with more than enough entertainment -More than proud of my victory over over my big bad brother, only to have the point yanked back all too quickly. My cheeks flushed and I shoved you again gently glaring as I mumbled-Yes…we are fucking. As for Rhage being back. I’m all kinds of… -A small shudder ran the length of my my spine and even I couldn’t be sure if it was from the cold or just too many thoughts and feelings all chiming in at once- Fuck me. I don’t even know. -Quickly raking a hand through my hair tugging at the ends-Confused. Worried. Overfuckingwhelmed?

Butch

-I got my hand out fast enough to keep Piper from rocking me to the side again but just barely. My eyes rolled over to her- Seriously girl, you have got to stop doing that or I am going to tell you why my ass is hurting and even give you a visual aid to sink it in real good. Ugh… -I watched Piper’s reactions to what I’d asked her and cleared my throat before stepping foot into this mess.- Here’s how I see it and you can correct me if I’m wrong or way the fuck off base here. If Z has come out of his little cocoon to go as far as bonding with you, that must mean that you two are more than really close. You either acknowledge that shit for what it is and jump into it with both feet or you sit on the fence and worry about your ex til you die. There really isn’t any two ways about it. If you are with Z, and I mean really with Z, then Rhage aint even a blip on your radar. You’re doing Z a disservice by letting that effect you at all. It’s like a slap in the face to all that you two have been through. And for a bonded male… -whistling lowly and shaking my head- Bad news, sis. He will come unglued. If I even thought for a minute that Vishous even thought about that woman that he was with before me… Let’s just say that eruption woulda put volcanoes to shame.

Piper

-It was so hard not to reach out and cover my brothers mouth, each and every word only caused my fear and anxiety to reach breaking point. Sighing a small breath as my knees bent and I brought them to my chest to rest my chin to my knees- I…this whole male bonding thing confuses and scares me. What if I chase Zsadist away the way I did Rhage? What if I’m not enough? Or -Shaking my head slowly, a feeble attempt to shake the insecurities and thoughts- I don’t know. -I chanced a glance, eyes glazed over slightly with the impending threat of tears- I’m just me. Not a vampire, warrior, fighter and I can’t even fight my way out of a paper bag. Ugh. Betcha regret asking how I was now huh? -Dropping my forehead to my knees- I… care more about that male than I could even begin to describe. -Half mumbling my confession- I love him…I don’t want to lose or hurt him. 

Butch

-I waited until Piper was done with everything that she had to get out and then I reached over and hooked my arm around her shoulder- Okay first off, you need to stop thinking that I should regret talking to you. You and I both know that I put it off far too long. I’m not use to having actual family that can stand the sight of me so this is new for me. Honestly I wish that I’d heard this all sooner because I get it. I get all of it. I didn’t come here a vampire, Piper. I came here a human and not a particularly spry one at that. My prime was about ten years ago. But I’m a vampire now so I can tell you all about this bonded male thing cause actually it’s pretty fucking cool. Here’s the main thing you have to remember, there aint no going back on that. He could get pissed, stomp around, throw fit til the cows come home but he will always be bonded to you. At the end of the day ten thousand horses couldn’t keep him away from you. He will always be right there with you. You own his ass. It doesn’t matter if you are a human, a vampire or a frickin superhero alien from outer space. He has already come to the conclusion that you are IT. And guess what? You don’t have to be able to fight. In fact it’s better that you don’t because he will want to protect you with every fiber of his being. You’ve already told me that you love him. The only way that you could hurt him now is by not loving him. Embrace that shit, sis. It’s a wild ride. And totally fucking worth it. God, I can’t even tell you. I have never been happier. 

Piper

-When your arm wrapped around my shoulders I stiffened some half expecting a wicked noogie or maybe some sort of wet willy but when neither happened and you only hugged me to your side I smiled for the first time all day. Relaxing as I listened to every word, watched every twitch of his lips as you grinned.- I do love him, Butch. With every fiber in my being. -My chin lifted so I could look up at you- So you’re basically saying he’s mine and I’m his no matter what? Maybe one day I’ll truly understand the depth of bonding, but you did help ease your sisters mind a little. Just promise to smack me if I doubt? I don’t regret any decisions I’ve made, they’ve all lead me to Z. And I found you. -I pressed a small kiss to your temple before settling and tugging my sweater tighter- Thank you for listening to me babble and for putting up with my antics most days. Maybe one day you can tell me about what it was like becoming a vampire. And what other tidbits you wanna share about ya know…family. -Grimacing a little and backpedaling- If you want Butch.

Butch

-I flicked my finger under the bottom of Piper’s chin with a smile- See? you love him, that’s all that really matters. The rest is just you worrying about stuff that you don’t need to. Course saying that is always easier than doing but a big step would be putting that Rhage stuff behind you and not even letting it bother you. Cause Rhage aint going no where and you aren’t going anywhere. You’re happy, Z’s happy, Rhage is happy. Don’t let anything else ruin that. -I was a little surprised by the kiss that Piper gave me. It was sweet and something that my mom wouldn’t even do.- You always know where to find me, Piper. Just make sure you knock first. -My smile quickly faded and I pulled away from Piper- You don’t want to know what it was like to become a vampire… I had to die to do it, Piper. And it’s not the only time I’ve died. -I narrowed my eyes at Piper- Don’t even tell me you are thinking about doing it. Because I got damn lucky. It could have easily gone the other way.

Piper

-I playfully poked Butch’s chest in response to his flick, snickering softly and just enjoying the moment. It had been too long since Id spent time with him. Something I was gonna change quick. Laughing hard and holding up my hands- Trust me I’ll always knock. I know better. -I went to lean back into Butch as he pulled away, blinking a little as my eyes found his narrowed back- I didn’t…I don’t think about it. Just sometimes think maybe it’d be better. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to do it. -Narrowing my eyes right back, crossing my arms- I just asked because I wanted to know…not make you upset. I don’t make half cocked decisions on something that huge.

Butch

I’ll only be upset if you decide that it’s a great idea. Cause I’m here to tell you that it was one of my all-time crazy ideas. You can act like you wouldn’t run off half cocked if you want but I fucking did it. But for me it was either that or I left the manse. And human’s don’t just ‘leave’ the mansion. V would had to kill me. I’d been here too long to wipe the memory away.

Piper

-Swallowing harder than I ever had, my chest hurt, heart ached for my brother-I get it Butch I do. I promise I’m not thinking about it. And no more fucking erasing MIB shit. I am not leaving the manse. So can we just forget I even brought it up? Please?

Butch

Yeah… that’s a good idea cause it sounds simple but it’s far from it. -I slowly got up from the ground, throwing in a few choice curse words under my breath. When I was finally up I grabbed Piper’s hand to help her up.- It was good talking to you I’ll admit it. I’m going to attempt to not be such a stranger. Though if I am you can almost guarantee it’s because I’m up in my own head and crazy as a shithouse rat. -I winked and blew Piper a kiss- Catch ya later sis. -turning and heading back to the mansion, humming the same tune that I had been before-

Piper

-I took my time walking back to Z’s room, replaying the conversation with Butch  the entire way. He was right. Nothing else mattered as long as my Nallum loved me, this bonding thing was something I wanted to embrace. But in my own way. #Matilda was waiting outside the door with a small yeah of watermelon, which I gratefully accepted and even made plans to have another baking lesson before she excused herself and I wandered into my room. I took in a lung full of his scent and made my way to bed, shedding my clothes along the way. I looked over my sleeping male, smiling as I climbed into bed and burrowed into Z’s arms. Whispering as I drifted off- I love you Nallum….-Thanks to my brother and the tightening embrace of Z, I easily fell into a deep sleep-