No major excuses...just exams that determine the rest of my life :(

A little short, but a necessary, chapter. :)

Hope you enjoy! Please review :D

Chapter 24: Us Now

I awoke, but this time not to the warm bright sunlight of morning…to a dark, cold pitch black room with the blinking lights of my digital clock promising 3:25AM. I groaned, running a hand through my coarse, unwashed hair as I heard Blayze's cries wailing up the hallway into my room, tickling my ears and luring out of my slumber. I looked over at the sleeping body beside me, Buttercup's curves sexily outlined by the satin sheets that coated her naked body. I rolled over and gave her a quick, brisk kiss on her shoulder, dragging up the covers to warm her. Grabbing my boxers and some pants I glided out of bed, feeling lighter than I ever had before.

Wondering into the room next to mine, I couldn't keep the small smirk on my face as Blayze whimpered at me, clenching his fists and holding up his hands, pouting. I scooped him up, brushing the hair out of his blotched, tear stained face.

"Aw, Blayzer…" I snickered, tickling him. "What's wrong, huh?"

Blayze quieted down, sniffling and whimpering as he gripped at my shirt, rubbing his face into my chest and gazing up at me with those big jade green eyes. I bet he hated being by himself, maybe he woke up and wanted his Mom and Dad with him.

I jiggled him slightly, trying to get him back to sleep. His heavy eyelids drooped, but he stubbornly shook himself back awake, whining at me. I sighed, holding him against me as I wondered the hallway, stopping at my open bedroom door so he could see the sleeping figure of his mother still in bed.

"Look…" I cooed at him, pointing. His big eyes followed mine as he saw her, immediately hushing. "See Bub? Mommy's okay…she's just sleeping…"

Blayze reached out to her, his tiny fingers flexing, but he still held onto me with the other. Rolling my eyes I took the hint, shuffling back to bed with him still clutched to my chest. I set him in the crook of my arm, right in the centre of the giant bed, and snuggled back into my pillow, Blayze wriggling in my arm.

"There…" I whispered, unable to keep the smile off my face. "Happy?"

Blayze gurgled at me softly, his head burying further into my chest before he stilled, fast asleep with the sheets gripped in his tiny fists.

My eyes jolted open, my body immediately jumping after them. The last figment of my nightmare was still fresh in my mind and my heart was hammering rapidly, though I was clueless as to why. Another nightmare…I remember my sisters and the Professor…

I groaned, tightening the sheets around my naked body. A small amount of shame seemed to creep into me and I rolled over, my eyes immediately widening at the sight I saw. Butch beside me, tiny Blayze curled up in his arms with both of them fast asleep.

I smiled. I couldn't believe I still could, but I did. A wide grin spread on my face and warmth automatically filled me, the covers of the bed suddenly secure and safe. I shuffled out awkwardly, knowing I didn't want to but at the same time my logical thoughts kicked in, and I knew I had to rid of any of the evidence of what had happened. It didn't feel wrong at the time, it didn't feel anything remotely close to taboo or stupid…

But I cringed as I crossed the cold floor to the bathroom, locking the door and running the shower. Just the thought of my sisters and the professor seeing me now…it made me want to scrub my body clean of any wrongdoing. I couldn't hide it, though. I was glowing, my body still tingling as the warm water washed it clean.

I slept with Butch, my captor, the father of my baby, my supposed rapist.

I ran a hand across my shoulder, brushing my now long hair to one side. I felt the familiar bump of the imperfection on my shoulder.

…The one who had given me that scar.

But he had been so gentle, so passionate, the things we had said and done…that couldn't be dismissed as a mere memory. I had shared things with him I've never shared with anybody else, I trusted him like I could trust nobody else…he had been the one…

I shook my head. And strange…why was I so happy about that? Shouldn't I be fighting with him? Tearing and clawing and screaming for my freedom? I sighed, turning off the taps and admitting defeat. I'd have to face him sooner or later…the only question was…

I winced as I toweled myself dry, trying hard not to think too much about it.

What would it be like between us now?

Blayze's sniffles awoke me pretty early, to an empty spot beside me, to my dismay. I wrinkled my nose as I looked down at Blayze, who equally glared back at me impatiently, kicking his feet and pouting at me.

"Yeah, yeah." I grumbled, ruffling his hair as I scooped him up. "I'll get you food, don't pout at me…"

I glided down the stairs, too lazy to actually walk. My head was still fuzzy from last night, and I couldn't get the smirk off my face. I still felt so warm, despite it being such a cold morning. Blayze seemed to share my excitement as he couldn't stop babbling, drooling all over my shoulder and pouting. I grabbed his bottle and warmed it up, playing with Blayze as I waited for the milk to warm. He sat in my lap sweetly, kicking his feet and giggling as I tickled him. I frowned as I realised how the weight was lifting from my lap, despite the fact he was sitting on it. Blinking, my eyes widened as I realised Blayze was hovering slightly above my lap- only slightly, but still enough to make me yank him back down.

"Hey!" I snickered. "You have powers!"

Blayze giggled at me, kicking his feet and gliding slightly upward, his tongue sticking out at me. A flash of paranoia went through me as I held him back, already worried he would hurt himself.

Guess it was the over-protective parent within me.

"Hey…" I snarled, rubbing my nose with his. He cackled, hugging my neck. "Be careful with those powers, you know, I'm still your dad…" I smirked. "And if you hurt yourself I'll verge on a heart attack…"

He clapped his hands eagerly, fidgeting and grumbling in my lap. I pulled out his bottle and laid him gently in my arms, feeding him. He kicked his legs restlessly as he cuddled me close, his eyes half lidded. He reminded me so much of Buttercup- so feisty but yet so warm and sensitive at times, and, though she tries and hides it, kinda vulnerable.

"Morning."

I looked up to see Brick enter the kitchen, his hair teased and tousled and his body slumped as he stumbled through the kitchen, dazed.

"Morning." I replied airily, still smiling down at Blayze. Brick rolled his eyes at me, leaning against the counter with his arms tightly folded.

"You know…" He mumbled, snickering. "Blayze can do that himself…"

I frowned, looking down at my hand gripping Blayze's bottle protectively, with Blayze's hand lightly fingering it. I let him hold it, and not surprisingly he could hold it himself. I wrinkled my nose at that, slightly sulky that he was growing up so fast. Only about 2 months old and still has the same strength as a six month old.

"Aw." Brick pouted at me sarcastically, his blood red eyes flashing mischievously. "There, there Daddy. They grow up so fast…"

"Shutup." I mumbled, hugging Blayze close and growing at my brother. "I just don't want to seem redundant, that's all."

Brick scoffed, sipping at the coffee he had just poured. "Don't count on it…" He muttered, snickering. "I did the research, Blayze should grow normally after reaching a year old…then he catches up. It's just the early stages he's so advanced in because his system just regenerates so quickly. He'll be just like any other toddler once he's walking and talking."

"Yeah but still…" I pouted, frowning. I held Blayze so delicately in my arms, and he wriggled and kicked restlessly, but still gazed up at me with those sweet light jade eyes, innocent and vulnerable. It seemed virtually impossible to me that anyone would want to hurt him, or any baby for that matter. I couldn't imagine letting him go…how Bane could leave us like that, his own kids…

"So…" I heard Brick snicker, and I looked up in suspicion. He had that stupid knowing smirk on his face, his blood red eyes twinkling smugly. I narrowed my eyes. "You and the green puff must have gotten up to some hefty activities last night…"

My heart jolted nervously and I stiffened, Blayze giggling at me as I probably paled anxiously, glaring at him with fierce eyes. "What makes you say that?" I managed to snarl.

"Dude…" Brick drawled knowingly, his eyes rolling towards the ceiling and his tongue perched between his teeth. "We all heard you…"

I felt my ears flare with sudden embarrassment as Brick scoffed at me, nibbling on his bottom lip to stifle any further laughter. I growled at him, shifting Blayze to burp him. "Shut the fuck up, Brick."

Blayze babbled loudly, as if trying to mimic me. Brick grinned smugly.

"Nice." He scoffed. "I trust that'll be Blayze's first word, now."

I growled at him, but frowned at Blayze all the same, who was now drooling all over my shoulder. His hair had grown, now he sported a thick mop of black hair that fell the same way mine does. I sighed, putting him on my hip so he clung to me sweetly, chewing on his fingers. I frowned as I looked down at his feet, where he displayed cute, fluffy little green socks on his feet. My eyes widened. My baby? My Blayze? In cute, fluffy little green socks? My little half demon? I scoffed, yanking them off. Blayze immediately whined at me, kicking his feet and leaning over to grab them out of my hands. Brick raised his eyebrows at me.

"He can't be seen in these." I snarled at him. "They're all cute and babyish."

"Newsflash- Einstein." Brick scoffed at me. "He's a baby!"

"Yeah…" I growled. "But-"

Blayze cried at me, kicking his tiny feet in disapproval as he sobbed, yanking at my hair and whimpering. I tugged him off irritably. Brick snickered at me smugly.

"Naw…" he cooed. "See? He's angry you took away his 'wittle socks, he's cold now-"

"My kid is not a cute little fluffy sock wearing baby!" I snarled at him over Blayze's pouts. "He's a tough half demon whose ready to beat up anyone who got in his way! He's half ruff, and won't be seen wearing some stupid fluffy baby socks or slippers-"

"Ehhhh…." Blayze whimpered, his cries launching into a tantrum. He kicked his bare feet angrily, a frown working into his sweet baby face. "EH! EEEEEHHHH!"

"No, Blayze…" I growled at him hopefully. "No cutesy baby socks! They're girly! You don't wanna be like a girl, do you-"

Blayze cried louder, his tiny hands forming fists. I sighed in defeat, but still balled the tiny socks in my fist as I shifted my grip.

"I'm gonna give him a bath…" I mumbled to Brick, already making my way. "Maybe then he'll forget about those stupid socks."

"Waaaiiiittt…." Brick pouted, following me pathetically. "Aren't you gonna tell me how she was? What it was like? She make some noise? It sounded like it…"

I snarled, rounding on him and flipping him off. He still gave me one of his smug snickers, grinning from ear to ear. Even Blayze seemed to snarl at him.

"So…waiiit…" Him simpered, frowning in sudden thought. "Why are you so concerned about this whole baby thing? Shouldn't you be more concerned on yourself?" He blinked expectantly, his eyes trailing down Bane's exposed upper torso, which was sporting what looked like a painful burn- splattered up the side of his ribs and blistering harshly. Bane glared at him hatefully, his red eyes sizzling with ferocity, much like his wound was doing. It was excruciating, but he refused to show it. He seemed to forget that he wasn't, in fact, indestructible…he wasn't immune to the parlour tricks of superstition.

Holy Water.

Bastards.

"I didn't expect him to be such a smartass about the whole thing!" Bane spat hatefully, attempting to hide a wince as he poked himself hesitantly, the wound sizzling menacingly. "if he gets a hold of Blayze now he'll destroy him- I know it."

"Then your family line will die out." Him snickered, sighing. "That's why you're so upset?"

"Well…" Bane frowned, rolling his hateful blood red eyes. "Yeah that, I guess…but I guess I kinda…love the little guy…I guess."

Him sighed. "You've gone soft, Bane."

Bane's eyes flashed with visible anger and he seemed to swell with fury, a dangerous look crossing his face. Even Him flinched.

"Well, I mean…you're…getting more-"

"Shutup, you feminine idiot!" Bane growled, his voice suddenly low and raspy. "You know nothing of my kind. You call yourself a demon?"

Him looked away angrily, snipping his claws in annoyance. It was no use arguing with Bane, he knew it was pointless and would only end with Bane carrying out something drastic.

"So what's the plan then?" Him blinked expectantly, simpering sweetly at the now twitching Bane. "How do you expect to defend your wittle babies when the oh-so-smart Professor is on your tail with his big scary black magic?"

In a flash Him was sprawled out against the wall- having flung about 50 feet in a matter of seconds, with Bane glaring at him threateningly, panting with anger. As if nothing had happened he took a deep breath, closing his eyes and tilting his head in thought, his anger subsiding. Him picked himself up and dusted off, his own eyes blazing with fury.

"You have a point…" Bane growled under his breath. "If that idiot Professor gets any more knowledge in that bulbous little head of his he can cause some serious damage to not only me…" he bit his lip angrily, almost drawing blood. "But to anyone with demon blood." He looked up, those red pupils fuming. "He could seriously hurt Blayze…he doesn't know the power he has."

"Right." Him grumbled, sniffing irritably. "So what are you going to do?"

Bane's hands became fists and his teeth gnashed together furiously, his red eyes blazing.

"He has to be stopped."

I combed my fingers through my wet hair, my dazed eyes gazing into my reflection lazily. My skin still had that eerie, warm glow about it, but my eyes still looked shameful, my lips slightly bruised and raw from his kisses. I didn't know what to feel…happy or sad…was it really that simple?

I gasped, my hands going to my stomach. A sudden weird, bubbly kind of feeling had gone through my stomach. It wasn't painful…just strangely familiar and peculiar. My fingers went to my now flat stomach, a frown working into my face.

Strange…

I heard a giggle reach my ears as I pulled up a pair of sweatpants, which I was positive were Butch's. I knew it was Blayze laughing, only he could sound so cute and innocent in a house like this… I pulled a sweater over my head and followed Blayze's babbles and splashes, knowing he must be taking a bath.

Blayze kicked around in the bubbles playfully as I attempted to hold him still, at least trying to wash his hair, which was getting pretty long and thick for his age. He splashed and giggled in the water, wrestling and shaking whenever I attempted to shampoo his hair.

"C'mon Blayze…" I attempted to scold him, but couldn't keep the playful smirk off my face. I couldn't help it- the way he giggled and laughed at me, it was contagious. I wiped the bubbles off my cheek, snickering as Blayze cackled at me, holding his soapy hands up to my face. "I don't want you to smell."

Blayze poked his tongue out at me cutely, wriggling in discomfort as I pushed him further into the water, despite him gently gliding upward. I growled at him sweetly, slipping a cloud of bubbles onto his button nose. He wrinkled it cutely, babbling to me.

"Um…"

I looked over my shoulder to see her in the doorway, leaning against the frame delicately. My eyes scanned her body casually, knowing that from now on…no matter what…

I would always imagine her naked.

"Morning." I greeted, giving her my best grin. Blayze waved his arms at her cheerfully, trying to gain her attention as he splashed around joyfully in the water, kicking and giggling. She smiled at him, a sweet little cute innocent smile, and shuffled over to kneel beside me to help.

"He's starting to look a lot like you…" She mumbled sweetly, running a hand through Blayze's wet hair. He looked up at the both of us happily, his eyes twinkling mischievously. I chuckled, wrapping one arm around her and giving her a swift kiss on her soft, pale cheek. I felt her stiffen against the sudden movement, her eyes widening.

"But he has your eyes…" I murmured into her ear. Her cheeks flushed a pink, but she managed to smile at me anyway. A happy, warm fuzzy feeling seemed to erupt within my chest at the thought that she was finally comfortable with me. Maybe now she wouldn't leave…me and Blayze…and her… together, forever?

"Thanks…" She whispered back. We sat in silence for a few long seconds, her eyes boring into mine. I couldn't look away, for some reason. I just sat there, one hand still immersed in the warm water and the other wrapped around her shoulder, her hair still wet.

Blayze babbled loudly, splashing and coating us both in water. I growled at him playfully, reaching back in to tickle him. He giggled loudly, kicking and splashing as I tickled his stomach, pulling him up and wrapping him in a fluffy towel. He was still kicking and wriggling as I hugged him, getting to my feet. Buttercup followed, giving me a solemn look as her eyes widened vulnerably.

"Listen…" She mumbled shyly. I tilted my head in confusion. I'd never seen her so serious… "We need to talk about what happened last night-"

"What's there to talk about?" I asked suddenly, fear and anxiety rising up my throat. Was I crap? Did she not like it?

"It's just…us!" She exploded, her eyes wide in surprise. "We're supposed to be enemies-"

"I don't see us as that anymore…" I put in slyly, now feeling grumpy. I cuddled Blayze closer and he drooled on my shoulder, his arms around my neck. Buttercup flushed a dull pink again.

"Well…we're supposed to be." She snarled. "I'm supposed to stand for good in the world, you're meant to be a villain. The whole reason we're in this predicament is because you're holding me captive-"

"No." I snarled at her, my anger rising. "The reason you're here is because of Blayze, because we've already had a relationship!"

"A relationship?" She wrinkled her nose. If she says that I- "But you ra-"

"Don't say that!" I suddenly yelled, causing Blayze to startle. I swallowed awkwardly. I hated scaring him. I squeezed my eyes closed and opened them again, hoping my gaze was less fierce. "I didn't, you know I was under-"

I froze. Crap. She doesn't know…can't tell her. Crap.

She raised her eyebrows, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. "Under…what?"

"It…doesn't matter." I quickly croaked, shaking my head. "What matters is now! I thought…" I blushed, twisting my lips awkwardly. "I thought this meant…a positive relationship from now on…"

"A…" She frowned again, but her eyes gazed thoughtfully into mine. "A relationship?"

"Yeah…" I grumbled, feeling stupider by the minute. "I thought we could make this work. Not…not just for Blayze…" I looked up at her hopefully. "For…me? You know…I'm…" I gritted my teeth, hating the fact that this was coming out. "I kinda…sorta…" I bit my lip. "Like you? Okay?"

There was an uncomfortable silence, only broken by Blayze sucking on his fingers as he wriggled in my arms, turning to look at his mother. I couldn't look at her, so I looked at him instead. He smiled at me sweetly, his toothless grin giving some comfort as his hands gripped my shirt, still drooling all over my neck as if kissing me.

"Well…"

I looked over at her, and was alarmed to see that she had crept closer to me, those wide, vulnerable eyes looking into mine.

"I can't deny that I…Kinda…" She gave me a half smile, smirking to herself. "Like you too..."

I gaped at her, amazed. She blinked back, as if equally amazed at the words she had uttered. Who knew that such hatred would turn into actual acceptance. I gazed at her sweet, smooth pink lips, which looked so warm and welcoming. Her hand was suddenly on my arm and a sweet, tingling feeling seemed to work its way up my skin, lifting my heart and my spirits. I leaned down to her, capturing her lips with mine in a sweet, swift kiss. We both froze, tentatively scraping our lips against each other's experimentally. It felt so sweet, so nice, like her lips were coated in sugar-

"Don't mean to interrupt-"

We jumped apart and my eyes widened, upon seeing Bane giving me a cocky look from the doorway my eyes immediately narrowed, especially at his mischevious, knowing smirk.

"But can I talk to you….outside?" he asked, cocking an eyebrow. "…Alone?"

I mashed my lips together, wanting nothing more than to fling him into the nearest brick wall. I held back my urges, however, long enough to hand Blayze over to Buttercup and give her a soft "I'll be back…" Before following Bane out into the hall, where he quickly flew off into another room, where I followed him.

"The hell?" I immediately spat, the door slamming closed behind me. I glared at him hatefully, my hands becoming fists. "WHAT is so damn important that you had to-"

"Oh, shut up." Bane immediately snarled at me, and I quickly shut my mouth. I hated to admit it, but he looked terribly fierce- his blood red eyes seemed to be swimming with venom and his teeth were tightly welded together, forming a dangerous snarl. "This is important- it's regarding that damn professor and what he wants with my damn family."

I stiffened, my own heartbeat racing. "Wh…what does he want?"

"He's good. That's what he is." Bane growled dangerously, and suddenly he grabbed the hem of his tee, dragging it up to reveal a muscular stomach. I froze. Up his ribs and across his chest, adorning his upper torso was a painful burn- looking as though it had torn away a few layers of skin. I winced, my eyebrows rising. "It was only that I'm pretty…" bane rolled his eyes. "Senior…that I survived that shit." He wrinkled his nose. "If it were Blayze, it would have killed him instantly."

"Wait." My eyes widened. "You told us that we weren't demons until we chose to be and kill someone-"

"Yeah…" Bane snarled. "But that doesn't erase the demonic blood in your veins, that shit still hurts you know!" He growled to himself. "And with Blayze especially, so powerful yet so vulnerable…" He shook his head, and his blood red eyes met mine in a serious look. "Listen…The Professor doesn't know his shit like I do. He thinks it's as simple as 'erasing' the demonic blood from Blayze's veins…like an exorcism. It ain't that simple. He was born with that blood. It can't be dissolved….but dicks like him…" He looked away, looking ready to explode. "I've seen it before. He wants the evil gone."

"Bu-" I swallowed, it was already too much to take. "Blayze isn't evil…"

"I know." Bane snarled. "But he doesn't know that. And can you honestly expect him to have a simple sitdown with us so we can explain it to him?" He rolled his eyes, scoffing. "As if."

The quick anger was still pumping through my veins, and his words were just making everything worse. I bit my lip, trying to bite back the furious snarls that longed to roll off my tongue.

"So…So what should we do?" I grumbled, folding my arms tightly.

"Just make sure you stay away from that jackass." Bane snarled, his eyes narrowing. "I still have to work out how to slaughter the bastard."

Again, sorry for the length. The next chapter will be...much more...exciting ;)