Disclaimer: I don't own KATAOW!

Title: Supernovas

Summary: Billions struggles to voice his grief

...

Things begin to come to a head when Kipo starts to listen in. They always seem to, Billions thinks. She'd swung by one day to hear a lecture on the new and improved telescopic imagery they'd recently gathered of a collapsing star. She'd stayed for the expo on proper hunting techniques. She came back the next (a tutorial on how to build a city out of trash) and the next (attempts to reestablish internet and other ancient conveniences they now lacked) and on and on.

It's a week, maybe two, but it's long enough to prickle his fur. The human world had a bad habit of using Kipo as a bargaining chip with Mutes, making her a sort of babysitter between their issues. A leftover from when things were so awkward, he supposes. (Billions wonders what they'd think if they'd seen her pledge to end the humans, fire in her eyes, taking in the losses they suffered with nothing less than rage).

He approaches her, eventually, a hand on his brother's head as a stabilizer. "Your presence has been noticed, Kipo. I've received a surge of offers that rely entirely on you stinking up the place."

Kipo's smile turns a bit crooked. This Kipo isn't much different from the Kipo of yesteryear, of course, but that's one thing that's changed. She doesn't seem as hyper now. Or as excited about life. "Guess that means you're stuck with me, huh?"

"Yes, well, I suppose we should make the most of it. I could use some assistance documenting a few new dwarf planets I've found. Do a good enough job and your name can be on my next lecture."

"You know I'm a sucker for dwarves," she hummed, standing and stuffing her hands in her pockets. "I'm also pretty excited about this interpretive dance seminar Doag has been infodumping to me about for like a month."

Billions' expression became perfectly neutral. Of course it was about this. Heaven forbid it be simple. "It's not a choice I make in bad faith, you know. Rescheduling her like this. My stage simply isn't adequately designed for... dance rehearsal."

"It's been three times, Billions."

"It'll be three more, if things continue the way they are." He shrugs. "I'm sure your little friend can wait a bit longer."

Bad Billions let out a low whine at the tone of his voice. Kipo reached out to pet the older wolf. She didn't so much as twitch, blinking at a surprisingly measured pace. There was something very cat-like in it, the calculated breaths as she decided whether to push it yet or not.

She decided against it. "Lead the way, Billions."

Kipo, surprisingly, keeps her word. They study stars. They draw maps. They even share a few theories on the expansion of the universe and potential changes in the placement of the stars in the time between the end of the old era and start of their own. It's pleasant and calming on his frayed nerves; a salve that almost made him willing to ask her to join his pack just to keep it. Kipo was just as adrift in this world as he was, and they shared similar interests. Bad Billions seemed to be okay with it. And she hardly reeked of human at all.

But that was kind of the problem, really. She didn't smell human. She smelled like a cat, and that was only a little bit better.

Billions rarely went without his brother. Such as it had been when they were pups, so it would be now that they were separated in spirit. But when it came to dealing with Hoag, he made the exception.

He turned his muzzle towards Doag, nestled awkwardly in an office chair. "Aren't we a bit old to have parents stepping in?" he sneered.

"Billions," sighed Kipo, leaning against the doorframe.

"And you!" he spluttered, happy to have the distraction. "Why does everyone assume you're going to magically make things easier by hovering like a mother wolf? It's highly unprofessional behavior."

"So is not letting someone present their project." Kipo shrugged with surprising carelessness. "Equal footing, methinks."

Billions snorted, adjusting his glasses. "All I've done is reschedule!"

"Six times!" Hoag slapped the table. "My daughter has every right to give the gift of interpretive dance to the world."

"The world?" he asked. "This is a tiny school in Las Vistas, my good man. Despite our lack of space, we've been gifted with some fine guest speakers as of late. It's simply business to allow them first pick."

"Zeke flexed weights on stage for two hours yesterday."

Billions cleared his throat. "I owed Carton a solid. But that's none of your business, really."

Kipo pushed off the wall to take his paws into her hands. Billions was only a bit bigger than her, but it felt like miles in the cramped office space. "C'mon, Billions. We can either continue the way we have, dodging and denying and ignoring our problems, or we can talk about this like adults. Whattaya say?"

Billions sighed, sitting down in his chair. It felt like every white hair was sticking out as he regarded the two blondes. Hoag's arms were crossed, foot tapping impatiently. Doag just looked concerned. He hissed some air out between his teeth. "Look. We really don't have the space or equipment for Doag's... thing."

Hoag settled his wrists on top of his desk, wristwatch clanking tunelessly. "What if we worked out some upgrades?" he asked. "I'd be more than happy to funnel any and all materials you might need if it helps get my sweet princess' message out there."

"I know this might be a bit hard for you two to grasp, but this place is my territory now. Wolves don't enjoy strangers rifling through their territory."

Hoag flinched back, and something primal in Billions felt satisfied.

"This is because of the battle-" Doag's voice, surprisingly soft, cut through the air like a knife- "isn't it?"

Billions' claws dug into the wood. Kipo bristled in the background, eyes flashing purple, but she didn't interfere. He didn't know who she'd move to protect- she probably didn't either.

Doag took his silence as confirmation. Maybe it was. "There's been some other Mutes who've... yeah. We were pretty awful to you guys."

"We were scared," Hoag added, but it felt more like an explanation than an excuse. Billions got the feeling he was too proud of a man for a lot of emotional talking.

"We hid behind Death Ivy," Billions replied, surprising even himself with how soft his voice was. "We were- we were cornered. All of us, in our little ways. Cornered animals attack. If you'd have killed me, or even him... I think I would've been okay with that, eventually." His fingers clenched into a fist. "But you made me watch my brother's soul leave his body instead."

"Dr. Oak-"

"Is a smart woman, but it'd take more than an antidote to bring him back to me. When a star explodes, it may remain in the sky for thousands of years- but it's not really there. Never again." Billions paused, took hold tight of his emotions, and said something that had been haunting him for some time now. "The average non-Mute captive wolf only lives maybe two decades. Brother wasn't exactly a puppy when he was erased. I... don't think I have much time left with him."

"I'm sorry," Doag said, eyebrows pinching.

He shook his head. "There's a saying, among the wolves. 'Sorry catches no prey'. It's thoughtful, but ultimately just words. And while I'm doing everything I can to move on, to forgive... I don't think I can have your dance on my stage right now."

"That's fair."

"No, it's not." Hoag stood, face contorted with anger and shame. "You- you can't take this out on my daughter. This was my fault. I did this."

"Yes, well. You're not trying to give a lecture on my stage." Billions stood in turn, signaling this was over. He put a hand in his pocket. "Look. I can put a quick ring in with the Umlaut Snäkes and get you situated there. I know it's more out of the way, but it's much bigger and more suited to your content."

Doag considered it and nodded. She accepted the scribbled on card with better decorum than Billions had expected, but her gaze never met his. She turned and shuffled out of the room, guided by Kipo's hand on her shoulder. She shot Billions an understanding look over her shoulder.

Hoag stood, still as statue and eyes wide, as if he hadn't expected this outcome. As if he'd hoped a simple sit down would erase the bad blood between them. It wouldn't.

"I don't blame her, you know," he murmured to the man. "Doag's future seems quite bright. But my place is maintaining the lingering supernova- not forming new stars. Old dog, new tricks, that whole thing."

His head chin fell to his chest. Hoag's mustache quivered as he spoke to the stain on his shirt. "I know it won't mean much, but... I am sorry."

"I know. So am I." Billion scratched his chin thoughtfully. "It'd be nice if that was enough, huh?"

Author's Note: A commission for a buddy! I hope this was good enough for you! =)

-Mandaree1