Review(s):

HypnoArt - Ooh, that's exciting! I'd like to know what you're thinking but I guess it's alright to keep it a secret, xD Never stop! I like to hear what you might think will happen :) I'm glad you giggled! I hope that you also enjoy this chapter too!

Woohoo!


Barkley's head was rested upon his knuckles on the arm of the uncomfortable chair. He was starting to doze off himself. Deuce's eyes shifted towards the elder male wolf, who looked exhausted to say the least. He didn't want 2 wolves in the hospital tonight. "You alright, Pops? Want something to drink?" Deuce inquired.

Barkley narrowed his eyes at Deuce. "Why do you all assume I need alcohol? I'm alright, damn."

Clawd chuckled, half-asleep. "I think he meant coffee, water..."

Barkley couldn't help but laugh at himself. "Oh, I'll take a coffee if anyone's going."

Max took the offer. "You still like it as dark as your wife and less sweeter than she?"

Barkley smirked. "That's right, my good man!"

Deuce rolled his eyes behind his glasses before turning his attention back towards Clawd. Right now all he wanted to do was snuggle into the sick wolf's arms. The gorgon knew he couldn't be selfish though, the other needed his rest. A small sigh escaped from his lips.

Max softly smiled at Deuce. He knew almost exactly how he felt, he was always spooked whenever Clawdia wasn't feeling well. He was so in-sync with his fiancée that he knew when she was to be expecting her menstrual cycle and if she was late before she did. He could tell if she felt off in the slightest. There wasn't anything that Clawdia could keep from Max without him having a nagging feeling. "Deuce? Would you like to grab some coffee with me? Surely a walk down the hall would do you some good?"

Clawd sleepily rubbed Deuce's hand. "Go ahead babe, I'm not going anywhere without you. Promise."

Deuce gave Clawd's hand one last squeeze before rising from his chair. "Sure." His eyes not leaving his sleepy wolf for a few seconds before following Max.

They left the curtains and walked past the Nurse's Station, headed towards the elevators to cafeteria. "I know how hard it is to walk away," Max started, wondering if it was his place to say anything. "at least he's got pops with him and Clawd's not by himself. A couple weeks back Clawdia gave me a scare, she was in a lot of pain, locked herself in the bathroom. I went out long enough to get us dinner..."

Deuce watched Maximilian carefully. He was a genuine werewolf who acted for a career... but something about his conversation right now held nothing but the truth. He could tell there was a difference.

"She was crying, throwing up, hyperventilating... I finally picked the lock and got in the bathroom and there's blood on the toilet, her... so we rushed her to the emergency and they told us she had a miscarriage." He frowned as he leaned on the button for the elevator.

"I'm sorry Max. I couldn't even imagine." The gorgon stated giving the other a pat on the shoulder. "Did you even know about the baby?" Deuce inquired.

"I uh, did - yeah." He cleared his throat as they stepped onto the elevator when the doors opened. "We were gonna call Ma and Pops that weekend to tell them the news. She wanted to keep it on the down low... maybe she had a feeling? Only she and I knew." He shook his head lightly, blowing the bangs out of his face.

Deuce hadn't recalled seeing him so... stoic. Brooding, almost. Maximilian could do most any part put in front of him. For his next film, he had to work on his singing voice. He was to be the leader of a band fallen on hard times. At least that was all he knew of it yet. They didn't tell him much, just that instead of the part he auditioned for, he received the lead.

"Maybe so. That could be why she locked herself away. Probably disappointed in herself for losing the baby. No one really knows what goes through a woman's mind in that circumstance." The gorgon thought back to his situation with Clawd. "I had a slight feeling it was the venom that made him sick. But I didn't know it was until the doctor informed us. Heck I didn't even know I could venom someone until it happened to Clawd." Deuce chuckled to himself. "You should've seen his face when I told him I didn't know that I could do that, pretty sure he started writing out his will in that precise moment."

"I bet he was 3 seconds from flipping his shit." Max could barely contain his grin. "Y'know the call from Viperine really picked up Clawdia's spirits after the miscarriage. I hope you aren't too upset your cuz spilled the beans." He was worried about her, he noticed changes in her behavior and plot lines of the stories she wrote for leisure growing dark and depressed.

"Nah. Knowing Pipper she knew her friend needed cheering up. She loves Clawdia." Deuce informed Max adjusting his sunglasses.

He chuckled as they stepped off the elevator and headed left towards the cafeteria. "That she does. They don't talk everyday but every other pretty much. They're real close. Pipper, how did that come to be? If you don't mind me asking."

"When I was little, I had the hardest time pronouncing her name. Even a harder time with the letter 'V' at the beginning. So one day Pipper came out and it stuck. If I remember correctly - that was my first word too." Deuce thought back to his mother's face when he didn't say mom first and couldn't help but chuckle.

Max nodded as they entered the cafeteria, he headed right for the cookie rack and picked up two huge, individually packaged cookies. "Peanut butter, Clawdia's favorite. Did you want anything?"

Deuce was looking over the cafeteria menu, he hadn't touched the soup that he made back at the Wolf's, he was too worried about Clawd. But now he felt a bit peckish.

"Judging the menu hardcore aren't you?" Maximilian asked him, giving Deuce a playful nudge. "Not everyone's a master chef like you."

"I'm no master chef either." Deuce said with a chuckle. "They have to keep everything basic and lightly seasoned for patients who can make it down here also can't forget about food allergies." Deuce figured if he bought the chicken burger, maybe Clawd would nibble on some or even just have a bite of the patty itself?

"So that's why people complain about hospital food. It's just plainly seasoned. Good to know." Deuce nodded, still looking over the display.

Maximilian loved Ma's cooking, but Deuce's skills were very worthy of recognition. Scarlet taught the gorgon everything he knew when it came to doing... anything. She showed him how to cook meals, how to grocery shop efficiently and on a budget, how to wash dishes - all of it.

He didn't know a lot about Deuce's home situation but he knew it wasn't pretty. He was always at the Wolf's residence. Not that any of them minded. "So you and Clawd, huh? Wanna fill me in on how that began?" He was real eager to learn how this all went down so... quickly.

"It's not really much of a story to tell. Kinda just happened. Like you'd have to be blind to not notice Clawd's beautiful, inside and out. We shared a few kisses during our truth or dare game. My drunk ass found its way to his bed." The gorgon couldn't help but laugh at the memory. "Had him come over to dinner, I guess that would be our first date? Sadly my mother came home the next day. He was even a gentleman - knowing that her being home puts me on edge so he did his best to avoid her." He was still annoyed that she came home, normally she would have messaged him at least to let him know she was on her way home. He maybe could've invited Clawd to lunch or dinner instead but no she just showed up without any warning. "It may sound funny, but we're gonna take our time. Get to know each other. Since we've been with the opposite sex, it's something new for both of us." Deuce began doubting the chicken sandwich, trying to figure out something else. Even though it was a small menu, it was still hard to figure out something to grab.

Max was a great listener contrary to the thoughts of most. He nodded as he settled on a roasted turkey sandwich with brie and red peppers on a soft long bun. He was a werewolf of simple taste. "I played a part once that required a gay pairing. It's quite different," he smirked. "the awkard 'I don't know exactly where to touch you because you're a dude but so am I' kinda thoughts."

What were the chances that Maximilian just nailed it? Deuce's pink cheeks told him all he needed to know. "Uh, yeah." He chuckled.

"Are you surprised? I mean, about how quickly it turned from... bromance to romance?" It was a question Clawdia warned him not to ask... but he was burning to know. His curiosity often got the better of him.

"Honestly. I don't know." Deuce let out a nervous chuckle, as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Like yes I'm a bit surprised, did I ever think I would have feelings for Clawd in a romantic way at all? No honestly at the time, I only saw him as my bro." Deuce confessed. "Now don't get me wrong, what I have with Clawd I'm very grateful. I feel like I found my other half, even though we haven't been in this relationship long. Clawd makes me feel safe and very happy. As weird as that may sound." The gorgon did like how it was easy it talk with Max, how he genuinely cared.

Max found himself nodding along. "I get it, I really do. Clawdia and I were coworkers before we were a thing. I really liked the way she'd flesh out every character she wrote, even if they didn't have a big part in the script, they had a backstory. I mean, didn't help she's scary hot too. I could still listen to her talk all day long. We started talking and we built a friendship... after that friendship came flirtation... Clawdia's super oblivious though." He laughed. "I had to ask her out on-set! The director had to tell her I was asking her out."

"I wouldn't say oblivious, I would say focused. Like if you're on set, clearly her mind's on the script and the actors. So when you asked her out, which you thought was a romantic gesture - to her it was improv." Deuce stated hoping he didn't seemed rude.

He nodded, picking at the meat along the outside of the bun from within its paper bag. "She did think it was improv. 'No, no he's not supposed to pour his heart out yet. What are you doing? If anyone takes the character off the rail it's me, not you hot-shot'." He chuckled to himself. "Focused is a real good word. She just gets so into this zone." He looked up at Deuce. "It's how I knew she wasn't herself after the miscarriage... she wasn't able to get back into that zone. I'm in-between projects right now so we're focusing on each other for the time being." He shrugged his shoulders. "She was trying to get ahold of Clawd... she's so close to him, but when he wasn't answering her she knew something wasn't right. So I booked the next flight available."

"I appreciate that, truly. I believe he even livened up a bit with her here. I know they've always been very close." Deuce stated figuring he just go with the chicken strips, that way if he and Clawd couldn't finish them he could give them to the twin whirlwinds when they got home.

Max bit into his sandwich as the chicken strips were being prepared. "Clawdia forgets sometimes that she'd like to be alone when she's not feeling well... Clawd is a lot like her so I wasn't honestly sure if it was a good thing but having him to focus on takes her mind off what she's going through too. So thanks for having us tag along." He was glad Deuce wasn't too embarrassed of the verdict. They were surprised when Barkley, Clawdia and Clawd joined them in the cafeteria. "Well shit, look who they brought back from the dead."

Clawdia smacked Max in the shoulder for his poor choice of words. "Don't be an ass, ass."

"I'm kickin' so far," Clawd stole Max's sandwich from him and took a bite. "this is the best sandwich I've ever eaten."

"It's the only one you've eaten in almost 2 nights." Barkley reminded him.

Deuce thought about it for a moment, it had been nearly 2 days since Clawd ate anything. He began to wonder if he should order more for the wolf and maybe another sandwich for Max?

Clawd attempted to give the sandwich back, but Max lightly punched his arm. "I'm not stupid, I won't be taking food from a hungry wolf." He smirked. "Besides, how much of a real asshole would I be if I took food that you're enjoying, away from you?"

He nodded. "You'd be a big douche bag for real."

Max decided to order a couple more sandwiches.

Barkley chuckled, "His temperature is in a normal range, he looks a lot better... but we'll have to keep an eye on him for the next few hours. He's free to go home though." He gave Deuce's shoulder a reassuring rub. "May I?" He looked at the chicken strips longingly as Deuce collected the container they were just put into.

"Sure, pops." The gorgon held out the container for the elder wolf, knowing he really hadn't eaten much today either.

Deuce couldn't help but smile as Clawd finished the sandwich, he was just thankful he was eating again.

"Don't you just feel at your sexiest when you have your mouth full?" Clawdia teased her younger brother.

He rolled his eyes. "Oh yes," he made sure to finished what he was chewing before he continued. "real sexy. Just trying to show my boyfriend here exactly how much of him I can fit." He winked smoothly as Clawdia giggled.

Barkley choked on the first chicken strip he had a chance to nibble on.

"If you're anything like your sister in the sack..." Max shared a look with Deuce. "you're in for a treat or few."

"Can we not have this conversation? I helped produce you 2, your mother birthed you 2… you're both still babies to me." Barkley growled, taking another bite of the chicken strip. He didn't realize how 'hangry' he was.

Deuce's cheeks went a bright red, "Yeah, I believe Pops is right. Let's save this conversation for way later." The gorgon stated as he went to go pay for everyone's food, thinking it was best way to hide his embarrassment.

Maximilian had already beat Deuce to it, the items were already paid for. "Nice try," he scolded the gorgon lightly. He also took the liberty in ordering food for the rest of the family for dinner. He didn't mind supporting the hospital at all. "you can help me carry all this though. How's the whole co-captain thing gonna work at school?" He wondered out loud. "I mean, does the team… know about you guys?" He inquired discreetly, as Deuce reached for a couple paper bags.

"I'm not really sure, I can't see there a problem as long as we keep it respectful and professional. I mean, the guys are pretty cool - I can't see them having an issue." Deuce said now beginning to think what could possibly happen, would coach kick them off the team? Or make one of or both step down? His eyes shifted towards the wolf in question - the team meant the world to Clawd. He didn't want to ruin it for him.

Max couldn't remember if he met their friends or not. In all probability they might have seen a couple of his movies but they might not recognize him. He would honestly forget that he was famous – not many recognized him here which made it easy for him and Clawdia to visit often. He always had a soft spot for New Salem. "Before your train of thought derails," Max interrupted both his and Deuce's mind. "I'm sure they're cool. I was just curious bud, that's all. Don't go thinking all crazy-like. Clawd really cares for you. He's looked at you in a way I've never seen him look at that pink, bubbly annoying insult-for-a-vampire."

"Yeah..." Deuce shifted his attention back towards Clawd, who seemed to happier just to be next to Clawdia. That part of his brain now raced with questions.

Clawd caught up with them and kissed Deuce's cheek before taking the paper bags from him. "Wouldn't want you to bruise your captain muscles, since you'll be kicking them in the ass tomorrow for me." He told his gorgon and brother-in-law. "Dad just told me he'd like me to stay out of school for another day or so, just to be sure."

Clawdia caught up to them, leaving poor Pops in the dust with his container of chicken strips. "Yes and I'll personally make sure you stay home, because Max and I will be crashing in my old room."

Max shook his head. "I don't want to think about your virginity being taken in the bed we're sleeping in."

She waved it off. "I lost my virginity in a walk-in closet at a house party."

They heard growling from behind them.

"Pops is right though, you should take it easy." The gorgon said taking the bag of food back. "Caring a heavy bag isn't helping you either."

"It's not that heavy anymore, the old man's on his second container of chicken strips." He joked lightly. The nice crisp breeze felt so good through his fur. It reminded him that he needed a shower badly. "So sorry that you're down-wind babe."

Clawdia rolled her eyes. "Who cares about my sensitive nose though?" The doors of the van unlocked and Max hopped in the front. He mostly had to travel by limo when he was filming so he always rode in the back. So he called shotgun for riding in the passenger seat whenever he could. "I'll take the rental car back to Ma and Pop's, meet you guys there!"

Deuce and Clawd slid in after setting the food down in the back. Now it was time to return to the Wolf Residence.