Review(s):

Funkita - I've been fortunate enough in my lifetime that I've had some wonderful teachers that have cared just as much as Where and Hack do, that's who I base them off of. :) Yes they make such a wonderful pair, Clawd comes from a home with love and warmth and Deuce's own dwelling doesn't, that's another reason why we thought they go together/compliment each other nicely.

Onward!


Deuce's eyes scanned over Clawd's iCoffin in the center console of his car. It looked to be in almost the same condition that his own was currently in. There were numerous cracks and it looked like the wolf tried to glue along the lines of each individual crack… and there were multiple. Was that clear tape on his screen too? 'He needs a new phone badly… shit so do I now. Maybe I can go shopping for both of us?' In the gorgon's eyes, it was a mere trinket in saying thank you for everything his boyfriend had done for him so far.

The poor thing kept buzzing. Clawd narrowed his eyes downward for a moment, he shifted them back towards the road. There was construction and workers present. "Can you grab that for me, babe? I'm sorry, I'm trying to concentrate here."

Deuce reached over and grabbed the phone, A small sigh escaped from the gorgon. "We really need to let this thing die, sadly I believe it's in better shape than mine." The gorgon couldn't help but smirk.

The wolf gave a quick roll of his eyes. "Yeah, yeah… it still serves the purpose. I don't need or like anything fancy… it calls, it sends text messages, even picture messages are fancy to me." Every word was the truth, especially considering this was the oldest model of iCoffin barely going. To get charging cables for this thing was a challenge… Deuce knew, he tried to shop for one.

CLAWD ALEXANDER IF YOU DON'T ANSWER ME I'LL… Idk what I'll do, just answer me – Pops

How's Deuce? What's going on? I stocked up on the whiskey – Pops

Deuce chuckled to himself, of course Barkley would stock up on the whiskey. It sounded like he needed a shot or few himself.

Ok now I'm worried, that mother of his didn't show up to the school did she? - Pops

I confiscated your father's phone from him, he's quite stressed out – threatened to break it. Plz call him, luv you xo – Ma

"He used your middle name." Deuce informed Clawd as he hit the phone icon in the conversation thread that would dial Pop's number. The gorgon noticed the look of horror on the wolf's face as he waited for the phone to begin ringing. Deuce drummed his fingers against the door frame as the phone rang, didn't Ma literally have the phone just a second ago? Why wasn't anyone answering?

"Hello? Clawd why the hell does it take you so long to get back to a person? Damn. I'm shedding like fucking crazy, how's my boy?" All of the words came rushing in at once. Deuce had to admit, he hadn't heard an angry tone from Barkley in a long, long time. It wasn't one he wanted to hear often either.

Clawd winced, being able to hear his father almost loud and clear when the older wolf wasn't even on speaker phone.

"Calm down Pops, I'm fine. I'm sorry for making you shed all over Ma's house." The gorgon replied to the elder wolf on the phone. Deuce couldn't lie, he did feel a little bad for making the old man worry so much.

"Deuce? Sorry, I thought I was yelling at my son who can't pick up his old ass phone. I'm surprised it still rings anymore. Isn't the volume button broken?" Deuce chuckled. "How are you feeling, bud? Are you alright? Do you need anything?"

"Hell I'm surprised it still makes calls." The gorgon joked, at least Pop's wasn't screaming anymore. "I'm alright, please don't be too mad at Clawd. He was just calming me down from a tiny panic attack." Deuce informed the other on the phone.

Clawd narrowed his eyes at Deuce when he reached the familiar intersection and stopped at a red light. He was about to speak when Deuce tapped his nose.

The wolf was shocked. Did his boyfriend just use a disciplinary action on him to keep him quiet?

Rude.

"Honestly if it weren't for him and Jackson. It could've been worse." Just then Deuce reached for Clawd's free hand, all he really wanted to do was snuggle his wolf but couldn't do that while driving.

Clawd felt bad that he didn't reach for Deuce's hand earlier, he normally always did.

"I didn't mean to go off, I was just worried. I'm glad you're alright though." The gorgon chuckled when he heard Scarlet ask Barkley if he calmed his wild, narrow ass down yet. "Yes woman, I'm on the phone with Deuce." And apparently that was the wrong thing for Pops to say. "I'll apologize to you in a minute damn it. Anyway, whereabouts are you guys? Not still at school I hope."

"No. Mr. Where had us chill in the auditorium for a bit. Then he sent us home we're almost there to be honest." Deuce shifted in his seat so he could get a bit closer to Clawd without interfering with the other's driving.

Clawd took note of Deuce moving in closer. "Are you alright? Do you feel sick?"

Deuce shook his head. He thought he heard Pops breathe a sigh of relief on the other end of the phone. "Good, that's good. Where's a chill dude, I love that guy. I'll see you both at home soon then, tell Clawd his butt won't be served back to him by the time he gets here."

Clawd chuckled, bringing Deuce's hand up to kiss it gently as he pulled onto the street his house was located on.

"Sure thing Pops. See you soon." The gorgon said hanging up the phone and tucking it into his pocket with his. "Pops says hi." Deuce informed the wolf, who had heard the whole conversation.

Clawd scoffed. "Yeah, he said a lot more than that." He skillfully backed into the driveway, he hated backing out first thing to start his day. He'd prefer to back the vehicle in when he was home and drive it out when he had to leave. "C'mon, sleepy beauty." He unfastened his seatbelt and popped the door open.

Deuce found the passenger side door being opened for him. If he didn't know any better, he'd think the Wolf was being alluring enough to maybe get laid tonight. He chuckled to himself.

"Oh my Prince Charming." The gorgon teased as he climbed out of the car. "You know Ma is going to hug us for at least 45 minutes before we can get to bed, right?" The asked as he closed the door to the car.

The Gorgon grabbed onto the wolf's arm and pulled him close, stretching up just a little bit so their lips could meet. After stealing a kiss the gorgon snaked his arms around the other's neck to keep them level and also so he could deepen the second one.

Clawd obliged the shorter, picking him up and sitting him on the hood of his car. It was amazing to him how much passion he could pour into a single kiss for Deuce. He thought about lying the gorgon down right there.

They were pleasantly distracted distracted until a familiar car pulled up that neither of them wanted to see. In a matter of moments both Barkley and Scarlet were outside and down the stone walkway. "Clawd, take Deuce inside. Now."

Clawd glanced over to the door in the corner of the garage that connected it to the house. It would lead them to the kitchen.

Deuce glanced over at the over car before sliding off Clawd's, a small whimper escaped from the gorgon as he made his way into the wolf's arms.

"What's she doing here?" Deuce bitterly asked, how dare she show up here? This was supposed to be the one place she would never bother him at, yet here she was polluting his air with her high levels of toxic.

"I don't know..." Clawd tried to pull the gorgon along with him but he wouldn't budge. "Deuce..." He whined lightly. "C'mon… you don't have to endure anything she'll say or do. You don't need that… please."

Scarlet was brave enough to meet her at the end of the walkway. "Dusa..." she was feeling a mixture of many things. This woman was her very best friend back when they attended Monster High. In fact, Medusa was Scarlet's only friend. They were best friends for years… until she stopped contact.

"Scarlet, I see you've toned up since I saw you last. Not bad, for a body that's had way more pups than it should've." She fixed her designer sunglasses. "Deuce? Come."

"No," Scarlet put her hand on Medusa's forearm. "please… he's comfortable here. Don't force him to leave."

"I will do whatever I please, you won't stop me." Medusa shoved the she-wolf's hand off her arm.

A warning growl came from behind Scarlet, it was none other than Barkley himself.

'Oh but you might.' Medusa thought to herself. "All I want is for Deuce to return home."

"Why, so you can leave again?" The elder wolf growled. "The only thing that boy's known of you is your back since he started school."

"How dare you?" She hissed at him.

Clawd held Deuce tightly in his arms, ready to shield his gorgon from anything coming his way.

The gorgon's grip got tighter on Clawd, honestly he couldn't move if he wanted to. All he could do was glare at his mother, how dare she talk to Scarlet that way? Clawd's mother was one of the most caring people he knew, she would bend over backwards for anyone.

Deuce's eyes shifted towards the door in the garage, part of him really wanted to hear what Pops had to say. On the other hand, Deuce was shaking badly on the inside. He wasn't used to having anyone stand up to his mother for him or try and protect him. From a young age he learned quickly to not upset this mother or there would be major trouble.

"How dare I? How dare you!" Barkley stood in front of Scarlet in a fiercely protective manner. "Showing up here like you're gonna take him away. Force him to go to some shit therapist that's highly recommended. Well," He stepped closer and she stepped back, startled to find her car behind her. It meant that she couldn't back up any further from the wolf, whom was now seething with anger. "let me make a recommendation to you. How about you go to the therapist's appointment. Maybe you can confess your sins to a shrink and have him poison your blood with unnecessary pills."

For a moment she looked defeated. "But it's supposed to help him..."

Barkley shook his head. "Well therapy doesn't help him. It's not for everyone, Medusa. Don't force that boy to do what you want, thinking you have any kind of control over him. He's 16 years of age, he doesn't have to do your bidding. It's too late to be his parent now. You should've been that all along."

"You asshole!" She shoved him as hard as she could, though it barely budged him. "I'm so damn sorry Barkley Wolf. That I'm not the perfect parent like you are-"

"Excuse me? I never damn well said I was perfect. I'm not. Scarlet's not either. Being a single parent? That's something I can't imagine going through," he took a breath to tone his anger down. "Medusa… I don't wanna fight with you."

She folded her arms over her chest. "Well you're doing a great fucking job so far. You're on a roll."

He rolled his eyes. "Damn it woman, listen to me! Give the kid some time… the harder you push him, the farther away he's going to get. Trust me on that." Barkley felt terrible as he saw a tear slide down her cheek. "Dusa, please..."

"I hate it when you're right," She sighed. "you always were the voice of reason." Her eyes glanced over to her son, cradled in Clawd Wolf's arms.

"He's safe here, I promise you." Scarlet added, flinching when Medusa stepped closer to her.

"You actually look great, Scar." She told the she-wolf. "Take care of him, please. You were always better at it than me."

Scarlet bit down on her lip. She just had more experience that was all. "Dusa..."

Medusa turned and walked around to the driver's side, getting in her vehicle and slamming the door shut. If there was ever a time she felt more like a failure… this one topped it. It soon took off at top speed, leaving Barkley and Scarlet stunned as well as Deuce and Clawd.

(¯`·._(¯`·._(¯`·._( MONSTER HIGH )_.·´¯)_.·´¯)_.·´¯)

Deuce had never been so glad to see the inside of the Wolf's residence again. He was able to breathe a sigh of relief knowing that his mother wasn't able to force him to go home and that Barkley had his side on the whole therapy-thing – that in itself was a huge weight lifted. However he noticed that Pops went straight for the bottle of whiskey and had a shot or 2. He didn't even take it down to the basement which was highly unlike him. Was he about to have another? Yikes.

Scarlet, Deuce and Clawd were seated in the living room when the door opened. Maximilian looked as if he were absolutely delighted. "Hello wonderful family," he greeted, ushering Clawdia through the door as well. "we are officially... pregnant!"

Deuce gave a weak smile, he was truly happy for them both. Sadly today's events had him wiped right now, he knew it had been an emotional day for everyone. Deuce glanced towards where Pop and the whiskey was, it worried him a little that the elder male wolf hadn't left the bottle yet.

The gorgon left Clawd's side to go check on the old man, just then he could hear Scarlet congratulating both Max and Clawdia he had a feeling Clawd was most likely hugging his sister. This moment was what they both needed, a bit of cheering up.

"How far along are you, baby?" Scarlet asked Clawdia.

"13 days." she chuckled. It didn't seem like that long. "They predict I'll be due around mid-January."

Barkley smiled, he was happy for his daughter and son-in-law. But he couldn't calm his nerves down from arguing with Medusa. There were so many words he left unsaid but he didn't want to completely crush her. It seemed like he rattled her enough.

He was startled by Deuce's presence. The gorgon had been there for at least a minute. "Oh, hey there." His greeting was meek, it was soft... too soft almost. There was definitely a lot on Barkley's mind.

"Hey Grandpa." The gorgon said taking the stool next to Pops, he sat there studying the elder wolf. Trying to figure out what was going on inside his head.

Barkley had almost forgotten Max just announced that Clawdia was indeed pregnant. "Oh, right." He cast his eyes to the side. "Deuce, I'm sorry if I said anything that... overstepped my boundaries." He confessed to the gorgon. "I didn't mean to speak for you... or put words in your mouth. Can you forgive me, bud?"

"Don't worry Pops, I came over here to thank you for being my voice when I couldn't speak for myself." The gorgon confessed, he truly appreciated the elder wolf having his back.

Deuce glanced over his shoulder, Scarlet now had the mom-to-be sitting on the couch as they seemed to be talking about the baby inside Clawdia's belly. Clawd was off to the side talking to Max, who still had a huge smile upon his face.

He shifted his attention back towards Pops, who seemed a little less train-wrecked. "I'm sorry, about my mother just stopping by. Causing you to go all defensive and 'protective papa wolf'."

Barkley shook his head, "Deuce... you know damn well I'd give my life to protect you, as I would one of my own. I'd hate for it to be from your own mother but... I guess life's funny like that, huh?"

He was the kind of wolf that needed to get things off his chest, he needed to express or talk about his feelings to others. He knew that even if he called her up, she would only ignore it. Or change her number completely... it had been over a decade since Deuce's father, Sawyer Gorgon, was killed in a vehicular accident. He hadn't returned home in 48 hours and Medusa was livid. She assumed he up and left her and Deuce... when in all reality... he would've loved to come home to his wife and child. He was damn sure that she didn't even know he was dead.

The thoughts raced through Barkley's mind at a fast pace, he started to tremble. He gave his knuckles a quick crack to hide the fact that he was shaking.

"Nah, if anything it would be your blood pressure that takes you down. You can be pretty scary when provoked," he couldn't forget the image of his mother backing up as Barkley approached her. The fear in her eyes was obvious. "you literally put your heart into everything. Loving us, protecting us, even disciplining us." The gorgon spoke honestly to the elder wolf.

Barkley chuckled. His own father, better known to his children as Papa Pawsley, told him that his passion would sky rocket his blood pressure and be the death of him one of these days. "My old man said that way back too. B-P would be my worst enemy." He wanted to talk to Deuce... they shared a lot between one another with the aid of a few drinks... but he couldn't talk to the young gorgon about any of this. He was real close to wanting another shot... though he wasn't sure if it would take the edge off at all. The last 3 didn't help much.

"Y'know you can chat with me right?" The gorgon said resting his head on his folded arms. "We normally talk about everything."

Barkley shifted his gaze from the bottle up to Sawyer. Sawyer? He stepped back quickly and blinked. The shot glass he had used falling off the kitchen island and shattering upon the floor. No... it was Deuce. Deuce was sitting here... but why did he just see the father of the gorgon boy, within him?

He could feel his heart pounding in his chest... there was a dull ache beginning to form.

"Pops?" The young gorgon stared at the elder wolf. "Do you need to sit down for a moment?" Deuce began to wonder if maybe the whiskey was finally hitting the other all at once, what else could explain this? "Want some water?"

Barkley shook his head, but he felt like he couldn't truly communicate. "N-no... th-thanks."

Scarlet looked over at her husband and she could almost see the racing thoughts written all over his panicked face. 'Barkley!' She thought to herself, she had a feeling that arguing with Medusa would bring up all parts of the past and haunt him. "Alright kids, it's about time we retire! Everyone, disperse."

Clawdia raised an eyebrow and followed her mother's gaze. "Dad!" She went to rush over but Scarlet beat her to it, Max quickly sat down with his pregnant fiancee.

"Get going. Now." Scarlet growled, she knew exactly what was happening. If she didn't get to him it could unravel and get ugly real fast.

Max didn't want to anger his mother-in-law. "Come on, 'Dia." Clawdia reluctantly followed him.

Clawd darted into the kitchen after his mother.

The moment Scarlet brought Barkley into hug he broke down – he choked out a sob and buried his face into her neck. "Shh, I'm right here baby. Right here."

Clawd's eyes widened and he looked at Deuce, what the hell happened in the last 10 minutes or so?